A modular microfluidic platform for the synthesis of biopolymeric nanoparticles entrapping organic actives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chronopoulou, Laura; Sparago, Carolina; Palocci, Cleofe

2014-11-01

Using a novel and versatile capillary microfluidic flow-focusing device we fabricated monodisperse drug-loaded nanoparticles from biodegradable polymers. A model amphiphilic drug (dexamethasone) was incorporated within the biodegradable matrix of the particles. The influence of flow rate ratio, polymer concentration, and microreactor-focusing channel dimensions on nanoparticles' size and drug loading has been investigated. The microfluidic approach resulted in the production of colloidal polymeric nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (diameters ranging between 35 and 350 nm) and useful morphological characteristics. This technique allows the fast, low cost, easy, and automated synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles, therefore it may become a useful approach in the progression from laboratory scale to pilot-line scale processes.

Nanoscale Infrared Spectroscopy of Biopolymeric Materials

Treesearch

Curtis Marcott; Michael Lo; Kevin Kjoller; Craig Prater; Roshan Shetty; Joseph Jakes; Isao Noda

2012-01-01

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy have been combined in a single instrument capable of producing 100 nm spatial resolution IR spectra and images. This new capability enables the spectroscopic characterization of biomaterial domains at levels not previously possible. A tunable IR laser source generating pulses on the order of 10 ns was used...

Nucleic acid-coupled colorimetric analyte detectors

DOEpatents

Charych, Deborah H.; Jonas, Ulrich

2001-01-01

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the direct detection of analytes and membrane conformational changes through the detection of color changes in biopolymeric materials. In particular, the present invention provide for the direct colorimetric detection of analytes using nucleic acid ligands at surfaces of polydiacetylene liposomes and related molecular layer systems.

Growth Of Oriented Crystals At Polymerized Membranes

DOEpatents

Charych, Deborah H. , Berman, Amir

2000-01-25

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the growth and alignment of crystals at biopolymeric films. The methods and compositions of the present invention provide means to generate a variety of dense crystalline ceramic films, with totally aligned crystals, at low temperatures and pressures, suitable for use with polymer and plastic substrates.

Pharmacological performance of novel poly-(ionic liquid)-grafted chitosan-N-salicylidene Schiff bases and their complexes.

PubMed

Elshaarawy, Reda F M; Refaee, Ayaat A; El-Sawi, Emtithal A

2016-08-01

In our endeavor to develop a new class of pharmacological candidates with antimicrobial and anticancer efficacy, a series of biopolymeric chitosan Schiff bases bearing salicylidene ionic liquid (IL-Sal) brushes (ILCSB1-3, poly-(GlcNHAc-GlcNH2-(GlcN-Sal-IL)) was successfully synthesized by adopting efficient synthetic routes. Unfortunately, metalation trials of these biopolymeric Schiff bases afford the corresponding Ag(I)/M(II) complexes (where M=Co, Pd). These designed architectures were structurally characterized and pharmacologically evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial, against common bacterial and fungal pathogens, and anticancer activities against human colon carcinoma (HCT-116) cell line. In conclusion functionalization of chitosan with IL-Sal brushes coupled with metalation of formed ILCSBs were synergistically enhanced its antimicrobial and antitumor properties to a great extent. Noteworthy, Ag-ILCSB2 (IC50=9.13μg/mL) was ca. 5-fold more cytotoxic against HCT-116 cell line than ILCSB2 (IC50=43.30μg/mL). Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Emergency department documentation templates: variability in template selection and association with physical examination and test ordering in dizziness presentations.

PubMed

Kerber, Kevin A; Hofer, Timothy P; Meurer, William J; Fendrick, A Mark; Morgenstern, Lewis B

2011-03-24

Clinical documentation systems, such as templates, have been associated with process utilization. The T-System emergency department (ED) templates are widely used but lacking are analyses of the templates association with processes. This system is also unique because of the many different template options available, and thus the selection of the template may also be important. We aimed to describe the selection of templates in ED dizziness presentations and to investigate the association between items on templates and process utilization. Dizziness visits were captured from a population-based study of EDs that use documentation templates. Two relevant process outcomes were assessed: head computerized tomography (CT) scan and nystagmus examination. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of each outcome for patients who did or did not receive a relevant-item template. Propensity scores were also used to adjust for selection effects. The final cohort was 1,485 visits. Thirty-one different templates were used. Use of a template with a head CT item was associated with an increase in the adjusted probability of head CT utilization from 12.2% (95% CI, 8.9%-16.6%) to 29.3% (95% CI, 26.0%-32.9%). The adjusted probability of documentation of a nystagmus assessment increased from 12.0% (95%CI, 8.8%-16.2%) when a nystagmus-item template was not used to 95.0% (95% CI, 92.8%-96.6%) when a nystagmus-item template was used. The associations remained significant after propensity score adjustments. Providers use many different templates in dizziness presentations. Important differences exist in the various templates and the template that is used likely impacts process utilization, even though selection may be arbitrary. The optimal design and selection of templates may offer a feasible and effective opportunity to improve care delivery.

US Federal LCA Commons Life Cycle Inventory Unit Process Template

EPA Science Inventory

The US Federal LCA Commons Life Cycle Inventory Unit Process Template is a multi-sheet Excel template for life cycle inventory data, metadata and other documentation. The template comes as a package that consistent of three parts: (1) the main template itself for life cycle inven...

Development of nanoimprint lithography templates for the contact hole layer application (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ichimura, Koji; Hikichi, Ryugo; Harada, Saburo; Kanno, Koichi; Kurihara, Masaaki; Hayashi, Naoya

2017-04-01

Nanoimprint lithography, NIL, is gathering much attention as one of the most potential candidates for the next generation lithography for semiconductor. This technology needs no pattern data modification for exposure, simpler exposure system, and single step patterning process without any coat/develop truck, and has potential of cost effective patterning rather than very complex optical lithography and/or EUV lithography. NIL working templates are made by the replication of the EB written high quality master templates. Fabrication of high resolution master templates is one of the most important issues. Since NIL is 1:1 pattern transfer process, master templates have 4 times higher resolution compared with photomasks. Another key is to maintain the quality of the master templates in replication process. NIL process is applied for the template replication and this imprint process determines most of the performance of the replicated templates. Expectations to the NIL are not only high resolution line and spaces but also the contact hole layer application. Conventional ArF-i lithography has a certain limit in size and pitch for contact hole fabrication. On the other hand, NIL has good pattern fidelity for contact hole fabrication at smaller sizes and pitches compared with conventional optical lithography. Regarding the tone of the templates for contact hole, there are the possibilities of both tone, the hole template and the pillar template, depending on the processes of the wafer side. We have succeeded to fabricate both types of templates at 2xnm in size. In this presentation, we will be discussing fabrication or our replica template for the contact hole layer application. Both tone of the template fabrication will be presented as well as the performance of the replica templates. We will also discuss the resolution improvement of the hole master templates by using various e-beam exposure technologies.

Integration of Natural Polymers and Synthetic Nanostructures

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-20

interphase reinforcement. Reconstituted silk fibroin from Bombyx Mori silkworm silks is an mass- production available source of the excellent biopolymeric ...we replaced traditional synthetic binders in GO papers with universal biopolymer “binder”-silk fibroin. The fabrication of GO-SF microfilms using ...selectively patterning its secondary structure using capillary transfer lithography (CTL) and solvent-assisted micro -contact molding (SAMIM) (Figure

Light Weight Biomorphous Cellular Ceramics from Cellulose Templates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Mrityunjay; Yee, Bo-Moon; Gray, Hugh R. (Technical Monitor)

2003-01-01

Bimorphous ceramics are a new class of materials that can be fabricated from the cellulose templates derived from natural biopolymers. These biopolymers are abundantly available in nature and are produced by the photosynthesis process. The wood cellulose derived carbon templates have three- dimensional interconnectivity. A wide variety of non-oxide and oxide based ceramics have been fabricated by template conversion using infiltration and reaction-based processes. The cellular anatomy of the cellulose templates plays a key role in determining the processing parameters (pyrolysis, infiltration conditions, etc.) and resulting ceramic materials. The processing approach, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the biomorphous cellular ceramics (silicon carbide and oxide based) have been discussed.

Microbial colonization of biopolymeric thin films containing natural compounds and antibiotics fabricated by MAPLE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cristescu, R.; Surdu, A. V.; Grumezescu, A. M.; Oprea, A. E.; Trusca, R.; Vasile, O.; Dorcioman, G.; Visan, A.; Socol, G.; Mihailescu, I. N.; Mihaiescu, D.; Enculescu, M.; Chifiriuc, M. C.; Boehm, R. D.; Narayan, R. J.; Chrisey, D. B.

2015-05-01

Although a great number of antibiotics are currently available, they are often rendered ineffective by the ability of microbial strains to develop genetic resistance and to grow in biofilms. Since many antimicrobial agents poorly penetrate biofilms, biofilm-associated infections often require high concentrations of antimicrobial agents for effective treatment. Among the various strategies that may be used to inhibit microbial biofilms, one strategy that has generated significant interest involves the use of bioactive surfaces that are resistant to microbial colonization. In this respect, we used matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) involving a pulsed KrF* excimer laser source (λ = 248 nm, τ = 25 ns, ν = 10 Hz) to obtain thin composite biopolymeric films containing natural (flavonoid) or synthetic (antibiotic) compounds as bioactive substances. Chemical composition and film structures were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Films morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The antimicrobial assay of the microbial biofilms formed on these films was assessed by the viable cell counts method. The flavonoid-containing thin films showed increased resistance to microbial colonization, highlighting their potential to be used for the design of anti-biofilm surfaces.

Quercetin as natural stabilizing agent for bio-polymer

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

Morici, Elisabetta; Arrigo, Rossella; Dintcheva, Nadka Tzankova

The introduction of antioxidants in polymers is the main way to prevent or delay the degradation process. In particular natural antioxidants receive attention in the food industry also because of their presumed safety. In this work bio-polymers, i.e. a commercial starch-based polymer (Mater-Bi®) and a bio-polyester (PLA), and a bio-polyether (PEO) were additivated with quercetin, a natural flavonoid antioxidants, in order to formulate bio-based films for ecosustainable packaging and outdoor applications. The photo-oxidation behavior of unstabilized and quercetin stabilized films was analyzed and compared with the behavior of films additivated with a commercial synthetic light stabilizer. The quercetin is ablemore » to slow down the photo-degradation rate of all bio-polymeric films investigated in similar way to the synthetic stabilizer.« less

Quercetin as natural stabilizing agent for bio-polymer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morici, Elisabetta; Arrigo, Rossella; Dintcheva, Nadka Tzankova

2014-05-01

The introduction of antioxidants in polymers is the main way to prevent or delay the degradation process. In particular natural antioxidants receive attention in the food industry also because of their presumed safety. In this work bio-polymers, i.e. a commercial starch-based polymer (Mater-Bi®) and a bio-polyester (PLA), and a bio-polyether (PEO) were additivated with quercetin, a natural flavonoid antioxidants, in order to formulate bio-based films for ecosustainable packaging and outdoor applications. The photo-oxidation behavior of unstabilized and quercetin stabilized films was analyzed and compared with the behavior of films additivated with a commercial synthetic light stabilizer. The quercetin is able to slow down the photo-degradation rate of all bio-polymeric films investigated in similar way to the synthetic stabilizer.

Poly(ethylene imine)-based granular sorbents by a new process of templated gel-filling. High capacity and selectivity of copper sorption in acidic and alkaline media

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

Chanda, M.; Rempel, G.L.

A new process has been developed for making granular gel-type sorbents from chelating resins using metal ion as template. Named as templated gel-filling, the process uses the chosen metal as templating host ion on high-surface-area silica to build a templated gel layer from a solution of the chelating resin in a suitable solvent in which the resin is soluble but its metal complex is insoluble. After cross-linking the templated gel layer, the silica support is removed by alkali to produce a hollow shell of the templated gel. The shells are then soaked in a concentrated aqueous solution of the samemore » metal ion and suspended in the same resin solution to afford gel-filling. The shells thus filled with metal-templated gel are treated with cross-linking agent, followed by acid to remove the template ion and activate the resin for metal sorption. Poly(ethyleneimine) and its partially ethylated derivative have been used to produce granular gel-type sorbents by this process, with Cu(II) as the template ion. These sorbents are found to offer high capacity and selectivity for copper over nickel, cobalt, and zinc in both acidic and alkaline media. Containing a relatively high fraction of imbibed water, the sorbents exhibit markedly enhanced rate behavior, in both sorption and stripping.« less

Influence of solvent polarity and supersaturation on template-induced nucleation of carbamazepine crystal polymorphs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parambil, Jose V.; Poornachary, Sendhil K.; Tan, Reginald B. H.; Heng, Jerry Y. Y.

2017-07-01

Studies on the use of template surfaces to induce heterogeneous crystal nucleation have gained momentum in recent years-with potential applications in selective crystallisation of polymorphs and in the generation of seed crystals in a continuous crystallisation process. In developing a template-assisted solution crystallisation process, the kinetics of homogeneous versus heterogeneous crystal nucleation could be influenced by solute-solvent, solute-template, and solvent-template interactions. In this study, we report the effect of solvents of varying polarity on the nucleation of carbamazepine (CBZ) crystal polymorphs, a model active pharmaceutical ingredient. The experimental results demonstrate that functionalised template surfaces are effective in promoting crystallisation of either the metastable (form II) or stable (form III) polymorphs of CBZ only in moderately (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol) and low polar (toluene) solvents. A solvent with high polarity (acetonitrile) is thought to mask the template effect on heterogeneous nucleation due to strong solute-solvent and solvent-template interactions. The current study highlights that a quality-by-design (QbD) approach-considering the synergistic effects of solute concentration, solvent type, solution temperature, and template surface chemistry on crystal nucleation-is critical to the development of a template-induced crystallisation process.

Framework for adaptive multiscale analysis of nonhomogeneous point processes.

PubMed

Helgason, Hannes; Bartroff, Jay; Abry, Patrice

2011-01-01

We develop the methodology for hypothesis testing and model selection in nonhomogeneous Poisson processes, with an eye toward the application of modeling and variability detection in heart beat data. Modeling the process' non-constant rate function using templates of simple basis functions, we develop the generalized likelihood ratio statistic for a given template and a multiple testing scheme to model-select from a family of templates. A dynamic programming algorithm inspired by network flows is used to compute the maximum likelihood template in a multiscale manner. In a numerical example, the proposed procedure is nearly as powerful as the super-optimal procedures that know the true template size and true partition, respectively. Extensions to general history-dependent point processes is discussed.

Creation of structured documentation templates using Natural Language Processing techniques.

PubMed

Kashyap, Vipul; Turchin, Alexander; Morin, Laura; Chang, Frank; Li, Qi; Hongsermeier, Tonya

2006-01-01

Structured Clinical Documentation is a fundamental component of the healthcare enterprise, linking both clinical (e.g., electronic health record, clinical decision support) and administrative functions (e.g., evaluation and management coding, billing). One of the challenges in creating good quality documentation templates has been the inability to address specialized clinical disciplines and adapt to local clinical practices. A one-size-fits-all approach leads to poor adoption and inefficiencies in the documentation process. On the other hand, the cost associated with manual generation of documentation templates is significant. Consequently there is a need for at least partial automation of the template generation process. We propose an approach and methodology for the creation of structured documentation templates for diabetes using Natural Language Processing (NLP).

Trace analysis of nitrite ions in environmental samples by using in-situ synthesized Zein biopolymeric nanoparticles as the novel green solid phase extractor.

PubMed

Hatamie, Amir; Nassiri, Mahmoud; Alivand, Meghdad Doust; Bhatnagar, Amit

2018-01-01

For the first time, a novel green method using Zein biopolymeric nanoparticles as a green dispersive solid-phase extractor is reported for the separation and preconcentration of trace amount of nitrite (NO 2 - ) ions in ppb levels. The Zein protein is a biodegradable hydrophobic plant protein that is obtained from corn and is composed of a number of hydrophobic amino acids. Zein bionanoparticles were synthesized in an anti-solvent process and used as a new biosorbent in the extraction technique. In the proposed technique, by using a standard method at first, a mixture of 1-naphthylamine and sulphanilic acid as selective regents was added to the samples, and in the presence of the nitrite ion, a red azo product was formed. After that, the ethanolic Zein solution (equal to 15mg) was injected rapidly into the sample, based on the anti-solvent process. Zein bionanoparticles (BNPs) were produced, the adsorbed colour product was separated by centrifugation, and finally samples were analysed with the spectrophotometric method. The influence of different variables such as pH, buffer and amount of buffer, amount of adsorbent and effect of time on extraction were investigated and Zein BNPs were characterized by TEM, SEM, and FT-IR techniques. The main advantages of Zein as a new solid-phase extractor are that this biopolymer is non-toxic, stable, widely available, biodegradable, very hydrophobic, and can be fabricated easily. Under optimal experimental conditions, the linear correlation coefficient (r 2 ) was found to be 0.9972 at the concentration range of 5.0-1000ngmL -1 . The limit of detection was 2.3ngmL -1 (0.05μM). This method was applied successfully for the analysis of sea and river waters as well as industrial wastewater samples. Finally, this method follows the US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) and WHO (World Health Organization) international standards for nitrite analysis. In addition, it has several advantages to warrant its applicability in the near future in separation science as a green biosorbent in both dispersive and normal solid-phase extraction. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Controlling the anodizing conditions in preparation of an nanoporous anodic aluminium oxide template

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazemi, Azadeh; Abolfazl, Seyed; Sadjadi, Seyed

2014-12-01

Porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) template is commonly used in the synthesis of one-dimensional nanostructures, such as nanowires and nanorods, due to its simple fabrication process. Controlling the anodizing conditions is important because of their direct influence on the size of AAO template pores; it affects the size of nanostructures that are fabricated in AAO template. In present study, several alumina templates were fabricated by a two-step electrochemical anodization in different conditions, such as the time of first process, its voltage, and electrolyte concentration. The effect of these factors on pore diameters of AAO templates was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Conversion of Radiology Reporting Templates to the MRRT Standard.

PubMed

Kahn, Charles E; Genereaux, Brad; Langlotz, Curtis P

2015-10-01

In 2013, the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) Radiology workgroup developed the Management of Radiology Report Templates (MRRT) profile, which defines both the format of radiology reporting templates using an extension of Hypertext Markup Language version 5 (HTML5), and the transportation mechanism to query, retrieve, and store these templates. Of 200 English-language report templates published by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), initially encoded as text and in an XML schema language, 168 have been converted successfully into MRRT using a combination of automated processes and manual editing; conversion of the remaining 32 templates is in progress. The automated conversion process applied Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT) scripts, an XML parsing engine, and a Java servlet. The templates were validated for proper HTML5 and MRRT syntax using web-based services. The MRRT templates allow radiologists to share best-practice templates across organizations and have been uploaded to the template library to supersede the prior XML-format templates. By using MRRT transactions and MRRT-format templates, radiologists will be able to directly import and apply templates from the RSNA Report Template Library in their own MRRT-compatible vendor systems. The availability of MRRT-format reporting templates will stimulate adoption of the MRRT standard and is expected to advance the sharing and use of templates to improve the quality of radiology reports.

Making Microscopic Cubes Of Boron

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Faulkner, Joseph M.

1993-01-01

Production of finely divided cubes of boron involves vacuum-deposition technology and requires making of template. Template supports pattern of checkered squares 25 micrometers on side, which are etched 25 micrometers into template material. Template coasted uniformly with paralyene or some similar vacuum coating with low coefficient of adhesion. Intended application to solid rocket fuels, explosives, and pyrotechnics; process used for other applications, from manufacture of pharmaceuticals to processing of nuclear materials.

Enhancing Malaria Vaccine Development by the Naval Medical Research Center

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-03-01

optimized in Milestone 1 of this Phase II project. Reduction in particle size of the biopolymeric carrier was sufficient for intramuscular administration of...glycolide) (PLGA) with incorporated DNA plasmid were developed for systemic administration of DNA plasmids for use as a malaria vaccine. Objectives in...with incorporated DNA plasmid were developed for systemic administration of DNA plasmids for use as a malaria vaccine. Objectives in Milestone 1

Influence of porewidening duration on the template assisted growth of graphitic carbon nitride nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suchitra, S. M.; Udayashankar, N. K.

2018-01-01

Porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes with a highly ordered pore arrangement are typically used as ideal templates for the synthesis of numerous nanostructured materials. Highly ordered templates gained significant attraction due to the fact that they are readily fabricated through self-organised simple anodization process. In this paper, the effect of different pore-widening treatments on the quality of the pores of the AAO templates prepared with different electrolytes were inspected. Results confirmed that, without altering the interpore distance different pore dimensions and diameters of the AAO templates can be easily achieved by chemical pore widening process at room temperature. Also, graphitic carbon nitride nanorods of different dimension have been fabricated from AAO template after porewidening process. These nanostructures are widely used in case of metal free visible light driven photo catalysis, photo degradation of organic pollutants, photo electric conversion and water splitting applications.

Oxygen, carbon, and nutrient exchanges at the sediment-water interface in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian Sea, southern Italy).

PubMed

De Vittor, Cinzia; Relitti, Federica; Kralj, Martina; Covelli, Stefano; Emili, Andrea

2016-07-01

In the shallow environment, the nutrient and carbon exchanges at the sediment-water interface contribute significantly to determine the trophic status of the whole water column. The intensity of the allochthonous input in a coastal environment subjected to strong anthropogenic pressures determines an increase in the benthic oxygen demand leading to depressed oxygen levels in the bottom waters. Anoxic conditions resulting from organic enrichment can enhance the exchange of nutrients between sediments and the overlying water. In the present study, carbon and nutrient fluxes at the sediment-water interface were measured at two experimental sites, one highly and one moderately contaminated, as reference point. In situ benthic flux measurements of dissolved species (O2, DIC, DOC, N-NO3 (-), N-NO2 (-), N-NH4 (+), P-PO4 (3-), Si-Si(OH)4, H2S) were conducted using benthic chambers. Furthermore, undisturbed sediment cores were collected for analyses of total and organic C, total N, and biopolymeric carbon (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) as well as of dissolved species in porewaters and supernatant in order to calculate the diffusive fluxes. The sediments were characterized by suboxic to anoxic conditions with redox values more negative in the highly contaminated site, which was also characterized by higher biopolymeric carbon content (most of all lipids), lower C/N ratios and generally higher diffusive fluxes, which could result in a higher release of contaminants. A great difference was observed between diffusive and in situ benthic fluxes suggesting the enhancing of fluxes by bioturbation and the occurrence of biogeochemically important processes at the sediment-water interface. The multi-contamination of both inorganic and organic pollutants, in the sediments of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (declared SIN in 1998), potentially transferable to the water column and to the aquatic trophic chain, is of serious concern for its ecological relevance, also considering the widespread fishing and mussel farming activities in the area.

New bioactive bone-like microspheres with intrinsic magnetic properties obtained by bio-inspired mineralisation process.

PubMed

Fernandes Patrício, Tatiana Marisa; Panseri, Silvia; Sandri, Monica; Tampieri, Anna; Sprio, Simone

2017-08-01

A bio-inspired mineralisation process was investigated and applied to develop novel hybrid magnetic materials by heterogeneous nucleation of Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ -doped hydroxyapatite nanocrystals onto a biopolymeric matrix made of a Type I collagen-based recombinant peptide (RCP). The effect of the synthesis temperature on the phase composition, crystallinity and magnetic properties of the nucleated inorganic phase was studied. The as-obtained magnetic materials were then engineered, by using a water-in-oil emulsification process, into hybrid magnetic microspheres, which were stabilized by de-hydrothermal treatment yielding cross-linking of the macromolecular matrix. Thorough investigation of the physicochemical, morphological and biological properties of the new hybrid microspheres, as induced by the presence of the inorganic nanophase and controlled iron substitution into hydroxyapatite lattice, revealed bone-like composition, good cytocompatibility, designed shape and size, and tailored magnetization. Such features are interesting and promising for application as new biomaterials with ability of remote activation and control by using external magnetic fields, for smart and personalized applications in medicine, particularly in bone tissue regeneration. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of Total Knee Replacement Digital Templating Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusof, Siti Fairuz; Sulaiman, Riza; Thian Seng, Lee; Mohd. Kassim, Abdul Yazid; Abdullah, Suhail; Yusof, Shahril; Omar, Masbah; Abdul Hamid, Hamzaini

In this study, by taking full advantage of digital X-ray and computer technology, we have developed a semi-automated procedure to template knee implants, by making use of digital templating method. Using this approach, a software system called OrthoKneeTMhas been designed and developed. The system is to be utilities as a study in the Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology in medical faculty, UKM (FPUKM). OrthoKneeTMtemplating process employs uses a technique similar to those used by many surgeons, using acetate templates over X-ray films. Using template technique makes it easy to template various implant from every Implant manufacturers who have with a comprehensive database of templates. The templating functionality includes, template (knee) and manufactures templates (Smith & Nephew; and Zimmer). From an image of patient x-ray OrthoKneeTMtemplates help in quickly and easily reads to the approximate template size needed. The visual templating features then allow us quickly review multiple template sizes against the X-ray and thus obtain the nearly precise view of the implant size required. The system can assist by templating on one patient image and will generate reports that can accompany patient notes. The software system was implemented in Visual basic 6.0 Pro using the object-oriented techniques to manage the graphics and objects. The approaches for image scaling will be discussed. Several of measurement in orthopedic diagnosis process have been studied and added in this software as measurement tools features using mathematic theorem and equations. The study compared the results of the semi-automated (using digital templating) method to the conventional method to demonstrate the accuracy of the system.

Hybrid processing and anisotropic sintering shrinkage in textured ZnO ceramics

PubMed Central

Keskinbora, Kahraman; Suzuki, Tohru S; Ozgur Ozer, I; Sakka, Yoshio; Suvaci, Ender

2010-01-01

We have studied the combined effects of the templated grain growth and magnetic alignment processes on sintering, anisotropic sintering shrinkage, microstructure development and texture in ZnO ceramics. Suspensions of 0–10 vol % ZnO template particles were slip cast in a 12 T rotating magnetic field. Sintering and texture characteristics were investigated via thermomechanical analysis and electron backscatter diffraction, respectively. Sintering as well as texture characteristics depend on template concentration. For the studied ZnO system, there is a critical template concentration (2 vol % in this study) above which densification is limited by the templates owing to constrained sintering. Below this limit, the densification is enhanced and the anisotropic shrinkage is reduced, which is attributed to densifying characteristics of the templates. PMID:27877373

[Preliminary safety and stability assessment of orthodontic miniscrew implantation guided by surgical template based on cone-beam CT images].

PubMed

Qiu, L L; Li, S; Bai, Y X

2016-06-01

To develop surgical templates for orthodontic miniscrew implantation based on cone-beam CT(CBCT)three-dimensional(3D)images and to evaluate the safety and stability of implantation guided by the templates. DICOM data obtained in patients who had CBCT scans taken were processed using Mimics software, and 3D images of teeth and maxillary bone were acquired. Meanwhile, 3D images of miniscrews were acquired using Solidworks software and processed with Mimics software. Virtual position of miniscrews was determined based on 3D images of teeth, bone, and miniscrews. 3D virtual templates were designed according to the virtual implantation plans. STL files were output and the real templates were fabricated with stereolithographic appliance(SLA). Postoperative CBCT scans were used to evaluate the implantation safety and the stability of miniscrews were investigated. All the templates were positioned accurately and kept stable throughout the implantation process. No root damage was found. The deviations were(1.73±0.65)mm at the corona, and(1.28±0.82)mm at the apex, respectively. The stability of miniscrews was fairly well. Surgical templates for miniscrew implantation could be acquired based on 3D CBCT images and fabricated with SLA. Implantation guided by these templates was safe and stable.

Computational study of textured ferroelectric polycrystals: Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of template-matrix composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Jie E.; Yan, Yongke; Priya, Shashank; Wang, Yu U.

2017-01-01

Quantitative relationships between processing, microstructure, and properties in textured ferroelectric polycrystals and the underlying responsible mechanisms are investigated by phase field modeling and computer simulation. This study focuses on three important aspects of textured ferroelectric ceramics: (i) grain microstructure evolution during templated grain growth processing, (ii) crystallographic texture development as a function of volume fraction and seed size of the templates, and (iii) dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the obtained template-matrix composites of textured polycrystals. Findings on the third aspect are presented here, while an accompanying paper of this work reports findings on the first two aspects. In this paper, the competing effects of crystallographic texture and template seed volume fraction on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric polycrystals are investigated. The phase field model of ferroelectric composites consisting of template seeds embedded in matrix grains is developed to simulate domain evolution, polarization-electric field (P-E), and strain-electric field (ɛ-E) hysteresis loops. The coercive field, remnant polarization, dielectric permittivity, piezoelectric coefficient, and dissipation factor are studied as a function of grain texture and template seed volume fraction. It is found that, while crystallographic texture significantly improves the polycrystal properties towards those of single crystals, a higher volume fraction of template seeds tends to decrease the electromechanical properties, thus canceling the advantage of ferroelectric polycrystals textured by templated grain growth processing. This competing detrimental effect is shown to arise from the composite effect, where the template phase possesses material properties inferior to the matrix phase, causing mechanical clamping and charge accumulation at inter-phase interfaces between matrix and template inclusions. The computational results are compared with complementary experiments, where good agreement is obtained.

Nanowire and microwire fabrication technique and product

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

Sumant, Anirudha V.; Zach, Michael; Marten, Alan David

A continuous or semi-continuous process for fabricating nanowires or microwires makes use of the substantially planar template that may be moved through electrochemical solution to grow nanowires or microwires on exposed conductive edges on the surface of that template. The planar template allows fabrication of the template using standard equipment and techniques. Adhesive transfer may be used to remove the wires from the template and in one embodiment to draw a continuous wire from the template to be wound around the drum.

Template for success: using a resident-designed sign-out template in the handover of patient care.

PubMed

Clark, Clancy J; Sindell, Sarah L; Koehler, Richard P

2011-01-01

Report our implementation of a standardized handover process in a general surgery residency program. The standardized handover process, sign-out template, method of implementation, and continuous quality improvement process were designed by general surgery residents with support of faculty and senior hospital administration using standard work principles and business models of the Virginia Mason Production System and the Toyota Production System. Nonprofit, tertiary referral teaching hospital. General surgery residents, residency faculty, patient care providers, and hospital administration. After instruction in quality improvement initiatives, a team of general surgery residents designed a sign-out process using an electronic template and standard procedures. The initial implementation phase resulted in 73% compliance. Using resident-driven continuous quality improvement processes, real-time feedback enabled residents to modify and improve this process, eventually attaining 100% compliance and acceptance by residents. The creation of a standardized template and protocol for patient handovers might eliminate communication failures. Encouraging residents to participate in this process can establish the groundwork for successful implementation of a standardized handover process. Integrating a continuous quality-improvement process into such an initiative can promote active participation of busy general surgery residents and lead to successful implementation of standard procedures. Copyright © 2011 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Harvesting and contamination control of microalgae Chlorella ellipsoidea using the bio-polymeric flocculant α-poly-l-lysine.

PubMed

Noh, Won; Kim, Jungmin; Lee, Sang-Jun; Ryu, Byung-Gon; Kang, Chang-Min

2018-02-01

Microalgae have been extensively studied for the production of various products. However, to date, microalgal biomass has not become economically feasible, mainly due to different issues such as contamination from various sources that occurs during downstream processes, and which leads to low quality biomass with limited application. In this study, to overcome contamination by flocculants and other microorganisms, the cationic biopolymer α-Poly-l-lysine (α-PLL) was applied. The cationic amine moiety and polymeric chain of α-PLL rendered microalgal harvesting efficient. With increasing α-PLL chain length, efficient dose- and time-dependent harvesting was achieved. In addition to efficient flocculation performance, biomass harvested using α-PLL showed suppressed biological contamination through the inherent antimicrobial activity of α-PLL. Thus, it is possible to upgrade the quality and storability of produced microalgal biomass using α-PLL-induced flocculation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fabrication of smooth patterned structures of refractory metals, semiconductors, and oxides via template stripping.

PubMed

Park, Jong Hyuk; Nagpal, Prashant; McPeak, Kevin M; Lindquist, Nathan C; Oh, Sang-Hyun; Norris, David J

2013-10-09

The template-stripping method can yield smooth patterned films without surface contamination. However, the process is typically limited to coinage metals such as silver and gold because other materials cannot be readily stripped from silicon templates due to strong adhesion. Herein, we report a more general template-stripping method that is applicable to a larger variety of materials, including refractory metals, semiconductors, and oxides. To address the adhesion issue, we introduce a thin gold layer between the template and the deposited materials. After peeling off the combined film from the template, the gold layer can be selectively removed via wet etching to reveal a smooth patterned structure of the desired material. Further, we demonstrate template-stripped multilayer structures that have potential applications for photovoltaics and solar absorbers. An entire patterned device, which can include a transparent conductor, semiconductor absorber, and back contact, can be fabricated. Since our approach can also produce many copies of the patterned structure with high fidelity by reusing the template, a low-cost and high-throughput process in micro- and nanofabrication is provided that is useful for electronics, plasmonics, and nanophotonics.

Engineering topochemical polymerizations using block copolymer templates.

PubMed

Zhu, Liangliang; Tran, Helen; Beyer, Frederick L; Walck, Scott D; Li, Xin; Agren, Hans; Killops, Kato L; Campos, Luis M

2014-09-24

With the aim to achieve rapid and efficient topochemical polymerizations in the solid state, via solution-based processing of thin films, we report the integration of a diphenyldiacetylene monomer and a poly(styrene-b-acrylic acid) block copolymer template for the generation of supramolecular architectural photopolymerizable materials. This strategy takes advantage of non-covalent interactions to template a topochemical photopolymerization that yields a polydiphenyldiacetylene (PDPDA) derivative. In thin films, it was found that hierarchical self-assembly of the diacetylene monomers by microphase segregation of the block copolymer template enhances the topochemical photopolymerization, which is complete within a 20 s exposure to UV light. Moreover, UV-active cross-linkable groups were incorporated within the block copolymer template to create micropatterns of PDPDA by photolithography, in the same step as the polymerization reaction. The materials design and processing may find potential uses in the microfabrication of sensors and other important areas that benefit from solution-based processing of flexible conjugated materials.

A new template matching method based on contour information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Huiying; Zhu, Feng; Wu, Qingxiao; Li, Sicong

2014-11-01

Template matching is a significant approach in machine vision due to its effectiveness and robustness. However, most of the template matching methods are so time consuming that they can't be used to many real time applications. The closed contour matching method is a popular kind of template matching methods. This paper presents a new closed contour template matching method which is suitable for two dimensional objects. Coarse-to-fine searching strategy is used to improve the matching efficiency and a partial computation elimination scheme is proposed to further speed up the searching process. The method consists of offline model construction and online matching. In the process of model construction, triples and distance image are obtained from the template image. A certain number of triples which are composed by three points are created from the contour information that is extracted from the template image. The rule to select the three points is that the template contour is divided equally into three parts by these points. The distance image is obtained here by distance transform. Each point on the distance image represents the nearest distance between current point and the points on the template contour. During the process of matching, triples of the searching image are created with the same rule as the triples of the model. Through the similarity that is invariant to rotation, translation and scaling between triangles, the triples corresponding to the triples of the model are found. Then we can obtain the initial RST (rotation, translation and scaling) parameters mapping the searching contour to the template contour. In order to speed up the searching process, the points on the searching contour are sampled to reduce the number of the triples. To verify the RST parameters, the searching contour is projected into the distance image, and the mean distance can be computed rapidly by simple operations of addition and multiplication. In the fine searching process, the initial RST parameters are discrete to obtain the final accurate pose of the object. Experimental results show that the proposed method is reasonable and efficient, and can be used in many real time applications.

Template-Growth of Highly Ordered Carbon Nanotube Arrays on Silicon POSTPRINT

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

packed uni- form CNTs that are spatially isolated from each other is to use a growth template. Highly ordered anodic aluminum oxide ( AAO ) template can...process for evaporating thick aluminum of high quality and good adhesion. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Anodic Aluminum Oxide Template, Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs...within the highly ordered nanopores of an alumina oxide template, which is in turn formed on silicon through anodization of aluminum of unprecedented

Implementation of a lung cancer multidisciplinary team standardised template for reporting to general practitioners: a mixed-method study

PubMed Central

Collett, Gemma K; Brown, Clare M; Shaw, Tim J; White, Kahren M; Beale, Philip J; Anderiesz, Cleola; Barnes, David J

2017-01-01

Objectives Few interventions have been designed that provide standardised information to primary care clinicians about the diagnostic and treatment recommendations resulting from cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) (tumour board) meetings. This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate a standardised template for lung cancer MDTs to provide clinical information and treatment recommendations to general practitioners (GPs). Specific objectives were to (1) evaluate template feasibility (acceptability, appropriateness and timeliness) with GPs and (2) document processes of preimplementation, implementation and evaluation within the MDT setting. Design A mixed-method study design using structured interviews with GPs and qualitative documentation of project logs about implementation processes. Setting Two hospitals in Central Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Participants: 61 GPs evaluated the template. Two lung cancer MDTs, consisting of 33 clinicians, and eight researchers participated in template development and implementation strategy. Results The MDT-reporting template appears to be a feasible way of providing clinical information to GPs following patient presentation at a lung cancer MDT meeting. Ninety-five per cent of GPs strongly agreed or agreed that the standardised template provided useful and relevant information, that it was received in a timely manner (90%) and that the information was easy to interpret and communicate to the patient (84%). Implementation process data show that the investment made in the preimplementation stage to integrate the template into standard work practices was a critical factor in successful implementation. Conclusions This study demonstrates that it is feasible to provide lung cancer MDT treatment recommendations to GPs through implementation of a standardised template. A simple intervention, such as a standardised template, can help to address quality gaps and ensure that timely information is communicated between tertiary and primary care healthcare providers. PMID:29288182

A Novel BA Complex Network Model on Color Template Matching

PubMed Central

Han, Risheng; Yue, Guangxue; Ding, Hui

2014-01-01

A novel BA complex network model of color space is proposed based on two fundamental rules of BA scale-free network model: growth and preferential attachment. The scale-free characteristic of color space is discovered by analyzing evolving process of template's color distribution. And then the template's BA complex network model can be used to select important color pixels which have much larger effects than other color pixels in matching process. The proposed BA complex network model of color space can be easily integrated into many traditional template matching algorithms, such as SSD based matching and SAD based matching. Experiments show the performance of color template matching results can be improved based on the proposed algorithm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about how to model the color space of images using a proper complex network model and apply the complex network model to template matching. PMID:25243235

A novel BA complex network model on color template matching.

PubMed

Han, Risheng; Shen, Shigen; Yue, Guangxue; Ding, Hui

2014-01-01

A novel BA complex network model of color space is proposed based on two fundamental rules of BA scale-free network model: growth and preferential attachment. The scale-free characteristic of color space is discovered by analyzing evolving process of template's color distribution. And then the template's BA complex network model can be used to select important color pixels which have much larger effects than other color pixels in matching process. The proposed BA complex network model of color space can be easily integrated into many traditional template matching algorithms, such as SSD based matching and SAD based matching. Experiments show the performance of color template matching results can be improved based on the proposed algorithm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about how to model the color space of images using a proper complex network model and apply the complex network model to template matching.

A template-based approach for responsibility management in executable business processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cabanillas, Cristina; Resinas, Manuel; Ruiz-Cortés, Antonio

2018-05-01

Process-oriented organisations need to manage the different types of responsibilities their employees may have w.r.t. the activities involved in their business processes. Despite several approaches provide support for responsibility modelling, in current Business Process Management Systems (BPMS) the only responsibility considered at runtime is the one related to performing the work required for activity completion. Others like accountability or consultation must be implemented by manually adding activities in the executable process model, which is time-consuming and error-prone. In this paper, we address this limitation by enabling current BPMS to execute processes in which people with different responsibilities interact to complete the activities. We introduce a metamodel based on Responsibility Assignment Matrices (RAM) to model the responsibility assignment for each activity, and a flexible template-based mechanism that automatically transforms such information into BPMN elements, which can be interpreted and executed by a BPMS. Thus, our approach does not enforce any specific behaviour for the different responsibilities but new templates can be modelled to specify the interaction that best suits the activity requirements. Furthermore, libraries of templates can be created and reused in different processes. We provide a reference implementation and build a library of templates for a well-known set of responsibilities.

Fast template matching with polynomials.

PubMed

Omachi, Shinichiro; Omachi, Masako

2007-08-01

Template matching is widely used for many applications in image and signal processing. This paper proposes a novel template matching algorithm, called algebraic template matching. Given a template and an input image, algebraic template matching efficiently calculates similarities between the template and the partial images of the input image, for various widths and heights. The partial image most similar to the template image is detected from the input image for any location, width, and height. In the proposed algorithm, a polynomial that approximates the template image is used to match the input image instead of the template image. The proposed algorithm is effective especially when the width and height of the template image differ from the partial image to be matched. An algorithm using the Legendre polynomial is proposed for efficient approximation of the template image. This algorithm not only reduces computational costs, but also improves the quality of the approximated image. It is shown theoretically and experimentally that the computational cost of the proposed algorithm is much smaller than the existing methods.

Fabrication of Smooth Patterned Structures of Refractory Metals, Semiconductors, and Oxides via Template Stripping

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

The template-stripping method can yield smooth patterned films without surface contamination. However, the process is typically limited to coinage metals such as silver and gold because other materials cannot be readily stripped from silicon templates due to strong adhesion. Herein, we report a more general template-stripping method that is applicable to a larger variety of materials, including refractory metals, semiconductors, and oxides. To address the adhesion issue, we introduce a thin gold layer between the template and the deposited materials. After peeling off the combined film from the template, the gold layer can be selectively removed via wet etching to reveal a smooth patterned structure of the desired material. Further, we demonstrate template-stripped multilayer structures that have potential applications for photovoltaics and solar absorbers. An entire patterned device, which can include a transparent conductor, semiconductor absorber, and back contact, can be fabricated. Since our approach can also produce many copies of the patterned structure with high fidelity by reusing the template, a low-cost and high-throughput process in micro- and nanofabrication is provided that is useful for electronics, plasmonics, and nanophotonics. PMID:24001174

Extraction, characterization and application of malva nut gum in water treatment.

PubMed

Ho, Y C; Norli, I; Alkarkhi, Abbas F M; Morad, N

2015-06-01

In view of green developments in water treatment, plant-based flocculants have become the focus due to their safety, degradation and renewable properties. In addition, cost and energy-saving processes are preferable. In this study, malva nut gum (MNG), a new plant-based flocculant, and its composite with Fe in water treatment using single mode mixing are demonstrated. The result presents a simplified extraction of the MNG process. MNG has a high molecular weight of 2.3 × 10⁵ kDa and a high negative charge of -58.7 mV. From the results, it is a strong anionic flocculant. Moreover, it is observed to have a branch-like surface structure. Therefore, it conforms to the surface of particles well and exhibits good performance in water treatment. In water treatment, the Fe-MNG composite treats water at pH 3.01 and requires a low concentration of Fe and MNG of 0.08 and 0.06 mg/L, respectively, when added to the system. It is concluded that for a single-stage flocculation process, physico-chemical properties such as molecular weight, charge of polymer, surface morphology, pH, concentration of cation and concentration of biopolymeric flocculant affect the flocculating performance.

Vertical Carbon Nanotube Device in Nanoporous Templates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sands, Timothy (Inventor); Fisher, Timothy Scott (Inventor); Bashir, Rashid (Inventor); Maschmann, Matthew Ralph (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A modified porous anodic alumina template (PAA) containing a thin CNT catalyst layer directly embedded into the pore walls. CNT synthesis using the template selectively catalyzes SWNTs and DWNTs from the embedded catalyst layer to the top PAA surface, creating a vertical CNT channel within the pores. Subsequent processing allows for easy contact metallization and adaptable functionalization of the CNTs and template for a myriad of applications.

Templated and template-free fabrication strategies for zero-dimensional hollow MOF superstructures.

PubMed

Kim, Hyehyun; Lah, Myoung Soo

2017-05-16

Various fabrication strategies for hollow metal-organic framework (MOF) superstructures are reviewed and classified using various types of external templates and their properties. Hollow MOF superstructures have also been prepared without external templates, wherein unstable intermediates obtained during reactions convert to the final hollow MOF superstructures. Many hollow MOF superstructures have been fabricated using hard templates. After the core-shell core@MOF structure was prepared using a hard template, the core was selectively etched to generate a hollow MOF superstructure. Another approach for generating hollow superstructures is to use a solid reactant as a sacrificial template; this method requires no additional etching process. Soft templates such as discontinuous liquid/emulsion droplets and gas bubbles in a continuous soft phase have also been employed to prepare hollow MOF superstructures.

Macroporous ceramics by colloidal templating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subramaniam, G.; Pine, David J.

2000-04-01

We describe a novel method of fabricating macroporous ceramics employing colloidal dispersion of ultrafine ceramic particles with latex particles as the templates. The colloidal particles form a particulate gel on drying and fill the voids of the ordered latex templates. Subsequent removal of the template by calcination results in the formation of an ordered macroporous ceramic. The process has significant advantages over the traditional sol-gel process employing alkoxide precursors. Most importantly, the much lower shrinkage compared to the sol-gel process enabled us to produce larger pieces of the sample. The larger shrinkage involved in the sol-gel process often results in small and fragile pieces of the macroporous material which has to be subsequently heat treated to induce crystallization. The ability to choose crystalline colloidal particles in our method obviates the need for heat treatment to achieve crystallinity. We have synthesized a variety of materials such as macroporous silica, titania, alumina and recently have also extended the approach to macroporous silicon which is not amenable to the sol-gel process.

Assessing usefulness and researcher satisfaction with consent form templates.

PubMed

Larson, Elaine L; Teller, Alan; Aguirre, Alejandra N; Jackson, Jhia; Meyer, Dodi

2017-08-01

We aimed to improve the research consenting process by developing and evaluating simplified consent forms. Four templates written at the eighth-tenth grade reading level were developed and trialed by a group of experts in clinical research, health literacy, national regulatory requirements, and end users. Researchers from protocols which had received expedited review were surveyed at 2 time points regarding their use and assessment of the templates. At baseline 18/86 (20.9%) responding researchers had heard of the templates and 5 (5.8%) reported that they had used them; 2 years later, 54.2% (32/59) had heard of the templates and 87.5% (28/32) had used them ( p <0.001). Consent form templates may be one mechanism to improve patient comprehension of research protocols as well as efficiency of the review process, but require considerable time for development and implementation, and one key to their success is involvement and support from the IRB and technical staff.

Morphology-preserving chemical conversion of bioorganic and inorganic templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vernon, Jonathan Paul

The generation of nanostructured assemblies with complex (three-dimensional, 3D) self-assembled morphologies and with complex (multicomponent) tailorable inorganic compositions is of considerable technological and scientific interest. This dissertation demonstrates self-assembled 3D organic templates of biogenic origin can be converted into replicas comprised of numerous other functional nanocrystalline inorganic materials. Nature provides a spectacular variety of biologically-assembled 3D organic structures with intricate, hierarchical (macro-to-micro-to-nanoscale) morphologies. Such processing on readily-available structurally complex templates provides a framework for chemical conversion of synthetic organic templates and, potentially, production of organic/inorganic composites. Four specific research thrusts are detailed in this document. First, chemical conversion of a nanostructured bioorganic template into a multicomponent oxide compound (tetragonal BaTiO3) via SSG coating and subsequent morphology-preserving microwave hydrothermal processing is demonstrated. Second, morphology-preserving chemical conversion of bioorganic templates into hierarchical photoluminescent microparticles is demonstrated to reveal both the dramatic change in properties such processing can provide, and the potential utility of chemically transformed templates in anti-counterfeiting / authentication applications. Third, determination of the reaction mechanism(s) for morphology-preserving microwave hydrothermal conversion of TiO2 to BaTiO3, through Au inert markers on single crystal rutile titania, is detailed. Finally, utilization of constructive coating techniques (SSG) and moderate temperature (< 500°C) heat treatments to modify and replicate structural color is coupled with deconstructive focused ion beam microsurgery to prepare samples for microscale structure interrogation. Specifically, the effects of coating thickness and composition on reflection spectra of structurally colored templates are examined. Also, the effects of the replacement of natural material with higher index of refraction inorganic materials on optical properties are discussed. The three processing research thrusts constituting chapters 1, 2 and 4 take advantage of moderate temperature processing to ensure nanocrystalline materials, either for shape preservation or to prevent scattering in optical applications. The research thrust detailed in chapter 3 examines hydrothermal conversion of TiO2 to BaTiO3, not only to identify the reaction mechanism(s) involved in hydrothermal conversion under morphology-preserving conditions, but also to introduce inert marker experiments to the field of microwave hydrothermal processing.

Comparison of five-axis milling and rapid prototyping for implant surgical templates.

PubMed

Park, Ji-Man; Yi, Tae-Kyoung; Koak, Jai-Young; Kim, Seong-Kyoon; Park, Eun-Jin; Heo, Seong-Joo

2014-01-01

This study aims to compare and evaluate the accuracy of surgical templates fabricated using coordinate synchronization processing with five-axis milling and design-related processing with rapid prototyping (RP). Master phantoms with 10 embedded gutta-percha cylinders hidden under artificial gingiva were fabricated and imaged using cone beam computed tomography. Vectors of the hidden cylinders were extracted and transferred to those of the planned implants through reverse engineering using virtual planning software. An RP-produced template was fabricated by stereolithography in photopolymer at the RP center according to planned data. Metal sleeves were bonded after holes were bored (group RP). For the milled template, milling coordinates were synchronized using the conversion process for the coordinate synchronization platform located on the model's bottom. Metal bushings were set on holes milled on the five-axis milling machine, on which the model was fixed through the coordinate synchronization plate, and the framework was constructed on the model using orthodontic resin (group CS). A computed tomography image was taken with templates firmly fixed on models using anchor pins (RP) or anchor screws (CS). The accuracy was analyzed via reverse engineering. Differences between the two groups were compared by repeated measures two-factor analysis. From the reverse-engineered image of the template on the experimental model, RP-produced templates showed significantly larger deviations than did milled surgical guides. Maximum deviations of the group RP were 1.58 mm (horizontal), 1.68 mm (vertical), and 8.51 degrees (angular); those of the group CS were 0.68 mm (horizontal), 0.41 mm (vertical), and 3.23 degrees (angular). A comparison of milling and RP template production methods showed that a vector-milled surgical guide had significantly smaller deviations than did an RP-produced template. The accuracy of computer-guided milled surgical templates was within the safety margin of previous studies.

Improvement of sub-20nm pattern quality with dose modulation technique for NIL template production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yagawa, Keisuke; Ugajin, Kunihiro; Suenaga, Machiko; Kanamitsu, Shingo; Motokawa, Takeharu; Hagihara, Kazuki; Arisawa, Yukiyasu; Kobayashi, Sachiko; Saito, Masato; Ito, Masamitsu

2016-04-01

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) technology is in the spotlight as a next-generation semiconductor manufacturing technique for integrated circuits at 22 nm and beyond. NIL is the unmagnified lithography technique using template which is replicated from master templates. On the other hand, master templates are currently fabricated by electron-beam (EB) lithography[1]. In near future, finer patterns less than 15nm will be required on master template and EB data volume increases exponentially. So, we confront with a difficult challenge. A higher resolution EB mask writer and a high performance fabrication process will be required. In our previous study, we investigated a potential of photomask fabrication process for finer patterning and achieved 15.5nm line and space (L/S) pattern on template by using VSB (Variable Shaped Beam) type EB mask writer and chemically amplified resist. In contrast, we found that a contrast loss by backscattering decreases the performance of finer patterning. For semiconductor devices manufacturing, we must fabricate complicated patterns which includes high and low density simultaneously except for consecutive L/S pattern. Then it's quite important to develop a technique to make various size or coverage patterns all at once. In this study, a small feature pattern was experimentally formed on master template with dose modulation technique. This technique makes it possible to apply the appropriate exposure dose for each pattern size. As a result, we succeed to improve the performance of finer patterning in bright field area. These results show that the performance of current EB lithography process have a potential to fabricate NIL template.

Programmable imprint lithography template

DOEpatents

Cardinale, Gregory F [Oakland, CA; Talin, Albert A [Livermore, CA

2006-10-31

A template for imprint lithography (IL) that reduces significantly template production costs by allowing the same template to be re-used for several technology generations. The template is composed of an array of spaced-apart moveable and individually addressable rods or plungers. Thus, the template can be configured to provide a desired pattern by programming the array of plungers such that certain of the plungers are in an "up" or actuated configuration. This arrangement of "up" and "down" plungers forms a pattern composed of protruding and recessed features which can then be impressed onto a polymer film coated substrate by applying a pressure to the template impressing the programmed configuration into the polymer film. The pattern impressed into the polymer film will be reproduced on the substrate by subsequent processing.

Development of template and mask replication using jet and flash imprint lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooks, Cynthia; Selinidis, Kosta; Doyle, Gary; Brown, Laura; LaBrake, Dwayne; Resnick, Douglas J.; Sreenivasan, S. V.

2010-09-01

The Jet and Flash Imprint Lithography (J-FILTM)1-7 process uses drop dispensing of UV curable resists to assist high resolution patterning for subsequent dry etch pattern transfer. The technology is actively being used to develop solutions for memory markets including Flash memory and patterned media for hard disk drives. It is anticipated that the lifetime of a single template (for patterned media) or mask (for semiconductor) will be on the order of 104 - 105 imprints. This suggests that tens of thousands of templates/masks will be required. It is not feasible to employ electronbeam patterning directly to deliver these volumes. Instead, a "master" template - created by directly patterning with an electron-beam tool - will be replicated many times with an imprint lithography tool to produce the required supply of "working" templates/masks. In this paper, we review the development of the pattern transfer process for both template and mask replicas. Pattern transfer of resolutions down to 25nm has been demonstrated for bit patterned media replication. In addition, final resolution on a semiconductor mask of 28nm has been confirmed. The early results on both etch depth and CD uniformity are promising, but more extensive work is required to characterize the pattern transfer process.

Information theory-based algorithm for in silico prediction of PCR products with whole genomic sequences as templates.

PubMed

Cao, Youfang; Wang, Lianjie; Xu, Kexue; Kou, Chunhai; Zhang, Yulei; Wei, Guifang; He, Junjian; Wang, Yunfang; Zhao, Liping

2005-07-26

A new algorithm for assessing similarity between primer and template has been developed based on the hypothesis that annealing of primer to template is an information transfer process. Primer sequence is converted to a vector of the full potential hydrogen numbers (3 for G or C, 2 for A or T), while template sequence is converted to a vector of the actual hydrogen bond numbers formed after primer annealing. The former is considered as source information and the latter destination information. An information coefficient is calculated as a measure for fidelity of this information transfer process and thus a measure of similarity between primer and potential annealing site on template. Successful prediction of PCR products from whole genomic sequences with a computer program based on the algorithm demonstrated the potential of this new algorithm in areas like in silico PCR and gene finding.

Water-dissolvable sodium sulfate nanowires as a versatile template for the fabrication of polyelectrolyte- and metal-based nanotubes.

PubMed

Pu, Ying-Chih; Hwu, Jih Ru; Su, Wu-Chou; Shieh, Dar-Bin; Tzeng, Yonhua; Yeh, Chen-Sheng

2006-09-06

This study presents the synthesis of water-dissolvable sodium sulfate nanowires, where Na(2)SO(4) nanowires were produced by an easy reflux process in an organic solvent, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and formed from the coexistence of AgNO(3), SnCl(2), dodecylsodium sulfate (SDS), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Na(2)SO(4) nanowires were derived from SDS, and the morphology control of the Na(2)SO(4) nanowires was established by the cooperative effects of Sn and NO(3)(-), while CTAB served as the template and led to homogeneous nanowires with a smooth surface. Since the as-synthesized sodium sulfate nanowires are readily dissolved in water, these nanowires can be treated as soft templates for the fabrication of nanotubes by removing the Na(2)SO(4) core. This process is therefore significantly better than other reported methodologies to remove the templates under harsh condition. We have demonstrated the preparation of biocompatible polyelectrolyte (PE) nanotubes using a layer-by-layer (LbL) method on the Na(2)SO(4) nanowires and the formation of Au nanotubes by the self-assembly of Au nanoparticles. In both nanotube synthesis processes, PEI (polyethylenimine), PAA (poly(acrylic acid)), and Au nanoparticles served as the building blocks on the Na(2)SO(4) templates, which were then rinsed with water to remove the core templates. This unique water-dissolvable template is anticipated to bring about versatile and flexible downstream applications.

Molecular engineering of porous silica using aryl templates

DOEpatents

Loy, D.A.; Shea, K.J.

1994-06-14

A process is described for manipulating the porosity of silica using a series of organic template groups covalently incorporated into the silicate matrix. The templates in the bridged polysilsesquioxanes are selectively removed from the material by oxidation with oxygen plasma or other means, leaving engineered voids or pores. The size of these pores is dependent upon the length or size of the template or spacer. The size of the templates is measured in terms of Si-Si distances which range from about 0.67 nm to 1.08 nm. Changes introduced by the loss of the templates result in a narrow range of micropores (i.e. <2 nm). Both aryl and alkyl template groups are used as spacers. Novel microporous silica materials useful as molecular sieves, desiccants, and catalyst supports are produced. 3 figs.

Molecular engineering of porous silica using aryl templates

DOEpatents

Loy, Douglas A.; Shea, Kenneth J.

1994-01-01

A process for manipulating the porosity of silica using a series of organic template groups covalently incorporated into the silicate matrix. The templates in the bridged polysilsesquioxanes are selectively removed from the material by oxidation with oxygen plasma or other means, leaving engineered voids or pores. The size of these pores is dependent upon the length or size of the template or spacer. The size of the templates is measured in terms of Si-Si distances which range from about 0.67 nm to 1.08 nm. Changes introduced by the loss of the templates result in a narrow range of micropores (i.e. <2 nm). Both aryl and alkyl template groups are used as spacers. Novel microporous silica materials useful as molecular seives, dessicants, and catalyst supports are produced.

'Gate effect' in templated polyacrylamide membranes influences the electrotransport of proteins and finds applications in proteome analysis.

PubMed

Bossi, Alessandra; Andreoli, Matteo; Bonini, Francesca; Piletsky, Sergey

2007-09-01

Templating is an effective way for the structural modifications of a material and hence for altering its functional properties. Here protein imprinting was exploited to alter polymeric polyacrylamide (PAA) membranes. The sieving properties and selection abilities of the material formed were evaluated by studying the electrically driven transport of various proteins across templated PAA membranes. The sieving properties correlated with the templating process and depended on the quantity of template used during the polymerisation. For 1 mg/mL protein-templated membranes a 'gate effect' was shown, which induced a preferential migration of the template and of similar-size proteins. Such template preferential electrotransport was exploited for the selective removal of certain proteins in biological fluids prior to proteome analysis (depletion of albumin from human serum); the efficiency of the removal was demonstrated by analysing the serum proteome by two-dimensional electrophoresis experiments.

Multiple template-based fluoroscopic tracking of lung tumor mass without implanted fiducial markers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Ying; Dy, Jennifer G.; Sharp, Gregory C.; Alexander, Brian; Jiang, Steve B.

2007-10-01

Precise lung tumor localization in real time is particularly important for some motion management techniques, such as respiratory gating or beam tracking with a dynamic multi-leaf collimator, due to the reduced clinical tumor volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) margin and/or the escalated dose. There might be large uncertainties in deriving tumor position from external respiratory surrogates. While tracking implanted fiducial markers has sufficient accuracy, this procedure may not be widely accepted due to the risk of pneumothorax. Previously, we have developed a technique to generate gating signals from fluoroscopic images without implanted fiducial markers using a template matching method (Berbeco et al 2005 Phys. Med. Biol. 50 4481-90, Cui et al 2007 Phys. Med. Biol. 52 741-55). In this paper, we present an extension of this method to multiple-template matching for directly tracking the lung tumor mass in fluoroscopy video. The basic idea is as follows: (i) during the patient setup session, a pair of orthogonal fluoroscopic image sequences are taken and processed off-line to generate a set of reference templates that correspond to different breathing phases and tumor positions; (ii) during treatment delivery, fluoroscopic images are continuously acquired and processed; (iii) the similarity between each reference template and the processed incoming image is calculated; (iv) the tumor position in the incoming image is then estimated by combining the tumor centroid coordinates in reference templates with proper weights based on the measured similarities. With different handling of image processing and similarity calculation, two such multiple-template tracking techniques have been developed: one based on motion-enhanced templates and Pearson's correlation score while the other based on eigen templates and mean-squared error. The developed techniques have been tested on six sequences of fluoroscopic images from six lung cancer patients against the reference tumor positions manually determined by a radiation oncologist. The tumor centroid coordinates automatically detected using both methods agree well with the manually marked reference locations. The eigenspace tracking method performs slightly better than the motion-enhanced method, with average localization errors less than 2 pixels (1 mm) and the error at a 95% confidence level of about 2-4 pixels (1-2 mm). This work demonstrates the feasibility of direct tracking of a lung tumor mass in fluoroscopic images without implanted fiducial markers using multiple reference templates.

The construction of MRI brain/head templates for Chinese children from 7 to 16 years of age

PubMed Central

Xie, Wanze; Richards, John E.; Lei, Du; Zhu, Hongyan; Lee, Kang; Gong, Qiyong

2015-01-01

Population-specific brain templates that provide detailed brain information are beneficial to both structural and functional neuroimaging research. However, age-specific MRI templates have not been constructed for Chinese or any Asian developmental populations. This study developed novel T1-weighted average brain and head templates for Chinese children from 7 to 16 years of age in two-year increments using high quality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and well-validated image analysis techniques. A total of 138 Chinese children (51 F/87 M) were included in this study. The internally and externally validated registrations show that these Chinese age-specific templates fit Chinese children’s MR images significantly better than age-specific templates created from U.S. children, or adult templates based on either Chinese or North American adults. It implies that age-inappropriate (e.g., the Chinese56 template, the US20–24 template) and nationality-inappropriate brain templates (e.g., U.S. children’s templates, the US20–24 template) do not provide optimal reference MRIs for processing MR brain images of Chinese pediatric populations. Thus, our age-specific MRI templates are the first of the kind and should be useful in neuroimaging studies with children from Chinese or other Asian populations. These templates can also serve as the foundations for the construction of more comprehensive sets of nationality-specific templates for Asian developmental populations. These templates are available for use in our database. PMID:26343862

Template-mediated, Hierarchical Engineering of Ordered Mesoporous Films and Powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Zheng

Hierarchical control over pore size, pore topology, and meso/mictrostructure as well as material morphology (e.g., powders, monoliths, thin films) is crucial for meeting diverse materials needs among applications spanning next generation catalysts, sensors, batteries, sorbents, etc. The overarching goal of this thesis is to establish fundamental mechanistic insight enabling new strategies for realizing such hierarchical textural control for carbon materials that is not currently achievable with sacrificial pore formation by 'one-pot' surfactant-based 'soft'-templating or multi-step inorganic 'hard-templating. While 'hard'-templating is often tacitly discounted based upon its perceived complexity, it offers potential for overcoming key 'soft'-templating challenges, including bolstering pore stability, accommodating a more versatile palette of replica precursors, realizing ordered/spanning porosity in the case of porous thin films, simplifying formation of bi-continuous pore topologies, and inducing microstructure control within porous replica materials. In this thesis, we establish strategies for hard-templating of hierarchically porous and structured carbon powders and tunable thin films by both multi-step hard-templating and a new 'one-pot' template-replica precursor co-assembly process. We first develop a nominal hard-templating technique to successfully prepare three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous (3DOm) and 3DOm-supported microporous carbon thin films by exploiting our ability to synthesize and assemble size-tunable silica nanoparticles into scalable, colloidal crystalline thin film templates of tunable mono- to multi-layer thickness. This robust thin film template accommodates liquid and/or vapor-phase infiltration, polymerization, and pyrolysis of various carbon sources without pore contraction and/or collapse upon template sacrifice. The result is robust, flexible 3DOm or 3DOm-supported ultra-thin microporous films that can be transferred by stamp techniques to various substrates for low-cost counter-electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells, as we demonstrate, or as potential high-flux membranes for molecular separations. Inspired by 'one-pot' 'soft'-templating approaches, wherein the pore forming agent and replica precursor are co-assembled, we establish how 'hard'-templating can be carried out in an analogous fashion. Namely, we show how pre-formed silica nanoparticles can be co-assembled from aqueous solutions with a carbon source (glucose), leading to elucidation of a pseudo-phase behavior in which we identify an operating window for synthesis of hierarchically bi-continuous carbon films. Systematic study of the association of carbon precursors with the silica particles in combination with transient coating experiments reveals mechanistic insight into how silica-adsorbed carbon precursor modulates particle assembly and ultimately controls template particle d-spacing. We uncover a critical d-spacing defining the boundary between ordered and disordered mesoporosity within the resulting films. We ultimately extend this thin-film mechanistic insight to realize 'one'-pot, bi-continuous 3DOm carbon powders. Through a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), we elucidate novel synthesis-structure relations for template-mediated microstructuring of the 3DOm replica carbons. Attractive properties of the resulting bi-continuous porous carbons for applications, for example, as novel electrodes, include high surface areas, large mesopore volumes, and tunable graphitic content (i.e. >50%) and character. We specifically demonstrate their performance, in thin film form, as counter-electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. We also demonstrate how they can be exploited in powder form as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes exhibiting attractive retention and absolute capacitance. We conclude the thesis by demonstrating the versatility of both the thin-film and powder templating processes developed herein, for realizing ordered binary colloidal crystal templates and their bi-modal porous carbon replica films, expanding compositional diversity of the 'one-pot' thin film process beyond carbons to include an example of 3DOm ZrO2 films, and employing the hard-templating process as a strategy for realizing 3DOm carbon-supported nanocarbides.

Activity Summaries as a Classroom Assessment Tool.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McGee, Steven; Kirby, Jennifer; Croft, Steven K.

This study explored the usefulness of a classroom assessment technique called the activity summary template. It is proposed that the activity summary template enables students to process and organize information learning during an investigation. This process will in turn help students to achieve greater learning outcomes. The activity summary…

Risk based decision tool for space exploration missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meshkat, Leila; Cornford, Steve; Moran, Terrence

2003-01-01

This paper presents an approach and corresponding tool to assess and analyze the risks involved in a mission during the pre-phase A design process. This approach is based on creating a risk template for each subsystem expert involved in the mission design process and defining appropriate interactions between the templates.

Studies on the formation of hierarchical zeolite T aggregates with well-defined morphology in different template systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Xiaoyan; Chu, Naibo; Lu, Xuewei; Li, Zhongfang; Guo, Hong

2016-01-01

In this paper, the disk-like and pumpkin-like hierarchical zeolite T aggregates consisted of primary nano-grains have been hydrothermally synthesized with and without the aid of the second template. The first template is used with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) and the second template is used with triethanolamine (TEA) or polyving akohol (PVA). A combination of characterization techniques, including XRD, SEM, TEM and N2 adsorption-desorption to examine the crystal crystallinity, morphology and surface properties of hierarchical zeolite T aggregates. In the single-template preparation process, the two-step varying-temperature treatment has been used to improve the meso-porosity of zeolite T aggregates. In the double-template preparation process, the amounts of PVA or TEA on the crystallinity, morphology and meso-porosity of zeolite T aggregates have been studied. It has been proved that the interstitial voids between the primary grains of aggregates are the origin of additional mesopores of samples. The micro- and meso-porosities of samples prepared with and without the second template have been contrasted in detail at last. In particular, the sample synthesized with the addition of PVA presents a hierarchical pore structure with the highest Sext value of 122 m2/g and Vmeso value of 0.255 cm3/g.

Analysis of microgravity space experiments Space Shuttle programmatic safety requirements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Terlep, Judith A.

1996-01-01

This report documents the results of an analysis of microgravity space experiments space shuttle programmatic safety requirements and recommends the creation of a Safety Compliance Data Package (SCDP) Template for both flight and ground processes. These templates detail the programmatic requirements necessary to produce a complete SCDP. The templates were developed from various NASA centers' requirement documents, previously written guidelines on safety data packages, and from personal experiences. The templates are included in the back as part of this report.

A human pericardium biopolymeric scaffold for autologous heart valve tissue engineering: cellular and extracellular matrix structure and biomechanical properties in comparison with a normal aortic heart valve.

