Electro-optic voltage sensor head

DOEpatents

Crawford, Thomas M.; Davidson, James R.; Woods, Gregory K.

1999-01-01

The invention is an electro-optic voltage sensor head designed for integration with existing types of high voltage transmission and distribution apparatus. The sensor head contains a transducer, which comprises a transducing material in which the Pockels electro-optic effect is observed. In the practice of the invention at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation is routed into the transducing material of the transducer in the sensor head. The beam undergoes an electro-optic effect in the sensor head when the transducing material is subjected to an E-field. The electro-optic effect is observed as a differential phase a shift, also called differential phase modulation, of the beam components in orthogonal planes of the electromagnetic radiation. In the preferred embodiment the beam is routed through the transducer along an initial axis and then reflected by a retro-reflector back substantially parallel to the initial axis, making a double pass through the transducer for increased measurement sensitivity. The preferred embodiment of the sensor head also includes a polarization state rotator and at least one beam splitter for orienting the beam along major and minor axes and for splitting the beam components into two signals which are independent converse amplitude-modulated signals carrying E-field magnitude and hence voltage information from the sensor head by way of optic fibers.

The use of SHP-2 gene transduced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to promote osteogenic differentiation and bone defect repair in rat.

PubMed

Fan, Dapeng; Liu, Shen; Jiang, Shichao; Li, Zhiwei; Mo, Xiumei; Ruan, Hongjiang; Zou, Gang-Ming; Fan, Cunyi

2016-08-01

Bone tissue engineering is a promising approach for bone regeneration, in which growth factors play an important role. The tyrosine phosphatase Src-homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2), encoded by the PTPN11 gene, is essential for the differentiation, proliferation and metabolism of osteoblasts. However, SHP-2 has never been systematically studied for its effect in osteogenesis. We predicted that overexpression of SHP-2 could promote bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)osteogenic differentiation and SHP-2 transduced BMSCs could enhance new bone formation, determined using the following study groups: (1) BMSCs transduced with SHP-2 and induced with osteoblast-inducing liquid (BMSCs/SHP-2/OL); (2) BMSCs transduced with SHP-2 (BMSCs/-SHP-2); (3) BMSCs induced with osteoblast-inducing liquid (BMSCs/OL) and (4) pure BMSCs. Cells were assessed for osteogenic differentiation by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, western blot analysis, alkaline phosphatase activity and alizarin red S staining. For in vivo assessment, cells were combined with beta-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds and transplanted into rat calvarial defects for 8 weeks. Following euthanasia, skull samples were explanted for osteogenic evaluation, including micro-computed tomography measurement, histology and immunohistochemistry staining. SHP-2 and upregulation of its gene promoted BMSC osteogenic differentiation and therefore represents a potential new therapeutic approach to bone repair. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1871-1881, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Actively generated noise liquid flowmeter.

PubMed

Tanisawa, S; Hirose, H; Yoshihisa, N

1994-01-01

A new noise flowmeter with two transducers has been tested experimentally in water. It detects the noises generated by the interaction between artificially introduced air bubbles and a built-in obstacle with a downstream transducer, and differentiates them from the external noises detected by the upstream transducer in a pipe. The system includes processing instrumentation with functions such as averaging and difference-operating for reduction of external noise effects.

Apparatus and method for prevention of cracking in welded brittle alloys

DOEpatents

Kronberg, James W.; Younkins, Robert M.

2000-01-01

An apparatus and method for reducing cracking in a heated material as the material cools. The apparatus includes a variable frequency electric signal generator that is coupled to a transducer. The transducer produces a variable frequency acoustic signal in response to the variable frequency electric signal, which is applied to the heated material to reduce cracking as the material cools.

Immersion ultrasonography: simultaneous A-scan and B-scan.

PubMed

Coleman, D J; Dallow, R L; Smith, M E

1979-01-01

In eyes with opaque media, ophthalmic ultrasound provides a unique source of information that can dramatically affect the course of patient management. In addition, when an ocular abnormality can be visualized, ultrasonography provides information that supplements and complements other diagnostic testing. It provides documentation and differentiation of abnormal states, such as vitreous hemorrhage and intraocular tumor, as well as differentiation of orbital tumors from inflammatory causes of exophthalmos. Additional capabilities of ultrasound are biometric determinations for calculation of intraocular lens implant powers and drug-effectiveness studies. Maximal information is derived from ultrasonography when A-scan and B-scan techniques are employed simultaneously. Flexibility of electronics, variable-frequency transducers, and the use of several different manual scanning patterns aid in detection and interpretation of results. The immersion system of ultrasonography provides these features optimally.

Void/particulate detector

DOEpatents

Claytor, Thomas N.; Karplus, Henry B.

1985-01-01

Voids and particulates are detected in a flowing stream of fluid contained in a pipe by a detector which includes three transducers spaced about the pipe. A first transducer at a first location on the pipe transmits an ultrasonic signal into the stream. A second transducer detects the through-transmission of the signal at a second location and a third transducer at a third location upstream from the first location detects the back-scattering of the signal from any voids or particulates. To differentiate between voids and particulates a fourth transducer is positioned at a fourth location which is also upstream from the first location. The back-scattered signals are normalized with the through-transmission signal to minimize temperature fluctuations.

Optical Measurement Technique for Space Column Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barrows, Danny A.; Watson, Judith J.; Burner, Alpheus W.; Phelps, James E.

2004-01-01

A simple optical technique for the structural characterization of lightweight space columns is presented. The technique is useful for determining the coefficient of thermal expansion during cool down as well as the induced strain during tension and compression testing. The technique is based upon object-to-image plane scaling and does not require any photogrammetric calibrations or computations. Examples of the measurement of the coefficient of thermal expansion are presented for several lightweight space columns. Examples of strain measured during tension and compression testing are presented along with comparisons to results obtained with Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) position transducers.

Development of non-conventional instrument transformers (NCIT) using smart materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikolić, Bojan; Khan, Sanowar; Gabdullin, Nikita

2016-11-01

In this paper is presented a novel approach for current measurement using smart materials, magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloys. Their shape change can be controlled by the application of magnetic field or mechanical stress. This gives the possibility to measure currents by correlating the magnetic field produced by the current, shape change in an MSM- based sensor and the voltage output of a Linear Variable Differential Transducer (LVDT) actuated by this shape change. In the first part of the paper is presented a review of existing current measurement sensors by comparing their properties and highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.

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

Aoyagi, Yasuyuki; Department of Genome Research and Clinical Application, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba; Kuroda, Masayuki, E-mail: kurodam@faculty.chiba-u.jp

Adipose tissue is expected to provide a source of cells for protein replacement therapies via auto-transplantation. However, the conditioning of the environment surrounding the transplanted adipocytes for their long-term survival and protein secretion properties has not been established. We have recently developed a preparation procedure for preadipocytes, ceiling culture-derived proliferative adipocytes (ccdPAs), as a therapeutic gene vehicle suitable for stable gene product secretion. We herein report the results of our evaluation of using fibrin glue as a scaffold for the transplanted ccdPAs for the expression of a transduced gene in a three-dimensional culture system. The ccdPAs secreted the functional proteinmore » translated from an exogenously transduced gene, as well as physiological adipocyte proteins, and the long viability of ccdPAs (up to 84 days) was dependent on the fibrinogen concentrations. The ccdPAs spontaneously accumulated lipid droplets, and their expression levels of the transduced exogenous gene with its product were maintained for at least 56 days. The fibrinogen concentration modified the adipogenic differentiation of ccdPAs and their exogenous gene expression levels, and the levels of exogenously transduced gene expression at the different fibrinogen concentrations were dependent on the extent of adipogenic differentiation in the gel. These results indicate that fibrin glue helps to maintain the high adipogenic potential of cultured adipocytes after passaging in a 3D culture system, and suggests that once they are successfully implanted at the transplantation site, the cells exhibit increased expression of the transduced gene with adipogenic differentiation.« less

Pressure-Transducer Simulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Richard A.

1987-01-01

Simulation circuit operates under remote, automatic, or manual control to produce electrical outputs similar to pressure transducer. Specific circuit designed for simulations of Space Shuttle main engine. General circuit concept adaptable to other simulation and control systems involving several operating modes. Switches and amplifiers respond to external control signals and panel control settings to vary differential excitation of resistive bridge. Output voltage or passive terminal resistance made to equal pressure transducer in any of four operating modes.

Optimization of an angle-beam ultrasonic approach for characterization of impact damage in composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henry, Christine; Kramb, Victoria; Welter, John T.; Wertz, John N.; Lindgren, Eric A.; Aldrin, John C.; Zainey, David

2018-04-01

Advances in NDE method development are greatly improved through model-guided experimentation. In the case of ultrasonic inspections, models which provide insight into complex mode conversion processes and sound propagation paths are essential for understanding the experimental data and inverting the experimental data into relevant information. However, models must also be verified using experimental data obtained under well-documented and understood conditions. Ideally, researchers would utilize the model simulations and experimental approach to efficiently converge on the optimal solution. However, variability in experimental parameters introduce extraneous signals that are difficult to differentiate from the anticipated response. This paper discusses the results of an ultrasonic experiment designed to evaluate the effect of controllable variables on the anticipated signal, and the effect of unaccounted for experimental variables on the uncertainty in those results. Controlled experimental parameters include the transducer frequency, incidence beam angle and focal depth.

HLA Class I Depleted hESC as a Source of Hypoimmunogenic Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications.

PubMed

Karabekian, Zaruhi; Ding, Hao; Stybayeva, Gulnaz; Ivanova, Irina; Muselimyan, Narine; Haque, Amranul; Toma, Ian; Posnack, Nikki G; Revzin, Alexander; Leitenberg, David; Laflamme, Michael A; Sarvazyan, Narine

2015-10-01

Rapidly improving protocols for the derivation of autologous cells from stem cell sources is a welcome development. However, there are many circumstances when off-the-shelf universally immunocompatible cells may be needed. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provide a unique opportunity to modify the original source of differentiated cells to minimize their rejection by nonautologous hosts. Immune rejection of nonautologous human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derivatives can be reduced by downregulating human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules, without affecting the ability of these cells to differentiate into specific lineages. Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) expression was decreased by lentiviral transduction using human anti-HLA class I light-chain B2M short hairpin RNA. mRNA levels of B2M were decreased by 90% in a RUES2-modified hESC line, as determined by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The transduced cells were selected under puromycin pressure and maintained in an undifferentiated state. The latter was confirmed by Oct4 and Nanog expression, and by the formation of characteristic round-shaped colonies. B2M downregulation led to diminished HLA-I expression on the cell surface, as determined by flow cytometry. When used as target cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction assay, transduced hESCs and their differentiated derivatives did not stimulate allogeneic T-cell proliferation. Using a cardiac differentiation protocol, transduced hESCs formed a confluent layer of cardiac myocytes and maintained a low level of B2M expression. Transduced hESCs were also successfully differentiated into a hepatic lineage, validating their capacity to differentiate into multiple lineages. HLA-I depletion does not preclude hESC differentiation into cardiac or hepatic lineages. This methodology can be used to engineer tissue from nonautologous hESC sources with improved immunocompatibility.

HLA Class I Depleted hESC as a Source of Hypoimmunogenic Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

PubMed Central

Karabekian, Zaruhi; Ding, Hao; Stybayeva, Gulnaz; Ivanova, Irina; Muselimyan, Narine; Haque, Amranul; Toma, Ian; Posnack, Nikki G.; Revzin, Alexander; Leitenberg, David; Laflamme, Michael A.

2015-01-01

Background: Rapidly improving protocols for the derivation of autologous cells from stem cell sources is a welcome development. However, there are many circumstances when off-the-shelf universally immunocompatible cells may be needed. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provide a unique opportunity to modify the original source of differentiated cells to minimize their rejection by nonautologous hosts. Hypothesis: Immune rejection of nonautologous human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derivatives can be reduced by downregulating human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules, without affecting the ability of these cells to differentiate into specific lineages. Methods and Results: Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) expression was decreased by lentiviral transduction using human anti-HLA class I light-chain B2M short hairpin RNA. mRNA levels of B2M were decreased by 90% in a RUES2-modified hESC line, as determined by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The transduced cells were selected under puromycin pressure and maintained in an undifferentiated state. The latter was confirmed by Oct4 and Nanog expression, and by the formation of characteristic round-shaped colonies. B2M downregulation led to diminished HLA-I expression on the cell surface, as determined by flow cytometry. When used as target cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction assay, transduced hESCs and their differentiated derivatives did not stimulate allogeneic T-cell proliferation. Using a cardiac differentiation protocol, transduced hESCs formed a confluent layer of cardiac myocytes and maintained a low level of B2M expression. Transduced hESCs were also successfully differentiated into a hepatic lineage, validating their capacity to differentiate into multiple lineages. Conclusions: HLA-I depletion does not preclude hESC differentiation into cardiac or hepatic lineages. This methodology can be used to engineer tissue from nonautologous hESC sources with improved immunocompatibility. PMID:26218149

Implementation of a Particle Image Velocimetry System for Wind Tunnel Flowfield Measurements

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

Instrumentation Wind tunnel speed was measured by two pitot probes mounted on opposite tunnel walls upstream of the model and above the ground...board. The pitot probes were connected differentially to Scanivalve 1-psi transducers. A secondary measurement of wind tunnel speed was made with the...Manf. Model Range 1 Tunnel Vel (south pitot ) Transducer Scanivalve CR24D 1 psi 2 Tunnel Vel (north pitot ) Transducer Scanivalve CR24D 1 psi 3

A precision isotonic measuring system for isolated tissues.

PubMed

Mellor, P M

1984-12-01

An isotonic measuring system is described which utilizes an angular position transducer of the linear differential voltage transformer type. Resistance to corrosion, protection against the ingress of solutions, and ease of mounting and setting up were the mechanical objectives. Accuracy, linearity, and freedom from drift were essential requirements of the electrical specification. A special housing was designed to accommodate the transducer to overcome these problems. A control unit incorporating a power supply and electronic filtering components was made to serve up to four such transducers. The transducer output voltage is sufficiently high to drive directly even low sensitivity chart recorders. Constructional details and a circuit diagram are included. Fifty such transducers have been in use for up to four years in these laboratories. Examples of some of the published work done using this transducer system are referenced.

Saturation meter

DOEpatents

Gregurech, S.

1984-08-01

A saturation meter for use in a pressurized water reactor plant comprising a differential pressure transducer having a first and second pressure sensing means and an alarm. The alarm is connected to the transducer and is preset to activate at a level of saturation prior to the formation of a steam void in the reactor vessel.

Circuit for Driving Piezoelectric Transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Randall, David P.; Chapsky, Jacob

2009-01-01

The figure schematically depicts an oscillator circuit for driving a piezoelectric transducer to excite vibrations in a mechanical structure. The circuit was designed and built to satisfy application-specific requirements to drive a selected one of 16 such transducers at a regulated amplitude and frequency chosen to optimize the amount of work performed by the transducer and to compensate for both (1) temporal variations of the resonance frequency and damping time of each transducer and (2) initially unknown differences among the resonance frequencies and damping times of different transducers. In other words, the circuit is designed to adjust itself to optimize the performance of whichever transducer is selected at any given time. The basic design concept may be adaptable to other applications that involve the use of piezoelectric transducers in ultrasonic cleaners and other apparatuses in which high-frequency mechanical drives are utilized. This circuit includes three resistor-capacitor networks that, together with the selected piezoelectric transducer, constitute a band-pass filter having a peak response at a frequency of about 2 kHz, which is approximately the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducers. Gain for generating oscillations is provided by a power hybrid operational amplifier (U1). A junction field-effect transistor (Q1) in combination with a resistor (R4) is used as a voltage-variable resistor to control the magnitude of the oscillation. The voltage-variable resistor is part of a feedback control loop: Part of the output of the oscillator is rectified and filtered for use as a slow negative feedback to the gate of Q1 to keep the output amplitude constant. The response of this control loop is much slower than 2 kHz and, therefore, does not introduce significant distortion of the oscillator output, which is a fairly clean sine wave. The positive AC feedback needed to sustain oscillations is derived from sampling the current through the piezoelectric transducer. This positive AC feedback, in combination with the slow feedback to the voltage-variable resistors, causes the overall loop gain to be just large enough to keep the oscillator running. The positive feedback loop includes two 16-channel multiplexers, which are not shown in the figure. One multiplexer is used to select the desired piezoelectric transducer. The other multiplexer, which is provided for use in the event that there are significant differences among the damping times of the 16 piezoelectric transducers, facilitates changing the value of one of the resistors in the positive-feedback loop to accommodate the damping time of the selected transducer.

Variability in alignment of central venous pressure transducer to physiologic reference point in the intensive care unit-A descriptive and correlational study.

PubMed

Sjödin, Carl; Sondergaard, Soren; Johansson, Lotta

2018-06-01

The phlebostatic axis is the most commonly used anatomical external reference point for central venous pressure measurements. Deviation in the central venous pressure transducer alignment from the phlebostatic axis causes inadequate pressure readings, which may affect treatment decisions for critically ill patients in intensive care units. The primary aim of the study was to assess the variability in central venous pressure transducer levelling in the intensive care unit. We also assessed whether patient characteristics impacted on central venous pressure transducer alignment deviation. A sample of 61 critical care nurses was recruited and asked to place a transducer at the appropriate level for central venous pressure measurement. The measurements were performed in the intensive care unit on critically ill patients in supine and Fowler's positions. The variability among the participants using eyeball levelling and a laser levelling device was calculated in both sessions and adjusted for patient characteristics. A significant variation was found among critical care nurses in the horizontal levelling of the pressure transducer placement when measuring central venous pressure in the intensive care unit. Using a laser levelling device did not reduce the deviation from the phlebostatic axis. Patient characteristics had little impact on the deviation in the measurements. The anatomical external landmark for the phlebostatic axis varied between critical care nurses, as the variation in the central venous pressure transducer placement was not reduced with a laser levelling device. Standardisation of a zero-level for vascular pressures should be considered to reduce the variability in vascular pressure readings in the intensive care unit to improve patient treatment decisions. Further studies are needed to evaluate critical care nurses' knowledge and use of central venous pressure monitoring and whether assistive tools and/or routines can improve the accuracy in vascular pressure measurements in intensive care units. Copyright © 2018 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The constant current loop - A new paradigm for resistance signal conditioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Karl F.

A practical single constant current loop circuit for the signal conditioning of variable-resistance transducers has been synthesized, analyzed, and demonstrated. The strain gage and the resistance temperature device are examples of variable-resistance sensors. Lead wires connect variable-resistance sensors to remotely located signal-conditioning hardware. The presence of lead wires in the conventional Wheatstone bridge signal-conditioning circuit introduces undesired effects that reduce the quality of the data from the remote sensors. A practical approach is presented for suppressing essentially all lead wire resistance effects while indicating only the change in resistance value. An adaptation of the current loop circuit is presented that simultaneously provides an output signal voltage directly proportional to transducer resistance change and provides temperature information that is unaffected by transducer and lead wire resistance variations.

The constant current loop - A new paradigm for resistance signal conditioning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, Karl F.

1993-01-01

A practical single constant current loop circuit for the signal conditioning of variable-resistance transducers has been synthesized, analyzed, and demonstrated. The strain gage and the resistance temperature device are examples of variable-resistance sensors. Lead wires connect variable-resistance sensors to remotely located signal-conditioning hardware. The presence of lead wires in the conventional Wheatstone bridge signal-conditioning circuit introduces undesired effects that reduce the quality of the data from the remote sensors. A practical approach is presented for suppressing essentially all lead wire resistance effects while indicating only the change in resistance value. An adaptation of the current loop circuit is presented that simultaneously provides an output signal voltage directly proportional to transducer resistance change and provides temperature information that is unaffected by transducer and lead wire resistance variations.

Measurement of discrete vertical in-shoe stress with piezoelectric transducers.

PubMed

Gross, T S; Bunch, R P

1988-05-01

The purpose of this investigation was to design and validate a system suitable for non-invasive measurement of discrete in-shoe vertical plantar stress during dynamic activities. Eight transducers were constructed, with small piezoelectric ceramic squares (4.83 x 4.83 x 1.3 mm) used to generate a charge output proportional to vertical plantar stress. The mechanical properties of the transducers included 2.3% linearity and 3.7% hysteresis for stresses up to 2000 kPa and loading times up to 200 ms. System design efficacy was analysed by means of a multiple day, multiple trial data collection. With the transducers placed beneath plantar landmarks, the footstrike of one subject was recorded ten times on each of five days while running at 3.58 m/s on a treadmill. Within-day and between-day proportional error (PE) was used to estimate the error contained in the mean peak stress during foot contact. Within-day PE focused on trial to trial variability associated with the subject and equipment, and averaged 3.1% (range 2.5-4.0%) across transducer location. Between-day PE provided a cumulative estimate of subject, transducer placement, and random equipment variability, but excluded trial to trial variability. It ranged from 4.9 to 15.8%, with a mean of 9.9%. Peak stress, impulse, and sequence of loading data were examined to identify discrete foot function patterns and highlight the value of discrete stress analysis.

Mechanical behaviour of condenser microphone in mechanomyography.

PubMed

Watakabe, M; Mita, K; Akataki, K; Itoh, Y

2001-03-01

Condenser microphones (MIC) have been widely used in mechanomyography, together with accelerometers and piezoelectric contact sensors. The aim of the present investigation was to clarify the mechanical variable (acceleration, velocity or displacement) indicated by the signal from a MIC transducer using a mechanical sinusoidal vibration system. In addition, the mechanomyogram (MMG) was recorded simultaneously with a MIC transducer and accelerometer (ACC) during voluntary contractions to confirm the mechanical variable reflected by the actual MMG and to examine the influence of motion artifact on the MMG. To measure the displacement-frequency response, mechanical sinusoidal vibrations of 3 to 300 Hz were applied to the MIC transducer with different sizes of air chambers (5, 10, 15 and 20 mm in diameter and 15, 20 or 25 mm long). The MIC transducer showed a linear relationship between the output amplitude and the vibration displacement, however, its frequency response declined with decreasing diameter and decreasing length of the air chamber. In fact, the cut-off frequency (-3dB) of the MIC transducer with the 5-mm-diameter chamber was 10, 8 and 4 Hz for the length 15, 20 and 25 mm, respectively. The air chamber with at least a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 15 mm is recommended for the MIC transducer. The sensitivity of this MIC transducer arrangement was 92 mV microm(-1) when excited at 100 Hz. During voluntary contraction, the amplitude spectral density function of the MMG from the MIC transducer resembled that of the double integral of the ACC transducer signal. The angle of the MIC transducer was delayed by 180 degrees in relation to the ACC transducer signal. The sensitivity of the MIC transducer was reduced to one-third because of the peculiar volume change of air chamber when the MMG was detected on the surface of the skin. In addition, the MIC transducer was contaminated by a smaller motion artifact than that from the ACC transducer. The maximal peak amplitude of the MIC and ACC transducer signal with the motion artifact was 7.7 and 12.3 times as much as the RMS amplitude of each signal without the motion artifact, respectively. These findings suggest that the MIC transducer acts as a displacement meter in the MMG. The MIC transducer seems to be a possible candidate for recording the MMG during dynamic muscle contractions as well as during sustained contractions.

Material test machine for tension-compression tests at high temperature

DOEpatents

Cioletti, Olisse C.

1988-01-01

Apparatus providing a device for testing the properties of material specimens at high temperatures and pressures in controlled water chemistries includes, inter alia, an autoclave housing the specimen which is being tested. The specimen is connected to a pull rod which couples out of the autoclave to an external assembly which includes one or more transducers, a force balance chamber and a piston type actuator. The pull rod feeds through the force balance chamber and is compensated thereby for the pressure conditions existing within the autoclave and tending to eject the pull rod therefrom. The upper end of the push rod is connected to the actuator through elements containing a transducer comprising a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). The housing and coil assembly of the LVDT is coupled to a tube which runs through a central bore of the pull rod into the autoclave where it is connected to one side of the specimen. The movable core of the LVDT is coupled to a stem which runs through the tube where it is then connected to the other side of the specimen through a coupling member. A transducer in the form of a load cell including one or more strain gages is located on a necked-down portion of the upper part of the pull rod intermediate the LVDT and force balance chamber.

A differential optical interferometer for measuring short pulses of surface acoustic waves.

PubMed

Shaw, Anurupa; Teyssieux, Damien; Laude, Vincent

2017-09-01

The measurement of the displacements caused by the propagation of a short pulse of surface acoustic waves on a solid substrate is investigated. A stabilized time-domain differential interferometer is proposed, with the surface acoustic wave (SAW) sample placed outside the interferometer. Experiments are conducted with surface acoustic waves excited by a chirped interdigital transducer on a piezoelectric lithium niobate substrate having an operational bandwidth covering the 200-400MHz frequency range and producing 10-ns pulses with 36nm maximum out-of-plane displacement. The interferometric response is compared with a direct electrical measurement obtained with a receiving wide bandwidth interdigital transducer and good correspondence is observed. The effects of varying the path difference of the interferometer and the measurement position on the surface are discussed. Pulse compression along the chirped interdigital transducer is observed experimentally. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dynamic Fluid in a Porous Transducer-Based Angular Accelerometer

PubMed Central

Cheng, Siyuan; Fu, Mengyin; Wang, Meiling; Ming, Li; Fu, Huijin; Wang, Tonglei

2017-01-01

This paper presents a theoretical model of the dynamics of liquid flow in an angular accelerometer comprising a porous transducer in a circular tube of liquid. Wave speed and dynamic permeability of the transducer are considered to describe the relation between angular acceleration and the differential pressure on the transducer. The permeability and streaming potential coupling coefficient of the transducer are determined in the experiments, and special prototypes are utilized to validate the theoretical model in both the frequency and time domains. The model is applied to analyze the influence of structural parameters on the frequency response and the transient response of the fluidic system. It is shown that the radius of the circular tube and the wave speed affect the low frequency gain, as well as the bandwidth of the sensor. The hydrodynamic resistance of the transducer and the cross-section radius of the circular tube can be used to control the transient performance. The proposed model provides the basic techniques to achieve the optimization of the angular accelerometer together with the methodology to control the wave speed and the hydrodynamic resistance of the transducer. PMID:28230793

Fixture for holding testing transducer

DOEpatents

Wagner, T.A.; Engel, H.P.

A fixture for mounting an ultrasonic transducer against the end of a threaded bolt or stud to test the same for flaws. A base means threadedly secured to the side of the bolt has a rotating ring thereon. A post rising up from the ring (parallel to the axis of the workpiece) pivotally mounts a variable length cross arm, on the inner end of which is mounted the transducer. A spring means acts between the cross arm and the base to apply the testing transducer against the workpiece at a constant pressure. The device maintains constant for successive tests the radial and circumferential positions of the testing transducer and its contact pressure against the end of the workpiece.

Fixture for holding testing transducer

DOEpatents

Wagner, Thomas A.; Engel, Herbert P.

1984-01-01

A fixture for mounting an ultrasonic transducer against the end of a threaded bolt or stud to test the same for flaws. A base means threadedly secured to the side of the bolt has a rotating ring thereon. A post rising up from the ring (parallel to the axis of the workpiece) pivotally mounts a variable length cross arm, on the inner end of which is mounted the transducer. A spring means acts between the cross arm and the base to apply the testing transducer against the workpiece at a constant pressure. The device maintains constant for successive tests the radial and circumferential positions of the testing transducer and its contact pressure against the end of the workpiece.

Ultrasound imaging transducer motion during clinical maneuvers: respiration, active straight leg raise test and abdominal drawing in.

PubMed

Whittaker, Jackie L; Warner, Martin B; Stokes, Maria J

2010-08-01

Clinical use of ultrasound imaging by physiotherapists is increasing; however, the clinical setting may be problematic due to variability inherent in the environment. As transducer motion interferes with accurate measurement, this study aimed to measure handheld transducer motion, relative to the pelvis, during a clinical simulation involving typical maneuvers employed in a physiotherapy assessment of the lumbopelvic region. Transducer motion about three axes and through one plane was measured (Vicon, Oxford, UK) on 12 participants during three clinical maneuvers at four abdominal imaging sites. Data were grouped and means used to determine discrepancies in transducer and pelvic motion for each imaging site/maneuver combination. None of the conditions produced large transducer motions relative to the pelvis and all findings were within previously established guidelines for acceptable amounts of transducer motion. These findings suggest that an ultrasound transducer can be held relatively stationary in a clinical setting, for the maneuvers tested. Copyright 2010 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Differentially expressed JAK-STAT signaling pathway genes and target microRNAs in the spleen of necrotic enteritis-afflicted chicken lines

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The JAK signal transducer and STAT signaling pathway is an important regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, motility, apoptosis, immune response, and development. In this study, we used RNA-Sequencing, qRT-PCR, and bioinformatics tools to investigate the differential expression ...

LC-oscillator with automatic stabilized amplitude via bias current control. [power supply circuit for transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hamlet, J. F. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

A stable excitation supply for measurement transducers is described. It consists of a single-transistor oscillator with a coil connected to the collector and a capacitor connected from the collector to the emitter. The output of the oscillator is rectified and the rectified signal acts as one input to a differential amplifier; the other input being a reference potential. The output of the amplifier is connected at a point between the emitter of the transistor and ground. When the rectified signal is greater than the reference signal, the differential amplifier produces a signal of polarity to reduce bias current and, consequently, amplification.

Low-Pressure Generator Makes Cleanrooms Cleaner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

Scientists at NASA's Kennedy Space Center work in cleanrooms: laboratories with high degrees of cleanliness provided by strict control of particles such as dust, lint, or human skin. They are contaminant-free facilities, where the air is repeatedly filtered, and surfaces are smooth to prevent particles from getting lodged. Technicians working in these environments wear specially designed cleanroom "bunny suits" and booties over their street clothes, as well as gloves and face masks to avoid any contamination that may be imparted from the outside world. Even normal paper is not allowed in cleanrooms, only cleanroom low-particulate paper. These are sensitive environments where precision work, like the production of silicon chips or hard disk drives, is performed. Often in cleanrooms, positive air pressure is used to force particles outside of the isolated area. The air pressure in the Kennedy cleanrooms is monitored using high-accuracy, low-differential pressure transducers that require periodic calibration. Calibration of the transducers is a tricky business. In prior years, the analysis was performed by sending the transducers to the Kennedy Standards Laboratory, where a very expensive cross-floated, labor- intensive, dead-weight test was conducted. In the early 1990s, scientists at Kennedy determined to develop a technique and find equipment to perform qualification testing on new low-differential pressure transducers in an accurate, cost-effective manner onsite, without requiring an environmentally controlled room. They decided to use the highly accurate, cost-effective Setra Model C264 as the test transducer. For qualification testing of the Setra, though, a portable, lower-cost calibrator was needed that could control the differential pressure to a high degree of resolution and transfer the accuracy of the Standards Laboratory testing to the qualification testing. The researchers decided that, to generate the low-differential pressure setpoints needed for qualification testing, very small gas volume changes could be made against the test article, and a corresponding pressure change would be detected by a pressure standard. This allowed the researchers to recreate cleanroom air pressure settings without the use of a cleanroom. Thus was born the low-differential pressure generator. In 1993, a prototype was developed using a pair of PVC tanks, a volume controller, and a 1-pound-per-square-inch pressure standard. By 1995, the prototype was perfected into the unit that is still used today.

Forced expression of Hnf4a induces hepatic gene activation through directed differentiation.

PubMed

Yahoo, Neda; Pournasr, Behshad; Rostamzadeh, Jalal; Fathi, Fardin

2016-08-05

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are capable of unlimited self-renewal and have a diverse differentiation potential. These unique features make ES cells as an attractive source for developmental biology studies. Having the mature hepatocyte in the lab with functional activities is valuable in drug discovery studies. Overexpression of hepatocyte lineage-specific transcription factors (TFs) becomes a promising approach in pluripotent cell differentiation toward liver cells. Many studies generate transgenic ES cell lines to examine the effects of specific TFs overexpression in cell differentiation. In the present report, we have addressed whether a suspension or adherent model of differentiation is an appropriate way to study the role of Hnf4a overexpression. We generated ES cells that carried a doxycycline (Dox)-inducible Hnf4a using lentiviral vectors. The transduced cells were subjected to induced Hnf4a overexpression through both spontaneous and directed differentiation methods. Gene expression analysis showed substantially increased expression of hepatic gene markers, particularly Ttr and endogenous Hnf4a, in transduced cells differentiated by the directed approach. These results demonstrated that forced expression of TFs during directed differentiation would be an appropriate way to study relevant gene activation and the effects of overexpression in the context of hepatic differentiation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Experiments with a Differential Transformer

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aguilar, Horacio Munguía

2016-01-01

An experiment with an electric transformer based on single coils shows how electromagnetic induction changes when the magnetic coupling between coils is adjusted. This transformer has two secondary outputs which are taken differentially. This is the basis for a widely used position transducer known as LVDT.

Measurement of ultrasonic fields in transparent media using a scanning differential interferometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dockery, G. D.; Claus, R. O.

1983-01-01

An experimental system for the detection of three dimensional acoustic fields in optically transparent media using a dual beam differential interferometer is described. In this system, two coherent, parallel, focused laser beams are passed through the specimen and the interference fringe pattern which results when these beams are combined shifts linearly by an amount which is related to the optical pathlength difference between the two beams. It is shown that for small signals, the detector output is directly proportional to the amplitude of the acoustic field integrated along the optical beam path through the specimen. A water tank and motorized optical platform were constructed to allow these dual beams to be scanned through an ultrasonic field generated by a piezoelectric transducer at various distances from the transducer. Scan data for the near, Fresnel, and far zones of a uniform, circular transducer are presented and an algorithm for constructing the radial field profile from this integrated optical data, assuming cylindrical symmetry, is described.

A predictive computational model of the kinetic mechanism of stimulus-induced transducer methylation and feedback regulation through CheY in archaeal phototaxis and chemotaxis.

PubMed

Streif, Stefan; Oesterhelt, Dieter; Marwan, Wolfgang

2010-03-18

Photo- and chemotaxis of the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum is based on the control of flagellar motor switching through stimulus-specific methyl-accepting transducer proteins that relay the sensory input signal to a two-component system. Certain members of the transducer family function as receptor proteins by directly sensing specific chemical or physical stimuli. Others interact with specific receptor proteins like the phototaxis photoreceptors sensory rhodopsin I and II, or require specific binding proteins as for example some chemotaxis transducers. Receptor activation by light or a change in receptor occupancy by chemical stimuli results in reversible methylation of glutamate residues of the transducer proteins. Both, methylation and demethylation reactions are involved in sensory adaptation and are modulated by the response regulator CheY. By mathematical modeling we infer the kinetic mechanisms of stimulus-induced transducer methylation and adaptation. The model (deterministic and in the form of ordinary differential equations) correctly predicts experimentally observed transducer demethylation (as detected by released methanol) in response to attractant and repellent stimuli of wildtype cells, a cheY deletion mutant, and a mutant in which the stimulated transducer species is methylation-deficient. We provide a kinetic model for signal processing in photo- and chemotaxis in the archaeon H. salinarum suggesting an essential role of receptor cooperativity, antagonistic reversible methylation, and a CheY-dependent feedback on transducer demethylation.

C/EBPβ promotes BCR–ABL-mediated myeloid expansion and leukemic stem cell exhaustion

PubMed Central

Hayashi, Y; Hirai, H; Kamio, N; Yao, H; Yoshioka, S; Miura, Y; Ashihara, E; Fujiyama, Y; Tenen, DG; Maekawa, T

2015-01-01

The BCR–ABL fusion oncoprotein accelerates differentiation and proliferation of myeloid cells during the chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML). Here, the role of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), a regulator for ‘emergency granulopoiesis,’ in the pathogenesis of CP-CML was examined. C/EBPβ expression was upregulated in Lineage− CD34+ CD38− hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and myeloid progenitors isolated from bone marrow of patients with CP-CML. In EML cells, a mouse HSC line, BCR–ABL upregulated C/EBPβ, at least in part, through the activation of STAT5. Myeloid differentiation and proliferation induced by BCR–ABL was significantly impaired in C/EBPβ-deficient bone marrow cells in vitro. Mice that were transplanted with BCR–ABL-transduced C/EBPβ knockout bone marrow cells survived longer than mice that received BCR–ABL-transduced wild-type (WT) bone marrow cells. Significantly higher levels of leukemic stem cells were maintained in BCR–ABL-transduced C/EBPβ-deficient cells than in BCR–ABL-transduced WT cells. These results suggest that C/EBPβ is involved in BCR–ABL-mediated myeloid expansion. Further elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the C/EBPβ-mediated stem cell loss might reveal a novel therapeutic strategy for eradication of CML stem cells. PMID:22948537

A new ultrasonic real-time scanner featuring a servo-controlled transducer displaying a sector image.

PubMed

Skolnick, M L; Matzuk, T

1978-08-01

This paper describes a new real-time servo-controlled sector scanner that produces high-resolution images similar to phased-array systems, but possesses the simplicity of design and low cost best achievable in a mechanical sector scanner. Its unique feature is the transducer head which contains a single moving part--the transducer. Frame rates vary from 0 to 30 degrees and the sector angle from 0 to 60 degrees. Abdominal applications include: differentiation of vascular structures, detection of small masses, imaging of diagonally oriented organs. Survey scanning, and demonstration of regions difficult to image with contact scanners. Cardiac uses are also described.

Device and method for measuring multi-phase fluid flow in a conduit using an elbow flow meter

DOEpatents

Ortiz, Marcos G.; Boucher, Timothy J.

1997-01-01

A system for measuring fluid flow in a conduit. The system utilizes pressure transducers disposed generally in line upstream and downstream of the flow of fluid in a bend in the conduit. Data from the pressure transducers is transmitted to a microprocessor or computer. The pressure differential measured by the pressure transducers is then used to calculate the fluid flow rate in the conduit. Control signals may then be generated by the microprocessor or computer to control flow, total fluid dispersed, (in, for example, an irrigation system), area of dispersal or other desired effect based on the fluid flow in the conduit.

Plate equations for piezoelectrically actuated flexural mode ultrasound transducers.

PubMed

Perçin, Gökhan

2003-01-01

This paper considers variational methods to derive two-dimensional plate equations for piezoelectrically actuated flexural mode ultrasound transducers. In the absence of analytical expressions for the equivalent circuit parameters of a flexural mode transducer, it is difficult to calculate its optimal parameters and dimensions, and to choose suitable materials. The influence of coupling between flexural and extensional deformation, and coupling between the structure and the acoustic volume on the dynamic response of piezoelectrically actuated flexural mode transducer is analyzed using variational methods. Variational methods are applied to derive two-dimensional plate equations for the transducer, and to calculate the coupled electromechanical field variables. In these methods, the variations across the thickness direction vanish by using the stress resultants. Thus, two-dimensional plate equations for a stepwise laminated circular plate are obtained.

Calculation of acoustic field based on laser-measured vibration velocities on ultrasonic transducer surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Liang; Zhao, Nannan; Gao, Zhijian; Mao, Kai; Chen, Wenyu; Fu, Xin

2018-05-01

Determination of the distribution of a generated acoustic field is valuable for studying ultrasonic transducers, including providing the guidance for transducer design and the basis for analyzing their performance, etc. A method calculating the acoustic field based on laser-measured vibration velocities on the ultrasonic transducer surface is proposed in this paper. Without knowing the inner structure of the transducer, the acoustic field outside it can be calculated by solving the governing partial differential equation (PDE) of the field based on the specified boundary conditions (BCs). In our study, the BC on the transducer surface, i.e. the distribution of the vibration velocity on the surface, is accurately determined by laser scanning measurement of discrete points and follows a data fitting computation. In addition, to ensure the calculation accuracy for the whole field even in an inhomogeneous medium, a finite element method is used to solve the governing PDE based on the mixed BCs, including the discretely measured velocity data and other specified BCs. The method is firstly validated on numerical piezoelectric transducer models. The acoustic pressure distributions generated by a transducer operating in an homogeneous and inhomogeneous medium, respectively, are both calculated by the proposed method and compared with the results from other existing methods. Then, the method is further experimentally validated with two actual ultrasonic transducers used for flow measurement in our lab. The amplitude change of the output voltage signal from the receiver transducer due to changing the relative position of the two transducers is calculated by the proposed method and compared with the experimental data. This method can also provide the basis for complex multi-physical coupling computations where the effect of the acoustic field should be taken into account.

Implanted Blood-Pressure-Measuring Device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fischell, Robert E.

1988-01-01

Arterial pressure compared with ambient bodily-fluid pressure. Implanted apparatus, capable of measuring blood pressure of patient, includes differential-pressure transducer connected to pressure sensor positioned in major artery. Electrical signal is function of differential pressure between blood-pressure sensor and reference-pressure sensor transmitted through skin of patient to recorder or indicator.

Adenovirally transduced bone marrow stromal cells differentiate into pigment epithelial cells and induce rescue effects in RCS rats.

PubMed

Arnhold, Stefan; Heiduschka, Peter; Klein, Helmut; Absenger, Yvonne; Basnaoglu, Serkan; Kreppel, Florian; Henke-Fahle, Sylvia; Kochanek, Stefan; Bartz-Schmidt, Karl-Ulrich; Addicks, Klaus; Schraermeyer, Ulrich

2006-09-01

To determine the potential of adenovirally transduced bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) to differentiate into retinal pigment epithelial-like cells and to evaluabe possible rescue effects after transplantation into the retinas of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats. Through a high-capacity adenoviral vector expressing either green fluorescent protein (GFP) or pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF), rat MSCs were transduced in vitro before subretinal transplantation into Wistar rats or, alternatively, RCS rats. Two months after cell injection, the rats were killed and the eyes enucleated. The eyes were then investigated light microscopically or processed for electron microscopic investigations. Cell differentiation and integration were analyzed immunocytochemically using antibodies against cytokeratin and the tight junction protein ZO-1. Electroretinography was performed 16 days after injection of cells, to check whether a functional rescue could be detected. In vitro experiments in cocultured human MSCs and human RPE cells showed that MSCs adopted RPE-like characteristics. In grafting experiments, some rat MSCs integrate into the host RPE cell layer of Wistar and RCS rats, indicated by their hexagonal morphology. Subretinally transplanted cells express the epithelial marker cytokeratin and establish tight junctions with the host RPE cells. Furthermore, rescue effects can be demonstrated after grafting of vector-transduced and nontransduced MSCs in semithin sections of dystrophic retinas. Ultrastructurally, MSCs can be detected on top of host RPE and in close contact with photoreceptor outer segments phagocytosing rod outer segments. Taken together, these results raise the possibility that MSCs have the potency to replace diseased RPE cells and deliver therapeutic proteins into the subretinal space to protect photoreceptor cells from degeneration.

Device and method for measuring multi-phase fluid flow in a conduit using an elbow flow meter

DOEpatents

Ortiz, M.G.; Boucher, T.J.

1997-06-24

A system is described for measuring fluid flow in a conduit. The system utilizes pressure transducers disposed generally in line upstream and downstream of the flow of fluid in a bend in the conduit. Data from the pressure transducers is transmitted to a microprocessor or computer. The pressure differential measured by the pressure transducers is then used to calculate the fluid flow rate in the conduit. Control signals may then be generated by the microprocessor or computer to control flow, total fluid dispersed, (in, for example, an irrigation system), area of dispersal or other desired effect based on the fluid flow in the conduit. 2 figs.

Transducer selection and application in magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction

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

Zhou, Yuqi; Wang, Jiawei; Ma, Qingyu, E-mail: maqingyu@njnu.edu.cn

2016-03-07

As an acoustic receiver, transducer plays a vital role in signal acquisition and image reconstruction for magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI). In order to optimize signal acquisition, the expressions of acoustic pressure detection and waveform collection are theoretically studied based on the radiation theory of acoustic dipole and the reception pattern of transducer. Pressure distributions are simulated for a cylindrical phantom model using a planar piston transducer with different radii and bandwidths. The proposed theory is also verified by the experimental measurements of acoustic waveform detection for an aluminum foil cylinder. It is proved that acoustic pressure with sharpmore » and clear boundary peaks can be detected by the large-radius transducer with wide bandwidth, reflecting the differential of the induced Lorentz force accurately, which is helpful for precise conductivity reconstruction. To detect acoustic pressure with acceptable pressure amplitude, peak pressure ratio, amplitude ratio, and improved signal to noise ratio, the scanning radius of 5–10 times the radius of the object should be selected to improve the accuracy of image reconstruction. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for transducer selection and application in MAT-MI to obtain reconstructed images with improved resolution and definition.« less

Design and analysis of a torsion braid pendulum displacement transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rind, E.; Bryant, E. L.

1981-01-01

The dynamic properties at various temperatures of braids impregnated with polymer can be measured by using the braid as the suspension of a torsion pendulum. This report describes the electronic and mechanical design of a torsional braid pendulum displacement transducer which is an advance in the state of the art. The transducer uses a unique optical design consisting of refracting quartz windows used in conjunction with a differential photocell to produce a null signal. The release mechanism for initiating free torsional oscillation of the pendulum has also been improved. Analysis of the precision and accuracy of the transducer indicated that the maximum relative error in measuring torsional amplitude was approximately 0. A serious problem inherent in all instruments which use a torsional suspension was analyzed: misalignment of the physical and torsional axes of the torsional member which results in modulation of the amplitude of the free oscillation.

Piezoelectrically actuated flextensional micromachined ultrasound transducers--I: theory.

PubMed

Perçin, Gökhan; Khuri-Yakub, Butrus T

2002-05-01

This series of two papers considers piezoelectrically actuated flextensional micromachined ultrasound transducers (PAFMUTs) and consists of theory, fabrication, and experimental parts. The theory presented in this paper is developed for an ultrasound transducer application presented in the second part. In the absence of analytical expressions for the equivalent circuit parameters of a flextensional transducer, it is difficult to calculate its optimal parameters and dimensions and difficult to choose suitable materials. The influence of coupling between flexural and extensional deformation and that of coupling between the structure and the acoustic volume on the dynamic response of piezoelectrically actuated flextensional transducer are analyzed using two analytical methods: classical thin (Kirchhoff) plate theory and Mindlin plate theory. Classical thin plate theory and Mindlin plate theory are applied to derive two-dimensional plate equations for the transducer and to calculate the coupled electromechanical field variables such as mechanical displacement and electrical input impedance. In these methods, the variations across the thickness direction vanish by using the bending moments per unit length or stress resultants. Thus, two-dimensional plate equations for a step-wise laminated circular plate are obtained as well as two different solutions to the corresponding systems. An equivalent circuit of the transducer is also obtained from these solutions.

Resonant-type MEMS transducers excited by two acoustic emission simulation techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozevin, Didem; Greve, David W.; Oppenheim, Irving J.; Pessiki, Stephen

2004-07-01

Acoustic emission testing is a passive nondestructive testing technique used to identify the onset and characteristics of damage through the detection and analysis of transient stress waves. Successful detection and implementation of acoustic emission requires good coupling, high transducer sensitivity and ability to discriminate noise from real signals. We report here detection of simulated acoustic emission signals using a MEMS chip fabricated in the multi-user polysilicon surface micromachining (MUMPs) process. The chip includes 18 different transducers with 10 different resonant frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 1 MHz. It was excited by two different source simulation techniques; pencil lead break and impact loading. The former simulation was accomplished by breaking 0.5 mm lead on the ceramic package. Four transducer outputs were collected simultaneously using a multi-channel oscilloscope. The impact loading was repeated for five different diameter ball bearings. Traditional acoustic emission waveform analysis methods were applied to both data sets to illustrate the identification of different source mechanisms. In addition, a sliding window Fourier transform was performed to differentiate frequencies in time-frequency-amplitude domain. The arrival and energy contents of each resonant frequency were investigated in time-magnitude plots. The advantages of the simultaneous excitation of resonant transducers on one chip are discussed and compared with broadband acoustic emission transducers.

Overexpression of {alpha}-catenin increases osteoblastic differentiation in mouse mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells

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

Kim, Dohee; Yang, Jae-Yeon; Shin, Chan Soo, E-mail: csshin@snu.ac.kr

2009-05-15

{alpha}- and {beta}-Catenin link cadherins to the actin-based cytoskeleton at adherens junctions and regulate cell-cell adhesion. Although roles of cadherins and canonical Wnt-/{beta}-catenin-signaling in osteoblastic differentiation have been extensively studied, the role of {alpha}-catenin is not known. Murine embryonic mesenchymal stem cells, C3H10T1/2 cells, were transduced with retrovirus encoding {alpha}-catenin (MSCV-{alpha}-catenin-HA-GFP). In the presence of Wnt-3A conditioned medium or osteogenic medium ({beta}-glycerol phosphate and ascorbic acid), cells overexpressing {alpha}-catenin showed enhanced osteoblastic differentiation as measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and ALP activity assay compared to cells transduced with empty virus (MSCV-GFP). In addition, mRNA expression of osteocalcin and Runx2more » was significantly increased compared to control. Cell aggregation assay revealed that {alpha}-catenin overexpression has significantly increased cell-cell aggregation. However, cellular {beta}-catenin levels (total, cytoplasmic-nuclear ratio) and {beta}-catenin-TCF/LEF transcriptional activity did not change by overexpression of {alpha}-catenin. Knock-down of {alpha}-catenin using siRNA decreased osteoblastic differentiation as measured by ALP assay. These results suggest that {alpha}-catenin overexpression increases osteoblastic differentiation by increasing cell-cell adhesion rather than Wnt-/{beta}-catenin-signaling.« less

MSW Variable Time-Delay Techniques.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

21 I, 5. RITAXIAL GEOWTH O COG FILKS G0 film growth by lpe was Investigated as a possible nouagnetic, dielectric spacer sediun between two YG fls...using two yttrium iron garnet films sandwiching simple single finger transducers. Difficulties In exciting the symetric forward volume mode are explained...direction. Measurements of time delay versus frequency are presented for epitaxially grown Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) films . Finally, transducer coupling

Variable reluctance displacement transducer temperature compensated to 650$sup 0$F

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

Piper, T.C.; Colson, J.B.

650 deg F. Piper, T. C.; Colson, J. B. (Aerojet Nuclear Co., Idaho Falls, Idaho (USA)). Nov 1973. Contract AT(10-1)-1375. ' 16p. Dep. NTlS 00. A variable reluctnce transducer (VRT) with plus or minus 0.100- inch stroke to operate to 550 deg F is described. Specific design effort was taken to optimize the desiga to have minimum change in the VRT's null and sensitivity with rapid thermal and pressure transients. Null and sensitivity stabilities of plus or minus 0.5% and 1.8% of full scale, respectively, were obtained. Appentice; 'ineate the various effects considered in optimizing the design. (auth)

System and method measuring fluid flow in a conduit

DOEpatents

Ortiz, Marcos German; Kidd, Terrel G.

1999-01-01

A system for measuring fluid mass flow in a conduit in which there exists a pressure differential in the fluid between at least two spaced-apart locations in the conduit. The system includes a first pressure transducer disposed in the side of the conduit at a first location for measuring pressure of fluid at that location, a second or more pressure transducers disposed in the side of the conduit at a second location, for making multiple measurements of pressure of fluid in the conduit at that location, and a computer for computing the average pressure of the multiple measurements at the second location and for computing flow rate of fluid in the conduit from the pressure measurement by the first pressure transducer and from the average pressure calculation of the multiple measurements.

Influence of resonant transducer variations on long range guided wave monitoring of rail track

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loveday, Philip W.; Long, Craig S.

2016-02-01

The ability of certain guided wave modes to propagate long distances in continuously welded rail track is exploited in permanently installed monitoring systems. Previous work demonstrated that reflections from thermite welds could be measured at distances of the order of 1 km from a transducer array. The availability of numerous thermite welds is useful during the development of a monitoring system as real defects are not available. Measurements of reflections from welds were performed over an eleven month period with two permanently installed transducers. Phased array processing was performed and the true location of a weld is indicated by a strong reflection but there is generally also a smaller, spurious replica reflection, at the same distance but in the incorrect direction. In addition, the relative reflection from different welds appears to change over time. The influence of differences between the two resonant transducers was investigated using a model. It was found that estimating the attenuation in either direction and scaling the reflections in either direction decreased the variability in the reflection measurements. Transducer interaction effects, where the transducer closer to the weld records a greater reflection than the second transducer were observed and can be used to determine the direction of a weld. This feature was used to demonstrate a simple alternative to phased array processing that can be used with resonant transducers.

UPR transducer BBF2H7 allows export of type II collagen in a cargo- and developmental stage–specific manner

PubMed Central

Toyama, Takuya; Nakamura, Yuki; Tamada, Kentaro; Shimizu, Hitomi; Ninagawa, Satoshi; Okada, Tetsuya; Ishikawa-Fujiwara, Tomoko; Aoyama, Eriko; Takigawa, Masaharu

2017-01-01

The unfolded protein response (UPR) handles unfolded/misfolded proteins accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, it is unclear how vertebrates correctly use the total of ten UPR transducers. We have found that ER stress occurs physiologically during early embryonic development in medaka fish and that the smooth alignment of notochord cells requires ATF6 as a UPR transducer, which induces ER chaperones for folding of type VIII (short-chain) collagen. After secretion of hedgehog for tissue patterning, notochord cells differentiate into sheath cells, which synthesize type II collagen. In this study, we show that this vacuolization step requires both ATF6 and BBF2H7 as UPR transducers and that BBF2H7 regulates a complete set of genes (Sec23/24/13/31, Tango1, Sedlin, and KLHL12) essential for the enlargement of COPII vesicles to accommodate long-chain collagen for export, leading to the formation of the perinotochordal basement membrane. Thus, the most appropriate UPR transducer is activated to cope with the differing physiological ER stresses of different content types depending on developmental stage. PMID:28500182

Transducer-based evaluation of tremor

PubMed Central

Haubenberger, Dietrich; Abbruzzese, Giovanni; Bain, Peter G; Bajaj, Nin; Benito-León, Julián; Bhatia, Kailash P; Deuschl, Günther; Forjaz, Maria João; Hallett, Mark; Louis, Elan D; Lyons, Kelly E; Mestre, Tiago A; Raethjen, Jan; Stamelou, Maria; Tan, Eng-King; Testa, Claudia M; Elble, Rodger J

2016-01-01

The Movement Disorder Society (MDS) established a task force on tremor that reviewed the use of transducer-based measures in the quantification and characterization of tremor. Studies of accelerometry, electromyography, activity monitoring, gyroscopy, digitizing tablet-based measures, vocal acoustic analysis, and several other transducer-based methods were identified by searching PubMed.gov. The availability, use, acceptability, reliability, validity, and responsiveness were reviewed for each measure using the following criteria: 1) used in the assessment of tremor, 2) used in published studies by people other than the developers, and 3) adequate clinimetric testing. Accelerometry, gyroscopy, electromyography, and digitizing tablet-based measures fulfilled all three criteria. Compared to rating scales, transducers are far more sensitive to changes in tremor amplitude and frequency, but they do not appear to be more capable of detecting a change that exceeds random variability in tremor amplitude (minimum detectable change). The use of transducer-based measures requires careful attention to their limitations and validity in a particular clinical or research setting. PMID:27273470

The Effect of Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence on Intracochlear Sound Pressures

PubMed Central

Pisano, Dominic V.; Niesten, Marlien E.F.; Merchant, Saumil N.; Nakajima, Hideko Heidi

2013-01-01

Semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD) is a pathological opening in the bony wall of the inner ear that can result in conductive hearing loss. The hearing loss is variable across patients, and the precise mechanism and source of variability are not fully understood. Simultaneous measurements of basal intracochlear sound pressures in scala vestibuli (SV) and scala tympani (ST) enable quantification of the differential pressure across the cochlear partition, the stimulus that excites the cochlear partition. We used intracochlear sound pressure measurements in cadaveric preparations to study the effects of SCD size. Sound-induced pressures in SV and ST, as well as stapes velocity and ear-canal pressure were measured simultaneously for various sizes of SCD followed by SCD patching. Our results showed that at low frequencies (<600 Hz), SCD decreased the pressure in both SV and ST, as well as differential pressure, and these effects became more pronounced as dehiscence size was increased. Near 100 Hz, SV decreased about 10 dB for a 0.5 mm dehiscence and 20 dB for a 2 mm dehiscence, while ST decreased about 8 dB for a 0.5 mm dehiscence and 18 dB for a 2mm dehiscence. Differential pressure decreased about 10 dB for a 0.5 mm dehiscence and about 20 dB for a 2 mm dehiscense at 100 Hz. In some ears, for frequencies above 1 kHz, the smallest pinpoint dehiscence had bigger effects on the differential pressure (10 dB decrease) than larger dehiscenses (less than 10 dB decrease), suggesting larger hearing losses in this frequency range. These effects due to SCD were reversible by patching the dehiscence. We also showed that under certain circumstances such as SCD, stapes velocity is not related to how the ear can transduce sound across the cochlear partition because it is not directly related to the differential pressure, emphasizing that certain pathologies cannot be fully assessed by measurements such as stapes velocity. PMID:22814034

The Prediction of Transducer Element Performance from In-Air Measurements.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-19

33 13. Predicted and Measured Transducer Impedance . . . 35 14. Principle of Operation of Fotonic Sensor . . . . 40 15. Experimental Set-up for...inferred from tests of the assembled element, and cannot account for assembly problems such as misalignment and improper glue joints. Thus, the...the results neither predict nor account for the element variability found in actual practice. Our purpose, then, is to derive the lumped-parameter

20 MHz Forward-imaging Single-element Beam Steering with an Internal Rotating Variable-Angle Reflecting Surface: Wire phantom and Ex vivo pilot study

PubMed Central

Raphael, David T.; Li, Xiang; Park, Jinhyoung; Chen, Ruimin; Chabok, Hamid; Barukh, Arthur; Zhou, Qifa; Elgazery, Mahmoud; Shung, K. Kirk

2012-01-01

Feasibility is demonstrated for a forward-imaging beam steering system involving a single-element 20 MHz angled-face acoustic transducer combined with an internal rotating variable-angle reflecting surface (VARS). Rotation of the VARS structure, for a fixed position of the transducer, generates a 2-D angular sector scan. If these VARS revolutions were to be accompanied by successive rotations of the single-element transducer, 3-D imaging would be achieved. In the design of this device, a single-element 20 MHz PMN-PT press-focused angled-face transducer is focused on the circle of midpoints of a micro-machined VARS within the distal end of an endoscope. The 2-D imaging system was tested in water bath experiments with phantom wire structures at a depth of 10 mm, and exhibited an axial resolution of 66 μm and a lateral resolution of 520 μm. Chirp coded excitation was used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, and to increase the depth of penetration. Images of an ex vivo cow eye were obtained. This VARS-based approach offers a novel forward-looking beam-steering method, which could be useful in intra-cavity imaging. PMID:23122968

20 MHz forward-imaging single-element beam steering with an internal rotating variable-angle reflecting surface: Wire phantom and ex vivo pilot study.

PubMed

Raphael, David T; Li, Xiang; Park, Jinhyoung; Chen, Ruimin; Chabok, Hamid; Barukh, Arthur; Zhou, Qifa; Elgazery, Mahmoud; Shung, K Kirk

2013-02-01

Feasibility is demonstrated for a forward-imaging beam steering system involving a single-element 20MHz angled-face acoustic transducer combined with an internal rotating variable-angle reflecting surface (VARS). Rotation of the VARS structure, for a fixed position of the transducer, generates a 2-D angular sector scan. If these VARS revolutions were to be accompanied by successive rotations of the single-element transducer, 3-D imaging would be achieved. In the design of this device, a single-element 20MHz PMN-PT press-focused angled-face transducer is focused on the circle of midpoints of a micro-machined VARS within the distal end of an endoscope. The 2-D imaging system was tested in water bath experiments with phantom wire structures at a depth of 10mm, and exhibited an axial resolution of 66μm and a lateral resolution of 520μm. Chirp coded excitation was used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, and to increase the depth of penetration. Images of an ex vivo cow eye were obtained. This VARS-based approach offers a novel forward-looking beam-steering method, which could be useful in intra-cavity imaging. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Improved circuit for measuring capacitive and inductive reactances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dalins, I.; Mc Carty, V.

1967-01-01

Amplifier circuit measures very small changes of capacitive or inductive reactance, such as produced by a variable capacitance or a variable inductance displacement transducer. The circuit employs reactance-sensing oscillators in which field effect transistors serve as the active elements.

System and method measuring fluid flow in a conduit

DOEpatents

Ortiz, M.G.; Kidd, T.G.

1999-05-18

A system is described for measuring fluid mass flow in a conduit in which there exists a pressure differential in the fluid between at least two spaced-apart locations in the conduit. The system includes a first pressure transducer disposed in the side of the conduit at a first location for measuring pressure of fluid at that location, a second or more pressure transducers disposed in the side of the conduit at a second location, for making multiple measurements of pressure of fluid in the conduit at that location, and a computer for computing the average pressure of the multiple measurements at the second location and for computing flow rate of fluid in the conduit from the pressure measurement by the first pressure transducer and from the average pressure calculation of the multiple measurements. 3 figs.

Recombinant Human Parvovirus B19 Vectors: Erythroid Cell-Specific Delivery and Expression of Transduced Genes

PubMed Central

Ponnazhagan, Selvarangan; Weigel, Kirsten A.; Raikwar, Sudhanshu P.; Mukherjee, Pinku; Yoder, Mervin C.; Srivastava, Arun

1998-01-01

A novel packaging strategy combining the salient features of two human parvoviruses, namely the pathogenic parvovirus B19 and the nonpathogenic adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV), was developed to achieve erythroid cell-specific delivery as well as expression of the transduced gene. The development of such a chimeric vector system was accomplished by packaging heterologous DNA sequences cloned within the inverted terminal repeats of AAV and subsequently packaging the DNA inside the capsid structure of B19 virus. Recombinant B19 virus particles were assembled, as evidenced by electron microscopy as well as DNA slot blot analyses. The hybrid vector failed to transduce nonerythroid human cells, such as 293 cells, as expected. However, MB-02 cells, a human megakaryocytic leukemia cell line which can be infected by B19 virus following erythroid differentiation with erythropoietin (N. C. Munshi, S. Z. Zhou, M. J. Woody, D. A. Morgan, and A. Srivastava, J. Virol. 67:562–566, 1993) but lacks the putative receptor for AAV (S. Ponnazhagan, X.-S. Wang, M. J. Woody, F. Luo, L. Y. Kang, M. L. Nallari, N. C. Munshi, S. Z. Zhou, and A. Srivastava, J. Gen. Virol. 77:1111–1122, 1996), were readily transduced by this vector. The hybrid vector was also found to specifically target the erythroid population in primary human bone marrow cells as well as more immature hematopoietic progenitor cells following erythroid differentiation, as evidenced by selective expression of the transduced gene in these target cells. Preincubation with anticapsid antibodies against B19 virus, but not anticapsid antibodies against AAV, inhibited transduction of primary human erythroid cells. The efficiency of transduction of primary human erythroid cells by the recombinant B19 virus vector was significantly higher than that by the recombinant AAV vector. Further development of the AAV-B19 virus hybrid vector system should prove beneficial in gene therapy protocols aimed at the correction of inherited and acquired human diseases affecting cells of erythroid lineage. PMID:9573295

Development of an Autonomous, Compact, Broadband Acoustic Backscattering System for Remote Characterization of Zooplankton Variability (PART II)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-30

proposal include: 1) complete the development of second-generation sonar boards, 2) complete the integration of new transducers with the second... sonar board and transducer. APPROACH Over the last 40 years, there has been significant research effort directed towards the use of high...narrowband frequency, and some AUVs carry single-frequency sidescan sonars (and this technology has been adapted for gliders), the lack of suitable

Cyclooxygenase-2 deficiency impairs muscle-derived stem cell-mediated bone regeneration via cellular autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms.

