Sample records for three-dimensional em structure

  1. The structure of a cholesterol-trapping protein

    Science.gov Websites

    Date February 28, 2003 Date Berkeley Lab Science Beat Berkeley Lab Science Beat The structure of a Institute researchers determined the three-dimensional structure of a protein that controls cholesterol level in the bloodstream. Knowing the structure of the protein, a cellular receptor that ensnares

  2. Johann Deisenhofer, Crystallography, and Proteins

    Science.gov Websites

    research using X-ray crystallography to elucidate for the first time the three-dimensional structure of a large membrane-bound protein molecule. This structure helped explain the process of photosynthesis, by a protein structure determination that relied on complementary features of two different beam lines

  3. Computational methods for constructing protein structure models from 3D electron microscopy maps.

    PubMed

    Esquivel-Rodríguez, Juan; Kihara, Daisuke

    2013-10-01

    Protein structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy (EM) has made significant progress in the past decades. Resolutions of EM maps have been improving as evidenced by recently reported structures that are solved at high resolutions close to 3Å. Computational methods play a key role in interpreting EM data. Among many computational procedures applied to an EM map to obtain protein structure information, in this article we focus on reviewing computational methods that model protein three-dimensional (3D) structures from a 3D EM density map that is constructed from two-dimensional (2D) maps. The computational methods we discuss range from de novo methods, which identify structural elements in an EM map, to structure fitting methods, where known high resolution structures are fit into a low-resolution EM map. A list of available computational tools is also provided. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Single-particle cryo-EM using alignment by classification (ABC): the structure of Lumbricus terrestris haemoglobin.

    PubMed

    Afanasyev, Pavel; Seer-Linnemayr, Charlotte; Ravelli, Raimond B G; Matadeen, Rishi; De Carlo, Sacha; Alewijnse, Bart; Portugal, Rodrigo V; Pannu, Navraj S; Schatz, Michael; van Heel, Marin

    2017-09-01

    Single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can now yield near-atomic resolution structures of biological complexes. However, the reference-based alignment algorithms commonly used in cryo-EM suffer from reference bias, limiting their applicability (also known as the 'Einstein from random noise' problem). Low-dose cryo-EM therefore requires robust and objective approaches to reveal the structural information contained in the extremely noisy data, especially when dealing with small structures. A reference-free pipeline is presented for obtaining near-atomic resolution three-dimensional reconstructions from heterogeneous ('four-dimensional') cryo-EM data sets. The methodologies integrated in this pipeline include a posteriori camera correction, movie-based full-data-set contrast transfer function determination, movie-alignment algorithms, (Fourier-space) multivariate statistical data compression and unsupervised classification, 'random-startup' three-dimensional reconstructions, four-dimensional structural refinements and Fourier shell correlation criteria for evaluating anisotropic resolution. The procedures exclusively use information emerging from the data set itself, without external 'starting models'. Euler-angle assignments are performed by angular reconstitution rather than by the inherently slower projection-matching approaches. The comprehensive 'ABC-4D' pipeline is based on the two-dimensional reference-free 'alignment by classification' (ABC) approach, where similar images in similar orientations are grouped by unsupervised classification. Some fundamental differences between X-ray crystallography versus single-particle cryo-EM data collection and data processing are discussed. The structure of the giant haemoglobin from Lumbricus terrestris at a global resolution of ∼3.8 Å is presented as an example of the use of the ABC-4D procedure.

  5. Viewing Angle Classification of Cryo-Electron Microscopy Images Using Eigenvectors

    PubMed Central

    Singer, A.; Zhao, Z.; Shkolnisky, Y.; Hadani, R.

    2012-01-01

    The cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) reconstruction problem is to find the three-dimensional structure of a macromolecule given noisy versions of its two-dimensional projection images at unknown random directions. We introduce a new algorithm for identifying noisy cryo-EM images of nearby viewing angles. This identification is an important first step in three-dimensional structure determination of macromolecules from cryo-EM, because once identified, these images can be rotationally aligned and averaged to produce “class averages” of better quality. The main advantage of our algorithm is its extreme robustness to noise. The algorithm is also very efficient in terms of running time and memory requirements, because it is based on the computation of the top few eigenvectors of a specially designed sparse Hermitian matrix. These advantages are demonstrated in numerous numerical experiments. PMID:22506089

  6. Single-particle cryo-EM using alignment by classification (ABC): the structure of Lumbricus terrestris haemoglobin

    PubMed Central

    Seer-Linnemayr, Charlotte; Ravelli, Raimond B. G.; Matadeen, Rishi; De Carlo, Sacha; Alewijnse, Bart; Portugal, Rodrigo V.; Pannu, Navraj S.; Schatz, Michael; van Heel, Marin

    2017-01-01

    Single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can now yield near-atomic resolution structures of biological complexes. However, the reference-based alignment algorithms commonly used in cryo-EM suffer from reference bias, limiting their applicability (also known as the ‘Einstein from random noise’ problem). Low-dose cryo-EM therefore requires robust and objective approaches to reveal the structural information contained in the extremely noisy data, especially when dealing with small structures. A reference-free pipeline is presented for obtaining near-atomic resolution three-dimensional reconstructions from heterogeneous (‘four-dimensional’) cryo-EM data sets. The methodologies integrated in this pipeline include a posteriori camera correction, movie-based full-data-set contrast transfer function determination, movie-alignment algorithms, (Fourier-space) multivariate statistical data compression and unsupervised classification, ‘random-startup’ three-dimensional reconstructions, four-dimensional structural refinements and Fourier shell correlation criteria for evaluating anisotropic resolution. The procedures exclusively use information emerging from the data set itself, without external ‘starting models’. Euler-angle assignments are performed by angular reconstitution rather than by the inherently slower projection-matching approaches. The comprehensive ‘ABC-4D’ pipeline is based on the two-dimensional reference-free ‘alignment by classification’ (ABC) approach, where similar images in similar orientations are grouped by unsupervised classification. Some fundamental differences between X-ray crystallography versus single-particle cryo-EM data collection and data processing are discussed. The structure of the giant haemoglobin from Lumbricus terrestris at a global resolution of ∼3.8 Å is presented as an example of the use of the ABC-4D procedure. PMID:28989723

  7. Fitting Multimeric Protein Complexes into Electron Microscopy Maps Using 3D Zernike Descriptors

    PubMed Central

    Esquivel-Rodríguez, Juan; Kihara, Daisuke

    2012-01-01

    A novel computational method for fitting high-resolution structures of multiple proteins into a cryoelectron microscopy map is presented. The method named EMLZerD generates a pool of candidate multiple protein docking conformations of component proteins, which are later compared with a provided electron microscopy (EM) density map to select the ones that fit well into the EM map. The comparison of docking conformations and the EM map is performed using the 3D Zernike descriptor (3DZD), a mathematical series expansion of three-dimensional functions. The 3DZD provides a unified representation of the surface shape of multimeric protein complex models and EM maps, which allows a convenient, fast quantitative comparison of the three dimensional structural data. Out of 19 multimeric complexes tested, near native complex structures with a root mean square deviation of less than 2.5 Å were obtained for 14 cases while medium range resolution structures with correct topology were computed for the additional 5 cases. PMID:22417139

  8. Fitting multimeric protein complexes into electron microscopy maps using 3D Zernike descriptors.

    PubMed

    Esquivel-Rodríguez, Juan; Kihara, Daisuke

    2012-06-14

    A novel computational method for fitting high-resolution structures of multiple proteins into a cryoelectron microscopy map is presented. The method named EMLZerD generates a pool of candidate multiple protein docking conformations of component proteins, which are later compared with a provided electron microscopy (EM) density map to select the ones that fit well into the EM map. The comparison of docking conformations and the EM map is performed using the 3D Zernike descriptor (3DZD), a mathematical series expansion of three-dimensional functions. The 3DZD provides a unified representation of the surface shape of multimeric protein complex models and EM maps, which allows a convenient, fast quantitative comparison of the three-dimensional structural data. Out of 19 multimeric complexes tested, near native complex structures with a root-mean-square deviation of less than 2.5 Å were obtained for 14 cases while medium range resolution structures with correct topology were computed for the additional 5 cases.

  9. Advances in high-resolution imaging--techniques for three-dimensional imaging of cellular structures.

    PubMed

    Lidke, Diane S; Lidke, Keith A

    2012-06-01

    A fundamental goal in biology is to determine how cellular organization is coupled to function. To achieve this goal, a better understanding of organelle composition and structure is needed. Although visualization of cellular organelles using fluorescence or electron microscopy (EM) has become a common tool for the cell biologist, recent advances are providing a clearer picture of the cell than ever before. In particular, advanced light-microscopy techniques are achieving resolutions below the diffraction limit and EM tomography provides high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) images of cellular structures. The ability to perform both fluorescence and electron microscopy on the same sample (correlative light and electron microscopy, CLEM) makes it possible to identify where a fluorescently labeled protein is located with respect to organelle structures visualized by EM. Here, we review the current state of the art in 3D biological imaging techniques with a focus on recent advances in electron microscopy and fluorescence super-resolution techniques.

  10. Directly Reconstructing Principal Components of Heterogeneous Particles from Cryo-EM Images

    PubMed Central

    Tagare, Hemant D.; Kucukelbir, Alp; Sigworth, Fred J.; Wang, Hongwei; Rao, Murali

    2015-01-01

    Structural heterogeneity of particles can be investigated by their three-dimensional principal components. This paper addresses the question of whether, and with what algorithm, the three-dimensional principal components can be directly recovered from cryo-EM images. The first part of the paper extends the Fourier slice theorem to covariance functions showing that the three-dimensional covariance, and hence the principal components, of a heterogeneous particle can indeed be recovered from two-dimensional cryo-EM images. The second part of the paper proposes a practical algorithm for reconstructing the principal components directly from cryo-EM images without the intermediate step of calculating covariances. This algorithm is based on maximizing the (posterior) likelihood using the Expectation-Maximization algorithm. The last part of the paper applies this algorithm to simulated data and to two real cryo-EM data sets: a data set of the 70S ribosome with and without Elongation Factor-G (EF-G), and a data set of the inluenza virus RNA dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRP). The first principal component of the 70S ribosome data set reveals the expected conformational changes of the ribosome as the EF-G binds and unbinds. The first principal component of the RdRP data set reveals a conformational change in the two dimers of the RdRP. PMID:26049077

  11. Directly reconstructing principal components of heterogeneous particles from cryo-EM images.

    PubMed

    Tagare, Hemant D; Kucukelbir, Alp; Sigworth, Fred J; Wang, Hongwei; Rao, Murali

    2015-08-01

    Structural heterogeneity of particles can be investigated by their three-dimensional principal components. This paper addresses the question of whether, and with what algorithm, the three-dimensional principal components can be directly recovered from cryo-EM images. The first part of the paper extends the Fourier slice theorem to covariance functions showing that the three-dimensional covariance, and hence the principal components, of a heterogeneous particle can indeed be recovered from two-dimensional cryo-EM images. The second part of the paper proposes a practical algorithm for reconstructing the principal components directly from cryo-EM images without the intermediate step of calculating covariances. This algorithm is based on maximizing the posterior likelihood using the Expectation-Maximization algorithm. The last part of the paper applies this algorithm to simulated data and to two real cryo-EM data sets: a data set of the 70S ribosome with and without Elongation Factor-G (EF-G), and a data set of the influenza virus RNA dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRP). The first principal component of the 70S ribosome data set reveals the expected conformational changes of the ribosome as the EF-G binds and unbinds. The first principal component of the RdRP data set reveals a conformational change in the two dimers of the RdRP. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. BIM-Sim: Interactive Simulation of Broadband Imaging Using Mie Theory

    PubMed Central

    Berisha, Sebastian; van Dijk, Thomas; Bhargava, Rohit; Carney, P. Scott; Mayerich, David

    2017-01-01

    Understanding the structure of a scattered electromagnetic (EM) field is critical to improving the imaging process. Mechanisms such as diffraction, scattering, and interference affect an image, limiting the resolution, and potentially introducing artifacts. Simulation and visualization of scattered fields thus plays an important role in imaging science. However, EM fields are high-dimensional, making them time-consuming to simulate, and difficult to visualize. In this paper, we present a framework for interactively computing and visualizing EM fields scattered by micro and nano-particles. Our software uses graphics hardware for evaluating the field both inside and outside of these particles. We then use Monte-Carlo sampling to reconstruct and visualize the three-dimensional structure of the field, spectral profiles at individual points, the structure of the field at the surface of the particle, and the resulting image produced by an optical system. PMID:29170738

  13. Overview of electron crystallography of membrane proteins: crystallization and screening strategies using negative stain electron microscopy.

    PubMed

    Nannenga, Brent L; Iadanza, Matthew G; Vollmar, Breanna S; Gonen, Tamir

    2013-01-01

    Electron cryomicroscopy, or cryoEM, is an emerging technique for studying the three-dimensional structures of proteins and large macromolecular machines. Electron crystallography is a branch of cryoEM in which structures of proteins can be studied at resolutions that rival those achieved by X-ray crystallography. Electron crystallography employs two-dimensional crystals of a membrane protein embedded within a lipid bilayer. The key to a successful electron crystallographic experiment is the crystallization, or reconstitution, of the protein of interest. This unit describes ways in which protein can be expressed, purified, and reconstituted into well-ordered two-dimensional crystals. A protocol is also provided for negative stain electron microscopy as a tool for screening crystallization trials. When large and well-ordered crystals are obtained, the structures of both protein and its surrounding membrane can be determined to atomic resolution.

  14. PRISM-EM: template interface-based modelling of multi-protein complexes guided by cryo-electron microscopy density maps.

    PubMed

    Kuzu, Guray; Keskin, Ozlem; Nussinov, Ruth; Gursoy, Attila

    2016-10-01

    The structures of protein assemblies are important for elucidating cellular processes at the molecular level. Three-dimensional electron microscopy (3DEM) is a powerful method to identify the structures of assemblies, especially those that are challenging to study by crystallography. Here, a new approach, PRISM-EM, is reported to computationally generate plausible structural models using a procedure that combines crystallographic structures and density maps obtained from 3DEM. The predictions are validated against seven available structurally different crystallographic complexes. The models display mean deviations in the backbone of <5 Å. PRISM-EM was further tested on different benchmark sets; the accuracy was evaluated with respect to the structure of the complex, and the correlation with EM density maps and interface predictions were evaluated and compared with those obtained using other methods. PRISM-EM was then used to predict the structure of the ternary complex of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer, the ligand CD4 and the neutralizing protein m36.

  15. StructMap: Elastic Distance Analysis of Electron Microscopy Maps for Studying Conformational Changes.

    PubMed

    Sanchez Sorzano, Carlos Oscar; Alvarez-Cabrera, Ana Lucia; Kazemi, Mohsen; Carazo, Jose María; Jonić, Slavica

    2016-04-26

    Single-particle electron microscopy (EM) has been shown to be very powerful for studying structures and associated conformational changes of macromolecular complexes. In the context of analyzing conformational changes of complexes, distinct EM density maps obtained by image analysis and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction are usually analyzed in 3D for interpretation of structural differences. However, graphic visualization of these differences based on a quantitative analysis of elastic transformations (deformations) among density maps has not been done yet due to a lack of appropriate methods. Here, we present an approach that allows such visualization. This approach is based on statistical analysis of distances among elastically aligned pairs of EM maps (one map is deformed to fit the other map), and results in visualizing EM maps as points in a lower-dimensional distance space. The distances among points in the new space can be analyzed in terms of clusters or trajectories of points related to potential conformational changes. The results of the method are shown with synthetic and experimental EM maps at different resolutions. Copyright © 2016 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Three-Dimensional Effects of Artificial Mixing in a Shallow Drinking-Water Reservoir

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Shengyang; Little, John C.; Carey, Cayelan C.; McClure, Ryan P.; Lofton, Mary E.; Lei, Chengwang

    2018-01-01

    Studies that examine the effects of artificial mixing for water-quality mitigation in lakes and reservoirs often view a water column with a one-dimensional (1-D) perspective (e.g., homogenized epilimnetic and hypolimnetic layers). Artificial mixing in natural water bodies, however, is inherently three dimensional (3-D). Using a 3-D approach experimentally and numerically, the present study visualizes thermal structure and analyzes constituent transport under the influence of artificial mixing in a shallow drinking-water reservoir. The purpose is to improve the understanding of artificial mixing, which may help to better design and operate mixing systems. In this reservoir, a side-stream supersaturation (SSS) hypolimnetic oxygenation system and an epilimnetic bubble-plume mixing (EM) system were concurrently deployed in the deep region. The present study found that, while the mixing induced by the SSS system does not have a distinct 3-D effect on the thermal structure, epilimnetic mixing by the EM system causes 3-D heterogeneity. In the experiments, epilimnetic mixing deepened the lower metalimnetic boundary near the diffuser by about 1 m, with 55% reduction of the deepening rate at 120 m upstream of the diffuser. In a tracer study using a 3-D hydrodynamic model, the operational flow rate of the EM system is found to be an important short-term driver of constituent transport in the reservoir, whereas the duration of the EM system operation is the dominant long-term driver. The results suggest that artificial mixing substantially alters both 3-D thermal structure and constituent transport, and thus needs to be taken into account for reservoir management.

  17. BIM-Sim: Interactive Simulation of Broadband Imaging Using Mie Theory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Berisha, Sebastian; van Dijk, Thomas; Bhargava, Rohit; Carney, P. Scott; Mayerich, David

    2017-02-01

    Understanding the structure of a scattered electromagnetic (EM) field is critical to improving the imaging process. Mechanisms such as diffraction, scattering, and interference affect an image, limiting the resolution and potentially introducing artifacts. Simulation and visualization of scattered fields thus plays an important role in imaging science. However, the calculation of scattered fields is extremely time-consuming on desktop systems and computationally challenging on task-parallel systems such as supercomputers and cluster systems. In addition, EM fields are high-dimensional, making them difficult to visualize. In this paper, we present a framework for interactively computing and visualizing EM fields scattered by micro and nano-particles. Our software uses graphics hardware for evaluating the field both inside and outside of these particles. We then use Monte-Carlo sampling to reconstruct and visualize the three-dimensional structure of the field, spectral profiles at individual points, the structure of the field at the surface of the particle, and the resulting image produced by an optical system.

  18. Efficient estimation of three-dimensional covariance and its application in the analysis of heterogeneous samples in cryo-electron microscopy.

    PubMed

    Liao, Hstau Y; Hashem, Yaser; Frank, Joachim

    2015-06-02

    Single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a powerful tool for the study of macromolecular structures at high resolution. Classification allows multiple structural states to be extracted and reconstructed from the same sample. One classification approach is via the covariance matrix, which captures the correlation between every pair of voxels. Earlier approaches employ computing-intensive resampling and estimate only the eigenvectors of the matrix, which are then used in a separate fast classification step. We propose an iterative scheme to explicitly estimate the covariance matrix in its entirety. In our approach, the flexibility in choosing the solution domain allows us to examine a part of the molecule in greater detail. Three-dimensional covariance maps obtained in this way from experimental data (cryo-EM images of the eukaryotic pre-initiation complex) prove to be in excellent agreement with conclusions derived by using traditional approaches, revealing in addition the interdependencies of ligand bindings and structural changes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. FragFit: a web-application for interactive modeling of protein segments into cryo-EM density maps.

    PubMed

    Tiemann, Johanna K S; Rose, Alexander S; Ismer, Jochen; Darvish, Mitra D; Hilal, Tarek; Spahn, Christian M T; Hildebrand, Peter W

    2018-05-21

    Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a standard method to determine the three-dimensional structures of molecular complexes. However, easy to use tools for modeling of protein segments into cryo-EM maps are sparse. Here, we present the FragFit web-application, a web server for interactive modeling of segments of up to 35 amino acids length into cryo-EM density maps. The fragments are provided by a regularly updated database containing at the moment about 1 billion entries extracted from PDB structures and can be readily integrated into a protein structure. Fragments are selected based on geometric criteria, sequence similarity and fit into a given cryo-EM density map. Web-based molecular visualization with the NGL Viewer allows interactive selection of fragments. The FragFit web-application, accessible at http://proteinformatics.de/FragFit, is free and open to all users, without any login requirements.

  20. Coarse-grained mechanics of viral shells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klug, William S.; Gibbons, Melissa M.

    2008-03-01

    We present an approach for creating three-dimensional finite element models of viral capsids from atomic-level structural data (X-ray or cryo-EM). The models capture heterogeneous geometric features and are used in conjunction with three-dimensional nonlinear continuum elasticity to simulate nanoindentation experiments as performed using atomic force microscopy. The method is extremely flexible; able to capture varying levels of detail in the three-dimensional structure. Nanoindentation simulations are presented for several viruses: Hepatitis B, CCMV, HK97, and φ29. In addition to purely continuum elastic models a multiscale technique is developed that combines finite-element kinematics with MD energetics such that large-scale deformations are facilitated by a reduction in degrees of freedom. Simulations of these capsid deformation experiments provide a testing ground for the techniques, as well as insight into the strength-determining mechanisms of capsid deformation. These methods can be extended as a framework for modeling other proteins and macromolecular structures in cell biology.

  1. Three-dimensional Magnetotelluric Characterization of the Xinzhou Geothermal Field, Southeastern China

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Han, Q.; Hu, X.; Cai, J.; Wei, W.

    2016-12-01

    Xinzhou geothermal field is located in the Guangdong province and adjacent to the China South Sea, and its hot springs can reach up to 92 degree Celsius. Yanshanian granite expose widely in the south of this geothermal field and four faults cut across each other over it. A dense grid of 176 magnetotelluric (MT) sites with broadband has been acquired over the Xinzhou geothermal field and its surrounding area. Due to the related electromagnetic (EM) noise one permanent observatory was placed as a remote reference to suppress this cultural EM noise interference. The datasets are processed using the mutual reference technique, static shift correction, and structural strike and dimensionality analysis based on tensor decomposition. Data analysis reveals that the underground conductivity structure has obvious three-dimensional characterization. For the high resolution result ,two and three dimensional inversion are both applied in this area employing the non-linear conjugate gradient method (NLCG).These MT data sets are supposed to detect the deep subsurface resistivity structure correlated to the distribution of geothermal reservoir (such as faults and fractured granite) and investigate the channel of the upwelling magma. The whole and cold granite usually present high resistivity but once it functions as reservoir the resistivity will decrease, sometimes it is hard to separate the reservoir from the cap layer. The 3D inversion results delineate three high resistivity anomalies distributed in different locations. At last we put forward that the large areas of granite form the major thermal source for the study area and discuss whether any melt under these magma intrusions exists.

  2. COVARIANCE ESTIMATION USING CONJUGATE GRADIENT FOR 3D CLASSIFICATION IN CRYO-EM.

    PubMed

    Andén, Joakim; Katsevich, Eugene; Singer, Amit

    2015-04-01

    Classifying structural variability in noisy projections of biological macromolecules is a central problem in Cryo-EM. In this work, we build on a previous method for estimating the covariance matrix of the three-dimensional structure present in the molecules being imaged. Our proposed method allows for incorporation of contrast transfer function and non-uniform distribution of viewing angles, making it more suitable for real-world data. We evaluate its performance on a synthetic dataset and an experimental dataset obtained by imaging a 70S ribosome complex.

  3. ATOMIC RESOLUTION CRYO ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPLEXES

    PubMed Central

    ZHOU, Z. HONG

    2013-01-01

    Single-particle cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM) is a technique for determining three-dimensional (3D) structures from projection images of molecular complexes preserved in their “native,” noncrystalline state. Recently, atomic or near-atomic resolution structures of several viruses and protein assemblies have been determined by single-particle cryoEM, allowing ab initio atomic model building by following the amino acid side chains or nucleic acid bases identifiable in their cryoEM density maps. In particular, these cryoEM structures have revealed extended arms contributing to molecular interactions that are otherwise not resolved by the conventional structural method of X-ray crystallography at similar resolutions. High-resolution cryoEM requires careful consideration of a number of factors, including proper sample preparation to ensure structural homogeneity, optimal configuration of electron imaging conditions to record high-resolution cryoEM images, accurate determination of image parameters to correct image distortions, efficient refinement and computation to reconstruct a 3D density map, and finally appropriate choice of modeling tools to construct atomic models for functional interpretation. This progress illustrates the power of cryoEM and ushers it into the arsenal of structural biology, alongside conventional techniques of X-ray crystallography and NMR, as a major tool (and sometimes the preferred one) for the studies of molecular interactions in supramolecular assemblies or machines. PMID:21501817

  4. Imaging Cytoskeleton Components by Electron Microscopy.

    PubMed

    Svitkina, Tatyana

    2016-01-01

    The cytoskeleton is a complex of detergent-insoluble components of the cytoplasm playing critical roles in cell motility, shape generation, and mechanical properties of a cell. Fibrillar polymers-actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments-are major constituents of the cytoskeleton, which constantly change their organization during cellular activities. The actin cytoskeleton is especially polymorphic, as actin filaments can form multiple higher order assemblies performing different functions. Structural information about cytoskeleton organization is critical for understanding its functions and mechanisms underlying various forms of cellular activity. Because of the nanometer-scale thickness of cytoskeletal fibers, electron microscopy (EM) is a key tool to determine the structure of the cytoskeleton. This article describes application of rotary shadowing (or metal replica) EM for visualization of the cytoskeleton. The procedure is applicable to thin cultured cells growing on glass coverslips and consists of detergent extraction of cells to expose their cytoskeleton, chemical fixation to provide stability, ethanol dehydration and critical point drying to preserve three-dimensionality, rotary shadowing with platinum to create contrast, and carbon coating to stabilize replicas. This technique provides easily interpretable three-dimensional images, in which individual cytoskeletal fibers are clearly resolved, and individual proteins can be identified by immunogold labeling. More importantly, replica EM is easily compatible with live cell imaging, so that one can correlate the dynamics of a cell or its components, e.g., expressed fluorescent proteins, with high resolution structural organization of the cytoskeleton in the same cell.

  5. Comparing an Atomic Model or Structure to a Corresponding Cryo-electron Microscopy Image at the Central Axis of a Helix.

    PubMed

    Zeil, Stephanie; Kovacs, Julio; Wriggers, Willy; He, Jing

    2017-01-01

    Three-dimensional density maps of biological specimens from cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can be interpreted in the form of atomic models that are modeled into the density, or they can be compared to known atomic structures. When the central axis of a helix is detectable in a cryo-EM density map, it is possible to quantify the agreement between this central axis and a central axis calculated from the atomic model or structure. We propose a novel arc-length association method to compare the two axes reliably. This method was applied to 79 helices in simulated density maps and six case studies using cryo-EM maps at 6.4-7.7 Å resolution. The arc-length association method is then compared to three existing measures that evaluate the separation of two helical axes: a two-way distance between point sets, the length difference between two axes, and the individual amino acid detection accuracy. The results show that our proposed method sensitively distinguishes lateral and longitudinal discrepancies between the two axes, which makes the method particularly suitable for the systematic investigation of cryo-EM map-model pairs.

  6. Comparing an Atomic Model or Structure to a Corresponding Cryo-electron Microscopy Image at the Central Axis of a Helix

    PubMed Central

    Zeil, Stephanie; Kovacs, Julio; Wriggers, Willy

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Three-dimensional density maps of biological specimens from cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can be interpreted in the form of atomic models that are modeled into the density, or they can be compared to known atomic structures. When the central axis of a helix is detectable in a cryo-EM density map, it is possible to quantify the agreement between this central axis and a central axis calculated from the atomic model or structure. We propose a novel arc-length association method to compare the two axes reliably. This method was applied to 79 helices in simulated density maps and six case studies using cryo-EM maps at 6.4–7.7 Å resolution. The arc-length association method is then compared to three existing measures that evaluate the separation of two helical axes: a two-way distance between point sets, the length difference between two axes, and the individual amino acid detection accuracy. The results show that our proposed method sensitively distinguishes lateral and longitudinal discrepancies between the two axes, which makes the method particularly suitable for the systematic investigation of cryo-EM map–model pairs. PMID:27936925

  7. SUNREL Publications | Buildings | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Energy Simulation with a Three-Dimensional Ground-Coupled Heat Transfer Model Infiltration and Natural Ventilation Model for Whole-Building Energy Simulation of Residential Buildings Improvements to the SERIRES /SUNREL Building Energy Simulation Program, Deru, M. 1996. Masters Thesis, Colorado State University, Fort

  8. VLBI-based Products - Naval Oceanography Portal

    Science.gov Websites

    section Advanced Search... Sections Home Time Earth Orientation Astronomy Meteorology Oceanography Ice You terrestrial reference frames and to predict the variable orientation of the Earth in three-dimensional space antennas that define a VLBI-based Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF) and the Earth Orientation Parameters

  9. Covariance Matrix Estimation for the Cryo-EM Heterogeneity Problem*

    PubMed Central

    Katsevich, E.; Katsevich, A.; Singer, A.

    2015-01-01

    In cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), a microscope generates a top view of a sample of randomly oriented copies of a molecule. The problem of single particle reconstruction (SPR) from cryo-EM is to use the resulting set of noisy two-dimensional projection images taken at unknown directions to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the molecule. In some situations, the molecule under examination exhibits structural variability, which poses a fundamental challenge in SPR. The heterogeneity problem is the task of mapping the space of conformational states of a molecule. It has been previously suggested that the leading eigenvectors of the covariance matrix of the 3D molecules can be used to solve the heterogeneity problem. Estimating the covariance matrix is challenging, since only projections of the molecules are observed, but not the molecules themselves. In this paper, we formulate a general problem of covariance estimation from noisy projections of samples. This problem has intimate connections with matrix completion problems and high-dimensional principal component analysis. We propose an estimator and prove its consistency. When there are finitely many heterogeneity classes, the spectrum of the estimated covariance matrix reveals the number of classes. The estimator can be found as the solution to a certain linear system. In the cryo-EM case, the linear operator to be inverted, which we term the projection covariance transform, is an important object in covariance estimation for tomographic problems involving structural variation. Inverting it involves applying a filter akin to the ramp filter in tomography. We design a basis in which this linear operator is sparse and thus can be tractably inverted despite its large size. We demonstrate via numerical experiments on synthetic datasets the robustness of our algorithm to high levels of noise. PMID:25699132

  10. Environmental Modeling Center / Marine Modeling and Analysis Branch

    Science.gov Websites

    Ocean Waves Sea Ice SST Marine Met. Real Time Ocean Forecasting System (RTOFS) Global RTOFS A hybrid time (0Z) out to 144 hours (6 days). Atlantic RTOFS Discontinued A hybrid coordinate, nominally 1/12Â initial time (0Z) out to 144 hours (6 days). Fukushima Tracers NCEP/NWS deployed three-dimensional

  11. Virus Assembly and Maturation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johnson, John E.

    2004-03-01

    We use two techniques to look at three-dimensional virus structure: electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) and X-ray crystallography. Figure 1 is a gallery of virus particles whose structures Timothy Baker, one of my former colleagues at Purdue University, used cryoEM to determine. It illustrates the variety of sizes of icosahedral virus particles. The largest virus particle on this slide is the Herpes simplex virus, around 1200Å in diameter; the smallest we examined was around 250Å in diameter. Viruses bear their genomic information either as positive-sense DNA and RNA, double-strand DNA, double-strand RNA, or negative-strand RNA. Viruses utilize the various structure and function "tactics" seen throughout cell biology to replicate at high levels. Many of the biological principles that we consider general were in fact discovered in the context of viruses ...

  12. Cryo-EM image alignment based on nonuniform fast Fourier transform.

    PubMed

    Yang, Zhengfan; Penczek, Pawel A

    2008-08-01

    In single particle analysis, two-dimensional (2-D) alignment is a fundamental step intended to put into register various particle projections of biological macromolecules collected at the electron microscope. The efficiency and quality of three-dimensional (3-D) structure reconstruction largely depends on the computational speed and alignment accuracy of this crucial step. In order to improve the performance of alignment, we introduce a new method that takes advantage of the highly accurate interpolation scheme based on the gridding method, a version of the nonuniform fast Fourier transform, and utilizes a multi-dimensional optimization algorithm for the refinement of the orientation parameters. Using simulated data, we demonstrate that by using less than half of the sample points and taking twice the runtime, our new 2-D alignment method achieves dramatically better alignment accuracy than that based on quadratic interpolation. We also apply our method to image to volume registration, the key step in the single particle EM structure refinement protocol. We find that in this case the accuracy of the method not only surpasses the accuracy of the commonly used real-space implementation, but results are achieved in much shorter time, making gridding-based alignment a perfect candidate for efficient structure determination in single particle analysis.

  13. Cryo-EM Image Alignment Based on Nonuniform Fast Fourier Transform

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Zhengfan; Penczek, Pawel A.

    2008-01-01

    In single particle analysis, two-dimensional (2-D) alignment is a fundamental step intended to put into register various particle projections of biological macromolecules collected at the electron microscope. The efficiency and quality of three-dimensional (3-D) structure reconstruction largely depends on the computational speed and alignment accuracy of this crucial step. In order to improve the performance of alignment, we introduce a new method that takes advantage of the highly accurate interpolation scheme based on the gridding method, a version of the nonuniform Fast Fourier Transform, and utilizes a multi-dimensional optimization algorithm for the refinement of the orientation parameters. Using simulated data, we demonstrate that by using less than half of the sample points and taking twice the runtime, our new 2-D alignment method achieves dramatically better alignment accuracy than that based on quadratic interpolation. We also apply our method to image to volume registration, the key step in the single particle EM structure refinement protocol. We find that in this case the accuracy of the method not only surpasses the accuracy of the commonly used real-space implementation, but results are achieved in much shorter time, making gridding-based alignment a perfect candidate for efficient structure determination in single particle analysis. PMID:18499351

  14. High-resolution cryo-EM proteasome structures in drug development

    PubMed Central

    da Fonseca, Paula C. A.

    2017-01-01

    With the recent advances in biological structural electron microscopy (EM), protein structures can now be obtained by cryo-EM and single-particle analysis at resolutions that used to be achievable only by crystallographic or NMR methods. We have explored their application to study protein–ligand inter­actions using the human 20S proteasome, a well established target for cancer therapy that is also being investigated as a target for an increasing range of other medical conditions. The map of a ligand-bound human 20S proteasome served as a proof of principle that cryo-EM is emerging as a realistic approach for more general structural studies of protein–ligand interactions, with the potential benefits of extending such studies to complexes that are unfavourable to other methods and allowing structure determination under conditions that are closer to physiological, preserving ligand specificity towards closely related binding sites. Subsequently, the cryo-EM structure of the Plasmodium falciparum 20S proteasome, with a new prototype specific inhibitor bound, revealed the molecular basis for the ligand specificity towards the parasite complex, which provides a framework to guide the development of highly needed new-generation antimalarials. Here, the cryo-EM analysis of the ligand-bound human and P. falciparum 20S proteasomes is reviewed, and a complete description of the methods used for structure determination is provided, including the strategy to overcome the bias orientation of the human 20S proteasome on electron-microscope grids and details of the icr3d software used for three-dimensional reconstruction. PMID:28580914

  15. THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL FOR HYPERTHERMIA CALCULATIONS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Realistic three-dimensional models that predict temperature distributions with a high degree of spatial resolution in bodies exposed to electromagnetic (EM) fields are required in the application of hyperthermia for cancer treatment. To ascertain the thermophysiologic response of...

  16. Award-Winning Animation Helps Scientists See Nature at Work | News | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Scientists See Nature at Work August 8, 2008 A computer-aided image combines a photo of a man with a three -dimensional, computer-generated image. The man has long brown hair and a long beard. He is wearing a blue - simultaneously. "It is very difficult to parallelize the process to run even on a huge computer,"

  17. Compensation of missing wedge effects with sequential statistical reconstruction in electron tomography.

    PubMed

    Paavolainen, Lassi; Acar, Erman; Tuna, Uygar; Peltonen, Sari; Moriya, Toshio; Soonsawad, Pan; Marjomäki, Varpu; Cheng, R Holland; Ruotsalainen, Ulla

    2014-01-01

    Electron tomography (ET) of biological samples is used to study the organization and the structure of the whole cell and subcellular complexes in great detail. However, projections cannot be acquired over full tilt angle range with biological samples in electron microscopy. ET image reconstruction can be considered an ill-posed problem because of this missing information. This results in artifacts, seen as the loss of three-dimensional (3D) resolution in the reconstructed images. The goal of this study was to achieve isotropic resolution with a statistical reconstruction method, sequential maximum a posteriori expectation maximization (sMAP-EM), using no prior morphological knowledge about the specimen. The missing wedge effects on sMAP-EM were examined with a synthetic cell phantom to assess the effects of noise. An experimental dataset of a multivesicular body was evaluated with a number of gold particles. An ellipsoid fitting based method was developed to realize the quantitative measures elongation and contrast in an automated, objective, and reliable way. The method statistically evaluates the sub-volumes containing gold particles randomly located in various parts of the whole volume, thus giving information about the robustness of the volume reconstruction. The quantitative results were also compared with reconstructions made with widely-used weighted backprojection and simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique methods. The results showed that the proposed sMAP-EM method significantly suppresses the effects of the missing information producing isotropic resolution. Furthermore, this method improves the contrast ratio, enhancing the applicability of further automatic and semi-automatic analysis. These improvements in ET reconstruction by sMAP-EM enable analysis of subcellular structures with higher three-dimensional resolution and contrast than conventional methods.

  18. Global Electromagnetic Imaging of Lithosphere and Upper Mantle from Space and Ground. Recent Results and Challenges

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kuvshinov, A. V.

    2016-12-01

    Electrical conductivity is one of the characteristic physical parameters of materials making up Earth's interior which is sensitive to variations of temperature, chemical composition, water content, and partial melt. As a consequence, estimating lithosphere and upper mantle (LUM) electrical conductivity structure is a potentially strong tool for mapping their chemistry, mineralogy and physical structure thus presenting a complementary method to seismic studies that focus on LUM elastic properties. Global electromagnetic (EM) studies, which provide information on LUM electrical conductivity, have attracted increasing interest during the last decade, mainly for three reasons. A primary reason is the recent growth in the amount of EM data available, especially from low-Earth orbiting magnetic satellite missions (Oersted, CHAMP, SAC-C, and Swarm). A second reason is the great interest in the characterization of the three-dimensional properties of Earth's interior on a global scale. Finally, the interest has also resulted from the significant methodological progress made during the last years in EM data analysis, forward modelling and inversion. In this talk I will summarize advances and challenges in EM data interpretation, and present recent global and regional models of LUM conductivity derived from satellite and ground-based data. I will also discuss possible topics for future research.

  19. Iterative Stable Alignment and Clustering of 2D Transmission Electron Microscope Images

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Zhengfan; Fang, Jia; Chittuluru, Johnathan; Asturias, Francisco J.; Penczek, Pawel A.

    2012-01-01

    SUMMARY Identification of homogeneous subsets of images in a macromolecular electron microscopy (EM) image data set is a critical step in single-particle analysis. The task is handled by iterative algorithms, whose performance is compromised by the compounded limitations of image alignment and K-means clustering. Here we describe an approach, iterative stable alignment and clustering (ISAC) that, relying on a new clustering method and on the concepts of stability and reproducibility, can extract validated, homogeneous subsets of images. ISAC requires only a small number of simple parameters and, with minimal human intervention, can eliminate bias from two-dimensional image clustering and maximize the quality of group averages that can be used for ab initio three-dimensional structural determination and analysis of macromolecular conformational variability. Repeated testing of the stability and reproducibility of a solution within ISAC eliminates heterogeneous or incorrect classes and introduces critical validation to the process of EM image clustering. PMID:22325773

  20. Endogenous electromagnetic fields in plant leaves: a new hypothesis for vascular pattern formation.

    PubMed

    Pietak, Alexis Mari

    2011-06-01

    Electromagnetic (EM) phenomena have long been implicated in biological development, but few detailed, practical mechanisms have been put forth to connect electromagnetism with morphogenetic processes. This work describes a new hypothesis for plant leaf veination, whereby an endogenous electric field forming as a result of a coherent Frohlich process, and corresponding to an EM resonant mode of the developing leaf structure, is capable of instigating leaf vascularisation. In order to test the feasibility of this hypothesis, a three-dimensional, EM finite-element model (FEM) of a leaf primordium was constructed to determine if suitable resonant modes were physically possible for geometric and physical parameters similar to those of developing leaf tissue. Using the FEM model, resonant EM modes with patterns of relevance to developing leaf vein modalities were detected. On account of the existence of shared geometric signatures in a leaf's vascular pattern and the electric field component of EM resonant modes supported by a developing leaf structure, further theoretical and experimental investigations are warranted. Significantly, this hypothesis is not limited to leaf vascular patterning, but may be applicable to a variety of morphogenetic phenomena in a number of living systems.

  1. Protein 3D Structure and Electron Microscopy Map Retrieval Using 3D-SURFER2.0 and EM-SURFER.

    PubMed

    Han, Xusi; Wei, Qing; Kihara, Daisuke

    2017-12-08

    With the rapid growth in the number of solved protein structures stored in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB), it is essential to develop tools to perform real-time structure similarity searches against the entire structure database. Since conventional structure alignment methods need to sample different orientations of proteins in the three-dimensional space, they are time consuming and unsuitable for rapid, real-time database searches. To this end, we have developed 3D-SURFER and EM-SURFER, which utilize 3D Zernike descriptors (3DZD) to conduct high-throughput protein structure comparison, visualization, and analysis. Taking an atomic structure or an electron microscopy map of a protein or a protein complex as input, the 3DZD of a query protein is computed and compared with the 3DZD of all other proteins in PDB or EMDB. In addition, local geometrical characteristics of a query protein can be analyzed using VisGrid and LIGSITE CSC in 3D-SURFER. This article describes how to use 3D-SURFER and EM-SURFER to carry out protein surface shape similarity searches, local geometric feature analysis, and interpretation of the search results. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  2. Novel "203" type of heterostructured MoS2-Fe3O4-C ternary nanohybrid: Synthesis, and enhanced microwave absorption properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Erqi; Qi, Xiaosi; Xie, Ren; Bai, Zhongchen; Jiang, Yang; Qin, Shuijie; Zhong, Wei; Du, Youwei

    2018-06-01

    It is widely recognized that constructing multiple interface structures to enhance interface polarization is very good for the attenuation of electromagnetic (EM) wave. Here, a novel "203" type of heterostructured nanohybrid consisting of two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets, zero-dimensional (0D) Fe3O4 nanoparticles and three-dimensional (3D) carbon layers was elaborately designed and successfully synthesized by a two-step method: Fe3O4 nanoparticles were deposited onto the surface of few-layer MoS2 nanosheets by a hydrothermal method, followed by the carbonation process by a chemical vapor deposition method. Compared to that of "20" type MoS2-Fe3O4, the as-prepared heterostructured "203" type MoS2-Fe3O4-C ternary nanohybrid exhibited remarkably enhanced EM and microwave absorption properties. And the minimum reflection loss (RL) value of the obtained MoS2-Fe3O4-C ternary nanohybrid could reach -53.03 dB at 14.4 GHz with a matching thickness of 7.86 mm. Moreover, the excellent EM wave absorption property of the as-prepared ternary nanohybrid was proved to be attributed to the quarter-wavelength matching model. Therefore, a simple and effective route was proposed to produce MoS2-based mixed-dimensional van der Waals heterostructure, which provided a new platform for the designing and production of high performance microwave absorption materials.

  3. An FMM-FFT Accelerated SIE Simulator for Analyzing EM Wave Propagation in Mine Environments Loaded With Conductors

    PubMed Central

    Sheng, Weitian; Zhou, Chenming; Liu, Yang; Bagci, Hakan; Michielssen, Eric

    2018-01-01

    A fast and memory efficient three-dimensional full-wave simulator for analyzing electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation in electrically large and realistic mine tunnels/galleries loaded with conductors is proposed. The simulator relies on Muller and combined field surface integral equations (SIEs) to account for scattering from mine walls and conductors, respectively. During the iterative solution of the system of SIEs, the simulator uses a fast multipole method-fast Fourier transform (FMM-FFT) scheme to reduce CPU and memory requirements. The memory requirement is further reduced by compressing large data structures via singular value and Tucker decompositions. The efficiency, accuracy, and real-world applicability of the simulator are demonstrated through characterization of EM wave propagation in electrically large mine tunnels/galleries loaded with conducting cables and mine carts. PMID:29726545

  4. Back to basics: history of photonic crystals and metamaterials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Soukoulis, Costas M.

    2018-04-01

    We will review the history of photonic crystals and overview of the theoretical and experimental efforts in obtaining a photonic bandgap, a frequency band in three-dimensional dielectric structures in which electromagnetic (EM) waves are forbidden, is presented. Many experimental groups all over the world still employ this woodpile structure to fabricate PCs at optical wavelengths, waveguides, enhance nanocavities, and produce nanolasers with a low threshold limit. We have been focused on a new class of materials, the so-called metamaterials (MMs) or negative-index materials, which exhibit highly unusual electromagnetic properties and hold promise for new device applications. Metamaterials can be designed to exhibit both electric and magnetic resonances that can be separately tuned to occur in frequency bands from megahertz to terahertz frequencies, and hope-fully to the visible region of the EM spectrum.

  5. The Electron Microscopy Outreach Program: A Web-based resource for research and education.

    PubMed

    Sosinsky, G E; Baker, T S; Hand, G; Ellisman, M H

    1999-01-01

    We have developed a centralized World Wide Web (WWW)-based environment that serves as a resource of software tools and expertise for biological electron microscopy. A major focus is molecular electron microscopy, but the site also includes information and links on structural biology at all levels of resolution. This site serves to help integrate or link structural biology techniques in accordance with user needs. The WWW site, called the Electron Microscopy (EM) Outreach Program (URL: http://emoutreach.sdsc.edu), provides scientists with computational and educational tools for their research and edification. In particular, we have set up a centralized resource containing course notes, references, and links to image analysis and three-dimensional reconstruction software for investigators wanting to learn about EM techniques either within or outside of their fields of expertise. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

  6. Developing 3D SEM in a broad biological context

    PubMed Central

    Kremer, A; Lippens, S; Bartunkova, S; Asselbergh, B; Blanpain, C; Fendrych, M; Goossens, A; Holt, M; Janssens, S; Krols, M; Larsimont, J-C; Mc Guire, C; Nowack, MK; Saelens, X; Schertel, A; Schepens, B; Slezak, M; Timmerman, V; Theunis, C; Van Brempt, R; Visser, Y; GuÉRin, CJ

    2015-01-01

    When electron microscopy (EM) was introduced in the 1930s it gave scientists their first look into the nanoworld of cells. Over the last 80 years EM has vastly increased our understanding of the complex cellular structures that underlie the diverse functions that cells need to maintain life. One drawback that has been difficult to overcome was the inherent lack of volume information, mainly due to the limit on the thickness of sections that could be viewed in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). For many years scientists struggled to achieve three-dimensional (3D) EM using serial section reconstructions, TEM tomography, and scanning EM (SEM) techniques such as freeze-fracture. Although each technique yielded some special information, they required a significant amount of time and specialist expertise to obtain even a very small 3D EM dataset. Almost 20 years ago scientists began to exploit SEMs to image blocks of embedded tissues and perform serial sectioning of these tissues inside the SEM chamber. Using first focused ion beams (FIB) and subsequently robotic ultramicrotomes (serial block-face, SBF-SEM) microscopists were able to collect large volumes of 3D EM information at resolutions that could address many important biological questions, and do so in an efficient manner. We present here some examples of 3D EM taken from the many diverse specimens that have been imaged in our core facility. We propose that the next major step forward will be to efficiently correlate functional information obtained using light microscopy (LM) with 3D EM datasets to more completely investigate the important links between cell structures and their functions. Lay Description Life happens in three dimensions. For many years, first light, and then EM struggled to image the smallest parts of cells in 3D. With recent advances in technology and corresponding improvements in computing, scientists can now see the 3D world of the cell at the nanoscale. In this paper we present the results of high resolution 3D imaging in a number of diverse cells and tissues from multiple species. 3D reconstructions of cell structures often revealed them to be significantly more complex when compared to extrapolations made from 2D studies. Correlating functional 3D LM studies with 3D EM results opens up the possibility of making new strides in our understanding of how cell structure is connected to cell function. PMID:25623622

  7. From nanoscale to macroscale: Engineering biomass derivatives with nitrogen doping for tailoring dielectric properties and electromagnetic absorption

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Yana; Zhou, Zhili; Chen, Mingji; Huang, Yixing; Wang, Changxian; Song, Wei-Li

    2018-05-01

    Since achievement in electromagnetic (EM) technology dramatically promotes the critical requirement in developing advanced EM response materials, which are required to hold various advantageous features in light weight, small thickness, strong reflection loss and broadband absorption, the most important requirements, i.e. strong reflection loss and broadband absorption, are still highly pursued because of the intrinsic shortage in conventional EM absorbers. For addressing such critical problems, a unique three-dimensional nitrogen doped carbon monolith was demonstrated to understand the effects of the nitrogen doping on the dielectric and microwave absorption performance. The chemical components of the nitrogen doped carbon monoliths have been quantitatively determined for fully understanding the effects of nanoscale structures on the macroscopic composites. A modified Cole-Cole plot is plotted for guiding the chemical doping and material process, aiming to realizing the best matching conditions. The results have promised a universal route for achieving advanced materials with strong and broadband EM absorption.

  8. FitEM2EM—Tools for Low Resolution Study of Macromolecular Assembly and Dynamics

    PubMed Central

    Frankenstein, Ziv; Sperling, Joseph; Sperling, Ruth; Eisenstein, Miriam

    2008-01-01

    Studies of the structure and dynamics of macromolecular assemblies often involve comparison of low resolution models obtained using different techniques such as electron microscopy or atomic force microscopy. We present new computational tools for comparing (matching) and docking of low resolution structures, based on shape complementarity. The matched or docked objects are represented by three dimensional grids where the value of each grid point depends on its position with regard to the interior, surface or exterior of the object. The grids are correlated using fast Fourier transformations producing either matches of related objects or docking models depending on the details of the grid representations. The procedures incorporate thickening and smoothing of the surfaces of the objects which effectively compensates for differences in the resolution of the matched/docked objects, circumventing the need for resolution modification. The presented matching tool FitEM2EMin successfully fitted electron microscopy structures obtained at different resolutions, different conformers of the same structure and partial structures, ranking correct matches at the top in every case. The differences between the grid representations of the matched objects can be used to study conformation differences or to characterize the size and shape of substructures. The presented low-to-low docking tool FitEM2EMout ranked the expected models at the top. PMID:18974836

  9. Towards Automated Screening of Two-dimensional Crystals

    PubMed Central

    Cheng, Anchi; Leung, Albert; Fellmann, Denis; Quispe, Joel; Suloway, Christian; Pulokas, James; Carragher, Bridget; Potter, Clinton S.

    2007-01-01

    Screening trials to determine the presence of two-dimensional (2D) protein crystals suitable for three-dimensional structure determination using electron crystallography is a very labor-intensive process. Methods compatible with fully automated screening have been developed for the process of crystal production by dialysis and for producing negatively stained grids of the resulting trials. Further automation via robotic handling of the EM grids, and semi-automated transmission electron microscopic imaging and evaluation of the trial grids is also possible. We, and others, have developed working prototypes for several of these tools and tested and evaluated them in a simple screen of 24 crystallization conditions. While further development of these tools is certainly required for a turn-key system, the goal of fully automated screening appears to be within reach. PMID:17977016

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

    Estrozi, L.F.; Neumann, E.; Squires, G.

    The blood-sucking reduviid bug Triatoma infestans, one of the most important vector of American human trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) is infected by the Triatoma virus (TrV). TrV has been classified as a member of the Cripavirus genus (type cricket paralysis virus) in the Dicistroviridae family. This work presents the three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) reconstruction of the TrV capsid at about 25 A resolution and its use as a template for phasing the available crystallographic data by the molecular replacement method. The main structural differences between the cryo-EM reconstruction of TrV and other two viruses, one from the same family, the cricketmore » paralysis virus (CrPV) and the human rhinovirus 16 from the Picornaviridae family are presented and discussed.« less

  11. Efficient estimation of three-dimensional covariance and its application in the analysis of heterogeneous samples in cryo-electron microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Liao, Hstau Y.; Hashem, Yaser; Frank, Joachim

    2015-01-01

    Summary Single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a powerful tool for the study of macromolecular structures at high resolution. Classification allows multiple structural states to be extracted and reconstructed from the same sample. One classification approach is via the covariance matrix, which captures the correlation between every pair of voxels. Earlier approaches employ computing-intensive resampling and estimate only the eigenvectors of the matrix, which are then used in a separate fast classification step. We propose an iterative scheme to explicitly estimate the covariance matrix in its entirety. In our approach, the flexibility in choosing the solution domain allows us to examine a part of the molecule in greater detail. 3D covariance maps obtained in this way from experimental data (cryo-EM images of the eukaryotic pre-initiation complex) prove to be in excellent agreement with conclusions derived by using traditional approaches, revealing in addition the interdependencies of ligand bindings and structural changes. PMID:25982529

  12. Electromagnetic and thermal properties of three-dimensional printed multilayered nano-carbon/poly(lactic) acid structures

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

    Paddubskaya, A.; Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, A. Goštauto 11, LT-01108 Vilnius; Valynets, N.

    A new type of light-weight material produced by 3D printing consisting of nano-carbon doped polymer layer followed by a dielectric polymer layer is proposed. We performed temperature dependent characterization and measured the electromagnetic (EM) response of the samples in the GHz and THz range. The temperature dependent structural characteristics, crystallization, and melting were observed to be strongly affected by the presence and the number of nano-carbon doped layers in the sandwich structure. The electromagnetic measurements show a great potential of such a type of periodic material for electromagnetic compatibility applications in microwave frequency range. Sandwich structures containing only two nano-carbonmore » layers already become not transparent to the microwaves, giving an electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency at the level of 8–15 dB. A sandwich consisting of one nano-carbon doped and one polymer layer is opaque for THz radiation, because of 80% of absorption. These studies serve as a basis for design and realization of specific optimal geometries of meta-surface type with the 3D printing technique, in order to reach a high level of electromagnetic interference shielding performance for real world EM cloaking and EM ecology applications.« less

  13. 3DIANA: 3D Domain Interaction Analysis: A Toolbox for Quaternary Structure Modeling

    PubMed Central

    Segura, Joan; Sanchez-Garcia, Ruben; Tabas-Madrid, Daniel; Cuenca-Alba, Jesus; Sorzano, Carlos Oscar S.; Carazo, Jose Maria

    2016-01-01

    Electron microscopy (EM) is experiencing a revolution with the advent of a new generation of Direct Electron Detectors, enabling a broad range of large and flexible structures to be resolved well below 1 nm resolution. Although EM techniques are evolving to the point of directly obtaining structural data at near-atomic resolution, for many molecules the attainable resolution might not be enough to propose high-resolution structural models. However, accessing information on atomic coordinates is a necessary step toward a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms that allow proteins to perform specific tasks. For that reason, methods for the integration of EM three-dimensional maps with x-ray and NMR structural data are being developed, a modeling task that is normally referred to as fitting, resulting in the so called hybrid models. In this work, we present a novel application—3DIANA—specially targeted to those cases in which the EM map resolution is medium or low and additional experimental structural information is scarce or even lacking. In this way, 3DIANA statistically evaluates proposed/potential contacts between protein domains, presents a complete catalog of both structurally resolved and predicted interacting regions involving these domains and, finally, suggests structural templates to model the interaction between them. The evaluation of the proposed interactions is computed with DIMERO, a new method that scores physical binding sites based on the topology of protein interaction networks, which has recently shown the capability to increase by 200% the number of domain-domain interactions predicted in interactomes as compared to previous approaches. The new application displays the information at a sequence and structural level and is accessible through a web browser or as a Chimera plugin at http://3diana.cnb.csic.es. PMID:26772592

  14. Structured illumination microscopy as a diagnostic tool for nephrotic disease

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nylk, Jonathan; Pullman, James M.; Campbell, Elaine C.; Gunn-Moore, Frank J.; Prystowsky, Michael B.; Dholakia, Kishan

    2017-02-01

    Nephrotic disease is a group of debilitating and sometimes lethal diseases affecting kidney function, specifically the loss of ability to retain vital proteins in the blood while smaller molecules are removed through filtration into the urine. Treatment routes are often dictated by microscopic analysis of kidney biopsies. Podocytes within the glomeruli of the kidney have many interdigitating projections (foot processes), which form the main filtration system. Nephrotic disease is characterised by the loss of this tightly interdigitating substructure and its observation by electron microscopy (EM) is necessitated as these structures are typically 250 500nm wide, with 40nm spacing. Diagnosis by EM is both expensive and time consuming; it can take up to one week to complete the preparation, imaging, and analysis of a single sample. We propose structured illumination microscopy (SIM) as an alternative, optical diagnostic tool. Our results show that SIM can resolve the structure of fluorescent probes tagged to podocin, a protein localised to the periphery of the podocyte foot processes. Three-dimensional podocin maps were acquired in healthy tissue and tissue from patients diagnosed with two different nephrotic disease states; minimal change disease and membranous nephropathy. These structures correlated well with EM images of the same structure. Preparation, imaging, and analysis could be achieved in several hours. Additionally, the volumetric information of the SIM images revealed morphological changes in disease states not observed by EM. This evidence supports the use of SIM as a diagnostic tool for nephrotic disease and can potentially reduce the time and cost per diagnosis.

  15. Serial Section Scanning Electron Microscopy (S3EM) on Silicon Wafers for Ultra-Structural Volume Imaging of Cells and Tissues

    PubMed Central

    Horstmann, Heinz; Körber, Christoph; Sätzler, Kurt; Aydin, Daniel; Kuner, Thomas

    2012-01-01

    High resolution, three-dimensional (3D) representations of cellular ultrastructure are essential for structure function studies in all areas of cell biology. While limited subcellular volumes have been routinely examined using serial section transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM), complete ultrastructural reconstructions of large volumes, entire cells or even tissue are difficult to achieve using ssTEM. Here, we introduce a novel approach combining serial sectioning of tissue with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using a conductive silicon wafer as a support. Ribbons containing hundreds of 35 nm thick sections can be generated and imaged on the wafer at a lateral pixel resolution of 3.7 nm by recording the backscattered electrons with the in-lens detector of the SEM. The resulting electron micrographs are qualitatively comparable to those obtained by conventional TEM. S3EM images of the same region of interest in consecutive sections can be used for 3D reconstructions of large structures. We demonstrate the potential of this approach by reconstructing a 31.7 µm3 volume of a calyx of Held presynaptic terminal. The approach introduced here, Serial Section SEM (S3EM), for the first time provides the possibility to obtain 3D ultrastructure of large volumes with high resolution and to selectively and repetitively home in on structures of interest. S3EM accelerates process duration, is amenable to full automation and can be implemented with standard instrumentation. PMID:22523574

  16. Serial section scanning electron microscopy (S3EM) on silicon wafers for ultra-structural volume imaging of cells and tissues.

    PubMed

    Horstmann, Heinz; Körber, Christoph; Sätzler, Kurt; Aydin, Daniel; Kuner, Thomas

    2012-01-01

    High resolution, three-dimensional (3D) representations of cellular ultrastructure are essential for structure function studies in all areas of cell biology. While limited subcellular volumes have been routinely examined using serial section transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM), complete ultrastructural reconstructions of large volumes, entire cells or even tissue are difficult to achieve using ssTEM. Here, we introduce a novel approach combining serial sectioning of tissue with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using a conductive silicon wafer as a support. Ribbons containing hundreds of 35 nm thick sections can be generated and imaged on the wafer at a lateral pixel resolution of 3.7 nm by recording the backscattered electrons with the in-lens detector of the SEM. The resulting electron micrographs are qualitatively comparable to those obtained by conventional TEM. S(3)EM images of the same region of interest in consecutive sections can be used for 3D reconstructions of large structures. We demonstrate the potential of this approach by reconstructing a 31.7 µm(3) volume of a calyx of Held presynaptic terminal. The approach introduced here, Serial Section SEM (S(3)EM), for the first time provides the possibility to obtain 3D ultrastructure of large volumes with high resolution and to selectively and repetitively home in on structures of interest. S(3)EM accelerates process duration, is amenable to full automation and can be implemented with standard instrumentation.