PubMed

Straka, Frantisek; Schornik, David; Masin, Jaroslav; Filova, Elena; Mirejovsky, Tomas; Burdikova, Zuzana; Svindrych, Zdenek; Chlup, Hynek; Horny, Lukas; Daniel, Matej; Machac, Jiri; Skibová, Jelena; Pirk, Jan; Bacakova, Lucie

2018-04-01

The objective of our study was to compare the cellular and extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and the biomechanical properties of human pericardium (HP) with the normal human aortic heart valve (NAV). HP tissues (from 12 patients) and NAV samples (from 5 patients) were harvested during heart surgery. The main cells in HP were pericardial interstitial cells, which are fibroblast-like cells of mesenchymal origin similar to the valvular interstitial cells in NAV tissue. The ECM of HP had a statistically significantly (p < 0.001) higher collagen I content, a lower collagen III and elastin content, and a similar glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) content, in comparison with the NAV, as measured by ECM integrated density. However, the relative thickness of the main load-bearing structures of the two tissues, the dense part of fibrous HP (49 ± 2%) and the lamina fibrosa of NAV (47 ± 4%), was similar. In both tissues, the secant elastic modulus (Es) was significantly lower in the transversal direction (p < 0.05) than in the longitudinal direction. This proved that both tissues were anisotropic. No statistically significant differences in UTS (ultimate tensile strength) values and in calculated bending stiffness values in the longitudinal or transversal direction were found between HP and NAV. Our study confirms that HP has an advantageous ECM biopolymeric structure and has the biomechanical properties required for a tissue from which an autologous heart valve replacement may be constructed.

Multi-Station Broad Regional Event Detection Using Waveform Correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slinkard, M.; Stephen, H.; Young, C. J.; Eckert, R.; Schaff, D. P.; Richards, P. G.

2013-12-01

Previous waveform correlation studies have established the occurrence of repeating seismic events in various regions, and the utility of waveform-correlation event-detection on broad regional or even global scales to find events currently not included in traditionally-prepared bulletins. The computational burden, however, is high, limiting previous experiments to relatively modest template libraries and/or processing time periods. We have developed a distributed computing waveform correlation event detection utility that allows us to process years of continuous waveform data with template libraries numbering in the thousands. We have used this system to process several years of waveform data from IRIS stations in East Asia, using libraries of template events taken from global and regional bulletins. Detections at a given station are confirmed by 1) comparison with independent bulletins of seismicity, and 2) consistent detections at other stations. We find that many of the detected events are not in traditional catalogs, hence the multi-station comparison is essential. In addition to detecting the similar events, we also estimate magnitudes very precisely based on comparison with the template events (when magnitudes are available). We have investigated magnitude variation within detected families of similar events, false alarm rates, and the temporal and spatial reach of templates.

Autoclave method for rapid preparation of bacterial PCR-template DNA.

PubMed

Simmon, Keith E; Steadman, Dewey D; Durkin, Sarah; Baldwin, Amy; Jeffrey, Wade H; Sheridan, Peter; Horton, Rene; Shields, Malcolm S

2004-02-01

An autoclave method for preparing bacterial DNA for PCR template is presented, it eliminates the use of detergents, organic solvents, and mechanical cellular disruption approaches, thereby significantly reducing processing time and costs while increasing reproducibility. Bacteria are lysed by rapid heating and depressurization in an autoclave. The lysate, cleared by microcentrifugation, was either used directly in the PCR reaction, or concentrated by ultrafiltration. This approach was compared with seven established methods of DNA template preparation from four bacterial sources which included boiling Triton X-100 and SDS, bead beating, lysozyme/proteinase K, and CTAB lysis method components. Bacteria examined were Enterococcus and Escherichia coli, a natural marine bacterial community and an Antarctic cyanobacterial-mat. DNAs were tested for their suitability as PCR templates by repetitive element random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. The autoclave method produced PCR amplifiable template comparable or superior to the other methods, with greater reproducibility, much shorter processing time, and at a significantly lower cost.

Abbreviated epitaxial growth mode (AGM) method for reducing cost and improving quality of LEDs and lasers

DOEpatents

Tansu, Nelson; Chan, Helen M; Vinci, Richard P; Ee, Yik-Khoon; Biser, Jeffrey

2013-09-24

The use of an abbreviated GaN growth mode on nano-patterned AGOG sapphire substrates, which utilizes a process of using 15 nm low temperature GaN buffer and bypassing etch-back and recovery processes during epitaxy, enables the growth of high-quality GaN template on nano-patterned AGOG sapphire. The GaN template grown on nano-patterned AGOG sapphire by employing abbreviated growth mode has two orders of magnitude lower threading dislocation density than that of conventional GaN template grown on planar sapphire. The use of abbreviated growth mode also leads to significant reduction in cost of the epitaxy. The growths and characteristics of InGaN quantum wells (QWs) light emitting diodes (LEDs) on both templates were compared. The InGaN QWs LEDs grown on the nano-patterned AGOG sapphire demonstrated at least a 24% enhancement of output power enhancement over that of LEDs grown on conventional GaN templates.

Effect of template in MCM-41 on the adsorption of aniline from aqueous solution.

PubMed

Yang, Xinxin; Guan, Qingxin; Li, Wei

2011-11-01

The effect of the surfactant template cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in MCM-41 on the adsorption of aniline was investigated. Various MCM-41 samples were prepared by controlling template removal using an extraction method. The samples were then used as adsorbents for the removal of aniline from aqueous solution. The results showed that the MCM-41 samples with the template partially removed (denoted as C-MCM-41) exhibited better adsorption performance than MCM-41 with the template completely removed (denoted as MCM-41). The reason for this difference may be that the C-MCM-41 samples had stronger hydrophobic properties and selectivity for aniline because of the presence of the template. The porosity and cationic sites generated by the template play an important role in the adsorption process. The optimal adsorbent with moderate template was achieved by changing the ratio of extractant; it has the potential for promising applications in the field of water pollution control. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Template-directed synthesis using the heterogeneous templates produced by montmorillonite catalysis. A possible bridge between the prebiotic and RNA worlds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ertem, G.; Ferris, J. P.

1997-01-01

The synthesis of oligoguanylates [oligo(G)s] is catalyzed by a template of oligocytidylates [oligo(C)s] containing 2',5'- and 3',5'-linked phosphodiester bonds with and without incorporated C5'ppC groupings. An oligo(C) template containing exclusively 2',5'-phosphodiester bonds also serves as a template for the synthesis of complementary oligo(G)s. The oligo(C) template was prepared by the condensation of the 5'-phosphorimidazolide of cytidine on montmorillonite clay. These studies establish that RNA oligomers prepared by mineral catalysis, or other routes on the primitive earth, did not have to be exclusively 3',5'-linked to catalyze template-directed synthesis, since oligo(C)s containing a variety of linkage isomers serve as templates for the formation of complementary oligo(G)s. These findings support the postulate that origin of the RNA world was initiated by the RNA oligomers produced by polymerization of activated monomers formed by prebiotic processes.

Automated Epileptiform Spike Detection via Affinity Propagation-Based Template Matching

PubMed Central

Thomas, John; Jin, Jing; Dauwels, Justin; Cash, Sydney S.; Westover, M. Brandon

2018-01-01

Interictal epileptiform spikes are the key diagnostic biomarkers for epilepsy. The clinical gold standard of spike detection is visual inspection performed by neurologists. This is a tedious, time-consuming, and expert-centered process. The development of automated spike detection systems is necessary in order to provide a faster and more reliable diagnosis of epilepsy. In this paper, we propose an efficient template matching spike detector based on a combination of spike and background waveform templates. We generate a template library by clustering a collection of spikes and background waveforms extracted from a database of 50 patients with epilepsy. We benchmark the performance of five clustering techniques based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. In addition, background templates are integrated with existing spike templates to improve the overall performance. The affinity propagation-based template matching system with a combination of spike and background templates is shown to outperform the other four conventional methods with the highest area-under-curve (AUC) of 0.953. PMID:29060543

A Model for Logistics Systems Engineering Management Education in Europe.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Naim, M.; Lalwani, C.; Fortuin, L.; Schmidt, T.; Taylor, J.; Aronsson, H.

2000-01-01

Presents the need for a systems and process perspective of logistics, and develops a template for a logistics education course. The template addresses functional, process, and supply chain needs and was developed by a number of university partners with core skills in different traditional disciplines. (Contains 31 references.) (Author/WRM)

A PBOM configuration and management method based on templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Kai; Qiao, Lihong; Qie, Yifan

2018-03-01

The design of Process Bill of Materials (PBOM) holds a hinge position in the process of product development. The requirements of PBOM configuration design and management for complex products are analysed in this paper, which include the reuse technique of configuration procedure and urgent management need of huge quantity of product family PBOM data. Based on the analysis, the function framework of PBOM configuration and management has been established. Configuration templates and modules are defined in the framework to support the customization and the reuse of configuration process. The configuration process of a detection sensor PBOM is shown as an illustration case in the end. The rapid and agile PBOM configuration and management can be achieved utilizing template-based method, which has a vital significance to improve the development efficiency for complex products.

The role of the geophysical template and environmental regimes in controlling stream-living trout populations

Treesearch

Brooke E. Penaluna; Steve F. Railsback; Jason B. Dunham; Sherri Johnson; Robert E. Bilby; Arne E. Skaugset; Michael Bradford

2015-01-01

The importance of multiple processes and instream factors to aquatic biota has been explored extensively, but questions remain about how local spatiotemporal variability of aquatic biota is tied to environmental regimes and the geophysical template of streams. We used an individual-based trout model to explore the relative role of the geophysical template versus...

e-Stars Template Builder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cox, Brian

2003-01-01

e-Stars Template Builder is a computer program that implements a concept of enabling users to rapidly gain access to information on projects of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The information about a given project is not stored in a data base, but rather, in a network that follows the project as it develops. e-Stars Template Builder resides on a server computer, using Practical Extraction and Reporting Language (PERL) scripts to create what are called "e-STARS node templates," which are software constructs that allow for project-specific configurations. The software resides on the server and does not require specific software on the user machine except for an Internet browser. A user's computer need not be equipped with special software (other than an Internet-browser program). e-Stars Template Builder is compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX operating systems. A user invokes e-Stars Template Builder from a browser window. Operations that can be performed by the user include the creation of child processes and the addition of links and descriptions of documentation to existing pages or nodes. By means of this addition of "child processes" of nodes, a network that reflects the development of a project is generated.

Location of early aftershocks of the 2004 Mid-Niigata Prefecture Earthquake (M = 6.8) in central Japan using seismogram envelopes as templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosuga, M.

2013-12-01

The location of early aftershocks is very important to obtain information of mainshock fault, however, it is often difficult due to the long-lasting coda wave of mainshock and successive occurrence of afterrshocks. To overcome this difficulty, we developed a method of location using seismogram envelopes as templates, and applied the method to the early aftershock sequence of the 2004 Mid-Niigata Prefecture (Chuetsu) Earthquake (M = 6.8) in central Japan. The location method composes of three processes. The first process is the calculation of cross-correlation coefficients between a continuous (target) and template envelopes. We prepare envelopes by taking the logarithm of root-mean-squared amplitude of band-pass filtered seismograms. We perform the calculation by shifting the time window to obtain a set of cross-correlation values for each template. The second process is the event detection (selection of template) and magnitude estimate. We search for the events in descending order of cross-correlation in a time window excluding the dead times around the previously detected events. Magnitude is calculated by the amplitude ratio of target and template envelopes. The third process is the relative event location to the selected template. We applied this method to the Chuetsu earthquake, a large inland earthquake with extensive aftershock activity. The number of detected events depends on the number of templates, frequency range, and the threshold value of cross-correlation. We set the threshold as 0.5 by referring to the histogram of cross-correlation. During a period of one-hour from the mainshock, we could detect more events than the JMA catalog. The location of events is generally near the catalog location. Though we should improve the methods of relative location and magnitude estimate, we conclude that the proposed method works adequately even just after the mainshock of large inland earthquake. Acknowledgement: We thank JMA, NIED, and the University of Tokyo for providing arrival time data, and waveform data. This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 23540487.

Stochastic model of template-directed elongation processes in biology.

PubMed

Schilstra, Maria J; Nehaniv, Chrystopher L

2010-10-01

We present a novel modular, stochastic model for biological template-based linear chain elongation processes. In this model, elongation complexes (ECs; DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase, or ribosomes associated with nascent chains) that span a finite number of template units step along the template, one after another, with semaphore constructs preventing overtaking. The central elongation module is readily extended with modules that represent initiation and termination processes. The model was used to explore the effect of EC span on motor velocity and dispersion, and the effect of initiation activator and repressor binding kinetics on the overall elongation dynamics. The results demonstrate that (1) motors that move smoothly are able to travel at a greater velocity and closer together than motors that move more erratically, and (2) the rate at which completed chains are released is proportional to the occupancy or vacancy of activator or repressor binding sites only when initiation or activator/repressor dissociation is slow in comparison with elongation. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Virus templated metallic nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aljabali, Alaa A. A.; Barclay, J. Elaine; Lomonossoff, George P.; Evans, David J.

2010-12-01

Plant viruses are considered as nanobuilding blocks that can be used as synthons or templates for novel materials. Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) particles have been shown to template the fabrication of metallic nanoparticles by an electroless deposition metallization process. Palladium ions were electrostatically bound to the virus capsid and, when reduced, acted as nucleation sites for the subsequent metal deposition from solution. The method, although simple, produced highly monodisperse metallic nanoparticles with a diameter of ca. <=35 nm. CPMV-templated particles were prepared with cobalt, nickel, iron, platinum, cobalt-platinum and nickel-iron.Plant viruses are considered as nanobuilding blocks that can be used as synthons or templates for novel materials. Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) particles have been shown to template the fabrication of metallic nanoparticles by an electroless deposition metallization process. Palladium ions were electrostatically bound to the virus capsid and, when reduced, acted as nucleation sites for the subsequent metal deposition from solution. The method, although simple, produced highly monodisperse metallic nanoparticles with a diameter of ca. <=35 nm. CPMV-templated particles were prepared with cobalt, nickel, iron, platinum, cobalt-platinum and nickel-iron. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional experimental detail, agarose gel electrophoresis results, energy dispersive X-ray spectra, ζ-potential measurements, dynamic light scattering data, nanoparticle tracking analysis and an atomic force microscopy image of Ni-CPMV. See DOI: 10.1039/c0nr00525h

View-Invariant Gait Recognition Through Genetic Template Segmentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isaac, Ebenezer R. H. P.; Elias, Susan; Rajagopalan, Srinivasan; Easwarakumar, K. S.

2017-08-01

Template-based model-free approach provides by far the most successful solution to the gait recognition problem in literature. Recent work discusses how isolating the head and leg portion of the template increase the performance of a gait recognition system making it robust against covariates like clothing and carrying conditions. However, most involve a manual definition of the boundaries. The method we propose, the genetic template segmentation (GTS), employs the genetic algorithm to automate the boundary selection process. This method was tested on the GEI, GEnI and AEI templates. GEI seems to exhibit the best result when segmented with our approach. Experimental results depict that our approach significantly outperforms the existing implementations of view-invariant gait recognition.

A close-space sublimation driven pathway for the manipulation of substrate-supported micro- and nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundar, Aarthi

The ability to fabricate structures and engineer materials on the nanoscale leads to the development of new devices and the study of exciting phenomena. Nanostructures attached to the surface of a substrate, in a manner that renders them immobile, have numerous potential applications in a diverse number of areas. Substrate-supported nanostructures can be fabricated using numerous modalities; however the easiest and most inexpensive technique to create a large area of randomly distributed particles is by the technique of thermal dewetting. In this process a metastable thin film is deposited at room temperature and heated, causing the film to lower its surface energy by agglomerating into droplet-like nanostructures. The main drawbacks of nanostructure fabrication via this technique are the substantial size distributions realized and the lack of control over nanostructure placement. In this doctoral dissertation, a new pathway for imposing order onto the thermal dewetting process and for manipulating the size, placement, shape and composition of preformed templates is described. It sees the confinement of substrate-supported thin films or nanostructure templates by the free surface of a metal film or a second substrate surface. Confining the templates in this manner and heating them to elevated temperatures leads to changes in the characteristics of the nanostructures formed. Three different modalities are demonstrated which alters the preformed structures by: (i) subtracting atoms from the templates, (ii) adding atoms to the template or (iii) simultaneously adding and subtracting atoms. The ability to carry out such processes depends on the choice of the confining surface and the nanostructured templates used. A subtractive process occurs when an electroformed nickel mesh is placed in conformal contact with a continuous gold film while it dewets, resulting in the formation of a periodic array of gold microstructures on an oxide substrate surface. When heated the gold beneath the grid selectively attaches to it due to the surface energy gradient which drives gold from the low surface energy oxide surface to the higher surface energy nickel mesh. With this process being confined to areas adjacent to and in contact with the grid surface the film ruptures at well-defined locations to form isolated islands of gold and subsequently, a periodic array of microstructures. The process can be carried out on substrates of different crystallographic orientations leading to nanostructures which are formed epitaxially and have orientations based on underlying substrate orientations. The process can be extended by placing a metallic foil of Pt or Ni over preformed templates, in which case a reduction in the size of the initial structures is observed. Placing a foil on structures with random placement and a wide size distribution results, not only in a size reduction, but also a narrowed size distribution. Additive processes are carried out by using materials which possess high vapor pressures much below the sublimation temperature of the template materials. In this case a germanium substrate was used as a source of germanium adatoms while gold or silver nanostructures were used as heterogeneous nucleation sites. At elevated temperatures the adatoms collect in sufficient quantities to transform each site into a liquid alloy which, upon cooling, phase separates into elemental components sharing a common interface and, hence, resulting in the formation of heterodimers and hollowed metal nanocrescents upon etching away the Ge. A process which combined aspects of the additive and subtractive process was carried out by using a metallic foil with a high vapor pressure and higher surface energy than the substrate surface (in this case Pd foil). This process resulted in the initial preformed gold templates being annihilated and replaced by nanostructures of palladium, thereby altering their chemical composition. The assembly process relies on the concurrent sublimation of palladium and gold which results in the complete transfer of the templated gold from the substrate to the foil, but not before the templates act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for palladium adatoms arriving to the substrate surface. Thus, the process is not only subtractive, but also additive due to the addition of palladium and removal of gold.

Thermal dewetting with a chemically heterogeneous nano-template for self-assembled L1(0) FePt nanoparticle arrays.

PubMed

Wang, Liang-Wei; Cheng, Chung-Fu; Liao, Jung-Wei; Wang, Chiu-Yen; Wang, Ding-Shuo; Huang, Kuo-Feng; Lin, Tzu-Ying; Ho, Rong-Ming; Chen, Lih-Juann; Lai, Chih-Huang

2016-02-21

A design for the fabrication of metallic nanoparticles is presented by thermal dewetting with a chemically heterogeneous nano-template. For the template, we fabricate a nanostructured polystyrene-b-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS) film on a Si|SiO2 substrate, followed by a thermal annealing and reactive ion etching (RIE) process. This gives a template composed of an ordered hexagonal array of SiOC hemispheres emerging in the polystyrene matrix. After the deposition of a FePt film on this template, we utilize the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process, which provides in-plane stress, to achieve thermal dewetting and structural ordering of FePt simultaneously. Since the template is composed of different composition surfaces with periodically varied morphologies, it offers more tuning knobs to manipulate the nanostructures. We show that both the decrease in the area of the PS matrix and the increase in the strain energy relaxation transfer the dewetted pattern from the randomly distributed nanoparticles into a hexagonal periodic array of L10 FePt nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy with the in situ heating stage reveals the evolution of the dewetting process, and confirms that the positions of nanoparticles are aligned with those of the SiOC hemispheres. The nanoparticles formed by this template-dewetting show an average diameter and center-to-center distance of 19.30 ± 2.09 nm and 39.85 ± 4.80 nm, respectively. The hexagonal array of FePt nanoparticles reveals a large coercivity of 1.5 T, much larger than the nanoparticles fabricated by top-down approaches. This approach offers an efficient pathway toward self-assembled nanostructures in a wide range of material systems.

A narrow band pattern-matching model of vowel perception

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hillenbrand, James M.; Houde, Robert A.

2003-02-01

The purpose of this paper is to propose and evaluate a new model of vowel perception which assumes that vowel identity is recognized by a template-matching process involving the comparison of narrow band input spectra with a set of smoothed spectral-shape templates that are learned through ordinary exposure to speech. In the present simulation of this process, the input spectra are computed over a sufficiently long window to resolve individual harmonics of voiced speech. Prior to template creation and pattern matching, the narrow band spectra are amplitude equalized by a spectrum-level normalization process, and the information-bearing spectral peaks are enhanced by a ``flooring'' procedure that zeroes out spectral values below a threshold function consisting of a center-weighted running average of spectral amplitudes. Templates for each vowel category are created simply by averaging the narrow band spectra of like vowels spoken by a panel of talkers. In the present implementation, separate templates are used for men, women, and children. The pattern matching is implemented with a simple city-block distance measure given by the sum of the channel-by-channel differences between the narrow band input spectrum (level-equalized and floored) and each vowel template. Spectral movement is taken into account by computing the distance measure at several points throughout the course of the vowel. The input spectrum is assigned to the vowel template that results in the smallest difference accumulated over the sequence of spectral slices. The model was evaluated using a large database consisting of 12 vowels in /hVd/ context spoken by 45 men, 48 women, and 46 children. The narrow band model classified vowels in this database with a degree of accuracy (91.4%) approaching that of human listeners.

Herpes Simplex Virus Processivity Factor UL42 Imparts Increased DNA-Binding Specificity to the Viral DNA Polymerase and Decreased Dissociation from Primer-Template without Reducing the Elongation Rate

PubMed Central

Weisshart, Klaus; Chow, Connie S.; Coen, Donald M.

1999-01-01

Herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase consists of a catalytic subunit, Pol, and a processivity subunit, UL42, that, unlike other established processivity factors, binds DNA directly. We used gel retardation and filter-binding assays to investigate how UL42 affects the polymerase-DNA interaction. The Pol/UL42 heterodimer bound more tightly to DNA in a primer-template configuration than to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), while Pol alone bound more tightly to ssDNA than to DNA in a primer-template configuration. The affinity of Pol/UL42 for ssDNA was reduced severalfold relative to that of Pol, while the affinity of Pol/UL42 for primer-template DNA was increased ∼15-fold relative to that of Pol. The affinity of Pol/UL42 for circular double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) was reduced drastically relative to that of UL42, but the affinity of Pol/UL42 for short primer-templates was increased modestly relative to that of UL42. Pol/UL42 associated with primer-template DNA ∼2-fold faster than did Pol and dissociated ∼10-fold more slowly, resulting in a half-life of 2 h and a subnanomolar Kd. Despite such stable binding, rapid-quench analysis revealed that the rates of elongation of Pol/UL42 and Pol were essentially the same, ∼30 nucleotides/s. Taken together, these studies indicate that (i) Pol/UL42 is more likely than its subunits to associate with DNA in a primer-template configuration rather than nonspecifically to either ssDNA or dsDNA, and (ii) UL42 reduces the rate of dissociation from primer-template DNA but not the rate of elongation. Two models of polymerase-DNA interactions during replication that may explain these findings are presented. PMID:9847307

Solar Cell Nanotechnology Final Technical Report

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

Das, Biswajit

2014-05-07

The objective of this project is to develop a low cost nonlithographic nanofabrication technology for the fabrication of thin film porous templates as well as uniform arrays of semiconductor nanostructures for the implementation of high efficiency solar cells. Solar cells based on semiconductor nanostructures are expected to have very high energy conversion efficiencies due to the increased absorption coefficients of semiconductor nanostructures. In addition, the thin film porous template can be used for optimum surface texturing of solar cells leading to additional enhancement in energy conversion efficiency. An important requirement for these applications is the ability to synthesize nanostructure arraysmore » of different dimensions with good size control. This project employed nanoporous alumina templates created by the anodization of aluminum thin films deposited on glass substrates for the fabrication of the nanostructures and optimized the process parameters to obtain uniform pore diameters. An additional requirement is uniformity or regularity of the nanostructure arrays. While constant current anodization was observed to provide controlled pore diameters, constant voltage anodization was needed for regularity of the nanostructure arrays. Thus a two-step anodization process was investigated and developed in this project for improving the pore size distribution and pore periodicity of the nanoporous alumina templates. CdTe was selected to be the active material for the nanowires, and the process for the successful synthesis of CdTe nanowires was developed in this project. Two different synthesis approaches were investigated in this project, electrochemical and electrophoretic deposition. While electrochemical synthesis was successfully employed for the synthesis of nanowires inside the pores of the alumina templates, the technique was determined to be non-optimum due to the need of elevated temperature that is detrimental to the structural integrity of the nanoporous alumina templates. In order to eliminate this problem, electrophoretic deposition was selected as the more appropriate technique, which involves the guided deposition of semiconductor nanoparticles in the presence of ultrasonic energy to form the crystalline nanowires. Extensive experimental research was carried out to optimize the process parameters for formation of crystalline nanowires. It was observed that the environmental bath temperature plays a critical role in determining the structural integrity of the nanowires and hence their lengths. Investigation was carried out for the formation of semitransparent ohmic contacts on the nanowires to facilitate photocurrent spectroscopy measurements as well as for solar cell implementation. Formation of such ohmic contacts was found to be challenging and a process involving mechanical and electrochemical polishing was developed to facilitate such contacts. The use of nanoporous alumina templates for the surface texturing of mono- and multi-crystalline solar cells was extensively investigated by electrochemical etching of the silicon through the pores of the nanoporous templates. The processes for template formation as well as etching were optimized and the alumina/silicon interface was investigated using capacitance-voltage characterization. The process developed was found to be viable for improving solar cell performance.« less

A novel cloning template designing method by using an artificial bee colony algorithm for edge detection of CNN based imaging sensors.

PubMed

Parmaksızoğlu, Selami; Alçı, Mustafa

2011-01-01

Cellular Neural Networks (CNNs) have been widely used recently in applications such as edge detection, noise reduction and object detection, which are among the main computer imaging processes. They can also be realized as hardware based imaging sensors. The fact that hardware CNN models produce robust and effective results has attracted the attention of researchers using these structures within image sensors. Realization of desired CNN behavior such as edge detection can be achieved by correctly setting a cloning template without changing the structure of the CNN. To achieve different behaviors effectively, designing a cloning template is one of the most important research topics in this field. In this study, the edge detecting process that is used as a preliminary process for segmentation, identification and coding applications is conducted by using CNN structures. In order to design the cloning template of goal-oriented CNN architecture, an Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm which is inspired from the foraging behavior of honeybees is used and the performance analysis of ABC for this application is examined with multiple runs. The CNN template generated by the ABC algorithm is tested by using artificial and real test images. The results are subjectively and quantitatively compared with well-known classical edge detection methods, and other CNN based edge detector cloning templates available in the imaging literature. The results show that the proposed method is more successful than other methods.

A Novel Cloning Template Designing Method by Using an Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm for Edge Detection of CNN Based Imaging Sensors

PubMed Central

Parmaksızoğlu, Selami; Alçı, Mustafa

2011-01-01

Cellular Neural Networks (CNNs) have been widely used recently in applications such as edge detection, noise reduction and object detection, which are among the main computer imaging processes. They can also be realized as hardware based imaging sensors. The fact that hardware CNN models produce robust and effective results has attracted the attention of researchers using these structures within image sensors. Realization of desired CNN behavior such as edge detection can be achieved by correctly setting a cloning template without changing the structure of the CNN. To achieve different behaviors effectively, designing a cloning template is one of the most important research topics in this field. In this study, the edge detecting process that is used as a preliminary process for segmentation, identification and coding applications is conducted by using CNN structures. In order to design the cloning template of goal-oriented CNN architecture, an Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm which is inspired from the foraging behavior of honeybees is used and the performance analysis of ABC for this application is examined with multiple runs. The CNN template generated by the ABC algorithm is tested by using artificial and real test images. The results are subjectively and quantitatively compared with well-known classical edge detection methods, and other CNN based edge detector cloning templates available in the imaging literature. The results show that the proposed method is more successful than other methods. PMID:22163903

A Microsoft Project-Based Planning, Tracking, and Management Tool for the National Transonic Facility's Model Changeover Process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vairo, Daniel M.

1998-01-01

The removal and installation of sting-mounted wind tunnel models in the National Transonic Facility (NTF) is a multi-task process having a large impact on the annual throughput of the facility. Approximately ten model removal and installation cycles occur annually at the NTF with each cycle requiring slightly over five days to complete. The various tasks of the model changeover process were modeled in Microsoft Project as a template to provide a planning, tracking, and management tool. The template can also be used as a tool to evaluate improvements to this process. This document describes the development of the template and provides step-by-step instructions on its use and as a planning and tracking tool. A secondary role of this document is to provide an overview of the model changeover process and briefly describe the tasks associated with it.

In vitro and in vivo studies on laser-activated gold nanorods for applications in photothermal therapies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pini, Roberto; Ratto, Fulvio; Matteini, Paolo; Centi, Sonia; Rossi, Francesca

2010-04-01

We review our experimental studies on near infrared laser-activated gold nanoparticles in the direct welding of connective tissues. In particular, we discuss the use of gold nanorods excited by diode laser radiation at 810 nm to mediate functional photothermal effects and weld eye's lens capsules and arteries. The preparation of biopolymeric matrices including gold nanorods is described as well, together with preliminary tests for their application in the closure of wounds in vessels and tendons. Finally we mention future perspectives on the use of these nanoparticles for applications in the therapy of cancer.

PCR-mediated recombination in amplification products derived from polyploid cotton.

Treesearch

Richard C. Cronn; M. Cedroni; T. Haselkorn; C. Grover; Jonathan F. Wendel

2002-01-01

PCR recombination describes a process of in vitro chimera formation from non-identical templates. The key requirements of this process is the inclusion of two partially homologous templates in one reaction, a condition met when amplifying any locus from polyploid organisms and members of multigene families from diploid organisms. Because polyploids possess two or more...

Liquid foam templating - A route to tailor-made polymer foams.

PubMed

Andrieux, Sébastien; Quell, Aggeliki; Stubenrauch, Cosima; Drenckhan, Wiebke

2018-06-01

Solid foams with pore sizes between a few micrometres and a few millimetres are heavily exploited in a wide range of established and emerging applications. While the optimisation of foam applications requires a fine control over their structural properties (pore size distribution, pore opening, foam density, …), the great complexity of most foaming processes still defies a sound scientific understanding and therefore explicit control and prediction of these parameters. We therefore need to improve our understanding of existing processes and also develop new fabrication routes which we understand and which we can exploit to tailor-make new porous materials. One of these new routes is liquid templating in general and liquid foam templating in particular, to which this review article is dedicated. While all solid foams are generated from an initially liquid(-like) state, the particular notion of liquid foam templating implies the specific condition that the liquid foam has time to find its "equilibrium structure" before it is solidified. In other words, the characteristic time scales of the liquid foam's stability and its solidification are well separated, allowing to build on the vast know-how on liquid foams established over the last 20 years. The dispersed phase of the liquid foam determines the final pore size and pore size distribution, while the continuous phase contains the precursors of the desired porous scaffold. We review here the three key challenges which need to be addressed by this approach: (1) the control of the structure of the liquid template, (2) the matching of the time scales between the stability of the liquid template and solidification, and (3) the preservation of the structure of the template throughout the process. Focusing on the field of polymer foams, this review gives an overview of recent research on the properties of liquid foam templates and summarises a key set of studies in the emerging field of liquid foam templating. It finishes with an outlook on future developments. Occasional references to non-polymeric foams are given if the analogy provides specific insight into a physical phenomenon. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A medium invasiveness multi-level patient's specific template for pedicle screw placement in the scoliosis surgery.

PubMed

Azimifar, Farhad; Hassani, Kamran; Saveh, Amir Hossein; Ghomsheh, Farhad Tabatabai

2017-11-14

Several methods including free-hand technique, fluoroscopic guidance, image-guided navigation, computer-assisted surgery system, robotic platform and patient's specific templates are being used for pedicle screw placement. These methods have screw misplacements and are not always easy to be applied. Furthermore, it is necessary to expose completely a large portions of the spine in order to access fit entirely around the vertebrae. In this study, a multi-level patient's specific template with medium invasiveness was proposed for pedicle screw placement in the scoliosis surgery. It helps to solve the problems related to the soft tissues removal. After a computer tomography (CT) scan of the spine, the templates were designed based on surgical considerations. Each template was manufactured using three-dimensional printing technology under a semi-flexible post processing. The templates were placed on vertebras at four points-at the base of the superior-inferior articular processes on both left-right sides. This helps to obtain less invasive and more accurate procedure as well as true-stable and easy placement in a unique position. The accuracy of screw positions was confirmed by CT scan after screw placement. The result showed the correct alignment in pedicle screw placement. In addition, the template has been initially tested on a metal wire series Moulage (height 70 cm and material is PVC). The results demonstrated that it could be possible to implement it on a real patient. The proposed template significantly reduced screw misplacements, increased stability, and decreased the sliding & the intervention invasiveness.

Improving homology modeling of G-protein coupled receptors through multiple-template derived conserved inter-residue interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaudhari, Rajan; Heim, Andrew J.; Li, Zhijun

2015-05-01

Evidenced by the three-rounds of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) Dock competitions, improving homology modeling methods of helical transmembrane proteins including the GPCRs, based on templates of low sequence identity, remains an eminent challenge. Current approaches addressing this challenge adopt the philosophy of "modeling first, refinement next". In the present work, we developed an alternative modeling approach through the novel application of available multiple templates. First, conserved inter-residue interactions are derived from each additional template through conservation analysis of each template-target pairwise alignment. Then, these interactions are converted into distance restraints and incorporated in the homology modeling process. This approach was applied to modeling of the human β2 adrenergic receptor using the bovin rhodopsin and the human protease-activated receptor 1 as templates and improved model quality was demonstrated compared to the homology model generated by standard single-template and multiple-template methods. This method of "refined restraints first, modeling next", provides a fast and complementary way to the current modeling approaches. It allows rational identification and implementation of additional conserved distance restraints extracted from multiple templates and/or experimental data, and has the potential to be applicable to modeling of all helical transmembrane proteins.

GPP Webinar: Solar Procurement Templates and Tools for Higher Education

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Green Power Partnership webinar on solar procurement for Higher Education which features various tools and templates that schools can use to shape and manage the solar procurement process to a successful outcome.

Constructing and assessing brain templates from Chinese pediatric MRI data using SPM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Qingjie; Ye, Qing; Yao, Li; Chen, Kewei; Jin, Zhen; Liu, Gang; Wu, Xingchun; Wang, Tingting

2005-04-01

Spatial normalization is a very important step in the processing of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. So the quality of brain templates is crucial for the accuracy of MRI analysis. In this paper, using the classical protocol and the optimized protocol plus nonlinear deformation, we constructed the T1 whole brain templates and apriori brain tissue data from 69 Chinese pediatric MRI data (age 7-16 years). Then we proposed a new assessment method to evaluate our templates. 10 pediatric subjects were chosen to do the assessment as the following steps. First, the cerebellum region, the region of interest (ROI), was located on both the pediatric volume and the template volume by an experienced neuroanatomist. Second, the pediatric whole brain was mapped to the template with affine and nonlinear deformation. Third, the parameter, derived from the second step, was used to only normalize the ROI of the child to the ROI of the template. Last, the overlapping ratio, which described the overlapping rate between the ROI of the template and the normalized ROI of the child, was calculated. The mean of overlapping ratio normalized to the classical template was 0.9687, and the mean normalized to the optimized template was 0.9713. The results show that the two Chinese pediatric brain templates are comparable and their accuracy is adequate to our studies.

Creating metamaterial building blocks with directed photochemical metallization of silver onto DNA origami templates.

PubMed

Hossen, Md Mir; Bendickson, Lee; Palo, Pierre E; Yao, Zhiqi; Nilsen-Hamilton, Marit; Hillier, Andrew C

2018-08-31

DNA origami can be used to create a variety of complex and geometrically unique nanostructures that can be further modified to produce building blocks for applications such as in optical metamaterials. We describe a method for creating metal-coated nanostructures using DNA origami templates and a photochemical metallization technique. Triangular DNA origami forms were fabricated and coated with a thin metal layer by photochemical silver reduction while in solution or supported on a surface. The DNA origami template serves as a localized photosensitizer to facilitate reduction of silver ions directly from solution onto the DNA surface. The metallizing process is shown to result in a conformal metal coating, which grows in height to a self-limiting value with increasing photoreduction steps. Although this coating process results in a slight decrease in the triangle dimensions, the overall template shape is retained. Notably, this coating method exhibits characteristics of self-limiting and defect-filling growth, which results in a metal nanostructure that maps the shape of the original DNA template with a continuous and uniform metal layer and stops growing once all available DNA sites are exhausted.

3D Printing of Hierarchical Silk Fibroin Structures.

PubMed

Sommer, Marianne R; Schaffner, Manuel; Carnelli, Davide; Studart, André R

2016-12-21

Like many other natural materials, silk is hierarchically structured from the amino acid level up to the cocoon or spider web macroscopic structures. Despite being used industrially in a number of applications, hierarchically structured silk fibroin objects with a similar degree of architectural control as in natural structures have not been produced yet due to limitations in fabrication processes. In a combined top-down and bottom-up approach, we exploit the freedom in macroscopic design offered by 3D printing and the template-guided assembly of ink building blocks at the meso- and nanolevel to fabricate hierarchical silk porous materials with unprecedented structural control. Pores with tunable sizes in the range 40-350 μm are generated by adding sacrificial organic microparticles as templates to a silk fibroin-based ink. Commercially available wax particles or monodisperse polycaprolactone made by microfluidics can be used as microparticle templates. Since closed pores are generated after template removal, an ultrasonication treatment can optionally be used to achieve open porosity. Such pore templating particles can be further modified with nanoparticles to create a hierarchical template that results in porous structures with a defined nanotopography on the pore walls. The hierarchically porous silk structures obtained with this processing technique can potentially be utilized in various application fields from structural materials to thermal insulation to tissue engineering scaffolds.

A pilot study of a heuristic algorithm for novel template identification from VA electronic medical record text.

PubMed

Redd, Andrew M; Gundlapalli, Adi V; Divita, Guy; Carter, Marjorie E; Tran, Le-Thuy; Samore, Matthew H

2017-07-01

Templates in text notes pose challenges for automated information extraction algorithms. We propose a method that identifies novel templates in plain text medical notes. The identification can then be used to either include or exclude templates when processing notes for information extraction. The two-module method is based on the framework of information foraging and addresses the hypothesis that documents containing templates and the templates within those documents can be identified by common features. The first module takes documents from the corpus and groups those with common templates. This is accomplished through a binned word count hierarchical clustering algorithm. The second module extracts the templates. It uses the groupings and performs a longest common subsequence (LCS) algorithm to obtain the constituent parts of the templates. The method was developed and tested on a random document corpus of 750 notes derived from a large database of US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic medical notes. The grouping module, using hierarchical clustering, identified 23 groups with 3 documents or more, consisting of 120 documents from the 750 documents in our test corpus. Of these, 18 groups had at least one common template that was present in all documents in the group for a positive predictive value of 78%. The LCS extraction module performed with 100% positive predictive value, 94% sensitivity, and 83% negative predictive value. The human review determined that in 4 groups the template covered the entire document, with the remaining 14 groups containing a common section template. Among documents with templates, the number of templates per document ranged from 1 to 14. The mean and median number of templates per group was 5.9 and 5, respectively. The grouping method was successful in finding like documents containing templates. Of the groups of documents containing templates, the LCS module was successful in deciphering text belonging to the template and text that was extraneous. Major obstacles to improved performance included documents composed of multiple templates, templates that included other templates embedded within them, and variants of templates. We demonstrate proof of concept of the grouping and extraction method of identifying templates in electronic medical records in this pilot study and propose methods to improve performance and scaling up. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Soft plasma processing of organic nanowires: a route for the fabrication of 1D organic heterostructures and the template synthesis of inorganic 1D nanostructures.

PubMed

Alcaire, Maria; Sanchez-Valencia, Juan R; Aparicio, Francisco J; Saghi, Zineb; Gonzalez-Gonzalez, Juan C; Barranco, Angel; Zian, Youssef Oulad; Gonzalez-Elipe, Agustin R; Midgley, Paul; Espinos, Juan P; Groening, Pierangelo; Borras, Ana

2011-11-01

Hierarchical (branched) and hybrid metal-NPs/organic supported NWs are fabricated through controlled plasma processing of metalloporphyrin, metallophthalocyanine and perylene nanowires. The procedure is also applied for the development of a general template route for the synthesis of supported metal and metal oxide nanowires.

Formation of Helically Structured Chitin/CaCO3 Hybrids through an Approach Inspired by the Biomineralization Processes of Crustacean Cuticles.

PubMed

Matsumura, Shunichi; Kajiyama, Satoshi; Nishimura, Tatsuya; Kato, Takashi

2015-10-01

Chitin/CaCO3 hybrids with helical structures are formed through a biomineralization-inspired crystallization process under ambient conditions. Liquid-crystalline chitin whiskers are used as helically ordered templates. The liquid-crystalline structures are stabilized by acidic polymer networks which interact with the chitin templates. The crystallization of CaCO3 is conducted by soaking the templates in the colloidal suspension of amorphous CaCO3 (ACC) at room temperature. At the initial stage of crystallization, ACC particles are introduced inside the templates, and they crystallize to CaCO3 nanocrystals. The acidic polymer networks induce CaCO3 crystallization. The characterization of the resultant hybrids reveals that they possess helical order and homogeneous hybrid structures of chitin and CaCO3 , which resemble the structure and composition of the exoskeleton of crustaceans. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fabrication of orderly nanostructured PLGA scaffolds using anodic aluminum oxide templates.

PubMed

Wang, Gou-Jen; Lin, Yan-Cheng; Li, Ching-Wen; Hsueh, Cheng-Chih; Hsu, Shan-Hui; Hung, Huey-Shan

2009-08-01

In this research, two simple fabrication methods to fabricate orderly nanostructured PLGA scaffolds using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template were conducted. In the vacuum air-extraction approach, the PLGA solution was cast on an AAO template first. The vacuum air-extraction process was then applied to suck the semi-congealed PLGA into the nanopores of the AAO template to form a bamboo sprouts array of PLGA. The surface roughness of the nanostructured scaffolds, ranging from 20 nm to 76 nm, can be controlled by the sucking time of the vacuum air-extraction process. In the replica molding approach, the PLGA solution was cast on the orderly scraggy barrier-layer surface of an AAO membrane to fabricate a PLGA scaffold of concave nanostructure. Cell culture experiments using the bovine endothelial cells (BEC) demonstrated that the nanostructured PLGA membrane can increase the cell growing rate, especially for the bamboo sprouts array scaffolds with smaller surface roughness.

Synthesis and characterization of hollow magnetic nanospheres modified with Au nanoparticles for bio-encapsulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seisno, Satoshi; Suga, Kent; Nakagawa, Takashi; Yamamoto, Takao A.

2017-04-01

Hollow magnetic nanospheres modified with Au nanoparticles were successfully synthesized. Au/SiO2 nanospheres fabricated by a radiochemical process were used as templates for ferrite templating. After the ferrite plating process, Au/SiO2 templates were fully coated with magnetite nanoparticles. Dissolution of the SiO2 core lead to the formation of hollow magnetic nanospheres with Au nanoparticles inside. The hollow magnetic nanospheres consisted of Fe3O4 grains, with an average diameter of 60 nm, connected to form the sphere wall, inside which Au grains with an average diameter of 7.2 nm were encapsulated. The Au nanoparticles immobilized on the SiO2 templates contributed to the adsorption of the Fe ion precursor and/or Fe3O4 seeds. These hollow magnetic nanospheres are proposed as a new type of nanocarrier, as the Au grains could specifically immobilize biomolecules inside the hollow sphere.

Computer-aided design and manufacturing of surgical templates and their clinical applications: a review.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaojun; Xu, Lu; Wang, Wei; Li, Xing; Sun, Yi; Politis, Constantinus

2016-09-01

The surgical template is a guide aimed at directing the implant placement, tumor resection, osteotomy and bone repositioning. Using it, preoperative planning can be transferred to the actual surgical site, and the precision, safety and reliability of the surgery can be improved. However, the actual workflow of the surgical template design and manufacturing is quite complicated before the final clinical application. The major goal of the paper is to provide a comprehensive reference source of the current and future development of the template design and manufacturing for relevant researchers. Expert commentary: This paper aims to present a review of the necessary procedures in the template-guided surgery including the image processing, 3D visualization, preoperative planning, surgical guide design and manufacturing. In addition, the template-guided clinical applications for various kinds of surgeries are reviewed, and it demonstrated that the precision of the surgery has been improved compared with the non-guided operations.

A report template for molecular genetic tests designed to improve communication between the clinician and laboratory.

PubMed

Scheuner, Maren T; Hilborne, Lee; Brown, Julie; Lubin, Ira M

2012-07-01

Errors are most likely to occur during the pre- and postanalytic phases of the genetic testing process, which can contribute to underuse, overuse, and misuse of genetic tests. To mitigate these errors, we created a template for molecular genetic test reports that utilizes the combined features of synoptic reporting and narrative interpretation. A variation of the Delphi consensus process with an expert panel was used to create a draft report template, which was further informed by focus group discussions with primary care physicians. There was agreement that molecular genetic test reports should present information in groupings that flow in a logical manner, and most participants preferred the following order of presentation: patient and physician information, test performed, test results and interpretation, guidance on next steps, and supplemental information. We define data elements for the report as "required," "optional," "possible," and "not necessary"; provide recommendations regarding the grouping of these data elements; and describe the ideal design of the report template, including the preferred order of the report sections, formatting of data, and length of the report. With input from key stakeholders and building upon prior work, we created a template for molecular genetic test reports designed to improve clinical decision making at the point of care. The template design should lead to more effective communication between the laboratory and ordering clinician. Studies are needed to assess the usefulness and effectiveness of molecular genetic test reports generated using this template.

Evaluation of Enzymatically Modified Soy Protein Isolate Film Forming Solution and Film at Different Manufacturing Conditions.

PubMed

Mohammad Zadeh, Elham; O'Keefe, Sean F; Kim, Young-Teck; Cho, Jin-Hun

2018-04-01

The effects of transglutaminase on soy protein isolate (SPI) film forming solution and films were investigated by rheological behavior and physicochemical properties based on different manufacturing conditions (enzyme treatments, enzyme incubation times, and protein denaturation temperatures). Enzymatic crosslinking reaction and changes in molecular weight distribution were confirmed by viscosity measurement and SDS-PAGE, respectively, compared to 2 controls: the nonenzyme treated and the deactivated enzyme treated. Films treated with both the enzyme and the deactivated enzyme showed significant increase in tensile strength (TS), percent elongation (%E), and initial contact angle of films compared to the nonenzyme control film due to the bulk stabilizers in the commercial enzyme. Water absorption property, protein solubility, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy revealed that enzyme treated SPI film matrix in the molecular structure level, resulted in the changes in physicochemical properties. Based on our observation, the enzymatic treatment at appropriate conditions is a practical and feasible way to control the physical properties of protein based biopolymeric film for many different scientific and industrial areas. Enzymes can make bridges selectively among different amino acids in the structure of protein matrix. Therefore, protein network is changed after enzyme treatment. The behavior of biopolymeric materials is dependent on the network structure to be suitable in different applications such as bioplastics applied in food and pharmaceutical products. In the current research, transglutaminase, as an enzyme, applied in soy protein matrix in different types of forms, activated and deactivated, and different preparation conditions to investigate its effects on different properties of the new bioplastic film. © 2018 Institute of Food Technologists®.

Metal and anion composition of two biopolymeric chemical stabilizers and toxicity risk implication for the environment.

PubMed

Ndibewu, P P; Mgangira, M B; Cingo, N; McCrindle, R I

2010-01-01

The objective of this study was to (1) measure the concentration of four anions (Cl(-), F(-), [image omitted], and [image omitted]) and nine other elements (Al, Ba, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Si) in two nontraditional biopolymeric chemical stabilizers (EBCS1 and EBCS2), (2) investigate consequent environmental toxicity risk implications, and (3) create awareness regarding environmental health issues associated with metal concentration levels in enzyme-based chemical stabilizers that are now gaining widespread application in road construction and other concrete materials. Potential ecotoxicity impacts were studied on aqueous extracts of EBCS1 and EBCS2 using two thermodynamic properties models: the Pitzer-Mayorga model (calculation of the electrolyte activity coefficients) and the Millero-Pitzer model (calculation of the ionic activity coefficients). Results showed not only high concentrations of a variety of metal ions and inorganic anions, but also a significant variation between two chemical stabilizing mixtures. The mixture (EBCS2) with the lower pH value was richer in all the cationic and anionic species than (EBCS1). Sulfate (SO(2-)(4)) concentrations were found to be higher in EBCS2 than in EBCS1. There was no correlation between electrolyte activity and presence of the ionic species, which may be linked to a possible high ionic environmental activity. The concentrations of trace metals found (Mn, Fe, and Ni) were low compared to those of earth metals (Ba, Ca, K, and Mg). The metal concentrations were higher in EBCS1 than in EBCS2. Data suggest that specific studies are needed to establish "zero" permissible metal ecotoxicity values for elements and anions in any such strong polyelectrolytic enzyme-based chemical stabilizers.

V2S: Voice to Sign Language Translation System for Malaysian Deaf People

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mean Foong, Oi; Low, Tang Jung; La, Wai Wan

The process of learning and understand the sign language may be cumbersome to some, and therefore, this paper proposes a solution to this problem by providing a voice (English Language) to sign language translation system using Speech and Image processing technique. Speech processing which includes Speech Recognition is the study of recognizing the words being spoken, regardless of whom the speaker is. This project uses template-based recognition as the main approach in which the V2S system first needs to be trained with speech pattern based on some generic spectral parameter set. These spectral parameter set will then be stored as template in a database. The system will perform the recognition process through matching the parameter set of the input speech with the stored templates to finally display the sign language in video format. Empirical results show that the system has 80.3% recognition rate.

Toward a practical template-based approach to semiquantitative SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.

PubMed

Hughes, Tyler; Celler, Anna

2012-03-01

Our template-based quantitative perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) method (T-QPS) performs semiquantitative analysis for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) without the use of normal databases. However, in its current form, T-QPS requires extensive calculations, which limits its clinical application. In the interest of clinical feasibility, the authors examine the trade-off between accuracy and processing time as the method is simplified. The T-QPS method uses the reconstructed SPECT image of the patient to create a 3D digital template of his∕her healthy heart. This template is then projected, reconstructed, and sampled into the bulls-eye map domain. A ratio of the patient and template images produces a final corrected image in which a threshold is applied to identify perfusion defects. In principle, the template should be constructed with the heart and all extracardiac activity, and the projection step should include primary and scatter components; however, this leads to lengthy calculations. In an attempt to shorten the processing time, the authors analyzed the performance of four template (T) generation methods: T(P-HRT), T(PS-HRT), T(P-HRTBKG), and T(PS-HRTBKG), where P and S represent primary and scattered photons included in the projection step, respectively; and HRT and HRTBKG represent template constructed with the heart only and the heart with background activity, respectively. Forty-eight thorax phantoms and 21 randomly selected patient studies were analyzed using each approach. All studies used GE's Infinia Hawkeye SPECT∕CT system and followed a standard cardiac acquisition protocol. Approximate processing times for the T(P-HRT), T(PS-HRT), T(P-HRTBKG), and T(PS-HRTBKG) methods were less than a minute, 2-3 h, less than a minute and 3-4 h, respectively. In both the simulation and patient studies, a significant reduction in the quality of perfusion defect definition was exhibited by the T(P-HRT) method relative to the other three methods. The optimal method with respect to perfusion defect definition and processing time was T(P-HRTBKG) with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in spatially defining the perfusion defects (simulation study) of 80%, 84%, and 83%, respectively. The T-QPS method using T(P-HRTBKG) leads to accurate and fast semiquantitative analysis of SPECT MPI, without the use of normal databases.

Inhibition of Poliovirus-Induced Cleavage of Cellular Protein PCBP2 Reduces the Levels of Viral RNA Replication

PubMed Central

Chase, Amanda J.; Daijogo, Sarah

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT Due to their small genome size, picornaviruses must utilize host proteins to mediate cap-independent translation and viral RNA replication. The host RNA-binding protein poly(rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) is involved in both processes in poliovirus infected cells. It has been shown that the viral proteinase 3CD cleaves PCBP2 and contributes to viral translation inhibition. However, cleaved PCBP2 remains active in viral RNA replication. This would suggest that both cleaved and intact forms of PCBP2 have a role in the viral RNA replication cycle. The picornavirus genome must act as a template for both translation and RNA replication. However, a template that is actively being translated cannot function as a template for RNA replication, suggesting that there is a switch in template usage from translation to RNA replication. We demonstrate that the cleavage of PCBP2 by the poliovirus 3CD proteinase is a necessary step for efficient viral RNA replication and, as such, may be important for mediating a switch in template usage from translation to RNA replication. IMPORTANCE Poliovirus, like all positive-strand RNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, uses its genomic RNA as a template for both viral protein synthesis and RNA replication. Given that these processes cannot occur simultaneously on the same template, poliovirus has evolved a mechanism(s) to facilitate the switch from using templates for translation to using them for RNA synthesis. This study explores one possible scenario for how the virus alters the functions of a host cell RNA binding protein to mediate, in part, this important transition. PMID:24371074

Development of a methodology for structured reporting of information in echocardiography.

PubMed

Homorodean, Călin; Olinic, Maria; Olinic, Dan

2012-03-01

In order to conduct research relying on ultrasound images, it is necessary to access a large number of relevant cases represented by images and their interpretation. DICOM standard defines the structured reporting information object. Templates are tree-like structures which offer structural guidance in report construction. Laying the foundations of a structured reporting methodology in echocardiography, through the generation of a consistent set of DICOM templates. We developed an information system with the ability of managing echocardiographic images and structured reports. In order to perform a complete description of the cardiac structures, we used 1900 coded concepts organized into 344 contexts by their semantic meaning in a variety of cardiac diseases. We developed 30 templates, with up to 10 nesting levels. The list of templates has a pyramid-like architecture. Two templates are used for reporting every measurement and description: "EchoMeasurement" and "EchoDescription". Intermediate level templates specify how to report the features of echoDoppler findings: "Spectral Curve", "Color Jet", "Intracardiac mass". Templates for every cardiovascular structure include the previous ones. "Echocardiography Procedure Report" includes all other templates. The templates were tested in reporting echo features of 100 patients by analyzing 500 DICOM images. The benefits of these templates has been proven during the testing process, through the quality of the echocardiography report, the ability to argue and to link every diagnostic feature to a defining image and by opening up opportunities for education, research. In the future, our template-based reporting methodology might be extended to other imaging modalities.

Optimization of rotamers prior to template minimization improves stability predictions made by computational protein design.

PubMed

Davey, James A; Chica, Roberto A

2015-04-01

Computational protein design (CPD) predictions are highly dependent on the structure of the input template used. However, it is unclear how small differences in template geometry translate to large differences in stability prediction accuracy. Herein, we explored how structural changes to the input template affect the outcome of stability predictions by CPD. To do this, we prepared alternate templates by Rotamer Optimization followed by energy Minimization (ROM) and used them to recapitulate the stability of 84 protein G domain β1 mutant sequences. In the ROM process, side-chain rotamers for wild-type (WT) or mutant sequences are optimized on crystal or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structures prior to template minimization, resulting in alternate structures termed ROM templates. We show that use of ROM templates prepared from sequences known to be stable results predominantly in improved prediction accuracy compared to using the minimized crystal or NMR structures. Conversely, ROM templates prepared from sequences that are less stable than the WT reduce prediction accuracy by increasing the number of false positives. These observed changes in prediction outcomes are attributed to differences in side-chain contacts made by rotamers in ROM templates. Finally, we show that ROM templates prepared from sequences that are unfolded or that adopt a nonnative fold result in the selective enrichment of sequences that are also unfolded or that adopt a nonnative fold, respectively. Our results demonstrate the existence of a rotamer bias caused by the input template that can be harnessed to skew predictions toward sequences displaying desired characteristics. © 2014 The Protein Society.

General Template for the FMEA Applications in Primary Food Processing.

PubMed

Özilgen, Sibel; Özilgen, Mustafa

Data on the hazards involved in the primary steps of processing cereals, fruit and vegetables, milk and milk products, meat and meat products, and fats and oils are compiled with a wide-ranging literature survey. After determining the common factors from these data, a general FMEA template is offered, and its use is explained with a case study on pasteurized milk production.

Reducing Individual Variation for fMRI Studies in Children by Minimizing Template Related Errors

PubMed Central

Weng, Jian; Dong, Shanshan; He, Hongjian; Chen, Feiyan; Peng, Xiaogang

2015-01-01

Spatial normalization is an essential process for group comparisons in functional MRI studies. In practice, there is a risk of normalization errors particularly in studies involving children, seniors or diseased populations and in regions with high individual variation. One way to minimize normalization errors is to create a study-specific template based on a large sample size. However, studies with a large sample size are not always feasible, particularly for children studies. The performance of templates with a small sample size has not been evaluated in fMRI studies in children. In the current study, this issue was encountered in a working memory task with 29 children in two groups. We compared the performance of different templates: a study-specific template created by the experimental population, a Chinese children template and the widely used adult MNI template. We observed distinct differences in the right orbitofrontal region among the three templates in between-group comparisons. The study-specific template and the Chinese children template were more sensitive for the detection of between-group differences in the orbitofrontal cortex than the MNI template. Proper templates could effectively reduce individual variation. Further analysis revealed a correlation between the BOLD contrast size and the norm index of the affine transformation matrix, i.e., the SFN, which characterizes the difference between a template and a native image and differs significantly across subjects. Thereby, we proposed and tested another method to reduce individual variation that included the SFN as a covariate in group-wise statistics. This correction exhibits outstanding performance in enhancing detection power in group-level tests. A training effect of abacus-based mental calculation was also demonstrated, with significantly elevated activation in the right orbitofrontal region that correlated with behavioral response time across subjects in the trained group. PMID:26207985

A conceptual model and assessment template for capacity evaluation in adult guardianship.

PubMed

Moye, Jennifer; Butz, Steven W; Marson, Daniel C; Wood, Erica

2007-10-01

We develop a conceptual model and associated assessment template that is usable across state jurisdictions for evaluating the independent-living capacity of older adults in guardianship proceedings. We used an iterative process in which legal provisions for guardianship and prevailing clinical practices for capacity assessment were integrated, through expert group consensus and external review by legal and health care professionals, to form a conceptual model and template. The model and template provide a structure for conducting and documenting a capacity evaluation in guardianship by using six assessment domains of interest to the courts: (a) medical condition, (b) cognition, (c) functional abilities, (d) values, (e) risk of harm and level of supervision needed, and (f) means to enhance capacity. The template also addresses the participation of the person in the guardianship hearing, confidentiality and privilege issues, and certification by the examiner. An online version of the template can be adapted to address specific jurisdictional requirements. A conceptual model and evaluation template provide a useful cross-jurisdictional format for conducting and documenting capacity assessments of older adults in guardianship proceedings. The template may be particularly useful to clinicians for providing courts with information to support limited guardianship orders.

Synthesis of non-siliceous mesoporous oxides.

PubMed

Gu, Dong; Schüth, Ferdi

2014-01-07

Mesoporous non-siliceous oxides have attracted great interest due to their unique properties and potential applications. Since the discovery of mesoporous silicates in 1990s, organic-inorganic assembly processes by using surfactants or block copolymers as soft templates have been considered as a feasible path for creating mesopores in metal oxides. However, the harsh sol-gel conditions and low thermal stabilities have limited the expansion of this method to various metal oxide species. Nanocasting, using ordered mesoporous silica or carbon as a hard template, has provided possibilities for preparing novel mesoporous materials with new structures, compositions and high thermal stabilities. This review concerns the synthesis, composition, and parameter control of mesoporous non-siliceous oxides. Four synthesis routes, i.e. soft-templating (surfactants or block copolymers as templates), hard-templating (mesoporous silicas or carbons as sacrificial templates), colloidal crystal templating (3-D ordered colloidal particles as a template), and super lattice routes, are summarized in this review. Mesoporous metal oxides with different compositions have different properties. Non-siliceous mesoporous oxides are comprehensively described, including a discussion of constituting elements, synthesis, and structures. General aspects concerning pore size control, atomic scale crystallinity, and phase control are also reviewed.

Autonomous replication of nucleic acids by polymerization/nicking enzyme/DNAzyme cascades for the amplified detection of DNA and the aptamer-cocaine complex.

PubMed

Wang, Fuan; Freage, Lina; Orbach, Ron; Willner, Itamar

2013-09-03

The progressive development of amplified DNA sensors and aptasensors using replication/nicking enzymes/DNAzyme machineries is described. The sensing platforms are based on the tailoring of a DNA template on which the recognition of the target DNA or the formation of the aptamer-substrate complex trigger on the autonomous isothermal replication/nicking processes and the displacement of a Mg(2+)-dependent DNAzyme that catalyzes the generation of a fluorophore-labeled nucleic acid acting as readout signal for the analyses. Three different DNA sensing configurations are described, where in the ultimate configuration the target sequence is incorporated into a nucleic acid blocker structure associated with the sensing template. The target-triggered isothermal autonomous replication/nicking process on the modified template results in the formation of the Mg(2+)-dependent DNAzyme tethered to a free strand consisting of the target sequence. This activates additional template units for the nucleic acid self-replication process, resulting in the ultrasensitive detection of the target DNA (detection limit 1 aM). Similarly, amplified aptamer-based sensing platforms for cocaine are developed along these concepts. The modification of the cocaine-detection template by the addition of a nucleic acid sequence that enables the autonomous secondary coupled activation of a polymerization/nicking machinery and DNAzyme generation path leads to an improved analysis of cocaine (detection limit 10 nM).

Expression Templates for Truncated Power Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cary, John R.; Shasharina, Svetlana G.

1997-05-01

Truncated power series are used extensively in accelerator transport modeling for rapid tracking and analysis of nonlinearity. Such mathematical objects are naturally represented computationally as objects in C++. This is more intuitive and produces more transparent code through operator overloading. However, C++ object use often comes with a computational speed loss due, e.g., to the creation of temporaries. We have developed a subset of truncated power series expression templates(http://monet.uwaterloo.ca/blitz/). Such expression templates use the powerful template processing facility of C++ to combine complicated expressions into series operations that exectute more rapidly. We compare computational speeds with existing truncated power series libraries.

Numerical Control Device for Preparation Nano-Carbon Granule Coating Superhydrophobic Template and Its Application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, G. R.; Li, Y.

2017-12-01

It is one of the ways for changing surface property by fabricating superhydrophibic coating with the help of template that is made of depositing nano-carbon particles of fuel flame on substrate such as pure copper or aluminium alloy. In the process of making template, it is difficult to keep the deposition layer uniformed. In this work, the problem was solved by manufacturing a set of numerical control equipment. It has been proved by application test that the deposition layer was uniformed by means of this facility. The contact angle is more than 150°. A new way has been developed for making superhydrohibic template.

Age-specific MRI templates for pediatric neuroimaging

PubMed Central

Sanchez, Carmen E.; Richards, John E.; Almli, C. Robert

2012-01-01

This study created a database of pediatric age-specific MRI brain templates for normalization and segmentation. Participants included children from 4.5 through 19.5 years, totaling 823 scans from 494 subjects. Open-source processing programs (FSL, SPM, ANTS) constructed head, brain and segmentation templates in 6 month intervals. The tissue classification (WM, GM, CSF) showed changes over age similar to previous reports. A volumetric analysis of age-related changes in WM and GM based on these templates showed expected increase/decrease pattern in GM and an increase in WM over the sampled ages. This database is available for use for neuroimaging studies (blindedforreview). PMID:22799759

HDOCK: a web server for protein–protein and protein–DNA/RNA docking based on a hybrid strategy

PubMed Central

Yan, Yumeng; Zhang, Di; Zhou, Pei; Li, Botong

2017-01-01

Abstract Protein–protein and protein–DNA/RNA interactions play a fundamental role in a variety of biological processes. Determining the complex structures of these interactions is valuable, in which molecular docking has played an important role. To automatically make use of the binding information from the PDB in docking, here we have presented HDOCK, a novel web server of our hybrid docking algorithm of template-based modeling and free docking, in which cases with misleading templates can be rescued by the free docking protocol. The server supports protein–protein and protein–DNA/RNA docking and accepts both sequence and structure inputs for proteins. The docking process is fast and consumes about 10–20 min for a docking run. Tested on the cases with weakly homologous complexes of <30% sequence identity from five docking benchmarks, the HDOCK pipeline tied with template-based modeling on the protein–protein and protein–DNA benchmarks and performed better than template-based modeling on the three protein–RNA benchmarks when the top 10 predictions were considered. The performance of HDOCK became better when more predictions were considered. Combining the results of HDOCK and template-based modeling by ranking first of the template-based model further improved the predictive power of the server. The HDOCK web server is available at http://hdock.phys.hust.edu.cn/. PMID:28521030

Process Materialization Using Templates and Rules to Design Flexible Process Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Akhil; Yao, Wen

The main idea in this paper is to show how flexible processes can be designed by combining generic process templates and business rules. We instantiate a process by applying rules to specific case data, and running a materialization algorithm. The customized process instance is then executed in an existing workflow engine. We present an architecture and also give an algorithm for process materialization. The rules are written in a logic-based language like Prolog. Our focus is on capturing deeper process knowledge and achieving a holistic approach to robust process design that encompasses control flow, resources and data, as well as makes it easier to accommodate changes to business policy.

A population MRI brain template and analysis tools for the macaque.

PubMed

Seidlitz, Jakob; Sponheim, Caleb; Glen, Daniel; Ye, Frank Q; Saleem, Kadharbatcha S; Leopold, David A; Ungerleider, Leslie; Messinger, Adam

2018-04-15

The use of standard anatomical templates is common in human neuroimaging, as it facilitates data analysis and comparison across subjects and studies. For non-human primates, previous in vivo templates have lacked sufficient contrast to reliably validate known anatomical brain regions and have not provided tools for automated single-subject processing. Here we present the "National Institute of Mental Health Macaque Template", or NMT for short. The NMT is a high-resolution in vivo MRI template of the average macaque brain generated from 31 subjects, as well as a neuroimaging tool for improved data analysis and visualization. From the NMT volume, we generated maps of tissue segmentation and cortical thickness. Surface reconstructions and transformations to previously published digital brain atlases are also provided. We further provide an analysis pipeline using the NMT that automates and standardizes the time-consuming processes of brain extraction, tissue segmentation, and morphometric feature estimation for anatomical scans of individual subjects. The NMT and associated tools thus provide a common platform for precise single-subject data analysis and for characterizations of neuroimaging results across subjects and studies. Copyright © 2017 ElsevierCompany. All rights reserved.

Battery Data MI Importer Template Quick Start Guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levinson, Laurie H.

2017-01-01

In order to ensure the persistent availability and reliability of test data generated over the course of the project, the M-SHELLS Project has decided to store acquired test data, as well as associated pedigree information, in the Granta Materials Intelligence (MI) database. To facilitate that effort, an importer template and associated graphical user interface (GUI) software have been developed, with this guide providing the operating instructions for their use. The template and automation software GUI are contained in the BatteryDataImporter.xlsm Excel workbook, and are to be used to import M-SHELLS summary, or pedigree, data and the associated raw test data results into an importer template-based file, formatted in such a way as to be ready for immediate upload to the Test Data: Battery Performance table of the Granta MI database. The provided GUI enables the user to select the appropriate summary data file(s), with each file containing the required information to identify any associated raw test data file(s) to be processed. In addition to describing the setup and operation of the importer template and GUI software, this guide also provides instructions for uploading processed data to the database and for viewing the data following upload.

Short template switch events explain mutation clusters in the human genome.