PubMed

Gao, Xueqin; Usas, Arvydas; Lu, Aiping; Kozemchak, Adam; Tang, Ying; Poddar, Minakshi; Sun, Xuying; Cummins, James H; Huard, Johnny

2016-08-01

This study investigated the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by donor and host cells in muscle-derived stem cell (MDSC)-mediated bone regeneration utilizing a critical size calvarial defect model. We found that BMP4/green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transduced MDSCs formed significantly less bone in COX-2 knock-out (Cox-2KO) than in COX-2 wild-type (WT) mice. BMP4/GFP-transduced Cox-2KO MDSCs also formed significantly less bone than transduced WT MDSCs when transplanted into calvarial defects created in CD-1 nude mice. The impaired bone regeneration in the Cox-2KO MDSCBMP4/GFP group is associated with downregulation of BMP4-pSMAD1/5 signaling, decreased osteogenic differentiation and lowered proliferation capacity after transplantation, compared with WT MDSCBMP4/GFP cells. The Cox-2KO MDSCBMP4/GFP group demonstrated a reduction in cell survival and direct osteogenic differentiation in vitro These effects were mediated in part by the downregulation of Igf1 and Igf2. In addition, the Cox-2KO MDSCBMP4/GFP cells recruited fewer macrophages than the WT MDSC/BMP4/GFP cells in the early phase after injury. We concluded that the bone regeneration capacity of Cox-2KO MDSCs was impaired because of a reduction in cell proliferation and survival capacities, reduction in osteogenic differentiation and a decrease in the ability of the cells to recruit host cells to the injury site. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A new class of variable capacitance generators based on the dielectric fluid transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duranti, Mattia; Righi, Michele; Vertechy, Rocco; Fontana, Marco

2017-11-01

This paper introduces the novel concept of dielectric fluid transducer (DFT), which is an electrostatic variable capacitance transducer made by compliant electrodes, solid dielectrics and a dielectric fluid with variable volume and/or shape. The DFT can be employed in actuator mode and generator mode. In this work, DFTs are studied as electromechanical generators able to convert oscillating mechanical energy into direct current electricity. Beside illustrating the working principle of dielectric fluid generators (DFGs), we introduce different architectural implementations and provide considerations on limitations and best practices for their design. Additionally, the proposed concept is demonstrated in a preliminary experimental test campaign conducted on a first DFG prototype. During experimental tests a maximum energy per cycle of 4.6 {mJ} and maximum power of 0.575 {mW} has been converted, with a conversion efficiency up to 30%. These figures correspond to converted energy densities of 63.8 {mJ} {{{g}}}-1 with respect to the displaced dielectric fluid and 179.0 {mJ} {{{g}}}-1 with respect to the mass of the solid dielectric. This promising performance can be largely improved through the optimization of device topology and dimensions, as well as by the adoption of more performing conductive and dielectric materials.

A computer vision-based approach for structural displacement measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Yunfeng

2010-04-01

Along with the incessant advancement in optics, electronics and computer technologies during the last three decades, commercial digital video cameras have experienced a remarkable evolution, and can now be employed to measure complex motions of objects with sufficient accuracy, which render great assistance to structural displacement measurement in civil engineering. This paper proposes a computer vision-based approach for dynamic measurement of structures. One digital camera is used to capture image sequences of planar targets mounted on vibrating structures. The mathematical relationship between image plane and real space is established based on computer vision theory. Then, the structural dynamic displacement at the target locations can be quantified using point reconstruction rules. Compared with other tradition displacement measurement methods using sensors, such as accelerometers, linear-variable-differential-transducers (LVDTs) and global position system (GPS), the proposed approach gives the main advantages of great flexibility, a non-contact working mode and ease of increasing measurement points. To validate, four tests of sinusoidal motion of a point, free vibration of a cantilever beam, wind tunnel test of a cross-section bridge model, and field test of bridge displacement measurement, are performed. Results show that the proposed approach can attain excellent accuracy compared with the analytical ones or the measurements using conventional transducers, and proves to deliver an innovative and low cost solution to structural displacement measurement.

Cryopreservation of adenovirus-transfected dendritic cells (DCs) for clinical use.

PubMed

Gülen, D; Maas, S; Julius, H; Warkentin, P; Britton, H; Younos, I; Senesac, J; Pirruccello, Samuel M; Talmadge, J E

2012-05-01

In this study, we examined the effects of cryoprotectant, freezing and thawing, and adenovirus (Adv) transduction on the viability, transgene expression, phenotype, and function of human dendritic cells (DCs). DCs were differentiated from cultured peripheral blood (PB) monocytes following Elutra isolation using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) for 6 days and then transduced using an Adv vector with an IL-12 transgene. Fresh, cryopreserved, and thawed transduced immature DCs were examined for their: 1) cellular concentration and viability; 2) antigenicity using an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR); 3) phenotype (HLA-DR and CD11c) and activation (CD83); and 4) transgene expression based on IL-12 secretion. Stability studies revealed that transduced DCs could be held in cryoprotectant for as long as 75 min at 2-8°C prior to freezing with little effect on their viability and cellularity. Further, cryopreservation, storage, and thawing reduced the viability of the transduced DCs by an average of 7.7%; and had no significant impact on DC phenotype and activation. In summary, cryopreservation, storage, and thawing had no significant effect on DC viability, function, and transgene expression by Adv-transduced DCs. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Transducer-based evaluation of tremor.

PubMed

Haubenberger, Dietrich; Abbruzzese, Giovanni; Bain, Peter G; Bajaj, Nin; Benito-León, Julián; Bhatia, Kailash P; Deuschl, Günther; Forjaz, Maria João; Hallett, Mark; Louis, Elan D; Lyons, Kelly E; Mestre, Tiago A; Raethjen, Jan; Stamelou, Maria; Tan, Eng-King; Testa, Claudia M; Elble, Rodger J

2016-09-01

The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society established a task force on tremor that reviewed the use of transducer-based measures in the quantification and characterization of tremor. Studies of accelerometry, electromyography, activity monitoring, gyroscopy, digitizing tablet-based measures, vocal acoustic analysis, and several other transducer-based methods were identified by searching PubMed.gov. The availability, use, acceptability, reliability, validity, and responsiveness were reviewed for each measure using the following criteria: (1) used in the assessment of tremor; (2) used in published studies by people other than the developers; and (3) adequate clinimetric testing. Accelerometry, gyroscopy, electromyography, and digitizing tablet-based measures fulfilled all three criteria. Compared to rating scales, transducers are far more sensitive to changes in tremor amplitude and frequency, but they do not appear to be more capable of detecting a change that exceeds random variability in tremor amplitude (minimum detectable change). The use of transducer-based measures requires careful attention to their limitations and validity in a particular clinical or research setting. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Development of smart piezoelectric transducer self-sensing, self-diagnosis and tuning schemes for structural health monitoring applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sang Jun

Autonomous structural health monitoring (SHM) systems using active sensing devices have been studied extensively to diagnose the current state of aerospace, civil infrastructure and mechanical systems in near real-time and aims to eventually reduce life-cycle costs by replacing current schedule-based maintenance with condition-based maintenance. This research develops four schemes for SHM applications: (1) a simple and reliable PZT transducer self-sensing scheme; (2) a smart PZT self-diagnosis scheme; (3) an instantaneous reciprocity-based PZT diagnosis scheme; and (4) an effective PZT transducer tuning scheme. First, this research develops a PZT transducer self-sensing scheme, which is a necessary condition to accomplish a PZT transducer self-diagnosis. Main advantages of the proposed self-sensing approach are its simplicity and adaptability. The necessary hardware is only an additional self-sensing circuit which includes a minimum of electric components. With this circuit, the self-sensing parameters can be calibrated instantaneously in the presence of changing operational and environmental conditions of the system. In particular, this self-sensing scheme focuses on estimating the mechanical response in the time domain for the subsequent applications of the PZT transducer self-diagnosis and tuning with guided wave propagation. The most significant challenge of this self-sensing comes from the fact that the magnitude of the mechanical response is generally several orders of magnitude smaller than that of the input signal. The proposed self-sensing scheme fully takes advantage of the fact that any user-defined input signals can be applied to a host structure and the input waveform is known. The performance of the proposed self-sensing scheme is demonstrated by theoretical analysis, numerical simulations and various experiments. Second, this research proposes a smart PZT transducer self-diagnosis scheme based on the developed self-sensing scheme. Conventionally, the capacitance change of the PZT wafer is monitored to identify the abnormal PZT condition because the capacitance of the PZT wafer is linearly proportional to its size and also related to the bonding condition. However, temperature variation is another primary factor that affects the PZT capacitance. To ensure the reliable transducer self-diagnosis, two different self-diagnosis features are proposed to differentiate two main PZT wafer defects, i.e., PZT debonding and PZT cracking, from temperature variations and structural damages. The PZT debonding is identified using two indices based on time reversal process (TRP) without any baseline data. Also, the PZT cracking is identified by monitoring the change of the generated Lamb wave power ratio index with respect to the driving frequency. The uniqueness of this self-diagnosis scheme is that the self-diagnosis features can differentiate the PZT defects from environmental variations and structural damages. Therefore, it is expected to minimize false-alarms which are induced by operational or environmental variations as well as structural damages. The applicability of the proposed self-diagnosis scheme is verified by theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and experimental tests. Third, a new methodology of guided wave-based PZT transducer diagnosis is developed to identify PZT transducer defects without using prior baseline data. This methodology can be applied when a number of same-size PZT transducers are attached to a target structure to form a sensor network. The advantage of the proposed technique is that abnormal PZT transducers among intact PZT transducers can be detected even when the system being monitored is subjected to varying operational and environmental conditions or changing structural conditions. To achieve this goal, the proposed diagnosis technique utilizes the linear reciprocity of guided wave propagation between a pair of surface-bonded PZT transducers. Finally, a PZT transducer tuning scheme is being developed for selective Lamb wave excitation and sensing. This is useful for structural damage detection based on Lamb wave propagation because the proper transducer size and the corresponding input frequency can be is crucial for selective Lamb wave excitation and sensing. The circular PZT response model is derived, and the energy balance is included for a better prediction of the PZT responses because the existing PZT response models do not consider any energy balance between Lamb wave modes. In addition, two calibration methods are also suggested in order to model the PZT responses more accurately by considering a bonding layer effect. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Theoretical modeling and experimental validation of a torsional piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Feng; Zhou, Wanlu; Kaluvan, Suresh; Zhang, Haifeng; Zuo, Lei

2018-04-01

Vibration energy harvesting has been extensively studied in recent years to explore a continuous power source for sensor networks and low-power electronics. Torsional vibration widely exists in mechanical engineering; however, it has not yet been well exploited for energy harvesting. This paper presents a theoretical model and an experimental validation of a torsional vibration energy harvesting system comprised of a shaft and a shear mode piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer position on the surface of the shaft is parameterized by two variables that are optimized to obtain the maximum power output. The piezoelectric transducer can work in d 15 mode (pure shear mode), coupled mode of d 31 and d 33, and coupled mode of d 33, d 31 and d 15, respectively, when attached at different angles. Approximate expressions of voltage and power are derived from the theoretical model, which gave predictions in good agreement with analytical solutions. Physical interpretations on the implicit relationship between the power output and the position parameters of the piezoelectric transducer is given based on the derived approximate expression. The optimal position and angle of the piezoelectric transducer is determined, in which case, the transducer works in the coupled mode of d 15, d 31 and d 33.

Passive millimeter wave differential interference contrast polarimetry

DOEpatents

Bernacki, Bruce E; Kelly, James F; Sheen, David M; Tedeschi, Jonathan R; Hall, Thomas E; Hatchell, Brian K; Valdez, Patrick; McMakin, Douglas L

2014-04-29

Differential polarization imaging systems include an axicon configured to provide a displacement of ray bundles associated with different image patches. The displaced ray bundles are directed to antenna horns and orthomode transducers so as to provide outputs correspond to orthogonal linear states of polarization (SOPs). The outputs are directed to a differential radiometer so that Stokes parameter differences between image patches can be obtained. The ray bundle displacements can be selected to correspond to a mechanical spacing of antenna horns. In some examples, ray bundle displacement corresponds to a displacement less than the diffraction limit.

Low-noise pulse conditioner

DOEpatents

Bird, David A.

1983-01-01

A low-noise pulse conditioner is provided for driving electronic digital processing circuitry directly from differentially induced input pulses. The circuit uses a unique differential-to-peak detector circuit to generate a dynamic reference signal proportional to the input peak voltage. The input pulses are compared with the reference signal in an input network which operates in full differential mode with only a passive input filter. This reduces the introduction of circuit-induced noise, or jitter, generated in ground referenced input elements normally used in pulse conditioning circuits, especially speed transducer processing circuits.

Implant Composed of Demineralized Bone and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Genetically Modified with AdBMP2/AdBMP7 for the Regeneration of Bone Fractures in Ovis aries.

PubMed

Hernandez-Hurtado, Adelina A; Borrego-Soto, Gissela; Marino-Martinez, Ivan A; Lara-Arias, Jorge; Romero-Diaz, Viktor J; Abrego-Guerra, Adalberto; Vilchez-Cavazos, Jose F; Elizondo-Riojas, Guillermo; Martinez-Rodriguez, Herminia G; Espinoza-Juarez, Marcela A; Lopez-Romero, Gloria C; Robles-Zamora, Alejandro; Mendoza Lemus, Oscar F; Ortiz-Lopez, Rocio; Rojas-Martinez, Augusto

2016-01-01

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are inducible to an osteogenic phenotype by the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). This facilitates the generation of implants for bone tissue regeneration. This study evaluated the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of ADMSCs transduced individually and in combination with adenoviral vectors expressing BMP2 and BMP7. Moreover, the effectiveness of the implant containing ADMSCs transduced with the adenoviral vectors AdBMP2/AdBMP7 and embedded in demineralized bone matrix (DBM) was tested in a model of tibial fracture in sheep. This graft was compared to ewes implanted with untransduced ADMSCs embedded in the same matrix and with injured but untreated animals. In vivo results showed accelerated osteogenesis in the group treated with the AdBMP2/AdBMP7 transduced ADMSC graft, which also showed improved restoration of the normal bone morphology.

Somatostatin/somatostatin receptor signalling: phosphotyrosine phosphatases.

PubMed

Florio, Tullio

2008-05-14

Activation of phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) by somatostatin receptor (SSTR) represents one of the main intracellular mechanisms involved in the antiproliferative effect of somatostatin (SST) and analogues. Since their molecular cloning, the role of PTPs is emerging as a major regulator of different cell functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, cell to cell interactions, cell matrix adhesion and cell migration. It was demonstrated that PTPs possess high substrate specificity and their activity is tightly regulated. Importantly, different G protein-coupled receptors transduce their biological activities through PTPs. PTPs were identified as down-stream effectors of SSTRs to transduce antiproliferative signals, and so far, three family members (SHP-1, SHP-2 and DEP-1/PTPeta) have been identified as selective SSTR intracellular effectors. Here, the molecular mechanisms leading SSTRs to regulate PTP activity are discussed, focusing on recent data showing a close interplay between PTPs and tyrosine kinases to transduce tumoral cell growth arrest following SST analogs administration.

Demodulator for carrier transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roller, R. F. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

A carrier type transducer is supplied with a carrier wave via an audio amplifier, a filter, a frequency divider, and an oscillator. The carrier is modulated in accordance with the parameter being measured by the transducer and is fed to the input of a digital data system which may include a voltmeter. The output of the oscillator and the output of each stage of the divider are fed to an AND or a NAND gate and suitable variable and fixed delay circuits to the command input of the digital data system. With this arrangement, the digital data system is commanded to sample at the proper time so that the average voltage of the modulated carrier is measured. It may be utilized with ancillary circuitry for control of the parameter

Optimal design of a piezoelectric transducer for exciting guided wave ultrasound in rails

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramatlo, Dineo A.; Wilke, Daniel N.; Loveday, Philip W.

2017-02-01

An existing Ultrasonic Broken Rail Detection System installed in South Africa on a heavy duty railway line is currently being upgraded to include defect detection and location. To accomplish this, an ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer to strongly excite a guided wave mode with energy concentrated in the web (web mode) of a rail is required. A previous study demonstrated that the recently developed SAFE-3D (Semi-Analytical Finite Element - 3 Dimensional) method can effectively predict the guided waves excited by a resonant piezoelectric transducer. In this study, the SAFE-3D model is used in the design optimization of a rail web transducer. A bound-constrained optimization problem was formulated to maximize the energy transmitted by the transducer in the web mode when driven by a pre-defined excitation signal. Dimensions of the transducer components were selected as the three design variables. A Latin hypercube sampled design of experiments that required a total of 500 SAFE-3D analyses in the design space was employed in a response surface-based optimization approach. The Nelder-Mead optimization algorithm was then used to find an optimal transducer design on the constructed response surface. The radial basis function response surface was first verified by comparing a number of predicted responses against the computed SAFE-3D responses. The performance of the optimal transducer predicted by the optimization algorithm on the response surface was also verified to be sufficiently accurate using SAFE-3D. The computational advantages of SAFE-3D in optimal transducer design are noteworthy as more than 500 analyses were performed. The optimal design was then manufactured and experimental measurements were used to validate the predicted performance. The adopted design method has demonstrated the capability to automate the design of transducers for a particular rail cross-section and frequency range.

Development of a fiber optic pavement subgrade strain measurement system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Craig Emerson

2000-11-01

This dissertation describes the development of a fiber optic sensing system to measure strains within the soil subgrade of highway pavements resulting from traffic loads. The motivation to develop such a device include improvements to: (1)all phases of pavement design, (2)theoretical models used to predict pavement performance, and (3)pavement rehabilitation. The design of the sensing system encompasses selecting an appropriate transducer design as well as the development of optimal optical and demodulation systems. The first is spring based, which attempts to match its spring stiffness to that of the soil-data indicate it is not an optimal transducer design. The second transducer implements anchoring plates attached to two telescoping tubes which allows the soil to be compacted to a desired density between the plates to dictate the transducer's behavior. Both transducers include an extrinsic Fabry- Perot cavity to impose the soil strains onto a phase change of the optical signal propagating through the cavity. The optical system includes a low coherence source and allows phase modulation via path length stretching by adding a second interferometer in series with the transducer, resulting in a path matched differential interferometer. A digitally implemented synthetic heterodyne demodulator based on a four step phase stepping algorithm is used to obtain unambiguous soil strain information from the displacement of the Fabry-Perot cavity. The demodulator is calibrated and characterized by illuminating the transducer with a second long coherence source of different wavelength. The transducer using anchoring plates is embedded within cylindrical soil specimens of varying soil types and soil moisture contents. Loads are applied to the specimen and resulting strains are measured using the embedded fiber optic gage and LVDTs attached to the surface of the specimen. This experimental verification is substantiated using a finite element analysis to predict any differences between interior and surface strains in the specimens. The experimental data indicate 2-inch diameter anchoring plates embedded in soil close to its optimum moisture content allow for very accurate soil strain measurements.

Genetic modification of human trabecular meshwork with lentiviral vectors.

PubMed

Loewen, N; Fautsch, M P; Peretz, M; Bahler, C K; Cameron, J D; Johnson, D H; Poeschla, E M

2001-11-20

Glaucoma, a group of optic neuropathies, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Neuronal apoptosis in glaucoma is primarily associated with high intraocular pressure caused by chronically impaired outflow of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork, a reticulum of mitotically inactive endothelial-like cells located in the angle of the anterior chamber. Anatomic, genetic, and expression profiling data suggest the possibility of using gene transfer to treat glaucomatous intraocular pressure dysregulation, but this approach will require stable genetic modification of the differentiated aqueous outflow tract. We injected transducing unit-normalized preparations of either of two lentiviral vectors or an oncoretroviral vector as a single bolus into the aqueous circulation of cultured human donor eyes, under perfusion conditions that mimicked natural anterior chamber flow and maintained viability ex vivo. Reporter gene expression was assessed in trabecular meshwork from 3 to 16 days after infusion of 1.0 x 10(8) transducing units of each vector. The oncoretroviral vector failed to transduce the trabecular meshwork. In contrast, feline immunodeficiency virus and human immunodeficiency virus vectors produced efficient, localized transduction of the trabecular meshwork in situ. The results demonstrate that lentiviral vectors permit efficient genetic modification of the human trabecular meshwork when delivered via the afferent aqueous circulation, a clinically accessible route. In addition, controlled comparisons in this study establish that feline and human immunodeficiency virus vectors are equivalently efficacious in delivering genes to this terminally differentiated human tissue.

Formation and spreading of TDP-43 aggregates in cultured neuronal and glial cells demonstrated by time-lapse imaging

PubMed Central

Ishii, Tomohiro; Kawakami, Emiko; Endo, Kentaro; Misawa, Hidemi; Watabe, Kazuhiko

2017-01-01

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a main constituent of cytoplasmic aggregates in neuronal and glial cells in cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. We have previously demonstrated that adenovirus-transduced artificial TDP-43 cytoplasmic aggregates formation is enhanced by proteasome inhibition in vitro and in vivo. However, the relationship between cytoplasmic aggregate formation and cell death remains unclear. In the present study, rat neural stem cell lines stably transfected with EGFP- or Sirius-expression vectors under the control of tubulin beta III, glial fibrillary acidic protein, or 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase promoter were differentiated into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, respectively, in the presence of retinoic acid. The differentiated cells were then transduced with adenoviruses expressing DsRed-tagged human wild type and C-terminal fragment TDP-43 under the condition of proteasome inhibition. Time-lapse imaging analyses revealed growing cytoplasmic aggregates in the transduced neuronal and glial cells, followed by collapse of the cell. The aggregates remained insoluble in culture media, consisted of sarkosyl-insoluble granular materials, and contained phosphorylated TDP-43. Moreover, the released aggregates were incorporated into neighboring neuronal cells, suggesting cell-to-cell spreading. The present study provides a novel tool for analyzing the detailed molecular mechanisms of TDP-43 proteinopathy in vitro. PMID:28599005

Confocal acoustic radiation force optical coherence elastography using a ring ultrasonic transducer

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

Qi, Wenjuan; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697; Li, Rui

2014-03-24

We designed and developed a confocal acoustic radiation force optical coherence elastography system. A ring ultrasound transducer was used to achieve reflection mode excitation and generate an oscillating acoustic radiation force in order to generate displacements within the tissue, which were detected using the phase-resolved optical coherence elastography method. Both phantom and human tissue tests indicate that this system is able to sense the stiffness difference of samples and quantitatively map the elastic property of materials. Our confocal setup promises a great potential for point by point elastic imaging in vivo and differentiation of diseased tissues from normal tissue.

Integration of adeno-associated virus vectors in CD34+ human hematopoietic progenitor cells after transduction.

PubMed

Fisher-Adams, G; Wong, K K; Podsakoff, G; Forman, S J; Chatterjee, S

1996-07-15

Gene transfer vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) appear promising because of their high transduction frequencies regardless of cell cycle status and ability to integrate into chromosomal DNA. We tested AAV-mediated gene transfer into a panel of human bone marrow or umbilical cord-derived CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, using vectors encoding several transgenes under the control of viral and cellular promoters. Gene transfer was evaluated by (1) chromosomal integration of vector sequences and (2) analysis of transgene expression. Southern hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of transduced CD34 genomic DNA showed the presence of integrated vector sequences in chromosomal DNA in a portion of transduced cells and showed that integrated vector sequences were replicated along with cellular DNA during mitosis. Transgene expression in transduced CD34 cells in suspension cultures and in myeloid colonies differentiating in vitro from transduced CD34 cells approximated that predicted by the multiplicity of transduction. This was true in CD34 cells from different donors, regardless of the transgene or selective pressure. Comparisons of CD34 cell transduction either before or after cytokine stimulation showed similar gene transfer frequencies. Our findings suggest that AAV transduction of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells is efficient, can lead to stable integration in a population of transduced cells, and may therefore provide the basis for safe and efficient ex vivo gene therapy of the hematopoietic system.

The constant current loop: A new paradigm for resistance signal conditioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Karl F.

1994-02-01

A practical single constant current loop circuit for the signal conditioning of variable-resistance transducers has been synthesized, analyzed, and demonstrated. The strain gage and the resistance temperature detector are examples of variable-resistance sensors. Lead wires connect variable-resistance sensors to remotely located signal-conditioning hardware. The presence of lead wires in the conventional Wheatstone bridge signal-conditioning circuit introduces undesired effects that reduce the quality of the data from the remote sensors. A practical approach is presented for suppressing essentially all lead wire resistance effects while indicating only the change in resistance value. Theoretical predictions supported by laboratory testing confirm the following features of the approach: (1) dc response; (2) the electrical output is unaffected by extremely large variation in the resistance of any or all lead wires; (3) the electrical output remains zero for no change in gage resistance; (4) the electrical output is inherently linear with respect to gage resistance change; (5) the sensitivity is double that of a Wheatstone bridge circuit; and (6) the same excitation wires can serve multiple independent gages. An adaptation of current loop circuit is presented that simultaneously provides an output signal voltage directly proportional to transducer resistance change and provides temperature information that is unaffected by transducer and lead wire resistance variations. These innovations are the subject of NASA patent applications.

The constant current loop: A new paradigm for resistance signal conditioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Karl F.

1992-10-01

A practical single constant current loop circuit for the signal conditioning of variable resistance transducers has been synthesized, analyzed, and demonstrated. The strain gage and the resistance temperature device are examples of variable resistance sensors. Lead wires connect variable resistance sensors to remotely located signal conditioning hardware. The presence of lead wires in the conventional Wheatstone bridge signal conditioning circuit introduces undesired effects that reduce the quality of the data from the remote sensors. A practical approach is presented for suppressing essentially all lead wire resistance effects while indicating only the change in resistance value. Theoretical predictions supported by laboratory testing confirm the following features of the approach: (1) dc response; (2) the electrical output is unaffected by extremely large variations in the resistance of any or all lead wires; (3) the electrical output remains zero for no change in gage resistance; (4) the electrical output is inherently linear with respect to gage resistance change; (5) the sensitivity is double that of a Wheatstone bridge circuit; and (6) the same excitation wires can serve multiple independent gages. An adaptation of current loop circuit is presented that simultaneously provides an output signal voltage directly proportional to transducer resistance change and provides temperature information that is unaffected by transducer and lead wire resistance variations. These innovations are the subject of NASA patent applications.

The constant current loop: A new paradigm for resistance signal conditioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Karl F.

A practical, single, constant-current loop circuit for the signal conditioning of variable-resistance transducers was synthesized, analyzed, and demonstrated. The strain gage and the resistance temperature device are examples of variable-resistance sensors. Lead wires connect variable-resistance sensors to remotely located signal-conditioning hardware. The presence of lead wires in the conventional Wheatstone bridge signal-conditioning circuit introduces undesired effects that reduce the quality of the data from the remote sensors. A practical approach is presented for suppressing essentially all lead wire resistance effects while indicating only the change in resistance value. Theoretical predictions supported by laboratory testing confirm the following features of the approach: (1) the dc response; (2) the electrical output is unaffected by extremely large variations in the resistance of any or all lead wires; (3) the electrical output remains zero for no change in gage resistance; (4) the electrical output is inherently linear with respect to gage resistance change; (5) the sensitivity is double that of a Wheatstone bridge circuit; and (6) the same excitation and sense wires can serve multiple independent gages. An adaptation of the current loop circuit is presented that simultaneously provides an output signal voltage directly proportional to transducer resistance change and provides temperature information that is unaffected by transducer and lead wire resistance variations. These innovations are the subject of NASA patent applications.

The constant current loop: A new paradigm for resistance signal conditioning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, Karl F.

1994-01-01

A practical single constant current loop circuit for the signal conditioning of variable-resistance transducers has been synthesized, analyzed, and demonstrated. The strain gage and the resistance temperature detector are examples of variable-resistance sensors. Lead wires connect variable-resistance sensors to remotely located signal-conditioning hardware. The presence of lead wires in the conventional Wheatstone bridge signal-conditioning circuit introduces undesired effects that reduce the quality of the data from the remote sensors. A practical approach is presented for suppressing essentially all lead wire resistance effects while indicating only the change in resistance value. Theoretical predictions supported by laboratory testing confirm the following features of the approach: (1) dc response; (2) the electrical output is unaffected by extremely large variation in the resistance of any or all lead wires; (3) the electrical output remains zero for no change in gage resistance; (4) the electrical output is inherently linear with respect to gage resistance change; (5) the sensitivity is double that of a Wheatstone bridge circuit; and (6) the same excitation wires can serve multiple independent gages. An adaptation of current loop circuit is presented that simultaneously provides an output signal voltage directly proportional to transducer resistance change and provides temperature information that is unaffected by transducer and lead wire resistance variations. These innovations are the subject of NASA patent applications.

The constant current loop: A new paradigm for resistance signal conditioning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, Karl F.

1993-01-01

A practical, single, constant-current loop circuit for the signal conditioning of variable-resistance transducers was synthesized, analyzed, and demonstrated. The strain gage and the resistance temperature device are examples of variable-resistance sensors. Lead wires connect variable-resistance sensors to remotely located signal-conditioning hardware. The presence of lead wires in the conventional Wheatstone bridge signal-conditioning circuit introduces undesired effects that reduce the quality of the data from the remote sensors. A practical approach is presented for suppressing essentially all lead wire resistance effects while indicating only the change in resistance value. Theoretical predictions supported by laboratory testing confirm the following features of the approach: (1) the dc response; (2) the electrical output is unaffected by extremely large variations in the resistance of any or all lead wires; (3) the electrical output remains zero for no change in gage resistance; (4) the electrical output is inherently linear with respect to gage resistance change; (5) the sensitivity is double that of a Wheatstone bridge circuit; and (6) the same excitation and sense wires can serve multiple independent gages. An adaptation of the current loop circuit is presented that simultaneously provides an output signal voltage directly proportional to transducer resistance change and provides temperature information that is unaffected by transducer and lead wire resistance variations. These innovations are the subject of NASA patent applications.

Directional nonlinear guided wave mixing: Case study of counter-propagating shear horizontal waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasanian, Mostafa; Lissenden, Cliff J.

2018-04-01

While much nonlinear ultrasonics research has been conducted on higher harmonic generation, wave mixing provides the potential for sensitive measurements of incipient damage unencumbered by instrumentation nonlinearity. Studies of nonlinear ultrasonic wave mixing, both collinear and noncollinear, for bulk waves have shown the robust capability of wave mixing for early damage detection. One merit of bulk wave mixing lies in their non-dispersive nature, but guided waves enable inspection of otherwise inaccessible material and a variety of mixing options. Co-directional guided wave mixing was studied previously, but arbitrary direction guided wave mixing has not been addressed until recently. Wave vector analysis is applied to study variable mixing angles to find wave mode triplets (two primary waves and a secondary wave) resulting in the phase matching condition. As a case study, counter-propagating Shear Horizontal (SH) guided wave mixing is analyzed. SH wave interactions generate a secondary Lamb wave mode that is readily receivable. Reception of the secondary Lamb wave mode is compared for an angle beam transducer, an air coupled transducer, and a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). Results from the angle beam and air coupled transducers are quite consistent, while the LDV measurement is plagued by variability issues.

Measuring systolic arterial blood pressure. Possible errors from extension tubes or disposable transducer domes.

PubMed

Rothe, C F; Kim, K C

1980-11-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of possible error in the measurement of systolic blood pressure if disposable, built-in diaphragm, transducer domes or long extension tubes between the patient and pressure transducer are used. Sinusoidal or arterial pressure patterns were generated with specially designed equipment. With a long extension tube or trapped air bubbles, the resonant frequency of the catheter system was reduced so that the arterial pulse was amplified as it acted on the transducer and, thus, gave an erroneously high systolic pressure measurement. The authors found this error to be as much as 20 mm Hg. Trapped air bubbles, not stopcocks or connections, per se, lead to poor fidelity. The utility of a continuous catheter flush system (Sorenson, Intraflow) to estimate the resonant frequency and degree of damping of a catheter-transducer system is described, as are possibly erroneous conclusions. Given a rough estimate of the resonant frequency of a catheter-transducer system and the magnitude of overshoot in response to a pulse, the authors present a table to predict the magnitude of probable error. These studies confirm the variability and unreliability of static calibration that may occur using some safety diaphragm domes and show that the system frequency response is decreased if air bubbles are trapped between the diaphragms. The authors conclude that regular procedures should be established to evaluate the accuracy of the pressure measuring systems in use, the transducer should be placed as close to the patient as possible, the air bubbles should be assiduously eliminated from the system.

Molecular players involved in temperature-dependent sex determination and sex differentiation in Teleost fish

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

The molecular mechanisms that underlie sex determination and differentiation are conserved and diversified. In fish species, temperature-dependent sex determination and differentiation seem to be ubiquitous and molecular players involved in these mechanisms may be conserved. Although how the ambient temperature transduces signals to the undifferentiated gonads remains to be elucidated, the genes downstream in the sex differentiation pathway are shared between sex-determining mechanisms. In this paper, we review recent advances on the molecular players that participate in the sex determination and differentiation in fish species, by putting emphasis on temperature-dependent sex determination and differentiation, which include temperature-dependent sex determination and genetic sex determination plus temperature effects. Application of temperature-dependent sex differentiation in farmed fish and the consequences of temperature-induced sex reversal are discussed. PMID:24735220

Servo Controlled Variable Pressure Modification to Space Shuttle Hydraulic Pump

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kouns, H. H.

1983-01-01

Engineering drawings show modifications made to the constant pressure control of the model AP27V-7 hydraulic pump to an electrically controlled variable pressure setting compensator. A hanger position indicator was included for continuously monitoring hanger angle. A simplex servo driver was furnished for controlling the pressure setting servovalve. Calibration of the rotary variable displacement transducer is described as well as pump performance and response characteristics.

Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase causes apoptosis in retinoic acid differentiated hl-60 leukemia cells.

PubMed

Ma, Jin; Liu, Qiang; Zeng, Yi-Xin

2004-01-01

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) signaling may inhibit apoptosis in neoplastic cells. The PI-3K inhibitor wortmannin renders cells apoptosis-prone. Inducers of differentiation may also cause apoptosis. To detect the effect of wortmannin on the survival of differentiated human acute promyeloid leukemia cells, HL-60 cells were induced to differentiation with treatment of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) followed by treatment with wortmannin. Results showed that apoptosis occurred in cells that underwent differentiation, but not in undifferentiated HL-60 cells. The pro-apoptotic molecule, Bad, played a role in this apoptotic mechanism. Thus, the survival of differentiated HL-60 cells induced by ATRA depends on the ability of the PI3-K pathway to transduce survival signals; the PI3-K inhibitor, wortmannin, can induce apoptosis of differentiated HL-60 cells. These results may indicate a novel method for treating cancer with differentiation induction and signal pathway regulation.

Implant Composed of Demineralized Bone and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Genetically Modified with AdBMP2/AdBMP7 for the Regeneration of Bone Fractures in Ovis aries

PubMed Central

Hernandez-Hurtado, Adelina A.; Lara-Arias, Jorge; Romero-Diaz, Viktor J.; Abrego-Guerra, Adalberto; Vilchez-Cavazos, Jose F.; Elizondo-Riojas, Guillermo; Martinez-Rodriguez, Herminia G.; Espinoza-Juarez, Marcela A.; Mendoza Lemus, Oscar F.

2016-01-01

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are inducible to an osteogenic phenotype by the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). This facilitates the generation of implants for bone tissue regeneration. This study evaluated the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of ADMSCs transduced individually and in combination with adenoviral vectors expressing BMP2 and BMP7. Moreover, the effectiveness of the implant containing ADMSCs transduced with the adenoviral vectors AdBMP2/AdBMP7 and embedded in demineralized bone matrix (DBM) was tested in a model of tibial fracture in sheep. This graft was compared to ewes implanted with untransduced ADMSCs embedded in the same matrix and with injured but untreated animals. In vivo results showed accelerated osteogenesis in the group treated with the AdBMP2/AdBMP7 transduced ADMSC graft, which also showed improved restoration of the normal bone morphology. PMID:27818692

Receiving sensitivity and transmitting voltage response of a fluid loaded spherical piezoelectric transducer with an elastic coating.

PubMed

George, Jineesh; Ebenezer, D D; Bhattacharyya, S K

2010-10-01

A method is presented to determine the response of a spherical acoustic transducer that consists of a fluid-filled piezoelectric sphere with an elastic coating embedded in infinite fluid to electrical and plane-wave acoustic excitations. The exact spherically symmetric, linear, differential, governing equations are used for the interior and exterior fluids, and elastic and piezoelectric materials. Under acoustic excitation and open circuit boundary condition, the equation governing the piezoelectric sphere is homogeneous and the solution is expressed in terms of Bessel functions. Under electrical excitation, the equation governing the piezoelectric sphere is inhomogeneous and the complementary solution is expressed in terms of Bessel functions and the particular integral is expressed in terms of a power series. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the effect of dimensions of the piezoelectric sphere, fluid loading, elastic coating and internal material losses on the open-circuit receiving sensitivity and transmitting voltage response of the transducer.

Plant respirometer enables high resolution of oxygen consumption rates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foster, D. L.

1966-01-01

Plant respirometer permits high resolution of relatively small changes in the rate of oxygen consumed by plant organisms undergoing oxidative metabolism in a nonphotosynthetic state. The two stage supply and monitoring system operates by a differential pressure transducer and provides a calibrated output by digital or analog signals.

Economic method for measuring ultra-low flow rates of fluids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bogdanovic, J. A.; Keller, W. F.

1970-01-01

Capillary tube flowmeter measures ultra-low flows of very corrosive fluids /such as chlorine trifluoride and liquid fluorine/ and other liquids with reasonable accuracy. Flowmeter utilizes differential pressure transducer and operates on the principle that for laminar flow in the tube, pressure drop is proportional to flow rate.

Sculpturing new muscle phenotypes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Babij, P.; Booth, F. W.

1988-01-01

Changes in the pattern of muscle activity are followed by new patterns of protein synthesis, both in the contractile elements and in the enzymes of energy metabolism. Although the signal transducers have not been identified, techniques of molecular biology have clearly shown that the adaptive responses are the regulated consequence of differential gene expression.

Alendronate promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis through interferon-β/signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 pathway

PubMed Central

Ma, Xiaoqing; Xu, Zhongyang; Ding, Shaofeng; Yi, Guangkun; Wang, Qian

2018-01-01

Alendronate is commonly used for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis; however, the underlying pathological molecular mechanisms of its action remain unclear. In the present study, the alendronate-treated signaling pathway in bone metabolism in rats with ovariectomy induced by osteoporosis was investigated. Rats with osteoporosis were orally administered alendronate or phosphate-buffered saline (control). In addition, the interferon-β (IFN-β)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathway was investigated in osteoblasts following treatment with alendronate in vitro and in vivo. During the differentiation period, IFN-β (100 ng/ml) was used to treat the osteoblast cells, and the activity, viability and bone metabolism-associated gene expression levels (STAT1, p-STAT1, Fra1, TRAF6 and SOCS1) were analyzed in osteoblast cells. Histopathological changes were used to evaluate osteoblasts, osteoclasts, inflammatory phase of bone healing and osteonecrotic areas. The results demonstrated that alendronate significantly inhibited the activity of osteoporotic osteoclasts by stimulating expression of IFN-β, as well as markedly improved the viability and activity of osteoblasts compared with the control group. In addition, alendronate increased the expression and phosphorylation levels of STAT1 in osteoclasts, enhanced osteoblast differentiation, upregulated the expression levels of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, and increased the expression of osteoblast differentiation-associated genes (osteocalcin, osterix and Runx2). Inhibition of IFN-β expression canceled the benefits of alendronate-mediated osteoblast differentiation. Notably, alendronate enhanced bone formation in rats with osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy. In conclusion, these findings suggest that alendronate can regulate osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in rats with osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy through upregulation of IFN-β/STAT1 signaling pathway. PMID:29375681

Potentially Therapeutic Levels of Anti-Sickling Globin Gene Expression Following Lentivirus-mediated Gene Transfer in Sickle Cell Disease Bone Marrow CD34+ Cells

PubMed Central

Urbinati, Fabrizia; Hargrove, Philip W.; Geiger, Sabine; Romero, Zulema; Wherley, Jennifer; Kaufman, Michael L.; Hollis, Roger P.; Chambers, Christopher B.; Persons, Derek A.; Kohn, Donald B.; Wilber, Andrew

2015-01-01

Sickle cell disease (SCD) can be cured by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplant. However, this is only possible when a matched donor is available making the development of gene therapy using autologous HSCs a highly desired alternative. We used a culture model of human erythropoiesis to directly compare two insulated, self-inactivating, and erythroid-specific lentiviral vectors, encoding for γ-globin (V5m3-400) or a modified β-globin (βAS3-FB) for production of anti-sickling hemoglobin (Hb) and correction of red cell deformability after deoxygenation. Bone marrow CD34+ cells from three SCD patients were transduced using V5m3-400 or βAS3-FB and compared to mock transduced SCD or healthy donor CD34+ cells. Lentiviral transduction did not impair cell growth or differentiation, as gauged by proliferation and acquisition of erythroid markers. Vector copy number averaged ~1 copy per cell and corrective globin mRNA levels were increased more than 7-fold over mock-transduced controls. Erythroblasts derived from healthy donor and mock-transduced SCD cells produced a low level of HbF that was increased to 23.6 ± 4.1% per vector copy for cells transduced with V5m3-400. Equivalent levels of modified HbA of 17.6 ± 3.8% per vector copy were detected for SCD cells transduced with βAS3-FB. These levels of anti-sickling Hb production were sufficient to reduce sickling of terminal stage RBCs upon deoxygenation. We conclude that the achieved levels of HbF and modified HbA would likely prove therapeutic to SCD patients who lack matched donors. PMID:25681747

Myosin Transducer Mutations Differentially Affect Motor Function, Myofibril Structure, and the Performance of Skeletal and Cardiac Muscles

PubMed Central

Cammarato, Anthony; Dambacher, Corey M.; Knowles, Aileen F.; Kronert, William A.; Bodmer, Rolf

2008-01-01

Striated muscle myosin is a multidomain ATP-dependent molecular motor. Alterations to various domains affect the chemomechanical properties of the motor, and they are associated with skeletal and cardiac myopathies. The myosin transducer domain is located near the nucleotide-binding site. Here, we helped define the role of the transducer by using an integrative approach to study how Drosophila melanogaster transducer mutations D45 and Mhc5 affect myosin function and skeletal and cardiac muscle structure and performance. We found D45 (A261T) myosin has depressed ATPase activity and in vitro actin motility, whereas Mhc5 (G200D) myosin has these properties enhanced. Depressed D45 myosin activity protects against age-associated dysfunction in metabolically demanding skeletal muscles. In contrast, enhanced Mhc5 myosin function allows normal skeletal myofibril assembly, but it induces degradation of the myofibrillar apparatus, probably as a result of contractile disinhibition. Analysis of beating hearts demonstrates depressed motor function evokes a dilatory response, similar to that seen with vertebrate dilated cardiomyopathy myosin mutations, and it disrupts contractile rhythmicity. Enhanced myosin performance generates a phenotype apparently analogous to that of human restrictive cardiomyopathy, possibly indicating myosin-based origins for the disease. The D45 and Mhc5 mutations illustrate the transducer's role in influencing the chemomechanical properties of myosin and produce unique pathologies in distinct muscles. Our data suggest Drosophila is a valuable system for identifying and modeling mutations analogous to those associated with specific human muscle disorders. PMID:18045988

A new ultrasonic transducer for improved contrast nonlinear imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouakaz, Ayache; ten Cate, Folkert; de Jong, Nico

2004-08-01

Second harmonic imaging has provided significant improvement in contrast detection over fundamental imaging. This improvement is a result of a higher contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) achievable at the second harmonic frequency. Nevertheless, the differentiation between contrast and tissue at the second harmonic frequency is still in many situations cumbersome and contrast detection remains nowadays as one of the main challenges, especially in the capillaries. The reduced CTR is mainly caused by the generation of second harmonic energy from nonlinear propagation effects in tissue, which hence obscures the echoes from contrast bubbles. In a previous study, we demonstrated theoretically that the CTR increases with the harmonic number. Therefore the purpose of our study was to increase the CTR by selectively looking to the higher harmonic frequencies. In order to be able to receive these high frequency components (third up to the fifth harmonic), a new ultrasonic phased array transducer has been constructed. The main advantage of the new design is its wide frequency bandwidth. The new array transducer contains two different types of elements arranged in an interleaved pattern (odd and even elements). This design enables separate transmission and reception modes. The odd elements operate at 2.8 MHz and 80% bandwidth, whereas the even elements have a centre frequency of 900 kHz with a bandwidth of 50%. The probe is connected to a Vivid 5 system (GE-Vingmed) and proper software is developed for driving. The total bandwidth of such a transducer is estimated to be more than 150% which enables higher harmonic imaging at an adequate sensitivity and signal to noise ratio compared to standard medical array transducers. We describe in this paper the design and fabrication of the array transducer. Moreover its acoustic properties are measured and its performances for nonlinear contrast imaging are evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The preliminary results demonstrate the advantages of such a transducer design for improved contrast detection.

Development of lightweight structural health monitoring systems for aerospace applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearson, Matthew

This thesis investigates the development of structural health monitoring systems (SHM) for aerospace applications. The work focuses on each aspect of a SHM system covering novel transducer technologies and damage detection techniques to detect and locate damage in metallic and composite structures. Secondly the potential of energy harvesting and power arrangement methodologies to provide a stable power source is assessed. Finally culminating in the realisation of smart SHM structures. 1. Transducer Technology A thorough experimental study of low profile, low weight novel transducers not normally used for acoustic emission (AE) and acousto-ultrasonics (AU) damage detection was conducted. This included assessment of their performance when exposed to aircraft environments and feasibility of embedding these transducers in composites specimens in order to realise smart structures. 2. Damage Detection An extensive experimental programme into damage detection utilising AE and AU were conducted in both composites and metallic structures. These techniques were used to assess different damage mechanism within these materials. The same transducers were used for novel AE location techniques coupled with AU similarity assessment to successfully detect and locate damage in a variety of structures. 3. Energy Harvesting and Power Management Experimental investigations and numerical simulations were undertaken to assess the power generation levels of piezoelectric and thermoelectric generators for typical vibration and temperature differentials which exist in the aerospace environment. Furthermore a power management system was assessed to demonstrate the ability of the system to take the varying nature of the input power and condition it to a stable power source for a system. 4. Smart Structures The research conducted is brought together into a smart carbon fibre wing showcasing the novel embedded transducers for AE and AU damage detection and location, as well as vibration energy harvesting. A study into impact damage detection using the techniques showed the successful detection and location of damage. Also the feasibility of the embedded transducers for power generation was assessed..

Compensated vibrating optical fiber pressure measuring device

DOEpatents

Fasching, George E.; Goff, David R.

1987-01-01

A microbending optical fiber is attached under tension to a diaphragm to se a differential pressure applied across the diaphragm which it causes it to deflect. The fiber is attached to the diaphragm so that one portion of the fiber, attached to a central portion of the diaphragm, undergoes a change in tension; proportional to the differential pressure applied to the diaphragm while a second portion attached at the periphery of the diaphragm remains at a reference tension. Both portions of the fiber are caused to vibrate at their natural frequencies. Light transmitted through the fiber is attenuated by both portions of the tensioned sections of the fiber by an amount which increases with the curvature of fiber bending so that the light signal is modulated by both portions of the fiber at separate frequencies. The modulated light signal is transduced into a electrical signal. The separate modulation signals are detected to generate separate signals having frequencies corresponding to the reference and measuring vibrating sections of the continuous fiber, respectively. A signal proportional to the difference between these signals is generated which is indicative of the measured pressure differential across the diaphragm. The reference portion of the fiber is used to compensate the pressure signal for zero and span changes resulting from ambient temperature and humidity effects upon the fiber and the transducer fixture.

[Differential echographic diagnosis in small tissue areas--exemplified by the orbits].

PubMed

Buschmann, W; Haigis, W

1982-12-01

Measurement-based ultrasonography proved mandatory in ophthalmic diagnostic work. It provides comparable examination conditions and therefore, comparable results, in contrast to simple, empirical ultrasonic examination. Measurement methods which can be easily applied under clinical conditions have been developed for determination of those technical characteristics of the apparatus and transducer probes which proved decisive for the diagnostic results. Some echographic criteria can be additionally or better evaluated using this basis. All echo-amplitude measurements should be related to a well-defined test-reflector echo. In addition to sensitivity and resolution, frequency and frequency spectrum are especially important. Manufacturer's data have proved insufficient up to now, insufficient; even within one manufacturer's series of one equipment or transducer probe type considerable deviations from the declared data have been found. Such deviations may mimick pathologic alterations in the echograms. The size of a lesion area can be better evaluated when using well-defined technical conditions. The echographic presentation of tissue structures in the depth is especially dependent on frequency and on the frequency spectrum. Pathologic alterations of tissues may cause changes in the ultrasound attenuation which results in emphasized or reduced presentation of echoes from normal structures behind the lesion area. Tissue differentiation should be based on additional A-scan echograms. Computerized echogram averaging provides a more reliable evaluation of echo amplitudes and ultrasound attenuation. Use of measurement-based ultrasonography permits to compare measured echo-amplitudes and ultrasound attenuation with the results of other working groups, even if these are based on other equipment and transducers.

Normal values of spleen stiffness in healthy children assessed by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI): comparison between two ultrasound transducers.

PubMed

Cañas, Teresa; Fontanilla, Teresa; Miralles, María; Maciá, Araceli; Malalana, Ana; Román, Enriqueta

2015-08-01

Portal hypertension, a major complication of hepatic fibrosis, can affect the stiffness of the spleen. To suggest normal values of spleen stiffness determined by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging in healthy children and to compare measurements using two different US probes. In a prospective study, 60 healthy children between 1 day and 14 years of age were assigned to four age groups with 15 children in each. Measurements were performed using two transducers (convex 4C1 and linear 9L4), and 10 measurements were obtained in each child, 5 with each probe. The mean splenic shear wave velocities were 2.17 m/s (SD 0.35, 95% CI 2.08-2.26) with the 4C1 probe and 2.15 m/s (SD 0.23, 95% CI 2.09-2.21) with the 9L4 probe (not significant). We found normal values for spleen stiffness with no difference in the mean values obtained using two types of US transducers, but with higher variability using a convex compared to a linear transducer.

MicroR-146 blocks the activation of M1 macrophage by targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 in hepatic schistosomiasis.

PubMed

He, Xing; Tang, Rui; Sun, Yue; Wang, Yan-Ge; Zhen, Kui-Yang; Zhang, Dong-Mei; Pan, Wei-Qing

2016-11-01

Schistosomiasis is a chronic disease caused by the parasite of the Schistosoma genus and is characterized by egg-induced hepatic granulomas and fibrosis. Macrophages play a central role in schistosomiasis with several studies highlighting their differentiation into M2 cells involved in the survival of infected mice through limitation of immunopathology. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms of regulating macrophage differentiation. Here, we showed that the early stage of infection by Schistosoma japonicum induced expression of type 1T-helper-cell (Th1) cytokine, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), leading to increase in M1 cells. However, the presence of liver-trapped eggs induced the expression of Th2 cytokines including interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, and IL-13 that upregulated the transcription of miR-146b by activating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3/6 (STAT3/6) that bind to the promoter of the pre-miR-146b gene. We found that the miR-146a/b was significantly upregulated in macrophages during the progression of hepatic schistosomiasis. The elevated miR-146a/b inhibited the IFN-γ-induced differentiation of macrophages to M1 cells through targeting STAT1. Our data indicate the protective roles of miR-146a/b in hepatic schistosomiasis through regulating the differentiation of macrophages into M2 cells. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stable and Efficient Gene Transfer into the Retina Using an HIV-Based Lentiviral Vector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyoshi, Hiroyuki; Takahashi, Masayo; Gage, Fred H.; Verma, Inder M.

1997-09-01

The development of methods for efficient gene transfer to terminally differentiated retinal cells is important to study the function of the retina as well as for gene therapy of retinal diseases. We have developed a lentiviral vector system based on the HIV that can transduce terminally differentiated neurons of the brain in vivo. In this study, we have evaluated the ability of HIV vectors to transfer genes into retinal cells. An HIV vector containing a gene encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) was injected into the subretinal space of rat eyes. The GFP gene under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter was efficiently expressed in both photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelium. However, the use of the rhodopsin promoter resulted in expression predominantly in photoreceptor cells. Most successfully transduced eyes showed that photoreceptor cells in >80% of the area of whole retina expressed the GFP. The GFP expression persisted for at least 12 weeks with no apparent decrease. The efficient gene transfer into photoreceptor cells by HIV vectors will be useful for gene therapy of retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Method for chemically analyzing a solution by acoustic means

DOEpatents

Beller, Laurence S.

1997-01-01

A method and apparatus for determining a type of solution and the concention of that solution by acoustic means. Generally stated, the method consists of: immersing a sound focusing transducer within a first liquid filled container; locating a separately contained specimen solution at a sound focal point within the first container; locating a sound probe adjacent to the specimen, generating a variable intensity sound signal from the transducer; measuring fundamental and multiple harmonic sound signal amplitudes; and then comparing a plot of a specimen sound response with a known solution sound response, thereby determining the solution type and concentration.

Test-retest reliability of pure-tone thresholds from 0.5 to 16 kHz using Sennheiser HDA 200 and Etymotic Research ER-2 earphones.

PubMed

Schmuziger, Nicolas; Probst, Rudolf; Smurzynski, Jacek

2004-04-01

The purposes of the study were: (1) To evaluate the intrasession test-retest reliability of pure-tone thresholds measured in the 0.5-16 kHz frequency range for a group of otologically healthy subjects using Sennheiser HDA 200 circumaural and Etymotic Research ER-2 insert earphones and (2) to compare the data with existing criteria of significant threshold shifts related to ototoxicity and noise-induced hearing loss. Auditory thresholds in the frequency range from 0.5 to 6 kHz and in the extended high-frequency range from 8 to 16 kHz were measured in one ear of 138 otologically healthy subjects (77 women, 61 men; mean age, 24.4 yr; range, 12-51 yr) using HDA 200 and ER-2 earphones. For each subject, measurements of thresholds were obtained twice for both transducers during the same test session. For analysis, the extended high-frequency range from 8 to 16 kHz was subdivided into 8 to 12.5 and 14 to 16 kHz ranges. Data for each frequency and frequency range were analyzed separately. There were no significant differences in repeatability for the two transducer types for all frequency ranges. The intrasession variability increased slightly, but significantly, as frequency increased with the greatest amount of variability in the 14 to 16 kHz range. Analyzing each individual frequency, variability was increased particularly at 16 kHz. At each individual frequency and for both transducer types, intrasession test-retest repeatability from 0.5 to 6 kHz and 8 to 16 kHz was within 10 dB for >99% and >94% of measurements, respectively. The results indicated a false-positive rate of <3% in reference to the criteria for cochleotoxicity for both transducer types. In reference to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standard Threshold Shift criteria for noise-induced hazards, the results showed a minor false-positive rate of <1% for the HDA 200. Repeatability was similar for both transducer types. Intrasession test-retest repeatability from 0.5 to 12.5 kHz at each individual frequency including the frequency range susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss was excellent for both transducers. Repeatability was slightly, but significantly poorer in the frequency range from 14 to 16 kHz compared with the frequency ranges from 0.5 to 6 or 8 to 12.5 kHz. Measurements in the extended high-frequency range from 8 to 14 kHz, but not up to 16 kHz, may be recommended for monitoring purposes.

Microminiature high-resolution linear displacement sensor for peak strain detection in smart structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arms, Steven W.; Guzik, David C.; Townsend, Christopher P.

1998-07-01

Critical civil and military structures require 'smart' sensors in order to report their strain histories; this can help to insure safe operation after exposure to potentially damaging loads. A passive resetable peak strain detector was developed by modifying the mechanics of a differential variable reluctance transducer. The peak strain detector was attached to an aluminum test beam along with a bonded resistance strain gauge and a standard DVRT. Strain measurements were recorded during cyclic beam deflections. DVRT output was compared to the bonded resistance strain gauge output, yielding correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9989 to 0.9998 for al teste, including re-attachment of the DVRT to the specimen. Peak bending strains were obtained by the modified peak detect DVRT to the specimen. Peak bending strains were obtained by the modified peak detect DVRT and this was compared to the peak bending strains as measured by the bonded strain gauge. The peak detect DVRT demonstrated an accuracy of approximately +/- 5 percent over a peak range of 2000 to 2800 microstrain.

A new method for acoustic containerless processing of materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M.

1984-01-01

The development of an acoustic positioner, which uses only one acoustic mode in chambers of rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical geometries, for high-temperature containerless processing of materials in space is described. The objective of the single-mode positioner is to develop sufficient acoustic forces to stably localize and manipulate molten materials. In order to attain this goal the transducer power, energy transfer medium, and chamber geometry and dimensions need to be optimized. The use of a variable frequency compression driver or solid-state piezoelectric transducer to optimize these properties is investigated; it is determined that a solid-state transducer would be most applicable for optimizing the positioner. The positioning capabilities of this single-mode positioner are discussed. The dependence of the acoustic forces on temperature and ambient pressure is studied. The development of a levitator to process a molten sample at 1500 C in the space environment using the cylindrical (011) mode is illustrated.

IDH1R132H in Neural Stem Cells: Differentiation Impaired by Increased Apoptosis

PubMed Central

Rosiak, Kamila; Smolarz, Maciej; Stec, Wojciech J.; Peciak, Joanna; Grzela, Dawid; Winiecka-Klimek, Marta; Stoczynska-Fidelus, Ewelina; Krynska, Barbara; Piaskowski, Sylwester; Rieske, Piotr

2016-01-01

Background The high frequency of mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene in diffuse gliomas indicates its importance in the process of gliomagenesis. These mutations result in loss of the normal function and acquisition of the neomorphic activity converting α-ketoglutarate to 2-hydroxyglutarate. This potential oncometabolite may induce the epigenetic changes, resulting in the deregulated expression of numerous genes, including those related to the differentiation process or cell survivability. Methods Neural stem cells were derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells following embryoid body formation. Neural stem cells transduced with mutant IDH1R132H, empty vector, non-transduced and overexpressing IDH1WT controls were differentiated into astrocytes and neurons in culture. The neuronal and astrocytic differentiation was determined by morphology and expression of lineage specific markers (MAP2, Synapsin I and GFAP) as determined by real-time PCR and immunocytochemical staining. Apoptosis was evaluated by real-time observation of Caspase-3 activation and measurement of PARP cleavage by Western Blot. Results Compared with control groups, cells expressing IDH1R132H retained an undifferentiated state and lacked morphological changes following stimulated differentiation. The significant inhibitory effect of IDH1R132H on neuronal and astrocytic differentiation was confirmed by immunocytochemical staining for markers of neural stem cells. Additionally, real-time PCR indicated suppressed expression of lineage markers. High percentage of apoptotic cells was detected within IDH1R132H-positive neural stem cells population and their derivatives, if compared to normal neural stem cells and their derivatives. The analysis of PARP and Caspase-3 activity confirmed apoptosis sensitivity in mutant protein-expressing neural cells. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that expression of IDH1R132H increases apoptosis susceptibility of neural stem cells and their derivatives. Robust apoptosis causes differentiation deficiency of IDH1R132H-expressing cells. PMID:27145078

Diagnostic accuracy of an ultrasonic multiple transducer cardiac imaging system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Popp, R. L.; Brown, O. R.; Harrison, D. C.

1975-01-01

An ultrasonic multiple-transducer imaging system for intracardiac structure visualization is developed in order to simplify visualization of the human heart in vivo without radiation hazard or invasion of the body. Results of the evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of the devised system in a clinical setting for adult patients are presented and discussed. Criteria are presented for recognition of mitral valva prolapse, mitral stenosis, pericardial effusion, atrial septal defect, and left ventricular dyssynergy. The probable cause for false-positive and false-negative diagnoses is discussed. However, hypertrophic myopathy and congestive myopathy were unable to be detected. Since only qualitative criteria were used, it was not possible to differentiate patients with left ventricular volume overload from patients without cardiac pathology.

An all-optical fiber optic photoacoustic transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thathachary, Supriya V.; Motameni, Cameron; Ashkenazi, Shai

2018-02-01

A highly sensitive fiber-optic Fabry-Perot photoacoustic transducer is proposed in this work. The transducer will consist of separate transmit and receive fibers. The receiver will be composed of a Fabry-Perot Ultrasound sensor with a selfwritten waveguide with all-optical ultrasound detection with high sensitivity. In previous work, we have shown an increase in resonator Q-factor from 1900 to 3200 for a simulated Fabry-Perot ultrasound detector of 45 μm thickness upon including a waveguide to limit lateral power losses. Subsequently, we demonstrated a prototype device with 30nm gold mirrors and a cavity composed of the photosensitive polymer Benzocyclobutene. This 80 µm thick device showed an improvement in its Q-factor from 2500 to 5200 after a selfaligned waveguide was written into the cavity using UV exposure. Current work uses a significantly faster fabrication technique using a combination of UV-cured epoxies for the cavity medium, and the waveguide within it. This reduces the fabrication time from several hours to a few minutes, and significantly lowers the cost of fabrication. We use a dip-coating technique to deposit the polymer layer. Future work will include the use of Dielectric Bragg mirrors in place of gold to achieve better reflectivity, thereby further improving the Q-factor of the device. The complete transducer presents an ideal solution for intravascular imaging in cases where tissue differentiation is desirable, an important feature in interventional procedures where arterial perforation is a risk. The final design proposed comprises the transducer within a guidewire to guide interventions for Chronic Total Occlusions, a disease state for which there are currently no invasive imaging options.

Assessing the accuracy of Greenland ice sheet ice ablation measurements by pressure transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fausto, R. S.; van As, D.; Ahlstrøm, A. P.

2012-04-01

In the glaciological community there is a need for reliable mass balance measurements of glaciers and ice sheets, ranging from daily to yearly time scales. Here we present a method to measure ice ablation using a pressure transducer. The pressure transducer is drilled into the ice, en-closed in a hose filled with a liquid that is non-freezable at common Greenlandic temperatures. The pressure signal registered by the transducer is that of the vertical column of liquid over the sensor, which can be translated in depth knowing the density of the liquid. As the free-standing AWS moves down with the ablating surface and the hose melts out of the ice, an increasingly large part of the hose will lay flat on the ice surface, and the hydrostatic pressure from the vertical column of liquid in the hose will get smaller. This reduction in pressure provides us with the ablation rate. By measuring at (sub-) daily timescales this assembly is well-suited to monitor ice ablation in remote regions, with clear advantages over other well-established methods of measuring ice ablation in the field. The pressure transducer system has the potential to monitor ice ablation for several years without re-drilling and the system is suitable for high ablation areas. A routine to transform raw measurements into ablation values will also be presented, including a physically based method to remove air pressure variability from the signal. The pressure transducer time-series is compared to that recorded by a sonic ranger for the climatically hostile setting on the Greenland ice sheet.

Low-noise pulse conditioner

DOEpatents

Bird, D.A.

1981-06-16

A low-noise pulse conditioner is provided for driving electronic digital processing circuitry directly from differentially induced input pulses. The circuit uses a unique differential-to-peak detector circuit to generate a dynamic reference signal proportional to the input peak voltage. The input pulses are compared with the reference signal in an input network which operates in full differential mode with only a passive input filter. This reduces the introduction of circuit-induced noise, or jitter, generated in ground referenced input elements normally used in pulse conditioning circuits, especially speed transducer processing circuits. This circuit may be used for conditioning the sensor signal from the Fidler coil in a gas centrifuge for separation of isotopic gaseous mixtures.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B (STAT5B) modulates adipocyte differentiation via MOF.