  17. Making structured metals transparency for broadband and wide-incidence-angle electromagnetic waves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fan, Renhao; Peng, Ruwen; Huang, Xianrong; Wang, Mu

    2014-03-01

    Very recently, we have demonstrated that one-dimensional metallic gratings can become transparent and completely antireflective for extremely broadband electromagnetic (EM) waves under oblique incidence. However, the oblique-incidence geometry, is inconvenient for the technological applications. To overcome this drawback, here we instead use oblique metal gratings with optimal tilt angles to achieve normal-incidence broadband transparence for EM waves. Further we use two-dimensional periodic metallic cuboids to achieve broadband and broad-angle high transmission and antireflection. By introducing such metallic cuboids arrays into silicon solar cells, we find that high performance of light trapping in the cells can be obtained with a significant enhancement of the ultimate quantum efficiency. The structured metals, which achieve broadband and broad-angle high transmission for EM waves, may have many other potential applications, such as transparent conducting panels, white-beam polarizers, and stealth objects.

  18. Functional histology of the macula flava in the human vocal fold--Part 2: Its role in the growth and development of the vocal fold.

    PubMed

    Sato, Kiminori; Umeno, Hirohito; Nakashima, Tadashi

    2010-01-01

    This study aims to clarify the role of the maculae flavae (MFe) during growth and development of the human vocal fold mucosa (VFM). Our current results concerning the MFe in the human newborn, infant, and child VFM are summarized. Newborns already had immature MFe at the same sites as adults. They were composed of dense masses of vocal fold stellate cells (VFSCs), whereas extracellular matrix components were sparse. VFSCs in the newborn MFe had already started synthesizing extracellular matrices (EM). During infancy, the EM synthesized in the MFe appeared in the VFM to initiate the formation of the three-dimensional extracellular matrix structure of the human VFM. During childhood, MFe including VFSCs continued to synthesize EM such as collagenous, reticular, and elastic fibers, and hyaluronic acid (glycosaminoglycan), which are essential for the human VFM as a vibrating tissue. The MFe in newborns, infants and children were related to the growth and development of the human VFM. Human MFe including VFSCs were inferred to be involved in the metabolism of EM, essential for the viscoelasticity of the human VFM, and are considered to be an important structure in the growth and development of the human VFM. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  19. Trends in the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB).

    PubMed

    Patwardhan, Ardan

    2017-06-01

    Recent technological advances, such as the introduction of the direct electron detector, have transformed the field of cryo-EM and the landscape of molecular and cellular structural biology. This study analyses these trends from the vantage point of the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB), the public archive for three-dimensional EM reconstructions. Over 1000 entries were released in 2016, representing almost a quarter of the total number of entries (4431). Structures at better than 6 Å resolution now represent one of the fastest-growing categories, while the share of annually released tomography-related structures is approaching 20%. The use of direct electron detectors is growing very rapidly: they were used for 70% of the structures released in 2016, in contrast to none before 2011. Microscopes from FEI have an overwhelming lead in terms of usage, and the use of the RELION software package continues to grow rapidly after having attained a leading position in the field. China is rapidly emerging as a major player in the field, supplementing the US, Germany and the UK as the big four. Similarly, Tsinghua University ranks only second to the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Biology in terms of involvement in publications associated with cryo-EM structures at better than 4 Å resolution. Overall, the numbers point to a rapid democratization of the field, with more countries and institutes becoming involved.

  20. Trends in the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB)

    PubMed Central

    Patwardhan, Ardan

    2017-01-01

    Recent technological advances, such as the introduction of the direct electron detector, have transformed the field of cryo-EM and the landscape of molecular and cellular structural biology. This study analyses these trends from the vantage point of the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB), the public archive for three-dimensional EM reconstructions. Over 1000 entries were released in 2016, representing almost a quarter of the total number of entries (4431). Structures at better than 6 Å resolution now represent one of the fastest-growing categories, while the share of annually released tomography-related structures is approaching 20%. The use of direct electron detectors is growing very rapidly: they were used for 70% of the structures released in 2016, in contrast to none before 2011. Microscopes from FEI have an overwhelming lead in terms of usage, and the use of the RELION software package continues to grow rapidly after having attained a leading position in the field. China is rapidly emerging as a major player in the field, supplementing the US, Germany and the UK as the big four. Similarly, Tsinghua University ranks only second to the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Biology in terms of involvement in publications associated with cryo-EM structures at better than 4 Å resolution. Overall, the numbers point to a rapid democratization of the field, with more countries and institutes becoming involved. PMID:28580912

  1. Applications of three-dimensional modeling in electromagnetic exploration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pellerin, Louise Donna

    Numerical modeling is used in geophysical exploration to understand physical mechanisms of a geophysical method, compare different exploration techniques, and interpret field data. Exploring the physics of a geophysical response enhances the geophysicist's insight, resulting in better survey design and interpretation. Comparing exploration methods numerically can eliminate the use of a technique that cannot resolve the exploration target. Interpreting field data to determine the structure of the earth is the ultimate goal of the exploration geophysicist. Applications of three-dimensional (3-D) electromagnetic (EM) modeling in mining, geothermal and environmental exploration demonstrate the importance of numerical modeling as a geophysical tool. Detection of a confined, conductive target with a vertical electric source (VES) can be an effective technique if properly used. The vertical magnetic field response is due solely to multi-dimensional structures, and current channeling is the dominant mechanism. A VES is deployed in a bore hole, hence the orientation of the hole is critical to the response. A deviation of more than a degree from the vertical can result in a host response that overwhelms the target response. Only the in-phase response at low frequencies can be corrected to a purely vertical response. The geothermal system studied consists of a near-surface clay cap and a deep reservoir. The magnetotelluric (MT), controlled-source audio magnetotelluric (CSAMT), long-offset time-domain electromagnetic (LOTEM) and central-loop transient electromagnetic (TEM) methods are appraised for their ability to detect the reservoir and delineate the cap. The reservoir anomaly is supported by boundary charges and therefore is detectable only with deep sounding electric field measurement MT and LOTEM. The cap is easily delineated with all techniques. For interpretation I developed an approximate 3-D inversion that refines a 1-D interpretation by removing lateral distortions. An iterative inverse procedure invokes EM reciprocity while operating on a localized portion of the survey area thereby greatly reducing the computational requirements. The scheme is illustrated with three synthetic data sets representative of problems in environmental geophysics.

  2. Three-dimensional interpretation of TEM soundings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barsukov, P. O.; Fainberg, E. B.

    2013-07-01

    We describe the approach to the interpretation of electromagnetic (EM) sounding data which iteratively adjusts the three-dimensional (3D) model of the environment by local one-dimensional (1D) transformations and inversions and reconstructs the geometrical skeleton of the model. The final 3D inversion is carried out with the minimal number of the sought parameters. At each step of the interpretation, the model of the medium is corrected according to the geological information. The practical examples of the suggested method are presented.

  3. Resolving the deep electrical resistivity structure at Central Pontides, Northern Turkey by three-dimensional magnetotelluric modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Özaydın, Sinan; Bülent Tank, Sabri; Karaş, Mustafa; Sandvol, Eric

    2017-04-01

    Wide-band magnetotelluric (MT) (360 Hz - 1860 sec) data were acquired at 25 sites along a north - south aligned profile cutting across the Central Pontides, which are made up of highly metamorphosed formations and their tectonic boundaries including: a Lower Cretaceous-aged turbidite sequence, Central Pontides Metamorphic Supercomplex (CPMS), North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) and Izmir-Ankara-Erzincan Suture Zone (IAESZ). Dimensionality analyses over all observation points demonstrated high electrical anisotropy, which indicates complex geological and tectonic structures. This dimensional complexity and presence of the electrically conductive Black Sea augmented the requirement for a three-dimensional analysis. Inverse modeling routines, ModEM (Egbert and Kelbert, 2012) and WSINV3DMT (Siripunvaraporn et al., 2005) were utilized to reveal the geo-electrical implications over this unusually complicated region. Interpretations of the resultant models are summarized as follows: (i) Çangaldaǧ and Domuzdaǧ complexes appear as highly resistive bodies bounded by north dipping faults. (ii) Highly conductive Tosya Basin sediments overlain the ophiolitic materials as a thin cover located at the south of the NAFZ. (iii) North Anatolian Fault and some auxiliary faults within the system exhibit conductive-resistive interfaces that reach to lower crustal levels. (iv) IAESZ is a clear feature marked by the resistivity contrast between NAFZ-related sedimentary basins and Neo-Tethyan ophiolites.

  4. Method of fabricating free-form, high-aspect ratio components for high-current, high-speed microelectrics

    DOEpatents

    Maxwell, James L; Rose, Chris R; Black, Marcie R; Springer, Robert W

    2014-03-11

    Microelectronic structures and devices, and method of fabricating a three-dimensional microelectronic structure is provided, comprising passing a first precursor material for a selected three-dimensional microelectronic structure into a reaction chamber at temperatures sufficient to maintain said precursor material in a predominantly gaseous state; maintaining said reaction chamber under sufficient pressures to enhance formation of a first portion of said three-dimensional microelectronic structure; applying an electric field between an electrode and said microelectronic structure at a desired point under conditions whereat said first portion of a selected three-dimensional microelectronic structure is formed from said first precursor material; positionally adjusting either said formed three-dimensional microelectronic structure or said electrode whereby further controlled growth of said three-dimensional microelectronic structure occurs; passing a second precursor material for a selected three-dimensional microelectronic structure into a reaction chamber at temperatures sufficient to maintain said precursor material in a predominantly gaseous state; maintaining said reaction chamber under sufficient pressures whereby a second portion of said three-dimensional microelectronic structure formation is enhanced; applying an electric field between an electrode and said microelectronic structure at a desired point under conditions whereat said second portion of a selected three-dimensional microelectronic structure is formed from said second precursor material; and, positionally adjusting either said formed three-dimensional microelectronic structure or said electrode whereby further controlled growth of said three-dimensional microelectronic structure occurs.

  5. Structural analysis of the core COMPASS family of histone H3K4 methylases from yeast to human

    PubMed Central

    Takahashi, Yoh-hei; Westfield, Gerwin H.; Oleskie, Austin N.; Trievel, Raymond C.; Shilatifard, Ali; Skiniotis, Georgios

    2011-01-01

    Histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation is catalyzed by the highly evolutionarily conserved multiprotein complex known as Set1/COMPASS or MLL/COMPASS-like complexes from yeast to human, respectively. Here we have reconstituted fully functional yeast Set1/COMPASS and human MLL/COMPASS-like complex in vitro and have identified the minimum subunit composition required for histone H3K4 methylation. These subunits include the methyltransferase C-terminal SET domain of Set1/MLL, Cps60/Ash2L, Cps50/RbBP5, Cps30/WDR5, and Cps25/Dpy30, which are all common components of the COMPASS family from yeast to human. Three-dimensional (3D) cryo-EM reconstructions of the core yeast complex, combined with immunolabeling and two-dimensional (2D) EM analysis of the individual subcomplexes reveal a Y-shaped architecture with Cps50 and Cps30 localizing on the top two adjacent lobes and Cps60-Cps25 forming the base at the bottom. EM analysis of the human complex reveals a striking similarity to its yeast counterpart, suggesting a common subunit organization. The SET domain of Set1 is located at the juncture of Cps50, Cps30, and the Cps60-Cps25 module, lining the walls of a central channel that may act as the platform for catalysis and regulative processing of various degrees of H3K4 methylation. This structural arrangement suggested that COMPASS family members function as exo-methylases, which we have confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies. PMID:22158900

  6. Structural analysis of the core COMPASS family of histone H3K4 methylases from yeast to human.

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Yoh-hei; Westfield, Gerwin H; Oleskie, Austin N; Trievel, Raymond C; Shilatifard, Ali; Skiniotis, Georgios

    2011-12-20

    Histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation is catalyzed by the highly evolutionarily conserved multiprotein complex known as Set1/COMPASS or MLL/COMPASS-like complexes from yeast to human, respectively. Here we have reconstituted fully functional yeast Set1/COMPASS and human MLL/COMPASS-like complex in vitro and have identified the minimum subunit composition required for histone H3K4 methylation. These subunits include the methyltransferase C-terminal SET domain of Set1/MLL, Cps60/Ash2L, Cps50/RbBP5, Cps30/WDR5, and Cps25/Dpy30, which are all common components of the COMPASS family from yeast to human. Three-dimensional (3D) cryo-EM reconstructions of the core yeast complex, combined with immunolabeling and two-dimensional (2D) EM analysis of the individual subcomplexes reveal a Y-shaped architecture with Cps50 and Cps30 localizing on the top two adjacent lobes and Cps60-Cps25 forming the base at the bottom. EM analysis of the human complex reveals a striking similarity to its yeast counterpart, suggesting a common subunit organization. The SET domain of Set1 is located at the juncture of Cps50, Cps30, and the Cps60-Cps25 module, lining the walls of a central channel that may act as the platform for catalysis and regulative processing of various degrees of H3K4 methylation. This structural arrangement suggested that COMPASS family members function as exo-methylases, which we have confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies.

  7. Lipid nanotechnologies for structural studies of membrane-associated proteins.

    PubMed

    Stoilova-McPhie, Svetla; Grushin, Kirill; Dalm, Daniela; Miller, Jaimy

    2014-11-01

    We present a methodology of lipid nanotubes (LNT) and nanodisks technologies optimized in our laboratory for structural studies of membrane-associated proteins at close to physiological conditions. The application of these lipid nanotechnologies for structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is fundamental for understanding and modulating their function. The LNTs in our studies are single bilayer galactosylceramide based nanotubes of ∼20 nm inner diameter and a few microns in length, that self-assemble in aqueous solutions. The lipid nanodisks (NDs) are self-assembled discoid lipid bilayers of ∼10 nm diameter, which are stabilized in aqueous solutions by a belt of amphipathic helical scaffold proteins. By combining LNT and ND technologies, we can examine structurally how the membrane curvature and lipid composition modulates the function of the membrane-associated proteins. As proof of principle, we have engineered these lipid nanotechnologies to mimic the activated platelet's phosphtaidylserine rich membrane and have successfully assembled functional membrane-bound coagulation factor VIII in vitro for structure determination by cryo-EM. The macromolecular organization of the proteins bound to ND and LNT are further defined by fitting the known atomic structures within the calculated three-dimensional maps. The combination of LNT and ND technologies offers a means to control the design and assembly of a wide range of functional membrane-associated proteins and complexes for structural studies by cryo-EM. The presented results confirm the suitability of the developed methodology for studying the functional structure of membrane-associated proteins, such as the coagulation factors, at a close to physiological environment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  8. Tubular Crystals and Helical Arrays: Structural Determination of HIV-1 Capsid Assemblies Using Iterative Helical Real-Space Reconstruction

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Peijun; Meng, Xin; Zhao, Gongpu

    2013-01-01

    Helical structures are important in many different life forms and are well-suited for structural studies by cryo-EM. A unique feature of helical objects is that a single projection image contains all the views needed to perform a three-dimensional (3D) crystallographic reconstruction. Here, we use HIV-1 capsid assemblies to illustrate the detailed approaches to obtain 3D density maps from helical objects. Mature HIV-1 particles contain a conical- or tubular-shaped capsid that encloses the viral RNA genome and performs essential functions in the virus life cycle. The capsid is composed of capsid protein (CA) oligomers which are helically arranged on the surface. The N-terminal domain (NTD) of CA is connected to its C-terminal domain (CTD) through a flexible hinge. Structural analysis of two- and three-dimensional crystals provided molecular models of the capsid protein (CA) and its oligomer forms. We determined the 3D density map of helically assembled HIV-1 CA hexamers at 16 Å resolution using an iterative helical real-space reconstruction method. Docking of atomic models of CA-NTD and CA-CTD dimer into the electron density map indicated that the CTD dimer interface is retained in the assembled CA. Furthermore, molecular docking revealed an additional, novel CTD trimer interface. PMID:23132072

  9. Probing the band structure and local electronic properties of low-dimensional semiconductor structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walrath, Jenna Cherie

    Low-dimensional semiconductor structures are important for a wide variety of applications, and recent advances in nanoscale fabrication are paving the way for increasingly precise nano-engineering of a wide range of materials. It is therefore essential that the physics of materials at the nanoscale are thoroughly understood to unleash the full potential of nanotechnology, requiring the development of increasingly sophisticated instrumentation and modeling. Of particular interest is the relationship between the local density of states (LDOS) of low-dimensional structures and the band structure and local electronic properties. This dissertation presents the investigation of the band structure, LDOS, and local electronic properties of nanostructures ranging from zero-dimensional (0D) quantum dots (QDs) to two-dimensional (2D) thin films, synthesizing computational and experimental approaches including Poisson-Schrodinger band structure calculations, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), and scanning thermoelectric microscopy (SThEM). A method is presented for quantifying the local Seebeck coefficient (S) with SThEM, using a quasi-3D conversion matrix approach to directly convert temperature gradient-induced voltages S. For a GaAs p-n junction, the resulting S-profile is consistent with that computed using the free carrier concentration profile. This combined computational-experimental approach is expected to enable nanoscale measurements of S across a wide variety of heterostructure interfaces. The local carrier concentration, n, is profiled across epitaxial InAs/GaAs QDs, where SThEM is used to profile the temperature gradient-induced voltage, which is converted to a profile of the local S and finally to an n profile. The S profile is converted to a conduction band-edge profile and compared with Poisson-Schrodinger band-edge simulations. The combined computational-experimental approach suggests a reduced n in the QD center in comparison to that of the 2D alloy layer. The surface composition and band structure of ordered horizontal Sb2Te3 nanowires induced by femtosecond laser irradiation of a thin film are investigated, revealing a band gap modulation between buried Sb2Te3 nanowires and the surrounding insulating material. Finally, STM and STS are used to investigate the band structure of BiSbTe alloys at room temperature, revealing both the Fermi level and Dirac point located inside the bulk bandgap, indicating bulk-like insulating behavior with accessible surface states.

  10. Super-resolution photoacoustic microscopy using a localized near-field of a plasmonic nanoaperture: a three-dimensional simulation study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, Byullee; Lee, Hongki; Upputuri, Paul Kumar; Pramanik, Manojit; Kim, Donghyun; Kim, Chulhong

    2018-02-01

    Super-resolution microscopy has been increasingly important to delineate nanoscale biological structures or nanoparticles. With these increasing demands, several imaging modalities, including super-resolution fluorescence microscope (SRFM) and electron microscope (EM), have been developed and commercialized. These modalities achieve nanoscale resolution, however, SRFM cannot image without fluorescence, and sample preparation of EM is not suitable for biological specimens. To overcome those disadvantages, we have numerically studied the possibility of superresolution photoacoustic microscopy (SR-PAM) based on near-field localization of light. Photoacoustic (PA) signal is generally acquired based on optical absorption contrast; thus it requires no agents or pre-processing for the samples. The lateral resolution of the conventional photoacoustic microscopy is limited to 200 nm by diffraction limit, therefore reducing the lateral resolution is a major research impetus. Our approach to breaking resolution limit is to use laser pulses of extremely small spot size as a light source. In this research, we simulated the PA signal by constructing the three dimensional SR-PAM system environment using the k-Wave toolbox. As the light source, we simulated ultrashort light pulses using geometrical nanoaperture with near-field localization of surface plasmons. Through the PA simulation, we have successfully distinguish cuboids spaced 3 nm apart. In the near future, we will develop the SR-PAM and it will contribute to biomedical and material sciences.

  11. 3D forward modeling and response analysis for marine CSEMs towed by two ships

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Bo; Yin, Chang-Chun; Liu, Yun-He; Ren, Xiu-Yan; Qi, Yan-Fu; Cai, Jing

    2018-03-01

    A dual-ship-towed marine electromagnetic (EM) system is a new marine exploration technology recently being developed in China. Compared with traditional marine EM systems, the new system tows the transmitters and receivers using two ships, rendering it unnecessary to position EM receivers at the seafloor in advance. This makes the system more flexible, allowing for different configurations (e.g., in-line, broadside, and azimuthal and concentric scanning) that can produce more detailed underwater structural information. We develop a three-dimensional goal-oriented adaptive forward modeling method for the new marine EM system and analyze the responses for four survey configurations. Oceanbottom topography has a strong effect on the marine EM responses; thus, we develop a forward modeling algorithm based on the finite-element method and unstructured grids. To satisfy the requirements for modeling the moving transmitters of a dual-ship-towed EM system, we use a single mesh for each of the transmitter locations. This mitigates the mesh complexity by refining the grids near the transmitters and minimizes the computational cost. To generate a rational mesh while maintaining the accuracy for single transmitter, we develop a goal-oriented adaptive method with separate mesh refinements for areas around the transmitting source and those far away. To test the modeling algorithm and accuracy, we compare the EM responses calculated by the proposed algorithm and semi-analytical results and from published sources. Furthermore, by analyzing the EM responses for four survey configurations, we are confirm that compared with traditional marine EM systems with only in-line array, a dual-ship-towed marine system can collect more data.

  12. Leukocyte Recognition Using EM-Algorithm

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colunga, Mario Chirinos; Siordia, Oscar Sánchez; Maybank, Stephen J.

    This document describes a method for classifying images of blood cells. Three different classes of cells are used: Band Neutrophils, Eosinophils and Lymphocytes. The image pattern is projected down to a lower dimensional sub space using PCA; the probability density function for each class is modeled with a Gaussian mixture using the EM-Algorithm. A new cell image is classified using the maximum a posteriori decision rule.

  13. Structure of the recombinant alphavirus Western equine encephalitis virus revealed by cryoelectron microscopy.

    PubMed

    Sherman, Michael B; Weaver, Scott C

    2010-10-01

    Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV; Togaviridae, Alphavirus) is an enveloped RNA virus that is typically transmitted to vertebrate hosts by infected mosquitoes. WEEV is an important cause of viral encephalitis in humans and horses in the Americas, and infection results in a range of disease, from mild flu-like illnesses to encephalitis, coma, and death. In addition to spreading via mosquito vectors, human WEEV infections can potentially occur directly via aerosol transmission. Due to its aerosol infectivity and virulence, WEEV is thus classified as a biological safety level 3 (BSL-3) agent. Because of its highly infectious nature and containment requirements, it has not been possible to investigate WEEV's structure or assembly mechanism using standard structural biology techniques. Thus, to image WEEV and other BSL-3 agents, we have constructed a first-of-its-kind BSL-3 cryoelectron microscopy (cryoEM) containment facility. cryoEM images of WEEV were used to determine the first three-dimensional structure of this important human pathogen. The overall organization of WEEV is similar to those of other alphaviruses, consistent with the high sequence similarity among alphavirus structural proteins. Surprisingly, the nucleocapsid of WEEV, a New World virus, is more similar to the Old World alphavirus Sindbis virus than to other New World alphaviruses.

  14. Solving the Secondary Structure Matching Problem in Cryo-EM De Novo Modeling Using a Constrained K-Shortest Path Graph Algorithm.

    PubMed

    Al Nasr, Kamal; Ranjan, Desh; Zubair, Mohammad; Chen, Lin; He, Jing

    2014-01-01

    Electron cryomicroscopy is becoming a major experimental technique in solving the structures of large molecular assemblies. More and more three-dimensional images have been obtained at the medium resolutions between 5 and 10 Å. At this resolution range, major α-helices can be detected as cylindrical sticks and β-sheets can be detected as plain-like regions. A critical question in de novo modeling from cryo-EM images is to determine the match between the detected secondary structures from the image and those on the protein sequence. We formulate this matching problem into a constrained graph problem and present an O(Δ(2)N(2)2(N)) algorithm to this NP-Hard problem. The algorithm incorporates the dynamic programming approach into a constrained K-shortest path algorithm. Our method, DP-TOSS, has been tested using α-proteins with maximum 33 helices and α-β proteins up to five helices and 12 β-strands. The correct match was ranked within the top 35 for 19 of the 20 α-proteins and all nine α-β proteins tested. The results demonstrate that DP-TOSS improves accuracy, time and memory space in deriving the topologies of the secondary structure elements for proteins with a large number of secondary structures and a complex skeleton.

  15. Fully Mechanically Controlled Automated Electron Microscopic Tomography

    DOE PAGES

    Liu, Jinxin; Li, Hongchang; Zhang, Lei; ...

    2016-07-11

    Knowledge of three-dimensional (3D) structures of each individual particles of asymmetric and flexible proteins is essential in understanding those proteins' functions; but their structures are difficult to determine. Electron tomography (ET) provides a tool for imaging a single and unique biological object from a series of tilted angles, but it is challenging to image a single protein for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction due to the imperfect mechanical control capability of the specimen goniometer under both a medium to high magnification (approximately 50,000-160,000×) and an optimized beam coherence condition. Here, we report a fully mechanical control method for automating ET data acquisitionmore » without using beam tilt/shift processes. This method could reduce the accumulation of beam tilt/shift that used to compensate the error from the mechanical control, but downgraded the beam coherence. Our method was developed by minimizing the error of the target object center during the tilting process through a closed-loop proportional-integral (PI) control algorithm. The validations by both negative staining (NS) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) suggest that this method has a comparable capability to other ET methods in tracking target proteins while maintaining optimized beam coherence conditions for imaging.« less

  16. EMDataBank unified data resource for 3DEM.

    PubMed

    Lawson, Catherine L; Patwardhan, Ardan; Baker, Matthew L; Hryc, Corey; Garcia, Eduardo Sanz; Hudson, Brian P; Lagerstedt, Ingvar; Ludtke, Steven J; Pintilie, Grigore; Sala, Raul; Westbrook, John D; Berman, Helen M; Kleywegt, Gerard J; Chiu, Wah

    2016-01-04

    Three-dimensional Electron Microscopy (3DEM) has become a key experimental method in structural biology for a broad spectrum of biological specimens from molecules to cells. The EMDataBank project provides a unified portal for deposition, retrieval and analysis of 3DEM density maps, atomic models and associated metadata (emdatabank.org). We provide here an overview of the rapidly growing 3DEM structural data archives, which include maps in EM Data Bank and map-derived models in the Protein Data Bank. In addition, we describe progress and approaches toward development of validation protocols and methods, working with the scientific community, in order to create a validation pipeline for 3DEM data. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

  17. 3D imaging and quantitative analysis of small solubilized membrane proteins and their complexes by transmission electron microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Vahedi-Faridi, Ardeschir; Jastrzebska, Beata; Palczewski, Krzysztof; Engel, Andreas

    2013-01-01

    Inherently unstable, detergent-solubilized membrane protein complexes can often not be crystallized. For complexes that have a mass of >300 kDa, cryo-electron microscopy (EM) allows their three-dimensional (3D) structure to be assessed to a resolution that makes secondary structure elements visible in the best case. However, many interesting complexes exist whose mass is below 300 kDa and thus need alternative approaches. Two methods are reviewed: (i) Mass measurement in a scanning transmission electron microscope, which has provided important information on the stoichiometry of membrane protein complexes. This technique is applicable to particulate, filamentous and sheet-like structures. (ii) 3D-EM of negatively stained samples, which determines the molecular envelope of small membrane protein complexes. Staining and dehydration artifacts may corrupt the quality of the 3D map. Staining conditions thus need to be optimized. 3D maps of plant aquaporin SoPIP2;1 tetramers solubilized in different detergents illustrate that the flattening artifact can be partially prevented and that the detergent itself contributes significantly. Another example discussed is the complex of G protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin with its cognate G protein transducin. PMID:23267047

  18. Three-dimensional Fréchet sensitivity kernels for electromagnetic wave propagation

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

    Strickland, C. E.; Johnson, T. C.; Odom, R. I.

    2015-08-28

    Electromagnetic imaging methods are useful tools for monitoring subsurface changes in pore-fluid content and the associated changes in electrical permittivity and conductivity. The most common method for georadar tomography uses a high frequency ray-theoretic approximation that is valid when material variations are sufficiently small relative to the wavelength of the propagating wave. Georadar methods, however, often utilize electromagnetic waves that propagate within heterogeneous media at frequencies where ray theory may not be applicable. In this paper we describe the 3-D Fréchet sensitivity kernels for EM wave propagation. Various data functional types are formulated that consider all three components of themore » electric wavefield and incorporate near-, intermediate-, and far-field contributions. We show that EM waves exhibit substantial variations for different relative source-receiver component orientations. The 3-D sensitivities also illustrate out-of-plane effects that are not captured in 2-D sensitivity kernels and can influence results obtained using 2-D inversion methods to image structures that are in reality 3-D.« less

  19. Viral Infection at High Magnification: 3D Electron Microscopy Methods to Analyze the Architecture of Infected Cells

    PubMed Central

    Romero-Brey, Inés; Bartenschlager, Ralf

    2015-01-01

    As obligate intracellular parasites, viruses need to hijack their cellular hosts and reprogram their machineries in order to replicate their genomes and produce new virions. For the direct visualization of the different steps of a viral life cycle (attachment, entry, replication, assembly and egress) electron microscopy (EM) methods are extremely helpful. While conventional EM has given important information about virus-host cell interactions, the development of three-dimensional EM (3D-EM) approaches provides unprecedented insights into how viruses remodel the intracellular architecture of the host cell. During the last years several 3D-EM methods have been developed. Here we will provide a description of the main approaches and examples of innovative applications. PMID:26633469

  20. Viral Infection at High Magnification: 3D Electron Microscopy Methods to Analyze the Architecture of Infected Cells.

    PubMed

    Romero-Brey, Inés; Bartenschlager, Ralf

    2015-12-03

    As obligate intracellular parasites, viruses need to hijack their cellular hosts and reprogram their machineries in order to replicate their genomes and produce new virions. For the direct visualization of the different steps of a viral life cycle (attachment, entry, replication, assembly and egress) electron microscopy (EM) methods are extremely helpful. While conventional EM has given important information about virus-host cell interactions, the development of three-dimensional EM (3D-EM) approaches provides unprecedented insights into how viruses remodel the intracellular architecture of the host cell. During the last years several 3D-EM methods have been developed. Here we will provide a description of the main approaches and examples of innovative applications.

  1. Method for making a bio-compatible scaffold

    DOEpatents

    Cesarano, III, Joseph; Stuecker, John N [Albuquerque, NM; Dellinger, Jennifer G [Champaigne, IL; Jamison, Russell D [Urbana, IL

    2006-01-31

    A method for forming a three-dimensional, biocompatible, porous scaffold structure using a solid freeform fabrication technique (referred to herein as robocasting) that can be used as a medical implant into a living organism, such as a human or other mammal. Imaging technology and analysis is first used to determine the three-dimensional design required for the medical implant, such as a bone implant or graft, fashioned as a three-dimensional, biocompatible scaffold structure. The robocasting technique is used to either directly produce the three-dimensional, porous scaffold structure or to produce an over-sized three-dimensional, porous scaffold lattice which can be machined to produce the designed three-dimensional, porous scaffold structure for implantation.

  2. Three-dimensional electron diffraction as a complementary technique to powder X-ray diffraction for phase identification and structure solution of powders.

    PubMed

    Yun, Yifeng; Zou, Xiaodong; Hovmöller, Sven; Wan, Wei

    2015-03-01

    Phase identification and structure determination are important and widely used techniques in chemistry, physics and materials science. Recently, two methods for automated three-dimensional electron diffraction (ED) data collection, namely automated diffraction tomography (ADT) and rotation electron diffraction (RED), have been developed. Compared with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and two-dimensional zonal ED, three-dimensional ED methods have many advantages in identifying phases and determining unknown structures. Almost complete three-dimensional ED data can be collected using the ADT and RED methods. Since each ED pattern is usually measured off the zone axes by three-dimensional ED methods, dynamic effects are much reduced compared with zonal ED patterns. Data collection is easy and fast, and can start at any arbitrary orientation of the crystal, which facilitates automation. Three-dimensional ED is a powerful technique for structure identification and structure solution from individual nano- or micron-sized particles, while powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) provides information from all phases present in a sample. ED suffers from dynamic scattering, while PXRD data are kinematic. Three-dimensional ED methods and PXRD are complementary and their combinations are promising for studying multiphase samples and complicated crystal structures. Here, two three-dimensional ED methods, ADT and RED, are described. Examples are given of combinations of three-dimensional ED methods and PXRD for phase identification and structure determination over a large number of different materials, from Ni-Se-O-Cl crystals, zeolites, germanates, metal-organic frameworks and organic compounds to intermetallics with modulated structures. It is shown that three-dimensional ED is now as feasible as X-ray diffraction for phase identification and structure solution, but still needs further development in order to be as accurate as X-ray diffraction. It is expected that three-dimensional ED methods will become crucially important in the near future.

  3. Thermal Measurements of Packed Copper Wire Enables Better Electric Motor

    Science.gov Websites

    transmittance characterization methods both parallel and perpendicular to the axis. A measurement of apparent from all three test methods indicated that the k_app of the packed copper wire was significantly higher methods for examining the thermal impact of new materials for winding structures relevant to motor

  4. Multi-Spacecraft 3D differential emission measure tomography of the solar corona: STEREO results.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vásquez, A. M.; Frazin, R. A.

    We have recently developed a novel technique (called DEMT) for the em- pirical determination of the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of the so- lar corona differential emission measure through multi-spacecraft solar ro- tational tomography of extreme-ultaviolet (EUV) image time series (like those provided by EIT/SOHO and EUVI/STEREO). The technique allows, for the first time, to develop global 3D empirical maps of the coronal elec- tron temperature and density, in the height range 1.0 to 1.25 RS . DEMT constitutes a simple and powerful 3D analysis tool that obviates the need for structure specific modeling.

  5. Comparison of an Atomic Model and Its Cryo-EM Image at the Central Axis of a Helix

    PubMed Central

    He, Jing; Zeil, Stephanie; Hallak, Hussam; McKaig, Kele; Kovacs, Julio; Wriggers, Willy

    2016-01-01

    Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is an important biophysical technique that produces three-dimensional (3D) density maps at different resolutions. Because more and more models are being produced from cryo-EM density maps, validation of the models is becoming important. We propose a method for measuring local agreement between a model and the density map using the central axis of the helix. This method was tested using 19 helices from cryo-EM density maps between 5.5 Å and 7.2 Å resolution and 94 helices from simulated density maps. This method distinguished most of the well-fitting helices, although challenges exist for shorter helices. PMID:27280059

  6. Validation of cryo-EM structure of IP₃R1 channel.

    PubMed

    Murray, Stephen C; Flanagan, John; Popova, Olga B; Chiu, Wah; Ludtke, Steven J; Serysheva, Irina I

    2013-06-04

    About a decade ago, three electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) single-particle reconstructions of IP3R1 were reported at low resolution. It was disturbing that these structures bore little similarity to one another, even at the level of quaternary structure. Recently, we published an improved structure of IP3R1 at ∼1 nm resolution. However, this structure did not bear any resemblance to any of the three previously published structures, leading to the question of why the structure should be considered more reliable than the original three. Here, we apply several methods, including class-average/map comparisons, tilt-pair validation, and use of multiple refinement software packages, to give strong evidence for the reliability of our recent structure. The map resolution and feature resolvability are assessed with the gold standard criterion. This approach is generally applicable to assessing the validity of cryo-EM maps of other molecular machines. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Assessing the potential for improved scramjet performance through application of electromagnetic flow control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lindsey, Martin Forrester

    Sustained hypersonic flight using scramjet propulsion is the key technology bridging the gap between turbojets and the exoatmospheric environment where a rocket is required. Recent efforts have focused on electromagnetic (EM) flow control to mitigate the problems of high thermomechanical loads and low propulsion efficiencies associated with scramjet propulsion. This research effort is the first flight-scale, three-dimensional computational analysis of a realistic scramjet to determine how EM flow control can improve scramjet performance. Development of a quasi-one dimensional design tool culminated in the first open source geometry of an entire scramjet flowpath. This geometry was then tested extensively with the Air Force Research Laboratory's three-dimensional Navier-Stokes and EM coupled computational code. As part of improving the model fidelity, a loosely coupled algorithm was developed to incorporate thermochemistry. This resulted in the only open-source model of fuel injection, mixing and combustion in a magnetogasdynamic (MGD) flow controlled engine. In addition, a control volume analysis tool with an electron beam ionization model was presented for the first time in the context of the established computational method used. Local EM flow control within the internal inlet greatly impacted drag forces and wall heat transfer but was only marginally successful in raising the average pressure entering the combustor. The use of an MGD accelerator to locally increase flow momentum was an effective approach to improve flow into the scramjet's isolator. Combustor-based MGD generators proved superior to the inlet generator with respect to power density and overall engine efficiency. MGD acceleration was shown to be ineffective in improving overall performance, with all of the bypass engines having approximately 33% more drag than baseline and none of them achieving a self-powered state.

  8. Three-dimensional structure of basal body triplet revealed by electron cryo-tomography

    PubMed Central

    Li, Sam; Fernandez, Jose-Jesus; Marshall, Wallace F; Agard, David A

    2012-01-01

    Basal bodies and centrioles play central roles in microtubule (MT)-organizing centres within many eukaryotes. They share a barrel-shaped cylindrical structure composed of nine MT triplet blades. Here, we report the structure of the basal body triplet at 33 Å resolution obtained by electron cryo-tomography and 3D subtomogram averaging. By fitting the atomic structure of tubulin into the EM density, we built a pseudo-atomic model of the tubulin protofilaments at the core of the triplet. The 3D density map reveals additional densities that represent non-tubulin proteins attached to the triplet, including a large inner circular structure in the basal body lumen, which functions as a scaffold to stabilize the entire basal body barrel. We found clear longitudinal structural variations along the basal body, suggesting a sequential and coordinated assembly mechanism. We propose a model in which δ-tubulin and other components participate in the assembly of the basal body. PMID:22157822

  9. A workflow for the automatic segmentation of organelles in electron microscopy image stacks

    PubMed Central

    Perez, Alex J.; Seyedhosseini, Mojtaba; Deerinck, Thomas J.; Bushong, Eric A.; Panda, Satchidananda; Tasdizen, Tolga; Ellisman, Mark H.

    2014-01-01

    Electron microscopy (EM) facilitates analysis of the form, distribution, and functional status of key organelle systems in various pathological processes, including those associated with neurodegenerative disease. Such EM data often provide important new insights into the underlying disease mechanisms. The development of more accurate and efficient methods to quantify changes in subcellular microanatomy has already proven key to understanding the pathogenesis of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, as well as glaucoma. While our ability to acquire large volumes of 3D EM data is progressing rapidly, more advanced analysis tools are needed to assist in measuring precise three-dimensional morphologies of organelles within data sets that can include hundreds to thousands of whole cells. Although new imaging instrument throughputs can exceed teravoxels of data per day, image segmentation and analysis remain significant bottlenecks to achieving quantitative descriptions of whole cell structural organellomes. Here, we present a novel method for the automatic segmentation of organelles in 3D EM image stacks. Segmentations are generated using only 2D image information, making the method suitable for anisotropic imaging techniques such as serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM). Additionally, no assumptions about 3D organelle morphology are made, ensuring the method can be easily expanded to any number of structurally and functionally diverse organelles. Following the presentation of our algorithm, we validate its performance by assessing the segmentation accuracy of different organelle targets in an example SBEM dataset and demonstrate that it can be efficiently parallelized on supercomputing resources, resulting in a dramatic reduction in runtime. PMID:25426032

  10. Three-Dimensional Geometric Modeling of Membrane-bound Organelles in Ventricular Myocytes: Bridging the Gap between Microscopic Imaging and Mathematical Simulation

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Zeyun; Holst, Michael J.; Hayashi, Takeharu; Bajaj, Chandrajit L.; Ellisman, Mark H.; McCammon, J. Andrew; Hoshijima, Masahiko

    2009-01-01

    A general framework of image-based geometric processing is presented to bridge the gap between three-dimensional (3D) imaging that provides structural details of a biological system and mathematical simulation where high-quality surface or volumetric meshes are required. A 3D density map is processed in the order of image pre-processing (contrast enhancement and anisotropic filtering), feature extraction (boundary segmentation and skeletonization), and high-quality and realistic surface (triangular) and volumetric (tetrahedral) mesh generation. While the tool-chain described is applicable to general types of 3D imaging data, the performance is demonstrated specifically on membrane-bound organelles in ventricular myocytes that are imaged and reconstructed with electron microscopic (EM) tomography and two-photon microscopy (T-PM). Of particular interest in this study are two types of membrane-bound Ca2+-handling organelles, namely, transverse tubules (T-tubules) and junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (jSR), both of which play an important role in regulating the excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling through dynamic Ca2+ mobilization in cardiomyocytes. PMID:18835449

  11. Three-dimensional geometric modeling of membrane-bound organelles in ventricular myocytes: bridging the gap between microscopic imaging and mathematical simulation.

    PubMed

    Yu, Zeyun; Holst, Michael J; Hayashi, Takeharu; Bajaj, Chandrajit L; Ellisman, Mark H; McCammon, J Andrew; Hoshijima, Masahiko

    2008-12-01

    A general framework of image-based geometric processing is presented to bridge the gap between three-dimensional (3D) imaging that provides structural details of a biological system and mathematical simulation where high-quality surface or volumetric meshes are required. A 3D density map is processed in the order of image pre-processing (contrast enhancement and anisotropic filtering), feature extraction (boundary segmentation and skeletonization), and high-quality and realistic surface (triangular) and volumetric (tetrahedral) mesh generation. While the tool-chain described is applicable to general types of 3D imaging data, the performance is demonstrated specifically on membrane-bound organelles in ventricular myocytes that are imaged and reconstructed with electron microscopic (EM) tomography and two-photon microscopy (T-PM). Of particular interest in this study are two types of membrane-bound Ca(2+)-handling organelles, namely, transverse tubules (T-tubules) and junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (jSR), both of which play an important role in regulating the excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling through dynamic Ca(2+) mobilization in cardiomyocytes.

  12. Fine structure of synapses of the central nervous system in resinless sections.

    PubMed

    Cohen, R S; Wolosewick, J J; Becker, R P; Pappas, G D

    1983-10-01

    The cytoskeleton has been implicated in neuronal function, particularly in axonal transport, excitability at axonal membranes, and movement of synaptic vesicles at preganglionic endings. The present study demonstrates the presence of a pre- and postsynaptic cytoskeleton in resinless sections of CNS tissue by use of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) technique of Wolosewick (1980) viewed by conventional transmission EM, scanning transmission EM, and surface scanning EM. The PEG technique permits visualization of the cytoskeletal network unobscured by the electron scattering properties of epoxy embedment. In the presynaptic process, synaptic vesicles appear to be suspended in a filamentous network that is contiguous with the synaptic vesicle membrane and with the presynaptic plasma membrane and its dense material. In the postsynaptic process, the postsynaptic density (PSD) is seen in intimate contact with the postsynaptic membrane. En face images of the PSD in some synapses appear as a torus. Emanating from the filamentous web of the PSD are filaments which extend to the adjacent plasma membrane. We conclude that membranous synaptic elements are contiguous with a three-dimensional lattice network that is similar to that described in whole unembedded cells (Wolosewick and Porter, 1976). Moreover, the synaptic densities represent a specialized elaboration of the cytoskeleton.

  13. Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy of Rift Valley fever virus

    PubMed Central

    Sherman, Michael B.; Freiberg, Alexander N.; Holbrook, Michael R.; Watowich, Stanley J.

    2009-01-01

    Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV; Bunyaviridae; Phlebovirus) is an emerging human veterinary pathogen causing acute hepatitis in ruminants and has the potential to Single-particle cryo-EM reconstruction of RVFV MP-12 hemorrhagic fever in humans. We report a three-dimensional reconstruction of RVFV vaccine strain MP-12 (RVFV MP-12) by cryo-electron microcopy using icosahedral symmetry of individual virions. Although the genomic core of RVFV MP-12 is apparently poorly ordered, the glycoproteins on the virus surface are highly symmetric and arranged on a T=12 icosahedral lattice. Our RVFV MP-12 structure allowed clear identification of inter-capsomer contacts and definition of possible glycoprotein arrangements within capsomers. This structure provides a detailed model for phleboviruses, opens new avenues for high-resolution structural studies of the bunyavirus family, and aids the design of antiviral diagnostics and effective subunit-vaccines. PMID:19304307

  14. Modeling drying of three-dimensional pulp molded structures. Part I, Experimental program

    Treesearch

    Heike Nyist; John F. Hunt; Margit Tamasy-Bano

    1998-01-01

    Researchers at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory have developed a new three-dimensional structural panel, called FPL Spaceboard. This panel is formed using a U.S. patented three-dimensional mold capable of using a variety of fibrous materials with either the wet- or dry-forming process. Structurally, the panel departs from the traditional two-dimensional panel by...

  15. Ribosome dynamics and tRNA movement by time-resolved electron cryomicroscopy.

    PubMed

    Fischer, Niels; Konevega, Andrey L; Wintermeyer, Wolfgang; Rodnina, Marina V; Stark, Holger

    2010-07-15

    The translocation step of protein synthesis entails large-scale rearrangements of the ribosome-transfer RNA (tRNA) complex. Here we have followed tRNA movement through the ribosome during translocation by time-resolved single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM). Unbiased computational sorting of cryo-EM images yielded 50 distinct three-dimensional reconstructions, showing the tRNAs in classical, hybrid and various novel intermediate states that provide trajectories and kinetic information about tRNA movement through the ribosome. The structures indicate how tRNA movement is coupled with global and local conformational changes of the ribosome, in particular of the head and body of the small ribosomal subunit, and show that dynamic interactions between tRNAs and ribosomal residues confine the path of the tRNAs through the ribosome. The temperature dependence of ribosome dynamics reveals a surprisingly flat energy landscape of conformational variations at physiological temperature. The ribosome functions as a Brownian machine that couples spontaneous conformational changes driven by thermal energy to directed movement.

  16. Escherichia coli Biofilms Have an Organized and Complex Extracellular Matrix Structure

    PubMed Central

    Hung, Chia; Zhou, Yizhou; Pinkner, Jerome S.; Dodson, Karen W.; Crowley, Jan R.; Heuser, John; Chapman, Matthew R.; Hadjifrangiskou, Maria; Henderson, Jeffrey P.; Hultgren, Scott J.

    2013-01-01

    ABSTRACT Bacterial biofilms are ubiquitous in nature, and their resilience is derived in part from a complex extracellular matrix that can be tailored to meet environmental demands. Although common developmental stages leading to biofilm formation have been described, how the extracellular components are organized to allow three-dimensional biofilm development is not well understood. Here we show that uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains produce a biofilm with a highly ordered and complex extracellular matrix (ECM). We used electron microscopy (EM) techniques to image floating biofilms (pellicles) formed by UPEC. EM revealed intricately constructed substructures within the ECM that encase individual, spatially segregated bacteria with a distinctive morphology. Mutational and biochemical analyses of these biofilms confirmed curli as a major matrix component and revealed important roles for cellulose, flagella, and type 1 pili in pellicle integrity and ECM infrastructure. Collectively, the findings of this study elucidated that UPEC pellicles have a highly organized ultrastructure that varies spatially across the multicellular community. PMID:24023384

  17. Electromagnetic dissipation during asymmetric reconnection with a moderate guide field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Genestreti, Kevin; Burch, James; Cassak, Paul; Torbert, Roy; Phan, Tai; Ergun, Robert; Giles, Barbara; Russell, Chris; Wang, Shan; Akhavan-Tafti, Mojtaba; Varsani, Ali

    2017-04-01

    We calculate the work done on the plasma by the electromagnetic (EM) field, ⃗Jṡ⃗E', and analyze the related electron currents and electric fields, focusing on a single asymmetric guide field electron diffusion region (EDR) event observed by MMS on 8 December 2015. For this event, each of the four MMS spacecraft observed dissipation of EM energy at the in-plane magnetic null point, though large-scale generation/dissipation was observed inconsistently on the magnetospheric side of the boundary. The current at the null was carried by a beam-like population of magnetosheath electrons traveling anti-parallel to the guide field, whereas the current on the Earthward side of the boundary was carried by crescent-shaped electron distributions. We also analyze the terms in Ohm's law, finding a large residual electric field throughout the EDR, inertial and pressure divergence fields at the null, and pressure divergence fields at the magnetosphere-side EDR. Our analysis of the terms in Ohm's law suggests that the EDR had significant three-dimensional structure.

  18. Efficient Inversion of Mult-frequency and Multi-Source Electromagnetic Data

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

    Gary D. Egbert

    2007-03-22

    The project covered by this report focused on development of efficient but robust non-linear inversion algorithms for electromagnetic induction data, in particular for data collected with multiple receivers, and multiple transmitters, a situation extremely common in eophysical EM subsurface imaging methods. A key observation is that for such multi-transmitter problems each step in commonly used linearized iterative limited memory search schemes such as conjugate gradients (CG) requires solution of forward and adjoint EM problems for each of the N frequencies or sources, essentially generating data sensitivities for an N dimensional data-subspace. These multiple sensitivities allow a good approximation to themore » full Jacobian of the data mapping to be built up in many fewer search steps than would be required by application of textbook optimization methods, which take no account of the multiplicity of forward problems that must be solved for each search step. We have applied this idea to a develop a hybrid inversion scheme that combines features of the iterative limited memory type methods with a Newton-type approach using a partial calculation of the Jacobian. Initial tests on 2D problems show that the new approach produces results essentially identical to a Newton type Occam minimum structure inversion, while running more rapidly than an iterative (fixed regularization parameter) CG style inversion. Memory requirements, while greater than for something like CG, are modest enough that even in 3D the scheme should allow 3D inverse problems to be solved on a common desktop PC, at least for modest (~ 100 sites, 15-20 frequencies) data sets. A secondary focus of the research has been development of a modular system for EM inversion, using an object oriented approach. This system has proven useful for more rapid prototyping of inversion algorithms, in particular allowing initial development and testing to be conducted with two-dimensional example problems, before approaching more computationally cumbersome three-dimensional problems.« less

  19. Integrated Aeromechanics with Three-Dimensional Solid-Multibody Structures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Datta, Anubhav; Johnson, Wayne

    2014-01-01

    A full three-dimensional finite element-multibody structural dynamic solver is coupled to a three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver for the prediction of integrated aeromechanical stresses and strains on a rotor blade in forward flight. The objective is to lay the foundations of all major pieces of an integrated three-dimensional rotor dynamic analysis - from model construction to aeromechanical solution to stress/strain calculation. The primary focus is on the aeromechanical solution. Two types of three-dimensional CFD/CSD interfaces are constructed for this purpose with an emphasis on resolving errors from geometry mis-match so that initial-stage approximate structural geometries can also be effectively analyzed. A three-dimensional structural model is constructed as an approximation to a UH-60A-like fully articulated rotor. The aerodynamic model is identical to the UH-60A rotor. For preliminary validation measurements from a UH-60A high speed flight is used where CFD coupling is essential to capture the advancing side tip transonic effects. The key conclusion is that an integrated aeromechanical analysis is indeed possible with three-dimensional structural dynamics but requires a careful description of its geometry and discretization of its parts.

  20. PF2fit: Polar Fast Fourier Matched Alignment of Atomistic Structures with 3D Electron Microscopy Maps.

    PubMed

    Bettadapura, Radhakrishna; Rasheed, Muhibur; Vollrath, Antje; Bajaj, Chandrajit

    2015-10-01

    There continue to be increasing occurrences of both atomistic structure models in the PDB (possibly reconstructed from X-ray diffraction or NMR data), and 3D reconstructed cryo-electron microscopy (3D EM) maps (albeit at coarser resolution) of the same or homologous molecule or molecular assembly, deposited in the EMDB. To obtain the best possible structural model of the molecule at the best achievable resolution, and without any missing gaps, one typically aligns (match and fits) the atomistic structure model with the 3D EM map. We discuss a new algorithm and generalized framework, named PF(2) fit (Polar Fast Fourier Fitting) for the best possible structural alignment of atomistic structures with 3D EM. While PF(2) fit enables only a rigid, six dimensional (6D) alignment method, it augments prior work on 6D X-ray structure and 3D EM alignment in multiple ways: Scoring. PF(2) fit includes a new scoring scheme that, in addition to rewarding overlaps between the volumes occupied by the atomistic structure and 3D EM map, rewards overlaps between the volumes complementary to them. We quantitatively demonstrate how this new complementary scoring scheme improves upon existing approaches. PF(2) fit also includes two scoring functions, the non-uniform exterior penalty and the skeleton-secondary structure score, and implements the scattering potential score as an alternative to traditional Gaussian blurring. Search. PF(2) fit utilizes a fast polar Fourier search scheme, whose main advantage is the ability to search over uniformly and adaptively sampled subsets of the space of rigid-body motions. PF(2) fit also implements a new reranking search and scoring methodology that considerably improves alignment metrics in results obtained from the initial search.

  1. PF2 fit: Polar Fast Fourier Matched Alignment of Atomistic Structures with 3D Electron Microscopy Maps

    PubMed Central

    Bettadapura, Radhakrishna; Rasheed, Muhibur; Vollrath, Antje; Bajaj, Chandrajit

    2015-01-01

    There continue to be increasing occurrences of both atomistic structure models in the PDB (possibly reconstructed from X-ray diffraction or NMR data), and 3D reconstructed cryo-electron microscopy (3D EM) maps (albeit at coarser resolution) of the same or homologous molecule or molecular assembly, deposited in the EMDB. To obtain the best possible structural model of the molecule at the best achievable resolution, and without any missing gaps, one typically aligns (match and fits) the atomistic structure model with the 3D EM map. We discuss a new algorithm and generalized framework, named PF2 fit (Polar Fast Fourier Fitting) for the best possible structural alignment of atomistic structures with 3D EM. While PF2 fit enables only a rigid, six dimensional (6D) alignment method, it augments prior work on 6D X-ray structure and 3D EM alignment in multiple ways: Scoring. PF2 fit includes a new scoring scheme that, in addition to rewarding overlaps between the volumes occupied by the atomistic structure and 3D EM map, rewards overlaps between the volumes complementary to them. We quantitatively demonstrate how this new complementary scoring scheme improves upon existing approaches. PF2 fit also includes two scoring functions, the non-uniform exterior penalty and the skeleton-secondary structure score, and implements the scattering potential score as an alternative to traditional Gaussian blurring. Search. PF2 fit utilizes a fast polar Fourier search scheme, whose main advantage is the ability to search over uniformly and adaptively sampled subsets of the space of rigid-body motions. PF2 fit also implements a new reranking search and scoring methodology that considerably improves alignment metrics in results obtained from the initial search. PMID:26469938

  2. Magnetotelluric Studies for Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Resources: Examples from the Asian Region

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Patro, Prasanta K.

    2017-09-01

    Magnetotellurics (MT) and the other related electrical and electromagnetic methods play a very useful role in resource exploration. This review paper presents the current scenario of application of MT in the exploration for hydrocarbons and geothermal resources in Asia. While seismics is the most preferred method in oil exploration, it is, however, beset with several limitations in the case of sedimentary targets overlain by basalts or evaporate/carbonate rocks where the high-velocity layers overlying the lower velocity layers pose a problem. In such cases, MT plays an important and, in some cases, a crucial role in mapping these potential reservoirs because of significant resistivity contrast generally observed between the basalts and the underlying sedimentary layers. A few case histories are presented that typically illustrate the role of MT in this context. In the case of geothermal exploration, MT is known to be highly effective in deciphering the target areas because of the conductivity structures arising from the presence and circulation of highly conductive fluids in the geothermal target areas. A few examples of MT studies carried out in some of the potential areas of geothermal significance in the Asian region are also discussed. While it is a relatively favorable situation for application of EM and MT methods in the case of exploration of the high-enthalpy region due to the development of well-defined conceptual models, still the low-enthalpy regions need to be understood well, particularly because of more complex structural patterns and the fluid circulation under relatively low-temperature conditions. Currently, a lot of modeling in both geothermal and hydrocarbon exploration is being done using three-dimensional techniques, and it is the right time to go for integration and three-dimensional joint inversion of the geophysical parameters such as resistivity, velocity, density, from MT, electromagnetics (EM), seismics and gravity.

  3. Scattering characteristics of electromagnetic waves in time and space inhomogeneous weakly ionized dusty plasma sheath

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Li-xin; Chen, Wei; Li, Jiang-ting; Ren, Yi; Liu, Song-hua

    2018-05-01

    The dielectric coefficient of a weakly ionised dusty plasma is used to establish a three-dimensional time and space inhomogeneous dusty plasma sheath. The effects of scattering on electromagnetic (EM) waves in this dusty plasma sheath are investigated using the auxiliary differential equation finite-difference time-domain method. Backward radar cross-sectional values of various parameters, including the dust particle radius, charging frequency of dust particles, dust particle concentration, effective collision frequency, rate of the electron density variation with time, angle of EM wave incidence, and plasma frequency, are analysed within the time and space inhomogeneous plasma sheath. The results show the noticeable effects of dusty plasma parameters on EM waves.

  4. Cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstructions of hepatitis C virus particles

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

    Yu Xuekui; Qiao Ming; Atanasov, Ivo

    2007-10-10

    The structural details of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been elusive because of the lack of a robust tissue culture system for producing an adequate amount of virions from infectious sources for in-depth three-dimensional (3D) structural analysis. Using both negative-stain and cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM), we show that HCV virions isolated from cell culture have a rather uniform size of 500 A in diameter and that recombinantly expressed HCV-like particles (HCV-LPs) have similar morphologic, biophysical and antigenic features in spite of the varying sizes of the particles. 3D reconstructions were obtained from HCV-LPs with the same size as the HCV virionsmore » in the presence and absence of monoclonal antibodies bound to the E1 glycoprotein. The 3D reconstruction of HCV-LP reveals a multilayered architecture, with smooth outer-layer densities arranged in a 'fishbone' configuration. Reconstruction of the particles in complex with anti-E1 antibodies shows that sites of the E1 epitope are exposed and surround the 5-, 3- and 2-fold axes. The binding pattern of the anti-E1 antibody and the fitting of the structure of the dengue virus E glycoprotein into our 3D reconstructions further suggest that the HCV-LP E1 and E2 proteins form a tetramer (or dimer of heterodimers) that corresponds morphologically and functionally to the flavivirus E homodimer. This first 3D structural analysis of HCV particles offers important insights into the elusive mechanisms of HCV assembly and maturation.« less

  5. A study of the influence of conductive paths and their directions in randomly generated conductor network.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mandolesi, E.; Moorkamp, M.; Jones, A. G.

    2014-12-01

    Most electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods focus on the electrical conductivity of rocks and sediments to determine the geological structure of the subsurface. Electric conductivity itself is measured in the laboratory with a wide range of instruments and techniques. These measurements seldom return a compatible result. The presence of partially-interconnected random pathways of electrically conductive materials in resistive hosts has been studied for decades, and recently with increasing interest. To comprehend which conductive mechanism scales from the microstructures up to field electrical conductivity measurements, two main branch of studies have been undertaken: statistical probability of having a conductive pathways and mixing laws. Several numerical approaches have been tested to understand the effects of interconnected pathways of conductors at field scale. Usually these studies were restricted in two ways: the sources are considered constant in time (i.e., DC) and the domain is, with few exception, two-dimensional. We simulated the effects of time-varying EM sources on the conductivity measured on the surface of a three-dimensional randomly generated body embedded in an uniform host by using electromagnetic induction equations. We modelled a two-phase mixture of resistive and conductive elements with the goal of comparing the conductivity measured on field scale with the one proper of the elements constituting the random rock, and to test how the internal structures influence the directionality of the responses. Moreover, we modelled data from randomly generated bodies characterized by coherent internal structures, to check the effect of the named structures on the anisotropy of the effective conductivity. We compared these values with the electrical conductivity limits predicted by Hashin-Shtrikman bounds and the effective conductivity predicted by the Archie's law, both cast in its classic form and in an updated that allow to take in account two materials. The same analysis was done for both the resistive and the conductive conductivity values for the anisotropic case.

  6. Continuum modeling of three-dimensional truss-like space structures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nayfeh, A. H.; Hefzy, M. S.

    1978-01-01

    A mathematical and computational analysis capability has been developed for calculating the effective mechanical properties of three-dimensional periodic truss-like structures. Two models are studied in detail. The first, called the octetruss model, is a three-dimensional extension of a two-dimensional model, and the second is a cubic model. Symmetry considerations are employed as a first step to show that the specific octetruss model has four independent constants and that the cubic model has two. The actual values of these constants are determined by averaging the contributions of each rod element to the overall structure stiffness. The individual rod member contribution to the overall stiffness is obtained by a three-dimensional coordinate transformation. The analysis shows that the effective three-dimensional elastic properties of both models are relatively close to each other.

  7. The Effect of Three-Dimensional Simulations on the Understanding of Chemical Structures and Their Properties

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Urhahne, Detlef; Nick, Sabine; Schanze, Sascha

    2009-01-01

    In a series of three experimental studies, the effectiveness of three-dimensional computer simulations to aid the understanding of chemical structures and their properties was investigated. Arguments for the usefulness of three-dimensional simulations were derived from Mayer's generative theory of multimedia learning. Simulations might lead to a…

  8. 3-Dimensional Marine CSEM Modeling by Employing TDFEM with Parallel Solvers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, X.; Yang, T.