PubMed

Löytynoja, Ari; Goldman, Nick

2017-06-01

Resequencing efforts are uncovering the extent of genetic variation in humans and provide data to study the evolutionary processes shaping our genome. One recurring puzzle in both intra- and inter-species studies is the high frequency of complex mutations comprising multiple nearby base substitutions or insertion-deletions. We devised a generalized mutation model of template switching during replication that extends existing models of genome rearrangement and used this to study the role of template switch events in the origin of short mutation clusters. Applied to the human genome, our model detects thousands of template switch events during the evolution of human and chimp from their common ancestor and hundreds of events between two independently sequenced human genomes. Although many of these are consistent with a template switch mechanism previously proposed for bacteria, our model also identifies new types of mutations that create short inversions, some flanked by paired inverted repeats. The local template switch process can create numerous complex mutation patterns, including hairpin loop structures, and explains multinucleotide mutations and compensatory substitutions without invoking positive selection, speculative mechanisms, or implausible coincidence. Clustered sequence differences are challenging for current mapping and variant calling methods, and we show that many erroneous variant annotations exist in human reference data. Local template switch events may have been neglected as an explanation for complex mutations because of biases in commonly used analyses. Incorporation of our model into reference-based analysis pipelines and comparisons of de novo assembled genomes will lead to improved understanding of genome variation and evolution. © 2017 Löytynoja and Goldman; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Nanometer-Scale Chemistry of a Calcite Biomineralization Template: Implications for Skeletal Composition and Nucleation.

PubMed

Branson, Oscar; Bonnin, Elisa A; Perea, Daniel E; Spero, Howard J; Zhu, Zihua; Winters, Maria; Hönisch, Bärbel; Russell, Ann D; Fehrenbacher, Jennifer S; Gagnon, Alexander C

2016-11-15

Plankton, corals, and other organisms produce calcium carbonate skeletons that are integral to their survival, form a key component of the global carbon cycle, and record an archive of past oceanographic conditions in their geochemistry. A key aspect of the formation of these biominerals is the interaction between organic templating structures and mineral precipitation processes. Laboratory-based studies have shown that these atomic-scale processes can profoundly influence the architecture and composition of minerals, but their importance in calcifying organisms is poorly understood because it is difficult to measure the chemistry of in vivo biomineral interfaces at spatially relevant scales. Understanding the role of templates in biomineral nucleation, and their importance in skeletal geochemistry requires an integrated, multiscale approach, which can place atom-scale observations of organic-mineral interfaces within a broader structural and geochemical context. Here we map the chemistry of an embedded organic template structure within a carbonate skeleton of the foraminifera Orbulina universa using both atom probe tomography (APT), a 3D chemical imaging technique with Ångström-level spatial resolution, and time-of-flight secondary ionization mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), a 2D chemical imaging technique with submicron resolution. We quantitatively link these observations, revealing that the organic template in O. universa is uniquely enriched in both Na and Mg, and contributes to intraskeletal chemical heterogeneity. Our APT analyses reveal the cation composition of the organic surface, offering evidence to suggest that cations other than Ca 2+ , previously considered passive spectator ions in biomineral templating, may be important in defining the energetics of carbonate nucleation on organic templates.

Ultrasensitive detection of nucleic acids by template enhanced hybridization followed by rolling circle amplification and catalytic hairpin assembly.

PubMed

Song, Weiling; Zhang, Qiao; Sun, Wenbo

2015-02-11

An ultrasensitive protocol for fluorescent detection of DNA is designed by combining the template enhanced hybridization process (TEHP) with Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) and Catalytic Hairpin Assembly (CHA), showing a remarkable amplification efficiency.

Template-etching route to construct uniform rattle-type Fe3O4@SiO2 hollow microspheres as drug carrier.

PubMed

Cheng, Lin; Liu, Yuanyuan; Zou, Bingfang; Yu, Yong; Ruan, Weimin; Wang, Yongqiang

2017-06-01

Template-etching strategy was put forward to synthesize rattle-type magnetic silica (Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 ) hollow microspheres in a controlled way. During the experiment, monodisperse Fe 2 O 3 microspheres were fabricated as physical template to generate uniform Fe 2 O 3 @SiO 2 with controlled shell thicknesses through sol-gel method, and the subsequent Fe 2 O 3 template etching process created variable space between Fe 2 O 3 core and SiO 2 shell, and the final calcination process transformed rattle-type Fe 2 O 3 @SiO 2 hollow microspheres into corresponding Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 product in hydrogen/nitrogen atmosphere. Compared with traditional physical template, here template-etching synthesis of rattle-type hollow microspheres saved the insertion of middle shells and their removal, which simplified the synthesis process with controllable core size and shell thickness. The rattle-type Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 hollow microspheres as drug carrier show efficient doxorubicin (DOX) loading, and the release rate of DOX loaded the rattle-type Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 hollow microspheres exhibit a surprising shell-thickness-dependent and a pH responsive drug release features. Additionally, MTT assays in HeLa cells demonstrated that the Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 nanocarriers were non-toxic even at the concentration of 250µgmL -1 for 48h. Thus, our results revealed that the Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 -DOX could play an important role in the development of intracellular delivery nanodevices for cancer therapy. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Use of a structured template to facilitate practice-based learning and improvement projects.

PubMed

McClain, Elizabeth K; Babbott, Stewart F; Tsue, Terance T; Girod, Douglas A; Clements, Debora; Gilmer, Lisa; Persons, Diane; Unruh, Greg

2012-06-01

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires residency programs to meet and demonstrate outcomes across 6 competencies. Measuring residents' competency in practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI) is particularly challenging. We developed an educational tool to meet ACGME requirements for PBLI. The PBLI template helped programs document quality improvement (QI) projects and supported increased scholarly activity surrounding PBLI learning. We reviewed program requirements for 43 residency and fellowship programs and identified specific PBLI requirements for QI activities. We also examined ACGME Program Information Form responses on PBLI core competency questions surrounding QI projects for program sites visited in 2008-2009. Data were integrated by a multidisciplinary committee to develop a peer-protected PBLI template guiding programs through process, documentation, and evaluation of QI projects. All steps were reviewed and approved through our GME Committee structure. An electronic template, companion checklist, and evaluation form were developed using identified project characteristics to guide programs through the PBLI process and facilitate documentation and evaluation of the process. During a 24 month period, 27 programs have completed PBLI projects, and 15 have reviewed the template with their education committees, but have not initiated projects using the template. The development of the tool generated program leaders' support because the tool enhanced the ability to meet program-specific objectives. The peer-protected status of this document for confidentiality and from discovery has been beneficial for program usage. The document aggregates data on PBLI and QI initiatives, offers opportunities to increase scholarship in QI, and meets the ACGME goal of linking measures to outcomes important to meeting accreditation requirements at the program and institutional level.

Use of a Structured Template to Facilitate Practice-Based Learning and Improvement Projects

PubMed Central

McClain, Elizabeth K.; Babbott, Stewart F.; Tsue, Terance T.; Girod, Douglas A.; Clements, Debora; Gilmer, Lisa; Persons, Diane; Unruh, Greg

2012-01-01

Background The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires residency programs to meet and demonstrate outcomes across 6 competencies. Measuring residents' competency in practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI) is particularly challenging. Purpose We developed an educational tool to meet ACGME requirements for PBLI. The PBLI template helped programs document quality improvement (QI) projects and supported increased scholarly activity surrounding PBLI learning. Methods We reviewed program requirements for 43 residency and fellowship programs and identified specific PBLI requirements for QI activities. We also examined ACGME Program Information Form responses on PBLI core competency questions surrounding QI projects for program sites visited in 2008–2009. Data were integrated by a multidisciplinary committee to develop a peer-protected PBLI template guiding programs through process, documentation, and evaluation of QI projects. All steps were reviewed and approved through our GME Committee structure. Results An electronic template, companion checklist, and evaluation form were developed using identified project characteristics to guide programs through the PBLI process and facilitate documentation and evaluation of the process. During a 24 month period, 27 programs have completed PBLI projects, and 15 have reviewed the template with their education committees, but have not initiated projects using the template. Discussion The development of the tool generated program leaders' support because the tool enhanced the ability to meet program-specific objectives. The peer-protected status of this document for confidentiality and from discovery has been beneficial for program usage. The document aggregates data on PBLI and QI initiatives, offers opportunities to increase scholarship in QI, and meets the ACGME goal of linking measures to outcomes important to meeting accreditation requirements at the program and institutional level. PMID:23730444

Fusing Sensor Paradigms to Acquire Chemical Information: An Integrative Role for Smart Biopolymeric Hydrogels

PubMed Central

Kim, Eunkyoung; Liu, Yi; Ben-Yoav, Hadar; Winkler, Thomas E.; Yan, Kun; Shi, Xiaowen; Shen, Jana; Kelly, Deanna L.; Ghodssi, Reza; Bentley, William E.

2017-01-01

The Information Age transformed our lives but it has had surprisingly little impact on the way chemical information (e.g., from our biological world) is acquired, analyzed and communicated. Sensor systems are poised to change this situation by providing rapid access to chemical information. This access will be enabled by technological advances from various fields: biology enables the synthesis, design and discovery of molecular recognition elements as well as the generation of cell-based signal processors; physics and chemistry are providing nano-components that facilitate the transmission and transduction of signals rich with chemical information; microfabrication is yielding sensors capable of receiving these signals through various modalities; and signal processing analysis enhances the extraction of chemical information. The authors contend that integral to the development of functional sensor systems will be materials that (i) enable the integrative and hierarchical assembly of various sensing components (for chemical recognition and signal transduction) and (ii) facilitate meaningful communication across modalities. It is suggested that stimuli-responsive self-assembling biopolymers can perform such integrative functions, and redox provides modality-spanning communication capabilities. Recent progress toward the development of electrochemical sensors to manage schizophrenia is used to illustrate the opportunities and challenges for enlisting sensors for chemical information processing. PMID:27616350

The continuous assembly and transfer of nanoelements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Arun

Patterned nanoelements on flexible polymeric substrates at micro/nano scale at high rate, low cost, and commercially viable route offer an opportunity for manufacturing devices with micro/nano scale features. These micro/nano scale now made with various nanoelement can enhance the device functionality in sensing and switching due to their improved conductivity and better mechanical properties. In this research the fundamental understanding of high rate assembly and transfer of nanoelements has been developed. To achieve this objective, three sub topics were made. In the first step, the use of electrophoresis for the controlled assembly of CNT's on interdigitated templates has been shown. The time scale of assembly reported is shorter than the previously reported assembly time (60 seconds). The mass deposited was also predicted using the Hamaker's law. It is also shown that pre-patterned CNT's could be transferred from the rigid templates onto flexible polymeric substrates using a thermoforming process. The time scale of transfer is less than one minute (50 seconds) and was found to be dependent on polymer chemistry. It was found that CNT's preferentially transfer from Au electrode to non-polar polymeric substrates (polyurethane and polyethylene terephalathate glycol) in the thermoforming process. In the second step, a novel process (Pulsed Electrophoresis) has been shown for the first time to assist the assembly of conducting polyaniline on gold nanowire interdigitated templates. This technique offers dynamic control over heat build-up, which has been a main drawback in the DC electrophoresis and AC dielectrophoresis as well as the main cause of nanowire template damage. The use of this technique allowed higher voltages to be applied, resulting in shorter assembly times (e.g., 17.4 seconds, assembly resolution of 100 nm). The pre-patterned templates with PANi deposition were subsequently used to transfer the nanoscale assembled PANi from the rigid templates to thermoplastic polyurethane using the thermoforming process. In the third step, a novel integration of high rate pulsed electrophoretic assembly with thermally assisted transfer in a roll-to-roll process has been shown. This technique allowed the whole assembly and transfer process to take place in only 30 seconds. Further, a processing window is developed to control the percent area coverage of PANi with the aid of the belt speed. Also shown is the effect of different types of polymer on the quality of transfer, and it concluded that the transfer is affected by the polymer chemistry.

Design and Fabrication of a Precision Template for Spine Surgery Using Selective Laser Melting (SLM).

PubMed

Wang, Di; Wang, Yimeng; Wang, Jianhua; Song, Changhui; Yang, Yongqiang; Zhang, Zimian; Lin, Hui; Zhen, Yongqiang; Liao, Suixiang

2016-07-22

In order to meet the clinical requirements of spine surgery, this paper proposes the fabrication of the customized template for spine surgery through computer-aided design. A 3D metal printing-selective laser melting (SLM) technique was employed to directly fabricate the 316L stainless steel template, and the metal template with tiny locating holes was used as an auxiliary tool to insert spinal screws inside the patient's body. To guarantee accurate fabrication of the template for cervical vertebra operation, the contact face was placed upwards to improve the joint quality between the template and the cervical vertebra. The joint surface of the printed template had a roughness of Ra = 13 ± 2 μm. After abrasive blasting, the surface roughness was Ra = 7 ± 0.5 μm. The surgical metal template was bound with the 3D-printed Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic model. The micro-hardness values determined at the cross-sections of SLM-processed samples varied from HV0.3 250 to HV0.3 280, and the measured tensile strength was in the range of 450 MPa to 560 MPa, which showed that the template had requisite strength. Finally, the metal template was clinically used in the patient's surgical operation, and the screws were inserted precisely as the result of using the auxiliary template. The geometrical parameters of the template hole (e.g., diameter and wall thickness) were optimized, and measures were taken to optimize the key geometrical units (e.g., hole units) in metal 3D printing. Compared to the traditional technology of screw insertion, the use of the surgical metal template enabled the screws to be inserted more easily and accurately during spinal surgery. However, the design of the high-quality template should fully take into account the clinical demands of surgeons, as well as the advice of the designing engineers and operating technicians.

Design and Fabrication of a Precision Template for Spine Surgery Using Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

PubMed Central

Wang, Di; Wang, Yimeng; Wang, Jianhua; Song, Changhui; Yang, Yongqiang; Zhang, Zimian; Lin, Hui; Zhen, Yongqiang; Liao, Suixiang

2016-01-01

In order to meet the clinical requirements of spine surgery, this paper proposes the fabrication of the customized template for spine surgery through computer-aided design. A 3D metal printing-selective laser melting (SLM) technique was employed to directly fabricate the 316L stainless steel template, and the metal template with tiny locating holes was used as an auxiliary tool to insert spinal screws inside the patient’s body. To guarantee accurate fabrication of the template for cervical vertebra operation, the contact face was placed upwards to improve the joint quality between the template and the cervical vertebra. The joint surface of the printed template had a roughness of Ra = 13 ± 2 μm. After abrasive blasting, the surface roughness was Ra = 7 ± 0.5 μm. The surgical metal template was bound with the 3D-printed Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic model. The micro-hardness values determined at the cross-sections of SLM-processed samples varied from HV0.3 250 to HV0.3 280, and the measured tensile strength was in the range of 450 MPa to 560 MPa, which showed that the template had requisite strength. Finally, the metal template was clinically used in the patient’s surgical operation, and the screws were inserted precisely as the result of using the auxiliary template. The geometrical parameters of the template hole (e.g., diameter and wall thickness) were optimized, and measures were taken to optimize the key geometrical units (e.g., hole units) in metal 3D printing. Compared to the traditional technology of screw insertion, the use of the surgical metal template enabled the screws to be inserted more easily and accurately during spinal surgery. However, the design of the high-quality template should fully take into account the clinical demands of surgeons, as well as the advice of the designing engineers and operating technicians. PMID:28773730

Template optimization and transfer in perceptual learning.

PubMed

Kurki, Ilmari; Hyvärinen, Aapo; Saarinen, Jussi

2016-08-01

We studied how learning changes the processing of a low-level Gabor stimulus, using a classification-image method (psychophysical reverse correlation) and a task where observers discriminated between slight differences in the phase (relative alignment) of a target Gabor in visual noise. The method estimates the internal "template" that describes how the visual system weights the input information for decisions. One popular idea has been that learning makes the template more like an ideal Bayesian weighting; however, the evidence has been indirect. We used a new regression technique to directly estimate the template weight change and to test whether the direction of reweighting is significantly different from an optimal learning strategy. The subjects trained the task for six daily sessions, and we tested the transfer of training to a target in an orthogonal orientation. Strong learning and partial transfer were observed. We tested whether task precision (difficulty) had an effect on template change and transfer: Observers trained in either a high-precision (small, 60° phase difference) or a low-precision task (180°). Task precision did not have an effect on the amount of template change or transfer, suggesting that task precision per se does not determine whether learning generalizes. Classification images show that training made observers use more task-relevant features and unlearn some irrelevant features. The transfer templates resembled partially optimized versions of templates in training sessions. The template change direction resembles ideal learning significantly but not completely. The amount of template change was highly correlated with the amount of learning.

Region based feature extraction from non-cooperative iris images using triplet half-band filter bank

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barpanda, Soubhagya Sankar; Majhi, Banshidhar; Sa, Pankaj Kumar

2015-09-01

In this paper, we have proposed energy based features using a multi-resolution analysis (MRA) on iris template. The MRA is based on our suggested triplet half-band filter bank (THFB). The THFB derivation process is discussed in detail. The iris template is divided into six equispaced sub-templates and two level decomposition has been made to each sub-template using THFB except second one. The reason for discarding the second template is due to the fact that it mostly contains the noise due to eyelids, eyelashes, and occlusion due to segmentation failure. Subsequently, energy features are derived from the decomposed coefficients of each sub-template. The proposed feature has been experimented on standard databases like CASIAv3, UBIRISv1, and IITD and mostly on iris images which encounter a segmentation failure. Comparative analysis has been done with existing features based on Gabor transform, Fourier transform, and CDF 9/7 filter bank. The proposed scheme shows superior performance with respect to FAR, GAR and AUC.

Pre-Incubation of Auric Acid with DNA Is Unnecessary for the Formation of DNA-Templated Gold Nanoclusters.

PubMed

Chen, Yang; Tao, Guangyu; Lin, Ruoyun; Pei, Xiaojing; Liu, Feng; Li, Na

2016-06-06

The rationale for the preparation of DNA-templated gold nanoclusters (DNA-Au NCs) has not been well understood, thereby slowing down the advancement of the synthesis and applications of DNA-Au NCs. The interaction between metal ions and the DNA template seems to be the key factor for the successful preparation of DNA-templated metal nanoclusters. With the help of circular dichroism in this contribution, we put efforts into interrogating the necessity of pre-incubation of HAuCl4 with poly-adenine template in the formation of Au NCs by citrate reduction. Our results revealed that the pre-incubation of HAuCl4 with poly-adenine is not favorable for the formation of Au NCs, which is distinctly different from the formation process for silver nanoclusters. It is our hope that this study can provide guidance in the preparation of Au NCs with more DNA templates. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Dynamic-template-directed multiscale assembly for large-area coating of highly-aligned conjugated polymer thin films

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

Mohammadi, Erfan; Zhao, Chuankai; Meng, Yifei

Solution processable semiconducting polymers have been under intense investigations due to their diverse applications from printed electronics to biomedical devices. However, controlling the macromolecular assembly across length scales during solution coating remains a key challenge, largely due to the disparity in timescales of polymer assembly and high-throughput printing/coating. Herein we propose the concept of dynamic templating to expedite polymer nucleation and the ensuing assembly process, inspired by biomineralization templates capable of surface reconfiguration. Molecular dynamic simulations reveal that surface reconfigurability is key to promoting template–polymer interactions, thereby lowering polymer nucleation barrier. Employing ionic-liquid-based dynamic template during meniscus-guided coating results inmore » highly aligned, highly crystalline donor-acceptor polymer thin films over large area (41cm 2) and promoted charge transport along both the polymer backbone and the π-π stacking direction in field-effect transistors. We further demonstrate that the charge transport anisotropy can be reversed by tuning the degree of polymer backbone alignment.« less

Dynamic-template-directed multiscale assembly for large-area coating of highly-aligned conjugated polymer thin films

PubMed Central

Mohammadi, Erfan; Zhao, Chuankai; Meng, Yifei; Qu, Ge; Zhang, Fengjiao; Zhao, Xikang; Mei, Jianguo; Zuo, Jian-Min; Shukla, Diwakar; Diao, Ying

2017-01-01

Solution processable semiconducting polymers have been under intense investigations due to their diverse applications from printed electronics to biomedical devices. However, controlling the macromolecular assembly across length scales during solution coating remains a key challenge, largely due to the disparity in timescales of polymer assembly and high-throughput printing/coating. Herein we propose the concept of dynamic templating to expedite polymer nucleation and the ensuing assembly process, inspired by biomineralization templates capable of surface reconfiguration. Molecular dynamic simulations reveal that surface reconfigurability is key to promoting template–polymer interactions, thereby lowering polymer nucleation barrier. Employing ionic-liquid-based dynamic template during meniscus-guided coating results in highly aligned, highly crystalline donor–acceptor polymer thin films over large area (>1 cm2) and promoted charge transport along both the polymer backbone and the π–π stacking direction in field-effect transistors. We further demonstrate that the charge transport anisotropy can be reversed by tuning the degree of polymer backbone alignment. PMID:28703136

Template-Directed Copolymerization, Random Walks along Disordered Tracks, and Fractals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaspard, Pierre

2016-12-01

In biology, template-directed copolymerization is the fundamental mechanism responsible for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. More than 50 years have passed since the discovery of DNA structure and its role in coding genetic information. Yet, the kinetics and thermodynamics of information processing in DNA replication, transcription, and translation remain poorly understood. Challenging issues are the facts that DNA or RNA sequences constitute disordered media for the motion of polymerases or ribosomes while errors occur in copying the template. Here, it is shown that these issues can be addressed and sequence heterogeneity effects can be quantitatively understood within a framework revealing universal aspects of information processing at the molecular scale. In steady growth regimes, the local velocities of polymerases or ribosomes along the template are distributed as the continuous or fractal invariant set of a so-called iterated function system, which determines the copying error probabilities. The growth may become sublinear in time with a scaling exponent that can also be deduced from the iterated function system.

Dynamic-template-directed multiscale assembly for large-area coating of highly-aligned conjugated polymer thin films

DOE PAGES

Mohammadi, Erfan; Zhao, Chuankai; Meng, Yifei; ...

2017-07-13

Solution processable semiconducting polymers have been under intense investigations due to their diverse applications from printed electronics to biomedical devices. However, controlling the macromolecular assembly across length scales during solution coating remains a key challenge, largely due to the disparity in timescales of polymer assembly and high-throughput printing/coating. Herein we propose the concept of dynamic templating to expedite polymer nucleation and the ensuing assembly process, inspired by biomineralization templates capable of surface reconfiguration. Molecular dynamic simulations reveal that surface reconfigurability is key to promoting template–polymer interactions, thereby lowering polymer nucleation barrier. Employing ionic-liquid-based dynamic template during meniscus-guided coating results inmore » highly aligned, highly crystalline donor-acceptor polymer thin films over large area (41cm 2) and promoted charge transport along both the polymer backbone and the π-π stacking direction in field-effect transistors. We further demonstrate that the charge transport anisotropy can be reversed by tuning the degree of polymer backbone alignment.« less

Detection in fixed and random noise in foveal and parafoveal vision explained by template learning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beard, B. L.; Ahumada, A. J. Jr; Watson, A. B. (Principal Investigator)

1999-01-01

Foveal and parafoveal contrast detection thresholds for Gabor and checkerboard targets were measured in white noise by means of a two-interval forced-choice paradigm. Two white-noise conditions were used: fixed and twin. In the fixed noise condition a single noise sample was presented in both intervals of all the trials. In the twin noise condition the same noise sample was used in the two intervals of a trial, but a new sample was generated for each trial. Fixed noise conditions usually resulted in lower thresholds than twin noise. Template learning models are presented that attribute this advantage of fixed over twin noise either to fixed memory templates' reducing uncertainty by incorporation of the noise or to the introduction, by the learning process itself, of more variability in the twin noise condition. Quantitative predictions of the template learning process show that it contributes to the accelerating nonlinear increase in performance with signal amplitude at low signal-to-noise ratios.

Template-based protein structure modeling using the RaptorX web server.

PubMed

Källberg, Morten; Wang, Haipeng; Wang, Sheng; Peng, Jian; Wang, Zhiyong; Lu, Hui; Xu, Jinbo

2012-07-19

A key challenge of modern biology is to uncover the functional role of the protein entities that compose cellular proteomes. To this end, the availability of reliable three-dimensional atomic models of proteins is often crucial. This protocol presents a community-wide web-based method using RaptorX (http://raptorx.uchicago.edu/) for protein secondary structure prediction, template-based tertiary structure modeling, alignment quality assessment and sophisticated probabilistic alignment sampling. RaptorX distinguishes itself from other servers by the quality of the alignment between a target sequence and one or multiple distantly related template proteins (especially those with sparse sequence profiles) and by a novel nonlinear scoring function and a probabilistic-consistency algorithm. Consequently, RaptorX delivers high-quality structural models for many targets with only remote templates. At present, it takes RaptorX ~35 min to finish processing a sequence of 200 amino acids. Since its official release in August 2011, RaptorX has processed ~6,000 sequences submitted by ~1,600 users from around the world.

Template-based protein structure modeling using the RaptorX web server

PubMed Central

Källberg, Morten; Wang, Haipeng; Wang, Sheng; Peng, Jian; Wang, Zhiyong; Lu, Hui; Xu, Jinbo

2016-01-01

A key challenge of modern biology is to uncover the functional role of the protein entities that compose cellular proteomes. To this end, the availability of reliable three-dimensional atomic models of proteins is often crucial. This protocol presents a community-wide web-based method using RaptorX (http://raptorx.uchicago.edu/) for protein secondary structure prediction, template-based tertiary structure modeling, alignment quality assessment and sophisticated probabilistic alignment sampling. RaptorX distinguishes itself from other servers by the quality of the alignment between a target sequence and one or multiple distantly related template proteins (especially those with sparse sequence profiles) and by a novel nonlinear scoring function and a probabilistic-consistency algorithm. Consequently, RaptorX delivers high-quality structural models for many targets with only remote templates. At present, it takes RaptorX ~35 min to finish processing a sequence of 200 amino acids. Since its official release in August 2011, RaptorX has processed ~6,000 sequences submitted by ~1,600 users from around the world. PMID:22814390

Preparation of micro/nanostructure TiO2 spheres by controlling pollen as hard template and soft template.

PubMed

Yang, Xiaohui; Xu, Bin; Zhang, Xuehong; Song, Xiuqin; Chen, Rufen

2014-09-01

In this paper, micro/nanostructure TiO2 spheres were synthesized by a sunflower pollen induced and self-assembly mineralization process, in which a titania precursor and pollen reacted in one-pot at normal pressure. In this paper, the bio-template advantage, as hard and soft template is fully demonstrated. The superiority of our synthesis is that we not only can control pollen as hard template, but also can control it as soft template only by changing reactions temperature. Under 80 degrees C of water bath, TiO2 microspheres which replicated the morphology of pollen were prepared by controlling pollen as hard template. Under 100 degrees C, hierarchical TiO2 spheres with complicated morphology, different from pollen template, were synthesized by using pollen as soft template. At the same time, judicious choice of the amount of pollen affords the synthesis of hierarchical structures spheres with adjustable morphology and crystal structure. The morphology can be tuned from microspheres constructed from TiO2 nanorods to nanospheres constructed from TiO2 nanoparticles, and the crystal structure can be tuned from rutile to anatase. More over this anatase phase can be keep better even at high temperature of 1000 degrees C. The as-prepared micro/nano structure photocatalysts not only have high photocatalytic activities, but also have good separability and reuse performance.

Ethical considerations of research policy for personal genome analysis: the approach of the Genome Science Project in Japan.

PubMed

Minari, Jusaku; Shirai, Tetsuya; Kato, Kazuto

2014-12-01

As evidenced by high-throughput sequencers, genomic technologies have recently undergone radical advances. These technologies enable comprehensive sequencing of personal genomes considerably more efficiently and less expensively than heretofore. These developments present a challenge to the conventional framework of biomedical ethics; under these changing circumstances, each research project has to develop a pragmatic research policy. Based on the experience with a new large-scale project-the Genome Science Project-this article presents a novel approach to conducting a specific policy for personal genome research in the Japanese context. In creating an original informed-consent form template for the project, we present a two-tiered process: making the draft of the template following an analysis of national and international policies; refining the draft template in conjunction with genome project researchers for practical application. Through practical use of the template, we have gained valuable experience in addressing challenges in the ethical review process, such as the importance of sharing details of the latest developments in genomics with members of research ethics committees. We discuss certain limitations of the conventional concept of informed consent and its governance system and suggest the potential of an alternative process using information technology.

Topological defects in liquid crystals and molecular self-assembly (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbott, Nicholas L.

2017-02-01

Topological defects in liquid crystals (LCs) have been widely used to organize colloidal dispersions and template polymerizations, leading to a range of elastomers and gels with complex mechanical and optical properties. However, little is understood about molecular-level assembly processes within defects. This presentation will describe an experimental study that reveals that nanoscopic environments defined by LC topological defects can selectively trigger processes of molecular self-assembly. By using fluorescence microscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and super-resolution optical microscopy, key signatures of molecular self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules in topological defects are observed - including cooperativity, reversibility, and controlled growth of the molecular assemblies. By using polymerizable amphiphiles, we also demonstrate preservation of molecular assemblies templated by defects, including nanoscopic "o-rings" synthesized from "Saturn-ring" disclinations. Our results reveal that topological defects in LCs are a versatile class of three-dimensional, dynamic and reconfigurable templates that can direct processes of molecular self-assembly in a manner that is strongly analogous to other classes of macromolecular templates (e.g., polymer—surfactant complexes). Opportunities for the design of exquisitely responsive soft materials will be discussed using bacterial endotoxin as an example.

Bioinspired Synthesis of Well-Ordered Layered Organic-Inorganic Nanohybrids: Mimicking the Natural Processing of Nacre by Mineralization of Block Copolymer Templates.

PubMed

Voet, Vincent S D; Kumar, Kamlesh; ten Brinke, Gerrit; Loos, Katja

2015-10-01

The unique mechanical performance of nacre, the pearly internal layer of shells, is highly dependent on its complex morphology. Inspired by the structure of nacre, the fabrication of well-ordered layered inorganic-organic nanohybrids is presented herein. This biomimetic approach includes the use of a block copolymer template, consisting of hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) lamellae covered with hydrophilic poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), to direct silica (SiO2 ) mineralization. The resulting PVDF/PMAA/SiO2 nanohybrid material resembles biogenic nacre with respect to its well-ordered and layered nanostructure, alternating organic-inorganic phases, macromolecular template, and mild processing conditions. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The role of the geophysical template and environmental regimes in controlling stream-living trout populations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Penaluna, Brooke E.; Railsback, Steve F.; Dunham, Jason B.; Johnson, S.; Bilby, Richard E.; Skaugset, Arne E.

2015-01-01

The importance of multiple processes and instream factors to aquatic biota has been explored extensively, but questions remain about how local spatiotemporal variability of aquatic biota is tied to environmental regimes and the geophysical template of streams. We used an individual-based trout model to explore the relative role of the geophysical template versus environmental regimes on biomass of trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii). We parameterized the model with observed data from each of the four headwater streams (their local geophysical template and environmental regime) and then ran 12 simulations where we replaced environmental regimes (stream temperature, flow, turbidity) of a given stream with values from each neighboring stream while keeping the geophysical template fixed. We also performed single-parameter sensitivity analyses on the model results from each of the four streams. Although our modeled findings show that trout biomass is most responsive to changes in the geophysical template of streams, they also reveal that biomass is restricted by available habitat during seasonal low flow, which is a product of both the stream’s geophysical template and flow regime. Our modeled results suggest that differences in the geophysical template among streams render trout more or less sensitive to environmental change, emphasizing the importance of local fish–habitat relationships in streams.

Directional templates for real-time detection of coronal axis rotated faces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez, Claudio A.; Estevez, Pablo A.; Garate, Patricio

2004-10-01

Real-time face and iris detection on video images has gained renewed attention because of multiple possible applications in studying eye function, drowsiness detection, virtual keyboard interfaces, face recognition, video processing and multimedia retrieval. In this paper, a study is presented on using directional templates in the detection of faces rotated in the coronal axis. The templates are built by extracting the directional image information from the regions of the eyes, nose and mouth. The face position is determined by computing a line integral using the templates over the face directional image. The line integral reaches a maximum when it coincides with the face position. It is shown an improvement in localization selectivity by the increased value in the line integral computed with the directional template. Besides, improvements in the line integral value for face size and face rotation angle was also found through the computation of the line integral using the directional template. Based on these results the new templates should improve selectivity and hence provide the means to restrict computations to a fewer number of templates and restrict the region of search during the face and eye tracking procedure. The proposed method is real time, completely non invasive and was applied with no background limitation and normal illumination conditions in an indoor environment.

A study on the effects of temperature and substrate structure on the templated two-phase film growth via a hybrid model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Xiao; Li, Jia; Zhu, Jian-Gang; Laughlin, David E.; Zhu, Jingxi

2018-06-01

Templated growth of two-phase thin films can achieve desirably ordered microstructures. In such cases, the microstructure of the growing films follows the topography of the template. By combining the Potts model Monte Carlo simulation and the "level set" method, an attempt was previously made to understand the physical mechanism behind the templated growth process. In the current work, this model is further used to study the effect of two parameters within the templated growth scenario, namely, the temperature and the geometric features of the template. The microstructure of the thin film grown with different lattice temperatures and domes is analyzed. It is found that within a moderate temperature range, the effect of geometric features took control of the ordering of the microstructure by its influence on the surface energy gradient. Interestingly, within this temperature range, as the temperature is increased, an ordered microstructure forms on a template without the optimal geometric features, which seems to be a result of competition between the kinetics and the thermodynamics during deposition. However, when the temperature was either above or below this temperature range, the template provided no guide to the whole deposition so that no ordered microstructure formed.

Eutectic Nano-Droplet Template Injection into Bulk Silicon to Construct Porous Frameworks with Concomitant Conformal Coating as Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries

PubMed Central

Qu, Fei; Li, Chilin; Wang, Zumin; Wen, Yuren; Richter, Gunther; Strunk, Horst P.

2015-01-01

Building porosity in monolithic materials is highly desired to design 3D electrodes, however ex-situ introduction or in-situ generation of nano-scale sacrificial template is still a great challenge. Here Al-Si eutectic droplet templates are uniformly injected into bulk Si through Al-induced solid-solid convection to construct a highly porous Si framework. This process is concomitant with process-inherent conformal coating of ion-conductive oxide. Such an all-in-one method has generated a (continuously processed) high-capacity Si anode integrating longevity and stable electrolyte-anode diaphragm for Li-ion batteries (e.g. a reversible capacity as large as ~1800 mAh/g or ~350 μAh/cm2-μm with a CE of ~99% at 0.1 C after long-term 400 cycles). PMID:25988370

Eutectic nano-droplet template injection into bulk silicon to construct porous frameworks with concomitant conformal coating as anodes for Li-ion batteries.

PubMed

Qu, Fei; Li, Chilin; Wang, Zumin; Wen, Yuren; Richter, Gunther; Strunk, Horst P

2015-05-19

Building porosity in monolithic materials is highly desired to design 3D electrodes, however ex-situ introduction or in-situ generation of nano-scale sacrificial template is still a great challenge. Here Al-Si eutectic droplet templates are uniformly injected into bulk Si through Al-induced solid-solid convection to construct a highly porous Si framework. This process is concomitant with process-inherent conformal coating of ion-conductive oxide. Such an all-in-one method has generated a (continuously processed) high-capacity Si anode integrating longevity and stable electrolyte-anode diaphragm for Li-ion batteries (e.g. a reversible capacity as large as ~1800 mAh/g or ~350 μAh/cm(2)-μm with a CE of ~99% at 0.1 C after long-term 400 cycles).

Script identification from images using cluster-based templates

DOEpatents

Hochberg, J.G.; Kelly, P.M.; Thomas, T.R.

1998-12-01

A computer-implemented method identifies a script used to create a document. A set of training documents for each script to be identified is scanned into the computer to store a series of exemplary images representing each script. Pixels forming the exemplary images are electronically processed to define a set of textual symbols corresponding to the exemplary images. Each textual symbol is assigned to a cluster of textual symbols that most closely represents the textual symbol. The cluster of textual symbols is processed to form a representative electronic template for each cluster. A document having a script to be identified is scanned into the computer to form one or more document images representing the script to be identified. Pixels forming the document images are electronically processed to define a set of document textual symbols corresponding to the document images. The set of document textual symbols is compared to the electronic templates to identify the script. 17 figs.

Script identification from images using cluster-based templates

DOEpatents

Hochberg, Judith G.; Kelly, Patrick M.; Thomas, Timothy R.

1998-01-01

A computer-implemented method identifies a script used to create a document. A set of training documents for each script to be identified is scanned into the computer to store a series of exemplary images representing each script. Pixels forming the exemplary images are electronically processed to define a set of textual symbols corresponding to the exemplary images. Each textual symbol is assigned to a cluster of textual symbols that most closely represents the textual symbol. The cluster of textual symbols is processed to form a representative electronic template for each cluster. A document having a script to be identified is scanned into the computer to form one or more document images representing the script to be identified. Pixels forming the document images are electronically processed to define a set of document textual symbols corresponding to the document images. The set of document textual symbols is compared to the electronic templates to identify the script.

Nanometer-Scale Chemistry of a Calcite Biomineralization Template: Implications for Skeletal Composition and Nucleation

PubMed Central

Bonnin, Elisa A.; Perea, Daniel E.; Spero, Howard J.; Zhu, Zihua; Winters, Maria; Hönisch, Bärbel; Russell, Ann D.; Fehrenbacher, Jennifer S.; Gagnon, Alexander C.

2016-01-01

Plankton, corals, and other organisms produce calcium carbonate skeletons that are integral to their survival, form a key component of the global carbon cycle, and record an archive of past oceanographic conditions in their geochemistry. A key aspect of the formation of these biominerals is the interaction between organic templating structures and mineral precipitation processes. Laboratory-based studies have shown that these atomic-scale processes can profoundly influence the architecture and composition of minerals, but their importance in calcifying organisms is poorly understood because it is difficult to measure the chemistry of in vivo biomineral interfaces at spatially relevant scales. Understanding the role of templates in biomineral nucleation, and their importance in skeletal geochemistry requires an integrated, multiscale approach, which can place atom-scale observations of organic-mineral interfaces within a broader structural and geochemical context. Here we map the chemistry of an embedded organic template structure within a carbonate skeleton of the foraminifera Orbulina universa using both atom probe tomography (APT), a 3D chemical imaging technique with Ångström-level spatial resolution, and time-of-flight secondary ionization mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), a 2D chemical imaging technique with submicron resolution. We quantitatively link these observations, revealing that the organic template in O. universa is uniquely enriched in both Na and Mg, and contributes to intraskeletal chemical heterogeneity. Our APT analyses reveal the cation composition of the organic surface, offering evidence to suggest that cations other than Ca2+, previously considered passive spectator ions in biomineral templating, may be important in defining the energetics of carbonate nucleation on organic templates. PMID:27794119

Strand displacement by DNA polymerase III occurs through a tau-psi-chi link to single-stranded DNA-binding protein coating the lagging strand template.

PubMed

Yuan, Quan; McHenry, Charles S

2009-11-13

In addition to the well characterized processive replication reaction catalyzed by the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme on single-stranded DNA templates, the enzyme possesses an intrinsic strand displacement activity on flapped templates. The strand displacement activity is distinguished from the single-stranded DNA-templated reaction by a high dependence upon single-stranded DNA binding protein and an inability of gamma-complex to support the reaction in the absence of tau. However, if gamma-complex is present to load beta(2), a truncated tau protein containing only domains III-V will suffice. This truncated protein is sufficient to bind both the alpha subunit of DNA polymerase (Pol) III and chipsi. This is reminiscent of the minimal requirements for Pol III to replicate short single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB)-coated templates where tau is only required to serve as a scaffold to hold Pol III and chi in the same complex (Glover, B., and McHenry, C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 23476-23484). We propose a model in which strand displacement by DNA polymerase III holoenzyme depends upon a Pol III-tau-psi-chi-SSB binding network, where SSB is bound to the displaced strand, stabilizing the Pol III-template interaction. The same interaction network is probably important for stabilizing the leading strand polymerase interactions with authentic replication forks. The specificity constant (k(cat)/K(m)) for the strand displacement reaction is approximately 300-fold less favorable than reactions on single-stranded templates and proceeds with a slower rate (150 nucleotides/s) and only moderate processivity (approximately 300 nucleotides). PriA, the initiator of replication restart on collapsed or misassembled replication forks, blocks the strand displacement reaction, even if added to an ongoing reaction.

HDOCK: a web server for protein-protein and protein-DNA/RNA docking based on a hybrid strategy.

PubMed

Yan, Yumeng; Zhang, Di; Zhou, Pei; Li, Botong; Huang, Sheng-You

2017-07-03

Protein-protein and protein-DNA/RNA interactions play a fundamental role in a variety of biological processes. Determining the complex structures of these interactions is valuable, in which molecular docking has played an important role. To automatically make use of the binding information from the PDB in docking, here we have presented HDOCK, a novel web server of our hybrid docking algorithm of template-based modeling and free docking, in which cases with misleading templates can be rescued by the free docking protocol. The server supports protein-protein and protein-DNA/RNA docking and accepts both sequence and structure inputs for proteins. The docking process is fast and consumes about 10-20 min for a docking run. Tested on the cases with weakly homologous complexes of <30% sequence identity from five docking benchmarks, the HDOCK pipeline tied with template-based modeling on the protein-protein and protein-DNA benchmarks and performed better than template-based modeling on the three protein-RNA benchmarks when the top 10 predictions were considered. The performance of HDOCK became better when more predictions were considered. Combining the results of HDOCK and template-based modeling by ranking first of the template-based model further improved the predictive power of the server. The HDOCK web server is available at http://hdock.phys.hust.edu.cn/. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Tensorial dynamic time warping with articulation index representation for efficient audio-template learning.

PubMed

Le, Long N; Jones, Douglas L

2018-03-01

Audio classification techniques often depend on the availability of a large labeled training dataset for successful performance. However, in many application domains of audio classification (e.g., wildlife monitoring), obtaining labeled data is still a costly and laborious process. Motivated by this observation, a technique is proposed to efficiently learn a clean template from a few labeled, but likely corrupted (by noise and interferences), data samples. This learning can be done efficiently via tensorial dynamic time warping on the articulation index-based time-frequency representations of audio data. The learned template can then be used in audio classification following the standard template-based approach. Experimental results show that the proposed approach outperforms both (1) the recurrent neural network approach and (2) the state-of-the-art in the template-based approach on a wildlife detection application with few training samples.

Face biometrics with renewable templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Veen, Michiel; Kevenaar, Tom; Schrijen, Geert-Jan; Akkermans, Ton H.; Zuo, Fei

2006-02-01

In recent literature, privacy protection technologies for biometric templates were proposed. Among these is the so-called helper-data system (HDS) based on reliable component selection. In this paper we integrate this approach with face biometrics such that we achieve a system in which the templates are privacy protected, and multiple templates can be derived from the same facial image for the purpose of template renewability. Extracting binary feature vectors forms an essential step in this process. Using the FERET and Caltech databases, we show that this quantization step does not significantly degrade the classification performance compared to, for example, traditional correlation-based classifiers. The binary feature vectors are integrated in the HDS leading to a privacy protected facial recognition algorithm with acceptable FAR and FRR, provided that the intra-class variation is sufficiently small. This suggests that a controlled enrollment procedure with a sufficient number of enrollment measurements is required.

Nacre-like calcium carbonate controlled by ionic liquid/graphene oxide composite template.

PubMed

Yao, Chengli; Xie, Anjian; Shen, Yuhua; Zhu, Jinmiao; Li, Hongying

2015-06-01

Nacre-like calcium carbonate nanostructures have been mediated by an ionic liquid (IL)-graphene oxide (GO) composite template. The resultant crystals were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD). The results showed that either 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF4) or graphene oxide can act as a soft template for calcium carbonate formation with unusual morphologies. Based on the time-dependent morphology changes of calcium carbonate particles, it is concluded that nacre-like calcium carbonate nanostructures can be formed gradually utilizing [BMIM]BF4/GO composite template. During the process of calcium carbonate formation, [BMIM]BF4 acted not only as solvents but also as morphology templates for the fabrication of calcium carbonate materials with nacre-like morphology. Based on the observations, the possible mechanisms were also discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Production of morphology-controllable porous hyaluronic acid particles using a spray-drying method.

PubMed

Iskandar, Ferry; Nandiyanto, Asep Bayu Dani; Widiyastuti, W; Young, Lee Sin; Okuyama, Kikuo; Gradon, Leon

2009-05-01

Hyaluronic acid (HA) porous particles with controllable porosity and pore size, ranging from 100 to 300 nm, were successfully prepared using a colloidal templating and spray-drying method. HA powder and polystyrene latex (PSL) particles, which were used as the precursor and templating agent, respectively, were mixed in aqueous solution and spray-dried using a two-fluid nozzle system to produce HA and PSL composite particles. Water was evaporated during spray-drying using heated air with a temperature of 120 degrees C. This simple process was completed within several seconds. The prepared particles were collected and washed with an organic solvent to dissolve the PSL templating agent. The porosity and pore size of the resulting particles were easily controlled by changing the initial mass ratio of precursor to templating agent, i.e., HA to PSL, and by altering the size of the PSL template particles.

High quality self-separated GaN crystal grown on a novel nanoporous template by HVPE.

PubMed

Huo, Qin; Shao, Yongliang; Wu, Yongzhong; Zhang, Baoguo; Hu, Haixiao; Hao, Xiaopeng

2018-02-16

In this study, a novel nanoporous template was obtained by a two-step etching process from MOCVD-GaN/Al 2 O 3 (MGA) with electrochemical etching sequentially followed by chemical wet etching. The twice-etched MOCVD-GaN/Al 2 O 3 (TEMGA) templates were utilized to grow GaN crystals by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) method. The GaN crystals were separated spontaneously from the TEMGA template with the assistance of voids formed by the etched nanopores. Several techniques were utilized to characterize the quality of the free-standing GaN crystals obtained from the TEMGA template. Results showed that the quality of the as-obtained GaN crystals was improved obviously compared with those grown on the MGA. This convenient technique can be applied to grow high-quality free-standing GaN crystals.

Fast Legendre moment computation for template matching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Bing C.

2017-05-01

Normalized cross correlation (NCC) based template matching is insensitive to intensity changes and it has many applications in image processing, object detection, video tracking and pattern recognition. However, normalized cross correlation implementation is computationally expensive since it involves both correlation computation and normalization implementation. In this paper, we propose Legendre moment approach for fast normalized cross correlation implementation and show that the computational cost of this proposed approach is independent of template mask sizes which is significantly faster than traditional mask size dependent approaches, especially for large mask templates. Legendre polynomials have been widely used in solving Laplace equation in electrodynamics in spherical coordinate systems, and solving Schrodinger equation in quantum mechanics. In this paper, we extend Legendre polynomials from physics to computer vision and pattern recognition fields, and demonstrate that Legendre polynomials can help to reduce the computational cost of NCC based template matching significantly.

Molecular replication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orgel, L. E.

1986-01-01

The object of our research program is to understand how polynucleotide replication originated on the primitive Earth. This is a central issue in studies of the origins of life, since a process similar to modern DNA and RNA synthesis is likely to have formed the basis for the most primitive system of genetic information transfer. The major conclusion of studies so far is that a preformed polynucleotide template under many different experimental conditions will facilitate the synthesis of a new oligonucleotide with a sequence complementary to that of the template. It has been shown, for example, that poly(C) facilitates the synthesis of long oligo(G)s and that the short template CCGCC facilities the synthesis of its complement GGCGG. Very recently we have shown that template-directed synthesis is not limited to the standard oligonucleotide substrates. Nucleic acid-like molecules with a pyrophosphate group replacing the phosphate of the standard nucleic acid backbone are readily synthesized from deoxynucleotide 3'-5'-diphosphates on appropriate templates.

Electrical contact of wurtzite GaN mircrodisks on p-type GaN template

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Cheng-Da; Lo, Ikai; Wang, Ying-Chieh; Hsu, Yu-Chi; Shih, Cheng-Hung; Pang, Wen-Yuan; You, Shuo-Ting; Hu, Chia-Hsuan; Chou, Mitch M. C.; Yang, Chen-Chi; Lin, Yu-Chiao

2015-03-01

We developed a back processing to fabricate a secure electrical contact of wurtzite GaN microdisk on a transparent p-type GaN template with the orientation, [10-10]disk // [10-10]template. GaN microdisks were grown on LiAlO2 substrate by using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. In the further study, we analyzed the TEM specimen of a sample with annealed GaN microdisk/p-typed GaN template by selection area diffraction (SAD) to confirm the alignment of the microdisks with the template at the interface. From the I-V measurements performed on the samples, we obtained a threshold voltage of ~ 5.9 V for the current passing through the GaN microdisks with a resistance of ~ 45 K Ω. The electrical contact can be applied to the nanometer-scaled GaN light-emitting diode.

A Writing Template for Probing Students' Geological Sense of Place

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clary, Renee M.; Wandersee, James H.

2006-01-01

Because many incoming geoscience students did not acknowledge their previous personal encounters with the earth's geological processes or products, we developed the Geological Sense of Place (GSP) template as a convenient way to assess students' earth science backgrounds through short answer, mini-essay, and induced associative responses. The GSP…

Cubic nitride templates

DOEpatents

Burrell, Anthony K; McCleskey, Thomas Mark; Jia, Quanxi; Mueller, Alexander H; Luo, Hongmei

2013-04-30

A polymer-assisted deposition process for deposition of epitaxial cubic metal nitride films and the like is presented. The process includes solutions of one or more metal precursor and soluble polymers having binding properties for the one or more metal precursor. After a coating operation, the resultant coating is heated at high temperatures under a suitable atmosphere to yield metal nitride films and the like. Such films can be used as templates for the development of high quality cubic GaN based electronic devices.

Shape evolution of new-phased lepidocrocite VOOH from single-shelled to double-shelled hollow nanospheres on the basis of programmed reaction-temperature strategy.

PubMed

Wu, Changzheng; Zhang, Xiaodong; Ning, Bo; Yang, Jinlong; Xie, Yi

2009-07-06

Solid templates have been long regarded as one of the most promising ways to achieve single-shelled hollow nanostructures; however, few effective methods for the construction of multishelled hollow objects from their solid template counterparts have been developed. We report here, for the first time, a novel and convenient route to synthesizing double-shelled hollow spheres from the solid templates via programming the reaction-temperature procedures. The programmed temperature strategy developed in this work then provides an essential and general access to multishelled hollow nanostructures based on the designed extension of single-shelled hollow objects, independent of their outside contours, such as tubes, hollow spheres, and cubes. Starting from the V(OH)(2)NH(2) solid templates, we show that the relationship between the hollowing rate and the reaction temperature obey the Van't Hoff rule and Arrhenius activation-energy equation, revealing that it is the chemical reaction rather than the diffusion process that guided the whole hollowing process, despite the fact that the coupled reaction/diffusion process is involved in the hollowing process. Using the double-shelled hollow spheres as the PCM (CaCl(2).6H(2)O) matrix grants much better thermal-storage stability than that for the nanoparticles counterpart, revealing that the designed nanostructures can give rise to significant improvements for the energy-saving performance in future "smart house" systems.

Lyotropic liquid crystalline L3 phase silicated nanoporous monolithic composites and their production

DOEpatents

McGrath, Kathryn M.; Dabbs, Daniel M.; Aksay, Ilhan A.; Gruner, Sol M.

2003-10-28

A mesoporous ceramic material is provided having a pore size diameter in the range of about 10-100 nanometers produced by templating with a ceramic precursor a lyotropic liquid crystalline L.sub.3 phase consisting of a three-dimensional, random, nonperiodic network packing of a multiple connected continuous membrane. A preferred process for producing the inesoporous ceramic material includes producing a template of a lyotropic liquid crystalline L.sub.3 phase by mixing a surfactant, a co-surfactant and hydrochloric acid, coating the template with an inorganic ceramic precursor by adding to the L.sub.3 phase tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) or tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and then converting the coated template to a ceramic by removing any remaining liquids.

Hierarchically porous organic polymers: highly enhanced gas uptake and transport through templated synthesis.

PubMed

Chakraborty, Sanjiban; Colón, Yamil J; Snurr, Randall Q; Nguyen, SonBinh T

2015-01-01

Porous organic polymers (POPs) possessing meso- and micropores can be obtained by carrying out the polymerization inside a mesoporous silica aerogel template and then removing the template after polymerization. The total pore volume (tpv) and specific surface area (ssa) can be greatly enhanced by modifying the template (up to 210% increase for tpv and 73% for ssa) as well as by supercritical processing of the POPs (up to an additional 142% increase for tpv and an additional 32% for ssa) to include larger mesopores. The broad range of pores allows for faster transport of molecules through the hierarchically porous POPs, resulting in increased diffusion rates and faster gas uptake compared to POPs with only micropores.

Nanopatterning of Crystalline Silicon Using Anodized Aluminum Oxide Templates for Photovoltaics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chao, Tsu-An

A novel thin film anodized aluminum oxide templating process was developed and applied to make nanopatterns on crystalline silicon to enhance the optical properties of silicon. The thin film anodized aluminum oxide was created to improve the conventional thick aluminum templating method with the aim for potential large scale fabrication. A unique two-step anodizing method was introduced to create high quality nanopatterns and it was demonstrated that this process is superior over the original one-step approach. Optical characterization of the nanopatterned silicon showed up to 10% reduction in reflection in the short wavelength range. Scanning electron microscopy was also used to analyze the nanopatterned surface structure and it was found that interpore spacing and pore density can be tuned by changing the anodizing potential.

Materials and Morphology Study for Templated Hydrogen Solidification

DOE PAGES

Shin, Swanee J.; Kozioziemski, Bernard J.

2017-11-29

In this work, we performed a series of experiments to elucidate the characteristics of a good template for solid hydrogen nucleation. Zinc stands out among several materials with comparable size and shape. Nucleation could be observed to occur on top of sharp features, such as grain boundaries and cracks, but our attempts proved unsuccessful to fabricate or replicate such features. The variations of the supercooling (ΔT) values measured for comparable samples and the dependence of ΔT on the cell temperature cycling revealed that templated nucleation of solid hydrogen is a very delicate process.

Preformed template fluctuations promote fibril formation: Insights from lattice and all-atom models

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

Kouza, Maksim, E-mail: mkouza@chem.uw.edu.pl; Kolinski, Andrzej; Co, Nguyen Truong

2015-04-14

Fibril formation resulting from protein misfolding and aggregation is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Despite the fact that the fibril formation process is very slow and thus poses a significant challenge for theoretical and experimental studies, a number of alternative pictures of molecular mechanisms of amyloid fibril formation have been recently proposed. What seems to be common for the majority of the proposed models is that fibril elongation involves the formation of pre-nucleus seeds prior to the creation of a critical nucleus. Once the size of the pre-nucleus seed reaches the critical nucleusmore » size, its thermal fluctuations are expected to be small and the resulting nucleus provides a template for sequential (one-by-one) accommodation of added monomers. The effect of template fluctuations on fibril formation rates has not been explored either experimentally or theoretically so far. In this paper, we make the first attempt at solving this problem by two sets of simulations. To mimic small template fluctuations, in one set, monomers of the preformed template are kept fixed, while in the other set they are allowed to fluctuate. The kinetics of addition of a new peptide onto the template is explored using all-atom simulations with explicit water and the GROMOS96 43a1 force field and simple lattice models. Our result demonstrates that preformed template fluctuations can modulate protein aggregation rates and pathways. The association of a nascent monomer with the template obeys the kinetics partitioning mechanism where the intermediate state occurs in a fraction of routes to the protofibril. It was shown that template immobility greatly increases the time of incorporating a new peptide into the preformed template compared to the fluctuating template case. This observation has also been confirmed by simulation using lattice models and may be invoked to understand the role of template fluctuations in slowing down fibril elongation in vivo.« less

Webulous and the Webulous Google Add-On--a web service and application for ontology building from templates.

PubMed

Jupp, Simon; Burdett, Tony; Welter, Danielle; Sarntivijai, Sirarat; Parkinson, Helen; Malone, James

2016-01-01

Authoring bio-ontologies is a task that has traditionally been undertaken by skilled experts trained in understanding complex languages such as the Web Ontology Language (OWL), in tools designed for such experts. As requests for new terms are made, the need for expert ontologists represents a bottleneck in the development process. Furthermore, the ability to rigorously enforce ontology design patterns in large, collaboratively developed ontologies is difficult with existing ontology authoring software. We present Webulous, an application suite for supporting ontology creation by design patterns. Webulous provides infrastructure to specify templates for populating ontology design patterns that get transformed into OWL assertions in a target ontology. Webulous provides programmatic access to the template server and a client application has been developed for Google Sheets that allows templates to be loaded, populated and resubmitted to the Webulous server for processing. The development and delivery of ontologies to the community requires software support that goes beyond the ontology editor. Building ontologies by design patterns and providing simple mechanisms for the addition of new content helps reduce the overall cost and effort required to develop an ontology. The Webulous system provides support for this process and is used as part of the development of several ontologies at the European Bioinformatics Institute.

A Conceptual Model and Assessment Template for Capacity Evaluation in Adult Guardianship

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moye, Jennifer; Butz, Steven W.; Marson, Daniel C.; Wood, Erica

2007-01-01

Purpose: We develop a conceptual model and associated assessment template that is usable across state jurisdictions for evaluating the independent-living capacity of older adults in guardianship proceedings. Design and Methods: We used an iterative process in which legal provisions for guardianship and prevailing clinical practices for capacity…

Novice and Experienced Instructional Software Developers: Effects on Materials Created with Instructional Software Templates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boot, Eddy W.; van Merrienboer, Jeroen J. G.; Veerman, Arja L.

2007-01-01

The development of instructional software is a complex process, posing high demands to the technical and didactical expertise of developers. Domain specialists rather than professional developers are often responsible for it, but authoring tools with pre-structured templates claim to compensate for this limited experience. This study compares…

Electrophoretic deposition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on porous anodic aluminum oxide using ionic liquid as a dispersing agent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hekmat, F.; Sohrabi, B.; Rahmanifar, M. S.; Jalali, A.

2015-06-01

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MW-CNTs) have been arranged in nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide template (AAO) by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) to make a vertically-aligned carbon nanotube (VA-CNT) based electrode. Well ordered AAO templates were prepared by a two-step anodizing process by applying a constant voltage of 45 V in oxalic acid solution. The stabilized CNTs in a water-soluble room temperature ionic liquid (1-methyl-3-octadecylimidazolium bromide), were deposited in the pores of AAO templates which were conductive by deposition of Ni nanoparticles in the bottom of pores. In order to obtain ideal results, different EPD parameters, such as concentration of MWCNTs and ionic liquid on stability of MWCNT suspensions, deposition time and voltage which are applied in EPD process and also optimal conditions for anodizing of template were investigated. The capacitive performance of prepared electrodes was analyzed by measuring the specific capacitance from cyclic voltammograms and the charge-discharge curves. A maximum value of 50 Fg-1 at the scan rate of 20 mV s-1was achieved for the specific capacitance.

Fabrication of the replica templated from butterfly wing scales with complex light trapping structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Zhiwu; Li, Bo; Mu, Zhengzhi; Yang, Meng; Niu, Shichao; Zhang, Junqiu; Ren, Luquan

2015-11-01

The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) positive replica templated twice from the excellent light trapping surface of butterfly Trogonoptera brookiana wing scales was fabricated by a simple and promising route. The exact SiO2 negative replica was fabricated by using a synthesis method combining a sol-gel process and subsequent selective etching. Afterwards, a vacuum-aided process was introduced to make PDMS gel fill into the SiO2 negative replica, and the PDMS gel was solidified in an oven. Then, the SiO2 negative replica was used as secondary template and the structures in its surface was transcribed onto the surface of PDMS. At last, the PDMS positive replica was obtained. After comparing the PDMS positive replica and the original bio-template in terms of morphology, dimensions and reflectance spectra and so on, it is evident that the excellent light trapping structures of butterfly wing scales were inherited by the PDMS positive replica faithfully. This bio-inspired route could facilitate the preparation of complex light trapping nanostructure surfaces without any assistance from other power-wasting and expensive nanofabrication technologies.

Bottom-up Fabrication of Graphene on Silicon/Silica Substrate via a Facile Soft-hard Template Approach

PubMed Central

Yang, Yuxing; Liu, Ruili; Wu, Jiayang; Jiang, Xinhong; Cao, Pan; Hu, Xiaofeng; Pan, Ting; Qiu, Ciyuan; Yang, Junyi; Song, Yinglin; Wu, Dongqing; Su, Yikai

2015-01-01

In this work, a novel soft-hard template method towards the direct fabrication of graphene films on silicon/silica substrate is developed via a tri-constituent self-assembly route. Using cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a soft template, silica (SiO2) from tetramethoxysilane as a hard template, and pyrene as a carbon source, the self-assembly process allows the formation of a sandwich-like SiO2/CTAB/pyrene composite, which can be further converted to high quantity graphene films with a thickness of ~1 nm and a size of over 5 μm by thermal treatment. The morphology and thickness of the graphene films can be effectively controlled through the adjustment of the ratio of pyrene to CTAB. Furthermore, a high nonlinear refractive index n2 of ~10−12 m2 W−1 is measured from graphene/silica hybrid film, which is six orders of magnitude larger than that of silicon and comparable to the graphene from chemical vapor deposition process. PMID:26311022

An easy-to-use word processing program for creating concept cards in psychology courses: a method for teachers.

PubMed

Abramson, Charles I; Robinson, Ellen Gray; Rice, Jessica; Burley, Jami; Bergman, Staci; Delougherty, Patricia; Reudy, Katherine

2002-06-01

We describe a template to create concept cards in psychology courses using a word processing program. Students create their own individualized cards, which have the look and feel of flashcards and retain the same self-testing and monitoring features. Students report the template is easy to use, that the cards help them focus their study behavior and employ critical thinking skills in learning class material. We offer several suggestions on how to use the cards.

Rank-based decompositions of morphological templates.

PubMed

Sussner, P; Ritter, G X

2000-01-01

Methods for matrix decomposition have found numerous applications in image processing, in particular for the problem of template decomposition. Since existing matrix decomposition techniques are mainly concerned with the linear domain, we consider it timely to investigate matrix decomposition techniques in the nonlinear domain with applications in image processing. The mathematical basis for these investigations is the new theory of rank within minimax algebra. Thus far, only minimax decompositions of rank 1 and rank 2 matrices into outer product expansions are known to the image processing community. We derive a heuristic algorithm for the decomposition of matrices having arbitrary rank.

Template Dimerization Promotes an Acceptor Invasion-Induced Transfer Mechanism during Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Minus-Strand Synthesis

PubMed Central

Balakrishnan, Mini; Roques, Bernard P.; Fay, Philip J.; Bambara, Robert A.

2003-01-01

The biochemical mechanism of template switching by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase and the role of template dimerization were examined. Homologous donor-acceptor template pairs derived from the HIV-1 untranslated leader region and containing the wild-type and mutant dimerization initiation sequences (DIS) were used to examine the efficiency and distribution of transfers. Inhibiting donor-acceptor interaction was sufficient to reduce transfers in DIS-containing template pairs, indicating that template dimerization, and not the mere presence of the DIS, promotes efficient transfers. Additionally, we show evidence that the overall transfer process spans an extended region of the template and proceeds through a two-step mechanism. Transfer is initiated through an RNase H-facilitated acceptor invasion step, while synthesis continues on the donor template. The invasion then propagates towards the primer terminus by branch migration. Transfer is completed with the translocation of the primer terminus at a site distant from the invasion point. In our system, most invasions initiated before synthesis reached the DIS. However, transfer of the primer terminus predominantly occurred after synthesis through the DIS. The two steps were separated by 60 to 80 nucleotides. Sequence markers revealed the position of primer terminus switch, whereas DNA oligomers designed to block acceptor-cDNA interactions defined sites of invasion. Within the region of homology, certain positions on the template were inherently more favorable for invasion than others. In templates with DIS, the proximity of the acceptor facilitates invasion, thereby enhancing transfer efficiency. Nucleocapsid protein enhanced the overall efficiency of transfers but did not alter the mechanism. PMID:12663778

Additive-manufactured patient-specific titanium templates for thoracic pedicle screw placement: novel design with reduced contact area.

PubMed

Takemoto, Mitsuru; Fujibayashi, Shunsuke; Ota, Eigo; Otsuki, Bungo; Kimura, Hiroaki; Sakamoto, Takeshi; Kawai, Toshiyuki; Futami, Tohru; Sasaki, Kiyoyuki; Matsushita, Tomiharu; Nakamura, Takashi; Neo, Masashi; Matsuda, Shuich

2016-06-01

Image-based navigational patient-specific templates (PSTs) for pedicle screw (PS) placement have been described. With recent advances in three-dimensional computer-aided designs and additive manufacturing technology, various PST designs have been reported, although the template designs were not optimized. We have developed a novel PST design that reduces the contact area without sacrificing stability. It avoids susceptibility to intervening soft tissue, template geometric inaccuracy, and difficulty during template fitting. Fourteen candidate locations on the posterior aspect of the vertebra were evaluated. Among them, locations that had high reproducibility on computed tomography (CT) images and facilitated accurate PS placement were selected for the final PST design. An additive manufacturing machine (EOSINT M270) fabricated the PSTs using commercially pure titanium powder. For the clinical study, 36 scoliosis patients and 4 patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) were treated with thoracic PSs using our newly developed PSTs. We intraoperatively and postoperatively evaluated the accuracy of the PS hole created by the PST. Based on the segmentation reproducibility and stability analyses, we selected seven small, round contact points for our PST: bilateral superior and inferior points on the transverse process base, bilateral inferior points on the laminar, and a superior point on the spinous process. Clinically, the success rates of PS placement using this PST design were 98.6 % (414/420) for scoliosis patients and 100 % (46/46) for OPLL patients. This study provides a useful design concept for the development and introduction of patient-specific navigational templates for placing PSs.

Mechanical Energy Harvesting Performance of Ferroelectric Polymer Nanowires Grown via Template‐Wetting

PubMed Central

Whiter, Richard A.; Boughey, Chess; Smith, Michael

2018-01-01

Abstract Nanowires of the ferroelectric co‐polymer poly(vinylidenefluoride‐co‐triufloroethylene) [P(VDF‐TrFE)] are fabricated from solution within nanoporous templates of both “hard” anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) and “soft” polyimide (PI) through a facile and scalable template‐wetting process. The confined geometry afforded by the pores of the templates leads directly to highly crystalline P(VDF‐TrFE) nanowires in a macroscopic “poled” state that precludes the need for external electrical poling procedure typically required for piezoelectric performance. The energy‐harvesting performance of nanogenerators based on these template‐grown nanowires are extensively studied and analyzed in combination with finite element modelling. Both experimental results and computational models probing the role of the templates in determining overall nanogenerator performance, including both materials and device efficiencies, are presented. It is found that although P(VDF‐TrFE) nanowires grown in PI templates exhibit a lower material efficiency due to lower crystallinity as compared to nanowires grown in AAO templates, the overall device efficiency was higher for the PI‐template‐based nanogenerator because of the lower stiffness of the PI template as compared to the AAO template. This work provides a clear framework to assess the energy conversion efficiency of template‐grown piezoelectric nanowires and paves the way towards optimization of template‐based nanogenerator devices.

Preparation of thin hexagonal highly-ordered anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template onto silicon substrate and growth ZnO nanorod arrays by electrodeposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chahrour, Khaled M.; Ahmed, Naser M.; Hashim, M. R.; Elfadill, Nezar G.; Qaeed, M. A.; Bououdina, M.

2014-12-01

In this study, anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates of Aluminum thin films onto Ti-coated silicon substrates were prepared for growth of nanostructure materials. Hexagonally highly ordered thin AAO templates were fabricated under controllable conditions by using a two-step anodization. The obtained thin AAO templates were approximately 70 nm in pore diameter and 250 nm in length with 110 nm interpore distances within an area of 3 cm2. The difference between first and second anodization was investigated in details by in situ monitoring of current-time curve. A bottom barrier layer of the AAO templates was removed during dropping the voltage in the last period of the anodization process followed by a wet etching using phosphoric acid (5 wt%) for several minutes at ambient temperature. As an application, Zn nanorod arrays embedded in anodic alumina (AAO) template were fabricated by electrodeposition. Oxygen was used to oxidize the electrodeposited Zn nanorods in the AAO template at 700 °C. The morphology, structure and photoluminescence properties of ZnO/AAO assembly were analyzed using Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL).

Agarose template for the fabrication of macroporous metal oxide structures.