PubMed

Gao, Peng; Zhang, Yuchao; Liu, Yuantao; Chen, Jicui; Zong, Chen; Yu, Cong; Cui, Shang; Gao, Weina; Qin, Dandan; Sun, Wenchuan; Li, Xia; Wang, Xiangdong

2015-12-01

The role and mechanism of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B (STAT5B) in adipogenesis remain unclear. In this study, our data showed that Males absent on the first (MOF) protein expression was increased during 3 T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiation accompanied with STAT5B expression increasing. Over-expression STAT5B enhanced MOF promoter trans-activation in HeLa cells. Mutagenesis assay and ChIP analysis exhibited that STAT5B was able to bind MOF promoter. Knocking-down STAT5B in 3 T3-L1 preadipocytes led to decreased expression of MOF, but resulted in increased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (Fabp4), which were important factors or enzymes for adipogenesis. We also found that knocking-down MOF in 3 T3-L1 preadipocytes resulted in increased expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα and Fabp4, which was in the same trend as STAT5B knocking-down. Over-expression MOF resulted in reduced promoter trans-activation activity of C/EBPα. These results suggest that STAT5B and MOF work as negative regulators in adipogenesis, and STAT5B modulates preadipocytes differentiation partially by regulating MOF expression. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of inexpensive pressure transducers for measuring water levels in wells

USGS Publications Warehouse

Keeland, B.D.; Dowd, J.F.; Hardegree, W.S.

1997-01-01

Frequent measurement of below ground water levels at multiple locations is an important component of many wetland ecosystem studies. These measurements, however, are usually time consuming, labor intensive, and expensive. This paper describes a water-level sensor that is inexpensive and easy to construct. The sensor is placed below the expected low water level in a shallow well and, when connected to a datalogger, uses a pressure transducer to detect groundwater or surface water elevations. Details of pressure transducer theory, sensor construction, calibration, and examples of field installations are presented. Although the transducers must be individually calibrated, the sensors have a linear response to changing water levels (r2 ??? .999). Measurement errors resulting from temperature fluctuations are shown to be about 4 cm over a 35??C temperature range, but are minimal when the sensors are installed in groundwater wells where temperatures are less variable. Greater accuracy may be obtained by incorporating water temperature data into the initial calibration (0.14 cm error over a 35??C temperature range). Examples of the utility of these sensors in studies of groundwater/surface water interactions and the effects of water level fluctuations on tree growth are provided. ?? 1997 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Contrast Enhanced Superharmonic Imaging for Acoustic Angiography Using Reduced Form-factor Lateral Mode Transmitters for Intravascular and Intracavity Applications

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhuochen; Martin, K. Heath; Huang, Wenbin; Dayton, Paul A.; Jiang, Xiaoning

2016-01-01

Techniques to image the microvasculature may play an important role in imaging tumor-related angiogenesis and vasa vasorum associated with vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. However, the microvasculature associated with these pathologies is difficult to detect using traditional B-mode ultrasound or even harmonic imaging due to small vessel size and poor differentiation from surrounding tissue. Acoustic angiography, a microvascular imaging technique which utilizes superharmonic imaging (detection of higher order harmonics of microbubble response), can yield a much higher contrast to tissue ratio (CTR) than second harmonic imaging methods. In this work, two dual-frequency transducers using lateral mode transmitters were developed for superharmonic detection and acoustic angiography imaging in intracavity applications. A single element dual-frequency IVUS transducer was developed for concept validation, which achieved larger signal amplitude, better contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and pulse length compared to the previous work. A dual-frequency PMN-PT array transducer was then developed for superharmonic imaging with dynamic focusing. The axial and lateral size of the microbubbles in a 200 μm tube were measured to be 269 μm and 200 μm, respectively. The maximum CNR was calculated to be 22 dB. These results show that superharmonic imaging with a low frequency lateral mode transmitter is a feasible alternative to thickness mode transmitters when final transducer size requirements dictate design choices. PMID:27775903

Overexpression of TGF-β1 enhances chondrogenic differentiation and proliferation of human synovium-derived stem cells

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

Kim, Yong Il; Ryu, Jae-Sung; Yeo, Jee Eun

2014-08-08

Highlights: • Continuous TGF-β1 overexpression in hSD-MSCs did not influence their phenotypes. • Retroviral-mediated transduction of TGFB1 in hSD-MSCs enhances cell proliferation. • TGF-β1 overexpression did not effect to adipo- or osteogenic potential of hSD-MSCs. • TGF-β1 overexpression in hSD-MSCs could stimulate and accelerate chondrogenesis. - Abstract: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily proteins play a critical role in proliferation, differentiation, and other functions of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). During chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs, TGF-β up-regulates chondrogenic gene expression by enhancing the expression of the transcription factor SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box9 (Sox9). In this study, we investigated the effect of continuousmore » TGF-β1 overexpression in human synovium-derived MSCs (hSD-MSCs) on immunophenotype, differentiation potential, and proliferation rate. hSD-MSCs were transduced with recombinant retroviruses (rRV) encoding TGF-β1. The results revealed that continuous overexpression of TGF-β1 did not affect their phenotype as evidenced by flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). In addition, continuous TGF-β1 overexpression strongly enhanced cell proliferation of hSD-MSCs compared to the control groups. Also, induction of chondrogenesis was more effective in rRV-TGFB-transduced hSD-MSCs as shown by RT-PCR for chondrogenic markers, toluidine blue staining and glycosaminoglycan (GAG)/DNA ratio. Our data suggest that overexpression of TGF-β1 positively enhances the proliferation and chondrogenic potential of hSD-MSCs.« less

Selection of transduced CD34+ progenitors and enzymatic correction of cells from Gaucher patients, with bicistronic vectors.

PubMed Central

Migita, M; Medin, J A; Pawliuk, R; Jacobson, S; Nagle, J W; Anderson, S; Amiri, M; Humphries, R K; Karlsson, S

1995-01-01

The gene transfer efficiency of human hematopoietic stem cells is still inadequate for efficient gene therapy of most disorders. To overcome this problem, a selectable retroviral vector system for gene therapy has been developed for gene therapy of Gaucher disease. We constructed a bicistronic retroviral vector containing the human glucocerebrosidase (GC) cDNA and the human small cell surface antigen CD24 (243 bp). Expression of both cDNAs was controlled by the long terminal repeat enhancer/promoter of the Molony murine leukemia virus. The CD24 selectable marker was placed downstream of the GC cDNA and its translation was enhanced by inclusion of the long 5' untranslated region of encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosomal entry site. Virus-producing GP+envAM12 cells were created by multiple supernatant transductions to create vector producer cells. The vector LGEC has a high titer and can drive expression of GC and the cell surface antigen CD24 simultaneously in transduced NIH 3T3 cells and Gaucher skin fibroblasts. These transduced cells have been successfully separated from untransduced cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, based on cell surface expression of CD24. Transduced and sorted NIH 3T3 cells showed higher GC enzyme activity than the unsorted population, demonstrating coordinated expression of both genes. Fibroblasts from Gaucher patients were transduced and sorted for CD24 expression, and GC enzyme activity was measured. The transduced sorted Gaucher fibroblasts had a marked increase in enzyme activity (149%) compared with virgin Gaucher fibroblasts (17% of normal GC enzyme activity). Efficient transduction of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors (20-40%) was accomplished and fluorescence-activated cell sorted CD24(+)-expressing progenitors generated colonies, all of which (100%) were vector positive. The sorted, CD24-expressing progenitors generated erythroid burst-forming units, colony-forming units (CFU)-granulocyte, CFU-macrophage, CFU-granulocyte/macrophage, and CFU-mix hematopoietic colonies, demonstrating their ability to differentiate into these myeloid lineages in vitro. The transduced, sorted progenitors raised the GC enzyme levels in their progeny cells manyfold compared with untransduced CD34+ progenitors. Collectively, this demonstrates the development of high titer, selectable bicistronic vectors that allow isolation of transduced hematopoietic progenitors and cells that have been metabolically corrected. Images Fig. 2 Fig. 3 PMID:8618847

Method for chemically analyzing a solution by acoustic means

DOEpatents

Beller, L.S.

1997-04-22

A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a type of solution and the concentration of that solution by acoustic means. Generally stated, the method consists of: immersing a sound focusing transducer within a first liquid filled container; locating a separately contained specimen solution at a sound focal point within the first container; locating a sound probe adjacent to the specimen, generating a variable intensity sound signal from the transducer; measuring fundamental and multiple harmonic sound signal amplitudes; and then comparing a plot of a specimen sound response with a known solution sound response, thereby determining the solution type and concentration. 10 figs.

Quantitative assessment of cervical softening during pregnancy in the Rhesus macaque with shear wave elasticity imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosado-Mendez, Ivan M.; Carlson, Lindsey C.; Woo, Kaitlin M.; Santoso, Andrew P.; Guerrero, Quinton W.; Palmeri, Mark L.; Feltovich, Helen; Hall, Timothy J.

2018-04-01

Abnormal parturition, e.g. pre- or post-term birth, is associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity and increased economic burden. This could potentially be prevented by accurate detection of abnormal softening of the uterine cervix. Shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) techniques that quantify tissue softness, such as shear wave speed (SWS) measurement, are promising for evaluation of the cervix. Still, interpretation of results can be complicated by biological variability (i.e. spatial variations of cervix stiffness, parity), as well as by experimental factors (i.e. type of transducer, posture during scanning). Here we investigated the ability of SWEI to detect cervical softening, as well as sources of SWS variability that can affect this task, in the pregnant and nonpregnant Rhesus macaque. Specifically, we evaluated SWS differences when imaging the cervix transabdominally with a typical linear array abdominal transducer, and transrectally with a prototype intracavitary linear array transducer. Linear mixed effects (LME) models were used to model SWS as a function of menstrual cycle day (in nonpregnant animals) and gestational age (in pregnant animals). Other variables included parity, shear wave direction, and cervix side (anterior versus posterior). In the nonpregnant cervix, the LME model indicated that SWS increased by 2% (95% confidence interval 0–3%) per day, starting eight days before menstruation. During pregnancy, SWS significantly decreased at a rate of 6% (95% CI 5–7%) per week (intracavitary approach) and 3% (95% CI 2–4%) per week (transabdominal approach), and interactions between the scanning approach and other fixed effects were also significant. These results suggest that, while absolute SWS values are influenced by factors such as scanning approach and SWEI implementation, these sources of variability do not compromise the sensitivity of SWEI to cervical softening. Our results also highlight the importance of standardizing SWEI approaches to improve their accuracy for cervical assessment.

Development of a high frequency single-element ultrasound needle transducer for anesthesia delivery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ameri, Golafsoun; Son, Jungik; Liang, Jingwei; Foster, F. Stuart; Ganapathy, Sugantha; Peters, Terry M.

2017-03-01

Epidural anesthesia is one of the most commonly used and yet challenging techniques employed for pain management and anesthesia delivery. The major complications of this procedure are due to accidental dural puncture, with an incidence of 1-3%, which could lead to both temporary and irreversible permanent neurological complications. Needle placement under ultrasound (US) guidance has received increasing interest for improving needle placement accuracy. However, poor needle visibility in US, difficulties in displaying relevant anatomical structure such as dura mater due to attenuation and bone shadowing, and image interpretation variability among users pose significant hurdles for any US guidance system. As a result, US guidance for epidural injections has not been widely adopted for everyday use for the performance of neuraxial blocks. The difficulties in localizing the ligamentum flavum and dura with respect to the needle tip can be addressed by integrating A-mode US, provided by a single-element transducer at the needle tip, into the B-mode US guidance system. We have taken the first steps towards providing such a guidance system. Our goal is to improve the safety of this procedure with minimal changes to the clinical workflow. This work presents the design and development of a 20 MHz single-element US transducer housed at the tip of a 19 G needle hypodermic tube, which can fit inside an epidural introducer needle. In addition, the results from initial transducer characterization tests and performance evaluation of the transducer in a euthanized porcine model are provided.

Measurement and Control of the Variability of Scanning Pressure Transducer Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuhl, David D.; Everhart, Joel L.; Hallissy, James B.

2003-01-01

This paper describes the new wall pressure measurement system and data-quality monitoring software installed at 14x22 Ft subsonic tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center. The monitoring software was developed to enable measurement and control of the variability of the reference pressures and approximately 400 tunnel wall pressure measurements. Variability of the system, based upon data acquired over a year of wind tunnel tests and calibrations, is presented. The level of variation of the wall pressure measurements is shown to be predictable.

Spontaneous In Vivo Chondrogenesis of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells by Blocking Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling.

PubMed

Marsano, Anna; Medeiros da Cunha, Carolina M; Ghanaati, Shahram; Gueven, Sinan; Centola, Matteo; Tsaryk, Roman; Barbeck, Mike; Stuedle, Chiara; Barbero, Andrea; Helmrich, Uta; Schaeren, Stefan; Kirkpatrick, James C; Banfi, Andrea; Martin, Ivan

2016-12-01

: Chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) can be induced by presenting morphogenetic factors or soluble signals but typically suffers from limited efficiency, reproducibility across primary batches, and maintenance of phenotypic stability. Considering the avascular and hypoxic milieu of articular cartilage, we hypothesized that sole inhibition of angiogenesis can provide physiological cues to direct in vivo differentiation of uncommitted MSCs to stable cartilage formation. Human MSCs were retrovirally transduced to express a decoy soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 (sFlk1), which efficiently sequesters endogenous VEGF in vivo, seeded on collagen sponges and immediately implanted ectopically in nude mice. Although naïve cells formed vascularized fibrous tissue, sFlk1-MSCs abolished vascular ingrowth into engineered constructs, which efficiently and reproducibly developed into hyaline cartilage. The generated cartilage was phenotypically stable and showed no sign of hypertrophic evolution up to 12 weeks. In vitro analyses indicated that spontaneous chondrogenic differentiation by blockade of angiogenesis was related to the generation of a hypoxic environment, in turn activating the transforming growth factor-β pathway. These findings suggest that VEGF blockade is a robust strategy to enhance cartilage repair by endogenous or grafted mesenchymal progenitors. This article outlines the general paradigm of controlling the fate of implanted stem/progenitor cells by engineering their ability to establish specific microenvironmental conditions rather than directly providing individual morphogenic cues. Chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) is typically targeted by morphogen delivery, which is often associated with limited efficiency, stability, and robustness. This article proposes a strategy to engineer MSCs with the capacity to establish specific microenvironmental conditions, supporting their own targeted differentiation program. Sole blockade of angiogenesis mediated by transduction for sFlk-1, without delivery of additional morphogens, is sufficient for inducing MSC chondrogenic differentiation. The findings represent a relevant step forward in the field because the method allowed reducing interdonor variability in MSC differentiation efficiency and, importantly, onset of a stable, nonhypertrophic chondrocyte phenotype. ©AlphaMed Press.

Contrast Enhanced Superharmonic Imaging for Acoustic Angiography Using Reduced Form-Factor Lateral Mode Transmitters for Intravascular and Intracavity Applications.

PubMed

Wang, Zhuochen; Heath Martin, K; Huang, Wenbin; Dayton, Paul A; Jiang, Xiaoning

2017-02-01

Techniques to image the microvasculature may play an important role in imaging tumor-related angiogenesis and vasa vasorum associated with vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. However, the microvasculature associated with these pathologies is difficult to detect using traditional B-mode ultrasound or even harmonic imaging due to small vessel size and poor differentiation from surrounding tissue. Acoustic angiography, a microvascular imaging technique that utilizes superharmonic imaging (detection of higher order harmonics of microbubble response), can yield a much higher contrast-to-tissue ratio than second harmonic imaging methods. In this paper, two dual-frequency transducers using lateral mode transmitters were developed for superharmonic detection and acoustic angiography imaging in intracavity applications. A single element dual-frequency intravascular ultrasound transducer was developed for concept validation, which achieved larger signal amplitude, better contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and pulselength compared to the previous work. A dual-frequency [Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 ]-x[PbTiO 3 ] array transducer was then developed for superharmonic imaging with dynamic focusing. The axial and lateral sizes of the microbubbles in a 200- [Formula: see text] tube were measured to be 269 and [Formula: see text], respectively. The maximum CNR was calculated to be 22 dB. These results show that superharmonic imaging with a low frequency lateral mode transmitter is a feasible alternative to thickness mode transmitters when the final transducer size requirements dictate design choices.

Decellularized extracellular matrices produced from immortal cell lines derived from different parts of the placenta support primary mesenchymal stem cell expansion

PubMed Central

Kusuma, Gina D.; Brennecke, Shaun P.; O’Connor, Andrea J.; Kalionis, Bill

2017-01-01

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit undesired phenotypic changes during ex vivo expansion, limiting production of the large quantities of high quality primary MSCs needed for both basic research and cell therapies. Primary MSCs retain many desired MSC properties including proliferative capacity and differentiation potential when expanded on decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) prepared from primary MSCs. However, the need to use low passage number primary MSCs (passage 3 or lower) to produce the dECM drastically limits the utility and impact of this technology. Here, we report that primary MSCs expanded on dECM prepared from high passage number (passage 25) human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) transduced immortal MSC cell lines also exhibit increased proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Two hTERT-transduced placenta-derived MSC cell lines, CMSC29 and DMSC23 [derived from placental chorionic villi (CMSCs) and decidua basalis (DMSCs), respectively], were used to prepare dECM-coated substrates. These dECM substrates showed structural and biochemical differences. Primary DMSCs cultured on dECM-DMSC23 showed a three-fold increase in cell number after 14 days expansion in culture and increased osteogenic differentiation compared with controls. Primary CMSCs cultured on the dECM-DMSC23 exhibited a two-fold increase in cell number and increased osteogenic differentiation. We conclude that immortal MSC cell lines derived from different parts of the placenta produce dECM with varying abilities for supporting increased primary MSC expansion while maintaining important primary MSC properties. Additionally, this is the first demonstration of using high passage number cells to produce dECM that can promote primary MSC expansion, and this advancement greatly increases the feasibility and applicability of dECM-based technologies. PMID:28152107

Expression of Iron-Related Proteins Differentiate Non-Cancerous and Cancerous Breast Tumors

PubMed Central

Pizzamiglio, Sara; De Bortoli, Maida; Taverna, Elena; Signore, Michele; Veneroni, Silvia; Chi-shing Cho, William; Orlandi, Rosaria; Verderio, Paolo; Bongarzone, Italia

2017-01-01

We have previously reported hepcidin and ferritin increases in the plasma of breast cancer patients, but not in patients with benign breast disease. We hypothesized that these differences in systemic iron homeostasis may reflect alterations in different iron-related proteins also play a key biochemical and regulatory role in breast cancer. Thus, here we explored the expression of a bundle of molecules involved in both iron homeostasis and tumorigenesis in tissue samples. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or reverse-phase protein array (RPPA), were used to measure the expression of 20 proteins linked to iron processes in 24 non-cancerous, and 56 cancerous, breast tumors. We found that cancerous tissues had higher level of hepcidin than benign lesions (p = 0.012). The univariate analysis of RPPA data highlighted the following seven proteins differentially expressed between non-cancerous and cancerous breast tissue: signal transducer and transcriptional activator 5 (STAT5), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6), cluster of differentiation 74 (CD74), transferrin receptor (TFRC), inhibin alpha (INHA), and STAT5_pY694. These findings were confirmed for STAT5, STAT3, BMP6, CD74 and INHA when adjusting for age. The multivariate statistical analysis indicated an iron-related 10-protein panel effective in separating non-cancerous from cancerous lesions including STAT5, STAT5_pY694, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88), CD74, iron exporter ferroportin (FPN), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), STAT3_pS727, TFRC, ferritin heavy chain (FTH), and ferritin light chain (FTL). Our results showed an association between some iron-related proteins and the type of tumor tissue, which may provide insight in strategies for using iron chelators to treat breast cancer. PMID:28216608

Decellularized extracellular matrices produced from immortal cell lines derived from different parts of the placenta support primary mesenchymal stem cell expansion.

PubMed

Kusuma, Gina D; Brennecke, Shaun P; O'Connor, Andrea J; Kalionis, Bill; Heath, Daniel E

2017-01-01

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit undesired phenotypic changes during ex vivo expansion, limiting production of the large quantities of high quality primary MSCs needed for both basic research and cell therapies. Primary MSCs retain many desired MSC properties including proliferative capacity and differentiation potential when expanded on decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) prepared from primary MSCs. However, the need to use low passage number primary MSCs (passage 3 or lower) to produce the dECM drastically limits the utility and impact of this technology. Here, we report that primary MSCs expanded on dECM prepared from high passage number (passage 25) human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) transduced immortal MSC cell lines also exhibit increased proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Two hTERT-transduced placenta-derived MSC cell lines, CMSC29 and DMSC23 [derived from placental chorionic villi (CMSCs) and decidua basalis (DMSCs), respectively], were used to prepare dECM-coated substrates. These dECM substrates showed structural and biochemical differences. Primary DMSCs cultured on dECM-DMSC23 showed a three-fold increase in cell number after 14 days expansion in culture and increased osteogenic differentiation compared with controls. Primary CMSCs cultured on the dECM-DMSC23 exhibited a two-fold increase in cell number and increased osteogenic differentiation. We conclude that immortal MSC cell lines derived from different parts of the placenta produce dECM with varying abilities for supporting increased primary MSC expansion while maintaining important primary MSC properties. Additionally, this is the first demonstration of using high passage number cells to produce dECM that can promote primary MSC expansion, and this advancement greatly increases the feasibility and applicability of dECM-based technologies.

Primary Murine CD4+ T Cells Fail to Acquire the Ability to Produce Effector Cytokines When Active Ras Is Present during Th1/Th2 Differentiation

PubMed Central

Janardhan, Sujit V.; Marks, Reinhard; Gajewski, Thomas F.

2014-01-01

Constitutive Ras signaling has been shown to augment IL-2 production, reverse anergy, and functionally replace many aspects of CD28 co-stimulation in CD4+ T cells. These data raise the possibility that introduction of active Ras into primary T cells might result in improved functionality in pathologic situations of T cell dysfunction, such as cancer or chronic viral infection. To test the biologic effects of active Ras in primary T cells, CD4+ T cells from Coxsackie-Adenovirus Receptor Transgenic mice were transduced with an adenovirus encoding active Ras. As expected, active Ras augmented IL-2 production in naive CD4+ T cells. However, when cells were cultured for 4 days under conditions to promote effector cell differentiation, active Ras inhibited the ability of CD4+ T cells to acquire a Th1 or Th2 effector cytokine profile. This differentiation defect was not due to deficient STAT4 or STAT6 activation by IL-12 or IL-4, respectively, nor was it associated with deficient induction of T-bet and GATA-3 expression. Impaired effector cytokine production in active Ras-transduced cells was associated with deficient demethylation of the IL-4 gene locus. Our results indicate that, despite augmenting acute activation of naïve T cells, constitutive Ras signaling inhibits the ability of CD4+ T cells to properly differentiate into Th1/Th2 effector cytokine-producing cells, in part by interfering with epigenetic modification of effector gene loci. Alternative strategies to potentiate Ras pathway signaling in T cells in a more regulated fashion should be considered as a therapeutic approach to improve immune responses in vivo. PMID:25397617

Hurricane Rita surge data, southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas, September to November 2005

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGee, Benton D.; Goree, Burl B.; Tollett, Roland W.; Woodward, Brenda K.; Kress, Wade H.

2006-01-01

Pressure transducers and high-water marks were used to document the inland water levels related to storm surge generated by Hurricane Rita in southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas. On September 22-23, 2005, an experimental monitoring network consisting of 47 pressure transducers (sensors) was deployed at 33 sites over an area of about 4,000 square miles to record the timing, extent, and magnitude of inland hurricane storm surge and coastal flooding. Sensors were programmed to record date and time, temperature, and barometric or water pressure. Water pressure was corrected for changes in barometric pressure and salinity. Elevation surveys using global-positioning systems and differential levels were used to relate all storm-surge water-level data, reference marks, benchmarks, sensor measuring points, and high-water marks to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88). The resulting data indicated that storm-surge water levels over 14 feet above NAVD 88 occurred at three locations and rates of water-level rise greater than 5 feet per hour occurred at three locations near the Louisiana coast. Quality-assurance measures were used to assess the variability and accuracy of the water-level data recorded by the sensors. Water-level data from sensors were similar to data from co-located sensors, permanent U.S. Geological Survey streamgages, and water-surface elevations performed by field staff. Water-level data from sensors at selected locations were compared to corresponding high-water mark elevations. In general, the water-level data from sensors were similar to elevations of high quality high-water marks, while reporting consistently higher than elevations of lesser quality high-water marks.

Standing wave compressor

DOEpatents

Lucas, Timothy S.

1991-01-01

A compressor for compression-evaporation cooling systems, which requires no moving parts. A gaseous refrigerant inside a chamber is acoustically compressed and conveyed by means of a standing acoustic wave which is set up in the gaseous refrigerant. This standing acoustic wave can be driven either by a transducer, or by direct exposure of the gas to microwave and infrared sources, including solar energy. Input and output ports arranged along the chamber provide for the intake and discharge of the gaseous refrigerant. These ports can be provided with optional valve arrangements, so as to increase the compressor's pressure differential. The performance of the compressor in either of its transducer or electromagnetically driven configurations, can be optimized by a controlling circuit. This controlling circuit holds the wavelength of the standing acoustical wave constant, by changing the driving frequency in response to varying operating conditions.

Torque Sensor Based on Tunnel-Diode Oscillator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chui, Talso; Young, Joseph

2008-01-01

A proposed torque sensor would be capable of operating over the temperature range from 1 to 400 K, whereas a typical commercially available torque sensor is limited to the narrower temperature range of 244 to 338 K. The design of this sensor would exploit the wide temperature range and other desirable attributes of differential transducers based on tunnel-diode oscillators as described in "Multiplexing Transducers Based on Tunnel-Diode Oscillators". The proposed torque sensor would include three flexural springs that would couple torque between a hollow outer drive shaft and a solid inner drive shaft. The torque would be deduced from the torsional relative deflection of the two shafts, which would be sensed via changes in capacitances of two capacitors defined by two electrodes attached to the inner shaft and a common middle electrode attached to the outer shaft.

Differential Transducer for Vehicle Diagnostics.

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-02-28

Investment and centrifugal castings are also employed for producing stainless steel parts ( 17 - 4PH , 316, 304). The cost of the parts (and weight) is relatively...an official Department of the Army position, nolicv or decison unless so desicmated by other documentation. 17 . COSATI CODES 18. SUBJECT TERMS...RECOMMENDATIONS . . 15 5.0. DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . 15 5.1. Design AnDroach . . . . . . . 15 5.2. Confiauration Management . . . . . 17 5.3. Materials

Modification of Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells with CD19-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptors as a Novel Approach for Cancer Immunotherapy

PubMed Central

Ryan, Christine; Giannoni, Francesca; Hardee, Cinnamon L.; Tremcinska, Irena; Katebian, Behrod; Wherley, Jennifer; Sahaghian, Arineh; Tu, Andy; Grogan, Tristan; Elashoff, David; Cooper, Laurence J.N.; Hollis, Roger P.; Kohn, Donald B.

2013-01-01

Abstract Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) against CD19 have been shown to direct T-cells to specifically target B-lineage malignant cells in animal models and clinical trials, with efficient tumor cell lysis. However, in some cases, there has been insufficient persistence of effector cells, limiting clinical efficacy. We propose gene transfer to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) as a novel approach to deliver the CD19-specific CAR, with potential for ensuring persistent production of effector cells of multiple lineages targeting B-lineage malignant cells. Assessments were performed using in vitro myeloid or natural killer (NK) cell differentiation of human HSPCs transduced with lentiviral vectors carrying first and second generations of CD19-specific CAR. Gene transfer did not impair hematopoietic differentiation and cell proliferation when transduced at 1–2 copies/cell. CAR-bearing myeloid and NK cells specifically lysed CD19-positive cells, with second-generation CAR including CD28 domains being more efficient in NK cells. Our results provide evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of the modification of HSPC with CAR as a strategy for generating multiple lineages of effector cells for immunotherapy against B-lineage malignancies to augment graft-versus-leukemia activity. PMID:23978226

Structural acoustic control of plates with variable boundary conditions: design methodology.

PubMed

Sprofera, Joseph D; Cabell, Randolph H; Gibbs, Gary P; Clark, Robert L

2007-07-01

A method for optimizing a structural acoustic control system subject to variations in plate boundary conditions is provided. The assumed modes method is used to build a plate model with varying levels of rotational boundary stiffness to simulate the dynamics of a plate with uncertain edge conditions. A transducer placement scoring process, involving Hankel singular values, is combined with a genetic optimization routine to find spatial locations robust to boundary condition variation. Predicted frequency response characteristics are examined, and theoretically optimized results are discussed in relation to the range of boundary conditions investigated. Modeled results indicate that it is possible to minimize the impact of uncertain boundary conditions in active structural acoustic control by optimizing the placement of transducers with respect to those uncertainties.

The Envoy® Totally Implantable Hearing System, St. Croix Medical

PubMed Central

Kroll, Kai; Grant, Iain L.; Javel, Eric

2002-01-01

The Totally Implantable Envoy® System is currently undergoing clinical trials in both the United States and Europe. The fully implantable hearing device is intended for use in patients with sensorineural hearing loss. The device employs piezoelectric transducers to sense ossicle motion and drive the stapes. Programmable signal processing parameters include amplification, compression, and variable frequency response. The fully implantable attribute allows users to take advantage of normal external ear resonances and head-related transfer functions, while avoiding undesirable earmold effects. The high sensitivity, low power consumption, and high fidelity attributes of piezoelectric transducers minimize acoustic feedback and maximize battery life (Gyo, 1996; Yanagihara, (1987) and 2001). The surgical procedure to install the device has been accurately defined and implantation is reversible. PMID:25425915

Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus

DOEpatents

Jenkins, C.F.; Howard, B.D.

1998-06-23

A flexible, modular ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus, comprises a flexible, hollow shaft that carries a plurality of modules, including at least one rotatable ultrasonic transducer, a motor/gear unit, and a position/signal encoder. The modules are connected by flexible knuckle joints that allow each module of the apparatus to change its relative orientation with respect to a neighboring module, while the shaft protects electrical wiring from kinking or buckling while the apparatus moves around a tight corner. The apparatus is moved through a pipe by any suitable means, including a tether or drawstring attached to the nose or tail, differential hydraulic pressure, or a pipe pig. The rotational speed of the ultrasonic transducer and the forward velocity of the apparatus are coordinated so that the beam sweeps out the entire interior surface of the pipe, enabling the operator to accurately assess the condition of the pipe wall and determine whether or not leak-prone corrosion damage is present. 7 figs.

Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus

DOEpatents

Jenkins, Charles F.; Howard, Boyd D.

1998-01-01

A flexible, modular ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus, comprising a flexible, hollow shaft that carries a plurality of modules, including at least one rotatable ultrasonic transducer, a motor/gear unit, and a position/signal encoder. The modules are connected by flexible knuckle joints that allow each module of the apparatus to change its relative orientation with respect to a neighboring module, while the shaft protects electrical wiring from kinking or buckling while the apparatus moves around a tight corner. The apparatus is moved through a pipe by any suitable means, including a tether or drawstring attached to the nose or tail, differential hydraulic pressure, or a pipe pig. The rotational speed of the ultrasonic transducer and the forward velocity of the apparatus are coordinated so that the beam sweeps out the entire interior surface of the pipe, enabling the operator to accurately assess the condition of the pipe wall and determine whether or not leak-prone corrosion damage is present.

Towards a visual modeling approach to designing microelectromechanical system transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dewey, Allen; Srinivasan, Vijay; Icoz, Evrim

1999-12-01

In this paper, we address initial design capture and system conceptualization of microelectromechanical system transducers based on visual modeling and design. Visual modeling frames the task of generating hardware description language (analog and digital) component models in a manner similar to the task of generating software programming language applications. A structured topological design strategy is employed, whereby microelectromechanical foundry cell libraries are utilized to facilitate the design process of exploring candidate cells (topologies), varying key aspects of the transduction for each topology, and determining which topology best satisfies design requirements. Coupled-energy microelectromechanical system characterizations at a circuit level of abstraction are presented that are based on branch constitutive relations and an overall system of simultaneous differential and algebraic equations. The resulting design methodology is called visual integrated-microelectromechanical VHDL-AMS interactive design (VHDL-AMS is visual hardware design language for analog and mixed signal).

Compensating for pneumatic distortion in pressure sensing devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitmore, Stephen A.; Leondes, Cornelius T.

1990-01-01

A technique of compensating for pneumatic distortion in pressure sensing devices was developed and verified. This compensation allows conventional pressure sensing technology to obtain improved unsteady pressure measurements. Pressure distortion caused by frictional attenuation and pneumatic resonance within the sensing system makes obtaining unsteady pressure measurements by conventional sensors difficult. Most distortion occurs within the pneumatic tubing which transmits pressure impulses from the aircraft's surface to the measurement transducer. To avoid pneumatic distortion, experiment designers mount the pressure sensor at the surface of the aircraft, (called in-situ mounting). In-situ transducers cannot always fit in the available space and sometimes pneumatic tubing must be run from the aircraft's surface to the pressure transducer. A technique to measure unsteady pressure data using conventional pressure sensing technology was developed. A pneumatic distortion model is reduced to a low-order, state-variable model retaining most of the dynamic characteristics of the full model. The reduced-order model is coupled with results from minimum variance estimation theory to develop an algorithm to compensate for the effects of pneumatic distortion. Both postflight and real-time algorithms are developed and evaluated using simulated and flight data.

Experimental studies in natural groundwater recharge dynamics: Assessment of recent advances in instrumentation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sophocleous, M.; Perry, C.A.

1984-01-01

To quantify and model the natural groundwater-recharge process, two sites in south-central Kansas, U.S.A., were instrumented with various modern sensors and data microloggers. The atmospheric-boundary layer and the unsaturated and saturated soil zones were monitored as a unified regime. Data from the various sensors were collected using microloggers in combination with magnetic-cassette tape, graphical and digital recorders, analog paper-tape recorders, and direct observations to evaluate and automate data collection and processing. Atmospheric sensors included an anemometer, a tipping-bucket raingage, an air-temperature thermistor, a relative-humidity probe, a net radiometer, and a barometric-pressure transducer. Sensors in the unsaturated zone consisted of soil-temperature thermocouples, tensiometers coupled with pressure transducers and dial gages, gypsum blocks, and a neutron moisture probe operated by an observer. The saturated-zone sensors consisted of a water-level pressure transducer, a conventional float gage connected to a variable potentiometer, soil thermocouples, and a number of multiple-depth piezometers. Evaluation of the operation of these sensors and recorders indicated that certain types of equipment such as pressure transducers are very sensitive to environmental conditions. Extraordinary steps had to be taken to protect some of the equipment, whereas other equipment seemed to be reliable under all conditions. Based on such experiences, a number of suggestions aimed at improving such investigations are outlined. ?? 1984.

Comparison of three portable instruments to measure compression pressure.

PubMed

Partsch, H; Mosti, G

2010-10-01

Measurement of interface pressure between the skin and a compression device has gained practical importance not only for characterizing the efficacy of different compression products in physiological and clinical studies but also for the training of medical staff. A newly developed portable pneumatic pressure transducer (Picopress®) was compared with two established systems (Kikuhime® and SIGaT tester®) measuring linearity, variability and accuracy on a cylindrical model using a stepwise inflated sphygmomanometer as the reference. In addition the variation coefficients were measured by applying the transducers repeatedly under a blood pressure cuff on the distal lower leg of a healthy human subject with stepwise inflation. In the pressure range between 10 and 80 mmHg all three devices showed a linear association compared with the sphygmomanometer values (Pearson r>0.99). The best reproducibility (variation coefficients between 1.05-7.4%) and the highest degree of accuracy demonstrated by Bland-Altman plots was achieved with the Picopress® transducer. Repeated measurements of pressure in a human leg revealed average variation coefficients for the three devices of 4.17% (Kikuhime®), 8.52% (SIGaT®) and 2.79% (Picopress®). The results suggest that the Picopress® transducer, which also allows dynamic pressure tracing in connection with a software program and which may be left under a bandage for several days, is a reliable instrument for measuring the pressure under a compression device.

The Host Range of Gammaretroviruses and Gammaretroviral Vectors Includes Post-Mitotic Neural Cells

PubMed Central

Liu, Xiu-Huai; Xu, Wenqin; Russ, Jill; Eiden, Lee E.; Eiden, Maribeth V.

2011-01-01

Background Gammaretroviruses and gammaretroviral vectors, in contrast to lentiviruses and lentiviral vectors, are reported to be restricted in their ability to infect growth-arrested cells. The block to this restriction has never been clearly defined. The original assessment of the inability of gammaretroviruses and gammaretroviral vectors to infect growth-arrested cells was carried out using established cell lines that had been growth-arrested by chemical means, and has been generalized to neurons, which are post-mitotic. We re-examined the capability of gammaretroviruses and their derived vectors to efficiently infect terminally differentiated neuroendocrine cells and primary cortical neurons, a target of both experimental and therapeutic interest. Methodology/Principal Findings Using GFP expression as a marker for infection, we determined that both growth-arrested (NGF-differentiated) rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) and primary rat cortical neurons could be efficiently transduced, and maintained long-term protein expression, after exposure to murine leukemia virus (MLV) and MLV-based retroviral vectors. Terminally differentiated PC12 cells transduced with a gammaretroviral vector encoding the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL were protected from cell death induced by withdrawal of nerve growth factor (NGF), demonstrating gammaretroviral vector-mediated delivery and expression of genes at levels sufficient for therapeutic effect in non-dividing cells. Post-mitotic rat cortical neurons were also shown to be susceptible to transduction by murine replication-competent gammaretroviruses and gammaretroviral vectors. Conclusions/Significance These findings suggest that the host range of gammaretroviruses includes post-mitotic and other growth-arrested cells in mammals, and have implications for re-direction of gammaretroviral gene therapy to neurological disease. PMID:21464894

Frequency adjustable MEMS vibration energy harvester

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Podder, P.; Constantinou, P.; Amann, A.; Roy, S.

2016-10-01

Ambient mechanical vibrations offer an attractive solution for powering the wireless sensor nodes of the emerging “Internet-of-Things”. However, the wide-ranging variability of the ambient vibration frequencies pose a significant challenge to the efficient transduction of vibration into usable electrical energy. This work reports the development of a MEMS electromagnetic vibration energy harvester where the resonance frequency of the oscillator can be adjusted or tuned to adapt to the ambient vibrational frequency. Micro-fabricated silicon spring and double layer planar micro-coils along with sintered NdFeB micro-magnets are used to construct the electromagnetic transduction mechanism. Furthermore, another NdFeB magnet is adjustably assembled to induce variable magnetic interaction with the transducing magnet, leading to significant change in the spring stiffness and resonance frequency. Finite element analysis and numerical simulations exhibit substantial frequency tuning range (25% of natural resonance frequency) by appropriate adjustment of the repulsive magnetic interaction between the tuning and transducing magnet pair. This demonstrated method of frequency adjustment or tuning have potential applications in other MEMS vibration energy harvesters and micromechanical oscillators.

Disruption of alpha beta but not of gamma delta T cell development by overexpression of the helix-loop-helix protein Id3 in committed T cell progenitors.

PubMed Central

Blom, B; Heemskerk, M H; Verschuren, M C; van Dongen, J J; Stegmann, A P; Bakker, A Q; Couwenberg, F; Res, P C; Spits, H

1999-01-01

Enforced expression of Id3, which has the capacity to inhibit many basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, in human CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells that have not undergone T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements inhibits development of the transduced cells into TCRalpha beta and gamma delta cells in a fetal thymic organ culture (FTOC). Here we document that overexpression of Id3, in progenitors that have initiated TCR gene rearrangements (pre-T cells), inhibits development into TCRalpha beta but not into TCRgamma delta T cells. Furthermore, Id3 impedes expression of recombination activating genes and downregulates pre-Talpha mRNA. These observations suggest possible mechanisms by which Id3 overexpression can differentially affect development of pre-T cells into TCRalpha beta and gamma delta cells. We also observed that cell surface CD4(-)CD8(-)CD3(-) cells with rearranged TCR genes developed from Id3-transduced but not from control-transduced pre-T cells in an FTOC. These cells had properties of both natural killer (NK) and pre-T cells. These findings suggest that bHLH factors are required to control T cell development after the T/NK developmental checkpoint. PMID:10329625

Development and Validation of a Prototype Vacuum Sensing Unit for the DD2011 Chairside Amalgam Separators

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-30

pressure values onto the SD card. The addition of free and open-source Arduino libraries allowed for the seamless integration of the shield into the...alert the user when replacing the separator is necessary. Methods: A sensor was built to measure and record differential pressure values within the...from the transducers during simulated blockages were transformed into pressure values using linear regression equations from the calibration data

Brachial artery vasomotion and transducer pressure effect on measurements by active contour segmentation on ultrasound

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

Cary, Theodore W.; Sultan, Laith R.; Sehgal, Chandra M., E-mail: sehgalc@uphs.upenn.edu

Purpose: To use feed-forward active contours (snakes) to track and measure brachial artery vasomotion on ultrasound images recorded in both transverse and longitudinal views; and to compare the algorithm's performance in each view. Methods: Longitudinal and transverse view ultrasound image sequences of 45 brachial arteries were segmented by feed-forward active contour (FFAC). The segmented regions were used to measure vasomotion artery diameter, cross-sectional area, and distention both as peak-to-peak diameter and as area. ECG waveforms were also simultaneously extracted frame-by-frame by thresholding a running finite-difference image between consecutive images. The arterial and ECG waveforms were compared as they traced eachmore » phase of the cardiac cycle. Results: FFAC successfully segmented arteries in longitudinal and transverse views in all 45 cases. The automated analysis took significantly less time than manual tracing, but produced superior, well-behaved arterial waveforms. Automated arterial measurements also had lower interobserver variability as measured by correlation, difference in mean values, and coefficient of variation. Although FFAC successfully segmented both the longitudinal and transverse images, transverse measurements were less variable. The cross-sectional area computed from the longitudinal images was 27% lower than the area measured from transverse images, possibly due to the compression of the artery along the image depth by transducer pressure. Conclusions: FFAC is a robust and sensitive vasomotion segmentation algorithm in both transverse and longitudinal views. Transverse imaging may offer advantages over longitudinal imaging: transverse measurements are more consistent, possibly because the method is less sensitive to variations in transducer pressure during imaging.« less

A variable-frequency bidirectional shear horizontal (SH) wave transducer based on dual face-shear (d24) piezoelectric wafers.

PubMed

Miao, Hongchen; Huan, Qiang; Li, Faxin; Kang, Guozheng

2018-04-24

Focusing the incident wave beam along a given direction is very useful in guided wave based structural health monitoring (SHM), as it will not only save input power but also simplify the interpretation of signals. Although the fundamental shear horizontal (SH 0 ) wave is of practical importance in SHM due to its non-dispersive characteristics so far there have been very limited transducers which can control the radiation patterns of SH 0 wave. In this work, a variable-frequency bidirectional SH 0 wave piezoelectric transducer (BSH-PT) is proposed, which consists of two rectangular face-shear (d 24 ) PZT wafers. The opposite face-shear deformation of the two PZT wafers under applied electric fields makes the BSH-PT capable of exciting SH 0 wave along two opposite directions (0° and 180°). Both finite element simulations and experimental testings are conducted to examine the performance of the proposed BSH-PT. Results show that pure SH 0 wave can be generated by this BSH-PT and its wave beam can be focused bi-directionally. Moreover, the bidirectional characteristics of the BSH-PT can be kept over a wide frequency range from 150 kHz to 250 kHz. As the circumferential SH 0 (CSH 0 ) wave in a thin hollow cylindrical structure is essentially equivalent to the SH 0 wave in a plate, the proposed BSH-PT may also be very useful to develop a CSH 0 -wave-based SHM system for hollow cylindrical structures. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Brachial artery vasomotion and transducer pressure effect on measurements by active contour segmentation on ultrasound.

PubMed

Cary, Theodore W; Reamer, Courtney B; Sultan, Laith R; Mohler, Emile R; Sehgal, Chandra M

2014-02-01

To use feed-forward active contours (snakes) to track and measure brachial artery vasomotion on ultrasound images recorded in both transverse and longitudinal views; and to compare the algorithm's performance in each view. Longitudinal and transverse view ultrasound image sequences of 45 brachial arteries were segmented by feed-forward active contour (FFAC). The segmented regions were used to measure vasomotion artery diameter, cross-sectional area, and distention both as peak-to-peak diameter and as area. ECG waveforms were also simultaneously extracted frame-by-frame by thresholding a running finite-difference image between consecutive images. The arterial and ECG waveforms were compared as they traced each phase of the cardiac cycle. FFAC successfully segmented arteries in longitudinal and transverse views in all 45 cases. The automated analysis took significantly less time than manual tracing, but produced superior, well-behaved arterial waveforms. Automated arterial measurements also had lower interobserver variability as measured by correlation, difference in mean values, and coefficient of variation. Although FFAC successfully segmented both the longitudinal and transverse images, transverse measurements were less variable. The cross-sectional area computed from the longitudinal images was 27% lower than the area measured from transverse images, possibly due to the compression of the artery along the image depth by transducer pressure. FFAC is a robust and sensitive vasomotion segmentation algorithm in both transverse and longitudinal views. Transverse imaging may offer advantages over longitudinal imaging: transverse measurements are more consistent, possibly because the method is less sensitive to variations in transducer pressure during imaging.

Coronal Axis Measurement of the Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Using a Linear Transducer.

PubMed

Amini, Richard; Stolz, Lori A; Patanwala, Asad E; Adhikari, Srikar

2015-09-01

The true optic nerve sheath diameter cutoff value for detecting elevated intracranial pressure is variable. The variability may stem from the technique used to acquire sonographic measurements of the optic nerve sheath diameter as well as sonographic artifacts inherent to the technique. The purpose of this study was to compare the traditional visual axis technique to an infraorbital coronal axis technique for assessing the optic nerve sheath diameter using a high-frequency linear array transducer. We conducted a cross-sectional study at an academic medical center. Timed optic nerve sheath diameter measurements were obtained on both eyes of healthy adult volunteers with a 10-5-MHz broadband linear array transducer using both traditional visual axis and coronal axis techniques. Optic nerve sheath diameter measurements were obtained by 2 sonologists who graded the difficulty of each technique and were blinded to each other's measurements for each participant. A total of 42 volunteers were enrolled, yielding 84 optic nerve sheath diameter measurements. There were no significant differences in the measurements between the techniques on either eye (P = .23 [right]; P = .99 [left]). Additionally, there was no difference in the degree of difficulty obtaining the measurements between the techniques (P = .16). There was a statistically significant difference in the time required to obtain the measurements between the traditional and coronal techniques (P < .05). Infraorbital coronal axis measurements are similar to measurements obtained in the traditional visual axis. The infraorbital coronal axis technique is slightly faster to perform and is not technically challenging. © 2015 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Brachial artery vasomotion and transducer pressure effect on measurements by active contour segmentation on ultrasound

PubMed Central

Cary, Theodore W.; Reamer, Courtney B.; Sultan, Laith R.; Mohler, Emile R.; Sehgal, Chandra M.

2014-01-01

Purpose: To use feed-forward active contours (snakes) to track and measure brachial artery vasomotion on ultrasound images recorded in both transverse and longitudinal views; and to compare the algorithm's performance in each view. Methods: Longitudinal and transverse view ultrasound image sequences of 45 brachial arteries were segmented by feed-forward active contour (FFAC). The segmented regions were used to measure vasomotion artery diameter, cross-sectional area, and distention both as peak-to-peak diameter and as area. ECG waveforms were also simultaneously extracted frame-by-frame by thresholding a running finite-difference image between consecutive images. The arterial and ECG waveforms were compared as they traced each phase of the cardiac cycle. Results: FFAC successfully segmented arteries in longitudinal and transverse views in all 45 cases. The automated analysis took significantly less time than manual tracing, but produced superior, well-behaved arterial waveforms. Automated arterial measurements also had lower interobserver variability as measured by correlation, difference in mean values, and coefficient of variation. Although FFAC successfully segmented both the longitudinal and transverse images, transverse measurements were less variable. The cross-sectional area computed from the longitudinal images was 27% lower than the area measured from transverse images, possibly due to the compression of the artery along the image depth by transducer pressure. Conclusions: FFAC is a robust and sensitive vasomotion segmentation algorithm in both transverse and longitudinal views. Transverse imaging may offer advantages over longitudinal imaging: transverse measurements are more consistent, possibly because the method is less sensitive to variations in transducer pressure during imaging. PMID:24506648

Analyses of chondrogenic induction of adipose mesenchymal stem cells by combined co-stimulation mediated by adenoviral gene transfer

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Introduction Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have the potential to differentiate into cartilage under stimulation with some reported growth and transcriptional factors, which may constitute an alternative for cartilage replacement approaches. In this study, we analyzed the in vitro chondrogenesis of ASCs transduced with adenoviral vectors encoding insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) either alone or in combinations. Methods Aggregate cultures of characterized ovine ASCs were transduced with 100 multiplicity of infections of Ad.IGF-1, Ad.TGF-β1, Ad.FGF-2, and Ad.SOX9 alone or in combination. These were harvested at various time points for detection of cartilage-specific genes expression by quantitative real-time PCR or after 14 and 28 days for histologic and biochemical analyses detecting proteoglycans, collagens (II, I and X), and total sulfated glycosaminoglycan and collagen content, respectively. Results Expression analyses showed that co-expression of IGF-1 and FGF-2 resulted in higher significant expression levels of aggrecan, biglycan, cartilage matrix, proteoglycan, and collagen II (all P ≤0.001 at 28 days). Aggregates co-transduced with Ad.IGF-1/Ad.FGF-2 showed a selective expression of proteoglycans and collagen II, with limited expression of collagens I and × demonstrated by histological analyses, and had significantly greater glycosaminoglycan and collagen production than the positive control (P ≤0.001). Western blot analyses for this combination also demonstrated increased expression of collagen II, while expression of collagens I and × was undetectable and limited, respectively. Conclusion Combined overexpression of IGF-1/FGF-2 within ASCs enhances their chondrogenic differentiation inducing the expression of chondrogenic markers, suggesting that this combination is more beneficial than the other factors tested for the development of cell-based therapies for cartilage repair. PMID:23899094

Deficiency of β-arrestin1 ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis with impaired TH17 cell differentiation

PubMed Central

Li, Juan; Wei, Bin; Guo, Ao; Liu, Chang; Huang, Shichao; Du, Fang; Fan, Wei; Bao, Chunde; Pei, Gang

2013-01-01

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease in which interleukin 17 (IL-17)-producing T helper 17 (TH17) cells have been critically involved. We show that in patients with RA, the expression of a multifunctional regulator β-arrestin1 was significantly up-regulated in peripheral and synovial CD4+ T cells, which correlated well with active phases of RA. In collagen-induced arthritis, deficiency of β-arrestin1 ameliorated disease with decreased TH17 cell differentiation, proinflammatory cytokine production, synovitis, and cartilage and bone destruction. Further mechanistic study reveals that β-arrestin1 promoted signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation required for TH17 cell differentiation through scaffolding the interaction of Janus kinase 1 and STAT3. These findings indicate a critical role for β-arrestin1 in the pathogenesis of collagen-induced arthritis and TH17 cell differentiation and suggest β-arrestin1 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for RA. PMID:23589893

Ultrasonographic evaluation of equine tendons: a quantitative in vitro study of the effects of amplifier gain level, transducer-tilt, and transducer-displacement.

PubMed

van Schie, J T; Bakker, E M; van Weeren, P R

1999-01-01

The objective of the in vitro experiments described in this paper was to quantify the effects of some instrumental variables on the quantitative evaluation, by means of first-order gray-level statistics, of ultrasonographic images of equine tendons. The experiments were done on three isolated equine superficial digital flexor tendons that were mounted in a frame and submerged in a waterbath. Sections with either normal tendon tissue, an acute lesion, or a chronic scar, were selected. In these sections, the following experiments were done: 1) a gradual increase of total amplifier gain output subdivided in 12 equal steps; 2) a transducer tilt plus or minus 3 degrees from perpendicular, with steps of 1 degree; and 3) a transducer displacement along, and perpendicular to, the tendon long axis, with 16 steps of 0.25 mm each. Transverse ultrasonographic images were collected, and in the regions of interest (ROI) first-order gray-level statistics were calculated to quantify the effects of each experiment. Some important observations were: 1) the total amplifier gain output has a substantial influence on the ultrasonographic image; for example, in the case of an acute lesion, a low gain setting results in an almost completely black image; whereas, with higher gain settings, a marked "filling in" effect on the lesion can be observed; 2) the relative effects of the tilting of the transducer are substantial in normal tendon tissue (18%) and chronic scar (12%); whereas, in the event of an acute lesion, the effects on the mean gray level are dramatic (40%); and 3) the relative effects of displacement of the transducer are small in normal tendon tissue, but on the other hand, the mean gray-level changes 7% in chronic scar, and even 20% in an acute lesion. In general, slight variations in scanner settings and transducer handling can have considerable effects on the gray levels of the ultrasonographic image. Furthermore, there is a strong indication that this quantitative method, as far as based exclusively on the first-order gray-level statistics, may be not discriminative enough to accurately assess the integrity of the tendon. Therefore, the value of a quantitative evaluation of the first-order gray-level statistics for the assessment of the integrity of the equine tendon is questionable.

Establishment and characterization of fetal and maternal mesenchymal stem/stromal cell lines from the human term placenta.

PubMed

Qin, Sharon Q; Kusuma, Gina D; Al-Sowayan, Batla; Pace, Rishika A; Isenmann, Sandra; Pertile, Mark D; Gronthos, Stan; Abumaree, Mohamed H; Brennecke, Shaun P; Kalionis, Bill

2016-03-01

Human placental mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) are an attractive source of MSC with great therapeutic potential. However, primary MSC are difficult to study in vitro due to their limited lifespan and patient-to-patient variation. Fetal and maternal MSC were prepared from cells of the chorionic and basal plates of the placenta, respectively. Fetal and maternal MSC were transduced with the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Conventional stem cell assays assessed the MSC characteristics of the cell lines. Functional assays for cell proliferation, cell migration and ability to form colonies in soft agar were used to assess the whether transduced cells retained properties of primary MSC. Fetal chorionic and maternal MSC were successfully transduced with hTERT to create the cell lines CMSC29 and DMSC23 respectively. The lifespans of CMSC29 and DMSC23 were extended in cell culture. Both cell lines retained important MSC characteristics including cell surface marker expression and multipotent differentiation potential. Neither of the cell lines was tumourigenic in vitro. Gene expression differences were observed between CMSC29 and DMSC23 cells and their corresponding parent, primary MSC. Both cell lines show similar migration potential to their corresponding primary, parent MSC. The data show that transduced MSC retained important functional properties of the primary MSC. There were gene expression and functional differences between cell lines CMSC29 and DMSC23 that reflect their different tissue microenvironments of the parent, primary MSC. CMSC29 and DMSC23 cell lines could be useful tools for optimisation and functional studies of MSC. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Intracellular transduction of TAT-Hsp27 fusion protein enhancing cell survival and regeneration capacity of cardiac stem cells in acute myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Kim, Hye Jung; Kim, Myoung-Hun; Kim, Jong Tae; Lee, Won-Jin; Kim, Eunjung; Lim, Kwang Suk; Kim, Jang Kyoung; Yang, Young Il; Park, Ki Dong; Kim, Yong-Hee

2015-10-10

Myocardial infarction (MI) results in the substantial loss of functional cardiomyocytes, which frequently leads to intractable heart disorders. Cardiac stem cells (CSCs) that retain the capacity to replace all cardiac cells might be a promising strategy for providing a source of new functional cardiomyocytes; however, the poor survival and engraftment of transplanted CSCs in the hostile environment of MI critically mitigate their therapeutic benefits. To capitalize their therapeutic potential, an ex vivo strategy in which CSCs were introduced to the recombinant heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) through a TAT protein transduction domain for increasing the viability and engraftment in the infarcted myocardium was designed. A recombinant TAT fused Hsp27 (TAT-Hsp27) was able to enter CSCs in a dose-dependent manner. CSCs transduced with TAT-Hsp27 expressed not only endogenous Hsp27 but externally introduced Hsp27, resulting in substantial increase of their anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties via suppressing reactive oxygen species production, the MAPKs signaling pathway, and caspase activation. TAT-Hsp27 enabled CSCs to be protected from apoptotic- and hypoxic-induced cell death during in vitro cardiomyogenic differentiation. In vivo studies demonstrated that CSCs transduced TAT-Hsp27 significantly increased the survival and engraftment in the acutely infarcted myocardium, which is closely related to caspase activity suppression. Finally, CSCs transduced TAT-Hsp27 improved cardiac function and attenuated cardiac remodeling in comparison with non-transduced CSCs. Overall, our approach, which is based on the ex vivo intracellular transduction of TAT-Hsp27 into CSCs before myocardial delivery, might be effective in treating MI. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signals Inversely Regulate Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Activity to Control Human Dental Pulp Stem Cell Quiescence, Propagation, and Differentiation

PubMed Central

Vandomme, Jerome; Touil, Yasmine; Ostyn, Pauline; Olejnik, Cecile; Flamenco, Pilar; El Machhour, Raja; Segard, Pascaline; Masselot, Bernadette; Bailliez, Yves; Formstecher, Pierre

2014-01-01

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) remain quiescent until activated in response to severe dental pulp damage. Once activated, they exit quiescence and enter regenerative odontogenesis, producing reparative dentin. The factors and signaling molecules that control the quiescence/activation and commitment to differentiation of human DPSCs are not known. In this study, we determined that the inhibition of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling commonly activates DPSCs and promotes their exit from the G0 phase of the cell cycle as well as from the pyronin Ylow stem cell compartment. The inhibition of these two pathways, however, inversely determines DPSC fate. In contrast to p38 MAPK inhibitors, IGF-1R inhibitors enhance dental pulp cell sphere-forming capacity and reduce the cells' colony-forming capacity without inducing cell death. The inverse cellular changes initiated by IGF-1R and p38 MAPK inhibitors were accompanied by inverse changes in the levels of active signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) factor, inactive glycogen synthase kinase 3, and matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein, a marker of early odontoblast differentiation. Our data suggest that there is cross talk between the IGF-1R and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in DPSCs and that the signals provided by these pathways converge at STAT3 and inversely regulate its activity to maintain quiescence or to promote self-renewal and differentiation of the cells. We propose a working model that explains the possible interactions between IGF-1R and p38 MAPK at the molecular level and describes the cellular consequences of these interactions. This model may inspire further fundamental study and stimulate research on the clinical applications of DPSC in cellular therapy and tissue regeneration. PMID:24266654

Teaching Differentials in Thermodynamics Using Spatial Visualization

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Chih-Yueh; Hou, Ching-Han

2012-01-01

The greatest difficulty that is encountered by students in thermodynamics classes is to find relationships between variables and to solve a total differential equation that relates one thermodynamic state variable to two mutually independent state variables. Rules of differentiation, including the total differential and the cyclic rule, are…

A surface transporter family conveys the trypanosome differentiation signal.

PubMed

Dean, Samuel; Marchetti, Rosa; Kirk, Kiaran; Matthews, Keith R

2009-05-14

Microbial pathogens use environmental cues to trigger the developmental events needed to infect mammalian hosts or transmit to disease vectors. The parasites causing African sleeping sickness respond to citrate or cis-aconitate (CCA) to initiate life-cycle development when transmitted to their tsetse fly vector. This requires hypersensitization of the parasites to CCA by exposure to low temperature, conditions encountered after tsetse fly feeding at dusk or dawn. Here we identify a carboxylate-transporter family, PAD (proteins associated with differentiation), required for perception of this differentiation signal. Consistent with predictions for the response of trypanosomes to CCA, PAD proteins are expressed on the surface of the transmission-competent 'stumpy-form' parasites in the bloodstream, and at least one member is thermoregulated, showing elevated expression and surface access at low temperature. Moreover, RNA-interference-mediated ablation of PAD expression diminishes CCA-induced differentiation and eliminates CCA hypersensitivity under cold-shock conditions. As well as being molecular transducers of the differentiation signal in these parasites, PAD proteins provide the first example of a surface marker able to discriminate the transmission stage of trypanosomes in their mammalian host.

Electromechanical flight control actuator, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

An electromechanical actuator was developed that will follow a proportional control command with minimum wasted energy to demonstrate the feasibility of meeting space vehicle actuator requirements using advanced electromechanical concepts. The approach was restricted to a four-channel redundant configuration. Each channel has independent drive and control electronics, a brushless electric motor with brake, and velocity and position feedback transducers. A differential gearbox sums the output velocities of the motors. Normally, two motors are active and the other two are braked.

Auto-positioning ultrasonic transducer system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buchanan, Randy K. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

An ultrasonic transducer apparatus and process for determining the optimal transducer position for flow measurement along a conduit outer surface. The apparatus includes a transmitting transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic signal, said transducer affixed to a conduit outer surface; a guide rail attached to a receiving transducer for guiding movement of a receiving transducer along the conduit outer surface, wherein the receiving transducer receives an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducer and sends a signal to a data acquisition system; and a motor for moving the receiving transducer along the guide rail, wherein the motor is controlled by a controller. The method includes affixing a transmitting transducer to an outer surface of a conduit; moving a receiving transducer on the conduit outer surface, wherein the receiving transducer is moved along a guide rail by a motor; transmitting an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducer that is received by the receiving transducer; communicating the signal received by the receiving transducer to a data acquisition and control system; and repeating the moving, transmitting, and communicating along a length of the conduit.

Retinoic acid induces signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1, STAT2, and p48 expression in myeloid leukemia cells and enhances their responsiveness to interferons.

PubMed

Matikainen, S; Ronni, T; Lehtonen, A; Sareneva, T; Melén, K; Nordling, S; Levy, D E; Julkunen, I

1997-06-01

IFNs are antiproliferative cytokines that have growth-inhibitory effects on various normal and malignant cells. Therefore, they have been used in the treatment of certain forms of cancer, such as chronic myelogenous leukemia and hairy cell leukemia. However, there is little evidence that IFNs would be effective in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia, and molecular mechanisms underlying IFN unresponsiveness have not been clarified. Here we have studied the activation and induction of IFN-specific transcription factors signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1, STAT2, and p48 in all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-differentiated myeloid leukemia cells using promyelocytic NB4, myeloblastic HL-60, and monoblastic U937 cells as model systems. These cells respond to ATRA by growth inhibition and differentiation. We show that in undifferentiated NB4 cells, 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase and MxB gene expression is not activated by IFN-alpha, possibly due to a relative lack of signaling molecules, especially p48 protein. However, during ATRA-induced differentiation, steady-state STAT1, STAT2, and especially p48 mRNA and corresponding protein levels were elevated both in NB4 and U937 cells, apparently correlating to an enhanced responsiveness of these cells to IFNs. ATRA treatment of NB4 cells sensitized them to IFN action as seen by increased IFN-gamma activation site DNA-binding activity or by efficient formation of IFN-alpha-specific ISGF3 complex and subsequent oligoadenylate synthetase and MxB gene expression. Lack of p48 expression could be one of the mechanisms of promyelocytic leukemia cell escape from growth-inhibitory effects of IFN-alpha.

Adeno-associated virus gene therapy vector scAAVIGF-I for transduction of equine articular chondrocytes and RNA-seq analysis.