    2013-12-01

    In this paper, parallel fulfillment is developed for forward modeling of the 3-Dimensional controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) by using time-domain finite element method (TDFEM). Recently, a greater attention rises on research of hydrocarbon (HC) reservoir detection mechanism in the seabed. Since China has vast ocean resources, seeking hydrocarbon reservoirs become significant in the national economy. However, traditional methods of seismic exploration shown a crucial obstacle to detect hydrocarbon reservoirs in the seabed with a complex structure, due to relatively high acquisition costs and high-risking exploration. In addition, the development of EM simulations typically requires both a deep knowledge of the computational electromagnetics (CEM) and a proper use of sophisticated techniques and tools from computer science. However, the complexity of large-scale EM simulations often requires large memory because of a large amount of data, or solution time to address problems concerning matrix solvers, function transforms, optimization, etc. The objective of this paper is to present parallelized implementation of the time-domain finite element method for analysis of three-dimensional (3D) marine controlled source electromagnetic problems. Firstly, we established a three-dimensional basic background model according to the seismic data, then electromagnetic simulation of marine CSEM was carried out by using time-domain finite element method, which works on a MPI (Message Passing Interface) platform with exact orientation to allow fast detecting of hydrocarbons targets in ocean environment. To speed up the calculation process, SuperLU of an MPI (Message Passing Interface) version called SuperLU_DIST is employed in this approach. Regarding the representation of three-dimension seabed terrain with sense of reality, the region is discretized into an unstructured mesh rather than a uniform one in order to reduce the number of unknowns. Moreover, high-order Whitney vector basis functions are used for spatial discretization within the finite element approach to approximate the electric field. A horizontal electric dipole was used as a source, and an array of the receiver located at the seabed. To capture the presence of the hydrocarbon layer, the forward responses at water depths from 100m to 3000m are calculated. The normalized Magnitude Versus Offset (N-MVO) and Phase Versus Offset (PVO) curve can reflect resistive characteristics of hydrocarbon layers. For future work, Graphics Process Unit (GPU) acceleration algorithm would be carried out to multiply the calculation efficiency greatly.

  9. An evaluation of three-dimensional modeling of compaction cycles by analyzing the densification behavior of binary and ternary mixtures.

    PubMed

    Picker, K M; Bikane, F

    2001-08-01

    The aim of the study is to use the 3D modeling technique of compaction cycles for analysis of binary and ternary mixtures. Three materials with very different deformation and densification characteristics [cellulose acetate (CAC), dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (EM) and theophylline monohydrate (TM)] have been tableted at graded maximum relative densities (rhorel, max) on an eccentric tableting machine. Following that, graded binary mixtures from CAC and EM have been compacted. Finally, the same ratios of CAC and EM have been tableted in a ternary mixture with 20 vol% TM. All compaction cycles have been analyzed by using different data analysis methods. Three-dimensional modeling, conventional determination of the slope of the Heckel function, determination of the elastic recovery during decompression, and calculations according to the pressure-time function were the methods of choice. The results show that the 3D model technique is able to gain the information in one step instead of three different approaches, which is an advantage for formulation development. The results show that this model enables one to better distinguish the compaction properties of mixtures and the interaction of the components in the tablet than 2D models. Furthermore, the information by 3D modeling is more precise since in the slope K of the Heckel-plot (in die) elasticity is included, and in the parameters of the pressure-time function beta and gamma plastic deformation due to pressure is included. The influence of time and pressure on the displacement can now be differentiated.

  10. From Two- to Three-Dimensional Structures of a Supertetrahedral Boran Using Density Functional Calculations.

    PubMed

    Getmanskii, Iliya V; Minyaev, Ruslan M; Steglenko, Dmitrii V; Koval, Vitaliy V; Zaitsev, Stanislav A; Minkin, Vladimir I

    2017-08-14

    With help of the DFT calculations and imposing of periodic boundary conditions the geometrical and electronic structures were investigated of two- and three-dimensional boron systems designed on the basis of graphane and diamond lattices in which carbons were replaced with boron tetrahedrons. The consequent studies of two- and three-layer systems resulted in the construction of a three-dimensional supertetrahedral borane crystal structure. The two-dimensional supertetrahedral borane structures with less than seven layers are dynamically unstable. At the same time the three-dimensional superborane systems were found to be dynamically stable. Lack of the forbidden electronic zone for the studied boron systems testifies that these structures can behave as good conductors. The low density of the supertetrahedral borane crystal structures (0.9 g cm -3 ) is close to that of water, which offers the perspective for their application as aerospace and cosmic materials. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

  11. Jeffrey Blackburn | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    -dimensional carbon and includes the synthesis, purification, separation, and characterization of single-walled conversion Synthesis, purification, separation, and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotubes Synthesis, characterization, and device integration of graphen Hydrogen storage Photovoltaic materials and

  12. Three dimensional radiation fields in free electron lasers using Lienard-Wiechert fields

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

    Elias, L.R.; Gallardo, J.

    1981-10-28

    In a free electron laser a relativistic electron beam is bunched under the action of the ponderomotive potential and is forced to radiate in close phase with the input wave. Until recently, most theories of the FEL have dealt solely with electron beams of infinite transverse dimension radiating only one-dimensional E.M. waves (plane waves). Although these theories describe accurately the dynamics of the electrons during the FEL interaction process, neither the three dimensional nature of the radiated fields nor its non-monochromatic features can be properly studied by them. As a result of this, very important practical issues such as themore » gain per gaussian-spherical optical mode in a free electron laser have not been well addressed, except through a one dimensional field model in which a filling factor describes crudely the coupling of the FEL induced field to the input field.« less

  13. Structure of native oligomeric Sprouty2 by electron microscopy and its property of electroconductivity.

    PubMed

    Chen, Feng-Jung; Lee, Kuan-Wei; Lai, Chun-Chieh; Lee, Sue-Ping; Shen, Hsiao-Hsuian; Tsai, Shu-Ping; Liu, Bang-Hung; Wang, Ling-Mei; Liou, Gunn-Guang

    2013-09-27

    Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulate many cellular processes, and Sprouty2 (Spry2) is known as an important regulator of RTK signaling pathways. Therefore, it is worth investigating the properties of Spry2 in more detail. In this study, we found that Spry2 is able to self-assemble into oligomers with a high-affinity KD value of approximately 16nM, as determined through BIAcore surface plasmon resonance analysis. The three-dimensional (3D) structure of Spry2 was resolved using an electron microscopy (EM) single-particle reconstruction approach, which revealed that Spry2 is donut-shaped with two lip-cover domains. Furthermore, the method of energy dispersive spectrum obtained through EM was analyzed to determine the elements carried by Spry2, and the results demonstrated that Spry2 is a silicon- and iron-containing protein. The silicon may contribute to the electroconductivity of Spry2, and this property exhibits a concentration-dependent feature. This study provides the first report of a silicon- and iron-containing protein, and its 3D structure may allow us (1) to study the potential mechanism through the signal transduction is controlled by switching the electronic transfer on or off and (2) to develop a new type of conductor or even semiconductor using biological or half-biological hybrid materials in the future. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Softly-confined water cluster between freestanding graphene sheets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agustian, Rifan; Akaishi, Akira; Nakamura, Jun

    2018-01-01

    Confined water could adopt new forms not seen in the open air, such as a two-dimensional (2D) square ice trapped between two graphene sheets [Algara-Siller et al., Nature 519, 443-445 (2015)]. In this study, in order to investigate how the flexibility of graphene affects the confined structure of water molecules, we employed classical molecular dynamics simulations with Adaptive Intermolecular Reactive Empirical Bond Order (AIREBO) potential to produce a soft-confining property of graphene. We discovered various solid-like structures of water molecules ranging from two-dimensional to three-dimensional structure encapsulated between two freestanding graphene sheets even at room temperature (300K). A small amount of water encapsulation leads to a layered two-dimensional form with triangular structure. On the other hand, large amounts of water molecules take a three-dimensional flying-saucer-like form with the square ice intra-layer structure. There is also a metastable state where both two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures coexist.

  15. Three-dimensional bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy elucidate novel nanostructure in microbial biofilms.

    PubMed

    Hickey, William J; Shetty, Ameesha R; Massey, Randall J; Toso, Daniel B; Austin, Jotham

    2017-01-01

    Bacterial biofilms play key roles in environmental and biomedical processes, and understanding their activities requires comprehension of their nanoarchitectural characteristics. Electron microscopy (EM) is an essential tool for nanostructural analysis, but conventional EM methods are limited in that they either provide topographical information alone, or are suitable for imaging only relatively thin (<300 nm) sample volumes. For biofilm investigations, these are significant restrictions. Understanding structural relations between cells requires imaging of a sample volume sufficiently large to encompass multiple cells and the capture of both external and internal details of cell structure. An emerging EM technique with such capabilities is bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (BF-STEM) and in the present report BF-STEM was coupled with tomography to elucidate nanostructure in biofilms formed by the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading soil bacterium, Delftia acidovorans Cs1-4. Dual-axis BF-STEM enabled high-resolution 3-D tomographic recontructions (6-10 nm) visualization of thick (1250 and 1500 nm) sections. The 3-D data revealed that novel extracellular structures, termed nanopods, were polymorphic and formed complex networks within cell clusters. BF-STEM tomography enabled visualization of conduits formed by nanopods that could enable intercellular movement of outer membrane vesicles, and thereby enable direct communication between cells. This report is the first to document application of dual-axis BF-STEM tomography to obtain high-resolution 3-D images of novel nanostructures in bacterial biofilms. Future work with dual-axis BF-STEM tomography combined with correlative light electron microscopy may provide deeper insights into physiological functions associated with nanopods as well as other nanostructures. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2016 Royal Microscopical Society.

  16. Modular Approaches to Earth Science Scientific Computing: 3D Electromagnetic Induction Modeling as an Example

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tandon, K.; Egbert, G.; Siripunvaraporn, W.

    2003-12-01

    We are developing a modular system for three-dimensional inversion of electromagnetic (EM) induction data, using an object oriented programming approach. This approach allows us to modify the individual components of the inversion scheme proposed, and also reuse the components for variety of problems in earth science computing howsoever diverse they might be. In particular, the modularity allows us to (a) change modeling codes independently of inversion algorithm details; (b) experiment with new inversion algorithms; and (c) modify the way prior information is imposed in the inversion to test competing hypothesis and techniques required to solve an earth science problem. Our initial code development is for EM induction equations on a staggered grid, using iterative solution techniques in 3D. An example illustrated here is an experiment with the sensitivity of 3D magnetotelluric inversion to uncertainties in the boundary conditions required for regional induction problems. These boundary conditions should reflect the large-scale geoelectric structure of the study area, which is usually poorly constrained. In general for inversion of MT data, one fixes boundary conditions at the edge of the model domain, and adjusts the earth?s conductivity structure within the modeling domain. Allowing for errors in specification of the open boundary values is simple in principle, but no existing inversion codes that we are aware of have this feature. Adding a feature such as this is straightforward within the context of the modular approach. More generally, a modular approach provides an efficient methodology for setting up earth science computing problems to test various ideas. As a concrete illustration relevant to EM induction problems, we investigate the sensitivity of MT data near San Andreas Fault at Parkfield (California) to uncertainties in the regional geoelectric structure.

  17. A human antibody against Zika virus crosslinks the E protein to prevent infection

    PubMed Central

    Hasan, S. Saif; Miller, Andrew; Sapparapu, Gopal; Fernandez, Estefania; Klose, Thomas; Long, Feng; Fokine, Andrei; Porta, Jason C.; Jiang, Wen; Diamond, Michael S.; Crowe Jr., James E.; Kuhn, Richard J.; Rossmann, Michael G.

    2017-01-01

    The recent Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic has been linked to unusual and severe clinical manifestations including microcephaly in fetuses of infected pregnant women and Guillian-Barré syndrome in adults. Neutralizing antibodies present a possible therapeutic approach to prevent and control ZIKV infection. Here we present a 6.2 Å resolution three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) structure of an infectious ZIKV (strain H/PF/2013, French Polynesia) in complex with the Fab fragment of a highly therapeutic and neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, ZIKV-117. The antibody had been shown to prevent fetal infection and demise in mice. The structure shows that ZIKV-117 Fabs cross-link the monomers within the surface E glycoprotein dimers as well as between neighbouring dimers, thus preventing the reorganization of E protein monomers into fusogenic trimers in the acidic environment of endosomes. PMID:28300075

  18. A human antibody against Zika virus crosslinks the E protein to prevent infection.

    PubMed

    Hasan, S Saif; Miller, Andrew; Sapparapu, Gopal; Fernandez, Estefania; Klose, Thomas; Long, Feng; Fokine, Andrei; Porta, Jason C; Jiang, Wen; Diamond, Michael S; Crowe, James E; Kuhn, Richard J; Rossmann, Michael G

    2017-03-16

    The recent Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic has been linked to unusual and severe clinical manifestations including microcephaly in fetuses of infected pregnant women and Guillian-Barré syndrome in adults. Neutralizing antibodies present a possible therapeutic approach to prevent and control ZIKV infection. Here we present a 6.2 Å resolution three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) structure of an infectious ZIKV (strain H/PF/2013, French Polynesia) in complex with the Fab fragment of a highly therapeutic and neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, ZIKV-117. The antibody had been shown to prevent fetal infection and demise in mice. The structure shows that ZIKV-117 Fabs cross-link the monomers within the surface E glycoprotein dimers as well as between neighbouring dimers, thus preventing the reorganization of E protein monomers into fusogenic trimers in the acidic environment of endosomes.

  19. Experiments on an unsteady, three-dimensional separation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Henk, R. W.; Reynolds, W. C.; Reed, H. L.

    1992-01-01

    Unsteady, three-dimensional flow separation occurs in a variety of technical situations including turbomachinery and low-speed aircraft. An experimental program at Stanford in unsteady, three-dimensional, pressure-driven laminar separation has investigated the structure and time-scaling of these flows; of particular interest is the development, washout, and control of flow separation. Results reveal that a two-dimensional, laminar boundary layer passes through several stages on its way to a quasi-steady three-dimensional separation. The quasi-steady state of the separation embodies a complex, unsteady, vortical structure.

  20. Conformational Dynamics inside Amino-Terminal Disease Hotspot of Ryanodine Receptor

    PubMed Central

    Zhong, Xiaowei; Liu, Ying; Zhu, Li; Meng, Xing; Wang, Ruiwu; Van Petegem, Filip; Wagenknecht, Terence; Wayne Chen, S. R.; Liu, Zheng

    2013-01-01

    Summary The N-terminal region of both skeletal and cardiac ryanodine receptor is a disease mutation hotspot. Recently, a crystal structure of the RyR1 fragment (residues 1-559) was solved. This N-terminal structure contains three separate domains, A, B, and C, and was docked into a central vestibule in a full-length RyR1 cryo-EM map. Here we reconstructed 3D cryo-EM structures of two GFP-tagged RyR2s with GFP inserted after residue Glu-310 and Ser-437, respectively. The structures of RyR2E310-GFP and RyR2S437-GFP displayed an extra mass on domain B and C, directly validating the predicted docking model. Next, we revealed domain movements in molecular dynamics flexible fitting models in both the closed and open state cryo-EM maps. To further probe the conformational changes, we generated FRET pairs by inserting CFP or YFP in two selected domains, FRET studies of three dual-insertion pairs and three co-expressed single-insertion pairs showed the dynamic structural changes within the N-terminal domains. PMID:24139989

  1. Multisensor Analysis of Spectral Dimensionality and Soil Diversity in the Great Central Valley of California.

    PubMed

    Sousa, Daniel; Small, Christopher

    2018-02-14

    Planned hyperspectral satellite missions and the decreased revisit time of multispectral imaging offer the potential for data fusion to leverage both the spectral resolution of hyperspectral sensors and the temporal resolution of multispectral constellations. Hyperspectral imagery can also be used to better understand fundamental properties of multispectral data. In this analysis, we use five flight lines from the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) archive with coincident Landsat 8 acquisitions over a spectrally diverse region of California to address the following questions: (1) How much of the spectral dimensionality of hyperspectral data is captured in multispectral data?; (2) Is the characteristic pyramidal structure of the multispectral feature space also present in the low order dimensions of the hyperspectral feature space at comparable spatial scales?; (3) How much variability in rock and soil substrate endmembers (EMs) present in hyperspectral data is captured by multispectral sensors? We find nearly identical partitions of variance, low-order feature space topologies, and EM spectra for hyperspectral and multispectral image composites. The resulting feature spaces and EMs are also very similar to those from previous global multispectral analyses, implying that the fundamental structure of the global feature space is present in our relatively small spatial subset of California. Finally, we find that the multispectral dataset well represents the substrate EM variability present in the study area - despite its inability to resolve narrow band absorptions. We observe a tentative but consistent physical relationship between the gradation of substrate reflectance in the feature space and the gradation of sand versus clay content in the soil classification system.

  2. Multisensor Analysis of Spectral Dimensionality and Soil Diversity in the Great Central Valley of California

    PubMed Central

    Small, Christopher

    2018-01-01

    Planned hyperspectral satellite missions and the decreased revisit time of multispectral imaging offer the potential for data fusion to leverage both the spectral resolution of hyperspectral sensors and the temporal resolution of multispectral constellations. Hyperspectral imagery can also be used to better understand fundamental properties of multispectral data. In this analysis, we use five flight lines from the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) archive with coincident Landsat 8 acquisitions over a spectrally diverse region of California to address the following questions: (1) How much of the spectral dimensionality of hyperspectral data is captured in multispectral data?; (2) Is the characteristic pyramidal structure of the multispectral feature space also present in the low order dimensions of the hyperspectral feature space at comparable spatial scales?; (3) How much variability in rock and soil substrate endmembers (EMs) present in hyperspectral data is captured by multispectral sensors? We find nearly identical partitions of variance, low-order feature space topologies, and EM spectra for hyperspectral and multispectral image composites. The resulting feature spaces and EMs are also very similar to those from previous global multispectral analyses, implying that the fundamental structure of the global feature space is present in our relatively small spatial subset of California. Finally, we find that the multispectral dataset well represents the substrate EM variability present in the study area – despite its inability to resolve narrow band absorptions. We observe a tentative but consistent physical relationship between the gradation of substrate reflectance in the feature space and the gradation of sand versus clay content in the soil classification system. PMID:29443900

  3. Two-dimensional probabilistic inversion of plane-wave electromagnetic data: methodology, model constraints and joint inversion with electrical resistivity data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosas-Carbajal, Marina; Linde, Niklas; Kalscheuer, Thomas; Vrugt, Jasper A.

    2014-03-01

    Probabilistic inversion methods based on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation are well suited to quantify parameter and model uncertainty of nonlinear inverse problems. Yet, application of such methods to CPU-intensive forward models can be a daunting task, particularly if the parameter space is high dimensional. Here, we present a 2-D pixel-based MCMC inversion of plane-wave electromagnetic (EM) data. Using synthetic data, we investigate how model parameter uncertainty depends on model structure constraints using different norms of the likelihood function and the model constraints, and study the added benefits of joint inversion of EM and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data. Our results demonstrate that model structure constraints are necessary to stabilize the MCMC inversion results of a highly discretized model. These constraints decrease model parameter uncertainty and facilitate model interpretation. A drawback is that these constraints may lead to posterior distributions that do not fully include the true underlying model, because some of its features exhibit a low sensitivity to the EM data, and hence are difficult to resolve. This problem can be partly mitigated if the plane-wave EM data is augmented with ERT observations. The hierarchical Bayesian inverse formulation introduced and used herein is able to successfully recover the probabilistic properties of the measurement data errors and a model regularization weight. Application of the proposed inversion methodology to field data from an aquifer demonstrates that the posterior mean model realization is very similar to that derived from a deterministic inversion with similar model constraints.

  4. Acetylcholine-Binding Protein in the Hemolymph of the Planorbid Snail Biomphalaria glabrata Is a Pentagonal Dodecahedron (60 Subunits)

    PubMed Central

    Kapetanopoulos, Katharina; Braukmann, Sandra; Gebauer, Wolfgang; Tenzer, Stefan; Markl, Jürgen

    2012-01-01

    Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) play important neurophysiological roles and are of considerable medical relevance. They have been studied extensively, greatly facilitated by the gastropod acetylcholine-binding proteins (AChBP) which represent soluble structural and functional homologues of the ligand-binding domain of nAChR. All these proteins are ring-like pentamers. Here we report that AChBP exists in the hemolymph of the planorbid snail Biomphalaria glabrata (vector of the schistosomiasis parasite) as a regular pentagonal dodecahedron, 22 nm in diameter (12 pentamers, 60 active sites). We sequenced and recombinantly expressed two ∼25 kDa polypeptides (BgAChBP1 and BgAChBP2) with a specific active site, N-glycan site and disulfide bridge variation. We also provide the exon/intron structures. Recombinant BgAChBP1 formed pentamers and dodecahedra, recombinant BgAChBP2 formed pentamers and probably disulfide-bridged di-pentamers, but not dodecahedra. Three-dimensional electron cryo-microscopy (3D-EM) yielded a 3D reconstruction of the dodecahedron with a resolution of 6 Å. Homology models of the pentamers docked to the 6 Å structure revealed opportunities for chemical bonding at the inter-pentamer interfaces. Definition of the ligand-binding pocket and the gating C-loop in the 6 Å structure suggests that 3D-EM might lead to the identification of functional states in the BgAChBP dodecahedron. PMID:22916297

  5. National Centers for Environmental Prediction

    Science.gov Websites

    Statistics Observational Data Processing Data Assimilation Monsoon Desk Model Transition Seminars Seminar The Mesoscale Modeling Branch conducts a program of research and development in support of the prediction. This research and development includes mesoscale four-dimensional data assimilation of domestic

  6. DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE, MULTISCALE "ONE ATMOSPHERE" MODELING SYSTEM: APPLICATION TO THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS. (R826372)

    EPA Science Inventory

    A comprehensive three-dimensional Eulerian photochemical model (URM-1ATM) was developed that simulates urban and regional gas and size-resolved aerosol concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere and both wet and dry deposition. In this study, RAMS and EMS-95 are used to ge...

  7. Hanyu Zhang | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    investigate approaches that can make 2D materials with better functionality by studying the energetic ., Engineering Chemically-Exfoliated Large-Area Two-Dimensional MoS2 Nanolayers with Porphyrins for Improved

  8. Parallel computation of three-dimensional aeroelastic fluid-structure interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sadeghi, Mani

    This dissertation presents a numerical method for the parallel computation of aeroelasticity (ParCAE). A flow solver is coupled to a structural solver by use of a fluid-structure interface method. The integration of the three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations is performed in the time domain, simultaneously to the integration of a modal three-dimensional structural model. The flow solution is accelerated by using a multigrid method and a parallel multiblock approach. Fluid-structure coupling is achieved by subiteration. A grid-deformation algorithm is developed to interpolate the deformation of the structural boundaries onto the flow grid. The code is formulated to allow application to general, three-dimensional, complex configurations with multiple independent structures. Computational results are presented for various configurations, such as turbomachinery blade rows and aircraft wings. Investigations are performed on vortex-induced vibrations, effects of cascade mistuning on flutter, and cases of nonlinear cascade and wing flutter.

  9. Three dimensional electron microscopy and in silico tools for macromolecular structure determination

    PubMed Central

    Borkotoky, Subhomoi; Meena, Chetan Kumar; Khan, Mohammad Wahab; Murali, Ayaluru

    2013-01-01

    Recently, structural biology witnessed a major tool - electron microscopy - in solving the structures of macromolecules in addition to the conventional techniques, X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Three dimensional transmission electron microscopy (3DTEM) is one of the most sophisticated techniques for structure determination of molecular machines. Known to give the 3-dimensional structures in its native form with literally no upper limit on size of the macromolecule, this tool does not need the crystallization of the protein. Combining the 3DTEM data with in silico tools, one can have better refined structure of a desired complex. In this review we are discussing about the recent advancements in three dimensional electron microscopy and tools associated with it. PMID:27092033

  10. Automated structure refinement of macromolecular assemblies from cryo-EM maps using Rosetta.

    PubMed

    Wang, Ray Yu-Ruei; Song, Yifan; Barad, Benjamin A; Cheng, Yifan; Fraser, James S; DiMaio, Frank

    2016-09-26

    Cryo-EM has revealed the structures of many challenging yet exciting macromolecular assemblies at near-atomic resolution (3-4.5Å), providing biological phenomena with molecular descriptions. However, at these resolutions, accurately positioning individual atoms remains challenging and error-prone. Manually refining thousands of amino acids - typical in a macromolecular assembly - is tedious and time-consuming. We present an automated method that can improve the atomic details in models that are manually built in near-atomic-resolution cryo-EM maps. Applying the method to three systems recently solved by cryo-EM, we are able to improve model geometry while maintaining the fit-to-density. Backbone placement errors are automatically detected and corrected, and the refinement shows a large radius of convergence. The results demonstrate that the method is amenable to structures with symmetry, of very large size, and containing RNA as well as covalently bound ligands. The method should streamline the cryo-EM structure determination process, providing accurate and unbiased atomic structure interpretation of such maps.

  11. Learning the Cell Structures with Three-Dimensional Models: Students' Achievement by Methods, Type of School and Questions' Cognitive Level

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lazarowitz, Reuven; Naim, Raphael

    2014-01-01

    The cell topic was taught to 9th-grade students in three modes of instruction: (a) students "hands-on," who constructed three-dimensional cell organelles and macromolecules during the learning process; (b) teacher demonstration of the three-dimensional model of the cell structures; and (c) teaching the cell topic with the regular…

  12. Geometric calculus-based postulates for the derivation and extension of the Maxwell equations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McClellan, Gene E.

    2012-09-01

    Clifford analysis, particularly application of the geometric algebra of three-dimensional physical space and its associated geometric calculus, enables a compact formulation of Maxwell's electromagnetic (EM) equations from a set of physically relevant and mathematically pleasing postulates. This formulation results in a natural extension of the Maxwell equations yielding wave solutions in addition to the usual EM waves. These additional solutions do not contradict experiment and have three properties in common with the apparent properties of dark energy. These three properties are that the wave solutions 1) propagate at the speed of light, 2) do not interact with ordinary electric charges or currents, and 3) possess retrograde momentum. By retrograde momentum, we mean that the momentum carried by such a wave is directed oppositely to the direction of energy transport. A "gas" of such waves generates negative pressure.

  13. Three Dimensional Immobilization of Beta-Galactosidase on a Silicon Surface (Preprint)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-12-01

    initial activity after 10 days at 24°C. The ability to generate three- dimensional structures with enhanced loading capacity for biosensing molecules...dimensional structures for biosensors (Charles et al. 2004). Silicon samples that had been washed but not activated with APTS did not retain any enzyme...preparation. The use of silica particles to build a 3-dimensional structure not only provides an increased capacity for the immobilization of β

  14. Direct Numerical Simulation of a Temporally Evolving Incompressible Plane Wake: Effect of Initial Conditions on Evolution and Topology

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sondergaard, R.; Cantwell, B.; Mansour, N.

    1997-01-01

    Direct numerical simulations have been used to examine the effect of the initial disturbance field on the development of three-dimensionality and the transition to turbulence in the incompressible plane wake. The simulations were performed using a new numerical method for solving the time-dependent, three-dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in flows with one infinite and two periodic directions. The method uses standard Fast Fourier Transforms and is applicable to cases where the vorticity field is compact in the infinite direction. Initial disturbances fields examined were combinations of two-dimensional waves and symmetric pairs of 60 deg oblique waves at the fundamental, subharmonic, and sub-subharmonic wavelengths. The results of these simulations indicate that the presence of 60 deg disturbances at the subharmonic streamwise wavelength results in the development of strong coherent three-dimensional structures. The resulting strong three-dimensional rate-of-strain triggers the growth of intense fine scale motions. Wakes initiated with 60 deg disturbances at the fundamental streamwise wavelength develop weak coherent streamwise structures, and do not develop significant fine scale motions, even at high Reynolds numbers. The wakes which develop strong three-dimensional structures exhibit growth rates on par with experimentally observed turbulent plane wakes. Wakes which develop only weak three-dimensional structures exhibit significantly lower late time growth rates. Preliminary studies of wakes initiated with an oblique fundamental and a two-dimensional subharmonic, which develop asymmetric coherent oblique structures at the subharmonic wavelength, indicate that significant fine scale motions only develop if the resulting oblique structures are above an angle of approximately 45 deg.

  15. Conformational analysis of endomorphin-2 analogs with phenylalanine mimics by NMR and molecular modeling.

    PubMed

    Shao, Xuan; Gao, Yanfeng; Zhu, Chuanjun; Liu, Xuehui; Yao, Jinlong; Cui, Yuxin; Wang, Rui

    2007-05-15

    We investigated a series of conformations of endomorphin-2 (EM-2) analogs substituted by phenylglycine (Phg) and homophenylalanine (Hfe) in the position 3 or 4 by two-dimensional (1)H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Evaluating the aromatic interactions and the dihedral angles in these phenylalanine mimics, we have observed that the conformations in trans isomer have varied from extended to folded as bioactivity decreases. It is suggested that the flexibility of aromatic side chain affects the backbone of EM-2 to adopt folded structures, which may block the ligands in binding to micro-opioid receptor.

  16. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy | Materials Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Capabilities Two-dimensional STM image 2D STM image of Si(111) 7×7 clusters along a fault boundary Occupied-state STM image taken on a Si(111)7×7 surface, showing two 7×7 tip at each point, an image of the sample surface is generated (topographic image). For very flat

  17. Coherent structures and flow topology of transitional separated-reattached flow over two and three dimensional geometrical shapes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Diabil, Hayder Azeez; Li, Xin Kai; Abdalla, Ibrahim Elrayah

    2017-09-01

    Large-scale organized motions (commonly referred to coherent structures) and flow topology of a transitional separated-reattached flow have been visualised and investigated using flow visualisation techniques. Two geometrical shapes including two-dimensional flat plate with rectangular leading edge and three-dimensional square cylinder are chosen to shed a light on the flow topology and present coherent structures of the flow over these shapes. For both geometries and in the early stage of the transition, two-dimensional Kelvin-Helmholtz rolls are formed downstream of the leading edge. They are observed to be twisting around the square cylinder while they stay flat in the case of the two-dimensional flat plate. For both geometrical shapes, the two-dimensional Kelvin-Helmholtz rolls move downstream of the leading edge and they are subjected to distortion to form three-dimensional hairpin structures. The flow topology in the flat plate is different from that in the square cylinder. For the flat plate, there is a merging process by a pairing of the Kelvin-Helmholtz rolls to form a large structure that breaks down directly into many hairpin structures. For the squire cylinder case, the Kelvin-Helmholtz roll evolves topologically to form a hairpin structure. In the squire cylinder case, the reattachment length is much shorter and a forming of the three-dimensional structures is closer to the leading edge than that in the flat plate case.

  18. Strategies for improving the resolution of electrical and electromagnetic geophysical measurements for three-dimensional inverse modeling of CO2 movement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Commer, M.; Kowalsky, M. B.; Dafflon, B.; Wu, Y.; Hubbard, S. S.

    2013-12-01

    Geologic carbon sequestration is being evaluated as a means to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts are underway to identify adequate reservoirs and to evaluate the behavior of injected CO2 over time; time-lapse geophysical methods are considered effective tools for these purposes. Pilot studies have shown that the invasion of CO2 into a background pore fluid can alter the electrical resistivity, with increases from CO2 in the super-critical or gaseous phase, and decreases from CO2 dissolved in groundwater (especially when calcite dissolution is occurring). Because of their sensitivity to resistivity changes, electrical and electromagnetic (EM) methods have been used in such studies for indirectly assessing CO2 saturation changes. While the electrical resistance tomography (ERT) method is a well-established technique for both crosswell and surface applications, its usefulness is limited by the relatively low-resolution information it provides. Controlled-source EM methods, including both frequency-domain and time-domain (transient EM) methods, can offer improved resolution. We report on three studies that aim to maximize the information content of electrical and electromagnetic measurements in inverse modeling applications that target the monitoring of resistivity changes due to CO2 migration and/or leakage. The first study considers a three-dimensional crosswell data set collected at an analogue site used for investigating CO2 distribution and geochemical reactivity within a shallow formation. We invert both resistance and phase data using a gradient-weighting method for descent-based inversion algorithms. This method essentially steers the search direction in the model space using low-cost non-linear conjugate gradient methods towards the more computationally expensive Gauss-Newton direction. The second study involves ERT data that were collected at the SECARB Cranfield site near Natchez, Mississippi, at depths exceeding 3000 m. We employ a ratio data inversion scheme, where the time-lapse input data are given by the measured ERT data normalized by their baseline values. We investigate whether three-dimensional time-lapse inversions yield improved results compared to two-dimensional results that were previously reported. Finally, we present a synthetic study that investigates a novel time-domain controlled-source EM method that has the potential for exploiting the resolution properties of vertically oriented source antennas while avoiding their logistical difficulties. A vertical source is replaced by an array of multiple horizontal dipoles arranged in a circle such that all dipoles have a common endpoint in the center. Overall, this study presents significant advances in developing adequate geophysical techniques to monitor CO2 migration and/or potential leaks in geological reservoirs.

  19. Vfold: a web server for RNA structure and folding thermodynamics prediction.

    PubMed

    Xu, Xiaojun; Zhao, Peinan; Chen, Shi-Jie

    2014-01-01

    The ever increasing discovery of non-coding RNAs leads to unprecedented demand for the accurate modeling of RNA folding, including the predictions of two-dimensional (base pair) and three-dimensional all-atom structures and folding stabilities. Accurate modeling of RNA structure and stability has far-reaching impact on our understanding of RNA functions in human health and our ability to design RNA-based therapeutic strategies. The Vfold server offers a web interface to predict (a) RNA two-dimensional structure from the nucleotide sequence, (b) three-dimensional structure from the two-dimensional structure and the sequence, and (c) folding thermodynamics (heat capacity melting curve) from the sequence. To predict the two-dimensional structure (base pairs), the server generates an ensemble of structures, including loop structures with the different intra-loop mismatches, and evaluates the free energies using the experimental parameters for the base stacks and the loop entropy parameters given by a coarse-grained RNA folding model (the Vfold model) for the loops. To predict the three-dimensional structure, the server assembles the motif scaffolds using structure templates extracted from the known PDB structures and refines the structure using all-atom energy minimization. The Vfold-based web server provides a user friendly tool for the prediction of RNA structure and stability. The web server and the source codes are freely accessible for public use at "http://rna.physics.missouri.edu".

  20. Framework to model neutral particle flux in convex high aspect ratio structures using one-dimensional radiosity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Manstetten, Paul; Filipovic, Lado; Hössinger, Andreas; Weinbub, Josef; Selberherr, Siegfried

    2017-02-01

    We present a computationally efficient framework to compute the neutral flux in high aspect ratio structures during three-dimensional plasma etching simulations. The framework is based on a one-dimensional radiosity approach and is applicable to simulations of convex rotationally symmetric holes and convex symmetric trenches with a constant cross-section. The framework is intended to replace the full three-dimensional simulation step required to calculate the neutral flux during plasma etching simulations. Especially for high aspect ratio structures, the computational effort, required to perform the full three-dimensional simulation of the neutral flux at the desired spatial resolution, conflicts with practical simulation time constraints. Our results are in agreement with those obtained by three-dimensional Monte Carlo based ray tracing simulations for various aspect ratios and convex geometries. With this framework we present a comprehensive analysis of the influence of the geometrical properties of high aspect ratio structures as well as of the particle sticking probability on the neutral particle flux.

  1. Functionally Graded Metal-Metal Composite Structures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brice, Craig A. (Inventor)

    2017-01-01

    Methods and devices are disclosed for creating a multiple alloy composite structure by forming a three-dimensional arrangement of a first alloy composition in which the three-dimensional arrangement has a substantially open and continuous porosity. The three-dimensional arrangement of the first alloy composition is infused with at least a second alloy composition, where the second alloy composition comprises a shape memory alloy. The three-dimensional arrangement is consolidated into a fully dense solid structure, and the original shape of the second alloy composition is set for reversible transformation. Strain is applied to the fully dense solid structure, which is treated with heat so that the shape memory alloy composition becomes memory activated to recover the original shape. An interwoven composite of the first alloy composition and the memory-activated second alloy composition is thereby formed in the multiple alloy composite structure.

  2. Three-dimensional biofilm structure quantification.

    PubMed

    Beyenal, Haluk; Donovan, Conrad; Lewandowski, Zbigniew; Harkin, Gary

    2004-12-01

    Quantitative parameters describing biofilm physical structure have been extracted from three-dimensional confocal laser scanning microscopy images and used to compare biofilm structures, monitor biofilm development, and quantify environmental factors affecting biofilm structure. Researchers have previously used biovolume, volume to surface ratio, roughness coefficient, and mean and maximum thicknesses to compare biofilm structures. The selection of these parameters is dependent on the availability of software to perform calculations. We believe it is necessary to develop more comprehensive parameters to describe heterogeneous biofilm morphology in three dimensions. This research presents parameters describing three-dimensional biofilm heterogeneity, size, and morphology of biomass calculated from confocal laser scanning microscopy images. This study extends previous work which extracted quantitative parameters regarding morphological features from two-dimensional biofilm images to three-dimensional biofilm images. We describe two types of parameters: (1) textural parameters showing microscale heterogeneity of biofilms and (2) volumetric parameters describing size and morphology of biomass. The three-dimensional features presented are average (ADD) and maximum diffusion distances (MDD), fractal dimension, average run lengths (in X, Y and Z directions), aspect ratio, textural entropy, energy and homogeneity. We discuss the meaning of each parameter and present the calculations in detail. The developed algorithms, including automatic thresholding, are implemented in software as MATLAB programs which will be available at site prior to publication of the paper.

  3. One-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional photonic crystals fabricated with interferometric techniques on ultrafine-grain silver halide emulsions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ulibarrena, Manuel; Carretero, Luis; Acebal, Pablo; Madrigal, Roque; Blaya, Salvador; Fimia, Antonio

    2004-09-01

    Holographic techniques have been used for manufacturing multiple band one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional photonic crystals with different configurations, by multiplexing reflection and transmission setups on a single layer of holographic material. The recording material used for storage is an ultra fine grain silver halide emulsion, with an average grain size around 20 nm. The results are a set of photonic crystals with the one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional index modulation structure consisting of silver halide particles embedded in the gelatin layer of the emulsion. The characterisation of the fabricated photonic crystals by measuring their transmission band structures has been done and compared with theoretical calculations.

  4. Fabrication of 3D nano-structures using reverse imprint lithography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Han, Kang-Soo; Hong, Sung-Hoon; Kim, Kang-In; Cho, Joong-Yeon; Choi, Kyung-woo; Lee, Heon

    2013-02-01

    In spite of the fact that the fabrication process of three-dimensional nano-structures is complicated and expensive, it can be applied to a range of devices to increase their efficiency and sensitivity. Simple and inexpensive fabrication of three-dimensional nano-structures is necessary. In this study, reverse imprint lithography (RIL) with UV-curable benzylmethacrylate, methacryloxypropyl terminated poly-dimethylsiloxane (M-PDMS) resin and ZnO-nano-particle-dispersed resin was used to fabricate three-dimensional nano-structures. UV-curable resins were placed between a silicon stamp and a PVA transfer template, followed by a UV curing process. Then, the silicon stamp was detached and a 2D pattern layer was transferred to the substrate using diluted UV-curable glue. Consequently, three-dimensional nano-structures were formed by stacking the two-dimensional nano-patterned layers. RIL was applied to a light-emitting diode (LED) to evaluate the optical effects of a nano-patterned layer. As a result, the light extraction of the patterned LED was increased by about 12% compared to an unpatterned LED.

  5. Fabrication of 3D nano-structures using reverse imprint lithography.

    PubMed

    Han, Kang-Soo; Hong, Sung-Hoon; Kim, Kang-In; Cho, Joong-Yeon; Choi, Kyung-Woo; Lee, Heon

    2013-02-01

    In spite of the fact that the fabrication process of three-dimensional nano-structures is complicated and expensive, it can be applied to a range of devices to increase their efficiency and sensitivity. Simple and inexpensive fabrication of three-dimensional nano-structures is necessary. In this study, reverse imprint lithography (RIL) with UV-curable benzylmethacrylate, methacryloxypropyl terminated poly-dimethylsiloxane (M-PDMS) resin and ZnO-nano-particle-dispersed resin was used to fabricate three-dimensional nano-structures.UV-curable resins were placed between a silicon stamp and a PVA transfer template, followed by a UV curing process. Then, the silicon stamp was detached and a 2D pattern layer was transferred to the substrate using diluted UV-curable glue. Consequently, three-dimensional nano-structures were formed by stacking the two-dimensional nano-patterned layers. RIL was applied to a light-emitting diode (LED) to evaluate the optical effects of a nano-patterned layer. As a result, the light extraction of the patterned LED was increased by about 12% compared to an unpatterned LED.

  6. 2D hybrid analysis: Approach for building three-dimensional atomic model by electron microscopy image matching.

    PubMed

    Matsumoto, Atsushi; Miyazaki, Naoyuki; Takagi, Junichi; Iwasaki, Kenji

    2017-03-23

    In this study, we develop an approach termed "2D hybrid analysis" for building atomic models by image matching from electron microscopy (EM) images of biological molecules. The key advantage is that it is applicable to flexible molecules, which are difficult to analyze by 3DEM approach. In the proposed approach, first, a lot of atomic models with different conformations are built by computer simulation. Then, simulated EM images are built from each atomic model. Finally, they are compared with the experimental EM image. Two kinds of models are used as simulated EM images: the negative stain model and the simple projection model. Although the former is more realistic, the latter is adopted to perform faster computations. The use of the negative stain model enables decomposition of the averaged EM images into multiple projection images, each of which originated from a different conformation or orientation. We apply this approach to the EM images of integrin to obtain the distribution of the conformations, from which the pathway of the conformational change of the protein is deduced.

  7. Interpretation of shallow electrical features from electromagnetic and magnetotelluric surveys at Mount Hood, Oregon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goldstein, N. E.; Mozley, E.; Wilt, M.

    1982-04-01

    A magnetotelluric survey, with a reference magnetometer for noise cancellation, was conducted at accessible locations around Mount Hood, Oregon. Thirty-eight tensor magnetotelluric (MT) and remote telluric stations were set up in clusters around the volcano except for the northwest quadrant, a wilderness area. Because of limited access, station locations were restricted to elevations below 1829 m, or no closer than 5 km from the 3424-m summit. On the basis of the MT results, three areas were later investigated in more detail using a large-moment, controlled-source electromagnetic (EM) system developed at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and the University of California at Berkeley. One-dimensional interpretations of EM and MT data on the northeast flank of the mountain near the Cloud Cap eruptive center and on the south flank near Timberline Lodge show a similar subsurface resistivity pattern: a resistive surface layer 400-700 m thick, underlain by a conductive layer with variable thickness and resistivity of <20 ohm m. It is speculated that the surface layer consists of volcanics partially saturated with cold meteoric water. The underlying conductive zone is presumed to be volcanics saturated with water heated within the region of the central conduit and, possibly, at the Cloud Cap side vent. This hypothesis is supported by the existence of warm springs at the base of the mountain, most notably Swim Warm Springs on the south flank, and by several geothermal test wells, one of which penetrates the conductor south of Timberline Lodge. The MT data typically gave a shallower depth to the conductive zone than did the EM data. This is attributed, in part, to the error inherent in one-dimensional MT interpretations of geologically or topographically complex areas. On the other hand, MT was better for resolving the thickness of the conductive layer and deeper structure. The MT data show evidence for a moderately conductive north-south structure on the south flank below the Timberline Lodge and for a broad zone of late Tertiary intrusives concealed on the southeast flank.

  8. INTERPRETATION OF SHALLOW ELECTRICAL FEATURES FROM ELECTROMAGNETIC AND MAGNETOTELLURIC SURVEYS AT MOUNT HOOD, OREGON

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

    Wilt, M.; Goldstein, N.E.; Mozley, E.

    1981-04-01

    A magnetotelluric survey, with a reference magnetometer for noise cancellation, was conducted at accessible locations around Mount Hood, Oregon. Thirty-eight tensor magnetotelluric (MT) and remote telluric stations were set up in clusters around the volcano except for the northwest quadrant, a wilderness area. Because of limited access, station locations were restricted to elevations below 1829 m, or no closer than 5 km from the 3424-m summit. On the basis of the MT results, three areas were later investigated in more detail using a large-moment, controlled-source electromagnetic (EM) system developed at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and the University of California at Berkeley.more » One-dimensional interpretations of EM and MT data on the northeast flank of the mountain near the Cloud Cap eruptive center and on the south flank near Timberline Lodge show a similar subsurface resistivity pattern: a resistive surface layer 400-700 m thick, underlain by a conductive layer with variable thickness and resistivity of <20 ohm m. It is speculated that the surface layer consists of volcanics partially saturated with cold meteoric water. The underlying conductive zone is presumed to be volcanics saturated with water heated within the region of the central conduit and, possibly, at the Cloud Cap side vent. This hypothesis is supported by the existence of warm springs at the base of the mountain, most notably Swim Warm Springs on the south flank, and by several geothermal test wells, one of which penetrates the conductor south of Timberline Lodge. The MT data typically gave a shallower depth to the conductive zone than did the EM data. This is attributed, in part, to the error inherent in one-dimensional MT interpretations of geologically or topographically complex areas. On the other hand, MT was better for resolving the thickness of the conductive layer and deeper structure. The MT data show evidence for a moderately conductive north-south structure on the south flank below the Timberline Lodge and for a broad zone of late Tertiary intrusives concealed on the southeast flank.« less

  9. David Lee, Douglas Osheroff, Superfluidity, and Helium 3

    Science.gov Websites

    , and experimental searches for new magnetically ordered two dimensional phases of both solid and liquid non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from this site. Website Policies/Important Links U.S

  10. Monitoring subterraneous water regime at the new Ain Shams university campus in Al-Obour city (northeast of Cairo-Egypt) using both azimuthal very low frequency-electromagnetic and DC-resistivity sounding techniques

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farag, Karam S. I.; Abd El-Aal, Mohamed H.; Garamoon, Hassan K. F.

    2018-07-01

    A joint azimuthal very low frequency-electromagnetic (VLF-EM) and DC-resistivity sounding survey was conducted at the new Ain Shams university campus in Al-Obour city, northwest of Cairo, Egypt. The main objective of the survey was to highlight the applicability and reliability of such non-invasive surface techniques in mapping and monitoring both the vertical and lateral electrical conductivity structures of waterlogged areas, by subterraneous water accumulations, at the campus site. Consequently, a total of 743 azimuthal VLF-EM and 4 DC-resistivity soundings were carried out in June, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The data were interpreted extensively and consistently in terms of two-dimensional (2D) transformed EM equivalent current-density and stitched inverted electrical resistivity models, without using any geological a-priori information. They could be used effectively to image the local anomalous lower electrical resistivity (higher EM equivalent current-density) structures and their near-surface spreading with time, due to the excessive accumulations of subterraneous water at the campus site. The study demonstrated that a regional azimuthal VLF-EM and DC-resistivity sounding survey could help design an optimal dewatering program for the whole city, at greatly reduced execution time.

  11. More About The Farley Three-Dimensional Braider

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Farley, Gary L.

    1993-01-01

    Farley three-dimensional braider, undergoing development, is machine for automatic fabrication of three-dimensional braided structures. Incorporates yarns into structure at arbitrary braid angles to produce complicated shape. Braiding surface includes movable braiding segments containing pivot points, along which yarn carriers travel during braiding process. Yarn carrier travels along sequence of pivot points as braiding segments move. Combined motions position yarns for braiding onto preform. Intended for use in making fiber preforms for fiber/matrix composite parts, such as multiblade propellers. Machine also described in "Farley Three-Dimensional Braiding Machine" (LAR-13911).

  12. Basic Research on Three-Dimensional (3D) Electromagnetic (EM) Methods for Imaging the Flow of Organic Fluids in the Subsurface.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-04-30

    Currently there are no systems available which allow for economical and accurate subsurface imaging of remediation sites. In some cases, high...system to address this need. This project has been very successful in showing a promising new direction for high resolution subsurface imaging . Our

  13. Finite element analysis in fluids; Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Finite Element Methods in Flow Problems, University of Alabama, Huntsville, Apr. 3-7, 1989

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chung, T. J. (Editor); Karr, Gerald R. (Editor)

    1989-01-01

    Recent advances in computational fluid dynamics are examined in reviews and reports, with an emphasis on finite-element methods. Sections are devoted to adaptive meshes, atmospheric dynamics, combustion, compressible flows, control-volume finite elements, crystal growth, domain decomposition, EM-field problems, FDM/FEM, and fluid-structure interactions. Consideration is given to free-boundary problems with heat transfer, free surface flow, geophysical flow problems, heat and mass transfer, high-speed flow, incompressible flow, inverse design methods, MHD problems, the mathematics of finite elements, and mesh generation. Also discussed are mixed finite elements, multigrid methods, non-Newtonian fluids, numerical dissipation, parallel vector processing, reservoir simulation, seepage, shallow-water problems, spectral methods, supercomputer architectures, three-dimensional problems, and turbulent flows.

  14. Three-dimensional structural analysis using interactive graphics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Biffle, J.; Sumlin, H. A.

    1975-01-01

    The application of computer interactive graphics to three-dimensional structural analysis was described, with emphasis on the following aspects: (1) structural analysis, and (2) generation and checking of input data and examination of the large volume of output data (stresses, displacements, velocities, accelerations). Handling of three-dimensional input processing with a special MESH3D computer program was explained. Similarly, a special code PLTZ may be used to perform all the needed tasks for output processing from a finite element code. Examples were illustrated.

  15. Correlative Fluorescence and Electron Microscopy in 3D-Scanning Electron Microscope Perspective.

    PubMed

    Franks, Jonathan; Wallace, Callen T; Shibata, Masateru; Suga, Mitsuo; Erdman, Natasha; Stolz, Donna B; Watkins, Simon C

    2017-04-03

    The ability to correlate fluorescence microscopy (FM) and electron microscopy (EM) data obtained on biological (cell and tissue) specimens is essential to bridge the resolution gap between the data obtained by these different imaging techniques. In the past such correlations were limited to either EM navigation in two dimensions to the locations previously highlighted by fluorescence markers, or subsequent high-resolution acquisition of tomographic information using a TEM. We present a novel approach whereby a sample previously investigated by FM is embedded and subjected to sequential mechanical polishing and backscatter imaging by scanning electron microscope. The resulting three dimensional EM tomogram of the sample can be directly correlated to the FM data. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  16. Highly cytocompatible and flexible three-dimensional graphene/polydimethylsiloxane composite for culture and electrochemical detection of L929 fibroblast cells.

    PubMed

    Waiwijit, Uraiwan; Maturos, Thitima; Pakapongpan, Saithip; Phokharatkul, Ditsayut; Wisitsoraat, Anurat; Tuantranont, Adisorn

    2016-08-01

    Recently, three-dimensional graphene interconnected network has attracted great interest as a scaffold structure for tissue engineering due to its high biocompatibility, high electrical conductivity, high specific surface area and high porosity. However, free-standing three-dimensional graphene exhibits poor flexibility and stability due to ease of disintegration during processing. In this work, three-dimensional graphene is composited with polydimethylsiloxane to improve the structural flexibility and stability by a new simple two-step process comprising dip coating of polydimethylsiloxane on chemical vapor deposited graphene/Ni foam and wet etching of nickel foam. Structural characterizations confirmed an interconnected three-dimensional multi-layer graphene structure with thin polydimethylsiloxane scaffold. The composite was employed as a substrate for culture of L929 fibroblast cells and its cytocompatibility was evaluated by cell viability (Alamar blue assay), reactive oxygen species production and vinculin immunofluorescence imaging. The result revealed that cell viability on three-dimensional graphene/polydimethylsiloxane composite increased with increasing culture time and was slightly different from a polystyrene substrate (control). Moreover, cells cultured on three-dimensional graphene/polydimethylsiloxane composite generated less ROS than the control at culture times of 3-6 h. The results of immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that fibroblast cells expressed adhesion protein (vinculin) and adhered well on three-dimensional graphene/polydimethylsiloxane surface. Good cell adhesion could be attributed to suitable surface properties of three-dimensional graphene/polydimethylsiloxane with moderate contact angle and small negative zeta potential in culture solution. The results of electrochemical study by cyclic voltammetry showed that an oxidation current signal with no apparent peak was induced by fibroblast cells and the oxidation current at an oxidation potential of +0.9 V increased linearly with increasing cell number. Therefore, the three-dimensional graphene/polydimethylsiloxane composite exhibits high cytocompatibility and can potentially be used as a conductive substrate for cell-based electrochemical sensing. © The Author(s) 2016.

  17. Computational prediction of atomic structures of helical membrane proteins aided by EM maps.

    PubMed

    Kovacs, Julio A; Yeager, Mark; Abagyan, Ruben

    2007-09-15

    Integral membrane proteins pose a major challenge for protein-structure prediction because only approximately 100 high-resolution structures are available currently, thereby impeding the development of rules or empirical potentials to predict the packing of transmembrane alpha-helices. However, when an intermediate-resolution electron microscopy (EM) map is available, it can be used to provide restraints which, in combination with a suitable computational protocol, make structure prediction feasible. In this work we present such a protocol, which proceeds in three stages: 1), generation of an ensemble of alpha-helices by flexible fitting into each of the density rods in the low-resolution EM map, spanning a range of rotational angles around the main helical axes and translational shifts along the density rods; 2), fast optimization of side chains and scoring of the resulting conformations; and 3), refinement of the lowest-scoring conformations with internal coordinate mechanics, by optimizing the van der Waals, electrostatics, hydrogen bonding, torsional, and solvation energy contributions. In addition, our method implements a penalty term through a so-called tethering map, derived from the EM map, which restrains the positions of the alpha-helices. The protocol was validated on three test cases: GpA, KcsA, and MscL.

  18. The smallest capsid protein mediates binding of the essential tegument protein pp150 to stabilize DNA-containing capsids in human cytomegalovirus.

    PubMed

    Dai, Xinghong; Yu, Xuekui; Gong, Hao; Jiang, Xiaohong; Abenes, Gerrado; Liu, Hongrong; Shivakoti, Sakar; Britt, William J; Zhu, Hua; Liu, Fenyong; Zhou, Z Hong

    2013-08-01

    Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus that causes birth defects in newborns and life-threatening complications in immunocompromised individuals. Among all human herpesviruses, HCMV contains a much larger dsDNA genome within a similarly-sized capsid compared to the others, and it was proposed to require pp150, a tegument protein only found in cytomegaloviruses, to stabilize its genome-containing capsid. However, little is known about how pp150 interacts with the underlying capsid. Moreover, the smallest capsid protein (SCP), while dispensable in herpes simplex virus type 1, was shown to play essential, yet undefined, role in HCMV infection. Here, by cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM), we determine three-dimensional structures of HCMV capsid (no pp150) and virion (with pp150) at sub-nanometer resolution. Comparison of these two structures reveals that each pp150 tegument density is composed of two helix bundles connected by a long central helix. Correlation between the resolved helices and sequence-based secondary structure prediction maps the tegument density to the N-terminal half of pp150. The structures also show that SCP mediates interactions between the capsid and pp150 at the upper helix bundle of pp150. Consistent with this structural observation, ribozyme inhibition of SCP expression in HCMV-infected cells impairs the formation of DNA-containing viral particles and reduces viral yield by 10,000 fold. By cryoEM reconstruction of the resulting "SCP-deficient" viral particles, we further demonstrate that SCP is required for pp150 functionally binding to the capsid. Together, our structural and biochemical results point to a mechanism whereby SCP recruits pp150 to stabilize genome-containing capsid for the production of infectious HCMV virion.

  19. Flexible robotics with electromagnetic tracking improves safety and efficiency during in vitro endovascular navigation.

    PubMed

    Schwein, Adeline; Kramer, Ben; Chinnadurai, Ponraj; Walker, Sean; O'Malley, Marcia; Lumsden, Alan; Bismuth, Jean

    2017-02-01

    One limitation of the use of robotic catheters is the lack of real-time three-dimensional (3D) localization and position updating: they are still navigated based on two-dimensional (2D) X-ray fluoroscopic projection images. Our goal was to evaluate whether incorporating an electromagnetic (EM) sensor on a robotic catheter tip could improve endovascular navigation. Six users were tasked to navigate using a robotic catheter with incorporated EM sensors in an aortic aneurysm phantom. All users cannulated two anatomic targets (left renal artery and posterior "gate") using four visualization modes: (1) standard fluoroscopy mode (control), (2) 2D fluoroscopy mode showing real-time virtual catheter orientation from EM tracking, (3) 3D model of the phantom with anteroposterior and endoluminal view, and (4) 3D model with anteroposterior and lateral view. Standard X-ray fluoroscopy was always available. Cannulation and fluoroscopy times were noted for every mode. 3D positions of the EM tip sensor were recorded at 4 Hz to establish kinematic metrics. The EM sensor-incorporated catheter navigated as expected according to all users. The success rate for cannulation was 100%. For the posterior gate target, mean cannulation times in minutes:seconds were 8:12, 4:19, 4:29, and 3:09, respectively, for modes 1, 2, 3 and 4 (P = .013), and mean fluoroscopy times were 274, 20, 29, and 2 seconds, respectively (P = .001). 3D path lengths, spectral arc length, root mean dimensionless jerk, and number of submovements were significantly improved when EM tracking was used (P < .05), showing higher quality of catheter movement with EM navigation. The EM tracked robotic catheter allowed better real-time 3D orientation, facilitating navigation, with a reduction in cannulation and fluoroscopy times and improvement of motion consistency and efficiency. Copyright © 2016 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Label-free imaging of the dynamics of cell-to-cell string-like structure bridging in the free-space by low-coherent quantitative phase microscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamauchi, Toyohiko; Iwai, Hidenao; Yamashita, Yutaka

    2013-03-01

    We succeeded in utilizing our low-coherent quantitative phase microscopy (LC-QPM) to achieve label-free and three-dimensional imaging of string-like structures bridging the free-space between live cells. In past studies, three dimensional morphology of the string-like structures between cells had been investigated by electron microscopies and fluorescence microscopies and these structures were called "membrane nanotubes" or "tunneling nanotubes." However, use of electron microscopy inevitably kills these cells and fluorescence microscopy is itself a potentially invasive method. To achieve noninvasive imaging of live cells, we applied our LC-QPM which is a reflection-type, phase resolved and full-field interference microscope employing a low-coherent light source. LC-QPM is able to visualize the three-dimensional morphology of live cells without labeling by means of low-coherence interferometry. The lateral (diffraction limit) and longitudinal (coherence-length) spatial resolution of LC-QPM were respectively 0.49 and 0.93 micrometers and the repeatability of the phase measurement was 0.02 radians (1.0 nm). We successfully obtained three-dimensional morphology of live cultured epithelial cells (cell type: HeLa, derived from cervix cancer) and were able to clearly observe the individual string-like structures interconnecting the cells. When we performed volumetric imaging, a 80 micrometer by 60 micrometer by 6.5 micrometer volume was scanned every 5.67 seconds and 70 frames of a three-dimensional movie were recorded for a duration of 397 seconds. Moreover, the optical phase images gave us detailed information about the three-dimensional morphology of the string-like structure at sub-wavelength resolution. We believe that our LC-QPM will be a useful tool for the study of three-dimensional morphology of live cells.

  1. Resolution Measurement from a Single Reconstructed Cryo-EM Density Map with Multiscale Spectral Analysis.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yu-Jiao; Wang, Shuai; Zhang, Biao; Shen, Hong-Bin

    2018-06-25

    As a relatively new technology to solve the three-dimensional (3D) structure of a protein or protein complex, single-particle reconstruction (SPR) of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) images shows much superiority and is in a rapidly developing stage. Resolution measurement in SPR, which evaluates the quality of a reconstructed 3D density map, plays a critical role in promoting methodology development of SPR and structural biology. Because there is no benchmark map in the generation of a new structure, how to realize the resolution estimation of a new map is still an open problem. Existing approaches try to generate a hypothetical benchmark map by reconstructing two 3D models from two halves of the original 2D images for cross-reference, which may result in a premature estimation with a half-data model. In this paper, we report a new self-reference-based resolution estimation protocol, called SRes, that requires only a single reconstructed 3D map. The core idea of SRes is to perform a multiscale spectral analysis (MSSA) on the map through multiple size-variable masks segmenting the map. The MSSA-derived multiscale spectral signal-to-noise ratios (mSSNRs) reveal that their corresponding estimated resolutions will show a cliff jump phenomenon, indicating a significant change in the SSNR properties. The critical point on the cliff borderline is demonstrated to be the right estimator for the resolution of the map.