PubMed

Zhou, Jingfang; Zhou, Meifang; Caruso, Rachel A

2006-03-28

Agarose gels have been applied as templates for the formation of macroporous metal oxide structures. The preparation of the agarose template is extremely simple, and with variation of the agarose content, control over morphology is demonstrated: The average pore size decreases from 180 to 55 nm and the surface area increases from 238 to 271 m2 g(-1) with increasing agarose content in the gel. The gelling temperature was also found to influence the final template morphology. Conducting sol-gel chemistry within the template structure followed by removal of the template by heating to 450 degrees C gives porous inorganic oxides. The technique has been demonstrated for the oxides of titanium, zirconium, niobium, and tin. The final morphology of the metal oxide is homogeneous and results from a coating of the agarose structure. The pore diameter decreased and the specific surface area of the titanium dioxide materials increased from 28 to 66 m2 g(-1) as the agarose content in the template is increased from 0.5 to 5.0 wt%. The overall pore size and surface area are lower than the original gel due to shrinkage occurring with the sol-gel process, as well as crystallization and a loss of microporosity in the final material.

The effect of adding CTAB template in ZSM-5 synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Widayat, Widayat; Annisa, Arianti Nuur

2017-11-01

In general, ZSM-5 synthesis is performed using a hydrothermal process that takes place at high temperature and high pressure (> 373 K,> 1 bar). The synthesis of ZSM-5 is influenced by the organic template used. The organic template serves as a determinant of the zeolite crystal structure formation. CTAB is an easily found organic template and the price is cheap so the production cost of ZSM-5 synthesis would be more efficient. In this research, ZSM-5 is synthesized by varying temperature and crystallization time. The result showed the optimal condition of ZSM-5 synthesis was at 363 K for the crystallization temperature with 8 hours of crystallization time. The crystalline product had 60.07% of crystallinity with an aluminosilicate composition of 72% w/w.

Facilitated sequence counting and assembly by template mutagenesis

PubMed Central

Levy, Dan; Wigler, Michael

2014-01-01

Presently, inferring the long-range structure of the DNA templates is limited by short read lengths. Accurate template counts suffer from distortions occurring during PCR amplification. We explore the utility of introducing random mutations in identical or nearly identical templates to create distinguishable patterns that are inherited during subsequent copying. We simulate the applications of this process under assumptions of error-free sequencing and perfect mapping, using cytosine deamination as a model for mutation. The simulations demonstrate that within readily achievable conditions of nucleotide conversion and sequence coverage, we can accurately count the number of otherwise identical molecules as well as connect variants separated by long spans of identical sequence. We discuss many potential applications, such as transcript profiling, isoform assembly, haplotype phasing, and de novo genome assembly. PMID:25313059

A Fast Approach to Automatic Detection of Brain Lesions

PubMed Central

Koley, Subhranil; Chakraborty, Chandan; Mainero, Caterina; Fischl, Bruce; Aganj, Iman

2017-01-01

Template matching is a popular approach to computer-aided detection of brain lesions from magnetic resonance (MR) images. The outcomes are often sufficient for localizing lesions and assisting clinicians in diagnosis. However, processing large MR volumes with three-dimensional (3D) templates is demanding in terms of computational resources, hence the importance of the reduction of computational complexity of template matching, particularly in situations in which time is crucial (e.g. emergent stroke). In view of this, we make use of 3D Gaussian templates with varying radii and propose a new method to compute the normalized cross-correlation coefficient as a similarity metric between the MR volume and the template to detect brain lesions. Contrary to the conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT) based approach, whose runtime grows as O(N logN) with the number of voxels, the proposed method computes the cross-correlation in O(N). We show through our experiments that the proposed method outperforms the FFT approach in terms of computational time, and retains comparable accuracy. PMID:29082383

Template-constrained macrocyclic peptides prepared from native, unprotected precursors

PubMed Central

Lawson, Kenneth V.; Rose, Tristan E.; Harran, Patrick G.

2013-01-01

Peptide–protein interactions are important mediators of cellular-signaling events. Consensus binding motifs (also known as short linear motifs) within these contacts underpin molecular recognition, yet have poor pharmacological properties as discrete species. Here, we present methods to transform intact peptides into stable, templated macrocycles. Two simple steps install the template. The key reaction is a palladium-catalyzed macrocyclization. The catalysis has broad scope and efficiently forms large rings by engaging native peptide functionality including phenols, imidazoles, amines, and carboxylic acids without the necessity of protecting groups. The tunable reactivity of the template gives the process special utility. Defined changes in reaction conditions markedly alter chemoselectivity. In all cases examined, cyclization occurs rapidly and in high yield at room temperature, regardless of peptide composition or chain length. We show that conformational restraints imparted by the template stabilize secondary structure and enhance proteolytic stability in vitro. Palladium-catalyzed internal cinnamylation is a strong complement to existing methods for peptide modification. PMID:24043790

Tubular structured hierarchical mesoporous titania material derived from natural cellulosic substances and application as photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue

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

Huang, Haiqing; Liu, Xiaoyan; Huang, Jianguo, E-mail: jghuang@zju.edu.cn

Graphical abstract: Bio-inspired, tubular structured hierarchical mesoporous titania material with high photocatalytic activity under UV light was fabricated employing natural cellulosic substance (cotton) as hard template and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant as soft template using a one-pot sol-gel method. Highlights: {yields} Tubular structured mesoporous titania material was fabricated by sol-gel method. {yields} The titania material faithfully recorded the hierarchical structure of the template substrate (cotton). {yields} The titania material exhibited high photocatalytic activity in decomposition of methylene blue. -- Abstract: Bio-inspired, tubular structured hierarchical mesoporous titania material was designed and fabricated employing natural cellulosic substance (cotton) as hard template andmore » cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant as soft template by one-pot sol-gel method. The tubular structured hierarchical mesoporous titania material processes large specific surface area (40.23 m{sup 2}/g) and shows high photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of methylene blue under UV light irradiation.« less

Enantiomeric Cross-Inhibition in the Synthesis of Oligonucleotides on a Nonchiral Template

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmidt, Jurgen G.; Nielsen, Peter E.; Orgel, Leslie E.

1997-01-01

Prebiotic syntheses of chiral monomers always yield racemic mixtures. Living systems, however, utilize L-amino acids and D-nucleotides in their biopolymers. The generation of optical asymmetry by selection and amplification in an autocatalytic process is, therefore, an important element in many theories of the origin of life. Replication of polynucleotides in template-directed syntheses is an obvious candidate for such an amplification step in a pre-'RNA world'. A serious objection to this suggestion is the observation that the efficiency of template-directed syntheses of RNA is limited by enantiomeric cross-inhibition. Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs), amide-linked, nonchiral analogues of RNA, have been 'copied' into RNA and constitute an alternative to chiral polynucleotides as an informational replicating system. Here, we use PNA as model for a hypothetical, nonchiral precursor of RNA in experiments re-examining enantiomeric cross-inhibition. We find that enantiomeric cross-inhibition is as serious in the polymerization of nucleotides on a PNA template as it is on a conventional RNA or DNA template.

Moving template analysis of crack growth. 1: Procedure development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padovan, Joe; Guo, Y. H.

1994-06-01

Based on a moving template procedure, this two part series will develop a method to follow the crack tip physics in a self-adaptive manner which provides a uniformly accurate prediction of crack growth. For multiple crack environments, this is achieved by attaching a moving template to each crack tip. The templates are each individually oriented to follow the associated growth orientation and rate. In this part, the essentials of the procedure are derived for application to fatigue crack environments. Overall the scheme derived possesses several hierarchical levels, i.e. the global model, the interpolatively tied moving template, and a multilevel element death option to simulate the crack wake. To speed up computation, the hierarchical polytree scheme is used to reorganize the global stiffness inversion process. In addition to developing the various features of the scheme, the accuracy of predictions for various crack lengths is also benchmarked. Part 2 extends the scheme to multiple crack problems. Extensive benchmarking is also presented to verify the scheme.

Characterization of molecularly imprinted polymers using a new polar solvent titration method.

PubMed

Song, Di; Zhang, Yagang; Geer, Michael F; Shimizu, Ken D

2014-07-01

A new method of characterizing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was developed and tested, which provides a more accurate means of identifying and measuring the molecular imprinting effect. In the new polar solvent titration method, a series of imprinted and non-imprinted polymers were prepared in solutions containing increasing concentrations of a polar solvent. The polar solvent additives systematically disrupted the templation and monomer aggregation processes in the prepolymerization solutions, and the extent of disruption was captured by the polymerization process. The changes in binding capacity within each series of polymers were measured, providing a quantitative assessment of the templation and monomer aggregation processes in the imprinted and non-imprinted polymers. The new method was tested using three different diphenyl phosphate imprinted polymers made using three different urea functional monomers. Each monomer had varying efficiencies of templation and monomer aggregation. The new MIP characterization method was found to have several advantages. To independently verify the new characterization method, the MIPs were also characterized using traditional binding isotherm analyses. The two methods appeared to give consistent conclusions. First, the polar solvent titration method is less susceptible to false positives in identifying the imprinting effect. Second, the method is able to differentiate and quantify changes in binding capacity, as measured at a fixed guest and polymer concentration, arising from templation or monomer aggregation processes in the prepolymerization solution. Third, the method was also easy to carry out, taking advantage of the ease of preparing MIPs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Developing a Template for Electronic Portfolios in Career and Technical Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fowler, Matthew

2012-01-01

The purposes of this multiple case study were to determine if manufacturing and services sector employers found value in the use of an ePortfolio in the hiring process, and to develop a suggested template for an ePortfolio format to be used within career and technical education. Electronic portfolios "allow students to showcase their…

Templated Sphere Phase Liquid Crystals for Tunable Random Lasing

PubMed Central

Chen, Ziping; Hu, Dechun; Chen, Xingwu; Zeng, Deren; Lee, Yungjui; Chen, Xiaoxian; Lu, Jiangang

2017-01-01

A sphere phase liquid crystal (SPLC) composed of three-dimensional twist structures with disclinations among them exists between isotropic phase and blue phase in a very narrow temperature range, about several degrees centigrade. A low concentration polymer template is applied to improve the thermal stability of SPLCs and broadens the temperature range to more than 448 K. By template processing, a wavelength tunable random lasing is demonstrated with dye doped SPLC. With different polymer concentrations, the reconstructed SPLC random lasing may achieve more than 40 nm wavelength continuous shifting by electric field modulation. PMID:29140283

Three-dimensional autologous cartilage framework fabrication assisted by new additive manufactured ear-shaped templates for microtia reconstruction.

PubMed

Zhou, Jiayu; Pan, Bo; Yang, Qinghua; Zhao, Yanyong; He, Leren; Lin, Lin; Sun, Hengyun; Song, Yupeng; Yu, Xiaobo; Sun, Zhongyang; Jiang, Haiyue

2016-10-01

During microtia reconstruction, the intraoperative design of the cartilage framework is important for the appearance and symmetry of the bilateral auricles. Templates (traditionally, the X-ray film template) are usually utilized to complete the task, which can provide cues regarding size, cranioauricular angle and positioning to the surgeons. With a combination of three-dimensional (3D) scanning and additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, we utilized two different ear-shaped templates (sheet moulding and 3D templates) during the fabrication of 3D-customized autologous cartilage frameworks for auricle reconstruction. Forty unilateral microtia patients were included in the study. All the patients underwent auricle reconstruction using the tissue-expanding technique assisted by the new AM templates. Images were processed using computer-aided design software and exported to print two different AM ear-shaped templates: sheet moulding and 3D. Both templates were assisted by the 3D framework fabrication. The 3D images of each patient's head were captured preoperatively using a 3D scanner. X-ray film templates were also made for the patients. The lengths and widths of the contralateral auricles, X-ray film and sheet moulding templates were measured in triplicate. The error of the template and the contralateral auricle were used to compare the accuracy between the two templates. Between January and May 2014, 40 unilateral microtia patients aged 6-29 years were included in this study. All patients underwent auricle reconstruction using autogenous costal cartilage. The sterilized AM templates were used to assist in the framework fabrication. The operative time was decreased by an average of 15 min compared with the method assisted by the X-ray film template. Postoperative appearance evaluation (based on five indexes: symmetry, length, width, cranioauricular angle and the substructure of the reconstructed ear) was performed by both the doctors and the patients (or their parents). Follow-up (ranging from 9 to 18 months) showed that all of the patients obtained satisfactory results with life-like 3D configuration and symmetric cranioauricular angle. The follow-up showed that no surgery-related complications occurred. Comparing the accuracy of the X-ray film and sheet moulding templates, the average errors of length were 1.8 mm ± 1.44 mm and 0.39 mm ± 0.35 mm, respectively, and the average width errors were 1.32 mm ± 0.88 mm and 0.3 mm ± 0.47 mm, respectively. The new sheet moulding template was more accurate than the X-ray template. The new sheet-moulding template is much more accurate than the traditional X-ray film template. Framework fabrication assisted by accurate 3D and informative AM templates contributed to individualized cartilage framework fabrication and satisfactory results. Copyright © 2016 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling IrisCode and its variants as convex polyhedral cones and its security implications.

PubMed

Kong, Adams Wai-Kin

2013-03-01

IrisCode, developed by Daugman, in 1993, is the most influential iris recognition algorithm. A thorough understanding of IrisCode is essential, because over 100 million persons have been enrolled by this algorithm and many biometric personal identification and template protection methods have been developed based on IrisCode. This paper indicates that a template produced by IrisCode or its variants is a convex polyhedral cone in a hyperspace. Its central ray, being a rough representation of the original biometric signal, can be computed by a simple algorithm, which can often be implemented in one Matlab command line. The central ray is an expected ray and also an optimal ray of an objective function on a group of distributions. This algorithm is derived from geometric properties of a convex polyhedral cone but does not rely on any prior knowledge (e.g., iris images). The experimental results show that biometric templates, including iris and palmprint templates, produced by different recognition methods can be matched through the central rays in their convex polyhedral cones and that templates protected by a method extended from IrisCode can be broken into. These experimental results indicate that, without a thorough security analysis, convex polyhedral cone templates cannot be assumed secure. Additionally, the simplicity of the algorithm implies that even junior hackers without knowledge of advanced image processing and biometric databases can still break into protected templates and reveal relationships among templates produced by different recognition methods.

Design of a hybrid biomaterial for tissue engineering: Biopolymer-scaffold integrated with an autologous hydrogel carrying mesenchymal stem-cells.

PubMed

Weinstein-Oppenheimer, Caroline R; Brown, Donald I; Coloma, Rodrigo; Morales, Patricio; Reyna-Jeldes, Mauricio; Díaz, María J; Sánchez, Elizabeth; Acevedo, Cristian A

2017-10-01

Biologically active biomaterials as biopolymers and hydrogels have been used in medical applications providing favorable results in tissue engineering. In this research, a wound dressing device was designed by integration of an autologous clot hydrogel carrying mesenchymal stem-cells onto a biopolymeric scaffold. This hybrid biomaterial was tested in-vitro and in-vivo, and used in a human clinical case. The biopolymeric scaffold was made with gelatin, chitosan and hyaluronic acid, using a freeze-drying method. The scaffold was a porous material which was designed evaluating both physical properties (glass transition, melting temperature and pore size) and biological properties (cell viability and fibronectin expression). Two types of chitosan (120 and 300kDa) were used to manufacture the scaffold, being the high molecular weight the most biologically active and stable after sterilization with gamma irradiation (25kGy). A clot hydrogel was formulated with autologous plasma and calcium chloride, using an approach based on design of experiments. The optimum hydrogel was used to incorporate cells onto the porous scaffold, forming a wound dressing biomaterial. The wound dressing device was firstly tested in-vitro using human cells, and then, its biosecurity was evaluated in-vivo using a rabbit model. The in-vitro results showed high cell viability after one week (99.5%), high mitotic index (19.8%) and high fibronectin expression. The in-vivo application to rabbits showed adequate biodegradability capacity (between 1 and 2weeks), and the histological evaluation confirmed absence of rejection signs and reepithelization on the wound zone. Finally, the wound dressing biomaterial was used in a single human case to implant autologous cells on a skin surgery. The medical examination indicated high biocompatibility, partial biodegradation at one week, early regeneration capacity at 4weeks and absence of rejection signs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Natural-based nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: a review.

PubMed

Pina, Sandra; Oliveira, Joaquim M; Reis, Rui L

2015-02-18

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has been providing exciting technologies for the development of functional substitutes aimed to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Inspired by the hierarchical nature of bone, nanostructured biomaterials are gaining a singular attention for tissue engineering, owing their ability to promote cell adhesion and proliferation, and hence new bone growth, compared with conventional microsized materials. Of particular interest are nanocomposites involving biopolymeric matrices and bioactive nanosized fillers. Biodegradability, high mechanical strength, and osteointegration and formation of ligamentous tissue are properties required for such materials. Biopolymers are advantageous due to their similarities with extracellular matrices, specific degradation rates, and good biological performance. By its turn, calcium phosphates possess favorable osteoconductivity, resorbability, and biocompatibility. Herein, an overview on the available natural polymer/calcium phosphate nanocomposite materials, their design, and properties is presented. Scaffolds, hydrogels, and fibers as biomimetic strategies for tissue engineering, and processing methodologies are described. The specific biological properties of the nanocomposites, as well as their interaction with cells, including the use of bioactive molecules, are highlighted. Nanocomposites in vivo studies using animal models are also reviewed and discussed. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effects of alkaline catalysts on acetone-based organosolv pretreatment of rice straw.

PubMed

Raita, Marisa; Denchokepraguy, Naphatsaya; Champreda, Verawat; Laosiripojana, Navadol

2017-10-01

Organosolv is an effective pretreatment strategy for increasing digestibility of lignocellulosic materials owing to selectivity of solvents on separating biopolymeric constituents of plant biomass. In the present work, a novel low-temperature alkali-catalyzed organosolv pretreatment of rice straw was studied. The effects of alkaline catalysts (i.e., NaOH, ammonia, and tri-ethylamine) and solvent types (i.e., acetone, ethanol, and water) were carried out. Addition of alkalis led to increasing sugar from enzymatic hydrolysis while acetone was found to be superior to ethanol and water on selectivity towards cellulose preservation. The optimal alkaline-catalyzed pretreatment reaction contained 5% (w/v) NaOH in an aqueous-acetone mixture (1:4) at 80 °C for 5 min. A glucose yield of 913 mg/g of pretreated biomass was achieved, equivalent to a maximal glucose recovery of 93.0% from glucan in the native biomass. Scanning electron microscope revealed efficient removal of non-cellulosic components, resulting in exposed cellulose microfibers with a reduced crystallite size as determined by X-ray diffraction. With potential on obtaining high-quality lignin, the work demonstrated potential of the novel low-temperature alkaline-catalyzed acetone-based organosolv process for pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials in biorefineries.

A practical approach to communicating benefit-risk decisions of medicines to stakeholders.

PubMed

Leong, James; Walker, Stuart; Salek, Sam

2015-01-01

The importance of a framework for a systematic structured assessment of the benefits and risks has been established, but in addition, it is necessary that the benefit-risk decisions and the processes to derive those decisions are documented and communicated to various stakeholders for accountability. Hence there is now a need to find appropriate tools to enhance communication between regulators and other stakeholders, in a manner that would uphold transparency, consistency and standards. A retrospective, non-comparative study was conducted to determine the applicability and practicality of a summary template in documenting benefit-risk assessment and communicating benefit-risk balance and conclusions for reviewers to other stakeholders. The benefit-risk (BR) Summary Template and its User Manual was evaluated by 12 reviewers within a regulatory agency in Singapore, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). The BR Summary Template was found to be adequate in documenting benefits, risks, relevant summaries and conclusions, while the User Manual was useful in guiding the reviewer in completing the template. The BR Summary Template was also considered a useful tool for communicating benefit-risk decisions to a variety of stakeholders. The use of a template may be of value for the communicating benefit-risk assessment of medicines to stakeholders.

iTemplate: A template-based eye movement data analysis approach.

PubMed

Xiao, Naiqi G; Lee, Kang

2018-02-08

Current eye movement data analysis methods rely on defining areas of interest (AOIs). Due to the fact that AOIs are created and modified manually, variances in their size, shape, and location are unavoidable. These variances affect not only the consistency of the AOI definitions, but also the validity of the eye movement analyses based on the AOIs. To reduce the variances in AOI creation and modification and achieve a procedure to process eye movement data with high precision and efficiency, we propose a template-based eye movement data analysis method. Using a linear transformation algorithm, this method registers the eye movement data from each individual stimulus to a template. Thus, users only need to create one set of AOIs for the template in order to analyze eye movement data, rather than creating a unique set of AOIs for all individual stimuli. This change greatly reduces the error caused by the variance from manually created AOIs and boosts the efficiency of the data analysis. Furthermore, this method can help researchers prepare eye movement data for some advanced analysis approaches, such as iMap. We have developed software (iTemplate) with a graphic user interface to make this analysis method available to researchers.

Template-Based Modeling of Protein-RNA Interactions.

PubMed

Zheng, Jinfang; Kundrotas, Petras J; Vakser, Ilya A; Liu, Shiyong

2016-09-01

Protein-RNA complexes formed by specific recognition between RNA and RNA-binding proteins play an important role in biological processes. More than a thousand of such proteins in human are curated and many novel RNA-binding proteins are to be discovered. Due to limitations of experimental approaches, computational techniques are needed for characterization of protein-RNA interactions. Although much progress has been made, adequate methodologies reliably providing atomic resolution structural details are still lacking. Although protein-RNA free docking approaches proved to be useful, in general, the template-based approaches provide higher quality of predictions. Templates are key to building a high quality model. Sequence/structure relationships were studied based on a representative set of binary protein-RNA complexes from PDB. Several approaches were tested for pairwise target/template alignment. The analysis revealed a transition point between random and correct binding modes. The results showed that structural alignment is better than sequence alignment in identifying good templates, suitable for generating protein-RNA complexes close to the native structure, and outperforms free docking, successfully predicting complexes where the free docking fails, including cases of significant conformational change upon binding. A template-based protein-RNA interaction modeling protocol PRIME was developed and benchmarked on a representative set of complexes.

Template identification technology of nuclear warheads and components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Su-Ping; Gong, Jian; Hao, Fan-Hua; Hu, Guang-Chun

2008-02-01

Template identification technology (TIT) is designed for the scenarios where a batch of disarmed nuclear weapons or components would be dismantled to observe a nuclear disarmament treaty. The core function played by the TIT is to make a judgment on whether the verified item belongs to a certain kind of nuclear weapons or component (NW/NC) or to which kind the verified item belongs. This paper analyses the functions played by the TIT in the process of NW/NC dismantlement, and proposes that two phases would be followed when applying the TIT: firstly to establish NW/NC templates with a sample of size n drawn from a certain kind of disarmament NW; secondly to authenticate NW/NC by means of the TIT. This paper also expatiates some terms related to the concept of the TIT and investigates on the development status of NW/NC TIT based on radiation signatures. The study concludes that the design of template structure is crucial to the establishment of an effective TIT and that starting from different research angles and aiming at the same goal of classification different template structures and corresponding template identification methods can be built up to meet specific identification requirements.

Optimizing Multi-Station Template Matching to Identify and Characterize Induced Seismicity in Ohio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brudzinski, M. R.; Skoumal, R.; Currie, B. S.

2014-12-01

As oil and gas well completions utilizing multi-stage hydraulic fracturing have become more commonplace, the potential for seismicity induced by the deep disposal of frac-related flowback waters and the hydraulic fracturing process itself has become increasingly important. While it is rare for these processes to induce felt seismicity, the recent increase in the number of deep injection wells and volumes injected have been suspected to have contributed to a substantial increase of events = M 3 in the continental U.S. over the past decade. Earthquake template matching using multi-station waveform cross-correlation is an adept tool for investigating potentially induced sequences due to its proficiency at identifying similar/repeating seismic events. We have sought to refine this approach by investigating a variety of seismic sequences and determining the optimal parameters (station combinations, template lengths and offsets, filter frequencies, data access method, etc.) for identifying induced seismicity. When applied to a sequence near a wastewater injection well in Youngstown, Ohio, our optimized template matching routine yielded 566 events while other template matching studies found ~100-200 events. We also identified 77 events on 4-12 March 2014 that are temporally and spatially correlated with active hydraulic fracturing in Poland Township, Ohio. We find similar improvement in characterizing sequences in Washington and Harrison Counties, which appear to be related to wastewater injection and hydraulic fracturing, respectively. In the Youngstown and Poland Township cases, focal mechanisms and double difference relocation using the cross-correlation matrix finds left-lateral faults striking roughly east-west near the top of the basement. We have also used template matching to determine isolated earthquakes near several other wastewater injection wells are unlikely to be induced based on a lack of similar/repeating sequences. Optimized template matching utilizes high-quality reliable stations within pre-existing seismic networks and is therefore a cost-efficient monitoring strategy for identifying and characterizing potentially induced seismic sequences.

Metallization of Self-Assembled DNA Templates for Electronic Circuit Fabrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uprety, Bibek

This work examines the deposition of metallic and semiconductor elements onto self-assembled DNA templates for the fabrication of nanodevices. Biological molecules like DNA self-assemble into a variety of 2- and 3-D architectures without the need for patterning tools. The templates can also be designed to controllably place functional nanomaterials with molecular precision. These characteristics make DNA an attractive template for fabricating electronic circuits. However, electrically conductive structures are needed for electronic applications. While metallized DNA nanostructures have been demonstrated, the ability to make thin, continuous wires that are electrically conductive still represents a formidable challenge. DNA-templated wires have generally been granular in appearance with a resistivity approximately two to three orders of magnitude higher than that of the bulk material. An improved method for the metallization of DNA origami is examined in this work that addresses these challenges of size, morphology and conductivity of the metallized structure. Specifically, we demonstrated a metallization process that uses gold nanorod seeds followed by anisotropic electroless (autocatalytic) plating to provide improved morphology and greater control of the final metallized width of conducting metal lines. Growth during electroless deposition occurs preferentially in the length direction at a rate that is approximately four times the growth rate in the width direction, which enables fabrication of narrow, continuous wires. The electrical properties of 49 nanowires with widths ranging from 13 nm to 29 nm were characterized, and resistivity values as low as 8.9 x 10-7 -m were measured, which represent some of the smallest nanowires and the lowest resistivity values reported in the literature. The metallization procedure developed on smaller templates was also successfully applied to metallize bigger DNA templates of tens of micrometers in length. In addition, a polymer-assisted annealing process was discovered to possibly improve the resistivity of DNA metal nanowires. Following metallization of bigger DNA origami structures, controlled placement of nanorods on a DNA breadboard to make rectangular, square and T-shaped metallic structures was also demonstrated. For site-specific placement, we modified the surface of the gold nanorods with single-stranded DNA. The rods were then attached to DNA templates via complementary base-pairing between the DNA on the nanorods and the attachment strands engineered into the DNA "breadboard" template. Gaps between the nanorods were then filled controllably via anisotropic plating to make 10 nm diameter continuous metallic structures. Finally, controlled placement of metal (gold) - semiconductor (tellurium) materials on a single DNA origami template was demonstrated. The combination of molecularly directed deposition of different nanomaterials and anisotropic metallization presented in this work represents important progress towards the creation of nanoelectronic devices from self-assembled biological templates.

Within-subject template estimation for unbiased longitudinal image analysis.

PubMed

Reuter, Martin; Schmansky, Nicholas J; Rosas, H Diana; Fischl, Bruce

2012-07-16

Longitudinal image analysis has become increasingly important in clinical studies of normal aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, there is a growing appreciation of the potential utility of longitudinally acquired structural images and reliable image processing to evaluate disease modifying therapies. Challenges have been related to the variability that is inherent in the available cross-sectional processing tools, to the introduction of bias in longitudinal processing and to potential over-regularization. In this paper we introduce a novel longitudinal image processing framework, based on unbiased, robust, within-subject template creation, for automatic surface reconstruction and segmentation of brain MRI of arbitrarily many time points. We demonstrate that it is essential to treat all input images exactly the same as removing only interpolation asymmetries is not sufficient to remove processing bias. We successfully reduce variability and avoid over-regularization by initializing the processing in each time point with common information from the subject template. The presented results show a significant increase in precision and discrimination power while preserving the ability to detect large anatomical deviations; as such they hold great potential in clinical applications, e.g. allowing for smaller sample sizes or shorter trials to establish disease specific biomarkers or to quantify drug effects. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Program Manager’s Support System (PMSS). An Executive Overview and System Description,

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-01

process. The PMSS tool will, when completed, support the program management process in all stages of program nanagement; that is, birth of the...module, developed as a template on LOTUS 1-2-3, is an application of the Constructive Cost Model (COCOMO) developed by B. Boehm. The DSMC SWCE module, a...developed for a specific program office but can be modified for use by others. It is a "template" system designed to operate on a Zenith Z-150 using Lotus 1

One-pot synthesis of biocompatible Te@phenol formaldehyde resin core-shell nanowires with uniform size and unique fluorescent properties by a synergized soft-hard template process.

PubMed

Qian, Haisheng; Zhu, Enbo; Zheng, Shunji; Li, Zhengquan; Hu, Yong; Guo, Changfa; Yang, Xingyun; Li, Liangchao; Tong, Guoxiu; Guo, Huichen

2010-12-10

One-pot hydrothermal process has been developed to synthesize uniform Te@phenol formaldehyde resin core-shell nanowires with unique fluorescent properties. A synergistic soft-hard template mechanism has been proposed to explain the formation of the core-shell nanowires. The Te@phenol formaldehyde resin core-shell nanowires display unique fluorescent properties, which give strong luminescent emission in the blue-violet and green regions with excitation wavelengths of 270 nm and 402 nm, respectively.

Synthesis and Study of Guest-Rebinding of MIP Based on MAA Prepared using Theophylline Template

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurhayati, T.; Yanti; Royani, I.; Widayani; Khairurrijal

2016-08-01

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based on methacrylic acid (MAA) monomer and theophylline template has been synthesized using a modified bulk polymerization method. Theophylline was employed as a template and it formed a complex with MAA through hydrogen bonding. Self-assembly of template-monomer was followed by cross-linking process using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) cross-linker. The polymerization process was initiated by thermal decomposition of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the initiator at 60oC after cooling treatment at -5oC. After 7 hours, a rigid polymer was obtained and followed by grinding the polymer and removing the template. As a reference, a nonimprinted polymer (NIP) has also been synthesized using similar procedure by excluding the template. FTIR study was carried out to investigate the presence of theophylline in the as- prepared polymer, MIP, and NIP. The spectra indicated that theophylline was successfully incorporated in the as-prepared polymer. This result was also confirmed by EDS analysis showing that N atoms of the as-prepared polymer were derived from amino group of theophylline. Furthermore, the polymer particles of MIP were irregular in shape and size as shown by its SEM image. The capability of guest-rebinding of the MIP was analyzed through Batchwise guest-binding experiment. The results showed that for initial concentration of theophylline in methanol/chloroform (1/1, v/v) of 0.333 mM, the binding capacity of the MIP was 23.22 /mol/g. Compared to the MIP, the adsorption capacity of the NIP was only 3.73 /mol/g. This result shows that MIP has higher affinity than NIP.

Development of machine-vision system for gap inspection of muskmelon grafted seedlings.

PubMed

Liu, Siyao; Xing, Zuochang; Wang, Zifan; Tian, Subo; Jahun, Falalu Rabiu

2017-01-01

Grafting robots have been developed in the world, but some auxiliary works such as gap-inspecting for grafted seedlings still need to be done by human. An machine-vision system of gap inspection for grafted muskmelon seedlings was developed in this study. The image acquiring system consists of a CCD camera, a lens and a front white lighting source. The image of inspected gap was processed and analyzed by software of HALCON 12.0. The recognition algorithm for the system is based on principle of deformable template matching. A template should be created from an image of qualified grafted seedling gap. Then the gap image of the grafted seedling will be compared with the created template to determine their matching degree. Based on the similarity between the gap image of grafted seedling and the template, the matching degree will be 0 to 1. The less similar for the grafted seedling gap with the template the smaller of matching degree. Thirdly, the gap will be output as qualified or unqualified. If the matching degree of grafted seedling gap and the template is less than 0.58, or there is no match is found, the gap will be judged as unqualified; otherwise the gap will be qualified. Finally, 100 muskmelon seedlings were grafted and inspected to test the gap inspection system. Results showed that the gap inspection machine-vision system could recognize the gap qualification correctly as 98% of human vision. And the inspection speed of this system can reach 15 seedlings·min-1. The gap inspection process in grafting can be fully automated with this developed machine-vision system, and the gap inspection system will be a key step of a fully-automatic grafting robots.

Design of multi-phase dynamic chemical networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chenrui; Tan, Junjun; Hsieh, Ming-Chien; Pan, Ting; Goodwin, Jay T.; Mehta, Anil K.; Grover, Martha A.; Lynn, David G.

2017-08-01

Template-directed polymerization reactions enable the accurate storage and processing of nature's biopolymer information. This mutualistic relationship of nucleic acids and proteins, a network known as life's central dogma, is now marvellously complex, and the progressive steps necessary for creating the initial sequence and chain-length-specific polymer templates are lost to time. Here we design and construct dynamic polymerization networks that exploit metastable prion cross-β phases. Mixed-phase environments have been used for constructing synthetic polymers, but these dynamic phases emerge naturally from the growing peptide oligomers and create environments suitable both to nucleate assembly and select for ordered templates. The resulting templates direct the amplification of a phase containing only chain-length-specific peptide-like oligomers. Such multi-phase biopolymer dynamics reveal pathways for the emergence, self-selection and amplification of chain-length- and possibly sequence-specific biopolymers.

The fabrication of Ag nanoflake arrays via self-assembly on the surface of an anodic aluminum oxide template

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xueming; Dong, Kun; Tang, Libin; Wu, Yongjun; Yang, Peizhi; Zhang, Pengxiang

2010-02-01

Vertical-aligned Ag nanoflake arrays are fabricated on the surface of an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template under a hydrothermal condition for the first time. The porous surface of AAO templates and the precursor solution may play key roles in the process of fabricating Ag nanoflakes. The rim of pores can provide many active sites for nucleation and growth, and then nanoflake arrays gradually form through self-assembly of Ag on the surface of AAO membranes. The product is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a growth mechanism of nanoflake is deduced. This work demonstrates that it is possible to make ordered nanoarrays without dissolving templates using the hydrothermal method, and this interesting Ag nanoflake arrays may provide a wider range of nanoscale applications.

The Impact of Template Types on Polyeugenol to the Adsorption Selectivity of Ionic Imprinted Polymer (IIP) Fe Metal Ion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djunaidi, M. C.; Haris, A.; Pardoyo; Rosdiana, K.

2018-04-01

The synthesis of IIP was carried out by variation of Fe(III) ion templates from Fe(NO3)3, K3[Fe(CN)6] and NH4Fe(SO4)2 compounds which then tested IIP selectivity to the Fe metal ions through adsorption process. Ionic Imprinted Polymer (IIP) is a method of printing metal ions bound in a polymer, subsequently released from the polymer matrix to produce a suitable imprint for the target ion. The purposes of this study were to produce IIP from Fe(NO3)3, K3[Fe(CN)6] and NH4Fe(SO4)2 templates, to know the effect of templates on adsorption selectivity of IIP involving imprint cavity, and to know the impact of metal competitor on the selectivity adsorption of IIP to the Fe metals. The results obtained showed that IIP synthesized by variations of Fe(NO3)3, K3[Fe(CN)6] and NH4Fe(SO4)2 templates were successfully synthesized. The adsorption selectivity of Fe (III) metal ion in the Fe(NO3)3 template was greater than that of in the K3[Fe(CN)6] and NH4Fe(SO4)2 templates. The adsorption selectivity of Fe was greater on Fe-Cr compared to on Fe-Cd and Fe-Pb.

Comparison of Arterial Spin-labeling Perfusion Images at Different Spatial Normalization Methods Based on Voxel-based Statistical Analysis.

PubMed

Tani, Kazuki; Mio, Motohira; Toyofuku, Tatsuo; Kato, Shinichi; Masumoto, Tomoya; Ijichi, Tetsuya; Matsushima, Masatoshi; Morimoto, Shoichi; Hirata, Takumi

2017-01-01

Spatial normalization is a significant image pre-processing operation in statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis. The purpose of this study was to clarify the optimal method of spatial normalization for improving diagnostic accuracy in SPM analysis of arterial spin-labeling (ASL) perfusion images. We evaluated the SPM results of five spatial normalization methods obtained by comparing patients with Alzheimer's disease or normal pressure hydrocephalus complicated with dementia and cognitively healthy subjects. We used the following methods: 3DT1-conventional based on spatial normalization using anatomical images; 3DT1-DARTEL based on spatial normalization with DARTEL using anatomical images; 3DT1-conventional template and 3DT1-DARTEL template, created by averaging cognitively healthy subjects spatially normalized using the above methods; and ASL-DARTEL template created by averaging cognitively healthy subjects spatially normalized with DARTEL using ASL images only. Our results showed that ASL-DARTEL template was small compared with the other two templates. Our SPM results obtained with ASL-DARTEL template method were inaccurate. Also, there were no significant differences between 3DT1-conventional and 3DT1-DARTEL template methods. In contrast, the 3DT1-DARTEL method showed higher detection sensitivity, and precise anatomical location. Our SPM results suggest that we should perform spatial normalization with DARTEL using anatomical images.

BgCut: automatic ship detection from UAV images.

PubMed

Xu, Chao; Zhang, Dongping; Zhang, Zhengning; Feng, Zhiyong

2014-01-01

Ship detection in static UAV aerial images is a fundamental challenge in sea target detection and precise positioning. In this paper, an improved universal background model based on Grabcut algorithm is proposed to segment foreground objects from sea automatically. First, a sea template library including images in different natural conditions is built to provide an initial template to the model. Then the background trimap is obtained by combing some templates matching with region growing algorithm. The output trimap initializes Grabcut background instead of manual intervention and the process of segmentation without iteration. The effectiveness of our proposed model is demonstrated by extensive experiments on a certain area of real UAV aerial images by an airborne Canon 5D Mark. The proposed algorithm is not only adaptive but also with good segmentation. Furthermore, the model in this paper can be well applied in the automated processing of industrial images for related researches.

BgCut: Automatic Ship Detection from UAV Images

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhengning; Feng, Zhiyong

2014-01-01

Ship detection in static UAV aerial images is a fundamental challenge in sea target detection and precise positioning. In this paper, an improved universal background model based on Grabcut algorithm is proposed to segment foreground objects from sea automatically. First, a sea template library including images in different natural conditions is built to provide an initial template to the model. Then the background trimap is obtained by combing some templates matching with region growing algorithm. The output trimap initializes Grabcut background instead of manual intervention and the process of segmentation without iteration. The effectiveness of our proposed model is demonstrated by extensive experiments on a certain area of real UAV aerial images by an airborne Canon 5D Mark. The proposed algorithm is not only adaptive but also with good segmentation. Furthermore, the model in this paper can be well applied in the automated processing of industrial images for related researches. PMID:24977182

Advances in nanosized zeolites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mintova, Svetlana; Gilson, Jean-Pierre; Valtchev, Valentin

2013-07-01

This review highlights recent developments in the synthesis of nanosized zeolites. The strategies available for their preparation (organic-template assisted, organic-template free, and alternative procedures) are discussed. Major breakthroughs achieved by the so-called zeolite crystal engineering and encompass items such as mastering and using the physicochemical properties of the precursor synthesis gel/suspension, optimizing the use of silicon and aluminium precursor sources, the rational use of organic templates and structure-directing inorganic cations, and careful adjustment of synthesis conditions (temperature, pressure, time, heating processes from conventional to microwave and sonication) are addressed. An on-going broad and deep fundamental understanding of the crystallization process, explaining the influence of all variables of this complex set of reactions, underpins an even more rational design of nanosized zeolites with exceptional properties. Finally, the advantages and limitations of these methods are addressed with particular attention to their industrial prospects and utilization in existing and advanced applications.

A template for integrated community sustainability planning.

PubMed

Ling, Christopher; Hanna, Kevin; Dale, Ann

2009-08-01

This article describes a template for implementing an integrated community sustainability plan. The template emphasizes community engagement and outlines the components of a basic framework for integrating ecological, social and economic dynamics into a community plan. The framework is a series of steps that support a sustainable community development process. While it reflects the Canadian experience, the tools and techniques have applied value for a range of environmental planning contexts around the world. The research is case study based and draws from a diverse range of communities representing many types of infrastructure, demographics and ecological and geographical contexts. A critical path for moving local governments to sustainable community development is the creation and implementation of integrated planning approaches. To be effective and to be implemented, a requisite shift to sustainability requires active community engagement processes, political will, and a commitment to political and administrative accountability, and measurement.

Hierarchical 3D ordered meso-/macroporous metal-organic framework produced through a facile template-free self-assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Xiaoli; Wu, Suilan; Wang, Panhao; Yang, Lin

2018-02-01

The synthesis of well-ordered hierarchical metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in an efficient manner is a great challenge. Here, a 3D regular ordered meso-/macroporous MOF of Cu-TATAB (referred to as MM-MOF) was synthesized through a facile template-free self-assembly process with pore sizes of 31 nm and 119 nm.

High aspect ratio 10-nm-scale nanoaperture arrays with template-guided metal dewetting

PubMed Central

Wang, Ying Min; Lu, Liangxing; Srinivasan, Bharathi Madurai; Asbahi, Mohamed; Zhang, Yong Wei; Yang, Joel K. W.

2015-01-01

We introduce an approach to fabricate ordered arrays of 10-nm-scale silica-filled apertures in a metal film without etching or liftoff. Using low temperature (<400°C) thermal dewetting of metal films guided by nano-patterned templates, apertures with aspect ratios up to 5:1 are demonstrated. Apertures form spontaneously during the thermal process without need for further processing. Although the phenomenon of dewetting has been well studied, this is the first demonstration of its use in the fabrication of nanoapertures in a spatially controllable manner. In particular, the achievement of 10-nm length-scale patterning at high aspect ratio with thermal dewetting is unprecedented. By varying the nanotemplate design, we show its strong influence over the positions and sizes of the nanoapertures. In addition, we construct a three-dimensional phase field model of metal dewetting on nano-patterned substrates. The simulation data obtained closely corroborates our experimental results and reveals new insights to template dewetting at the nanoscale. Taken together, this fabrication method and simulation model form a complete toolbox for 10-nm-scale patterning using template-guided dewetting that could be extended to a wide range of material systems and geometries. PMID:25858792

High aspect ratio 10-nm-scale nanoaperture arrays with template-guided metal dewetting.

PubMed

Wang, Ying Min; Lu, Liangxing; Srinivasan, Bharathi Madurai; Asbahi, Mohamed; Zhang, Yong Wei; Yang, Joel K W

2015-04-10

We introduce an approach to fabricate ordered arrays of 10-nm-scale silica-filled apertures in a metal film without etching or liftoff. Using low temperature (<400°C) thermal dewetting of metal films guided by nano-patterned templates, apertures with aspect ratios up to 5:1 are demonstrated. Apertures form spontaneously during the thermal process without need for further processing. Although the phenomenon of dewetting has been well studied, this is the first demonstration of its use in the fabrication of nanoapertures in a spatially controllable manner. In particular, the achievement of 10-nm length-scale patterning at high aspect ratio with thermal dewetting is unprecedented. By varying the nanotemplate design, we show its strong influence over the positions and sizes of the nanoapertures. In addition, we construct a three-dimensional phase field model of metal dewetting on nano-patterned substrates. The simulation data obtained closely corroborates our experimental results and reveals new insights to template dewetting at the nanoscale. Taken together, this fabrication method and simulation model form a complete toolbox for 10-nm-scale patterning using template-guided dewetting that could be extended to a wide range of material systems and geometries.

A generic rate equation for catalysed, template-directed polymerisation.

PubMed

Hofmeyr, Jan-Hendrik S; Gqwaka, Olona P C; Rohwer, Johann M

2013-09-02

Biosynthetic networks link to growth and reproduction processes through template-directed synthesis of macromolecules such as polynucleotides and polypeptides. No rate equation exists that captures this link in a way that it can effectively be incorporated into a single computational model of the overall process. This paper describes the derivation of such a generic steady-state rate equation for catalysed, template-directed polymerisation reactions with varying monomer stoichiometry and varying chain length. The derivation is based on a classical Michaelis-Menten mechanism with template binding and an arbitrary number of chain elongation steps that produce a polymer composed of an arbitrary number of monomer types. The rate equation only requires the identity of the first dimer in the polymer sequence; for the remainder only the monomer composition needs be known. Further simplification of a term in the denominator yielded an equation requiring no positional information at all, only the monomer composition of the polymer; this equation still gave an excellent estimate of the reaction rate provided that either the monomer concentrations are at least half-saturating, or the polymer is very long. Copyright © 2013 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Swedish strategy and method for development of a national healthcare information architecture.

PubMed

Rosenälv, Jessica; Lundell, Karl-Henrik

2012-01-01

"We need a precise framework of regulations in order to maintain appropriate and structured health care documentation that ensures that the information maintains a sufficient level of quality to be used in treatment, in research and by the actual patient. The users shall be aided by clearly and uniformly defined terms and concepts, and there should be an information structure that clarifies what to document and how to make the information more useful. Most of all, we need to standardize the information, not just the technical systems." (eHälsa - nytta och näring, Riksdag report 2011/12:RFR5, p. 37). In 2010, the Swedish Government adopted the National e-Health - the national strategy for accessible and secure information in healthcare. The strategy is a revision and extension of the previous strategy from 2006, which was used as input for the most recent efforts to develop a national information structure utilizing business-oriented generic models. A national decision on healthcare informatics standards was made by the Swedish County Councils, which decided to follow and use EN/ISO 13606 as a standard for the development of a universally applicable information structure, including archetypes and templates. The overall aim of the Swedish strategy for development of National Healthcare Information Architecture is to achieve high level semantic interoperability for clinical content and clinical contexts. High level semantic interoperability requires consistently structured clinical data and other types of data with coherent traceability to be mapped to reference clinical models. Archetypes that are formal definitions of the clinical and demographic concepts and some administrative data were developed. Each archetype describes the information structure and content of overarching core clinical concepts. Information that is defined in archetypes should be used for different purposes. Generic clinical process model was made concrete and analyzed. For each decision-making step in the process where information is processed, the amount and type of information and its structure were defined in terms of reference templates. Reference templates manage clinical, administrative and demographic types of information in a specific clinical context. Based on a survey of clinical processes at the reference level, the identification of specific clinical processes such as diabetes and congestive heart failure in adults were made. Process-specific templates were defined by using reference templates and populated with information that was relevant to each health problem in a specific clinical context. Throughout this process, medical data for knowledge management were collected for each health problem. Parallel with the efforts to define archetypes and templates, terminology binding work is on-going. Different strategies are used depending on the terminology binding level.

Infrared dim moving target tracking via sparsity-based discriminative classifier and convolutional network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Kun; Zhou, Huixin; Wang, Bingjian; Song, Shangzhen; Zhao, Dong

2017-11-01

Infrared dim and small target tracking is a great challenging task. The main challenge for target tracking is to account for appearance change of an object, which submerges in the cluttered background. An efficient appearance model that exploits both the global template and local representation over infrared image sequences is constructed for dim moving target tracking. A Sparsity-based Discriminative Classifier (SDC) and a Convolutional Network-based Generative Model (CNGM) are combined with a prior model. In the SDC model, a sparse representation-based algorithm is adopted to calculate the confidence value that assigns more weights to target templates than negative background templates. In the CNGM model, simple cell feature maps are obtained by calculating the convolution between target templates and fixed filters, which are extracted from the target region at the first frame. These maps measure similarities between each filter and local intensity patterns across the target template, therefore encoding its local structural information. Then, all the maps form a representation, preserving the inner geometric layout of a candidate template. Furthermore, the fixed target template set is processed via an efficient prior model. The same operation is applied to candidate templates in the CNGM model. The online update scheme not only accounts for appearance variations but also alleviates the migration problem. At last, collaborative confidence values of particles are utilized to generate particles' importance weights. Experiments on various infrared sequences have validated the tracking capability of the presented algorithm. Experimental results show that this algorithm runs in real-time and provides a higher accuracy than state of the art algorithms.

Inter-ictal spike detection using a database of smart templates.

PubMed

Lodder, Shaun S; Askamp, Jessica; van Putten, Michel J A M

2013-12-01

Visual analysis of EEG is time consuming and suffers from inter-observer variability. Assisted automated analysis helps by summarizing key aspects for the reviewer and providing consistent feedback. Our objective is to design an accurate and robust system for the detection of inter-ictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in scalp EEG. IED Templates are extracted from the raw data of an EEG training set. By construction, the templates are given the ability to learn by searching for other IEDs within the training set using a time-shifted correlation. True and false detections are remembered and classifiers are trained for improving future predictions. During detection, trained templates search for IEDs in the new EEG. Overlapping detections from all templates are grouped and form one IED. Certainty values are added based on the reliability of the templates involved. For evaluation, 2160 templates were used on an evaluation dataset of 15 continuous recordings containing 241 IEDs (0.79/min). Sensitivities up to 0.99 (7.24fp/min) were reached. To reduce false detections, higher certainty thresholds led to a mean sensitivity of 0.90 with 2.36fp/min. By using many templates, this technique is less vulnerable to variations in spike morphology. A certainty value for each detection allows the system to present findings in a more efficient manner and simplifies the review process. Automated spike detection can assist in visual interpretation of the EEG which may lead to faster review times. Copyright © 2013 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Security enhanced BioEncoding for protecting iris codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouda, Osama; Tsumura, Norimichi; Nakaguchi, Toshiya

2011-06-01

Improving the security of biometric template protection techniques is a key prerequisite for the widespread deployment of biometric technologies. BioEncoding is a recently proposed template protection scheme, based on the concept of cancelable biometrics, for protecting biometric templates represented as binary strings such as iris codes. The main advantage of BioEncoding over other template protection schemes is that it does not require user-specific keys and/or tokens during verification. Besides, it satisfies all the requirements of the cancelable biometrics construct without deteriorating the matching accuracy. However, although it has been shown that BioEncoding is secure enough against simple brute-force search attacks, the security of BioEncoded templates against more smart attacks, such as record multiplicity attacks, has not been sufficiently investigated. In this paper, a rigorous security analysis of BioEncoding is presented. Firstly, resistance of BioEncoded templates against brute-force attacks is revisited thoroughly. Secondly, we show that although the cancelable transformation employed in BioEncoding might be non-invertible for a single protected template, the original iris code could be inverted by correlating several templates used in different applications but created from the same iris. Accordingly, we propose an important modification to the BioEncoding transformation process in order to hinder attackers from exploiting this type of attacks. The effectiveness of adopting the suggested modification is validated and its impact on the matching accuracy is investigated empirically using CASIA-IrisV3-Interval dataset. Experimental results confirm the efficacy of the proposed approach and show that it preserves the matching accuracy of the unprotected iris recognition system.

An Intriguing Method for Fabricating Arbitrarily Shaped “Matreshka” Hydrogels Using a Self-Healing Template

PubMed Central

Sato, Takeshi; Uto, Koichiro; Aoyagi, Takao; Ebara, Mitsuhiro

2016-01-01

This work describes an intriguing strategy for the creation of arbitrarily shaped hydrogels utilizing a self-healing template (SHT). A SHT was loaded with a photo-crosslinkable monomer, PEG diacrylate (PEGDA), and then ultraviolet light (UV) crosslinked after first shaping. The SHT template was removed by simple washing with water, leaving behind the hydrogel in the desired physical shape. A hierarchical 3D structure such as “Matreshka” boxes were successfully prepared by simply repeating the “self-healing” and “photo-irradiation” processes. We have also explored the potential of the SHT system for the manipulation of cells. PMID:28773983

Template-free magnesium oxide hollow sphere inclusion in organic-inorganic hybrid films via sol-gel reaction.

PubMed

Kang, Eun-Seok; Takahashi, Masahide; Tokuda, Yomei; Yoko, Toshinobu

2006-06-06

Magnesium oxide hollow spheres without a template core were conveniently prepared by stabilized bubble formation in a hybrid solution containing a magnesium acetate precursor, thus avoiding the complicated preparation process using a template. The hollow sphere could be aligned along the radial striation by spin coating, and its diameter from a micrometer to submicrometer dimension could be easily modified by the solution composition. It was also possible to control the open or closed hollow sphere by changing the solvent. Thus, the produced magnesium oxide hollow sphere is envisioned to have applications in many areas such as medicine, analysis, optics, and so on.

Fabrication of polystyrene/gold nanotubes and nanostructure-controlled growth of aluminate.

PubMed

Zhu, Haifeng; Ai, Sufen; He, Qiang; Cui, Yue; Li, Junbai

2007-07-01

Direct adsorption of gold nanoparticles in the inner of alumina template and following immersion of polystyrene (PS) dichloromethane solution in the template resulted in the fabrication of composite nanotubes of PS and gold nanoparticles. Several methods have been used to characterize the tubular structure. Nanostructured sodium aluminates were formed when the anodic alumina oxide membrane was dissolved by the sodium hydroxide. A "flower" shape was found after etching the template while the synthesis process was recorded as function of a time. The results demonstrate that the shape and size of the aluminates nanostructure can be controlled by etching time and the pore diameter of the alumina membrane.

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.

Semi-automated intra-operative fluoroscopy guidance for osteotomy and external-fixator.

PubMed

Lin, Hong; Samchukov, Mikhail L; Birch, John G; Cherkashin, Alexander

2006-01-01

This paper outlines a semi-automated intra-operative fluoroscopy guidance and monitoring approach for osteotomy and external-fixator application in orthopedic surgery. Intra-operative Guidance module is one component of the "LegPerfect Suite" developed for assisting the surgical correction of lower extremity angular deformity. The Intra-operative Guidance module utilizes information from the preoperative surgical planning module as a guideline to overlay (register) its bone outline semi-automatically with the bone edge from the real-time fluoroscopic C-Arm X-Ray image in the operating room. In the registration process, scaling factor is obtained automatically through matching a fiducial template in the fluoroscopic image and a marker in the module. A triangle metal plate, placed on the operating table is used as fiducial template. The area of template image within the viewing area of the fluoroscopy machine is obtained by the image processing techniques such as edge detection and Hough transformation to extract the template from other objects in the fluoroscopy image. The area of fiducial template from fluoroscopic image is then compared with the area of the marker from the planning so as to obtain the scaling factor. After the scaling factor is obtained, the user can use simple operations by mouse to shift and rotate the preoperative planning to overlay the bone outline from planning with the bone edge from fluoroscopy image. In this way osteotomy levels and external fixator positioning on the limb can guided by the computerized preoperative plan.

System approach to modeling of industrial technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toropov, V. S.; Toropov, E. S.

2018-03-01

The authors presented a system of methods for modeling and improving industrial technologies. The system consists of information and software. The information part is structured information about industrial technologies. The structure has its template. The template has several essential categories used to improve the technological process and eliminate weaknesses in the process chain. The base category is the physical effect that takes place when the technical process proceeds. The programming part of the system can apply various methods of creative search to the content stored in the information part of the system. These methods pay particular attention to energy transformations in the technological process. The system application will allow us to systematize the approach to improving technologies and obtaining new technical solutions.

RNA-Mediated Epigenetic Programming of Genome Rearrangements

PubMed Central

Nowacki, Mariusz; Shetty, Keerthi; Landweber, Laura F.

2012-01-01

RNA, normally thought of as a conduit in gene expression, has a novel mode of action in ciliated protozoa. Maternal RNA templates provide both an organizing guide for DNA rearrangements and a template that can transport somatic mutations to the next generation. This opportunity for RNA-mediated genome rearrangement and DNA repair is profound in the ciliate Oxytricha, which deletes 95% of its germline genome during development in a process that severely fragments its chromosomes and then sorts and reorders the hundreds of thousands of pieces remaining. Oxytricha’s somatic nuclear genome is therefore an epigenome formed through RNA templates and signals arising from the previous generation. Furthermore, this mechanism of RNA-mediated epigenetic inheritance can function across multiple generations, and the discovery of maternal template RNA molecules has revealed new biological roles for RNA and has hinted at the power of RNA molecules to sculpt genomic information in cells. PMID:21801022

Cooperation of catalysts and templates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

White, D. H.; Kanavarioti, A.; Nibley, C. W.; Macklin, J. W.

1986-01-01

In order to understand how self-reproducing molecules could have originated on the primitive Earth or extraterrestrial bodies, it would be useful to find laboratory models of simple molecules which are able to carry out processes of catalysis and templating. Furthermore, it may be anticipated that systems in which several components are acting cooperatively to catalyze each other's synthesis will have different behavior with respect to natural selection than those of purely replicating systems. As the major focus of this work, laboratory models are devised to study the influence of short peptide catalysts on template reactions which produce oligonucleotides or additional peptides. Such catalysts could have been the earliest protoenzymes of selective advantage produced by replicating oligonucleotides. Since this is a complex problem, simpler systems are also studied which embody only one aspect at a time, such as peptide formation with and without a template, peptide catalysis of nontemplated peptide synthesis, and model reactions for replication of the type pioneered by Orgel.

Fabrication of polypyrrole/vanadium oxide nanotube composite with enhanced electrochemical performance as cathode in rechargeable batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xiaowei; Chen, Xu; He, Taoling; Bi, Qinsong; Sun, Li; Liu, Zhu

2017-05-01

Vanadium oxide nanotubes (VOxNTs) with hollow as well as multi-walled features were fabricated under hydrothermal condition by soft-template method. This novel VOxNTs can be used as cathode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), but displaying low specific capacity and poor cycling performance owing to the residual of a mass of soft-template (C12H27N) and intrinsic low conductivity of VOx. Cation exchange technique and oxidative polymerization process of pyrrole monomers were conducted to wipe off partial soft-template without electrochemical activity within VOxNTs and simultaneously form polypyrrole coating on VOxNTs, respectively. The resulting polypyrrole/VOxNTs nanocomposite delivers much improved capacity and cyclic stability. Further optimizations, such as complete elimination of organic template and enhancing the crystallinity, can make this unique nanostructure a promising cathode for LIBs.

Nucleic acid and nucleotide-mediated synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berti, Lorenzo; Burley, Glenn A.

2008-02-01

Since the advent of practical methods for achieving DNA metallization, the use of nucleic acids as templates for the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) has become an active area of study. It is now widely recognized that nucleic acids have the ability to control the growth and morphology of inorganic NPs. These biopolymers are particularly appealing as templating agents as their ease of synthesis in conjunction with the possibility of screening nucleotide composition, sequence and length, provides the means to modulate the physico-chemical properties of the resulting NPs. Several synthetic procedures leading to NPs with interesting photophysical properties as well as studies aimed at rationalizing the mechanism of nucleic acid-templated NP synthesis are now being reported. This progress article will outline the current understanding of the nucleic acid-templated process and provides an up to date reference in this nascent field.

A meta-analysis of the mechanical properties of ice-templated ceramics and metals

PubMed Central

Deville, Sylvain; Meille, Sylvain; Seuba, Jordi

2015-01-01

Ice templating, also known as freeze casting, is a popular shaping route for macroporous materials. Over the past 15 years, it has been widely applied to various classes of materials, and in particular ceramics. Many formulation and process parameters, often interdependent, affect the outcome. It is thus difficult to understand the various relationships between these parameters from isolated studies where only a few of these parameters have been investigated. We report here the results of a meta analysis of the structural and mechanical properties of ice templated materials from an exhaustive collection of records. We use these results to identify which parameters are the most critical to control the structure and properties, and to derive guidelines for optimizing the mechanical response of ice templated materials. We hope these results will be a helpful guide to anyone interested in such materials. PMID:27877817

A meta-analysis of the mechanical properties of ice-templated ceramics and metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deville, Sylvain; Meille, Sylvain; Seuba, Jordi

2015-08-01

Ice templating, also known as freeze casting, is a popular shaping route for macroporous materials. Over the past 15 years, it has been widely applied to various classes of materials, and in particular ceramics. Many formulation and process parameters, often interdependent, affect the outcome. It is thus difficult to understand the various relationships between these parameters from isolated studies where only a few of these parameters have been investigated. We report here the results of a meta analysis of the structural and mechanical properties of ice templated materials from an exhaustive collection of records. We use these results to identify which parameters are the most critical to control the structure and properties, and to derive guidelines for optimizing the mechanical response of ice templated materials. We hope these results will be a helpful guide to anyone interested in such materials.

Role of Replication and CpG Methylation in Fragile X Syndrome CGG Deletions in Primate Cells

PubMed Central

Nichol Edamura, Kerrie; Leonard, Michelle R.; Pearson, Christopher E.

2005-01-01

Instability of the fragile X CGG repeat involves both maternally derived expansions and deletions in the gametes of full-mutation males. It has also been suggested that the absence of aberrant CpG methylation may enhance repeat deletions through an unknown process. The effect of CGG tract length, DNA replication direction, location of replication initiation, and CpG methylation upon CGG stability were investigated using an SV40 primate replication system. Replication-dependant deletions with 53 CGG repeats were observed when replication was initiated proximal to the repeat, with CGG as the lagging-strand template. When we initiated replication further from the repeat, while maintaining CGG as the lagging-strand template or using CCG as the lagging-strand template, significant instability was not observed. CpG methylation of the unstable template stabilized the repeat, decreasing both the frequency and the magnitude of deletion events. Furthermore, CpG methylation slowed the efficiency of replication for all templates. Interestingly, replication forks displayed no evidence of a block at the CGG repeat tract, regardless of replication direction or CpG methylation status. Templates with 20 CGG repeats were stable under all circumstances. These results reveal that CGG deletions occur during replication and are sensitive to replication-fork dynamics, tract length, and CpG methylation. PMID:15625623

Investigating the effect of sputtering conditions on the physical properties of aluminum thin film and the resulting alumina template

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taheriniya, Shabnam; Parhizgar, Sara Sadat; Sari, Amir Hossein

2018-06-01

To study the alumina template pore size distribution as a function of Al thin film grain size distribution, porous alumina templates were prepared by anodizing sputtered aluminum thin films. To control the grain size the aluminum samples were sputtered with the rate of 0.5, 1 and 2 Å/s and the substrate temperature was either 25, 75 or 125 °C. All samples were anodized for 120 s in 1 M sulfuric acid solution kept at 1 °C while a 15 V potential was being applied. The standard deviation value for samples deposited at room temperature but with different rates is roughly 2 nm in both thin film and porous template form but it rises to approximately 4 nm with substrate temperature. Samples with the average grain size of 13, 14, 18.5 and 21 nm respectively produce alumina templates with an average pore size of 8.5, 10, 15 and 16 nm in that order which shows the average grain size limits the average pore diameter in the resulting template. Lateral correlation length and grain boundary effect are other factors that affect the pore formation process and pore size distribution by limiting the initial current density.

CaTiO.sub.3 Interfacial template structure on semiconductor-based material and the growth of electroceramic thin-films in the perovskite class

DOEpatents

McKee, Rodney Allen; Walker, Frederick Joseph

1998-01-01

A structure including a film of a desired perovskite oxide which overlies and is fully commensurate with the material surface of a semiconductor-based substrate and an associated process for constructing the structure involves the build up of an interfacial template film of perovskite between the material surface and the desired perovskite film. The lattice parameters of the material surface and the perovskite of the template film are taken into account so that during the growth of the perovskite template film upon the material surface, the orientation of the perovskite of the template is rotated 45.degree. with respect to the orientation of the underlying material surface and thereby effects a transition in the lattice structure from fcc (of the semiconductor-based material) to the simple cubic lattice structure of perovskite while the fully commensurate periodicity between the perovskite template film and the underlying material surface is maintained. The film-growth techniques of the invention can be used to fabricate solid state electrical components wherein a perovskite film is built up upon a semiconductor-based material and the perovskite film is adapted to exhibit ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, electro-optic or large dielectric properties during use of the component.

Fabrication of a Ni nano-imprint stamp for an anti-reflective layer using an anodic aluminum oxide template.

PubMed

Park, Eun-Mi; Lim, Seung-Kyu; Ra, Senug-Hyun; Suh, Su-Jung

2013-11-01

Aluminum anodizing can alter pore diameter, density distribution, periodicity and layer thickness in a controlled way. Because of this property, porous type anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) was used as a template for nano-structure fabrication. The alumina layer generated at a constant voltage increased the pore size from 120 nm to 205 nm according to an increasing process time from 60 min to 150 min. The resulting fabricated AAO templates had pore diameters at or less than 200 nm. Ni was sputtered as a conductive layer onto this AAO template and electroplated using DC and pulse power. Comparing these Ni stamps, those generated from electroplating using on/reverse/off pulsing had an ordered pillar array and maintained the AAO template morphology. This stamp was used for nano-imprinting on UV curable resin coated glass wafer. Surface observations via electron microscopy showed that the nano-imprinted patterned had the same shape as the AAO template. A soft mold was subsequently fabricated and nano-imprinted to form a moth-eye structure on the glass wafer. An analysis of the substrate transmittance using UV-VIS/NIR spectroscopy showed that the transmittance of the substrate with the moth-eye structure was 5% greater that the non-patterned substrate.

Template-Based Modeling of Protein-RNA Interactions

PubMed Central

Zheng, Jinfang; Kundrotas, Petras J.; Vakser, Ilya A.

2016-01-01

Protein-RNA complexes formed by specific recognition between RNA and RNA-binding proteins play an important role in biological processes. More than a thousand of such proteins in human are curated and many novel RNA-binding proteins are to be discovered. Due to limitations of experimental approaches, computational techniques are needed for characterization of protein-RNA interactions. Although much progress has been made, adequate methodologies reliably providing atomic resolution structural details are still lacking. Although protein-RNA free docking approaches proved to be useful, in general, the template-based approaches provide higher quality of predictions. Templates are key to building a high quality model. Sequence/structure relationships were studied based on a representative set of binary protein-RNA complexes from PDB. Several approaches were tested for pairwise target/template alignment. The analysis revealed a transition point between random and correct binding modes. The results showed that structural alignment is better than sequence alignment in identifying good templates, suitable for generating protein-RNA complexes close to the native structure, and outperforms free docking, successfully predicting complexes where the free docking fails, including cases of significant conformational change upon binding. A template-based protein-RNA interaction modeling protocol PRIME was developed and benchmarked on a representative set of complexes. PMID:27662342

Solid-Phase Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles with a Reusable Template - "Plastic Antibodies".

PubMed

Poma, Alessandro; Guerreiro, Antonio; Whitcombe, Michael J; Piletska, Elena V; Turner, Anthony P F; Piletsky, Sergey A

2013-06-13

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are generic alternatives to antibodies in sensors, diagnostics and separations. To displace biomolecules without radical changes in infrastructure in device manufacture, MIPs should share their characteristics (solubility, size, specificity and affinity, localized binding domain) whilst maintaining the advantages of MIPs (low-cost, short development time and high stability) hence the interest in MIP nanoparticles. Herein we report a reusable solid-phase template approach (fully compatible with automation) for the synthesis of MIP nanoparticles and their precise manufacture using a prototype automated UV photochemical reactor. Batches of nanoparticles (30-400 nm) with narrow size distributions imprinted with: melamine (d = 60 nm, K d = 6.3 × 10 -8 m), vancomycin (d = 250 nm, K d = 3.4 × 10 -9 m), a peptide (d = 350 nm, K d = 4.8 × 10 -8 m) and proteins have been produced. Our instrument uses a column packed with glass beads, bearing the template. Process parameters are under computer control, requiring minimal manual intervention. For the first time we demonstrate the reliable re-use of molecular templates in the synthesis of MIPs (≥ 30 batches of nanoMIPs without loss of performance). NanoMIPs are produced template-free and the solid-phase acts both as template and affinity separation medium.

Solid-Phase Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles with a Reusable Template – “Plastic Antibodies”

PubMed Central

Poma, Alessandro; Guerreiro, Antonio; Whitcombe, Michael J.; Piletska, Elena V.; Turner, Anthony P.F.; Piletsky, Sergey A.

2016-01-01

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are generic alternatives to antibodies in sensors, diagnostics and separations. To displace biomolecules without radical changes in infrastructure in device manufacture, MIPs should share their characteristics (solubility, size, specificity and affinity, localized binding domain) whilst maintaining the advantages of MIPs (low-cost, short development time and high stability) hence the interest in MIP nanoparticles. Herein we report a reusable solid-phase template approach (fully compatible with automation) for the synthesis of MIP nanoparticles and their precise manufacture using a prototype automated UV photochemical reactor. Batches of nanoparticles (30-400 nm) with narrow size distributions imprinted with: melamine (d = 60 nm, Kd = 6.3 × 10−8 m), vancomycin (d = 250 nm, Kd = 3.4 × 10−9 m), a peptide (d = 350 nm, Kd = 4.8 × 10−8 m) and proteins have been produced. Our instrument uses a column packed with glass beads, bearing the template. Process parameters are under computer control, requiring minimal manual intervention. For the first time we demonstrate the reliable re-use of molecular templates in the synthesis of MIPs (≥ 30 batches of nanoMIPs without loss of performance). NanoMIPs are produced template-free and the solid-phase acts both as template and affinity separation medium. PMID:26869870

Periodic Two-Dimensional GaAs and InGaAs Quantum Rings Grown on GaAs (001) by Droplet Epitaxy.