PubMed

Hemphill, D D; McIlwraith, C W; Slayden, R A; Samulski, R J; Goodrich, L R

2016-05-01

IGF-I is one of several anabolic factors being investigated for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). Due to the short biological half-life, extended administration is required for more robust cartilage healing. Here we create a self-complimentary adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy vector utilizing the transgene for IGF-I. Various biochemical assays were performed to investigate the cellular response to scAAVIGF-I treatment vs an scAAVGFP positive transduction control and a negative for transduction control culture. RNA-sequencing analysis was also performed to establish a differential regulation profile of scAAVIGF-I transduced chondrocytes. Biochemical analyses indicated an average media IGF-I concentration of 608 ng/ml in the scAAVIGF-I transduced chondrocytes. This increase in IGF-I led to increased expression of collagen type II and aggrecan and increased protein concentrations of cellular collagen type II and media glycosaminoglycan vs both controls. RNA-seq revealed a global regulatory pattern consisting of 113 differentially regulated GO categories including those for chondrocyte and cartilage development and regulation of apoptosis. This research substantiates that scAAVIGF-I gene therapy vector increased production of IGF-I to clinically relevant levels with a biological response by chondrocytes conducive to increased cartilage healing. The RNA-seq further established a set of differentially expressed genes and gene ontologies induced by the scAAVIGF-I vector while controlling for AAV infection. This dataset provides a static representation of the cellular transcriptome that, while only consisting of one time point, will allow for further gene expression analyses to compare additional cartilage healing therapeutics or a transient cellular response. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Differential Utilization and Localization of ErbB Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Skin Compared to Normal and Malignant Keratinocytes1

PubMed Central

Stoll, Stefan W; Kansra, Sanjay; Peshick, Scott; Fry, David W; Leopold, Wilbur R; Wiesen, Jane F; Sibilia, Maria; Zhang, Tong; Werb, Zena; Derynck, Rik; Wagner, Erwin F; Elder, James T

2001-01-01

Abstract Induction of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) mRNA in mouse skin organ culture was blocked by two pan-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors but not by genetic ablation of ErbB1, suggesting involvement of multiple ErbB species in skin physiology. Human skin, cultured normal keratinocytes, and A431 skin carcinoma cells expressed ErbB1, ErbB2, and ErbB3, but not ErbB4. Skin and A431 cells expressed more ErbB3 than did keratinocytes. Despite strong expression of ErbB2 and ErbB3, heregulin was inactive in stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation in A431 cells. In contrast, it was highly active in MDA-MB-453 breast carcinoma cells. ErbB2 displayed punctate cytoplasmic staining in A431 and keratinocytes, compared to strong cell surface staining in MDA-MB-453. In skin, ErbB2 was cytoplasmic in basal keratinocytes, assuming a cell surface pattern in the upper suprabasal layers. In contrast, ErbB1 retained a cell surface distribution in all epidermal layers. Keratinocyte proliferation in culture was found to be ErbB1-RTK-dependent, using a selective inhibitor. These results suggest that in skin keratinocytes, ErbB2 transduces ligand-dependent differentiation signals, whereas ErbB1 transduces ligand-dependent proliferation/survival signals. Intracellular sequestration of ErbB2 may contribute to the malignant phenotype of A431 cells, by allowing them to respond to ErbB1-dependent growth/survival signals, while evading ErbB2-dependent differentiation signals. PMID:11571634

Transforming growth factor-beta1 promotes articular cartilage repair through canonical Smad and Hippo pathways in bone mesenchymal stem cells.

PubMed

Ying, Jun; Wang, Pinger; Zhang, Shanxing; Xu, Taotao; Zhang, Lei; Dong, Rui; Xu, Shibing; Tong, Peijian; Wu, Chengliang; Jin, Hongting

2018-01-01

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a chondrogenic factor and has been reported to be able to enhance chondrocyte differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Here we investigate the molecular mechanism through which TGF-β1 chronically promotes the repair of cartilage defect and inhibit chondrocyte hypertrophy. Animal models of full thickness cartilage defects were divided into three groups: model group, BMSCs group (treated with BMSCs/calcium alginate gel) and BMSCs+TGF-β1 group (treated with Lentivirus-TGF-β1-EGFP transduced BMSCs/calcium alginate gel). 4 and 8weeks after treatment, macroscopic observation, histopathological study and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were done to analyze phenotypes of the animals. BMSCs were transduced with Lentivirus-TGF-β1-EGFP in vitro and Western blot analysis was performed. We found that TGF-β1-expressiing BMSCs improved the repair of the cartilage defect. The impaired cartilage contained higher amount of GAG and type II collagen and was integrated to the surrounding normal cartilage and higher content of GAG and type II collagen. The major events include increased expression of type II collagen following Smad2/3 phosphorylation, and inhibition of cartilage hypertrophy by increasing Yes-associated protein-1 (YAP-1) and inhibiting Runx2 and Col10 after the completion of chondrogenic differentiation. We conclude that TGF-β1 is beneficial to chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs via canonical Smad pathway to promote early-repairing of cartilage defect. Furthermore, TGF-β1 inhibits chondrocyte hypertrophy by decreasing hypertrophy marker gene expression via Hippo signaling. Long-term rational use of TGF-β1 may be an alternative approach in clinic for cartilage repair and regeneration. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

In vivo programming of tumor antigen-specific T lymphocytes from pluripotent stem cells to promote cancer immunosurveillance.

PubMed

Lei, Fengyang; Zhao, Baohua; Haque, Rizwanul; Xiong, Xiaofang; Budgeon, Lynn; Christensen, Neil D; Wu, Yuzhang; Song, Jianxun

2011-07-15

Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy has garnered wide attention, but its effective use is limited by the need of multiple ex vivo manipulations and infusions that are complex and expensive. In this study, we show how highly reactive antigen (Ag)-specific CTLs can be generated from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to provide an unlimited source of functional CTLs for adoptive immunotherapy. iPS cell-derived T cells can offer the advantages of avoiding possible immune rejection and circumventing ethical and practical issues associated with other stem cell types. iPS cells can be differentiated into progenitor T cells in vitro by stimulation with the Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (DL1) overexpressed on bone marrow stromal cells, with complete maturation occurring upon adoptive transfer into Rag1-deficient mice. Here, we report that these iPS cells can be differentiated in vivo into functional CTLs after overexpression of MHC I-restricted Ag-specific T-cell receptors (TCR). In this study, we generated murine iPS cells genetically modified with ovalbumin (OVA)-specific and MHC-I restricted TCR (OT-I) by retrovirus-mediated transduction. After their adoptive transfer into recipient mice, the majority of OT-I/iPS cells underwent differentiation into CD8+ CTLs. TCR-transduced iPS cells developed in vivo responded in vitro to peptide stimulation by secreting interleukin 2 and IFN-γ. Most importantly, adoptive transfer of TCR-transduced iPS cells triggered infiltration of OVA-reactive CTLs into tumor tissues and protected animals from tumor challenge. Taken together, our findings offer proof of concept for a potentially more efficient approach to generate Ag-specific T lymphocytes for adoptive immunotherapy. ©2011 AACR.

The effect of pits of different sizes on ultrasonic shear wave signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howard, Richard; Cegla, Frederic

2018-04-01

The use of 0-degree shear waves in NDE and SHM has become more commonplace as the disadvantage of coupling has been eliminated by permanent sensor installations or the use of non-contact transducers, such as EMATs. While the effect of rough surfaces and flat bottom holes on shear waves has been studied in depth, the effect of more complex geometries, such as pitting, has not. In this work, 3D finite element simulations are used to explore the reflection and scattering characteristics of shear bulk waves from pits. Specifically, three scenarios have been investigated, the effect on shear waves of: a sloped backwall; pitting directly under the transducer; and the effect of pits with variable pit position. High speed GPU finite element models enabled a wide range of pit radii and positions to be modeled. Hemispherical pits were used throughout. Key findings of the study are that the anisotropic effects that are clearly visible on sloped reflecting surfaces can also be measured on pits that are located not directly below the center of a shear wave transducer. These anisotropic effects are due to the nature of shear wave polarization. This can potentially be used for better defect characterization purposes.

A novel ultrasound technique for detection of osteochondral defects in the ankle joint: a parametric and feasibility study.

PubMed

Sarkalkan, Nazli; Loeve, Arjo J; van Dongen, Koen W A; Tuijthof, Gabrielle J M; Zadpoor, Amir A

2014-12-24

(Osteo)chondral defects (OCDs) in the ankle are currently diagnosed with modalities that are not convenient to use in long-term follow-ups. Ultrasound (US) imaging, which is a cost-effective and non-invasive alternative, has limited ability to discriminate OCDs. We aim to develop a new diagnostic technique based on US wave propagation through the ankle joint. The presence of OCDs is identified when a US signal deviates from a reference signal associated with the healthy joint. The feasibility of the proposed technique is studied using experimentally-validated 2D finite-difference time-domain models of the ankle joint. The normalized maximum cross correlation of experiments and simulation was 0.97. Effects of variables relevant to the ankle joint, US transducers and OCDs were evaluated. Variations in joint space width and transducer orientation made noticeable alterations to the reference signal: normalized root mean square error ranged from 6.29% to 65.25% and from 19.59% to 8064.2%, respectively. The results suggest that the new technique could be used for detection of OCDs, if the effects of other parameters (i.e., parameters related to the ankle joint and US transducers) can be reduced.

The dynamics of long-term transgene expression in engrafted neural stem cells.

PubMed

Lee, Jean-Pyo; Tsai, David J; In Park, Kook; Harvey, Alan R; Snyder, Evan Y

2009-07-01

To assess the dynamics and confounding variables that influence transgene expression in neural stem cells (NSCs), we generated distinct NSC clones from the same pool of cells, carrying the same reporter gene transcribed from the same promoter, transduced by the same retroviral vector, and transplanted similarly at the same differentiation state, at the same time and location, into the brains of newborn mouse littermates, and monitored in parallel for over a year in vivo (without immunosuppression). Therefore, the sole variables were transgene chromosomal insertion site and copy number. We then adapted and optimized a technique that tests, at the single cell level, persistence of stem cell-mediated transgene expression in vivo based on correlating the presence of the transgene in a given NSC's nucleus (by fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH]) with the frequency of that transgene's product within the same cell (by combined immunohistochemistry [IHC]). Under the above-stated conditions, insertion site is likely the most contributory variable dictating transgene downregulation in an NSC after 3 months in vivo. We also observed that this obstacle could be effectively and safely counteracted by simple serial infections (as few as three) inserting redundant copies of the transgene into the prospective donor NSC. (The preservation of normal growth control mechanisms and an absence of tumorigenic potential can be readily screened and ensured ex vivo prior to transplantation.) The combined FISH/IHC strategy employed here for monitoring the dynamics of transgene expression at the single cell level in vivo may be used for other types of therapeutic and housekeeping genes in endogenous and exogenous stem cells of many organs and lineages. Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Disorders of dysregulated signal traffic through the RAS-MAPK pathway: phenotypic spectrum and molecular mechanisms.

PubMed

Tartaglia, Marco; Gelb, Bruce D

2010-12-01

RAS GTPases control a major signaling network implicated in several cellular functions, including cell fate determination, proliferation, survival, differentiation, migration, and senescence. Within this network, signal flow through the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway-the first identified mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade-mediates early and late developmental processes controlling morphology determination, organogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and growth. Signaling through the RAS-MAPK cascade is tightly controlled; and its enhanced activation represents a well-known event in oncogenesis. Unexpectedly, in the past few years, inherited dysregulation of this pathway has been recognized as the cause underlying a group of clinically related disorders sharing facial dysmorphism, cardiac defects, reduced postnatal growth, ectodermal anomalies, variable cognitive deficits, and susceptibility to certain malignancies as major features. These disorders are caused by heterozygosity for mutations in genes encoding RAS proteins, regulators of RAS function, modulators of RAS interaction with effectors, or downstream signal transducers. Here, we provide an overview of the phenotypic spectrum associated with germline mutations perturbing RAS-MAPK signaling, the unpredicted molecular mechanisms converging toward the dysregulation of this signaling cascade, and major genotype-phenotype correlations. © 2010 New York Academy of Sciences.

Normalized Rotational Multiple Yield Surface Framework (NRMYSF) stress-strain curve prediction method based on small strain triaxial test data on undisturbed Auckland residual clay soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noor, M. J. Md; Ibrahim, A.; Rahman, A. S. A.

2018-04-01

Small strain triaxial test measurement is considered to be significantly accurate compared to the external strain measurement using conventional method due to systematic errors normally associated with the test. Three submersible miniature linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) mounted on yokes which clamped directly onto the soil sample at equally 120° from the others. The device setup using 0.4 N resolution load cell and 16 bit AD converter was capable of consistently resolving displacement of less than 1µm and measuring axial strains ranging from less than 0.001% to 2.5%. Further analysis of small strain local measurement data was performed using new Normalized Multiple Yield Surface Framework (NRMYSF) method and compared with existing Rotational Multiple Yield Surface Framework (RMYSF) prediction method. The prediction of shear strength based on combined intrinsic curvilinear shear strength envelope using small strain triaxial test data confirmed the significant improvement and reliability of the measurement and analysis methods. Moreover, the NRMYSF method shows an excellent data prediction and significant improvement toward more reliable prediction of soil strength that can reduce the cost and time of experimental laboratory test.

Control of germline stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in the Drosophila ovary: concerted actions of niche signals and intrinsic factors.

PubMed

Xie, Ting

2013-01-01

In the Drosophila ovary, germline stem cells (GSCs) physically interact with their niche composed of terminal filament cells, cap cells, and possibly GSC-contacting escort cells (ECs). A GSC divides to generate a self-renewing stem cell that remains in the niche and a differentiating daughter that moves away from the niche. The GSC niche provides a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signal that maintains GSC self-renewal by preventing stem cell differentiation via repression of the differentiation-promoting gene bag of marbles (bam). In addition, it expresses E-cadherin, which mediates cell adhesion for anchoring GSCs in the niche, enabling continuous self-renewal. GSCs themselves also express different classes of intrinsic factors, including signal transducers, transcription factors, chromatin remodeling factors, translation regulators, and miRNAs, which control self-renewal by strengthening interactions with the niche and repressing various differentiation pathways. Differentiated GSC daughters, known as cystoblasts (CBs), also express distinct classes of intrinsic factors to inhibit self-renewal and promote germ cell differentiation. Surprisingly, GSC progeny are also dependent on their surrounding ECs for proper differentiation at least partly by preventing BMP from diffusing to the differentiated germ cell zone and by repressing ectopic BMP expression. Therefore, both GSC self-renewal and CB differentiation are controlled by collaborative actions of extrinsic signals and intrinsic factors. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Interrogation of miniature extrinsic Fabry-Pérot sensor using path matched differential interferometer and phase generated carrier scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fuyin; Xie, Jiehui; Hu, Zhengliang; Xiong, Shuidong; Luo, Hong; Hu, Yongming

2014-05-01

Study of fiber optic extrinsic Fabry-Pérot sensors utilizing state-of-the-art MEMS technology mostly focus on sensor fabrication for various applications, while the signal interrogation is still insatiable to current application. In this paper, we propose a white light path matched differential interferometer dynamic sensing system utilizing phase generated carrier demodulation scheme. A step motor with a movable mirror and a fiber-wound piezoelectric transducer string are used to act path matching and phase modulation respectively. Experimental results show that the sensing signal could be correctly recovered with low distortion and the phase noise spectrum level is less than -100 dB re. rad/√Hz above 2.5 kHz.

Instrumental record of debris flow initiation during natural rainfall: Implications for modeling slope stability

Treesearch

David R. Montgomery; Kevin M. Schmidt; William E. Dietrich; Jim McKean

2009-01-01

The middle of a hillslope hollow in the Oregon Coast Range failed and mobilized as a debris flow during heavy rainfall in November 1996. Automated pressure transducers recorded high spatial variability of pore water pressure within the area that mobilized as a debris flow, which initiated where local upward flow from bedrock developed into overlying colluvium....

Ultrasonics and Optics Would Control Shot Size

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, A. D.

1983-01-01

Feedback system assures production of silicon shot of uniform size. Breakup of silicon stream into drops is controlled, in part, by varying frequency of vibrations imparted to stream by ultrasonic transducer. Drop size monitored by photodetector. Control method particularly advantageous in that constant size is maintained even while other process variables are changed deliberately or inadvertently. Applicable to materials other than silicon.

CASPER: computer-aided segmentation of imperceptible motion-a learning-based tracking of an invisible needle in ultrasound.

PubMed

Beigi, Parmida; Rohling, Robert; Salcudean, Septimiu E; Ng, Gary C

2017-11-01

This paper presents a new micro-motion-based approach to track a needle in ultrasound images captured by a handheld transducer. We propose a novel learning-based framework to track a handheld needle by detecting microscale variations of motion dynamics over time. The current state of the art on using motion analysis for needle detection uses absolute motion and hence work well only when the transducer is static. We have introduced and evaluated novel spatiotemporal and spectral features, obtained from the phase image, in a self-supervised tracking framework to improve the detection accuracy in the subsequent frames using incremental training. Our proposed tracking method involves volumetric feature selection and differential flow analysis to incorporate the neighboring pixels and mitigate the effects of the subtle tremor motion of a handheld transducer. To evaluate the detection accuracy, the method is tested on porcine tissue in-vivo, during the needle insertion in the biceps femoris muscle. Experimental results show the mean, standard deviation and root-mean-square errors of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in the insertion angle, and 0.82, 1.21, 1.47 mm, in the needle tip, respectively. Compared to the appearance-based detection approaches, the proposed method is especially suitable for needles with ultrasonic characteristics that are imperceptible in the static image and to the naked eye.

Is epicardial adipose tissue, assessed by echocardiography, a reliable method for visceral adipose tissue prediction?

PubMed

Silaghi, Alina Cristina; Poantă, Laura; Valea, Ana; Pais, Raluca; Silaghi, Horatiu

2011-03-01

Epicardial adipose tissue is an ectopic fat storage at the heart surface in direct contact with the coronary arteries. It is considered a metabolically active tissue, being a local source of pro-inflammatory factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. The AIM of our study was to establish correlations between echocardiographic assessment of epicardial adipose tissue and anthropometric and ultrasound measurements of the central and peripheral fat depots. The study was conducted on 22 patients with or without coronaropathy. Epicardial adipose tissue was measured using Aloka Prosound α 10 machine with a 3.5-7.5 MHz variable-frequency transducer and subcutaneous and visceral fat with Esaote Megas GPX machine and 3.5-7.5 MHz variable frequency transducer. Epicardial adipose tissue measured by echocardiography is correlated with waist circumference (p < 0.05), visceral adipose tissue thickness measured by ultrasonography (US) and is not correlated with body mass index (p = 0.315), hip and thigh circumference or subcutaneous fat thickness measured by US. Our study confirms that US assessment of epicardial fat correlates with anthropometric and US measurements of the central fat, representing an indirect but reliable marker of the visceral fat.

Moderately reverberant learning ultrasonic pinch panel.

PubMed

Nikolovski, Jean-Pierre

2013-10-01

Tactile sensing is widely used in human-computer interfaces. However, mechanical integration of touch technologies is often perceived as difficult by engineers because it often limits the freedom of style or form factor requested by designers. Recent work in active ultrasonic touch technologies has made it possible to transform thin glass plates, metallic sheets, or plastic shells into interactive surfaces. The method is based on a learning process of touch-induced, amplitude-disturbed diffraction patterns. This paper proposes, first, an evolution in the design with multiple dipole transducers that improves touch sensitivity or maximum panel size by a factor of ten, and improves robustness and usability in moderately reverberant panels, and second, defines a set of acoustic variables in the signal processing for the evaluation of sensitivity and radiating features. For proof of concept purposes, the design and process are applied to 3.2- and 6-mm-thick glass plates with variable damping conditions. Transducers are bonded to only one short side of the rectangular substrates. Measurements show that the highly sensitive free lateral sides are perfectly adapted for pinch-touch and pinch-slide interactions. The advantage of relative versus absolute touch disturbance measurement is discussed, together with tolerance to abutting contaminants.

Variable reluctance displacement transducer temperature compensated to 650$sup 0$F

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

None

In pressurized water reactor tests, compact instruments for accurate measurement of small displacements in a 650$sup 0$F environment are often required. In the case of blowdown tests such as the Loss of Fluid Test (LOFT) or Semiscale computer code development tests, not only is the initial environment water at 650$sup 0$F and 2200 psi but it undergoes a severe transient due to depressurization. Since the LOFT and Semiscale tests are run just for the purpose of obtaining data during the depressurization, instruments used to obtain the data must not give false outputs induced by the change in environment. A LOFTmore » rho v$sup 2$ probe and a Semiscale drag disk are described. Each utilizes a variable reluctance transducer (VRT) for indication of the drag-disk location and a torsion bar for drag-disk restoring force. The VRT, in addition to being thermally gain and null offset stable, is fabricated from materials known to be resistant to large nuclear radiation levels and has successfully passed a fast neutron radiation test of 2.7 x 10$sup 17$ nvt without failure. (auth)« less

Development of a novel mouse glioma model using lentiviral vectors

PubMed Central

Marumoto, Tomotoshi; Tashiro, Ayumu; Friedmann-Morvinski, Dinorah; Scadeng, Miriam; Soda, Yasushi; Gage, Fred H; Verma, Inder M

2009-01-01

We report the development of a new method to induce glioblastoma multiforme in adult immunocompetent mice by injecting Cre-loxP–controlled lentiviral vectors expressing oncogenes. Cell type- or region-specific expression of activated forms of the oncoproteins Harvey-Ras and AKT in fewer than 60 glial fibrillary acidic protein–positive cells in the hippocampus, subventricular zone or cortex of mice heterozygous for the gene encoding the tumor suppressor Tp53 were tested. Mice developed glioblastoma multiforme when transduced either in the subventricular zone or the hippocampus. However, tumors were rarely detected when the mice were transduced in the cortex. Transplantation of brain tumor cells into naive recipient mouse brain resulted in the formation of glioblastoma multiforme–like tumors, which contained CD133+ cells, formed tumorspheres and could differentiate into neurons and astrocytes. We suggest that the use of Cre-loxP–controlled lentiviral vectors is a novel way to generate a mouse glioblastoma multiforme model in a region- and cell type-specific manner in adult mice. PMID:19122659

Sensitive ultrasonic vibrometer for very low frequency applications.

PubMed

Cretin, B; Vairac, P; Jachez, N; Pergaud, J

2007-08-01

Ultrasonic measurement of distance is a well-known low cost method but only a few vibrometers have been developed because sensitivity, spatial resolution, and bandwidth are not high or wide enough for standard laboratory applications. Nevertheless, compared to optical vibrometers, two interesting properties should be considered: very low frequency noise (0.1 Hz to 1 kHz) is reduced and the long wavelength enables rough surfaces to be investigated. Moreover, the ultrasonic probe is a differential sensor, without being a mechanical load for the vibrating structure as usual accelerometers based on contacting transducers are. The main specificity of the presented probe is its ultralow noise electronics including a 3/2 order phase locked loop which extracts the phase modulation related to the amplitude of the detected vibration. This article presents the main useful physical aspects and details of the actual probe. The given application is the measurement of the vibration of an isolated optical bench excited at very low frequency with an electromagnetic transducer.

Optical fiber interferometer for the study of ultrasonic waves in composite materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Claus, R. O.; Zewekh, P. S.; Turner, T. M.; Wade, J. C.; Rogers, R. T.; Garg, A. O.

1981-01-01

The possibility of acoustic emission detection in composites using embedded optical fibers as sensing elements was investigated. Optical fiber interferometry, fiber acoustic sensitivity, fiber interferometer calibration, and acoustic emission detection are reported. Adhesive bond layer dynamical properties using ultrasonic interface waves, the design and construction of an ultrasonic transducer with a two dimensional Gaussian pressure profile, and the development of an optical differential technique for the measurement of surface acoustic wave particle displacements and propagation direction are also examined.

A role for lipid-mediated signaling in plant gravitropism.

PubMed

Smith, Caroline M; Desai, Mintu; Land, Eric S; Perera, Imara Y

2013-01-01

Gravitropism is a universal plant response. It is initiated by the sensing of the primary signal (mass or pressure), which is then converted into chemical signals that are transduced and propagated in a precise spatial and temporal fashion, resulting in a differential growth response. Our thesis is that membrane lipids and lipid-mediated signaling pathways play critical roles in the initial signaling and in the establishment of polarity. In this review, we highlight results from recent literature and discuss the major questions that remain unanswered.

Serum-free Erythroid Differentiation for Efficient Genetic Modification and High-Level Adult Hemoglobin Production.

PubMed

Uchida, Naoya; Demirci, Selami; Haro-Mora, Juan J; Fujita, Atsushi; Raines, Lydia N; Hsieh, Matthew M; Tisdale, John F

2018-06-15

In vitro erythroid differentiation from primary human cells is valuable to develop genetic strategies for hemoglobin disorders. However, current erythroid differentiation methods are encumbered by modest transduction rates and high baseline fetal hemoglobin production. In this study, we sought to improve both genetic modification and hemoglobin production among human erythroid cells in vitro . To model therapeutic strategies, we transduced human CD34 + cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with lentiviral vectors and compared erythropoietin-based erythroid differentiation using fetal-bovine-serum-containing media and serum-free media. We observed more efficient transduction (85%-93%) in serum-free media than serum-containing media (20%-69%), whereas the addition of knockout serum replacement (KSR) was required for serum-free media to promote efficient erythroid differentiation (96%). High-level adult hemoglobin production detectable by electrophoresis was achieved using serum-free media similar to serum-containing media. Importantly, low fetal hemoglobin production was observed in the optimized serum-free media. Using KSR-containing, serum-free erythroid differentiation media, therapeutic adult hemoglobin production was detected at protein levels with β-globin lentiviral transduction in both CD34 + cells and PBMCs from sickle cell disease subjects. Our in vitro erythroid differentiation system provides a practical evaluation platform for adult hemoglobin production among human erythroid cells following genetic manipulation.

Simulation of non-linear acoustic field and thermal pattern of phased-array high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

PubMed

Wang, Mingjun; Zhou, Yufeng

2016-08-01

HIFU becomes an effective and non-invasive modality of solid tumour/cancer ablation. Simulation of the non-linear acoustic wave propagation using a phased-array transducer in multiple layered media using different focusing strategies and the consequent lesion formation are essential in HIFU planning in order to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of treatment. An angular spectrum approach with marching fractional steps was applied in the wave propagation from phased-array HIFU transducer, and diffraction, attenuation, and non-linearity effects were accounted for by a second-order operator splitting scheme. The simulated distributions of the first three harmonics along and transverse to the transducer axis were compared to the hydrophone measurements. The bioheat equation was used to simulate the subsequent temperature elevation using the deposited acoustic energy, and lesion formation was determined by the thermal dose. Better agreement was found between the measured harmonics distribution and simulation using the proposed algorithm than the Khokhlov-Zabozotskaya-Kuznetsov equation. Variable focusing of the phased-array transducer (geometric focusing, transverse shifting and the generation of multiple foci) can be simulated successfully. The shifting and splitting of focus was found to result in significantly less temperature elevation at the focus and the subsequently, the smaller lesion size, but the larger grating lobe grating lobe in the pre-focal region. The proposed algorithm could simulate the non-linear wave propagation from the source with arbitrary shape and distribution of excitation through multiple tissue layers in high computation accuracy. The performance of phased-array HIFU can be optimised in the treatment planning.

Improving the Performance of a 1-D Ultrasound Transducer Array by Subdicing.

PubMed

Janjic, Jovana; Shabanimotlagh, Maysam; van Soest, Gijs; van der Steen, Antonius F W; de Jong, Nico; Verweij, Martin D

2016-08-01

In medical ultrasound transducer design, the geometry of the individual elements is crucial since it affects the vibration mode of each element and its radiation impedance. For a fixed frequency, optimal vibration (i.e., uniform surface motion) can be achieved by designing elements with very small width-to-thickness ratios. However, for optimal radiation impedance (i.e., highest radiated power), the width should be as large as possible. This leads to a contradiction that can be solved by subdicing wide elements. To systematically examine the effect of subdicing on the performance of a 1-D ultrasound transducer array, we applied finite-element simulations. We investigated the influence of subdicing on the radiation impedance, on the time and frequency response, and on the directivity of linear arrays with variable element widths. We also studied the effect of varying the depth of the subdicing cut. The results show that, for elements having a width greater than 0.6 times the wavelength, subdicing improves the performance compared with that of nonsubdiced elements: the emitted pressure may be increased up to a factor of three, the ringing time may be reduced by up to 50%, the bandwidth increased by up to 77%, and the sidelobes reduced by up to 13 dB. Moreover, this simulation study shows that all these improvements can already be achieved by subdicing the elements to a depth of 70% of the total element thickness. Thus, subdicing can improve important transducer parameters and, therefore, help in achieving images with improved signal-to-noise ratio and improved resolution.

Effects of Transducer Installation on Unsteady Pressure Measurements on Oscillating Blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lepicovsky, Jan

2006-01-01

Unsteady pressures were measured above the suction side of a blade that was oscillated to simulate blade stall flutter. Measurements were made at blade oscillation frequencies up to 500 Hz. Two types of miniature pressure transducers were used: surface-mounted flat custom-made, and conventional miniature, body-mounted transducers. The signals of the surface-mounted transducers are significantly affected by blade acceleration, whereas the signals of body-mounted transducers are practically free of this distortion. A procedure was introduced to correct the signals of surface-mounted transducers to rectify the signal distortion due to blade acceleration. The signals from body-mounted transducers, and corrected signals from surface-mounted transducers represent true unsteady pressure signals on the surface of a blade subjected to forced oscillations. However, the use of body-mounted conventional transducers is preferred for the following reasons: no signal corrections are needed for blade acceleration, the conventional transducers are noticeably less expensive than custom-made flat transducers, the survival rate of body-mounted transducers is much higher, and finally installation of body-mounted transducers does not disturb the blade surface of interest.

Environmental control system transducer development study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brudnicki, M. J.

1973-01-01

A failure evaluation of the transducers used in the environmental control systems of the Apollo command service module, lunar module, and portable life support system is presented in matrix form for several generic categories of transducers to enable identification of chronic failure modes. Transducer vendors were contacted and asked to supply detailed information. The evaluation data generated for each category of transducer were compiled and published in failure design evaluation reports. The evaluation reports also present a review of the failure and design data for the transducers and suggest both design criteria to improve reliability of the transducers and, where necessary, design concepts for required redesign of the transducers. Remedial designs were implemented on a family of pressure transducers and on the oxygen flow transducer. The design concepts were subjected to analysis, breadboard fabrication, and verification testing.

Maxillary sinus floor elevation using BMP-2 and Nell-1 gene-modified bone marrow stromal cells and TCP in rabbits.

PubMed

Xia, Lunguo; Xu, Yuanjin; Chang, Qing; Sun, Xiaojuan; Zeng, Deliang; Zhang, Wenjie; Zhang, Xiuli; Zhang, Zhiyuan; Jiang, Xinquan

2011-07-01

This study evaluated the synergistic osteogenic effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and Nel-like molecule-1 (Nell-1) genes in a rabbit maxillary sinus floor elevation model. Bone marrow stromal cells (bMSCs) were cultured and transduced with AdEGFP, AdNell-1, AdBMP-2, or AdNell-1 + AdBMP-2 overexpression virus. These gene-modified autologous bMSCs were then combined with a β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) granule scaffold and used to elevate the maxillary sinus floor in rabbits. bMSCs cotransduced with AdNell-1 + AdBMP-2 demonstrated a synergistic effect on osteogenic differentiation as detected by real-time PCR analysis on markers of runt-related transcription factor-2, osteocalcin, collagen type 1, alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium deposits in vitro. As for maxillary sinus floor elevation in a rabbit model in vivo, AdNell-1 + AdBMP-2 gene-transduced autologeous bMSCs/β-TCP complex had the largest bone area and most mature bone structure among the groups, as detected by HE staining and immunohistochemistry at weeks 2 and 8 after implantation. Our data suggested that the BMP-2 and Nell-1 genes possessed a synergistic effect on osteogenic differentiation of bMSCs, while bMSCs modified with the BMP-2 and Nell-1 genes could promote new bone formation and maturation in the rabbit maxillary sinus model.

Performance enhancement of an air-coupled multiple moving membrane capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer using an optimized middle plate configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emadi, Arezoo; Buchanan, Douglas

2016-10-01

A multiple moving membrane capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer has been developed. This transducer cell structure includes a second flexible plate suspended between the transducer top plate and the fixed bottom electrode. The added plate influences the transducer top plate deflection map and, therefore, the transducer properties. Three series of individual air-coupled, dual deflectable plate transducers and two 1×27 element transducer arrays were fabricated using multiuser microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processes (MUMPs). Each set of transducers included devices with middle plate radii from 22% to 65% of the corresponding transducer top plate radius. The effect of the transducer middle plate configuration has been investigated. Electrical, optical, and acoustic characterizations were conducted and the results were compared with the simulation findings. It was found that the transducer top plate amplitude of vibration is significantly enhanced with a wider middle deflectable plate. The electrical and optical measurement results are shown to be in good agreement with simulation results. The acoustic measurement results indicated a 37% increase in the amplitude of transmitted signal by the 1-MHz air-couple transducer when its middle plate radius was increased by 35%.

Jab1 regulates Schwann cell proliferation and axonal sorting through p27

PubMed Central

Porrello, Emanuela; Rivellini, Cristina; Dina, Giorgia; Triolo, Daniela; Del Carro, Ubaldo; Ungaro, Daniela; Panattoni, Martina; Feltri, Maria Laura; Wrabetz, Lawrence; Pardi, Ruggero; Quattrini, Angelo

2014-01-01

Axonal sorting is a crucial event in nerve formation and requires proper Schwann cell proliferation, differentiation, and contact with axons. Any defect in axonal sorting results in dysmyelinating peripheral neuropathies. Evidence from mouse models shows that axonal sorting is regulated by laminin211– and, possibly, neuregulin 1 (Nrg1)–derived signals. However, how these signals are integrated in Schwann cells is largely unknown. We now report that the nuclear Jun activation domain–binding protein 1 (Jab1) may transduce laminin211 signals to regulate Schwann cell number and differentiation during axonal sorting. Mice with inactivation of Jab1 in Schwann cells develop a dysmyelinating neuropathy with axonal sorting defects. Loss of Jab1 increases p27 levels in Schwann cells, which causes defective cell cycle progression and aberrant differentiation. Genetic down-regulation of p27 levels in Jab1-null mice restores Schwann cell number, differentiation, and axonal sorting and rescues the dysmyelinating neuropathy. Thus, Jab1 constitutes a regulatory molecule that integrates laminin211 signals in Schwann cells to govern cell cycle, cell number, and differentiation. Finally, Jab1 may constitute a key molecule in the pathogenesis of dysmyelinating neuropathies. PMID:24344238

BJ-3105, a 6-Alkoxypyridin-3-ol Analog, Impairs T Cell Differentiation and Prevents Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Disease Progression

PubMed Central

Timilshina, Maheshwor; Kang, Youra; Dahal, Ishmit; You, Zhiwei; Nam, Tae-gyu; Kim, Keuk-Jun

2017-01-01

CD4+ T cells are essential in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secreting T helper (Th1) and IL-17 secreting T helper (Th17) cells are critical for several autoimmune diseases. To assess the inhibitory effect of a given compound on autoimmune disease, we screened many compounds with an in vitro Th differentiation assay. BJ-3105, a 6-alkoxypyridin-3-ol analog, inhibited IFN-γ and IL-17 production from polyclonal CD4+ T cells and ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4+ T cells which were activated by T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. BJ-3105 ameliorated the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model by reducing Th1 and Th17 generation. Notably, Th cell differentiation was significantly suppressed by BJ-3105 treatment without inhibiting in vitro proliferation of T cells or inducing programmed cell death. Mechanistically, BJ-3105 inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK and its downstream signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) that is critical for Th differentiation. These results demonstrated that BJ-3105 inhibits the phosphorylation of STAT in response to cytokine signals and subsequently suppressed the differentiation of Th cell responses. PMID:28095433

The Transcription Factor STAT3 and Type I Interferons Are Mutually Repressive Insulators for Differentiation of Follicular Helper and T Helper_1 Cells

PubMed Central

Ray, John P.; Marshall, Heather D.; Laidlaw, Brian J.; Staron, Matthew M.; Kaech, Susan M.; Craft, Joe

2014-01-01

Summary Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are required for the establishment of T-dependent B cell memory and high affinity antibody-secreting cells. We have revealed herein opposing roles for signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and type I interferon (IFN) signaling in the differentiation of Tfh cells following viral infection. STAT3-deficient CD4+ T cells had a profound defect in Tfh cell differentiation, accompanied by decreased germinal center (GC) B cells and antigen-specific antibody production during acute infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. STAT3-deficient Tfh cells had strikingly increased expression of a number of interferoninducible genes, in addition to enhanced T-bet synthesis, thus adopting a T helper-1 (Th1) cell-like effector phenotype. Conversely, IFNαβ receptor blockade restored Tfh and GC B cell phenotypes in mice containing STAT3-deficient CD4+ T cells. These data suggest mutually repressive roles for STAT3 and type I IFN signaling pathways in the differentiation of Tfh cells following viral infection. PMID:24631156

A ring transducer system for medical ultrasound research.

PubMed

Waag, Robert C; Fedewa, Russell J

2006-10-01

An ultrasonic ring transducer system has been developed for experimental studies of scattering and imaging. The transducer consists of 2048 rectangular elements with a 2.5-MHz center frequency, a 67% -6 dB bandwidth, and a 0.23-mm pitch arranged in a 150-mm-diameter ring with a 25-mm elevation. At the center frequency, the element size is 0.30lambda x 42lambda and the pitch is 0.38lambda. The system has 128 parallel transmit channels, 16 parallel receive channels, a 2048:128 transmit multiplexer, a 2048:16 receive multiplexer, independently programmable transmit waveforms with 8-bit resolution, and receive amplifiers with time variable gain independently programmable over a 40-dB range. Receive signals are sampled at 20 MHz with 12-bit resolution. Arbitrary transmit and receive apertures can be synthesized. Calibration software minimizes system nonidealities caused by noncircularity of the ring and element-to-element response differences. Application software enables the system to be used by specification of high-level parameters in control files from which low-level hardware-dependent parameters are derived by specialized code. Use of the system is illustrated by producing focused and steered beams, synthesizing a spatially limited plane wave, measuring angular scattering, and forming b-scan images.

Early transduction produces highly functional chimeric antigen receptor-modified virus-specific T-cells with central memory markers: a Production Assistant for Cell Therapy (PACT) translational application.

PubMed

Sun, Jiali; Huye, Leslie E; Lapteva, Natalia; Mamonkin, Maksim; Hiregange, Manasa; Ballard, Brandon; Dakhova, Olga; Raghavan, Darshana; Durett, April G; Perna, Serena K; Omer, Bilal; Rollins, Lisa A; Leen, Ann M; Vera, Juan F; Dotti, Gianpietro; Gee, Adrian P; Brenner, Malcolm K; Myers, Douglas G; Rooney, Cliona M

2015-01-01

Virus-specific T-cells (VSTs) proliferate exponentially after adoptive transfer into hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, eliminate virus infections, then persist and provide long-term protection from viral disease. If VSTs behaved similarly when modified with tumor-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), they should have potent anti-tumor activity. This theory was evaluated by Cruz et al. in a previous clinical trial with CD19.CAR-modified VSTs, but there was little apparent expansion of these cells in patients. In that study, VSTs were gene-modified on day 19 of culture and we hypothesized that by this time, sufficient T-cell differentiation may have occurred to limit the subsequent proliferative capacity of the transduced T-cells. To facilitate the clinical testing of this hypothesis in a project supported by the NHLBI-PACT mechanism, we developed and optimized a good manufacturing practices (GMP) compliant method for the early transduction of VSTs directed to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Adenovirus (AdV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) using a CAR directed to the tumor-associated antigen disialoganglioside (GD2). Ad-CMVpp65-transduced EBV-LCLs effectively stimulated VSTs directed to all three viruses (triVSTs). Transduction efficiency on day three was increased in the presence of cytokines and high-speed centrifugation of retroviral supernatant onto retronectin-coated plates, so that under optimal conditions up to 88% of tetramer-positive VSTs expressed the GD2.CAR. The average transduction efficiency of early-and late transduced VSTs was 55 ± 4% and 22 ± 5% respectively, and early-transduced VSTs maintained higher frequencies of T cells with central memory or intermediate memory phenotypes. Early-transduced VSTs also had higher proliferative capacity and produced higher levels of TH1 cytokines IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and other cytokines in vitro. We developed a rapid and GMP compliant method for the early transduction of multivirus-specific T-cells that allowed stable expression of high levels of a tumor directed CAR. Since a proportion of early-transduced CAR-VSTs had a central memory phenotype, they should expand and persist in vivo, simultaneously protecting against infection and targeting residual malignancy. This manufacturing strategy is currently under clinical investigation in patients receiving allogeneic HSCT for relapsed neuroblastoma and B-cell malignancies (NCT01460901 using a GD2.CAR and NCT00840853 using a CD19.CAR).

Development of a novel configuration for a MEMS transducer for low bias and high resolution imaging applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emadi, Tahereh Arezoo; Buchanan, Douglas A.

2014-03-01

A robust capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer has been developed. In this novel configuration, a stack of two deflectable membranes are suspended over a fixed bottom electrode. Similar to conventional capacitive ultrasonic transducers, a generated electrostatic force between the electrodes causes the membranes to deflect and vibrate. However, in this new configuration the transducer effective cavity height is reduced due to the deflection of two membranes. Therefore, the transducer spring constant is more susceptible to bias voltage, which in return reduces the required bias voltage. The transducers have been produced employing a MEMS sacrificial technique where two different membrane anchoring (curved- and flat- anchors) structures, with similar membrane radii were fabricated. Highly doped polysilicon was used as the membrane material. The resonant frequencies of the two transducers have been investigated. It was found that the transducers with curved membrane anchors exhibits a larger resonant frequency shift compared to the transducers with flat membranes for a given bias voltage. Comparison has been made between the spring constant of the flat membrane transducer and that of a conventional single membrane transducer. It is shown that the multiple moving membrane transducer exhibits a larger reduction in the spring constant compared to the conventional transducer, when driven with the same bias voltage. This results in a transducer with a higher power generation capability and sensitivity.

Different roles of the medial and lateral hamstrings in unloading the anterior cruciate ligament.

PubMed

Guelich, David R; Xu, Dali; Koh, Jason L; Nuber, Gordon W; Zhang, Li-Qun

2016-01-01

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are closely associated with excessive loading and motion about the off axes of the knee, i.e. tibial rotation and knee varus/valgus. However, it is not clear about the 3-D mechanical actions of the lateral and medial hamstring muscles and their differences in loading the ACL. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in anterior cruciate ligament strain induced by loading the lateral and medial hamstrings individually. Seven cadaveric knees were investigated using a custom testing apparatus allowing for six degree-of-freedom tibiofemoral motion induced by individual muscle loading. With major muscles crossing the knee loaded moderately, the medial and lateral hamstrings were loaded independently to 200N along their lines of actions at 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° of knee flexion. The induced strain of the anterior cruciate ligament was measured using a differential variable reluctance transducer. Tibiofemoral kinematics was monitored using a six degrees-of-freedom knee goniometer. Loading the lateral hamstrings induced significantly more anterior cruciate ligament strain reduction (mean 0.764 [SD 0.63] %) than loading the medial hamstrings (mean 0.007 [0.2] %), (P=0.001 and effect size=0.837) across the knee flexion angles. The lateral and medial hamstrings have significantly different effects on anterior cruciate ligament loadings. More effective rehabilitation and training strategies may be developed to strengthen the lateral and medial hamstrings selectively and differentially to reduce anterior cruciate ligament injury and improve post-injury rehabilitation. The lateral and medial hamstrings can potentially be strengthened selectively and differentially as a more focused rehabilitation approach to reduce ACL injury and improve post-injury rehabilitation. Different ACL reconstruction procedures with some of them involving the medial hamstrings can be compared to each other for their effect on ACL loading. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Piezoelectric and Electrostatic Polymeric Transducers for Acoustic Emission Detection.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

the fabrication of ultrasonic transducers for acoustic emission (A.E.) detection using polyvinylidene fluoride ( PVDF ) active elements. ii) the...characterization of PVDF transducers. The second report compared the sensitivity of PVDF transducers with polypropylene electrostatic transducer...detection using polyvinylidene 1uoride ( PVDF ) active elements. ii) the fabrication of electrostatic transducers using thin film of non-polar

Non-destructive evaluation means and method of flaw reconstruction utilizing an ultrasonic multi-viewing transducer data acquistion system

DOEpatents

Thompson, Donald O.; Wormley, Samuel J.

1989-03-28

A multi-viewing ultrasound transducer acquisition system for non-destructive evaluation, flaw detection and flaw reconstruction in materials. A multiple transducer assembly includes a central transducer surrounded by a plurality of perimeter transducers, each perimeter transducer having an axis of transmission which can be angularly oriented with respect to the axis of transmission of the central transducer to intersect the axis of transmission of the central transducer. A control apparatus automatically and remotely positions the transducer assembly with respect to the material by a positioning apparatus and adjusts the pe GRANT REFERENCE This invention was conceived and reduced to practice at least in part under a grant from the Department of Energy under Contract No. W-7407-ENG-82.

Ultrasound transducer function: annual testing is not sufficient.

PubMed

Mårtensson, Mattias; Olsson, Mats; Brodin, Lars-Åke

2010-10-01

The objective was to follow-up the study 'High incidence of defective ultrasound transducers in use in routine clinical practice' and evaluate if annual testing is good enough to reduce the incidence of defective ultrasound transducers in routine clinical practice to an acceptable level. A total of 299 transducers were tested in 13 clinics at five hospitals in the Stockholm area. Approximately 7000-15,000 ultrasound examinations are carried out at these clinics every year. The transducers tested in the study had been tested and classified as fully operational 1 year before and since then been in normal use in the routine clinical practice. The transducers were tested with the Sonora FirstCall Test System. There were 81 (27.1%) defective transducers found; giving a 95% confidence interval ranging from 22.1 to 32.1%. The most common transducer errors were 'delamination' of the ultrasound lens and 'break in the cable' which together constituted 82.7% of all transducer errors found. The highest error rate was found at the radiological clinics with a mean error rate of 36.0%. There was a significant difference in error rate between two observed ways the clinics handled the transducers. There was no significant difference in the error rates of the transducer brands or the transducers models. Annual testing is not sufficient to reduce the incidence of defective ultrasound transducers in routine clinical practice to an acceptable level and it is strongly advisable to create a user routine that minimizes the handling of the transducers.

FGF-Dependent, Context-Driven Role for FRS Adapters in the Early Telencephalon

PubMed Central

Gutin, Grigoriy; Blackwood, Christopher A.; Kamatkar, Nachiket G.; Lee, Kyung W.; Fishell, Gordon; Wang, Fen

2017-01-01

FGF signaling, an important component of intercellular communication, is required in many tissues throughout development to promote diverse cellular processes. Whether FGF receptors (FGFRs) accomplish such varied tasks in part by activating different intracellular transducers in different contexts remains unclear. Here, we used the developing mouse telencephalon as an example to study the role of the FRS adapters FRS2 and FRS3 in mediating the functions of FGFRs. Using tissue-specific and germline mutants, we examined the requirement of Frs genes in two FGFR-dependent processes. We found that Frs2 and Frs3 are together required for the differentiation of a subset of medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)-derived neurons, but are dispensable for the survival of early telencephalic precursor cells, in which any one of three FGFRs (FGFR1, FGFR2, or FGFR3) is sufficient for survival. Although FRS adapters are dispensable for ERK-1/2 activation, they are required for AKT activation within the subventricular zone of the developing MGE. Using an FRS2,3-binding site mutant of Fgfr1, we established that FRS adapters are necessary for mediating most or all FGFR1 signaling, not only in MGE differentiation, but also in cell survival, implying that other adapters mediate at least in part the signaling from FGFR2 and FGFR3. Our study provides an example of a contextual role for an intracellular transducer and contributes to our understanding of how FGF signaling plays diverse developmental roles. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT FGFs promote a range of developmental processes in many developing tissues and at multiple developmental stages. The mechanisms underlying this multifunctionality remain poorly defined in vivo. Using telencephalon development as an example, we show here that FRS adapters exhibit some selectivity in their requirement for mediating FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling and activating downstream mediators that depend on the developmental process, with a requirement in neuronal differentiation but not cell survival. Differential engagement of FRS and non-FRS intracellular adapters downstream of FGFRs could therefore in principle explain how FGFs play several distinct roles in other developing tissues and developmental stages. PMID:28483978

FGF-Dependent, Context-Driven Role for FRS Adapters in the Early Telencephalon.

PubMed

Nandi, Sayan; Gutin, Grigoriy; Blackwood, Christopher A; Kamatkar, Nachiket G; Lee, Kyung W; Fishell, Gordon; Wang, Fen; Goldfarb, Mitchell; Hébert, Jean M

2017-06-07

FGF signaling, an important component of intercellular communication, is required in many tissues throughout development to promote diverse cellular processes. Whether FGF receptors (FGFRs) accomplish such varied tasks in part by activating different intracellular transducers in different contexts remains unclear. Here, we used the developing mouse telencephalon as an example to study the role of the FRS adapters FRS2 and FRS3 in mediating the functions of FGFRs. Using tissue-specific and germline mutants, we examined the requirement of Frs genes in two FGFR-dependent processes. We found that Frs2 and Frs3 are together required for the differentiation of a subset of medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)-derived neurons, but are dispensable for the survival of early telencephalic precursor cells, in which any one of three FGFRs (FGFR1, FGFR2, or FGFR3) is sufficient for survival. Although FRS adapters are dispensable for ERK-1/2 activation, they are required for AKT activation within the subventricular zone of the developing MGE. Using an FRS2,3-binding site mutant of Fgfr1 , we established that FRS adapters are necessary for mediating most or all FGFR1 signaling, not only in MGE differentiation, but also in cell survival, implying that other adapters mediate at least in part the signaling from FGFR2 and FGFR3. Our study provides an example of a contextual role for an intracellular transducer and contributes to our understanding of how FGF signaling plays diverse developmental roles. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT FGFs promote a range of developmental processes in many developing tissues and at multiple developmental stages. The mechanisms underlying this multifunctionality remain poorly defined in vivo Using telencephalon development as an example, we show here that FRS adapters exhibit some selectivity in their requirement for mediating FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling and activating downstream mediators that depend on the developmental process, with a requirement in neuronal differentiation but not cell survival. Differential engagement of FRS and non-FRS intracellular adapters downstream of FGFRs could therefore in principle explain how FGFs play several distinct roles in other developing tissues and developmental stages. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/375690-09$15.00/0.

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

Very, F.; Rosenkrantz, E.; Combette, P.

The development of advanced instrumentation for in-pile experiments in Material Testing Reactor constitutes a main goal for the improvement of the nuclear fuel behavior knowledge. An acoustic method for fission gas release detection was tested with success during a first experiment called REMORA 3 in 2010 and 2011, and the results were used to differentiate helium and fission gas release kinetics under transient operating conditions. This experiment was lead at OSIRIS reactor (CEA Saclay, France). The maximal temperature on the sensor during the irradiation was about 150 deg. C. In this paper we present a thick film transducer produce bymore » screen printing process. The screen printing of piezoelectric offers a wide range of possible applications for the development of acoustic sensors and piezoelectric structure for measurements in high temperature environment. We firstly produced a Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) based paste composed of Pz27 powder from Ferroperm, CF7575 glass, and organic solvent ESL 400. Likewise a Bismuth Titanate based paste synthesized in our laboratory was produced. With these inks we produced thick film up to 130 μm by screen printing process. Material properties characterizations of these thick-film resonators are essential for device design and applications. The piezoelectric coefficients d33 and pyro-electric P(T) coefficient are investigated. The highest P(T) and d33 are respectively 80 μC.m{sup -2}.K{sup -1} and 130 μC.N{sup -1} for the PZT transducer -which validates the fabrication process-. In view of the development of this transducer oriented for high temperature and irradiation environment, we investigated the electrical properties of the transducers for different ranges of frequencies and temperature - from 20 Hz up to 40 MHz between 30 and 400 deg. C. We highlight the evolution of the impedance response and piezoelectric parameters of screen printed piezoelectric structures on alumina. Shortly an irradiation will be realized in order to investigate their reliability towards neutron fluence. (authors)« less

Good Laboratory Practice Preclinical Safety Studies for GSK2696273 (MLV Vector-Based Ex Vivo Gene Therapy for Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) in NSG Mice.

PubMed

Carriglio, Nicola; Klapwijk, Jan; Hernandez, Raisa Jofra; Vezzoli, Michela; Chanut, Franck; Lowe, Rhiannon; Draghici, Elena; Nord, Melanie; Albertini, Paola; Cristofori, Patrizia; Richards, Jane; Staton, Hazel; Appleby, Jonathan; Aiuti, Alessandro; Sauer, Aisha V

2017-03-01

GSK2696273 (autologous CD34+ cells transduced with retroviral vector that encodes for the human adenosine deaminase [ADA] enzyme) is a gamma-retroviral ex vivo gene therapy of bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells for the treatment of adenosine deaminase deficiency severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID). ADA-SCID is a severe monogenic disease characterized by immunologic and nonimmunologic symptoms. Bone-marrow transplant from a matched related donor is the treatment of choice, but it is available for only a small proportion of patients. Ex vivo gene therapy of patient bone-marrow CD34+ cells is an alternative treatment. In order to prepare for a marketing authorization application in the European Union, preclinical safety studies in mice were requested by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A pilot study and a main biodistribution study were performed according to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) at the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy test facility. In the main study, human umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived CD34+ cells were transduced with gamma-retroviral vector used in the production of GSK2696273. Groups of 10 male and 10 female NOD-SCID gamma (NSG) mice were injected intravenously with a single dose of transduced- or mock-transduced UCB CD34+ cells, and they were observed for 4 months. Engraftment and multilineage differentiation of blood cells was observed in the majority of animals in both groups. There was no significant difference in the level of chimerism between the two groups. In the gene therapy group, vector was detectable in lymphohemopoietic and nonlymphohemopoietic tissues, consistent with the presence of gene-modified human hematopoietic donor cells. Given the absence of relevant safety concerns in the data, the nonclinical studies and the clinical experience with GSK2696273 supported a successful application for market authorization in the European Union for the treatment of ADA-SCID patients, for whom no suitable human leukocyte antigen-matched related donor is available.

Standardized Testing Capabilities at U.S. Navy Transducer Repair Facilities

DTIC Science & Technology

1972-08-01

The following acoustical and electrical tests can be performed at the TRFs by the use of an AN/FQM-lO(V) Sonar Test Set, a. Low level impedance...It fits into the sub- system as shown in Fig 2-2. A switch located at the preamplifier is used to select either high or low power operation. The...may also be selected. 2.6.2 Signal Amplification. A low noise differential premnplifier with selectable gains from -20 dB to +60 dB in 10 dB steps is

Transducer-Mounting Fixture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spiegel, Kirk W.

1990-01-01

Transducer-mounting fixture holds transducer securely against stud. Projects only slightly beyond stud after installation. Flanged transducer fits into fixture when hinged halves open. When halves reclosed, fixture tightened onto threaded stud until stud makes contact with transducer. Knurled area on fixture aids in tightening fixture on stud.

High-frequency transducers for point-of-care ultrasound applications: what is the optimal frequency range?

PubMed

Adhikari, Srikar

2014-06-01

To compare images obtained using two linear transducers with a different range of frequencies, and to determine if there is a significant difference in the quality of images between the two transducers for medical decision-making. This was a single-blinded, cross-sectional study at an academic medical center. Twenty-five emergency medicine clinical scenarios with ultrasound images (using both 10-5 and 14-5 MHz transducers) covering a variety of point-of-care ultrasound applications were presented to four emergency physician sonographers. They were blinded to the study hypothesis and type of the transducer used to obtain the images. On a scale of 1-10, the mean image quality rating for 10-5 MHz transducer was 7.09 (95 % CI 6.73-7.45) and 6.49 (95 % CI 5.99-6.99) for 14-5 MHz transducer. In the majority of cases (84 %, 95 % CI 75.7-92.3 %), sonographers indicated that images obtained with a 10-5 MHz transducer were satisfactory for medical decision-making. They preferred images obtained with a 10-5 MHz transducer over 14-5 MHz transducer in 39 % (95 % CI 30-50 %) of cases. The images obtained with a 14-5 MHz transducer were preferred over 10-5 MHz transducer in only 16 % (95 % CI 7.7-24.3 %) of the cases. The 14-5 MHz transducer has a slight advantage over 10-5 MHz transducer for ocular, upper airway, and musculoskeletal (tendon) ultrasound applications. A 10-5 MHz linear transducer is adequate to obtain images that can be used for medical decision-making for a variety of point-of-care ultrasound applications.

Teledyne Taber 206-1000 and 2210-3000 pressure transducer proof test and burst test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ricks, G. A.

1989-01-01

The range accuracy and structural integrity of the Teledyne Taber 206-1000 and 2210-3000 pressure transducers are verified and multiple uses are studied to determine is they have a significant effect on the transducers. Burst pressure for these transducers was also established. The Teledyne Taber 206-1000 pressure transducer is used to measure chamber pressure on full-scale space shuttle rocket motors. The Teledyne Taber 2210-3000 pressure transducer is used to measure igniter pressure. The Teledyne Taber transducer has very good temperature stability and was used on all full-scale solid rocket motors, so there is a large data base established using this transducer.

Microhydraulic transducer technology for actuation and power generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagood, Nesbitt W.; Roberts, David C.; Saggere, Laxminarayana; Breuer, Kenneth S.; Chen, Kuo-Shen; Carretero, Jorge A.; Li, Hanqing; Mlcak, Richard; Pulitzer, Seward W.; Schmidt, Martin A.; Spearing, S. Mark; Su, Yu-Hsuan

2000-06-01

The paper introduces a novel transducer technology, called the solid-state micro-hydraulic transducer, currently under development at MIT. The new technology is enabled through integration of micromachining technology, piezoelectrics, and microhydraulic concepts. These micro-hydraulic transducers are capable of bi-directional electromechanical energy conversion, i.e., they can operate as both an actuator that supplies high mechanical force in response to electrical input and an energy generator that transduces electrical energy from mechanical energy in the environment. These transducers are capable of transducing energy at very high specific power output in the order of 1 kW/kg, and thus, they have the potential to enable many novel applications. The concept, the design, and the potential applications of the transducers are presented. Present efforts towards the development of these transducers, and the challenges involved therein, are also discussed.

Quantifying infant physical interactions using sensorized toys in a natural play environment.

PubMed

Goyal, Vatsala; Torres, Wilson; Rai, Roshan; Shofer, Frances; Bogen, Daniel; Bryant, Phillip; Prosser, Laura; Johnson, Michelle J

2017-07-01

Infants with developmental delays must be detected early in their development to minimize the progression of motor and neurological impairments. Our objective is to quantify how sensorized toys in a natural play environment can promote infant-toy physical interactions. We created a hanging elephant toy, equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a pressure transducer, and multiple feedback sensors, to be a hand-grasping toy. We used a 3 DoF robotic model with inputs from the IMU to calculate multiple kinematic metrics and an equation to calculate haptic metrics from the pressure transducer. Six typical infants were tested in the gym set-up. Three infants interacted with the toy for more than half the trial time. The youngest infant exhibited the largest toy displacement with ΔD = 27.6 cm, while the oldest infant squeezed the toy with the largest mean pressure of 4.5 kPa. More data on on both typical and atypical infants needs to be collected. After testing atypical infants in the SmarToyGym set-up, we will be able to identify interaction metrics that differentiate atypical and typical infants.

Electro-optic voltage sensor for sensing voltage in an E-field

DOEpatents

Davidson, James R.; Crawford, Thomas M.; Seifert, Gary D.

2002-03-26

A miniature electro-optic voltage sensor and system capable of accurate operation at high voltages has a sensor body disposed in an E-field. The body receives a source beam of electromagnetic radiation. A polarization beam displacer separates the source light beam into two beams with orthogonal linear polarizations. A wave plate rotates the linear polarization to rotated polarization. A transducer utilizes Pockels electro-optic effect and induces a differential phase shift on the major and minor axes of the rotated polarization in response to the E-field. A prism redirects the beam back through the transducer, wave plate, and polarization beam displacer. The prism also converts the rotated polarization to circular or elliptical polarization. The wave plate rotates the major and minor axes of the circular or elliptical polarization to linear polarization. The polarization beam displacer separates the beam into two beams of orthogonal linear polarization representing the major and minor axes. The system may have a transmitter for producing the beam of electro-magnetic radiation; a detector for converting the two beams into electrical signals; and a signal processor for determining the voltage.

Proinsulin Promotes Self-Renewal of a Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Line In Vitro.

PubMed

Han, Yuewen; Liu, Tingting; Zou, Yunding; Ji, Ling; Li, Yuanyuan; Li, Jing; Wang, Jing; Chen, Guopin; Chen, Jieping; Chen, Liang; Ye, Zhijia

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of exogenously expressed proinsulin on the biological characters of a hematopoietic stem cell line (HSC) and erythroid myeloid lymphoid (EML) cells and explore new strategies for cell therapy for type I diabetes. EML cells were transduced with lentivirus particles carrying the human proinsulin (proINS) gene. The positive transduced cells were selected based on green fluorescence protein (GFP) positivity and puromycin resistance. Overexpression of proINS was confirmed via real-time PCR and Western blotting. The functional activity of the human proINS secreted by EML cells was elucidated by analyzing the activation of insulin receptor and its downstream signaling. Pro-INS + EML cells were able to prime the phosphorylation of insulin receptor as well as induce the expression of downstream genes of insulin receptor. Furthermore, Wnt3a can significantly promote self-renewal of Pro-INS + EML cells. However, we did not observe significant changes in the proliferation and differentiation of INS + EML cells, compared to the control EML cells. Our results might be useful for developing a new therapy for diabetes mellitus.

A novel conductometric biosensor based on hexokinase for determination of adenosine triphosphate.

PubMed

Kucherenko, I S; Kucherenko, D Yu; Soldatkin, O O; Lagarde, F; Dzyadevych, S V; Soldatkin, A P

2016-04-01

The paper presents a simple and inexpensive reusable biosensor for determination of the concentration of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) in aqueous samples. The biosensor is based on a conductometric transducer which contains two pairs of gold interdigitated electrodes. An enzyme hexokinase was immobilized onto one pair of electrodes, and bovine serum albumin-onto another pair (thus, a differential mode of measurement was used). Conditions of hexokinase immobilization on the transducer by cross-linking via glutaraldehyde were optimized. Influence of experimental conditions (concentration of magnesium ions, ionic strength and concentration of the working buffer) on the biosensor work was studied. The reproducibility of biosensor responses and operational stability of the biosensor were checked during one week. Dry storage at -18 °C was shown to be the best conditions to store the biosensor. The biosensor was successfully applied for measurements of ATP concentration in pharmaceutical samples. The proposed biosensor may be used in future for determination of ATP and/or glucose in water samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cyclic GMP-gated CNG channels function in Sema3A-induced growth cone repulsion.

PubMed

Togashi, Kazunobu; von Schimmelmann, Melanie J; Nishiyama, Makoto; Lim, Chae-Seok; Yoshida, Norihiro; Yun, Bokyoung; Molday, Robert S; Goshima, Yoshio; Hong, Kyonsoo

2008-06-12

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) transduce external signals required for sensory processes, e.g., photoreception, olfaction, and taste. Nerve growth cone guidance by diffusible attractive and repulsive molecules is regulated by differential growth cone Ca2+ signaling. However, the Ca2+-conducting ion channels that transduce guidance molecule signals are largely unknown. We show that rod-type CNGC-like channels function in the repulsion of cultured Xenopus spinal neuron growth cones by Sema3A, which triggers the production of the cGMP that activates the Xenopus CNGA1 (xCNGA1) subunit-containing channels in interneurons. Downregulation of xCNGA1 or overexpression of a mutant xCNGA1 incapable of binding cGMP abolished CNG currents and converted growth cone repulsion to attraction in response to Sema3A. We also show that Ca2+ entry through xCNGCs is required to mediate the repulsive Sema3A signal. These studies extend our knowledge of the function of CNGCs by demonstrating their requirement for signal transduction in growth cone guidance.

Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering Third Edition Paperback Set

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riley, Ken F.; Hobson, Mike P.; Bence, Stephen J.

2006-06-01

Prefaces; 1. Preliminary algebra; 2. Preliminary calculus; 3. Complex numbers and hyperbolic functions; 4. Series and limits; 5. Partial differentiation; 6. Multiple integrals; 7. Vector algebra; 8. Matrices and vector spaces; 9. Normal modes; 10. Vector calculus; 11. Line, surface and volume integrals; 12. Fourier series; 13. Integral transforms; 14. First-order ordinary differential equations; 15. Higher-order ordinary differential equations; 16. Series solutions of ordinary differential equations; 17. Eigenfunction methods for differential equations; 18. Special functions; 19. Quantum operators; 20. Partial differential equations: general and particular; 21. Partial differential equations: separation of variables; 22. Calculus of variations; 23. Integral equations; 24. Complex variables; 25. Application of complex variables; 26. Tensors; 27. Numerical methods; 28. Group theory; 29. Representation theory; 30. Probability; 31. Statistics; Index.