  2. Gain in three-dimensional metamaterials utilizing semiconductor quantum structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schwaiger, Stephan; Klingbeil, Matthias; Kerbst, Jochen; Rottler, Andreas; Costa, Ricardo; Koitmäe, Aune; Bröll, Markus; Heyn, Christian; Stark, Yuliya; Heitmann, Detlef; Mendach, Stefan

    2011-10-01

    We demonstrate gain in a three-dimensional metal/semiconductor metamaterial by the integration of optically active semiconductor quantum structures. The rolling-up of a metallic structure on top of strained semiconductor layers containing a quantum well allows us to achieve a tightly bent superlattice consisting of alternating layers of lossy metallic and amplifying gain material. We show that the transmission through the superlattice can be enhanced by exciting the quantum well optically under both pulsed or continuous wave excitation. This points out that our structures can be used as a starting point for arbitrary three-dimensional metamaterials including gain.

  3. Structure of the red fluorescent protein from a lancelet (Branchiostoma lanceolatum): a novel GYG chromophore covalently bound to a nearby tyrosine

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

    Pletnev, Vladimir Z., E-mail: vzpletnev@gmail.com; Pletneva, Nadya V.; Lukyanov, Konstantin A.

    The crystal structure of the novel red emitting fluorescent protein from lancelet Branchiostoma lanceolatum (Chordata) revealed an unusual five residues cyclic unit comprising Gly58-Tyr59-Gly60 chromophore, the following Phe61 and Tyr62 covalently bound to chromophore Tyr59. A key property of proteins of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) family is their ability to form a chromophore group by post-translational modifications of internal amino acids, e.g. Ser65-Tyr66-Gly67 in GFP from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria (Cnidaria). Numerous structural studies have demonstrated that the green GFP-like chromophore represents the ‘core’ structure, which can be extended in red-shifted proteins owing to modifications of the protein backbonemore » at the first chromophore-forming position. Here, the three-dimensional structures of green laGFP (λ{sub ex}/λ{sub em} = 502/511 nm) and red laRFP (λ{sub ex}/λ{sub em} ≃ 521/592 nm), which are fluorescent proteins (FPs) from the lancelet Branchiostoma lanceolatum (Chordata), were determined together with the structure of a red variant laRFP-ΔS83 (deletion of Ser83) with improved folding. Lancelet FPs are evolutionarily distant and share only ∼20% sequence identity with cnidarian FPs, which have been extensively characterized and widely used as genetically encoded probes. The structure of red-emitting laRFP revealed three exceptional features that have not been observed in wild-type fluorescent proteins from Cnidaria reported to date: (i) an unusual chromophore-forming sequence Gly58-Tyr59-Gly60, (ii) the presence of Gln211 at the position of the conserved catalytic Glu (Glu222 in Aequorea GFP), which proved to be crucial for chromophore formation, and (iii) the absence of modifications typical of known red chromophores and the presence of an extremely unusual covalent bond between the Tyr59 C{sup β} atom and the hydroxyl of the proximal Tyr62. The impact of this covalent bond on the red emission and the large Stokes shift (∼70 nm) of laRFP was verified by extensive structure-based site-directed mutagenesis.« less

  4. EM in high-dimensional spaces.

    PubMed

    Draper, Bruce A; Elliott, Daniel L; Hayes, Jeremy; Baek, Kyungim

    2005-06-01

    This paper considers fitting a mixture of Gaussians model to high-dimensional data in scenarios where there are fewer data samples than feature dimensions. Issues that arise when using principal component analysis (PCA) to represent Gaussian distributions inside Expectation-Maximization (EM) are addressed, and a practical algorithm results. Unlike other algorithms that have been proposed, this algorithm does not try to compress the data to fit low-dimensional models. Instead, it models Gaussian distributions in the (N - 1)-dimensional space spanned by the N data samples. We are able to show that this algorithm converges on data sets where low-dimensional techniques do not.

  5. The Structure Lacuna

    PubMed Central

    Boeyens, Jan C.A.; Levendis, Demetrius C.

    2012-01-01

    Molecular symmetry is intimately connected with the classical concept of three-dimensional molecular structure. In a non-classical theory of wave-like interaction in four-dimensional space-time, both of these concepts and traditional quantum mechanics lose their operational meaning, unless suitably modified. A required reformulation should emphasize the importance of four-dimensional effects like spin and the symmetry effects of space-time curvature that could lead to a fundamentally different understanding of molecular symmetry and structure in terms of elementary number theory. Isolated single molecules have no characteristic shape and macro-biomolecules only develop robust three-dimensional structure in hydrophobic response to aqueous cellular media. PMID:22942753

  6. Recent developments in structural proteomics for protein structure determination.

    PubMed

    Liu, Hsuan-Liang; Hsu, Jyh-Ping

    2005-05-01

    The major challenges in structural proteomics include identifying all the proteins on the genome-wide scale, determining their structure-function relationships, and outlining the precise three-dimensional structures of the proteins. Protein structures are typically determined by experimental approaches such as X-ray crystallography or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. However, the knowledge of three-dimensional space by these techniques is still limited. Thus, computational methods such as comparative and de novo approaches and molecular dynamic simulations are intensively used as alternative tools to predict the three-dimensional structures and dynamic behavior of proteins. This review summarizes recent developments in structural proteomics for protein structure determination; including instrumental methods such as X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy, and computational methods such as comparative and de novo structure prediction and molecular dynamics simulations.

  7. Organic membranous skeleton of the Precambrian metazoans from Namibia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dzik, Jerzy

    1999-06-01

    Unlike the celebrated Ediacara fossils, those from the roughly coeval localities of the Kuibis Quarzite of Namibia are preserved not as imprints on the sandstone bedding plane, but three-dimensionally, within the rock matrix. The pattern of deformation and the presence of sand in lower parts of the bodies of Ernietta, the most common and typical of those organisms, indicate that their three-dimensional preservation is a result of a density-controlled sinking of sand-filled organic skeletons within hydrated mud layers. Specimens of Ernietta have preserved various stages of migration across the mud beds. Their wall material, as documented by the mode of deformation, was not only flexible, but also elastic, which makes it unlike chitin. The walls thus seem to be proteinaceous, built probably of a collagenous fabric. The Ernietta skeleton was built of series of parallel chambers, which excludes the possibility that these were external body covers. The chambers apparently represent walls of hydraulic skeleton units, resembling the basement membrane of chaetognaths or the notochord sheath of primitive chordates. Such chambers are widespread among the earliest fossil animals represented by fossils preserved in sandstone. The rise and fall of the Ediacaran faunas thus seem to be partially preservational artifacts. The range of its occurrence is a result of two successive evolutionary events: the origin of an internal hydraulic skeleton enclosed by a strong basement membrane, and the appearance of decomposers with abilities to disintegrate such collagenous sheaths.

  8. A Unique BSL-3 Cryo-Electron Microscopy Laboratory at UTMB

    PubMed Central

    Sherman, Michael B.; Freiberg, Alexander N.; Razmus, Dennis; Yazuka, Shintaro; Koht, Craig; Hilser, Vincent J.; Lemon, Stanley M.; Brocard, Anne-Sophie; Zimmerman, Dee; Chiu, Wah; Watowich, Stanley J.; Weaver, Scott C.

    2010-01-01

    This article describes a unique cryo-electron microscopy (CryoEM) facility to study the three-dimensional organization of viruses at biological safety level 3 (BSL-3). This facility, the W. M. Keck Center for Virus Imaging, has successfully operated for more than a year without incident and was cleared for select agent studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Standard operating procedures for the laboratory were developed and implemented to ensure its safe and efficient operation. This facility at the University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston, TX) is the only such BSL-3 CryoEM facility approved for select agent research. PMID:21852942

  9. Cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography of nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Stewart, Phoebe L

    2017-03-01

    Cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM or cryo-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) offer robust and powerful ways to visualize nanoparticles. These techniques involve imaging of the sample in a frozen-hydrated state, allowing visualization of nanoparticles essentially as they exist in solution. Cryo-TEM grid preparation can be performed with the sample in aqueous solvents or in various organic and ionic solvents. Two-dimensional (2D) cryo-TEM provides a direct way to visualize the polydispersity within a nanoparticle preparation. Fourier transforms of cryo-TEM images can confirm the structural periodicity within a sample. While measurement of specimen parameters can be performed with 2D TEM images, determination of a three-dimensional (3D) structure often facilitates more spatially accurate quantization. 3D structures can be determined in one of two ways. If the nanoparticle has a homogeneous structure, then 2D projection images of different particles can be averaged using a computational process referred to as single particle reconstruction. Alternatively, if the nanoparticle has a heterogeneous structure, then a structure can be generated by cryo-ET. This involves collecting a tilt-series of 2D projection images for a defined region of the grid, which can be used to generate a 3D tomogram. Occasionally it is advantageous to calculate both a single particle reconstruction, to reveal the regular portions of a nanoparticle structure, and a cryo-electron tomogram, to reveal the irregular features. A sampling of 2D cryo-TEM images and 3D structures are presented for protein based, DNA based, lipid based, and polymer based nanoparticles. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1417. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1417 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Suitability of a three-dimensional model to measure empathy and its relationship with social and normative adjustment in Spanish adolescents: a cross-sectional study

    PubMed Central

    Gómez-Ortiz, Olga; Ortega-Ruiz, Rosario; Jolliffe, Darrick; Romera, Eva M.

    2017-01-01

    Objectives (1) To examine the psychometric properties of the Basic Empathy Scale (BES) with Spanish adolescents, comparing a two and a three-dimensional structure;(2) To analyse the relationship between the three-dimensional empathy and social and normative adjustment in school. Design Transversal and ex post facto retrospective study. Confirmatory factorial analysis, multifactorial invariance analysis and structural equations models were used. Participants 747 students (51.3% girls) from Cordoba, Spain, aged 12–17 years (M=13.8; SD=1.21). Results The original two-dimensional structure was confirmed (cognitive empathy, affective empathy), but a three-dimensional structure showed better psychometric properties, highlighting the good fit found in confirmatory factorial analysis and adequate internal consistent valued, measured with Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. Composite reliability and average variance extracted showed better indices for a three-factor model. The research also showed evidence of measurement invariance across gender. All the factors of the final three-dimensional BES model were direct and significantly associated with social and normative adjustment, being most strongly related to cognitive empathy. Conclusions This research supports the advances in neuroscience, developmental psychology and psychopathology through a three-dimensional version of the BES, which represents an improvement in the original two-factorial model. The organisation of empathy in three factors benefits the understanding of social and normative adjustment in adolescents, in which emotional disengagement favours adjusted peer relationships. Psychoeducational interventions aimed at improving the quality of social life in schools should target these components of empathy. PMID:28951400

  11. A polyhedron made of tRNAs.

    PubMed

    Severcan, Isil; Geary, Cody; Chworos, Arkadiusz; Voss, Neil; Jacovetty, Erica; Jaeger, Luc

    2010-09-01

    Supramolecular assembly is a powerful strategy used by nature to build nanoscale architectures with predefined sizes and shapes. With synthetic systems, however, numerous challenges remain to be solved before precise control over the synthesis, folding and assembly of rationally designed three-dimensional nano-objects made of RNA can be achieved. Here, using the transfer RNA molecule as a structural building block, we report the design, efficient synthesis and structural characterization of stable, modular three-dimensional particles adopting the polyhedral geometry of a non-uniform square antiprism. The spatial control within the final architecture allows the precise positioning and encapsulation of proteins. This work demonstrates that a remarkable degree of structural control can be achieved with RNA structural motifs for the construction of thermostable three-dimensional nano-architectures that do not rely on helix bundles or tensegrity. RNA three-dimensional particles could potentially be used as carriers or scaffolds in nanomedicine and synthetic biology.

  12. Modeling and numerical simulations of growth and morphologies of three dimensional aggregated silver films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Davis, L. J.; Boggess, M.; Kodpuak, E.; Deutsch, M.

    2012-11-01

    We report on a model for the deposition of three dimensional, aggregated nanocrystalline silver films, and an efficient numerical simulation method developed for visualizing such structures. We compare our results to a model system comprising chemically deposited silver films with morphologies ranging from dilute, uniform distributions of nanoparticles to highly porous aggregated networks. Disordered silver films grown in solution on silica substrates are characterized using digital image analysis of high resolution scanning electron micrographs. While the latter technique provides little volume information, plane-projected (two dimensional) island structure and surface coverage may be reliably determined. Three parameters governing film growth are evaluated using these data and used as inputs for the deposition model, greatly reducing computing requirements while still providing direct access to the complete (bulk) structure of the films throughout the growth process. We also show how valuable three dimensional characteristics of the deposited materials can be extracted using the simulated structures.

  13. WebCSD: the online portal to the Cambridge Structural Database

    PubMed Central

    Thomas, Ian R.; Bruno, Ian J.; Cole, Jason C.; Macrae, Clare F.; Pidcock, Elna; Wood, Peter A.

    2010-01-01

    WebCSD, a new web-based application developed by the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, offers fast searching of the Cambridge Structural Database using only a standard internet browser. Search facilities include two-dimensional substructure, molecular similarity, text/numeric and reduced cell searching. Text, chemical diagrams and three-dimensional structural information can all be studied in the results browser using the efficient entry summaries and embedded three-dimensional viewer. PMID:22477776

  14. Helical structures in vertically aligned dust particle chains in a complex plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hyde, Truell W.; Kong, Jie; Matthews, Lorin S.

    2013-05-01

    Self-assembly of structures from vertically aligned, charged dust particle bundles within a glass box placed on the lower, powered electrode of a Gaseous Electronics Conference rf reference cell were produced and examined experimentally. Self-organized formation of one-dimensional vertical chains, two-dimensional zigzag structures, and three-dimensional helical structures of triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and heptagonal symmetries are shown to occur. System evolution is shown to progress from a one-dimensional chain structure, through a zigzag transition to a two-dimensional, spindlelike structure, and then to various three-dimensional, helical structures exhibiting multiple symmetries. Stable configurations are found to be dependent upon the system confinement, γ2=ω0h/ω0v2 (where ω0h,v are the horizontal and vertical dust resonance frequencies), the total number of particles within a bundle, and the rf power. For clusters having fixed numbers of particles, the rf power at which structural phase transitions occur is repeatable and exhibits no observable hysteresis. The critical conditions for these structural phase transitions as well as the basic symmetry exhibited by the one-, two-, and three-dimensional structures that subsequently develop are in good agreement with the theoretically predicted configurations of minimum energy determined employing molecular dynamics simulations for charged dust particles confined in a prolate, spheroidal potential as presented theoretically by Kamimura and Ishihara [Kamimura and Ishihara, Phys. Rev. EPLEEE81063-651X10.1103/PhysRevE.85.016406 85, 016406 (2012)].

  15. Atomic Force Microscopy in Imaging of Viruses and Virus-Infected Cells

    PubMed Central

    Kuznetsov, Yurii G.; McPherson, Alexander

    2011-01-01

    Summary: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can visualize almost everything pertinent to structural virology and at resolutions that approach those for electron microscopy (EM). Membranes have been identified, RNA and DNA have been visualized, and large protein assemblies have been resolved into component substructures. Capsids of icosahedral viruses and the icosahedral capsids of enveloped viruses have been seen at high resolution, in some cases sufficiently high to deduce the arrangement of proteins in the capsomeres as well as the triangulation number (T). Viruses have been recorded budding from infected cells and suffering the consequences of a variety of stresses. Mutant viruses have been examined and phenotypes described. Unusual structural features have appeared, and the unexpectedly great amount of structural nonconformity within populations of particles has been documented. Samples may be imaged in air or in fluids (including culture medium or buffer), in situ on cell surfaces, or after histological procedures. AFM is nonintrusive and nondestructive, and it can be applied to soft biological samples, particularly when the tapping mode is employed. In principle, only a single cell or virion need be imaged to learn of its structure, though normally images of as many as is practical are collected. While lateral resolution, limited by the width of the cantilever tip, is a few nanometers, height resolution is exceptional, at approximately 0.5 nm. AFM produces three-dimensional, topological images that accurately depict the surface features of the virus or cell under study. The images resemble common light photographic images and require little interpretation. The structures of viruses observed by AFM are consistent with models derived by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM. PMID:21646429

  16. Interpretation of shallow electrical features from electromagnetic and magnetotelluric surveys at Mount Hood, Oregon

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

    Goldstein, N.E.; Mozley, E.; Wilt, M.

    1982-04-10

    A magnetotelluric survey was conducted at accessible locations around Mount Hood, Oregon. Thirty-eight tensor magnetotelluric (MT) and remote telluric stations were set up in clusters around the volcano except for the northwest quadrant, a wilderness area. Because of limited access, station locations were restricted to elevations below 1829 m. On the basis of the MT results, three areas were later investigated in more detail using a large-moment, controlled-source electromagnetic (EM) system. One-dimensional interpretations of EM and MT data on the northeast flank of the mountain near the Cloud Cap eruptive center and on the south flank near Timberline Lodge showmore » a similar subsurface resistivity pattern: a resistive surface layer 400--700 m thick, underlain by a conductive layer with variable thickness and resistivity of <20 ohm m. It is speculated that the surface layer consists of volcanics partially saturated with cold meteoric water. The underlying conductive zone is presumed to be volcanics saturated with water heated within the region of the central conduit and, possibly, at the Cloud Cap side vent. This hypothesis is supported by the existence of warm springs at the base of the mountain, most notably Swim Warm Springs on the south flank, and by several geothermal test wells, one of which penetrates the conductor south of Timberline Lodge. The mT data typically gave a shallower depth to the conductive zone than did the Em data. On the other hand, MT was better for resolving the thickness of the conductive layer and deeper structure. The MT data show evidence for a moderately conductive north-south structure on the south flank below the Timberline Lodge and for a broad zone of late Tertiary intrusives concealed on the southeast flank.« less

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

    PubMed

    Tegze, Miklós; Bortel, Gábor

    2016-07-01

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

  18. Mathematical modeling of transformation process of structurally unstable magnetic configurations into structurally stable ones in two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Inovenkov, Igor; Echkina, Eugenia; Ponomarenko, Loubov

    Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process in astrophysical, space and laboratory plasma. In essence, it represents a change of topology of the magnetic field caused by readjustment of the structure of the magnetic field lines. This change leads to release of energy accumulated in the field. We consider transformation process of structurally unstable magnetic configurations into the structurally steady ones from the point of view of the Catastrophe theory. Special attention is paid to modeling of evolution of the structurally unstable three-dimensional magnetic fields.

  19. The results of marine electromagnetic sounding with a high-power remote source in the Kola Bay in the Barents Sea

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grigoriev, V. F.; Korotaev, S. M.; Kruglyakov, M. S.; Orekhova, D. A.; Popova, I. V.; Tereshchenko, E. D.; Tereshchenko, P. E.; Schors, Yu. G.

    2013-05-01

    The first Russian six-component seafloor electromagnetic (EM) receivers were tested in an experiment carried out in Kola Bay in the Barents Sea. The signals transmitted by a remote high-power ELF source at several frequencies in the decahertz range were recorded by six receivers deployed on the seafloor along the profile crossing the Kola Bay. Although not all the stations successfully recorded all the six components due to technical failures, the quality of the data overall is quite suitable for interpretation. The interpretation was carried out by the three-dimensional (3D) modeling of an electromagnetic field with neural network inversion. The a priori geoelectrical model of Kola Bay, which was reconstructed by generalizing the previous geological and geophysical data, including the data of the ground magnetotelluric sounding and magnetovariational profiling, provided the EM fields that are far from those measured in the experiment. However, by a step-by-step modification of the initial model, we achieved quite a satisfactory fit. The resulting model provides the basis for introducing the corrections into the previous notions concerning the regional geological and geophysical structure of the region and particularly the features associated with fault tectonics.

  20. System for generating two-dimensional masks from a three-dimensional model using topological analysis

    DOEpatents

    Schiek, Richard [Albuquerque, NM

    2006-06-20

    A method of generating two-dimensional masks from a three-dimensional model comprises providing a three-dimensional model representing a micro-electro-mechanical structure for manufacture and a description of process mask requirements, reducing the three-dimensional model to a topological description of unique cross sections, and selecting candidate masks from the unique cross sections and the cross section topology. The method further can comprise reconciling the candidate masks based on the process mask requirements description to produce two-dimensional process masks.

  1. Ray tracing a three-dimensional scene using a hierarchical data structure

    DOEpatents

    Wald, Ingo; Boulos, Solomon; Shirley, Peter

    2012-09-04

    Ray tracing a three-dimensional scene made up of geometric primitives that are spatially partitioned into a hierarchical data structure. One example embodiment is a method for ray tracing a three-dimensional scene made up of geometric primitives that are spatially partitioned into a hierarchical data structure. In this example embodiment, the hierarchical data structure includes at least a parent node and a corresponding plurality of child nodes. The method includes a first act of determining that a first active ray in the packet hits the parent node and a second act of descending to each of the plurality of child nodes.

  2. PSD-95 is required to sustain the molecular organization of the postsynaptic density

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Xiaobing; Nelson, Christopher D; Li, Xiang; Winters, Christine A.; Azzam, Rita; Sousa, Alioscka A.; Leapman, Richard D.; Gainer, Harold; Sheng, Morgan; Reese, Thomas S.

    2011-01-01

    PSD-95, a membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK), is the major scaffolding protein in the excitatory postsynaptic density (PSD) and a potent regulator of synaptic strength. Here we show that PSD-95 is in an extended configuration and positioned into regular arrays of vertical filaments that contact both glutamate receptors and orthogonal horizontal elements layered deep inside the PSD in rat hippocampal spine synapses. RNAi knockdown of PSD-95 leads to loss of entire patches of PSD material, and EM tomography shows that the patchy loss correlates with loss of PSD-95-containing vertical filaments, horizontal elements associated with the vertical filaments, and putative AMPA, but not NMDA receptor type structures. These observations show that the orthogonal molecular scaffold constructed from PSD-95-containing vertical filaments and their associated horizontal elements is essential for sustaining the three dimensional molecular organization of the PSD. Our findings provide a structural basis for understanding the functional role of PSD-95 at the PSD. PMID:21525273

  3. Crystallized N-terminal domain of influenza virus matrix protein M1 and method of determining and using same

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Luo, Ming (Inventor); Sha, Bingdong (Inventor)

    2000-01-01

    The matrix protein, M1, of influenza virus strain A/PR/8/34 has been purified from virions and crystallized. The crystals consist of a stable fragment (18 Kd) of the M1 protein. X-ray diffraction studies indicated that the crystals have a space group of P3.sub.t 21 or P3.sub.2 21. Vm calculations showed that there are two monomers in an asymmetric unit. A crystallized N-terminal domain of M1, wherein the N-terminal domain of M1 is crystallized such that the three dimensional structure of the crystallized N-terminal domain of M1 can be determined to a resolution of about 2.1 .ANG. or better, and wherein the three dimensional structure of the uncrystallized N-terminal domain of M1 cannot be determined to a resolution of about 2.1 .ANG. or better. A method of purifying M1 and a method of crystallizing M1. A method of using the three-dimensional crystal structure of M1 to screen for antiviral, influenza virus treating or preventing compounds. A method of using the three-dimensional crystal structure of M1 to screen for improved binding to or inhibition of influenza virus M1. The use of the three-dimensional crystal structure of the M1 protein of influenza virus in the manufacture of an inhibitor of influenza virus M1. The use of the three-dimensional crystal structure of the M1 protein of influenza virus in the screening of candidates for inhibition of influenza virus M1.

  4. Microreplication of laser-fabricated surface and three-dimensional structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koroleva, Anastasia; Schlie, Sabrina; Fadeeva, Elena; Gittard, Shaun D.; Miller, Philip; Ovsianikov, Aleksandr; Koch, Jürgen; Narayan, Roger J.; Chichkov, Boris N.

    2010-12-01

    The fabrication of defined surface topographies and three-dimensional structures is a challenging process for various applications, e.g. in photonics and biomedicine. Laser-based technologies provide a promising approach for the production of such structures. The advantages of femtosecond laser ablation and two-photon polymerization for microstructuring are well known. However, these methods cannot be applied to all materials and are limited by their high cost and long production time. In this study, biomedical applications of an indirect rapid prototyping, molding microreplication of laser-fabricated two- and three-dimensional structures are examined. We demonstrate that by this method any laser-generated surface topography as well as three-dimensional structures can be replicated in various materials without losing the original geometry. The replication into multiple copies enables fast and perfect reproducibility of original microstructures for investigations of cell-surface interactions. Compared to unstructured materials, we observe that microstructures have strong influence on morphology and localization of fibroblasts, whereas neuroblastoma cells are not negatively affected.

  5. TH-CD-206-01: Expectation-Maximization Algorithm-Based Tissue Mixture Quantification for Perfusion MRI

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

    Han, H; Xing, L; Liang, Z

    Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of estimating the tissue mixture perfusions and quantifying cerebral blood flow change in arterial spin labeled (ASL) perfusion MR images. Methods: The proposed perfusion MR image analysis framework consists of 5 steps: (1) Inhomogeneity correction was performed on the T1- and T2-weighted images, which are available for each studied perfusion MR dataset. (2) We used the publicly available FSL toolbox to strip off the non-brain structures from the T1- and T2-weighted MR images. (3) We applied a multi-spectral tissue-mixture segmentation algorithm on both T1- and T2-structural MR images to roughly estimate the fraction of eachmore » tissue type - white matter, grey matter and cerebral spinal fluid inside each image voxel. (4) The distributions of the three tissue types or tissue mixture across the structural image array are down-sampled and mapped onto the ASL voxel array via a co-registration operation. (5) The presented 4-dimensional expectation-maximization (4D-EM) algorithm takes the down-sampled three tissue type distributions on perfusion image data to generate the perfusion mean, variance and percentage images for each tissue type of interest. Results: Experimental results on three volunteer datasets demonstrated that the multi-spectral tissue-mixture segmentation algorithm was effective to initialize tissue mixtures from T1- and T2-weighted MR images. Compared with the conventional ASL image processing toolbox, the proposed 4D-EM algorithm not only generated comparable perfusion mean images, but also produced perfusion variance and percentage images, which the ASL toolbox cannot obtain. It is observed that the perfusion contribution percentages may not be the same as the corresponding tissue mixture volume fractions estimated in the structural images. Conclusion: A specific application to brain ASL images showed that the presented perfusion image analysis method is promising for detecting subtle changes in tissue perfusions, which is valuable for the early diagnosis of certain brain diseases, e.g. multiple sclerosis.« less

  6. Electromagnetic navigated positioning of the maxilla after Le Fort I osteotomy in preclinical orthognathic surgery cases.

    PubMed

    Berger, Moritz; Nova, Igor; Kallus, Sebastian; Ristow, Oliver; Eisenmann, Urs; Freudlsperger, Christian; Seeberger, Robin; Hoffmann, Jürgen; Dickhaus, Hartmut

    2017-03-01

    Inaccuracies in orthognathic surgery can be caused during face-bow registration, model surgery on plaster models, and intermaxillary splint manufacturing. Electromagnetic (EM) navigation is a promising method for splintless digitized maxillary positioning. After performing Le Fort I osteotomy on 10 plastic skulls, the target position of the maxilla was guided by an EM navigation system. Specially implemented software illustrated the target position by real-time multistage colored three-dimensional imaging. Accuracy was determined by using pre- and postoperative cone beam computed tomography. The high accuracy of the EM system was underlined by the fact that it had a navigated maxilla position discrepancy of only 0.4 mm, which was verified by postoperative cone beam computed tomography. This preclinical study demonstrates a precise digitized approach for splintless maxillary repositioning after Le Fort I osteotomy. The accuracy and intuitive illustration of the introduced EM navigation system is promising for potential daily use in orthognathic surgery. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Computational Prediction of Atomic Structures of Helical Membrane Proteins Aided by EM Maps

    PubMed Central

    Kovacs, Julio A.; Yeager, Mark; Abagyan, Ruben

    2007-01-01

    Integral membrane proteins pose a major challenge for protein-structure prediction because only ≈100 high-resolution structures are available currently, thereby impeding the development of rules or empirical potentials to predict the packing of transmembrane α-helices. However, when an intermediate-resolution electron microscopy (EM) map is available, it can be used to provide restraints which, in combination with a suitable computational protocol, make structure prediction feasible. In this work we present such a protocol, which proceeds in three stages: 1), generation of an ensemble of α-helices by flexible fitting into each of the density rods in the low-resolution EM map, spanning a range of rotational angles around the main helical axes and translational shifts along the density rods; 2), fast optimization of side chains and scoring of the resulting conformations; and 3), refinement of the lowest-scoring conformations with internal coordinate mechanics, by optimizing the van der Waals, electrostatics, hydrogen bonding, torsional, and solvation energy contributions. In addition, our method implements a penalty term through a so-called tethering map, derived from the EM map, which restrains the positions of the α-helices. The protocol was validated on three test cases: GpA, KcsA, and MscL. PMID:17496035

  8. A Numerical Model of Exchange Chromatography Through 3D Lattice Structures

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

    Salloum, Maher; Robinson, David B.

    Rapid progress in the development of additive manufacturing technologies is opening new opportunities to fabricate structures that control mass transport in three dimensions across a broad range of length scales. We describe a structure that can be fabricated by newly available commercial 3D printers. It contains an array of regular three-dimensional flow paths that are in intimate contact with a solid phase, and thoroughly shuffle material among the paths. We implement a chemically reacting flow model to study its behavior as an exchange chromatography column, and compare it to an array of one-dimensional flow paths that resemble more traditional honeycombmore » monoliths. A reaction front moves through the columns and then elutes. Here, the front is sharper at all flow rates for the structure with three-dimensional flow paths, and this structure is more robust to channel width defects than the one-dimensional array.« less

  9. A Numerical Model of Exchange Chromatography Through 3D Lattice Structures

    DOE PAGES

    Salloum, Maher; Robinson, David B.

    2018-01-30

    Rapid progress in the development of additive manufacturing technologies is opening new opportunities to fabricate structures that control mass transport in three dimensions across a broad range of length scales. We describe a structure that can be fabricated by newly available commercial 3D printers. It contains an array of regular three-dimensional flow paths that are in intimate contact with a solid phase, and thoroughly shuffle material among the paths. We implement a chemically reacting flow model to study its behavior as an exchange chromatography column, and compare it to an array of one-dimensional flow paths that resemble more traditional honeycombmore » monoliths. A reaction front moves through the columns and then elutes. Here, the front is sharper at all flow rates for the structure with three-dimensional flow paths, and this structure is more robust to channel width defects than the one-dimensional array.« less

  10. Teaching Three-Dimensional Structural Chemistry Using Crystal Structure Databases. 2. Teaching Units that Utilize an Interactive Web-Accessible Subset of the Cambridge Structural Database

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Battle, Gary M.; Allen, Frank H.; Ferrence, Gregory M.

    2010-01-01

    A series of online interactive teaching units have been developed that illustrate the use of experimentally measured three-dimensional (3D) structures to teach fundamental chemistry concepts. The units integrate a 500-structure subset of the Cambridge Structural Database specially chosen for their pedagogical value. The units span a number of key…

  11. Teaching Three-Dimensional Structural Chemistry Using Crystal Structure Databases. 4. Examples of Discovery-Based Learning Using the Complete Cambridge Structural Database

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Battle, Gary M.; Allen, Frank H.; Ferrence, Gregory M.

    2011-01-01

    Parts 1 and 2 of this series described the educational value of experimental three-dimensional (3D) chemical structures determined by X-ray crystallography and retrieved from the crystallographic databases. In part 1, we described the information content of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and discussed a representative teaching subset of…

  12. Teaching Three-Dimensional Structural Chemistry Using Crystal Structure Databases. 3. The Cambridge Structural Database System: Information Content and Access Software in Educational Applications

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Battle, Gary M.; Allen, Frank H.; Ferrence, Gregory M.

    2011-01-01

    Parts 1 and 2 of this series described the educational value of experimental three-dimensional (3D) chemical structures determined by X-ray crystallography and retrieved from the crystallographic databases. In part 1, we described the information content of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and discussed a representative teaching subset of…

  13. Confinement and Structural Changes in Vertically Aligned Dust Structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hyde, Truell

    2013-10-01

    In physics, confinement is known to influence collective system behavior. Examples include coulomb crystal variants such as those formed from ions or dust particles (classical), electrons in quantum dots (quantum) and the structural changes observed in vertically aligned dust particle systems formed within a glass box placed on the lower electrode of a Gaseous Electronics Conference (GEC) rf reference cell. Recent experimental studies have expanded the above to include the biological domain by showing that the stability and dynamics of proteins confined through encapsulation and enzyme molecules placed in inorganic cavities such as those found in biosensors are also directly influenced by their confinement. In this paper, the self-assembly and subsequent collective behavior of structures formed from n, charged dust particles interacting with one another and located within a glass box placed on the lower, powered electrode of a GEC rf reference cell is discussed. Self-organized formation of vertically aligned one-dimensional chains, two-dimensional zigzag structures, and three-dimensional helical structures of triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and heptagonal symmetries are shown to occur. System evolution is shown to progress from one-dimensional chain structures, through a zigzag transition to a two-dimensional, spindle like structures, and then to various three-dimensional, helical structures exhibiting various symmetries. Stable configurations are shown to be strongly dependent upon system confinement. The critical conditions for structural transitions as well as the basic symmetry exhibited by the one-, two-, and three-dimensional structures that subsequently develop will be shown to be in good agreement with molecular dynamics simulations.

  14. The three-dimensional genome organization of Drosophila melanogaster through data integration.

    PubMed

    Li, Qingjiao; Tjong, Harianto; Li, Xiao; Gong, Ke; Zhou, Xianghong Jasmine; Chiolo, Irene; Alber, Frank

    2017-07-31

    Genome structures are dynamic and non-randomly organized in the nucleus of higher eukaryotes. To maximize the accuracy and coverage of three-dimensional genome structural models, it is important to integrate all available sources of experimental information about a genome's organization. It remains a major challenge to integrate such data from various complementary experimental methods. Here, we present an approach for data integration to determine a population of complete three-dimensional genome structures that are statistically consistent with data from both genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and lamina-DamID experiments. Our structures resolve the genome at the resolution of topological domains, and reproduce simultaneously both sets of experimental data. Importantly, this data deconvolution framework allows for structural heterogeneity between cells, and hence accounts for the expected plasticity of genome structures. As a case study we choose Drosophila melanogaster embryonic cells, for which both data types are available. Our three-dimensional genome structures have strong predictive power for structural features not directly visible in the initial data sets, and reproduce experimental hallmarks of the D. melanogaster genome organization from independent and our own imaging experiments. Also they reveal a number of new insights about genome organization and its functional relevance, including the preferred locations of heterochromatic satellites of different chromosomes, and observations about homologous pairing that cannot be directly observed in the original Hi-C or lamina-DamID data. Our approach allows systematic integration of Hi-C and lamina-DamID data for complete three-dimensional genome structure calculation, while also explicitly considering genome structural variability.

  15. Investigation of deformation of elements of three-dimensional reinforced concrete structures located in the soil, interacting with each other through rubber gaskets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Berezhnoi, D. V.; Balafendieva, I. S.; Sachenkov, A. A.; Sekaeva, L. R.

    2017-06-01

    In work the technique of calculation of elements of three-dimensional reinforced concrete substructures located in a soil, interacting with each other through rubber linings is realized. To describe the interaction of deformable structures with the ground, special “semi-infinite” finite elements are used. A technique has been implemented that allows one to describe the contact interaction of three-dimensional structures by means of a special contact finite element with specific properties. The obtained numerical results are compared with the experimental data, their good agreement is noted.

  16. Experimental Investigation of the Unsteady Flow Structures of Two Interacting Pitching Wings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kurt, Melike; Moored, Keith

    2015-11-01

    Birds, insects and fish propel themselves with unsteady motions of their wings and fins. Many of these animals are also found to fly or swim in three-dimensional flocks and schools. Numerous studies have explored the three-dimensional steady flow interactions and the two-dimensional unsteady flow interactions in collectives. Yet, the characterization of the three-dimensional unsteady interactions remains relatively unexplored. This study aims to characterize the flow structures and interactions between two sinusoidally pitching finite-span wings. The arrangement of the wings varies from a tandem to a bi-plane configuration. The vortex structures for these various arrangements are quantified by using particle image velocimetry. The vortex-wing interactions are also characterized as the synchrony between the wings is modified.

  17. Suitability of a three-dimensional model to measure empathy and its relationship with social and normative adjustment in Spanish adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

    PubMed

    Herrera-López, Mauricio; Gómez-Ortiz, Olga; Ortega-Ruiz, Rosario; Jolliffe, Darrick; Romera, Eva M

    2017-09-25

    (1) To examine the psychometric properties of the Basic Empathy Scale (BES) with Spanish adolescents, comparing a two and a three-dimensional structure;(2) To analyse the relationship between the three-dimensional empathy and social and normative adjustment in school. Transversal and ex post facto retrospective study. Confirmatory factorial analysis, multifactorial invariance analysis and structural equations models were used. 747 students (51.3% girls) from Cordoba, Spain, aged 12-17 years (M=13.8; SD=1.21). The original two-dimensional structure was confirmed (cognitive empathy, affective empathy), but a three-dimensional structure showed better psychometric properties, highlighting the good fit found in confirmatory factorial analysis and adequate internal consistent valued, measured with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. Composite reliability and average variance extracted showed better indices for a three-factor model. The research also showed evidence of measurement invariance across gender. All the factors of the final three-dimensional BES model were direct and significantly associated with social and normative adjustment, being most strongly related to cognitive empathy. This research supports the advances in neuroscience, developmental psychology and psychopathology through a three-dimensional version of the BES, which represents an improvement in the original two-factorial model. The organisation of empathy in three factors benefits the understanding of social and normative adjustment in adolescents, in which emotional disengagement favours adjusted peer relationships. Psychoeducational interventions aimed at improving the quality of social life in schools should target these components of empathy. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

  18. Three-dimensional effects on pure tone fan noise due to inflow distortion. [rotor blade noise prediction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kobayashi, H.

    1978-01-01

    Two dimensional, quasi three dimensional and three dimensional theories for the prediction of pure tone fan noise due to the interaction of inflow distortion with a subsonic annular blade row were studied with the aid of an unsteady three dimensional lifting surface theory. The effects of compact and noncompact source distributions on pure tone fan noise in an annular cascade were investigated. Numerical results show that the strip theory and quasi three-dimensional theory are reasonably adequate for fan noise prediction. The quasi three-dimensional method is more accurate for acoustic power and model structure prediction with an acoustic power estimation error of about plus or minus 2db.

  19. Power-scaling performance of a three-dimensional tritium betavoltaic diode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Baojun; Chen, Kevin P.; Kherani, Nazir P.; Zukotynski, Stefan

    2009-12-01

    Three-dimensional diodes fabricated by electrochemical etching are exposed to tritium gas at pressures from 0.05 to 33 atm at room temperature to examine its power scaling performance. It is shown that the three-dimensional microporous structure overcomes the self-absorption limited saturation of beta flux at high tritium pressures. These results are contrasted against the three-dimensional device powered in one instance by tritium absorbed in the near surface region of the three-dimensional microporous network, and in another by a planar scandium tritide foil. These findings suggest that direct tritium occlusion in the near surface of three-dimensional diode can improve the specific power production.

  20. The Reconstruction of Three-Dimensional Morphological and Electrical Paraneters from Two-Dimensional Sections of Neurones

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brawn, A. D.; Wheal, H. V.

    1986-07-01

    A system is described which can be used to create a three-dimensional model of a neurone from the central nervous system. This model can then be used to obtain quantitative data on the physical and electrical pro, perties of the neurone. Living neurones are either raised in culture, or taken from in vitro preparations of brain tissue and optically sectioned. These two-dimensional sections are digitised, and input to a 68008-based microcomputer. The system reconstructs the three-dimensional structure of the neurone, both geanetrically and electrically. The user can a) View the structure fran any point at any angle b) "Move through" the structure along any given vector c) Nave through" the structure following a neurone process d) Fire the neurone at any point, and "watch" the action potentials propagate e) Vary the parameters of the electrical model of a process element. The system is targeted to a research programme on epilepsy, which makes frequent use of both geometric and electrical neurone modelling. Current techniques which may involve crude histology and two-dimensional drawings have considerable short camings.

  1. Finite element analysis of steady and transiently moving/rolling nonlinear viscoelastic structure. II - Shell and three-dimensional simulations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kennedy, Ronald; Padovan, Joe

    1987-01-01

    In a three-part series of papers, a generalized finite element solution strategy is developed to handle traveling load problems in rolling, moving and rotating structure. The main thrust of this section consists of the development of three-dimensional and shell type moving elements. In conjunction with this work, a compatible three-dimensional contact strategy is also developed. Based on these modeling capabilities, extensive analytical and experimental benchmarking is presented. Such testing includes traveling loads in rotating structure as well as low- and high-speed rolling contact involving standing wave-type response behavior. These point to the excellent modeling capabilities of moving element strategies.

  2. Three-Dimensional Printing of a Scalable Molecular Model and Orbital Kit for Organic Chemistry Teaching and Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Penny, Matthew R.; Cao, Zi Jing; Patel, Bhaven; dos Santos, Bruno Sil; Asquith, Christopher R. M.; Szulc, Blanka R.; Rao, Zenobia X.; Muwaffak, Zaid; Malkinson, John P.; Hilton, Stephen T.

    2017-01-01

    Three-dimensional (3D) chemical models are a well-established learning tool used to enhance the understanding of chemical structures by converting two-dimensional paper or screen outputs into realistic three-dimensional objects. While commercial atom model kits are readily available, there is a surprising lack of large molecular and orbital models…

  3. Structure and topology of three-dimensional hydrocarbon polymers.

    PubMed

    Kondrin, Mikhail V; Lebed, Yulia B; Brazhkin, Vadim V

    2016-08-01

    A new family of three-dimensional hydrocarbon polymers which are more energetically favorable than benzene is proposed. Although structurally these polymers are closely related to well known diamond and lonsdaleite carbon structures, using topological arguments we demonstrate that they have no known structural analogs. Topological considerations also give some indication of possible methods of synthesis. Taking into account their exceptional optical, structural and mechanical properties these polymers might have interesting applications.

  4. Coalescence of two current loops with a kink instability simulated by a three-dimensional electromagnetic particle code

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nishikawa, K.-I.; Sakai, J.-I.; Zhao, Jie; Neubert, T.; Buneman, Oscar

    1994-01-01

    We have studied the dynamics of a coalescence of current loops using three-dimensional electromagnetic (EM) particle simulation code. Our focus is the investigation of such kinetic processes as energy trasnfer, heating particles, and electromagnetic emissions associated with a current loop coalescence which cannot be studied by MHD simulations. First, the two loops undergo a pinching oscillation due to a pressure imbalance between the inside and outside of the current loop. During the pinching oscillation, a kinetic kink instability is excited and electrons in the loops are heated perpendicularly to an ambient magnetic field. Next, the two current loops collide and coalesce, while at the same time a helical structure grows further. Subsequently, the perturbed current, which is due to these helically bunched electrons, can drive a whistler instability. It should be noted in this case that the whistler wave is excited by the kinetic kink instability and not a beam instability. After the coalescence of two helical loops, tilting motions can be observed in the direction of left-hand rotation, and the helical structure will relax resulting in strong plasma heating mostly in the direction perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. It is also shown that high-frequency electromagnetic waves can be emitted from the region where the two loops coalesce and propagate strongly in the direction of the electron drift velocity. These processes may be important in understanding heating mechansims for coronal loops as well as radio wave emission mechanisms from active regions of solar plasmas.

  5. Density functional study of molecular interactions in secondary structures of proteins.

    PubMed

    Takano, Yu; Kusaka, Ayumi; Nakamura, Haruki

    2016-01-01

    Proteins play diverse and vital roles in biology, which are dominated by their three-dimensional structures. The three-dimensional structure of a protein determines its functions and chemical properties. Protein secondary structures, including α-helices and β-sheets, are key components of the protein architecture. Molecular interactions, in particular hydrogen bonds, play significant roles in the formation of protein secondary structures. Precise and quantitative estimations of these interactions are required to understand the principles underlying the formation of three-dimensional protein structures. In the present study, we have investigated the molecular interactions in α-helices and β-sheets, using ab initio wave function-based methods, the Hartree-Fock method (HF) and the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2), density functional theory, and molecular mechanics. The characteristic interactions essential for forming the secondary structures are discussed quantitatively.

  6. Three-Dimensional Model of Holographic Formation of Inhomogeneous PPLC Diffraction Structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Semkin, A. O.; Sharangovich, S. N.

    2018-05-01

    A three-dimensional theoretical model of holographic formation of inhomogeneous diffraction structures in composite photopolymer - liquid crystal materials is presented considering both the nonlinearity of recording and the amplitude-phase inhomogeneity of the recording light field. Based on the results of numerical simulation, the kinematics of formations of such structures and their spatial profile are investigated.

  7. Three-dimensional shape transformations of hydrogel sheets induced by small-scale modulation of internal stresses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Zi Liang; Moshe, Michael; Greener, Jesse; Therien-Aubin, Heloise; Nie, Zhihong; Sharon, Eran; Kumacheva, Eugenia

    2013-03-01

    Although Nature has always been a common source of inspiration in the development of artificial materials, only recently has the ability of man-made materials to produce complex three-dimensional (3D) structures from two-dimensional sheets been explored. Here we present a new approach to the self-shaping of soft matter that mimics fibrous plant tissues by exploiting small-scale variations in the internal stresses to form three-dimensional morphologies. We design single-layer hydrogel sheets with chemically distinct, fibre-like regions that exhibit differential shrinkage and elastic moduli under the application of external stimulus. Using a planar-to-helical three-dimensional shape transformation as an example, we explore the relation between the internal architecture of the sheets and their transition to cylindrical and conical helices with specific structural characteristics. The ability to engineer multiple three-dimensional shape transformations determined by small-scale patterns in a hydrogel sheet represents a promising step in the development of programmable soft matter.

  8. Multilocality and fusion rules on the generalized structure functions in two-dimensional and three-dimensional Navier-Stokes turbulence.

    PubMed

    Gkioulekas, Eleftherios

    2016-09-01

    Using the fusion-rules hypothesis for three-dimensional and two-dimensional Navier-Stokes turbulence, we generalize a previous nonperturbative locality proof to multiple applications of the nonlinear interactions operator on generalized structure functions of velocity differences. We call this generalization of nonperturbative locality to multiple applications of the nonlinear interactions operator "multilocality." The resulting cross terms pose a new challenge requiring a new argument and the introduction of a new fusion rule that takes advantage of rotational symmetry. Our main result is that the fusion-rules hypothesis implies both locality and multilocality in both the IR and UV limits for the downscale energy cascade of three-dimensional Navier-Stokes turbulence and the downscale enstrophy cascade and inverse energy cascade of two-dimensional Navier-Stokes turbulence. We stress that these claims relate to nonperturbative locality of generalized structure functions on all orders and not the term-by-term perturbative locality of diagrammatic theories or closure models that involve only two-point correlation and response functions.

  9. Validating two-dimensional leadership models on three-dimensionally structured fish schools

    PubMed Central

    Nagy, Máté; Holbrook, Robert I.; Biro, Dora; Burt de Perera, Theresa

    2017-01-01

    Identifying leader–follower interactions is crucial for understanding how a group decides where or when to move, and how this information is transferred between members. Although many animal groups have a three-dimensional structure, previous studies investigating leader–follower interactions have often ignored vertical information. This raises the question of whether commonly used two-dimensional leader–follower analyses can be used justifiably on groups that interact in three dimensions. To address this, we quantified the individual movements of banded tetra fish (Astyanax mexicanus) within shoals by computing the three-dimensional trajectories of all individuals using a stereo-camera technique. We used these data firstly to identify and compare leader–follower interactions in two and three dimensions, and secondly to analyse leadership with respect to an individual's spatial position in three dimensions. We show that for 95% of all pairwise interactions leadership identified through two-dimensional analysis matches that identified through three-dimensional analysis, and we reveal that fish attend to the same shoalmates for vertical information as they do for horizontal information. Our results therefore highlight that three-dimensional analyses are not always required to identify leader–follower relationships in species that move freely in three dimensions. We discuss our results in terms of the importance of taking species' sensory capacities into account when studying interaction networks within groups. PMID:28280582

  10. Engineering the internal surfaces of three-dimensional nanoporous catalysts by surfactant-modified dealloying.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zhili; Liu, Pan; Han, Jiuhui; Cheng, Chun; Ning, Shoucong; Hirata, Akihiko; Fujita, Takeshi; Chen, Mingwei

    2017-10-20

    Tuning surface structures by bottom-up synthesis has been demonstrated as an effective strategy to improve the catalytic performances of nanoparticle catalysts. Nevertheless, the surface modification of three-dimensional nanoporous metals, fabricated by a top-down dealloying approach, has not been achieved despite great efforts devoted to improving the catalytic performance of three-dimensional nanoporous catalysts. Here we report a surfactant-modified dealloying method to tailor the surface structure of nanoporous gold for amplified electrocatalysis toward methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions. With the assistance of surfactants, {111} or {100} faceted internal surfaces of nanoporous gold can be realized in a controllable manner by optimizing dealloying conditions. The surface modified nanoporous gold exhibits significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activities in comparison with conventional nanoporous gold. This study paves the way to develop high-performance three-dimensional nanoporous catalysts with a tunable surface structure by top-down dealloying for efficient chemical and electrochemical reactions.

  11. X-ray diffraction study of Penicillium Vitale catalase in the complex with aminotriazole

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

    Borovik, A. A.; Grebenko, A. I.; Melik-Adamyan, V. R., E-mail: mawr@ns.crys.ras.ru

    2011-07-15

    The three-dimensional structure of the enzyme catalase from Penicillium vitale in a complex with the inhibitor aminotriazole was solved and refined by protein X-ray crystallography methods. An analysis of the three-dimensional structure of the complex showed that the inhibition of the enzyme occurs as a result of the covalent binding of aminotriazole to the amino-acid residue His64 in the active site of the enzyme. An investigation of the three-dimensional structure of the complex resulted in the amino-acid residues being more precisely identified. The binding sites of saccharide residues and calcium ions in the protein molecule were found.

  12. Modelling the drying of three-dimensional pulp moulded structures. Part II, Drying data obtained from flat panels using virgin and recycled paper fibre

    Treesearch

    John F. Hunt; Margit Tamasy-Bano; Heike Nyist

    1999-01-01

    A three-dimensional structural panel, called FPL Spaceboard, was developed at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. Spaceboard panels have been formed using a variety of fibrous materials using either a wet- or dry-forming process. Geometrically, the panel departs from the traditional two-dimensional flat panel by integrally forming an array of perpendicular ribs and...

  13. Balancing Newtonian gravity and spin to create localized structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bush, Michael; Lindner, John

    2015-03-01

    Using geometry and Newtonian physics, we design localized structures that do not require electromagnetic or other forces to resist implosion or explosion. In two-dimensional Euclidean space, we find an equilibrium configuration of a rotating ring of massive dust whose inward gravity is the centripetal force that spins it. We find similar solutions in three-dimensional Euclidean and hyperbolic spaces, but only in the limit of vanishing mass. Finally, in three-dimensional Euclidean space, we generalize the two-dimensional result by finding an equilibrium configuration of a spherical shell of massive dust that supports itself against gravitational collapse by spinning isoclinically in four dimensions so its three-dimensional acceleration is everywhere inward. These Newtonian ``atoms'' illuminate classical physics and geometry.

  14. Network Data: Statistical Theory and New Models

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-02-17

    SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: During this period of review, Bin Yu worked on many thrusts of high-dimensional statistical theory and methodologies. Her...research covered a wide range of topics in statistics including analysis and methods for spectral clustering for sparse and structured networks...2,7,8,21], sparse modeling (e.g. Lasso) [4,10,11,17,18,19], statistical guarantees for the EM algorithm [3], statistical analysis of algorithm leveraging

  15. Gold nanocrystals with DNA-directed morphologies.

    PubMed

    Ma, Xingyi; Huh, June; Park, Wounjhang; Lee, Luke P; Kwon, Young Jik; Sim, Sang Jun

    2016-09-16

    Precise control over the structure of metal nanomaterials is important for developing advanced nanobiotechnology. Assembly methods of nanoparticles into structured blocks have been widely demonstrated recently. However, synthesis of nanocrystals with controlled, three-dimensional structures remains challenging. Here we show a directed crystallization of gold by a single DNA molecular regulator in a sequence-independent manner and its applications in three-dimensional topological controls of crystalline nanostructures. We anchor DNA onto gold nanoseed with various alignments to form gold nanocrystals with defined topologies. Some topologies are asymmetric including pushpin-, star- and biconcave disk-like structures, as well as more complex jellyfish- and flower-like structures. The approach of employing DNA enables the solution-based synthesis of nanocrystals with controlled, three-dimensional structures in a desired direction, and expands the current tools available for designing and synthesizing feature-rich nanomaterials for future translational biotechnology.

  16. Gold nanocrystals with DNA-directed morphologies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Xingyi; Huh, June; Park, Wounjhang; Lee, Luke P.; Kwon, Young Jik; Sim, Sang Jun

    2016-09-01

    Precise control over the structure of metal nanomaterials is important for developing advanced nanobiotechnology. Assembly methods of nanoparticles into structured blocks have been widely demonstrated recently. However, synthesis of nanocrystals with controlled, three-dimensional structures remains challenging. Here we show a directed crystallization of gold by a single DNA molecular regulator in a sequence-independent manner and its applications in three-dimensional topological controls of crystalline nanostructures. We anchor DNA onto gold nanoseed with various alignments to form gold nanocrystals with defined topologies. Some topologies are asymmetric including pushpin-, star- and biconcave disk-like structures, as well as more complex jellyfish- and flower-like structures. The approach of employing DNA enables the solution-based synthesis of nanocrystals with controlled, three-dimensional structures in a desired direction, and expands the current tools available for designing and synthesizing feature-rich nanomaterials for future translational biotechnology.

  17. Three-dimensional inversion of multisource array electromagnetic data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tartaras, Efthimios

    Three-dimensional (3-D) inversion is increasingly important for the correct interpretation of geophysical data sets in complex environments. To this effect, several approximate solutions have been developed that allow the construction of relatively fast inversion schemes. One such method that is fast and provides satisfactory accuracy is the quasi-linear (QL) approximation. It has, however, the drawback that it is source-dependent and, therefore, impractical in situations where multiple transmitters in different positions are employed. I have, therefore, developed a localized form of the QL approximation that is source-independent. This so-called localized quasi-linear (LQL) approximation can have a scalar, a diagonal, or a full tensor form. Numerical examples of its comparison with the full integral equation solution, the Born approximation, and the original QL approximation are given. The objective behind developing this approximation is to use it in a fast 3-D inversion scheme appropriate for multisource array data such as those collected in airborne surveys, cross-well logging, and other similar geophysical applications. I have developed such an inversion scheme using the scalar and diagonal LQL approximation. It reduces the original nonlinear inverse electromagnetic (EM) problem to three linear inverse problems. The first of these problems is solved using a weighted regularized linear conjugate gradient method, whereas the last two are solved in the least squares sense. The algorithm I developed provides the option of obtaining either smooth or focused inversion images. I have applied the 3-D LQL inversion to synthetic 3-D EM data that simulate a helicopter-borne survey over different earth models. The results demonstrate the stability and efficiency of the method and show that the LQL approximation can be a practical solution to the problem of 3-D inversion of multisource array frequency-domain EM data. I have also applied the method to helicopter-borne EM data collected by INCO Exploration over the Voisey's Bay area in Labrador, Canada. The results of the 3-D inversion successfully delineate the shallow massive sulfides and show that the method can produce reasonable results even in areas of complex geology and large resistivity contrasts.

  18. Three-dimensional confocal microscopy of the living cornea and ocular lens

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Masters, Barry R.

    1991-07-01

    The three-dimensional reconstruction of the optic zone of the cornea and the ocular crystalline lens has been accomplished using confocal microscopy and volume rendering computer techniques. A laser scanning confocal microscope was used in the reflected light mode to obtain the two-dimensional images from the cornea and the ocular lens of a freshly enucleated rabbit eye. The light source was an argon ion laser with a 488 nm wavelength. The microscope objective was a Leitz X25, NA 0.6 water immersion lens. The 400 micron thick cornea was optically sectioned into 133 three micron sections. The semi-transparent cornea and the in-situ ocular lens was visualized as high resolution, high contrast two-dimensional images. The structures observed in the cornea include: superficial epithelial cells and their nuclei, basal epithelial cells and their 'beaded' cell borders, basal lamina, nerve plexus, nerve fibers, nuclei of stromal keratocytes, and endothelial cells. The structures observed in the in- situ ocular lens include: lens capsule, lens epithelial cells, and individual lens fibers. The three-dimensional data sets of the cornea and the ocular lens were reconstructed in the computer using volume rendering techniques. Stereo pairs were also created of the two- dimensional ocular images for visualization. The stack of two-dimensional images was reconstructed into a three-dimensional object using volume rendering techniques. This demonstration of the three-dimensional visualization of the intact, enucleated eye provides an important step toward quantitative three-dimensional morphometry of the eye. The important aspects of three-dimensional reconstruction are discussed.

  19. Quasi-three-dimensional particle imaging with digital holography.

    PubMed

    Kemppinen, Osku; Heinson, Yuli; Berg, Matthew

    2017-05-01

    In this work, approximate three-dimensional structures of microparticles are generated with digital holography using an automated focus method. This is done by stacking a collection of silhouette-like images of a particle reconstructed from a single in-line hologram. The method enables estimation of the particle size in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions. Using the discrete dipole approximation, the method is tested computationally by simulating holograms for a variety of particles and attempting to reconstruct the known three-dimensional structure. It is found that poor longitudinal resolution strongly perturbs the reconstructed structure, yet the method does provide an approximate sense for the structure's longitudinal dimension. The method is then applied to laboratory measurements of holograms of single microparticles and their scattering patterns.

  20. Three-Dimensional, Inelastic Response of Single-Edge Notch Bend Specimens Subjected to Impact Loading

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-08-01

    measure the inherent fracture toughness of a material. A thor- ough understanding of the test specimen behavior is a prerequisite to the application of...measured material properties in structural applications . Three- dimensional dynamic analyses are performed for three different specimen configurations...derstanding of the test specimen behavior is a prerequisite to the application of measured ma- terial properties in structural applications . Three

  1. Estimating loop length from CryoEM images at medium resolutions.

    PubMed

    McKnight, Andrew; Si, Dong; Al Nasr, Kamal; Chernikov, Andrey; Chrisochoides, Nikos; He, Jing

    2013-01-01

    De novo protein modeling approaches utilize 3-dimensional (3D) images derived from electron cryomicroscopy (CryoEM) experiments. The skeleton connecting two secondary structures such as α-helices represent the loop in the 3D image. The accuracy of the skeleton and of the detected secondary structures are critical in De novo modeling. It is important to measure the length along the skeleton accurately since the length can be used as a constraint in modeling the protein. We have developed a novel computational geometric approach to derive a simplified curve in order to estimate the loop length along the skeleton. The method was tested using fifty simulated density images of helix-loop-helix segments of atomic structures and eighteen experimentally derived density data from Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB). The test using simulated density maps shows that it is possible to estimate within 0.5 Å of the expected length for 48 of the 50 cases. The experiments, involving eighteen experimentally derived CryoEM images, show that twelve cases have error within 2 Å. The tests using both simulated and experimentally derived images show that it is possible for our proposed method to estimate the loop length along the skeleton if the secondary structure elements, such as α-helices, can be detected accurately, and there is a continuous skeleton linking the α-helices.

  2. Modulation of electromagnetic local density of states by coupling of surface phonon-polariton

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Yao; Zhang, Chao-Jie; Wang, Tong-Biao; Liu, Jiang-Tao; Yu, Tian-Bao; Liao, Qing-Hua; Liu, Nian-Hua

    2017-02-01

    We studied the electromagnetic local density of state (EM-LDOS) near the surface of a one-dimensional multilayer structure (1DMS) alternately stacked by SiC and Si. EM-LDOS of a semi-infinite bulk appears two intrinsic peaks due to the resonance of surface phonon-polariton (SPhP) in SiC. In contrast with that of SiC bulk, SPhP can exist at the interface of SiC and Si for the 1DMS. The SPhPs from different interfaces can couple together, which can lead to a significant modulation of EM-LDOS. When the component widths of 1DMS are large, the spectrum of EM-LDOS exhibits oscillation behavior in the frequency regime larger than the resonance frequency of SPhP. While the component widths are small, due to the strong coupling of SPhPs, another peak appears in the EM-LDOS spectrum besides the two intrinsic ones. And the position of the new peak move toward high frequency when the width ratio of SiC and Si increases. The influences of distance from the surfaces and period of 1DMS on EM-LDOS have also been studied in detail. The results are helpful in studying the near-field radiative heat transfer and spontaneous emission.