PubMed

Tung, Kar Hoo Patrick; Huang, Jian; Danner, Aaron

2016-06-01

Growth of ordered GaAs and InGaAs quantum rings (QRs) in a patterned SiO2 nanohole template by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) using droplet epitaxy (DE) process is demonstrated. DE is an MBE growth technique used to fabricate quantum nanostructures of high crystal quality by supplying group III and group V elements in separate phases. In this work, ordered QRs grown on an ordered nanohole template are compared to self-assembled QRs grown with the same DE technique without the nanohole template. This study allows us to understand and compare the surface kinetics of Ga and InGa droplets when a template is present. It is found that template-grown GaAs QRs form clustered rings which can be attributed to low mobility of Ga droplets resulting in multiple nucleation sites for QR formation when As is supplied. However, the case of template-grown InGaAs QRs only one ring is formed per nanohole; no clustering is observed. The outer QR diameter is a close match to the nanohole template diameter. This can be attributed to more mobile InGa droplets, which coalesce from an Ostwald ripening to form a single large droplet before As is supplied. Thus, well-patterned InGaAs QRs are demonstrated and the kinetics of their growth are better understood which could potentially lead to improvements in the future devices that require the unique properties of patterned QRs.

Exemplary design of a DICOM structured report template for CBIR integration into radiological routine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welter, Petra; Deserno, Thomas M.; Gülpers, Ralph; Wein, Berthold B.; Grouls, Christoph; Günther, Rolf W.

2010-03-01

The large and continuously growing amount of medical image data demands access methods with regards to content rather than simple text-based queries. The potential benefits of content-based image retrieval (CBIR) systems for computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) are evident and have been approved. Still, CBIR is not a well-established part of daily routine of radiologists. We have already presented a concept of CBIR integration for the radiology workflow in accordance with the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) framework. The retrieval result is composed as a Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) Structured Reporting (SR) document. The use of DICOM SR provides interchange with PACS archive and image viewer. It offers the possibility of further data mining and automatic interpretation of CBIR results. However, existing standard templates do not address the domain of CBIR. We present a design of a SR template customized for CBIR. Our approach is based on the DICOM standard templates and makes use of the mammography and chest CAD SR templates. Reuse of approved SR sub-trees promises a reliable design which is further adopted to the CBIR domain. We analyze the special CBIR requirements and integrate the new concept of similar images into our template. Our approach also includes the new concept of a set of selected images for defining the processed images for CBIR. A commonly accepted pre-defined template for the presentation and exchange of results in a standardized format promotes the widespread application of CBIR in radiological routine.

X-Aerogels for Structural Components and High Temperature Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

Future NASA missions and space explorations rely on the use of materials that are strong ultra lightweight and able to withstand extreme temperatures. Aerogels are low density (0.01-0.5 g/cu cm) high porosity materials that contain a glass like structure formed through standard sol-gel chemistry. As a result of these structural properties, aerogels are excellent thermal insulators and are able to withstand temperatures in excess of l,000 C. The open structure of aerogels, however, renders these materials extremely fragile (fracturing at stress forces less than 0.5 N/sq cm). The goal of NASA Glenn Research Center is to increase the strength of these materials by templating polymers and metals onto the surface of an aerogel network facilitating the use of this material for practical applications such as structural components of space vehicles used in exploration. The work this past year focused on two areas; (1) the research and development of new templated aerogels materials and (2) process development for future manufacturing of structural components. Research and development occurred on the production and characterization of new templating materials onto the standard silica aerogel. Materials examined included polymers such as polyimides, fluorinated isocyanates and epoxies, and, metals such as silver, gold and platinum. The final properties indicated that the density of the material formed using an isocyanate is around 0.50 g/cc with a strength greater than that of steel and has low thermal conductivity. The process used to construct these materials is extremely time consuming and labor intensive. One aspect of the project involved investigating the feasibility of shortening the process time by preparing the aerogels in the templating solvent. Traditionally the polymerization used THF as the solvent and after several washes to remove any residual monomers and water, the solvent around the aerogels was changed to acetonitrile for the templating step. This process took a couple of days. It was experimentally determined that the polymerization reaction could be done in acetonitrile instead of THF with no detrimental effects to the properties of the resulting aerogel. Other changes in the time needed to crosslink the gels in the isocyanate solution as well as changes to the subsequent washing procedure could also shorten the processing time with no effect on the properties. Processing methods were also developed that allowed a variety of shapes as well as sizes of these materials to be formed.

The opportunity and challenge of spin coat based nanoimprint lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Wooyung; Cho, Jungbin; Choi, Eunhyuk; Lim, Yonghyun; Bok, Cheolkyu; Tsuji, Masatoshi; Kobayashi, Kei; Kono, Takuya; Nakasugi, Tetsuro

2017-03-01

Since multi patterning with spacer was introduced in NAND flash memory1, multi patterning with spacer has been a promising solution to overcome the resolution limit. However, the increase in process cost of multi patterning with spacer must be a serious burden to device manufacturers as half pitch of patterns gets smaller.2, 3 Even though Nano Imprint Lithography (NIL) has been considered as one of strong candidates to avoid cost issue of multi patterning with spacer, there are still negative viewpoints; template damage induced from particles between template and wafer, overlay degradation induced from shear force between template and wafer, and throughput loss induced from dispensing and spreading resist droplet. Jet and Flash Imprint Lithography (J-FIL4, 5, 6) has contributed to throughput improvement, but still has these above problems. J-FIL consists of 5 steps; dispense of resist droplets on wafer, imprinting template on wafer, filling the gap between template and wafer with resist, UV curing, and separation of template from wafer. If dispensing resist droplets by inkjet is replaced with coating resist at spin coater, additional progress in NIL can be achieved. Template damage from particle can be suppressed by thick resist which is spin-coated at spin coater and covers most of particles on wafer, shear force between template and wafer can be minimized with thick resist, and finally additional throughput enhancement can be achieved by skipping dispense of resist droplets on wafer. On the other hand, spin-coat-based NIL has side effect such as pattern collapse which comes from high separation energy of resist. It is expected that pattern collapse can be improved by the development of resist with low separation energy.

Novel organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous materials and nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Qiuwei

Organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous materials have been prepared successfully via the nonsurfactant templated sol-gel pathway using dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid (DBTA) as the templating compound. Styrene and methyl methacrylate polymers have been incorporated into the mesoporous silica matrix on the molecular level. The synthetic conditions have been systematically studied and optimized. Titania based mesoporous materials have also been made using nonionic polyethylene glycol surfactant as the pore forming or structure-directing agent. In all of the above mesoporous materials, pore structures have been studied in detail by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) characterizations. The relationship between the template concentration and the pore parameters has been established. This nonsurfactant templated pathway possesses many advantages over the known surfactant approaches such as low cost, environment friendly and biocompatability. To overcome the drawback of nonsurfactant templated mesoporous materials that lack a well ordered pore structure, a flow induced synthesis has been attempted to orientate the sol-gel solution in order to obtain aligned pore structures. The versatility of this nonsurfactant templated pathway can even be extended to the making of organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposite materials. On the basis of this approach, polymer-silica nanocomposite materials have been prepared using a polymerizable template. It is shown that the organic monomer such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate can act as a template in making nanoporous silica materials and then be further polymerized through a post synthesis technique. The properties and morphology of this new material have been studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy (FTIR). Electroactive organic-inorganic hybrid materials have also been synthesized via the sol-gel process. A coupling agent was used to covalently bond the organic and inorganic species. The morphology and conductivity of the products have been investigated.

Fabrication of self-assembled photonic-crystal structures by centrifugation and spin coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Yan; Schneider, Garrett J.; Wetzel, Eric D.; Prather, Dennis W.

2003-11-01

We have developed a simple, low-cost process for the fabrication of high-quality three-dimensional artificial-opal and inverse-opal photonic crystals. The process is based on the self-assembly of a template from a uniform suspension of polystyrene microspheres, which is sintered for added strength and subsequently back-filled with high-index material. The template formation is assisted by a combination of centrifugation and spin-annealing, which requires relatively short process times and inexpensive laboratory equipment. The process has been used to fabricate polycrystalline photonic crystals with photonic stop gaps in the mid-IR portion of the spectrum. Details of the fabrication process and fabricated samples will be presented. In addition, Fourier-transform IR reflection spectroscopy has been used to characterize the samples; the results are shown to be in excellent agreement with band structure diffraction calculations.

Vertical III-V nanowire device integration on Si(100).

PubMed

Borg, Mattias; Schmid, Heinz; Moselund, Kirsten E; Signorello, Giorgio; Gignac, Lynne; Bruley, John; Breslin, Chris; Das Kanungo, Pratyush; Werner, Peter; Riel, Heike

2014-01-01

We report complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible integration of compound semiconductors on Si substrates. InAs and GaAs nanowires are selectively grown in vertical SiO2 nanotube templates fabricated on Si substrates of varying crystallographic orientations, including nanocrystalline Si. The nanowires investigated are epitaxially grown, single-crystalline, free from threading dislocations, and with an orientation and dimension directly given by the shape of the template. GaAs nanowires exhibit stable photoluminescence at room temperature, with a higher measured intensity when still surrounded by the template. Si-InAs heterojunction nanowire tunnel diodes were fabricated on Si(100) and are electrically characterized. The results indicate a high uniformity and scalability in the fabrication process.

A Robust and Engineerable Self-Assembling Protein Template for the Synthesis and Patterning of Ordered Nanoparticle Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McMillan, R. Andrew; Howard, Jeanie; Zaluzec, Nestor J.; Kagawa, Hiromi K.; Li, Yi-Fen; Paavola, Chad D.; Trent, Jonathan D.

2004-01-01

Self-assembling biomolecules that form highly ordered structures have attracted interest as potential alternatives to conventional lithographic processes for patterning materials. Here we introduce a general technique for patterning materials on the nanoscale using genetically modified protein cage structures called chaperonins that self-assemble into crystalline templates. Constrained chemical synthesis of transition metal nanoparticles is specific to templates genetically functionalized with poly-Histidine sequences. These arrays of materials are ordered by the nanoscale structure of the crystallized protein. This system may be easily adapted to pattern a variety of materials given the rapidly growing list of peptide sequences selected by screening for specificity for inorganic materials.

US-Korea Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, and Information Technology (NBIT) Symbiosys Program - Phase 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-01

diameter, length, and spacing. Fabrication Technology: Synthesis of self-organized AAO ( Anodic aluminum oxide ) templates with controlled diameter...nanowires arrayed in anodized aluminum oxide ( AAO ) templates and the diameter is precisely controlled by using atomic layer deposition (ALD) process...Jin, “Highly Self-assembled Nanotubular Aluminum Oxide by Hard Anodization ”, J. Mater. Res. (in press, December 2010). 3. J.Y. Kim, K. Noh, C. Choi

Costing nursing education programs. It's as easy as 1-2-3.

PubMed

Fisher, M L; Hume, R; Emerick, R

1998-01-01

Staff development departments are pressured to reveal the costs of their educational programs and to compete with outside vendors for programming. The process of implementing a spreadsheet template for costing out staff development programs is described. The template is easy to use and supports "what if" analysis. This model allows educators to evaluate cost implications of curricular decisions and to better negotiate with internal and external customers.

Geometrical modeling of complete dental shapes by using panoramic X-ray, digital mouth data and anatomical templates.

PubMed

Barone, Sandro; Paoli, Alessandro; Razionale, Armando Viviano

2015-07-01

In the field of orthodontic planning, the creation of a complete digital dental model to simulate and predict treatments is of utmost importance. Nowadays, orthodontists use panoramic radiographs (PAN) and dental crown representations obtained by optical scanning. However, these data do not contain any 3D information regarding tooth root geometries. A reliable orthodontic treatment should instead take into account entire geometrical models of dental shapes in order to better predict tooth movements. This paper presents a methodology to create complete 3D patient dental anatomies by combining digital mouth models and panoramic radiographs. The modeling process is based on using crown surfaces, reconstructed by optical scanning, and root geometries, obtained by adapting anatomical CAD templates over patient specific information extracted from radiographic data. The radiographic process is virtually replicated on crown digital geometries through the Discrete Radon Transform (DRT). The resulting virtual PAN image is used to integrate the actual radiographic data and the digital mouth model. This procedure provides the root references on the 3D digital crown models, which guide a shape adjustment of the dental CAD templates. The entire geometrical models are finally created by merging dental crowns, captured by optical scanning, and root geometries, obtained from the CAD templates. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sponge-Templated Macroporous Graphene Network for Piezoelectric ZnO Nanogenerator.

PubMed

Li, Xinda; Chen, Yi; Kumar, Amit; Mahmoud, Ahmed; Nychka, John A; Chung, Hyun-Joong

2015-09-23

We report a simple approach to fabricate zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire based electricity generators on three-dimensional (3D) graphene networks by utilizing a commercial polyurethane (PU) sponge as a structural template. Here, a 3D network of graphene oxide is deposited from solution on the template and then is chemically reduced. Following steps of ZnO nanowire growth, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) backfilling and electrode lamination completes the fabrication processes. When compared to conventional generators with 2D planar geometry, the sponge template provides a 3D structure that has a potential to increase power density per unit area. The modified one-pot ZnO synthesis method allows the whole process to be inexpensive and environmentally benign. The nanogenerator yields an open circuit voltage of ∼0.5 V and short circuit current density of ∼2 μA/cm(2), while the output was found to be consistent after ∼3000 cycles. Finite element analysis of stress distribution showed that external stress is concentrated to deform ZnO nanowires by orders of magnitude compared to surrounding PU and PDMS, in agreement with our experiment. It is shown that the backfilled PDMS plays a crucial role for the stress concentration, which leads to an efficient electricity generation.

Synthesis and characterization of oleic acid surface modified magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles by using biocompatible w/o microemulsion for heavy metal removal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rose, Laili Che; Suhaimi, Hamdan; Mamat, Mazidah; Lik, Thang Zhe

2017-09-01

Oleic acid modified magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (OA-MIONs) was prepared for removal of Cu2+ ion from aqueous solution. OA-MIONs was prepared by W/O microemulsion template which composed of mixed non-ionic surfactants and 1-hexanol as emulsifier. The effect of weight ratio of the constituent of microemulsion template on the physical and chemical properties of OA-MIONs was studied by characterization using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. FT-IR spectra showed that all templates shared similar chemical structure with slight difference in the peak intensity. Scanning electron micrograph illustrated that the OA-MIONs synthesized via template with the lowest weight ratio of emulsifier to heptane had a more regular spherical shape and was well-distributed. XRD had confirmed that the identity of synthesized OA-MIONs was Fe3O4. Based on the characterization result, the template with lowest weight ratio of emulsifier to heptane was chosen for the heavy metal adsorption study. The adsorption capacity OA-MIONs as a function of pH, contact time and adsorbent dosage were studied. The adsorption process reached equilibrium for 90 minutes and successfully adsorbed 43% of Cu2+ ion from aqueous solution. The adsorption behavior was well described by Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity was determined and found to be 555.56 mg/g. The value of Langmuir equilibrium parameter, RL was found between 0 and 1, suggested that a favorable monolayer adsorption process had taken out.

Region Templates: Data Representation and Management for High-Throughput Image Analysis

PubMed Central

Pan, Tony; Kurc, Tahsin; Kong, Jun; Cooper, Lee; Klasky, Scott; Saltz, Joel

2015-01-01

We introduce a region template abstraction and framework for the efficient storage, management and processing of common data types in analysis of large datasets of high resolution images on clusters of hybrid computing nodes. The region template abstraction provides a generic container template for common data structures, such as points, arrays, regions, and object sets, within a spatial and temporal bounding box. It allows for different data management strategies and I/O implementations, while providing a homogeneous, unified interface to applications for data storage and retrieval. A region template application is represented as a hierarchical dataflow in which each computing stage may be represented as another dataflow of finer-grain tasks. The execution of the application is coordinated by a runtime system that implements optimizations for hybrid machines, including performance-aware scheduling for maximizing the utilization of computing devices and techniques to reduce the impact of data transfers between CPUs and GPUs. An experimental evaluation on a state-of-the-art hybrid cluster using a microscopy imaging application shows that the abstraction adds negligible overhead (about 3%) and achieves good scalability and high data transfer rates. Optimizations in a high speed disk based storage implementation of the abstraction to support asynchronous data transfers and computation result in an application performance gain of about 1.13×. Finally, a processing rate of 11,730 4K×4K tiles per minute was achieved for the microscopy imaging application on a cluster with 100 nodes (300 GPUs and 1,200 CPU cores). This computation rate enables studies with very large datasets. PMID:26139953

A Strategy for Reusing the Data of Electronic Medical Record Systems for Clinical Research.

PubMed

Matsumura, Yasushi; Hattori, Atsushi; Manabe, Shiro; Tsuda, Tsutomu; Takeda, Toshihiro; Okada, Katsuki; Murata, Taizo; Mihara, Naoki

2016-01-01

There is a great need to reuse data stored in electronic medical records (EMR) databases for clinical research. We previously reported the development of a system in which progress notes and case report forms (CRFs) were simultaneously recorded using a template in the EMR in order to exclude redundant data entry. To make the data collection process more efficient, we are developing a system in which the data originally stored in the EMR database can be populated within a frame in a template. We developed interface plugin modules that retrieve data from the databases of other EMR applications. A universal keyword written in a template master is converted to a local code using a data conversion table, then the objective data is retrieved from the corresponding database. The template element data, which are entered by a template, are stored in the template element database. To retrieve the data entered by other templates, the objective data is designated by the template element code with the template code, or by the concept code if it is written for the element. When the application systems in the EMR generate documents, they also generate a PDF file and a corresponding document profile XML, which includes important data, and send them to the document archive server and the data sharing saver, respectively. In the data sharing server, the data are represented by an item with an item code with a document class code and its value. By linking a concept code to an item identifier, an objective data can be retrieved by designating a concept code. We employed a flexible strategy in which a unique identifier for a hospital is initially attached to all of the data that the hospital generates. The identifier is secondarily linked with concept codes. The data that are not linked with a concept code can also be retrieved using the unique identifier of the hospital. This strategy makes it possible to reuse any of a hospital's data.

Development and Implementation of a Corriedale Ovine Brain Atlas for Use in Atlas-Based Segmentation.

PubMed

Liyanage, Kishan Andre; Steward, Christopher; Moffat, Bradford Armstrong; Opie, Nicholas Lachlan; Rind, Gil Simon; John, Sam Emmanuel; Ronayne, Stephen; May, Clive Newton; O'Brien, Terence John; Milne, Marjorie Eileen; Oxley, Thomas James

2016-01-01

Segmentation is the process of partitioning an image into subdivisions and can be applied to medical images to isolate anatomical or pathological areas for further analysis. This process can be done manually or automated by the use of image processing computer packages. Atlas-based segmentation automates this process by the use of a pre-labelled template and a registration algorithm. We developed an ovine brain atlas that can be used as a model for neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and focal epilepsy. 17 female Corriedale ovine brains were imaged in-vivo in a 1.5T (low-resolution) MRI scanner. 13 of the low-resolution images were combined using a template construction algorithm to form a low-resolution template. The template was labelled to form an atlas and tested by comparing manual with atlas-based segmentations against the remaining four low-resolution images. The comparisons were in the form of similarity metrics used in previous segmentation research. Dice Similarity Coefficients were utilised to determine the degree of overlap between eight independent, manual and atlas-based segmentations, with values ranging from 0 (no overlap) to 1 (complete overlap). For 7 of these 8 segmented areas, we achieved a Dice Similarity Coefficient of 0.5-0.8. The amygdala was difficult to segment due to its variable location and similar intensity to surrounding tissues resulting in Dice Coefficients of 0.0-0.2. We developed a low resolution ovine brain atlas with eight clinically relevant areas labelled. This brain atlas performed comparably to prior human atlases described in the literature and to intra-observer error providing an atlas that can be used to guide further research using ovine brains as a model and is hosted online for public access.

Determining the Effect of Centrifugal Force on the Desired Growth and Properties of PCPDTBT as p-Type Nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doris, Muhamad; Aziz, Fakhra; Alhummiany, Haya; Bawazeer, Tahani; Alsenany, Nourah; Mahmoud, Alaa; Zakaria, Rozalina; Sulaiman, Khaulah; Supangat, Azzuliani

2017-01-01

In this study, low-bandgap polymer poly{[4,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-cyclopenta-(2,1- b;3,4- b')dithiophen]-2,6-diyl- alt-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)-4,7-diyl} (PCPDTBT) nanostructures have been synthesized via a hard nanoporous alumina template of centrifugal process. Centrifuge has been used to infiltrate the PCPDTBT solution into the nanoporous alumina by varying the rotational speeds. The rotational speed of centrifuge is directly proportional to the infiltration force that penetrates into the nanochannels of the template. By varying the rotational speed of centrifuge, different types of PCPDTBT nanostructures are procured. Infiltration force created during the centrifugal process has been found a dominant factor in tuning the morphological, optical, and structural properties of PCPDTBT nanostructures. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images proved the formation of nanotubes and nanowires. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDX) analysis showed that the nanostructures were composed of PCPDTBT with complete dissolution of the template.

Application of highly ordered carbon nanotubes templates to field-emission organic light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chi-Shing; Su, Shui-Hsiang; Chi, Hsiang-Yu; Yokoyama, Meiso

2009-01-01

An anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template was formed by a two-step anodization process. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were successfully synthesized along with AAO pores and the diameters of CNTs equaled those of AAO pores. The lengths of CNTs during a chemical vapor deposition synthesized process on the AAO template were effectively controlled. These AAO-CNTs exhibit excellent field emission with a low turn-on field (0.7 V/μm) and a low threshold field (1.4 V/μm). The field enhancement factor, calculated from the non-saturated region of the Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) plot, is about 8237. A novel field-emission organic light-emitting diode (FEOLED) combining AAO-CNTs cathodes as electron source with organic electroluminescent (EL) light-emitting layers coated on indium-tin-oxide (ITO) is produced. The uniform and dense luminescence image is obtained in the FEOLEDs. Organic EL light-emitting materials have lower working voltage than inorganic phosphor-coated fluorescent screens.

Jet and flash imprint defectivity: assessment and reduction for semiconductor applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malloy, Matt; Litt, Lloyd C.; Johnson, Steve; Resnick, Douglas J.; Lovell, David

2011-04-01

Defectivity has been historically identified as a leading technical roadblock to the implementation of nanoimprint lithography for semiconductor high volume manufacturing. The lack of confidence in nanoimprint's ability to meet defect requirements originates in part from the industry's past experiences with 1X lithography and the shortage in end-user generated defect data. SEMATECH has therefore initiated a defect assessment aimed at addressing these concerns. The goal is to determine whether nanoimprint, specifically Jet and Flash Imprint Lithography from Molecular Imprints, is capable of meeting semiconductor industry defect requirements. At this time, several cycles of learning have been completed in SEMATECH's defect assessment, with promising results. J-FIL process random defectivity of < 0.1 def/cm2 has been demonstrated using a 120nm half-pitch template, providing proof of concept that a low defect nanoimprint process is possible. Template defectivity has also improved significantly as shown by a pre-production grade template at 80nm pitch. Cycles of learning continue on feature sizes down to 22nm.

Surface-Casting Synthesis of Mesoporous Zirconia with a CMK-5-Like Structure and High Surface Area.

PubMed

Gu, Dong; Schmidt, Wolfgang; Pichler, Christian M; Bongard, Hans-Josef; Spliethoff, Bernd; Asahina, Shunsuke; Cao, Zhengwen; Terasaki, Osamu; Schüth, Ferdi

2017-09-04

About 15 years ago, the Ryoo group described the synthesis of CMK-5, a material consisting of a hexagonal arrangement of carbon nanotubes. Extension of the surface casting synthesis to oxide compositions, however, was not possible so far, in spite of many attempts. Here it is demonstrated, that crystalline mesoporous hollow zirconia materials with very high surface areas up to 400 m 2  g -1 , and in selected cases in the form of CMK-5-like, are indeed accessible via such a surface casting process. The key for the successful synthesis is an increased interaction between the silica hard template surface and the zirconia precursor species by using silanol group-rich mesoporous silica as a hard template. The surface areas of the obtained zirconias exceed those of conventionally hard-templated ones by a factor of two to three. The surface casting process seems to be applicable also to other oxide materials. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Synthesis of molecular imprinting polymers for extraction of gallic acid from urine.

PubMed

Bhawani, Showkat Ahmad; Sen, Tham Soon; Ibrahim, Mohammad Nasir Mohammad

2018-02-21

The molecularly imprinted polymers for gallic acid were synthesized by precipitation polymerization. During the process of synthesis a non-covalent approach was used for the interaction of template and monomer. In the polymerization process, gallic acid was used as a template, acrylic acid as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker and 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator and acetonitrile as a solvent. The synthesized imprinted and non-imprinted polymer particles were characterized by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The rebinding efficiency of synthesized polymer particles was evaluated by batch binding assay. The highly selective imprinted polymer for gallic acid was MIPI1 with a composition (molar ratio) of 1:4:20, template: monomer: cross-linker, respectively. The MIPI1 showed highest binding efficiency (79.50%) as compared to other imprinted and non-imprinted polymers. The highly selective imprinted polymers have successfully extracted about 80% of gallic acid from spiked urine sample.

Gas permeability of ice-templated, unidirectional porous ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seuba, Jordi; Deville, Sylvain; Guizard, Christian; Stevenson, Adam J.

2016-01-01

We investigate the gas flow behavior of unidirectional porous ceramics processed by ice-templating. The pore volume ranged between 54% and 72% and pore size between 2.9 ?m and 19.1 ?m. The maximum permeability (?? m?) was measured in samples with the highest total pore volume (72%) and pore size (19.1 ?m). However, we demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a similar permeability (?? m?) at 54% pore volume by modification of the pore shape. These results were compared with those reported and measured for isotropic porous materials processed by conventional techniques. In unidirectional porous materials tortuosity (?) is mainly controlled by pore size, unlike in isotropic porous structures where ? is linked to pore volume. Furthermore, we assessed the applicability of Ergun and capillary model in the prediction of permeability and we found that the capillary model accurately describes the gas flow behavior of unidirectional porous materials. Finally, we combined the permeability data obtained here with strength data for these materials to establish links between strength and permeability of ice-templated materials.

Removable polytetrafluoroethylene template based epitaxy of ferroelectric copolymer thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Wei; Chen, Qiusong; Zhang, Jian; Wang, Hui; Cheng, Qian; Jiang, Yulong; Zhu, Guodong

2018-04-01

In recent years ferroelectric polymers have shown their great potentials in organic and flexible electronics. To meet the requirements of high-performance and low energy consumption of novel electronic devices and systems, structural and electrical properties of ferroelectric polymer thin films are expected to be further optimized. One possible way is to realize epitaxial growth of ferroelectric thin films via removable high-ordered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) templates. Here two key parameters in epitaxy process, annealing temperature and applied pressure, are systematically studied and thus optimized through structural and electrical measurements of ferroelectric copolymer thin films. Experimental results indicate that controlled epitaxial growth is realized via suitable combination of both parameters. Annealing temperature above the melting point of ferroelectric copolymer films is required, and simultaneously moderate pressure (around 2.0 MPa here) should be applied. Over-low pressure (around 1.0 MPa here) usually results in the failure of epitaxy process, while over-high pressure (around 3.0 MPa here) often results in residual of PTFE templates on ferroelectric thin films.

Rapid direct conversion of Cu2-xSe to CuAgSe nanoplatelets via ion exchange reactions at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moroz, N. A.; Olvera, A.; Willis, G. M.; Poudeu, P. F. P.

2015-05-01

The use of template nanostructures for the creation of photovoltaic and thermoelectric semiconductors is becoming a quickly expanding synthesis strategy. In this work we report a simple two-step process enabling the formation of ternary CuAgSe nanoplatelets with a great degree of control over the composition and shape. Starting with hexagonal nanoplatelets of cubic Cu2-xSe, ternary CuAgSe nanoplatelets were generated through a rapid ion exchange reaction at 300 K using AgNO3 solution. The Cu2-xSe nanoplatelet template and the final CuAgSe nanoplatelets were analyzed by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that both the low temperature pseudotetragonal and the high temperature cubic forms of CuAgSe phase were created while maintaining the morphology of the Cu2-xSe nanoplatelet template. Thermal and electronic transport measurements of hot-pressed pellets of the synthesized CuAgSe nanoplatelets showed a drastic reduction in the thermal conductivity and a sharp transition from n-type (S = -45 μV K-1) to p-type (S = +200 μV K-1) semiconducting behavior upon heating above the structural transition from the low temperature orthorhombic to the high temperature super-ionic cubic phase. This simple reaction process utilizing a template nanostructure matrix represents an energy efficient, cost-efficient, and versatile strategy to create interesting materials with lower defect density and superior thermoelectric performance.The use of template nanostructures for the creation of photovoltaic and thermoelectric semiconductors is becoming a quickly expanding synthesis strategy. In this work we report a simple two-step process enabling the formation of ternary CuAgSe nanoplatelets with a great degree of control over the composition and shape. Starting with hexagonal nanoplatelets of cubic Cu2-xSe, ternary CuAgSe nanoplatelets were generated through a rapid ion exchange reaction at 300 K using AgNO3 solution. The Cu2-xSe nanoplatelet template and the final CuAgSe nanoplatelets were analyzed by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that both the low temperature pseudotetragonal and the high temperature cubic forms of CuAgSe phase were created while maintaining the morphology of the Cu2-xSe nanoplatelet template. Thermal and electronic transport measurements of hot-pressed pellets of the synthesized CuAgSe nanoplatelets showed a drastic reduction in the thermal conductivity and a sharp transition from n-type (S = -45 μV K-1) to p-type (S = +200 μV K-1) semiconducting behavior upon heating above the structural transition from the low temperature orthorhombic to the high temperature super-ionic cubic phase. This simple reaction process utilizing a template nanostructure matrix represents an energy efficient, cost-efficient, and versatile strategy to create interesting materials with lower defect density and superior thermoelectric performance. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr01451d

Processing the Bouguer anomaly map of Biga and the surrounding area by the cellular neural network: application to the southwestern Marmara region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aydogan, D.

2007-04-01

An image processing technique called the cellular neural network (CNN) approach is used in this study to locate geological features giving rise to gravity anomalies such as faults or the boundary of two geologic zones. CNN is a stochastic image processing technique based on template optimization using the neighborhood relationships of cells. These cells can be characterized by a functional block diagram that is typical of neural network theory. The functionality of CNN is described in its entirety by a number of small matrices (A, B and I) called the cloning template. CNN can also be considered to be a nonlinear convolution of these matrices. This template describes the strength of the nearest neighbor interconnections in the network. The recurrent perceptron learning algorithm (RPLA) is used in optimization of cloning template. The CNN and standard Canny algorithms were first tested on two sets of synthetic gravity data with the aim of checking the reliability of the proposed approach. The CNN method was compared with classical derivative techniques by applying the cross-correlation method (CC) to the same anomaly map as this latter approach can detect some features that are difficult to identify on the Bouguer anomaly maps. This approach was then applied to the Bouguer anomaly map of Biga and its surrounding area, in Turkey. Structural features in the area between Bandirma, Biga, Yenice and Gonen in the southwest Marmara region are investigated by applying the CNN and CC to the Bouguer anomaly map. Faults identified by these algorithms are generally in accordance with previously mapped surface faults. These examples show that the geologic boundaries can be detected from Bouguer anomaly maps using the cloning template approach. A visual evaluation of the outputs of the CNN and CC approaches is carried out, and the results are compared with each other. This approach provides quantitative solutions based on just a few assumptions, which makes the method more powerful than the classical methods.

Templated dewetting: designing entirely self-organized platforms for photocatalysis.

PubMed

Altomare, Marco; Nguyen, Nhat Truong; Schmuki, Patrik

2016-12-01

Formation and dispersion of metal nanoparticles on oxide surfaces in site-specific or even arrayed configuration are key in various technological processes such as catalysis, photonics, electrochemistry and for fabricating electrodes, sensors, memory devices, and magnetic, optical, and plasmonic platforms. A crucial aspect towards an efficient performance of many of these metal/metal oxide arrangements is a reliable fabrication approach. Since the early works on graphoepitaxy in the 70s, solid state dewetting of metal films on patterned surfaces has been much explored and regarded as a most effective tool to form defined arrays of ordered metal particles on a desired substrate. While templated dewetting has been studied in detail, particularly from a mechanistic perspective on lithographically patterned Si surfaces, the resulting outstanding potential of its applications on metal oxide semiconductors, such as titania, has received only limited attention. In this perspective we illustrate how dewetting and particularly templated dewetting can be used to fabricate highly efficient metal/TiO 2 photocatalyst assemblies e.g. for green hydrogen evolution. A remarkable advantage is that the synthesis of such photocatalysts is completely based on self-ordering principles: anodic self-organized TiO 2 nanotube arrays that self-align to a highest degree of hexagonal ordering are an ideal topographical substrate for a second self-ordering process, that is, templated-dewetting of sputter-deposited metal thin films. The controllable metal/semiconductor coupling delivers intriguing features and functionalities. We review concepts inherent to dewetting and particularly templated dewetting, and outline a series of effective tools that can be synergistically interlaced to reach fine control with nanoscopic precision over the resulting metal/TiO 2 structures (in terms of e.g. high ordering, size distribution, site specific placement, alloy formation) to maximize their photocatalytic efficiency. These processes are easy to scale up and have a high throughput and great potential to be applied to fabricate not only (photo)catalytic materials but also a large palette of other functional nanostructured elements and devices.

Templated dewetting: designing entirely self-organized platforms for photocatalysis

PubMed Central

Altomare, Marco; Nguyen, Nhat Truong

2016-01-01

Formation and dispersion of metal nanoparticles on oxide surfaces in site-specific or even arrayed configuration are key in various technological processes such as catalysis, photonics, electrochemistry and for fabricating electrodes, sensors, memory devices, and magnetic, optical, and plasmonic platforms. A crucial aspect towards an efficient performance of many of these metal/metal oxide arrangements is a reliable fabrication approach. Since the early works on graphoepitaxy in the 70s, solid state dewetting of metal films on patterned surfaces has been much explored and regarded as a most effective tool to form defined arrays of ordered metal particles on a desired substrate. While templated dewetting has been studied in detail, particularly from a mechanistic perspective on lithographically patterned Si surfaces, the resulting outstanding potential of its applications on metal oxide semiconductors, such as titania, has received only limited attention. In this perspective we illustrate how dewetting and particularly templated dewetting can be used to fabricate highly efficient metal/TiO2 photocatalyst assemblies e.g. for green hydrogen evolution. A remarkable advantage is that the synthesis of such photocatalysts is completely based on self-ordering principles: anodic self-organized TiO2 nanotube arrays that self-align to a highest degree of hexagonal ordering are an ideal topographical substrate for a second self-ordering process, that is, templated-dewetting of sputter-deposited metal thin films. The controllable metal/semiconductor coupling delivers intriguing features and functionalities. We review concepts inherent to dewetting and particularly templated dewetting, and outline a series of effective tools that can be synergistically interlaced to reach fine control with nanoscopic precision over the resulting metal/TiO2 structures (in terms of e.g. high ordering, size distribution, site specific placement, alloy formation) to maximize their photocatalytic efficiency. These processes are easy to scale up and have a high throughput and great potential to be applied to fabricate not only (photo)catalytic materials but also a large palette of other functional nanostructured elements and devices. PMID:28567258

Generic project definitions for improvement of health care delivery: a case-based approach.

PubMed

Niemeijer, Gerard C; Does, Ronald J M M; de Mast, Jeroen; Trip, Albert; van den Heuvel, Jaap

2011-01-01

The purpose of this article is to create actionable knowledge, making the definition of process improvement projects in health care delivery more effective. This study is a retrospective analysis of process improvement projects in hospitals, facilitating a case-based reasoning approach to project definition. Data sources were project documentation and hospital-performance statistics of 271 Lean Six Sigma health care projects from 2002 to 2009 of general, teaching, and academic hospitals in the Netherlands and Belgium. Objectives and operational definitions of improvement projects in the sample, analyzed and structured in a uniform format and terminology. Extraction of reusable elements of earlier project definitions, presented in the form of 9 templates called generic project definitions. These templates function as exemplars for future process improvement projects, making the selection, definition, and operationalization of similar projects more efficient. Each template includes an explicated rationale, an operationalization in the form of metrics, and a prototypical example. Thus, a process of incremental and sustained learning based on case-based reasoning is facilitated. The quality of project definitions is a crucial success factor in pursuits to improve health care delivery. We offer 9 tried and tested improvement themes related to patient safety, patient satisfaction, and business-economic performance of hospitals.

Fabrication and electrical properties of textured strontium(0.53)barium(0.47)niobium(2)oxygen(6) ceramics prepared by templated grain growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duran, Cihangir

Sr0.53Ba0.47Nb2O6 (SBN53) ceramics were textured by the templated grain growth (TGG), in a matrix of SrNb2O6 and BaNb2O6 powders. Acicular KSr2Nb5O15 (KSN) template particles, synthesized by a molten salt process, were used to texture the samples in the c direction (i.e., [001]). Template growth was assisted by adding V2O5 as a liquid phase former for some compositions. The texture fraction also increased with higher sintering temperatures or times and with initial template concentration due to the preferential growth of the template particles. When V2O5 was present, SBN53 phase formation initiated on the KSN templates and texture development started at temperatures as low as 950°C. Phase formation in the V2O5-free samples, however, initiated in the matrix (i.e., independent of the KSN templates). The liquid phase adversely affected the template growth by favoring anisotropic grain growth in the matrix, which caused lower texture fraction and broader texture distribution in [001] at low template concentrations. Increased template-template interaction (e.g., tangling) during tape casting also resulted in broader texture distribution. Therefore, an optimum template content was found to be ˜10--15 wt%. However, a texture fraction of 0.93 to 0.98 was obtained using only 5 wt% templates when anisotropic matrix grain growth was prevented. Phase evolution was studied in the randomly oriented samples as a function of quenching temperature, heating rate, and liquid phase, using KSN powder (rather than acicular particles) as a seed material. The formation temperature for SBN53 was lowered substantially by adding more seeds, decreasing the heating rate, and introducing a liquid. The temperature decreased from 1260°C for the samples with no seeds to 1130°C for the samples with 15.4 wt% seeds + 0.8 mol% V2O5 at a heating rate of 4°C/min. For the V2O5-free samples, the activation energy was considerably lowered from 554 +/- 15 kJ/mol for the samples with no seeds to 241 +/- 17 kJ/mol for the samples with 15.4 wt% seeds. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties were enhanced in samples with better orientation (i.e., high texture fraction (f) and narrow degree of orientation parameter (r) in the texture direction). The presence of nonferroelectric phases (V2O5 or Nb2O5-based) at the grain boundaries suppressed the observed dielectric properties, especially at the transition temperature. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Photonic crystal beads from gravity-driven microfluidics.

PubMed

Gu, Hongcheng; Rong, Fei; Tang, Baocheng; Zhao, Yuanjin; Fu, Degang; Gu, Zhongze

2013-06-25

This Letter reports a simple method for the mass production of 3D colloidal photonic crystal beads (PCBs) by using a gravity-driven microfluidic device and online droplet drying method. Compared to traditional methods, the droplet templates of the PCBs are generated by using the ultrastable gravity as the driving force for the microfluidics, thus the PCBs are formed with minimal polydispersity. Moreover, drying of the droplet templates is integrated into the production process, and the nanoparticles in the droplets self-assemble online. Overall, this process results in PCBs with good morphology, low polydispersity, brilliant structural colors, and narrow stop bands. PCBs could be bulk generated by this process for many practical applications, such as multiplex-encoded assays and the construction of novel optical materials.

Trials and tribulations: how we established a major incident database.

PubMed

Hardy, S E J; Fattah, S

2017-01-25

We describe the process of setting up a database of major incident reports and its potential future application. A template for reporting on major incidents was developed using a consensus-based process involving a team of experts in the field. A website was set up as a platform from which to launch the template and as a database of submitted reports. This paper describes the processes involved in setting up a major incident reporting database. It describes how specific difficulties have been overcome and anticipates challenges for the future. We have successfully set up a major incident database, the main purpose of which is to have a repository of standardised major incident reports that can be analysed and compared in order to learn from them.

Microparticles Produced by the Hydrogel Template Method for Sustained Drug Delivery

PubMed Central

Lu, Ying; Sturek, Michael; Park, Kinam

2014-01-01

Polymeric microparticles have been used widely for sustained drug delivery. Current methods of microparticle production can be improved by making homogeneous particles in size and shape, increasing the drug loading, and controlling the initial burst release. In the current study, the hydrogel template method was used to produce homogeneous poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles and to examine formulation and process-related parameters. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was used to make hydrogel templates. The parameters examined include PVA molecular weight, type of PLGA (as characterized by lactide content, inherent viscosity), polymer concentration, drug concentration and composition of solvent system. Three model compounds studied were risperidone, methylprednisolone acetate and paclitaxel. The ability of the hydrogel template method to produce microparticles with good conformity to template was dependent on molecular weight of PVA and viscosity of the PLGA solution. Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were found to be influenced by PLGA lactide content, polymer concentration and composition of the solvent system. The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were 28.7% and 82% for risperidone, 31.5% and 90% for methylprednisolone acetate, and 32.2 % and 92 % for paclitaxel, respectively. For all three drugs, release was sustained for weeks, and the in vitro release profile of risperidone was comparable to that of microparticles prepared using the conventional emulsion method. The hydrogel template method provides a new approach of manipulating microparticles. PMID:24333903

Feasibility study of patient-specific surgical templates for the fixation of pedicle screws.

PubMed

Salako, F; Aubin, C-E; Fortin, C; Labelle, H

2002-01-01

Surgery for scoliosis, as well as other posterior spinal surgeries, frequently uses pedicle screws to fix an instrumentation on the spine. Misplacement of a screw can lead to intra- and post-operative complications. The objective of this study is to design patient-specific surgical templates to guide the drilling operation. From the CT-scan of a vertebra, the optimal drilling direction and limit angles are computed from an inverse projection of the pedicle limits. The first template design uses a surface-to-surface registration method and was constructed in a CAD system by subtracting the vertebra from a rectangular prism and a cylinder with the optimal orientation. This template and the vertebra were built using rapid prototyping. The second design uses a point-to-surface registration method and has 6 adjustable screws to adjust the orientation and length of the drilling support device. A mechanism was designed to hold it in place on the spinal process. A virtual prototype was build with CATIA software. During the operation, the surgeon places either template on patient's vertebra until a perfect match is obtained before drilling. The second design seems better than the first one because it can be reused on different vertebra and is less sensible to registration errors. The next step is to build the second design and make experimental and simulations tests to evaluate the benefits of this template during a scoliosis operation.

Synthesis and characterization of inorganic materials precipitated into polymeric and novel liquid crystalline systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lubeck, Christopher Ryan

The use of nanostructured, hybrid materials possesses great future potential. Many examples of nanostructured materials exist within nature, such as animal bone, animal teeth, and seashells. This research, inspired by nature, strove to mimic salient properties of natural materials, utilizing methods observed within nature to produce materials. Further, this research increased the functionality of the templates from "mere" template to functional participant. Different chemical methods to produce hybrid materials were employed within this research to achieve these goals. First, electro-osmosis was utilized to drive ions into a polymeric matrix to form hybrid inorganic polymer material, creating a material inspired by naturally occurring bone or seashell in which the inorganic component provides strength and the polymeric material decreases the brittleness of the combined hybrid material. Second, self-assembled amphiphiles, forming higher ordered structures, acted as a template for inorganic cadmium sulfide. Electronically active molecules based on ethylene oxide and aniline segments were synthesized to create interaction between the templating material and the resulting inorganic cadmium sulfide. The templating process utilized self-assembly to create the inorganic structure through the interaction of the amphiphiles with water. The use of self-assembly is itself inspired by nature. Self-assembled structures are observed within living cells as cell walls and cell membranes are created through hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions. Finally, the mesostructured inorganic cadmium sulfide was itself utilized as a template to form mesostructured copper sulfide.

A template for broad consent in biobank research. Results and explanation of an evidence and consensus-based development process.

PubMed

Strech, D; Bein, S; Brumhard, M; Eisenmenger, W; Glinicke, C; Herbst, T; Jahns, R; von Kielmansegg, S; Schmidt, G; Taupitz, J; Tröger, H D

2016-06-01

Biobanks increasingly presume long-term storage of biomaterials and data that shall be used for future research projects which are today unspecified. Appropriate consent documents for sample donors must therefore explain the breadth of consent and other elements of the biobank governance framework. Recent reviews demonstrated high variability in what issues these documents mention or not and how the issues are explained. This might undermine the protection of sample donors, complicate networked biobank research, create research waste and impact on public trust. A systematic analysis of international research guidelines and existing broad consent templates was performed. Based on this information an interdisciplinary expert group from the AKMEK (Permanent Working Party of German RECs) developed a draft template and organized a comprehensive stakeholder consultation. After revision the final template was consented by all 53 German RECs. This paper briefly explores the spectrum of potentially relevant issues for broad consent forms. It then elaborates the template and how it was designed to be applicable in different types of biobanks. To further improve the validity and applicability of broad consent forms in biobank and other big data research, practice evaluations are needed. We hope that in this regard the presented template supports the development of new consent forms as well as the evaluation and revision of existing ones. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Asymmetric Flasklike Hollow Carbonaceous Nanoparticles Fabricated by the Synergistic Interaction between Soft Template and Biomass.

PubMed

Chen, Chunhong; Wang, Haiyan; Han, Chuanlong; Deng, Jiang; Wang, Jing; Li, Mingming; Tang, Minghui; Jin, Haiyan; Wang, Yong

2017-02-22

The soft template method is broadly applied to the fabrication of hollow-structured nanomaterials. However, due to the instability and the typical spherical shape of these soft templates, the resultant particles have a spherical morphology with a wide size distribution. Herein, we developed a sustainable route to fabricate asymmetric flasklike hollow carbonaceous structures with a highly uniform morphology and a narrow size distribution using the soft template method. A dynamic growth mechanism induced by the synergetic interactions between template and biomass is proposed. The precursors (ribose) provide an acidic environment for sodium oleate during the hydrothermal process in which oleic acid nanoemulsions are initially formed and serve as both template and benign solvent for the amphiphilic derivatives of the precursor. Simultaneously, the cosurfactant P123 facilitates the uniform dispersion of the nanoemulsion and is believed to cause the carbonaceous shells to rupture, providing openings through which the intermediates can enter. These subtle interactions facilitate the formation of the flasklike, asymmetric, hollow, carbonaceous nanoparticles. Furthermore, this unique structure contributes to the high surface area (2335 m 2 g -1 ) of the flasklike carbon particles, which enhances the performance of supercapacitors. These findings may open up an exciting field for exploring anisotropic carbonaceous nanomaterials and for understanding the related mechanisms to provide guidance for the design of increasingly complex carbonaceous materials.

Processing of Nanosensors Using a Sacrificial Template Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biaggi-Labiosa, Azlin M.; Hunter, Gary W.

2012-01-01

A new microsensor fabrication approach has been demonstrated based upon the use of nanostructures as templates. The fundamental idea is that existing nanostructures, such as carbon nano tubes or biological structures, have a material structure that can be used advantageously in order to provide new sensor systems but lack the advantages of some materials to, for example, operate at high temperatures. The approach is to start with a template using nanostructures such as a carbon nanotube. This template can then be coated by an oxide material with higher temperature capabilities. Upon heating in air, the carbon nanotube template is burned off, leaving only the metal oxide nanostructure. The resulting structure has a combination of the crystal structure and surface morphology of the carbon nanotube, combined with the material durability and hightemperature- sensing properties of the metal oxide. Further, since the metal oxide nanocrystals are deposited on the carbon nanotube, after burn-off what is left is a metal oxide porous nanostructure. This makes both the interior and the exterior of this nano structured sensor available for gas species detection. This, in effect, increases the surface area available for sensing, which has been shown in the past to significantly increase sensor performance.

Preparation and Optical Properties of Spherical Inverse Opals by Liquid Phase Deposition Using Spherical Colloidal Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoi, Y.; Tominaga, T.

2013-03-01

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) inverse opals in spherical shape were prepared by liquid phase deposition (LPD) using spherical colloidal crystals as templates. Spherical colloidal crystals were produced by ink-jet drying technique. Aqueous emulsion droplets that contain polystyrene latex particles were ejected into air and dried. Closely packed colloidal crystals with spherical shape were obtained. The obtained spherical colloidal crystals were used as templates for the LPD. The templates were dispersed in the deposition solution of the LPD, i.e. a mixed solution of ammonium hexafluorotitanate and boric acid and reacted for 4 h at 30 °C. After the LPD process, the interstitial spaces of the spherical colloidal crystals were completely filled with titanium oxide. Subsequent heat treatment resulted in removal of templates and spherical titanium dioxide inverse opals. The spherical shape of the template was retained. SEM observations indicated that the periodic ordered voids were surrounded by titanium dioxide. The optical reflectance spectra indicated that the optical properties of the spherical titanium dioxide inverse opals were due to Bragg diffractions from the ordered structure. Filling in the voids of the inverse opals with different solvents caused remarkable changes in the reflectance peak.

A Facile Strategy for In Situ Core-Template-Functionalizing Siliceous Hollow Nanospheres for Guest Species Entrapment

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

The shell wall-functionalized siliceous hollow nanospheres (SHNs) with functional molecules represent an important class of nanocarriers for a rich range of potential applications. Herein, a self-templated approach has been developed for the synthesis of in situ functionalized SHNs, in which the biocompatible long-chain polycarboxylates (i.e., polyacrylate, polyaspartate, gelatin) provide the framework for silica precursor deposition by simply controlling chain conformation with divalent metal ions (i.e., Ca2+, Sr2+), without the intervention of any external templates. Metal ions play crucial roles in the formation of organic vesicle templates by modulating the long chains of polymers and preventing them from separation by washing process. We also show that, by in situ functionalizing the shell wall of SHNs, it is capable of entrapping nearly an eightfold quantity of vitamin Bc in comparison to the bare bulk silica nanospheres. These results confirm the feasibility of guest species entrapment in the functionalized shell wall, and SHNs are effective carriers of guest (bio-)molecules potentially for a variety of biomedical applications. By rationally choosing the functional (self-templating) molecules, this concept may represent a general strategy for the production of functionalized silica hollow structures. PMID:20596316

Single Molecule Bioelectronics and Their Application to Amplification-Free Measurement of DNA Lengths

PubMed Central

Gül, O. Tolga; Pugliese, Kaitlin M.; Choi, Yongki; Sims, Patrick C.; Pan, Deng; Rajapakse, Arith J.; Weiss, Gregory A.; Collins, Philip G.

2016-01-01

As biosensing devices shrink smaller and smaller, they approach a scale in which single molecule electronic sensing becomes possible. Here, we review the operation of single-enzyme transistors made using single-walled carbon nanotubes. These novel hybrid devices transduce the motions and catalytic activity of a single protein into an electronic signal for real-time monitoring of the protein’s activity. Analysis of these electronic signals reveals new insights into enzyme function and proves the electronic technique to be complementary to other single-molecule methods based on fluorescence. As one example of the nanocircuit technique, we have studied the Klenow Fragment (KF) of DNA polymerase I as it catalytically processes single-stranded DNA templates. The fidelity of DNA polymerases makes them a key component in many DNA sequencing techniques, and here we demonstrate that KF nanocircuits readily resolve DNA polymerization with single-base sensitivity. Consequently, template lengths can be directly counted from electronic recordings of KF’s base-by-base activity. After measuring as few as 20 copies, the template length can be determined with <1 base pair resolution, and different template lengths can be identified and enumerated in solutions containing template mixtures. PMID:27348011

Single Molecule Bioelectronics and Their Application to Amplification-Free Measurement of DNA Lengths.

PubMed

Gül, O Tolga; Pugliese, Kaitlin M; Choi, Yongki; Sims, Patrick C; Pan, Deng; Rajapakse, Arith J; Weiss, Gregory A; Collins, Philip G

2016-06-24

As biosensing devices shrink smaller and smaller, they approach a scale in which single molecule electronic sensing becomes possible. Here, we review the operation of single-enzyme transistors made using single-walled carbon nanotubes. These novel hybrid devices transduce the motions and catalytic activity of a single protein into an electronic signal for real-time monitoring of the protein's activity. Analysis of these electronic signals reveals new insights into enzyme function and proves the electronic technique to be complementary to other single-molecule methods based on fluorescence. As one example of the nanocircuit technique, we have studied the Klenow Fragment (KF) of DNA polymerase I as it catalytically processes single-stranded DNA templates. The fidelity of DNA polymerases makes them a key component in many DNA sequencing techniques, and here we demonstrate that KF nanocircuits readily resolve DNA polymerization with single-base sensitivity. Consequently, template lengths can be directly counted from electronic recordings of KF's base-by-base activity. After measuring as few as 20 copies, the template length can be determined with <1 base pair resolution, and different template lengths can be identified and enumerated in solutions containing template mixtures.

Evaluation of accuracy in implant site preparation performed in single- or multi-step drilling procedures.

PubMed

Marheineke, Nadine; Scherer, Uta; Rücker, Martin; von See, Constantin; Rahlf, Björn; Gellrich, Nils-Claudius; Stoetzer, Marcus

2018-06-01

Dental implant failure and insufficient osseointegration are proven results of mechanical and thermal damage during the surgery process. We herein performed a comparative study of a less invasive single-step drilling preparation protocol and a conventional multiple drilling sequence. Accuracy of drilling holes was precisely analyzed and the influence of different levels of expertise of the handlers and additional use of drill template guidance was evaluated. Six experimental groups, deployed in an osseous study model, were representing template-guided and freehanded drilling actions in a stepwise drilling procedure in comparison to a single-drill protocol. Each experimental condition was studied by the drilling actions of respectively three persons without surgical knowledge as well as three highly experienced oral surgeons. Drilling actions were performed and diameters were recorded with a precision measuring instrument. Less experienced operators were able to significantly increase the drilling accuracy using a guiding template, especially when multi-step preparations are performed. Improved accuracy without template guidance was observed when experienced operators were executing single-step versus multi-step technique. Single-step drilling protocols have shown to produce more accurate results than multi-step procedures. The outcome of any protocol can be further improved by use of guiding templates. Operator experience can be a contributing factor. Single-step preparations are less invasive and are promoting osseointegration. Even highly experienced surgeons are achieving higher levels of accuracy by combining this technique with template guidance. Hereby template guidance enables a reduction of hands-on time and side effects during surgery and lead to a more predictable clinical diameter.

A template-free method for stable CuO hollow microspheres fabricated from a metal organic framework (HKUST-1).

PubMed

Zhang, Suoying; Liu, Hong; Liu, Pengfei; Yang, Zhuhong; Feng, Xin; Huo, Fengwei; Lu, Xiaohua

2015-06-07

Uniform CuO hollow microspheres were successfully achieved from a non-uniform metal organic framework by using a template-free method. The process mechanism has been revealed to be spherical aggregation and Ostwald ripening. When tested in CO oxidation and heat treatment, these assembled microspheres exhibited an excellent catalytic performance and show a much better stability than the inherited hollow structure from MOFs.

Controlling porosity in lignin-derived nanoporous carbon for supercapacitor applications

DOE PAGES

Jeon, Ju-Won; Zhang, Libing; Lutkenhaus, Jodie L.; ...

2015-02-01

Low-cost renewable lignin has been used as a precursor to produce porous carbons. However, to date, it has not been easy to obtain high surface area porous carbon without activation processes or templating agents. Here, we demonstrate that low molecular weight lignin yields highly porous carbon (1092 m² g⁻¹) with more graphitization through direct carbonization without additional activation processes or templating agents. We found that molecular weight and oxygen consumption during carbonization are critical factors to obtain high surface area, graphitized porous carbons. This highly porous carbon from low-cost renewable lignin sources is a good candidate for supercapacitor electrode materials.

Controlling porosity in lignin-derived nanoporous carbon for supercapacitor applications

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

Jeon, Ju-Won; Zhang, Libing; Lutkenhaus, Jodie L.

Low-cost renewable lignin has been used as a precursor to produce porous carbons. However, to date, it has not been easy to obtain high surface area porous carbon without activation processes or templating agents. Here, we demonstrate that low molecular weight lignin yields highly porous carbon (1092 m² g⁻¹) with more graphitization through direct carbonization without additional activation processes or templating agents. We found that molecular weight and oxygen consumption during carbonization are critical factors to obtain high surface area, graphitized porous carbons. This highly porous carbon from low-cost renewable lignin sources is a good candidate for supercapacitor electrode materials.

The origin of polynucleotide-directed protein synthesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orgel, Leslie E.

1989-01-01

If protein synthesis evolved in an RNA world it was probably preceded by simpler processes by means of which interaction with amino acids conferred selective advantage on replicating RNA molecules. It is suggested that at first the simple attachment of amino acids to the 2'(3') termini of RNA templates favored initiation of replication at the end of the template rather than at internal positions. The second stage in the evolution of protein synthesis would probably have been the association of pairs of charged RNA adaptors in such a way as to favor noncoded formation of peptides. Only after this process had become efficient could coded synthesis have begun.

Sol-gel (template) synthesis of macroporous Mo-based catalysts for hydrothermal oxidation of radionuclide-organic complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papynov, E. K.; Palamarchuk, M. S.; Mayorov, V. Yu; Modin, E. B.; Portnyagin, A. S.; Sokol'nitskaya, T. A.; Belov, A. A.; Tananaev, I. G.; Avramenko, V. A.

2017-07-01

Molybdenum compounds are industrially demanding as heterogeneous catalysts for oxidation of various organic substances. Highly porous structure of molybdenum-containing catalysts avoids surface's colmatation and prevents blocking catalytic sites that makes these materials play a key role in processes of hydrothermal oxidation of radionuclide organic complexes. The study presents an original way of sol-gel synthesis of new macroporous molybdenum compounds using ;core-shell; colloid template (polymer latex) as poreforming agent. We have described three individual routs of template removal via thermal decomposition to obtain porous materials based on molybdenum compounds. Thermal treatment conditions (temperature, gaseous atmosphere) have been studied with respect to their influence on composition, structure and catalytic properties of synthesized molybdenum systems. The optimal way to synthesis of crystal molybdenum (VI) oxide with ordered porous structure (mean pore size 100-160 nm) has been suggested. Catalytic properties of macroporous molybdenum materials have been investigated in the process of liquid phase and hydrothermal oxidation of such organic substances thiazine and stable Co-EDTA complex. It was shown that macroporous molybdenum oxides could be applied as prospective catalysts for hydrothermal oxidation of organic radionuclide complexes during the processing of radioactive waste.

Pre-mRNA Processing Factor Prp18 Is a Stimulatory Factor of Influenza Virus RNA Synthesis and Possesses Nucleoprotein Chaperone Activity.

PubMed

Minakuchi, M; Sugiyama, K; Kato, Y; Naito, T; Okuwaki, M; Kawaguchi, A; Nagata, K

2017-02-01

The genome of influenza virus (viral RNA [vRNA]) is associated with the nucleoprotein (NP) and viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases and forms helical viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes. The NP-vRNA complex is the biologically active template for RNA synthesis by the viral polymerase. Previously, we identified human pre-mRNA processing factor 18 (Prp18) as a stimulatory factor for viral RNA synthesis using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae replicon system and a single-gene deletion library of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (T. Naito, Y. Kiyasu, K. Sugiyama, A. Kimura, R. Nakano, A. Matsukage, and K. Nagata, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 104:18235-18240, 2007, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0705856104). In infected Prp18 knockdown (KD) cells, the synthesis of vRNA, cRNA, and viral mRNAs was reduced. Prp18 was found to stimulate in vitro viral RNA synthesis through its interaction with NP. Analyses using in vitro RNA synthesis reactions revealed that Prp18 dissociates newly synthesized RNA from the template after the early elongation step to stimulate the elongation reaction. We found that Prp18 functions as a chaperone for NP to facilitate the formation of NP-RNA complexes. Based on these results, it is suggested that Prp18 accelerates influenza virus RNA synthesis as an NP chaperone for the processive elongation reaction. Templates for viral RNA synthesis of negative-stranded RNA viruses are not naked RNA but rather RNA encapsidated by viral nucleocapsid proteins forming vRNP complexes. However, viral basic proteins tend to aggregate under physiological ionic strength without chaperones. We identified the pre-mRNA processing factor Prp18 as a stimulatory factor for influenza virus RNA synthesis. We found that one of the targets of Prp18 is NP. Prp18 facilitates the elongation reaction of viral polymerases by preventing the deleterious annealing of newly synthesized RNA to the template. Prp18 functions as a chaperone for NP to stimulate the formation of NP-RNA complexes. Based on these results, we propose that Prp18 may be required to maintain the structural integrity of vRNP for processive template reading. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Improvement of Polylactide Properties through Cellulose Nanocrystals Embedded in Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Electrospun Nanofibers.

PubMed

López de Dicastillo, Carol; Garrido, Luan; Alvarado, Nancy; Romero, Julio; Palma, Juan Luis; Galotto, Maria Jose

2017-05-11

Electrospun nanofibers of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PV) were obtained to improve dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) within hydrophobic biopolymeric matrices, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Electrospun nanofibers (PV/CNC) n were successfully obtained with a final concentration of 23% ( w / w ) of CNC. Morphological, structural and thermal properties of developed CNC and electrospun nanofibers were characterized. X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis revealed that the crystallinity of PV was reduced by the electrospinning process, and the incorporation of CNC increased the thermal stability of biodegradable nanofibers. Interactions between CNC and PV polymer also enhanced the thermal stability of CNC and improved the dispersion of CNC within the PLA matrix. PLA materials with CNC lyophilized were also casted in order to compare the properties with materials based on CNC containing nanofibers. Nanofibers and CNC were incorporated into PLA at three concentrations: 0.5%, 1% and 3% (CNC respect to polymer weight) and nanocomposites were fully characterized. Overall, nanofibers containing CNC positively modified the physical properties of PLA materials, such as the crystallinity degree of PLA which was greatly enhanced. Specifically, materials with 1% nanofiber 1PLA(PV/CNC) n presented highest improvements related to mechanical and barrier properties; elongation at break was enhanced almost four times and the permeation of oxygen was reduced by approximately 30%.

In vivo carotid artery closure by laser activation of hyaluronan-embedded gold nanorods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matteini, Paolo; Ratto, Fulvio; Rossi, Francesca; Rossi, Giacomo; Esposito, Giuseppe; Puca, Alfredo; Albanese, Alessio; Maira, Giulio; Pini, Roberto

2010-07-01

We prove the first application of near-infrared-absorbing gold nanorods (GNRs) for in vivo laser closure of a rabbit carotid artery. GNRs are first functionalized with a biopolymeric shell and then embedded in hyaluronan, which gives a stabilized and handy laser-activable formulation. Four rabbits undergo closure of a 3-mm longitudinal incision performed on the carotid artery by means of a 810-nm diode laser in conjunction with the topical application of the GNRs composite. An effective surgery is obtained by using a 40-W/cm2 laser power density. The histological and electron microscopy evaluation after a 30-day follow-up demonstrates complete healing of the treated arteries with full re-endothelization at the site of GNRs application. The absence of microgranuloma formation and/or dystrophic calcification is evidence that no host reaction to nanoparticles interspersed through the vascular tissue occurred. The observation of a reshaping and associated blue shift of the NIR absorption band of GNRs after laser treatment supports the occurrence of a self-terminating process, and thus of additional safety of the minimally invasive laser procedure. This study underlines the feasibility of using GNRs for in vivo laser soldering applications, which represents a step forward toward the introduction of nanotechnology-based therapies in minimally invasive clinical practices.

Directed Self-Assembly of Triblock Copolymer on Chemical Patterns for Sub-10-nm Nanofabrication via Solvent Annealing.

PubMed

Xiong, Shisheng; Wan, Lei; Ishida, Yoshihito; Chapuis, Yves-Andre; Craig, Gordon S W; Ruiz, Ricardo; Nealey, Paul F

2016-08-23

Directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) is a leading strategy to pattern at sublithographic resolution in the technology roadmap for semiconductors and is the only known solution to fabricate nanoimprint templates for the production of bit pattern media. While great progress has been made to implement block copolymer lithography with features in the range of 10-20 nm, patterning solutions below 10 nm are still not mature. Many BCP systems self-assemble at this length scale, but challenges remain in simultaneously tuning the interfacial energy atop the film to control the orientation of BCP domains, designing materials, templates, and processes for ultra-high-density DSA, and establishing a robust pattern transfer strategy. Among the various solutions to achieve domains that are perpendicular to the substrate, solvent annealing is advantageous because it is a versatile method that can be applied to a diversity of materials. Here we report a DSA process based on chemical contrast templates and solvent annealing to fabricate 8 nm features on a 16 nm pitch. To make this possible, a number of innovations were brought in concert with a common platform: (1) assembling the BCP in the phase-separated, solvated state, (2) identifying a larger process window for solvated triblock vs diblock BCPs as a function of solvent volume fraction, (3) employing templates for sub-10-nm BCP systems accessible by lithography, and (4) integrating a robust pattern transfer strategy by vapor infiltration of organometallic precursors for selective metal oxide synthesis to prepare an inorganic hard mask.

Development and Implementation of a Generic Analysis Template for Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scola, Salvatore; Stavely, Rebecca; Jackson, Trevor; Boyer, Charlie; Osmundsen, Jim; Turczynski, Craig; Stimson, Chad

2016-01-01

Performance-related effects of system level temperature changes can be a key consideration in the design of many types of optical instruments. This is especially true for space-based imagers, which may require complex thermal control systems to maintain alignment of the optical components. Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) analysis is a multi-disciplinary process that can be used to assess the performance of these optical systems when subjected to the expected design environment. This type of analysis can be very time consuming, which makes it difficult to use as a trade study tool early in the project life cycle. In many cases, only one or two iterations can be performed over the course of a project. This limits the design space to best practices since it may be too difficult, or take too long, to test new concepts analytically. In order to overcome this challenge, automation, and a standard procedure for performing these studies is essential. A methodology was developed within the framework of the Comet software tool that captures the basic inputs, outputs, and processes used in most STOP analyses. This resulted in a generic, reusable analysis template that can be used for design trades for a variety of optical systems. The template captures much of the upfront setup such as meshing, boundary conditions, data transfer, naming conventions, and post-processing, and therefore saves time for each subsequent project. A description of the methodology and the analysis template is presented, and results are described for a simple telescope optical system.

Development and implementation of a generic analysis template for structural-thermal-optical-performance modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scola, Salvatore; Stavely, Rebecca; Jackson, Trevor; Boyer, Charlie; Osmundsen, Jim; Turczynski, Craig; Stimson, Chad

2016-09-01

Performance-related effects of system level temperature changes can be a key consideration in the design of many types of optical instruments. This is especially true for space-based imagers, which may require complex thermal control systems to maintain alignment of the optical components. Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) analysis is a multi-disciplinary process that can be used to assess the performance of these optical systems when subjected to the expected design environment. This type of analysis can be very time consuming, which makes it difficult to use as a trade study tool early in the project life cycle. In many cases, only one or two iterations can be performed over the course of a project. This limits the design space to best practices since it may be too difficult, or take too long, to test new concepts analytically. In order to overcome this challenge, automation, and a standard procedure for performing these studies is essential. A methodology was developed within the framework of the Comet software tool that captures the basic inputs, outputs, and processes used in most STOP analyses. This resulted in a generic, reusable analysis template that can be used for design trades for a variety of optical systems. The template captures much of the upfront setup such as meshing, boundary conditions, data transfer, naming conventions, and post-processing, and therefore saves time for each subsequent project. A description of the methodology and the analysis template is presented, and results are described for a simple telescope optical system.