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

The influence of stem length and fixation on initial femoral component stability in revision total knee replacement

PubMed Central

Conlisk, N.; Gray, H.; Pankaj, P.; Howie, C. R.

2012-01-01

Objectives Orthopaedic surgeons use stems in revision knee surgery to obtain stability when metaphyseal bone is missing. No consensus exists regarding stem size or method of fixation. This in vitro study investigated the influence of stem length and method of fixation on the pattern and level of relative motion at the bone–implant interface at a range of functional flexion angles. Methods A custom test rig using differential variable reluctance transducers (DVRTs) was developed to record all translational and rotational motions at the bone–implant interface. Composite femurs were used. These were secured to permit variation in flexion angle from 0° to 90°. Cyclic loads were applied through a tibial component based on three peaks corresponding to 0°, 10° and 20° flexion from a normal walking cycle. Three different femoral components were investigated in this study for cementless and cemented interface conditions. Results Relative motions were found to increase with flexion angle. Stemmed implants reduced relative motions in comparison to stemless implants for uncemented constructs. Relative motions for cemented implants were reduced to one-third of their equivalent uncemented constructs. Conclusions Stems are not necessary for cemented implants when the metaphyseal bone is intact. Short cemented femoral stems confer as much stability as long uncemented stems. PMID:23610659

Minimization of thickness of ultrasonic transducer by using piezoelectric backing layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeom, Jiyoung; Kim, Jungsoon; Ha, Kanglyeol; Kim, Moojoon

2018-07-01

To realize an insertion transducer with broadband characteristic, a transducer with a piezoelectric backing layer is proposed. The characteristic of the transducer was analyzed by using an equivalent circuit for a different electrical impedance connected to the piezoelectric backing layer. In the transducer designed to achieve optimization, the thickness of the transducer is less than 2.4 times that of the driving piezoelectric layer, and the frequency bandwidth is more than 110%. It is confirmed that the bandwidth of the fabricated transducer can be controlled by adjusting the electrical impedance in the piezoelectric backing layer.

Environmental control system transducer development study. [for space shuttles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brudnicki, M. J.

1974-01-01

A development test program of transducers for aerospace projects is described. Stability and performance of existing transducers, and improvements compatible with shuttle ECS requirements are investigated. These requirements incorporate design and development features into the transducers, and include the following: (1) improvement of overall transducer ruggedness and reliability; (2) common transducers for all ECS fluids that will be unaffected by long quiescent periods in the space environment, that will require no maintenance or refurbishing for at least 100 launches; and (3) appropriate self-check features that simplify checkout and maintenance. Models of three different transducers, a three-way valve for pressure transducers from closed liquid loops, surface-type platinum-wire resistance temperature sensors, and a nuclenics gaging system are evaluated. Tests and development improvements are described.

Dynamical Analysis of a Cylindrical Piezoelectric Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LU, P.; LEE, K. H.; LIM, S. P.

2003-01-01

In the present paper, the vibration of a cylindrical piezoelectric transducer induced by applied voltage, which can be used as the stator transducer of a cylindrical micromotor, is studied based on shell theory. The transducer is modelled as a thin elastic cylinder. The properties of the vibration modes of the transducer, such as mode frequencies and amplitude ratios of the mode shapes, are determined following Galerkin method. The response of the transducer under the four electric sources with 90° phase difference is then obtained by the modal summation method. With the results, the performance of the transducer under the electric sources can be estimated. The present work provides a general and precise theoretical modelling on the dynamical movement of the transducer.

Formation of Foamy Macrophages by Tuberculous Pleural Effusions Is Triggered by the Interleukin-10/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Axis through ACAT Upregulation

PubMed Central

Genoula, Melanie; Marín Franco, José Luis; Dupont, Maeva; Kviatcovsky, Denise; Milillo, Ayelén; Schierloh, Pablo; Moraña, Eduardo Jose; Poggi, Susana; Palmero, Domingo; Mata-Espinosa, Dulce; González-Domínguez, Erika; León Contreras, Juan Carlos; Barrionuevo, Paula; Rearte, Bárbara; Córdoba Moreno, Marlina Olyissa; Fontanals, Adriana; Crotta Asis, Agostina; Gago, Gabriela; Cougoule, Céline; Neyrolles, Olivier; Maridonneau-Parini, Isabelle; Sánchez-Torres, Carmen; Hernández-Pando, Rogelio; Vérollet, Christel; Lugo-Villarino, Geanncarlo; Sasiain, María del Carmen; Balboa, Luciana

2018-01-01

The ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to persist in its human host relies on numerous immune evasion strategies, such as the deregulation of the lipid metabolism leading to the formation of foamy macrophages (FM). Yet, the specific host factors leading to the foamy phenotype of Mtb-infected macrophages remain unknown. Herein, we aimed to address whether host cytokines contribute to FM formation in the context of Mtb infection. Our approach is based on the use of an acellular fraction of tuberculous pleural effusions (TB-PE) as a physiological source of local factors released during Mtb infection. We found that TB-PE induced FM differentiation as observed by the increase in lipid bodies, intracellular cholesterol, and expression of the scavenger receptor CD36, as well as the enzyme acyl CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT). Importantly, interleukin-10 (IL-10) depletion from TB-PE prevented the augmentation of all these parameters. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between the levels of IL-10 and the number of lipid-laden CD14+ cells among the pleural cells in TB patients, demonstrating that FM differentiation occurs within the pleural environment. Downstream of IL-10 signaling, we noticed that the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 was activated by TB-PE, and its chemical inhibition prevented the accumulation of lipid bodies and ACAT expression in macrophages. In terms of the host immune response, TB-PE-treated macrophages displayed immunosuppressive properties and bore higher bacillary loads. Finally, we confirmed our results using bone marrow-derived macrophage from IL-10−/− mice demonstrating that IL-10 deficiency partially prevented foamy phenotype induction after Mtb lipids exposure. In conclusion, our results evidence a role of IL-10 in promoting the differentiation of FM in the context of Mtb infection, contributing to our understanding of how alterations of the host metabolic factors may favor pathogen persistence. PMID:29593722

Formation of Foamy Macrophages by Tuberculous Pleural Effusions Is Triggered by the Interleukin-10/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Axis through ACAT Upregulation.

PubMed

Genoula, Melanie; Marín Franco, José Luis; Dupont, Maeva; Kviatcovsky, Denise; Milillo, Ayelén; Schierloh, Pablo; Moraña, Eduardo Jose; Poggi, Susana; Palmero, Domingo; Mata-Espinosa, Dulce; González-Domínguez, Erika; León Contreras, Juan Carlos; Barrionuevo, Paula; Rearte, Bárbara; Córdoba Moreno, Marlina Olyissa; Fontanals, Adriana; Crotta Asis, Agostina; Gago, Gabriela; Cougoule, Céline; Neyrolles, Olivier; Maridonneau-Parini, Isabelle; Sánchez-Torres, Carmen; Hernández-Pando, Rogelio; Vérollet, Christel; Lugo-Villarino, Geanncarlo; Sasiain, María Del Carmen; Balboa, Luciana

2018-01-01

The ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to persist in its human host relies on numerous immune evasion strategies, such as the deregulation of the lipid metabolism leading to the formation of foamy macrophages (FM). Yet, the specific host factors leading to the foamy phenotype of Mtb-infected macrophages remain unknown. Herein, we aimed to address whether host cytokines contribute to FM formation in the context of Mtb infection. Our approach is based on the use of an acellular fraction of tuberculous pleural effusions (TB-PE) as a physiological source of local factors released during Mtb infection. We found that TB-PE induced FM differentiation as observed by the increase in lipid bodies, intracellular cholesterol, and expression of the scavenger receptor CD36, as well as the enzyme acyl CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT). Importantly, interleukin-10 (IL-10) depletion from TB-PE prevented the augmentation of all these parameters. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between the levels of IL-10 and the number of lipid-laden CD14 + cells among the pleural cells in TB patients, demonstrating that FM differentiation occurs within the pleural environment. Downstream of IL-10 signaling, we noticed that the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 was activated by TB-PE, and its chemical inhibition prevented the accumulation of lipid bodies and ACAT expression in macrophages. In terms of the host immune response, TB-PE-treated macrophages displayed immunosuppressive properties and bore higher bacillary loads. Finally, we confirmed our results using bone marrow-derived macrophage from IL-10 -/- mice demonstrating that IL-10 deficiency partially prevented foamy phenotype induction after Mtb lipids exposure. In conclusion, our results evidence a role of IL-10 in promoting the differentiation of FM in the context of Mtb infection, contributing to our understanding of how alterations of the host metabolic factors may favor pathogen persistence.

Development of a Flexible Broadband Rayleigh Waves Comb Transducer with Nonequidistant Comb Interval for Defect Detection of Thick-Walled Pipelines

PubMed Central

He, Cunfu; Yan, Lyu; Zhang, Haijun

2018-01-01

It is necessary to develop a transducer that can quickly detect the inner and outer wall defects of thick-walled pipes, in order to ensure the safety of such pipes. In this paper, a flexible broadband Rayleigh-waves comb transducer based on PZT (lead zirconate titanate) for defect detection of thick-walled pipes is studied. The multiple resonant coupling theory is used to expand the transducer broadband and the FEA (Finite Element Analysis) method is used to optimize transducer array element parameters. Optimization results show that the best array element parameters of the transducer are when the transducer array element length is 30 mm, the thickness is 1.2 mm, the width of one end of is 1.5 mm, and the other end is 3 mm. Based on the optimization results, such a transducer was fabricated and its performance was tested. The test results were consistent with the finite-element simulation results, and the −3 dB bandwidth of the transducer reached 417 kHz. Transducer directivity test results show that the Θ−3dB beam width was equal to 10 °, to meet the defect detection requirements. Finally, defects of thick-walled pipes were detected using the transducer. The results showed that the transducer could detect the inner and outer wall defects of thick-walled pipes within the bandwidth. PMID:29498636

Development of a Flexible Broadband Rayleigh Waves Comb Transducer with Nonequidistant Comb Interval for Defect Detection of Thick-Walled Pipelines.

PubMed

Zhao, Huamin; He, Cunfu; Yan, Lyu; Zhang, Haijun

2018-03-02

It is necessary to develop a transducer that can quickly detect the inner and outer wall defects of thick-walled pipes, in order to ensure the safety of such pipes. In this paper, a flexible broadband Rayleigh-waves comb transducer based on PZT (lead zirconate titanate) for defect detection of thick-walled pipes is studied. The multiple resonant coupling theory is used to expand the transducer broadband and the FEA (Finite Element Analysis) method is used to optimize transducer array element parameters. Optimization results show that the best array element parameters of the transducer are when the transducer array element length is 30 mm, the thickness is 1.2 mm, the width of one end of is 1.5 mm, and the other end is 3 mm. Based on the optimization results, such a transducer was fabricated and its performance was tested. The test results were consistent with the finite-element simulation results, and the -3 dB bandwidth of the transducer reached 417 kHz. Transducer directivity test results show that the Θ -3dB beam width was equal to 10 °, to meet the defect detection requirements. Finally, defects of thick-walled pipes were detected using the transducer. The results showed that the transducer could detect the inner and outer wall defects of thick-walled pipes within the bandwidth.

Analysis of Nonlinear Insertion Loss of Hearing Protection Devices using an Acoustic Test Fixture

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

USAARL Report No. 2016-05 Analysis of Nonlinear Insertion Loss of Hearing Protection Devices using an Acoustic Test Fixture By Robert Williams1...through circuitry. Talk through circuits use electro- acoustic transducers to pass ambient sounds through the protector. When the circuitry detects...the SPL of the acoustic insult. If the protective capacity is variable, it should be accounted for in the selection of appropriate HPDs. REAT

Measurement of stapes vibration in Human temporal bones by round window stimulation using a 3-coil transducer.

PubMed

Shin, Dong Ho; Kim, Dong Wook; Lim, Hyung Gyu; Jung, Eui Sung; Seong, Ki Woong; Lee, Jyung Hyun; Kim, Myoung Nam; Cho, Jin Ho

2014-01-01

Round window placement of a 3-coil transducer offers a new approach for coupling an implantable hearing aid to the inner ear. The transducer exhibits high performance at low-frequencies. One remarkable feature of the 3-coil transducer is that it minimizes leakage flux. Thus, the transducer, which consists of two permanent magnets and three coils, can enhance vibrational displacement. In human temporal bones, stapes vibration was observed by laser Doppler vibrometer in response to round window stimulation using the 3-coil transducer. Coupling between the 3-coil transducer and the round window was connected by a wire-rod. The stimulation created stapes velocity when the round window stimulated. Performance evaluation was conducted by measuring stapes velocity. To verify the performance of the 3-coil transducer, stapes velocity for round window and tympanic membrane stimulation were compared, respectively. Stapes velocity by round window stimulation using the 3-coil transducer was approximately 14 dB higher than that achieved by tympanic membrane stimulation. The study shows that 3-coil transducer is suitable for implantable hearing aids.

Reliability and Validity Assessment of a Linear Position Transducer

PubMed Central

Garnacho-Castaño, Manuel V.; López-Lastra, Silvia; Maté-Muñoz, José L.

2015-01-01

The objectives of the study were to determine the validity and reliability of peak velocity (PV), average velocity (AV), peak power (PP) and average power (AP) measurements were made using a linear position transducer. Validity was assessed by comparing measurements simultaneously obtained using the Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer Systemi and T-Force Dynamic Measurement Systemr (Ergotech, Murcia, Spain) during two resistance exercises, bench press (BP) and full back squat (BS), performed by 71 trained male subjects. For the reliability study, a further 32 men completed both lifts using the Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer Systemz in two identical testing sessions one week apart (session 1 vs. session 2). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) indicating the validity of the Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer Systemi were high, with values ranging from 0.853 to 0.989. Systematic biases and random errors were low to moderate for almost all variables, being higher in the case of PP (bias ±157.56 W; error ±131.84 W). Proportional biases were identified for almost all variables. Test-retest reliability was strong with ICCs ranging from 0.922 to 0.988. Reliability results also showed minimal systematic biases and random errors, which were only significant for PP (bias -19.19 W; error ±67.57 W). Only PV recorded in the BS showed no significant proportional bias. The Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer Systemi emerged as a reliable system for measuring movement velocity and estimating power in resistance exercises. The low biases and random errors observed here (mainly AV, AP) make this device a useful tool for monitoring resistance training. Key points This study determined the validity and reliability of peak velocity, average velocity, peak power and average power measurements made using a linear position transducer The Tendo Weight-lifting Analyzer Systemi emerged as a reliable system for measuring movement velocity and power. PMID:25729300

Ultrasound transducer modeling-received voltage signals and the use of half-wavelength window layers with acoustic coupling layers.

PubMed

Willatzen, M

1999-01-01

A general set of modeling equations for lossless one-dimensional multilayer ultrasound transducers is presented based on first principles. In particular, a direct relationship between ultrasound transducer results and the underlying physical principles of electroacoustics is given. As such, the model may provide better physical understanding for designers not fully versed in electrical circuits theory or in linear system analyses. The model is suitable for time-domain analysis and monofrequency design. Special attention is given to the determination of the time-dependent voltage across the receiver electrodes subject to a general voltage input, but information on any (dynamic) variable of interest is provided. The basic equations governing the dynamics of the multilayer structure acting as transmitter as well as receiver are solved by Fourier analysis and by imposing continuity of velocity and pressure between layers. Sound transmission between the two piezoelectric circuits is assumed to take place in a water bath such that the Rayleigh equation can be used to obtain the incoming pressure at the receiver aperture from the acceleration of the opposing transmitter aperture. Comparison with experimental results is possible by allowing coupling to external electric impedances. A numerical test case using a multilayered 1-MHz transducer for flow meter applications was considered and good agreement with experiments was obtained in terms of voltage signals. The transducer contains a half-wavelength stainless steel layer needed to resist corrosion, the ability to operate at temperatures in a wide range from 20 to 150 degrees Celsius, resistance to impact from flowing particles in the medium, high pressure or vacuum, and pH values up to 10 in some locations. The influence of epoxy glue and grease acoustic coupling layers-between the piezoceramics and the stainless steel layer-in the range from 1 to 70 mum was examined. It was shown that, for the same layer thickness, epoxy glue is preferred as compared with grease, both in terms of signal shapes and amplitudes. Finally, inclusion of appropriate electric impedances in the transmitter and receiver circuits is found to affect signal pulses strongly.

Expression of miR-17-92 enhances anti-tumor activity of T-cells transduced with the anti-EGFRvIII chimeric antigen receptor in mice bearing human GBM xenografts

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Expression of miR-17-92 enhances T-cell survival and interferon (IFN)-γ production. We previously reported that miR-17-92 is down-regulated in T-cells derived from glioblastoma (GBM) patients. We hypothesized that transgene-derived co-expression of miR17-92 and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) in T-cells would improve the efficacy of adoptive transfer therapy against GBM. Methods We constructed novel lentiviral vectors for miR-17-92 (FG12-EF1a-miR-17/92) and a CAR consisting of an epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII)-specific, single-chain variable fragment (scFv) coupled to the T-cell receptor CD3ζ chain signaling module and co-stimulatory motifs of CD137 (4-1BB) and CD28 in tandem (pELNS-3C10-CAR). Human T-cells were transduced with these lentiviral vectors, and their anti-tumor effects were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Results CAR-transduced T-cells (CAR-T-cells) exhibited potent, antigen-specific, cytotoxic activity against U87 GBM cells that stably express EGFRvIII (U87-EGFRvIII) and, when co-transduced with miR-17-92, exhibited improved survival in the presence of temozolomide (TMZ) compared with CAR-T-cells without miR-17-92 co-transduction. In mice bearing intracranial U87-EGFRvIII xenografts, CAR-T-cells with or without transgene-derived miR-17-92 expression demonstrated similar levels of therapeutic effect without demonstrating any uncontrolled growth of CAR-T-cells. However, when these mice were re-challenged with U87-EGFRvIII cells in their brains, mice receiving co-transduced CAR-T-cells exhibited improved protection compared with mice treated with CAR-T-cells without miR-17-92 co-transduction. Conclusion These results warrant the development of novel CAR-T-cell strategies that incorporate miR-17-92 to improve therapeutic potency, especially in patients with GBM. PMID:24829757

Expression of miR-17-92 enhances anti-tumor activity of T-cells transduced with the anti-EGFRvIII chimeric antigen receptor in mice bearing human GBM xenografts.

PubMed

Ohno, Masasuke; Ohkuri, Takayuki; Kosaka, Akemi; Tanahashi, Kuniaki; June, Carl H; Natsume, Atsushi; Okada, Hideho

2013-01-01

Expression of miR-17-92 enhances T-cell survival and interferon (IFN)-γ production. We previously reported that miR-17-92 is down-regulated in T-cells derived from glioblastoma (GBM) patients. We hypothesized that transgene-derived co-expression of miR17-92 and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) in T-cells would improve the efficacy of adoptive transfer therapy against GBM. We constructed novel lentiviral vectors for miR-17-92 (FG12-EF1a-miR-17/92) and a CAR consisting of an epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII)-specific, single-chain variable fragment (scFv) coupled to the T-cell receptor CD3ζ chain signaling module and co-stimulatory motifs of CD137 (4-1BB) and CD28 in tandem (pELNS-3C10-CAR). Human T-cells were transduced with these lentiviral vectors, and their anti-tumor effects were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. CAR-transduced T-cells (CAR-T-cells) exhibited potent, antigen-specific, cytotoxic activity against U87 GBM cells that stably express EGFRvIII (U87-EGFRvIII) and, when co-transduced with miR-17-92, exhibited improved survival in the presence of temozolomide (TMZ) compared with CAR-T-cells without miR-17-92 co-transduction. In mice bearing intracranial U87-EGFRvIII xenografts, CAR-T-cells with or without transgene-derived miR-17-92 expression demonstrated similar levels of therapeutic effect without demonstrating any uncontrolled growth of CAR-T-cells. However, when these mice were re-challenged with U87-EGFRvIII cells in their brains, mice receiving co-transduced CAR-T-cells exhibited improved protection compared with mice treated with CAR-T-cells without miR-17-92 co-transduction. These results warrant the development of novel CAR-T-cell strategies that incorporate miR-17-92 to improve therapeutic potency, especially in patients with GBM.

Student Solution Manual for Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering Third Edition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riley, K. F.; Hobson, M. P.

2006-03-01

Preface; 1. Preliminary algebra; 2. Preliminary calculus; 3. Complex numbers and hyperbolic functions; 4. Series and limits; 5. Partial differentiation; 6. Multiple integrals; 7. Vector algebra; 8. Matrices and vector spaces; 9. Normal modes; 10. Vector calculus; 11. Line, surface and volume integrals; 12. Fourier series; 13. Integral transforms; 14. First-order ordinary differential equations; 15. Higher-order ordinary differential equations; 16. Series solutions of ordinary differential equations; 17. Eigenfunction methods for differential equations; 18. Special functions; 19. Quantum operators; 20. Partial differential equations: general and particular; 21. Partial differential equations: separation of variables; 22. Calculus of variations; 23. Integral equations; 24. Complex variables; 25. Application of complex variables; 26. Tensors; 27. Numerical methods; 28. Group theory; 29. Representation theory; 30. Probability; 31. Statistics.

Convergence of miR-143 overexpression, oxidative stress and cell death in HCT116 human colon cancer cells.

PubMed

Gomes, Sofia E; Pereira, Diane M; Roma-Rodrigues, Catarina; Fernandes, Alexandra R; Borralho, Pedro M; Rodrigues, Cecília M P

2018-01-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate a wide variety of biological processes, including tumourigenesis. Altered miRNA expression is associated with deregulation of signalling pathways, which in turn cause abnormal cell growth and de-differentiation, contributing to cancer. miR-143 and miR-145 are anti-tumourigenic and influence the sensitivity of tumour cells to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Comparative proteomic analysis was performed in HCT116 human colon cancer cells stably transduced with miR-143 or miR-145. Immunoblotting analysis validated the proteomic data in stable and transient miRNA overexpression conditions in human colon cancer cells. We show that approximately 100 proteins are differentially expressed in HCT116 human colon cancer cells stably transduced with miR-143 or miR-145 compared to Empty control cells. Further, Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analysis indicated that proteins involved in specific cell signalling pathways such as cell death, response to oxidative stress, and protein folding might be modulated by these miRNAs. In particular, antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) was downregulated by stable expression of either miR-143 or miR-145. Further, SOD1 gain-of-function experiments rescued cells from miR-143-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, miR-143 overexpression increased oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis associated with reactive oxygen species generation, which was abrogated by genetic and pharmacological inhibition of oxidative stress. Overall, miR-143 might circumvent resistance of colon cancer cells to oxaliplatin via increased oxidative stress in HCT116 human colon cancer cells.

Misidentification of maternal heart rate as fetal on cardiotocography during the second stage of labor: the role of the fetal electrocardiograph.

PubMed

Nurani, Raisha; Chandraharan, Edwin; Lowe, Virginia; Ugwumadu, Austin; Arulkumaran, Sabaratnam

2012-12-01

To identify the incidence of fetal heart rate (FHR) accelerations in the second stage of labor and the role of fetal electrocardiograph (ECG) in avoiding misidentification of maternal heart rate (MHR) as FHR. Retrospective observational study. University hospital labor ward, London, UK. Cardiotocograph (CTG) tracings of 100 fetuses monitored using external transducers and internal scalp electrodes. CTG traces that fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected from an electronic FHR monitoring database. Rate of accelerations during external and internal monitoring as well as decelerations for a period of 60 minutes prior to delivery were determined. The role of fetal ECG in differentiating between MHR and FHR trace was explored. Decelerations occurred in 89% of CTG traces during the second stage of labor. Accelerations indicating possible recording of FHR or MHR were found in 28.1 and 10.9% of cases recorded by an external ultrasound transducer as well as internal scalp electrode, respectively. Accelerations coinciding with uterine contractions occurred only in 11.7 and 4% of external and internal recording of FHR, respectively. Absence of 'p-wave' of the ECG waveform was associated with MHR trace. Decelerations were the commonest CTG feature during the second stage of labor. The incidence of accelerations coinciding with uterine contractions was less than half in fetuses monitored using a fetal scalp electrode. Analysing the ECG waveform for the absence of 'p-wave' helps in differentiating MHR from FHR. © 2012 The Authors Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica© 2012 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Micromachined capacitive ultrasonic immersion transducer array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Xuecheng

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs) have emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers. They offer performance advantages of wide bandwidth and sensitivity that have heretofore been attainable. In addition, micromachining technology, which has benefited from the fast-growing microelectronics industry, enables cMUT array fabrication and electronics integration. This thesis describes the design and fabrication of micromachined capacitive ultrasonic immersion transducer arrays. The basic transducer electrical equivalent circuit is derived from Mason's theory. The effects of Lamb waves and Stoneley waves on cross coupling and acoustic losses are discussed. Electrical parasitics such as series resistance and shunt capacitance are also included in the model of the transducer. Transducer fabrication technology is systematically studied. Device dimension control in both vertical and horizontal directions, process alternatives and variations in membrane formation, via etch and cavity sealing, and metalization as well as their impact on transducer performance are summarized. Both 64 and 128 element 1-D array transducers are fabricated. Transducers are characterized in terms of electrical input impedance, bandwidth, sensitivity, dynamic range, impulse response and angular response, and their performance is compared with theoretical simulation. Various schemes for cross coupling reduction is analyzed, implemented, and verified with both experiments and theory. Preliminary results of immersion imaging are presented using 64 elements 1-D array transducers for active source imaging.

Design and analysis of fractional order seismic transducer for displacement and acceleration measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veeraian, Parthasarathi; Gandhi, Uma; Mangalanathan, Umapathy

2018-04-01

Seismic transducers are widely used for measurement of displacement, velocity, and acceleration. This paper presents the design of seismic transducer in the fractional domain for the measurement of displacement and acceleration. The fractional order transfer function for seismic displacement and acceleration transducer are derived using Grünwald-Letnikov derivative. Frequency response analysis of fractional order seismic displacement transducer (FOSDT) and fractional order seismic acceleration transducer (FOSAT) are carried out for different damping ratio with the different fractional order, and the maximum dynamic measurement range is identified. The results demonstrate that fractional order seismic transducer has increased dynamic measurement range and less phase distortion as compared to the conventional seismic transducer even with a lower damping ratio. Time response of FOSDT and FOSAT are derived analytically in terms of Mittag-Leffler function, the effect of fractional behavior in the time domain is evaluated from the impulse and step response. The fractional order system is found to have significantly reduced overshoot as compared to the conventional transducer. The fractional order seismic transducer design proposed in this paper is illustrated with a design example for FOSDT and FOSAT. Finally, an electrical equivalent of FOSDT and FOSAT is considered, and its frequency response is found to be in close agreement with the proposed fractional order seismic transducer.

Ultrasonic hydrometer

DOEpatents

Swoboda, Carl A.

1984-01-01

The disclosed ultrasonic hydrometer determines the specific gravity (density) of the electrolyte of a wet battery, such as a lead-acid battery. The hydrometer utilizes a transducer that when excited emits an ultrasonic impulse that traverses through the electrolyte back and forth between spaced sonic surfaces. The transducer detects the returning impulse, and means measures the time "t" between the initial and returning impulses. Considering the distance "d" between the spaced sonic surfaces and the measured time "t", the sonic velocity "V" is calculated with the equation "V=2d/t". The hydrometer also utilizes a thermocouple to measure the electrolyte temperature. A hydrometer database correlates three variable parameters including sonic velocity in and temperature and specific gravity of the electrolyte, for temperature values between 0.degree. and 40.degree. C. and for specific gravity values between 1.05 and 1.30. Upon knowing two parameters (the calculated sonic velocity and the measured temperature), the third parameter (specific gravity) can be uniquely found in the database. The hydrometer utilizes a microprocessor for data storage and manipulation. The disclosed modified battery has a hollow spacer nub on the battery side wall, the sonic surfaces being on the inside of the nub and the electrolyte filling between the surfaces to the exclusion of intervening structure. An accessible pad exposed on the nub wall opposite one sonic surface allows the reliable placement thereagainst of the transducer.

Control of complex components with Smart Flexible Phased Arrays.

PubMed

Casula, O; Poidevin, C; Cattiaux, G; Dumas, Ph

2006-12-22

The inspection is mainly performed in contact with ultrasonic wedge transducers; However, the shape cannot fit the changing geometries of components (butt weld, nozzle, elbow). The variable thickness of the coupling layer, between the wedge and the local surface, leads to beam distortions and losses of sensitivity. Previous studies have shown that these two phenomena contribute to reduce the inspection performances leading to shadow area, split beam.... Flexible phased arrays have been developed to fit the complex profile and improve such controls. The radiating surface is composed with independent piezoelectric elements mechanically assembled and a profilometer, embedded in the transducer, measures the local distortion. The computed shape is used by an algorithm to compute in real-time the adapted delay laws compensating the distortions of 2D or 3D profiles. Those delay laws are transferred to the real-time UT acquisition system, which applies them to the piezoelectric elements. This self-adaptive process preserves, during the scanning, the features of the focused beam (orientation and focal depth) in the specimen. To validate the concept of the Smart Flexible Phased Array Transducer, prototypes have been integrated to detect flaws machined in mock-ups with realistic irregular 2D and 3D shapes. Inspections have been carried out on samples showing the enhancement performances of the "Smart Flexible Phased Array" and validating the mechanical and acoustical behaviors of these probes.

Frequency coded sensors incorporating tapers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hines, Jacqueline H. (Inventor); Solie, Leland P. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

A surface acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate on which is formed a transducer that generates acoustic waves on the surface of the substrate from electrical waves received by the transducer. The waves are carried along an acoustic track to either a second transducer or a reflector. The transducers or transducer and reflector are formed of subsections that are constructed to operate at mutually different frequencies. The subsections of at least one of the transducers or transducer and reflector are out of alignment with respect to one another relative to the transverse of the propagation direction. The out of aligned subsections provide not only a frequency component but also a time to the signal output signal. Frequency response characteristics are improved. An alternative embodiment provides that the transducers and/or reflectors are continuously tapered instead of having discrete frequency subsections.

Nuclear matrix protein SMAR1 control regulatory T-cell fate during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

PubMed Central

Mirlekar, B; Ghorai, S; Khetmalas, M; Bopanna, R; Chattopadhyay, S

2015-01-01

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. Transcription factor Foxp3, a positive regulator of Treg cell differentiation, has been studied to some extent. Signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) is known to negatively regulate Foxp3. It is not clear how STAT3 is regulated during Treg differentiation. We show that SMAR1, a known transcription factor and tumor suppressor, is directly involved in maintaining Treg cell fate decision. T-cell-specific conditional knockdown of SMAR1 exhibits increased susceptibility towards inflammatory disorders, such as colitis. The suppressive function of Treg cells is compromised in the absence of SMAR1 leading to increased T helper type 17 (Th17) differentiation and inflammation. Compared with wild-type, the SMAR1−/− Treg cells showed increased susceptibility of inflammatory bowel disease in Rag1−/− mice, indicating the role of SMAR1 in compromising Treg cell differentiation resulting in severe colitis. We show that SMAR1 negatively regulate STAT3 expression favoring Foxp3 expression and Treg cell differentiation. SMAR1 binds to the MAR element of STAT3 promoter, present adjacent to interleukin-6 response elements. Thus Foxp3, a major driver of Treg cell differentiation, is regulated by SMAR1 via STAT3 and a fine-tune balance between Treg and Th17 phenotype is maintained. PMID:25993445

Transcription factor-based modulation of neural stem cell differentiation using direct protein transduction

PubMed Central

Stock, Kristin; Nolden, Lars; Edenhofer, Frank; Quandel, Tamara

2010-01-01

In contrast to conventional gene transfer strategies, the direct introduction of recombinant proteins into cells bypasses the risk of insertional mutagenesis and offers an alternative to genetic intervention. Here, we explore whether protein transduction of the gliogenic transcription factor Nkx2.2 can be used to promote oligodendroglial differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived neural stem cells (NSC). To that end, a recombinant cell-permeant form of Nkx2.2 protein was generated. Exposure of ESC-derived NSC to the recombinant protein and initiation of differentiation resulted in a two-fold increase in the number of oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, Nkx2.2-transduced cells exhibited a more mature oligodendroglial phenotype. Comparative viral gene transfer studies showed that the biological effect of Nkx2.2 protein transduction is comparable to that obtained by lentiviral transduction. The results of this proof-of-concept study depict direct intracellular delivery of transcription factors as alternative modality to control lineage differentiation in NSC cultures without genetic modification. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00018-010-0347-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. PMID:20352468

The Effect of Mechanical Stimulation on Mineralization in Differentiating Osteoblasts in Collagen-I Scaffolds

PubMed Central

Damaraju, Swathi; Matyas, John R.; Rancourt, Derrick E.

2014-01-01

Developing a viable and functional bone scaffold in vitro that is capable of surviving and bearing mechanical load in vivo requires an understanding of the cell biology of osteoprogenitor cells, particularly how they are influenced by mechanical stimulation during cell differentiation and maturation. In this study, mechanical load was applied using a modified FlexCell plate to impart confined compression to collagen-I scaffolds seeded with undifferentiated murine embryonic stem cells. The activity, presence, and expression of osteoblast-cadherin (OB-Cad) and connexin-43, as well as various pluripotent and osteogenic markers were examined at 5–30 days of differentiation as cells were stimulated to differentiate to osteoblasts with and without applied mechanical load. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, immunofluorescence, viability, von Kossa, and real-time polymerase chain reaction assessments revealed that mechanical prestimulation of this cell-seeded scaffold altered the expression of OB-Cad and connexin-43 and resulted in significant differences in the structure and organization of mineralization present in the collagen matrix. Specifically, cells in gels that were loaded for 40 h after 5 days of differentiation and then left to fully differentiate for 30 days produced a highly structured honeycomb-shaped mineralization in the matrix; an outcome that was previously shown to be indicative of late osteoblast/early osteocyte activity. This study highlights the potential of mechanical load to accelerate differentiation and enhance osteoblast communication and function during the differentiation process, and highlights a time point of cell differentiation within this scaffold to apply load in order to most effectively transduce a mechanical signal. PMID:24851936

Apolipoprotein E promotes lipid accumulation and differentiation in human adipocytes

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

Lasrich, Dorothee; Bartelt, Alexander; Grewal, Thomas, E-mail: thomas.grewal@sydney.edu.au

Several studies in mice indicate a role for apolipoprotein E (APOE) in lipid accumulation and adipogenic differentiation in adipose tissue. However, little is yet known if APOE functions in a similar manner in human adipocytes. This prompted us to compare lipid loading and expression of adipocyte differentiation markers in APOE-deficient and control adipocytes using the differentiated human mesenchymal stem cell line hMSC-Tert as well as primary human and mouse adipocytes as model systems. Differentiated hMSC-Tert were stably transduced with or without siRNA targeting APOE while murine adipocytes were isolated from wild type and Apoe knockout mice. Human APOE knockdown hMSC-Tertmore » adipocytes accumulated markedly less triglycerides compared to control cells. This correlated with strongly decreased gene expression levels of adipocyte markers such as adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) as well as the key transcription factor driving adipocyte differentiation, peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma (PPARG), in particular the PPARG2 isoform. Similarly, differentiation of murine Apoe-deficient adipocytes was characterized by reduced gene expression of Adipoq, Fabp4 and Pparg. Interestingly, incubation of APOE-deficient hMSC-Tert adipocytes with conditioned media from APOE3-overexpressing adipocytes or APOE-containing Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) partially restored triglyceride accumulation, but were unable to induce adipocyte differentiation, as judged by expression of adipocyte markers. Taken together, depletion of endogenous APOE in human adipocytes severely impairs lipid accumulation, which is associated with an inability to initiate differentiation. - Highlights: • Immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells were used to study adipocyte development. • Knockdown of endogenous APOE lead to impaired lipid accumulation and adipogenesis. • APOE supplementation partially restored lipid accumulation but not differentiation. • Findings suggest dual functions of APOE for lipid accumulation and differentiation.« less

Superficial Ultrasound Shear Wave Speed Measurements in Soft and Hard Elasticity Phantoms: Repeatability and Reproducibility Using Two Different Ultrasound Systems

PubMed Central

Dillman, Jonathan R.; Chen, Shigao; Davenport, Matthew S.; Zhao, Heng; Urban, Matthew W.; Song, Pengfei; Watcharotone, Kuanwong; Carson, Paul L.

2014-01-01

Background There is a paucity of data available regarding the repeatability and reproducibility of superficial shear wave speed (SWS) measurements at imaging depths relevant to the pediatric population. Purpose To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of superficial shear wave speed (SWS) measurements acquired from elasticity phantoms at varying imaging depths using three different imaging methods, two different ultrasound systems, and multiple operators. Methods and Materials Soft and hard elasticity phantoms manufactured by Computerized Imaging Reference Systems, Inc. (Norfolk, VA) were utilized for our investigation. Institution #1 used an Acuson S3000 ultrasound system (Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.) and three different shear wave imaging method/transducer combinations, while institution #2 used an Aixplorer ultrasound system (Supersonic Imagine) and two different transducers. Ten stiffness measurements were acquired from each phantom at three depths (1.0, 2.5, and 4.0 cm) by four operators at each institution. Student’s t-test was used to compare SWS measurements between imaging techniques, while SWS measurement agreement was assessed with two-way random effects single measure intra-class correlation coefficients and coefficients of variation. Mixed model regression analysis determined the effect of predictor variables on SWS measurements. Results For the soft phantom, the average of mean SWS measurements across the various imaging methods and depths was 0.84 ± 0.04 m/s (mean ± standard deviation) for the Acuson S3000 system and 0.90 ± 0.02 m/s for the Aixplorer system (p=0.003). For the hard phantom, the average of mean SWS measurements across the various imaging methods and depths was 2.14 ± 0.08 m/s for the Acuson S3000 system and 2.07 ± 0.03 m/s Aixplorer system (p>0.05). The coefficients of variation were low (0.5–6.8%), and inter-operator agreement was near-perfect (ICCs ≥0.99). Shear wave imaging method and imaging depth significantly affected measured SWS (p<0.0001). Conclusions Superficial SWS measurements in elasticity phantoms demonstrate minimal variability across imaging method/transducer combinations, imaging depths, and between operators. The exact clinical significance of this variability is uncertain and may vary by organ and specific disease state. PMID:25249389

Trielectrode capacitive pressure transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coon, G. W. (Inventor)

1976-01-01

A capacitive transducer and circuit especially suited for making measurements in a high-temperature environment are described. The transducer includes two capacitive electrodes and a shield electrode. As the temperature of the transducer rises, the resistance of the insulation between the capacitive electrode decreases and a resistive current attempts to interfere with the capacitive current between the capacitive electrodes. The shield electrode and the circuit coupled there reduce the resistive current in the transducer. A bridge-type circuit coupled to the transducer ignores the resistive current and measures only the capacitive current flowing between the capacitive electrodes.

A simple uniformity test for ultrasound phased arrays.

PubMed

Dudley, Nicholas J; Woolley, Darren J

2016-09-01

It is difficult to test phased array ultrasound transducers for non functioning elements. We aimed to modify a widely performed test to improve its ease and effectiveness for these arrays. A paperclip was slowly moved along the transducer array, with the scanner operating in M-mode, imaging at a fundamental frequency with automatic gain and grey scale adjustment disabled. Non-functioning elements are identified by a dark vertical line in the image. The test was repeated several times for each transducer, looking for consistency of results. 2 transducers, with faults already shown by electronic transducer testing, were used to validate the method. 23 transducers in clinical use were tested. The results of the modified test on the 2 faulty transducers agreed closely with electronic transducer testing results. The test indicated faults in 5 of the 23 transducers in clinical use: 3 with a single failed element and 2 with non-uniform sensitivity. 1 transducer with non-uniform sensitivity had undergone lens repair; the new lens was visibly non-uniform in thickness and further testing showed a reduction in depth of penetration and a loss of elevational focus in comparison with a new transducer. The modified test is capable of detecting non-functioning elements. Further work is required to provide a better understanding of more subtle faults. Copyright © 2016 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. All rights reserved.

Effect of Surface Pressure Integration Methodology on Launch Vehicle Buffet Forcing Functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sekula, Martin K.; Piatak, David J.; Rausch, Russ D.

2016-01-01

The 2014 test of the Space Launch System (SLS) Rigid Buffet Model conducted at the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel employed an extremely high number of unsteady pressure transducers. The high channel count provided an opportunity to examine the effect of transducer placement on the resulting buffet forcing functions (BFFs). Rings of transducers on the forward half of the model were employed to simulate a single-body vehicle. The impact of transducer density, circumferential distribution, and loss of a single transducer on the resulting BFFs were examined. Rings of transducers on the aft half of the SLS model were employed to examine the effect of transducer density and circumferential distribution on BFFs for a multi-body configuration. Transducer placement considerations with respect to model size, facility infrastructure, and data acquisition system capabilities, which affect the integration process, are also discussed.

A U-shaped linear ultrasonic motor using longitudinal vibration transducers with double feet.

PubMed

Liu, Yingxiang; Liu, Junkao; Chen, Weishan; Shi, Shengjun

2012-05-01

A U-shaped linear ultrasonic motor using longitudinal vibration transducers with double feet was proposed in this paper. The proposed motor contains a horizontal transducer and two vertical transducers. The horizontal transducer includes two exponential shape horns located at the leading ends, and each vertical transducer contains one exponential shape horn. The horns of the horizontal transducer and the vertical transducer intersect at the tip ends where the driving feet are located. Longitudinal vibrations are superimposed in the motor and generate elliptical motions at the driving feet. The two vibration modes of the motor are discussed, and the motion trajectories of driving feet are deduced. By adjusting the structural parameters, the resonance frequencies of two vibration modes were degenerated. A prototype motor was fabricated and measured. Typical output of the prototype is no-load speed of 854 mm/s and maximum thrust force of 40 N at a voltage of 200 V(rms).

Software feedback for monochromator tuning at UNICAT (abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jemian, Pete R.

2002-03-01

Automatic tuning of double-crystal monochromators presents an interesting challenge in software. The goal is to either maximize, or hold constant, the throughput of the monochromator. An additional goal of the software feedback is to disable itself when there is no beam and then, at the user's discretion, re-enable itself when the beam returns. These and other routine goals, such as adherence to limits of travel for positioners, are maintained by software controls. Many solutions exist to lock in and maintain a fixed throughput. Among these include a hardware solution involving a wave form generator, and a lock-in amplifier to autocorrelate the movement of a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) providing fine adjustment of the second crystal Bragg angle. This solution does not work when the positioner is a slow acting device such as a stepping motor. Proportional integral differential (PID) loops have been used to provide feedback through software but additional controls must be provided to maximize the monochromator throughput. Presented here is a software variation of the PID loop which meets the above goals. By using two floating point variables as inputs, representing the intensity of x rays measured before and after the monochromator, it attempts to maximize (or hold constant) the ratio of these two inputs by adjusting an output floating point variable. These floating point variables are connected to hardware channels corresponding to detectors and positioners. When the inputs go out of range, the software will stop making adjustments to the control output. Not limited to monochromator feedback, the software could be used, with beam steering positioners, to maintain a measure of beam position. Advantages of this software feedback are the flexibility of its various components. It has been used with stepping motors and PZTs as positioners. Various devices such as ion chambers, scintillation counters, photodiodes, and photoelectron collectors have been used as detectors. The software provides significant cost savings over hardware feedback methods. Presently implemented in EPICS, the software is sufficiently general to any automated instrument control system.

Ultrasonic hydrometer. [Specific gravity of electrolyte

DOEpatents

Swoboda, C.A.

1982-03-09

The disclosed ultrasonic hydrometer determines the specific gravity (density) of the electrolyte of a wet battery, such as a lead-acid battery. The hydrometer utilizes a transducer that when excited emits an ultrasonic impulse that traverses through the electrolyte back and forth between spaced sonic surfaces. The transducer detects the returning impulse, and means measures the time t between the initial and returning impulses. Considering the distance d between the spaced sonic surfaces and the measured time t, the sonic velocity V is calculated with the equation V = 2d/t. The hydrometer also utilizes a thermocouple to measure the electrolyte temperature. A hydrometer database correlates three variable parameters including sonic velocity in and temperature and specific gravity of the electrolyte, for temperature values between 0 and 40/sup 0/C and for specific gravity values between 1.05 and 1.30. Upon knowing two parameters (the calculated sonic velocity and the measured temperature), the third parameter (specific gravity) can be uniquely found in the database. The hydrometer utilizes a microprocessor for data storage and manipulation.

Device and method for skull-melting depth measurement

DOEpatents

Lauf, R.J.; Heestand, R.L.

1993-02-09

A method of skull-melting comprises the steps of: (a) providing a vessel adapted for a skull-melting process, the vessel having an interior, an underside, and an orifice connecting the interior and the underside; (b) disposing a waveguide in the orifice so that the waveguide protrudes sufficiently into the interior to interact with the skull-melting process; (c) providing a signal energy transducer in signal communication with the waveguide; (d) introducing into the vessel a molten working material; (e) carrying out the skull-melting process so that a solidified skull of the working material is formed, the skull and the vessel having an interface therebetween, the skull becoming fused to the waveguide so the signal energy can be transmitted through the waveguide and the skull without interference from the interface; (f) activating the signal energy transducer so that a signal is propagated through the waveguide; and, (g) controlling at least one variable of the skull-melting process utilizing feedback information derived from the propagated signal energy.

New Ultrasonic Controller and Characterization System for Low Temperature Drying Process Intensification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrés, R. R.; Blanco, A.; Acosta, V. M.; Riera, E.; Martínez, I.; Pinto, A.

Process intensification constitutes a high interesting and promising industrial area. It aims to modify conventional processes or develop new technologies in order to reduce energy needs, increase yields and improve product quality. It has been demonstrated by this research group (CSIC) that power ultrasound have a great potential in food drying processes. The effects associated with the application of power ultrasound can enhance heat and mass transfer and may constitute a way for process intensification. The objective of this work has been the design and development of a new ultrasonic system for the power characterization of piezoelectric plate-transducers, as excitation, monitoring, analysis, control and characterization of their nonlinear response. For this purpose, the system proposes a new, efficient and economic approach that separates the effect of different parameters of the process like excitation, medium and transducer parameters and variables (voltage, current, frequency, impedance, vibration velocity, acoustic pressure and temperature) by observing the electrical, mechanical, acoustical and thermal behavior, and controlling the vibrational state.

Device and method for skull-melting depth measurement

DOEpatents

Lauf, Robert J.; Heestand, Richard L.

1993-01-01

A method of skull-melting comprises the steps of: a. providing a vessel adapted for a skull-melting process, the vessel having an interior, an underside, and an orifice in connecting the interior and the underside; b. disposing a waveguide in the orifice so that the waveguide protrudes sufficiently into the interior to interact with the skull-melting process; c. providing a signal energy transducer in signal communication with the waveguide; d. introducing into the vessel a molten working material; e. carrying out the skull-melting process so that a solidified skull of the working material is formed, the skull and the vessel having an interface therebetween, the skull becoming fused to the waveguide so the signal energy can be transmitted through the waveguide and the skull without interference from the interface; f. activating the signal energy transducer so that a signal is propagated through the waveguide; and, g. controlling at least one variable of the skull-melting process utilizing feedback information derived from the propagated signal energy.

Differential phase acoustic microscope for micro-NDE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waters, David D.; Pusateri, T. L.; Huang, S. R.

1992-01-01

A differential phase scanning acoustic microscope (DP-SAM) was developed, fabricated, and tested in this project. This includes the acoustic lens and transducers, driving and receiving electronics, scanning stage, scanning software, and display software. This DP-SAM can produce mechanically raster-scanned acoustic microscopic images of differential phase, differential amplitude, or amplitude of the time gated returned echoes of the samples. The differential phase and differential amplitude images provide better image contrast over the conventional amplitude images. A specially designed miniature dual beam lens was used to form two foci to obtain the differential phase and amplitude information of the echoes. High image resolution (1 micron) was achieved by applying high frequency (around 1 GHz) acoustic signals to the samples and placing two foci close to each other (1 micron). Tone burst was used in this system to obtain a good estimation of the phase differences between echoes from the two adjacent foci. The system can also be used to extract the V(z) acoustic signature. Since two acoustic beams and four receiving modes are available, there are 12 possible combinations to produce an image or a V(z) scan. This provides a unique feature of this system that none of the existing acoustic microscopic systems can provide for the micro-nondestructive evaluation applications. The entire system, including the lens, electronics, and scanning control software, has made a competitive industrial product for nondestructive material inspection and evaluation and has attracted interest from existing acoustic microscope manufacturers.

Inhibitory effect of leptin on rosiglitazone-induced differentiation of primary adipocytes prepared from TallyHO/Jng mice

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

Kim, Ki Young; Kim, Joo Young; Sung, Yoon-Young

2011-03-25

Research highlights: {yields} In this study, we investigated the effects of leptin on adipocyte differentiation prepared from subcutaneous fat of TallyHo mice. {yields} Leptin inhibited the adipocytes differentiation at physiological concentration via inhibition of PPAR{gamma} expression. {yields} Inhibitors of ERK and STAT1 restored the leptin's inhibitory activity both in vitro and in vivo. -- Abstract: The effects of leptin on rosiglitazone-induced adipocyte differentiation were investigated in the primary adipocytes prepared from subcutaneous fat of TallyHO/Jng (TallyHO) mouse, a recently developed model animal for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The treatment of leptin inhibited the rosiglitazone-induced adipocyte differentiation with a decreasedmore » expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor {gamma} (PPAR{gamma}) a key adipogenic transcription factor, both in mRNA and protein levels. Leptin (10 nM) was sufficient to inhibit the adipocyte differentiation, which seemed to come from increased expression of leptin receptor genes in the fat of TallyHO mice. The inhibition of adipogenesis by leptin was restored by the treatment of inhibitors for extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) (PD98059) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) (fludarabine). Furthermore, in vivo intraperitoneal administration of PD98059 and fludarabine increased the PPAR{gamma} expression in the subcutaneous fat of TallyHO mice. These data suggest that leptin could inhibit the PPAR{gamma} expression and adipocyte differentiation in its physiological concentration in TallyHO mice.« less

Surface Acoustic Wave Transducer Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-05-01

B. Network Analysis 48 C. Experimental Results 53 D. Conc lusions 56 VI. Analysis of SAW Propagation in Layered Structures . . . 56 A. Introduction...unLdtrect1ona~ transducer and the associated matching networks . The capacity weighted transducer consists of a layered structure in which the lower...CAPACITIVELY WEIGHTED TRANSDUCERS A. Introduction The capacitive tap weight network transducer (CNN) has been pre- .5 sented in the interim as an

ELECTRIC PULSE GENERATOR

DOEpatents

Buntenbach, R.W.

1959-06-01

S>An electro-optical apparatus is described which produces electric pulses in programmed sequences at times and durations controlled with great accuracy. An oscilloscope CRT is supplied with signals to produce a luminous spot moving in a circle. An opaque mask with slots of variable width transmits light from the spot to a photoelectric transducer. For shorter pulse decay times a CRT screen which emits UV can be used with a UVtransmitting filter and a UV- sensitive photoelectric cell. Pulses are varied by changing masks or by using masks with variable slots. This device may be used in multiple arrangements to produce other pulse aT rangements, or it can be used to trigger an electronic pulse generator. (T.R.H.)

Analog circuit for controlling acoustic transducer arrays

DOEpatents

Drumheller, Douglas S.

1991-01-01

A simplified ananlog circuit is presented for controlling electromechanical transducer pairs in an acoustic telemetry system. The analog circuit of this invention comprises a single electrical resistor which replaces all of the digital components in a known digital circuit. In accordance with this invention, a first transducer in a transducer pair of array is driven in series with the resistor. The voltage drop across this resistor is then amplified and used to drive the second transducer. The voltage drop across the resistor is proportional and in phase with the current to the transducer. This current is approximately 90 degrees out of phase with the driving voltage to the transducer. This phase shift replaces the digital delay required by the digital control circuit of the prior art.

Simple method for measuring vibration amplitude of high power airborne ultrasonic transducer: using thermo-couple.

PubMed

Saffar, Saber; Abdullah, Amir

2014-03-01

Vibration amplitude of transducer's elements is the influential parameters in the performance of high power airborne ultrasonic transducers to control the optimum vibration without material yielding. The vibration amplitude of elements of provided high power airborne transducer was determined by measuring temperature of the provided high power airborne transducer transducer's elements. The results showed that simple thermocouples can be used both to measure the vibration amplitude of transducer's element and an indicator to power transmission to the air. To verify our approach, the power transmission to the air has been investigated by other common method experimentally. The experimental results displayed good agreement with presented approach. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Method and apparatus for generating acoustic energy

DOEpatents

Guerrero, Hector N.

2002-01-01

A method and apparatus for generating and emitting amplified coherent acoustic energy. A cylindrical transducer is mounted within a housing, the transducer having an acoustically open end and an acoustically closed end. The interior of the transducer is filled with an active medium which may include scattering nuclei. Excitation of the transducer produces radially directed acoustic energy in the active medium, which is converted by the dimensions of the transducer, the acoustically closed end thereof, and the scattering nuclei, to amplified coherent acoustic energy directed longitudinally within the transducer. The energy is emitted through the acoustically open end of the transducer. The emitted energy can be used for, among other things, effecting a chemical reaction or removing scale from the interior walls of containment vessels.

Piezoelectric and Electrostrictive Materials for Transducer Applications. Volume 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

3 Composites for Hydrophone Applications ...................... 2 2.3.1 Lead Bismuth Titanate Ferrate Compositions ................. 2 2.3.2...external variables are considered. 2.3 0:3 Composites for Hydrophone Applications 2.3.1 Lead Bismuth Titanate Ferrate Compositions the-"Following up...34" Even for doped samples however, the best results were obtained at the 50% bismuth ferrate composition. 0.. W* . - ’ w-w~-,wn~ , 7WI W W PP7W-w7WnM

Copper vapor laser acoustic thermometry system

DOEpatents

Galkowski, Joseph J.

1987-01-01

A copper vapor laser (CVL) acoustic thermometry system is disclosed. The invention couples an acoustic pulse a predetermined distance into a laser tube by means of a transducer and an alumina rod such that an echo pulse is returned along the alumina rod to the point of entry. The time differential between the point of entry of the acoustic pulse into the laser tube and the exit of the echo pulse is related to the temperature at the predetermined distance within the laser tube. This information is processed and can provide an accurate indication of the average temperature within the laser tube.

Some Computed Effects of Dome Skin and Temperature Differential on Operation of the AN/SQS-26 Sonar Equipment

DTIC Science & Technology

1963-10-04

Tolerances of Transducer Elements and Preamplifiers on Beam Formation and SSI Performance in the AN/SQS-26 Sonar Equipment (U)", TRACOR Document Number 63...SQS-26 SONAR EQUIPMENT (U) Prepared for GROLP - 4 DOWNGRADED AT% YEAR INTERVALS: l LJ.I The Bureau of Ships DECLASSIFIED A ER 12 YEARS. r . Code 688E t...ON.PERATION OF THEP ,,, Ts 4a nAinS-26 SONAR pul i~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~%,i forre o teSFXPora aaeet Prepared for Bull by: DSS11TIAVAILAIIL CODES The Bureau of Ships

Transducer applications, a compilation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The characteristics and applications of transducers are discussed. Subjects presented are: (1) thermal measurements, (2) liquid level and fluid flow measurements, (3) pressure transducers, (4) stress-strain measurements, (5) acceleration and velocity measurements, (6) displacement and angular rotation, and (7) transducer test and calibration methods.

Stress field forming of sector array transducers for vibro-acoustography.

PubMed

Silva, Glauber T; Chen, Shigao; Frery, Alejandro C; Greenleaf, James F; Fatemi, Mostafa

2005-11-01

This paper presents a study of the stress field forming of sector array transducers for vibro-acoustography applications. The system point-spread function (PSF) is given in terms of the dynamic radiation stress exerted on a point target by a dual ultrasound beam with slightly different frequencies. The radiation stress is calculated by assuming that the resulting ultrasound beam is a plane wave. The stress is proportional to the product of the velocity potential of each incident ultrasound beam. The beamforming and stress field forming of sector array transducers are analyzed through linear acoustics. An expression for the velocity potential produced by sector array transducers is derived. The vibro-acoustography PSF is evaluated numerically. A comparison between the PSF of a sector array and a confocal transducers is presented. The compared characteristics of the PSF are sidelobe levels, transverse, and in-depth spatial resolution. Indeed, one motivation to study sector transducers is the fact the depth-of-field of these transducers should be smaller than that of same size confocal transducers. An experimental setup was used to validate the theoretical PSF of sector array transducers. Results show that the measured PSF is in good agreement with the theoretical predications. Vibro-acoustography images of a breast-phantom by both transducers are presented and discussed.

An absolute method for determination of misalignment of an immersion ultrasonic transducer.

PubMed

Narayanan, M M; Singh, Narender; Kumar, Anish; Babu Rao, C; Jayakumar, T

2014-12-01

An absolute methodology has been developed for quantification of misalignment of an ultrasonic transducer using a corner-cube retroreflector. The amplitude based and the time of flight (TOF) based C-scans of the reflector are obtained for various misalignments of the transducer. At zero degree orientation of the transducer, the vertical positions of the maximum amplitude and the minimum TOF in the C-scan coincide. At any other orientation of the transducer with the horizontal plane, there is a vertical shift in the position of the maximum amplitude with respect to the minimum TOF. The position of the minimum (TOF) remains the same irrespective of the orientation of the transducer and hence is used as a reference for any misalignment of the transducer. With the measurement of the vertical shift and the horizontal distance between the transducer and the vertex of the reflector, the misalignment of the transducer is quantified. Based on the methodology developed in the present study, retroreflectors are placed in the Indian 500MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor for assessment of the orientation of the ultrasonic transducer prior to the under-sodium ultrasonic scanning for detection of any protrusion of the subassemblies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

MicroRNA-194 promotes osteoblast differentiation via downregulating STAT1

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

Li, Jun; He, Xijing; Wei, Wenzhi

Osteoblast differentiation is a vital process in maintaining bone homeostasis in which various transcriptional factors, signaling molecules, and microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved. Recently, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) has been found to play an important role in regulating osteoblast differentiation. Here, we identified that STAT1 expression was regulated by miR-194. Using mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), we found that miR-194 expression was significantly increased following osteoblast differentiation induction. Overexpression of miR-194 by lentivirus-mediated gene transfer markedly increased osteoblast differentiation, whereas inhibition of miR-194 significantly suppressed osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs. Using a dual-luciferase reporter assay, a directmore » interaction between miR-194 and the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of STAT1 was confirmed. Additionally, miR-194 regulated mRNA and protein expression of STAT1 in BMSCs. Further analysis showed that miR-194 overexpression promoted the nuclear translocation of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), which is critical for osteoblast differentiation. In contrast, inhibition of miR-194 blocked the nuclear translocation of Runx2. Moreover, overexpression of STAT1 significantly blocked Runx2 nuclear translocation and osteoblast differentiation mediated by miR-194 overexpression. Taken together, our data suggest that miR-194 regulates osteoblast differentiation through modulating STAT1-mediated Runx2 nuclear translocation. - Highlights: • Overexpression of miR-194 significantly increased osteoblast differentiation. • miR-194 directly targeted the 3′- UTR of STAT1. • miR-194 regulated the expression of STAT1. • Overexpression of miR-194 promoted the nuclear translocation of Runx2.« less

Differential Measurement Periodontal Structures Mapping System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Companion, John A. (Inventor)

1998-01-01

This invention relates to a periodontal structure mapping system employing a dental handpiece containing first and second acoustic sensors for locating the Cemento-Enamel Junction (CEJ) and measuring the differential depth between the CEJ and the bottom of the periodontal pocket. Measurements are taken at multiple locations on each tooth of a patient, observed, analyzed by an optical analysis subsystem, and archived by a data storage system for subsequent study and comparison with previous and subsequent measurements. Ultrasonic transducers for the first and second acoustic sensors are contained within the handpiece and in connection with a control computer. Pressurized water is provided for the depth measurement sensor and a linearly movable probe sensor serves as the sensor for the CEJ finder. The linear movement of the CEJ sensor is obtained by a control computer actuated by the prober. In an alternate embodiment, the CEJ probe is an optical fiber sensor with appropriate analysis structure provided therefor.

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) stably expressing CRISPR-based synergistic activation mediator (SAM).

PubMed

Xiong, Kai; Zhou, Yan; Hyttel, Poul; Bolund, Lars; Freude, Kristine Karla; Luo, Yonglun

2016-11-01

Human fibroblasts were engineered to express the CRISPR-based synergistic activation mediator (SAM) complex: dCas9-VP64 and MS2-P65-HSF1. Two induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) clones expressing SAM were established by transducing these fibroblasts with lentivirus expressing OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and C-MYC. We have validated that the reprogramming cassette is silenced in the SAM iPSC clones. Expression of pluripotency genes (OCT4, SOX2, LIN28A, NANOG, GDF3, SSEA4, and TRA-1-60), differentiation potential to all three germ layers, and normal karyotypes are validated. These SAM-iPSCs provide a novel, useful tool to investigate genetic regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation through CRISPR-mediated activation of endogenous genes. Copyright © 2016 Michael Boutros, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electronic scanning pressure measuring system and transducer package

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coe, C. F. (Inventor); Parra, G. T.

1984-01-01

An electronic scanning pressure system that includes a plurality of pressure transducers is examined. A means obtains an electrical signal indicative of a pressure measurement from each of the plurality of pressure transducers. A multiplexing means is connected for selectivity supplying inputs from the plurality of pressure transducers to the signal obtaining means. A data bus connects the plurality of pressure transducers to the multiplexing means. A latch circuit is connected to supply control inputs to the multiplexing means. An address bus is connected to supply an address signal of a selected one of the plurality of pressure transducers to the latch circuit. In operation, each of the pressure transducers is successively scanned by the multiplexing means in response to address signals supplied on the address bus to the latch circuit.

Standing wave performance test of IDT-SAW transducer prepared by silk-screen printing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ziping; Jiang, Zhengxuan; Chen, Liangbin; Li, Yefei; Li, Meixia; Wang, Shaohan

2018-05-01

With the advantages of high performance and low loss, interdigital surface acoustic wave (IDT-SAW) transducers are widely used in the fields of nondestructive testing, communication and broadcasting. The production, performance and application of surface acoustic wave (SAW) actuators has become a research hotspot. Based on the basic principle of SAW, an IDT-SAW transducer is designed and fabricated using silk-screen printing in this work. The experiment results show that in terms of SAW performance, the fabricated IDT-SAW transducer can generate standing wave fields comparable to those generated using traditional fabrication methods. The resonant frequency response of the IDT-SAW transducer and SAW attenuation coefficient were obtained by experiments. It has provided a method to test the transducer sensing performance by using fabricated IDT-SAW transducer.

A Chimeric HS4-SAR Insulator (IS2) That Prevents Silencing and Enhances Expression of Lentiviral Vectors in Pluripotent Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Gutierrez-Guerrero, Alejandra; Cobo, Marién; Muñoz, Pilar

2014-01-01

Chromatin insulators, such as the chicken β-globin locus control region hypersensitive site 4 (HS4), and scaffold/matrix attachment regions (SARs/MARs) have been incorporated separately or in combination into retroviral vectors (RVs) in order to increase transgene expression levels, avoid silencing and reduce expression variability. However, their incorporation into RVs either produces a reduction on titer and/or expression levels or do not have sufficient effect on stem cells. In order to develop an improved insulator we decided to combine SAR elements with HS4 insulators. We designed several synthetic shorter SAR elements containing 4 or 5 MAR/SARs recognition signatures (MRS) and studied their effects on a lentiviral vector (LV) expressing eGFP through the SFFV promoter (SE). A 388 bp SAR element containing 5 MRS, named SAR2, was as efficient or superior to the other SARs analyzed. SAR2 enhanced transgene expression and reduced silencing and variability on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We next compared the effect of different HS4-based insulators, the HS4-Core (250 bp), the HS4-Ext (400 bp) and the HS4-650 (650 bp). All HS4 elements reduced silencing and expression variability but they also had a negative effect on transgene expression levels and titer. In general, the HS4-650 element had a better overall effect. Based on these data we developed a chimeric insulator, IS2, combining the SAR2 and the HS4-650. When incorporated into the 3′ LTR of the SE LV, the IS2 element was able to enhance expression, avoid silencing and reduce variability of expression on hESCs. Importantly, these effects were maintained after differentiation of the transduced hESCs toward the hematopoietic linage. Neither the HS4-650 nor the SAR2 elements had these effects. The IS2 element is therefore a novel insulator that confers expression stability and enhances expression of LVs on stem cells. PMID:24400083

Ultrasound pressure distributions generated by high frequency transducers in large reactors.