  3. Characterizing the release of different composition of dissolved organic matter in soil under acid rain leaching using three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Liu, Li; Song, Cunyi; Yan, Zengguang; Li, Fasheng

    2009-09-01

    Although excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMS) has been widely used to characterize dissolved organic matter (DOM), there has no report that EEMS has been used to study the effects of acid rain on DOM and its composition in soil. In this work, we employed three-dimensional EEMS to characterize the compositions of DOM leached by simulated acid rain from red soil. The red soil was subjected to leaching of simulated acid rain of different acidity, and the leached DOM presented five main peaks in its EEMS: peak-A, related to humic acid-like (HA-like) material, at Ex/Em of 310-330/395-420nm; peak-B, related to UV fulvic acid-like (FA-like) material, at Ex/Em of 230-280/400-435nm; peak-C and peak-D, both related to microbial byproduct-like material, at Ex/Em of 250-280/335-355nm and 260-280/290-320nm, respectively; and peak-E, related to simple aromatic proteins, at Ex/Em of 210-240/290-340nm. EEMS analysis results indicated that most DOM could be lost from red soil in the early phase of acid rain leaching. In addition to the effects of the pH of acid rain, the loss of DOM also depended on the properties of its compositions and the solubility of their complexes with aluminum. HA-like and microbial byproduct-like materials could be more easily released from red soil by acid rain at both higher pH (4.5 and 5.6) and lower pH (2.5 and 3) than that at middle pH (3.5). On the contrary, FA-like material lost in a similar manner under the action of different acid rains with pH ranging from 2.5 to 5.6.

  4. Automated integration of lidar into the LANDFIRE product suite

    Treesearch

    Birgit Peterson; Kurtis J. Nelson; Carl Seielstad; Jason Stoker; W. Matt Jolly; Russell Parsons

    2015-01-01

    Accurate information about three-dimensional canopy structure and wildland fuel across the landscape is necessary for fire behaviour modelling system predictions. Remotely sensed data are invaluable for assessing these canopy characteristics over large areas; lidar data, in particular, are uniquely suited for quantifying three-dimensional canopy structure. Although...

  5. Two-photon polymerization of a three dimensional structure using beams with orbital angular momentum

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

    Zhang, Shi-Jie; Li, Yan, E-mail: li@pku.edu.cn; Liu, Zhao-Pei

    The focus of a beam with orbital angular momentum exhibits internal structure instead of an elliptical intensity distribution of a Gaussian beam, and the superposition of Gauss-Laguerre beams realized by two-dimensional phase modulation can generate a complex three-dimensional (3D) focus. By taking advantage of the flexibility of this 3D focus tailoring, we have fabricated a 3D microstructure with high resolution by two-photon polymerization with a single exposure. Furthermore, we have polymerized an array of double-helix structures that demonstrates optical chirality.

  6. Three-dimensional nanomagnetism

    DOE PAGES

    Fernandez-Pacheco, Amalio; Streubel, Robert; Fruchart, Olivier; ...

    2017-06-09

    Magnetic nanostructures are being developed for use in many aspects of our daily life, spanning areas such as data storage, sensing and biomedicine. Whereas patterned nanomagnets are traditionally two-dimensional planar structures, recent work is expanding nanomagnetism into three dimensions; a move triggered by the advance of unconventional synthesis methods and the discovery of new magnetic effects. In three-dimensional nanomagnets more complex magnetic configurations become possible, many with unprecedented properties. Here we review the creation of these structures and their implications for the emergence of new physics, the development of instrumentation and computational methods, and exploitation in numerous applications.

  7. Topology of large-scale structure. IV - Topology in two dimensions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Melott, Adrian L.; Cohen, Alexander P.; Hamilton, Andrew J. S.; Gott, J. Richard, III; Weinberg, David H.

    1989-01-01

    In a recent series of papers, an algorithm was developed for quantitatively measuring the topology of the large-scale structure of the universe and this algorithm was applied to numerical models and to three-dimensional observational data sets. In this paper, it is shown that topological information can be derived from a two-dimensional cross section of a density field, and analytic expressions are given for a Gaussian random field. The application of a two-dimensional numerical algorithm for measuring topology to cross sections of three-dimensional models is demonstrated.

  8. Hydroelastic behaviour of a structure exposed to an underwater explosion

    PubMed Central

    Colicchio, G.; Greco, M.; Brocchini, M.; Faltinsen, O. M.

    2015-01-01

    The hydroelastic interaction between an underwater explosion and an elastic plate is investigated num- erically through a domain-decomposition strategy. The three-dimensional features of the problem require a large computational effort, which is reduced through a weak coupling between a one-dimensional radial blast solver, which resolves the blast evolution far from the boundaries, and a three-dimensional compressible flow solver used where the interactions between the compression wave and the boundaries take place and the flow becomes three-dimensional. The three-dimensional flow solver at the boundaries is directly coupled with a modal structural solver that models the response of the solid boundaries like elastic plates. This enables one to simulate the fluid–structure interaction as a strong coupling, in order to capture hydroelastic effects. The method has been applied to the experimental case of Hung et al. (2005 Int. J. Impact Eng. 31, 151–168 (doi:10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2003.10.039)) with explosion and structure sufficiently far from other boundaries and successfully validated in terms of the evolution of the acceleration induced on the plate. It was also used to investigate the interaction of an underwater explosion with the bottom of a close-by ship modelled as an orthotropic plate. In the application, the acoustic phase of the fluid–structure interaction is examined, highlighting the need of the fluid–structure coupling to capture correctly the possible inception of cavitation. PMID:25512585

  9. Cryo-EM of the pathogenic VCP variant R155P reveals long-range conformational changes in the D2 ATPase ring

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

    Mountassif, Driss; Fabre, Lucien; Zaid, Younes

    Single amino acid mutations in valosin containing protein (VCP/p97), a highly conserved member of the ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA) family of ATPases has been linked to a severe degenerative disease affecting brain, muscle and bone tissue. Previous studies have demonstrated the role of VCP mutations in altering the ATPase activity of the D2 ring; however the structural consequences of these mutations remain unclear. In this study, we report the three-dimensional (3D) map of the pathogenic VCP variant, R155P, as revealed by single-particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy (EM) analysis at 14 Å resolution. We show that the N-terminal R155P mutation inducesmore » a large structural reorganisation of the D2 ATPase ring. Results from docking studies using crystal structure data of available wild-type VCP in the EM density maps indicate that the major difference is localized at the interface between two protomers within the D2 ring. Consistent with a conformational change, the VCP R155P variant shifted the isoelectric point of the protein and reduced its interaction with its well-characterized cofactor, nuclear protein localization-4 (Npl4). Together, our results demonstrate that a single amino acid substitution in the N-terminal domain can relay long-range conformational changes to the distal D2 ATPase ring. Our results provide the first structural clues of how VCP mutations may influence the activity and function of the D2 ATPase ring. - Highlights: • p97{sub R155P} and p97{sub A232E} decrease the ability of p97 to bind to its co-factor Npl4. • p97{sub R155P} has a different isoelectric point than that of p97{sub R95G}, p97{sub A232E} and p97{sub WT}. • Mutation R155P changes principally the conformation of the D2 ring. • Mutation R155P modifies the interface between two protomers within the D2 ring.« less

  10. Conformational changes in the AAA ATPase p97–p47 adaptor complex

    PubMed Central

    Beuron, Fabienne; Dreveny, Ingrid; Yuan, Xuemei; Pye, Valerie E; Mckeown, Ciaran; Briggs, Louise C; Cliff, Matthew J; Kaneko, Yayoi; Wallis, Russell; Isaacson, Rivka L; Ladbury, John E; Matthews, Steve J; Kondo, Hisao; Zhang, Xiaodong; Freemont, Paul S

    2006-01-01

    The AAA+ATPase p97/VCP, helped by adaptor proteins, exerts its essential role in cellular events such as endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation or the reassembly of Golgi, ER and the nuclear envelope after mitosis. Here, we report the three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy structures at ∼20 Å resolution in two nucleotide states of the endogenous hexameric p97 in complex with a recombinant p47 trimer, one of the major p97 adaptor proteins involved in membrane fusion. Depending on the nucleotide state, we observe the p47 trimer to be in two distinct arrangements on top of the p97 hexamer. By combining the EM data with NMR and other biophysical measurements, we propose a model of ATP-dependent p97(N) domain motions that lead to a rearrangement of p47 domains, which could result in the disassembly of target protein complexes. PMID:16601695

  11. Nonlinear spatio-temporal filtering of dynamic PET data using a four-dimensional Gaussian filter and expectation-maximization deconvolution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Floberg, J. M.; Holden, J. E.

    2013-02-01

    We introduce a method for denoising dynamic PET data, spatio-temporal expectation-maximization (STEM) filtering, that combines four-dimensional Gaussian filtering with EM deconvolution. The initial Gaussian filter suppresses noise at a broad range of spatial and temporal frequencies and EM deconvolution quickly restores the frequencies most important to the signal. We aim to demonstrate that STEM filtering can improve variance in both individual time frames and in parametric images without introducing significant bias. We evaluate STEM filtering with a dynamic phantom study, and with simulated and human dynamic PET studies of a tracer with reversible binding behaviour, [C-11]raclopride, and a tracer with irreversible binding behaviour, [F-18]FDOPA. STEM filtering is compared to a number of established three and four-dimensional denoising methods. STEM filtering provides substantial improvements in variance in both individual time frames and in parametric images generated with a number of kinetic analysis techniques while introducing little bias. STEM filtering does bias early frames, but this does not affect quantitative parameter estimates. STEM filtering is shown to be superior to the other simple denoising methods studied. STEM filtering is a simple and effective denoising method that could be valuable for a wide range of dynamic PET applications.

  12. 3D Multifunctional Ablative Thermal Protection System

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Feldman, Jay; Venkatapathy, Ethiraj; Wilkinson, Curt; Mercer, Ken

    2015-01-01

    NASA is developing the Orion spacecraft to carry astronauts farther into the solar system than ever before, with human exploration of Mars as its ultimate goal. One of the technologies required to enable this advanced, Apollo-shaped capsule is a 3-dimensional quartz fiber composite for the vehicle's compression pad. During its mission, the compression pad serves first as a structural component and later as an ablative heat shield, partially consumed on Earth re-entry. This presentation will summarize the development of a new 3D quartz cyanate ester composite material, 3-Dimensional Multifunctional Ablative Thermal Protection System (3D-MAT), designed to meet the mission requirements for the Orion compression pad. Manufacturing development, aerothermal (arc-jet) testing, structural performance, and the overall status of material development for the 2018 EM-1 flight test will be discussed.

  13. A coupled sharp-interface immersed boundary-finite-element method for flow-structure interaction with application to human phonation.

    PubMed

    Zheng, X; Xue, Q; Mittal, R; Beilamowicz, S

    2010-11-01

    A new flow-structure interaction method is presented, which couples a sharp-interface immersed boundary method flow solver with a finite-element method based solid dynamics solver. The coupled method provides robust and high-fidelity solution for complex flow-structure interaction (FSI) problems such as those involving three-dimensional flow and viscoelastic solids. The FSI solver is used to simulate flow-induced vibrations of the vocal folds during phonation. Both two- and three-dimensional models have been examined and qualitative, as well as quantitative comparisons, have been made with established results in order to validate the solver. The solver is used to study the onset of phonation in a two-dimensional laryngeal model and the dynamics of the glottal jet in a three-dimensional model and results from these studies are also presented.

  14. Three dimensional contact/impact methodology

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

    Kulak, R.F.

    1987-01-01

    The simulation of three-dimensional interface mechanics between reactor components and structures during static contact or dynamic impact is necessary to realistically evaluate their structural integrity to off-normal loads. In our studies of postulated core energy release events, we have found that significant structure-structure interactions occur in some reactor vessel head closure designs and that fluid-structure interactions occur within the reactor vessel. Other examples in which three-dimensional interface mechanics play an important role are: (1) impact response of shipping casks containing spent fuel, (2) whipping pipe impact on reinforced concrete panels or pipe-to-pipe impact after a pipe break, (3) aircraft crashmore » on secondary containment structures, (4) missiles generated by turbine failures or tornados, and (5) drops of heavy components due to lifting accidents. The above is a partial list of reactor safety problems that require adequate treatment of interface mechanics and are discussed in this paper.« less

  15. Visualization of molecular structures using HoloLens-based augmented reality

    PubMed Central

    Hoffman, MA; Provance, JB

    2017-01-01

    Biological molecules and biologically active small molecules are complex three dimensional structures. Current flat screen monitors are limited in their ability to convey the full three dimensional characteristics of these molecules. Augmented reality devices, including the Microsoft HoloLens, offer an immersive platform to change how we interact with molecular visualizations. We describe a process to incorporate the three dimensional structures of small molecules and complex proteins into the Microsoft HoloLens using aspirin and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) as examples. Small molecular structures can be introduced into the HoloStudio application, which provides native support for rotating, resizing and performing other interactions with these molecules. Larger molecules can be imported through the Unity gaming development platform and then Microsoft Visual Developer. The processes described here can be modified to import a wide variety of molecular structures into augmented reality systems and improve our comprehension of complex structural features. PMID:28815109

  16. Three-Dimensional Temperature Field Simulation for the Rotor of an Asynchronous Motor

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wang, Yanwu; Fan, Chunli; Yang, Li; Sun, Fengrui

    2010-01-01

    A three-dimensional heat transfer model is built according to the rotor structure of an asynchronous motor, and three-dimensional temperature fields of the rotor under different working conditions, such as the unloaded, rated loaded and that with broken rotor bars, are studied based on the finite element numerical method and experiments. The…

  17. User's Manual for FEMOM3DS. Version 1.0

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reddy, C.J.; Deshpande, M. D.

    1997-01-01

    FEMOM3DS is a computer code written in FORTRAN 77 to compute electromagnetic(EM) scattering characteristics of a three dimensional object with complex materials using combined Finite Element Method (FEM)/Method of Moments (MoM) technique. This code uses the tetrahedral elements, with vector edge basis functions for FEM in the volume of the cavity and the triangular elements with the basis functions similar to that described for MoM at the outer boundary. By virtue of FEM, this code can handle any arbitrarily shaped three-dimensional cavities filled with inhomogeneous lossy materials. The User's Manual is written to make the user acquainted with the operation of the code. The user is assumed to be familiar with the FORTRAN 77 language and the operating environment of the computers on which the code is intended to run.

  18. Fabrication of three-dimensional collagen scaffold using an inverse mould-leaching process.

    PubMed

    Ahn, SeungHyun; Lee, SuYeon; Cho, Youngseok; Chun, Wook; Kim, GeunHyung

    2011-09-01

    Natural biopolymers, such as collagen or chitosan, are considered ideal for biomedical scaffolds. However, low processability of the materials has hindered the fabrication of designed pore structures controlled by various solid freeform-fabrication methods. A new technique to fabricate a biomedical three-dimensional collagen scaffold, supplemented with a sacrificial poly(ethylene oxide) mould is proposed. The fabricated collagen scaffold shows a highly porous surface and a three-dimensional structure with high porosity as well as mechanically stable structure. To show its feasibility for biomedical applications, fibroblasts/keratinocytes were co-cultured on the scaffold, and the cell proliferation and cell migration of the scaffold was more favorable than that obtained with a spongy-type collagen scaffold.

  19. Three-Dimensional Gene Map of Cancer Cell Types: Structural Entropy Minimisation Principle for Defining Tumour Subtypes

    PubMed Central

    Li, Angsheng; Yin, Xianchen; Pan, Yicheng

    2016-01-01

    In this study, we propose a method for constructing cell sample networks from gene expression profiles, and a structural entropy minimisation principle for detecting natural structure of networks and for identifying cancer cell subtypes. Our method establishes a three-dimensional gene map of cancer cell types and subtypes. The identified subtypes are defined by a unique gene expression pattern, and a three-dimensional gene map is established by defining the unique gene expression pattern for each identified subtype for cancers, including acute leukaemia, lymphoma, multi-tissue, lung cancer and healthy tissue. Our three-dimensional gene map demonstrates that a true tumour type may be divided into subtypes, each defined by a unique gene expression pattern. Clinical data analyses demonstrate that most cell samples of an identified subtype share similar survival times, survival indicators and International Prognostic Index (IPI) scores and indicate that distinct subtypes identified by our algorithms exhibit different overall survival times, survival ratios and IPI scores. Our three-dimensional gene map establishes a high-definition, one-to-one map between the biologically and medically meaningful tumour subtypes and the gene expression patterns, and identifies remarkable cells that form singleton submodules. PMID:26842724

  20. Three-dimensional water impact at normal incidence to a blunt structure

    PubMed Central

    Cooker, M. J.; Korobkin, A. A.

    2016-01-01

    The three-dimensional water impact onto a blunt structure with a spreading rectangular contact region is studied. The structure is mounted on a flat rigid plane with the impermeable curved surface of the structure perpendicular to the plane. Before impact, the water region is a rectangular domain of finite thickness bounded from below by the rigid plane and above by the flat free surface. The front free surface of the water region is vertical, representing the front of an advancing steep wave. The water region is initially advancing towards the structure at a constant uniform speed. We are concerned with the slamming loads acting on the surface of the structure during the initial stage of water impact. Air, gravity and surface tension are neglected. The problem is analysed by using some ideas of pressure-impulse theory, but including the time-dependence of the wetted area of the structure. The flow caused by the impact is three-dimensional and incompressible. The distribution of the pressure-impulse (the time-integral of pressure) over the surface of the structure is analysed and compared with the distributions provided by strip theories. The total impulse exerted on the structure during the impact stage is evaluated and compared with numerical and experimental predictions. An example calculation is presented of water impact onto a vertical rigid cylinder. Three-dimensional effects on the slamming loads are the main concern in this study. PMID:27616912

  1. Groundwater resources evaluation in calcareous limestone using geoelectrical and VLF-EM surveys (El Salloum Basin, Egypt)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zarif, Fardous; Slater, Lee; Mabrouk, Mohamed; Youssef, Ahmed; Al-Temamy, Ayman; Mousa, Salah; Farag, Karam; Robinson, Judy

    2018-01-01

    Understanding and developing groundwater resources in arid regions such as El Salloum basin, along the northwestern coast of Egypt, remains a challenging issue. One-dimensional (1D) electrical sounding (ES), two-dimensional (2D) electrical resistivity imaging (ERI), and very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) measurements were used to investigate the hydrogeological framework of El Salloum basin with the aim of determining the potential for extraction of potable water. 1D resistivity sounding models were used to delineate geoelectric sections and water-bearing layers. 2D ERI highlighted decreases in resistivity with depth, attributed to clay-rich limestone combined with seawater intrusion towards the coast. A depth of investigation (DOI) index was used to constrain the information content of the images at depths up to 100 m. The VLF-EM survey identified likely faults/fractured zones across the study area. A combined analysis of the datasets of the 1D ES, 2D ERI, and VLF-EM methods identified potential zones of groundwater, the extent of seawater intrusion, and major hydrogeological structures (fracture zones) in El Salloum basin. The equivalent geologic layers suggest that the main aquifer in the basin is the fractured chalky limestone middle Miocene) south of the coastal plain of the study area. Sites likely to provide significant volumes of potable water were identified based on relatively high resistivity and thickness of laterally extensive layers. The most promising locations for drilling productive wells are in the south and southeastern parts of the region, where the potential for potable groundwater increases substantially.

  2. Groundwater resources evaluation in calcareous limestone using geoelectrical and VLF-EM surveys (El Salloum Basin, Egypt)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zarif, Fardous; Slater, Lee; Mabrouk, Mohamed; Youssef, Ahmed; Al-Temamy, Ayman; Mousa, Salah; Farag, Karam; Robinson, Judy

    2018-06-01

    Understanding and developing groundwater resources in arid regions such as El Salloum basin, along the northwestern coast of Egypt, remains a challenging issue. One-dimensional (1D) electrical sounding (ES), two-dimensional (2D) electrical resistivity imaging (ERI), and very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) measurements were used to investigate the hydrogeological framework of El Salloum basin with the aim of determining the potential for extraction of potable water. 1D resistivity sounding models were used to delineate geoelectric sections and water-bearing layers. 2D ERI highlighted decreases in resistivity with depth, attributed to clay-rich limestone combined with seawater intrusion towards the coast. A depth of investigation (DOI) index was used to constrain the information content of the images at depths up to 100 m. The VLF-EM survey identified likely faults/fractured zones across the study area. A combined analysis of the datasets of the 1D ES, 2D ERI, and VLF-EM methods identified potential zones of groundwater, the extent of seawater intrusion, and major hydrogeological structures (fracture zones) in El Salloum basin. The equivalent geologic layers suggest that the main aquifer in the basin is the fractured chalky limestone middle Miocene) south of the coastal plain of the study area. Sites likely to provide significant volumes of potable water were identified based on relatively high resistivity and thickness of laterally extensive layers. The most promising locations for drilling productive wells are in the south and southeastern parts of the region, where the potential for potable groundwater increases substantially.

  3. A new idea for broad band reflector and tunable multichannel filter of one dimensional symmetric photonic crystal with magnetized cold plasma defects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Asish; Singh, Prabal P.; Thapa, Khem B.

    2018-05-01

    The optical properties of one-dimensional periodic structure composed by SiO2 and dielectric (air) layers with asymmetric and symmetric forms studied. The transmittance for symmetric periodic defective structure analyzed by introducing one, two, three layers of magnetized cold plasma (MCP) in one-dimensional periodic structure. We found better result for symmetric defect of three layer of the MCP compare to the other defective structures. On the basis of our calculated results, we proposed a new idea for broadband reflector at lower frequency range as well as the multichannel filter at higher frequency range.

  4. M553 sphere forming experiment: Pure nickel specimen evaluation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Johnson, P. C.; Peters, E. T.

    1973-01-01

    A region or cap of very fine two-dimensional surface growth structure was observed at the top of three of the six pure nickel flight specimens. Such two-dimensional surface growth structures have been observed both on the ground-based specimens and on other surface areas of the flight specimens. However, the fine structures observed on the three flight samples are at least an order of magnitude finer than those previously observed, and resemble similar localized, fine, two-dimensional surface structures observed in both ground and flight specimens for the nickel alloys. The two-dimensional growth areas consist primarily of fine equiaxed grains, specimen SL-2.6, fine dendrites, specimen SL-2.5, or a core of fine equiaxed grains surrounded by a ring of fine dendrites, specimen SL-1.9.

  5. Three-dimensionally modulated anisotropic structure for diffractive optical elements created by one-step three-beam polarization holographic photoalignment

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

    Kawai, Kotaro, E-mail: s135016@stn.nagaokaut.ac.jp; Sakamoto, Moritsugu; Noda, Kohei

    2016-03-28

    A diffractive optical element with a three-dimensional liquid crystal (LC) alignment structure for advanced control of polarized beams was fabricated by a highly efficient one-step photoalignment method. This study is of great significance because different two-dimensional continuous and complex alignment patterns can be produced on two alignment films by simultaneously irradiating an empty glass cell composed of two unaligned photocrosslinkable polymer LC films with three-beam polarized interference beam. The polarization azimuth, ellipticity, and rotation direction of the diffracted beams from the resultant LC grating widely varied depending on the two-dimensional diffracted position and the polarization states of the incident beams.more » These polarization diffraction properties are well explained by theoretical analysis based on Jones calculus.« less

  6. The Impact of Stereoscopic Imagery and Motion on Anatomical Structure Recognition and Visual Attention Performance

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Remmele, Martin; Schmidt, Elena; Lingenfelder, Melissa; Martens, Andreas

    2018-01-01

    Gross anatomy is located in a three-dimensional space. Visualizing aspects of structures in gross anatomy education should aim to provide information that best resembles their original spatial proportions. Stereoscopic three-dimensional imagery might offer possibilities to implement this aim, though some research has revealed potential impairments…

  7. Polyimide Aerogels with Three-Dimensional Cross-Linked Structure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Meador, Mary Ann B. (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    A method for creating a three dimensional cross-linked polyimide structure includes dissolving a diamine, a dianhydride, and a triamine in a solvent, imidizing a polyamic acid gel by heating the gel, extracting the gel in a second solvent, supercritically drying the gel, and removing the solvent to create a polyimide aerogel.

  8. A light-trapping strategy for nanocrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells using three-dimensionally assembled nanoparticle structures.

    PubMed

    Ha, Kyungyeon; Jang, Eunseok; Jang, Segeun; Lee, Jong-Kwon; Jang, Min Seok; Choi, Hoseop; Cho, Jun-Sik; Choi, Mansoo

    2016-02-05

    We report three-dimensionally assembled nanoparticle structures inducing multiple plasmon resonances for broadband light harvesting in nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin-film solar cells. A three-dimensional multiscale (3DM) assembly of nanoparticles generated using a multi-pin spark discharge method has been accomplished over a large area under atmospheric conditions via ion-assisted aerosol lithography. The multiscale features of the sophisticated 3DM structures exhibit surface plasmon resonances at multiple frequencies, which increase light scattering and absorption efficiency over a wide spectral range from 350-1100 nm. The multiple plasmon resonances, together with the antireflection functionality arising from the conformally deposited top surface of the 3D solar cell, lead to a 22% and an 11% improvement in power conversion efficiency of the nc-Si:H thin-film solar cells compared to flat cells and cells employing nanoparticle clusters, respectively. Finite-difference time-domain simulations were also carried out to confirm that the improved device performance mainly originates from the multiple plasmon resonances generated from three-dimensionally assembled nanoparticle structures.

  9. Structural Basis for Recognition of Human Enterovirus 71 by a Bivalent Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody

    PubMed Central

    Ku, Zhiqiang; Zuo, Teng; Kong, Liangliang; Zhang, Chao; Shi, Jinping; Liu, Qingwei; Chen, Tan; Zhang, Yingyi; Jiang, Wen; Zhang, Linqi; Huang, Zhong; Cong, Yao

    2016-01-01

    Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the main pathogen responsible for hand, foot and mouth disease with severe neurological complications and even death in young children. We have recently identified a highly potent anti-EV71 neutralizing monoclonal antibody, termed D5. Here we investigated the structural basis for recognition of EV71 by the antibody D5. Four three-dimensional structures of EV71 particles in complex with IgG or Fab of D5 were reconstructed by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) single particle analysis all at subnanometer resolutions. The most critical EV71 mature virion-Fab structure was resolved to a resolution of 4.8 Å, which is rare in cryo-EM studies of virus-antibody complex so far. The structures reveal a bivalent binding pattern of D5 antibody across the icosahedral 2-fold axis on mature virion, suggesting that D5 binding may rigidify virions to prevent their conformational changes required for subsequent RNA release. Moreover, we also identified that the complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) of D5 heavy chain directly interacts with the extremely conserved VP1 GH-loop of EV71, which was validated by biochemical and virological assays. We further showed that D5 is indeed able to neutralize a variety of EV71 genotypes and strains. Moreover, D5 could potently confer protection in a mouse model of EV71 infection. Since the conserved VP1 GH-loop is involved in EV71 binding with its uncoating receptor, the scavenger receptor class B, member 2 (SCARB2), the broadly neutralizing ability of D5 might attribute to its inhibition of EV71 from binding SCARB2. Altogether, our results elucidate the structural basis for the binding and neutralization of EV71 by the broadly neutralizing antibody D5, thereby enhancing our understanding of antibody-based protection against EV71 infection. PMID:26938634

  10. Correlative light and electron microscopic detection of GFP-labeled proteins using modular APEX.

    PubMed

    Ariotti, Nicholas; Hall, Thomas E; Parton, Robert G

    2017-01-01

    The use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and related proteins has revolutionized light microscopy. Here we describe a rapid and simple method to localize GFP-tagged proteins in cells and in tissues by electron microscopy (EM) using a modular approach involving a small GFP-binding peptide (GBP) fused to the ascorbate peroxidase-derived APEX2 tag. We provide a method for visualizing GFP-tagged proteins by light and EM in cultured cells and in the zebrafish using modular APEX-GBP. Furthermore, we describe in detail the benefits of this technique over many of the currently available correlative light and electron microscopy approaches and demonstrate APEX-GBP is readily applicable to modern three-dimensional techniques. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. The geometry of structural equilibrium

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    Building on a long tradition from Maxwell, Rankine, Klein and others, this paper puts forward a geometrical description of structural equilibrium which contains a procedure for the graphic analysis of stress resultants within general three-dimensional frames. The method is a natural generalization of Rankine’s reciprocal diagrams for three-dimensional trusses. The vertices and edges of dual abstract 4-polytopes are embedded within dual four-dimensional vector spaces, wherein the oriented area of generalized polygons give all six components (axial and shear forces with torsion and bending moments) of the stress resultants. The relevant quantities may be readily calculated using four-dimensional Clifford algebra. As well as giving access to frame analysis and design, the description resolves a number of long-standing problems with the incompleteness of Rankine’s description of three-dimensional trusses. Examples are given of how the procedure may be applied to structures of engineering interest, including an outline of a two-stage procedure for addressing the equilibrium of loaded gridshell rooves. PMID:28405361

  12. Learning the Cell Structures with Three-Dimensional Models: Students' Achievement by Methods, Type of School and Questions' Cognitive Level

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lazarowitz, Reuven; Naim, Raphael

    2013-08-01

    The cell topic was taught to 9th-grade students in three modes of instruction: (a) students "hands-on," who constructed three-dimensional cell organelles and macromolecules during the learning process; (b) teacher demonstration of the three-dimensional model of the cell structures; and (c) teaching the cell topic with the regular learning material in an expository mode (which use one- or two-dimensional cell structures as are presented in charts, textbooks and microscopic slides). The sample included 669, 9th-grade students from 25 classes who were taught by 22 Biology teachers. Students were randomly assigned to the three modes of instruction, and two tests in content knowledge in Biology were used. Data were treated with multiple analyses of variance. The results indicate that entry behavior in Biology was equal for all the study groups and types of schools. The "hands-on" learning group who build three-dimensional models through the learning process achieved significantly higher on academic achievements and on the high and low cognitive questions' levels than the other two groups. The study indicates the advantages students may have being actively engaged in the learning process through the "hands-on" mode of instruction/learning.

  13. Calculated and Observed Speeds of Cavitation About Two- and Three- Dimensional Bodies in Water

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1942-11-01

    yE1l0.044po ellipse of - 36 (1 - Y) 6 0 .l.Olxx 0(y) L . 6.54 Porabolo Elipe em - Cicl Y ,11p f. 2 1 - fal: Figure 1 ScinofCylinders and Bodies of...Propellers,* by E.Z. Stowell and A.F. Deming , BACA Report 526, 1935. (2) "Flow about a Pair of Adjacent, Parallel Cylinders Normal to a Stream, Theoretical

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

    Aldridge, David F.; Bartel, Lewis C.

    Program LETS calculates the electric current distribution (in space and time) along an electrically energized steel-cased geologic borehole situated within the subsurface earth. The borehole is modeled as an electrical transmission line that “leaks” current into the surrounding geology. Parameters pertinent to the transmission line current calculation (i.e., series resistance and inductance, shunt capacitance and conductance) are obtained by sampling the electromagnetic (EM) properties of a three-dimensional (3D) geologic earth model along a (possibly deviated) well track.

  15. Three-dimensional metamaterials

    DOEpatents

    Burckel, David Bruce [Albuquerque, NM

    2012-06-12

    A fabrication method is capable of creating canonical metamaterial structures arrayed in a three-dimensional geometry. The method uses a membrane suspended over a cavity with predefined pattern as a directional evaporation mask. Metallic and/or dielectric material can be evaporated at high vacuum through the patterned membrane to deposit resonator structures on the interior walls of the cavity, thereby providing a unit cell of micron-scale dimension. The method can produce volumetric metamaterial structures comprising layers of such unit cells of resonator structures.

  16. Application of ground-penetrating radar imagery for three-dimensional visualisation of near-surface structures in ice-rich permafrost, Barrow, Alaska

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Munroe, Jeffrey S.; Doolittle, James A.; Kanevskiy, Mikhail; Hinkel, Kenneth M.; Nelson, Frederick E.; Jones, Benjamin M.; Shur, Yuri; Kimble, John M.

    2007-01-01

    Three-dimensional ground-penetrating radar (3D GPR) was used to investigate the subsurface structure of ice-wedge polygons and other features of the frozen active layer and near-surface permafrost near Barrow, Alaska. Surveys were conducted at three sites located on landscapes of different geomorphic age. At each site, sediment cores were collected and characterised to aid interpretation of GPR data. At two sites, 3D GPR was able to delineate subsurface ice-wedge networks with high fidelity. Three-dimensional GPR data also revealed a fundamental difference in ice-wedge morphology between these two sites that is consistent with differences in landscape age. At a third site, the combination of two-dimensional and 3D GPR revealed the location of an active frost boil with ataxitic cryostructure. When supplemented by analysis of soil cores, 3D GPR offers considerable potential for imaging, interpreting and 3D mapping of near-surface soil and ice structures in permafrost environments.

  17. Cornea and ocular lens visualized with three-dimensional confocal microscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Masters, Barry R.

    1992-08-01

    This paper demonstrates the advantages of three-dimensional reconstruction of the cornea and the ocular crystalline lens by confocal microscopy and volume rendering computer techniques. The advantages of noninvasive observation of ocular structures in living, unstained, unfixed tissue include the following: the tissue is in a natural living state without the artifacts of fixation, mechanical sectioning, and staining; the three-dimensional structure can be observed from any view point and quantitatively analyzed; the dynamics of morphological changes can be studied; and the use of confocal microscopic observation results in a reduction of the number of animals required for ocular morphometric studies. The main advantage is that the dynamic morphology of ocular structures can be investigated in living ocular tissue. A laser scanning confocal microscope was used in the reflected light mode to obtain the two- dimensional images from the cornea and the ocular lens of a freshly enucleated rabbit eye. The light source was an argon ion laser with 488 nm wavelength. The microscope objective was a Leitz 25X, NA 0.6 water immersion lens. The 400 micron thick cornea was optically sectioned into 133, three micron sections. The semi-transparent cornea and the in-situ ocular lens was visualized as high resolution, high contrast two-dimensional images. The under sampling resulted in a three-dimensional visualization rendering in which the corneal thickness (z-axis) is compressed. The structures observed in the cornea include: superficial epithelial cells and their nuclei, basal epithelial cells and their `beaded' cell borders, basal lamina, nerve plexus, nerve fibers, free nerve endings in the basal epithelial cells, nuclei of stromal keratocytes, and endothelial cells. The structures observed in the in-situ ocular lens include: lens capsule, lens epithelial cells, and individual lens fibers.

  18. Hydroelastic behaviour of a structure exposed to an underwater explosion.

    PubMed

    Colicchio, G; Greco, M; Brocchini, M; Faltinsen, O M

    2015-01-28

    The hydroelastic interaction between an underwater explosion and an elastic plate is investigated num- erically through a domain-decomposition strategy. The three-dimensional features of the problem require a large computational effort, which is reduced through a weak coupling between a one-dimensional radial blast solver, which resolves the blast evolution far from the boundaries, and a three-dimensional compressible flow solver used where the interactions between the compression wave and the boundaries take place and the flow becomes three-dimensional. The three-dimensional flow solver at the boundaries is directly coupled with a modal structural solver that models the response of the solid boundaries like elastic plates. This enables one to simulate the fluid-structure interaction as a strong coupling, in order to capture hydroelastic effects. The method has been applied to the experimental case of Hung et al. (2005 Int. J. Impact Eng. 31, 151-168 (doi:10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2003.10.039)) with explosion and structure sufficiently far from other boundaries and successfully validated in terms of the evolution of the acceleration induced on the plate. It was also used to investigate the interaction of an underwater explosion with the bottom of a close-by ship modelled as an orthotropic plate. In the application, the acoustic phase of the fluid-structure interaction is examined, highlighting the need of the fluid-structure coupling to capture correctly the possible inception of cavitation. © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

  19. A priori motion models for four-dimensional reconstruction in gated cardiac SPECT

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

    Lalush, D.S.; Tsui, B.M.W.; Cui, Lin

    1996-12-31

    We investigate the benefit of incorporating a priori assumptions about cardiac motion in a fully four-dimensional (4D) reconstruction algorithm for gated cardiac SPECT. Previous work has shown that non-motion-specific 4D Gibbs priors enforcing smoothing in time and space can control noise while preserving resolution. In this paper, we evaluate methods for incorporating known heart motion in the Gibbs prior model. The new model is derived by assigning motion vectors to each 4D voxel, defining the movement of that volume of activity into the neighboring time frames. Weights for the Gibbs cliques are computed based on these {open_quotes}most likely{close_quotes} motion vectors.more » To evaluate, we employ the mathematical cardiac-torso (MCAT) phantom with a new dynamic heart model that simulates the beating and twisting motion of the heart. Sixteen realistically-simulated gated datasets were generated, with noise simulated to emulate a real Tl-201 gated SPECT study. Reconstructions were performed using several different reconstruction algorithms, all modeling nonuniform attenuation and three-dimensional detector response. These include ML-EM with 4D filtering, 4D MAP-EM without prior motion assumption, and 4D MAP-EM with prior motion assumptions. The prior motion assumptions included both the correct motion model and incorrect models. Results show that reconstructions using the 4D prior model can smooth noise and preserve time-domain resolution more effectively than 4D linear filters. We conclude that modeling of motion in 4D reconstruction algorithms can be a powerful tool for smoothing noise and preserving temporal resolution in gated cardiac studies.« less

  20. Three-dimensional boron particle loaded thermal neutron detector

    DOEpatents

    Nikolic, Rebecca J.; Conway, Adam M.; Graff, Robert T.; Kuntz, Joshua D.; Reinhardt, Catherine; Voss, Lars F.; Cheung, Chin Li; Heineck, Daniel

    2014-09-09

    Three-dimensional boron particle loaded thermal neutron detectors utilize neutron sensitive conversion materials in the form of nano-powders and micro-sized particles, as opposed to thin films, suspensions, paraffin, etc. More specifically, methods to infiltrate, intersperse and embed the neutron nano-powders to form two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional charge sensitive platforms are specified. The use of nano-powders enables conformal contact with the entire charge-collecting structure regardless of its shape or configuration.

  1. Conformational Flexibility and Subunit Arrangement of the Modular Yeast Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase Complex*

    PubMed Central

    Setiaputra, Dheva; Ross, James D.; Lu, Shan; Cheng, Derrick T.; Dong, Meng-Qiu; Yip, Calvin K.

    2015-01-01

    The Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex is a highly conserved, 19-subunit histone acetyltransferase complex that activates transcription through acetylation and deubiquitination of nucleosomal histones in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Because SAGA has been shown to display conformational variability, we applied gradient fixation to stabilize purified SAGA and systematically analyzed this flexibility using single-particle EM. Our two- and three-dimensional studies show that SAGA adopts three major conformations, and mutations of specific subunits affect the distribution among these. We also located the four functional modules of SAGA using electron microscopy-based labeling and transcriptional activator binding analyses and show that the acetyltransferase module is localized in the most mobile region of the complex. We further comprehensively mapped the subunit interconnectivity of SAGA using cross-linking mass spectrometry, revealing that the Spt and Taf subunits form the structural core of the complex. These results provide the necessary restraints for us to generate a model of the spatial arrangement of all SAGA subunits. According to this model, the chromatin-binding domains of SAGA are all clustered in one face of the complex that is highly flexible. Our results relate information of overall SAGA structure with detailed subunit level interactions, improving our understanding of its architecture and flexibility. PMID:25713136

  2. Three-dimensional cardiac architecture determined by two-photon microtomy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Hayden; MacGillivray, Catherine; Kwon, Hyuk-Sang; Lammerding, Jan; Robbins, Jeffrey; Lee, Richard T.; So, Peter

    2009-07-01

    Cardiac architecture is inherently three-dimensional, yet most characterizations rely on two-dimensional histological slices or dissociated cells, which remove the native geometry of the heart. We previously developed a method for labeling intact heart sections without dissociation and imaging large volumes while preserving their three-dimensional structure. We further refine this method to permit quantitative analysis of imaged sections. After data acquisition, these sections are assembled using image-processing tools, and qualitative and quantitative information is extracted. By examining the reconstructed cardiac blocks, one can observe end-to-end adjacent cardiac myocytes (cardiac strands) changing cross-sectional geometries, merging and separating from other strands. Quantitatively, representative cross-sectional areas typically used for determining hypertrophy omit the three-dimensional component; we show that taking orientation into account can significantly alter the analysis. Using fast-Fourier transform analysis, we analyze the gross organization of cardiac strands in three dimensions. By characterizing cardiac structure in three dimensions, we are able to determine that the α crystallin mutation leads to hypertrophy with cross-sectional area increases, but not necessarily via changes in fiber orientation distribution.

  3. Three-dimensional coherent X-ray diffractive imaging of whole frozen-hydrated cells

    PubMed Central

    Rodriguez, Jose A.; Xu, Rui; Chen, Chien-Chun; Huang, Zhifeng; Jiang, Huaidong; Chen, Allan L.; Raines, Kevin S.; Pryor Jr, Alan; Nam, Daewoong; Wiegart, Lutz; Song, Changyong; Madsen, Anders; Chushkin, Yuriy; Zontone, Federico; Bradley, Peter J.; Miao, Jianwei

    2015-01-01

    A structural understanding of whole cells in three dimensions at high spatial resolution remains a significant challenge and, in the case of X-rays, has been limited by radiation damage. By alleviating this limitation, cryogenic coherent diffractive imaging (cryo-CDI) can in principle be used to bridge the important resolution gap between optical and electron microscopy in bio-imaging. Here, the first experimental demonstration of cryo-CDI for quantitative three-dimensional imaging of whole frozen-hydrated cells using 8 keV X-rays is reported. As a proof of principle, a tilt series of 72 diffraction patterns was collected from a frozen-hydrated Neospora caninum cell and the three-dimensional mass density of the cell was reconstructed and quantified based on its natural contrast. This three-dimensional reconstruction reveals the surface and internal morphology of the cell, including its complex polarized sub-cellular structure. It is believed that this work represents an experimental milestone towards routine quantitative three-dimensional imaging of whole cells in their natural state with spatial resolutions in the tens of nanometres. PMID:26306199

  4. Face and content validation of a novel three-dimensional printed temporal bone for surgical skills development.

    PubMed

    Da Cruz, M J; Francis, H W

    2015-07-01

    To assess the face and content validity of a novel synthetic, three-dimensional printed temporal bone for surgical skills development and training. A synthetic temporal bone was printed using composite materials and three-dimensional printing technology. Surgical trainees were asked to complete three structured temporal bone dissection exercises. Attitudes and impressions were then assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Previous cadaver and real operating experiences were used as a reference. Trainees' experiences of the synthetic temporal bone were analysed in terms of four domains: anatomical realism, usefulness as a training tool, task-based usefulness and overall reactions. Responses across all domains indicated a high degree of acceptance, suggesting that the three-dimensional printed temporal bone was a useful tool in skills development. A sophisticated three-dimensional printed temporal bone that demonstrates face and content validity was developed. The efficiency in cost savings coupled with low associated biohazards make it likely that the printed temporal bone will be incorporated into traditional temporal bone skills development programmes in the near future.

  5. Three-dimensional coherent X-ray diffractive imaging of whole frozen-hydrated cells

    DOE PAGES

    Rodriguez, Jose A.; Xu, Rui; Chen, Chien -Chun; ...

    2015-09-01

    Here, a structural understanding of whole cells in three dimensions at high spatial resolution remains a significant challenge and, in the case of X-rays, has been limited by radiation damage. By alleviating this limitation, cryogenic coherent diffractive imaging (cryo-CDI) can in principle be used to bridge the important resolution gap between optical and electron microscopy in bio-imaging. Here, the first experimental demonstration of cryo-CDI for quantitative three-dimensional imaging of whole frozen-hydrated cells using 8 Kev X-rays is reported. As a proof of principle, a tilt series of 72 diffraction patterns was collected from a frozen-hydrated Neospora caninum cell and themore » three-dimensional mass density of the cell was reconstructed and quantified based on its natural contrast. This three-dimensional reconstruction reveals the surface and internal morphology of the cell, including its complex polarized sub-cellular structure. Finally, it is believed that this work represents an experimental milestone towards routine quantitative three-dimensional imaging of whole cells in their natural state with spatial resolutions in the tens of nanometres.« less

  6. Three-dimensional coherent X-ray diffractive imaging of whole frozen-hydrated cells.

    PubMed

    Rodriguez, Jose A; Xu, Rui; Chen, Chien-Chun; Huang, Zhifeng; Jiang, Huaidong; Chen, Allan L; Raines, Kevin S; Pryor, Alan; Nam, Daewoong; Wiegart, Lutz; Song, Changyong; Madsen, Anders; Chushkin, Yuriy; Zontone, Federico; Bradley, Peter J; Miao, Jianwei

    2015-09-01

    A structural understanding of whole cells in three dimensions at high spatial resolution remains a significant challenge and, in the case of X-rays, has been limited by radiation damage. By alleviating this limitation, cryogenic coherent diffractive imaging (cryo-CDI) can in principle be used to bridge the important resolution gap between optical and electron microscopy in bio-imaging. Here, the first experimental demonstration of cryo-CDI for quantitative three-dimensional imaging of whole frozen-hydrated cells using 8 keV X-rays is reported. As a proof of principle, a tilt series of 72 diffraction patterns was collected from a frozen-hydrated Neospora caninum cell and the three-dimensional mass density of the cell was reconstructed and quantified based on its natural contrast. This three-dimensional reconstruction reveals the surface and internal morphology of the cell, including its complex polarized sub-cellular structure. It is believed that this work represents an experimental milestone towards routine quantitative three-dimensional imaging of whole cells in their natural state with spatial resolutions in the tens of nanometres.

  7. Photodeposition Method For Fabricating A Three-Dimensional, Patterned Polymer Microstructure

    DOEpatents

    Walt, David R.; Healey, Brian G.

    2001-03-13

    The present invention is a photodeposition methodology for fabricating a three-dimensional patterned polymer microstructure. A variety of polymeric structures can be fabricated on solid substrates using unitary fiber optic arrays for light delivery. The methodology allows micrometer-scale photopatterning for the fabricated structures using masks substantially larger than the desired dimensions of the microstructure.

  8. Electron tomography and computer visualisation of a three-dimensional 'photonic' crystal in a butterfly wing-scale.

    PubMed

    Argyros, A; Manos, S; Large, M C J; McKenzie, D R; Cox, G C; Dwarte, D M

    2002-01-01

    A combination of transmission electron tomography and computer modelling has been used to determine the three-dimensional structure of the photonic crystals found in the wing-scales of the Kaiser-I-Hind butterfly (Teinopalpus imperialis). These scales presented challenges for electron microscopy because the periodicity of the structure was comparable to the thickness of a section and because of the complex connectivity of the object. The structure obtained has been confirmed by taking slices of the three-dimensional computer model constructed from the tomography and comparing these with transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of microtomed sections of the actual scale. The crystal was found to have chiral tetrahedral repeating units packed in a triclinic lattice.

  9. Structure of turbulence in three-dimensional boundary layers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Subramanian, Chelakara S.

    1993-01-01

    This report provides an overview of the three dimensional turbulent boundary layer concepts and of the currently available experimental information for their turbulence modeling. It is found that more reliable turbulence data, especially of the Reynolds stress transport terms, is needed to improve the existing modeling capabilities. An experiment is proposed to study the three dimensional boundary layer formed by a 'sink flow' in a fully developed two dimensional turbulent boundary layer. Also, the mean and turbulence field measurement procedure using a three component laser Doppler velocimeter is described.

  10. Microfabrication and Test of a Three-Dimensional Polymer Hydro-focusing Unit for Flow Cytometry Applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yang, Ren; Feeback, Daniel L.; Wang, Wan-Jun

    2005-01-01

    This paper details a novel three-dimensional (3D) hydro-focusing micro cell sorter for micro flow cytometry applications. The unit was microfabricated by means of SU-8 3D lithography. The 3D microstructure for coaxial sheathing was designed, microfabricated, and tested. Three-dimensional hydrofocusing capability was demonstrated with an experiment to sort labeled tanned sheep erythrocytes (red blood cells). This polymer hydro-focusing microstructure is easily microfabricated and integrated with other polymer microfluidic structures. Keywords: SU-8, three-dimensional hydro-focusing, microfluidic, microchannel, cytometer

  11. Three-dimensional macro-structures of two-dimensional nanomaterials.

    PubMed

    Shehzad, Khurram; Xu, Yang; Gao, Chao; Duan, Xiangfeng

    2016-10-21

    If two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials are ever to be utilized as components of practical, macroscopic devices on a large scale, there is a complementary need to controllably assemble these 2D building blocks into more sophisticated and hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) architectures. Such a capability is key to design and build complex, functional devices with tailored properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the various experimental strategies currently used to fabricate the 3D macro-structures of 2D nanomaterials. Additionally, various approaches for the decoration of the 3D macro-structures with organic molecules, polymers, and inorganic materials are reviewed. Finally, we discuss the applications of 3D macro-structures, especially in the areas of energy, environment, sensing, and electronics, and describe the existing challenges and the outlook for this fast emerging field.

  12. Applications to car bodies - Generalized layout design of three-dimensional shells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fukushima, Junichi; Suzuki, Katsuyuki; Kikuchi, Noboru

    1993-01-01

    We shall describe applications of the homogenization method, formulated in Part 1, to design layout of car bodies represented by three-dimensional shell structures based on a multi-loading optimization.

  13. [Three-dimensional finite element study on the change of glossopharyngeum in patient with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome during titrated mandible advancement].

    PubMed

    Yang, Suixing; Feng, Jing; Zhang, Zuo; Qu, Aili; Gong, Miao; Tang, Jie; Fan, Junheng; Li, Songqing; Zhao, Yanling

    2013-04-01

    To construct a three-dimensional finite element model of the upper airway and adjacent structure of an obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patient for biomechanical analysis. And to study the influence of glossopharyngeum of an OSAHS patient with three-dimensional finite element model during titrated mandible advancement. DICOM format image information of an OSAHS patient's upper airway was obtained by thin-section CT scanning and digital image processing were utilized to construct a three-dimensional finite element model by Mimics 10.0, Imageware 10.0 and Ansys software. The changes and the law of glossopharyngeum were observed by biomechanics and morphology after loading with titrated mandible advancement. A three-dimensional finite element model of the adjacent upper airway structure of OSAHS was established successfully. After loading, the transverse diameter of epiglottis tip of glossopharyngeum increased significantly, although the sagittal diameter decreased correspondingly. The principal stress was mainly distributed in anterior wall of the upper airway. The location of principal stress concentration did not change significantly with the increasing of distance. The stress of glossopharyngeum increased during titrated mandible advancement. A more precise three-dimensional finite model of upper airway and adjacent structure of an OSAHS patient is established and improved efficiency by Mimics, Imageware and Ansys software. The glossopharyngeum of finite element model of OSAHS is analyzed by titrated mandible advancement and can effectively show the relationship between mandible advancement and the glossopharyngeum.

  14. On the three dimensional structure of stratospheric material transport associated with various types of waves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kinoshita, T.; Sato, K.

    2016-12-01

    The Transformed Eulerian-Mean (TEM) equations were derived by Andrews and McIntyre (1976, 1978) and have been widely used to examine wave-mean flow interaction in the meridional cross section. According to previous studies, the Brewer-Dobson circulation in the stratosphere is driven by planetary waves, baroclinic waves, and inertia-gravity waves, and that the meridional circulation from the summer hemisphere to the winter hemisphere in the mesosphere is mainly driven by gravity waves (e.g., Garcia and Boville 1994; Plumb and Semeniuk 2003; Watanabe et al. 2008; Okamoto et al. 2011). However, the TEM equations do not provide the three-dimensional view of the transport, so that the three dimensional TEM equations have been formulated (Hoskins et al. 1983, Trenberth 1986, Plumb 1985, 1986, Takaya and Nakamura 1997, 2001, Miyahara 2006, Kinoshita et al. 2010, Noda 2010, Kinoshita and Sato 2013a, b, and Noda 2014). On the other hand, the TEM equations cannot properly treat the lower boundary and unstable waves. The Mass-weighted Isentropic Mean (MIM) equations derived by Iwasaki (1989, 1990) are the equations that overcome those problems and the formulation of three-dimensional MIM equations have been studied. The present study applies the three-dimensional TEM and MIM equations to the ERA-Interim reanalysis data and examines the climatological character of three-dimensional structure of Stratospheric Brewer-Dobson circulation. Next, we will discuss how to treat the flow associated with spatial structure of stationary waves.

  15. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > About OER > Strategic Plan

    Science.gov Websites

    Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Locations Strategic Plan Media News Room OER Symposium Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Strategic Plan Home About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff

  16. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > About OER > Overview

    Science.gov Websites

    Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Locations Strategic Plan Media News Room OER Symposium Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Overview Home About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and

  17. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > About OER > Organization >

    Science.gov Websites

    Organizational Structure Saturday, May 26, 2018 THIS WEBSITE IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED OR About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Overview Website & Social Media News Room OER Symposium Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map

  18. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > About OER > Contact Us

    Science.gov Websites

    Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Locations Strategic Plan Media News Room OER Symposium Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Contact Us Home About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff

  19. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > About OER > Program Review

    Science.gov Websites

    Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Locations Strategic Plan Media News Room OER Symposium Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Program Review Home About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of

  20. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > About OER > Organization > Map of

    Science.gov Websites

    About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Overview Website & Social Media News Room OER Symposium Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate

  1. Three-dimensional periodic dielectric structures having photonic Dirac points

    DOEpatents

    Bravo-Abad, Jorge; Joannopoulos, John D.; Soljacic, Marin

    2015-06-02

    The dielectric, three-dimensional photonic materials disclosed herein feature Dirac-like dispersion in quasi-two-dimensional systems. Embodiments include a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure formed by alternating layers of dielectric rods and dielectric slabs patterned with holes on respective triangular lattices. This fcc structure also includes a defect layer, which may comprise either dielectric rods or a dielectric slab with patterned with holes. This defect layer introduces Dirac cone dispersion into the fcc structure's photonic band structure. Examples of these fcc structures enable enhancement of the spontaneous emission coupling efficiency (the .beta.-factor) over large areas, contrary to the conventional wisdom that the .beta.-factor degrades as the system's size increases. These results enable large-area, low-threshold lasers; single-photon sources; quantum information processing devices; and energy harvesting systems.

  2. Facilities | Buildings | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    state-of-the-art and unique equipment for analyzing a wide spectrum of building energy efficiency building's energy use and make adjustments. Low-Energy Parking Structure Photo of the parking structure on structure in February 2012. The structure's estimated energy use is 42 kilowatt-hours per parking stall

  3. Studies of the structure-activity relationships of peptides and proteins involved in growth and development based on their three-dimensional structures.

    PubMed

    Nagata, Koji

    2010-01-01

    Peptides and proteins with similar amino acid sequences can have different biological functions. Knowledge of their three-dimensional molecular structures is critically important in identifying their functional determinants. In this review, I describe the results of our and other groups' structure-based functional characterization of insect insulin-like peptides, a crustacean hyperglycemic hormone-family peptide, a mammalian epidermal growth factor-family protein, and an intracellular signaling domain that recognizes proline-rich sequence.

  4. Three-dimensional reconstruction of single-cell chromosome structure using recurrence plots.

    PubMed

    Hirata, Yoshito; Oda, Arisa; Ohta, Kunihiro; Aihara, Kazuyuki

    2016-10-11

    Single-cell analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) chromosome structure can reveal cell-to-cell variability in genome activities. Here, we propose to apply recurrence plots, a mathematical method of nonlinear time series analysis, to reconstruct the 3D chromosome structure of a single cell based on information of chromosomal contacts from genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. This recurrence plot-based reconstruction (RPR) method enables rapid reconstruction of a unique structure in single cells, even from incomplete Hi-C information.

  5. Three-dimensional reconstruction of single-cell chromosome structure using recurrence plots

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hirata, Yoshito; Oda, Arisa; Ohta, Kunihiro; Aihara, Kazuyuki

    2016-10-01

    Single-cell analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) chromosome structure can reveal cell-to-cell variability in genome activities. Here, we propose to apply recurrence plots, a mathematical method of nonlinear time series analysis, to reconstruct the 3D chromosome structure of a single cell based on information of chromosomal contacts from genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. This recurrence plot-based reconstruction (RPR) method enables rapid reconstruction of a unique structure in single cells, even from incomplete Hi-C information.

  6. Dorello's Canal for Laymen: A Lego-Like Presentation.

    PubMed

    Ezer, Haim; Banerjee, Anirban Deep; Thakur, Jai Deep; Nanda, Anil

    2012-06-01

    Objective Dorello's canal was first described by Gruber in 1859, and later by Dorello. Vail also described the anatomy of Dorello's canal. In the preceding century, Dorello's canal was clinically important, in understanding sixth nerve palsy and nowadays it is mostly important for skull base surgery. The understanding of the three dimensional anatomy, of this canal is very difficult to understand, and there is no simple explanation for its anatomy and its relationship with adjacent structures. We present a simple, Lego-like, presentation of Dorello's canal, in a stepwise manner. Materials and Methods Dorello's canal was dissected in five formalin-fixed cadaver specimens (10 sides). The craniotomy was performed, while preserving the neural and vascular structures associated with the canal. A 3D model was created, to explain the canal's anatomy. Results Using the petrous pyramid, the sixth nerve, the cavernous sinus, the trigeminal ganglion, the petorclival ligament and the posterior clinoid, the three-dimensional structure of Dorello's canal was defined. This simple representation aids in understanding the three dimensional relationship of Dorello's canal to its neighboring structures. Conclusion Dorello's canal with its three dimensional structure and relationship to its neighboring anatomical structures could be reconstructed using a few anatomical building blocks. This method simplifies the understanding of this complex anatomical structure, and could be used for teaching purposes for aspiring neurosurgeons, and anatomy students.