Sacrificial template method of fabricating a nanotube

DOEpatents

Yang, Peidong [Berkeley, CA; He, Rongrui [Berkeley, CA; Goldberger, Joshua [Berkeley, CA; Fan, Rong [El Cerrito, CA; Wu, Yi-Ying [Albany, CA; Li, Deyu [Albany, CA; Majumdar, Arun [Orinda, CA

2007-05-01

Methods of fabricating uniform nanotubes are described in which nanotubes were synthesized as sheaths over nanowire templates, such as using a chemical vapor deposition process. For example, single-crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires are utilized as templates over which gallium nitride (GaN) is epitaxially grown. The ZnO templates are then removed, such as by thermal reduction and evaporation. The completed single-crystalline GaN nanotubes preferably have inner diameters ranging from 30 nm to 200 nm, and wall thicknesses between 5 and 50 nm. Transmission electron microscopy studies show that the resultant nanotubes are single-crystalline with a wurtzite structure, and are oriented along the <001> direction. The present invention exemplifies single-crystalline nanotubes of materials with a non-layered crystal structure. Similar "epitaxial-casting" approaches could be used to produce arrays and single-crystalline nanotubes of other solid materials and semiconductors. Furthermore, the fabrication of multi-sheath nanotubes are described as well as nanotubes having multiple longitudinal segments.

Graded porous inorganic materials derived from self-assembled block copolymer templates.

PubMed

Gu, Yibei; Werner, Jörg G; Dorin, Rachel M; Robbins, Spencer W; Wiesner, Ulrich

2015-03-19

Graded porous inorganic materials directed by macromolecular self-assembly are expected to offer unique structural platforms relative to conventional porous inorganic materials. Their preparation to date remains a challenge, however, based on the sparsity of viable synthetic self-assembly pathways to control structural asymmetry. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of graded porous carbon, metal, and metal oxide film structures from self-assembled block copolymer templates by using various backfilling techniques in combination with thermal treatments for template removal and chemical transformations. The asymmetric inorganic structures display mesopores in the film top layers and a gradual pore size increase along the film normal in the macroporous sponge-like support structure. Substructure walls between macropores are themselves mesoporous, constituting a structural hierarchy in addition to the pore gradation. Final graded structures can be tailored by tuning casting conditions of self-assembled templates as well as the backfilling processes. We expect that these graded porous inorganic materials may find use in applications including separation, catalysis, biomedical implants, and energy conversion and storage.

Structure and Thermoelectric Properties of Bi2−xSbxTe3 Nanowires Grown in Flexible Nanoporous Polycarbonate Templates

PubMed Central

Datta, Anuja; Sangle, Abhijeet; Hardingham, Nick; Cooper, Charles; Kraan, Max; Ritchie, David; Narayan, Vijay; Kar-Narayan, Sohini

2017-01-01

We report the room-temperature growth of vertically aligned ternary Bi2−xSbxTe3 nanowires of diameter ~200 nm and length ~12 µm, within flexible track-etched nanoporous polycarbonate (PC) templates via a one-step electrodeposition process. Bi2−xSbxTe3 nanowires with compositions spanning the entire range from pure Bi2Te3 (x = 0) to pure Sb2Te3 (x = 2) were systematically grown within the nanoporous channels of PC templates from a tartaric–nitric acid based electrolyte, at the end of which highly crystalline nanowires of uniform composition were obtained. Compositional analysis showed that the Sb concentration could be tuned by simply varying the electrolyte composition without any need for further annealing of the samples. Thermoelectric properties of the Bi2−xSbxTe3 nanowires were measured using a standardized bespoke setup while they were still embedded within the flexible PC templates. PMID:28772915

Weak interfaces for UV cure nanoimprint lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houle, Frances; Fornof, Ann; Simonyi, Eva; Miller, Dolores; Truong, Hoa

2008-03-01

Nanoimprint lithography using a photocurable organic resist provides a means of patterning substrates with a spatial resolution in the few nm range. The usefulness of the technique is limited by defect generation during template removal, which involves fracture at the interface between the template and the newly cured polymer. Although it is critical to have the lowest possible interfacial fracture toughness (Gc less than 0.1 Jm-2) to avoid cohesive failure in the polymer, there is little understanding on how to achieve this using reacting low viscosity resist fluids. Studies of debonding of a series of free-radical cured polyhedral silsesquioxane crosslinker formulations containing selected reactive diluents from fluorosilane-coated quartz template materials will be described. At constant diluent fraction the storage modulus of cured resists follows trends in initial reaction rate, not diluent Tg. Adhesion is uncorrelated with both Tg and storage modulus. XPS studies of near-interface compositions indicate that component segregation within the resist fluid on contact with the template, prior to cure, plays a significant role in controlling the fracture process.

Optically Transparent Wood from a Nanoporous Cellulosic Template: Combining Functional and Structural Performance.

PubMed

Li, Yuanyuan; Fu, Qiliang; Yu, Shun; Yan, Min; Berglund, Lars

2016-04-11

Optically transparent wood (TW) with transmittance as high as 85% and haze of 71% was obtained using a delignified nanoporous wood template. The template was prepared by removing the light-absorbing lignin component, creating nanoporosity in the wood cell wall. Transparent wood was prepared by successful impregnation of lumen and the nanoscale cellulose fiber network in the cell wall with refractive-index-matched prepolymerized methyl methacrylate (MMA). During the process, the hierarchical wood structure was preserved. Optical properties of TW are tunable by changing the cellulose volume fraction. The synergy between wood and PMMA was observed for mechanical properties. Lightweight and strong transparent wood is a potential candidate for lightweight low-cost, light-transmitting buildings and transparent solar cell windows.

Template method for fabricating interdigitate p-n heterojunction for organic solar cell

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are used to fabricate arrays of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) pillars. This technique makes it possible to control the dimensions of the pillars, namely their diameters, intervals, and heights, on a tens-of-nanometer scale. These features are essential for enhancing carrier processes such as carrier generation, exciton diffusion, and carrier dissociation and transport. An interdigitated p-n junction between P3HT pillars and fullerene (C60) exhibits a photovoltaic effect. Although the device properties are still preliminary, the experimental results indicate that an AAO template is an effective tool with which to develop organic solar cells because highly regulated nanostructures can be produced on large areas exceeding 100 mm2. PMID:22908897

Method for making surfactant-templated thin films

DOEpatents

Brinker, C. Jeffrey; Lu, Yunfeng; Fan, Hong You

2010-08-31

An evaporation-induced self-assembly method to prepare a porous, surfactant-templated, thin film by mixing a silica sol, a solvent, a surfactant, and an interstitial compound, evaporating a portion of the solvent to form a liquid, crystalline thin film mesophase material, and then removal of the surfactant template. Coating onto a substrate produces a thin film with the interstitial compound either covalently bonded to the internal surfaces of the ordered or disordered mesostructure framework or physically entrapped within the ordered or disordered mesostructured framework. Particles can be formed by aerosol processing or spray drying rather than coating onto a substrate. The selection of the interstitial compound provides a means for developing thin films for applications including membranes, sensors, low dielectric constant films, photonic materials and optical hosts.

Method for making surfactant-templated thin films

DOEpatents

Brinker, C. Jeffrey; Lu, Yunfeng; Fan, Hongyou

2002-01-01

An evaporation-induced self-assembly method to prepare a porous, surfactant-templated, thin film by mixing a silica sol, a solvent, a surfactant, and an interstitial compound, evaporating a portion of the solvent to form a liquid, crystalline thin film mesophase material, and then removal of the surfactant template. Coating onto a substrate produces a thin film with the interstitial compound either covalently bonded to the internal surfaces of the ordered or disordered mesostructure framework or physically entrapped within the ordered or disordered mesostructured framework. Particles can be formed by aerosol processing or spray drying rather than coating onto a substrate. The selection of the interstitial compound provides a means for developing thin films for applications including membranes, sensors, low dielectric constant films, photonic materials and optical hosts.

Toward a chemiresistive ammonia (NH3) gas sensor based on viral-templated gold nanoparticles embedded in polypyrrole nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Yiran; Zhang, Miluo; Su, Heng Chia; Myung, Nosang V.; Haberer, Elaine D.

2014-08-01

Preliminary studies toward the assembly of a gold-polypyrrole (PPy) peapod-like chemiresistive ammonia (NH3) gas sensors are presented. The proposed synthesis process will use electropolymerization to embed gold nanoparticles in polypyrrole nanowires. Viral-templating of gold nanoparticles and PPy electrodeposition via cyclic voltammetry are the focus of this investigation. A gold-binding M13 bacteriophage was used as a bio-template to assemble continuous chains of gold nanoparticles on interdigitated Pt working electrodes. The dimensions of the resulting nanowire-like structures were examined and the electrical resistance measured. PPy films were electropolymerized using an interdigitated planar, Pt electrode integrated counter and reference electrode. Morphological characterization of the polymer films was completed.

CABS-fold: Server for the de novo and consensus-based prediction of protein structure.

PubMed

Blaszczyk, Maciej; Jamroz, Michal; Kmiecik, Sebastian; Kolinski, Andrzej

2013-07-01

The CABS-fold web server provides tools for protein structure prediction from sequence only (de novo modeling) and also using alternative templates (consensus modeling). The web server is based on the CABS modeling procedures ranked in previous Critical Assessment of techniques for protein Structure Prediction competitions as one of the leading approaches for de novo and template-based modeling. Except for template data, fragmentary distance restraints can also be incorporated into the modeling process. The web server output is a coarse-grained trajectory of generated conformations, its Jmol representation and predicted models in all-atom resolution (together with accompanying analysis). CABS-fold can be freely accessed at http://biocomp.chem.uw.edu.pl/CABSfold.

CABS-fold: server for the de novo and consensus-based prediction of protein structure

PubMed Central

Blaszczyk, Maciej; Jamroz, Michal; Kmiecik, Sebastian; Kolinski, Andrzej

2013-01-01

The CABS-fold web server provides tools for protein structure prediction from sequence only (de novo modeling) and also using alternative templates (consensus modeling). The web server is based on the CABS modeling procedures ranked in previous Critical Assessment of techniques for protein Structure Prediction competitions as one of the leading approaches for de novo and template-based modeling. Except for template data, fragmentary distance restraints can also be incorporated into the modeling process. The web server output is a coarse-grained trajectory of generated conformations, its Jmol representation and predicted models in all-atom resolution (together with accompanying analysis). CABS-fold can be freely accessed at http://biocomp.chem.uw.edu.pl/CABSfold. PMID:23748950

Template synthesis of test tube nanoparticles using non-destructive replication

PubMed Central

Wagner, Jonathan; Yao, Jingyuan; Rodgers, David; Hinds, Bruce

2013-01-01

Nano test tubes are a promising delivery vehicle for a range of therapeutics including small molecule drugs and biologics. However, current template synthesis methods of producing nano test tubes are prohibitively expensive and time consuming. Here, non-destructive template replication was used to increase nano test tube yield from porous alumina by more than a hundredfold. We demonstrate how to produce nano test tubes of several sizes and compositions including hybrid tubes with different inner and outer surfaces for targeted surface chemistry. Nano test tubes were readily suspended and stored in aqueous solutions without the need for chemical treatment. These nano test tubes should find application as delivery vehicles for therapeutics, particularly for processive “bionanoreactors” loaded with enzymes. PMID:23376956

Object-based target templates guide attention during visual search.

PubMed

Berggren, Nick; Eimer, Martin

2018-05-03

During visual search, attention is believed to be controlled in a strictly feature-based fashion, without any guidance by object-based target representations. To challenge this received view, we measured electrophysiological markers of attentional selection (N2pc component) and working memory (sustained posterior contralateral negativity; SPCN) in search tasks where two possible targets were defined by feature conjunctions (e.g., blue circles and green squares). Critically, some search displays also contained nontargets with two target features (incorrect conjunction objects, e.g., blue squares). Because feature-based guidance cannot distinguish these objects from targets, any selective bias for targets will reflect object-based attentional control. In Experiment 1, where search displays always contained only one object with target-matching features, targets and incorrect conjunction objects elicited identical N2pc and SPCN components, demonstrating that attentional guidance was entirely feature-based. In Experiment 2, where targets and incorrect conjunction objects could appear in the same display, clear evidence for object-based attentional control was found. The target N2pc became larger than the N2pc to incorrect conjunction objects from 250 ms poststimulus, and only targets elicited SPCN components. This demonstrates that after an initial feature-based guidance phase, object-based templates are activated when they are required to distinguish target and nontarget objects. These templates modulate visual processing and control access to working memory, and their activation may coincide with the start of feature integration processes. Results also suggest that while multiple feature templates can be activated concurrently, only a single object-based target template can guide attention at any given time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of Mutations Accumulated in rad27Δ Yeast Strains with Defects in the Processing of Okazaki Fragments Indicates Template-Switching Events

PubMed Central

Omer, Sumita; Lavi, Bar; Mieczkowski, Piotr A.; Covo, Shay; Hazkani-Covo, Einat

2017-01-01

Okazaki fragments that are formed during lagging strand DNA synthesis include an initiating primer consisting of both RNA and DNA. The RNA fragment must be removed before the fragments are joined. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a key player in this process is the structure-specific flap endonuclease, Rad27p (human homolog FEN1). To obtain a genomic view of the mutational consequence of loss of RAD27, a S. cerevisiae rad27Δ strain was subcultured for 25 generations and sequenced using Illumina paired-end sequencing. Out of the 455 changes observed in 10 colonies isolated the two most common types of events were insertions or deletions (INDELs) in simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and INDELs mediated by short direct repeats. Surprisingly, we also detected a previously neglected class of 21 template-switching events. These events were presumably generated by quasi-palindrome to palindrome correction, as well as palindrome elongation. The formation of these events is best explained by folding back of the stalled nascent strand and resumption of DNA synthesis using the same nascent strand as a template. Evidence of quasi-palindrome to palindrome correction that could be generated by template switching appears also in yeast genome evolution. Out of the 455 events, 55 events appeared in multiple isolates; further analysis indicates that these loci are mutational hotspots. Since Rad27 acts on the lagging strand when the leading strand should not contain any gaps, we propose a mechanism favoring intramolecular strand switching over an intermolecular mechanism. We note that our results open new ways of understanding template switching that occurs during genome instability and evolution. PMID:28974572

New membrane technologies: Nanotube membranes for biotechnological applications and polyaniline films for corrosion inhibition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasparac, Rahela

Chapter 1 provides background information on the template synthesis of nanomaterials. A description of the types of membranes used for template synthesis is given. Different chemistries that have been used to prepare template-synthesized structures are provided. Template synthesis has been used to prepare some important nanostructures. Polycarbonate membranes were used to prepare gold nanotubes using electroless gold template method. SiO2 nano-test-tubes were made by dipping the alumina template membrane in the sol and heating. An introduction to conductive is presented here as well. Chapter 2 describes the transport of DNA molecules through nanopore membranes. We are interested in how pore diameter of the membrane affects rate and selectivity of DNA transport of different size and charge. Commercially available microporous polycarbonate membrane filters were used. DNA chains can be driven through the nanopore via the electrokinetic transport processes of electrophoresis and electroolsmotic flow, as well as by diffusion. To our knowledge, there have been no quantitative studies of the relative importance of the electrokinetic and diffusive components for DNA transport in a nanopore system. Chapter 3 describes a sol-gel template synthesis process that is used to produce silica nano-test-tubes within the pores of alumina templates. These silica nano-test-tubes are important because of the ease with which nearly any desired chemical or biochemical reagent can be covalently attached to their inside and outside surfaces. Inner and outer surfaces of the silica nano-test-tubes were functionalized using well-known silane chemistry. Green fluorescent silane was attached to the inner surfaces. The outer SiO 2 nano-test-tube surfaces were antibody functionalized using aldehyde methoxysilane linker. One of our key long-range objective is to develop nanotube technology for delivering biomolecules (e.g., DNA) to living cells. Chapter 4 focuses on the mechanism by which polyaniline (PANI) films passivate stainless steel surfaces in highly corrosive H2SO 4 solution. A variety of experimental methods including measurements of the open circuit potential, Auger depth profiling, and the scanning reference electrode technique (SRET) was used. These studies have shown that passivation is achieved because the oxidized and protically-doped emeraldine-salt form of PANI holds the potential of the underlying stainless steel electrode in the passive region. Because of this electrostatic mechanism of corrosion inhibition, the entire stainless steel surface does not have to be coated with PANI in order to achieve passivation.

Optimization of Heterogeneous UAV Communications Using the Multiobjective Quadratic Assignment Problem

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-03-01

definition efficiency is the amount of the time that the processing element is gainfully employed , which is calculated by using the ratio of the... employs an interest- ing form of tournament selection called Pareto domination tournaments. Two members of the population are chosen at random and they...it has a set of solutions and using a template for each solution is not feasible. So the MOMGA employs a different competitive template during the

Improving care transitions from hospital to home: standardized orders for home health nursing with remote telemonitoring.

PubMed

Heeke, Sheila; Wood, Felecia; Schuck, Jennifer

2014-01-01

A task force at a multihospital health care system partnered with home health agencies to improve gaps during the discharge transition process. A standardized order template for home health nursing and remote telemonitoring was developed to decrease discrepancies in communication between hospital health care providers and home health nurses caring for patients with heart failure. Pilot results showed significantly improved communication with no readmissions, using the order template.

Optical properties of template synthesized nanowalled ZnS microtubules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Rajesh; Chakarvarti, S. K.

2007-12-01

Electrodeposition is a versatile technique combining low processing cost with ambient conditions that can be used to prepare metallic, polymeric and semiconducting nano/micro structures. In the present work, track-etch membranes (TEMs) of makrofol (KG) have been used as templates for synthesis of ZnS nanowalled microtubules using electrodeposition technique. The morphology of the microtubules was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Size effects on the band gap of tubules have also been studied by UV-visible spectrophotometer.

Layer-by-Layer Templated Assembly of Silica at the Nanoscale

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

Hinestrosa, Juan Pablo; Sutton, Jonathan E.; Allison, David P.

2013-01-29

Bioinspired bottom-up assembly and layer-by-layer (LbL) construction of inorganic materials from lithographically defined organic templates enables the fabrication of nanostructured systems under mild temperature and pH conditions. Such processes open the door to low-impact manufacturing and facile recycling of hybrid materials for energy, biology, and information technologies. Here, templated LbL assembly of silica was achieved using a combination of electron beam lithography, chemical lift-off, and aqueous solution chemistry. Nanopatterns of lines, honeycomb-lattices, and dot arrays were defined in polymer resist using electron beam lithography. Following development, exposed areas of silicon were functionalized with a vapor deposited amine-silane monolayer. Silicic acidmore » solutions of varying pH and salt content were reacted with the patterned organic amine-functional templates. Vapor treatment and solution reaction could be repeated, allowing LbL deposition. Conditions for the silicic acid deposition had a strong effect on thickness of each layer, and the morphology of the amorphous silica formed. Defects in the arrays of silica nanostructures were minor and do not affect the overall organization of the layers. In conclusion, the bioinspired method described here facilitates the bottom-up assembly of inorganic nanostructures defined in three dimensions and provides a path, via LbL processing, for the construction of layered hybrid materials under mild conditions.« less

Biomimetic/Bioinspired Design of Enzyme@capsule Nano/Microsystems.

PubMed

Shi, J; Jiang, Y; Zhang, S; Yang, D; Jiang, Z

2016-01-01

Enzyme@capsule nano/microsystems, which refer to the enzyme-immobilized capsules, have received tremendous interest owing to the combination of the high catalytic activities of encapsulated enzymes and the hierarchical structure of the capsule. The preparation of capsules and simultaneous encapsulation of enzymes is recognized as the core process for the rational design and construction of enzyme@capsule nano/microsystems. The strategy used has three major steps: (a) generation of the templates, (b) surface coating on the templates, and (c) removal of the templates, and it has been proven to be effective and versatile for the construction of enzyme@capsule nano/microsystems. Several conventional methods, including layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolytes, liquid crystalline templating method, etc., were used to design and construct enzyme@capsule nano/microsystems, but these have two major drawbacks. One is the low mechanical stability of the systems and the second is the harsh conditions used in the construction process. Learning from nature, several biomimetic/bioinspired methods such as biomineralization, biomimetic/bioinspired adhesion, and their combination have been exploited for the construction of enzyme@capsule nano/microsystems. In this chapter, we will present a general protocol for the construction of enzyme@capsule nano/microsystems using the latter approach. Some suggestions for improved design, construction, and characterization will also be presented with detailed procedures for specific examples. © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Compressed ECG biometric: a fast, secured and efficient method for identification of CVD patient.

PubMed

Sufi, Fahim; Khalil, Ibrahim; Mahmood, Abdun

2011-12-01

Adoption of compression technology is often required for wireless cardiovascular monitoring, due to the enormous size of Electrocardiography (ECG) signal and limited bandwidth of Internet. However, compressed ECG must be decompressed before performing human identification using present research on ECG based biometric techniques. This additional step of decompression creates a significant processing delay for identification task. This becomes an obvious burden on a system, if this needs to be done for a trillion of compressed ECG per hour by the hospital. Even though the hospital might be able to come up with an expensive infrastructure to tame the exuberant processing, for small intermediate nodes in a multihop network identification preceded by decompression is confronting. In this paper, we report a technique by which a person can be identified directly from his / her compressed ECG. This technique completely obviates the step of decompression and therefore upholds biometric identification less intimidating for the smaller nodes in a multihop network. The biometric template created by this new technique is lower in size compared to the existing ECG based biometrics as well as other forms of biometrics like face, finger, retina etc. (up to 8302 times lower than face template and 9 times lower than existing ECG based biometric template). Lower size of the template substantially reduces the one-to-many matching time for biometric recognition, resulting in a faster biometric authentication mechanism.

Word Processors and Invention in Technical Writing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barker, Thomas T.

1989-01-01

Explores how word processing affects thinking and writing. Examines two myths surrounding word processors and invention in technical writing. Describes how word processing can enhance invention through collaborative writing, templates, and on-screen outlining. (MM)

Using Fluvial Geomorphology as a Physical Template in Process-Based and Recovery Enhancement Approaches to River Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fryirs, K.

2016-12-01

In an `era of river repair' fluvial geomorphology has emerged as a key science in river management practice. Geomorphologists are ideally placed to use their science in an applied manner to provide guidance on the impact of floods and droughts, landuse and climate change, and water use on river forms, processes and evolution. Increasingly, fluvial geomorphologists are also asked to make forecasts about how systems might adjust in the future, and to work with managers to implement strategies on-the-ground. Using case study material from Eastern Australia (Bega, Hunter, Wollombi and Lockyer catchments) I will focus on how process-based understanding of rivers has developed and evolved to provide a coherent physical template for effective and proactive, river management practice. I will focus on four key principles and demonstrate how geomorphology has been, and should continue to be, used in process-based, recovery enhancement approaches to river management. How understanding the difference between river behaviour and river change is used to determine how a river is `expected' to function, and how to identify anomalous processes requiring a treatment response. How understanding evolutionary trajectory is used to make future forecasts on river condition and recovery potential, and how working with processes can enhance river recovery. How geomorphic information can be used as a physical template atop which to analyse a range of biotic processes and habitat outcomes. How geomorphic information is used to effectively prioritise and plan river conservation and rehabilitation activities as part of catchment and region-scale action plans.

Iris Cryptography for Security Purpose

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ajith, Srighakollapu; Balaji Ganesh Kumar, M.; Latha, S.; Samiappan, Dhanalakshmi; Muthu, P.

2018-04-01

In today's world, the security became the major issue to every human being. A major issue is hacking as hackers are everywhere, as the technology was developed still there are many issues where the technology fails to meet the security. Engineers, scientists were discovering the new products for security purpose as biometrics sensors like face recognition, pattern recognition, gesture recognition, voice authentication etcetera. But these devices fail to reach the expected results. In this work, we are going to present an approach to generate a unique secure key using the iris template. Here the iris templates are processed using the well-defined processing techniques. Using the encryption and decryption process they are stored, traversed and utilized. As of the work, we can conclude that the iris cryptography gives us the expected results for securing the data from eavesdroppers.

Ferritin-Templated Quantum-Dots for Quantum Logic Gates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Sang H.; Kim, Jae-Woo; Chu, Sang-Hyon; Park, Yeonjoon; King, Glen C.; Lillehei, Peter T.; Kim, Seon-Jeong; Elliott, James R.

2005-01-01

Quantum logic gates (QLGs) or other logic systems are based on quantum-dots (QD) with a stringent requirement of size uniformity. The QD are widely known building units for QLGs. The size control of QD is a critical issue in quantum-dot fabrication. The work presented here offers a new method to develop quantum-dots using a bio-template, called ferritin, that ensures QD production in uniform size of nano-scale proportion. The bio-template for uniform yield of QD is based on a ferritin protein that allows reconstitution of core material through the reduction and chelation processes. One of the biggest challenges for developing QLG is the requirement of ordered and uniform size of QD for arrays on a substrate with nanometer precision. The QD development by bio-template includes the electrochemical/chemical reconsitution of ferritins with different core materials, such as iron, cobalt, manganese, platinum, and nickel. The other bio-template method used in our laboratory is dendrimers, precisely defined chemical structures. With ferritin-templated QD, we fabricated the heptagonshaped patterned array via direct nano manipulation of the ferritin molecules with a tip of atomic force microscope (AFM). We also designed various nanofabrication methods of QD arrays using a wide range manipulation techniques. The precise control of the ferritin-templated QD for a patterned arrangement are offered by various methods, such as a site-specific immobilization of thiolated ferritins through local oxidation using the AFM tip, ferritin arrays induced by gold nanoparticle manipulation, thiolated ferritin positioning by shaving method, etc. In the signal measurements, the current-voltage curve is obtained by measuring the current through the ferritin, between the tip and the substrate for potential sweeping or at constant potential. The measured resistance near zero bias was 1.8 teraohm for single holoferritin and 5.7 teraohm for single apoferritin, respectively.

High-resolution in vivo Wistar rodent brain atlas based on T1 weighted image

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Su; Lu, Zhongkang; Huang, Weimin; Seramani, Sankar; Ramasamy, Boominathan; Sekar, Sakthivel; Guan, Cuntai; Bhakoo, Kishore

2016-03-01

Image based atlases for rats brain have a significant impact on pre-clinical research. In this project we acquired T1-weighted images from Wistar rodent brains with fine 59μm isotropical resolution for generation of the atlas template image. By applying post-process procedures using a semi-automatic brain extraction method, we delineated the brain tissues from source data. Furthermore, we applied a symmetric group-wise normalization method to generate an optimized template of T1 image of rodent brain, then aligned our template to the Waxholm Space. In addition, we defined several simple and explicit landmarks to corresponding our template with the well known Paxinos stereotaxic reference system. Anchoring at the origin of the Waxholm Space, we applied piece-wise linear transformation method to map the voxels of the template into the coordinates system in Paxinos' stereotoxic coordinates to facilitate the labelling task. We also cross-referenced our data with both published rodent brain atlas and image atlases available online, methodologically labelling the template to produce a Wistar brain atlas identifying more than 130 structures. Particular attention was paid to the cortex and cerebellum, as these areas encompass the most researched aspects of brain functions. Moreover, we adopted the structure hierarchy and naming nomenclature common to various atlases, so that the names and hierarchy structure presented in the atlas are readily recognised for easy use. It is believed the atlas will present a useful tool in rodent brain functional and pharmaceutical studies.

Probing the Effects of Templating on the UV and Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of Porous Nitrogen-Modified Titania Monoliths for Dye Removal.

PubMed

Nursam, Natalita M; Wang, Xingdong; Tan, Jeannie Z Y; Caruso, Rachel A

2016-07-13

Porous nitrogen-modified titania (N-titania) monoliths with tailored morphologies were prepared using phase separation and agarose gel templating techniques. The doping and templating process were simultaneously carried out in a one-pot step using alcohol amine-assisted sol-gel chemistry. The amount of polymer used in the monoliths that were prepared using phase separation was shown to affect both the physical and optical properties: higher poly(ethylene glycol) content increased the specific surface area, porosity, and visible light absorption of the final materials. For the agarose-templated monoliths, the infiltration conditions affected the monolith morphology. A porous monolith with high surface area and the least shrinkage was obtained when the N containing alkoxide precursor was infiltrated into the agarose scaffolds at 60 °C. The effect of the diverse porous morphologies on the photocatalytic activity of N-titania was studied for the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) under visible and UV light irradiation. The highest visible light activity was achieved by the agarose-templated N-titania monolith, in part due to higher N incorporation. This sample also showed better UV activity, partly because of the higher specific surface area (up to 112 m(2) g(-1)) compared to the phase separation-induced monoliths (up to 103 m(2) g(-1)). Overall, agarose-templated, porous N-titania monoliths provided better features for effectively removing the MB contaminant.

Size Controllable, Transparent, and Flexible 2D Silver Meshes Using Recrystallized Ice Crystals as Templates.

PubMed

Wu, Shuwang; Li, Linhai; Xue, Han; Liu, Kai; Fan, Qingrui; Bai, Guoying; Wang, Jianjun

2017-10-24

Ice templates have been widely utilized for the preparation of porous materials due to the obvious advantages, such as environmentally benign and applicable to a wide range of materials. However, it remains a challenge to have controlled pore size as well as dimension of the prepared porous materials with the conventional ice template, since it often employs the kinetically not-stable growing ice crystals as the template. For example, there is no report so far for the preparation of 2D metal meshes with tunable pore size based on the ice template, although facile and eco-friendly prepared metal meshes are highly desirable for wearable electronics. Here, we report the preparation of 2D silver meshes with tunable mesh size employing recrystallized ice crystals as templates. Ice recrystallization is a kinetically stable process; therefore, the grain size of recrystallized ice crystals can be easily tuned, e.g., by adding different salts and changing the annealing temperature. Consequently, the size and line width of silver meshes obtained after freeze-drying can be easily adjusted, which in turn varied the conductivity of the obtained 2D silver film. Moreover, the silver meshes are transparent and display stable conductivity after the repeated stretching and bending. It can be envisioned that this approach for the preparation of 2D conducting films is of practical importance for wearable electronics. Moreover, this study provides a generic approach for the fabrication of 2D meshes with a controllable pore size.

RNA 3D Structure Modeling by Combination of Template-Based Method ModeRNA, Template-Free Folding with SimRNA, and Refinement with QRNAS.

PubMed

Piatkowski, Pawel; Kasprzak, Joanna M; Kumar, Deepak; Magnus, Marcin; Chojnowski, Grzegorz; Bujnicki, Janusz M

2016-01-01

RNA encompasses an essential part of all known forms of life. The functions of many RNA molecules are dependent on their ability to form complex three-dimensional (3D) structures. However, experimental determination of RNA 3D structures is laborious and challenging, and therefore, the majority of known RNAs remain structurally uncharacterized. To address this problem, computational structure prediction methods were developed that either utilize information derived from known structures of other RNA molecules (by way of template-based modeling) or attempt to simulate the physical process of RNA structure formation (by way of template-free modeling). All computational methods suffer from various limitations that make theoretical models less reliable than high-resolution experimentally determined structures. This chapter provides a protocol for computational modeling of RNA 3D structure that overcomes major limitations by combining two complementary approaches: template-based modeling that is capable of predicting global architectures based on similarity to other molecules but often fails to predict local unique features, and template-free modeling that can predict the local folding, but is limited to modeling the structure of relatively small molecules. Here, we combine the use of a template-based method ModeRNA with a template-free method SimRNA. ModeRNA requires a sequence alignment of the target RNA sequence to be modeled with a template of the known structure; it generates a model that predicts the structure of a conserved core and provides a starting point for modeling of variable regions. SimRNA can be used to fold small RNAs (<80 nt) without any additional structural information, and to refold parts of models for larger RNAs that have a correctly modeled core. ModeRNA can be either downloaded, compiled and run locally or run through a web interface at http://genesilico.pl/modernaserver/ . SimRNA is currently available to download for local use as a precompiled software package at http://genesilico.pl/software/stand-alone/simrna and as a web server at http://genesilico.pl/SimRNAweb . For model optimization we use QRNAS, available at http://genesilico.pl/qrnas .

Sequence of events in measles virus replication: role of phosphoprotein-nucleocapsid interactions.

PubMed

Brunel, Joanna; Chopy, Damien; Dosnon, Marion; Bloyet, Louis-Marie; Devaux, Patricia; Urzua, Erica; Cattaneo, Roberto; Longhi, Sonia; Gerlier, Denis

2014-09-01

The genome of nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses is tightly embedded within a nucleocapsid made of a nucleoprotein (N) homopolymer. To ensure processive RNA synthesis, the viral polymerase L in complex with its cofactor phosphoprotein (P) binds the nucleocapsid that constitutes the functional template. Measles virus P and N interact through two binding sites. While binding of the P amino terminus with the core of N (NCORE) prevents illegitimate encapsidation of cellular RNA, the interaction between their C-terminal domains, P(XD) and N(TAIL) is required for viral RNA synthesis. To investigate the binding dynamics between the two latter domains, the P(XD) F497 residue that makes multiple hydrophobic intramolecular interactions was mutated. Using a quantitative mammalian protein complementation assay and recombinant viruses, we found that an increase in P(XD)-to-N(TAIL) binding strength is associated with a slower transcript accumulation rate and that abolishing the interaction renders the polymerase nonfunctional. The use of a newly developed system allowing conditional expression of wild-type or mutated P genes, revealed that the loss of the P(XD)-N(TAIL) interaction results in reduced transcription by preformed transcriptases, suggesting reduced engagement on the genomic template. These intracellular data indicate that the viral polymerase entry into and progression along its genomic template relies on a protein-protein interaction that serves as a tightly controlled dynamic anchor. Mononegavirales have a unique machinery to replicate RNA. Processivity of their polymerase is only achieved when the genome template is entirely embedded into a helical homopolymer of nucleoproteins that constitutes the nucleocapsid. The polymerase binds to the nucleocapsid template through the phosphoprotein. How the polymerase complex enters and travels along the nucleocapsid template to ensure uninterrupted synthesis of up to ∼ 6,700-nucleotide messenger RNAs from six to ten consecutive genes is unknown. Using a quantitative protein complementation assay and a biGene-biSilencing system allowing conditional expression of two P genes copies, the role of the P-to-N interaction in polymerase function was further characterized. We report here a dynamic protein anchoring mechanism that differs from all other known polymerases that rely only onto a sustained and direct binding to their nucleic acid template. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Human cortical organization for processing vocalizations indicates representation of harmonic structure as a signal attribute

PubMed Central

Lewis, James W.; Talkington, William J.; Walker, Nathan A.; Spirou, George A.; Jajosky, Audrey; Frum, Chris

2009-01-01

The ability to detect and rapidly process harmonic sounds, which in nature are typical of animal vocalizations and speech, can be critical for communication among conspecifics and for survival. Single-unit studies have reported neurons in auditory cortex sensitive to specific combinations of frequencies (e.g. harmonics), theorized to rapidly abstract or filter for specific structures of incoming sounds, where large ensembles of such neurons may constitute spectral templates. We studied the contribution of harmonic structure to activation of putative spectral templates in human auditory cortex by using a wide variety of animal vocalizations, as well as artificially constructed iterated rippled noises (IRNs). Both the IRNs and vocalization sounds were quantitatively characterized by calculating a global harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR). Using fMRI we identified HNR-sensitive regions when presenting either artificial IRNs and/or recordings of natural animal vocalizations. This activation included regions situated between functionally defined primary auditory cortices and regions preferential for processing human non-verbal vocalizations or speech sounds. These results demonstrate that the HNR of sound reflects an important second-order acoustic signal attribute that parametrically activates distinct pathways of human auditory cortex. Thus, these results provide novel support for putative spectral templates, which may subserve a major role in the hierarchical processing of vocalizations as a distinct category of behaviorally relevant sound. PMID:19228981

Automatic capture of attention by conceptually generated working memory templates.

PubMed

Sun, Sol Z; Shen, Jenny; Shaw, Mark; Cant, Jonathan S; Ferber, Susanne

2015-08-01

Many theories of attention propose that the contents of working memory (WM) can act as an attentional template, which biases processing in favor of perceptually similar inputs. While support has been found for this claim, it is unclear how attentional templates are generated when searching real-world environments. We hypothesized that in naturalistic settings, attentional templates are commonly generated from conceptual knowledge, an idea consistent with sensorimotor models of knowledge representation. Participants performed a visual search task in the delay period of a WM task, where the item in memory was either a colored disk or a word associated with a color concept (e.g., "Rose," associated with red). During search, we manipulated whether a singleton distractor in the array matched the contents of WM. Overall, we found that search times were impaired in the presence of a memory-matching distractor. Furthermore, the degree of impairment did not differ based on the contents of WM. Put differently, regardless of whether participants were maintaining a perceptually colored disk identical to the singleton distractor, or whether they were simply maintaining a word associated with the color of the distractor, the magnitude of attentional capture was the same. Our results suggest that attentional templates can be generated from conceptual knowledge, in the physical absence of the visual feature.

Optimizing Pt/TiO2 templates for textured PZT growth and MEMS devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potrepka, Daniel; Fox, Glenn; Sanchez, Luz; Polcawich, Ronald

2013-03-01

Crystallographic texture of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films strongly influences piezoelectric properties used in MEMS applications. Textured growth can be achieved by relying on crystal growth habit and can also be initiated by the use of a seed-layer heteroepitaxial template. Template choice and the process used to form it determine structural quality, ultimately influencing performance and reliability of MEMS PZT devices such as switches, filters, and actuators. This study focuses on how 111-textured PZT is generated by a combination of crystal habit and templating mechanisms that occur in the PZT/bottom-electrode stack. The sequence begins with 0001-textured Ti deposited on thermally grown SiO2 on a Si wafer. The Ti is converted to 100-textured TiO2 (rutile) through thermal oxidation. Then 111-textured Pt can be grown to act as a template for 111-textured PZT. Ti and Pt are deposited by DC magnetron sputtering. TiO2 and Pt film textures and structure were optimized by variation of sputtering deposition times, temperatures and power levels, and post-deposition anneal conditions. The relationship between Ti, TiO2, and Pt texture and their impact on PZT growth will be presented. Also affiliated with U.S. Army Research Lab, Adelphi, MD 20783, USA

Pluronic F127 as auxiliary template for preparing nitrogen and oxygen dual doped mesoporous carbon cathode of lithium-oxygen batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Junwei; Liu, Yanchen; Cui, Yanhui; Ouyang, Jue; Baker, Andrew P.; Li, Zuohua; Zhang, Huayu

2018-02-01

Two mesoporous carbon foam (MCF) with nitrogen and oxygen dual doped are fabricated through facile templated hydrothermal process. One using fumed silica as single template is named S-MCF, and another using fumed silica and Pluronic F127 as double templates is named D-MCF. When using Pluronic F127 as an auxiliary template, the D-MCF shows different porous architecture and surface chemical nature from S-MCF, thus they behave differently as cathode materials in Li-O2 batteries. The D-MCF electrode exhibits a slight lower discharge capacity and an increased overpotential than that of S-SCF due to the decreased surface area and oxygen content. However, a better cycle stability was proved for the D-MCF electrode because of its higher nitrogen and lower oxygen content. When further composited with RuO2 nanoparticles, the RuO2/D-MCF cathode can operate 160 cycles with capacity cutoff of 500 mAh g-1, and this prolonged cycle life, compared to the 102 cycles of S-MCF cathode, verifies the superior electrochemical stability of D-MCF further and illuminates the crucial role of carbon substrate in the cathodes of Li-O2 batteries.

Process Improvement for Interinstitutional Research Contracting

PubMed Central

Logan, Jennifer; Bjorklund, Todd; Whitfield, Jesse; Reed, Peggy; Lesher, Laurie; Sikalis, Amy; Brown, Brent; Drollinger, Sandy; Larrabee, Kristine; Thompson, Kristie; Clark, Erin; Workman, Michael; Boi, Luca

2015-01-01

Abstract Introduction Sponsored research increasingly requires multiinstitutional collaboration. However, research contracting procedures have become more complicated and time consuming. The perinatal research units of two colocated healthcare systems sought to improve their research contracting processes. Methods The Lean Process, a management practice that iteratively involves team members in root cause analyses and process improvement, was applied to the research contracting process, initially using Process Mapping and then developing Problem Solving Reports. Results Root cause analyses revealed that the longest delays were the individual contract legal negotiations. In addition, the “business entity” was the research support personnel of both healthcare systems whose “customers” were investigators attempting to conduct interinstitutional research. Development of mutually acceptable research contract templates and language, chain of custody templates, and process development and refinement formats decreased the Notice of Grant Award to Purchase Order time from a mean of 103.5 days in the year prior to Lean Process implementation to 45.8 days in the year after implementation (p = 0.004). Conclusions The Lean Process can be applied to interinstitutional research contracting with significant improvement in contract implementation. PMID:26083433

Process Improvement for Interinstitutional Research Contracting.

PubMed

Varner, Michael; Logan, Jennifer; Bjorklund, Todd; Whitfield, Jesse; Reed, Peggy; Lesher, Laurie; Sikalis, Amy; Brown, Brent; Drollinger, Sandy; Larrabee, Kristine; Thompson, Kristie; Clark, Erin; Workman, Michael; Boi, Luca

2015-08-01

Sponsored research increasingly requires multiinstitutional collaboration. However, research contracting procedures have become more complicated and time consuming. The perinatal research units of two colocated healthcare systems sought to improve their research contracting processes. The Lean Process, a management practice that iteratively involves team members in root cause analyses and process improvement, was applied to the research contracting process, initially using Process Mapping and then developing Problem Solving Reports. Root cause analyses revealed that the longest delays were the individual contract legal negotiations. In addition, the "business entity" was the research support personnel of both healthcare systems whose "customers" were investigators attempting to conduct interinstitutional research. Development of mutually acceptable research contract templates and language, chain of custody templates, and process development and refinement formats decreased the Notice of Grant Award to Purchase Order time from a mean of 103.5 days in the year prior to Lean Process implementation to 45.8 days in the year after implementation (p = 0.004). The Lean Process can be applied to interinstitutional research contracting with significant improvement in contract implementation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Database interfaces on NASA's heterogeneous distributed database system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, Shou-Hsuan Stephen

1987-01-01

The purpose of Distributed Access View Integrated Database (DAVID) interface module (Module 9: Resident Primitive Processing Package) is to provide data transfer between local DAVID systems and resident Data Base Management Systems (DBMSs). The result of current research is summarized. A detailed description of the interface module is provided. Several Pascal templates were constructed. The Resident Processor program was also developed. Even though it is designed for the Pascal templates, it can be modified for templates in other languages, such as C, without much difficulty. The Resident Processor itself can be written in any programming language. Since Module 5 routines are not ready yet, there is no way to test the interface module. However, simulation shows that the data base access programs produced by the Resident Processor do work according to the specifications.

Using natural language processing to analyze physician modifications to data entry templates.

PubMed Central

Wilcox, Adam B.; Narus, Scott P.; Bowes, Watson A.

2002-01-01

Efficient data entry by clinicians remains a significant challenge for electronic medical records. Current approaches have largely focused on either structured data entry, which can be limiting in expressive power, or free-text entry, which restricts the use of the data for automated decision support. Text-based templates are a semi-structured data entry method that has been used to assist physicians in manually entering clinical notes, by allowing them to edit predefined example notes. We analyzed changes made to 18,726 sentences from text templates, using a natural language processor. The most common changes were addition or deletion of normal observations, or changes in certainty. We identified common modifications that could be captured in structured form by a graphical user interface. PMID:12463955

Options in virtual 3D, optical-impression-based planning of dental implants.

PubMed

Reich, Sven; Kern, Thomas; Ritter, Lutz

2014-01-01

If a 3D radiograph, which in today's dentistry often consists of a CBCT dataset, is available for computerized implant planning, the 3D planning should also consider functional prosthetic aspects. In a conventional workflow, the CBCT is done with a specially produced radiopaque prosthetic setup that makes the desired prosthetic situation visible during virtual implant planning. If an exclusively digital workflow is chosen, intraoral digital impressions are taken. On these digital models, the desired prosthetic suprastructures are designed. The entire datasets are virtually superimposed by a "registration" process on the corresponding structures (teeth) in the CBCTs. Thus, both the osseous and prosthetic structures are visible in one single 3D application and make it possible to consider surgical and prosthetic aspects. After having determined the implant positions on the computer screen, a drilling template is designed digitally. According to this design (CAD), a template is printed or milled in CAM process. This template is the first physically extant product in the entire workflow. The article discusses the options and limitations of this workflow.

W-waves Explain Gravitropism, Phototropism, Sap Flow, Plant Structure, and other Plant Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagner, Raymond E.; Wagner, Orvin E.

1996-11-01

Eight years of research here confirm that plants act as wave guides for W-waves: The wavelengths of these longitudinal plant waves depend on the angle with which they are traveling with respect to the gravitational field. A structure grows tuned to a particular angle under the influence of genetics. If a structure is displaced from this angle plant action produces a correction. (2) Light waves produce certain W-wave modes in the W-wave medium and a plant's response to light results. (3) Wave action produces forces in the plant (that cancel gravity in the vertical case), combined with other affects, and sap flow results. (4) Plant structures are determined by genetics and environment from a set of quantized wavelengths available to all plants. The quantized values available to plants and all life provide templates for life to develop. Compare with quantum mechanics as a template for the structure of matter. Life processes suggest that templates also influence the development and stability of all structures in the universe (see www.chatlink.com/ oedphd/ for references).

[Oligonucleotide derivatives in the nucleic acid hybridization analysis. II. Isothermal signal amplification in process of DNA analysis by minisequencing].

PubMed

Dmitrienko, E V; Khomiakova, E A; Pyshnaia; Bragin, A G; Vedernikov, V E; Pyshnyĭ, D V

2010-01-01

The isothermal amplification of reporter signal via limited probe extension (minisequencing) upon hybridization of nucleic acids has been studied. The intensity of reporter signal has been shown to increase due to enzymatic labeling of multiple probes upon consecutive hybridization with one DNA template both in homophase and heterophase assays using various kinds of detection signal: radioisotope label, fluorescent label, and enzyme-linked assay. The kinetic scheme of the process has been proposed and kinetic parameters for each step have been determined. The signal intensity has been shown to correlate with physicochemical characteristics of both complexes: probe/DNA and product/DNA. The maximum intensity has been observed at minimal difference between the thermodynamic stability of these complexes, provided the reaction temperature has been adjusted near their melting temperature values; rising or lowering the reaction temperature reduces the amount of reporting product. The signal intensity has been shown to decrease significantly upon hybridization with the DNA template containing single-nucleotide mismatches. Limited probe extension assay is useful not only for detection of DNA template but also for its quantitative characterization.

Harmonic template neurons in primate auditory cortex underlying complex sound processing

PubMed Central

Feng, Lei

2017-01-01

Harmonicity is a fundamental element of music, speech, and animal vocalizations. How the auditory system extracts harmonic structures embedded in complex sounds and uses them to form a coherent unitary entity is not fully understood. Despite the prevalence of sounds rich in harmonic structures in our everyday hearing environment, it has remained largely unknown what neural mechanisms are used by the primate auditory cortex to extract these biologically important acoustic structures. In this study, we discovered a unique class of harmonic template neurons in the core region of auditory cortex of a highly vocal New World primate, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), across the entire hearing frequency range. Marmosets have a rich vocal repertoire and a similar hearing range to that of humans. Responses of these neurons show nonlinear facilitation to harmonic complex sounds over inharmonic sounds, selectivity for particular harmonic structures beyond two-tone combinations, and sensitivity to harmonic number and spectral regularity. Our findings suggest that the harmonic template neurons in auditory cortex may play an important role in processing sounds with harmonic structures, such as animal vocalizations, human speech, and music. PMID:28096341

Bioactive gyroid scaffolds formed by sacrificial templating of nanocellulose and nanochitin hydrogels as instructive platforms for biomimetic tissue engineering.

PubMed

Torres-Rendon, Jose Guillermo; Femmer, Tim; De Laporte, Laura; Tigges, Thomas; Rahimi, Khosrow; Gremse, Felix; Zafarnia, Sara; Lederle, Wiltrud; Ifuku, Shinsuke; Wessling, Matthias; Hardy, John G; Walther, Andreas

2015-05-20

A sacrificial templating process using lithographically printed minimal surface structures allows complex de novo geo-metries of delicate hydrogel materials. The hydrogel scaffolds based on cellulose and chitin nanofibrils show differences in terms of attachment of human mesenchymal stem cells, and allow their differentiation into osteogenic outcomes. The approach here serves as a first example toward designer hydrogel scaffolds viable for biomimetic tissue engineering. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

15 maps merged in one data structure - GIS-based template for Dawn at Ceres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naß, A.; Dawn Mapping Team

2017-09-01

Derive regional and global valid statements out of the map (quadrangles) is already a very time intensive task. However, another challenge is how individual mappers can generate one homogenous GIS-based project (w.r.t. geometrical and visual character) representing one geologically-consistent final map. Within this contribution a template will be presented which was generated for the process of the interpretative mapping project of Ceres to accomplish the requirement of unifying and merging individual quadrangle.

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

Shin, Swanee J.; Kozioziemski, Bernard J.

In this work, we performed a series of experiments to elucidate the characteristics of a good template for solid hydrogen nucleation. Zinc stands out among several materials with comparable size and shape. Nucleation could be observed to occur on top of sharp features, such as grain boundaries and cracks, but our attempts proved unsuccessful to fabricate or replicate such features. The variations of the supercooling (ΔT) values measured for comparable samples and the dependence of ΔT on the cell temperature cycling revealed that templated nucleation of solid hydrogen is a very delicate process.

Manufacturing method of photonic crystal

DOEpatents

Park, In Sung; Lee, Tae Ho; Ahn, Jin Ho; Biswas, Rana; Constant, Kristen P.; Ho, Kai-Ming; Lee, Jae-Hwang

2013-01-29

A manufacturing method of a photonic crystal is provided. In the method, a high-refractive-index material is conformally deposited on an exposed portion of a periodic template composed of a low-refractive-index material by an atomic layer deposition process so that a difference in refractive indices or dielectric constants between the template and adjacent air becomes greater, which makes it possible to form a three-dimensional photonic crystal having a superior photonic bandgap. Herein, the three-dimensional structure may be prepared by a layer-by-layer method.

Polyelectrolyte-modified cowpea mosaic virus for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles.

PubMed

Aljabali, Alaa A A; Evans, David J

2014-01-01

Polyelectrolyte surface-modified cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) can be used for the templated synthesis of narrowly dispersed gold nanoparticles. Cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(allylamine) hydrochloride, is electrostatically bound to the external surface of the virus capsid. The polyelectrolyte-coated CPMV promotes adsorption of aqueous gold hydroxide anionic species, prepared from gold(III) chloride and potassium carbonate, that are easily reduced to form CPMV-templated gold nanoparticles. The process is simple and environmentally benign using only water as solvent at ambient temperature.

Use of dextran nanoparticle: A paradigm shift in bacterial exopolysaccharide based biomedical applications.

PubMed

Banerjee, Aparna; Bandopadhyay, Rajib

2016-06-01

This review is a concise compilation of all the major researches on dextran nanoparticle based biomedical applications. Dextran is a highly biocompatible and biodegradable neutral bacterial exopolysaccharide with simple repeating glucose subunits. It's simple yet unique biopolymeric nature made it highly suitable as nanomedicine, nanodrug carrier, and cell imaging system or nanobiosensor. Most importantly, it is extremely water soluble and shows no post drug delivery cellular toxicity. Complete metabolism of dextran is possible inside body thus possibility of renal failure is minimum. Dextran based nanoparticles have superior aqueous solubility, high cargo capacity and intrinsic viscosity, and short storage period. The main focus area of this review is- past and present of major biomedical applications of dextran based nanomaterials thus showing a paradigm shift in bacterial exopolysaccharide based nanobiotechnology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bioinspired synthesis and self-assembly of hybrid organic–inorganic nanomaterials

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

Zhang, Honghu

Nature is replete with complex organic–inorganic hierarchical materials of diverse yet specific functions. These materials are intricately designed under physiological conditions through biomineralization and biological self-assembly processes. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to investigating mechanisms of such biomineralization and biological self-assembly processes as well as gaining inspiration to develop biomimetic methods for synthesis and self-assembly of functional nanomaterials. In this work, we focus on the bioinspired synthesis and self-assembly of functional inorganic nanomaterials templated by specialized macromolecules including proteins, DNA and polymers. The in vitro biomineralization process of the magnetite biomineralizing protein Mms6 has been investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering.more » Templated by Mms6, complex magnetic nanomaterials can be synthesized on surfaces and in the bulk. DNA and synthetic polymers have been exploited to construct macroscopic two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) superlattices of gold nanocrystals. Employing X-ray scattering and spectroscopy techniques, the self-assembled structures and the self-assembly mechanisms have been studied, and theoretical models have been developed. Our results show that specialized macromolecules including proteins, DNA and polymers act as effective templates for synthesis and self-assembly of nanomaterials. These bottom-up approaches provide promising routes to fabricate hybrid organic–inorganic nanomaterials with rationally designed hierarchical structures, targeting specific functions.« less

Real-Time Reconfigurable Adaptive Speech Recognition Command and Control Apparatus and Method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salazar, George A. (Inventor); Haynes, Dena S. (Inventor); Sommers, Marc J. (Inventor)

1998-01-01

An adaptive speech recognition and control system and method for controlling various mechanisms and systems in response to spoken instructions and in which spoken commands are effective to direct the system into appropriate memory nodes, and to respective appropriate memory templates corresponding to the voiced command is discussed. Spoken commands from any of a group of operators for which the system is trained may be identified, and voice templates are updated as required in response to changes in pronunciation and voice characteristics over time of any of the operators for which the system is trained. Provisions are made for both near-real-time retraining of the system with respect to individual terms which are determined not be positively identified, and for an overall system training and updating process in which recognition of each command and vocabulary term is checked, and in which the memory templates are retrained if necessary for respective commands or vocabulary terms with respect to an operator currently using the system. In one embodiment, the system includes input circuitry connected to a microphone and including signal processing and control sections for sensing the level of vocabulary recognition over a given period and, if recognition performance falls below a given level, processing audio-derived signals for enhancing recognition performance of the system.

Synthesis of functional ceramic supports by ice templating and atomic layer deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klotz, Michaela; Weber, Matthieu; Deville, Sylvain; Oison, Didier; Iatsunskyi, Igor; Coy, Emerson; Bechelany, Mikhael

2018-05-01

In this work, we report an innovative route for the manufacturing of functional ceramic supports, by combining ice templating of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 processes. Ceramic YSZ monoliths are prepared using the ice-templating process, which is based on the controlled crystallization of water following a thermal gradient. Sublimation of the ice and the sintering of the material reveal the straight micrometer sized pores shaped by the ice crystal growth. The high temperature sintering allows for the ceramic materials to present excellent mechanical strength and porosities of 67%. Next, the conformality benefit of ALD is used to deposit an alumina coating at the surface of the YSZ pores, in order to obtain a functional material. The Al2O3 thin films obtained by ALD are 100 nm thick and conformally deposited within the macroporous ceramic supports, as shown by SEM and EDS analysis. Mercury intrusion experiments revealed a reduction of the entrance pore diameter, in line with the growth per cycle of 2 Å of the ALD process. In addition to the manufacture of the innovative ceramic nanomaterials, this article also describes the fine characterization of the coatings obtained using mercury intrusion, SEM and XRD analysis.

Mechanistic design data from ODOT instrumented pavement sites : phase II report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-03-01

This investigation examined data obtained from three previously-instrumented pavement test sites in Oregon. Data processing algorithms and templates were developed for each test site that facilitated full processing of all the data to build databases...

Mechanistic design data from ODOT instrumented pavement sites : phase 1 report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-03-01

This investigation examined data obtained from three previously-instrumented pavement test sites in Oregon. Data processing algorithms and templates were developed for each test site that facilitated full processing of all the data to build databases...

Methanol conversion to light olefins over nanostructured CeAPSO-34 catalyst: Thermodynamic analysis of overall reactions and effect of template type on catalytic properties and performance

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

Aghamohammadi, Sogand; Reactor and Catalysis Research Center; Haghighi, Mohammad, E-mail: haghighi@sut.ac.ir

2014-02-01

Graphical abstract: In this research nanostructured CeAPSO-34 was synthesized to explore the effect of TEAOH and morpholine on its physiochemical properties and MTO performance. Prepared catalysts were characterized with XRD, FESEM, BET, FTIR and NH3-TPD techniques. The results indicated that the nature of the template determines the physiochemical properties of CeAPSO-34 due to different rate of crystal growth. The catalyst obtained by using morpholine showed longer life time as well as sustaining light olefins selectivity at higher values. Furthermore, a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of overall reactions network was carried out to address the major channels of methanol to olefins conversion.more » - Highlights: • Introduction of Ce into SAPO-34 framework. • Comparison of CeAPSO-34 synthesized using morpholine and TEAOH. • The nature of the template determines the physiochemical properties of CeAPSO-34. • Morpholine enhances catalyst lifetime in MTO process. • Presenting a complete reaction network for MTO process. - Abstract: TEAOH and morpholine were employed in synthesis of nanostructured CeAPSO-34 molecular sieve and used in methanol to olefins conversion. Prepared samples were characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDX, BET, FTIR and NH{sub 3}-TPD techniques. XRD patterns reflected the higher crystallinity of the catalyst synthesized with morpholine. The FESEM results indicated that the nature of the template determines the morphology of nanostructured CeAPSO-34 due to different rate of crystal growth. There was a meaningful difference in the strength of both strong and weak acid sites for CeAPSO-34 catalysts synthesized with TEAOH and morpholine templates. The catalyst synthesized with morpholine showed higher desorption temperature of both weak and strong acid sites evidenced by NH{sub 3}-TPD characterization. The catalyst obtained using morpholine template had the longer lifetime and sustained desired light olefins at higher values. A comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of overall reactions network was carried out to address the major channels of methanol to olefins conversion.« less

Fabrication of transition metal-containing nanostructures via polymer templates for a multitude of applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Jennifer Qing

Nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes and semiconducting nanowires offer great technological promise due to their remarkable properties. The lack of a rational synthesis method prevents fabricating these nanostructures with desirable and consistent properties at predefined locations for device applications. In this thesis, employing polymer templates, a variety of highly ordered catalytically active transition metal nanostructures, ranging from single metallic nanoparticles of Fe, Co, Ni, Au and bimetallic nanoparticles of Ni/Fe and Co/Mo to Fe-rich silicon oxide nanodomains with uniform and tunable size and spacing have been successfully synthesized. These nanostructures have been demonstrated to be excellent catalyst systems for the synthesis of carbon nanotube and silicon nanowire. High quality, small diameter carbon nanotubes and nanowires with narrow size distribution have been successfully attained. Because these catalytically active nanostructures are uniformly distributed and do not agglomerate at the growth temperatures, uniform, high density and high quality carbon nanotube mats have been obtained. Since this polymer template approach is fully compatible with conventional top-down photolithography, lithographically selective growth of carbon nanotubes on a surface or suspended carbon nanotubes across trenches have been produced by using existing semiconductor processing. We have also shown the feasibility of producing carbon nanotubes and silicon nanowires at predefined locations on a wafer format and established a wafer-level carbon nanotube based device fabrication process. The ability of the polymer template approach to control catalyst systems at the nano-, micro- and macro-scales paves a pathway for commercialization of these 1D nanostructure-enabled devices. Beside producing well-defined, highly ordered discrete catalytically active metal-containing nanostructures by the polymer template approach, Au and Ag nanotextured surfaces have also been attained by using a self-assembled ferrocenylsilane-based inorganic block copolymer template. These Au and Ag nanotextured surfaces exhibit different surface plasmon behavior than the nanotextured surface. Greatly enhanced and uniform Raman scattering have been observed on Ag nanotextured surfaces. Highly sensitive Au nanotextured surfaces suggest their potential application as sensing surfaces for SPR-based biodetection. This simple fabrication technique of producing inorganic nanostructures with adjustable properties such as size, spacing and composition offers great promise for both fundamental research and technological development.

Model development, testing and experimentation in a CyberWorkstation for Brain-Machine Interface research.

PubMed

Rattanatamrong, Prapaporn; Matsunaga, Andrea; Raiturkar, Pooja; Mesa, Diego; Zhao, Ming; Mahmoudi, Babak; Digiovanna, Jack; Principe, Jose; Figueiredo, Renato; Sanchez, Justin; Fortes, Jose

2010-01-01

The CyberWorkstation (CW) is an advanced cyber-infrastructure for Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) research. It allows the development, configuration and execution of BMI computational models using high-performance computing resources. The CW's concept is implemented using a software structure in which an "experiment engine" is used to coordinate all software modules needed to capture, communicate and process brain signals and motor-control commands. A generic BMI-model template, which specifies a common interface to the CW's experiment engine, and a common communication protocol enable easy addition, removal or replacement of models without disrupting system operation. This paper reviews the essential components of the CW and shows how templates can facilitate the processes of BMI model development, testing and incorporation into the CW. It also discusses the ongoing work towards making this process infrastructure independent.

A flexible nanobrush pad for the chemical mechanical planarization of Cu/ultra-low-к materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Guiquan; Liu, Yuhong; Lu, Xinchun; Luo, Jianbin

2012-10-01

A new idea of polishing pad called flexible nanobrush pad (FNP) has been proposed for the low down pressure chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process of Cu/ultra-low-к materials. The FNP was designed with a surface layer of flexible brush-like nanofibers which can `actively' carry nanoscale abrasives in slurry independent of the down pressure. Better planarization performances including high material removal rate, good planarization, good polishing uniformity, and low defectivity are expected in the CMP process under the low down pressure with such kind of pad. The FNP can be made by template-assisted replication or template-based synthesis methods, which will be driven by the development of the preparation technologies for ordered nanostructure arrays. The present work would potentially provide a new solution for the Cu/ultra-low-к CMP process.

Light emitting diode with high aspect ratio submicron roughness for light extraction and methods of forming

DOEpatents

Li, Ting [Ventura, CA

2011-04-26

The surface morphology of an LED light emitting surface is changed by applying a reactive ion etch (RIE) process to the light emitting surface. High aspect ratio, submicron roughness is formed on the light emitting surface by transferring a thin film metal hard-mask having submicron patterns to the surface prior to applying a reactive ion etch process. The submicron patterns in the metal hard-mask can be formed using a low cost, commercially available nano-patterned template which is transferred to the surface with the mask. After subsequently binding the mask to the surface, the template is removed and the RIE process is applied for time duration sufficient to change the morphology of the surface. The modified surface contains non-symmetric, submicron structures having high aspect ratio which increase the efficiency of the device.

Fabrication of cell-benign inverse opal hydrogels for three-dimensional cell culture.

PubMed

Im, Pilseon; Ji, Dong Hwan; Kim, Min Kyung; Kim, Jaeyun

2017-05-15

Inverse opal hydrogels (IOHs) for cell culture were fabricated and optimized using calcium-crosslinked alginate microbeads as sacrificial template and gelatin as a matrix. In contrast to traditional three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, the gelatin IOHs allowed the utilization of both the macropore surface and inner matrix for cell co-culture. In order to remove templates efficiently for the construction of 3D interconnected macropores and to maintain high cell viability during the template removal process using EDTA solution, various factors in fabrication, including alginate viscosity, alginate concentration, alginate microbeads size, crosslinking calcium concentration, and gelatin network density were investigated. Low viscosity alginate, lower crosslinking calcium ion concentration, and lower concentration of alginate and gelatin were found to obtain high viability of cells encapsulated in the gelatin matrix after removal of the alginate template by EDTA treatment by allowing rapid dissociation and diffusion of alginate polymers. Based on the optimized fabrication conditions, gelatin IOHs showed good potential as a cell co-culture system, applicable to tissue engineering and cancer research. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Blue emitting ZnO nanostructures grown through cellulose bio-templates.

PubMed

Oudhia, Anjali; Sharma, Savita; Kulkarni, Pragya; Kumar, Rajesh

2016-06-01

This paper presents a green and cost-effective recipe for the synthesis of blue-emitting ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using cellulose bio-templates. Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract prepared in different solvents were used as biological templates to produce nanostructures of wurtzite ZnO with a particle size ~12-36 nm. A cellulose-driven capping mechanism is used to describe the morphology of ZnO NPs. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and photoluminescence (PL) studies showed that solvents affect the growth process and the capping mechanism of bio-template severely. Structural changes in ZnO NPs were evident with variation in pH, dielectric constants (DC) and boiling points (BP) of solvents. Furthermore, an energy band model is proposed to explain the origin of the blue emission in the as-obtained ZnO NPs. PL excitation studies and the theoretical enthalpy values of individual defects were used to establish the association between the interstitial-zinc-related defect levels and the blue emission. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Implementing a Structured Reporting Initiative Using a Collaborative Multistep Approach.

PubMed

Goldberg-Stein, Shlomit; Walter, William R; Amis, E Stephen; Scheinfeld, Meir H

To describe the successful implementation of a structured reporting initiative in a large urban academic radiology department. We describe our process, compromises, and top 10 lessons learned in overhauling traditional reporting practices and comprehensively implementing structured reporting at our institution. To achieve our goals, we took deliberate steps toward consensus building, undertook multistep template refinement, and achieved close collaboration with the technical staff, department coders, and hospital information technologists. Following institutional review board exemption, we audited radiologist compliance by evaluating 100 consecutive cases of 12 common examination types. Fisher exact test was applied to determine significance of association between trainee initial report drafting and template compliance. We produced and implemented structured reporting templates for 95% of all departmental computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound examinations. Structured templates include specialized reports adhering to the American College of Radiology's Reporting and Data Systems (ACR's RADS) recommendations (eg, Lung-RADS and Li-RADS). We attained 94% radiologist compliance within 2 years, without any financial incentives. We provide a blueprint of how to successfully achieve structured reporting using a collaborative multistep approach. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rapid prototyping of microchannels with surface patterns for fabrication of polymer fibers

DOE PAGES

Goodrich, Payton J.; Sharifi, Farrokh; Hashemi, Nastaran

2015-08-14

Microfluidic technology has provided innovative solutions to numerous problems, but the cost of designing and fabricating microfluidic channels is impeding its expansion. In this study, Shrinky-Dink thermoplastic sheets are used to create multilayered complex templates for microfluidic channels. We also used inkjet and laserjet printers to raise a predetermined microchannel geometry by depositing several layers of ink for each feature consecutively. We achieved feature heights over 100 μm, which were measured and compared with surface profilometry. Templates closest to the target geometry were then used to create microfluidic devices from soft-lithography with the molds as a template. These microfluidic devicesmore » were, futhermore used to fabricate polymer microfibers using the microfluidic focusing approach to demonstrate the potential that this process has for microfluidic applications. Finally, an economic analysis was conducted to compare the price of common microfluidic template manufacturing methods. We showed that multilayer microchannels can be created significantly quicker and cheaper than current methods for design prototyping and point-of-care applications in the biomedical area.« less

Properties of ordered titanium templates covered with Au thin films for SERS applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grochowska, Katarzyna; Siuzdak, Katarzyna; Sokołowski, Michał; Karczewski, Jakub; Szkoda, Mariusz; Śliwiński, Gerard

2016-12-01

Currently, roughened metal nanostructures are widely studied as highly sensitive Raman scattering substrates that show application potential in biochemistry, food safety or medical diagnostic. In this work the structural properties and the enhancement effect due to surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of highly ordered nano-patterned titanium templates covered with thin (5-20 nm) gold films are reported. The templates are formed by preparation of a dense structure of TiO2 nanotubes on a flat Ti surface (2 × 2 cm2) and their subsequent etching down to the substrate. SEM images reveal the formation of honeycomb nanostructures with the cavity diameter of 80 nm. Due to the strongly inhomogeneous distribution of the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the Au film discontinuities the measured average enhancement factor (107-108) is markedly higher than observed for bare Ti templates. The enhancement factor and Raman signal intensity can be optimized by adjusting the process conditions and thickness of the deposited Au layer. Results confirm that the obtained structures can be used in surface enhanced sensing.

Growth and optical property characterization of textured barium titanate thin films for photonic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dicken, Matthew J.; Diest, Kenneth; Park, Young-Bae; Atwater, Harry A.

2007-03-01

We have investigated the growth of barium titanate thin films on bulk crystalline and amorphous substrates utilizing biaxially oriented template layers. Ion beam-assisted deposition was used to grow thin, biaxially textured, magnesium oxide template layers on amorphous and silicon substrates. Growth of highly oriented barium titanate films on these template layers was achieved by molecular beam epitaxy using a layer-by-layer growth process. Barium titanate thin films were grown in molecular oxygen and in the presence of oxygen radicals produced by a 300 W radio frequency plasma. We used X-ray and in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) to analyze the structural properties and show the predominantly c-oriented grains in the films. Variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to analyze and compare the optical properties of the thin films grown with and without oxygen plasma. We have shown that optical quality barium titanate thin films, which show bulk crystal-like properties, can be grown on any substrate through the use of biaxially oriented magnesium oxide template layers.