PubMed

Leong, Thomas; Coventry, Michael; Swiergon, Piotr; Knoerzer, Kai; Juliano, Pablo

2015-11-01

The performance of an ultrasound reactor chamber relies on the sound pressure level achieved throughout the system. The active volume of a high frequency ultrasound chamber can be determined by the sound pressure penetration and distribution provided by the transducers. This work evaluated the sound pressure levels and uniformity achieved in water by selected commercial scale high frequency plate transducers without and with reflector plates. Sound pressure produced by ultrasonic plate transducers vertically operating at frequencies of 400 kHz (120 W) and 2 MHz (128 W) was characterized with hydrophones in a 2 m long chamber and their effective operating distance across the chamber's vertical cross section was determined. The 2 MHz transducer produced the highest pressure amplitude near the transducer surface, with a sharp decline of approximately 40% of the sound pressure occurring in the range between 55 and 155 mm from the transducer. The placement of a reflector plate 500 mm from the surface of the transducer was shown to improve the sound pressure uniformity of 2 MHz ultrasound. Ultrasound at 400 kHz was found to penetrate the fluid up to 2 m without significant losses. Furthermore, 400 kHz ultrasound generated a more uniform sound pressure distribution regardless of the presence or absence of a reflector plate. The choice of the transducer distance to the opposite reactor wall therefore depends on the transducer plate frequency selected. Based on pressure measurements in water, large scale 400 kHz reactor designs can consider larger transducer distance to opposite wall and larger active cross-section, and therefore can reach higher volumes than when using 2 MHz transducer plates. Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ultrasound transducer shape has no effect on measurements of lumbar multifidus muscle size.

PubMed

Worsley, Peter R; Smith, Nicholas; Warner, Martin B; Stokes, Maria

2012-04-01

Evidence is currently lacking for guidance on ultrasound transducer configuration (shape) when imaging muscle to measure its size. This study compared measurements made of lumbar multifidus on images obtained using curvilinear and linear transducers. Fifteen asymptomatic males (aged 21-32 years) had their right lumbar multifidus imaged at L3. Two transverse images were taken with two transducers (5 MHz curvilinear and 6 MHz linear), and linear and cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements were made off-line. Reliability of image interpretation was shown using intra-class correlation coefficients (0.78-0.99). Muscle measurements were compared between transducers using Bland and Altman plots and paired t-tests. Relationships between CSA and linear measurements were examined using Pearson's Correlation Coefficients. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the measurements of the two transducers. Thickness and CSA measurements had small differences between transducers, with mean differences of 0.01 cm (SDdiff = 0.21 cm) and 0.03 cm(2) (SDdiff = 0.58 cm(2)) respectively. Width measures had a mean difference of 0.14 cm, with the linear transducer giving larger measures. Significant correlations (p < 0.001) were found between all linear measures and CSA, with both transducers (r = 0.78-0.89). Measurements of multifidus at L3 were not influenced by the configuration of transducers of similar frequency. For the purposes of image interpretation, the curvilinear transducer produced better definition of the lateral muscle border, suggesting it as the preferable transducer for imaging lumbar multifidus. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Zfp488 promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation of neural progenitor cells in adult mice after demyelination

PubMed Central

Soundarapandian, Mangala M.; Selvaraj, Vimal; Lo, U-Ging; Golub, Mari S.; Feldman, Daniel H.; Pleasure, David E.; Deng, Wenbin

2011-01-01

Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors Olig1 and Olig2 critically regulate oligodendrocyte development. Initially identified as a downstream effector of Olig1, an oligodendrocyte-specific zinc finger transcription repressor, Zfp488, cooperates with Olig2 function. Although Zfp488 is required for oligodendrocyte precursor formation and differentiation during embryonic development, its role in oligodendrogenesis of adult neural progenitor cells is not known. In this study, we tested whether Zfp488 could promote an oligodendrogenic fate in adult subventricular zone (SVZ) neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). Using a cuprizone-induced demyelination model in mice, we examined the effect of retrovirus-mediated Zfp488 overexpression in SVZ NSPCs. Our results showed that Zfp488 efficiently promoted the differentiation of the SVZ NSPCs into mature oligodendrocytes in vivo. After cuprizone-induced demyelination injury, Zfp488-transduced mice also showed significant restoration of motor function to levels comparable to control mice. Together, these findings identify a previously unreported role for Zfp488 in adult oligodendrogenesis and functional remyelination after injury. PMID:22355521

Low power, lightweight vapor sensing using arrays of conducting polymer composite chemically-sensitive resistors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, M. A.; Lewis, N. S.

2001-01-01

Arrays of broadly responsive vapor detectors can be used to detect, identify, and quantify vapors and vapor mixtures. One implementation of this strategy involves the use of arrays of chemically-sensitive resistors made from conducting polymer composites. Sorption of an analyte into the polymer composite detector leads to swelling of the film material. The swelling is in turn transduced into a change in electrical resistance because the detector films consist of polymers filled with conducting particles such as carbon black. The differential sorption, and thus differential swelling, of an analyte into each polymer composite in the array produces a unique pattern for each different analyte of interest, Pattern recognition algorithms are then used to analyze the multivariate data arising from the responses of such a detector array. Chiral detector films can provide differential detection of the presence of certain chiral organic vapor analytes. Aspects of the spaceflight qualification and deployment of such a detector array, along with its performance for certain analytes of interest in manned life support applications, are reviewed and summarized in this article.

Effects of Behavioral History on Resistance to Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doughty, Adam H.; Cirino, Sergio; Mayfield, Kristin H.; da Silva, Stephanie P.; Okouchi, Hiroto; Lattal, Kennon A.

2005-01-01

Two experiments examined whether differential resistance to change would occur under identical variable-interval schedules as a function of a differential behavioral history. In Experiment 1, each of 3 pigeons first pecked at different rates under a multiple variable-ratio differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedule. In a subsequent condition,…

An NLRA Transducer for Dual Use Bone Conduction Audio and Haptic Communication. Summary Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-30

VIBRANT COMPOSITES INC. 1 A16-019 Phase 1 Summary Report Vibrant Composites Inc. December 30, 2016 I. ABSTRACT A combined transducer capable of bone ...transducer core capable of both precise haptic communication and high fidelity bone conduction audio. The transducer design leverages Micro-Multilayer...head-mounted system. In this Phase I SBIR, Vibrant Composites has delivered functional dual-mode bone conduction and vibrotactile transducer prototypes

Future needs for biomedical transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wooten, F. T.

1971-01-01

In summary there are three major classes of transducer improvements required: improvements in existing transducers, needs for unexploited physical science phenomena in transducer design, and needs for unutilized physiological phenomena in transducer design. During the next decade, increasing emphasis will be placed on noninvasive measurement in all of these areas. Patient safety, patient comfort, and the need for efficient utilization of the time of both patient and physician requires that noninvasive methods of monitoring be developed.

21 CFR 892.1570 - Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer. 892.1570 Section... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES RADIOLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 892.1570 Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer. (a) Identification. A diagnostic ultrasonic transducer is a device made of a piezoelectric material...

Analysis on Coupled Vibration of a Radially Polarized Piezoelectric Cylindrical Transducer

PubMed Central

Xu, Jie; Lin, Shuyu; Ma, Yan; Tang, Yifan

2017-01-01

Coupled vibration of a radially polarized piezoelectric cylindrical transducer is analyzed with the mechanical coupling coefficient method. The method has been utilized to analyze the metal cylindrical transducer and the axially polarized piezoelectric cylindrical transducer. In this method, the mechanical coupling coefficient is introduced and defined as the stress ratio in different directions. Coupled vibration of the cylindrical transducer is regarded as the interaction of the plane radial vibration of a ring and the longitudinal vibration of a tube. For the radially polarized piezoelectric cylindrical transducer, the radial and longitudinal electric admittances as functions of mechanical coupling coefficients and angular frequencies are derived, respectively. The resonance frequency equations are obtained. The dependence of resonance frequency and mechanical coupling coefficient on aspect ratio is studied. Vibrational distributions on the surfaces of the cylindrical transducer are presented with experimental measurement. On the support of experiments, this work is verified and provides a theoretical foundation for the analysis and design of the radially polarized piezoelectric cylindrical transducer. PMID:29292785

Topology optimized design of functionally graded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubio, Wilfredo Montealegre; Buiochi, Flávio; Adamowski, Julio Cezar; Silva, Emílio C. N.

2010-01-01

This work presents a new approach to systematically design piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers based on Topology Optimization Method (TOM) and Functionally Graded Material (FGM) concepts. The main goal is to find the optimal material distribution of Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducers, to achieve the following requirements: (i) the transducer must be designed to have a multi-modal or uni-modal frequency response, which defines the kind of generated acoustic wave, either short pulse or continuous wave, respectively; (ii) the transducer is required to oscillate in a thickness extensional mode or piston-like mode, aiming at acoustic wave generation applications. Two kinds of piezoelectric materials are mixed for producing the FGM transducer. Material type 1 represents a PZT-5A piezoelectric ceramic and material type 2 represents a PZT-5H piezoelectric ceramic. To illustrate the proposed method, two Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducers are designed. The TOM has shown to be a useful tool for designing Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducers with uni-modal or multi-modal dynamic behavior.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of temperature-dependent electrical fatigue studies on 1-3 type piezocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohan, Y.; Arockiarajan, A.

2016-03-01

1-3 type piezocomposites are very attractive materials for transducers and biomedical application, due to its high electromechanical coupling effects. Reliability study on 1-3 piezocomposites subjected to cyclic loading condition in transducer application is one of the primary concern. Hence, this study focuses on 1-3 piezocomposites for various PZT5A1 fiber volume fraction subjected to electrical fatigue loading up-to 106 cycles and at various elevated temperature. Initially experiments are performed on 1-3 piezocomposites, in order to understand the degradation phenomena due to various range in amplitude of electric fields (unipolar & bipolar), frequency of applied electric field and for various ambient temperature. Performing experiments for high cycle fatigue and for different fiber volume fraction of PZT5A1 is a time consuming process. Hence, a simplified macroscopic uni-axial model based on physical mechanisms of domain switching and continuum damage mechanics has been developed to predict the non-linear fatigue behaviour of 1-3 piezocomposites for temperature dependent electrical fatigue loading conditions. In this model, damage effects namely domain pinning, frozen domains and micro cracks, are considered as a damage variable (ω). Remnant variables and material properties are considered as a function of internal damage variable and the growth of the damage is derived empirically based on the experimental observation to predict the macroscopic changes in the properties. The measured material properties and dielectric hysteresis (electric displacement vs. electric field) as well as butterfly curves (longitudinal strain vs. electric field) are compared with the simulated results. It is observed that variation in amplitude of bipolar electric field and temperature has a strong influence on the response of 1-3 piezocomposites.

Acoustic transducer for nuclear reactor monitoring

DOEpatents

Ahlgren, Frederic F.; Scott, Paul F.

1977-01-01

A transducer to monitor a parameter and produce an acoustic signal from which the monitored parameter can be recovered. The transducer comprises a modified Galton whistle which emits a narrow band acoustic signal having a frequency dependent upon the parameter being monitored, such as the temperature of the cooling media of a nuclear reactor. Multiple locations within a reactor are monitored simultaneously by a remote acoustic receiver by providing a plurality of transducers each designed so that the acoustic signal it emits has a frequency distinct from the frequencies of signals emitted by the other transducers, whereby each signal can be unambiguously related to a particular transducer.

Guided acoustic wave inspection system

DOEpatents

Chinn, Diane J.

2004-10-05

A system for inspecting a conduit for undesirable characteristics. A transducer system induces guided acoustic waves onto said conduit. The transducer system detects the undesirable characteristics of the conduit by receiving guided acoustic waves that contain information about the undesirable characteristics. The conduit has at least two sides and the transducer system utilizes flexural modes of propagation to provide inspection using access from only the one side of the conduit. Cracking is detected with pulse-echo testing using one transducer to both send and receive the guided acoustic waves. Thinning is detected in through-transmission testing where one transducer sends and another transducer receives the guided acoustic waves.

Ultrasonic measurements of surface defects on flexible circuits using high-frequency focused polymer transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagle, Sanat; Habib, Anowarul; Melandsø, Frank

2017-07-01

High-frequency transducers made from a layer-by-layer deposition method are investigated as transducers for ultrasonic imaging. Prototypes of adhesive-free transducers with four active elements were made on a high-performance poly(ether imide) substrate with precision milled spherical cavities used to produce focused ultrasonic beams. The transducer prototypes were characterized using a pulse-echo experimental setup in a water tank using a glass plate as a reflector. Then, transducer was used in a three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning tank, to produce high-resolution ultrasonic images of flexible electronic circuits with the aim to detect defects in the outermost cover layer.

Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications

DOEpatents

Benett, William; Celliers, Peter; Da Silva, Luiz; Glinsky, Michael; London, Richard; Maitland, Duncan; Matthews, Dennis; Krulevich, Peter; Lee, Abraham

2002-01-01

This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control.

Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications

DOEpatents

Benett, William; Celliers, Peter; Da Silva, Luiz; Glinsky, Michael; London, Richard; Maitland, Duncan; Matthews, Dennis; Krulevich, Peter; Lee, Abraham

1999-01-01

This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control.

Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications

DOEpatents

Benett, W.; Celliers, P.; Da Silva, L.; Glinsky, M.; London, R.; Maitland, D.; Matthews, D.; Krulevich, P.; Lee, A.

1999-08-31

This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control. 7 figs.

Mass-spring matching layers for high-frequency ultrasound transducers: a new technique using vacuum deposition.

PubMed

Brown, Jeremy; Sharma, Srikanta; Leadbetter, Jeff; Cochran, Sandy; Adamson, Rob

2014-11-01

We have developed a technique of applying multiple matching layers to high-frequency (>30 MHz) imaging transducers, by using carefully controlled vacuum deposition alone. This technique uses a thin mass-spring matching layer approach that was previously described in a low-frequency (1 to 10 MHz) transducer design with epoxied layers. This mass- spring approach is more suitable to vacuum deposition in highfrequency transducers over the conventional quarter-wavelength resonant cavity approach, because thinner layers and more versatile material selection can be used, the difficulty in precisely lapping quarter-wavelength matching layers is avoided, the layers are less attenuating, and the layers can be applied to a curved surface. Two different 3-mm-diameter 45-MHz planar lithium niobate transducers and one geometrically curved 3-mm lithium niobate transducer were designed and fabricated using this matching layer approach with copper as the mass layer and parylene as the spring layer. The first planar lithium niobate transducer used a single mass-spring matching network, and the second planar lithium niobate transducer used a single mass-spring network to approximate the first layer in a dual quarter-wavelength matching layer system in addition to a conventional quarter-wavelength layer as the second matching layer. The curved lithium niobate transducer was press focused and used a similar mass-spring plus quarter-wavelength matching layer network. These transducers were then compared with identical transducers with no matching layers and the performance improvement was quantified. The bandwidth of the lithium niobate transducer with the single mass-spring layer was measured to be 46% and the insertion loss was measured to be -21.9 dB. The bandwidth and insertion loss of the lithium niobate transducer with the mass-spring network plus quarter-wavelength matching were measured to be 59% and -18.2 dB, respectively. These values were compared with the unmatched transducer, which had a bandwidth of 28% and insertion loss of -34.1 dB. The bandwidth and insertion loss of the curved lithium niobate transducer with the mass-spring plus quarter-wavelength matching layer combination were measured to be 68% and -26 dB, respectively; this compared with the measured unmatched bandwidth and insertion loss of 35% and -37 dB. All experimentally measured values were in excellent agreement with theoretical Krimholtz-Leedom-Matthaei (KLM) model predictions.

Mathematics for Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stone, Michael; Goldbart, Paul

2009-07-01

Preface; 1. Calculus of variations; 2. Function spaces; 3. Linear ordinary differential equations; 4. Linear differential operators; 5. Green functions; 6. Partial differential equations; 7. The mathematics of real waves; 8. Special functions; 9. Integral equations; 10. Vectors and tensors; 11. Differential calculus on manifolds; 12. Integration on manifolds; 13. An introduction to differential topology; 14. Group and group representations; 15. Lie groups; 16. The geometry of fibre bundles; 17. Complex analysis I; 18. Applications of complex variables; 19. Special functions and complex variables; Appendixes; Reference; Index.

Oscillation of a class of fractional differential equations with damping term.

PubMed

Qin, Huizeng; Zheng, Bin

2013-01-01

We investigate the oscillation of a class of fractional differential equations with damping term. Based on a certain variable transformation, the fractional differential equations are converted into another differential equations of integer order with respect to the new variable. Then, using Riccati transformation, inequality, and integration average technique, some new oscillatory criteria for the equations are established. As for applications, oscillation for two certain fractional differential equations with damping term is investigated by the use of the presented results.

New improvement of the combined optical fiber transducer for landslide monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Z.-W.; Yuan, Q.-Y.; Liu, D.-Y.; Liu, B.; Liu, J.-C.; Luo, H.

2014-08-01

Landslide monitoring is important in predicting the behavior of landslides, thereby ensuring environmental, life, and property safety. On the basis of our previous studies, we conducted the double shear test by using a third-generation optical fiber transducer that uses expandable polystyrene (EPS) as base material. However, the third-generation transducer has poor performance when cohesive force is present between the grout and capillary stainless steel pipe of the transducer. Thus, the fourth-generation optical fiber transducer was invented. Similar to the third-generation transducer, the fourth-generation transducer also used EPS as its base material. Single shear test was conducted on the fourth-generation transducer after being grouted with cement mortar (1 : 1 mix ratio). The micro-bend loss mechanism of the optical fiber was considered, and the optical time domain reflectometry instrument was used. The fact that the loss sequence of optical fibers subjected to loading is different at various locations is found. The relationship of the loading-point displacement vs. optical fiber sliding distance and optical loss were measured. Results show that the maximum initial measurement precision of the newly proposed device is 1 mm, the corresponding sliding distance is 21 mm, and the dynamic range is 0-20 mm. The fourth-generation transducer can measure the movement direction of loadings, thus making this transducer applicable for landslide monitoring.

Design and flight performance evaluation of the Mariners 6, 7, and 9 short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patterson, R. E.

1973-01-01

The purpose of the short-circuit voltage transducer is to provide engineering data to aid the evaluation of array performance during flight. The design, fabrication, calibration, and in-flight performance of the transducers onboard the Mariner 6, 7 and 9 spacecrafts are described. No significant differences were observed in the in-flight electrical performance of the three transducers. The transducers did experience significant losses due to coverslides or adhesive darkening, increased surface reflection, or spectral shifts within coverslide assembly. Mariner 6, 7 and 9 transducers showed non-cell current degradations of 3-1/2%, 3%, and 4%, respectively at Mars encounter and 6%, 3%, and 4-12%, respectively at end of mission. Mariner 9 solar Array Test 2 showed 3-12% current degradation while the transducer showed 4-12% degradation.

High temperature ultrasonic transducers for the generation of guided waves for non-destructive evaluation of pipes

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

Sinding, K.; Searfass, C.; Malarich, N.

2014-02-18

Applications for non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring of steam generators require ultrasonic transducers capable of withstanding the high temperatures of the pipes and heat exchangers. These applications require a strong coupling of the transducer to the heat exchanger’s complex geometry at the elevated temperatures. Our objective is to use spray-on piezo-electrics for depositing comb transducers onto the curved surfaces. This paper shows results for composite transducers such as lead zirconate titanate/ bismuth titanate and bismuth titanate/ lithium niobate. The comb transducers were prepared by precision laser ablation. The feasibility of producing second harmonic waves in rods with these spay-onmore » comb transducers was demonstrated and paves the way toward measuring material degradation early-on before crack initiation occurs.« less

Role of STATs as downstream signal transducers in Src family kinase-mediated tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Silva, Corinne M

2004-10-18

The signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) were originally identified in the signaling pathway activated by the nontyrosine kinase containing cytokine receptors. The role of these STATs in hematopoietic cell signaling has been well described. In the case of cytokine receptors, activation of STAT tyrosine phosphorylation occurs through ligand-induced recruitment, and activation of the intracellular JAK kinases. However, STATs can also be activated by growth factor receptors, particularly the EGFR; as well as by members of the Src Family of Kinases (SFKs), particularly c-Src. In many cases, there is a differential activation of the STATs by these tyrosine kinases as compared to activation by the cytokine receptors. This difference provides for the potential of unique actions of STATs in response to growth factor receptor and SFK activation. Since there are many cancers in which SFKs and c-Src in particular, are co-overexpressed with growth factor receptors, it is not surprising that STATs play an important role in the tumorigenesis process induced by c-Src. The activation paradigm and role of STATs in these cancers, with particular emphasis on breast cancer models, is discussed.

Proinsulin Promotes Self-Renewal of a Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Line In Vitro

PubMed Central

Han, Yuewen; Liu, Tingting; Ji, Ling; Li, Yuanyuan; Wang, Jing; Chen, Guopin; Chen, Jieping; Chen, Liang

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of exogenously expressed proinsulin on the biological characters of a hematopoietic stem cell line (HSC) and erythroid myeloid lymphoid (EML) cells and explore new strategies for cell therapy for type I diabetes. EML cells were transduced with lentivirus particles carrying the human proinsulin (proINS) gene. The positive transduced cells were selected based on green fluorescence protein (GFP) positivity and puromycin resistance. Overexpression of proINS was confirmed via real-time PCR and Western blotting. The functional activity of the human proINS secreted by EML cells was elucidated by analyzing the activation of insulin receptor and its downstream signaling. Pro-INS + EML cells were able to prime the phosphorylation of insulin receptor as well as induce the expression of downstream genes of insulin receptor. Furthermore, Wnt3a can significantly promote self-renewal of Pro-INS + EML cells. However, we did not observe significant changes in the proliferation and differentiation of INS + EML cells, compared to the control EML cells. Our results might be useful for developing a new therapy for diabetes mellitus. PMID:28758130

Ex-vivo transduced autologous skin fibroblasts expressing human Lim Mineralization Protein-3 efficiently form new bone in animal models

PubMed Central

Lattanzi, Wanda; Parrilla, Claudio; Fetoni, Annarita; Logroscino, Giandomenico; Straface, Giuseppe; Pecorini, Giovanni; Stigliano, Egidio; Tampieri, Anna; Bedini, Rossella; Pecci, Raffaella; Michetti, Fabrizio; Gambotto, Andrea; Robbins, Paul D.; Pola, Enrico

2012-01-01

Local gene transfer of the human LIM Mineralization Protein (LMP), a novel intracellular positive regulator of the osteoblast differentiation program, can induce efficient bone formation in rodents. In order to develop a clinically relevant gene therapy approach to facilitate bone healing, we have used primary dermal fibroblasts transduced ex vivo with Ad.LMP3 and seeded on an hydroxyapatite/collagen matrix prior to autologous implantation. Here we demonstrate that genetically modified autologous dermal fibroblasts expressing Ad.LMP-3 are able to induce ectopic bone formation following implantation of the matrix into the mouse triceps and paravertebral muscles. Moreover, implantation of the Ad.LMP-3-modified dermal fibroblasts into a rat mandibular bone critical size defect model results in efficient healing as determined by X-ray, histology and three dimensional micro computed tomography (3DμCT). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the non-secreted intracellular osteogenic factor LMP-3, in inducing bone formation in vivo. Moreover, the utilization of autologous dermal fibroblasts implanted on a biomaterial represents a promising approach for possible future clinical applications aimed at inducing new bone formation. PMID:18633445

21 CFR 870.2900 - Patient transducer and electrode cable (including connector).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Patient transducer and electrode cable (including... § 870.2900 Patient transducer and electrode cable (including connector). (a) Identification. A patient transducer and electrode cable (including connector) is an electrical conductor used to transmit signals from...

21 CFR 870.2900 - Patient transducer and electrode cable (including connector).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Patient transducer and electrode cable (including... § 870.2900 Patient transducer and electrode cable (including connector). (a) Identification. A patient transducer and electrode cable (including connector) is an electrical conductor used to transmit signals from...

21 CFR 870.2900 - Patient transducer and electrode cable (including connector).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Patient transducer and electrode cable (including... § 870.2900 Patient transducer and electrode cable (including connector). (a) Identification. A patient transducer and electrode cable (including connector) is an electrical conductor used to transmit signals from...

21 CFR 870.2850 - Extravascular blood pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Extravascular blood pressure transducer. 870.2850... blood pressure transducer. (a) Identification. An extravascular blood pressure transducer is a device used to measure blood pressure by changes in the mechanical or electrical properties of the device. The...

21 CFR 870.2870 - Catheter tip pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... change in relation to changes in blood pressure. These changes are transmitted to accessory equipment for... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Catheter tip pressure transducer. 870.2870 Section... pressure transducer. (a) Identification. A catheter tip pressure transducer is a device incorporated into...

21 CFR 870.2850 - Extravascular blood pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Extravascular blood pressure transducer. 870.2850... blood pressure transducer. (a) Identification. An extravascular blood pressure transducer is a device used to measure blood pressure by changes in the mechanical or electrical properties of the device. The...

21 CFR 870.2870 - Catheter tip pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... change in relation to changes in blood pressure. These changes are transmitted to accessory equipment for... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Catheter tip pressure transducer. 870.2870 Section... pressure transducer. (a) Identification. A catheter tip pressure transducer is a device incorporated into...

21 CFR 870.2850 - Extravascular blood pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Extravascular blood pressure transducer. 870.2850... blood pressure transducer. (a) Identification. An extravascular blood pressure transducer is a device used to measure blood pressure by changes in the mechanical or electrical properties of the device. The...

21 CFR 870.2870 - Catheter tip pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... change in relation to changes in blood pressure. These changes are transmitted to accessory equipment for... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Catheter tip pressure transducer. 870.2870 Section... pressure transducer. (a) Identification. A catheter tip pressure transducer is a device incorporated into...

21 CFR 870.2870 - Catheter tip pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... change in relation to changes in blood pressure. These changes are transmitted to accessory equipment for... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Catheter tip pressure transducer. 870.2870 Section... pressure transducer. (a) Identification. A catheter tip pressure transducer is a device incorporated into...

Induction powered biological radiosonde

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fryer, T. B. (Inventor)

1980-01-01

An induction powered implanted monitor for epidurally measuring intracranial pressure and telemetering the pressure information to a remote readout is disclosed. The monitor utilizes an inductance-capacitance (L-C) oscillator in which the C comprises a variable capacitance transducer, one electrode of which is a small stiff pressure responsive diaphragm. The oscillator is isolated from a transmitting tank circuit by a buffer circuit and all electric components in the implanted unit except an input and an output coil are shielded by a metal housing.

A genome-wide methylation study on obesity: differential variability and differential methylation.

PubMed

Xu, Xiaojing; Su, Shaoyong; Barnes, Vernon A; De Miguel, Carmen; Pollock, Jennifer; Ownby, Dennis; Shi, Hidong; Zhu, Haidong; Snieder, Harold; Wang, Xiaoling

2013-05-01

Besides differential methylation, DNA methylation variation has recently been proposed and demonstrated to be a potential contributing factor to cancer risk. Here we aim to examine whether differential variability in methylation is also an important feature of obesity, a typical non-malignant common complex disease. We analyzed genome-wide methylation profiles of over 470,000 CpGs in peripheral blood samples from 48 obese and 48 lean African-American youth aged 14-20 y old. A substantial number of differentially variable CpG sites (DVCs), using statistics based on variances, as well as a substantial number of differentially methylated CpG sites (DMCs), using statistics based on means, were identified. Similar to the findings in cancers, DVCs generally exhibited an outlier structure and were more variable in cases than in controls. By randomly splitting the current sample into a discovery and validation set, we observed that both the DVCs and DMCs identified from the first set could independently predict obesity status in the second set. Furthermore, both the genes harboring DMCs and the genes harboring DVCs showed significant enrichment of genes identified by genome-wide association studies on obesity and related diseases, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancers, supporting their roles in the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity. We generalized the recent finding on methylation variability in cancer research to obesity and demonstrated that differential variability is also an important feature of obesity-related methylation changes. Future studies on the epigenetics of obesity will benefit from both statistics based on means and statistics based on variances.

Elucidation of the role of biological factors and device design in cerebral NIRS using an in vivo hematoma model based on high-intensity focused ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jianting; Huang, Stanley; Myers, Matthew; Chen, Yu; Welle, Cristin; Pfefer, Joshua

2016-03-01

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is an emerging medical countermeasure for rapid, field detection of hematomas caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). Bench and animal tests to determine NIRS sensitivity and specificity are needed. However, current animal models involving non-invasively induced, localized neural damage are limited. We investigated an in vivo murine hematoma model in which cerebral hemorrhage was induced noninvasively by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with calibrated positioning and parameters. To characterize the morphology of induced hematomas, we used skull-intact histological evaluation. A multi-wavelength fiber-optic NIRS system with three source-detector separation distances was used to detect hematoma A 1.1 MHz transducer produced consistent small-to-medium hematoma localized to a single hemisphere, along with bruising of the scalp, with a low mortality rate. A 220 kHz transducer produced larger, more diffuse hematomas, with higher variability in size and a correspondingly higher mortality rate. No skin bruising or blood accumulation between the skin and skull was observed following injury application with the 220 kHz transducer. Histological analysis showed higher sensitivity for larger hematomas (>4x4 mm2). NIRS optical density change after HIFU was able to detect all hematomas, with sensitivity dependent on wavelength and separation distance. While improvements in methods for validating cerebral blood distribution are needed, the HIFU hematoma model provided useful insights that will inform development of biologically relevant, performance test methods for cerebral NIRS systems.

Adoptive Cellular Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Polychondritis Ear Disease.

PubMed

Zhou, Bin; Liao, Yonggan; Guo, Yunkai; Tarner, Ingo H; Liao, Chunfen; Chen, Sisi; Kermany, Mohammad Habiby; Tu, Hanjun; Zhong, Sen; Chen, Peijie

2017-01-01

In the past, the clinical therapy for autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune polychondritis ear disease, was mostly limited to nonspecific immunosuppressive agents, which could lead to variable responses. Currently, gene therapy aims at achieving higher specificity and less adverse effects. This concept utilizes the adoptive transfer of autologous T cells that have been retrovirally transduced ex vivo to express and deliver immunoregulatory gene products to sites of autoimmune inflammation. In the animal model of collagen-induced autoimmune polychondritis ear disease (CIAPED), the adoptive transfer of IL-12p40-expressing collagen type II (CII)-specific CD4+ T-cell hybridomas resulted in a significantly lower disease incidence and severity compared with untreated or vector-only-treated animals. In vivo cell detection using bioluminescent labels showed that transferred CII-reactive T-cell hybridomas accumulated in the inflamed earlobes of the mice with CIAPED. In vitro analysis demonstrated that IL-12p40-transduced T cells did not affect antigen-specific T-cell activation or systemic anti-CII Ab responses. However, IL-12p40-transduced T cells suppressed IFN-γ and augmented IL-4 production, indicating their potential to act therapeutically by interrupting Th1-mediated inflammatory responses via augmenting Th2 responses. These results indicate that the local delivery of IL-12p40 by T cells could inhibit CIAPED by suppressing autoimmune responses at the site of inflammation. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Ex Vivo Expanded Human Regulatory T Cells Can Prolong Survival of a Human Islet Allograft in a Humanized Mouse Model

PubMed Central

Wu, Douglas C.; Hester, Joanna; Nadig, Satish N.; Zhang, Wei; Trzonkowski, Piotr; Gray, Derek; Hughes, Stephen; Johnson, Paul; Wood, Kathryn J.

2013-01-01

Background Human regulatory T cells (Treg) offer an attractive adjunctive therapy to reduce current reliance on lifelong, nonspecific immunosuppression after transplantation. Here, we evaluated the ability of ex vivo expanded human Treg to prevent the rejection of islets of Langerhans in a humanized mouse model and examined the mechanisms involved. Methods We engrafted human pancreatic islets of Langerhans into the renal subcapsular space of immunodeficient BALB/c.rag2−/−.cγ−/− mice, previously rendered diabetic via injection of the β-cell toxin streptozocin. After the establishment of stable euglycemia, mice were reconstituted with allogeneic human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the resultant alloreactive response studied. Ex vivo expanded CD25highCD4+ human Treg, which expressed FoxP3, CTLA-4, and CD62L and remained CD127low, were then cotransferred together with human PBMC and islet allografts and monitored for evidence of rejection. Results Human islets transplanted into diabetic immunodeficient mice reversed diabetes but were rejected rapidly after the mice were reconstituted with allogeneic human PBMC. Cotransfer of purified, ex vivo expanded human Treg prolonged islet allograft survival resulting in the accumulation of Treg in the peripheral lymphoid tissue and suppression of proliferation and interferon-γ production by T cells. In vitro, Treg suppressed activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription and inhibited the effector differentiation of responder T cells. Conclusions Ex vivo expanded Treg retain regulatory activity in vivo, can protect a human islet allograft from rejection by suppressing signal transducers and activators of transcription activation and inhibiting T-cell differentiation, and have clinical potential as an adjunctive cellular therapy. PMID:23917725

IBTK Differently Modulates Gene Expression and RNA Splicing in HeLa and K562 Cells.

PubMed

Fiume, Giuseppe; Scialdone, Annarita; Rizzo, Francesca; De Filippo, Maria Rosaria; Laudanna, Carmelo; Albano, Francesco; Golino, Gaetanina; Vecchio, Eleonora; Pontoriero, Marilena; Mimmi, Selena; Ceglia, Simona; Pisano, Antonio; Iaccino, Enrico; Palmieri, Camillo; Paduano, Sergio; Viglietto, Giuseppe; Weisz, Alessandro; Scala, Giuseppe; Quinto, Ileana

2016-11-07

The IBTK gene encodes the major protein isoform IBTKα that was recently characterized as substrate receptor of Cul3-dependent E3 ligase, regulating ubiquitination coupled to proteasomal degradation of Pdcd4, an inhibitor of translation. Due to the presence of Ankyrin-BTB-RCC1 domains that mediate several protein-protein interactions, IBTKα could exert expanded regulatory roles, including interaction with transcription regulators. To verify the effects of IBTKα on gene expression, we analyzed HeLa and K562 cell transcriptomes by RNA-Sequencing before and after IBTK knock-down by shRNA transduction. In HeLa cells, 1285 (2.03%) of 63,128 mapped transcripts were differentially expressed in IBTK -shRNA-transduced cells, as compared to cells treated with control-shRNA, with 587 upregulated (45.7%) and 698 downregulated (54.3%) RNAs. In K562 cells, 1959 (3.1%) of 63128 mapped RNAs were differentially expressed in IBTK -shRNA-transduced cells, including 1053 upregulated (53.7%) and 906 downregulated (46.3%). Only 137 transcripts (0.22%) were commonly deregulated by IBTK silencing in both HeLa and K562 cells, indicating that most IBTKα effects on gene expression are cell type-specific. Based on gene ontology classification, the genes responsive to IBTK are involved in different biological processes, including in particular chromatin and nucleosomal organization, gene expression regulation, and cellular traffic and migration. In addition, IBTK RNA interference affected RNA maturation in both cell lines, as shown by the evidence of alternative 3'- and 5'-splicing, mutually exclusive exons, retained introns, and skipped exons. Altogether, these results indicate that IBTK differently modulates gene expression and RNA splicing in HeLa and K562 cells, demonstrating a novel biological role of this protein.

Efficient biotechnological approach for lentiviral transduction of induced pluripotent stem cells.

PubMed

Zare, Mehrak; Soleimani, Masoud; Mohammadian, Mozhdeh; Akbarzadeh, Abolfazl; Havasi, Parvaneh; Zarghami, Nosratollah

2016-01-01

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are generated from differentiated adult somatic cells by reprogramming them. Unlimited self-renewal, and the potential to differentiate into any cell type, make iPS cells very promising candidates for basic and clinical research. Furthermore, iPS cells can be genetically manipulated for use as therapeutic tools. DNA can be introduced into iPS cells, using lentiviral vectors, which represent a helpful choice for efficient transduction and stable integration of transgenes. In this study, we compare two methods of lentiviral transduction of iPS cells, namely, the suspension method and the hanging drop method. In contrast to the conventional suspension method, in the hanging drop method, embryoid body (EB) formation and transduction occur concurrently. The iPS cells were cultured to form EBs, and then transduced with lentiviruses, using the conventional suspension method and the hanging drop method, to express miR-128 and green fluorescent protein (GFP). The number of transduced cells were assessed by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. MTT assay and real-time PCR were performed to determine the cell viability and transgene expression, respectively. Morphologically, GFP+ cells were more detectable in the hanging drop method, and this finding was quantified by flow cytometric analysis. According to the results of the MTT assay, cell viability was considerably higher in the hanging drop method, and real-time PCR represented a higher relative expression of miR-128 in the iPS cells introduced with lentiviruses in drops. Altogether, it seems that lentiviral transduction of challenging iPS cells using the hanging drop method offers a suitable and sufficient strategy in their gene transfer, with less toxicity than the conventional suspension method.

Primary Airway Epithelial Cell Gene Editing Using CRISPR-Cas9.

PubMed

Everman, Jamie L; Rios, Cydney; Seibold, Max A

2018-01-01

The adaptation of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR associated endonuclease 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) machinery from prokaryotic organisms has resulted in a gene editing system that is highly versatile, easily constructed, and can be leveraged to generate human cells knocked out (KO) for a specific gene. While standard transfection techniques can be used for the introduction of CRISPR-Cas9 expression cassettes to many cell types, delivery by this method is not efficient in many primary cell types, including primary human airway epithelial cells (AECs). More efficient delivery in AECs can be achieved through lentiviral-mediated transduction, allowing the CRISPR-Cas9 system to be integrated into the genome of the cell, resulting in stable expression of the nuclease machinery and increasing editing rates. In parallel, advancements have been made in the culture, expansion, selection, and differentiation of AECs, which allow the robust generation of a bulk edited AEC population from transduced cells. Applying these methods, we detail here our latest protocol to generate mucociliary epithelial cultures knocked out for a specific gene from donor-isolated primary human basal airway epithelial cells. This protocol includes methods to: (1) design and generate lentivirus which targets a specific gene for KO with CRISPR-Cas9 machinery, (2) efficiently transduce AECs, (3) culture and select for a bulk edited AEC population, (4) molecularly screen AECs for Cas9 cutting and specific sequence edits, and (5) further expand and differentiate edited cells to a mucociliary airway epithelial culture. The AEC knockouts generated using this protocol provide an excellent primary cell model system with which to characterize the function of genes involved in airway dysfunction and disease.

Generation of Human Adult Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells Expressing Defined Xenogenic Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels by Optimized Transduction and Flow Cytometry Purification

PubMed Central

Helmrich, Uta; Marsano, Anna; Melly, Ludovic; Wolff, Thomas; Christ, Liliane; Heberer, Michael; Scherberich, Arnaud; Martin, Ivan

2012-01-01

Adult mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are a valuable source of multipotent progenitors for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, but may require to be genetically modified to widen their efficacy in therapeutic applications. For example, overexpression of the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at controlled levels is an attractive strategy to overcome the crucial bottleneck of graft vascularization and to avoid aberrant vascular growth. Since the regenerative potential of MSCs is rapidly lost during in vitro expansion, we sought to develop an optimized technique to achieve high-efficiency retroviral vector transduction of MSCs derived from both adipose tissue (adipose stromal cells, ASCs) or bone marrow (BMSCs) and rapidly select cells expressing desired levels of VEGF with minimal in vitro expansion. The proliferative peak of freshly isolated human ASCs and BMSCs was reached 4 and 6 days after plating, respectively. By performing retroviral vector transduction at this time point, >90% efficiency was routinely achieved before the first passage. MSCs were transduced with vectors expressing rat VEGF164 quantitatively linked to a syngenic cell surface marker (truncated rat CD8). Retroviral transduction and VEGF expression did not affect MSC phenotype nor impair their in vitro proliferation and differentiation potential. Transgene expression was also maintained during in vitro differentiation. Furthermore, three subpopulations of transduced BMSCs homogeneously producing specific low, medium, and high VEGF doses could be prospectively isolated by flow cytometry based on the intensity of their CD8 expression already at the first passage. In conclusion, this optimized platform allowed the generation of populations of genetically modified MSCs, expressing specific levels of a therapeutic transgene, already at the first passage, thereby minimizing in vitro expansion and loss of regenerative potential. PMID:22070632

IBTK Differently Modulates Gene Expression and RNA Splicing in HeLa and K562 Cells

PubMed Central

Fiume, Giuseppe; Scialdone, Annarita; Rizzo, Francesca; De Filippo, Maria Rosaria; Laudanna, Carmelo; Albano, Francesco; Golino, Gaetanina; Vecchio, Eleonora; Pontoriero, Marilena; Mimmi, Selena; Ceglia, Simona; Pisano, Antonio; Iaccino, Enrico; Palmieri, Camillo; Paduano, Sergio; Viglietto, Giuseppe; Weisz, Alessandro; Scala, Giuseppe; Quinto, Ileana

2016-01-01

The IBTK gene encodes the major protein isoform IBTKα that was recently characterized as substrate receptor of Cul3-dependent E3 ligase, regulating ubiquitination coupled to proteasomal degradation of Pdcd4, an inhibitor of translation. Due to the presence of Ankyrin-BTB-RCC1 domains that mediate several protein-protein interactions, IBTKα could exert expanded regulatory roles, including interaction with transcription regulators. To verify the effects of IBTKα on gene expression, we analyzed HeLa and K562 cell transcriptomes by RNA-Sequencing before and after IBTK knock-down by shRNA transduction. In HeLa cells, 1285 (2.03%) of 63,128 mapped transcripts were differentially expressed in IBTK-shRNA-transduced cells, as compared to cells treated with control-shRNA, with 587 upregulated (45.7%) and 698 downregulated (54.3%) RNAs. In K562 cells, 1959 (3.1%) of 63128 mapped RNAs were differentially expressed in IBTK-shRNA-transduced cells, including 1053 upregulated (53.7%) and 906 downregulated (46.3%). Only 137 transcripts (0.22%) were commonly deregulated by IBTK silencing in both HeLa and K562 cells, indicating that most IBTKα effects on gene expression are cell type-specific. Based on gene ontology classification, the genes responsive to IBTK are involved in different biological processes, including in particular chromatin and nucleosomal organization, gene expression regulation, and cellular traffic and migration. In addition, IBTK RNA interference affected RNA maturation in both cell lines, as shown by the evidence of alternative 3′- and 5′-splicing, mutually exclusive exons, retained introns, and skipped exons. Altogether, these results indicate that IBTK differently modulates gene expression and RNA splicing in HeLa and K562 cells, demonstrating a novel biological role of this protein. PMID:27827994

The transcription factor Etv5 controls TH17 cell development and allergic airway inflammation

PubMed Central

Pham, Duy; Sehra, Sarita; Sun, Xin; Kaplan, Mark H.

2014-01-01

Background The differentiation of TH17 cells, which promote pulmonary inflammation, requires the cooperation of a network of transcription factors. Objectives We sought to define the role of Etv5, an Ets-family transcription factor, in TH17 cell development and function. Methods TH17 development was examined in primary mouse T cells wherein Etv5 expression was altered by retroviral transduction, small interfering RNA targeting a specific gene, and mice with a conditional deletion of Etv5 in T cells. The direct function of Etv5 on the Il17 locus was tested with chromatin immunoprecipitation and reporter assays. The house dust mite–induced allergic inflammation model was used to test the requirement for Etv5-dependent TH17 functions in vivo. Results We identify Etv5 as a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3–induced positive regulator of TH17 development. Etv5 controls TH17 differentiation by directly promoting 0a and Il17f expression. Etv5 recruits histone-modifying enzymes to the Il17a–Il17f locus, resulting in increased active histone marks and decreased repressive histone marks. In a model of allergic airway inflammation, mice with Etv5-deficient T cells have reduced airway inflammation and IL-17A/F production in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with wild-type mice, without changes in TH2 cytokine production. Conclusions These data define signal transducer and activator of transcription 3–dependent feed-forward control of TH17 cytokine production and a novel role for Etv5 in promoting T cell–dependent airway inflammation. PMID:24486067

Uncertainty in Steady-State Diagnostics of a Current-Pressure Transducer: How Confident are We in Diagnosing Faults

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-02

and off-nominal behav- ior of the I/ P transducer; however, sensor measurements are not fast enough to capture brief transient states that are in...nasa.gov 3 NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA kai.goebel@nasa.gov ABSTRACT Current-Pressure (I/ P ) transducers are effective...transducers (I/ P transducer or IPT) are ef- fective pressure regulators that vary the output pressure de- pending on the supplied electrical current

Measuring and computing natural ground-water recharge at sites in south-central Kansas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sophocleous, M.A.; Perry, C.A.

1987-01-01

To measure the natural groundwater recharge process, two sites in south-central Kansas were instrumented with sensors and data microloggers. The atmospheric-boundary layer and the unsaturated and saturated soil zones were monitored as a single regime. Direct observations also were used to evaluate the measurements. Atmospheric sensors included an anemometer, a tipping-bucket rain gage, an air-temperature thermistor, a relative-humidity probe, a net radiometer, and a barometric-pressure transducer. Sensors in the unsaturated zone consisted of soil-temperature thermocouples, tensiometers coupled with pressure transducers and dial gages, gypsum blocks, and a neutron-moisture probe. The saturated-zone sensors consisted of a water-level pressure transducer, a conventional float gage connected to a variable potentiometer, soil thermocouples, and a number of multiple-depth piezometers. Evaluation of the operation of these sensors and recorders indicates that certain types of equipment, such as pressure transducers, are very sensitive to environmental conditions. A number of suggestions aimed at improving instrumentation of recharge investigations are outlined. Precipitation and evapotranspiration data, taken together with soil moisture profiles and storage changes, water fluxes in the unsaturated zone and hydraulic gradients in the saturated zone at various depths, soil temperature, water table hydrographs, and water level changes in nearby wells, describe the recharge process. Although the two instrumented sites are located in sand-dune environments in area characterized by a shallow water table and a sub-humid continental climate, a significant difference was observed in the estimated total recharge. The estimates ranged from less than 2.5 mm at the Zenith site to approximately 154 mm at the Burrton site from February to June 1983. The principal reasons that the Burrton site had more recharge than the Zenith site were more precipitation, less evapotranspiration, and a shallower depth to the water table. Effective recharge took place only during late winter and spring. No summer or fall recharge was observed at either site during the observation period of this study. (Author 's abstract)

Predicting vertical jump height from bar velocity.

PubMed

García-Ramos, Amador; Štirn, Igor; Padial, Paulino; Argüelles-Cienfuegos, Javier; De la Fuente, Blanca; Strojnik, Vojko; Feriche, Belén

2015-06-01

The objective of the study was to assess the use of maximum (Vmax) and final propulsive phase (FPV) bar velocity to predict jump height in the weighted jump squat. FPV was defined as the velocity reached just before bar acceleration was lower than gravity (-9.81 m·s(-2)). Vertical jump height was calculated from the take-off velocity (Vtake-off) provided by a force platform. Thirty swimmers belonging to the National Slovenian swimming team performed a jump squat incremental loading test, lifting 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of body weight in a Smith machine. Jump performance was simultaneously monitored using an AMTI portable force platform and a linear velocity transducer attached to the barbell. Simple linear regression was used to estimate jump height from the Vmax and FPV recorded by the linear velocity transducer. Vmax (y = 16.577x - 16.384) was able to explain 93% of jump height variance with a standard error of the estimate of 1.47 cm. FPV (y = 12.828x - 6.504) was able to explain 91% of jump height variance with a standard error of the estimate of 1.66 cm. Despite that both variables resulted to be good predictors, heteroscedasticity in the differences between FPV and Vtake-off was observed (r(2) = 0.307), while the differences between Vmax and Vtake-off were homogenously distributed (r(2) = 0.071). These results suggest that Vmax is a valid tool for estimating vertical jump height in a loaded jump squat test performed in a Smith machine. Key pointsVertical jump height in the loaded jump squat can be estimated with acceptable precision from the maximum bar velocity recorded by a linear velocity transducer.The relationship between the point at which bar acceleration is less than -9.81 m·s(-2) and the real take-off is affected by the velocity of movement.Mean propulsive velocity recorded by a linear velocity transducer does not appear to be optimal to monitor ballistic exercise performance.

Predicting Vertical Jump Height from Bar Velocity

PubMed Central

García-Ramos, Amador; Štirn, Igor; Padial, Paulino; Argüelles-Cienfuegos, Javier; De la Fuente, Blanca; Strojnik, Vojko; Feriche, Belén

2015-01-01

The objective of the study was to assess the use of maximum (Vmax) and final propulsive phase (FPV) bar velocity to predict jump height in the weighted jump squat. FPV was defined as the velocity reached just before bar acceleration was lower than gravity (-9.81 m·s-2). Vertical jump height was calculated from the take-off velocity (Vtake-off) provided by a force platform. Thirty swimmers belonging to the National Slovenian swimming team performed a jump squat incremental loading test, lifting 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of body weight in a Smith machine. Jump performance was simultaneously monitored using an AMTI portable force platform and a linear velocity transducer attached to the barbell. Simple linear regression was used to estimate jump height from the Vmax and FPV recorded by the linear velocity transducer. Vmax (y = 16.577x - 16.384) was able to explain 93% of jump height variance with a standard error of the estimate of 1.47 cm. FPV (y = 12.828x - 6.504) was able to explain 91% of jump height variance with a standard error of the estimate of 1.66 cm. Despite that both variables resulted to be good predictors, heteroscedasticity in the differences between FPV and Vtake-off was observed (r2 = 0.307), while the differences between Vmax and Vtake-off were homogenously distributed (r2 = 0.071). These results suggest that Vmax is a valid tool for estimating vertical jump height in a loaded jump squat test performed in a Smith machine. Key points Vertical jump height in the loaded jump squat can be estimated with acceptable precision from the maximum bar velocity recorded by a linear velocity transducer. The relationship between the point at which bar acceleration is less than -9.81 m·s-2 and the real take-off is affected by the velocity of movement. Mean propulsive velocity recorded by a linear velocity transducer does not appear to be optimal to monitor ballistic exercise performance. PMID:25983572

Carotid Artery Stiffness Assessment by Ultrafast Ultrasound Imaging: Feasibility and Potential Influencing Factors.

PubMed

Pan, Fu-Shun; Yu, Liang; Luo, Jia; Wu, Ri-Dong; Xu, Ming; Liang, Jin-Yu; Zheng, Yan-Ling; Xie, Xiao-Yan

2018-04-19

To evaluate the feasibility of the ultrafast ultrasound pulsed wave velocity (PWV) for carotid stiffness assessment and potential influencing factors. Ultrafast PWV measurements of 442 carotid arteries in 162 consecutive patients (patient group) and 66 healthy volunteers (control group) were performed. High- and very high-frequency transducers were used in 110 carotid segments. The ultrafast PWVs at the beginning and end of systole were automatically measured. The correlations between the intima-media thickness (IMT) and ultrafast PWV and the equipment and carotid factors influencing the utility of ultrafast PWV were analyzed. Each ultrafast PWV acquisition was completed within 1 minute. The intraobserver variability showed mean differences ± SD of 0.12 ± 1.28 m/s for the PWV before systole and 0.06 ± 1.30 m/s for the PWV at the end of systole. Ultrafast PWV measurements were more likely obtained with the very high- frequency transducer when the IMT was less than 1.5 mm (P < .05). A generalized linear mixed-effects model analysis showed that the very high-frequency transducer had a greater ability to obtain a valid carotid ultrafast PWV measurement with an IMT of less than 1.5 mm (P < .05). The IMT was positively correlated with the PWV before systole and at the end of systole (r = 0.207-0.771; all P < .05) in the control group, patient group, and carotid subgroup with an IMT of less than 1.5 mm. A multiple regression analysis showed that the IMT and plaque were important independent factors in predicting failure of the ultrafast PWV (P < .001). The ultrafast PWV is an effective and user-friendly method for evaluating carotid stiffness. The IMT and transducer type are factors influencing the ability to obtain an ultrafast PWV measurement. © 2018 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Airborne Transducer Integrity under Operational Environment for Structural Health Monitoring

PubMed Central

Salmanpour, Mohammad Saleh; Sharif Khodaei, Zahra; Aliabadi, Mohammad Hossein

2016-01-01

This paper investigates the robustness of permanently mounted transducers used in airborne structural health monitoring systems, when exposed to the operational environment. Typical airliners operate in a range of conditions, hence, structural health monitoring (SHM) transducer robustness and integrity must be demonstrated for these environments. A set of extreme temperature, altitude and vibration environment test profiles are developed using the existing Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA)/DO-160 test methods. Commercially available transducers and manufactured versions bonded to carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials are tested. It was found that the DuraAct transducer is robust to environmental conditions tested, while the other transducer types degrade under the same conditions. PMID:27973450

The Bone Morphogenetic Protein Type Ib Receptor Is a Major Mediator of Glial Differentiation and Cell Survival in Adult Hippocampal Progenitor Cell Culture

PubMed Central

Brederlau, A.; Faigle, R.; Elmi, M.; Zarebski, A.; Sjöberg, S.; Fujii, M.; Miyazono, K.; Funa, K.

2004-01-01

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) act as growth regulators and inducers of differentiation. They transduce their signal via three different type I receptors, termed activin receptor-like kinase 2 (Alk2), Alk3, or bone morphogenetic protein receptor Ia (BMPRIa) and Alk6 or BMPRIb. Little is known about functional differences between the three type I receptors. Here, we have investigated consequences of constitutively active (ca) and dominant negative (dn) type I receptor overexpression in adult-derived hippocampal progenitor cells (AHPs). The dn receptors have a nonfunctional intracellular but functional extracellular domain. They thus trap BMPs that are endogenously produced by AHPs. We found that effects obtained by overexpression of dnAlk2 and dnAlk6 were similar, suggesting similar ligand binding patterns for these receptors. Thus, cell survival was decreased, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was reduced, whereas the number of oligodendrocytes increased. No effect on neuronal differentiation was seen. Whereas the expression of Alk2 and Alk3 mRNA remained unchanged, the Alk6 mRNA was induced after impaired BMP signaling. After dnAlk3 overexpression, cell survival and astroglial differentiation increased in parallel to augmented Alk6 receptor signaling. We conclude that endogenous BMPs mediate cell survival, astroglial differentiation and the suppression of oligodendrocytic cell fate mainly via the Alk6 receptor in AHP culture. PMID:15194807

The hedgehog system machinery controls transforming growth factor-β-dependent myofibroblastic differentiation in humans: involvement in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

PubMed

Cigna, Natacha; Farrokhi Moshai, Elika; Brayer, Stéphanie; Marchal-Somme, Joëlle; Wémeau-Stervinou, Lidwine; Fabre, Aurélie; Mal, Hervé; Lesèche, Guy; Dehoux, Monique; Soler, Paul; Crestani, Bruno; Mailleux, Arnaud A

2012-12-01

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease of unknown cause. Key signaling developmental pathways are aberrantly expressed in IPF. The hedgehog pathway plays a key role during fetal lung development and may be involved in lung fibrogenesis. We determined the expression pattern of several Sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway members in normal and IPF human lung biopsies and primary fibroblasts. The effect of hedgehog pathway inhibition was assayed by lung fibroblast proliferation and differentiation with and without transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. We showed that the hedgehog pathway was reactivated in the IPF lung. Importantly, we deciphered the cross talk between the hedgehog and TGF-β pathway in human lung fibroblasts. TGF-β1 modulated the expression of key components of the hedgehog pathway independent of Smoothened, the obligatory signal transducer of the pathway. Smoothened was required for TGF-β1-induced myofibroblastic differentiation of control fibroblasts, but differentiation of IPF fibroblasts was partially resistant to Smoothened inhibition. Furthermore, functional hedgehog pathway machinery from the primary cilium, as well as GLI-dependent transcription in the nucleus, was required for the TGF-β1 effects on normal and IPF fibroblasts during myofibroblastic differentiation. These data identify the GLI transcription factors as potential therapeutic targets in lung fibrosis. Copyright © 2012 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The comparison between the acquisition vibration data obtained by different types of transducers for hydraulic turbine head cover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Youping; Lu, Jinsong; Cheng, Jian; Yin, Yongzhen; Wang, Jianlan

2017-04-01

Based on the summaries of the rules about the vibration measurement for hydro-generator sets with respect to relevant standards, the key issues of the vibration measurement, such as measurement modes, the transducer selection are illustrated. In addition, the problems existing in vibration measurement are pointed out. The actual acquisition data of head cover vertical vibration respectively obtained by seismic transducer and eddy current transducer in site hydraulic turbine performance tests during the rising of the reservoir upstream level in a certain hydraulic power plant are compared. The difference of the data obtained by the two types of transducers and the potential reasons are presented. The application conditions of seismic transducer and eddy current transducer for hydro-generator set vibration measurement are given based on the analysis. Research subjects that should be focused on about the topic discussed in this paper are suggested.

The Dynamic Performance of Flexural Ultrasonic Transducers.

PubMed

Feeney, Andrew; Kang, Lei; Rowlands, George; Dixon, Steve

2018-01-18

Flexural ultrasonic transducers are principally used as proximity sensors and for industrial metrology. Their operation relies on a piezoelectric ceramic to generate a flexing of a metallic membrane, which delivers the ultrasound signal. The performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers has been largely limited to excitation through a short voltage burst signal at a designated mechanical resonance frequency. However, a steady-state amplitude response is not generated instantaneously in a flexural ultrasonic transducer from a drive excitation signal, and differences in the drive characteristics between transmitting and receiving transducers can affect the measured response. This research investigates the dynamic performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers using acoustic microphone measurements and laser Doppler vibrometry, supported by a detailed mechanical analog model, in a process which has not before been applied to the flexural ultrasonic transducer. These techniques are employed to gain insights into the physics of their vibration behaviour, vital for the optimisation of industrial ultrasound systems.

The Dynamic Performance of Flexural Ultrasonic Transducers

PubMed Central

Kang, Lei; Rowlands, George; Dixon, Steve

2018-01-01

Flexural ultrasonic transducers are principally used as proximity sensors and for industrial metrology. Their operation relies on a piezoelectric ceramic to generate a flexing of a metallic membrane, which delivers the ultrasound signal. The performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers has been largely limited to excitation through a short voltage burst signal at a designated mechanical resonance frequency. However, a steady-state amplitude response is not generated instantaneously in a flexural ultrasonic transducer from a drive excitation signal, and differences in the drive characteristics between transmitting and receiving transducers can affect the measured response. This research investigates the dynamic performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers using acoustic microphone measurements and laser Doppler vibrometry, supported by a detailed mechanical analog model, in a process which has not before been applied to the flexural ultrasonic transducer. These techniques are employed to gain insights into the physics of their vibration behaviour, vital for the optimisation of industrial ultrasound systems. PMID:29346297

Floating Ultrasonic Transducer Inspection System and Method for Nondestructive Evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, Patrick H. (Inventor); Zalameda, Joseph N. (Inventor)

2016-01-01

A method for inspecting a structural sample using ultrasonic energy includes positioning an ultrasonic transducer adjacent to a surface of the sample, and then transmitting ultrasonic energy into the sample. Force pulses are applied to the transducer concurrently with transmission of the ultrasonic energy. A host machine processes ultrasonic return pulses from an ultrasonic pulser/receiver to quantify attenuation of the ultrasonic energy within the sample. The host machine detects a defect in the sample using the quantified level of attenuation. The method may include positioning a dry couplant between an ultrasonic transducer and the surface. A system includes an actuator, an ultrasonic transducer, a dry couplant between the transducer the sample, a scanning device that moves the actuator and transducer, and a measurement system having a pulsed actuator power supply, an ultrasonic pulser/receiver, and a host machine that executes the above method.

A novel ultrasonic clutch using near-field acoustic levitation.

PubMed

Chang, Kuo-Tsi

2004-10-01

This paper investigates design, fabrication and drive of an ultrasonic clutch with two transducers. For the two transducers, one serving as a driving element of the clutch is connected to a driving shaft via a coupling, and the other serving as a slave element of the clutch is connected to a slave shaft via another coupling. The principle of ultrasonic levitation is first expressed. Then, a series-resonant inverter is used to generate AC voltages at input terminals of each transducer, and a speed measuring system with optic sensors is used to find the relationship between rotational speed of the slave shaft and applied voltage of each transducer. Moreover, contact surfaces of the two transducers are coupled by the frictional force when both the two transducers are not energized, and separated using the ultrasonic levitation when at least one of the two transducers is energized at high voltages at resonance.

ERROR COMPENSATOR FOR A POSITION TRANSDUCER

DOEpatents

Fowler, A.H.

1962-06-12

A device is designed for eliminating the effect of leadscrew errors in positioning machines in which linear motion of a slide is effected from rotary motion of a leadscrew. This is accomplished by providing a corrector cam mounted on the slide, a cam follower, and a transducer housing rotatable by the follower to compensate for all the reproducible errors in the transducer signal which can be related to the slide position. The transducer has an inner part which is movable with respect to the transducer housing. The transducer inner part is coupled to the means for rotating the leadscrew such that relative movement between this part and its housing will provide an output signal proportional to the position of the slide. The corrector cam and its follower perform the compensation by changing the angular position of the transducer housing by an amount that is a function of the slide position and the error at that position. (AEC)

Dynamic Modelling of Embeddable Piezoceramic Transducers

PubMed Central

Li, Xu; Li, Hongnan; Wang, Zhijie; Song, Gangbing

2017-01-01

Embedded Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) transducers have been widely used in research related to monitoring the health status of concrete structures. This paper presents a dynamic model of an embeddable PZT transducer with a waterproof layer and a protecting layer. The proposed model is verified by finite-element method (FEM). Based on the proposed model, the factors influencing the dynamic property of the embeddable PZT transducers, which include the material and thickness of the protecting layer, the material and thickness of the waterproof layer, and the thickness of the PZT, are analyzed. These analyses are further validated by a series of dynamic stress transfer experiments on embeddable PZT transducers. The results show that the excitation frequency can significantly affect the stress transfer of the PZT transducer in terms of both amplitude and signal phase. The natural frequency in the poling direction for the PZT transducer is affected by the material properties and the thickness of the waterproof and protecting layers. The studies in this paper will provide a scientific basis to design embeddable PZT transducers with special functions. PMID:29206150

High performance miniature hygrometer and method thereof

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanZandt, Thomas R. (Inventor); Kaiser, William J. (Inventor); Kenny, Thomas W. (Inventor); Crisp, David (Inventor)

1994-01-01

An uncoated interdigitated transducer is cooled from a temperature above the dew point to a temperature below the dew point, while a parameter of a signal of the transducer is measured. The reduction in temperature causes a monotonic change in transducer signal because that signal is sensitive primarily to the water loading of the transducer surface as water forms on that surface due to the reduction in temperature. As the dew point is approached with temperature reduction, the slope of the curve of transducer signal with respect to temperature, remains relatively constant. However, as the dew point is reached the slope of that curve increases and because of changes in the structure of the water layer on the surface of the transducer, at the dew point the transducer responds with a clear shift in the rate at which the transducer signal changes. The temperature at which the second derivative of signal vs. temperature peaks can be readily used to identify with extreme accuracy, the precise dew point. The measurement technique employed by the present invention is relatively immune to surface contamination which remains significantly unchanged during the brief measurement period.