  7. Dorello's Canal for Laymen: A Lego-Like Presentation

    PubMed Central

    Ezer, Haim; Banerjee, Anirban Deep; Thakur, Jai Deep; Nanda, Anil

    2012-01-01

    Objective Dorello's canal was first described by Gruber in 1859, and later by Dorello. Vail also described the anatomy of Dorello's canal. In the preceding century, Dorello's canal was clinically important, in understanding sixth nerve palsy and nowadays it is mostly important for skull base surgery. The understanding of the three dimensional anatomy, of this canal is very difficult to understand, and there is no simple explanation for its anatomy and its relationship with adjacent structures. We present a simple, Lego-like, presentation of Dorello's canal, in a stepwise manner. Materials and Methods Dorello's canal was dissected in five formalin-fixed cadaver specimens (10 sides). The craniotomy was performed, while preserving the neural and vascular structures associated with the canal. A 3D model was created, to explain the canal's anatomy. Results Using the petrous pyramid, the sixth nerve, the cavernous sinus, the trigeminal ganglion, the petorclival ligament and the posterior clinoid, the three-dimensional structure of Dorello's canal was defined. This simple representation aids in understanding the three dimensional relationship of Dorello's canal to its neighboring structures. Conclusion Dorello's canal with its three dimensional structure and relationship to its neighboring anatomical structures could be reconstructed using a few anatomical building blocks. This method simplifies the understanding of this complex anatomical structure, and could be used for teaching purposes for aspiring neurosurgeons, and anatomy students. PMID:23730547

  8. RNA-Puzzles: A CASP-like evaluation of RNA three-dimensional structure prediction

    PubMed Central

    Cruz, José Almeida; Blanchet, Marc-Frédérick; Boniecki, Michal; Bujnicki, Janusz M.; Chen, Shi-Jie; Cao, Song; Das, Rhiju; Ding, Feng; Dokholyan, Nikolay V.; Flores, Samuel Coulbourn; Huang, Lili; Lavender, Christopher A.; Lisi, Véronique; Major, François; Mikolajczak, Katarzyna; Patel, Dinshaw J.; Philips, Anna; Puton, Tomasz; Santalucia, John; Sijenyi, Fredrick; Hermann, Thomas; Rother, Kristian; Rother, Magdalena; Serganov, Alexander; Skorupski, Marcin; Soltysinski, Tomasz; Sripakdeevong, Parin; Tuszynska, Irina; Weeks, Kevin M.; Waldsich, Christina; Wildauer, Michael; Leontis, Neocles B.; Westhof, Eric

    2012-01-01

    We report the results of a first, collective, blind experiment in RNA three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction, encompassing three prediction puzzles. The goals are to assess the leading edge of RNA structure prediction techniques; compare existing methods and tools; and evaluate their relative strengths, weaknesses, and limitations in terms of sequence length and structural complexity. The results should give potential users insight into the suitability of available methods for different applications and facilitate efforts in the RNA structure prediction community in ongoing efforts to improve prediction tools. We also report the creation of an automated evaluation pipeline to facilitate the analysis of future RNA structure prediction exercises. PMID:22361291

  9. Investigating ethnic minorities' perceptions of safety climate in the construction industry.

    PubMed

    Chan, Albert P C; Wong, Francis K W; Hon, Carol K H; Lyu, Sainan; Javed, Arshad Ali

    2017-12-01

    An increasing number of ethnic minorities (EMs) have been employed in the construction industry to alleviate severe labor shortages in many countries. Unfortunately, statistics show that EMs have higher fatal and non-fatal occupational injury rates than their local counterparts. However, EMs are often underrepresented in safety climate (SC) research as they are difficult to reach and gauge their perception. A positive relationship has been widely found between SC and safety performance. Understanding the safety perceptions of EMs helps to reduce injuries and improve their safety performance. Based on a sample of 320 EMs from 20 companies in the construction industry, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to identify the SC factors of EMs, and validate the extracted factors, respectively. Multivariate analysis of variance was undertaken to examine mean differences in perceptions of SC by personal characteristics. Three SC factors for EMs encapsulating 16 variables were identified through EFA. The hypothesized CFA model for a three-factor structure derived from EFA showed a satisfactory goodness-of-fit, composite reliability, and construct validity. Three SC factors were identified, namely: (a) safety management commitment, safety resources, and safety communication; (b) employee's involvement and workmate's influence; and (c) perception of safety rules, procedures and risks. The perceptions of SC differed significantly by nationality, marital status, the number of family members supported, and drinking habit. This study reveals the perception of EMs toward SC. The findings highlight the areas for safety improvement and provide leading indicators for safety performance of EMs. The findings are also enlightening for countries with a number of EMs, such as the United Sates, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  10. Deanne W. Sammond | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Interactions," Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics (2009) "Structure-Based Protocol for from left to right with several dots of multiple colors. "Cellulase Linkers Are Optimized Based on the Sequence and Structure of a Protein-Binding Peptide," Journal of the American Chemical

  11. Scalability of surrogate-assisted multi-objective optimization of antenna structures exploiting variable-fidelity electromagnetic simulation models

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koziel, Slawomir; Bekasiewicz, Adrian

    2016-10-01

    Multi-objective optimization of antenna structures is a challenging task owing to the high computational cost of evaluating the design objectives as well as the large number of adjustable parameters. Design speed-up can be achieved by means of surrogate-based optimization techniques. In particular, a combination of variable-fidelity electromagnetic (EM) simulations, design space reduction techniques, response surface approximation models and design refinement methods permits identification of the Pareto-optimal set of designs within a reasonable timeframe. Here, a study concerning the scalability of surrogate-assisted multi-objective antenna design is carried out based on a set of benchmark problems, with the dimensionality of the design space ranging from six to 24 and a CPU cost of the EM antenna model from 10 to 20 min per simulation. Numerical results indicate that the computational overhead of the design process increases more or less quadratically with the number of adjustable geometric parameters of the antenna structure at hand, which is a promising result from the point of view of handling even more complex problems.

  12. Structural dynamics of ribosome subunit association studied by mixing-spraying time-resolved cryo-EM

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Bo; Kaledhonkar, Sandip; Sun, Ming; Shen, Bingxin; Lu, Zonghuan; Barnard, David; Lu, Toh-Ming; Gonzalez, Ruben L.; Frank, Joachim

    2015-01-01

    Ribosomal subunit association is a key checkpoint in translation initiation, but its structural dynamics are poorly understood. Here, we used a recently developed mixing-spraying, time-resolved, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) method to study ribosomal subunit association in the sub-second time range. We have improved this method and increased the cryo-EM data yield by tenfold. Pre-equilibrium states of the association reaction were captured by reacting the mixture of ribosomal subunits for 60 ms and 140 ms. We also identified three distinct ribosome conformations in the associated ribosomes. The observed proportions of these conformations are the same in these two time points, suggesting that ribosomes equilibrate among the three conformations within less than 60 ms upon formation. Our results demonstrate that the mixing-spraying method can capture multiple states of macromolecules during a sub-second reaction. Other fast processes, such as translation initiation, decoding and ribosome recycling, are amenable to study with this method. PMID:26004440

  13. Three-dimensional spiral CT during arterial portography: comparison of three rendering techniques.

    PubMed

    Heath, D G; Soyer, P A; Kuszyk, B S; Bliss, D F; Calhoun, P S; Bluemke, D A; Choti, M A; Fishman, E K

    1995-07-01

    The three most common techniques for three-dimensional reconstruction are surface rendering, maximum-intensity projection (MIP), and volume rendering. Surface-rendering algorithms model objects as collections of geometric primitives that are displayed with surface shading. The MIP algorithm renders an image by selecting the voxel with the maximum intensity signal along a line extended from the viewer's eye through the data volume. Volume-rendering algorithms sum the weighted contributions of all voxels along the line. Each technique has advantages and shortcomings that must be considered during selection of one for a specific clinical problem and during interpretation of the resulting images. With surface rendering, sharp-edged, clear three-dimensional reconstruction can be completed on modest computer systems; however, overlapping structures cannot be visualized and artifacts are a problem. MIP is computationally a fast technique, but it does not allow depiction of overlapping structures, and its images are three-dimensionally ambiguous unless depth cues are provided. Both surface rendering and MIP use less than 10% of the image data. In contrast, volume rendering uses nearly all of the data, allows demonstration of overlapping structures, and engenders few artifacts, but it requires substantially more computer power than the other techniques.

  14. Nonlinear geometric scaling of coercivity in a three-dimensional nanoscale analog of spin ice

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shishkin, I. S.; Mistonov, A. A.; Dubitskiy, I. S.; Grigoryeva, N. A.; Menzel, D.; Grigoriev, S. V.

    2016-08-01

    Magnetization hysteresis loops of a three-dimensional nanoscale analog of spin ice based on the nickel inverse opal-like structure (IOLS) have been studied at room temperature. The samples are produced by filling nickel into the voids of artificial opal-like films. The spin ice behavior is induced by tetrahedral elements within the IOLS, which have the same arrangement of magnetic moments as a spin ice. The thickness of the films vary from a two-dimensional, i.e., single-layered, antidot array to a three-dimensional, i.e., multilayered, structure. The coercive force, the saturation, and the irreversibility field have been measured in dependence of the thickness of the IOLS for in-plane and out-of-plane applied fields. The irreversibility and saturation fields change abruptly from the antidot array to the three-dimensional IOLS and remain constant upon further increase of the number of layers n . The coercive force Hc seems to increase logarithmically with increasing n as Hc=Hc 0+α ln(n +1 ) . The logarithmic law implies the avalanchelike remagnetization of anisotropic structural elements connecting tetrahedral and cubic nodes in the IOLS. We conclude that the "ice rule" is the base of mechanism regulating this process.

  15. Evaluation of sequence alignments and oligonucleotide probes with respect to three-dimensional structure of ribosomal RNA using ARB software package

    PubMed Central

    Kumar, Yadhu; Westram, Ralf; Kipfer, Peter; Meier, Harald; Ludwig, Wolfgang

    2006-01-01

    Background Availability of high-resolution RNA crystal structures for the 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits and the subsequent validation of comparative secondary structure models have prompted the biologists to use three-dimensional structure of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) for evaluating sequence alignments of rRNA genes. Furthermore, the secondary and tertiary structural features of rRNA are highly useful and successfully employed in designing rRNA targeted oligonucleotide probes intended for in situ hybridization experiments. RNA3D, a program to combine sequence alignment information with three-dimensional structure of rRNA was developed. Integration into ARB software package, which is used extensively by the scientific community for phylogenetic analysis and molecular probe designing, has substantially extended the functionality of ARB software suite with 3D environment. Results Three-dimensional structure of rRNA is visualized in OpenGL 3D environment with the abilities to change the display and overlay information onto the molecule, dynamically. Phylogenetic information derived from the multiple sequence alignments can be overlaid onto the molecule structure in a real time. Superimposition of both statistical and non-statistical sequence associated information onto the rRNA 3D structure can be done using customizable color scheme, which is also applied to a textual sequence alignment for reference. Oligonucleotide probes designed by ARB probe design tools can be mapped onto the 3D structure along with the probe accessibility models for evaluation with respect to secondary and tertiary structural conformations of rRNA. Conclusion Visualization of three-dimensional structure of rRNA in an intuitive display provides the biologists with the greater possibilities to carry out structure based phylogenetic analysis. Coupled with secondary structure models of rRNA, RNA3D program aids in validating the sequence alignments of rRNA genes and evaluating probe target sites. Superimposition of the information derived from the multiple sequence alignment onto the molecule dynamically allows the researchers to observe any sequence inherited characteristics (phylogenetic information) in real-time environment. The extended ARB software package is made freely available for the scientific community via . PMID:16672074

  16. Impedance Eduction in Sound Fields With Peripherally Varying Liners and Flow

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

    2015-01-01

    A two-dimensional impedance eduction theory is extended to three-dimensional sound fields and peripherally varying duct liners. The approach is to first measure the acoustic pressure field at a series of flush-mounted wall microphones located around the periphery of the flow duct. The numerical solution for the acoustic pressure field at these microphones is also obtained by solving the three-dimensional convected Helmholtz equation using the finite element method. A quadratic objective function based on the difference between the measured and finite element solution is constructed and the unknown impedance function is obtained by minimizing this objective function. Impedance spectra educed for two uniform-structure liners (a wire-mesh and a conventional liner) and a hard-soft-hard peripherally varying liner (for which the soft segment is that of the conventional liner) are presented. Results are presented at three mean flow Mach numbers and fourteen sound source frequencies. The impedance spectra of the uniform-structure liners are also computed using a two-dimensional impedance eduction theory. The primary conclusions of the study are: 1) when measured data is used with the uniform-structure liners, the three-dimensional theory reproduces the same impedance spectra as the two-dimensional theory except for frequencies corresponding to very low or very high liner attenuation; and 2) good agreement between the educed impedance spectra of the uniform structure conventional liner and the soft segment of the peripherally varying liner is obtained.

  17. Bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization for strut-and-tie modelling of three-dimensional structural concrete

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shobeiri, Vahid; Ahmadi-Nedushan, Behrouz

    2017-12-01

    This article presents a method for the automatic generation of optimal strut-and-tie models in reinforced concrete structures using a bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization method. The methodology presented is developed for compliance minimization relying on the Abaqus finite element software package. The proposed approach deals with the generation of truss-like designs in a three-dimensional environment, addressing the design of corbels and joints as well as bridge piers and pile caps. Several three-dimensional examples are provided to show the capabilities of the proposed framework in finding optimal strut-and-tie models in reinforced concrete structures and verifying its efficiency to cope with torsional actions. Several issues relating to the use of the topology optimization for strut-and-tie modelling of structural concrete, such as chequerboard patterns, mesh-dependency and multiple load cases, are studied. In the last example, a design procedure for detailing and dimensioning of the strut-and-tie models is given according to the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318-08 provisions.

  18. Full-physics 3D heterogeneous simulations of electromagnetic induction fields on level and deformed sea ice

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

    Samluk, Jesse P.; Geiger, Cathleen A.; Weiss, Chester J.

    In this article we explore simulated responses of electromagnetic (EM) signals relative to in situ field surveys and quantify the effects that different values of conductivity in sea ice have on the EM fields. We compute EM responses of ice types with a three-dimensional (3-D) finite-volume discretization of Maxwell's equations and present 2-D sliced visualizations of their associated EM fields at discrete frequencies. Several interesting observations result: First, since the simulator computes the fields everywhere, each gridcell acts as a receiver within the model volume, and captures the complete, coupled interactions between air, snow, sea ice and sea water asmore » a function of their conductivity; second, visualizations demonstrate how 1-D approximations near deformed ice features are violated. But the most important new finding is that changes in conductivity affect EM field response by modifying the magnitude and spatial patterns (i.e. footprint size and shape) of current density and magnetic fields. These effects are demonstrated through a visual feature we define as 'null lines'. Null line shape is affected by changes in conductivity near material boundaries as well as transmitter location. Our results encourage the use of null lines as a planning tool for better ground-truth field measurements near deformed ice types.« less

  19. Full-physics 3D heterogeneous simulations of electromagnetic induction fields on level and deformed sea ice

    DOE PAGES

    Samluk, Jesse P.; Geiger, Cathleen A.; Weiss, Chester J.; ...

    2015-10-01

    In this article we explore simulated responses of electromagnetic (EM) signals relative to in situ field surveys and quantify the effects that different values of conductivity in sea ice have on the EM fields. We compute EM responses of ice types with a three-dimensional (3-D) finite-volume discretization of Maxwell's equations and present 2-D sliced visualizations of their associated EM fields at discrete frequencies. Several interesting observations result: First, since the simulator computes the fields everywhere, each gridcell acts as a receiver within the model volume, and captures the complete, coupled interactions between air, snow, sea ice and sea water asmore » a function of their conductivity; second, visualizations demonstrate how 1-D approximations near deformed ice features are violated. But the most important new finding is that changes in conductivity affect EM field response by modifying the magnitude and spatial patterns (i.e. footprint size and shape) of current density and magnetic fields. These effects are demonstrated through a visual feature we define as 'null lines'. Null line shape is affected by changes in conductivity near material boundaries as well as transmitter location. Our results encourage the use of null lines as a planning tool for better ground-truth field measurements near deformed ice types.« less

  20. Vladimir V. Lunin | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Protein crystallization X-ray diffraction data collection Protein structure determination Obtaining structures of protein-ligand complexes Site-directed mutagenesis Structure-function relationship Enzymatic CelA," Science (2013) "Sequence, Structure, and Evolution of Cellulases in Glycoside

  1. Depth-enhanced three-dimensional-two-dimensional convertible display based on modified integral imaging.

    PubMed

    Park, Jae-Hyeung; Kim, Hak-Rin; Kim, Yunhee; Kim, Joohwan; Hong, Jisoo; Lee, Sin-Doo; Lee, Byoungho

    2004-12-01

    A depth-enhanced three-dimensional-two-dimensional convertible display that uses a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal based on the principle of integral imaging is proposed. In the proposed method, a lens array is located behind a transmission-type display panel to form an array of point-light sources, and a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal is electrically controlled to pass or to scatter light coming from these point-light sources. Therefore, three-dimensional-two-dimensional conversion is accomplished electrically without any mechanical movement. Moreover, the nonimaging structure of the proposed method increases the expressible depth range considerably. We explain the method of operation and present experimental results.

  2. Google Earth Mapping Exercises for Structural Geology Students--A Promising Intervention for Improving Penetrative Visualization Ability

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Giorgis, Scott

    2015-01-01

    Three-dimensional thinking skills are extremely useful for geoscientists, and at the undergraduate level, these skills are often emphasized in structural geology courses. Google Earth is a powerful tool for visualizing the three-dimensional nature of data collected on the surface of Earth. The results of a 5 y pre- and posttest study of the…

  3. Computer program determines vibration in three-dimensional space of hydraulic lines excited by forced displacements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dodge, W. G.

    1968-01-01

    Computer program determines the forced vibration in three dimensional space of a multiple degree of freedom beam type structural system. Provision is made for the longitudinal axis of the analytical model to change orientation at any point along its length. This program is used by industries in which structural design dynamic analyses are performed.

  4. Three-dimensional flow visualization and vorticity dynamics in revolving wings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cheng, Bo; Sane, Sanjay P.; Barbera, Giovanni; Troolin, Daniel R.; Strand, Tyson; Deng, Xinyan

    2013-01-01

    We investigated the three-dimensional vorticity dynamics of the flows generated by revolving wings using a volumetric 3-component velocimetry system. The three-dimensional velocity and vorticity fields were represented with respect to the base axes of rotating Cartesian reference frames, and the second invariant of the velocity gradient was evaluated and used as a criterion to identify two core vortex structures. The first structure was a composite of leading, trailing, and tip-edge vortices attached to the wing edges, whereas the second structure was a strong tip vortex tilted from leading-edge vortices and shed into the wake together with the vorticity generated at the tip edge. Using the fundamental vorticity equation, we evaluated the convection, stretching, and tilting of vorticity in the rotating wing frame to understand the generation and evolution of vorticity. Based on these data, we propose that the vorticity generated at the leading edge is carried away by strong tangential flow into the wake and travels downwards with the induced downwash. The convection by spanwise flow is comparatively negligible. The three-dimensional flow in the wake also exhibits considerable vortex tilting and stretching. Together these data underscore the complex and interconnected vortical structures and dynamics generated by revolving wings.

  5. Imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction of chemical groups inside a protein complex using atomic force microscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Duckhoe; Sahin, Ozgur

    2015-03-01

    Scanning probe microscopes can be used to image and chemically characterize surfaces down to the atomic scale. However, the localized tip-sample interactions in scanning probe microscopes limit high-resolution images to the topmost atomic layer of surfaces, and characterizing the inner structures of materials and biomolecules is a challenge for such instruments. Here, we show that an atomic force microscope can be used to image and three-dimensionally reconstruct chemical groups inside a protein complex. We use short single-stranded DNAs as imaging labels that are linked to target regions inside a protein complex, and T-shaped atomic force microscope cantilevers functionalized with complementary probe DNAs allow the labels to be located with sequence specificity and subnanometre resolution. After measuring pairwise distances between labels, we reconstruct the three-dimensional structure formed by the target chemical groups within the protein complex using simple geometric calculations. Experiments with the biotin-streptavidin complex show that the predicted three-dimensional loci of the carboxylic acid groups of biotins are within 2 Å of their respective loci in the corresponding crystal structure, suggesting that scanning probe microscopes could complement existing structural biological techniques in solving structures that are difficult to study due to their size and complexity.

  6. Three-dimensional cross-linking composite of graphene, carbon nanotubes and Si nanoparticles for lithium ion battery anode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tian, Suyun; Zhu, Guannan; Tang, Yanping; Xie, Xiaohua; Wang, Qian; Ma, Yufei; Ding, Guqiao; Xie, Xiaoming

    2018-03-01

    Various graphene-based Si nanocomposites have been reported to improve the performance of active materials in Li-ion batteries. However, these candidates still yield severe capacity fading due to the electrical disconnection and fractures caused by the huge volume changes over extended cycles. Therefore, we have designed a novel three-dimensional cross-linked graphene and single-wall carbon nanotube structure to encapsulate the Si nanoparticles. The synthesized three-dimensional structure is attributed to the excellent self-assembly of carbon nanotubes with graphene oxide as well as a thermal treatment process at 900 °C. This special structure provides sufficient void spaces for the volume expansion of Si nanoparticles and channels for the diffusion of ions and electrons. In addition, the cross-linking of the graphene and single-wall carbon nanotubes also strengthens the stability of the structure. As a result, the volume expansion of the Si nanoparticles is restrained. The specific capacity remains at 1450 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g-1. This well-defined three-dimensional structure facilitates superior capacity and cycling stability in comparison with bare Si and a mechanically mixed composite electrode of graphene, single-wall carbon nanotubes and silicon nanoparticles.

  7. Method of using triaxial magnetic fields for making particle structures

    DOEpatents

    Martin, James E.; Anderson, Robert A.; Williamson, Rodney L.

    2005-01-18

    A method of producing three-dimensional particle structures with enhanced magnetic susceptibility in three dimensions by applying a triaxial energetic field to a magnetic particle suspension and subsequently stabilizing said particle structure. Combinations of direct current and alternating current fields in three dimensions produce particle gel structures, honeycomb structures, and foam-like structures.

  8. Three Dimensional Lithospheric Electrical Structure of the Tibetan Plateau as Revealed by SinoProbe Long Period Magnetotelluric Array Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wei, Wenbo; Zhang, Letian; Jin, Sheng; Ye, Gaofeng; Jing, Jianen; Dong, Hao; Xie, Chengliang; Yin, Yaotian

    2017-04-01

    The on-going continent-continent collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates since 55 Ma has created the spectacular topography of the Tibetan plateau. However, many first order questions remain to be answered as to the mechanisms behind this young orogenic process. Under the auspices of the SinoProbe Project, a three dimensional (3-D) Magnetotelluric (MT) array have been deployed on the Tibetan Plateau from 2010 to 2013 to better understand this orogeny. By the end of 2013, 1099 MT stations have been completed, including 102 combined broadband MT (BBMT) and long period MT (LMT) stations. In this study, MT data of these 102 combined stations have been used to investigate the deep lithospheric electrical structure of the Tibetan Plateau. MT impedances within the period range of 10 - 50000 s were extracted to be used for 3-D inversions with the ModEM code using the standard NLCG algorithm. The resulting lithospheric electrical structure of the Tibetan Plateau shows a distinct pattern of strong variation not only vertically, but also horizontally. Conductors are found to be widespread in the middle to lower crust. But their geometries are quite complex, and not obviously consistent with the hypothesis of continuous eastward channel flow. Instead, most crustal conductors in central and southern Tibet display a pattern of N-S extension. In the depth range of the upper mantle, two more conductive regions can be identified in the southern Qiangtang Terrane and in the central Lhasa Terrane. Resistor associated with the underthrust Inidan plate can be traced beneath the Bangong-Nujiang suture in western Tibet, but only beneath the central Lhasa terrane in central Tibet. * This work was jointly supported by the grants from Project SinoProbe-01 and National Natural Science Foundation of China (41404060).

  9. Graphic kinematics, visual virtual work and elastographics

    PubMed Central

    Konstantatou, Marina; Athanasopoulos, Georgios; Hannigan, Laura

    2017-01-01

    In this paper, recent progress in graphic statics is combined with Williot displacement diagrams to create a graphical description of both statics and kinematics for two- and three-dimensional pin-jointed trusses. We begin with reciprocal form and force diagrams. The force diagram is dissected into its component cells which are then translated relative to each other. This defines a displacement diagram which is topologically equivalent to the form diagram (the structure). The various contributions to the overall Virtual Work appear as parallelograms (for two-dimensional trusses) or parallelopipeds (for three-dimensional trusses) that separate the force and the displacement pieces. Structural mechanisms can be identified by translating the force cells such that their shared faces slide across each other without separating. Elastic solutions can be obtained by choosing parallelograms or parallelopipeds of the appropriate aspect ratio. Finally, a new type of ‘elastographic’ diagram—termed a deformed Maxwell–Williot diagram (two-dimensional) or a deformed Rankine–Williot diagram (three-dimensional)—is presented which combines the deflected structure with the forces carried by its members. PMID:28573030

  10. Maxwell Strata and Cut Locus in the Sub-Riemannian Problem on the Engel Group

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ardentov, Andrei A.; Sachkov, Yuri L.

    2017-12-01

    We consider the nilpotent left-invariant sub-Riemannian structure on the Engel group. This structure gives a fundamental local approximation of a generic rank 2 sub-Riemannian structure on a 4-manifold near a generic point (in particular, of the kinematic models of a car with a trailer). On the other hand, this is the simplest sub-Riemannian structure of step three. We describe the global structure of the cut locus (the set of points where geodesics lose their global optimality), the Maxwell set (the set of points that admit more than one minimizer), and the intersection of the cut locus with the caustic (the set of conjugate points along all geodesics). The group of symmetries of the cut locus is described: it is generated by a one-parameter group of dilations R+ and a discrete group of reflections Z2 × Z2 × Z2. The cut locus admits a stratification with 6 three-dimensional strata, 12 two-dimensional strata, and 2 one-dimensional strata. Three-dimensional strata of the cut locus are Maxwell strata of multiplicity 2 (for each point there are 2 minimizers). Two-dimensional strata of the cut locus consist of conjugate points. Finally, one-dimensional strata are Maxwell strata of infinite multiplicity, they consist of conjugate points as well. Projections of sub-Riemannian geodesics to the 2-dimensional plane of the distribution are Euler elasticae. For each point of the cut locus, we describe the Euler elasticae corresponding to minimizers coming to this point. Finally, we describe the structure of the optimal synthesis, i. e., the set of minimizers for each terminal point in the Engel group.

  11. A three-dimensional wide-angle BPM for optical waveguide structures.

    PubMed

    Ma, Changbao; Van Keuren, Edward

    2007-01-22

    Algorithms for effective modeling of optical propagation in three- dimensional waveguide structures are critical for the design of photonic devices. We present a three-dimensional (3-D) wide-angle beam propagation method (WA-BPM) using Hoekstra's scheme. A sparse matrix algebraic equation is formed and solved using iterative methods. The applicability, accuracy and effectiveness of our method are demonstrated by applying it to simulations of wide-angle beam propagation, along with a technique for shifting the simulation window to reduce the dimension of the numerical equation and a threshold technique to further ensure its convergence. These techniques can ensure the implementation of iterative methods for waveguide structures by relaxing the convergence problem, which will further enable us to develop higher-order 3-D WA-BPMs based on Padé approximant operators.

  12. A three-dimensional wide-angle BPM for optical waveguide structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Changbao; van Keuren, Edward

    2007-01-01

    Algorithms for effective modeling of optical propagation in three- dimensional waveguide structures are critical for the design of photonic devices. We present a three-dimensional (3-D) wide-angle beam propagation method (WA-BPM) using Hoekstra’s scheme. A sparse matrix algebraic equation is formed and solved using iterative methods. The applicability, accuracy and effectiveness of our method are demonstrated by applying it to simulations of wide-angle beam propagation, along with a technique for shifting the simulation window to reduce the dimension of the numerical equation and a threshold technique to further ensure its convergence. These techniques can ensure the implementation of iterative methods for waveguide structures by relaxing the convergence problem, which will further enable us to develop higher-order 3-D WA-BPMs based on Padé approximant operators.

  13. Quantitative molecular characterization of bovine vitreous and lens with non-invasive dynamic light scattering

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ansari, R. R.; Suh, K. I.; Dunker, S.; Kitaya, N.; Sebag, J.

    2001-01-01

    The non-invasive technique of dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to quantitatively characterize vitreous and lens structure on a molecular level by measuring the sizes of the predominant particles and mapping the three-dimensional topographic distribution of these structural macromolecules in three spatial dimensions. The results of DLS measurements in five fresh adult bovine eyes were compared to DLS measurements in model solutions of hyaluronan (HA) and collagen (Coll). In the bovine eyes DLS measurements were obtained from excised samples of gel and liquid vitreous and compared to the model solutions. Measurements in whole vitreous were obtained at multiple points posterior to the lens to generate a three-dimensional 'map' of molecular structure. The macromolecule distribution in bovine lens was similarly characterized.In each bovine vitreous (Bo Vit) specimen, DLS predominantly detected two distinct particles, which differed in diffusion properties and hence size. Comparisons with model vitreous solutions demonstrated that these most likely corresponded to the Coll and HA components of vitreous. Three-dimensional mapping of Bo Vit found heterogeneity throughout the vitreous body, with different particle size distributions for Coll and HA at different loci. In contrast, the three-dimensional distribution of lens macromolecules was more homogeneous. Thus, the non-invasive DLS technique can quantitate the average sizes of vitreous and lens macromolecules and map their three-dimensional distribution. This method to assess quantitatively the macromolecular structure of vitreous and lens should be useful for clinical as well as experimental applications in health and disease. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

  14. Topology of three-dimensional separated flows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tobak, M.; Peake, D. J.

    1981-01-01

    Based on the hypothesis that patterns of skin-friction lines and external streamlines reflect the properties of continuous vector fields, topology rules define a small number of singular points (nodes, saddle points, and foci) that characterize the patterns on the surface and on particular projections of the flow (e.g., the crossflow plane). The restricted number of singular points and the rules that they obey are considered as an organizing principle whose finite number of elements can be combined in various ways to connect together the properties common to all steady three dimensional viscous flows. Introduction of a distinction between local and global properties of the flow resolves an ambiguity in the proper definition of a three dimensional separated flow. Adoption of the notions of topological structure, structural stability, and bifurcation provides a framework to describe how three dimensional separated flows originate and succeed each other as the relevant parameters of the problem are varied.

  15. System and method for representing and manipulating three-dimensional objects on massively parallel architectures

    DOEpatents

    Karasick, Michael S.; Strip, David R.

    1996-01-01

    A parallel computing system is described that comprises a plurality of uniquely labeled, parallel processors, each processor capable of modelling a three-dimensional object that includes a plurality of vertices, faces and edges. The system comprises a front-end processor for issuing a modelling command to the parallel processors, relating to a three-dimensional object. Each parallel processor, in response to the command and through the use of its own unique label, creates a directed-edge (d-edge) data structure that uniquely relates an edge of the three-dimensional object to one face of the object. Each d-edge data structure at least includes vertex descriptions of the edge and a description of the one face. As a result, each processor, in response to the modelling command, operates upon a small component of the model and generates results, in parallel with all other processors, without the need for processor-to-processor intercommunication.

  16. Observation of three-dimensional internal structure of steel materials by means of serial sectioning with ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting.

    PubMed

    Fujisaki, K; Yokota, H; Nakatsuchi, H; Yamagata, Y; Nishikawa, T; Udagawa, T; Makinouchi, A

    2010-01-01

    A three-dimensional (3D) internal structure observation system based on serial sectioning was developed from an ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting device and an optical microscope combined with a high-precision positioning device. For bearing steel samples, the cutting device created mirrored surfaces suitable for optical metallography, even for long-cutting distances during serial sectioning of these ferrous materials. Serial sectioning progressed automatically by means of numerical control. The system was used to observe inclusions in steel materials on a scale of several tens of micrometers. Three specimens containing inclusions were prepared from bearing steels. These inclusions could be detected as two-dimensional (2D) sectional images with resolution better than 1 mum. A three-dimensional (3D) model of each inclusion was reconstructed from the 2D serial images. The microscopic 3D models had sharp edges and complicated surfaces.

  17. A comparison of VRML and animation of rotation for teaching 3-dimensional crystal lattice structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sauls, Barbara Lynn

    Chemistry students often have difficulty visualizing abstract concepts of molecules and atoms, which may lead to misconceptions. The three-dimensionality of these structures presents a challenge to educators. Typical methods of teaching include text with two-dimensional graphics and structural models. Improved methods to allow visualization of 3D structures may improve learning of these concepts. This research compared the use of Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) and animation of rotation for teaching three-dimensional structures. VRML allows full control of objects by altering angle, size, rotation, and provides the ability to zoom into and through objects. Animations may only be stopped, restarted and replayed. A web-based lesson teaching basic concepts of crystals, which requires comprehension of their three-dimensional structure was given to 100 freshmen chemistry students. Students were stratified by gender then randomly to one of two lessons, which were identical except for the multimedia method used to show the lattices and unit cells. One method required exploration of the structures using VRML, the other provided animations of the same structures rotating. The students worked through an examination as the lesson progressed. A Welch t' test was used to compare differences between groups. No significant difference in mean achievement was found between the two methods, between genders, or within gender. There was no significant difference in mean total SAT in the animation and VRML group. Total time on task had no significant difference nor did enjoyment of the lesson. Students, however, spent 14% less time maneuvering VRML structures than viewing the animations of rotation. Neither method proved superior for presenting three-dimensional information. The students spent less time maneuvering the VRML structures with no difference in mean score so the use of VRML may be more efficient. The investigator noted some manipulation difficulties using VRML to rotate structures. Some students had difficulty obtaining the correct angle required to properly interpret spatial relationships. This led to frustration and caused some students to quit trying before they could answer questions fully. Even though there were some difficulties, outcomes were not affected. Higher scores, however, may have been achieved had the students been proficient in VRML maneuvering.

  18. Formation of bulk refractive index structures

    DOEpatents

    Potter, Jr., Barrett George; Potter, Kelly Simmons; Wheeler, David R.; Jamison, Gregory M.

    2003-07-15

    A method of making a stacked three-dimensional refractive index structure in photosensitive materials using photo-patterning where first determined is the wavelength at which a photosensitive material film exhibits a change in refractive index upon exposure to optical radiation, a portion of the surfaces of the photosensitive material film is optically irradiated, the film is marked to produce a registry mark. Multiple films are produced and aligned using the registry marks to form a stacked three-dimensional refractive index structure.

  19. Compact 3D photonic crystals sensing platform with 45 degree angle polished fibers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Yuqing; Chen, Lu; Zhu, Jiali; Ni, Haibin; Xia, Wei; Wang, Ming

    2017-07-01

    Three dimensional photonic crystals are a kind of promising sensing materials in biology and chemistry. A compact structure, consists of planner colloidal crystals and 45 degree angle polished fiber, is proposed as a platform for accurate, fast, reliable three dimensional photonic crystals sensing in practice. This structure show advantages in compact size for integration and it is ease for large scale manufacture. Reflectivity of the 45 degree angle polished surface with and without a layer of Ag film are simulated by FDTD simulation. Refractive index sensing properties as well as mode distribution of this structure consists of both polystyrene opal and silica inverse opal film is investigated, and an experimental demonstration of silica inverse opal film is performed, which shows a sensitivity of 733 nm/RIU. Different kinds of three dimensional photonic crystals can also be applied in this structure for particular purpose.

  20. Mayor de Blasio: Comprehensive Homeless Services Plan Increases Focus on

    Science.gov Websites

    HRA management structure based on the veterans move out initiative will focus on finding permanent structure based on the veterans move out initiative to promote move outs to reduce the shelter census Focus on Prevention & Rehousing Result of 90-day review includes streamlined management structure

  1. Visualization of the herpes simplex virus portal in situ by cryo-electron tomography

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

    Cardone, Giovanni; Winkler, Dennis C.; Trus, Benes L.

    2007-05-10

    Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the prototypical herpesvirus, has an icosahedral nucleocapsid surrounded by a proteinaceous tegument and a lipoprotein envelope. As in tailed bacteriophages, the icosahedral symmetry of the capsid is broken at one of the 12 vertices, which is occupied by a dodecameric ring of portal protein, UL6, instead of a pentamer of the capsid protein, UL19. The portal ring serves as a conduit for DNA entering and exiting the capsid. From a cryo-EM reconstruction of capsids immuno-gold-labeled with anti-UL6 antibodies, we confirmed that UL6 resides at a vertex. To visualize the portal in the context ofmore » the assembled capsid, we used cryo-electron tomography to determine the three-dimensional structures of individual A-capsids (empty, mature capsids). The similarity in size and overall shape of the portal and a UL19 pentamer - both are cylinders of {approx} 800 kDa - combined with residual noise in the tomograms, prevented us from identifying the portal vertices directly; however, this was accomplished by a computational classification procedure. Averaging the portal-containing subtomograms produced a structure that tallies with the isolated portal, as previously reconstructed by cryo-EM. The portal is mounted on the outer surface of the capsid floor layer, with its narrow end pointing outwards. This disposition differs from that of known phage portals in that the bulk of its mass lies outside, not inside, the floor. This distinction may be indicative of divergence at the level of portal-related functions other than its role as a DNA channel.« less

  2. [Research progress of three-dimensional digital model for repair and reconstruction of knee joint].

    PubMed

    Tong, Lu; Li, Yanlin; Hu, Meng

    2013-01-01

    To review recent advance in the application and research of three-dimensional digital knee model. The recent original articles about three-dimensional digital knee model were extensively reviewed and analyzed. The digital three-dimensional knee model can simulate the knee complex anatomical structure very well. Based on this, there are some developments of new software and techniques, and good clinical results are achieved. With the development of computer techniques and software, the knee repair and reconstruction procedure has been improved, the operation will be more simple and its accuracy will be further improved.

  3. [Advances in the research of application of hydrogels in three-dimensional bioprinting].

    PubMed

    Yang, J; Zhao, Y; Li, H H; Zhu, S H

    2016-08-20

    Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks made of hydrophilic polymer crosslinked through covalent bonds or physical intermolecular attractions, which can contain growth media and growth factors to support cell growth. In bioprinting, hydrogels are used to provide accurate control over cellular microenvironment and to dramatically reduce experimental repetition times, meanwhile we can obtain three-dimensional cell images of high quality. Hydrogels in three-dimensional bioprinting have received a considerable interest due to their structural similarities to the natural extracellular matrix and polyporous frameworks which can support the cellular proliferation and survival. Meanwhile, they are accompanied by many challenges.

  4. Three-dimensional behavior of ice crystals and biological cells during freezing of cell suspensions.

    PubMed

    Ishiguro, H; Koike, K

    1998-09-11

    Behavior of ice crystals and human red blood cells during extracellular-freezing was investigated in three-dimensions using a confocal laser scanning microscope(CLSM), which noninvasively produces tomograms of biological materials. Physiological saline and physiological saline with 2.4 M glycerol were used for suspension. Various cooling rates for directional solidification were used for distinctive morphology of the ice crystals. Addition of acridine orange as a fluorescent dye into the cell suspension enabled ice crystal, cells and unfrozen solution to be distinguished by different colors. The results indicate that the microscopic structure is three-dimensional for flat, cellular, and dendritic solid-liquid interfaces and that a CLSM is very effective in studying three-dimensional structure during the freezing of cell suspensions.

  5. Magnetic resonance imaging-three-dimensional printing technology fabricates customized scaffolds for brain tissue engineering

    PubMed Central

    Fu, Feng; Qin, Zhe; Xu, Chao; Chen, Xu-yi; Li, Rui-xin; Wang, Li-na; Peng, Ding-wei; Sun, Hong-tao; Tu, Yue; Chen, Chong; Zhang, Sai; Zhao, Ming-liang; Li, Xiao-hong

    2017-01-01

    Conventional fabrication methods lack the ability to control both macro- and micro-structures of generated scaffolds. Three-dimensional printing is a solid free-form fabrication method that provides novel ways to create customized scaffolds with high precision and accuracy. In this study, an electrically controlled cortical impactor was used to induce randomized brain tissue defects. The overall shape of scaffolds was designed using rat-specific anatomical data obtained from magnetic resonance imaging, and the internal structure was created by computer-aided design. As the result of limitations arising from insufficient resolution of the manufacturing process, we magnified the size of the cavity model prototype five-fold to successfully fabricate customized collagen-chitosan scaffolds using three-dimensional printing. Results demonstrated that scaffolds have three-dimensional porous structures, high porosity, highly specific surface areas, pore connectivity and good internal characteristics. Neural stem cells co-cultured with scaffolds showed good viability, indicating good biocompatibility and biodegradability. This technique may be a promising new strategy for regenerating complex damaged brain tissues, and helps pave the way toward personalized medicine. PMID:28553343

  6. Toward atomic-scale bright-field electron tomography for the study of fullerene-like nanostructures.

    PubMed

    Bar Sadan, Maya; Houben, Lothar; Wolf, Sharon G; Enyashin, Andrey; Seifert, Gotthard; Tenne, Reshef; Urban, Knut

    2008-03-01

    We present the advancement of electron tomography for three-dimensional structure reconstruction of fullerene-like particles toward atomic-scale resolution. The three-dimensional reconstruction of nested molybdenum disulfide nanooctahedra is achieved by the combination of low voltage operation of the electron microscope with aberration-corrected phase contrast imaging. The method enables the study of defects and irregularities in the three-dimensional structure of individual fullerene-like particles on the scale of 2-3 A. Control over shape, size, and atomic architecture is a key issue in synthesis and design of functional nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is the primary technique to characterize materials down to the atomic level, albeit the images are two-dimensional projections of the studied objects. Recent advancements in aberration-corrected TEM have demonstrated single atom sensitivity for light elements at subångström resolution. Yet, the resolution of tomographic schemes for three-dimensional structure reconstruction has not surpassed 1 nm3, preventing it from becoming a powerful tool for characterization in the physical sciences on the atomic scale. Here we demonstrate that negative spherical aberration imaging at low acceleration voltage enables tomography down to the atomic scale at reduced radiation damage. First experimental data on the three-dimensional reconstruction of nested molybdenum disulfide nanooctahedra is presented. The method is applicable to the analysis of the atomic architecture of a wide range of nanostructures where strong electron channeling is absent, in particular to carbon fullerenes and inorganic fullerenes.

  7. Structural Test Laboratory | Water Power | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Structural Test Laboratory Structural Test Laboratory NREL engineers design and configure structural components can validate models, demonstrate system reliability, inform design margins, and assess , including mass and center of gravity, to ensure compliance with design goals Dynamic Characterization Use

  8. OpenSees

    Science.gov Websites

    , through soil-structure interaction, to structural response. New computer simulation tools are necessary to of structures and soils to investigate challenging problems in soil-structure-foundation interaction including foundations and soils is used to study the effects of soil liquefaction and permanent

  9. Sang-Don Han | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    between 1) electrolyte material structure (i.e., solvent/anion structure and solvation state of cations presence of organic foulants," Desalination (2009). "Influence of the heterogeneous structure on

  10. Nuclear Data Networks

    Science.gov Websites

    calibrations. NSDD The international network of Nuclear Structure and Decay Data evaluators Group of and updating of nuclear structure data contained in Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF

  11. Bioengineering anembryonic human trophoblast vesicles.

    PubMed

    Robins, Jared C; Morgan, Jeffrey R; Krueger, Paula; Carson, Sandra A

    2011-02-01

    Trophoblast cells in vivo form a 3-dimensional structure that promotes complex cell-to-cell interactions that cannot be studied with traditional monolayer culture. We describe a 3-dimensional trophoblast bioreactor to study cellular interactions. Nonadhesive agarose hydrogels were cast from molds using computer-assisted prototyping. Trophoblast cells were seeded into the gels for 10 days. Morphology, viability, and vesicle behavior were assessed. Trophoblast cells formed uniform spheroids. Serial sectioning on days 3, 7, and 10 revealed central vacuolization with a consistent outer rim 12.3-μ thick. The vesicle configuration has been confirmed with confocal imaging. Electron Microscopic (EM) imaging revealed its ultrastructure. The vesicles migrate across a fibronectin-coated surface and invaded basement membrane. Trophoblast cells cultured in a novel substrate-free 3-dimensional system form trophoblast vesicles. This new cell culture technique allows us to better study placental cell-to-cell interactions with the potential of forming microtissues.

  12. Tonal Interface to MacroMolecules (TIMMol): A Textual and Tonal Tool for Molecular Visualization

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cordes, Timothy J.; Carlson, C. Britt; Forest, Katrina T.

    2008-01-01

    We developed the three-dimensional visualization software, Tonal Interface to MacroMolecules or TIMMol, for studying atomic coordinates of protein structures. Key features include audio tones indicating x, y, z location, identification of the cursor location in one-dimensional and three-dimensional space, textual output that can be easily linked…

  13. Creating 3D Physical Models to Probe Student Understanding of Macromolecular Structure

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cooper, A. Kat; Oliver-Hoyo, M. T.

    2017-01-01

    The high degree of complexity of macromolecular structure is extremely difficult for students to process. Students struggle to translate the simplified two-dimensional representations commonly used in biochemistry instruction to three-dimensional aspects crucial in understanding structure-property relationships. We designed four different physical…

  14. Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Velopharyngeal Structures

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bae, Youkyung; Kuehn, David P.; Sutton, Bradley P.; Conway, Charles A.; Perry, Jamie L.

    2011-01-01

    Purpose: To report the feasibility of using a 3-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for examining velopharyngeal structures. Using collected 3D MRI data, the authors investigated the effect of sex on the midsagittal velopharyngeal structures and the levator veli palatini (levator) muscle configurations. Method: Ten Caucasian…

  15. Analysis of high-rise constructions with the using of three-dimensional models of rods in the finite element program PRINS

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agapov, Vladimir

    2018-03-01

    The necessity of new approaches to the modeling of rods in the analysis of high-rise constructions is justified. The possibility of the application of the three-dimensional superelements of rods with rectangular cross section for the static and dynamic calculation of the bar and combined structures is considered. The results of the eighteen-story spatial frame free vibrations analysis using both one-dimensional and three-dimensional models of rods are presented. A comparative analysis of the obtained results is carried out and the conclusions on the possibility of three-dimensional superelements application in static and dynamic analysis of high-rise constructions are given on its basis.

  16. Sculpting Cells with Play Doh.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Way, Virginia A.

    1982-01-01

    Suggests using Play Doh to mold models of the nucleus, mitochondria, and inner cellular structures. Students can conceptualize the cell's structures as three-dimensional even though they appear two-dimensional under a microscope. Includes instructions for preparing homemade dough. (Author/JN)

  17. GraDeR: Membrane Protein Complex Preparation for Single-Particle Cryo-EM.

    PubMed

    Hauer, Florian; Gerle, Christoph; Fischer, Niels; Oshima, Atsunori; Shinzawa-Itoh, Kyoko; Shimada, Satoru; Yokoyama, Ken; Fujiyoshi, Yoshinori; Stark, Holger

    2015-09-01

    We developed a method, named GraDeR, which substantially improves the preparation of membrane protein complexes for structure determination by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). In GraDeR, glycerol gradient centrifugation is used for the mild removal of free detergent monomers and micelles from lauryl maltose-neopentyl glycol detergent stabilized membrane complexes, resulting in monodisperse and stable complexes to which standard processes for water-soluble complexes can be applied. We demonstrate the applicability of the method on three different membrane complexes, including the mammalian FoF1 ATP synthase. For this highly dynamic and fragile rotary motor, we show that GraDeR allows visualizing the asymmetry of the F1 domain, which matches the ground state structure of the isolated domain. Therefore, the present cryo-EM structure of FoF1 ATP synthase provides direct structural evidence for Boyer's binding change mechanism in the context of the intact enzyme. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Research in Seismology

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1978-12-31

    Koyanagi, Three-dimensional crust and mantle structure of Kilauea Volcano , Hawaii , J. Geophys. Res., 82, 5379-5394, 1977. Engdahl, E.R., J.G. Sindorf, and...Johnson, 1967), in Japan (Zandt, 1975; Hirahara, 1977), at NORSAR (Aki, 1977), in Yellowstone National Park (1yer, 1975; Zandt, 1978), in Hawaii ...1962. Ellsworth, W.L., Three-dimensional structure of the crust and mantle beneath the island of Hawaii , unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Massachusetts

  19. Joint Chiefs of Staff > Leadership

    Science.gov Websites

    Senior Enlisted Advisor Joint Staff History Joint Staff Inspector General Joint Staff Structure Origin of J8 | Force Structure, Resources & Assessment Contact Joint Staff Structure Joint Staff Organizational Chart Joint Chiefs of Staff Links Home Today in DOD About DOD Top Issues News Photos/Videos

  20. University of Maryland MRSEC - Research: IRG1

    Science.gov Websites

    structure based on fundamental interactions, to device preparation and characterization. Materials systems figure: Electrical current in nanoscale structure perturbed by scattering at atomic scale features on its surfaces. An electrical current in a nanoscale structure is perturbed by scattering at atomic scale

  1. Future Directions of Electromagnetic Methods for Hydrocarbon Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Strack, K. M.

    2014-01-01

    For hydrocarbon applications, seismic exploration is the workhorse of the industry. Only in the borehole, electromagnetic (EM) methods play a dominant role, as they are mostly used to determine oil reserves and to distinguish water from oil-bearing zones. Throughout the past 60 years, we had several periods with an increased interest in EM. This increased with the success of the marine EM industry and now electromagnetics in general is considered for many new applications. The classic electromagnetic methods are borehole, onshore and offshore, and airborne EM methods. Airborne is covered elsewhere (see Smith, this issue). Marine EM material is readily available from the service company Web sites, and here I will only mention some future technical directions that are visible. The marine EM success is being carried back to the onshore market, fueled by geothermal and unconventional hydrocarbon applications. Oil companies are listening to pro-EM arguments, but still are hesitant to go through the learning exercises as early adopters. In particular, the huge business drivers of shale hydrocarbons and reservoir monitoring will bring markets many times bigger than the entire marine EM market. Additional applications include support for seismic operations, sub-salt, and sub-basalt, all areas where seismic exploration is costly and inefficient. Integration with EM will allow novel seismic methods to be applied. In the borehole, anisotropy measurements, now possible, form the missing link between surface measurements and ground truth. Three-dimensional (3D) induction measurements are readily available from several logging contractors. The trend to logging-while-drilling measurements will continue with many more EM technologies, and the effort of controlling the drill bit while drilling including look-ahead-and-around the drill bit is going on. Overall, the market for electromagnetics is increasing, and a demand for EM capable professionals will continue. The emphasis will be more on application and data integration (bottom-line value increase) and less on EM technology and modeling exercises.

  2. Synthesis, structure and photoluminescence properties of amine-templated open-framework bismuth sulfates

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

    Marri, Subba R.; Behera, J.N., E-mail: jnbehera@niser.ac.in

    2014-02-15

    Two organically-templated bismuth sulfates of the compositions, [C{sub 6}N{sub 2}H{sub 14}] [Bi(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}(NO{sub 3})], (1) and [C{sub 4}N{sub 2}H{sub 12}]{sub 4}[Bi{sub 4}(SO{sub 4}){sub 10}(H{sub 2}O){sub 4}], (2), with open architecture have been synthesized and their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 has a corrugated layered structure with 8-membered aperture wherein the SO{sub 4} tetrahedra and the BiO{sub 8} polyhedra join together to form (4, 4) net sheets of the metal centers while 2 has a three-dimensional structure possessing 8- and 12-membered channels. Both the compounds show good fluorescence properties exhibiting blue luminescence. Time-resolved fluorescence behavior of 1more » and 2 shows mean fluorescence life time of 0.9 and 1.0 ns, respectively. - Graphical abstract: Two open-framework bismuth sulfates with the layered and three-dimensional structures have been synthesized and characterized. Both the compounds show good fluorescence properties exhibiting blue luminescence. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Two organically-templated bismuth sulfates with open architecture have been synthesized and characterized. • One has a corrugated layered structure while the other one has a three-dimensional structure possessing channels. • They are novel in that open-framework three-dimensional main group metal sulfates are first to be reported. • They show good fluorescence properties exhibiting blue luminescence.« less

  3. A plasma source driven predator-prey like mechanism as a potential cause of spiraling intermittencies in linear plasma devices

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

    Reiser, D.; Ohno, N.; Tanaka, H.

    2014-03-15

    Three-dimensional global drift fluid simulations are carried out to analyze coherent plasma structures appearing in the NAGDIS-II linear device (nagoya divertor plasma Simulator-II). The numerical simulations reproduce several features of the intermittent spiraling structures observed, for instance, statistical properties, rotation frequency, and the frequency of plasma expulsion. The detailed inspection of the three-dimensional plasma dynamics allows to identify the key mechanism behind the formation of these intermittent events. The resistive coupling between electron pressure and parallel electric field in the plasma source region gives rise to a quasilinear predator-prey like dynamics where the axisymmetric mode represents the prey and themore » spiraling structure with low azimuthal mode number represents the predator. This interpretation is confirmed by a reduced one-dimensional quasilinear model derived on the basis of the findings in the full three-dimensional simulations. The dominant dynamics reveals certain similarities to the classical Lotka-Volterra cycle.« less

  4. Aromatic carboxylate effect on dimensionality of three bis(benzimidazole)-based cobalt(II) coordination polymers: Syntheses, structures and properties

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

    Zhang, Ju-Wen; Gong, Chun-Hua; Hou, Li-Li

    2013-09-15

    Three new metal-organic coordination polymers [Co(4-bbc){sub 2}(bbbm)] (1), [Co(3,5-pdc)(bbbm)]·2H{sub 2}O (2) and [Co(1,4-ndc)(bbbm)] (3) (4-Hbbc=4-bromobenzoic acid, 3,5-H{sub 2}pdc=3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-H{sub 2}ndc=1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and bbbm=1,1-(1,4-butanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole) were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Polymer 1 is a 1D chain formed by the bbbm ligands and Co{sup II} ions. Polymer 2 exhibits a 2D network with a (3·4·5)(3{sup 2}·4·5·6{sup 2}·7{sup 4}) topology. Polymer 3 possesses a 3D three-fold interpenetrating framework. The versatile structures of title polymers indicate that the aromatic carboxylates have an important influence on the dimensionality of 1–3. Moreover, the thermal stability, electrochemical and luminescent properties of 1–3 were investigated. - graphicalmore » abstract: Three bis(benzimidazole)-based cobalt(II) coordination polymers tuned by aromatic carboxylates were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. The aromatic carboxylates play a key role in the dimensionality of three polymers. The electrochemical and luminescent properties of three polymers were investigated. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Three bis(benzimidazole)-based cobalt(II) coordination polymers tuned by aromatic carboxylates were obtained. • The aromatic carboxylates have an important influence on the dimensionality of three polymers. • The electrochemical and luminescent properties of three polymers were investigated.« less

  5. Solar Research Earns Three Prestigious R&D 100 Awards | News | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    1 » Solar Research Earns Three Prestigious R&D 100 Awards News Release: Solar Research Earns Three Prestigious R&D 100 Awards June 22, 2011 A technique to turn silicon into ink, a faster way to significant innovations by R&D Magazine. The three prestigious awards bring to 50 the number of R&D

  6. X-Ray Crystallography as a Tool to Determine Three-Dimensional Structures of Commercial Enzymes Subjected to Treatment in Pressurized Fluids.

    PubMed

    Feiten, Mirian Cristina; Di Luccio, Marco; Santos, Karine F; de Oliveira, Débora; Oliveira, J Vladimir

    2017-06-01

    The study of enzyme function often involves a multi-disciplinary approach. Several techniques are documented in the literature towards determining secondary and tertiary structures of enzymes, and X-ray crystallography is the most explored technique for obtaining three-dimensional structures of proteins. Knowledge of three-dimensional structures is essential to understand reaction mechanisms at the atomic level. Additionally, structures can be used to modulate or improve functional activity of enzymes by the production of small molecules that act as substrates/cofactors or by engineering selected mutants with enhanced biological activity. This paper presentes a short overview on how to streamline sample preparation for crystallographic studies of treated enzymes. We additionally revise recent developments on the effects of pressurized fluid treatment on activity and stability of commercial enzymes. Future directions and perspectives on the the role of crystallography as a tool to access the molecular mechanisms underlying enzymatic activity modulation upon treatment in pressurized fluids are also addressed.

  7. Micrometer-scale fabrication of complex three dimensional lattice + basis structures in silicon

    DOE PAGES

    Burckel, D. Bruce; Resnick, Paul J.; Finnegan, Patrick S.; ...

    2015-01-01

    A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible version of membrane projection lithography (MPL) for fabrication of micrometer-scale three-dimensional structures is presented. The approach uses all inorganic materials and standard CMOS processing equipment. In a single layer, MPL is capable of creating all 5 2D-Bravais lattices. Furthermore, standard semiconductor processing steps can be used in a layer-by-layer approach to create fully three dimensional structures with any of the 14 3D-Bravais lattices. The unit cell basis is determined by the projection of the membrane pattern, with many degrees of freedom for defining functional inclusions. Here we demonstrate several unique structural motifs, andmore » characterize 2D arrays of unit cells with split ring resonators in a silicon matrix. The structures exhibit strong polarization dependent resonances and, for properly oriented split ring resonators (SRRs), coupling to the magnetic field of a normally incident transverse electromagnetic wave, a response unique to 3D inclusions.« less

  8. Laboratory-size three-dimensional water-window x-ray microscope with Wolter type I mirror optics

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

    Ohsuka, Shinji; The Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries, 1955-1 Kurematsu-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu-City, 431-1202; Ohba, Akira

    2016-01-28

    We constructed a laboratory-size three-dimensional water-window x-ray microscope that combines wide-field transmission x-ray microscopy with tomographic reconstruction techniques. It consists of an electron-impact x-ray source emitting oxygen Kα x-rays, Wolter type I grazing incidence mirror optics, and a back-illuminated CCD for x-ray imaging. A spatial resolution limit better than 1.0 line pairs per micrometer was obtained for two-dimensional transmission images, and 1-μm-scale three-dimensional fine structures were resolved.

  9. Self-assembly of three-dimensional open structures using patchy colloidal particles.

    PubMed

    Rocklin, D Zeb; Mao, Xiaoming

    2014-10-14

    Open structures can display a number of unusual properties, including a negative Poisson's ratio, negative thermal expansion, and holographic elasticity, and have many interesting applications in engineering. However, it is a grand challenge to self-assemble open structures at the colloidal scale, where short-range interactions and low coordination number can leave them mechanically unstable. In this paper we discuss the self-assembly of three-dimensional open structures using triblock Janus particles, which have two large attractive patches that can form multiple bonds, separated by a band with purely hard-sphere repulsion. Such surface patterning leads to open structures that are stabilized by orientational entropy (in an order-by-disorder effect) and selected over close-packed structures by vibrational entropy. For different patch sizes the particles can form into either tetrahedral or octahedral structural motifs which then compose open lattices, including the pyrochlore, the hexagonal tetrastack and the perovskite lattices. Using an analytic theory, we examine the phase diagrams of these possible open and close-packed structures for triblock Janus particles and characterize the mechanical properties of these structures. Our theory leads to rational designs of particles for the self-assembly of three-dimensional colloidal structures that are possible using current experimental techniques.

  10. Three-dimensional magnetophotonic crystals based on artificial opals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baryshev, A. V.; Kodama, T.; Nishimura, K.; Uchida, H.; Inoue, M.

    2004-06-01

    We fabricated and experimentally investigated three-dimensional magnetophotonic crystals (3D MPCs) based on artificial opals. Opal samples with three-dimensional dielectric lattices were impregnated with different types of magnetic material. Magnetic and structural properties of 3D MPCs were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer. We have shown that magnetic materials synthesized in voids of opal lattices and the composites obtained have typical magnetic properties.

  11. Improved cryoEM-Guided Iterative Molecular Dynamics–Rosetta Protein Structure Refinement Protocol for High Precision Protein Structure Prediction

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    Many excellent methods exist that incorporate cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) data to constrain computational protein structure prediction and refinement. Previously, it was shown that iteration of two such orthogonal sampling and scoring methods – Rosetta and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations – facilitated exploration of conformational space in principle. Here, we go beyond a proof-of-concept study and address significant remaining limitations of the iterative MD–Rosetta protein structure refinement protocol. Specifically, all parts of the iterative refinement protocol are now guided by medium-resolution cryoEM density maps, and previous knowledge about the native structure of the protein is no longer necessary. Models are identified solely based on score or simulation time. All four benchmark proteins showed substantial improvement through three rounds of the iterative refinement protocol. The best-scoring final models of two proteins had sub-Ångstrom RMSD to the native structure over residues in secondary structure elements. Molecular dynamics was most efficient in refining secondary structure elements and was thus highly complementary to the Rosetta refinement which is most powerful in refining side chains and loop regions. PMID:25883538

  12. Manipulation of fluids in three-dimensional porous photonic structures with patterned surface properties

    DOEpatents

    Aizenberg, Joanna; Burgess, Ian B.; Mishchenko, Lidiya; Hatton, Benjamin; Loncar, Marko

    2016-03-08

    A three-dimensional porous photonic structure, whose internal pore surfaces can be provided with desired surface properties in a spatially selective manner with arbitrary patterns, and methods for making the same are described. When exposed to a fluid (e.g., via immersion or wicking), the fluid can selectively penetrate the regions of the structure with compatible surface properties. Broad applications, for example in security, encryption and document authentication, as well as in areas such as simple microfluidics and diagnostics, are anticipated.

  13. An Essential Protein Repair Enzyme: Investigation of the Molecular Recognition Mechanism of Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-05-01

    4 ). The three-dimensional spatial orientation of the atoms for these resolved solution structures (Protein Data Bank accession codes: 2gt3...Crystal structure of the Escherichia coli peptide methionine sulphoxide reductase at 1.9 Å resolution . Struct. Fold. Des. 8: 1167 – 1178. 2 . Brot...sources (8). There is a 67% sequence identity between the E.coli and human MsrA ( 2 ). N-terminus C-terminus Figure 2 . Three-dimensional structure

  14. Manipulation of fluids in three-dimensional porous photonic structures with patterned surface properties

    DOEpatents

    Aizenberg, Joanna; Burgess, Ian; Mishchenko, Lidiya; Hatton, Benjamin; Loncar, Marko

    2017-12-26

    A three-dimensional porous photonic structure, whose internal pore surfaces can be provided with desired surface properties in a spatially selective manner with arbitrary patterns, and methods for making the same are described. When exposed to a fluid (e.g., via immersion or wicking), the fluid can selectively penetrate the regions of the structure with compatible surface properties. Broad applications, for example in security, encryption and document authentication, as well as in areas such as simple microfluidics and diagnostics, are anticipated.

  15. Brandon Knott | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    -6223 Research Interests Molecular mechanisms of cellulose-degrading enzymes Structure-function relationships of biomass-derived polymers Structure-function relationships in glycoside hydrolases Methane potential protein engineering targets. Structure-Function Relationships of Biomass-Derived Polymers

  16. Fabrication of dielectric elastomer stack transducers (DEST) by liquid deposition modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klug, Florian; Solano-Arana, Susana; Mößinger, Holger; Förster-Zügel, Florentine; Schlaak, Helmut F.