Hierarchically porous organic polymers: highly enhanced gas uptake and transport through templated synthesis† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Complete procedures for the synthesis of hierarchically porous organic polymers and characterization data (gas adsorption–desorption isotherms, pore size distribution graphs, SEM images, and density data). Detailed procedures for propane uptake experiments and calculation of diffusion constants. See DOI: 10.1039/c4sc02502d Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Chakraborty, Sanjiban; Colón, Yamil J.; Snurr, Randall Q.

2015-01-01

Porous organic polymers (POPs) possessing meso- and micropores can be obtained by carrying out the polymerization inside a mesoporous silica aerogel template and then removing the template after polymerization. The total pore volume (tpv) and specific surface area (ssa) can be greatly enhanced by modifying the template (up to 210% increase for tpv and 73% for ssa) as well as by supercritical processing of the POPs (up to an additional 142% increase for tpv and an additional 32% for ssa) to include larger mesopores. The broad range of pores allows for faster transport of molecules through the hierarchically porous POPs, resulting in increased diffusion rates and faster gas uptake compared to POPs with only micropores. PMID:28966764

Use of a plant-derived enzyme template for the production of the green-note volatile hexanal.

PubMed

Schade, Frank; Thompson, John E; Legge, Raymond L

2003-11-05

Hexanal is a key organoleptic element of green-note that is found in both fragrances and flavors. We report a novel process for the production of hexanal using immobilized enzyme templates extracted from different plant sources in combination with hollow-fiber ultrafiltration for in situ separation. Enzyme templates, known to be responsible for the synthesis of hexanal from linoleic acid (18:2), were isolated from naturally enriched tissues including carnation petals, strawberry and tomato leaves. These templates were immobilized in an alginate matrix and used as a biocatalyst in a packed-bed bioreactor. Continuous product recovery was achieved using a hollow-fiber ultrafiltration unit. The effects of pH, reaction temperature, and substrate and enzyme concentrations were studied and their effects on hexanal generation identified and optimized. Utilizing optimized conditions, hexanal production 112-fold higher than endogenous steady-state levels in a corresponding amount of plant tissue could be achieved over a 30-minute period. Based on the reactor studies, product inhibition also appears to be an important factor for bioreactor-based hexanal production. Copyright 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mutual information-based template matching scheme for detection of breast masses: from mammography to digital breast tomosynthesis

PubMed Central

Mazurowski, Maciej A; Lo, Joseph Y; Harrawood, Brian P; Tourassi, Georgia D

2011-01-01

Development of a computational decision aid for a new medical imaging modality typically is a long and complicated process. It consists of collecting data in the form of images and annotations, development of image processing and pattern recognition algorithms for analysis of the new images and finally testing of the resulting system. Since new imaging modalities are developed more rapidly than ever before, any effort for decreasing the time and cost of this development process could result in maximizing the benefit of the new imaging modality to patients by making the computer aids quickly available to radiologists that interpret the images. In this paper, we make a step in this direction and investigate the possibility of translating the knowledge about the detection problem from one imaging modality to another. Specifically, we present a computer-aided detection (CAD) system for mammographic masses that uses a mutual information-based template matching scheme with intelligently selected templates. We presented principles of template matching with mutual information for mammography before. In this paper, we present an implementation of those principles in a complete computer-aided detection system. The proposed system, through an automatic optimization process, chooses the most useful templates (mammographic regions of interest) using a large database of previously collected and annotated mammograms. Through this process, the knowledge about the task of detecting masses in mammograms is incorporated in the system. Then we evaluate whether our system developed for screen-film mammograms can be successfully applied not only to other mammograms but also to digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) reconstructed slices without adding any DBT cases for training. Our rationale is that since mutual information is known to be a robust intermodality image similarity measure, it has high potential of transferring knowledge between modalities in the context of the mass detection task. Experimental evaluation of the system on mammograms showed competitive performance compared to other mammography CAD systems recently published in the literature. When the system was applied “as-is” to DBT, its performance was notably worse than that for mammograms. However, with a simple additional preprocessing step, the performance of the system reached levels similar to that obtained for mammograms. In conclusion, the presented CAD system not only performed competitively on screen-film mammograms but it also performed robustly on DBT showing that direct transfer of knowledge across breast imaging modalities for mass detection is in fact possible. PMID:21554985

Rapid direct conversion of Cu(2-x)Se to CuAgSe nanoplatelets via ion exchange reactions at room temperature.

PubMed

Moroz, N A; Olvera, A; Willis, G M; Poudeu, P F P

2015-06-07

The use of template nanostructures for the creation of photovoltaic and thermoelectric semiconductors is becoming a quickly expanding synthesis strategy. In this work we report a simple two-step process enabling the formation of ternary CuAgSe nanoplatelets with a great degree of control over the composition and shape. Starting with hexagonal nanoplatelets of cubic Cu2-xSe, ternary CuAgSe nanoplatelets were generated through a rapid ion exchange reaction at 300 K using AgNO3 solution. The Cu2-xSe nanoplatelet template and the final CuAgSe nanoplatelets were analyzed by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that both the low temperature pseudotetragonal and the high temperature cubic forms of CuAgSe phase were created while maintaining the morphology of the Cu2-xSe nanoplatelet template. Thermal and electronic transport measurements of hot-pressed pellets of the synthesized CuAgSe nanoplatelets showed a drastic reduction in the thermal conductivity and a sharp transition from n-type (S = -45 μV K(-1)) to p-type (S = +200 μV K(-1)) semiconducting behavior upon heating above the structural transition from the low temperature orthorhombic to the high temperature super-ionic cubic phase. This simple reaction process utilizing a template nanostructure matrix represents an energy efficient, cost-efficient, and versatile strategy to create interesting materials with lower defect density and superior thermoelectric performance.

Self-assembled templates for the generation of arrays of 1-dimensional nanostructures: from molecules to devices.

PubMed

Farrell, Richard A; Petkov, Nikolay; Morris, Michael A; Holmes, Justin D

2010-09-15

Self-assembled nanoscale porous architectures, such as mesoporous silica (MPS) films, block copolymer films (BCP) and porous anodic aluminas (PAAs), are ideal hosts for templating one dimensional (1D) nano-entities for a wide range of electronic, photonic, magnetic and environmental applications. All three of these templates can provide scalable and tunable pore diameters below 20 nm [1-3]. Recently, research has progressed towards controlling the pore direction, orientation and long-range order of these nanostructures through so-called directed self-assembly (DSA). Significantly, the introduction of a wide range of top-down chemically and physically pre-patterning substrates has facilitated the DSA of nanostructures into functional device arrays. The following review begins with an overview of the fundamental aspects of self-assembly and ordering processes during the formation of PAAs, BCPs and MPS films. Special attention is given to the different ways of directing self-assembly, concentrating on properties such as uni-directional alignment, precision placement and registry of the self-assembled structures to hierarchal or top-down architectures. Finally, to distinguish this review from other articles we focus on research where nanostructures have been utilised in part to fabricate arrays of functioning devices below the sub 50 nm threshold, by subtractive transfer and additive methods. Where possible, we attempt to compare and contrast the different templating approaches and highlight the strengths and/or limitations that will be important for their potential integration into downstream processes. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Using trend templates in a neonatal seizure algorithm improves detection of short seizures in a foetal ovine model.

PubMed

Zwanenburg, Alex; Andriessen, Peter; Jellema, Reint K; Niemarkt, Hendrik J; Wolfs, Tim G A M; Kramer, Boris W; Delhaas, Tammo

2015-03-01

Seizures below one minute in duration are difficult to assess correctly using seizure detection algorithms. We aimed to improve neonatal detection algorithm performance for short seizures through the use of trend templates for seizure onset and end. Bipolar EEG were recorded within a transiently asphyxiated ovine model at 0.7 gestational age, a common experimental model for studying brain development in humans of 30-34 weeks of gestation. Transient asphyxia led to electrographic seizures within 6-8 h. A total of 3159 seizures, 2386 shorter than one minute, were annotated in 1976 h-long EEG recordings from 17 foetal lambs. To capture EEG characteristics, five features, sensitive to seizures, were calculated and used to derive trend information. Feature values and trend information were used as input for support vector machine classification and subsequently post-processed. Performance metrics, calculated after post-processing, were compared between analyses with and without employing trend information. Detector performance was assessed after five-fold cross-validation conducted ten times with random splits. The use of trend templates for seizure onset and end in a neonatal seizure detection algorithm significantly improves the correct detection of short seizures using two-channel EEG recordings from 54.3% (52.6-56.1) to 59.5% (58.5-59.9) at FDR 2.0 (median (range); p < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Using trend templates might therefore aid in detection of short seizures by EEG monitoring at the NICU.

Pathways to Mesoporous Resin/Carbon Thin Films with Alternating Gyroid Morphology

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

Zhang, Qi; Matsuoka, Fumiaki; Suh, Hyo Seon

Three-dimensional (3D) mesoporous thin films with sub-100 nm periodic lattices are of increasing interest as templates for a number of nanotechnology applications, yet are hard to achieve with conventional top-down fabrication methods. Block copolymer self-assembly derived mesoscale structures provide a toolbox for such 3D template formation. In this work, single (alternating) gyroidal and double gyroidal mesoporous thin-film structures are achieved via solvent vapor annealing assisted co-assembly of poly(isoprene-block-styrene-block-ethylene oxide) (PI-b-PS-b-PEO, ISO) and resorcinol/phenol formaldehyde resols. In particular, the alternating gyroid thin-film morphology is highly desirable for potential template backfilling processes as a result of the large pore volume fraction. Inmore » situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering during solvent annealing is employed as a tool to elucidate and navigate the pathway complexity of the structure formation processes. The resulting network structures are resistant to high temperatures provided an inert atmosphere. The thin films have tunable hydrophilicity from pyrolysis at different temperatures, while pore sizes can be tailored by varying ISO molar mass. A transfer technique between substrates is demonstrated for alternating gyroidal mesoporous thin films, circumventing the need to re-optimize film formation protocols for different substrates. Increased conductivity after pyrolysis at high temperatures demonstrates that these gyroidal mesoporous resin/carbon thin films have potential as functional 3D templates for a number of nanomaterials applications.« less

Priming and the guidance by visual and categorical templates in visual search.

PubMed

Wilschut, Anna; Theeuwes, Jan; Olivers, Christian N L

2014-01-01

Visual search is thought to be guided by top-down templates that are held in visual working memory. Previous studies have shown that a search-guiding template can be rapidly and strongly implemented from a visual cue, whereas templates are less effective when based on categorical cues. Direct visual priming from cue to target may underlie this difference. In two experiments we first asked observers to remember two possible target colors. A postcue then indicated which of the two would be the relevant color. The task was to locate a briefly presented and masked target of the cued color among irrelevant distractor items. Experiment 1 showed that overall search accuracy improved more rapidly on the basis of a direct visual postcue that carried the target color, compared to a neutral postcue that pointed to the memorized color. However, selectivity toward the target feature, i.e., the extent to which observers searched selectively among items of the cued vs. uncued color, was found to be relatively unaffected by the presence of the visual signal. In Experiment 2 we compared search that was based on either visual or categorical information, but now controlled for direct visual priming. This resulted in no differences in overall performance nor selectivity. Altogether the results suggest that perceptual processing of visual search targets is facilitated by priming from visual cues, whereas attentional selectivity is enhanced by a working memory template that can formed from both visual and categorical input. Furthermore, if the priming is controlled for, categorical- and visual-based templates similarly enhance search guidance.

Template-based protein-protein docking exploiting pairwise interfacial residue restraints.

PubMed

Xue, Li C; Rodrigues, João P G L M; Dobbs, Drena; Honavar, Vasant; Bonvin, Alexandre M J J

2017-05-01

Although many advanced and sophisticated ab initio approaches for modeling protein-protein complexes have been proposed in past decades, template-based modeling (TBM) remains the most accurate and widely used approach, given a reliable template is available. However, there are many different ways to exploit template information in the modeling process. Here, we systematically evaluate and benchmark a TBM method that uses conserved interfacial residue pairs as docking distance restraints [referred to as alpha carbon-alpha carbon (CA-CA)-guided docking]. We compare it with two other template-based protein-protein modeling approaches, including a conserved non-pairwise interfacial residue restrained docking approach [referred to as the ambiguous interaction restraint (AIR)-guided docking] and a simple superposition-based modeling approach. Our results show that, for most cases, the CA-CA-guided docking method outperforms both superposition with refinement and the AIR-guided docking method. We emphasize the superiority of the CA-CA-guided docking on cases with medium to large conformational changes, and interactions mediated through loops, tails or disordered regions. Our results also underscore the importance of a proper refinement of superimposition models to reduce steric clashes. In summary, we provide a benchmarked TBM protocol that uses conserved pairwise interface distance as restraints in generating realistic 3D protein-protein interaction models, when reliable templates are available. The described CA-CA-guided docking protocol is based on the HADDOCK platform, which allows users to incorporate additional prior knowledge of the target system to further improve the quality of the resulting models. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press.

Vocal learning beyond imitation: mechanisms of adaptive vocal development in songbirds and human infants

PubMed Central

Tchernichovski, Ofer; Marcus, Gary

2014-01-01

Studies of vocal learning in songbirds typically focus on the acquisition of sensory templates for song imitation and on the consequent process of matching song production to templates. However, functional vocal development also requires the capacity to adaptively diverge from sensory templates, and to flexibly assemble vocal units. Examples of adaptive divergence include the corrective imitation of abnormal songs, and the decreased tendency to copy overabundant syllables. Such frequency-dependent effects might mirror tradeoffs between the assimilation of group identity (culture) while establishing individual and flexibly expressive songs. Intriguingly, although the requirements for vocal plasticity vary across songbirds, and more so between birdsong and language, the capacity to flexibly assemble vocal sounds develops in a similar, stepwise manner across species. Therefore, universal features of vocal learning go well beyond the capacity to imitate. PMID:25005823

Dewetting of polymer thin films on modified curved surfaces: preparation of polymer nanoparticles with asymmetric shapes by anodic aluminum oxide templates.

PubMed

Liu, Chih-Ting; Tsai, Chia-Chan; Chu, Chien-Wei; Chi, Mu-Huan; Chung, Pei-Yun; Chen, Jiun-Tai

2018-04-18

We study the dewetting behaviors of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin films coated in the cylindrical nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates by thermal annealing. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS) are introduced to modify the pore surfaces of the AAO templates to induce the dewetting process. By using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the dewetting-induced morphology transformation from the PMMA thin films to PMMA nanoparticles with asymmetric shapes can be observed. The sizes of the PMMA nanoparticles can be controlled by the original PMMA solution concentrations. The dewetting phenomena on the modified nanopores are explained by taking into account the excess intermolecular interaction free energy (ΔG). This work opens a new possibility for creating polymer nanoparticles with asymmetric shapes in confined geometries.

A polyacrylonitrile copolymer-silica template for three-dimensional hierarchical porous carbon as a Pt catalyst support for the oxygen reduction reaction.

PubMed

Liu, Minmin; Li, Jian; Cai, Chao; Zhou, Ziwei; Ling, Yun; Liu, Rui

2017-08-01

Herein, we report a novel route to construct a hierarchical three-dimensional porous carbon (3DC) through a copolymer-silica assembly. In the synthesis, silica acts as a hard template and leads to the formation of an interconnected 3D macropore, whereas styrene-co-acrylonitrile polymer has been used as both a carbon source and a soft template for micro- and meso-pores. The obtained 3DC materials possess a large surface area (∼550.5 m 2 g -1 ), which facilitates high dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on the carbon support. The 3DC-supported Pt electrocatalyst shows excellent performance in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The easy processing ability along with the characteristics of hierarchical porosity offers a new strategy for the preparation of carbon nanomaterials for energy application.

Assembly of metallic nanoparticle arrays on glass via nanoimprinting and thin-film dewetting

PubMed Central

Lee, Sun-Kyu; Hwang, Sori; Kim, Yoon-Kee

2017-01-01

We propose a nanofabrication process to generate large-area arrays of noble metal nanoparticles on glass substrates via nanoimprinting and dewetting of metallic thin films. Glass templates were made via pattern transfer from a topographic Si mold to an inorganically cross-linked sol–gel (IGSG) resist on glass using a two-layer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp followed by annealing, which turned the imprinted resist into pure silica. The transparent, topographic glass successfully templated the assembly of Au and Ag nanoparticle arrays via thin-film deposition and dewetting at elevated temperatures. The microstructural and mechanical characteristics that developed during the processes were discussed. The results are promising for low-cost mass fabrication of devices for several photonic applications. PMID:28546899

Assembly of metallic nanoparticle arrays on glass via nanoimprinting and thin-film dewetting.

PubMed

Lee, Sun-Kyu; Hwang, Sori; Kim, Yoon-Kee; Oh, Yong-Jun

2017-01-01

We propose a nanofabrication process to generate large-area arrays of noble metal nanoparticles on glass substrates via nanoimprinting and dewetting of metallic thin films. Glass templates were made via pattern transfer from a topographic Si mold to an inorganically cross-linked sol-gel (IGSG) resist on glass using a two-layer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp followed by annealing, which turned the imprinted resist into pure silica. The transparent, topographic glass successfully templated the assembly of Au and Ag nanoparticle arrays via thin-film deposition and dewetting at elevated temperatures. The microstructural and mechanical characteristics that developed during the processes were discussed. The results are promising for low-cost mass fabrication of devices for several photonic applications.

In vivo experimental study on laser welded ICG-loaded chitosan patches for vessel repair

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, Francesca; Matteini, Paolo; Esposito, Giuseppe; Albanese, Alessio; Puca, Alfredo; Maira, Giulio; Rossi, Giacomo; Pini, Roberto

2011-03-01

Laser welding of microvessels provides several advantages over conventional suturing techniques: surgical times reduction, vascular healing process improvement, tissue damage reduction. We present the first application of biopolymeric patches in an in vivo laser assisted procedure for vessel repair. The study was performed in 20 New Zealand rabbits. After anesthesia, a 3-cm segment of the right common carotid artery was exposed and clamped proximally and distally. A linear lesion 3 mm in length was carried out. We used a diode laser emitting at 810 nm and equipped with a 300 μm diameter optical fiber. To close the cut, ICG-loaded chitosan films were prepared: chitosan is characterized by biodegradability, biocompatibility, antimicrobial, haemostatic and wound healing-promoting activity. ICG is an organic chromophore commonly used in the laser welding procedures to mediate the photothermal conversion at the basis of the welding effect. The membranes were used to wrap the whole length of the cut, and then they were welded in the correct position by delivering single laser spots to induce local patch/tissue adhesion. The result is an immediate closure of the wound, with no bleeding at clamps release. The animals were observed during follow-up and sacrificed after 2, 7, 30 and 90 days. All the repaired vessels were patent, no bleeding signs were documented. The carotid samples underwent histological examinations. The advantages of the proposed technique are: simplification of the surgical procedure and shortening of the operative time; good strength of the vessel repair; decreased foreign-body reaction, reduced inflammatory response and improved vascular healing process.

Influence of two different template removal methods on the micromorphology, crystal structure, and photocatalytic activity of hollow CdS nanospheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Han; Jin, Tingting; Zheng, Xing; Jiang, Bo; Zhu, Chaosheng; Yuan, Xiangdong; Zheng, Jingtang; Wu, Mingbo

2016-11-01

Hollow cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanospheres of about 260 nm average diameters and about 30 nm shell thickness can be easily synthesized via a sonochemical process, in which polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles were employed as templates. In order to remove the PS templates, both etching and calcination were applied in this paper. The influence of the two different template removal methods on the surface micromorphology, crystal structure, and photocatalytic activity of hollow CdS nanospheres was carefully performed a comparative study. Results of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, diffused reflectance spectra, and decolorization experiments showed that the different template removal methods exhibited a significant influence on the surface micromorphology, crystal structure, and photocatalytic activity of hollow CdS nanospheres. The CdS hollow nanospheres as-prepared by etching had pure cubic sphalerite structure, higher -OH content, less defects and exhibited good photocatalytic activity for rhodamine-B, Methylene Blue and methyl orange under UV-vis light irradiation. However, CdS hollow nanospheres obtained by calcination with a hexagonal crystal structure, less -OH content, more defects have shown worse photocatalytic activity. This indicated that surface micromorphology and crystalline phase were mainly factors influencing photocatalytic activity of hollow CdS nanospheres.

Automatic generation of endocardial surface meshes with 1-to-1 correspondence from cine-MR images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Yi; Teo, S.-K.; Lim, C. W.; Zhong, L.; Tan, R. S.

2015-03-01

In this work, we develop an automatic method to generate a set of 4D 1-to-1 corresponding surface meshes of the left ventricle (LV) endocardial surface which are motion registered over the whole cardiac cycle. These 4D meshes have 1- to-1 point correspondence over the entire set, and is suitable for advanced computational processing, such as shape analysis, motion analysis and finite element modelling. The inputs to the method are the set of 3D LV endocardial surface meshes of the different frames/phases of the cardiac cycle. Each of these meshes is reconstructed independently from border-delineated MR images and they have no correspondence in terms of number of vertices/points and mesh connectivity. To generate point correspondence, the first frame of the LV mesh model is used as a template to be matched to the shape of the meshes in the subsequent phases. There are two stages in the mesh correspondence process: (1) a coarse matching phase, and (2) a fine matching phase. In the coarse matching phase, an initial rough matching between the template and the target is achieved using a radial basis function (RBF) morphing process. The feature points on the template and target meshes are automatically identified using a 16-segment nomenclature of the LV. In the fine matching phase, a progressive mesh projection process is used to conform the rough estimate to fit the exact shape of the target. In addition, an optimization-based smoothing process is used to achieve superior mesh quality and continuous point motion.

The chemical end-ligation of homopyrimidine oligodeoxyribonucleotides within a DNA triple helix.

PubMed

Li, T; Weinstein, D S; Nicolaou, K

1997-03-01

Triple-helical nucleic acids, first reported in the late 1950s, are receiving attention for their possible involvement in controlling gene expression. Certain sequences of DNA are believed to form local triple-helical structures (H-form DNA), although this has not been directly observed in vivo. Studies carried out in our laboratories have suggested that self-replicating oligonucleotides could have been involved in chemical evolution via triple-helical intermediates. In addition to self-replication mechanisms, elucidating processes for the nonenzymatic elongation of biologically relevant polymers remains an important challenge in understanding the origin of life. To this end, we have studied a novel ligation of oligodeoxyribonucleotides that lie within a triple helix. The chemical end-ligation of homopyrimidine oligodeoxyribonucleotides on a triple helix is reported. This selective process, induced by cyanoimidazole, is facilitated by a template effect of the DNA aggregate and occurs between the 3' end (hydroxyl) of the third minor-groove-bound strand and the 5' end (phosphate) of the antiparallel oligopyrimidine strand. Double-helical homopurine/homopyrimidine DNA can serve as a template for the elongation of oligonucleotides in a manner that has not been described previously. The end-ligation of homopyrimidine oligomers, a nonenzymatic process, proceeds via a requisite triple-helical intermediate and constitutes an efficient and selective method for the template-directed elongation of nucleic acids. Such a process could conceivably have been involved in the elongation of primordial information-bearing biopolymers.

Controlling macro- and mesostructures with hierarchical porosity through combined hard and soft templating.

PubMed

Petkovich, Nicholas D; Stein, Andreas

2013-05-07

Rigid, porous objects and surfactants serve as powerful templates for the formation of mesoporous and macroporous materials. When both types of template are combined in a single synthesis, materials with intricate architectures and hierarchical porosity can be obtained. In this tutorial review, we explain how to conduct syntheses with both soft and hard templates; moreover, we describe methods to control the final structure present in the templated material. Much of the foundation for multiple templating lies in the study of materials made with only one type of template. To establish a foundation in this area, a description of hard and soft templating is given, delving into the templates available and the steps required for effective templating. This leads into an extended discussion about materials templated with both hard and soft templates. Through the use of recent examples in the literature, we aim to show the diversity of structures possible through multiple templating and the advantages these structures can provide for a wide range of applications. An emphasis is placed on how various factors-such as the type of template, type of precursor, heat-treatment temperature, confinement within a small space, and template-template interactions-impact morphology.

Using a spreadsheet/table template for economic value added analysis.

PubMed

Cassey, Margaret

2008-01-01

Translating clinical research into practical applications that are cost effective has received significant attention as staff nurses attempt to expand new knowledge into an already complex daily workflow. spreadsheet/table template created in a word processing format can assist with setting up and carrying out the analysis of costs for comparing different approaches to routine activities. By encouraging nurses to take the initiative to examine parts of everyday nursing practice with an eye to cost analysis, significant contributions can be made to maximizing the bottom line.

Self-templated fabrication of FeMnO3 nanoparticle-filled polypyrrole nanotubes for peroxidase mimicking with a synergistic effect and their sensitive colorimetric detection of glutathione.

PubMed

Chi, Maoqiang; Chen, Sihui; Zhong, Mengxiao; Wang, Ce; Lu, Xiaofeng

2018-06-05

A self-templated approach has been developed for the preparation of FeMnO3 nanoparticles filled in the hollow core of polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes by an in situ polymerization process accompanied by the etching of FeMnO3 nanofibers. The prepared FeMnO3@PPy nanotubes exhibited a superior peroxidase-like activity. The catalytic reaction system has been used for the sensitive colorimetric detection of glutathione with a low detection limit and good selectivity.

Process for the preparation of metal-containing nanostructured films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, Yunfeng (Inventor); Wang, Donghai (Inventor)

2006-01-01

Metal-containing nanostructured films are prepared by electrodepositing a metal-containing composition within the pores of a mesoporous silica template to form a metal-containing silica nanocomposite. The nanocomposite is annealed to strengthen the deposited metal-containing composition. The silica is then removed from the nanocomposite, e.g., by dissolving the silica in an etching solution to provide a self-supporting metal-containing nanostructured film. The nanostructured films have a nanowire or nanomesh architecture depending on the pore structure of the mesoporous silica template used to prepare the films.

Long-Range Order in Cylindrical Block Copolymer Thin Films using Graphoepitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dadmun, Mark; Lowndes, Doug

2005-03-01

A block copolymer thin film of polystyrene and methyl methacrylate on a neutral surface forms cylinders that are removed by UV exposure and rinsing, creating a template for the deposition of nickel nanodots, which are subsequently used to grow carbon nanofibers. Additionally, graphoepitaxy is used to successfully induce long-range order in hexagonally packed cylinders. The kinetics of the ordering process, limitations on this technique, and specific sample preparation conditions for successful transfer of the porous template to the deposited nanodots will also be discussed

Stampless fabrication of sheet bars using disposable templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolentsev, V. P.; Safonov, S. V.; Smolentsev, E. V.; Fedonin, O. N.

2016-04-01

The article is devoted to the new method of small-scale fabrication of sheet bars. The procedure is performed by using disposable overlay templates, or those associated with a sheet, which parameters are obtained directly from the drawing. The proposed method used as a substitution of die cutting enables to intensify the preparatory technological process, which is particularly effective when launching the market-oriented items into production. It significantly increases the competitiveness of mechanical engineering and creates the conditions for technical support of present-day flexible production systems.

Fabrication of ZnS nanoparticle chains on a protein template

PubMed Central

Hulleman, J.; Kim, S. M.; Tumkur, T.; Rochet, J.-C.; Stach, E.; Stanciu, L.

2011-01-01

In the present study, we have exploited the properties of a fibrillar protein for the template synthesis of zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticle chains. The diameter of the ZnS nanoparticle chains was tuned in range of ~30 to ~165 nm by varying the process variables. The nanoparticle chains were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The effect of incubation temperature on the morphology of the nanoparticle chains was also studied. PMID:21804765

Convective polymer assembly for the deposition of nanostructures and polymer thin films on immobilized particles.

PubMed

Richardson, Joseph J; Björnmalm, Mattias; Gunawan, Sylvia T; Guo, Junling; Liang, Kang; Tardy, Blaise; Sekiguchi, Shota; Noi, Ka Fung; Cui, Jiwei; Ejima, Hirotaka; Caruso, Frank

2014-11-21

We report the preparation of polymer particles via convective polymer assembly (CPA). Convection is used to move polymer solutions and cargo through an agarose gel that contains immobilized template particles. This method both coats and washes the particles in a process that is amenable to automation, and does not depend on passive diffusion or electrical currents, thus facilitating incorporation of fragile and nanoscale objects, such as liposomes and gold nanoparticles, into the thin polymer films. Template dissolution leads to the formation of stable polymer particles and capsules.

Image Discrimination Models for Object Detection in Natural Backgrounds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahumada, A. J., Jr.

2000-01-01

This paper reviews work accomplished and in progress at NASA Ames relating to visual target detection. The focus is on image discrimination models, starting with Watson's pioneering development of a simple spatial model and progressing through this model's descendents and extensions. The application of image discrimination models to target detection will be described and results reviewed for Rohaly's vehicle target data and the Search 2 data. The paper concludes with a description of work we have done to model the process by which observers learn target templates and methods for elucidating those templates.

Process Development of Gallium Nitride Phosphide Core-Shell Nanowire Array Solar Cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Chen

Dilute Nitride GaNP is a promising materials for opto-electronic applications due to its band gap tunability. The efficiency of GaNxP1-x /GaNyP1-y core-shell nanowire solar cell (NWSC) is expected to reach as high as 44% by 1% N and 9% N in the core and shell, respectively. By developing such high efficiency NWSCs on silicon substrate, a further reduction of the cost of solar photovoltaic can be further reduced to 61$/MWh, which is competitive to levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of fossil fuels. Therefore, a suitable NWSC structure and fabrication process need to be developed to achieve this promising NWSC. This thesis is devoted to the study on the development of fabrication process of GaNxP 1-x/GaNyP1-y core-shell Nanowire solar cell. The thesis is divided into two major parts. In the first parts, previously grown GaP/GaNyP1-y core-shell nanowire samples are used to develop the fabrication process of Gallium Nitride Phosphide nanowire solar cell. The design for nanowire arrays, passivation layer, polymeric filler spacer, transparent col- lecting layer and metal contact are discussed and fabricated. The property of these NWSCs are also characterized to point out the future development of Gal- lium Nitride Phosphide NWSC. In the second part, a nano-hole template made by nanosphere lithography is studied for selective area growth of nanowires to improve the structure of core-shell NWSC. The fabrication process of nano-hole templates and the results are presented. To have a consistent features of nano-hole tem- plate, the Taguchi Method is used to optimize the fabrication process of nano-hole templates.

A flexible nanobrush pad for the chemical mechanical planarization of Cu/ultra-low-к materials

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

A new idea of polishing pad called flexible nanobrush pad (FNP) has been proposed for the low down pressure chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process of Cu/ultra-low-к materials. The FNP was designed with a surface layer of flexible brush-like nanofibers which can ‘actively’ carry nanoscale abrasives in slurry independent of the down pressure. Better planarization performances including high material removal rate, good planarization, good polishing uniformity, and low defectivity are expected in the CMP process under the low down pressure with such kind of pad. The FNP can be made by template-assisted replication or template-based synthesis methods, which will be driven by the development of the preparation technologies for ordered nanostructure arrays. The present work would potentially provide a new solution for the Cu/ultra-low-к CMP process. PMID:23110959

Break-induced replication and recombinational telomere elongation in yeast.

PubMed

McEachern, Michael J; Haber, James E

2006-01-01

When a telomere becomes unprotected or if only one end of a chromosomal double-strand break succeeds in recombining with a template sequence, DNA can be repaired by a recombination-dependent DNA replication process termed break-induced replication (BIR). In budding yeasts, there are two BIR pathways, one dependent on the Rad51 recombinase protein and one Rad51 independent; these two repair processes lead to different types of survivors in cells lacking the telomerase enzyme that is required for normal telomere maintenance. Recombination at telomeres is triggered by either excessive telomere shortening or disruptions in the function of telomere-binding proteins. Telomere elongation by BIR appears to often occur through a "roll and spread" mechanism. In this process, a telomeric circle produced by recombination at a dysfunctional telomere acts as a template for a rolling circle BIR event to form an elongated telomere. Additional BIR events can then copy the elongated sequence to all other telomeres.

Effect of processing on structural features of anodic aluminum oxides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erdogan, Pembe; Birol, Yucel

2012-09-01

Morphological features of the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates fabricated by electrochemical oxidation under different processing conditions were investigated. The selection of the polishing parameters does not appear to be critical as long as the aluminum substrate is polished adequately prior to the anodization process. AAO layers with a highly ordered pore distribution are obtained after anodizing in 0.6 M oxalic acid at 20 °C under 40 V for 5 minutes suggesting that the desired pore features are attained once an oxide layer develops on the surface. While the pore features are not affected much, the thickness of the AAO template increases with increasing anodization treatment time. Pore features are better and the AAO growth rate is higher at 20 °C than at 5 °C; higher under 45 V than under 40 V; higher with 0.6 M than with 0.3 M oxalic acid.

Mediating complaints against nurses: a consumer-oriented educational approach.

PubMed

Beardwood, Barbara A; French, Susan E

2004-03-01

A participatory evaluative method was used to assess the effectiveness of mediation as carried out by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Qualitative methods were used to examine 34 cases between 1994 and 1998, of which 23 had been successful and 11 aborted. For purposes of comparison, the researchers developed a template of interviews with College personnel and documents, incorporating the College's philosophy and expectations of the process. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 44 participants in the mediation process. In addition, focus group sessions were held with Investigators and Practice Consultants. The data were analyzed using the template and themes were generated. The process was found to be stressful for all parties but was also found to be educational, to address system complaints, and to achieve initial goals. The College was found to be powerless to demand system reforms and to be dependent on the cooperation of each facility.

Medical Student Appraisal

PubMed Central

Sampognaro, P.J.; Mitchell, S.L.; Weeks, S.R.; Khalifian, S.; Markman, T.M.; Uebel, L.W.; Dattilo, J.R.

2013-01-01

Summary Background Pre-rounding is essential to preparing for morning rounds. Despite its importance, pre-rounding is rarely formally taught within the medical school curriculum and more often informally learned by modeling residents. The evolution of mobile applications provides opportunities to optimize this process. Objectives To evaluate three options available to medical students while pre-rounding and promote adoption of mobile resources in clinical care. Methods Six medical students formed the evaluation cohort. Students were surveyed to assess pre-rounding practices. Participants utilized paper-based pre-rounding templates for two weeks followed by two weeks of the electronic note-taking service EvernoteTM. A review of mobile applications on the iTunesTM and Google PlayTM stores was performed, with each application informally reviewed by a single student. The application ScutsheetTM was selected for formal review by all students. Data was collected from narrative responses supplied by students throughout the evaluation periods and aggregated to assess strengths and limitations of each application. Results Pre-study responses demonstrated two consistent processes: verbal sign-out of overnight events and template use to organize patient information. The paper-based template was praised for its organization and familiarity amongst residents, but perceived as limited by the requirement of re-copying data into the hospital’s electronic medical record (EMR). EvernoteTM excelled due to compatibility across multiple operating systems, including accessibility from clinical workstations and ability to copy notes into the hospital’s EMR. ScutsheetTM allowed for retention of data across multiple hospital days, but was limited by inability to export data or modify the electronic template. Aggregated user feedback identified the abilities to customize templates and copy information into the EMR as two prevailing characteristics that enhanced the efficiency of pre-rounding. Discussion Mobile devices offer the potential to enhance pre-rounding efficiency for medical students and residents. A customizable EvernoteTM-based system is described in sufficient detail for reproduction by interested students. PMID:24155792

Magnetic-graphitic-nanocapsule templated diacetylene assembly and photopolymerization for sensing and multicoded anti-counterfeiting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Xiang-Kun; Xu, Yi-Ting; Song, Zhi-Ling; Ding, Ding; Gao, Feng; Liang, Hao; Chen, Long; Bian, Xia; Chen, Zhuo; Tan, Weihong

2014-10-01

Molecular self-assembly, a process to design molecular entities to aggregate into desired structures, represents a promising bottom-up route towards precise construction of functional systems. Here we report a multifunctional, self-assembled system based on magnetic-graphitic-nanocapsule (MGN) templated diacetylene assembly and photopolymerization. The as-prepared assembly system maintains the unique color and fluorescence change properties of the polydiacetylene (PDA) polymers, while also pursues the superior Raman, NIR, magnetic and superconducting properties from the MGN template. Based on both fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 relaxivity, the MGN@PDA system could efficiently monitor the pH variations which could be used as a pH sensor. The MGN@PDA system further demonstrates potential as unique ink for anti-counterfeiting applications. Reversible color change, strong and unique Raman scattering and fluorescence emission, sensitive NIR thermal response, and distinctive magnetic properties afford this assembly system with multicoded anti-counterfeiting capabilities.Molecular self-assembly, a process to design molecular entities to aggregate into desired structures, represents a promising bottom-up route towards precise construction of functional systems. Here we report a multifunctional, self-assembled system based on magnetic-graphitic-nanocapsule (MGN) templated diacetylene assembly and photopolymerization. The as-prepared assembly system maintains the unique color and fluorescence change properties of the polydiacetylene (PDA) polymers, while also pursues the superior Raman, NIR, magnetic and superconducting properties from the MGN template. Based on both fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 relaxivity, the MGN@PDA system could efficiently monitor the pH variations which could be used as a pH sensor. The MGN@PDA system further demonstrates potential as unique ink for anti-counterfeiting applications. Reversible color change, strong and unique Raman scattering and fluorescence emission, sensitive NIR thermal response, and distinctive magnetic properties afford this assembly system with multicoded anti-counterfeiting capabilities. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr03837a

SU-E-T-475: Improvements to Total Body Irradiation Dosimetry Efficiency with EBT3 Radiochromic Film and a Template System

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

Butson, M; Pope, D; Whitaker, M

Purpose: Total Body Irradiation (TBI) treatments are mainly used in a preparative regimen for haematopoietic stem cell (or bone marrow) transplantation. Our standard regimen is a 12 Gy / 6 fraction bi-daily technique. To evaluate the delivered dose homogeneity to the patient, EBT3 Gafchromic film is positioned at the head, neck, chest, pelvis and groin for all fractions. A system has been developed to simply and accurately prepare and readout the films for patient dose assessment. Methods: A process involving easy preparation and analysis has been produced to minimise the time requirements for TBI dosimetry. One sheet of EBT3 filmmore » is used to prepare treatment dosimeters for all fractions, including calibration films, and an automated dose analysis system for easy evaluation and calculation of estimated in-vivo doses was developed. A desktop scanner is used with a dedicated TBI film template to accurately position the films for Image J analysis and extraction. Dental wax bolus and zip-lock bag holders are used to hold the EBT3 film in place during irradiation. Results: To adequately provide dosimetry information for a 6 fraction, TBI patient, only one sheet of Gafchromic EBT3 film is required. The dosimeters are cut, using a template, into 19 mm squares which are then placed between two 30 mm x 30 mm x 4.5 mm wax blocks for bolus. All packages are prepared before the first treatment fraction. The scanning and analysis process can be completed in less than 10 minutes after a 240 min development period. Results have shown that a high level of accuracy and reproducibility can be achieved using the template system provided. Conclusion: Gafchromic EBT3 film provides an adequate in-vivo dosimetry measure for TBI patients. Using a template based system on a dedicated desktop scanner, in-vivo results can be ascertained quickly and accurately.« less

Developing a template for National Child Protection Index Reports.

PubMed

Ager, Alastair; Stark, Lindsay; Chu, Erin; Dewan, Shweta; Boothby, Neil

2011-12-01

What impact does the strengthening of child rights have on the experience and circumstances of children? CRC General Comment 13 emphasizes that defining measurable targets for improvements in child protection is a key element of efforts to strengthen child rights and well-being across the world. This paper describes an attempt to identify key domains relevant to such mapping of child protection indicators, and the feasibility of collecting data-from existing data sources or otherwise-to complete a "National Child Protection Index Report" summarizing achievements and concerns at a national level. A process of inter-agency consultation was facilitated by the CPC Learning Network to establish a template for the Index Report. The template was modeled on that used for the "Countdown to 2015" maternal, neonatal and child health initiative, aiming to capture indices not only of key protection risks but also implementation and coverage of key protection measures. The work drew on indicator development and policy initiatives by a number of international child protection agencies. The template developed was used as a basis to pilot national data collection in Indonesia and, at a sub-national level, in northern Uganda. The template provides a concise summary of protection issues of relevance to a broad range of constituencies, global and national. However, in the pilot settings, existing routine data collection was inadequate to effectively populate a large proportion of indicators. Mechanisms of collating findings from discrete assessments-another potential source of data for completion of the index report-were also generally underdeveloped. In settings where state infrastructure allows the collection and analysis of routine data in such domains as health and economic activity, such efforts should be extended to the child protection sector. Discrete assessments by governmental or non-governmental agencies also provide significant potential for more effective sharing and collation of information. National Child Protection sub-clusters or equivalent structures can play an important role in facilitating both of these processes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Medical student appraisal: electronic resources for inpatient pre-rounding.

PubMed

Sampognaro, P J; Mitchell, S L; Weeks, S R; Khalifian, S; Markman, T M; Uebel, L W; Dattilo, J R

2013-01-01

Pre-rounding is essential to preparing for morning rounds. Despite its importance, pre-rounding is rarely formally taught within the medical school curriculum and more often informally learned by modeling residents. The evolution of mobile applications provides opportunities to optimize this process. To evaluate three options available to medical students while pre-rounding and promote adoption of mobile resources in clinical care. Six medical students formed the evaluation cohort. Students were surveyed to assess pre-rounding practices. Participants utilized paper-based pre-rounding templates for two weeks followed by two weeks of the electronic note-taking service Evernote. A review of mobile applications on the iTunes and Google Play stores was performed, with each application informally reviewed by a single student. The application Scutsheet was selected for formal review by all students. Data was collected from narrative responses supplied by students throughout the evaluation periods and aggregated to assess strengths and limitations of each application. Pre-study responses demonstrated two consistent processes: verbal sign-out of overnight events and template use to organize patient information. The paper-based template was praised for its organization and familiarity amongst residents, but perceived as limited by the requirement of re-copying data into the hospital's electronic medical record (EMR). Evernote excelled due to compatibility across multiple operating systems, including accessibility from clinical workstations and ability to copy notes into the hospital's EMR. Scutsheet allowed for retention of data across multiple hospital days, but was limited by inability to export data or modify the electronic template. Aggregated user feedback identified the abilities to customize templates and copy information into the EMR as two prevailing characteristics that enhanced the efficiency of pre-rounding. Mobile devices offer the potential to enhance pre-rounding efficiency for medical students and residents. A customizable Evernote-based system is described in sufficient detail for reproduction by interested students.

Characterizing stroke lesions using digital templates and lesion quantification tools in a web-based imaging informatics system for a large-scale stroke rehabilitation clinical trial

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ximing; Edwardson, Matthew; Dromerick, Alexander; Winstein, Carolee; Wang, Jing; Liu, Brent

2015-03-01

Previously, we presented an Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Arm Rehabilitation Evaluation (ICARE) imaging informatics system that supports a large-scale phase III stroke rehabilitation trial. The ePR system is capable of displaying anonymized patient imaging studies and reports, and the system is accessible to multiple clinical trial sites and users across the United States via the web. However, the prior multicenter stroke rehabilitation trials lack any significant neuroimaging analysis infrastructure. In stroke related clinical trials, identification of the stroke lesion characteristics can be meaningful as recent research shows that lesion characteristics are related to stroke scale and functional recovery after stroke. To facilitate the stroke clinical trials, we hope to gain insight into specific lesion characteristics, such as vascular territory, for patients enrolled into large stroke rehabilitation trials. To enhance the system's capability for data analysis and data reporting, we have integrated new features with the system: a digital brain template display, a lesion quantification tool and a digital case report form. The digital brain templates are compiled from published vascular territory templates at each of 5 angles of incidence. These templates were updated to include territories in the brainstem using a vascular territory atlas and the Medical Image Processing, Analysis and Visualization (MIPAV) tool. The digital templates are displayed for side-by-side comparisons and transparent template overlay onto patients' images in the image viewer. The lesion quantification tool quantifies planimetric lesion area from user-defined contour. The digital case report form stores user input into a database, then displays contents in the interface to allow for reviewing, editing, and new inputs. In sum, the newly integrated system features provide the user with readily-accessible web-based tools to identify the vascular territory involved, estimate lesion area, and store these results in a web-based digital format.

SU-F-J-100: Standardized Biodistribution Template for Nuclear Medicine Dosimetry Collection and Reporting

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

Kesner, A; Poli, G; Beykan, S

Purpose: As the field of Nuclear Medicine moves forward with efforts to integrate radiation dosimetry into clinical practice we can identify the challenge posed by the lack of standardized dose calculation methods and protocols. All personalized internal dosimetry is derived by projecting biodistribution measurements into dosimetry calculations. In an effort to standardize organization of data and its reporting, we have developed, as a sequel to the EANM recommendation of “Good Dosimetry Reporting”, a freely available biodistribution template, which can be used to create a common point of reference for dosimetry data. It can be disseminated, interpreted, and used for methodmore » development widely across the field. Methods: A generalized biodistribution template was built in a comma delineated format (.csv) to be completed by users performing biodistribution measurements. The template is available for free download. The download site includes instructions and other usage details on the template. Results: This is a new resource developed for the community. It is our hope that users will consider integrating it into their dosimetry operations. Having biodistribution data available and easily accessible for all patients processed is a strategy for organizing large amounts of information. It may enable users to create their own databases that can be analyzed for multiple aspects of dosimetry operations. Furthermore, it enables population data to easily be reprocessed using different dosimetry methodologies. With respect to dosimetry-related research and publications, the biodistribution template can be included as supplementary material, and will allow others in the community to better compare calculations and results achieved. Conclusion: As dosimetry in nuclear medicine become more routinely applied in clinical applications, we, as a field, need to develop the infrastructure for handling large amounts of data. Our organ level biodistribution template can be used as a standard format for data collection, organization, as well as for dosimetry research and software development.« less

System and method for constructing filters for detecting signals whose frequency content varies with time

DOEpatents

Qian, S.; Dunham, M.E.

1996-11-12

A system and method are disclosed for constructing a bank of filters which detect the presence of signals whose frequency content varies with time. The present invention includes a novel system and method for developing one or more time templates designed to match the received signals of interest and the bank of matched filters use the one or more time templates to detect the received signals. Each matched filter compares the received signal x(t) with a respective, unique time template that has been designed to approximate a form of the signals of interest. The robust time domain template is assumed to be of the order of w(t)=A(t)cos(2{pi}{phi}(t)) and the present invention uses the trajectory of a joint time-frequency representation of x(t) as an approximation of the instantaneous frequency function {phi}{prime}(t). First, numerous data samples of the received signal x(t) are collected. A joint time frequency representation is then applied to represent the signal, preferably using the time frequency distribution series. The joint time-frequency transformation represents the analyzed signal energy at time t and frequency f, P(t,f), which is a three-dimensional plot of time vs. frequency vs. signal energy. Then P(t,f) is reduced to a multivalued function f(t), a two dimensional plot of time vs. frequency, using a thresholding process. Curve fitting steps are then performed on the time/frequency plot, preferably using Levenberg-Marquardt curve fitting techniques, to derive a general instantaneous frequency function {phi}{prime}(t) which best fits the multivalued function f(t). Integrating {phi}{prime}(t) along t yields {phi}{prime}(t), which is then inserted into the form of the time template equation. A suitable amplitude A(t) is also preferably determined. Once the time template has been determined, one or more filters are developed which each use a version or form of the time template. 7 figs.

Improvement of Polylactide Properties through Cellulose Nanocrystals Embedded in Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Electrospun Nanofibers

PubMed Central

López de Dicastillo, Carol; Garrido, Luan; Alvarado, Nancy; Romero, Julio; Palma, Juan Luis; Galotto, Maria Jose

2017-01-01

Electrospun nanofibers of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PV) were obtained to improve dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) within hydrophobic biopolymeric matrices, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Electrospun nanofibers (PV/CNC)n were successfully obtained with a final concentration of 23% (w/w) of CNC. Morphological, structural and thermal properties of developed CNC and electrospun nanofibers were characterized. X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis revealed that the crystallinity of PV was reduced by the electrospinning process, and the incorporation of CNC increased the thermal stability of biodegradable nanofibers. Interactions between CNC and PV polymer also enhanced the thermal stability of CNC and improved the dispersion of CNC within the PLA matrix. PLA materials with CNC lyophilized were also casted in order to compare the properties with materials based on CNC containing nanofibers. Nanofibers and CNC were incorporated into PLA at three concentrations: 0.5%, 1% and 3% (CNC respect to polymer weight) and nanocomposites were fully characterized. Overall, nanofibers containing CNC positively modified the physical properties of PLA materials, such as the crystallinity degree of PLA which was greatly enhanced. Specifically, materials with 1% nanofiber 1PLA(PV/CNC)n presented highest improvements related to mechanical and barrier properties; elongation at break was enhanced almost four times and the permeation of oxygen was reduced by approximately 30%. PMID:28492470

Construction of population-specific Indian MRI brain template: Morphometric comparison with Chinese and Caucasian templates.

PubMed

Bhalerao, Gaurav Vivek; Parlikar, Rujuta; Agrawal, Rimjhim; Shivakumar, Venkataram; Kalmady, Sunil V; Rao, Naren P; Agarwal, Sri Mahavir; Narayanaswamy, Janardhanan C; Reddy, Y C Janardhan; Venkatasubramanian, Ganesan

2018-06-01

Spatial normalization of brain MR images is highly dependent on the choice of target brain template. Morphological differences caused by factors like genetic and environmental exposures, generates a necessity to construct population specific brain templates. Brain image analysis performed using brain templates from Caucasian population may not be appropriate for non-Caucasian population. In this study, our objective was to construct an Indian brain template from a large population (N = 157 subjects) and compare the morphometric parameters of this template with that of Chinese-56 and MNI-152 templates. In addition, using an independent MRI data of 15 Indian subjects, we also evaluated the potential registration accuracy differences using these three templates. Indian brain template was constructed using iterative routines as per established procedures. We compared our Indian template with standard MNI-152 template and Chinese template by measuring global brain features. We also examined accuracy of registration by aligning 15 new Indian brains to Indian, Chinese and MNI templates. Furthermore, we supported our measurement protocol with inter-rater and intra-rater reliability analysis. Our results showed that there were significant differences in global brain features of Indian template in comparison with Chinese and MNI brain templates. The results of registration accuracy analysis revealed that fewer deformations are required when Indian brains are registered to Indian template as compared to Chinese and MNI templates. This study concludes that population specific Indian template is likely to be more appropriate for structural and functional image analysis of Indian population. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fabrication of Trabecular Bone-Templated Tissue-Engineered Constructs by 3D Inkjet Printing.

PubMed

Vanderburgh, Joseph P; Fernando, Shanik J; Merkel, Alyssa R; Sterling, Julie A; Guelcher, Scott A

2017-11-01

3D printing enables the creation of scaffolds with precisely controlled morphometric properties for multiple tissue types, including musculoskeletal tissues such as cartilage and bone. Computed tomography (CT) imaging has been combined with 3D printing to fabricate anatomically scaled patient-specific scaffolds for bone regeneration. However, anatomically scaled scaffolds typically lack sufficient resolution to recapitulate the <100 micrometer-scale trabecular architecture essential for investigating the cellular response to the morphometric properties of bone. In this study, it is hypothesized that the architecture of trabecular bone regulates osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. To test this hypothesis, human bone-templated 3D constructs are fabricated via a new micro-CT/3D inkjet printing process. It is shown that this process reproducibly fabricates bone-templated constructs that recapitulate the anatomic site-specific morphometric properties of trabecular bone. A significant correlation is observed between the structure model index (a morphometric parameter related to surface curvature) and the degree of mineralization of human mesenchymal stem cells, with more concave surfaces promoting more extensive osteoblast differentiation and mineralization compared to predominately convex surfaces. These findings highlight the significant effects of trabecular architecture on osteoblast function. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Mask replication using jet and flash imprint lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Selinidis, Kosta S.; Jones, Chris; Doyle, Gary F.; Brown, Laura; Imhof, Joseph; LaBrake, Dwayne L.; Resnick, Douglas J.; Sreenivasan, S. V.

2011-11-01

The Jet and Flash Imprint Lithography (J-FILTM) process uses drop dispensing of UV curable resists to assist high resolution patterning for subsequent dry etch pattern transfer. The technology is actively being used to develop solutions for memory markets including Flash memory and patterned media for hard disk drives. It is anticipated that the lifetime of a single template (for patterned media) or mask (for semiconductor) will be on the order of 104 - 105imprints. This suggests that tens of thousands of templates/masks will be required to satisfy the needs of a manufacturing environment. Electron-beam patterning is too slow to feasibly deliver these volumes, but instead can provide a high quality "master" mask which can be replicated many times with an imprint lithography tool. This strategy has the capability to produce the required supply of "working" templates/masks. In this paper, we review the development of the mask form factor, imprint replication tools and the semiconductor mask replication process. A PerfectaTM MR5000 mask replication tool has been developed specifically to pattern replica masks from an ebeam written master. Performance results, including image placement, critical dimension uniformity, and pattern transfer are covered in detail.

Gas permeability of ice-templated, unidirectional porous ceramics.

PubMed

Seuba, Jordi; Deville, Sylvain; Guizard, Christian; Stevenson, Adam J

2016-01-01

We investigate the gas flow behavior of unidirectional porous ceramics processed by ice-templating. The pore volume ranged between 54% and 72% and pore size between 2.9 [Formula: see text]m and 19.1 [Formula: see text]m. The maximum permeability ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] m[Formula: see text]) was measured in samples with the highest total pore volume (72%) and pore size (19.1 [Formula: see text]m). However, we demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a similar permeability ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] m[Formula: see text]) at 54% pore volume by modification of the pore shape. These results were compared with those reported and measured for isotropic porous materials processed by conventional techniques. In unidirectional porous materials tortuosity ([Formula: see text]) is mainly controlled by pore size, unlike in isotropic porous structures where [Formula: see text] is linked to pore volume. Furthermore, we assessed the applicability of Ergun and capillary model in the prediction of permeability and we found that the capillary model accurately describes the gas flow behavior of unidirectional porous materials. Finally, we combined the permeability data obtained here with strength data for these materials to establish links between strength and permeability of ice-templated materials.

De novo design of molecular architectures by evolutionary assembly of drug-derived building blocks.

PubMed

Schneider, G; Lee, M L; Stahl, M; Schneider, P

2000-07-01

An evolutionary algorithm was developed for fragment-based de novo design of molecules (TOPAS, TOPology-Assigning System). This stochastic method aims at generating a novel molecular structure mimicking a template structure. A set of approximately 25,000 fragment structures serves as the building block supply, which were obtained by a straightforward fragmentation procedure applied to 36,000 known drugs. Eleven reaction schemes were implemented for both fragmentation and building block assembly. This combination of drug-derived building blocks and a restricted set of reaction schemes proved to be a key for the automatic development of novel, synthetically tractable structures. In a cyclic optimization process, molecular architectures were generated from a parent structure by virtual synthesis, and the best structure of a generation was selected as the parent for the subsequent TOPAS cycle. Similarity measures were used to define 'fitness', based on 2D-structural similarity or topological pharmacophore distance between the template molecule and the variants. The concept of varying library 'diversity' during a design process was consequently implemented by using adaptive variant distributions. The efficiency of the design algorithm was demonstrated for the de novo construction of potential thrombin inhibitors mimicking peptide and non-peptide template structures.

Novelty of Dynamic Process in the Synthesis of Biocompatible Silica Nanotubes by Biomimetic Glycyldodecylamide as a Soft Template.

PubMed

Choi, Hyejung; Kim, Joong-Jo; Mo, Yong-Hwan; Reddy, Benjaram M; Park, Sang-Eon

2017-10-10

A dynamic process in the synthesis of silica nanotubes (SNTs) by utilizing glycyldodecylamide (GDA) as a soft template was thoroughly investigated. The morphological evolution from GDA to SNTs was deeply explored to elucidate the formation mechanism for optimizing the synthesis procedure. Various analytical tools, namely, XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, Z-potential, and N 2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, were employed during the synthesis procedure. The interactive structure of GDA was also investigated using TEM-EDX as a function of aging time. These studies revealed the stepwise morphology of nanograin, nanofiber, curved plate, and nanotube in the ethanol/water solution when aged at room temperature. The supramolecular GDA molded the vesicle type nanostructure which was surrounded by silica and facilitated the formation of uniform SNTs. The stimulus for GDA to be curved into a vesicle was the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between adjacent amide groups of the template molecules. This was illustrated by FTIR spectra of GDA-silica intermediate by detecting the transition of amide I peak from 1678 to 1635 cm -1 . The effect of hydrogen bonding became stronger when the sample was aged.

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

Liu, Geyuan

My research projects are focused on application of photonics, optics and micro- fabrication technology in energy related fields. Photonic crystal fabrication research has the potential to help us generate and use light more efficiently. In order to fabricate active 3D woodpile photonic structure devices, a woodpile template is needed to enable the crystal growth process. We developed a silica woodpile template fabrication process based on two polymer transfer molding technique. A silica woodpile template is demonstrated to work with temperature up to 900 C. It provides a more economical way to explore making better 3D active woodpile photonic devices likemore » 3D photonic light emitting diodes (LED). Optical research on solar cell testing has the potential to make our energy generation more e cient and greener. PL imaging and LBIC mapping are used to measure CdTe solar cells with different back contacts. A strong correlation between PL image defects and LBIC map defects is observed. This opens up potential application for PL imaging in fast solar cell inspection. 2D laser IV scan shows its usage in 2D parameter mapping. We show its ability to generate important information about solar cell performance locally around PL image defects.« less

Parenting Practices in Cultural Context: An Ecological Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zarnegar, Zohreh

2015-01-01

Despite general consensus that parenting practices influence the developmental processes of children, many questions about the impacts of parenting practices on child development within the cultural context remain unanswered. This article presents how cultural templates influence parenting practices and developmental processes of young children.…

Multi-template image matching using alpha-rooted biquaternion phase correlation with application to logo recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DelMarco, Stephen

2011-06-01

Hypercomplex approaches are seeing increased application to signal and image processing problems. The use of multicomponent hypercomplex numbers, such as quaternions, enables the simultaneous co-processing of multiple signal or image components. This joint processing capability can provide improved exploitation of the information contained in the data, thereby leading to improved performance in detection and recognition problems. In this paper, we apply hypercomplex processing techniques to the logo image recognition problem. Specifically, we develop an image matcher by generalizing classical phase correlation to the biquaternion case. We further incorporate biquaternion Fourier domain alpha-rooting enhancement to create Alpha-Rooted Biquaternion Phase Correlation (ARBPC). We present the mathematical properties which justify use of ARBPC as an image matcher. We present numerical performance results of a logo verification problem using real-world logo data, demonstrating the performance improvement obtained using the hypercomplex approach. We compare results of the hypercomplex approach to standard multi-template matching approaches.

Photometric redshifts for the next generation of deep radio continuum surveys - II. Gaussian processes and hybrid estimates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duncan, Kenneth J.; Jarvis, Matt J.; Brown, Michael J. I.; Röttgering, Huub J. A.

2018-07-01

Building on the first paper in this series (Duncan et al. 2018), we present a study investigating the performance of Gaussian process photometric redshift (photo-z) estimates for galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) detected in deep radio continuum surveys. A Gaussian process redshift code is used to produce photo-z estimates targeting specific subsets of both the AGN population - infrared (IR), X-ray, and optically selected AGNs - and the general galaxy population. The new estimates for the AGN population are found to perform significantly better at z > 1 than the template-based photo-z estimates presented in our previous study. Our new photo-z estimates are then combined with template estimates through hierarchical Bayesian combination to produce a hybrid consensus estimate that outperforms both of the individual methods across all source types. Photo-z estimates for radio sources that are X-ray sources or optical/IR AGNs are significantly improved in comparison to previous template-only estimates - with outlier fractions and robust scatter reduced by up to a factor of ˜4. The ability of our method to combine the strengths of the two input photo-z techniques and the large improvements we observe illustrate its potential for enabling future exploitation of deep radio continuum surveys for both the study of galaxy and black hole coevolution and for cosmological studies.

Rapid Fabrication of Silver Nanowires through Photoreduction of Silver Nitrate from an Anodic-Aluminum-Oxide Template

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yu-Hsuan; Chen, Kun-Tso; Ho, Jeng-Rong

2011-06-01

A method for rapidly fabricating dense and high-aspect-ratio silver nanowires, with wire diameter of 200 nm and wire length more than 30 µm, is reported. The fabrication process simply involves filling the silver nitrate solution into the pores of an anodic-aluminum-oxide (AAO) membrane through capillary attraction and irradiating the dried template AAO membrane using a pulsed ArF excimer laser. Through varying the thickness and pore diameter of the employed AAO membrane, the primary dimensions of the targeted silver nanowires can be plainly specified; and, by amending the initial concentration of the silver nitrate solution and adjusting the laser operation parameters, laser fluence and number of laser pulses, the surface morphology and size of the resulting nanowires can be finely regulated. The wire formation mechanism is considered through two stages: the period of precipitation of silver particles from the dried silver nitrate film through the laser-induced photoreduction; and, the phase of clustering, merging and fusing of the reduced particles to form nanowires in the template pores by the thermal energy owing to photothermal effect. This approach is straightforward and takes the advantage that all the fabrication processes can be executed in an ambient environment and at room temperature. In addition, by the excellence in local processing that the laser possesses, this method is suitable for precisely growing nanowires.

Nanostructuring of thin Au films deposited on ordered Ti templates for applications in SERS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grochowska, Katarzyna; Siuzdak, Katarzyna; Macewicz, Łukasz; Skiba, Franciszek; Szkoda, Mariusz; Karczewski, Jakub; Burczyk, Łukasz; Śliwiński, Gerard

2017-10-01

In this work the results on thermal nanostructuring of the Au films on Ti templates as well as morphology and optical properties of the obtained structures are reported. The bimetal nanostructures are fabricated in a multi-step process. First, the titania nanotubes are produced on the surface of Ti foil by anodization in an ethylene glycol-water solution containing fluoride ions. This is followed by chemical etching in oxalic acid and results in a highly ordered dimpled surface. Subsequently, thin gold films (5-20 nm) are deposited onto prepared Ti substrates by magnetron sputtering. The as-prepared layers are then dewetted by the UV nanosecond laser pulses or alternatively in the furnace (temperature < 500 °C). The SEM inspection reveals formation of honeycomb nanostructures (cavity diameter: ∼100 nm) covered with Au nanoparticles (NPs). It is observed that both the laser annealing and continuous thermal treatment in furnace can lead to the creation of NPs inside every Ti dimple and result in uniform coating of the whole area of structured templates. The size and localization of NPs obtained via both dewetting processes as well as their shape can be tuned by the annealing time and the laser processing parameters and also by initial thickness of Au layer and presence of the dimples themselves in the substrate. Results confirm that the prepared material can be used as substrate for SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy).

An incompressible fluid flow model with mutual information for MR image registration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Leo; Chang, Herng-Hua

2013-03-01

Image registration is one of the fundamental and essential tasks within image processing. It is a process of determining the correspondence between structures in two images, which are called the template image and the reference image, respectively. The challenge of registration is to find an optimal geometric transformation between corresponding image data. This paper develops a new MR image registration algorithm that uses a closed incompressible viscous fluid model associated with mutual information. In our approach, we treat the image pixels as the fluid elements of a viscous fluid flow governed by the nonlinear Navier-Stokes partial differential equation (PDE). We replace the pressure term with the body force mainly used to guide the transformation with a weighting coefficient, which is expressed by the mutual information between the template and reference images. To solve this modified Navier-Stokes PDE, we adopted the fast numerical techniques proposed by Seibold1. The registration process of updating the body force, the velocity and deformation fields is repeated until the mutual information weight reaches a prescribed threshold. We applied our approach to the BrainWeb and real MR images. As consistent with the theory of the proposed fluid model, we found that our method accurately transformed the template images into the reference images based on the intensity flow. Experimental results indicate that our method is of potential in a wide variety of medical image registration applications.

Design Automation Using Script Languages. High-Level CAD Templates in Non-Parametric Programs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno, R.; Bazán, A. M.

2017-10-01

The main purpose of this work is to study the advantages offered by the application of traditional techniques of technical drawing in processes for automation of the design, with non-parametric CAD programs, provided with scripting languages. Given that an example drawing can be solved with traditional step-by-step detailed procedures, is possible to do the same with CAD applications and to generalize it later, incorporating references. In today’s modern CAD applications, there are striking absences of solutions for building engineering: oblique projections (military and cavalier), 3D modelling of complex stairs, roofs, furniture, and so on. The use of geometric references (using variables in script languages) and their incorporation into high-level CAD templates allows the automation of processes. Instead of repeatedly creating similar designs or modifying their data, users should be able to use these templates to generate future variations of the same design. This paper presents the automation process of several complex drawing examples based on CAD script files aided with parametric geometry calculation tools. The proposed method allows us to solve complex geometry designs not currently incorporated in the current CAD applications and to subsequently create other new derivatives without user intervention. Automation in the generation of complex designs not only saves time but also increases the quality of the presentations and reduces the possibility of human errors.

Preparation of SmBCO layer for the surface optimization of GdYBCO film by MOCVD process based on a simple self-heating technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ruipeng; Zhang, Fei; Liu, Qing; Xia, Yudong; Lu, Yuming; Cai, Chuanbing; Tao, Bowan; Li, Yanrong

2018-07-01

The MOCVD process was adopted to grow the REBa2Cu3O7-δ ((REBCO), RE = rare earth elements) films on the LaMnO3 (LMO) templates. Meanwhile, the LMO-template tapes are heated by the joule effect after applying a heating current through the Hastelloy metal substrates. The surface of GdYBCO films prepared by MOCVD method is prone to form outgrowths. So the surface morphology of GdYBCO film is optimized by depositing the SmBCO layer, which is an important process method for the preparation of high-quality multilayer REBCO films. At last, the GdYBCO/SmBCO/GdYBCO multilayer films were successfully prepared on the LMO templates based on the simple self-heating method. It is demonstrated that the GdYBCO surface was well improved by the characterization analysis of scanning electron microscope. And the Δω of REBCO (005) and Δφ of REBCO (103), which were performed by an X-ray diffraction system, are respectively 1.3° and 3.3° What's more, the critical current density (Jc) has been more than 3 MA/cm2 (77 K, 0 T) and the critical current (Ic) basically shows a trend of good linear increase with the increase of the number of REBCO layers.

3D Printed, Microgroove Pattern-Driven Generation of Oriented Ligamentous Architectures.

PubMed

Park, Chan Ho; Kim, Kyoung-Hwa; Lee, Yong-Moo; Giannobile, William V; Seol, Yang-Jo

2017-09-08

Specific orientations of regenerated ligaments are crucially required for mechanoresponsive properties and various biomechanical adaptations, which are the key interplay to support mineralized tissues. Although various 2D platforms or 3D printing systems can guide cellular activities or aligned organizations, it remains a challenge to develop ligament-guided, 3D architectures with the angular controllability for parallel, oblique or perpendicular orientations of cells required for biomechanical support of organs. Here, we show the use of scaffold design by additive manufacturing for specific topographies or angulated microgroove patterns to control cell orientations such as parallel (0°), oblique (45°) and perpendicular (90°) angulations. These results demonstrate that ligament cells displayed highly predictable and controllable orientations along microgroove patterns on 3D biopolymeric scaffolds. Our findings demonstrate that 3D printed topographical approaches can regulate spatiotemporal cell organizations that offer strong potential for adaptation to complex tissue defects to regenerate ligament-bone complexes.

Kinetics and Mechanisms of Chemical and Biological Agents Release from Biopolymeric Microcapsules.

PubMed

Vinceković, Marko; Jurić, Slaven; Đermić, Edyta; Topolovec-Pintarić, Snježana

2017-11-08

Kinetics and mechanisms of copper cations and Trichoderma viride spores release from uncoated and chitosan coated alginate microcapsules were investigated. The gelation of a fixed amount of sodium alginate at different concentrations of copper ion solutions resulted in distinct kinetics and release mechanisms. The increase in copper cation concentration promoted, but the presence of the chitosan layer on the microcapsule surface and the increase in microcapsule size reduced the rate of active agent release. Fitting to simple Korsmeyer-Peppas empirical model revealed that the underlying release mechanism (Fickian diffusion or a combination of the diffusion and erosion mechanisms) depends on the copper cation concentration and presence of T. viride spores. The investigation pointed out that the proper selection of formulation variables helps in designing microcapsules with the desirable release of copper ions and T. viride for plant protection and nutrition.