Thermal effects on transducer material for heat assisted magnetic recording application

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

Ji, Rong, E-mail: Ji-Rong@dsi.a-star.edu.sg; Xu, Baoxi; Cen, Zhanhong

2015-05-07

Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) is a promising technology for next generation hard disk drives with significantly increased data recording capacities. In HAMR, an optical near-field transducer (NFT) is used to concentrate laser energy on a magnetic recording medium to fulfill the heat assist function. The key components of a NFT are transducer material, cladding material, and adhesion material between the cladding and the transducer materials. Since transducer materials and cladding materials have been widely reported, this paper focuses on the adhesion materials between the Au transducer and the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} cladding material. A comparative study for two kindsmore » of adhesion material, Ta and Cr, has been conducted. We found that Ta provides better thermal stability to the whole transducer than Cr. This is because after thermal annealing, chromium forms oxide material at interfaces and chromium atoms diffuse remarkably into the Au layer and react with Au to form Au alloy. This study also provides insights on the selection of adhesion material for HAMR transducer.« less

Deletion of Interleukin-6 Signal Transducer gp130 in Small Sensory Neurons Attenuates Mechanonociception and Down-Regulates TRPA1 Expression

PubMed Central

Malsch, Philipp; Andratsch, Manfred; Vogl, Christian; Link, Andrea S.; Alzheimer, Christian; Brierley, Stuart M.; Hughes, Patrick A.

2014-01-01

Glycoprotein 130 (gp130) is the signal transducing receptor subunit for cytokines of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family, and it is expressed in a multitude of cell types of the immune and nervous system. IL-6-like cytokines are not only key regulators of innate immunity and inflammation but are also essential factors for the differentiation and development of the somatosensory system. Mice with a null mutation of gp130 in primary nociceptive afferents (SNS-gp130−/−) are largely protected from hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli in mouse models of pathological pain. Therefore, we set out to investigate how neuronal gp130 regulates mechanonociception. SNS-gp130−/− mice revealed reduced mechanosensitivity to high mechanical forces in the von Frey assay in vivo, and this was associated with a reduced sensitivity of nociceptive primary afferents in vitro. Together with these findings, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) mRNA expression was significantly reduced in DRG from SNS-gp130−/− mice. This was also reflected by a reduced number of neurons responding with calcium transients to TRPA1 agonists in primary DRG cultures. Downregulation of Trpa1 expression was predominantly discovered in nonpeptidergic neurons, with the deficit becoming evident during stages of early postnatal development. Regulation of Trpa1 mRNA expression levels downstream of gp130 involved the classical Janus kinase family-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway. Our results closely link proinflammatory cytokines to the expression of TRPA1, both of which have been shown to contribute to hypersensitive pain states. We suggest that gp130 has an essential role in mechanonociception and in the regulation of TRPA1 expression. PMID:25057188

Receptor for macrophage colony-stimulating factor transduces a signal decreasing erythroid potential in the multipotent hematopoietic EML cell line.

PubMed

Pawlak, G; Grasset, M F; Arnaud, S; Blanchet, J P; Mouchiroud, G

2000-10-01

To test the hypothesis that hematopoietic growth factors may influence lineage choice in pluripotent progenitor cells, we investigated the effects of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) on erythroid and myeloid potentials of multipotent EML cells ectopically expressing M-CSF receptor (M-CSFR). EML cells are stem cell factor (SCF)-dependent murine cells that give rise spontaneously to pre-B cells, burst-forming unit erythroid (BFU-E), and colony-forming unit granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM). We determined BFU-E and CFU-GM frequencies among EML cells transduced with murine M-CSFR, human M-CSFR, or chimeric receptors, and cultivated in the presence of SCF, M-CSF, or both growth factors. Effects of specific inhibitors of signaling molecules were investigated. EML cells transduced with murine M-CSFR proliferated in response to M-CSF but also exhibited a sharp and rapid decrease in BFU-E frequency associated with an increase in CFU-GM frequency. In contrast, EML cells expressing human M-CSFR proliferated in response to M-CSF without any changes in erythroid or myeloid potential. Using chimeric receptors between human and murine M-CSFR, we showed that the effects of M-CSF on EML cell differentiation potential are mediated by a large region in the intracellular domain of murine M-CSFR. Furthermore, phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122 interfered with the negative effects of ligand-activated murine M-CSFR on EML cell erythroid potential. We propose that signaling pathways activated by tyrosine kinase receptors may regulate erythroid potential and commitment decisions in multipotent progenitor cells and that PLC may play a key role in this process.

Lentivirus Vectors Incorporating the Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Enhancer and Matrix Attachment Regions Provide Position-Independent Expression in B Lymphocytes

PubMed Central

Lutzko, Carolyn; Senadheera, Dinithi; Skelton, Dianne; Petersen, Denise; Kohn, Donald B.

2003-01-01

In the present studies we developed lentivirus vectors with regulated, consistent transgene expression in B lymphocytes by incorporating the immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer (Eμ) with and without associated matrix attachment regions (EμMAR) into lentivirus vectors. Incorporation of these fragments upstream of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) or cytomegalovirus promoters resulted in a two- to threefold increase in enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) in B-lymphoid but not T-lymphoid, myeloid, fibroblast, or carcinoma cell lines. A 1-log increase in EGFP expression was observed in B-lymphoid cells (but not myeloid cells) differentiated from human CD34+ progenitors in vitro transduced with Eμ- and EμMAR-containing lentivectors. Lastly, we evaluated the expression from the EμMAR element in mice 2 to 24 weeks posttransplant with transduced hematopoietic stem cells. In mice receiving vectors with the Eμ and EμMAR elements upstream of the PGK promoter, there was a 2- to 10-fold increase in EGFP expression in B cells (but not other cell types). Evaluation of the coefficient of variation of expression among different cell types demonstrated that consistent, position-independent transgene expression was observed exclusively in B cells transduced with the EμMAR-containing vector and not other cells types or vectors. Proviral genomes with the EμMAR element had increased chromatin accessibility, which likely contributed to the position independence of expression in B lymphocytes. In summary, incorporation of the EμMAR element in lentivirus vectors resulted in enhanced, position-independent expression in primary B lymphocytes. These vectors provide a useful tool for the study of B-lymphocyte biology and the development of gene therapy for disorders affecting B lymphocytes, such as immune deficiencies. PMID:12805432

Blocking VEGF with sFlt1 improves the chondrogenic potential of mouse skeletal muscle-derived stem cells

PubMed Central

Kubo, Seiji; Cooper, Gregory M.; Matsumoto, Tomoyuki; Phillippi, Julie A.; Corsi, Karin A.; Usas, Arvydas; Li, Guangheng; Fu, Freddie H.; Huard, Johnny

2010-01-01

Objective To investigate the effect of VEGF stimulation and the effect of blocking VEGF with its antagonist, sFlt1, on chondrogenesis using skeletal muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs). Methods The direct effect of VEGF on the in vitro chondrogenic ability of mouse MDSCs was tested using a pellet culture system followed by quantitative real time PCR and histological analyses. Next, the effect of VEGF on chondrogenesis within the synovial joint was tested using genetically engineered MDSCs implanted into the rat osteochondral defect. In this model, MDSCs, transduced with a retroviral vector to express BMP4, were co-implanted with MDSCs transduced to express either VEGF or sFlt1 (a VEGF antagonist) to provide a gain- and loss-of VEGF function experimental design. Histological scoring was used to compare cartilage formation among the treatment groups. Results Hyaline-like cartilage matrix production was observed in both VEGF-treated and VEGF-blocked (sFlt1-treated) pellet cultures, but real-time PCR revealed that sFlt1 treatment improved the expression of chondrogenic genes in MDSCs that were stimulated to undergo chondrogenic differentiation with BMP4 and TGF-β3. In vivo testing of articular cartilage repair showed that VEGF-transduced MDSCs caused an arthritic change in the knee joint, and sFlt1 improved the MDSC-mediated repair of articular cartilage, compared to BMP4 alone. Conclusion sFlt1 gene therapy improved BMP4- and TGF-β3-induced chondrogenic gene expression of MDSCs in vitro, and improved the persistence of repaired articular cartilage by preventing vascularization and bone invasion into the repaired articular cartilage. PMID:19116905

High-Sensitivity Encoder-Like Micro Area-Changed Capacitive Transducer for a Nano-g Micro Accelerometer

PubMed Central

Zheng, Panpan; Liu, Jinquan; Li, Zhu; Liu, Huafeng

2017-01-01

Encoder-like micro area-changed capacitive transducers are advantageous in terms of their better linearity and larger dynamic range compared to gap-changed capacitive transducers. Such transducers have been widely applied in rectilinear and rotational position sensors, lab-on-a-chip applications and bio-sensors. However, a complete model accounting for both the parasitic capacitance and fringe effect in area-changed capacitive transducers has not yet been developed. This paper presents a complete model for this type of transducer applied to a high-resolution micro accelerometer that was verified by both simulations and experiments. A novel optimization method involving the insertion of photosensitive polyimide was used to reduce the parasitic capacitance, and the capacitor spacing was decreased to overcome the fringe effect. The sensitivity of the optimized transducer was approximately 46 pF/mm, which was nearly 40 times higher than that of our previous transducer. The displacement detection resolution was measured as 50 pm/√Hz at 0.1 Hz using a precise capacitance detection circuit. Then, the transducer was applied to a sandwich in-plane micro accelerometer, and the measured level of the accelerometer was approximately 30 ng/√Hz at 1Hz. The earthquake that occurred in Taiwan was also detected during a continuous gravity measurement. PMID:28930176

Development of transducer arrays for ultrasound-computer tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stotzka, Rainer; Gobel, Georg; Schlote-Holubek, Klaus

2003-05-01

Ultrasound computer-tomography (USCT) is a novel ultrasound imaging method capable of producing volume images with both high spatial and temporal resolution. Several thousand ultrasound transducers are arranged in a cylindrical array around a tank containing the object to be examined coupled by water. Every single transducer is small enough to emit an almost spherical sound-wave. While one transducer is transmitting, all others receive simultaneously. Our experimental setup, using only a few transducers simulating a ring-shaped geometry, showed even nylon threads (0.1 mm) with an image quality superior to clinical in-use ultrasound scanners. In order to build a complete circular array several thousand transducers, with cylindrical sound field characteristics, are needed. Since such transducer arrays are hardly available and expensive, we developed inexpensive transducer arrays consisting of 8 elements. Each array is based on a plate of lead titanate zirconate ceramics (PZT) sawn into 8 elements of 0.3 mm width, 3.8 mm height and 0.5 mm pitch. Each element has a mean frequency of 3.8 MHz and can be triggered separately. The main challenge was the development of production steps with reproducible results. Our transducer arrays show only small variances in the sound field characteristics which are strongly required for ultrasound tomography.

Adoptive transfer of syngeneic T cells transduced with a chimeric antigen receptor that recognizes murine CD19 can eradicate lymphoma and normal B cells.

PubMed

Kochenderfer, James N; Yu, Zhiya; Frasheri, Dorina; Restifo, Nicholas P; Rosenberg, Steven A

2010-11-11

Adoptive T-cell therapy with anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells is a new approach for treating advanced B-cell malignancies. To evaluate anti-CD19-CAR-transduced T cells in a murine model of adoptive T-cell therapy, we developed a CAR that specifically recognized murine CD19. We used T cells that were retrovirally transduced with this CAR to treat mice bearing a syngeneic lymphoma that naturally expressed the self-antigen murine CD19. One infusion of anti-CD19-CAR-transduced T cells completely eliminated normal B cells from mice for at least 143 days. Anti-CD19-CAR-transduced T cells eradicated intraperitoneally injected lymphoma cells and large subcutaneous lymphoma masses. The antilymphoma efficacy of anti-CD19-CAR-transduced T cells was critically dependent on irradiation of mice before anti-CD19-CAR-transduced T-cell infusion. Anti-CD19-CAR-transduced T cells had superior antilymphoma efficacy compared with the anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody from which the anti-CD19 CAR was derived. Our results demonstrated impressive antilymphoma activity and profound destruction of normal B cells caused by anti-CD19-CAR-transduced T cells in a clinically relevant murine model.

Dissimilar trend of nonlinearity in ultrasound transducers and systems at resonance and non-resonance frequencies.

PubMed

Ghasemi, Negareh; Zare, Firuz; Davari, Pooya; Vilathgamuwa, Mahinda; Ghosh, Arindam; Langton, Christian; Weber, Peter

2017-02-01

Several factors can affect performance of an ultrasound system such as quality of excitation signal and ultrasound transducer behaviour. Nonlinearity of piezoelectric ultrasound transducers is a key determinant in designing a proper driving power supply. Although, the nonlinearity of piezoelectric transducer impedance has been discussed in different literatures, the trend of the nonlinearity at different frequencies with respect to excitation voltage variations has not been clearly investigated in practice. In this paper, to demonstrate how the nonlinearity behaves, a sandwich piezoceramic transducer was excited at different frequencies. Different excitation signals were generated using a linear power amplifier and a multilevel converter within a range of 30-200V. Empirical relation was developed to express the resistance of the piezoelectric transducer as a nonlinear function of both excitation voltage and resonance frequency. The impedance measurements revealed that at higher voltage ranges, the piezoelectric transducer can be easily saturated. Also, it was shown that for the developed ultrasound system composed of two transducers (one transmitter and one receiver), the output voltage measured across receiver is a function of a voltage across the resistor in the RLC branches and is related to the resonance frequencies of the ultrasound transducer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reducing the Effect of Transducer Mount Induced Noise on Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Testing Data with a New Transducer Mount Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herron, Andrew J.; Reed, Darren K.; Nance, Donald K.

2015-01-01

Flight vehicle aeroacoustic environments induced during transonic and supersonic flight are usually predicted by subscale wind tunnel testing utilizing high frequency miniature pressure transducers. In order to minimize noise induced by the measurement itself, transducer flush mounting with the model surface is very important. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has accomplished flushness in recent testing campaigns via use of a transducer holder that can be machined and sanded. A single hole in the holder allows the flow medium to interact with the transducer diaphragm. Noise is induced by the resulting cavity however, and is a challenge to remove in post-processing. A new holder design has been developed that minimizes the effects of this transducer mount induced noise (XMIN) by reducing the resonance amplitude or increasing its resonance frequency beyond the range of interest. This paper describes a test conducted at the NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Trisonic Wind Tunnel intended to verify the effectiveness of this design. The results from this test show that this new transducer holder design does significantly reduce the influence of XMIN on measured fluctuating pressure levels without degrading a transducer's ability to accurately measure the noise external to the model.

Decomposing race and gender differences in underweight and obesity in South Africa.

PubMed

Averett, Susan L; Stacey, Nicholas; Wang, Yang

2014-12-01

Using data from the National Income Dynamics Study, we document differentials in both underweight and obesity across race and gender in post-Apartheid South Africa. Using a nonlinear decomposition method, we decompose these differences across gender within race and then across race within gender. Less than one third of the differences in obesity and underweight across gender are explained by differences in covariates. In contrast, at least 70% of the obesity differences across race are explained by differences in covariates. Behavioral variables such as smoking and exercise explain the largest part of the bodyweight differentials across gender. For bodyweight differentials across race within gender, however, socioeconomic status and background variables have the largest explanatory power for obesity differentials, while background variables play the key role in explaining the underweight differentials. These results indicate that eradicating obesity and underweight differentials will require targeting policies to specific groups. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

77 FR 39444 - Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-03

... engine rotary variable differential transformer (RVDT) control box assemblies to determine if the control... defines the unsafe condition as a rotary variable differential transformer (RVDT) locking pin, which could...

Ultrasound transducer positioning aid for fetal heart rate monitoring.

PubMed

Hamelmann, Paul; Kolen, Alex; Schmitt, Lars; Vullings, Rik; van Assen, Hans; Mischi, Massimo; Demi, Libertario; van Laar, Judith; Bergmans, Jan

2016-08-01

Fetal heart rate (fHR) monitoring is usually performed by Doppler ultrasound (US) techniques. For reliable fHR measurements it is required that the fetal heart is located within the US beam. In clinical practice, clinicians palpate the maternal abdomen to identify the fetal presentation and then the US transducer is fixated on the maternal abdomen where the best fHR signal can be obtained. Finding the optimal transducer position is done by listening to the strength of the Doppler audio output and relying on a signal quality indicator of the cardiotocographic (CTG) measurement system. Due to displacement of the US transducer or displacement of the fetal heart out of the US beam, the fHR signal may be lost. Therefore, it is often necessary that the obstetrician repeats the tedious procedure of US transducer positioning to avoid long periods of fHR signal loss. An intuitive US transducer positioning aid would be highly desirable to increase the work flow for the clinical staff. In this paper, the possibility to determine the fetal heart location with respect to the transducer by exploiting the received signal power in the transducer elements is shown. A commercially available US transducer used for fHR monitoring is connected to an US open platform, which allows individual driving of the elements and raw US data acquisition. Based on the power of the received Doppler signals in the transducer elements, the fetal heart location can be estimated. A beating fetal heart setup was designed and realized for validation. The experimental results show the feasibility of estimating the fetal heart location with the proposed method. This can be used to support clinicians in finding the optimal transducer position for fHR monitoring more easily.

Measurement considerations on examiner-dependent factors in the ultrasound assessment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

PubMed

Kolb, Alexander; Benca, Emir; Willegger, Madeleine; Puchner, Stephan E; Windhager, Reinhard; Chiari, Catharina

2017-06-01

The standardized sonographic hip screening according to Graf has increased reliability and comparability of measurements in the screening of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). However, examiner dependent factors have been discussed to influence sonographic measurements. The objectives of this study were to examine the tolerance of the transducer positioning and to analyse the impact of transducer inclinations on Graf's hip grading system. Twenty-four hips in consecutive newborns were screened sonographically in combination with an optoelectronic motion capture system to trace transducer positions in space. Subsequently five defined inclinations of the transducer relative to Graf's neutral transducer position were analysed, giving a total of 144 sonographic images. We found a permissible transducer inclination in the axial plane of 8.8° to anterior and 8.1° to posterior. In the frontal plane we found a permissible inclination of 15.4° to caudal and 7.2° to cranial. The impact on the α-angle was significant for posterior-cranial (p < 0.001), cranial (p = 0.009), and caudal (p < 0.001) inclined transducer positions. The effect on the results according to Graf's grading system was significant for the caudal inclination of the transducer position (p < 0.001). Our findings show that the standardized plane defined by Graf's criteria allows notable inclinations of the transducer positions. Transducer inclinations show an impact on measurement results, which are clinically relevant. Those effects cannot be ruled out using Graf's ultrasound criteria alone. The examiner should pay attention to avoid transducer inclinations in the frontal plane and a combination of posterior and cranial inclination.

Design optimization of embedded ultrasonic transducers for concrete structures assessment.

PubMed

Dumoulin, Cédric; Deraemaeker, Arnaud

2017-08-01

In the last decades, the field of structural health monitoring and damage detection has been intensively explored. Active vibration techniques allow to excite structures at high frequency vibrations which are sensitive to small damage. Piezoelectric PZT transducers are perfect candidates for such testing due to their small size, low cost and large bandwidth. Current ultrasonic systems are based on external piezoelectric transducers which need to be placed on two faces of the concrete specimen. The limited accessibility of in-service structures makes such an arrangement often impractical. An alternative is to embed permanently low-cost transducers inside the structure. Such types of transducers have been applied successfully for the in-situ estimation of the P-wave velocity in fresh concrete, and for crack monitoring. Up to now, the design of such transducers was essentially based on trial and error, or in a few cases, on the limitation of the acoustic impedance mismatch between the PZT and concrete. In the present study, we explore the working principles of embedded piezoelectric transducers which are found to be significantly different from external transducers. One of the major challenges concerning embedded transducers is to produce very low cost transducers. We show that a practical way to achieve this imperative is to consider the radial mode of actuation of bulk PZT elements. This is done by developing a simple finite element model of a piezoelectric transducer embedded in an infinite medium. The model is coupled with a multi-objective genetic algorithm which is used to design specific ultrasonic embedded transducers both for hard and fresh concrete monitoring. The results show the efficiency of the approach and a few designs are proposed which are optimal for hard concrete, fresh concrete, or both, in a given frequency band of interest. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of TRP channels in the cardiovascular system

PubMed Central

Yue, Zhichao; Xie, Jia; Yu, Albert S.; Stock, Jonathan; Du, Jianyang

2014-01-01

The transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily consists of a large number of nonselective cation channels with variable degree of Ca2+-permeability. The 28 mammalian TRP channel proteins can be grouped into six subfamilies: canonical, vanilloid, melastatin, ankyrin, polycystic, and mucolipin TRPs. The majority of these TRP channels are expressed in different cell types including both excitable and nonexcitable cells of the cardiovascular system. Unlike voltage-gated ion channels, TRP channels do not have a typical voltage sensor, but instead can sense a variety of other stimuli including pressure, shear stress, mechanical stretch, oxidative stress, lipid environment alterations, hypertrophic signals, and inflammation products. By integrating multiple stimuli and transducing their activity to downstream cellular signal pathways via Ca2+ entry and/or membrane depolarization, TRP channels play an essential role in regulating fundamental cell functions such as contraction, relaxation, proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. With the use of targeted deletion and transgenic mouse models, recent studies have revealed that TRP channels are involved in numerous cellular functions and play an important role in the pathophysiology of many diseases in the cardiovascular system. Moreover, several TRP channels are involved in inherited diseases of the cardiovascular system. This review presents an overview of current knowledge concerning the physiological functions of TRP channels in the cardiovascular system and their contributions to cardiovascular diseases. Ultimately, TRP channels may become potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases. PMID:25416190

A simple-shear rheometer for linear viscoelastic characterization of vocal fold tissues at phonatory frequencies.

PubMed

Chan, Roger W; Rodriguez, Maritza L

2008-08-01

Previous studies reporting the linear viscoelastic shear properties of the human vocal fold cover or mucosa have been based on torsional rheometry, with measurements limited to low audio frequencies, up to around 80 Hz. This paper describes the design and validation of a custom-built, controlled-strain, linear, simple-shear rheometer system capable of direct empirical measurements of viscoelastic shear properties at phonatory frequencies. A tissue specimen was subjected to simple shear between two parallel, rigid acrylic plates, with a linear motor creating a translational sinusoidal displacement of the specimen via the upper plate, and the lower plate transmitting the harmonic shear force resulting from the viscoelastic response of the specimen. The displacement of the specimen was measured by a linear variable differential transformer whereas the shear force was detected by a piezoelectric transducer. The frequency response characteristics of these system components were assessed by vibration experiments with accelerometers. Measurements of the viscoelastic shear moduli (G' and G") of a standard ANSI S2.21 polyurethane material and those of human vocal fold cover specimens were made, along with estimation of the system signal and noise levels. Preliminary results showed that the rheometer can provide valid and reliable rheometric data of vocal fold lamina propria specimens at frequencies of up to around 250 Hz, well into the phonatory range.

Role of TRP channels in the cardiovascular system.

PubMed

Yue, Zhichao; Xie, Jia; Yu, Albert S; Stock, Jonathan; Du, Jianyang; Yue, Lixia

2015-02-01

The transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily consists of a large number of nonselective cation channels with variable degree of Ca(2+)-permeability. The 28 mammalian TRP channel proteins can be grouped into six subfamilies: canonical, vanilloid, melastatin, ankyrin, polycystic, and mucolipin TRPs. The majority of these TRP channels are expressed in different cell types including both excitable and nonexcitable cells of the cardiovascular system. Unlike voltage-gated ion channels, TRP channels do not have a typical voltage sensor, but instead can sense a variety of other stimuli including pressure, shear stress, mechanical stretch, oxidative stress, lipid environment alterations, hypertrophic signals, and inflammation products. By integrating multiple stimuli and transducing their activity to downstream cellular signal pathways via Ca(2+) entry and/or membrane depolarization, TRP channels play an essential role in regulating fundamental cell functions such as contraction, relaxation, proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. With the use of targeted deletion and transgenic mouse models, recent studies have revealed that TRP channels are involved in numerous cellular functions and play an important role in the pathophysiology of many diseases in the cardiovascular system. Moreover, several TRP channels are involved in inherited diseases of the cardiovascular system. This review presents an overview of current knowledge concerning the physiological functions of TRP channels in the cardiovascular system and their contributions to cardiovascular diseases. Ultimately, TRP channels may become potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

Biomechanical Evaluation of All-Polyethylene Pegged Bony Ingrowth Glenoid Fixation Techniques on Implant Micromotion.

PubMed

Wiater, Brett P; Moravek, James E; Kurdziel, Michael D; Baker, Kevin C; Wiater, J Michael

2016-01-01

Newer glenoid components that allow for hybrid cement fixation via traditional cementation of peripheral pegs and bony ingrowth into an interference-fit central peg introduce the possibility of long-term biological fixation. However, little biomechanical work has been done on the initial stability of these components and the various fixation options. We conducted a study in which all-polyethylene glenoid components with a centrally fluted peg were implanted in polyurethane blocks with interference-fit, hybrid cement, and fully cemented fixation (5 per fixation group). Biomechanical evaluation of glenoid loosening, according to ASTM Standard F-2028-12, subjected the glenoids to 50,000 cycles of rim loading, and glenoid component motion was recorded with 2 differential variable reluctance transducers fixed to each glenoid prosthesis. Fully cemented fixation exhibited significantly less mean distraction in comparison with interference-fit fixation (P < .001) and hybrid cement fixation (P < .001). Hybrid cement fixation exhibited significantly less distraction (P < .001), more compression (P < .001), and no significant difference in glenoid translation (P = .793) in comparison with interference-fit fixation. Fully cemented fixation exhibited the most resistance to glenoid motion in comparison with hybrid cement fixation and interference-fit fixation. However, hybrid cement fixation and interference-fit fixation exhibited equivocal motion. Given these results, cementation of peripheral pegs may confer no additional initial stability over that provided by uncemented interference-fit fixation.

Integration of T Cell Receptor, Notch and Cytokine Signals Programs in Mouse γδ T Cell Effector Differentiation.

PubMed

Zarin, Payam; In, Tracy S H; Chen, Edward L Y; Singh, Jastaranpreet; Wong, Gladys W; Mohtashami, Mahmood; Wiest, David L; Anderson, Michele K; Zúñiga-Pflücker, Juan Carlos

2018-05-13

γδ T-cells perform a wide range of tissue and disease specific functions that are dependent on the effector cytokines produced by these cells. However, the aggregate signals required for the development of interferon-γ (IFNγ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) producing γδ T-cells remain unknown. Here, we define the cues involved in the functional programming of γδ T-cells, by examining the roles of T-cell receptor (TCR), Notch, and cytokine-receptor signaling. KN6 γδTCR-transduced Rag2 -/- T-cell progenitors were cultured on stromal cells variably expressing TCR and Notch ligands, supplemented with different cytokines. We found that distinct combinations of these signals are required to program IFNγ versus IL-17 producing γδ T cell subsets, with Notch and weak TCR ligands optimally enabling development of γδ17 cells in the presence of IL-1β, IL-21 and IL-23. Notably, these cytokines were also shown to be required for the intrathymic development of γδ17 cells. Together, this work provides a framework of how signals downstream of TCR, Notch and cytokine receptors integrate to program the effector function of IFNγ and IL-17 producing γδ T-cell subsets. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

In-situ membrane hydration measurement of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Yeh-Hung; Fly, Gerald W.; Clapham, Shawn

2015-01-01

Achieving proper membrane hydration control is one of the most critical aspects of PEM fuel cell development. This article describes the development and application of a novel 50 cm2 fuel cell device to study the in-situ membrane hydration by measuring the through-thickness membrane swelling via an array of linear variable differential transducers. Using this setup either as an air/air (dummy) cell or as a hydrogen/air (operating) cell, we performed a series of hydration and dehydration experiments by cycling the RH of the inlet gas streams at 80 °C. From the linear relationship between the under-the-land swelling and the over-the-channel water content, the mechanical constraint within the fuel cell assembly can suppress the membrane water uptake by 11%-18%. The results from the air/air humidity cycling test show that the membrane can equilibrate within 120 s for all RH conditions and that membrane can reach full hydration at a RH higher than 140% in spite of the use of a liquid water impermeable Carbel MP30Z microporous layer. This result confirms that the U.S. DOE's humidity cycling mechanical durability protocol induces sufficient humidity swings to maximize hygrothermal mechanical stresses. This study shows that the novel experimental technique can provide a robust and accurate means to study the in-situ hydration of thin membranes subject to a wide range of fuel cell conditions.

A 3D reconstruction algorithm for magneto-acoustic tomography with magnetic induction based on ultrasound transducer characteristics.

PubMed

Ma, Ren; Zhou, Xiaoqing; Zhang, Shunqi; Yin, Tao; Liu, Zhipeng

2016-12-21

In this study we present a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction algorithm for magneto-acoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI) based on the characteristics of the ultrasound transducer. The algorithm is investigated to solve the blur problem of the MAT-MI acoustic source image, which is caused by the ultrasound transducer and the scanning geometry. First, we established a transducer model matrix using measured data from the real transducer. With reference to the S-L model used in the computed tomography algorithm, a 3D phantom model of electrical conductivity is set up. Both sphere scanning and cylinder scanning geometries are adopted in the computer simulation. Then, using finite element analysis, the distribution of the eddy current and the acoustic source as well as the acoustic pressure can be obtained with the transducer model matrix. Next, using singular value decomposition, the inverse transducer model matrix together with the reconstruction algorithm are worked out. The acoustic source and the conductivity images are reconstructed using the proposed algorithm. Comparisons between an ideal point transducer and the realistic transducer are made to evaluate the algorithms. Finally, an experiment is performed using a graphite phantom. We found that images of the acoustic source reconstructed using the proposed algorithm are a better match than those using the previous one, the correlation coefficient of sphere scanning geometry is 98.49% and that of cylinder scanning geometry is 94.96%. Comparison between the ideal point transducer and the realistic transducer shows that the correlation coefficients are 90.2% in sphere scanning geometry and 86.35% in cylinder scanning geometry. The reconstruction of the graphite phantom experiment also shows a higher resolution using the proposed algorithm. We conclude that the proposed reconstruction algorithm, which considers the characteristics of the transducer, can obviously improve the resolution of the reconstructed image. This study can be applied to analyse the effect of the position of the transducer and the scanning geometry on imaging. It may provide a more precise method to reconstruct the conductivity distribution in MAT-MI.

One-sided ultrasonic determination of third order elastic constants using angle-beam acoustoelasticity measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muir, Dave D.

This thesis describes procedures and theory for a family of one-sided ultrasonic methods for determining third order elastic constants (TOEC) using sets of angle-beam wedges mounted on one side of a specimen. The methods are based on the well-known acoustoelastic effect, which is the change of wave speed with applied loads and is a consequence of the mechanical nonlinearity of a material. Increases in material nonlinearity have been correlated to the progression of damage, indicating that tracking changes in TOECs may provide a practical means of monitoring damage accumulation at the microstructural level prior to formation of macroscopic defects. Ultrasonic methods are one of the only ways to measure TOECs, and most prior techniques have utilized wave propagation paths parallel and perpendicular to the loading directions. A few additional ultrasonic techniques reported in the literature have employed oblique paths but with immersion coupling. These reported techniques are generally unsuitable for field implementation. The one-sided contact approach described here is applicable for in situ measurements of TOECs and thus lays the foundation for tracking of TOECs with damage. Theory is reviewed and further developed for calculating predicted velocity changes, and thus time shifts, as a function of uniaxial tensile loading for longitudinal, shear vertical, and shear horizontal waves in the context of angle-beam transducers mounted on the surface of the specimen. A comparison is made to published results where possible. The inverse problem of determining the three TOECs of an isotropic material from three measurements employing three different angle beam configurations is comprehensively analyzed. Four configurations providing well-posed solutions are identified and examined. A detailed sensitivity analysis is carried out to identify the best mounting configuration, wave mode combinations, refracted angles and geometry requirements for recovering the three TOECs. Two transducer mounting configurations are considered: (1) attached (glued-on) transducers potentially suitable for in situ monitoring, and (2) floating (oil-coupled) transducers potentially suitable for single measurements. Limited experimental results are presented for the attached case using two longitudinal measurements and one shear vertical measurement. The floating case experiments utilized three of the four well-posed solutions, and measurements were made on several aluminum alloys and low carbon steel. Key experimental issues are identified and discussed for both transducer mounting configurations. The specific contributions of this thesis are: (1) Development of the general theory for determining TOECs of isotropic materials with a one-sided approach using contact angle-beam transducers. This development includes identification of four valid measurement configurations that result in a well-posed problem for recovering the three TOECs. (2) Development of the specific theory as applied to attached (i.e., glued-on) angle-beam transducers that have a variable separation distance with load. This coupling method is potentially suitable for in situ monitoring applications. (3) Development of the specific theory as applied to floating (i.e., liquid-coupled) angle-beam transducers where the separation distance does not change with load. This method is potentially suitable for single field or laboratory measurements. (4) Comparison of the eight valid TOEC recovery methods (four wave mode configurations, each having two mounting techniques) via numerical simulations and a detailed sensitivity analysis in which the effect of all expected measurement and parameter errors on determination of the TOECs is quantified. (5) Development of experimental methods that provide insight as to the relative merits of the attached vs. floating coupling methods.

The differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells from monkey embryonic stem cells.

PubMed

Ma, Xiaocui; Duan, Yuyou; Jung, Christine J; Wu, Jian; VandeVoort, Catherine A; Zern, Mark A

2008-12-01

Embryonic stem cells (ESC) hold great potential for the treatment of liver diseases. Here, we report the differentiation of rhesus macaque ESC along a hepatocyte lineage. The undifferentiated monkey ESC line, ORMES-6, was cultured in an optimal culture condition in an effort to differentiate them into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro. The functional efficacy of the differentiated hepatic cells was evaluated using RT-PCR for the expression of hepatocyte specific genes, and Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry for hepatic proteins such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin and alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT). Functional assays were performed using the periodic acid schiff (PAS) reaction and ELISA. The final yield of ESC-derived hepatocyte-like cells was measured by flow cytometry for cells that were transduced with a liver-specific lentivirus vector containing the alpha1-AT promoter driving the expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP). The treatment of monkey ESC with an optimal culture condition yielded hepatocyte-like cells that expressed albumin, alpha1-AT, AFP, hepatocyte nuclear factor 3beta, glucose-6-phophatase, and cytochrome P450 genes and proteins as determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescent staining showed the cells positive for albumin, AFP, and alpha1-AT. PAS staining demonstrated that the differentiated cells showed hepatocyte functional activity. Albumin could be detected in the medium after 20 days of differentiation. Flow cytometry data showed that 6.5 +/- 1.0% of the total differentiated cells were positive for GFP. These results suggest that by using a specific, empirically determined, culture condition, we were able to direct monkey ESC toward a hepatocyte lineage.

Ghrelin Inhibits the Differentiation of T Helper 17 Cells through mTOR/STAT3 Signaling Pathway

PubMed Central

Xu, Yanhui; Li, Ziru; Yin, Yue; Lan, He; Wang, Jun; Zhao, Jing; Feng, Juan; Li, Yin; Zhang, Weizhen

2015-01-01

Enhanced activity of interleukin 17 (IL-17) producing T helper 17 (Th17) cells plays an important role in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Significant loss of body weight and appetite is associated with chronic inflammation and immune activation, suggesting the cross talk between immune and neuroendocrine systems. Ghrelin has been shown to regulate the organism immune function. However, the effects of ghrelin on the differentiation of Th17 cells remain elusive. In the present study, we observed the enhanced differentiation of Th17 cells in spleens of growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a)-/- mice. Treatment of ghrelin repressed Th17 cell differentiation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was increased in the spleens of GHSR1a-/- mice. Activation of mTOR signaling by injection of Cre-expressiong adenovirus into tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (TSC1) loxp/loxp mice increased the differentiation of Th17 cells in spleen, which was associated with an increment in the phosphorylation of STAT3. Activation of mTOR signaling by leucine or overexpression of p70 ribosome protein subunit 6 kinase 1 (S6K1) activated mTOR signaling in isolated T cells, while reversed the ghrelin-induced inhibition of iTh17 cell differentiation. In conclusion, mTOR mediates the inhibitory effect of ghrelin on the differentiation of Th17 cells by interacting with STAT3. PMID:25658305

A GATA-2/estrogen receptor chimera functions as a ligand-dependent negative regulator of self-renewal

PubMed Central

Heyworth, Clare; Gale, Karin; Dexter, Michael; May, Gillian; Enver, Tariq

1999-01-01

The transcription factor GATA-2 is expressed in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and is functionally implicated in their survival and proliferation. We have used estrogen and tamoxifen-inducible forms of GATA-2 to modulate the levels of GATA-2 in the IL-3-dependent multipotential hematopoietic progenitor cell model FDCP mix. Ligand-dependent induction of exogenous GATA-2 activity did not rescue cells deprived of IL-3 from apoptosis. However, induction of GATA-2 activity in cells cultured in IL-3 blocked factor-dependent self-renewal but not factor-dependent survival: Cells undergo cell cycle arrest and cease proliferating but do not apoptose. This was accompanied by differentiation down the monocytic and granulocytic pathways. Differentiation occurred in the presence of IL-3 and did not require addition of exogenous differentiation growth factors such as G-CSF or GM-CSF normally required to induce granulomonocytic differentiation of FDCP-mix cells. Conversely, EPO-dependent erythroid differentiation was inhibited by GATA-2 activation. These biological effects were obtained with levels of exogenous GATA-2 representing less than twofold increases over endogenous GATA-2 levels and were not observed in cells overexpressing GATA-1/ER. Similar effects on proliferation and differentiation were also observed in primary progenitor cells, freshly isolated from murine bone marrow and transduced with a GATA-2/ER-containing retrovirus. Taken together, these data suggest that threshold activities of GATA-2 in hematopoietic progenitor cells are a critical determinant in influencing self-renewal versus differentiation outcomes. PMID:10421636

Dynamic characteristics of a variable-mass flexible missile

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meirovitch, L.; Bankovskis, J.

1970-01-01

The general motion of a variable mass flexible missile with internal flow and aerodynamic forces is considered. The resulting formulation comprises six ordinary differential equations for rigid body motion and three partial differential equations for elastic motion. The simultaneous differential equations are nonlinear and possess time-dependent coefficients. The differential equations are solved by a semi-analytical method leading to a set of purely ordinary differential equations which are then solved numerically. A computer program was developed for the numerical solution and results are presented for a given set of initial conditions.

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

Svensson, Emelie; Eriksson, Helena; Gekas, Christos

The Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) encodes a zinc-finger-containing transcription factor highly expressed in immature hematopoietic progenitor cells. Overexpression and presence of somatic mutations in acute leukemia indicate a role for WT1 in the pathogenesis of leukemia. CD34{sup +} progenitor cells were transduced with one splice variant of human WT1 without the KTS insert in the zinc-finger domain, WT1(+/-), and with a deleted mutant of WT1 lacking the entire zinc-finger region, WT1(delZ), thus incapable of binding DNA. We show that inhibition of erythroid colony formation and differentiation is absolutely dependent on the DNA-binding zinc-finger domain of WT1. Unexpectedly, however, WT1(delZ)more » was equally effective as wild type protein in the reduction of myeloid clonogenic growth as well as in stimulation of myeloid differentiation, as judged by the expression of cell surface CD11b. Expression of neither WT1(+/-) nor WT1(delZ) upregulated mRNA for the cdk inhibitor p21{sup Waf1/Cip1} or p27{sup Kip1}. Our results demonstrate that WT1 affects proliferation and differentiation in erythroid and myeloid cells by different molecular mechanisms, and suggest that mutations affecting the zinc-finger domain of WT1 could interfere with normal differentiation in the pathogenesis of leukemia.« less

Resveratrol Prevents Tumor Growth and Metastasis by Inhibiting Lymphangiogenesis and M2 Macrophage Activation and Differentiation in Tumor-associated Macrophages.

PubMed

Kimura, Yoshiyuki; Sumiyoshi, Maho

2016-01-01

Antitumor and antimetastatic effects of resveratrol on tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis through the regulation of M2 macrophages in tumor-associated macrophages currently remain unknown. Therefore, we herein examined the effects of resveratrol on M2 macrophage activation and differentiation, and those of resveratrol-treated condition medium (CM) in M2 macrophages on vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)-C-induced migration, invasion, and tube formation by human lymphatic endothelial cells (HLECs). Resveratrol (50 μM or 5-50 μM) inhibited the production of interleukin-10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in M2 macrophages, whereas it promoted that of transforming growth factor-β1. Resveratrol (25 and 50 μM) inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcript 3 without affecting its expression in the differentiation process of M2 macrophages. Furthermore, resveratrol-treated CM of M2 macrophages inhibited VEGF-C-induced HLEC migration, invasion, and lymphangiogenesis. Resveratrol (25 mg/kg, twice daily) inhibited tumor growth and metastasis to the lung and also reduced the area of lymphatic endothelial cells in tumors (in vivo). These results suggest that the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of resveratrol were partly due to antilymphangiogenesis through the regulation of M2 macrophage activation and differentiation.

A Directional Dogbone Flextensional Sonar Transducer

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-01

A Directional Dogbone Flextensional Sonar Transducer Stephen C. Butler Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport, RI 02841 Abstract: In order to...transmit energy in one direction, sonar flextensional transducers are combined into arrays of elements that are spaced a 1/4 wavelength apart. The...electroacoustic performance and compared with an experimental data. Keywords: Transducer, Flextensional, Sonar , Piezoelectric, Directional, Cardioid

Bonded foil pressure transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daube, Bernie W.

The design of bonded-foil pressure transducers is discussed, with consideration given to individual components of both the electrical and the mechanical sections of the bonded-foil pressure transducers, as well as to the temperature control and the accuracy specification of these devices. Particular attention is given to applications of bonded foil pressure transducers, which include solid and liquid rocket engine testing for fuel and exhaust pressures, fuel and oil pressure monitoring on jet engines, and nuclear underground safety system pressure monitoring and nuclear test monitoring. A diagram of a transducer cutaway view is included.

Focal Length Controllable Ultrasonic Transducer Using Bimorph-Type Bending Actuator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chae, Min-Ku; Kim, Moo-Joon; Ha, Kang-Lyeol; Lee, Chai-Bong

2003-05-01

Using a bimorph-type bending actuator, we propose a new method for controlling the focal length of a transducer by electric DC voltage. We designed two focal length controllable ultrasonic transducers with actuators, a line-focus and a point-focus transducer. The polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric type polymer film is used for transmitting and receiving of ultrasonic signals. Using the new method, it is confirmed by investigation of the underwater acoustic field that the focal length can be controlled to within 10% of the radius of the transducer curvature.

Ultrasonic pulser-receiver

DOEpatents

Taylor, Steven C.

2006-09-12

Ultrasonic pulser-receiver circuitry, for use with an ultrasonic transducer, the circuitry comprising a circuit board; ultrasonic pulser circuitry supported by the circuit board and configured to be coupled to an ultrasonic transducer and to cause the ultrasonic transducer to emit an ultrasonic output pulse; receiver circuitry supported by the circuit board, coupled to the pulser circuitry, including protection circuitry configured to protect against the ultrasonic pulse and including amplifier circuitry configured to amplify an echo, received back by the transducer, of the output pulse; and a connector configured to couple the ultrasonic transducer directly to the circuit board, to the pulser circuitry and receiver circuitry, wherein impedance mismatches that would result if the transducer was coupled to the circuit board via a cable can be avoided.

Evaluation of adhesive-free crossed-electrode poly(vinylidene fluoride) copolymer array transducers for high frequency imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagle, Sanat; Decharat, Adit; Habib, Anowarul; Ahluwalia, Balpreet S.; Melandsø, Frank

2016-07-01

High frequency crossed-electrode transducers have been investigated, both as single and dual layer transducers. Prototypes of these transducers were developed for 4 crossed lines (yielding 16 square elements) on a polymer substrate, using a layer-by-layer deposition method for poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] with intermediate sputtered electrodes. The transducer was characterized using various methods [LCR analyzer, a pulse-echo experimental setup, and a numerical Finite element method (FEM) model] and evaluated in terms of uniformity of bandwidth and acoustical energy output. All 16 transducer elements produced broad-banded ultrasonic spectra with small variation in central frequency and -6 dB bandwidth. The frequency responses obtained experimentally were verified using a numerical model.

Durability investigation of a group of strain gage pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lederer, P. S.; Hilten, J. S.

1972-01-01

A durability investigation was conducted on a group of eighteen bonded-wire strain gage pressure transducers with ranges of 0 to 15 psig and 0 to 100 psig using an improved version of a previously developed technique. Some of the transducers were subjected to 40 million pressure cycles at a 5-Hz rate at laboratory ambient conditions, others were cycled at a temperature of 150 F (65.6 C). The largest change in sensitivity observed was 0.22% for a 100-psig transducer subjected to 40 million pressure cycles at 150 F. The largest change in zero pressure output observed was 0.91% FS for the same transducer. None of the transducers failed completely as a result of cycling at or below full scale pressure.

Relationships between vegetation and terrain variables in southeastern Arizona. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mouat, D. A. (Principal Investigator)

1974-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Relationships were established between eight terrain variables and plant species and 31 vegetation types. Certain plant species are better than others for differentiating or discriminating groups of specified terrain variables. Certain terrain variables are better than others for differentiating or discriminating groups of vegetation types. Stepwise discriminant analysis was shown to be a useful tool in plant ecological studies.

75 FR 50863 - Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A119 and AW119 MKII Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-18

... box) and inspecting each rotary variable differential transformer (RVDT) control gear locking pin... missing, or improperly fitted, engine rotary variable differential transformer (RVDT) control gear locking...

Adhesion promoters for large scale fabrication of dielectric elastomer stack transducers (DESTs) made of pre-fabricated dielectric films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grotepaß, T.; Förster-Zügel, F.; Mößinger, H.; Schlaak, H. F.

2015-04-01

Multilayer dielectric elastomer stack transducers (DESTs) are a promising new transducer technology with many applications in different industry sectors, like medical devices, human-machine-interaction, etc. Stacked dielectric elastomer transducers show larger thickness contraction driven by lower voltages than transducers made from a single dielectric layer. Traditionally multilayered DESTs are produced by repeatedly cross-linking a liquid elastomeric pre-polymer into the required shape. Our recent research focusses on a novel fabrication method for large scale stack transducers with a surface area over 200 x 300 mm by processing pre-fabricated elastomeric thin films of less than 50 μm thicknesses. The thin films are provided as two- or three-layer composites, where the elastomer is sandwiched between one or two sacrificial liners. Separating the elastomeric film from the residual layers and assembling them into dielectric elastomer stack transducers poses many challenges concerning adhesion, since the dielectric film merely separates from the liner if the adhesive forces between them are overcome. Conversely, during the assembly of a dielectric elastomer stack transducer, adhesive forces have to be established between two elastomeric layers or between the dielectric and the electrode layer. The very low Young's modulus of at least one adhesion partner requires suitable means of increasing the adhesive forces between the different adhesive layers of a dielectric elastomer stack transducer to prevent a delamination of the transducer during its lifetime. This work evaluates different surface activation treatments - corona, low-pressure plasma and UV-light - and their applicability in the production of large scale DESTs made from pre-fabricated elastomeric films.

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

PubMed

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

1989-05-01

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

Breast magnetic resonance elastography: a review of clinical work and future perspectives.

PubMed

Bohte, A E; Nelissen, J L; Runge, J H; Holub, O; Lambert, S A; de Graaf, L; Kolkman, S; van der Meij, S; Stoker, J; Strijkers, G J; Nederveen, A J; Sinkus, R

2018-05-30

This review on magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) of the breast provides an overview of available literature and describes current developments in the field of breast MRE, including new transducer technology for data acquisition and multi-frequency-derived power-law behaviour of tissue. Moreover, we discuss the future potential of breast MRE, which goes beyond its original application as an additional tool in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions. These areas of ongoing and future research include MRE for pre-operative tumour delineation, staging, monitoring and predicting response to treatment, as well as prediction of the metastatic potential of primary tumours. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Protein transduction: a novel tool for tissue regeneration.

PubMed

Cardoso, M Cristina; Leonhardt, Heinrich

2002-10-01

Tissue regeneration in humans is limited and excludes vitals organs like heart and brain. Transformation experiments with oncogenes like T antigen have shown that retrodifferentiation of the respective cells is possible but hard to control. To bypass the risk of cancer formation a protein therapy approach has been developed. The transient delivery of proteins rather than genes could still induce terminally-differentiated cells to reenter the cell cycle. This approach takes advantage of protein-transducing domains that mediate the transfer of cargo proteins into cells. The goal of this brief review is to outline the basics of protein transduction and to discuss potential applications for tissue regeneration.

Bet v 1-specific T-cell receptor/forkhead box protein 3 transgenic T cells suppress Bet v 1-specific T-cell effector function in an activation-dependent manner.

PubMed

Schmetterer, Klaus G; Haiderer, Daniela; Leb-Reichl, Victoria M; Neunkirchner, Alina; Jahn-Schmid, Beatrice; Küng, Hans J; Schuch, Karina; Steinberger, Peter; Bohle, Barbara; Pickl, Winfried F

2011-01-01

Regulatory T (Treg) cells establish and maintain tolerance to self-antigens and many foreign antigens, such as allergens, by suppressing effector T-cell proliferation and function. We have previously shown that human T-cell receptor (TCR) αβ-chains specific for allergen-derived epitopes confer allergen specificity on peripheral blood T cells of individuals with and without allergy. To study the feasibility of generating allergen-specific human Treg cells by retroviral transduction of a transcription unit encoding forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) and allergen-specific TCR αβ-chains. cDNAs encoding the α and β-chains of a Bet v 1(142-153)-specific TCR (TCR alpha variable region 6/TCR beta variable region 20) and human FOXP3 were linked via picornaviral 2A sequences and expressed as single translational unit from an internal ribosomal entry site-green fluorescence protein-containing retroviral vector. Retrovirally transduced peripheral blood T cells were tested for expression of transgenes, Treg phenotype, and regulatory capacity toward allergen-specific effector T cells. Transduced T cells displayed a Treg phenotype with clear-cut upregulation of CD25, CD39, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4. The transduced cells were hyporesponsive in cytokine production and secretion and, like naturally occurring Treg cells, did not proliferate after antigen-specific or antigen-mimetic stimulation. However, proliferation was inducible upon exposure to exogenous IL-2. In coculture experiments, TRAV6(+)TRBV20(+)FOXP3(+) transgenic T cells, unlike FOXP3(+) single transgenic T cells or naturally occurring Treg cells, highly significantly suppressed T cell cytokine production and proliferation of corresponding allergen-specific effector T cells in an allergen-specific, dose-dependent manner. We demonstrate a transgenic approach to engineer human allergen-specific Treg cells that exert their regulatory function in an activation-dependent manner. Customized Treg cells might become useful for tolerance induction therapies in individuals with allergic and other immune-mediated diseases. Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

A Novel Strategy for landslide displacement and its direction monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Z.-W.; Yuan, Q.-Y.; Liu, D.-Y.; Liu, B.; Liu, J.-C.; Luo, H.

2013-12-01

Landslide monitoring is important in predicting the behavior of landslides, thereby ensuring environmental, life, and property safety. On the basis of our previous studies, we conducted the double shear test by using a third-generation optical fiber transducer that uses expandable polystyrene (EPS) as base material. However, the third-generation transducer has poor performance when cohesive force is present between the grout and capillary stainless steel pipe of the transducer. Thus, the fourth-generation optical fiber transducer was invented. Similar to the third-generation transducer, the fourth-generation transducer also used EPS as its base material. Single shear test was conducted on the fourth-generation transducer after being grouted with cement mortar (1:1 mix ratio). The micro-bend loss mechanism of the optical fiber was considered, and the optical time domain reflectometry instrument was used. The fact that the loss sequence of optical fibers subjected to loading is different at various locations is found. The relationship of the loading-point displacement VS. optical fiber sliding distance and optical loss were measured. Results show that the maximum initial measurement precision of the newly proposed device is 1mm, the corresponding sliding distance is 21 mm, and the dynamic range is 0-20 mm. The fourth-generation transducer can measure the movement direction of loadings, thus making this transducer applicable for landslide monitoring.

Development of lead-free single-element ultrahigh frequency (170 – 320 MHz) ultrasonic transducers

PubMed Central

Lam, Kwok Ho; Ji, Hong Fen; Zheng, Fan; Ren, Wei; Zhou, Qifa; Shung, K. Kirk

2013-01-01

This paper presents the design, fabrication and characterization of single-element ultrahigh frequency (UHF) ultrasonic transducers in which the center frequency ranged from 170 to 320 MHz. The center frequency of > 300 MHz is the highest value of lead-free ceramic ultrasonic transducers ever reported. With concern in the environmental pollution of lead-based materials, the transducer elements presented in this work were lead-free K0.5Na0.5NbO3/Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (KNN/BNT) composite thick films. All transducers were evaluated in a pulse-echo arrangement. The measured −6 dB bandwidth of the transducers ranged from 35 to 64 %. With the optimized piezoelectric properties of the composite film, the insertion loss of the UHF transducers was measured and determined to range from −50 to −60 dB. In addition to the pulse-echo measurement, a 6-μm tungsten wire phantom was also imaged with a 205 MHz transducer to demonstrate the imaging capability. The measured −6 dB axial and lateral resolutions were found to be 12 μm and 50 μm, respectively. The transducer performance presented in this work is shown to be better or comparable to previously reported results even though the frequency is much higher. PMID:23485349

Design of efficient, broadband single-element (20-80 MHz) ultrasonic transducers for medical imaging applications.

PubMed

Cannata, Jonathan M; Ritter, Timothy A; Chen, Wo-Hsing; Silverman, Ronald H; Shung, K Kirk

2003-11-01

This paper discusses the design, fabrication, and testing of sensitive broadband lithium niobate (LiNbO3) single-element ultrasonic transducers in the 20-80 MHz frequency range. Transducers of varying dimensions were built for an f# range of 2.0-3.1. The desired focal depths were achieved by either casting an acoustic lens on the transducer face or press-focusing the piezoelectric into a spherical curvature. For designs that required electrical impedance matching, a low impedance transmission line coaxial cable was used. All transducers were tested in a pulse-echo arrangement, whereby the center frequency, bandwidth, insertion loss, and focal depth were measured. Several transducers were fabricated with center frequencies in the 20-80 MHz range with the measured -6 dB bandwidths and two-way insertion loss values ranging from 57 to 74% and 9.6 to 21.3 dB, respectively. Both transducer focusing techniques proved successful in producing highly sensitive, high-frequency, single-element, ultrasonic-imaging transducers. In vivo and in vitro ultrasonic backscatter microscope (UBM) images of human eyes were obtained with the 50 MHz transducers. The high sensitivity of these devices could possibly allow for an increase in depth of penetration, higher image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and improved image contrast at high frequencies when compared to previously reported results.

Electromagnetic midsagittal articulometer systems for transducing speech articulatory movements.

PubMed

Perkell, J S; Cohen, M H; Svirsky, M A; Matthies, M L; Garabieta, I; Jackson, M T

1992-12-01

This paper describes two electromagnetic midsagittal articulometer (EMMA) systems that were developed for transducing articulatory movements during speech production. Alternating magnetic fields are generated by transmitter coils that are mounted in an assembly that fits on the head of a speaker. The fields induce alternating voltages in a number of small transducer coils that are attached to articulators in the midline plane, inside and outside the vocal tract. The transducers are connected by fine lead wires to receiver electronics whose output voltages are processed to yield measures of transducer locations as a function of time. Measurement error can arise with this method, because as the articulators move and change shape, the transducers can undergo a varying amount of rotational misalignment with respect to the transmitter axes; both systems are designed to correct for transducer misalignment. For this purpose, one system uses two transmitters and biaxial transducers; the other uses three transmitters and single-axis transducers. The systems have been compared with one another in terms of their performance, human subjects compatibility, and ease of use. Both systems can produce useful midsagittal-plane data on articular movement, and each one has a specific set of advantages and limitations. (Two commercially available systems are also described briefly for comparison purposes). If appropriate experimental controls are used, the three-transmitter system is preferable for practical reasons.

Hydrogen Adsorption on Activated Carbon an Carbon Nanotubes Using Volumetric Differential Pressure Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanip, S. M.; Saidin, M. A. R.; Aziz, M.; Ismail, A. F.

2010-03-01

A simple hydrogen adsorption measurement system utilizing the volumetri differential pressure technique has been designed, fabricated and calibrated. Hydroge adsorption measurements have been carried out at temperatures 298 K and 77 K on activate carbon and carbon nanotubes with different surface areas. The adsorption data obtained will b helpful in understanding the adsorption property of the studied carbon materials using th fundamentals of adsorption theory. The principle of the system follows the Sievert-type metho The system measures a change in pressure between the reference cell, R1 and the sample cell S1, S2, S3 over a certain temperature range. R1, S1, S2, and S3 having known fixed volume The sample temperatures will be monitored by thermocouple TC while the pressures in R1 an S1, S2, S3 will be measured using a digital pressure transducer. The maximum operatin pressure of the pressure transducer is 20 bar and calibrated with an accuracy of ±0.01 bar. Hig purity hydrogen is being used in the system and the amount of samples for the study is betwee 1.0-2.0 grams. The system was calibrated using helium gas without any samples in S1, S2 an S3. This will provide a correction factor during the adsorption process providing an adsorption free reference point when using hydrogen gas resulting in a more accurate reading of th adsorption process by eliminating the errors caused by temperature expansion effects and oth non-adsorption related phenomena. The ideal gas equation of state is applied to calculate th hydrogen adsorption capacity based on the differential pressure measurements. Activated carbo with a surface area of 644.87 m2/g showed a larger amount of adsorption as compared to multiwalled nanotubes (commercial) with a surface area of 119.68 m2/g. This study als indicated that there is a direct correlation between the amounts of hydrogen adsorbed an surface area of the carbon materials under the conditions studied and that the adsorption significant at 77 K.

Design of advanced ultrasonic transducers for welding devices.

PubMed

Parrini, L

2001-11-01

A new high frequency ultrasonic transducer has been conceived, designed, prototyped, and tested. In the design phase, an advanced approach was used and established. The method is based on an initial design estimate obtained with finite element method (FEM) simulations. The simulated ultrasonic transducers and resonators are then built and characterized experimentally through laser interferometry and electrical resonance spectra. The comparison of simulation results with experimental data allows the parameters of FEM models to be adjusted and optimized. The achieved FEM simulations exhibit a remarkably high predictive potential and allow full control of the vibration behavior of the transducer. The new transducer is mounted on a wire bonder with a flange whose special geometry was calculated by means of FEM simulations. This flange allows the transducer to be attached on the wire bonder, not only in longitudinal nodes, but also in radial nodes of the ultrasonic field excited in the horn. This leads to a total decoupling of the transducer to the wire bonder, which has not been achieved so far. The new approach to mount ultrasonic transducers on a welding device is of major importance, not only for wire bonding, but also for all high power ultrasound applications and has been patented.

In-plane ultrasonic velocity measurement of longitudinal and shear waves in the machine direction with transducers in rotating wheels

DOEpatents

Hall, M.S.; Jackson, T.G.; Knerr, C.

1998-02-17

An improved system for measuring the velocity of ultrasonic signals within the plane of moving web-like materials, such as paper, paperboard and the like. In addition to velocity measurements of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web in the MD and CD, one embodiment of the system in accordance with the present invention is also adapted to provide on-line indication of the polar specific stiffness of the moving web. In another embodiment of the invention, the velocity of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web are measured by way of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers carried by synchronously driven wheels or cylinders, thus eliminating undue transducer wear due to any speed differences between the transducers and the web. In order to provide relatively constant contact force between the transducers and the webs, the transducers are mounted in a sensor housings which include a spring for biasing the transducer radially outwardly. The sensor housings are adapted to be easily and conveniently mounted to the carrier to provide a relatively constant contact force between the transducers and the moving web. 37 figs.

In-plane ultrasonic velocity measurement of longitudinal and shear waves in the machine direction with transducers in rotating wheels

DOEpatents

Hall, Maclin S.; Jackson, Theodore G.; Knerr, Christopher

1998-02-17

An improved system for measuring the velocity of ultrasonic signals within the plane of moving web-like materials, such as paper, paperboard and the like. In addition to velocity measurements of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web in the MD and CD, one embodiment of the system in accordance with the present invention is also adapted to provide on-line indication of the polar specific stiffness of the moving web. In another embodiment of the invention, the velocity of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web are measured by way of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers carried by synchronously driven wheels or cylinders, thus eliminating undue transducer wear due to any speed differences between the transducers and the web. In order to provide relatively constant contact force between the transducers and the webs, the transducers are mounted in a sensor housings which include a spring for biasing the transducer radially outwardly. The sensor housings are adapted to be easily and conveniently mounted to the carrier to provide a relatively constant contact force between the transducers and the moving web.

Design and testing of an annular array for very-high-frequency imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2004-05-01

Very-high-frequency ultrasound (VHFU) transducer technology is currently experiencing a great deal of interest. Traditionally, researchers have used single-element transducers which achieve exceptional lateral image resolution although at a very limited depth of field. A 5-ring focused annular array, a transducer geometry that permits an increased depth of field via electronic focusing, has been constructed. The transducer is fabricated with a PVDF membrane and a copper-clad Kapton film with an annular array pattern. The PVDF is bonded to the Kapton film and pressed into a spherically curved shape. The back side of the transducer is then filled with epoxy. One side of the PVDF is metallized with gold, forming the ground plane of the transducer. The array elements are accessed electrically via copper traces formed on the Kapton film. The annular array consists of 5 equal-area rings with an outer diameter of 1 cm and a radius of curvature of 9 mm. A wire reflector target was used to test the imaging capability of the transducer by acquiring B-scan data for each transmit/receive pair. A synthetic aperture approach was then used to reconstruct the image and demonstrate the enhanced depth of field capabilities of the transducer.

Comparison between Field Effect Transistors and Bipolar Junction Transistors as Transducers in Electrochemical Sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zafar, Sufi; Lu, Minhua; Jagtiani, Ashish

2017-01-01

Field effect transistors (FET) have been widely used as transducers in electrochemical sensors for over 40 years. In this report, a FET transducer is compared with the recently proposed bipolar junction transistor (BJT) transducer. Measurements are performed on two chloride electrochemical sensors that are identical in all details except for the transducer device type. Comparative measurements show that the transducer choice significantly impacts the electrochemical sensor characteristics. Signal to noise ratio is 20 to 2 times greater for the BJT sensor. Sensitivity is also enhanced: BJT sensing signal changes by 10 times per pCl, whereas the FET signal changes by 8 or less times. Also, sensor calibration curves are impacted by the transducer choice. Unlike a FET sensor, the calibration curve of the BJT sensor is independent of applied voltages. Hence, a BJT sensor can make quantitative sensing measurements with minimal calibration requirements, an important characteristic for mobile sensing applications. As a demonstration for mobile applications, these BJT sensors are further investigated by measuring chloride levels in artificial human sweat for potential cystic fibrosis diagnostic use. In summary, the BJT device is demonstrated to be a superior transducer in comparison to a FET in an electrochemical sensor.