    2017-04-01

    Established fabrication methods for dielectric elastomer stack transducers (DEST) are mostly based on twodimensional thin-film technology. Because of this, DEST are based on simple two-dimensionally structured shapes. For certain applications, like valves or Braille displays, these structures are suited well enough. However, a more flexible fabrication method allows for more complex actuator designs, which would otherwise require extra processing steps. Fabrication methods with the possibility of three-dimensional structuring allow e.g. the integration of electrical connections, cavities, channels, sensor and other structural elements during the fabrication. This opens up new applications, as well as the opportunity for faster prototype production of individually designed DEST for a given application. In this work, a manufacturing system allowing three dimensional structuring is described. It enables the production of multilayer and three-dimensional structured DEST by liquid deposition modelling. The system is based on a custom made dual extruder, connected to a commercial threeaxis positioning system. It allows a computer controlled liquid deposition of two materials. After tuning the manufacturing parameters the production of thin layers with at thickness of less than 50 μm, as well as stacking electrode and dielectric materials is feasible. With this setup a first DEST with dielectric layer thickness less than 50 μm is build successfully and its performance is evaluated.

  17. Frequency-sensitive competitive learning for scalable balanced clustering on high-dimensional hyperspheres.

    PubMed

    Banerjee, Arindam; Ghosh, Joydeep

    2004-05-01

    Competitive learning mechanisms for clustering, in general, suffer from poor performance for very high-dimensional (>1000) data because of "curse of dimensionality" effects. In applications such as document clustering, it is customary to normalize the high-dimensional input vectors to unit length, and it is sometimes also desirable to obtain balanced clusters, i.e., clusters of comparable sizes. The spherical kmeans (spkmeans) algorithm, which normalizes the cluster centers as well as the inputs, has been successfully used to cluster normalized text documents in 2000+ dimensional space. Unfortunately, like regular kmeans and its soft expectation-maximization-based version, spkmeans tends to generate extremely imbalanced clusters in high-dimensional spaces when the desired number of clusters is large (tens or more). This paper first shows that the spkmeans algorithm can be derived from a certain maximum likelihood formulation using a mixture of von Mises-Fisher distributions as the generative model, and in fact, it can be considered as a batch-mode version of (normalized) competitive learning. The proposed generative model is then adapted in a principled way to yield three frequency-sensitive competitive learning variants that are applicable to static data and produced high-quality and well-balanced clusters for high-dimensional data. Like kmeans, each iteration is linear in the number of data points and in the number of clusters for all the three algorithms. A frequency-sensitive algorithm to cluster streaming data is also proposed. Experimental results on clustering of high-dimensional text data sets are provided to show the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed techniques. Index Terms-Balanced clustering, expectation maximization (EM), frequency-sensitive competitive learning (FSCL), high-dimensional clustering, kmeans, normalized data, scalable clustering, streaming data, text clustering.

  18. Life Origination Hydrate Theory (LOH-Theory) and Mitosis and Replication Hydrate Theory (MRH-Theory): three-dimensional PC validation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kadyshevich, E. A.; Dzyabchenko, A. V.; Ostrovskii, V. E.

    2014-04-01

    Size compatibility of the CH4-hydrate structure II and multi-component DNA fragments is confirmed by three-dimensional simulation; it is validation of the Life Origination Hydrate Theory (LOH-Theory).

  19. Argonne Physics Division - E-906/SeaQuest

    Science.gov Websites

    measure the quark and antiquark structure of the nucleon and the modifications to that structure which experiment will also examine the modifications to the antiquark structure of the proton from nuclear binding

  20. | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    of NREL's Computational Science Center, where he uses electronic structure calculations and other introductory chemistry and physical chemistry. Research Interests Electronic structure and dynamics in the quantum/classical molecular dynamics simulation|Coupling of molecular electronic structure to

  1. Stephan Lany | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    scientist with a background in electronic structure calculations for semiconducting materials. He joined Program. Research Interests His research interests include prediction of band-structure, optical , electrical, and transport properties from electronic structure theory; photovoltaic and thermoelectric

  2. Three dimensional fabrication at small size scales

    PubMed Central

    Leong, Timothy G.; Zarafshar, Aasiyeh M.; Gracias, David H.

    2010-01-01

    Despite the fact that we live in a three-dimensional (3D) world and macroscale engineering is 3D, conventional sub-mm scale engineering is inherently two-dimensional (2D). New fabrication and patterning strategies are needed to enable truly three-dimensionally-engineered structures at small size scales. Here, we review strategies that have been developed over the last two decades that seek to enable such millimeter to nanoscale 3D fabrication and patterning. A focus of this review is the strategy of self-assembly, specifically in a biologically inspired, more deterministic form known as self-folding. Self-folding methods can leverage the strengths of lithography to enable the construction of precisely patterned 3D structures and “smart” components. This self-assembling approach is compared with other 3D fabrication paradigms, and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed. PMID:20349446

  3. Three dimensional canonical singularity and five dimensional N = 1 SCFT

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Dan; Yau, Shing-Tung

    2017-06-01

    We conjecture that every three dimensional canonical singularity defines a five dimensional N = 1 SCFT. Flavor symmetry can be found from singularity structure: non-abelian flavor symmetry is read from the singularity type over one dimensional singular locus. The dimension of Coulomb branch is given by the number of compact crepant divisors from a crepant resolution of singularity. The detailed structure of Coulomb branch is described as follows: a) a chamber of Coulomb branch is described by a crepant resolution, and this chamber is given by its Nef cone and the prepotential is computed from triple intersection numbers; b) Crepant resolution is not unique and different resolutions are related by flops; Nef cones from crepant resolutions form a fan which is claimed to be the full Coulomb branch.

  4. Three-dimensional vortex wake structure of flapping wings in hovering flight.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Bo; Roll, Jesse; Liu, Yun; Troolin, Daniel R; Deng, Xinyan

    2014-02-06

    Flapping wings continuously create and send vortices into their wake, while imparting downward momentum into the surrounding fluid. However, experimental studies concerning the details of the three-dimensional vorticity distribution and evolution in the far wake are limited. In this study, the three-dimensional vortex wake structure in both the near and far field of a dynamically scaled flapping wing was investigated experimentally, using volumetric three-component velocimetry. A single wing, with shape and kinematics similar to those of a fruitfly, was examined. The overall result of the wing action is to create an integrated vortex structure consisting of a tip vortex (TV), trailing-edge shear layer (TESL) and leading-edge vortex. The TESL rolls up into a root vortex (RV) as it is shed from the wing, and together with the TV, contracts radially and stretches tangentially in the downstream wake. The downwash is distributed in an arc-shaped region enclosed by the stretched tangential vorticity of the TVs and the RVs. A closed vortex ring structure is not observed in the current study owing to the lack of well-established starting and stopping vortex structures that smoothly connect the TV and RV. An evaluation of the vorticity transport equation shows that both the TV and the RV undergo vortex stretching while convecting downwards: a three-dimensional phenomenon in rotating flows. It also confirms that convection and secondary tilting and stretching effects dominate the evolution of vorticity.

  5. Dual wing, swept forward swept rearward wing, and single wing design optimization for high performance business airplanes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rhodes, M. D.; Selberg, B. P.

    1982-01-01

    An investigation was performed to compare closely coupled dual wing and swept forward swept rearward wing aircraft to corresponding single wing 'baseline' designs to judge the advantages offered by aircraft designed with multiple wing systems. The optimum multiple wing geometry used on the multiple wing designs was determined in an analytic study which investigated the two- and three-dimensional aerodynamic behavior of a wide range of multiple wing configurations in order to find the wing geometry that created the minimum cruise drag. This analysis used a multi-element inviscid vortex panel program coupled to a momentum integral boundary layer analysis program to account for the aerodynamic coupling between the wings and to provide the two-dimensional aerodynamic data, which was then used as input for a three-dimensional vortex lattice program, which calculated the three-dimensional aerodynamic data. The low drag of the multiple wing configurations is due to a combination of two dimensional drag reductions, tailoring the three dimensional drag for the swept forward swept rearward design, and the structural advantages of the two wings that because of the structural connections permitted higher aspect ratios.

  6. Structural Testing Laboratory Video Transcript | Wind | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    be able to structurally validate wind turbine blades and components. Ryan Beach, Structural Engineer weeks. Scott Hughes: Since 1990, NREL has tested over 200 wind turbine blades with over 10,000 strain blades. Text on Screen: Learn more about NREL's structural research facilities at nrel.gov/wind

  7. Robert Hofstadter, Electron Scattering, the Structure of the Nucleons, and

    Science.gov Websites

    , Electron Scattering, the Structure of the Nucleons, and Scintillation Counters Resources with Additional -point particles and therefore possessed structure. For this work Hofstadter was awarded the Nobel Prize structure of the nucleons, and scintillation counters is available in electronic documents and on the Web

  8. Decoupling Principle Analysis and Development of a Parallel Three-Dimensional Force Sensor

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Yanzhi; Jiao, Leihao; Weng, Dacheng; Zhang, Dan; Zheng, Rencheng

    2016-01-01

    In the development of the multi-dimensional force sensor, dimension coupling is the ubiquitous factor restricting the improvement of the measurement accuracy. To effectively reduce the influence of dimension coupling on the parallel multi-dimensional force sensor, a novel parallel three-dimensional force sensor is proposed using a mechanical decoupling principle, and the influence of the friction on dimension coupling is effectively reduced by making the friction rolling instead of sliding friction. In this paper, the mathematical model is established by combining with the structure model of the parallel three-dimensional force sensor, and the modeling and analysis of mechanical decoupling are carried out. The coupling degree (ε) of the designed sensor is defined and calculated, and the calculation results show that the mechanical decoupling parallel structure of the sensor possesses good decoupling performance. A prototype of the parallel three-dimensional force sensor was developed, and FEM analysis was carried out. The load calibration and data acquisition experiment system are built, and then calibration experiments were done. According to the calibration experiments, the measurement accuracy is less than 2.86% and the coupling accuracy is less than 3.02%. The experimental results show that the sensor system possesses high measuring accuracy, which provides a basis for the applied research of the parallel multi-dimensional force sensor. PMID:27649194

  9. Technique of semiautomatic surface reconstruction of the visible Korean human data using commercial software.

    PubMed

    Park, Jin Seo; Shin, Dong Sun; Chung, Min Suk; Hwang, Sung Bae; Chung, Jinoh

    2007-11-01

    This article describes the technique of semiautomatic surface reconstruction of anatomic structures using widely available commercial software. This technique would enable researchers to promptly and objectively perform surface reconstruction, creating three-dimensional anatomic images without any assistance from computer engineers. To develop the technique, we used data from the Visible Korean Human project, which produced digitalized photographic serial images of an entire cadaver. We selected 114 anatomic structures (skin [1], bones [32], knee joint structures [7], muscles [60], arteries [7], and nerves [7]) from the 976 anatomic images which were generated from the left lower limb of the cadaver. Using Adobe Photoshop, the selected anatomic structures in each serial image were outlined, creating a segmented image. The Photoshop files were then converted into Adobe Illustrator files to prepare isolated segmented images, so that the contours of the structure could be viewed independent of the surrounding anatomy. Using Alias Maya, these isolated segmented images were then stacked to construct a contour image. Gaps between the contour lines were filled with surfaces, and three-dimensional surface reconstruction could be visualized with Rhinoceros. Surface imperfections were then corrected to complete the three-dimensional images in Alias Maya. We believe that the three-dimensional anatomic images created by these methods will have widespread application in both medical education and research. 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc

  10. A Fast Method for the Segmentation of Synaptic Junctions and Mitochondria in Serial Electron Microscopic Images of the Brain.

    PubMed

    Márquez Neila, Pablo; Baumela, Luis; González-Soriano, Juncal; Rodríguez, Jose-Rodrigo; DeFelipe, Javier; Merchán-Pérez, Ángel

    2016-04-01

    Recent electron microscopy (EM) imaging techniques permit the automatic acquisition of a large number of serial sections from brain samples. Manual segmentation of these images is tedious, time-consuming and requires a high degree of user expertise. Therefore, there is considerable interest in developing automatic segmentation methods. However, currently available methods are computationally demanding in terms of computer time and memory usage, and to work properly many of them require image stacks to be isotropic, that is, voxels must have the same size in the X, Y and Z axes. We present a method that works with anisotropic voxels and that is computationally efficient allowing the segmentation of large image stacks. Our approach involves anisotropy-aware regularization via conditional random field inference and surface smoothing techniques to improve the segmentation and visualization. We have focused on the segmentation of mitochondria and synaptic junctions in EM stacks from the cerebral cortex, and have compared the results to those obtained by other methods. Our method is faster than other methods with similar segmentation results. Our image regularization procedure introduces high-level knowledge about the structure of labels. We have also reduced memory requirements with the introduction of energy optimization in overlapping partitions, which permits the regularization of very large image stacks. Finally, the surface smoothing step improves the appearance of three-dimensional renderings of the segmented volumes.

  11. Fault Identification by Unsupervised Learning Algorithm

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nandan, S.; Mannu, U.

    2012-12-01

    Contemporary fault identification techniques predominantly rely on the surface expression of the fault. This biased observation is inadequate to yield detailed fault structures in areas with surface cover like cities deserts vegetation etc and the changes in fault patterns with depth. Furthermore it is difficult to estimate faults structure which do not generate any surface rupture. Many disastrous events have been attributed to these blind faults. Faults and earthquakes are very closely related as earthquakes occur on faults and faults grow by accumulation of coseismic rupture. For a better seismic risk evaluation it is imperative to recognize and map these faults. We implement a novel approach to identify seismically active fault planes from three dimensional hypocenter distribution by making use of unsupervised learning algorithms. We employ K-means clustering algorithm and Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm modified to identify planar structures in spatial distribution of hypocenter after filtering out isolated events. We examine difference in the faults reconstructed by deterministic assignment in K- means and probabilistic assignment in EM algorithm. The method is conceptually identical to methodologies developed by Ouillion et al (2008, 2010) and has been extensively tested on synthetic data. We determined the sensitivity of the methodology to uncertainties in hypocenter location, density of clustering and cross cutting fault structures. The method has been applied to datasets from two contrasting regions. While Kumaon Himalaya is a convergent plate boundary, Koyna-Warna lies in middle of the Indian Plate but has a history of triggered seismicity. The reconstructed faults were validated by examining the fault orientation of mapped faults and the focal mechanism of these events determined through waveform inversion. The reconstructed faults could be used to solve the fault plane ambiguity in focal mechanism determination and constrain the fault orientations for finite source inversions. The faults produced by the method exhibited good correlation with the fault planes obtained by focal mechanism solutions and previously mapped faults.

  12. [The estimation method of compounds opiate activity based on universal three-dimensional model of the nonselective opiate pharmacophore].

    PubMed

    Kuz'mina, N E; Iashkir, V A; Merkulov, V A; Osipova, E S

    2012-01-01

    Created by means alternative strategy of structural similarity search universal three-dimensional model of the nonselective opiate pharmacophore and the estimation method of agonistic and antagonistic properties of opiate receptors ligands based on its were described. The examples of the present method use are given for opiate activity estimation of compounds essentially distinguished on the structure from opiates and traditional opioids.

  13. Some characteristics of the three-dimensional structure of Santa Ana winds

    Treesearch

    Michael A. Fosberg; Clyde A. O' Dell; Mark J. Schroeder

    1966-01-01

    The three-dimensional structure of the Santa Ana was investigated in two case studies. Incorporated into a descriptive model of the Santa Ana were: (a) a bispectral gravity wave flow with a lee trough, produced by conservation of potential vorticity having a wave length of the order of 300 km. and short waves 6 to 10 km. long; (b) intensity of the foehn related to the...

  14. Temporal focusing microscopy combined with three-dimensional structured illumination

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Isobe, Keisuke; Toda, Keisuke; Song, Qiyuan; Kannari, Fumihiko; Kawano, Hiroyuki; Miyawaki, Atsushi; Midorikawa, Katsumi

    2017-05-01

    Temporal focusing microscopy provides the optical sectioning capability in wide-field two-photon fluorescence imaging. Here, we demonstrate temporal focusing microscopy combined with three-dimensional structured illumination, which enables us to enhance the three-dimensional spatial resolution and reject the background fluorescence. Experimentally, the periodic pattern of the illumination was produced not only in the lateral direction but also in the axial direction by the interference between three temporal focusing pulses, which were easily generated using a digital micromirror device. The lateral resolution and optical sectioning capability were successfully enhanced by factors of 1.6 and 3.6, respectively, compared with those of temporal focusing microscopy. In the two-photon fluorescence imaging of a tissue-like phantom, the out-of-focus background fluorescence and the scattered background fluorescence could also be rejected.

  15. Optimum Particle Size for Gold-Catalyzed CO Oxidation

    PubMed Central

    2018-01-01

    The structure sensitivity of gold-catalyzed CO oxidation is presented by analyzing in detail the dependence of CO oxidation rate on particle size. Clusters with less than 14 gold atoms adopt a planar structure, whereas larger ones adopt a three-dimensional structure. The CO and O2 adsorption properties depend strongly on particle structure and size. All of the reaction barriers relevant to CO oxidation display linear scaling relationships with CO and O2 binding strengths as main reactivity descriptors. Planar and three-dimensional gold clusters exhibit different linear scaling relationship due to different surface topologies and different coordination numbers of the surface atoms. On the basis of these linear scaling relationships, first-principles microkinetics simulations were conducted to determine CO oxidation rates and possible rate-determining step of Au particles. Planar Au9 and three-dimensional Au79 clusters present the highest CO oxidation rates for planar and three-dimensional clusters, respectively. The planar Au9 cluster is much more active than the optimum Au79 cluster. A common feature of optimum CO oxidation performance is the intermediate binding strengths of CO and O2, resulting in intermediate coverages of CO, O2, and O. Both these optimum particles present lower performance than maximum Sabatier performance, indicating that there is sufficient room for improvement of gold catalysts for CO oxidation. PMID:29707098

  16. Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography: From Diagnosis to Intervention.

    PubMed

    Orvalho, João S

    2017-09-01

    Echocardiography is one of the most important diagnostic tools in veterinary cardiology, and one of the greatest recent developments is real-time three-dimensional imaging. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography is a new ultrasonography modality that provides comprehensive views of the cardiac valves and congenital heart defects. The main advantages of this technique, particularly real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, are the ability to visualize the catheters, and balloons or other devices, and the ability to image the structure that is undergoing intervention with unprecedented quality. This technique may become one of the main choices for the guidance of interventional cardiology procedures. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Mirjana Dimitrievska | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    understanding the structure-dependent vibrational properties and reorientational behavior of different alkali Sad, Serbia Featured Publications M. Dimitrievska et al., "Structure-dependent vibrational : Structure and luminescence," J. Phys. Chem. C 120(33), 18887-18894 (2016). DOI: http://dx.doi.org

  18. Three Dimensional Modeling of the Attenuation Structure in the Part of the Kumaon Himalaya, India Using Strong Motion Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Joshi, A.; LAL, S.

    2017-12-01

    Attenuation property of the medium determines the amplitude of seismic waves at different locations during an earthquake. Attenuation can be defined by the inverse of the parameter known as quality factor `Q' (Knopoff, 1964). It has been observed that the peak ground acceleration in the strong motion accelerogram is associated with arrival of S-waves which is controlled mainly by the shear wave attenuation characteristics of the medium. In the present work attenuation structure is obtained using the modified inversion algorithm given by Joshi et al. (2010). The modified inversion algorithm is designed to provide three dimensional attenuation structure of the region at different frequencies. A strong motion network is installed in the Kumaon Himalaya by the Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee under a major research project sponsored by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. In this work the detailed three dimensional shear wave quality factor has been determined for the Kumaon Himalaya using strong motion data obtained from this network. In the present work 164 records from 26 events recorded at 15 stations located in an area of 129 km x 62 km has been used. The shear wave attenuation structure for the Kumaon Himalaya has been calculated by dividing the study region into 108 three dimensional rectangular blocks of size 22 km x 11 km x 5 km. The input to the inversion algorithm is the acceleration spectra of S wave identified from each record. A total of 164 spectra from equal number of accelerograms with sampling frequency of .024 Hz is used as an input to the algorithms. A total of 2048 three dimensional attenuation structure is obtained upto frequency of 50 Hz. The obtained structure at various frequencies is compared with the existing geological models in the region and it is seen that the obtained model correlated well with the geological model of the region. References: Joshi, A., Mohanty, M., Bansal, A. R., Dimri, V. P. and Chadha, R. K., 2010, Use of spectral acceleration data for determination of three dimensional attenuation structure in the Pithoragarh region of Kumaon Himalaya, J Seismol., 14, 247-272. Knopoff, L., 1964, Q, Reviews of Geophysics, 2, 625-660.

  19. Application of MSCTA combined with VRT in the operation of cervical dumbbell tumors

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Wan; Lin, Jia; Knosp, Engelbert; Zhao, Yuanzheng; Xiu, Dianhui; Guo, Yongchuan

    2015-01-01

    Cervical dumbbell tumor poses great difficulties for neurosurgical treatment and incurs remarkable local recurrence rate as the formidable problem for neurosurgery. However, as the routine preoperative evaluation scheme, MRI and CT failed to reveal the mutual three-dimensional relationships between tumor and adjacent structures. Here, we report the clinical application of MSCTA and VRT in three-dimensional reconstruction of cervical dumbbell tumors. From January 2012 to July 2014, 24 patients diagnosed with cervical dumbbell tumor were retrospectively analyzed. All patients enrolled were indicated for preoperative MSCTA/VRT image reconstruction to explore the three-dimensional stereoscopic anatomical relationships among neuroma, spinal cord and vertebral artery to achieve optimal surgical approach from multiple configurations and surgical practice. Three-dimensional mutual anatomical relationships among tumor, adjacent vessels and vertebrae were vividly reconstructed by MSCTA/VRT in all patients in accordance with intraoperative findings. Multiple configurations for optimal surgical approach contribute to total resection of tumor, minimal damage to vessels and nerves, and maximal maintenance of cervical spine stability. Preoperative MSCTA/VRT contributes to reconstruction of three-dimensional stereoscopic anatomical relationships between cervical dumbbell tumor and adjacent structures for optimal surgical approach by multiple configurations and reduction of intraoperative damages and postoperative complications. PMID:26550385

  20. Application of MSCTA combined with VRT in the operation of cervical dumbbell tumors.

    PubMed

    Wang, Wan; Lin, Jia; Knosp, Engelbert; Zhao, Yuanzheng; Xiu, Dianhui; Guo, Yongchuan

    2015-01-01

    Cervical dumbbell tumor poses great difficulties for neurosurgical treatment and incurs remarkable local recurrence rate as the formidable problem for neurosurgery. However, as the routine preoperative evaluation scheme, MRI and CT failed to reveal the mutual three-dimensional relationships between tumor and adjacent structures. Here, we report the clinical application of MSCTA and VRT in three-dimensional reconstruction of cervical dumbbell tumors. From January 2012 to July 2014, 24 patients diagnosed with cervical dumbbell tumor were retrospectively analyzed. All patients enrolled were indicated for preoperative MSCTA/VRT image reconstruction to explore the three-dimensional stereoscopic anatomical relationships among neuroma, spinal cord and vertebral artery to achieve optimal surgical approach from multiple configurations and surgical practice. Three-dimensional mutual anatomical relationships among tumor, adjacent vessels and vertebrae were vividly reconstructed by MSCTA/VRT in all patients in accordance with intraoperative findings. Multiple configurations for optimal surgical approach contribute to total resection of tumor, minimal damage to vessels and nerves, and maximal maintenance of cervical spine stability. Preoperative MSCTA/VRT contributes to reconstruction of three-dimensional stereoscopic anatomical relationships between cervical dumbbell tumor and adjacent structures for optimal surgical approach by multiple configurations and reduction of intraoperative damages and postoperative complications.

  1. Three-dimensional structure and ligand interactions of the low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase from Campylobacter jejuni.

    PubMed

    Tolkatchev, Dmitri; Shaykhutdinov, Rustem; Xu, Ping; Plamondon, Josée; Watson, David C; Young, N Martin; Ni, Feng

    2006-10-01

    A putative low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) was identified in the genome sequence of the bacterial pathogen, Campylobacter jejuni. This novel gene, cj1258, has sequence homology with a distinctive class of phosphatases widely distributed among prokaryotes and eukaryotes. We report here the solution structure of Cj1258 established by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy using NOE-derived distance restraints, hydrogen bond data, and torsion angle restraints. The three-dimensional structure consists of a central four-stranded parallel beta-sheet flanked by five alpha-helices, revealing an overall structural topology similar to those of the eukaryotic LMW-PTPs, such as human HCPTP-A, bovine BPTP, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae LTP1, and to those of the bacterial LMW-PTPs MPtpA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and YwlE from Bacillus subtilis. The active site of the enzyme is flexible in solution and readily adapts to the binding of ligands, such as the phosphate ion. An NMR-based screen was carried out against a number of potential inhibitors and activators, including phosphonomethylphenylalanine, derivatives of the cinnamic acid, 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, adenine, and hypoxanthine. Despite its bacterial origin, both the three-dimensional structure and ligand-binding properties of Cj1258 suggest that this novel phosphatase may have functional roles close to those of eukaryotic and mammalian tyrosine phosphatases. The three-dimensional structure along with mapping of small-molecule binding will be discussed in the context of developing high-affinity inhibitors of this novel LMW-PTP.

  2. Forced free-shear layer measurements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leboeuf, Richard L.

    1994-01-01

    Detailed three-dimensional three-component phase averaged measurements of the spanwise and streamwise vorticity formation and evolution in acoustically forced plane free-shear flows have been obtained. For the first time, phase-averaged measurements of all three velocity components have been obtained in both a mixing layer and a wake on three-dimensional grids, yielding the spanwise and streamwise vorticity distributions without invoking Taylor's hypothesis. Initially, two-frequency forcing was used to phase-lock the roll-up and first pairing of the spanwise vortical structures in a plane mixing layer. The objective of this study was to measure the near-field vortical structure morphology in a mixing layer with 'natural' laminar initial boundary layers. For the second experiment the second and third subharmonics of the fundamental roll-up frequency were added to the previous two-frequency forcing in order to phase-lock the roll-up and first three pairings of the spanwise rollers in the mixing layer. The objective of this study was to determine the details of spanwise scale changes observed in previous time-averaged measurements and flow visualization of unforced mixing layers. For the final experiment, single-frequency forcing was used to phase-lock the Karman vortex street in a plane wake developing from nominally two-dimensional laminar initial boundary layers. The objective of this study was to compare measurements of the three-dimensional structure in a wake developing from 'natural' initial boundary layers to existing models of wake vortical structure.

  3. Structural Biology Center

    Science.gov Websites

    structure of RCC2 and revealed one RCC1-like domain with a unique β-hairpin that is requisite for RCC2 Determinants Structure-guided design of an Hsp90β N-terminal isoform-selective inhibitor Nat Commun. 2018 Jan training for building #446 and ANL. MCSG's structure determination platform is well established, and

  4. The Evolving Market Structure of the U.S. Residential Solar PV Installation

    Science.gov Websites

    Solar PV Installation Industry, 2000-2016 The Evolving Market Structure of the U.S. Residential Solar PV residential solar photovoltaic (PV) system and that the residential PV installation industry has become more concentrated over time. From 2000 to 2016, the U.S. residential solar photovoltaic (PV) installation industry

  5. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > About OER > Program Review >

    Science.gov Websites

    OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Locations

  6. Surface representations of two- and three-dimensional fluid flow topology

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Helman, James L.; Hesselink, Lambertus

    1990-01-01

    We discuss our work using critical point analysis to generate representations of the vector field topology of numerical flow data sets. Critical points are located and characterized in a two-dimensional domain, which may be either a two-dimensional flow field or the tangential velocity field near a three-dimensional body. Tangent curves are then integrated out along the principal directions of certain classes of critical points. The points and curves are linked to form a skeleton representing the two-dimensional vector field topology. When generated from the tangential velocity field near a body in a three-dimensional flow, the skeleton includes the critical points and curves which provide a basis for analyzing the three-dimensional structure of the flow separation. The points along the separation curves in the skeleton are used to start tangent curve integrations to generate surfaces representing the topology of the associated flow separations.

  7. National Nuclear Data Center

    Science.gov Websites

    reaction data Sigma Retrieval & Plotting Nuclear structure & decay Data Nuclear Science References Experimental Unevaluated Nuclear Data List Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File NNDC databases Ground and isomeric states properties Nuclear structure & decay data journal Nuclear reaction model code Tools and

  8. Biographies

    Science.gov Websites

    Senior Enlisted Advisor Joint Staff History Joint Staff Inspector General Joint Staff Structure Origin of J8 | Force Structure, Resources & Assessment Contact Joint Staff Senior Leaders Gen. Joseph F Biography All Joint Staff Biographies Thomas F. Carney, Vice Director for Force Structure, Resources,and

  9. Vivek S. Bharadwaj | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Interests Vivek's interests broadly span across protein structure and dynamics, reaction mechanisms, and energetics and kinetics from first principles Protein structure prediction and docking Education PhD structure on the fumarate addition mechanism - a gas-phase ab initio study," Physical Chemistry

  10. Programmable self-assembly of three-dimensional nanostructures from 10,000 unique components

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ong, Luvena L.; Hanikel, Nikita; Yaghi, Omar K.; Grun, Casey; Strauss, Maximilian T.; Bron, Patrick; Lai-Kee-Him, Josephine; Schueder, Florian; Wang, Bei; Wang, Pengfei; Kishi, Jocelyn Y.; Myhrvold, Cameron; Zhu, Allen; Jungmann, Ralf; Bellot, Gaetan; Ke, Yonggang; Yin, Peng

    2017-12-01

    Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are widely used to construct nanometre-scale structures with ever increasing complexity, with possible application in fields such as structural biology, biophysics, synthetic biology and photonics. The nanostructures are formed through one-pot self-assembly, with early kilodalton-scale examples containing typically tens of unique DNA strands. The introduction of DNA origami, which uses many staple strands to fold one long scaffold strand into a desired structure, has provided access to megadalton-scale nanostructures that contain hundreds of unique DNA strands. Even larger DNA origami structures are possible, but manufacturing and manipulating an increasingly long scaffold strand remains a challenge. An alternative and more readily scalable approach involves the assembly of DNA bricks, which each consist of four short binding domains arranged so that the bricks can interlock. This approach does not require a scaffold; instead, the short DNA brick strands self-assemble according to specific inter-brick interactions. First-generation bricks used to create three-dimensional structures are 32 nucleotides long, consisting of four eight-nucleotide binding domains. Protocols have been designed to direct the assembly of hundreds of distinct bricks into well formed structures, but attempts to create larger structures have encountered practical challenges and had limited success. Here we show that DNA bricks with longer, 13-nucleotide binding domains make it possible to self-assemble 0.1-1-gigadalton, three-dimensional nanostructures from tens of thousands of unique components, including a 0.5-gigadalton cuboid containing about 30,000 unique bricks and a 1-gigadalton rotationally symmetric tetramer. We also assembled a cuboid that contains around 10,000 bricks and about 20,000 uniquely addressable, 13-base-pair ‘voxels’ that serves as a molecular canvas for three-dimensional sculpting. Complex, user-prescribed, three-dimensional cavities can be produced within this molecular canvas, enabling the creation of shapes such as letters, a helicoid and a teddy bear. We anticipate that with further optimization of structure design, strand synthesis and assembly procedure even larger structures could be accessible, which could be useful for applications such as positioning functional components.

  11. Dimensional Effects on the Charge Density Waves in Ultrathin Films of TiSe 2

    DOE PAGES

    Chen, P.; Chan, Y. -H.; Wong, M. -H.; ...

    2016-09-20

    Charge density wave (CDW) formation in solids is a critical phenomenon involving the collective reorganization of the electrons and atoms in the system into a wave structure, and it is expected to be sensitive to the geometric constraint of the system at the nanoscale. Here, we study the CDW transition in TiSe 2, a quasi-two-dimensional layered material, to determine the effects of quantum confinement and changing dimensions in films ranging from a single layer to multilayers. Of key interest is the characteristic length scale for the transformation from a two-dimensional case to the three-dimensional limit. Angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) measurements ofmore » films with thicknesses up to six layers reveal substantial variations in the energy structure of discrete quantum well states; however, the temperature-dependent band-gap renormalization converges at just three layers. The results indicate a layer-dependent mixture of two transition temperatures and a very-short-range CDW interaction within a three-dimensional framework.« less

  12. Multigrid finite element method in stress analysis of three-dimensional elastic bodies of heterogeneous structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matveev, A. D.

    2016-11-01

    To calculate the three-dimensional elastic body of heterogeneous structure under static loading, a method of multigrid finite element is provided, when implemented on the basis of algorithms of finite element method (FEM), using homogeneous and composite threedimensional multigrid finite elements (MFE). Peculiarities and differences of MFE from the currently available finite elements (FE) are to develop composite MFE (without increasing their dimensions), arbitrarily small basic partition of composite solids consisting of single-grid homogeneous FE of the first order can be used, i.e. in fact, to use micro approach in finite element form. These small partitions allow one to take into account in MFE, i.e. in the basic discrete models of composite solids, complex heterogeneous and microscopically inhomogeneous structure, shape, the complex nature of the loading and fixation and describe arbitrarily closely the stress and stain state by the equations of three-dimensional elastic theory without any additional simplifying hypotheses. When building the m grid FE, m of nested grids is used. The fine grid is generated by a basic partition of MFE, the other m —1 large grids are applied to reduce MFE dimensionality, when m is increased, MFE dimensionality becomes smaller. The procedures of developing MFE of rectangular parallelepiped, irregular shape, plate and beam types are given. MFE generate the small dimensional discrete models and numerical solutions with a high accuracy. An example of calculating the laminated plate, using three-dimensional 3-grid FE and the reference discrete model is given, with that having 2.2 milliards of FEM nodal unknowns.

  13. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > About OER > Program Review >

    Science.gov Websites

    About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate

  14. NREL Honored with Three Top R&D Awards

    Science.gov Websites

    Honored with Three Top R&D Awards For more information contact: Sarah Holmes Barba, 303-275 Renewable Energy Laboratory will receive three R&D 100 awards this week for technologies judged by R& fuels. This is Ginley's second R&D 100 award. Real-time biomass analysis can help analyze wood chips

  15. David W. Mulder, Ph.D. | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    an emphasis on identifying unique structure-functions relationships and molecular determinates of exploring structure-function relationships of redox metalloenzymes Designated Area Representative of the ]-hydrogenase H-cluster assembly revealed in the structure of HydAΔEFG" Nature (2010) Illustration labeled

  16. Algebraic multigrid methods applied to problems in computational structural mechanics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mccormick, Steve; Ruge, John

    1989-01-01

    The development of algebraic multigrid (AMG) methods and their application to certain problems in structural mechanics are described with emphasis on two- and three-dimensional linear elasticity equations and the 'jacket problems' (three-dimensional beam structures). Various possible extensions of AMG are also described. The basic idea of AMG is to develop the discretization sequence based on the target matrix and not the differential equation. Therefore, the matrix is analyzed for certain dependencies that permit the proper construction of coarser matrices and attendant transfer operators. In this manner, AMG appears to be adaptable to structural analysis applications.

  17. Three-dimensional study of the vector potential of magnetic structures.

    PubMed

    Phatak, Charudatta; Petford-Long, Amanda K; De Graef, Marc

    2010-06-25

    The vector potential is central to a number of areas of condensed matter physics, such as superconductivity and magnetism. We have used a combination of electron wave phase reconstruction and electron tomographic reconstruction to experimentally measure and visualize the three-dimensional vector potential in and around a magnetic Permalloy structure. The method can probe the vector potential of the patterned structures with a resolution of about 13 nm. A transmission electron microscope operated in the Lorentz mode is used to record four tomographic tilt series. Measurements for a square Permalloy structure with an internal closure domain configuration are presented.

  18. Three-dimensional microbubble streaming flows

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rallabandi, Bhargav; Marin, Alvaro; Rossi, Massimiliano; Kaehler, Christian; Hilgenfeldt, Sascha

    2014-11-01

    Streaming due to acoustically excited bubbles has been used successfully for applications such as size-sorting, trapping and focusing of particles, as well as fluid mixing. Many of these applications involve the precise control of particle trajectories, typically achieved using cylindrical bubbles, which establish planar flows. Using astigmatic particle tracking velocimetry (APTV), we show that, while this two-dimensional picture is a useful description of the flow over short times, a systematic three-dimensional flow structure is evident over long time scales. We demonstrate that this long-time three-dimensional fluid motion can be understood through asymptotic theory, superimposing secondary axial flows (induced by boundary conditions at the device walls) onto the two-dimensional description. This leads to a general framework that describes three-dimensional flows in confined microstreaming systems, guiding the design of applications that profit from minimizing or maximizing these effects.

  19. Effects of three-dimensional velocity structure on the seismicity of the 1984 Morgan Hill, California, aftershock sequence

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Michael, A.J.

    1988-01-01

    A three-dimensional velocity model for the area surrounding the 24 April 1984 Morgan Hill earthquake has been developed by simultaneously inverting local earthquake and refraction arrival-time data. This velocity model corresponds well to the surface geology of the region, predominantly showing a low-velocity region associated with the sedimentary sequence to the south-west of the Madrone Springs fault. The focal mechanisms were also determined for 946 earthquakes using both the one-dimensional and three-dimensional earth models. Both earth models yield similar focal mechanisms for these earthquakes. -from Author

  20. Modern cosmology and the origin of our three dimensionality.

    PubMed

    Woodbury, M A; Woodbury, M F

    1998-01-01

    We are three dimensional egocentric beings existing within a specific space/time continuum and dimensionality which we assume wrongly is the same for all times and places throughout the entire universe. Physicists name Omnipoint the origin of the universe at Dimension zero, which exploded as a Big Bang of energy proceeding at enormous speed along one dimension which eventually curled up into matter: particles, atoms, molecules and Galaxies which exist in two dimensional space. Finally from matter spread throughout the cosmos evolved life generating eventually the DNA molecules which control the construction of brains complex enough to construct our three dimensional Body Representation from which is extrapolated what we perceive as a 3-D universe. The whole interconnected structures which conjure up our three dimensionality are as fragile as Humpty Dumpty, capable of breaking apart with terrifying effects for the individual patient during a psychotic panic, revealing our three dimensionality to be but "maya", an illusion, which we psychiatrists work at putting back together.

  1. Fermi Research Alliance LLC

    Science.gov Websites

    dark matter structure in universe The findings - the most accurate made of the universe's present large -scale structure - support the dark matter/dark energy model. Read More Muon g-2 Muon magnet's moment has massive international experiment. Read More Dark Energy Camera DES reveals most accurate measurement of

  2. Fabrication of 2D and 3D photonic structures using laser lithography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gaso, P.; Jandura, D.; Pudis, D.

    2016-12-01

    In this paper we demonstrate possibilities of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology based on two photon polymerization. We used three-dimensional dip-in direct-laser-writing (DLW) optical lithography to fabricate 2D and 3D optical structures for optoelectronics and for optical sensing applications. DLW lithography allows us use a non conventional way how to couple light into the waveguide structure. We prepared ring resonator and we investigated its transmission spectral characteristic. We present 3D inverse opal structure from its design to printing and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. Finally, SEM images of some prepared photonic crystal structures were performed.

  3. Evolution of the three-dimensional collagen structure in vascular walls during deformation: an in situ mechanical testing under multiphoton microscopy observation.

    PubMed

    Nierenberger, Mathieu; Fargier, Guillaume; Ahzi, Saïd; Rémond, Yves

    2015-08-01

    The collagen fibers' three-dimensional architecture has a strong influence on the mechanical behavior of biological tissues. To accurately model this behavior, it is necessary to get some knowledge about the structure of the collagen network. In the present paper, we focus on the in situ characterization of the collagenous structure, which is present in porcine jugular vein walls. An observation of the vessel wall is first proposed in an unloaded configuration. The vein is then put into a mechanical tensile testing device. As the vein is stretched, three-dimensional images of its collagenous structure are acquired using multiphoton microscopy. Orientation analyses are provided for the multiple images recorded during the mechanical test. From these analyses, the reorientation of the two families of collagen fibers existing in the vein wall is quantified. We noticed that the reorientation of the fibers stops as the tissue stiffness starts decreasing, corresponding to the onset of damage. Besides, no relevant evolutions of the out of plane collagen orientations were observed. Due to the applied loading, our analysis also allowed for linking the stress relaxation within the tissue to its internal collagenous structure. Finally, this analysis constitutes the first mechanical test performed under a multiphoton microscope with a continuous three-dimensional observation of the tissue structure all along the test. It allows for a quantitative evaluation of microstructural parameters combined with a measure of the global mechanical behavior. Such data are useful for the development of structural mechanical models for living tissues.

  4. System and method for representing and manipulating three-dimensional objects on massively parallel architectures

    DOEpatents

    Karasick, M.S.; Strip, D.R.

    1996-01-30

    A parallel computing system is described that comprises a plurality of uniquely labeled, parallel processors, each processor capable of modeling a three-dimensional object that includes a plurality of vertices, faces and edges. The system comprises a front-end processor for issuing a modeling command to the parallel processors, relating to a three-dimensional object. Each parallel processor, in response to the command and through the use of its own unique label, creates a directed-edge (d-edge) data structure that uniquely relates an edge of the three-dimensional object to one face of the object. Each d-edge data structure at least includes vertex descriptions of the edge and a description of the one face. As a result, each processor, in response to the modeling command, operates upon a small component of the model and generates results, in parallel with all other processors, without the need for processor-to-processor intercommunication. 8 figs.

  5. Blue-phase templated fabrication of three-dimensional nanostructures for photonic applications.

    PubMed

    Castles, F; Day, F V; Morris, S M; Ko, D-H; Gardiner, D J; Qasim, M M; Nosheen, S; Hands, P J W; Choi, S S; Friend, R H; Coles, H J

    2012-05-13

    A promising approach to the fabrication of materials with nanoscale features is the transfer of liquid-crystalline structure to polymers. However, this has not been achieved in systems with full three-dimensional periodicity. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of self-assembled three-dimensional nanostructures by polymer templating blue phase I, a chiral liquid crystal with cubic symmetry. Blue phase I was photopolymerized and the remaining liquid crystal removed to create a porous free-standing cast, which retains the chiral three-dimensional structure of the blue phase, yet contains no chiral additive molecules. The cast may in turn be used as a hard template for the fabrication of new materials. By refilling the cast with an achiral nematic liquid crystal, we created templated blue phases that have unprecedented thermal stability in the range -125 to 125 °C, and that act as both mirrorless lasers and switchable electro-optic devices. Blue-phase templated materials will facilitate advances in device architectures for photonics applications in particular.

  6. Observation of the magnetic flux and three-dimensional structure of skyrmion lattices by electron holography.

    PubMed

    Park, Hyun Soon; Yu, Xiuzhen; Aizawa, Shinji; Tanigaki, Toshiaki; Akashi, Tetsuya; Takahashi, Yoshio; Matsuda, Tsuyoshi; Kanazawa, Naoya; Onose, Yoshinori; Shindo, Daisuke; Tonomura, Akira; Tokura, Yoshinori

    2014-05-01

    Skyrmions are nanoscale spin textures that are viewed as promising candidates as information carriers in future spintronic devices. Skyrmions have been observed using neutron scattering and microscopy techniques. Real-space imaging using electrons is a straightforward way to interpret spin configurations by detecting the phase shifts due to electromagnetic fields. Here, we report the first observation by electron holography of the magnetic flux and the three-dimensional spin configuration of a skyrmion lattice in Fe(0.5)Co(0.5)Si thin samples. The magnetic flux inside and outside a skyrmion was directly visualized and the handedness of the magnetic flux flow was found to be dependent on the direction of the applied magnetic field. The electron phase shifts φ in the helical and skyrmion phases were determined using samples with a stepped thickness t (from 55 nm to 510 nm), revealing a linear relationship (φ = 0.00173 t). The phase measurements were used to estimate the three-dimensional structures of both the helical and skyrmion phases, demonstrating that electron holography is a useful tool for studying complex magnetic structures and for three-dimensional, real-space mapping of magnetic fields.

  7. New digital measurement methods for left ventricular volume using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography: comparison with electromagnetic flow method and magnetic resonance imaging

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Qin, J. J.; Jones, M.; Shiota, T.; Greenberg, N. L.; Firstenberg, M. S.; Tsujino, H.; Zetts, A. D.; Sun, J. P.; Cardon, L. A.; Odabashian, J. A.; hide

    2000-01-01

    AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of using symmetrically rotated apical long axis planes for the determination of left ventricular (LV) volumes with real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE). METHODS AND RESULTS: Real-time 3DE was performed in six sheep during 24 haemodynamic conditions with electromagnetic flow measurements (EM), and in 29 patients with magnetic resonance imaging measurements (MRI). LV volumes were calculated by Simpson's rule with five 3DE methods (i.e. apical biplane, four-plane, six-plane, nine-plane (in which the angle between each long axis plane was 90 degrees, 45 degrees, 30 degrees or 20 degrees, respectively) and standard short axis views (SAX)). Real-time 3DE correlated well with EM for LV stroke volumes in animals (r=0.68-0.95) and with MRI for absolute volumes in patients (r-values=0.93-0.98). However, agreement between MRI and apical nine-plane, six-plane, and SAX methods in patients was better than those with apical four-plane and bi-plane methods (mean difference = -15, -18, -13, vs. -31 and -48 ml for end-diastolic volume, respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Apically rotated measurement methods of real-time 3DE correlated well with reference standards for calculating LV volumes. Balancing accuracy and required time for these LV volume measurements, the apical six-plane method is recommended for clinical use.

  8. Three New (2+1)-dimensional Integrable Systems and Some Related Darboux Transformations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Xiu-Rong

    2016-06-01

    We introduce two operator commutators by using different-degree loop algebras of the Lie algebra A1, then under the framework of zero curvature equations we generate two (2+1)-dimensional integrable hierarchies, including the (2+1)-dimensional shallow water wave (SWW) hierarchy and the (2+1)-dimensional Kaup-Newell (KN) hierarchy. Through reduction of the (2+1)-dimensional hierarchies, we get a (2+1)-dimensional SWW equation and a (2+1)-dimensional KN equation. Furthermore, we obtain two Darboux transformations of the (2+1)-dimensional SWW equation. Similarly, the Darboux transformations of the (2+1)-dimensional KN equation could be deduced. Finally, with the help of the spatial spectral matrix of SWW hierarchy, we generate a (2+1) heat equation and a (2+1) nonlinear generalized SWW system containing inverse operators with respect to the variables x and y by using a reduction spectral problem from the self-dual Yang-Mills equations. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 11371361, the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. ZR2012AQ011, ZR2013AL016, ZR2015EM042, National Social Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 13BJY026, the Development of Science and Technology Project under Grant No. 2015NS1048 and A Project of Shandong Province Higher Educational Science and Technology Program under Grant No. J14LI58

  9. Matrix-Assisted Three-Dimensional Printing of Cellulose Nanofibers for Paper Microfluidics.

    PubMed

    Shin, Sungchul; Hyun, Jinho

    2017-08-09

    A cellulose nanofiber (CNF), one of the most attractive green bioresources, was adopted for construction of microfluidic devices using matrix-assisted three-dimensional (3D) printing. CNF hydrogels can support structures printed using CAD design in a 3D hydrogel environment with the appropriate combination of rheological properties between the CNF hydrogel and ink materials. Amazingly, the structure printed freely in the bulky CNF hydrogels was able to retain its highly resolved 3D features in an ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) paper using a simple drying process. The dimensional change in the CNF hydrogels from 3D to 2D resulted from simple dehydration of the CNFs and provided transparent, stackable paper-based 3D channel devices. As a proof of principle, the rheological properties of the CNF hydrogels, the 3D structure of the ink, the formation of channels by evacuation of the ink, and the highly localized selectivity of the devices are described.

  10. Three-dimensional compound comparison methods and their application in drug discovery.

    PubMed

    Shin, Woong-Hee; Zhu, Xiaolei; Bures, Mark Gregory; Kihara, Daisuke

    2015-07-16

    Virtual screening has been widely used in the drug discovery process. Ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) methods compare a library of compounds with a known active ligand. Two notable advantages of LBVS methods are that they do not require structural information of a target receptor and that they are faster than structure-based methods. LBVS methods can be classified based on the complexity of ligand structure information utilized: one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D). Unlike 1D and 2D methods, 3D methods can have enhanced performance since they treat the conformational flexibility of compounds. In this paper, a number of 3D methods will be reviewed. In addition, four representative 3D methods were benchmarked to understand their performance in virtual screening. Specifically, we tested overall performance in key aspects including the ability to find dissimilar active compounds, and computational speed.

  11. Three-dimensional elastic-plastic finite-element analysis of fatigue crack propagation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Goglia, G. L.; Chermahini, R. G.

    1985-01-01

    Fatigue cracks are a major problem in designing structures subjected to cyclic loading. Cracks frequently occur in structures such as aircraft and spacecraft. The inspection intervals of many aircraft structures are based on crack-propagation lives. Therefore, improved prediction of propagation lives under flight-load conditions (variable-amplitude loading) are needed to provide more realistic design criteria for these structures. The main thrust was to develop a three-dimensional, nonlinear, elastic-plastic, finite element program capable of extending a crack and changing boundary conditions for the model under consideration. The finite-element model is composed of 8-noded (linear-strain) isoparametric elements. In the analysis, the material is assumed to be elastic-perfectly plastic. The cycle stress-strain curve for the material is shown Zienkiewicz's initial-stress method, von Mises's yield criterion, and Drucker's normality condition under small-strain assumptions are used to account for plasticity. The three-dimensional analysis is capable of extending the crack and changing boundary conditions under cyclic loading.

  12. Three-dimensional structural dynamics and fluctuations of DNA-nanogold conjugates by individual-particle electron tomography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Lei; Lei, Dongsheng; Smith, Jessica M.; Zhang, Meng; Tong, Huimin; Zhang, Xing; Lu, Zhuoyang; Liu, Jiankang; Alivisatos, A. Paul; Ren, Gang

    2016-03-01

    DNA base pairing has been used for many years to direct the arrangement of inorganic nanocrystals into small groupings and arrays with tailored optical and electrical properties. The control of DNA-mediated assembly depends crucially on a better understanding of three-dimensional structure of DNA-nanocrystal-hybridized building blocks. Existing techniques do not allow for structural determination of these flexible and heterogeneous samples. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy and negative-staining electron tomography approaches to image, and three-dimensionally reconstruct a single DNA-nanogold conjugate, an 84-bp double-stranded DNA with two 5-nm nanogold particles for potential substrates in plasmon-coupling experiments. By individual-particle electron tomography reconstruction, we obtain 14 density maps at ~2-nm resolution. Using these maps as constraints, we derive 14 conformations of dsDNA by molecular dynamics simulations. The conformational variation is consistent with that from liquid solution, suggesting that individual-particle electron tomography could be an expected approach to study DNA-assembling and flexible protein structure and dynamics.

  13. Dynamic analysis of geometrically non-linear three-dimensional beams under moving mass

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zupan, E.; Zupan, D.

    2018-01-01

    In this paper, we present a coupled dynamic analysis of a moving particle on a deformable three-dimensional frame. The presented numerical model is capable of considering arbitrary curved and twisted initial geometry of the beam and takes into account geometric non-linearity of the structure. Coupled with dynamic equations of the structure, the equations of moving particle are solved. The moving particle represents the dynamic load and varies the mass distribution of the structure and at the same time its path is adapting due to deformability of the structure. A coupled geometrically non-linear behaviour of beam and particle is studied. The equation of motion of the particle is added to the system of the beam dynamic equations and an additional unknown representing the coordinate of the curvilinear path of the particle is introduced. The specially designed finite-element formulation of the three-dimensional beam based on the weak form of consistency conditions is employed where only the boundary conditions are affected by the contact forces.

  14. Hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of a novel three-dimensional supramolecular framework constructed by zinc salt and pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Xinlong; Qin, Chao; Wang, Enbo; Hu, Changwen; Xu, Lin

    2004-07-01

    A novel metal-organic coordination polymer, [Zn(PDB)(H 2O) 2] 4 n (H 2PDB=pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Colorless crystals crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P-1, a=7.0562(14) Å, b=7.38526(15) Å, c=18.4611(4) Å, α=90.01(3)°, β=96.98(3)°, γ=115.67(3)°, V=859.1(3) Å 3, Z=1 and R=0.0334. The structure of the compound exhibits a novel three-dimensional supramolecular network, mainly based on multipoint hydrogen bonds originated from within and outside of a large 24-membered ring. Interestingly, the three-dimensional network consists of one-dimensional parallelogrammic channels in which coordinated water molecules point into the channel wall.

  15. Three-dimensional electron diffraction of plant light-harvesting complex

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Da Neng; Kühlbrandt, Werner

    1992-01-01

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

  16. Self-organization of a self-assembled supramolecular rectangle, square, and three-dimensional cage on Au111 surfaces.

    PubMed

    Yuan, Qun-Hui; Wan, Li-Jun; Jude, Hershel; Stang, Peter J

    2005-11-23

    The structure and conformation of three self-assembled supramolecular species, a rectangle, a square, and a three-dimensional cage, on Au111 surfaces were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. These supramolecular assemblies adsorb on Au111 surfaces and self-organize to form highly ordered adlayers with distinct conformations that are consistent with their chemical structures. The faces of the supramolecular rectangle and square lie flat on the surface, preserving their rectangle and square conformations, respectively. The three-dimensional cage also forms well-ordered adlayers on the gold surface, forming regular molecular rows of assemblies. When the rectangle and cage were mixed together, the assemblies separated into individual domains, and no mixed adlayers were observed. These results provide direct evidence of the noncrystalline solid-state structures of these assemblies and information about how they self-organize on Au111 surfaces, which is of importance in the potential manufacturing of functional nanostructures and devices.

  17. Three-dimensional density and compressible magnetic structure in solar wind turbulence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roberts, Owen W.; Narita, Yasuhito; Escoubet, C.-Philippe

    2018-03-01

    The three-dimensional structure of both compressible and incompressible components of turbulence is investigated at proton characteristic scales in the solar wind. Measurements of the three-dimensional structure are typically difficult, since the majority of measurements are performed by a single spacecraft. However, the Cluster mission consisting of four spacecraft in a tetrahedral formation allows for a fully three-dimensional investigation of turbulence. Incompressible turbulence is investigated by using the three vector components of the magnetic field. Meanwhile compressible turbulence is investigated by considering the magnitude of the magnetic field as a proxy for the compressible fluctuations and electron density data deduced from spacecraft potential. Application of the multi-point signal resonator technique to intervals of fast and slow wind shows that both compressible and incompressible turbulence are anisotropic with respect to the mean magnetic field direction P⟂ ≫ P∥ and are sensitive to the value of the plasma beta (β; ratio of thermal to magnetic pressure) and the wind type. Moreover, the incompressible fluctuations of the fast and slow solar wind are revealed to be different with enhancements along the background magnetic field direction present in the fast wind intervals. The differences in the fast and slow wind and the implications for the presence of different wave modes in the plasma are discussed.

  18. Research on the development of space target detecting system and three-dimensional reconstruction technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Dong; Wei, Zhen; Song, Dawei; Sun, Wenfeng; Fan, Xiaoyan

    2016-11-01

    With the development of space technology, the number of spacecrafts and debris are increasing year by year. The demand for detecting and identification of spacecraft is growing strongly, which provides support to the cataloguing, crash warning and protection of aerospace vehicles. The majority of existing approaches for three-dimensional reconstruction is scattering centres correlation, which is based on the radar high resolution range profile (HRRP). This paper proposes a novel method to reconstruct the threedimensional scattering centre structure of target from a sequence of radar ISAR images, which mainly consists of three steps. First is the azimuth scaling of consecutive ISAR images based on fractional Fourier transform (FrFT). The later is the extraction of scattering centres and matching between adjacent ISAR images using grid method. Finally, according to the coordinate matrix of scattering centres, the three-dimensional scattering centre structure is reconstructed using improved factorization method. The three-dimensional structure is featured with stable and intuitive characteristic, which provides a new way to improve the identification probability and reduce the complexity of the model matching library. A satellite model is reconstructed using the proposed method from four consecutive ISAR images. The simulation results prove that the method has gotten a satisfied consistency and accuracy.

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

    Katayama, Naoyuki; Onari, Seiichiro; Matsubayashi, Kazuyuki

    We report the comprehensive studies between synchrotron X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility experiments for the iron arsenides Can(n+1)/2(Fe1-xPtx)(2+3n)Ptn(n -1)/2As(n+1)(n+2)/2 for n=2 and 3. Both structures crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/m (#11) with three-dimensional FeAs structures. The horizontal FeAs layers are bridged by inclined FeAs planes through edge-sharing FeAs5 square pyramids, resulting in triangular tunneling structures rather than the simple layered structures found in conventional iron arsenides. n=3 system shows a sign of superconductivity with a small volume fraction. Our first-principles calculations of these systems clearly indicate that the Fermi surfaces originate from strong Fe-3d characters andmore » the three-dimensional nature of the electric structures for both systems, thus offering the playgrounds to study the effects of dimensionality on high Tc superconductivity.« less

  20. High Efficiency Thermoelectric Materials and Devices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kochergin, Vladimir (Inventor)

    2013-01-01

    Growth of thermoelectric materials in the form of quantum well super-lattices on three-dimensionally structured substrates provide the means to achieve high conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric module combined with inexpensiveness of fabrication and compatibility with large scale production. Thermoelectric devices utilizing thermoelectric materials in the form of quantum well semiconductor super-lattices grown on three-dimensionally structured substrates provide improved thermoelectric characteristics that can be used for power generation, cooling and other applications..

  1. High-resolution noise substitution to measure overfitting and validate resolution in 3D structure determination by single particle electron cryomicroscopy.

    PubMed

    Chen, Shaoxia; McMullan, Greg; Faruqi, Abdul R; Murshudov, Garib N; Short, Judith M; Scheres, Sjors H W; Henderson, Richard

    2013-12-01

    Three-dimensional (3D) structure determination by single particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) involves the calculation of an initial 3D model, followed by extensive iterative improvement of the orientation determination of the individual particle images and the resulting 3D map. Because there is much more noise than signal at high resolution in the images, this creates the possibility of noise reinforcement in the 3D map, which can give a false impression of the resolution attained. The balance between signal and noise in the final map at its limiting resolution depends on the image processing procedure and is not easily predicted. There is a growing awareness in the cryoEM community of how to avoid such over-fitting and over-estimation of resolution. Equally, there has been a reluctance to use the two principal methods of avoidance because they give lower resolution estimates, which some people believe are too pessimistic. Here we describe a simple test that is compatible with any image processing protocol. The test allows measurement of the amount of signal and the amount of noise from overfitting that is present in the final 3D map. We have applied the method to two different sets of cryoEM images of the enzyme beta-galactosidase using several image processing packages. Our procedure involves substituting the Fourier components of the initial particle image stack beyond a chosen resolution by either the Fourier components from an adjacent area of background, or by simple randomisation of the phases of the particle structure factors. This substituted noise thus has the same spectral power distribution as the original data. Comparison of the Fourier Shell Correlation (FSC) plots from the 3D map obtained using the experimental data with that from the same data with high-resolution noise (HR-noise) substituted allows an unambiguous measurement of the amount of overfitting and an accompanying resolution assessment. A simple formula can be used to calculate an unbiased FSC from the two curves, even when a substantial amount of overfitting is present. The approach is software independent. The user is therefore completely free to use any established method or novel combination of methods, provided the HR-noise test is carried out in parallel. Applying this procedure to cryoEM images of beta-galactosidase shows how overfitting varies greatly depending on the procedure, but in the best case shows no overfitting and a resolution of ~6 Å. (382 words). © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. The three-dimensional structure of the cellobiohydrolase Cel7A from Aspergillus fumigatus at 1.5 Å resolution

    PubMed Central

    Moroz, Olga V.; Maranta, Michelle; Shaghasi, Tarana; Harris, Paul V.; Wilson, Keith S.; Davies, Gideon J.

    2015-01-01

    The enzymatic degradation of plant cell-wall cellulose is central to many industrial processes, including second-generation biofuel production. Key players in this deconstruction are the fungal cellobiohydrolases (CBHs), notably those from family GH7 of the carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZY) database, which are generally known as CBHI enzymes. Here, three-dimensional structures are reported of the Aspergillus fumigatus CBHI Cel7A solved in uncomplexed and disaccharide-bound forms at resolutions of 1.8 and 1.5 Å, respectively. The product complex with a disaccharide in the +1 and +2 subsites adds to the growing three-dimensional insight into this family of industrially relevant biocatalysts. PMID:25615982

  3. Three-dimensional structure of Erwinia carotovora L-asparaginase

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

    Kislitsyn, Yu. A.; Kravchenko, O. V.; Nikonov, S. V.