Wave Energy Prize - General Information

DOE Data Explorer

Scharmen, Wesley

2016-12-01

All the informational files, templates, rules and guidelines for Wave Energy Prize (WEP), including the Wave Energy Prize Rules, Participant Terms and Conditions Template, WEC Prize Name, Logo, Branding, WEC Publicity, Technical Submission Template , Numerical Modeling Template, SSTF Submission Template, 1/20th Scale Model Design and Construction Plan Template, Final Report template, and Webinars.

Population based MRI and DTI templates of the adult ferret brain and tools for voxelwise analysis.

PubMed

Hutchinson, E B; Schwerin, S C; Radomski, K L; Sadeghi, N; Jenkins, J; Komlosh, M E; Irfanoglu, M O; Juliano, S L; Pierpaoli, C

2017-05-15

Non-invasive imaging has the potential to play a crucial role in the characterization and translation of experimental animal models to investigate human brain development and disorders, especially when employed to study animal models that more accurately represent features of human neuroanatomy. The purpose of this study was to build and make available MRI and DTI templates and analysis tools for the ferret brain as the ferret is a well-suited species for pre-clinical MRI studies with folded cortical surface, relatively high white matter volume and body dimensions that allow imaging with pre-clinical MRI scanners. Four ferret brain templates were built in this study - in-vivo MRI and DTI and ex-vivo MRI and DTI - using brain images across many ferrets and region of interest (ROI) masks corresponding to established ferret neuroanatomy were generated by semi-automatic and manual segmentation. The templates and ROI masks were used to create a web-based ferret brain viewing software for browsing the MRI and DTI volumes with annotations based on the ROI masks. A second objective of this study was to provide a careful description of the imaging methods used for acquisition, processing, registration and template building and to demonstrate several voxelwise analysis methods including Jacobian analysis of morphometry differences between the female and male brain and bias-free identification of DTI abnormalities in an injured ferret brain. The templates, tools and methodological optimization presented in this study are intended to advance non-invasive imaging approaches for human-similar animal species that will enable the use of pre-clinical MRI studies for understanding and treating brain disorders. Published by Elsevier Inc.

[Analysis on property of meridian supramolecules by biological evolution path].

PubMed

Deng, Kaiwen; Tao, Yeqin; Tang, Wenhan; He, Fuyuan; Liu, Wenlong; Shi, Jilian; Yang, Yantao; Zhou, Yiqun; Chang, Xiaorong

2017-03-12

With human placed in the whole nature, by following the biologic evolution path, the property of channel structure for "imprinting template" in meridian and zang-fu was explored with supramolecular chemistry. In the history of biologic evolution, each molecule in "molecule society" gradually developed into various highly-ordered supramolecular bodies based on self-identification, self-assembly, self-organization, self-replicating of"imprinting template", and thereby the original biochemical system was established, and finally evolved into human. In the forming process of supramolecular bodies, the channel structure of"imprinting template" in guest supramolecular bodies would be kept by host supramolecular bodies, and communicate with the outside to exchange materials, energy, information, otherwise life phenomenon could not continue, for which it was the chemical nature of biolo-gical supramolecular bodies for body to develop meridian. Therefore, the human was a gigantic and complicated supramolecules body in biological nature, and possessed the supramolecules "imprinting template" at each stage of evolution, for which the meridians were formed. When meridians converged, acupoints appeared; when acupointsconverged, zang-fu appeared. With the promotion of the blood from heart, according to"imprinting template", the guest supramolecular bodies and host meridian produced qi -analysis, which was the qi -phenomenon of guest in meridian. It presented as zang-fu image of physiology and pathology as well as action regularities of medication and acupuncture tolerance, by which current various meridian viewpoints could be explained and propose the hypothesis of meridian supramolecular bodies. The meridian and its phenomenon was decide by its "imprinting template" of supramolecular bodies and self-reaction regularities, which abided through the living nature. This was the substance for meridian biology.

Quantitative Three-Dimensional Characterization of Block Copolymer Directed Self-Assembly on Combined Chemical and Topographical Prepatterned Templates.

PubMed

Segal-Peretz, Tamar; Ren, Jiaxing; Xiong, Shisheng; Khaira, Gurdaman; Bowen, Alec; Ocola, Leonidas E; Divan, Ralu; Doxastakis, Manolis; Ferrier, Nicola J; de Pablo, Juan; Nealey, Paul F

2017-02-28

Characterization of the three-dimensional (3D) structure in directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers is crucial for understanding the complex relationships between the guiding template and the resulting polymer structure so DSA could be successfully implemented for advanced lithography applications. Here, we combined scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography and coarse-grain simulations to probe the 3D structure of P2VP-b-PS-b-P2VP assembled on prepatterned templates using solvent vapor annealing. The templates consisted of nonpreferential background and raised guiding stripes that had PS-preferential top surfaces and P2VP-preferential sidewalls. The full 3D characterization allowed us to quantify the shape of the polymer domains and the interface between domains as a function of depth in the film and template geometry and offered important insights that were not accessible with 2D metrology. Sidewall guiding was advantageous in promoting the alignment and lowering the roughness of the P2VP domains over the sidewalls, but incommensurate confinement from the increased topography could cause roughness and intermittent dislocations in domains over the background region at the bottom of the film. The 3D characterization of bridge structures between domains over the background and breaks within domains on guiding lines sheds light on possible origins of common DSA defects. The positional fluctuations of the PS/P2VP interface between domains showed a depth-dependent behavior, with high levels of fluctuations near both the free surface of the film and the substrate and lower fluctuation levels in the middle of the film. This research demonstrates how 3D characterization offers a better understanding of DSA processes, leading to better design and fabrication of directing templates.

Rapid and Robust Cross-Correlation-Based Seismic Phase Identification Using an Approximate Nearest Neighbor Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tibi, R.; Young, C. J.; Gonzales, A.; Ballard, S.; Encarnacao, A. V.

2016-12-01

The matched filtering technique involving the cross-correlation of a waveform of interest with archived signals from a template library has proven to be a powerful tool for detecting events in regions with repeating seismicity. However, waveform correlation is computationally expensive, and therefore impractical for large template sets unless dedicated distributed computing hardware and software are used. In this study, we introduce an Approximate Nearest Neighbor (ANN) approach that enables the use of very large template libraries for waveform correlation without requiring a complex distributed computing system. Our method begins with a projection into a reduced dimensionality space based on correlation with a randomized subset of the full template archive. Searching for a specified number of nearest neighbors is accomplished by using randomized K-dimensional trees. We used the approach to search for matches to each of 2700 analyst-reviewed signal detections reported for May 2010 for the IMS station MKAR. The template library in this case consists of a dataset of more than 200,000 analyst-reviewed signal detections for the same station from 2002-2014 (excluding May 2010). Of these signal detections, 60% are teleseismic first P, and 15% regional phases (Pn, Pg, Sn, and Lg). The analyses performed on a standard desktop computer shows that the proposed approach performs the search of the large template libraries about 20 times faster than the standard full linear search, while achieving recall rates greater than 80%, with the recall rate increasing for higher correlation values. To decide whether to confirm a match, we use a hybrid method involving a cluster approach for queries with two or more matches, and correlation score for single matches. Of the signal detections that passed our confirmation process, 52% were teleseismic first P, and 30% were regional phases.

Quantitative three-dimensional characterization of block copolymer directed self-assembly on combined chemical and topographical prepatterned templates

DOE PAGES

Segal-Peretz, Tamar; Ren, Jiaxing; Xiong, Shisheng; ...

2016-12-22

Characterization of the three-dimensional (3D) structure in directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers is crucial for understanding the complex relationships between the guiding template and the resulting polymer structure so DSA could be successfully implemented for advanced lithography applications. Here, we combined scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography and coarse-grain simulations to probe the 3D structure of P2VP- b-PS- b-P2VP assembled on prepatterned templates using solvent vapor annealing. The templates consisted of nonpreferential background and raised guiding stripes that had PS-preferential top surfaces and P2VP-preferential sidewalls. The full 3D characterization allowed us to quantify the shape of the polymer domainsmore » and the interface between domains as a function of depth in the film and template geometry and offered important insights that were not accessible with 2D metrology. Sidewall guiding was advantageous in promoting the alignment and lowering the roughness of the P2VP domains over the sidewalls, but incommensurate confinement from the increased topography could cause roughness and intermittent dislocations in domains over the background region at the bottom of the film. The 3D characterization of bridge structures between domains over the background and breaks within domains on guiding lines sheds light on possible origins of common DSA defects. The positional fluctuations of the PS/P2VP interface between domains showed a depth-dependent behavior, with high levels of fluctuations near both the free surface of the film and the substrate and lower fluctuation levels in the middle of the film. As a result, this research demonstrates how 3D characterization offers a better understanding of DSA processes, leading to better design and fabrication of directing templates.« less

New insights into transcription fidelity: thermal stability of non-canonical structures in template DNA regulates transcriptional arrest, pause, and slippage.

PubMed

Tateishi-Karimata, Hisae; Isono, Noburu; Sugimoto, Naoki

2014-01-01

The thermal stability and topology of non-canonical structures of G-quadruplexes and hairpins in template DNA were investigated, and the effect of non-canonical structures on transcription fidelity was evaluated quantitatively. We designed ten template DNAs: A linear sequence that does not have significant higher-order structure, three sequences that form hairpin structures, and six sequences that form G-quadruplex structures with different stabilities. Templates with non-canonical structures induced the production of an arrested, a slipped, and a full-length transcript, whereas the linear sequence produced only a full-length transcript. The efficiency of production for run-off transcripts (full-length and slipped transcripts) from templates that formed the non-canonical structures was lower than that from the linear. G-quadruplex structures were more effective inhibitors of full-length product formation than were hairpin structure even when the stability of the G-quadruplex in an aqueous solution was the same as that of the hairpin. We considered that intra-polymerase conditions may differentially affect the stability of non-canonical structures. The values of transcription efficiencies of run-off or arrest transcripts were correlated with stabilities of non-canonical structures in the intra-polymerase condition mimicked by 20 wt% polyethylene glycol (PEG). Transcriptional arrest was induced when the stability of the G-quadruplex structure (-ΔG°37) in the presence of 20 wt% PEG was more than 8.2 kcal mol(-1). Thus, values of stability in the presence of 20 wt% PEG are an important indicator of transcription perturbation. Our results further our understanding of the impact of template structure on the transcription process and may guide logical design of transcription-regulating drugs.

Automatic delineation of brain regions on MRI and PET images from the pig.

PubMed

Villadsen, Jonas; Hansen, Hanne D; Jørgensen, Louise M; Keller, Sune H; Andersen, Flemming L; Petersen, Ida N; Knudsen, Gitte M; Svarer, Claus

2018-01-15

The increasing use of the pig as a research model in neuroimaging requires standardized processing tools. For example, extraction of regional dynamic time series from brain PET images requires parcellation procedures that benefit from being automated. Manual inter-modality spatial normalization to a MRI atlas is operator-dependent, time-consuming, and can be inaccurate with lack of cortical radiotracer binding or skull uptake. A parcellated PET template that allows for automatic spatial normalization to PET images of any radiotracer. MRI and [ 11 C]Cimbi-36 PET scans obtained in sixteen pigs made the basis for the atlas. The high resolution MRI scans allowed for creation of an accurately averaged MRI template. By aligning the within-subject PET scans to their MRI counterparts, an averaged PET template was created in the same space. We developed an automatic procedure for spatial normalization of the averaged PET template to new PET images and hereby facilitated transfer of the atlas regional parcellation. Evaluation of the automatic spatial normalization procedure found the median voxel displacement to be 0.22±0.08mm using the MRI template with individual MRI images and 0.92±0.26mm using the PET template with individual [ 11 C]Cimbi-36 PET images. We tested the automatic procedure by assessing eleven PET radiotracers with different kinetics and spatial distributions by using perfusion-weighted images of early PET time frames. We here present an automatic procedure for accurate and reproducible spatial normalization and parcellation of pig PET images of any radiotracer with reasonable blood-brain barrier penetration. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Self-organization and forcing templates in coastal barrier response to storms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lazarus, E.

2015-12-01

When a storm event pushes water up and over a coastal barrier, cross-shore flow transports sediment from the barrier face to the back-barrier environment. This natural physical process is called "overwash", and "washover" is the sedimentary deposit it forms. Overwash and washover support critical coastal habitats, and enable barriers to maintain their height and width relative to rising sea level. On developed barrier coasts, overwash constitutes a natural hazard, which sea-level rise will exacerbate. Overwash is also a prerequisite for barrier breaching and coastal flooding. Predicting occurrence and characteristics of overwash and washover has significant societal value. Hazard models typically assume that pre-storm barrier morphology determines how the barrier changes during a storm. However, classic work has documented the absence of a relationship between pre/post-storm topography in some cases, and has also identified rhythmic patterns in washover alongshore. Previous explanations for these spatial patterns have looked to forcing templates, forms that get imprinted in the barrier shape. An alternative explanation is that washover patterns self-organize, emerging from feedbacks between water flow and sediment transport. Self-organization and forcing templates are often framed as mutually exclusive, but patterns likely form across a continuum of conditions. Here, I use data from a new physical experiment to suggest that spatial patterns in washover can self-organize within the limit of a forcing template of some critical "strength", beyond which pre/post-storm morphologies are highly correlated. Quantifying spatial patterns in washover deposits opens exciting questions regarding coastal morphodynamic response to storms. Measurement of relative template strength over extended spatial (and temporal) scales has the potential to improve hazard assessment and prediction, particularly where template strength is low and self-organization dominates barrier change.

New Insights into Transcription Fidelity: Thermal Stability of Non-Canonical Structures in Template DNA Regulates Transcriptional Arrest, Pause, and Slippage

PubMed Central

Tateishi-Karimata, Hisae; Isono, Noburu; Sugimoto, Naoki

2014-01-01

The thermal stability and topology of non-canonical structures of G-quadruplexes and hairpins in template DNA were investigated, and the effect of non-canonical structures on transcription fidelity was evaluated quantitatively. We designed ten template DNAs: A linear sequence that does not have significant higher-order structure, three sequences that form hairpin structures, and six sequences that form G-quadruplex structures with different stabilities. Templates with non-canonical structures induced the production of an arrested, a slipped, and a full-length transcript, whereas the linear sequence produced only a full-length transcript. The efficiency of production for run-off transcripts (full-length and slipped transcripts) from templates that formed the non-canonical structures was lower than that from the linear. G-quadruplex structures were more effective inhibitors of full-length product formation than were hairpin structure even when the stability of the G-quadruplex in an aqueous solution was the same as that of the hairpin. We considered that intra-polymerase conditions may differentially affect the stability of non-canonical structures. The values of transcription efficiencies of run-off or arrest transcripts were correlated with stabilities of non-canonical structures in the intra-polymerase condition mimicked by 20 wt% polyethylene glycol (PEG). Transcriptional arrest was induced when the stability of the G-quadruplex structure (−ΔGo 37) in the presence of 20 wt% PEG was more than 8.2 kcal mol−1. Thus, values of stability in the presence of 20 wt% PEG are an important indicator of transcription perturbation. Our results further our understanding of the impact of template structure on the transcription process and may guide logical design of transcription-regulating drugs. PMID:24594642

A new route of synthesizing perovskite nanotubes by templating approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habiballah, Anisah Shafiqah; Osman, Nafisah; Jani, Abdul Mutalib Md

2017-09-01

A perovskite oxide for example Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF) has attracted growing attention due to its high catalytic activity and mixed ionic/electronic conductivity. Recent research of BSCF is more comprehensively based on a remarkable trajectory of innovation, in particular with regards to the synthesis of perovskite structures in one-dimensional (1-D) nanometric scales as they promote not only to increase an active electrode area for the oxygen reduction reaction, but also allow the tailoring of electrode's architecture. Nevertheless, achieving the desired 1-D structure by a conventional method such as hydrothermal, solvothermal, or sonochemical are far from satisfactory. Herein, the aim of this work is to synthesize the BSCF perovskite nanotubes via soft templating approach, particularly using anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) as a template, focusing on the morphology, composition and structural properties were demonstrated. After the AAO template was anodized at 80 V, the fabricated template was clamped between apair of spectroscopic cells containing BSCF sol and deionized water (with a hole of both sides) for 24 hours. After that, the sample was removed from the cells followed by heat treatment process. The FESEM images showed that BSCF nanotubes were successfully achieved, with the diameter of the nanotubes' approximately 80 nm. The EDX result also confirmed the nominal stoichiometry of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ. Meanwhile, the XRD pattern confirmed a single crystalline phase of BSCF nanotubes was successfully obtained and congruent to a cubic perovskite structure of BSCF. Possible formation mechanism,as well as the schematic illustration of BSCF nanotubes inside the template was also discussed in this paper.

Model-based software process improvement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zettervall, Brenda T.

1994-01-01

The activities of a field test site for the Software Engineering Institute's software process definition project are discussed. Products tested included the improvement model itself, descriptive modeling techniques, the CMM level 2 framework document, and the use of process definition guidelines and templates. The software process improvement model represents a five stage cyclic approach for organizational process improvement. The cycles consist of the initiating, diagnosing, establishing, acting, and leveraging phases.

Synthesis of NiO nanotubes for use as negative electrodes in lithium ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Needham, S. A.; Wang, G. X.; Liu, H. K.

Nickel oxide (NiO) nanotubes have been produced for the first time via a template processing method. The synthesis involved a two step chemical reaction in which nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH) 2) nanotubes were firstly formed within the walls of an anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) template. The template was then dissolved away using concentrated NaOH, and the freed nanotubes were converted to NiO by heat treatment in air at 350 °C. Individual nanotubes measured 60 μm in length with a 200 nm outer diameter and a wall thickness of 20-30 nm. The NiO nanotube powder was used in Li-ion cells for assessment of the lithium storage ability. Preliminary testing indicates that the cells demonstrate controlled and sustainable lithium diffusion after the formation of an SEI. Reversible capacities in the 300 mAh g -1 range were typical.

Template-free fabrication of silicon micropillar/nanowire composite structure by one-step etching

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

A template-free fabrication method for silicon nanostructures, such as silicon micropillar (MP)/nanowire (NW) composite structure is presented. Utilizing an improved metal-assisted electroless etching (MAEE) of silicon in KMnO4/AgNO3/HF solution and silicon composite nanostructure of the long MPs erected in the short NWs arrays were generated on the silicon substrate. The morphology evolution of the MP/NW composite nanostructure and the role of self-growing K2SiF6 particles as the templates during the MAEE process were investigated in detail. Meanwhile, a fabrication mechanism based on the etching of silver nanoparticles (catalyzed) and the masking of K2SiF6 particles is proposed, which gives guidance for fabricating different silicon nanostructures, such as NW and MP arrays. This one-step method provides a simple and cost-effective way to fabricate silicon nanostructures. PMID:23043719

Synthesis of ZSM-23/ZSM-22 intergrowth zeolite with a novel dual-template strategy

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

Wang, Bingchun, E-mail: wangbc@dicp.ac.cn; Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049; Tian, Zhijian, E-mail: tianz@dicp.ac.cn

2009-12-15

ZSM-23/ZSM-22 intergrowth zeolite with fixed proportion of 60%ZSM-23/40%ZSM-22 has been synthesized with a novel dual-template strategy. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Dimethylamine and diethylamine were used together as a dual-template system. The molar ratio of diethylamine to dimethylamine, which was changed with the type of aluminum source, was the key factor for the synthesis of intergrowth zeolites. A molar ratio of diethylamine to dimethylamine of 1:24 could result in an ZSM-23/ZSM-22 intergrowth zeolite if aluminum sulfate was used as aluminum source, whereas a molar ratio of diethylamine to dimethylamine of 1:12 was required tomore » get an ZSM-23/ZSM-22 intergrowth zeolite if sodium metaaluminate was used. Furthermore, fluoride anion could be involved in the process as a crystallization promoter.« less

The fabrication of subwavelength anti-reflective nanostructures using a bio-template

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Guoyong; Zhang, Guoming; Lin, Feng; Zhang, Jin; Liu, Zhongfan; Mu, Shichen

2008-03-01

This paper describes a paradigm, a simple, low-cost and conventional approach to the fabrication of large-area subwavelength anti-reflective nanostructures on films directly with a bio-template. Specifically, the nano-nipple arrays on the surface of cicada wings have been precisely replicated to a PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) film with high reproducibility by a technique of replica molding, which mainly involves two processes: one is that a negative Au mold is prepared directly from the bio-template of the cicada wing by thermal deposition; the other is that the Au mold is used to obtain the replica of the nanostructures on the original cicada wing by casting polymer. The reflectance spectra measurement shows that the replicated PMMA film can considerably reduce reflectivity at its surface over a large wavelength range from 250 to 800 nm, indicating that the anti-reflective property has also been inherited by the PMMA film.

Monocular correspondence detection for symmetrical objects by template matching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilmar, G.; Besslich, Philipp W., Jr.

1990-09-01

We describe a possibility to reconstruct 3-D information from a single view of an 3-D bilateral symmetric object. The symmetry assumption allows us to obtain a " second view" from a different viewpoint by a simple reflection of the monocular image. Therefore we have to solve the correspondence problem in a special case where known feature-based or area-based binocular approaches fail. In principle our approach is based on a frequency domain template matching of the features on the epipolar lines. During a training period our system " learns" the assignment of correspondence models to image features. The object shape is interpolated when no template matches to the image features. This fact is an important advantage of this methodology because no " real world" image holds the symmetry assumption perfectly. To simplify the training process we used single views on human faces (e. g. passport photos) but our system is trainable on any other kind of objects.

Nanospace-Mediated Self-Organization of Nanoparticles in Flexible Porous Polymer Templates.

PubMed

Kuroda, Yoshiyuki; Muto, Itaru; Shimojima, Atsushi; Wada, Hiroaki; Kuroda, Kazuyuki

2017-09-12

Self-organization is a fundamental process for the construction of complex hierarchically ordered nanostructures, which are widespread in biological systems. However, precise control of size, shape, and surface properties is required for self-organization of nanoparticles. Here, we demonstrate a novel self-organization phenomenon mediated by flexible nanospaces in templates. Inorganic nanoparticles (e.g., silica, zirconia, and titania) are deposited in porous polymer thin films with randomly distributed pores on the surface, leaving a partially filled nanospace in each pore. Heating at temperatures beyond the glass transition temperature of the template leads to self-organization of the inorganic nanoparticles into one-dimensional chainlike networks. The self-organization is mediated by the deformation and fusion of the residual nanospaces, and it can be rationally controlled by sequential heat treatments. These results show that a nanospace, defined by the nonexistence of matter, interacts indirectly with matter and can be used as a component of self-organization systems.

Design reflowable digital book template

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasetya, Didik Dwi; Widiyaningtyas, Triyanna; Arifin, M. Zainal; Wahyu Sakti G., I.

2017-09-01

Electronic books (e-books or digital books) increasingly in demand and continue to grow in the form of future books. One of the standard format electronic books that potential is EPUB (electronic publication) published by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). This digital book has major advantages are able to provide interactive and reflowable content, which are not found in another book format, such as PDF. Reflowable content allows the book can be accessed through a variety of reader device, like desktop and mobile with a fit and comfort view. However, because the generating process of an EPUB digital book is not as easy a PDF, so this format is less popular. Therefore, in order to help overcome the existing problems, this paper develops digital reflowable text book templates to support electronic learning, especially in Indonesia. This template can be used by anyone to produce a standard digital book quickly and easily without requiring additional specialized knowledge.

Telomerase Mechanism of Telomere Synthesis

PubMed Central

Wu, R. Alex; Upton, Heather E.; Vogan, Jacob M.; Collins, Kathleen

2017-01-01

Telomerase is the essential reverse transcriptase required for linear chromosome maintenance in most eukaryotes. Telomerase supplements the tandem array of simple-sequence repeats at chromosome ends to compensate for the DNA erosion inherent in genome replication. The template for telomerase reverse transcriptase is within the RNA subunit of the ribonucleoprotein complex, which in cells contains additional telomerase holoenzyme proteins that assemble the active ribonucleoprotein and promote its function at telomeres. Telomerase is distinct among polymerases in its reiterative reuse of an internal template. The template is precisely defined, processively copied, and regenerated by release of single-stranded product DNA. New specificities of nucleic acid handling that underlie the catalytic cycle of repeat synthesis derive from both active site specialization and new motif elaborations in protein and RNA subunits. Studies of telomerase provide unique insights into cellular requirements for genome stability, tissue renewal, and tumorigenesis as well as new perspectives on dynamic ribonucleoprotein machines. PMID:28141967

Soft-template mediated synthesis of GaOOH nanorod-shelled microspheres and thermal conversion to beta-Ga2O3.

PubMed

Wang, Jian; Li, Qi; Qiu, Xiaohui; He, Yujian; Liu, Wei

2010-07-01

Micrometer-scale hollow spheres self-assembled by GaOOH nanorods were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using gallium nitrate and sodium hydroxide as starting materials. The structures and morphologies of the products were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Time-dependent experiments revealed three stages involved in the process of reaction including the initial stage of formation of surfactant vesicles which can be considered as soft templates, followed by the nucleation of GaOOH nanoclusters, and the assembling and growth of nanorods under the modulation of the spherical vesicles. The growth kinetics of the GaOOH nanorods was systematically investigated. Based on the experimental observation, a template-mediated assembling mechanism was proposed. We further demonstrated that the GaOOH nanorods could be converted to gallium oxide (beta-Ga2O3) nanorods by calcination without changing the spherical morphology of the assemblies.

Mechanical properties and failure behavior of unidirectional porous ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seuba, Jordi; Deville, Sylvain; Guizard, Christian; Stevenson, Adam J.

2016-04-01

We show that the honeycomb out-of-plane model derived by Gibson and Ashby can be applied to describe the compressive behavior of unidirectional porous materials. Ice-templating allowed us to process samples with accurate control over pore volume, size, and morphology. These samples allowed us to evaluate the effect of this microstructural variations on the compressive strength in a porosity range of 45-80%. The maximum strength of 286 MPa was achieved in the least porous ice-templated sample (P(%) = 49.9), with the smallest pore size (3 μm). We found that the out-of-plane model only holds when buckling is the dominant failure mode, as should be expected. Furthermore, we controlled total pore volume by adjusting solids loading and sintering temperature. This strategy allows us to independently control macroporosity and densification of walls, and the compressive strength of ice-templated materials is exclusively dependent on total pore volume.

Mechanical properties and failure behavior of unidirectional porous ceramics.

PubMed

Seuba, Jordi; Deville, Sylvain; Guizard, Christian; Stevenson, Adam J

2016-04-14

We show that the honeycomb out-of-plane model derived by Gibson and Ashby can be applied to describe the compressive behavior of unidirectional porous materials. Ice-templating allowed us to process samples with accurate control over pore volume, size, and morphology. These samples allowed us to evaluate the effect of this microstructural variations on the compressive strength in a porosity range of 45-80%. The maximum strength of 286 MPa was achieved in the least porous ice-templated sample (P(%) = 49.9), with the smallest pore size (3 μm). We found that the out-of-plane model only holds when buckling is the dominant failure mode, as should be expected. Furthermore, we controlled total pore volume by adjusting solids loading and sintering temperature. This strategy allows us to independently control macroporosity and densification of walls, and the compressive strength of ice-templated materials is exclusively dependent on total pore volume.

Targeting Neuroblastoma Cell Surface Proteins: Recommendations for Homology Modeling of hNET, ALK, and TrkB.

PubMed

Haddad, Yazan; Heger, Zbyněk; Adam, Vojtech

2017-01-01

Targeted therapy is a promising approach for treatment of neuroblastoma as evident from the large number of targeting agents employed in clinical practice today. In the absence of known crystal structures, researchers rely on homology modeling to construct template-based theoretical structures for drug design and testing. Here, we discuss three candidate cell surface proteins that are suitable for homology modeling: human norepinephrine transporter (hNET), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor 2 (NTRK2 or TrkB). When choosing templates, both sequence identity and structure quality are important for homology modeling and pose the first of many challenges in the modeling process. Homology modeling of hNET can be improved using template models of dopamine and serotonin transporters instead of the leucine transporter (LeuT). The extracellular domains of ALK and TrkB are yet to be exploited by homology modeling. There are several idiosyncrasies that require direct attention throughout the process of model construction, evaluation and refinement. Shifts/gaps in the alignment between the template and target, backbone outliers and side-chain rotamer outliers are among the main sources of physical errors in the structures. Low-conserved regions can be refined with loop modeling method. Residue hydrophobicity, accessibility to bound metals or glycosylation can aid in model refinement. We recommend resolving these idiosyncrasies as part of "good modeling practice" to obtain highest quality model. Decreasing physical errors in protein structures plays major role in the development of targeting agents and understanding of chemical interactions at the molecular level.

The Improvement of Automated Spectral Identification Tool ASERA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Hailong; zhang, Yanxia

2015-08-01

The regular survey of Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) has acquired over four millions spectra of celestial objects by the summer of 2014, covering about a third of the whole sky area. More spectra will be obtained as the survey projects (eg. LAMOST, SDSS) keeps going on. To effectively make use of the massive spectral data, various advanced data analysis methods and technologies are in great requirement. ASERA, A Spectrum Eye Recognition Assistant, provides a simple convenient solution for the user to access spectra from LAMOST and SDSS, identify their types (QSO, galaxy, and various types of stars) and estimate their redshifts in an interactive graphic interface. The toolkit is at first especially designed for quasar identification. By shifting the quasar template overlaping the target spectrum interactively, one can easily find out the best broad emission line position and the redshift value. Now, besides the quasar template, various templates for different types of galaxies (early type, later type, starburst, bulge, elliptical and luminous red galaxies) and stars (O, B, A, F, G, K, M, WD, CV, Double Stars and Emission-Line-Objects) are added. We also have developed many new useful functionalities for inspecting and analyzing spectra, such as zooming, line fitting, smoothing and automatic result saving. The target information from input catalogues and data processing result from the pipeline as well as fitting parameters for various types of templates, can be presented at the same time. Several volume processing components are developed to support the cooperation with MySQL database, internet resources and SSAP services. ASERA will be a strong helper for astronomers to recognize spectra.

[A new method of processing quantitative PCR data].

PubMed

Ke, Bing-Shen; Li, Guang-Yun; Chen, Shi-Min; Huang, Xiang-Yan; Chen, Ying-Jian; Xu, Jun

2003-05-01

Today standard PCR can't satisfy the need of biotechnique development and clinical research any more. After numerous dynamic research, PE company found there is a linear relation between initial template number and cycling time when the accumulating fluorescent product is detectable.Therefore,they developed a quantitative PCR technique to be used in PE7700 and PE5700. But the error of this technique is too great to satisfy the need of biotechnique development and clinical research. A better quantitative PCR technique is needed. The mathematical model submitted here is combined with the achievement of relative science,and based on the PCR principle and careful analysis of molecular relationship of main members in PCR reaction system. This model describes the function relation between product quantity or fluorescence intensity and initial template number and other reaction conditions, and can reflect the accumulating rule of PCR product molecule accurately. Accurate quantitative PCR analysis can be made use this function relation. Accumulated PCR product quantity can be obtained from initial template number. Using this model to do quantitative PCR analysis,result error is only related to the accuracy of fluorescence intensity or the instrument used. For an example, when the fluorescence intensity is accurate to 6 digits and the template size is between 100 to 1,000,000, the quantitative result accuracy will be more than 99%. The difference of result error is distinct using same condition,same instrument but different analysis method. Moreover,if the PCR quantitative analysis system is used to process data, it will get result 80 times of accuracy than using CT method.

Improving and Assessing Planet Sensitivity of the GPI Exoplanet Survey with a Forward Model Matched Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruffio, Jean-Baptiste; Macintosh, Bruce; Wang, Jason J.; Pueyo, Laurent; Nielsen, Eric L.; De Rosa, Robert J.; Czekala, Ian; Marley, Mark S.; Arriaga, Pauline; Bailey, Vanessa P.; Barman, Travis; Bulger, Joanna; Chilcote, Jeffrey; Cotten, Tara; Doyon, Rene; Duchêne, Gaspard; Fitzgerald, Michael P.; Follette, Katherine B.; Gerard, Benjamin L.; Goodsell, Stephen J.; Graham, James R.; Greenbaum, Alexandra Z.; Hibon, Pascale; Hung, Li-Wei; Ingraham, Patrick; Kalas, Paul; Konopacky, Quinn; Larkin, James E.; Maire, Jérôme; Marchis, Franck; Marois, Christian; Metchev, Stanimir; Millar-Blanchaer, Maxwell A.; Morzinski, Katie M.; Oppenheimer, Rebecca; Palmer, David; Patience, Jennifer; Perrin, Marshall; Poyneer, Lisa; Rajan, Abhijith; Rameau, Julien; Rantakyrö, Fredrik T.; Savransky, Dmitry; Schneider, Adam C.; Sivaramakrishnan, Anand; Song, Inseok; Soummer, Remi; Thomas, Sandrine; Wallace, J. Kent; Ward-Duong, Kimberly; Wiktorowicz, Sloane; Wolff, Schuyler

2017-06-01

We present a new matched-filter algorithm for direct detection of point sources in the immediate vicinity of bright stars. The stellar point-spread function (PSF) is first subtracted using a Karhunen-Loéve image processing (KLIP) algorithm with angular and spectral differential imaging (ADI and SDI). The KLIP-induced distortion of the astrophysical signal is included in the matched-filter template by computing a forward model of the PSF at every position in the image. To optimize the performance of the algorithm, we conduct extensive planet injection and recovery tests and tune the exoplanet spectra template and KLIP reduction aggressiveness to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of the recovered planets. We show that only two spectral templates are necessary to recover any young Jovian exoplanets with minimal S/N loss. We also developed a complete pipeline for the automated detection of point-source candidates, the calculation of receiver operating characteristics (ROC), contrast curves based on false positives, and completeness contours. We process in a uniform manner more than 330 data sets from the Gemini Planet Imager Exoplanet Survey and assess GPI typical sensitivity as a function of the star and the hypothetical companion spectral type. This work allows for the first time a comparison of different detection algorithms at a survey scale accounting for both planet completeness and false-positive rate. We show that the new forward model matched filter allows the detection of 50% fainter objects than a conventional cross-correlation technique with a Gaussian PSF template for the same false-positive rate.

Sol-Gel processing of silica nanoparticles and their applications.

PubMed

Singh, Lok P; Bhattacharyya, Sriman K; Kumar, Rahul; Mishra, Geetika; Sharma, Usha; Singh, Garima; Ahalawat, Saurabh

2014-11-06

Recently, silica nanoparticles (SNPs) have drawn widespread attention due to their applications in many emerging areas because of their tailorable morphology. During the last decade, remarkable efforts have been made on the investigations for novel processing methodologies to prepare SNPs, resulting in better control of the size, shape, porosity and significant improvements in the physio-chemical properties. A number of techniques available for preparing SNPs namely, flame spray pyrolysis, chemical vapour deposition, micro-emulsion, ball milling, sol-gel etc. have resulted, a number of publications. Among these, preparation by sol-gel has been the focus of research as the synthesis is straightforward, scalable and controllable. Therefore, this review focuses on the recent progress in the field of synthesis of SNPs exhibiting ordered mesoporous structure, their distribution pattern, morphological attributes and applications. The mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) with good dispersion, varying morphology, narrow size distribution and homogeneous porous structure have been successfully prepared using organic and inorganic templates. The soft template assisted synthesis using surfactants for obtaining desirable shapes, pores, morphology and mechanisms proposed has been reviewed. Apart from single template, double and mixed surfactants, electrolytes, polymers etc. as templates have also been intensively discussed. The influence of reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, concentration of reagents, drying techniques, solvents, precursor, aging time etc. have also been deliberated. These MSNPs are suitable for a variety of applications viz., in the drug delivery systems, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), biosensors, cosmetics as well as construction materials. The applications of these SNPs have also been briefly summarized. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Biotemplated synthesis of inorganic materials: An emerging paradigm for nanomaterial synthesis inspired by nature

DOE PAGES

Krajina, Brad A.; Proctor, Amy C.; Schoen, Alia P.; ...

2017-08-08

Biomineralization, the process by which biological systems direct the synthesis of inorganic structures from organic templates, is an exquisite example of nanomaterial self-assembly in nature. Its products include the shells of mollusks and the bones and teeth of vertebrates. By comparison, conventional inorganic synthesis techniques provide limited control over inorganic nanomaterial architecture. Inspired by biomineralization in nature, over the last two decades, the field of biotemplating has emerged as a new paradigm for inorganic nanomaterial assembly, wherein researchers seek to design novel nano-structures in which inorganic nanomaterial synthesis is directed from an underlying biomolecular template. Here, we review the motivation,more » mechanistic understanding, progress, and challenges for the field of biotemplating. We highlight the interdisciplinary nature of this field, and survey a broad range of examples of bio-templated engineering: ranging from strategies that exploit the inherent capabilities of proteins in nature, to genetically-engineered systems that unlock new capabilities for self-assembly with biomolecules. Here, we illustrate that the use of biological materials as templates for inorganic self-assembly holds tremendous potential for nanomaterial engineering, with applications that range from electronics and energy to medicine.« less

Template-assisted growth of transparent plasmonic nanowire electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caterina Giordano, Maria; Repetto, Diego; Mennucci, Carlo; Carrara, Angelica; Buatier de Mongeot, Francesco

2016-12-01

Self-organized nanowire arrays are confined by glancing-angle Au deposition on nanopatterned glass templates prepared by ion beam sputtering. The semi-transparent 1D nanowire arrays are extended over large cm2 areas and are endowed with excellent electrical conductivity competitive with the best transparent conductive oxides (sheet resistance in the range of 5-20 Ohm sq-1). In addition, the nanowires support localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances, which are easily tunable into the visible and near infrared spectrum and are selectively excited with incident light polarized perpendicularly to the wires. Such substrates, thus, behave as multifunctional nanoelectrodes, which combine good optoelectronic performance with dichroic plasmonic excitation. The electrical percolation process of the Au nanoelectrodes was monitored in situ during growth at glancing angle, both on flat and nanopatterned glass templates. In the first case, we observed a universal scaling of the differential percolation rate, independently of the glancing deposition angle, while deviations from the universal scaling were observed when Au was confined on nanopatterned templates. In the latter case, the pronounced shadowing effect promotes the growth of locally connected 1D Au nanosticks on the ‘illuminated’ ripple ridges, thus, introducing strong anisotropies with respect to the case of a 2D percolating network.

Single-crystal gallium nitride nanotubes.

PubMed

Goldberger, Joshua; He, Rongrui; Zhang, Yanfeng; Lee, Sangkwon; Yan, Haoquan; Choi, Heon-Jin; Yang, Peidong

2003-04-10

Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes in 1991 (ref. 1), there have been significant research efforts to synthesize nanometre-scale tubular forms of various solids. The formation of tubular nanostructure generally requires a layered or anisotropic crystal structure. There are reports of nanotubes made from silica, alumina, silicon and metals that do not have a layered crystal structure; they are synthesized by using carbon nanotubes and porous membranes as templates, or by thin-film rolling. These nanotubes, however, are either amorphous, polycrystalline or exist only in ultrahigh vacuum. The growth of single-crystal semiconductor hollow nanotubes would be advantageous in potential nanoscale electronics, optoelectronics and biochemical-sensing applications. Here we report an 'epitaxial casting' approach for the synthesis of single-crystal GaN nanotubes with inner diameters of 30-200 nm and wall thicknesses of 5-50 nm. Hexagonal ZnO nanowires were used as templates for the epitaxial overgrowth of thin GaN layers in a chemical vapour deposition system. The ZnO nanowire templates were subsequently removed by thermal reduction and evaporation, resulting in ordered arrays of GaN nanotubes on the substrates. This templating process should be applicable to many other semiconductor systems.

Self-assembly of knots and links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlandini, Enzo; Polles, Guido; Marenduzzo, Davide; Micheletti, Cristian

2017-03-01

Guiding the self-assembly of identical building blocks towards complex three-dimensional structures with a set of desired properties is a major goal in material science, chemistry and physics. A particularly challenging problem, especially explored in synthetic chemistry, is that of self-assembling closed structures with a target topology starting by simple geometrical templates. Here we overview and revisit recent advancements, based on stochastic simulations, where the geometry of rigid helical templates with functionalised sticky ends has been designed for self-assembling efficiently and reproducibly into a wide range of three-dimensional closed structures. Notably, these include non trivial topologies of links and knots, including the 819 knot that we had predicted to be highly encodable and that has only recently been obtained experimentally. By appropriately tuning the parameters that define the template shape, we show that, for fixed concentration of templates, the assembly process can be directed towards the formation of specific knotted and linked structures such as the trefoils, pentafoil knots, Hopf and Solomon links. More exotic and unexpected knots and links are also found. Our results should be relevant to the design of new protocols that can both increase and broaden the population of synthetise molecular knots and catenanes.

Synthesis of Co3O4 Cotton-Like Nanostructures for Cholesterol Biosensor

PubMed Central

Elhag, Sami; Ibupoto, Zafar Hussain; Nour, Omer; Willander, Magnus

2014-01-01

The use of templates to assist and possess a control over the synthesis of nanomaterials has been an attractive option to achieve this goal. Here we have used sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to act as a template for the low temperature synthesis of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanostructures. The use of SDS has led to tune the morphology, and the product was in the form of “cotton-like” nanostructures instead of connected nanowires. Moreover, the variation of the amount of the SDS used was found to affect the charge transfer process in the Co3O4. Using Co3O4 synthesized using the SDS for sensing of cholesterol was investigated. The use of the Co3O4 synthesized using the SDS was found to yield an improved cholesterol biosensor compared to Co3O4 synthesized without the SDS. The improvement of the cholesterol sensing properties upon using the SDS as a template was manifested in increasing the sensitivity and the dynamic range of detection. The results achieved in this study indicate the potential of using template assisted synthesis of nanomaterials in improving some properties, e.g., cholesterol sensing. PMID:28787929

[Using neural networks based template matching method to obtain redshifts of normal galaxies].

PubMed

Xu, Xin; Luo, A-li; Wu, Fu-chao; Zhao, Yong-heng

2005-06-01

Galaxies can be divided into two classes: normal galaxy (NG) and active galaxy (AG). In order to determine NG redshifts, an automatic effective method is proposed in this paper, which consists of the following three main steps: (1) From the template of normal galaxy, the two sets of samples are simulated, one with the redshift of 0.0-0.3, the other of 0.3-0.5, then the PCA is used to extract the main components, and train samples are projected to the main component subspace to obtain characteristic spectra. (2) The characteristic spectra are used to train a Probabilistic Neural Network to obtain a Bayes classifier. (3) An unknown real NG spectrum is first inputted to this Bayes classifier to determine the possible range of redshift, then the template matching is invoked to locate the redshift value within the estimated range. Compared with the traditional template matching technique with an unconstrained range, our proposed method not only halves the computational load, but also increases the estimation accuracy. As a result, the proposed method is particularly useful for automatic spectrum processing produced from a large-scale sky survey project.

Biotemplated synthesis of inorganic materials: An emerging paradigm for nanomaterial synthesis inspired by nature

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

Krajina, Brad A.; Proctor, Amy C.; Schoen, Alia P.

Biomineralization, the process by which biological systems direct the synthesis of inorganic structures from organic templates, is an exquisite example of nanomaterial self-assembly in nature. Its products include the shells of mollusks and the bones and teeth of vertebrates. By comparison, conventional inorganic synthesis techniques provide limited control over inorganic nanomaterial architecture. Inspired by biomineralization in nature, over the last two decades, the field of biotemplating has emerged as a new paradigm for inorganic nanomaterial assembly, wherein researchers seek to design novel nano-structures in which inorganic nanomaterial synthesis is directed from an underlying biomolecular template. Here, we review the motivation,more » mechanistic understanding, progress, and challenges for the field of biotemplating. We highlight the interdisciplinary nature of this field, and survey a broad range of examples of bio-templated engineering: ranging from strategies that exploit the inherent capabilities of proteins in nature, to genetically-engineered systems that unlock new capabilities for self-assembly with biomolecules. Here, we illustrate that the use of biological materials as templates for inorganic self-assembly holds tremendous potential for nanomaterial engineering, with applications that range from electronics and energy to medicine.« less

Pulsed electric field assisted assembly of polyaniline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Arun; Kazmer, David O.; Barry, Carol M. F.; Mead, Joey L.

2012-08-01

Assembling conducting polyaniline (PANi) on pre-patterned nano-structures by a high rate, commercially viable route offers an opportunity for manufacturing devices with nanoscale features. In this work we report for the first time the use of pulsed electric field to assist electrophoresis for the assembly of conducting polyaniline on gold nanowire interdigitated templates. This technique offers dynamic control over heat build-up, which has been a main drawback in the DC electrophoresis and AC dielectrophoresis as well as the main cause of nanowire template damage. The use of this technique allowed higher voltages to be applied, resulting in shorter assembly times (e.g., 17.4 s, assembly resolution of 100 nm). Moreover, the area coverage increases with the increase in number of pulses. A similar trend was observed with the deposition height and the increase in deposition height followed a linear trend with a correlation coefficient of 0.95. When the experimental mass deposited was compared with Hamaker’s theoretical model, the two were found to be very close. The pre-patterned templates with PANi deposition were subsequently used to transfer the nanoscale assembled PANi from the rigid templates to thermoplastic polyurethane using the thermoforming process.

Composition and diameter modulation of magnetic nanowire arrays fabricated by a novel approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaker Salem, Mohamed; Tejo, Felipe; Zierold, Robert; Sergelius, Philip; Montero Moreno, Josep M.; Goerlitz, Detlef; Nielsch, Kornelius; Escrig, Juan

2018-02-01

Straight magnetic nanowires composed of nickel and permalloy segments having different diameters are synthesized using a promising approach. This approach involves the controlled electrodeposition of each magnetic material into specially designed diameter-modulated porous alumina templates. Standard alumina templates are exposed to pore widening followed by a protective coating of the pore wall with ultrathin silica and further anodization. Micromagnetic simulations are employed to investigate the process of magnetization reversal in the fabricated nanowires when the magnetic materials exchange their places in the thick and thin segments. It is found that the magnetization reversal occurs by the propagation of transverse domain wall (DW) when the thick segment is composed of permalloy. However, the reversal process proceeds by the propagation of vortex DW when permalloy is located at the thin segment.

Kinetic Analysis for Macrocyclizations Involving Anionic Template at the Transition State

PubMed Central

Martí-Centelles, Vicente; Burguete, M. Isabel; Luis, Santiago V.

2012-01-01

Several kinetic models for the macrocyclization of a C2 pseudopeptide with a dihalide through a SN2 reaction have been developed. These models not only focus on the kinetic analysis of the main macrocyclization reaction, but also consider the competitive oligomerization/polymerization processes yielding undesired oligomeric/polymeric byproducts. The effect of anions has also been included in the kinetic models, as they can act as catalytic templates in the transition state reducing and stabilizing the transition state. The corresponding differential equation systems for each kinetic model can be solved numerically. Through a comprehensive analysis of these results, it is possible to obtain a better understanding of the different parameters that are involved in the macrocyclization reaction mechanism and to develop strategies for the optimization of the desired processes. PMID:22666148

Water droplets as template for next-generation self-assembled poly-(etheretherketone) with cardo membranes.

PubMed

Gugliuzza, Annarosa; Aceto, Marianna Carmela; Macedonio, Francesca; Drioli, Enrico

2008-08-28

Next generation PEEK-WC membranes have been fabricated by using an innovative self-assembly technique. Patterned architectures have been achieved via a solvent-reduced and water-assisted process, resulting in honeycomb packed geometry. The membranes exhibit monodisperse pores with size and shape comparable to those left by templating water droplets. Influencing factors for the formation of self-assembled poly-(etheretherketone) with Cardo [PEEK-WC] membranes have been evaluated, identifying the critical parameters for nucleation, growth, and propagation of the droplet-mobile arrays through the overall films. Structure-transport relationships have been discussed according to the results achieved from the implementation of membrane distillation processes, yielding indication about the suitability of self-assembled PEEK-WC films to work as interfaces in contactor operations.

Cloning nanocrystal morphology with soft templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thapa, Dev Kumar; Pandey, Anshu

2016-08-01

In most template directed preparative methods, while the template decides the nanostructure morphology, the structure of the template itself is a non-general outcome of its peculiar chemistry. Here we demonstrate a template mediated synthesis that overcomes this deficiency. This synthesis involves overgrowth of silica template onto a sacrificial nanocrystal. Such templates are used to copy the morphologies of gold nanorods. After template overgrowth, gold is removed and silver is regrown in the template cavity to produce a single crystal silver nanorod. This technique allows for duplicating existing nanocrystals, while also providing a quantifiable breakdown of the structure - shape interdependence.

Application of automatic threshold in dynamic target recognition with low contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Hua; Guo, Xiaoming; Chen, Yu

2014-11-01

Hybrid photoelectric joint transform correlator can realize automatic real-time recognition with high precision through the combination of optical devices and electronic devices. When recognizing targets with low contrast using photoelectric joint transform correlator, because of the difference of attitude, brightness and grayscale between target and template, only four to five frames of dynamic targets can be recognized without any processing. CCD camera is used to capture the dynamic target images and the capturing speed of CCD is 25 frames per second. Automatic threshold has many advantages like fast processing speed, effectively shielding noise interference, enhancing diffraction energy of useful information and better reserving outline of target and template, so this method plays a very important role in target recognition with optical correlation method. However, the automatic obtained threshold by program can not achieve the best recognition results for dynamic targets. The reason is that outline information is broken to some extent. Optimal threshold is obtained by manual intervention in most cases. Aiming at the characteristics of dynamic targets, the processing program of improved automatic threshold is finished by multiplying OTSU threshold of target and template by scale coefficient of the processed image, and combining with mathematical morphology. The optimal threshold can be achieved automatically by improved automatic threshold processing for dynamic low contrast target images. The recognition rate of dynamic targets is improved through decreased background noise effect and increased correlation information. A series of dynamic tank images with the speed about 70 km/h are adapted as target images. The 1st frame of this series of tanks can correlate only with the 3rd frame without any processing. Through OTSU threshold, the 80th frame can be recognized. By automatic threshold processing of the joint images, this number can be increased to 89 frames. Experimental results show that the improved automatic threshold processing has special application value for the recognition of dynamic target with low contrast.

Titania nanospheres from supercritical fluids.

PubMed

Darr, J A; Kellici, S; Rehman, I U

2005-06-01

Surfactant-coated amorphous titania nanospheres have been synthesised using templating 'water-in-supercritical carbon dioxide' emulsion droplets; the process represents a clean and controlled method for the manufacture of high-purity nanoparticles.

Influence of dipolar interactions on the angular-dependent coercivity of nickel nanocylinders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bender, P.; Krämer, F.; Tschöpe, A.; Birringer, R.

2015-04-01

In this study the influence of dipolar interactions on the orientation-dependent magnetization behavior of an ensemble of single-domain nickel nanorods was investigated. The rods were synthesized by electrodeposition of nickel into porous alumina templates. Some of the rods were released from the oxide and embedded in gelatine hydrogels (ferrogel) at a sufficiently large average interparticle distance to suppress dipolar interactions. By comparing the orientation-dependent hystereses of the two ensembles in the template and the gel-matrix it could be shown that the dipolar interactions in the template considerably alter the functional form of the angular-dependent coercivity. Analysis of the magnetization curves for an angle of 60° between the rod-axes and the field revealed a significantly reduced coercivity of the template compared to the ferrogel, which could be directly attributed to a stray field induced magnetization reversal of a steadily increasing number of rods with increasing field strength. The magnetization curve of the template could be approximated by a weighted linear superposition of the hysteresis branches of the ferrogel. The magnetization reversal process of the rods was investigated by analyzing the angular-dependent coercivity of the non-interacting nanorods. Comparison of the functional form with analytical models and micromagnetic simulations emphasized the assumption of a localized magnetization reversal. Additionally, it could be shown that the nucleation field of rods with diameters in the range 18-29 nm tends to increase with increasing diameter.

Generation And Understanding Of Natural Language Using Information In A Frame Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perkins, Walton A.

1989-03-01

Many expert systems and relational database systems store factual information in the form of attributes values of objects. Problems arise in transforming from that attribute (frame) database representation into English surface structure and in transforming the English surface structure into a representation that references information in the frame database. In this paper we consider mainly the generation process, as it is this area in which we have made the most significant progress. In its interaction with the user, the expert system must generate questions, declarations, and uncertain declarations. Attributes such as COLOR, LENGTH, and ILLUMINATION can be referenced using the template: " of " for both questions and declarations. However, many other attributes, such as RATTLES, in "What is RATTLES of the light bulb?", and HAS_STREP_THROAT in, "HAS_STREP_THROAT of Dan is true." do not fit this template. We examined over 300 attributes from several knowledge bases and have grouped them into 16 classes. For each class there is one "question" template, one "declaration" template, and one "uncertain declaration" template for generating English surface structure. The internal databases identifiers (e.g., HAS_STREP_THROAT and DISEASE_35) must also be replaced by output synonyms. Classifying each attribute in combination with synonym translation remarkably improved the English surface structure that the system generated. In the area of understanding, synonym translation and knowledge of the attribute properties, such as legal values, has resulted in a robust database query capability.

Emulating the Visual Receptive Field Properties of MST Neurons with a Template Model of Heading Estimation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perrone, John A.; Stone, Leland S.

1997-01-01

We have previously proposed a computational neural-network model by which the complex patterns of retinal image motion generated during locomotion (optic flow) can be processed by specialized detectors acting as templates for specific instances of self-motion. The detectors in this template model respond to global optic flow by sampling image motion over a large portion of the visual field through networks of local motion sensors with properties similar to neurons found in the middle temporal (MT) area of primate extrastriate visual cortex. The model detectors were designed to extract self-translation (heading), self-rotation, as well as the scene layout (relative distances) ahead of a moving observer, and are arranged in cortical-like heading maps to perform this function. Heading estimation from optic flow has been postulated by some to be implemented within the medial superior temporal (MST) area. Others have questioned whether MST neurons can fulfill this role because some of their receptive-field properties appear inconsistent with a role in heading estimation. To resolve this issue, we systematically compared MST single-unit responses with the outputs of model detectors under matched stimulus conditions. We found that the basic physiological properties of MST neurons can be explained by the template model. We conclude that MST neurons are well suited to support heading estimation and that the template model provides an explicit set of testable hypotheses which can guide future exploration of MST and adjacent areas within the primate superior temporal sulcus.

SiO{sub 2} nanospheres with tailorable interiors by directly controlling Zn{sup 2+} and NH{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O species in an emulsion process

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

Liao Yuchao; Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049; Wu Xiaofeng

2011-07-15

SiO{sub 2} nanospheres with tailorable interiors were synthesized by a facile one-spot microemulsion process using TEOS as silica source, wherein cyclohexane including triton X-100 and n-octanol as oil phase and Zn{sup 2+} or NH{sub 3}.H{sub 2}O aqueous solution as dispersive phase, respectively. The products were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-ray Powder Diffraction. It was suggested that the as-synthesized silica nanospheres possessed grape-stone-like porous or single hollow interior, and also found that the ammonia dosage and aging time played key roles in controlling the size and structure of silica nanospheres. Furthermore, the comparative results confirmed thatmore » in-situ zinc species [ZnO/Zn(OH){sub 2}] acted as the temporary templates to construct grape-stone-like interior, and a simultaneously competing etching process occurred owing to the soluble Zn(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}{sup 2+} complex formation while the additional excessive ammonia was introduced. With the aging time being extended, the in-situ nanocrystals tended to grow into bigger ones by Ostwald Ripening, producing single hollow interior. - Graphical Abstract: Formation process of SiO{sub 2} nanospheres with porous and single hollow interior. Highlights: > ZnO/Zn(OH){sub 2} nanocrystals as the temporary templates shape the interior structures of SiO{sub 2} nanospheres. > Fabrication of porous and single hollow interiors needs no additional processes such as roasting or dissolving. > Tailorable interiors can be easily obtained through adjusting the aging time of temporary templates.« less

Biometric template transformation: a security analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagar, Abhishek; Nandakumar, Karthik; Jain, Anil K.

2010-01-01

One of the critical steps in designing a secure biometric system is protecting the templates of the users that are stored either in a central database or on smart cards. If a biometric template is compromised, it leads to serious security and privacy threats because unlike passwords, it is not possible for a legitimate user to revoke his biometric identifiers and switch to another set of uncompromised identifiers. One methodology for biometric template protection is the template transformation approach, where the template, consisting of the features extracted from the biometric trait, is transformed using parameters derived from a user specific password or key. Only the transformed template is stored and matching is performed directly in the transformed domain. In this paper, we formally investigate the security strength of template transformation techniques and define six metrics that facilitate a holistic security evaluation. Furthermore, we analyze the security of two wellknown template transformation techniques, namely, Biohashing and cancelable fingerprint templates based on the proposed metrics. Our analysis indicates that both these schemes are vulnerable to intrusion and linkage attacks because it is relatively easy to obtain either a close approximation of the original template (Biohashing) or a pre-image of the transformed template (cancelable fingerprints). We argue that the security strength of template transformation techniques must consider also consider the computational complexity of obtaining a complete pre-image of the transformed template in addition to the complexity of recovering the original biometric template.

The application of high-resolution mass spectrometry-based data-mining tools in tandem to metabolite profiling of a triple drug combination in humans.

PubMed

Xing, Jie; Zang, Meitong; Zhang, Haiying; Zhu, Mingshe

2015-10-15

Patients are usually exposed to multiple drugs, and metabolite profiling of each drug in complex biological matrices is a big challenge. This study presented a new application of an improved high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based data-mining tools in tandem to fast and comprehensive metabolite identification of combination drugs in human. The model drug combination was metronidazole-pantoprazole-clarithromycin (MET-PAN-CLAR), which is widely used in clinic to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori. First, mass defect filter (MDF), as a targeted data processing tool, was able to recover all relevant metabolites of MET-PAN-CLAR in human plasma and urine from the full-scan MS dataset when appropriate MDF templates for each drug were defined. Second, the accurate mass-based background subtraction (BS), as an untargeted data-mining tool, worked effectively except for several trace metabolites, which were buried in the remaining background signals. Third, an integrated strategy, i.e., untargeted BS followed by improved MDF, was effective for metabolite identification of MET-PAN-CLAR. Most metabolites except for trace ones were found in the first step of BS-processed datasets, and the results led to the setup of appropriate metabolite MDF template for the subsequent MDF data processing. Trace metabolites were further recovered by MDF, which used both common MDF templates and the novel metabolite-based MDF templates. As a result, a total of 44 metabolites or related components were found for MET-PAN-CLAR in human plasma and urine using the integrated strategy. New metabolic pathways such as N-glucuronidation of PAN and dehydrogenation of CLAR were found. This study demonstrated that the combination of accurate mass-based multiple data-mining techniques in tandem, i.e., untargeted background subtraction followed by targeted mass defect filtering, can be a valuable tool for rapid metabolite profiling of combination drugs in vivo. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The role of emotions on pacing strategies and performance in middle and long duration sport events.

PubMed

Baron, B; Moullan, F; Deruelle, F; Noakes, T D

2011-05-01

Thepacing strategy may be defined as the process in which the total energy expenditure during exercise is regulated on a moment-to-moment basis in order to ensure that the exercise bout can be completed in a minimum time and without a catastrophic biological failure. Experienced athletes develop a stable template of the power outputs they are able to sustain for different durations of exercise, but it is not known how they originally develop this template or how that template changes with training and experience. While it is understood that the athlete's physiological state makes an important contribution to this process, there has been much less interest in the contribution that the athlete's emotional status makes. The aim of this review is to evaluate the literature of physiological, neurophysiological and perceptual responses during exercise in order to propose a complex model interpretation of this process which may be a critical factor determining success in middle- and long-duration sporting competitions. We describe unconscious/physiological and conscious/emotional mechanisms of control, the focus of which are to ensure that exercise terminates before catastrophic failure occurs in any bodily system. We suggest that training sessions teach the athlete to select optimal pacing strategies by associating a level of emotion with the ability to maintain that pace for exercise of different durations. That pacing strategy is then adopted in future events. Finally, we propose novel perspectives to maximise performance and to avoid overtraining by paying attention also to the emotional state in training process.

Energy transfer in the Congo deep-sea fan: From terrestrially-derived organic matter to chemosynthetic food webs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pruski, A. M.; Decker, C.; Stetten, E.; Vétion, G.; Martinez, P.; Charlier, K.; Senyarich, C.; Olu, K.

2017-08-01

Large amounts of recent terrestrial organic matter (OM) from the African continent are delivered to the abyssal plain by turbidity currents and accumulate in the Congo deep-sea fan. In the recent lobe complex, large clusters of vesicomyid bivalves are found all along the active channel in areas of reduced sediment. These soft-sediment communities resemble those fuelled by chemoautotrophy in cold-seep settings. The aim of this study was to elucidate feeding strategies in these macrofaunal assemblages as part of a greater effort to understand the link between the inputs of terrestrially-derived OM and the chemosynthetic habitats. The biochemical composition of the sedimentary OM was first analysed in order to evaluate how nutritious the available particulate OM is for the benthic macrofauna. The terrestrial OM is already degraded when it reaches the final depositional area. However, high biopolymeric carbon contents (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) are found in the channel of the recent lobe complex. In addition, about one to two thirds of the nitrogen can be assigned to peptide-like material. Even if this soil-derived OM is poorly digestible, turbiditic deposits contain such high amounts of organic carbon that there is enough biopolymeric carbon and proteacinous nitrogen to support dense benthic communities that contrast with the usual depauperate abyssal plains. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and fatty acid biomarkers were then used to shed light on the feeding strategies allowing the energy transfer from the terrestrial OM brought by the turbidity currents to the abyssal food web. In the non-reduced sediment, surface detritivorous holothurians and suspension-feeding poriferans rely on detritic OM, thereby depending directly on the turbiditic deposits. The sulphur-oxidising symbiont bearing vesicomyids closely depend on the reprocessing of OM with methane and sulphide as final products. Their carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures vary greatly among sites and could reflect the intensity of the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in the sediments. Within the vesicomyid habitats, the heterotrophic fauna exhibits a distinctively light carbon isotopic signature in comparison to the background sediments, clearly indicating the utilisation of chemosynthetically-derived OM. Fatty acid biomarkers further confirm that dorvilleid polychaetes consume aggregates that perform AOM. Terrestrial OM reprocessing by microbial consortium thus ensures its transfer to the benthic food web in the Congo deep-sea fan.

Renewable Energy Contract Development Best Practices

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Toolbox for Renewable Energy Project Development's Renewable Energy Contract Development Best Practices page provides an overview of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process as well as resources, such as contract templates.

75 FR 67700 - Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-03

...) images/ templates for identification, and relevant documentation concerning individual's acceptance... Entrance Processing Command, FOIA/PA Officer (J-1/MHR-MS-SS), 2834 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064... inquiries to the Commander, U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command, FOIA/PA Officer (J-1/MHR-MS-SS), 2834...

The Role of Standardized and Study-specific Human Brain Diffusion Tensor Templates in Inter-subject Spatial Normalization

PubMed Central

Zhang, Shengwei; Arfanakis, Konstantinos

2012-01-01

Purpose To investigate the effect of standardized and study-specific human brain diffusion tensor templates on the accuracy of spatial normalization, without ignoring the important roles of data quality and registration algorithm effectiveness. Materials and Methods Two groups of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) datasets, with and without visible artifacts, were normalized to two standardized diffusion tensor templates (IIT2, ICBM81) as well as study-specific templates, using three registration approaches. The accuracy of inter-subject spatial normalization was compared across templates, using the most effective registration technique for each template and group of data. Results It was demonstrated that, for DTI data with visible artifacts, the study-specific template resulted in significantly higher spatial normalization accuracy than standardized templates. However, for data without visible artifacts, the study-specific template and the standardized template of higher quality (IIT2) resulted in similar normalization accuracy. Conclusion For DTI data with visible artifacts, a carefully constructed study-specific template may achieve higher normalization accuracy than that of standardized templates. However, as DTI data quality improves, a high-quality standardized template may be more advantageous than a study-specific template, since in addition to high normalization accuracy, it provides a standard reference across studies, as well as automated localization/segmentation when accompanied by anatomical labels. PMID:23034880

The Contextualization of Archetypes: Clinical Template Governance.

PubMed

Pedersen, Rune; Ulriksen, Gro-Hilde; Ellingsen, Gunnar

2015-01-01

This paper is a status report from a large-scale openEHR-based EPR project from the North Norway Regional Health Authority. It concerns the standardization of a regional ICT portfolio and the ongoing development of a new process oriented EPR systems encouraged by the unfolding of a national repository for openEHR archetypes. Subject of interest; the contextualization of clinical templates is governed over multiple national boundaries which is complex due to the dependency of clinical resources. From the outset of this, we are interested in how local, regional, and national organizers maneuver to standardize while applying OpenEHR technology.

Metal-organic framework templated synthesis of porous inorganic materials as novel sorbents

DOEpatents

Taylor-Pashow, Kathryn M. L.; Lin, Wenbin; Abney, Carter W.

2017-03-21

A novel metal-organic framework (MOF) templated process for the synthesis of highly porous inorganic sorbents for removing radionuclides, actinides, and heavy metals is disclosed. The highly porous nature of the MOFs leads to highly porous inorganic sorbents (such as oxides, phosphates, sulfides, etc) with accessible surface binding sites that are suitable for removing radionuclides from high level nuclear wastes, extracting uranium from acid mine drainage and seawater, and sequestering heavy metals from waste streams. In some cases, MOFs can be directly used for removing these metal ions as MOFs are converted to highly porous inorganic sorbents in situ.

Templated biomimetic multifunctional coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Chih-Hung; Gonzalez, Adriel; Linn, Nicholas C.; Jiang, Peng; Jiang, Bin

2008-02-01

We report a bioinspired templating technique for fabricating multifunctional optical coatings that mimic both unique functionalities of antireflective moth eyes and superhydrophobic cicada wings. Subwavelength-structured fluoropolymer nipple arrays are created by a soft-lithography-like process. The utilization of fluoropolymers simultaneously enhances the antireflective performance and the hydrophobicity of the replicated films. The specular reflectivity matches the optical simulation using a thin-film multilayer model. The dependence of the size and the crystalline ordering of the replicated nipples on the resulting antireflective properties have also been investigated by experiment and modeling. These biomimetic materials may find important technological application in self-cleaning antireflection coatings.

Supersoft lithography: Candy-based fabrication of soft silicone microstructures

PubMed Central

Moraes, Christopher; Labuz, Joseph M.; Shao, Yue; Fu, Jianping; Takayama, Shuichi

2015-01-01

We designed a fabrication technique able to replicate microstructures in soft silicone materials (E < 1 kPa). Sugar-based ‘hard candy’ recipes from the confectionery industry were modified to be compatible with silicone processing conditions, and used as templates for replica molding. Microstructures fabricated in soft silicones can then be easily released by dissolving the template in water. We anticipate that this technique will be of particular importance in replicating physiologically soft, microstructured environments for cell culture, and demonstrate a first application in which intrinsically soft microstructures are used to measure forces generated by fibroblast-laden contractile tissues. PMID:26245893

Supersoft lithography: candy-based fabrication of soft silicone microstructures.

PubMed

Moraes, Christopher; Labuz, Joseph M; Shao, Yue; Fu, Jianping; Takayama, Shuichi

2015-01-01

We designed a fabrication technique able to replicate microstructures in soft silicone materials (E < 1 kPa). Sugar-based 'hard candy' recipes from the confectionery industry were modified to be compatible with silicone processing conditions, and used as templates for replica molding. Microstructures fabricated in soft silicones can then be easily released by dissolving the template in water. We anticipate that this technique will be of particular importance in replicating physiologically soft, microstructured environments for cell culture, and demonstrate a first application in which intrinsically soft microstructures are used to measure forces generated by fibroblast-laden contractile tissues.

Fabrication of silica hollow particles using yeast cells as a template

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Shenglan; Lin, Liqin; Chen, Xiaofang; Liu, Jingru; Zhang, Biao

2018-04-01

Inorganic hollow particles have attracted great interest in recent years. In this study, silica micro spheres were produced. Yeast cells were used as a biological template. The silica shell was synthesized by the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in water-alcohol mixtures as solvent using ammonia as a catalyst according to the Stoeber process. Various approaches including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the products. The results showed that the thermally treated samples were SiO2 hollow microspheres with a diameter varying between 1-5μm.