    2006-10-15

    Three-dimensional structure of Erwinia carotovora L-asparaginase, which has antitumor activity and is used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was solved at 3 A resolution and refined to R{sub cryst} = 20% and R{sub free} = 28%. Crystals of recombinant Erwinia carotovora L-asparaginase were grown by the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method from protein solutions in a HEPES buffer (pH 6.5) and PEG MME 5000 solutions in a cacodylate buffer (pH 6.5) as the precipitant. Three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data were collected up to 3 A resolution from one crystal at room temperature. The structure was solved by the molecular replacement methodmore » using the coordinates of Erwinia chrysanthemi L-asparaginase as the starting model. The coordinates refined with the use of the CNS program package were deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB code 1ZCF)« less

  4. Three-dimensional fine structure of the organization of microtubules in neurite varicosities by ultra-high voltage electron microscope tomography.

    PubMed

    Nishida, Tomoki; Yoshimura, Ryoichi; Endo, Yasuhisa

    2017-09-01

    Neurite varicosities are highly specialized compartments that are involved in neurotransmitter/ neuromodulator release and provide a physiological platform for neural functions. However, it remains unclear how microtubule organization contributes to the form of varicosity. Here, we examine the three-dimensional structure of microtubules in varicosities of a differentiated PC12 neural cell line using ultra-high voltage electron microscope tomography. Three-dimensional imaging showed that a part of the varicosities contained an accumulation of organelles that were separated from parallel microtubule arrays. Further detailed analysis using serial sections and whole-mount tomography revealed microtubules running in a spindle shape of swelling in some other types of varicosities. These electron tomographic results showed that the structural diversity and heterogeneity of microtubule organization supported the form of varicosities, suggesting that a different distribution pattern of microtubules in varicosities is crucial to the regulation of varicosities development.

  5. A rudimentary database for three-dimensional objects using structural representation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sowers, James P.

    1987-01-01

    A database which enables users to store and share the description of three-dimensional objects in a research environment is presented. The main objective of the design is to make it a compact structure that holds sufficient information to reconstruct the object. The database design is based on an object representation scheme which is information preserving, reasonably efficient, and yet economical in terms of the storage requirement. The determination of the needed data for the reconstruction process is guided by the belief that it is faster to do simple computations to generate needed data/information for construction than to retrieve everything from memory. Some recent techniques of three-dimensional representation that influenced the design of the database are discussed. The schema for the database and the structural definition used to define an object are given. The user manual for the software developed to create and maintain the contents of the database is included.

  6. Spin texture of the surface state of three-dimensional Dirac material Ca3PbO

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kariyado, Toshikaze

    2015-04-01

    The bulk and surface electronic structures of a candidate three-dimensional Dirac material Ca3PbO and its family are discussed especially focusing on the spin texture on the surface states. We first explain the basic features of the bulk band structure of Ca3PbO, such as emergence of Dirac fermions near the Fermi energy, and compare it with the other known three-dimensional Dirac semimetals. Then, the surface bands and spin-texture on them are investigated in detail. It is shown that the surface bands exhibit strong momentum-spin locking, which may be useful in some application for spin manipulation, induced by a combination of the inversion symmetry breaking at the surface and the strong spin-orbit coupling of Pb atoms. The surface band structure and the spin-textures are sensitive to the surface types.

  7. A finite element-boundary integral method for scattering and radiation by two- and three-dimensional structures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jin, Jian-Ming; Volakis, John L.; Collins, Jeffery D.

    1991-01-01

    A review of a hybrid finite element-boundary integral formulation for scattering and radiation by two- and three-dimensional composite structures is presented. In contrast to other hybrid techniques involving the finite element method, the proposed one is in principle exact and can be implemented using a low O(N) storage. This is of particular importance for large scale applications and is a characteristic of the boundary chosen to terminate the finite element mesh, usually as close to the structure as possible. A certain class of these boundaries lead to convolutional boundary integrals which can be evaluated via the fast Fourier transform (FFT) without a need to generate a matrix; thus, retaining the O(N) storage requirement. The paper begins with a general description of the method. A number of two- and three-dimensional applications are then given, including numerical computations which demonstrate the method's accuracy, efficiency, and capability.

  8. Microfabrication and Test of a Three-Dimensional Polymer Hydro-focusing Unit for Flow Cytometry Applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yang, Ren; Feeback, Daniel L.; Wang, Wanjun

    2004-01-01

    This paper details a novel three-dimensional (3D) hydro-focusing micro cell sorter for micro flow cytometry applications. The unit was microfabricated by means of SU-8 3D lithography. The 3D microstructure for coaxial sheathing was designed, microfabricated, and tested. Three-dimensional hydro-focusing capability was demonstrated with an experiment to sort labeled tanned sheep erythrocytes (red blood cells). This polymer hydro-focusing microstructure is easily microfabricated and integrated with other polymer microfluidic structures.

  9. Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-5: Three-Dimensional Melt

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yodh, Arjun G.

    2008-01-01

    Binary Colloidal Alloy Test - 5: Three-Dimensional Melt (BCAT-5-3DMelt) photographs initially randomized colloidal samples in microgravity to determine their resulting structure over time. BCAT-5-3D-Melt will allow the scientists to capture the kinetics (evolution) of their samples, as well as the final equilibrium state of each sample. BCAT-5-3D-Melt will look at the mechanisms of melting using three-dimensional temperature sensitive colloidal crystals. Results will help scientists develop fundamental physics concepts previously shadowed by the effects of gravity.

  10. Microfabrication and Test of a Three-Dimensional Polymer Hydro-Focusing Unit for Flow Cytometry Applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yang, Ren; Feedback, Daniel L.; Wang, Wanjun

    2004-01-01

    This paper details a novel three-dimensional (3D) hydro-focusing micro cell sorter for micro flow cytometry applications. The unit was micro-fabricated by means of SU-8 3D lithography. The 3D microstructure for coaxial sheathing was designed, micro-fabricated, and tested. Three-dimensional hydrofocusing capability was demonstrated with an experiment to sort labeled tanned sheep erythrocytes (red blood cells). This polymer hydro-focusing microstructure is easily micro-fabricated and integrated with other polymer microfluidic structures.

  11. Three-dimensional imaging of the craniofacial complex.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Can X.; Nissanov, Jonathan; Öztürk, Cengizhan; Nuveen, Michiel J.; Tuncay, Orhan C.

    2000-02-01

    Orthodontic treatment requires the rearrangement of craniofacial complex elements in three planes of space, but oddly the diagnosis is done with two-dimensional images. Here we report on a three-dimensional (3D) imaging system that employs the stereoimaging method of structured light to capture the facial image. The images can be subsequently integrated with 3D cephalometric tracings derived from lateral and PA films (www.clinorthodres.com/cor-c-070). The accuracy of the reconstruction obtained with this inexpensive system is about 400 µ.

  12. Farley Three-Dimensional-Braiding Machine

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Farley, Gary L.

    1991-01-01

    Process and device known as Farley three-dimensional-braiding machine conceived to fabricate dry continuous fiber-reinforced preforms of complex three-dimensional shapes for subsequent processing into composite structures. Robotic fiber supply dispenses yarn as it traverses braiding surface. Combines many attributes of weaving and braiding processes with other attributes and capabilities. Other applications include decorative cloths, rugs, and other domestic textiles. Concept could lead to large variety of fiber layups and to entirely new products as well as new fiber-reinforcing applications.

  13. Unique sail-like structure of cor triatriatum dexter in three-dimensional echocardiogram.

    PubMed

    Low, Ting Ting; Uy, Celia Catherine C; Wong, Raymond Ching Chiew

    2014-08-01

    Cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) is an extremely rare congenital condition arising from the persistence of the right valve of the sinus venosus. It divides the right atrium (RA) into 2 separate chambers. We report a case of a 50-year-old man who had an incidental finding of CTD on transesophageal echocardiogram. An incomplete membrane of the RA was seen, and three-dimensional echocardiogram delineated the structure clearly as a triangular sail-like structure with multiple orifices and a fenestration. © 2013, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. A three-dimensional structured/unstructured hybrid Navier-Stokes method for turbine blade rows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tsung, F.-L.; Loellbach, J.; Kwon, O.; Hah, C.

    1994-01-01

    A three-dimensional viscous structured/unstructured hybrid scheme has been developed for numerical computation of high Reynolds number turbomachinery flows. The procedure allows an efficient structured solver to be employed in the densely clustered, high aspect-ratio grid around the viscous regions near solid surfaces, while employing an unstructured solver elsewhere in the flow domain to add flexibility in mesh generation. Test results for an inviscid flow over an external transonic wing and a Navier-Stokes flow for an internal annular cascade are presented.

  15. A study of methods to predict and measure the transmission of sound through the walls of light aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bernhard, R. J.; Bolton, J. S.; Gardner, B.; Mickol, J.; Mollo, C.; Bruer, C.

    1986-01-01

    Progress was made in the following areas: development of a numerical/empirical noise source identification procedure using bondary element techniques; identification of structure-borne noise paths using structural intensity and finite element methods; development of a design optimization numerical procedure to be used to study active noise control in three-dimensional geometries; measurement of dynamic properties of acoustical foams and incorporation of these properties in models governing three-dimensional wave propagation in foams; and structure-borne sound path identification by use of the Wigner distribution.

  16. Fast computational methods for predicting protein structure from primary amino acid sequence

    DOEpatents

    Agarwal, Pratul Kumar [Knoxville, TN

    2011-07-19

    The present invention provides a method utilizing primary amino acid sequence of a protein, energy minimization, molecular dynamics and protein vibrational modes to predict three-dimensional structure of a protein. The present invention also determines possible intermediates in the protein folding pathway. The present invention has important applications to the design of novel drugs as well as protein engineering. The present invention predicts the three-dimensional structure of a protein independent of size of the protein, overcoming a significant limitation in the prior art.

  17. OZONE CONTACTOR FLOW VISUALIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION USING 3-DIMENSIONAL LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE

    EPA Science Inventory

    Hydrodynamics of ozone contactors have a crucial impact on efficient inactivation of pathogens such as Cryptosporidium as well as control of disinfection byproducts such as bromate. Improper mixing behaviors including short-circuiting, internal recirculation and presence...

  18. Bill McMahon | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    career at NREL in 1995 by conducting scanning tunneling microscope (STM) studies of the atomic structure revealed a new strain-induced step structure and contributed to the development of world-record-efficiency NREL's Computational Materials Science team, probing the atomic structure of dislocations in III-V

  19. Smoot Cosmology Group

    Science.gov Websites

    the Cosmic Background Radiation as a tool to understand the structure and history of the Universe and its relation to the structure of space-time. Likewise, gravitational lensing, the search for evidence of cosmic strings, and the cosmic infrared background tell us about the structure of space-time and

  20. Pulse - Accelerator Science in Medicine

    Science.gov Websites

    the structure of biological molecules. They use the energy that charged particles emit when powerful than the sun and focused on a pinpoint. Deciphering the structure of proteins is key to understanding biological processes and healing disease. To determine a protein’s structure, researchers direct

  1. Lasing in a three-dimensional photonic crystal of the liquid crystal blue phase II.

    PubMed

    Cao, Wenyi; Muñoz, Antonio; Palffy-Muhoray, Peter; Taheri, Bahman

    2002-10-01

    Photonic-bandgap materials, with periodicity in one, two or three dimensions, offer control of spontaneous emission and photon localization. Low-threshold lasing has been demonstrated in two-dimensional photonic-bandgap materials, both with distributed feedback and defect modes. Liquid crystals with chiral constituents exhibit mesophases with modulated ground states. Helical cholesterics are one-dimensional, whereas blue phases are three-dimensional self-assembled photonic-bandgap structures. Although mirrorless lasing was predicted and observed in one-dimensional helical cholesteric materials and chiral ferroelectric smectic materials, it is of great interest to probe light confinement in three dimensions. Here, we report the first observations of lasing in three-dimensional photonic crystals, in the cholesteric blue phase II. Our results show that distributed feedback is realized in three dimensions, resulting in almost diffraction-limited lasing with significantly lower thresholds than in one dimension. In addition to mirrorless lasing, these self-assembled soft photonic-bandgap materials may also be useful for waveguiding, switching and sensing applications.

  2. Structures of undecagold clusters: Ligand effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Spivey, Kasi; Williams, Joseph I.; Wang, Lichang

    2006-12-01

    The most stable structure of undecagold, or Au 11, clusters was predicted from our DFT calculations to be planar [L. Xiao, L. Wang, Chem. Phys. Lett. 392 (2004) 452; L. Xiao, B. Tollberg, X. Hu, L. Wang, J. Chem. Phys. 124 (2005) 114309.]. The structures of ligand protected undecagold clusters were shown to be three-dimensional experimentally. In this work, we used DFT calculations to study the ligand effect on the structures of Au 11 clusters. Our results show that the most stable structure of Au 11 is in fact three-dimensional when SCH 3 ligands are attached. This indicates that the structures of small gold clusters are altered substantially in the presence of ligands.

  3. Casting inorganic structures with DNA molds

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Wei; Boulais, Etienne; Hakobyan, Yera; Wang, Wei Li; Guan, Amy; Bathe, Mark; Yin, Peng

    2014-01-01

    We report a general strategy for designing and synthesizing inorganic nanostructures with arbitrarily prescribed three-dimensional shapes. Computationally designed DNA strands self-assemble into a stiff “nano-mold” that contains a user-specified three-dimensional cavity and encloses a nucleating gold “seed”. Under mild conditions, this seed grows into a larger cast structure that fills and thus replicates the cavity. We synthesized a variety of nanoparticles with three nanometer resolution: three distinct silver cuboids with three independently tunable dimensions, silver and gold nanoparticles with diverse cross sections, and composite structures with homo-/heterogeneous components. The designer equilateral silver triangular and spherical nanoparticles exhibited plasmonic properties consistent with electromagnetism-based simulations. Our framework is generalizable to more complex geometries and diverse inorganic materials, offering a range of applications in biosensing, photonics, and nanoelectronics. PMID:25301973

  4. About the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Science.gov Websites

    JCS: Search Home Media News Photos Videos Publications About The Joint Staff Chairman Vice Chairman J8 | Force Structure, Resources & Assessment Contact Joint Staff Structure Home : About About the Joint Chiefs of Staff Download the CJCS Historic Guide The Joint Chiefs of Staff consist of the Chairman

  5. Gas-sensing enhancement methods for hydrothermal synthesized SnO2-based sensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Yalei; Zhang, Wenlong; Yang, Bin; Liu, Jingquan; Chen, Xiang; Wang, Xiaolin; Yang, Chunsheng

    2017-11-01

    Gas sensing for hydrothermal synthesized SnO2-based gas sensors can be enhanced in three ways: structural improvement, composition optimization, and processing improvement. There have been zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, and three-dimensional structures reported in the literature. Controllable synthesis of different structures has been deployed to increase specific surface area. Change of composition would intensively tailor the SnO2 structure, which affected the gas-sensing performance. Furthermore, doping and compounding methods have been adopted to promote gas-sensing performance by adjusting surface conditions of SnO2 crystals and constructing heterojunctions. As for processing area, it is very important to find the optimal reaction time and temperature. In this paper, a gas-solid reaction rate constant was proposed to evaluate gas-sensing properties and find an excellent hydrothermal synthesized SnO2-based gas sensor.

  6. On the use of video projectors for three-dimensional scanning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Juarez-Salazar, Rigoberto; Diaz-Ramirez, Victor H.; Robledo-Sanchez, Carlos; Diaz-Gonzalez, Gerardo

    2017-08-01

    Structured light projection is one of the most useful methods for accurate three-dimensional scanning. Video projectors are typically used as the illumination source. However, because video projectors are not designed for structured light systems, some considerations such as gamma calibration must be taken into account. In this work, we present a simple method for gamma calibration of video projectors. First, the experimental fringe patterns are normalized. Then, the samples of the fringe patterns are sorted in ascending order. The sample sorting leads to a simple three-parameter sine curve that is fitted using the Gauss-Newton algorithm. The novelty of this method is that the sorting process removes the effect of the unknown phase. Thus, the resulting gamma calibration algorithm is significantly simplified. The feasibility of the proposed method is illustrated in a three-dimensional scanning experiment.

  7. Effects of stratospheric lapse rate on thunderstorm cloud-top structure in a three-dimensional numerical simulation. I - Some basic results of comparative experiments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schlesinger, Robert E.

    1988-01-01

    The effects of stratospheric temperature lapse rate on cloud top height/temperature structure for strongly sheared, mature, isolated midlatitude thunderstorms are investigated by performing three different experiments with an anelastic, three-dimensional model: (1) with an assumed stratospheric lapse rate of 0 K/km (i.e., the isothermal case), (2) with 3 K/km, and (3) with -3 K/km (i.e., the case of inversion). Kinematic storm structure is very similar in all three cases, especially in the troposphere; a strong quasi-steady updraft evolves and splits into a dominant cyclonic overshooting right-mover and a weaker, anticyclonic left-mover that does not reach the tropopause.

  8. Vision in our three-dimensional world

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    Many aspects of our perceptual experience are dominated by the fact that our two eyes point forward. Whilst the location of our eyes leaves the environment behind our head inaccessible to vision, co-ordinated use of our two eyes gives us direct access to the three-dimensional structure of the scene in front of us, through the mechanism of stereoscopic vision. Scientific understanding of the different brain regions involved in stereoscopic vision and three-dimensional spatial cognition is changing rapidly, with consequent influences on fields as diverse as clinical practice in ophthalmology and the technology of virtual reality devices. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Vision in our three-dimensional world’. PMID:27269595

  9. Synthesis, crystal structure and characterization of chiral, three-dimensional anhydrous potassium tris(oxalato)ferrate(III)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saritha, A.; Raju, B.; Ramachary, M.; Raghavaiah, P.; Hussain, K. A.

    2012-11-01

    The synthesis, crystal structure and physical properties of chiral, three-dimensional anhydrous potassium tris(oxalato)ferrate(III) [K3Fe(C2O4)3] are described. X-ray analysis reveals that the compound crystallized in the chiral space group P4132 of cubic system with a=b=c=13.5970(2), Z=4. The structure of the complex consists of infinite anionic [Fe(C2O4)3]3- units with distorted octahedral environment of iron surrounded by six oxygen atoms of three oxalato groups. The anionic units are interlinked through K+ ions of three different coordination environments of distorted octahedral, bicapped trigonal prismatic and trigonal prismatic yielding a three-dimensional motif. The two broad absorption bands at 644 and 924 nm from UV-vis-NIR transmittance spectra were ascribed to a ligand-to-metal charge transfer. The room temperature crystalline EPR spectra indicate the high-spin (S=5/2) of Fe(III) ion. The vibrating sample magnetometer measurement shows the paramagnetic nature at room temperature. Thermal studies of the compound confirm the absence of water molecule.

  10. Golden Rays - November 2016 | Solar Research | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    develop PV module materials for reliable, low-cost solar electricity. Photo of three individuals behind quantum dots. Photo of a man inside a room with manufacturing equipment NREL Report Shows U.S. Solar PV sustained economic competitiveness of solar PV for the industry across all three sectors. Must Reads

  11. Designing Better Scaffolding in Teaching Complex Systems with Graphical Simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Na

    Complex systems are an important topic in science education today, but they are usually difficult for secondary-level students to learn. Although graphic simulations have many advantages in teaching complex systems, scaffolding is a critical factor for effective learning. This dissertation study was conducted around two complementary research questions on scaffolding: (1) How can we chunk and sequence learning activities in teaching complex systems? (2) How can we help students make connections among system levels across learning activities (level bridging)? With a sample of 123 seventh-graders, this study employed a 3x2 experimental design that factored sequencing methods (independent variable 1; three levels) with level-bridging scaffolding (independent variable 2; two levels) and compared the effectiveness of each combination. The study measured two dependent variables: (1) knowledge integration (i.e., integrating and connecting content-specific normative concepts and providing coherent scientific explanations); (2) understanding of the deep causal structure (i.e., being able to grasp and transfer the causal knowledge of a complex system). The study used a computer-based simulation environment as the research platform to teach the ideal gas law as a system. The ideal gas law is an emergent chemical system that has three levels: (1) experiential macro level (EM) (e.g., an aerosol can explodes when it is thrown into the fire); (2) abstract macro level (AM) (i.e., the relationships among temperature, pressure and volume); (3) micro level (Mi) (i.e., molecular activity). The sequencing methods of these levels were manipulated by changing the order in which they were delivered with three possibilities: (1) EM-AM-Mi; (2) Mi-AM-EM; (3) AM-Mi-EM. The level-bridging scaffolding variable was manipulated on two aspects: (1) inserting inter-level questions among learning activities; (2) two simulations dynamically linked in the final learning activity. Addressing the first research question, the Experiential macro-Abstract macro-Micro (EM-AM-Mi) sequencing method, following the "concrete to abstract" principle, produced better knowledge integration while the Micro-Abstract macro-Experiential macro (Mi-AM-EM) sequencing method, congruent with the causal direction of the emergent system, produced better understanding of the deep causal structure only when level-bridging scaffolding was provided. The Abstract macro-Micro-Experiential macro (AM-Mi-EM) sequencing method produced worse performance in general, because it did not follow the "concrete to abstract" principle, nor did it align with the causal structure of the emergent system. As to the second research question, the results showed that level-bridging scaffolding was important for both knowledge integration and understanding of the causal structure in learning the ideal gas law system.

  12. In silico analysis of the three-dimensional structures of the homodimer of uridine phosphorylase from Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis in the ligand-free state and in a complex with 5-fluorouracil

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

    Lashkov, A. A., E-mail: alashkov83@gmail.com; Sotnichenko, S. E.; Mikhailov, A. M.

    2013-03-15

    Pseudotuberculosis is an acute infectious disease characterized by a lesion of the gastrointestinal tract. A positive therapeutic effect can be achieved by selectively suppressing the activity of uridine phosphorylase from the causative agent of the disease Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The synergistic effect of a combination of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil and antimicrobial drugs, which block the synthesis of pyrimidine bases, on the cells of pathogenic protozoa and bacteria is described in the literature. The three-dimensional structures of uridine phosphorylase from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (YptUPh) both in the ligand-free state and in complexes with pharmacological agents are unknown, which hinders the search formore » and design of selective inhibitors of YptUPh. The three-dimensional structure of the ligand-free homodimer of YptUPh was determined by homology-based molecular modeling. The three-dimensional structure of the subunit of the YptUPh molecule belongs to {alpha}/{beta} proteins, and its topology is a three-layer {alpha}/{beta}/{alpha} sandwich. The subunit monomer of the YptUPh molecule consists of 38% helices and 24% {beta} strands. A model of the homodimer structure of YptUPh in a complex with 5-FU was obtained by the molecular docking. The position of 5-FU in the active site of the molecule is very consistent with the known data on the X-ray diffraction structures of other bacterial uridine phosphorylases (the complex of uridine phosphorylase from Salmonella typhimurium (StUPh) with 5-FU, ID PDB: 4E1V and the complex of uridine phosphorylase from Escherichia coli (EcUPh) with 5-FU and ribose 1-phosphate, ID PDB: 1RXC).« less

  13. In silico analysis of the three-dimensional structures of the homodimer of uridine phosphorylase from Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis in the ligand-free state and in a complex with 5-fluorouracil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lashkov, A. A.; Sotnichenko, S. E.; Mikhailov, A. M.

    2013-03-01

    Pseudotuberculosis is an acute infectious disease characterized by a lesion of the gastrointestinal tract. A positive therapeutic effect can be achieved by selectively suppressing the activity of uridine phosphorylase from the causative agent of the disease Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The synergistic effect of a combination of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil and antimicrobial drugs, which block the synthesis of pyrimidine bases, on the cells of pathogenic protozoa and bacteria is described in the literature. The three-dimensional structures of uridine phosphorylase from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis ( YptUPh) both in the ligand-free state and in complexes with pharmacological agents are unknown, which hinders the search for and design of selective inhibitors of YptUPh. The three-dimensional structure of the ligand-free homodimer of YptUPh was determined by homology-based molecular modeling. The three-dimensional structure of the subunit of the YptUPh molecule belongs to α/β proteins, and its topology is a three-layer α/β/α sandwich. The subunit monomer of the YptUPh molecule consists of 38% helices and 24% β strands. A model of the homodimer structure of YptUPh in a complex with 5-FU was obtained by the molecular docking. The position of 5-FU in the active site of the molecule is very consistent with the known data on the X-ray diffraction structures of other bacterial uridine phosphorylases (the complex of uridine phosphorylase from Salmonella typhimurium ( StUPh) with 5-FU, ID PDB: 4E1V and the complex of uridine phosphorylase from Escherichia coli ( EcUPh) with 5-FU and ribose 1-phosphate, ID PDB: 1RXC).

  14. Los Angeles Tall Buildings Structural Design Council

    Science.gov Websites

    Los Angeles Tall Buildings Structural Design Council Home News Archives Members Mailing Address LATBSDC c/o John A. Martin & Associates 950 South Grand Ave 4th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA Phone (213) 483-6490 Fax (213) 483-3084 Welcome Welcome to the Los Angeles Tall Buildings Structural Design

  15. Nuclear Data Sheets page at the NNDC

    Science.gov Websites

    Data Sheets is a journal primarily devoted to the publication of evaluated nuclear structure and decay ; neutron, proton, alpha, cluster and cluster emission; fission. Nuclear structure and decay data are basis. The ENSDF database is the source for the nuclear structure and decay articles, which deal with a

  16. BLAST for Behind-the-Meter Applications Lite Tool | Transportation Research

    Science.gov Websites

    provided by NREL's PV Watts calculator. A generic utility rate structure framework makes it possible to the BLAST documentation for proper CSV formatting. Rate structure values Define demand charges and energy costs to best represent your utility rate structure of interest. Demand charges and energy costs

  17. Three-dimensional wideband electromagnetic modeling on massively parallel computers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alumbaugh, David L.; Newman, Gregory A.; Prevost, Lydie; Shadid, John N.

    1996-01-01

    A method is presented for modeling the wideband, frequency domain electromagnetic (EM) response of a three-dimensional (3-D) earth to dipole sources operating at frequencies where EM diffusion dominates the response (less than 100 kHz) up into the range where propagation dominates (greater than 10 MHz). The scheme employs the modified form of the vector Helmholtz equation for the scattered electric fields to model variations in electrical conductivity, dielectric permitivity and magnetic permeability. The use of the modified form of the Helmholtz equation allows for perfectly matched layer ( PML) absorbing boundary conditions to be employed through the use of complex grid stretching. Applying the finite difference operator to the modified Helmholtz equation produces a linear system of equations for which the matrix is sparse and complex symmetrical. The solution is obtained using either the biconjugate gradient (BICG) or quasi-minimum residual (QMR) methods with preconditioning; in general we employ the QMR method with Jacobi scaling preconditioning due to stability. In order to simulate larger, more realistic models than has been previously possible, the scheme has been modified to run on massively parallel (MP) computer architectures. Execution on the 1840-processor Intel Paragon has indicated a maximum model size of 280 × 260 × 200 cells with a maximum flop rate of 14.7 Gflops. Three different geologic models are simulated to demonstrate the use of the code for frequencies ranging from 100 Hz to 30 MHz and for different source types and polarizations. The simulations show that the scheme is correctly able to model the air-earth interface and the jump in the electric and magnetic fields normal to discontinuities. For frequencies greater than 10 MHz, complex grid stretching must be employed to incorporate absorbing boundaries while below this normal (real) grid stretching can be employed.

  18. Monolithic Microfluidic Mixing-Spraying Devices for Time-Resolved Cryo-Electron Microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Lu, Zonghuan; Shaikh, Tanvir R.; Barnard, David; Meng, Xing; Mohamed, Hisham; Yassin, Aymen; Mannella, Carmen A.; Agrawal, Rajendra K.; Lu, Toh-Ming

    2009-01-01

    The goal of time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy is to determine structural models for transient functional states of large macromolecular complexes such as ribosomes and viruses. The challenge of time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy is to rapidly mix reactants, and then, following a defined time interval, to rapidly deposit them as a thin film and freeze the sample to the vitreous state. Here we describe a methodology in which reaction components are mixed and allowed to react, and are then sprayed onto an EM grid as it is being plunged into cryogen. All steps are accomplished by a monolithic, microfabricated silicon device that incorporates a mixer, reaction channel, and pneumatic sprayer in a single chip. We have found that microdroplets produced by air atomization spread to sufficiently thin films on a millisecond time scale provided that the carbon supporting film is made suitably hydrophilic. The device incorporates two T-mixers flowing into a single channel of four butterfly-shaped mixing elements that ensure effective mixing, followed by a microfluidic reaction channel whose length can be varied to achieve the desired reaction time. The reaction channel is flanked by two ports connected to compressed humidified nitrogen gas (at 50 psi) to generate the spray. The monolithic mixer-sprayer is incorporated into a computer-controlled plunging apparatus. To test the mixing performance and the suitability of the device for preparation of biological macromolecules for cryo-EM, ribosomes and ferritin were mixed in the device and sprayed onto grids. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the ribosomes demonstrated retention of native structure, and 30S and 50S subunits were shown to be capable of reassociation into ribosomes after passage through the device. PMID:19683579

  19. Electromagnetic density of modes for a finite-size three-dimensional structure.

    PubMed

    D'Aguanno, Giuseppe; Mattiucci, Nadia; Centini, Marco; Scalora, Michael; Bloemer, Mark J

    2004-05-01

    The concept of the density of modes has been lacking a precise mathematical definition for a finite-size structure. With the explosive growth in the fabrication of photonic crystals and nanostructures, which are inherently finite in size, a workable definition is imperative. We give a simple and physically intuitive definition of the electromagnetic density of modes based on the Green's function for a generic three-dimensional open cavity filled with a linear, isotropic, dielectric material.

  20. CELFE/NASTRAN Code for the Analysis of Structures Subjected to High Velocity Impact

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chamis, C. C.

    1978-01-01

    CELFE (Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian Finite Element)/NASTRAN Code three-dimensional finite element code has the capability for analyzing of structures subjected to high velocity impact. The local response is predicted by CELFE and, for large problems, the far-field impact response is predicted by NASTRAN. The coupling of the CELFE code with NASTRAN (CELFE/NASTRAN code) and the application of the code to selected three-dimensional high velocity impact problems are described.

  1. Three-Dimensional Mapping of Hippocampal Anatomy in Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bearden, Carrie E.; Soares, Jair C.; Klunder, Andrea D.; Nicoletti, Mark; Dierschki, Nicole; Hayashi, Kiralee M.; Narr, Katherine L.; Bhrambilla, Paolo; Sassi, Roberto B.; Axelson, David; Ryan, Neal; Birmaher, Boris; Thompson, Paul M.

    2008-01-01

    The article discusses the use of three-dimensional mapping methods in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder to find out if localized alterations in hippocampal structure are exhibited. It also explores the developmental differences where the patient with bipolar disorder showed increasing hippocampal size with increasing age.

  2. Sectioning Clay Models Makes Anatomy & Development Tangible

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Howell, Carina Endres; Howell, James Endres

    2010-01-01

    Clay models have proved to be useful teaching aids for many topics in biology that depend on three-dimensional reasoning. Students studying embryonic development struggle to mentally reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of embryos and larvae by observing prepared slides of cross-sectional slices. Students who build clay models of embryos…

  3. Three-Dimensional Extension of a Digital Library Service System

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Xiao, Long

    2010-01-01

    Purpose: The paper aims to provide an overall methodology and case study for the innovation and extension of a digital library, especially the service system. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the three-dimensional structure theory of the information service industry, this paper combines a comprehensive analysis with the practical experiences…

  4. Two-dimensional Zn(II) and one-dimensional Co(II) coordination polymers based on benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate and pyridine ligands.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Li-Juan; Han, Chang-Bao; Wang, Yu-Ling

    2016-02-01

    Coordination polymers constructed from metal ions and organic ligands have attracted considerable attention owing to their diverse structural topologies and potential applications. Ligands containing carboxylate groups are among the most extensively studied because of their versatile coordination modes. Reactions of benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (H2BDC) and pyridine (py) with Zn(II) or Co(II) yielded two new coordination polymers, namely, poly[(μ4-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylato-κ(4)O:O':O'':O''')(pyridine-κN)zinc(II)], [Zn(C8H4O2)(C5H5N)]n, (I), and catena-poly[aqua(μ3-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylato-κ(3)O:O':O'')bis(pyridine-κN)cobalt(II)], [Co(C8H4O2)(C5H5N)2(H2O)]n, (II). In compound (I), the Zn(II) cation is five-coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from four BDC(2-) ligands and one pyridine N atom in a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry. Four carboxylate groups bridge two Zn(II) ions to form centrosymmetric paddle-wheel-like Zn2(μ2-COO)4 units, which are linked by the benzene rings of the BDC(2-) ligands to generate a two-dimensional layered structure. The two-dimensional layer is extended into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure with the help of π-π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings. Compound (II) has a one-dimensional double-chain structure based on Co2(μ2-COO)2 units. The Co(II) cations are bridged by BDC(2-) ligands and are octahedrally coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from three BDC(2-) ligands, one water O atom and two pyridine N atoms. Interchain O-H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions link these chains to form a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.

  5. Two-Dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Structure Determination Module for Introductory Biochemistry: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Lyso-Glycerophospholipids

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Garrett, Teresa A.; Rose, Rebecca L.; Bell, Sidney M.

    2013-01-01

    In this laboratory module, introductory biochemistry students are exposed to two-dimensional [superscript 1]H-nuclear magnetic resonance of glycerophospholipids (GPLs). Working in groups of three, students enzymatically synthesized and purified a variety of 2-acyl lyso GPLs. The structure of the 2-acyl lyso GPL was verified using [superscript…

  6. Silver(I) coordination polymers assembled from flexible cyclotriphosphazene ligand: structures, topologies and investigation of the counteranion effects.

    PubMed

    Davarcı, Derya; Gür, Rüştü; Beşli, Serap; Şenkuytu, Elif; Zorlu, Yunus

    2016-06-01

    The reactions of a flexible ligand hexakis(3-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (HPCP) with a variety of silver(I) salts (AgX; X = NO3(-), PF6(-), ClO4(-), CH3PhSO3(-), BF4(-) and CF3SO3(-)) afforded six silver(I) coordination polymers, namely {[Ag2(HPCP)]·(NO3)2·H2O}n (1), {[Ag2(HPCP)(CH3CN)]·(PF6)2}n (2), {[Ag2(HPCP)(CH3CN)]·(ClO4)2}n (3), [Ag3(HPCP)(CH3PhSO3)3]n (4), [Ag2(HPCP)(CH3CN)(BF4)2]n (5) and {[Ag(HPCP)]·(CF3SO3)}n (6). All of the isolated crystalline compounds were structurally determined by X-ray crystallography. Changing the counteranions in the reactions, which were conducted under similar conditions of M/L ratio (1:1), temperature and solvent, resulted in structures with different types of topologies. In complexes (1)-(6), the ligand HPCP shows different coordination modes with Ag(I) ions giving two-dimensional layered structures and three-dimensional frameworks with different topologies. Complex (1) displays a new three-dimensional framework adopting a (3,3,6)-connected 3-nodal net with point symbol {4.6(2)}2{4(2).6(10).8(3)}. Complexes (2) and (3) are isomorphous and have a two-dimensional layered structure showing the same 3,6L60 topology with point symbol {4.2(6)}2{4(8).6(6).8}. Complex (4) is a two-dimensional structure incorporating short Ag...Ag argentophilic interactions and has a uninodal 4-connected sql/Shubnikov tetragonal plane net with {4(4).6(2)} topology. Complex (5) exhibits a novel three-dimensional framework and more suprisingly contains twofold interpenetrated honeycomb-like networks, in which the single net has a trinodal (2,3,5)-connected 3-nodal net with point symbol {6(3).8(6).12}{6(3)}{8}. Complex (6) crystallizes in a trigonal crystal system with the space group R\\bar 3 and possesses a three-dimensional polymeric structure showing a binodal (4,6)-connected fsh net with the point symbol (4(3).6(3))2.(4(6).6(6).8(3)). The effect of the counteranions on the formation of coordination polymers is discussed in this study.

  7. Utility of three-dimensional and multiplanar reformatted computed tomography for evaluation of pediatric congenital spine abnormalities.

    PubMed

    Newton, Peter O; Hahn, Gregory W; Fricka, Kevin B; Wenger, Dennis R

    2002-04-15

    A retrospective radiographic review of 31 patients with congenital spine abnormalities who underwent conventional radiography and advanced imaging studies was conducted. To analyze the utility of three-dimensional computed tomography with multiplanar reformatted images for congenital spine anomalies, as compared with plain radiographs and axial two-dimensional computed tomography imaging. Conventional radiographic imaging for congenital spine disorders often are difficult to interpret because of the patient's small size, the complexity of the disorder, a deformity not in the plane of the radiographs, superimposed structures, and difficulty in forming a mental three-dimensional image. Multiplanar reformatted and three-dimensional computed tomographic imaging offers many potential advantages for defining congenital spine anomalies including visualization of the deformity in any plane, from any angle, with the overlying structures subtracted. The imaging studies of patients who had undergone a three-dimensional computed tomography for congenital deformities of the spine between 1992 and 1998 were reviewed (31 cases). All plain radiographs and axial two-dimensional computed tomography images performed before the three-dimensional computed tomography were reviewed and the findings documented. This was repeated for the three-dimensional reconstructions and, when available, the multiplanar reformatted images (15 cases). In each case, the utility of the advanced imaging was graded as one of the following: Grade A (substantial new information obtained), Grade B (confirmatory with improved visualization and understanding of the deformity), and Grade C (no added useful information obtained). In 17 of 31 cases, the multiplanar reformatted and three-dimensional images allowed identification of unrecognized malformations. In nine additional cases, the advanced imaging was helpful in better visualizing and understanding previously identified deformities. In five cases, no new information was gained. The standard and curved multiplanar reformatted images were best for defining the occiput-C1-C2 anatomy and the extent of segmentation defects. The curved multiplanar reformatted images were especially helpful in keeping the spine from "coming in" and "going out" of the plane of the image when there was significant spine deformity in the sagittal or coronal plane. The three-dimensional reconstructions proved valuable in defining failures of formation. Advanced computed tomography imaging (three-dimensional computed tomography and curved/standard multiplanar reformatted images) allows better definition of congenital spine anomalies. More than 50% of the cases showed additional abnormalities not appreciated on plain radiographs or axial two-dimensional computed tomography images. Curved multiplanar reformatted images allowed imaging in the coronal and sagittal planes of the entire deformity.

  8. Media Compositions for Three Dimensional Mammalian Tissue Growth Under Microgravity Culture Conditions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Goodwin, Thomas J. (Inventor)

    1998-01-01

    Normal mammalian tissue and the culturing process has been developed for the three groups of organ, structural and blood tissue. The cells are grown in vitro under microgravity culture conditions and form three dimensional cells aggregates with normal cell function. The microgravity culture conditions may be microgravity or simulated microgravity created in a horizontal rotating wall culture vessel.

  9. Media Compositions for Three-Dimensional Mammalian Tissue Growth under Microgravity Culture Conditions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Goodwin, Thomas J. (Inventor)

    1998-01-01

    Normal mammalian tissue and the culturing process has been developed for the three groups of organ, structural and blood tissue.The cells are grown in vitro under microgravity culture conditions and form three dimensional cells aggregates with normal cell function. The microgravity culture conditions may be microgravity or simulated microgravity created in a horizontal rotating wall culture vessel.

  10. Wood-Boring Gribbles Intrigue Researchers | News | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    the crystal structure of a key enzyme produced by the gribble. The report was recently published in . One of them, dubbed Cel7B, is the subject of the latest paper describing its crystal structure. " diffraction to solve the structure of the gribble enzyme and biochemical techniques to understand its activity

  11. Enzyme's Worth to Biofuels Shown in Latest NREL Research | News | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    , and Yannick Bomble with the X-ray diffraction source used to determine the structure of the C. bescii whether their crystalline structure is simple or highly complex. No other enzyme has shown that ability cellulosic biofuels from becoming a commercial reality. The crystalline structure of cellulose fiber in plant

  12. Computational Modeling | Bioenergy | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    molecules dissociates and an H-H pair is formed. The atomic structure of state 3 is shown in the lower inset -dissociation of the first H2 molecule. The structure and partial charge density (at the highest occupied band depicted by the illustration to the left determined the structure and binding orientation of several

  13. Willis Lamb, Jr., the Hydrogen Atom, and the Lamb Shift

    Science.gov Websites

    1955, Lamb won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discoveries concerning "the fine structure of , May 7 - September 30, 1979 Fine Structure of the Hydrogen Atom, Part I; Part II; Part III; Part IV ; Part V; Part VI (from Physical Review 1950-1953) Microwave Technique for Determining the Fine Structure

  14. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > Education > NOAA Initiatives

    Science.gov Websites

    Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Locations Strategic Plan Evaluation Education NOAA Initiatives Home About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Locations Strategic Plan 2014 Funding Opportunities Contact Us Program

  15. NOAA Office of Exploration and Research > Education > Alliance Partners

    Science.gov Websites

    Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Locations Strategic Plan Evaluation Education Alliance Partners Home About OER Overview Organization Guiding Documents Organizational Structure Map of Staff and Affiliate Locations Strategic Plan 2014 Funding Opportunities Contact Us Program

  16. Three-Dimensional, Fibrous Lithium Iron Phosphate Structures Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering.

    PubMed

    Bünting, Aiko; Uhlenbruck, Sven; Sebold, Doris; Buchkremer, H P; Vaßen, R

    2015-10-14

    Crystalline, three-dimensional (3D) structured lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) thin films with additional carbon are fabricated by a radio frequency (RF) magnetron-sputtering process in a single step. The 3D structured thin films are obtained at deposition temperatures of 600 °C and deposition times longer than 60 min by using a conventional sputtering setup. In contrast to glancing angle deposition (GLAD) techniques, no tilting of the substrate is required. Thin films are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrospcopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and galvanostatic charging and discharging. The structured LiFePO4+C thin films consist of fibers that grow perpendicular to the substrate surface. The fibers have diameters up to 500 nm and crystallize in the desired olivine structure. The 3D structured thin films have superior electrochemical properties compared with dense two-dimensional (2D) LiFePO4 thin films and are, hence, very promising for application in 3D microbatteries.

  17. Detailed electromagnetic simulation for the structural color of butterfly wings.

    PubMed

    Lee, R Todd; Smith, Glenn S

    2009-07-20

    Many species of butterflies exhibit interesting optical phenomena due to structural color. The physical reason for this color is subwavelength features on the surface of a single scale. The exposed surface of a scale is covered with a ridge structure. The fully three-dimensional, periodic, finite-difference time-domain method is used to create a detailed electromagnetic model of a generic ridge. A novel method for presenting the three-dimensional observed color pattern is developed. Using these tools, the change in color that is a result of varying individual features of the scale is explored. Computational models are developed that are similar to three butterflies: Morpho rhetenor, Troides magellanus, and Ancyluris meliboeus.

  18. A discrete search algorithm for finding the structure of protein backbones and side chains.

    PubMed

    Sallaume, Silas; Martins, Simone de Lima; Ochi, Luiz Satoru; Da Silva, Warley Gramacho; Lavor, Carlile; Liberti, Leo

    2013-01-01

    Some information about protein structure can be obtained by using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques, but they provide only a sparse set of distances between atoms in a protein. The Molecular Distance Geometry Problem (MDGP) consists in determining the three-dimensional structure of a molecule using a set of known distances between some atoms. Recently, a Branch and Prune (BP) algorithm was proposed to calculate the backbone of a protein, based on a discrete formulation for the MDGP. We present an extension of the BP algorithm that can calculate not only the protein backbone, but the whole three-dimensional structure of proteins.

  19. Interplay between self-assembled structure of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and osteoblast functions in three-dimensional titanium alloy scaffolds: Stimulation of osteogenic activity.

    PubMed

    Nune, K C; Kumar, A; Murr, L E; Misra, R D K

    2016-02-01

    Three-dimensional cellular scaffolds are receiving significant attention in bone tissue engineering to treat segmental bone defects. However, there are indications of lack of significant osteoinductive ability of three-dimensional cellular scaffolds. In this regard, the objective of the study is to elucidate the interplay between bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) and osteoblast functions on 3D mesh structures with different porosities and pore size that were fabricated by electron beam melting. Self-assembled dendritic microstructure with interconnected cellular-type morphology of BMP-2 on 3D scaffolds stimulated osteoblast functions including adhesion, proliferation, and mineralization, with prominent effect on 2-mm mesh. Furthermore, immunofluorescence studies demonstrated higher density and viability of osteoblasts on lower porosity mesh structure (2 mm) as compared to 3- and 4-mm mesh structures. Enhanced filopodia cellular extensions with extensive cell spreading was observed on BMP-2 treated mesh structures, a behavior that is attributed to the unique self-assembled structure of BMP-2 that effectively communicates with the cells. The study underscores the potential of BMP-2 in imparting osteoinductive capability to the 3D printed scaffolds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  20. Tensor of effective susceptibility in random magnetic composites: Application to two-dimensional and three-dimensional cases

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Posnansky, Oleg P.

    2018-05-01

    The measuring of dynamic magnetic susceptibility by nuclear magnetic resonance is used for revealing information about the internal structure of various magnetoactive composites. The response of such material on the applied external static and time-varying magnetic fields encodes intrinsic dynamic correlations and depends on links between macroscopic effective susceptibility and structure on the microscopic scale. In the current work we carried out computational analysis of the frequency dependent dynamic magnetic susceptibility and demonstrated its dependence on the microscopic architectural elements while also considering Euclidean dimensionality. The proposed numerical method is efficient in the simulation of nuclear magnetic resonance experiments in two- and three-dimensional random magnetic media by choosing and modeling the influence of the concentration of components and internal hierarchical characteristics of physical parameters.

  1. The factorial validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey in China.

    PubMed

    Hu, Qiao; Schaufeli, Wilmar B

    2009-10-01

    The dimensional structure of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) was investigated using data collected from three samples of Chinese students in two high schools, a university, and a nursing school, respectively (total N = 1,499; 36% males, 64% females; M age 19.0 yr., SD = 1.3). Single group Confirmatory Factor Analyses corroborated the hypothesized three-factor model for the composite sample as well as for the three independent samples. Subsequent multigroup analyses revealed that the three-dimensional structure of the MBI-SS is partially invariant across three samples. It is concluded that the MBI-SS can be used to assess burnout in Chinese students.

  2. Annual Cybersecurity & Resilience Workshop | Energy Systems Integration

    Science.gov Websites

    architecture for DER. Cross-Cutting Panels and Breakout Sessions Workshop attendees participated in three cross , business, and policy perspective. The below videos showcase one of the three cross-cutting panel Architecture: Toward a Buildable Architecture Supporting Fractal Microgrids Toby Considine, President, TC9 Inc

  3. Instantaneous three-dimensional visualization of concentration distributions in turbulent flows with crossed-plane laser-induced fluorescence imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoffmann, A.; Zimmermann, F.; Scharr, H.; Krömker, S.; Schulz, C.

    2005-01-01

    A laser-based technique for measuring instantaneous three-dimensional species concentration distributions in turbulent flows is presented. The laser beam from a single laser is formed into two crossed light sheets that illuminate the area of interest. The laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) signal emitted from excited species within both planes is detected with a single camera via a mirror arrangement. Image processing enables the reconstruction of the three-dimensional data set in close proximity to the cutting line of the two light sheets. Three-dimensional intensity gradients are computed and compared to the two-dimensional projections obtained from the two directly observed planes. Volume visualization by digital image processing gives unique insight into the three-dimensional structures within the turbulent processes. We apply this technique to measurements of toluene-LIF in a turbulent, non-reactive mixing process of toluene and air and to hydroxyl (OH) LIF in a turbulent methane-air flame upon excitation at 248 nm with a tunable KrF excimer laser.

  4. Complex structures from patterned cell sheets

    PubMed Central

    Misra, M.; Audoly, B.; Shvartsman, S. Y.

    2017-01-01

    The formation of three-dimensional structures from patterned epithelial sheets plays a key role in tissue morphogenesis. An important class of morphogenetic mechanisms relies on the spatio-temporal control of apical cell contractility, which can result in the localized bending of cell sheets and in-plane cell rearrangements. We have recently proposed a modified vertex model that can be used to systematically explore the connection between the two-dimensional patterns of cell properties and the emerging three-dimensional structures. Here we review the proposed modelling framework and illustrate it through the computational analysis of the vertex model that captures the salient features of the formation of the dorsal appendages during Drosophila oogenesis. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Systems morphodynamics: understanding the development of tissue hardware’. PMID:28348251

  5. Fine structure of modal focusing effect in a three dimensional plasma-sheath-lens formed by disk electrodes

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

    Stamate, Eugen, E-mail: eust@dtu.dk; Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University, C3-1, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603; Yamaguchi, Masahito

    2015-08-31

    Modal and discrete focusing effects associated with three-dimensional plasma-sheath-lenses show promising potential for applications in ion beam extraction, mass spectrometry, plasma diagnostics and for basic studies of plasma sheath. The ion focusing properties can be adjusted by controlling the geometrical structure of the plasma-sheath-lens and plasma parameters. The positive and negative ion kinetics within the plasma-sheath-lens are investigated both experimentally and theoretically and a modal focusing ring is identified on the surface of disk electrodes. The focusing ring is very sensitive to the sheath thickness and can be used to monitor very small changes in plasma parameters. Three dimensional simulationsmore » are found to be in very good agreement with experiments.« less

  6. Generation of three-dimensional delaunay meshes from weakly structured and inconsistent data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Garanzha, V. A.; Kudryavtseva, L. N.

    2012-03-01

    A method is proposed for the generation of three-dimensional tetrahedral meshes from incomplete, weakly structured, and inconsistent data describing a geometric model. The method is based on the construction of a piecewise smooth scalar function defining the body so that its boundary is the zero isosurface of the function. Such implicit description of three-dimensional domains can be defined analytically or can be constructed from a cloud of points, a set of cross sections, or a "soup" of individual vertices, edges, and faces. By applying Boolean operations over domains, simple primitives can be combined with reconstruction results to produce complex geometric models without resorting to specialized software. Sharp edges and conical vertices on the domain boundary are reproduced automatically without using special algorithms. Refs. 42. Figs. 25.

  7. Fermilab Today

    Science.gov Websites

    greatest risk. The number of Fermilab flu shot clinics was subsequently reduced from three to one and contact x3092. For DOE Labs Flu Vaccines Go a Long Way Flu Shot A flu shot You may be wondering what though our vaccine will wind up protecting at risk employees from three DOE labs instead of just one. You

  8. Researcher Biographies

    Science.gov Websites

    interest: mechanical system design sensitivity analysis and optimization of linear and nonlinear structural systems, reliability analysis and reliability-based design optimization, computational methods in committee member, ISSMO; Associate Editor, Mechanics Based Design of Structures and Machines; Associate

  9. Navigating 3D electron microscopy maps with EM-SURFER.

    PubMed

    Esquivel-Rodríguez, Juan; Xiong, Yi; Han, Xusi; Guang, Shuomeng; Christoffer, Charles; Kihara, Daisuke

    2015-05-30

    The Electron Microscopy DataBank (EMDB) is growing rapidly, accumulating biological structural data obtained mainly by electron microscopy and tomography, which are emerging techniques for determining large biomolecular complex and subcellular structures. Together with the Protein Data Bank (PDB), EMDB is becoming a fundamental resource of the tertiary structures of biological macromolecules. To take full advantage of this indispensable resource, the ability to search the database by structural similarity is essential. However, unlike high-resolution structures stored in PDB, methods for comparing low-resolution electron microscopy (EM) density maps in EMDB are not well established. We developed a computational method for efficiently searching low-resolution EM maps. The method uses a compact fingerprint representation of EM maps based on the 3D Zernike descriptor, which is derived from a mathematical series expansion for EM maps that are considered as 3D functions. The method is implemented in a web server named EM-SURFER, which allows users to search against the entire EMDB in real-time. EM-SURFER compares the global shapes of EM maps. Examples of search results from different types of query structures are discussed. We developed EM-SURFER, which retrieves structurally relevant matches for query EM maps from EMDB within seconds. The unique capability of EM-SURFER to detect 3D shape similarity of low-resolution EM maps should prove invaluable in structural biology.

  10. Brian K. Kobilka and G-protein-coupled Receptors (GPCR)

    Science.gov Websites

    the laboratory's Advanced Photon Source (APS) to make the first discovery of the structure of a human the structure of β2AR at the exact moment that the protein-receptor complex signals across the carrying out its biological mission. ... In order to obtain the structure of a GPCR, Kobilka and his

  11. Compatible topologies and parameters for NMR structure determination of carbohydrates by simulated annealing.

    PubMed

    Feng, Yingang

    2017-01-01

    The use of NMR methods to determine the three-dimensional structures of carbohydrates and glycoproteins is still challenging, in part because of the lack of standard protocols. In order to increase the convenience of structure determination, the topology and parameter files for carbohydrates in the program Crystallography & NMR System (CNS) were investigated and new files were developed to be compatible with the standard simulated annealing protocols for proteins and nucleic acids. Recalculating the published structures of protein-carbohydrate complexes and glycosylated proteins demonstrates that the results are comparable to the published structures which employed more complex procedures for structure calculation. Integrating the new carbohydrate parameters into the standard structure calculation protocol will facilitate three-dimensional structural study of carbohydrates and glycosylated proteins by NMR spectroscopy.

  12. Compatible topologies and parameters for NMR structure determination of carbohydrates by simulated annealing

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    The use of NMR methods to determine the three-dimensional structures of carbohydrates and glycoproteins is still challenging, in part because of the lack of standard protocols. In order to increase the convenience of structure determination, the topology and parameter files for carbohydrates in the program Crystallography & NMR System (CNS) were investigated and new files were developed to be compatible with the standard simulated annealing protocols for proteins and nucleic acids. Recalculating the published structures of protein-carbohydrate complexes and glycosylated proteins demonstrates that the results are comparable to the published structures which employed more complex procedures for structure calculation. Integrating the new carbohydrate parameters into the standard structure calculation protocol will facilitate three-dimensional structural study of carbohydrates and glycosylated proteins by NMR spectroscopy. PMID:29232406

  13. Casting inorganic structures with DNA molds

    DOE PAGES

    Sun, Wei; Boulais, Etienne; Hakobyan, Yera; ...

    2014-10-09

    Here we report a general strategy for designing and synthesizing inorganic nanostructures with arbitrarily prescribed three-dimensional shapes. Computationally designed DNA strands self-assemble into a stiff “nano-mold” that contains a user-specified three-dimensional cavity and encloses a nucleating gold “seed”. Under mild conditions, this seed grows into a larger cast structure that fills and thus replicates the cavity. We synthesized a variety of nanoparticles with three nanometer resolution: three distinct silver cuboids with three independently tunable dimensions, silver and gold nanoparticles with diverse cross sections, and composite structures with homo-/heterogeneous components. The designer equilateral silver triangular and spherical nanoparticles exhibited plasmonic propertiesmore » consistent with electromagnetism-based simulations. Our framework is generalizable to more complex geometries and diverse inorganic materials, offering a range of applications in biosensing, photonics, and nanoelectronics.« less

  14. Michael Levitt and Computational Biology

    Science.gov Websites

    molecular structures, compute structural changes, refine experimental structure, model enzyme catalysis and (May 2004) Top Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ

  15. Thermoelectric microdevice fabricated by a MEMS-like electrochemical process

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Snyder, G. Jeffrey; Lim, James R.; Huang, Chen-Kuo; Fleurial, Jean-Pierre

    2003-01-01

    Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are the basis of many rapidly growing technologies, because they combine miniature sensors and actuators with communications and electronics at low cost. Commercial MEMS fabrication processes are limited to silicon-based materials or two-dimensional structures. Here we show an inexpensive, electrochemical technique to build MEMS-like structures that contain several different metals and semiconductors with three-dimensional bridging structures. We demonstrate this technique by building a working microthermoelectric device. Using repeated exposure and development of multiple photoresist layers, several different metals and thermoelectric materials are fabricated in a three-dimensional structure. A device containing 126 n-type and p-type (Bi, Sb)2Te3 thermoelectric elements, 20 microm tall and 60 microm in diameter with bridging metal interconnects, was fabricated and cooling demonstrated. Such a device should be of technological importance for precise thermal control when operating as a cooler, and for portable power when operating as a micro power generator.

  16. Coulomb double helical structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kamimura, Tetsuo; Ishihara, Osamu

    2012-01-01

    Structures of Coulomb clusters formed by dust particles in a plasma are studied by numerical simulation. Our study reveals the presence of various types of self-organized structures of a cluster confined in a prolate spheroidal electrostatic potential. The stable configurations depend on a prolateness parameter for the confining potential as well as on the number of dust particles in a cluster. One-dimensional string, two-dimensional zigzag structure and three-dimensional double helical structure are found as a result of the transition controlled by the prolateness parameter. The formation of stable double helical structures resulted from the transition associated with the instability of angular perturbations on double strings. Analytical perturbation study supports the findings of numerical simulations.

  17. Unlabored system motion by specially conditioned electromagnetic fields in higher dimensional realms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    David Froning, H.; Meholic, Gregory V.

    2010-01-01

    This third of three papers explores the possibility of swift, stress-less system transitions between slower-than-light and faster-than-light speeds with negligible net expenditure of system energetics. The previous papers derived a realm of higher dimensionality than 4-D spacetime that enabled such unlabored motion; and showed that fields that could propel and guide systems on unlabored paths in the higher dimensional realm must be fields that have been conditioned to SU(2) (or higher) Lie group symmetry. This paper shows that the system's surrounding vacuum dielectric ɛμ, within the higher dimensional realm's is a vector (not scalar) quantity with fixed magnitude ɛ0μ0 and changing direction within the realm with changing system speed. Thus, ɛμ generated by the system's EM field must remain tuned to vacuum ɛ0μ0 in both magnitude and direction during swift, unlabored system transitions between slower and faster than light speeds. As a result, the system's changing path and speed is such that the magnitude of the higher dimensional realm's ɛ0μ0 is not disturbed. And it is shown that a system's flight trajectories associated with its swift, unlabored transitions between zero and infinite speed can be represented by curved paths traced-out within the higher dimensional realm.

  18. Analytical Methodology for Predicting the Onset of Widespread Fatigue Damage in Fuselage Structure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Harris, Charles E.; Newman, James C., Jr.; Piascik, Robert S.; Starnes, James H., Jr.

    1996-01-01

    NASA has developed a comprehensive analytical methodology for predicting the onset of widespread fatigue damage in fuselage structure. The determination of the number of flights and operational hours of aircraft service life that are related to the onset of widespread fatigue damage includes analyses for crack initiation, fatigue crack growth, and residual strength. Therefore, the computational capability required to predict analytically the onset of widespread fatigue damage must be able to represent a wide range of crack sizes from the material (microscale) level to the global structural-scale level. NASA studies indicate that the fatigue crack behavior in aircraft structure can be represented conveniently by the following three analysis scales: small three-dimensional cracks at the microscale level, through-the-thickness two-dimensional cracks at the local structural level, and long cracks at the global structural level. The computational requirements for each of these three analysis scales are described in this paper.

  19. Towards three-dimensional optical metamaterials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tanaka, Takuo; Ishikawa, Atsushi

    2017-12-01

    Metamaterials have opened up the possibility of unprecedented and fascinating concepts and applications in optics and photonics. Examples include negative refraction, perfect lenses, cloaking, perfect absorbers, and so on. Since these metamaterials are man-made materials composed of sub-wavelength structures, their development strongly depends on the advancement of micro- and nano-fabrication technologies. In particular, the realization of three-dimensional metamaterials is one of the big challenges in this research field. In this review, we describe recent progress in the fabrication technologies for three-dimensional metamaterials, as well as proposed applications.

  20. Three-dimensional fabric reinforced plastics for cryogenic use

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iwasaki, Y.; Yasuda, J.; Hirokawa, T.; Noma, K.; Nishijima, S.; Okada, T.

    Three-dimensional fabric reinforced plastics (3DFRPs) have been developed as insulating and/or structural materials in superconducting magnets. Three-dimensional fabrics were designed with practical applications in fibre composites of 3DFRP. The mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, tensile strength and the compressive strength down to liquid helium temperature were measured. Thermal contraction was also measured. The cryogenic characteristics of 3DFRPs were compared with those of conventional laminates. The newly developed 3DFRPs were found to show satisfactory characteristics not only at room temperature but also at low temperatures.

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