Comparison between Field Effect Transistors and Bipolar Junction Transistors as Transducers in Electrochemical Sensors

PubMed Central

Zafar, Sufi; Lu, Minhua; Jagtiani, Ashish

2017-01-01

Field effect transistors (FET) have been widely used as transducers in electrochemical sensors for over 40 years. In this report, a FET transducer is compared with the recently proposed bipolar junction transistor (BJT) transducer. Measurements are performed on two chloride electrochemical sensors that are identical in all details except for the transducer device type. Comparative measurements show that the transducer choice significantly impacts the electrochemical sensor characteristics. Signal to noise ratio is 20 to 2 times greater for the BJT sensor. Sensitivity is also enhanced: BJT sensing signal changes by 10 times per pCl, whereas the FET signal changes by 8 or less times. Also, sensor calibration curves are impacted by the transducer choice. Unlike a FET sensor, the calibration curve of the BJT sensor is independent of applied voltages. Hence, a BJT sensor can make quantitative sensing measurements with minimal calibration requirements, an important characteristic for mobile sensing applications. As a demonstration for mobile applications, these BJT sensors are further investigated by measuring chloride levels in artificial human sweat for potential cystic fibrosis diagnostic use. In summary, the BJT device is demonstrated to be a superior transducer in comparison to a FET in an electrochemical sensor. PMID:28134275

Airborne ultrasonic transducer using polymer-based elastomer with high output-to-weight ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jiang; Mizuno, Yosuke; Tabaru, Marie; Nakamura, Kentaro

2015-08-01

With the properties of low density, low elastic modulus, and low mechanical loss, poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) is a suitable material as the elastomer in an airborne ultrasonic transducer for generating large vibration velocity. In this study, we design and fabricate a transducer composed of a PPS-based longitudinal vibrator and a PPS-based disk of 0.3 mm thickness to obtain high-intensity ultrasound. The rated sound pressure at a distance of 300 mm reached 38.9 Pa (125 dB, 0 dB re. 0.02 mPa) when the frequency and voltage were 58.90 kHz and 20 V. The weight of this transducer is 6.3 g. The ratio of the sound pressure to the weight of the prototype transducer is 1.8 times larger than that of the commercial transducer. The experimental results indicate that PPS is a good substitute for metal as the elastomer for manufacturing airborne ultrasonic transducers with a high output-to-weight ratio.

Noise in pressure transducer readings produced by variations in solar radiation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cain, S. F.; Davis, G.A.; Loheide, Steven P.; Butler, J.J.

2004-01-01

Variations in solar radiation can produce noise in readings from gauge pressure transducers when the transducer cable is exposed to direct sunlight. This noise is a result of insolation-induced heating and cooling of the air column in the vent tube of the transducer cable. A controlled experiment was performed to assess the impact of variations in solar radiation on transducer readings. This experiment demonstrated that insolation-induced fluctuations in apparent pressure head can be as large as 0.03 m. The magnitude of these fluctuations is dependent on cable color, the diameter of the vent tube, and the length of the transducer cable. The most effective means of minimizing insolation-induced noise is to use integrated transducer-data logger units that fit within a well. Failure to address this source of noise can introduce considerable uncertainty into analyses of hydraulic tests when the head change is relatively small, as is often the case for tests in highly permeable aquifers or for tests using distant observation wells.

Resonant capacitive MEMS acoustic emission transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozevin, D.; Greve, D. W.; Oppenheim, I. J.; Pessiki, S. P.

2006-12-01

We describe resonant capacitive MEMS transducers developed for use as acoustic emission (AE) detectors, fabricated in the commercial three-layer polysilicon surface micromachining process (MUMPs). The 1 cm square device contains six independent transducers in the frequency range between 100 and 500 kHz, and a seventh transducer at 1 MHz. Each transducer is a parallel plate capacitor with one plate free to vibrate, thereby causing a capacitance change which creates an output signal in the form of a current under a dc bias voltage. With the geometric proportions we employed, each transducer responds with two distinct resonant frequencies. In our design the etch hole spacing was chosen to limit squeeze film damping and thereby produce an underdamped vibration when operated at atmospheric pressure. Characterization experiments obtained by capacitance and admittance measurements are presented, and transducer responses to physically simulated AE source are discussed. Finally, we report our use of the device to detect acoustic emissions associated with crack initiation and growth in weld metal.

High energy, low frequency, ultrasonic transducer

DOEpatents

Brown, Albert E.

2000-01-01

A wide bandwidth, ultrasonic transducer to generate nondispersive, extensional, pulsed acoustic pressure waves into concrete reinforced rods and tendons. The wave propagation distance is limited to double the length of the rod. The transducer acoustic impedance is matched to the rod impedance for maximum transfer of acoustic energy. The efficiency of the transducer is approximately 60 percent, depending upon the type of active elements used in the transducer. The transducer input energy is, for example, approximately 1 mJ. Ultrasonic reflections will occur at points along the rod where there are changes of one percent of a wavelength in the rod diameter. A reduction in the rod diameter will reflect a phase reversed echo, as compared with the reflection from an incremental increase in diameter. Echo signal processing of the stored waveform permits a reconstruction of those echoes into an image of the rod. The ultrasonic transducer has use in the acoustic inspection of long (40+foot) architectural reinforcements and structural supporting members, such as in bridges and dams.

Home Automation System Based on Intelligent Transducer Enablers.

PubMed

Suárez-Albela, Manuel; Fraga-Lamas, Paula; Fernández-Caramés, Tiago M; Dapena, Adriana; González-López, Miguel

2016-09-28

This paper presents a novel home automation system named HASITE (Home Automation System based on Intelligent Transducer Enablers), which has been specifically designed to identify and configure transducers easily and quickly. These features are especially useful in situations where many transducers are deployed, since their setup becomes a cumbersome task that consumes a significant amount of time and human resources. HASITE simplifies the deployment of a home automation system by using wireless networks and both self-configuration and self-registration protocols. Thanks to the application of these three elements, HASITE is able to add new transducers by just powering them up. According to the tests performed in different realistic scenarios, a transducer is ready to be used in less than 13 s. Moreover, all HASITE functionalities can be accessed through an API, which also allows for the integration of third-party systems. As an example, an Android application based on the API is presented. Remote users can use it to interact with transducers by just using a regular smartphone or a tablet.

Characterization of noncontact piezoelectric transducer with conically shaped piezoelement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, James H., Jr.; Ochi, Simeon C. U.

1988-01-01

The characterization of a dynamic surface displacement transducer (IQI Model 501) by a noncontact method is presented. The transducer is designed for ultrasonic as well as acoustic emission measurements and, according to the manufacturer, its characteristic features include a flat frequency response range which is from 50 to 1000 kHz and a quality factor Q of less than unity. The characterization is based on the behavior of the transducer as a receiver and involves exciting the transducer directly by transient pulse input stress signals of quasi-electrostatic origin and observing its response in a digital storage oscilloscope. Theoretical models for studying the response of the transducer to pulse input stress signals and for generating pulse stress signals are presented. The characteristic features of the transducer which include the central frequency f sub o, quality factor Q, and flat frequency response range are obtained by this noncontact characterization technique and they compare favorably with those obtained by a tone burst method which are also presented.

Home Automation System Based on Intelligent Transducer Enablers

PubMed Central

Suárez-Albela, Manuel; Fraga-Lamas, Paula; Fernández-Caramés, Tiago M.; Dapena, Adriana; González-López, Miguel

2016-01-01

This paper presents a novel home automation system named HASITE (Home Automation System based on Intelligent Transducer Enablers), which has been specifically designed to identify and configure transducers easily and quickly. These features are especially useful in situations where many transducers are deployed, since their setup becomes a cumbersome task that consumes a significant amount of time and human resources. HASITE simplifies the deployment of a home automation system by using wireless networks and both self-configuration and self-registration protocols. Thanks to the application of these three elements, HASITE is able to add new transducers by just powering them up. According to the tests performed in different realistic scenarios, a transducer is ready to be used in less than 13 s. Moreover, all HASITE functionalities can be accessed through an API, which also allows for the integration of third-party systems. As an example, an Android application based on the API is presented. Remote users can use it to interact with transducers by just using a regular smartphone or a tablet. PMID:27690031

Air-coupled piezoelectric transducers with active polypropylene foam matching layers.

PubMed

Gómez Alvarez-Arenas, Tomás E

2013-05-10

This work presents the design, construction and characterization of air-coupled piezoelectric transducers using 1-3 connectivity piezocomposite disks with a stack of matching layers being the outer one an active quarter wavelength layer made of polypropylene foam ferroelectret film. This kind of material has shown a stable piezoelectric response together with a very low acoustic impedance (<0.1 MRayl). These features make them a suitable candidate for the dual use or function proposed here: impedance matching layer and active material for air-coupled transduction. The transducer centre frequency is determined by the l/4 resonance of the polypropylene foam ferroelectret film (0.35 MHz), then, the rest of the transducer components (piezocomposite disk and passive intermediate matching layers) are all tuned to this frequency. The transducer has been tested in several working modes including pulse-echo and pitch-catch as well as wide and narrow band excitation. The performance of the proposed novel transducer is compared with that of a conventional air-coupled transducers operating in a similar frequency range.

Using FOCUS to determine the radiation impedance for square transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jennings, Matthew R.; McGough, Robert J.

2012-10-01

The power radiated by an ultrasound transducer is calculated with the radiation resistance, which is the real part of the radiation impedance. For circular transducers, an analytical solution for the radiation impedance is known, but an analytical expression for the radiation impedance is not available for rectangular or square transducers. To determine the radiation resistance in FOCUS, the pressure on the surface of a square transducer is computed with the fast nearfield method, and then the force on the transducer face is computed by integrating the pressure. Results using this approach are numerically evaluated for a range of ka values from 0.1 to 16. The pressure on the transducer face is also computed with the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld integral, and the results are compared. The numerical value of the radiation resistance computed with FOCUS and with the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld integral converge to the same value, although FOCUS calculates the same result in about one-quarter of the time.

Design of a Smart Ultrasonic Transducer for Interconnecting Machine Applications

PubMed Central

Yan, Tian-Hong; Wang, Wei; Chen, Xue-Dong; Li, Qing; Xu, Chang

2009-01-01

A high-frequency ultrasonic transducer for copper or gold wire bonding has been designed, analyzed, prototyped and tested. Modeling techniques were used in the design phase and a practical design procedure was established and used. The transducer was decomposed into its elementary components. For each component, an initial design was obtained with simulations using a finite elements model (FEM). Simulated ultrasonic modules were built and characterized experimentally through the Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) and electrical resonance spectra. Compared with experimental data, the FEM could be iteratively adjusted and updated. Having achieved a remarkably highly-predictive FEM of the whole transducer, the design parameters could be tuned for the desired applications, then the transducer is fixed on the wire bonder with a complete holder clamping was calculated by the FEM. The approach to mount ultrasonic transducers on wire bonding machines also is of major importance for wire bonding in modern electronic packaging. The presented method can lead to obtaining a nearly complete decoupling clamper design of the transducer to the wire bonder. PMID:22408564

Absolute calibration technique for broadband ultrasonic transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, William T. (Inventor); Cantrell, John H. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

Calibrating an ultrasonic transducer can be performed with a reduced number of calculations and testing. A wide-band pulser is connected to an ultrasonic transducer under test to generate ultrasonic waves in a liquid. A single frequency is transmitted to the electrostatic acoustic transducer (ESAT) and the voltage change produced is monitored. Then a broadband ultrasonic pulse is generated by the ultrasonic transducer and received by the ESAT. The output of the ESAT is amplified and input to a digitized oscilloscope for fast Fourier transform. The resulting plot is normalized with the monitored signal from the single frequency pulse. The plot is then corrected for characteristics of the membrane and diffraction effects. The transfer function of the final plot is determined. The transfer function gives the final sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer as a function of frequency. The advantage of the system is the speed of calibrating the transducer by a reduced number of measurements and removal of the membrane and diffraction effects.

Dual-Use Transducer for Use with a Boundary-Stiffened Panel and Method of Using the Same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schiller, Noah H. (Inventor); Cabell, Randolph H. (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A transducer for use with a boundary-stiffened panel has an inter-digitated electrode (IDE) and a piezoelectric wafer portion positioned therebetween. The IDE and/or the wafer portion are triangular, with one edge or side aligned with a boundary edge of the panel. The transducer generates and transmits an output force to the panel in response to an input voltage signal from a sensor, which can be another transducer as described above or an accelerometer. A controller can generate an output force signal in response to the input voltage signal to help cancel the input voltage signal. A method of using the transducer minimizes vibration in the panel by connecting multiple transducers around a perimeter thereof. Motion is measured at different portions of the panel, and a voltage signal determined from the motion is transmitted to the transducers to generate an output force at least partially cancelling or damping the motion.

Preferred view and transducer in lumbar ultrasound in overweight and obese patients.

PubMed

Farahmand, Shervin; Safavi, Somayeh; Shahriarian, Shahriar; Arbab, Mona; Basirghafoori, Hamed; Bagheri-Hariri, Shahram

2017-02-01

Ultrasound can be used to facilitate lumbar puncture, especially in obese patients. In this study, midline and paramedian approaches with curved and linear transducers were compared in patients with Body Mass Index (BMI) above 25 kg/m 2 for the identification of spinal landmarks. In each view, six major landmarks, including spinous process, ligamentum flavum, laminae, epidural space, subarachnoid space and posterior longitudinal ligament, were detected by emergency medicine residents and were then reviewed by radiologists. Sixty patients with a mean BMI of 29.18 enrolled in the study. This study showed that a curved transducer detected major landmarks more accurately compared to a linear transducer. There was also a poor kappa correlation between these transducers in the midline and paramedian approaches. This study showed that ultrasound can detect lumbar landmarks in overweight and obese patients, with the paramedian approach and a curved transducer being superior to the midline approach and a linear transducer in detecting these landmarks.

Broadband focusing ultrasonic transducers based on dimpled LiNbO3 plate with inversion layer.

PubMed

Chen, Jin; Dai, Ji-Yan; Zhang, Chao; Zhang, Zhitian; Feng, Guanping

2012-12-01

A high-frequency broadband focusing transducer based on dimpled LiNbO(3) inversion layer plate has been fabricated and characterized. A spherical surface with a curvature radius of 6 mm is formed on the half-thickness LiNbO(3) inversion layer plate of Y36° cut orientation. The domain structure in the cross section is observed after a hydrofluoric acid etching process. For transducer fabrication, conductive epoxy is used as the backing material and polymer is deposited on the front face as the matching layer. The center frequency, bandwidth, and insertion loss of the focused transducer are measured to be 72 MHz, 136%, and -32 dB, respectively. The focused transducer has been successfully used for rabbit eyeball imaging and a better imaging capability compared with the planar transducer has been demonstrated. These promising results prove that the dimpled LiNbO(3) inversion layer plate has great potential for fabrication of high-frequency broadband focusing ultrasonic transducers.

High sensitivity pressure transducer based on the phase characteristics of GMI magnetic sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benavides, L. S.; Costa Silva, E.; Costa Monteiro, E.; Hall Barbosa, C. R.

2018-03-01

This paper presents a new configuration for a GMI pressure transducer based on the reading of the phase characteristics of GMI sensor, intended for biomedical applications. The development process of this new class of magnetic field transducers is discussed, beginning with the definition of the ideal conditioning of the GMI sensor elements (dc level and frequency of the excitation current and sample length) and continuing with computational simulations of the full electronic circuit performed using the experimental data obtained from measured GMI curves, and have shown that the improvement in the sensitivity of GMI magnetometers is larger when phase-based transducers are used instead of magnitude-based transducers. Parameters of interest of the developed prototype are thoroughly analyzed, such as: sensitivity, linearity and frequency response. Also, the spectral noise density of the developed pressure transducer is evaluated and its resolution in the passband is estimated. A low-cost GMI pressure transducer was developed, presenting high resolution, high sensitivity and a frequency bandwidth compatible to the desired biomedical applications.

Focusing of ferroelectret air-coupled ultrasound transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaal, Mate; Bartusch, Jürgen; Dohse, Elmar; Schadow, Florian; Köppe, Enrico

2016-02-01

Air-coupled ultrasound has been applied increasingly as a non-destructive testing method for lightweight construction in recent years. It is particularly appropriate for composite materials being used in automotive and aviation industry. Air-coupled ultrasound transducers mostly consist of piezoelectric materials and matching layers. However, their fabrication is challenging and their signal-to-noise ratio often not sufficient for many testing requirements. To enhance the efficiency, air-coupled ultrasound transducers made of cellular polypropylene have been developed. Because of its small density and sound velocity, this piezoelectric ferroelectret matches the small acoustic impedance of air much better than matching layers applied in conventional transducers. In our contribution, we present two different methods of spherical focusing of ferroelectret transducers for the further enhancement of their performance in NDT applications. Measurements on carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) samples and on metal adhesive joints performed with commercially available focused air-coupled ultrasound transducers are compared to measurements executed with self-developed focused ferroelectret transducers.

Noise in pressure transducer readings produced by variations in solar radiation.

PubMed

Cain, Samuel F; Davis, Gregory A; Loheide, Steven P; Butler, James J

2004-01-01

Variations in solar radiation can produce noise in readings from gauge pressure transducers when the transducer cable is exposed to direct sunlight. This noise is a result of insolation-induced heating and cooling of the air column in the vent tube of the transducer cable. A controlled experiment was performed to assess the impact of variations in solar radiation on transducer readings. This experiment demonstrated that insolation-induced fluctuations in apparent pressure head can be as large as 0.03 m. The magnitude of these fluctuations is dependent on cable color, the diameter of the vent tube, and the length of the transducer cable. The most effective means of minimizing insolation-induced noise is to use integrated transducer-data logger units that fit within a well. Failure to address this source of noise can introduce considerable uncertainty into analyses of hydraulic tests when the head change is relatively small, as is often the case for tests in highly permeable aquifers or for tests using distant observation wells.

The Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Variable Region of Llama Heavy Chain-Only Antibody JM4 Efficiently Blocks both Cell-Free and T Cell-T Cell Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

PubMed Central

Liu, Lihong; Wang, Weiming; Matz, Julie; Ye, Chaobaihui; Bracq, Lucie; Delon, Jerome; Kimata, Jason T.; Chen, Zhiwei

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT The variable regions (VHHs) of two heavy chain-only antibodies, JM2 and JM4, from llamas that have been immunized with a trimeric gp140 bound to a CD4 mimic have been recently isolated (here referred to as VHH JM2 and VHH JM4, respectively). JM2 binds the CD4-binding site of gp120 and neutralizes HIV-1 strains from subtypes B, C, and G. JM4 binds gp120 and neutralizes HIV-1 strains from subtypes A, B, C, A/E, and G in a CD4-dependent manner. In the present study, we constructed glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored VHH JM2 and JM4 along with an E4 control and transduced them into human CD4+ cell lines and primary CD4 T cells. We report that by genetically linking the VHHs with a GPI attachment signal, VHHs are targeted to the lipid rafts of the plasma membranes. Expression of GPI-VHH JM4, but not GPI-VHH E4 and JM2, on the surface of transduced TZM.bl cells potently neutralizes multiple subtypes of HIV-1 isolates, including tier 2 or 3 strains, transmitted founders, quasispecies, and soluble single domain antibody (sdAb) JM4-resistant viruses. Moreover, transduction of CEMss-CCR5 cells with GPI-VHH JM4, but not with GPI-VHH E4, confers resistance to both cell-free and T cell-T cell transmission of HIV-1 and HIV-1 envelope-mediated fusion. Finally, GPI-VHH JM4-transduced human primary CD4 T cells efficiently resist both cell-free and T cell-T cell transmission of HIV-1. Thus, we conclude that VHH JM4, when targeted to the lipid rafts of the plasma membrane, efficiently neutralizes HIV-1 infection via both cell-free and T cell-T cell transmission. Our findings should have important implications for GPI-anchored antibody-based therapy against HIV-1. IMPORTANCE Lipid rafts are specialized dynamic microdomains of the plasma membrane and have been shown to be gateways for HIV-1 budding as well as entry into T cells and macrophages. In nature, many glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins localize in the lipid rafts. In the present study, we developed GPI-anchored variable regions (VHHs) of two heavy chain-only antibodies, JM2 and JM4, from immunized llamas. We show that by genetically linking the VHHs with a GPI attachment signal, VHHs are targeted to the lipid rafts of the plasma membranes. GPI-VHH JM4, but not GPI-VHH JM2, in transduced CD4+ cell lines and human primary CD4 T cells not only efficiently blocks diverse HIV-1 strains, including tier 2 or 3 strains, transmitted founders, quasispecies, and soluble sdAb JM4-resistant strains, but also efficiently interferes T cell-T cell transmissions of HIV-1 and HIV-1 envelope-mediated fusion. Our findings should have important implications in GPI-anchored antibody-based therapy against HIV-1. PMID:27654286

Variable Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (VDRO): Its Effectiveness as a Modification Procedure.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reuter, Katherine E.; LeBlanc, Judith M.

Two groups of five preschool children were trained to press a key for marbles for four sessions of variable ratio reinforcement (VR6). Subsequently, response decrement for the groups was compared during conditions of fixed and variable differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO and VDRO). Fixed DRO was more effective for decreasing response…

Application of PMN-32PT Piezoelectric Crystals for Novel Air-coupled Ultrasonic Transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazys, Rymantas Jonas; Sliteris, Reimondas; Sestoke, Justina

Due to very high piezoelectric properties of PMN-PT crystals they may significantly improve performance of air-coupled ultrasonic transducers. For these purpose vibrations of PMN-PT rectangular plates and strips were investigated. An air-coupled ultrasonic transducer and array consisting of 8 single piezoelectric strips were designed. Operation of the transducer was simulated by the finite element method using ANSYS Mechanical APDL Product Launcher software. Spatial distributions of displacements inside piezoelectric elements and matching strip were obtained. Experimental investigations were carried out by the laser Doppler vibrometer Polytec OFV-5000 and the Bruel&Kjaer microphone 4138 with the measurement amplifier NEXUS WH 3219. It was found that performance of the ultrasonic transducer with PMN-32PT crystals was a few times better than of a PZT based ultrasonic transducer.

Fabrication and comparison of PMN-PT single crystal, PZT and PZT-based 1-3 composite ultrasonic transducers for NDE applications.

PubMed

Kim, Ki-Bok; Hsu, David K; Ahn, Bongyoung; Kim, Young-Gil; Barnard, Daniel J

2010-08-01

This paper describes fabrication and comparison of PMN-PT single crystal, PZT, and PZT-based 1-3 composite ultrasonic transducers for NDE applications. As a front matching layer between test material (Austenite stainless steel, SUS316) and piezoelectric materials, alumina ceramics was selected. The appropriate acoustic impedance of the backing materials for each transducer was determined based on the results of KLM model simulation. Prototype ultrasonic transducers with the center frequencies of approximately 2.25 and 5MHz for contact measurement were fabricated and compared to each other. The PMN-PT single crystal ultrasonic transducer shows considerably improved performance in sensitivity over the PZT and PZT-based 1-3 composite ultrasonic transducers. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Piezoelectric single crystals for ultrasonic transducers in biomedical applications

PubMed Central

Zhou, Qifa; Lam, Kwok Ho; Zheng, Hairong; Qiu, Weibao; Shung, K. Kirk

2014-01-01

Piezoelectric single crystals, which have excellent piezoelectric properties, have extensively been employed for various sensors and actuators applications. In this paper, the state–of–art in piezoelectric single crystals for ultrasonic transducer applications is reviewed. Firstly, the basic principles and design considerations of piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers will be addressed. Then, the popular piezoelectric single crystals used for ultrasonic transducer applications, including LiNbO3 (LN), PMN–PT and PIN–PMN–PT, will be introduced. After describing the preparation and performance of the single crystals, the recent development of both the single–element and array transducers fabricated using the single crystals will be presented. Finally, various biomedical applications including eye imaging, intravascular imaging, blood flow measurement, photoacoustic imaging, and microbeam applications of the single crystal transducers will be discussed. PMID:25386032

Ultrasound transducer selection in clinical imaging practice.

PubMed

Szabo, Thomas L; Lewin, Peter A

2013-04-01

Many types of medical ultrasound transducers are used in clinical practice. They operate at different center frequencies, have different physical dimensions, footprints, and shapes, and provide different image formats. However, little information is available about which transducers are most appropriate for a given application, and the purpose of this article is to address this deficiency. Specifically, the relationship between the transducer, imaging format, and clinical applications is discussed, and systematic selection criteria that allow matching of transducers to specific clinical needs are presented. These criteria include access to and coverage of the region of interest, maximum scan depth, and coverage of essential diagnostic modes required to optimize a patient's diagnosis. Three comprehensive figures organize and summarize the imaging planes, scanning modes, and types of diagnostic transducers to facilitate their selection in clinical diagnosis.

Genetic variability and differentiation among populations of the Azorean endemic gymnosperm Juniperus brevifolia: baseline information for a conservation and restoration perspective.

PubMed

Silva, Luís; Elias, Rui B; Moura, Mónica; Meimberg, Harald; Dias, Eduardo

2011-12-01

The Azorean endemic gymnosperm Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine is a top priority species for conservation in Macaronesia, based on its ecological significance in natural plant communities. To evaluate genetic variability and differentiation among J. brevifolia populations from the Azorean archipelago, we studied 15 ISSR and 15 RAPD markers in 178 individuals from 18 populations. The average number of polymorphic bands per population was 65 for both ISSR and RAPD. The majority of genetic variability was found within populations and among populations within islands, and this partitioning of variability was confirmed by AMOVA. The large majority of population pairwise F(ST) values were above 0.3 and below 0.6. The degree of population genetic differentiation in J. brevifolia was relatively high compared with other species, including Juniperus spp. The genetic differentiation among populations suggests that provenance should be considered when formulating augmentation or reintroduction strategies.

Calibration of a horizontally acting force transducer with the use of a simple pendulum

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

Taberner, Andrew J.; Hunter, Ian W.; BioInstrumentation Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 and Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

This article details the implementation of a method for calibrating horizontally measuring force transducers using a pendulum. The technique exploits the sinusoidal inertial force generated by a suspended mass as it pendulates about a point on the measurement axis of the force transducer. The method is used to calibrate a reconfigurable, custom-made force transducer based on exchangeable cantilevers with stiffness ranging from 10 to 10{sup 4} N/m. In this implementation, the relative combined standard uncertainty in the calibrated transducer stiffness is 0.41% while the repeatability of the calibration technique is 0.46%.

High Temperature Ultrasonic Transducer for Real-time Inspection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amini, Mohammad Hossein; Sinclair, Anthony N.; Coyle, Thomas W.

A broadband ultrasonic transducer with a novel porous ceramic backing layer is introduced to operate at 700 °C. 36° Y-cut lithium niobate (LiNbO3) single crystal was selected for the piezoelectric element. By appropriate choice of constituent materials, porosity and pore size, the acoustic impedance and attenuation of a zirconia-based backing layer were optimized. An active brazing alloy with high temperature and chemical stability was selected to bond the transducer layers together. Prototype transducers have been tested at temperatures up to 700 °C. The experiments confirmed that transducer integrity was maintained.

Structural tests using a MEMS acoustic emission sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oppenheim, Irving J.; Greve, David W.; Ozevin, Didem; Hay, D. Robert; Hay, Thomas R.; Pessiki, Stephen P.; Tyson, Nathan L.

2006-03-01

In a collaborative project at Lehigh and Carnegie Mellon, a MEMS acoustic emission sensor was designed and fabricated as a suite of six resonant-type capacitive transducers in the frequency range between 100 and 500 kHz. Characterization studies showed good comparisons between predicted and experimental electro-mechanical behavior. Acoustic emission events, simulated experimentally in steel ball impact and in pencil lead break tests, were detected and source localization was demonstrated. In this paper we describe the application of the MEMS device in structural testing, both in laboratory and in field applications. We discuss our findings regarding housing and mounting (acoustic coupling) of the MEMS device with its supporting electronics, and we then report the results of structural testing. In all tests, the MEMS transducers were used in parallel with commercial acoustic emission sensors, which thereby serve as a benchmark and permit a direct observation of MEMS device functionality. All tests involved steel structures, with particular interest in propagation of existing cracks or flaws. A series of four laboratory tests were performed on beam specimens fabricated from two segments (Grade 50 steel) with a full penetration weld (E70T-4 electrode material) at midspan. That weld region was notched, an initial fatigue crack was induced, and the specimens were then instrumented with one commercial transducer and with one MEMS device; data was recorded from five individual transducers on the MEMS device. Under a four-point bending test, the beam displayed both inelastic behavior and crack propagation, including load drops associated with crack instability. The MEMS transducers detected all instability events as well as many or most of the acoustic emissions occurring during plasticity and stable crack growth. The MEMS transducers were less sensitive than the commercial transducer, and did not detect as many events, but the normalized cumulative burst count obtained from the MEMS transducers paralleled the count obtained from the commercial transducer. Waveform analysis of signals from the MEMS transducers provided additional information concerning arrivals of P-waves and S-waves. Similarly, the analysis provided additional confirmation that the acoustic emissions emanated from the damage zone near the crack tip, and were not spurious signals or artifacts. Subsequent tests were conducted in a field application where the MEMS transducers were redundant to a group of commercial transducers. The application example is a connection plate in truss bridge construction under passage of heavy traffic loads. The MEMS transducers were found to be functional, but were less sensitive in their present form than existing commercial transducers. We conclude that the transducers are usable in their current configuration and we outline applications for which they are presently suited, and then we discuss alternate MEMS structures that would provide greater sensitivity.

Magnetic plucking of piezoelectric bimorphs for a wearable energy harvester

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pozzi, Michele

2016-04-01

A compact and low-profile energy harvester designed to be worn on the outside of the knee-joint is presented. Frequency up-conversion has been widely adopted in recent times to exploit the high frequency response of piezoelectric transducers within environments where only low frequencies are present. Contactless magnetic plucking is here introduced, in a variable reluctance framework, with the aim of improving the mechanical energy transfer into the transducers, which is sub-optimal with contact plucking. FEA and experiments were used to design an optimal arrangement of ferromagnetic teeth to interact with the magnets fixed to the piezoelectric beams. A prototype was made and extensively tested in a knee-joint simulator controlled with gait data available in the literature. Energy and power produced were measured for walking and running steps. A power management unit was developed using off-the-shelf components, permitting the generation of a stable and regulated supply of 26 mW at 3.3 V during walking. Record levels of rectified (unregulated) electrical power of over 50 and 70 mW per walking and running steps, respectively, were measured.

Characterization and Optimization Design of the Polymer-Based Capacitive Micro-Arrayed Ultrasonic Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiou, De-Yi; Chen, Mu-Yueh; Chang, Ming-Wei; Deng, Hsu-Cheng

2007-11-01

This study constructs an electromechanical finite element model of the polymer-based capacitive micro-arrayed ultrasonic transducer (P-CMUT). The electrostatic-structural coupled-field simulations are performed to investigate the operational characteristics, such as collapse voltage and resonant frequency. The numerical results are found to be in good agreement with experimental observations. The study of influence of each defined parameter on the collapse voltage and resonant frequency are also presented. To solve some conflict problems in diversely physical fields, an integrated design method is developed to optimize the geometric parameters of the P-CMUT. The optimization search routine conducted using the genetic algorithm (GA) is connected with the commercial FEM software ANSYS to obtain the best design variable using multi-objective functions. The results show that the optimal parameter values satisfy the conflicting objectives, namely to minimize the collapse voltage while simultaneously maintaining a customized frequency. Overall, the present result indicates that the combined FEM/GA optimization scheme provides an efficient and versatile approach of optimization design of the P-CMUT.

Contributions to the study of inductive transducers for measuring the amplitude of vibrations in solid media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dragan, O.; Galan, N.; Sirbu, A.; Ghita, C.

1974-01-01

The design and construction of inductive transducers for measuring the vibrations in metal bars at ultrasonic frequencies are discussed. Illustrations of the inductive transducers are provided. The quantitative relations that are useful in designing the transducers are analyzed. Mathematical models are developed to substantiate the theoretical considerations. Results obtained with laboratory equipment in testing specified metal samples are included.

Electret Acoustic Transducer Array For Computerized Ultrasound Risk Evaluation System

DOEpatents

Moore, Thomas L.; Fisher, Karl A.

2005-08-09

An electret-based acoustic transducer array is provided and may be used in a system for examining tissue. The acoustic transducer array is formed with a substrate that has a multiple distinct cells formed therein. Within each of the distinct cells is positioned an acoustic transducing element formed of an electret material. A conductive membrane is formed over the distinct cells and may be flexible.

Low-cost ultrasonic lamb-wave transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kammerer, C. C.

1978-01-01

Transducer propagates Lamb wave through thin aluminum sheet material. Model includes two elements that measure effects of damping and loading which, in turn, are indirectly equated to bond integrity. Transducer has been used to evaluate bond integrity of aluminum facing adhesively bonded to aluminum facing. Because of versatility, it is now possible to inspect many objects of different configurations that could not be reached with earlier transducers.

Two-Element Transducer for Ultrasound

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lecroissette, D. H.; Heyser, R. C.

1986-01-01

Separation of transmitting and receiving units improves probing of deep tissue. Ultrasonic transducer has dual elements to increase depth at which sonic images are made of biological tissue. Transducer uses separate transmitting and receiving elements, and frequency response of receiving element independently designed to accommodate attenuation of higher frequencies by tissue. New transducer intended for pulse-echo ultrasonic systems in which reflected sound pulses reveal features in tissue.

Reliability of high-strain ionomeric polymer transducers fabricated using the novel direct assembly process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akle, Barbar; Nawshin, Saila; Leo, Donald

2006-03-01

Ionomeric polymer transducers have received considerable attention in the past several years. These actuators, sometimes referred to as artificial muscles, have the ability to generate large bending strain and moderate stress at low applied voltages. Typically, ionic polymer actuators are composed of Nafion-117 membranes with platinum electrodes and are saturated with water diluents. Recently the authors have developed a novel fabrication technique named the Direct Assembly Process (DAP), which allowed good control on electrode morphology and composition. The DAP consists of spraying two high surface area metal-ionomer electrodes on a Nafion membrane. A single- walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and ruthenium dioxide (RuO II) hybrid electrode was sprayed on a Formamide hydrated Nafion-117 membrane using the DAP method. This transducer was shown to generate 9.4% peak-peak strain under the application of +/-2V at a strain rate of 1%/sec. Furthermore using the DAP one is capable of incorporating several types of diluents in ionomeric polymer transducers. Transducers with ionic liquid diluents are demonstrated to operate in air for long periods of time. In this work we will present a reliability study of transducers fabricated using the DAP. Each transducer is tested under a frequency range of 0.2Hz to 1Hz, and a potential of +/-1V to +/-3V. Water hydrated transducers dehydrates and stop moving within 5 minutes while operating in air under +/-2V. Transducers with Formamide diluents operate for 20,000 cycles under +/-1.5V and 0.5Hz (around 11hrs), while they degrade in less than 3000 cycles under +/-2V and 0.5Hz. Ionic liquid based transducers are demonstrated to operate in air for over 400,000 with little loss in performance, and over 1 million cycle with a loss of only 43%. Actuators with several electrode compositions are fabricated and a correlation between the reliability of ionic liquid-ionic polymer transducers and maximum strain will be presented. This correlation will be used to assess the adhesion between the high surface area electrodes and the Nafion membrane. SEM images of tested transducers will be presented.

Optimized Plane Wave Imaging for Fast and High-Quality Ultrasound Imaging.

PubMed

Jensen, Jonas; Stuart, Matthias Bo; Jensen, Jorgen Arendt

2016-11-01

This paper presents a method for optimizing parameters affecting the image quality in plane wave imaging. More specifically, the number of emissions and steering angles is optimized to attain the best images with the highest frame rate possible. The method is applied to a specific problem, where image quality for a λ -pitch transducer is compared with a λ /2-pitch transducer. Grating lobe artifacts for λ -pitch transducers degrade the contrast in plane wave images, and the impact on frame rate is studied. Field II simulations of plane wave images are made for all combinations of the parameters, and the optimal setup is selected based on Pareto optimality. The optimal setup for a simulated 4.1-MHz λ -pitch transducer uses 61 emissions and a maximum steering angle of 20° for depths from 0 to 60 mm. The achieved lateral full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) is 1.5λ and the contrast is -29 dB for a scatterer at 9 mm ( 24λ ). Using a λ /2-pitch transducer and only 21 emissions within the same angle range, the image quality is improved in terms of contrast, which is -37 dB. For imaging in regions deeper than 25 mm ( 66λ ), only 21 emissions are optimal for both the transducers, resulting in a -36 dB contrast at 34 mm ( 90λ ). Measurements are performed using the experimental SARUS scanner connected to a λ -pitch and λ /2-pitch transducer. A wire phantom and a tissue mimicking phantom containing anechoic cysts are scanned and show the performance using the optimized sequences for the transducers. FWHM is 1.6λ and contrast is -25 dB for a wire at 9 mm using the λ -pitch transducer. For the λ /2-pitch transducer, contrast is -29 dB. In vivo scans of the carotid artery of a healthy volunteer show improved contrast and present fewer artifacts, when using the λ /2-pitch transducer compared with the λ -pitch. It is demonstrated with a frame rate, which is three times higher for the λ /2-pitch transducer.

Induced transducer orientation during ultrasound imaging: effects on abdominal muscle thickness and bladder position.

PubMed

Whittaker, Jackie L; Warner, Martin B; Stokes, Maria J

2009-11-01

The use of ultrasound imaging (USI) by physiotherapists to assess muscle behavior in clinical settings is increasing. However, there is relatively little evidence of whether the clinical environment is conducive to valid and reliable measurements. Accurate USI measurements depend on maintaining a relatively stationary transducer position, because motion may distort the image and lead to erroneous conclusions. This would seem particularly important during dynamic studies typical of a physiotherapy assessment. What is not known is how much transducer motion can occur before error is introduced. The aim of this study is to shed some light on this question. Eight healthy volunteers (19 to 52 y) participated. USI images were taken of the lateral abdominal wall (LAW) and bladder base (midline suprapubic) at various manually induced transducer orientations (approximately -10 to 10 degrees about 3 axes of rotation), which were quantified by a digital optical motion capture system. Measurements of transversus abdominis (TrA) thickness and bladder base position (cranial /caudal and anterior/posterior) were calculated. Repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to determine if the measurements obtained at the induced transducer orientations were statistically different (p<0.05) from an image corresponding to a reference or starting transducer orientation. Motion analysis data corresponding to measurements that did not differ from reference image measurements were summarized to provide a range of acceptable transducer motion (relative to the pelvis) for clockwise (CW)/counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation, cranial/caudal tilting, medial/lateral tilting and inward/outward displacement. There were no significant changes in TrA thickness measurements if CW/CCW transducer motion was <9 degrees and cranial/caudal or medial/lateral transducer tilting was <5 degrees . Further, there were no significant changes in measurements of bladder base position if CW/CCW transducer motion was <10 degrees , cranial/caudal or medial/lateral transducer tilting was <10 degrees and 8 degrees , respectively and inward/outward motion was <8 mm. These findings provide guidance on acceptable amounts of transducer motion relative to the pelvis when generating measurements of TrA thickness and bladder base position. Future sonographic studies and clinical assessment investigating these parameters could take these findings into account to improve imaging technique reliability.

Four theorems on the psychometric function.

PubMed

May, Keith A; Solomon, Joshua A

2013-01-01

In a 2-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) discrimination task, observers choose which of two stimuli has the higher value. The psychometric function for this task gives the probability of a correct response for a given stimulus difference, Δx. This paper proves four theorems about the psychometric function. Assuming the observer applies a transducer and adds noise, Theorem 1 derives a convenient general expression for the psychometric function. Discrimination data are often fitted with a Weibull function. Theorem 2 proves that the Weibull "slope" parameter, β, can be approximated by β(Noise) x β(Transducer), where β(Noise) is the β of the Weibull function that fits best to the cumulative noise distribution, and β(Transducer) depends on the transducer. We derive general expressions for β(Noise) and β(Transducer), from which we derive expressions for specific cases. One case that follows naturally from our general analysis is Pelli's finding that, when d' ∝ (Δx)(b), β ≈ β(Noise) x b. We also consider two limiting cases. Theorem 3 proves that, as sensitivity improves, 2AFC performance will usually approach that for a linear transducer, whatever the actual transducer; we show that this does not apply at signal levels where the transducer gradient is zero, which explains why it does not apply to contrast detection. Theorem 4 proves that, when the exponent of a power-function transducer approaches zero, 2AFC performance approaches that of a logarithmic transducer. We show that the power-function exponents of 0.4-0.5 fitted to suprathreshold contrast discrimination data are close enough to zero for the fitted psychometric function to be practically indistinguishable from that of a log transducer. Finally, Weibull β reflects the shape of the noise distribution, and we used our results to assess the recent claim that internal noise has higher kurtosis than a Gaussian. Our analysis of β for contrast discrimination suggests that, if internal noise is stimulus-independent, it has lower kurtosis than a Gaussian.

A correlation between extensional displacement and architecture of ionic polymer transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akle, Barbar J.; Duncan, Andrew; Leo, Donald J.

2008-03-01

Ionic polymer transducers (IPT), sometimes referred to as artificial muscles, are known to generate a large bending strain and a moderate stress at low applied voltages (<5V). Bending actuators have limited engineering applications due to the low forcing capabilities and the need for complicated external devices to convert the bending action into rotating or linear motion desired in most devices. Recently Akle and Leo reported extensional actuation in ionic polymer transducers. In this study, extensional IPTs are characterized as a function of transducer architecture. In this study 2 actuators are built and there extensional displacement response is characterized. The transducers have similar electrodes while the middle membrane in the first is a Nafion / ionic liquid and an aluminum oxide - ionic liquid in the second. The first transducer is characterized for constant current input, voltage step input, and sweep voltage input. The model prediction is in agreement in both shape and magnitude for the constant current experiment. The values of α and β used are within the range of values reported in Akle and Leo. Both experiments and model demonstrate that there is a preferred direction of applying the potential so that the transducer will exhibit large deformations. In step response the model well predicted the negative potential and the early part of the step in the positive potential and failed to predict the displacement after approximately 180s has elapsed. The model well predicted the sweep response, and the observed 1st harmonic in the displacement further confirmed the existence of a quadratic in the charge response. Finally the aluminum oxide based transducer is characterized for a step response and compared to the Nafion based transducer. The second actuator demonstrated electromechanical extensional response faster than that in the Nafion based transducer. The Aluminum oxide based transducer is expected to provide larger forces and hence larger energy density.

Assessing the relationship between the inter-rod coupling and the efficiency of piezocomposite high-intensity focused ultrasound transducers.

PubMed

Chen, Gin-Shin; Pan, Chia-Ching; Lin, Yu-Li; Cheng, Jung-Sung

2014-03-01

The electroacoustic conversion efficiency of the ultrasonic transducer is a critical performance index for high-power applications. The material properties, volume fraction (VF) and aspect ratio (AR) are typically regarded as the design parameters of the piezocomposite transducer. We hypothesized that the spacing between piezoelectric rods was also a dominant factor. Therefore, the inter-rod coupling effects on the efficiency of 1-3 piezocomposite ultrasonic transducers were investigated in this study. The efficiencies of six flat and three curved 1.0 MHz PZT4 epoxy composite transducers with different geometric parameters were measured. Finite element transient analyses of the inter-rod electrical-mechanical coupling in the composites were carried out to explain the measured results. The experimental results showed that for 0.47 AR, the 79% VF transducers had lower efficiency than the 64% VF and 53% VF transducers. For 0.19 AR, the efficiency of the 59% VF transducer was not greater than the efficiency of the 39% VF transducer. Numerical analyses demonstrated that the positive peak voltage induced by the coupling of the side rods was more than twice the level induced by the coupling of the diagonal rods for any spacing. The diagonal coupling voltage peak did not change for spacings larger than 0.2 mm. Moreover, for spacings of 0.05 and 0.1 mm, the inter-rod coupling caused 24% and 20% waveform shifts of the driving voltage, respectively, while the 0.2 mm spacing coupling caused a 14% reduction in the amplitude of the driving voltage. As a result, the asymmetry of the driving voltage degraded the efficiency of the composite transducers and became more severe when the spacing was decreased. We concluded that the efficiency loss induced by inter-rod coupling as a function of spacing should be considered when designing piezocomposite transducers. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Preliminary Evaluation of Near-Transducer Velocities Collected with Low-Blank Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gartner, J.W.; Ganju, N.K.; ,

2002-01-01

Many streams and rivers for which the US Geological Survey must provide discharge measurements are too shallow to apply existing acoustic Doppler current profiler techniques for flow measurements of satisfactory quality. Because the same transducer is used for both transmitting and receiving acoustic signals in most Doppler current profilers, some small time delay is required for acoustic "ringing" to be damped out of transducers before meaningful measurements can be made. The result of that time delay is that velocity measurements cannot be made close to the transducer thus limiting the usefulness of these instruments in shallow regions. Manufacturers and users are constantly striving for improvements to acoustic instruments which would permit useful discharge measurements in shallow rivers and streams that are still often measured with techniques and instruments more than a century old. One promising area of advance appeared to be reduction of time delay (blank) required between transmitting and receiving signals during acoustic velocity measurements. Development of a low- or zero-blank transducer by RD Instruments3 held promise that velocity measurements could be made much closer to the transducer and thus in much shallower water. Initial experience indicates that this is not the case; limitation of measurement quality appears to be related to the physical presence of the transducer itself within the flow field. The limitation may be the result of changes to water flow pattern close to the transducer rather than transducer ringing characteristics as a function of blanking distance. Results of field experiments are discussed that support this conclusion and some minimum measurement distances from transducer are suggested based on water current speed and ADCP sample modes.

Comparison of transducers with different frequencies in breast contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using SonoVue as contrast agent.

PubMed

Wang, Yong-Mei; Fan, Wei; Zhang, Kai; Zhang, Li; Tan, Zhen; Ma, Rong

2016-07-01

To explore the effectiveness of different transducers in breast contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using SonoVue(®) (Bracco, Plan-Les-Ouates, Switzerland) as the contrast agent. Breast CEUS was performed in 51 patients with 51 breast lesions using a low-frequency transducer (probe C5-1) and a high-frequency transducer (probe L12-5) separately. All image processes were reviewed for the presence of local blood perfusion defects and surrounding vessels. McNemar's test was conducted to compare the detection effectiveness between these two transducers. Pathological results revealed 38 malignant and 13 benign lesions. The two transducers showed no difference in detecting benign lesions. Among malignant lesions, CEUS conducted by probe C5-1 (frequency range from 1 to 5 MHz) presented 23 (60.5%) lesions with local blood perfusion defects and 26 (68.4%) lesions with surrounding vessels. Meanwhile, probe L12-5 (frequency range from 5 to 12 MHz) showed only 12 (31.6%) lesions with local blood perfusion defects and 12 (31.6%) lesions with surrounding vessel. Probe C5-1 was more sensitive than probe L12-5 in detecting malignant CEUS characteristics (p-value < 0.05). The low-frequency transducer was more sensitive than the high-frequency transducer in breast CEUS using SonoVue as the contrast agent. A new contrast agent with a higher resonance frequency, specially designed for high-frequency transducers, may be helpful in improving the clinical value of breast CEUS. The first study comparing different frequency transducers in breast CEUS of the same patient lesions. We brought out the requirement for CEUS contrast agents which are more suitable for high-frequency examinations.

Reliability of Central Adiposity Assessments Using B-Mode Ultrasound: A Comparison of Linear and Curved Array Transducers.

PubMed

Stoner, Lee; Geoffron, Morgane; Cornwall, Jon; Chinn, Victoria; Gram, Martin; Credeur, Daniel; Fryer, Simon

2016-12-01

Recently, it was reported that intra-abdominal thickness (IAT) assessments using ultrasound are most reliable if measured from the linea alba to the anterior vertebral column. These 2 anatomical sites can be simultaneously visualized using a linear array transducer. Linear array transducers have different operational characteristics when compared with conventional curved array transducers and are more reliable for some ultrasound-derived measures such as abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness. However, it is unknown whether linear array transducers facilitate more reliable IAT measurements than curved array transducers. The purpose of the current study was to (1) compare the reliability of linear and curved array transducer assessments of IAT and maximal abdominal ratio (MAR) and (2) use the findings to update central adiposity measurement guidelines. Fifteen healthy adults (mean [SD], 27 [10] years; 60% female) with a range of somatotypes (body mass index: mean [SD], 24 [4]; range, 19-33 kg/m; waist circumference: mean [SD], 75 [11]; range, 61-96 cm) were tested on 3 mornings under standardized conditions. Intra-abdominal thickness was assessed 2 cm above the umbilicus (transverse plane), measuring from linea alba to the anterior vertebral column. Maximal abdominal ratio was defined as the ratio of IAT to abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness. The IAT range was 25 to 87 mm, and the MAR range was 0.15 to 0.77. Between-day intraclass correlation coefficient values for IAT measurements made were comparable (0.96-0.97) for both transducers, as were MAR values (0.95). In conclusion, while both transducers provided equally reliable measurement of IAT, the use of a single linear array transducer simplifies the assessment of central adiposity.

A KLM-circuit model of a multi-layer transducer for acoustic bladder volume measurements.

PubMed

Merks, E J W; Borsboom, J M G; Bom, N; van der Steen, A F W; de Jong, N

2006-12-22

In a preceding study a new technique to non-invasively measure the bladder volume on the basis of non-linear wave propagation was validated. It was shown that the harmonic level generated at the posterior bladder wall increases for larger bladder volumes. A dedicated transducer is needed to further verify and implement this approach. This transducer must be capable of both transmission of high-pressure waves at fundamental frequency and reception of up to the third harmonic. For this purpose, a multi-layer transducer was constructed using a single element PZT transducer for transmission and a PVDF top-layer for reception. To determine feasibility of the multi-layer concept for bladder volume measurements, and to ensure optimal performance, an equivalent mathematical model on the basis of KLM-circuit modeling was generated. This model was obtained in two subsequent steps. Firstly, the PZT transducer was modeled without PVDF-layer attached by means of matching the model with the measured electrical input impedance. It was validated using pulse-echo measurements. Secondly, the model was extended with the PVDF-layer. The total model was validated by considering the PVDF-layer as a hydrophone on the PZT transducer surface and comparing the measured and simulated PVDF responses on a wave transmitted by the PZT transducer. The obtained results indicated that a valid model for the multi-layer transducer was constructed. The model showed feasibility of the multi-layer concept for bladder volume measurements. It also allowed for further optimization with respect to electrical matching and transmit waveform. Additionally, the model demonstrated the effect of mechanical loading of the PVDF-layer on the PZT transducer.

Damping, amplitude, aging tests of stacked transducers for shock wave generation.

PubMed

Sferruzza, Jean-Pierre; Birer, Alain; Chavrier, Françoise; Cathignol, Dominique

2002-10-01

New clinical concepts in lithotripsy demand small shock heads. Reducing the size of piezoelectric shock heads will be possible only if the pressure generated at the surface of each transducer can be increased so that the total pressure at the focus remains the same. To solve this problem, different solutions were proposed. For example, it has been demonstrated that piezocomposite material, as opposed to piezoceramic material, allows the generation of a higher surface pressure before breaking, mainly because radial modes are dramatically reduced. In addition, in a previous paper, we showed the feasibility of generating high-pressure pulse waves without increasing the transducer voltage by using sandwiched transducers, which are a stack of two or more transducers. Some discrepancies appeared, however, between the pressure measured at the surface of the front transducer and the arithmetic sum of the pressures generated by each transducer constituting the stack. In fact, development of such stacked transducers capable of generating surface pressures in the range of 2 to 5 MPa is very complex, which may explain why no aging tests have been reported in the literature thus far. In the first part of this paper, we theoretically determine the importance of the electroacoustical coupling between the two transducers on the generated surface pressure. We show that pressure losses due to these electroacoustical couplings are less than 5%. Experimental measurements done on a stacked transducer assembled and tightened in a castor oil-filled tank are in excellent accordance with the theoretical measurements. Using this assembly technique, it was possible to obtain, on average, out of four elements, a pressure of 7.5 MPa for the duration of 4 million shocks, which would allow the treatment of approximately 1000 patients.

Wideband Single Crystal Transducer for Bone Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sahul, Raffi

2015-01-01

Phase II objectives: Optimize the Phase I transducer for sensitivity; Test different transmit signals for optimum performance; Demonstrate compatibility with electronics; Confirm additional transducer capabilities over conventional systems by calibrating with other methods.

Thermodynamic Pressure/Temperature Transducer Health Check

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Immer, Christopher D. (Inventor); Eckhoff, Anthony (Inventor); Medelius, Pedro J. (Inventor); Deyoe, Richard T. (Inventor); Starr, Stanley O. (Inventor)

2004-01-01

A device and procedure for checking the health of a pressure transducer in situ is provided. The procedure includes measuring a fixed change in pressure above ambient pressure and a fixed change in pressure below ambient pressure. This is done by first sealing an enclosed volume around the transducer with a valve. A piston inside the sealed volume is increasing the pressure. A fixed pressure below ambient pressure is obtained by opening the valve, driving the piston The output of the pressure transducer is recorded for both the overpressuring and the underpressuring. By comparing this data with data taken during a preoperative calibration, the health of the transducer is determined from the linearity, the hysteresis, and the repeatability of its output. The further addition of a thermometer allows constant offset error in the transducer output to be determined.

Microinterferometer transducer

DOEpatents

Corey, III, Harry S.

1979-01-01

An air-bearing microinterferometer transducer is provided for increased accuracy, range and linearity over conventional displacement transducers. A microinterferometer system is housed within a small compartment of an air-bearing displacement transducer housing. A movable cube corner reflector of the interferometer is mounted to move with the displacement gauging probe of the transducer. The probe is disposed for axial displacement by means of an air-bearing. Light from a single frequency laser is directed into an interferometer system within the transducer housing by means of a self-focusing fiber optic cable to maintain light coherency. Separate fringe patterns are monitored by a pair of fiber optic cables which transmit the patterns to a detecting system. The detecting system includes a bidirectional counter which counts the light pattern fringes according to the direction of movement of the probe during a displacement gauging operation.

IEEE 1451.2 based Smart sensor system using ADuc847

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sreejithlal, A.; Ajith, Jose

IEEE 1451 standard defines a standard interface for connecting transducers to microprocessor based data acquisition systems, instrumentation systems, control and field networks. Smart transducer interface module (STIM) acts as a unit which provides signal conditioning, digitization and data packet generation functions to the transducers connected to it. This paper describes the implementation of a microcontroller based smart transducer interface module based on IEEE 1451.2 standard. The module, implemented using ADuc847 microcontroller has 2 transducer channels and is programmed using Embedded C language. The Sensor system consists of a Network Controlled Application Processor (NCAP) module which controls the Smart transducer interface module (STIM) over an IEEE1451.2-RS232 bus. The NCAP module is implemented as a software module in C# language. The hardware details, control principles involved and the software implementation for the STIM are described in detail.

Evaluation of Imaging Parameters of Ultrasound Scanners: Baseline for Future Testing

PubMed Central

Pasicz, Katarzyna; Grabska, Iwona; Skrzyński, Witold; Ślusarczyk-Kacprzyk, Wioletta; Bulski, Wojciech

2017-01-01

Summary Background Regular quality control is required in Poland only for those methods of medical imaging which involve the use of ionizing radiation but not for ultrasonography. It is known that the quality of ultrasound images may be affected by the wearing down or malfunctioning of equipment. Material/Methods An evaluation of image quality was carried out for 22 ultrasound scanners equipped with 46 transducers. The CIRS Phantom model 040GSE was used. A set of tests was established which could be carried out with the phantom, including: depth of penetration, dead zone, distance measurement accuracy, resolution, uniformity, and visibility of structures. Results While the dead zone was 0 mm for 89% of transducers, it was 3 mm for the oldest transducer. The distances measured agreed with the actual distances by 1 mm or less in most cases, with the largest difference of 2.6 mm. The resolution in the axial direction for linear transducers did not exceed 1 mm, but it reached even 5 mm for some of the convex and sector transducers, especially at higher depths and in the lateral direction. For 29% of transducers, some distortions of anechoic structures were observed. Artifacts were detected for several transducers. Conclusions The results will serve as a baseline for future testing. Several cases of suboptimal image quality were identified along with differences in performance between similar transducers. The results could be used to decide on the applicability of a given scanner or transducer for a particular kind of examination. PMID:29657644

Solving Ordinary Differential Equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krogh, F. T.

1987-01-01

Initial-value ordinary differential equation solution via variable order Adams method (SIVA/DIVA) package is collection of subroutines for solution of nonstiff ordinary differential equations. There are versions for single-precision and double-precision arithmetic. Requires fewer evaluations of derivatives than other variable-order Adams predictor/ corrector methods. Option for direct integration of second-order equations makes integration of trajectory problems significantly more efficient. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Item Response Theory with Covariates (IRT-C): Assessing Item Recovery and Differential Item Functioning for the Three-Parameter Logistic Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tay, Louis; Huang, Qiming; Vermunt, Jeroen K.

2016-01-01

In large-scale testing, the use of multigroup approaches is limited for assessing differential item functioning (DIF) across multiple variables as DIF is examined for each variable separately. In contrast, the item response theory with covariate (IRT-C) procedure can be used to examine DIF across multiple variables (covariates) simultaneously. To…

Transducer technology transfer to bio-engineering applications. [aerospace stress transducer for heart function analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duran, E. N.; Lewis, G. W.; Feldstein, C.; Corday, E.; Meerbaum, S.; Lang, T.

1973-01-01

The results of a technology transfer of a miniature unidirectional stress transducer, developed for experimental stress analysis in the aerospace field, to applications in bioengineering are reported. By modification of the basic design and innovations in attachment techniques, the transducer was successfully used in vivo on the myocardium of large dogs to record the change in contractile force due to coronary occlusion, reperfusion, and intervention.

Effect of the Matching Circuit on the Electromechanical Characteristics of Sandwiched Piezoelectric Transducers.

PubMed

Lin, Shuyu; Xu, Jie

2017-02-10

The input electrical impedance behaves as a capacitive when a piezoelectric transducer is excited near its resonance frequency. In order to increase the energy transmission efficiency, a series or parallel inductor should be used to compensate the capacitive impedance of the piezoelectric transducer. In this paper, the effect of the series matching inductor on the electromechanical characteristics of the piezoelectric transducer is analyzed. The dependency of the resonance/anti-resonance frequency, the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient, the electrical quality factor and the electro-acoustical efficiency on the matching inductor is obtained. It is shown that apart from compensating the capacitive impedance of the piezoelectric transducer, the series matching inductor can also change the electromechanical characteristics of the piezoelectric transducer. When series matching inductor is increased, the resonance frequency is decreased and the anti-resonance unchanged; the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient is increased. For the electrical quality factor and the electroacoustic efficiency, the dependency on the matching inductor is different when the transducer is operated at the resonance and the anti-resonance frequency. The electromechanical characteristics of the piezoelectric transducer with series matching inductor are measured. It is shown that the theoretically predicted relationship between the electromechanical characteristics and the series matching inductor is in good agreement with the experimental results.

Effect of the Matching Circuit on the Electromechanical Characteristics of Sandwiched Piezoelectric Transducers

PubMed Central

Lin, Shuyu; Xu, Jie

2017-01-01

The input electrical impedance behaves as a capacitive when a piezoelectric transducer is excited near its resonance frequency. In order to increase the energy transmission efficiency, a series or parallel inductor should be used to compensate the capacitive impedance of the piezoelectric transducer. In this paper, the effect of the series matching inductor on the electromechanical characteristics of the piezoelectric transducer is analyzed. The dependency of the resonance/anti-resonance frequency, the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient, the electrical quality factor and the electro-acoustical efficiency on the matching inductor is obtained. It is shown that apart from compensating the capacitive impedance of the piezoelectric transducer, the series matching inductor can also change the electromechanical characteristics of the piezoelectric transducer. When series matching inductor is increased, the resonance frequency is decreased and the anti-resonance unchanged; the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient is increased. For the electrical quality factor and the electroacoustic efficiency, the dependency on the matching inductor is different when the transducer is operated at the resonance and the anti-resonance frequency. The electromechanical characteristics of the piezoelectric transducer with series matching inductor are measured. It is shown that the theoretically predicted relationship between the electromechanical characteristics and the series matching inductor is in good agreement with the experimental results. PMID:28208583

Flexible magnetoelectric transducer with high magnetic field sensitivity based on Metglas/poly(vinylidene fluoride) heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Yibing; Qiu, Jing; He, Xingduo; Chang, Qijie; Hu, Zhenwen; Liu, Huanbin

2017-12-01

In this paper, the flexible magnetoelectric (ME) transducer consisting of FeSiB (Metglas)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is presented, whose ME coupling characteristics and ME sensing performance under different bend status have been investigated. It is found that an appropriate size of transducers is propitious to the ME coupling characteristics due to the demagnetization effect. In addition, with increase the bending angle (θ) of transducers from 0° to 50°, the magnetoelectric voltage coefficient (MEVC) shows a reduction from 240.42 to 26.44 V/cm.Oe and 13.1 to 2.11 V/cm.Oe, at the resonance and low-frequency (1 kHz), respectively. Meanwhile, the induced ME voltage have an excellent linear relationship to ac magnetic field. An ultrahigh magnetic field sensitivity of 1.22 V/Oe and 0.11 V/Oe have been found under θ = 0° and 50°, respectively, which are positively comparable to the highest reported in the most recent polymer-based ME transducers. Moreover, the transducers can maintain the MEVC stable after an additionally bending cycles up to 1000 times, indicating the full flexibility and high stability of the mentioned transducers. Obviously, it demonstrates that the proposed FeSiB/PVDF transducers have great potential of being applied to wearable devices.

Improved fabrication of focused single element P(VDF–TrFE) transducer for high frequency ultrasound applications

PubMed Central

Jeong, Jong Seob; Shung, K. Kirk

2013-01-01

We present an improved fabrication technique for the focused single element poly (vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene) P(VDF–TrFE) transducer. In this work, a conductive epoxy for a backing layer was directly bonded to the 25 μm thick P(VDF–TrFE) film and thus made it easy to conform the aperture of the P(VDF–TrFE) transducer. Two prototype focused P(VDF–TrFE) transducers with disk- and ring-type aperture were fabricated and their performance was evaluated using the UBM (Ultrasound Biomicroscopy) system with a wire phantom. All transducers had a spherically focused aperture with a low f-number (focal depth/aperture size = 1). The center frequency of the disk-type P(VDF–TrFE) transducer was 23 MHz and −6 dB bandwidth was 102%. The ring-type P(VDF–TrFE) transducer had 20 MHz center frequency and −6 dB bandwidth of 103%. The measured pulse echo signal had reduced reverberation due to no additional adhesive layer between the P(VDF–TrFE) film and the backing layer. Hence, the proposed method is promising to fabricate a single element transducer using P(VDF–TrFE) film for high frequency applications. PMID:23021238

Long term performance of wearable transducer for motion energy harvesting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGarry, Scott A.; Behrens, Sam

2010-04-01

Personal electronic devices such as cell phones, GPS and MP3 players have traditionally depended on battery energy storage technologies for operation. By harvesting energy from a person's motion, these devices may achieve greater run times without increasing the mass or volume of the electronic device. Through the use of a flexible piezoelectric transducer such as poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and integrating it into a person's clothing, it becomes a 'wearable transducer'. As the PVDF transducer is strained during the person's routine activities, it produces an electrical charge which can then be harvested to power personal electronic devices. Existing wearable transducers have shown great promise for personal motion energy harvesting applications. However, they are presently physically bulky and not ergonomic for the wearer. In addition, there is limited information on the energy harvesting performance for wearable transducers, especially under realistic conditions and for extended cyclic force operations - as would be experienced when worn. In this paper, we present experimental results for a wearable PVDF transducer using a person's measured walking force profile, which is then cycled for a prolonged period of time using an experimental apparatus. Experimental results indicate that after an initial drop in performance, the transducer energy harvesting performance does not substantially deteriorate over time, as less than 10% degradation was observed. Longevity testing is still continuing at CSIRO.

Fullerene reinforced ionic polymer transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, J. H.; Cheng, T. H.; Oh, I. K.

2009-07-01

Novel fullerene reinforced nano-composite transducers based on nafion were developed inorder to improve the ionic polymer metal composite transducer. The fullerene reinforced nano-composite membranes were fabricated by recasting method with 0.1 and 0.5 weight percentage of a Fullerenes. Stress-Strain tests showed tremendous increase in stiffness and modulus of the nano-composite membranes even at these minute concentrations of Fullerenes. Ionic exchange capacity analysis and proton conductivity test were performed to calculate the electrical property of the composite films. Water uptake was measured to understand the liquid adsorbing characteristics of the membranes. Also, tip displacement of the nano-composite membrane transducer was investigated under AC excitations with various magnitudes and frequencies. Furthermore, the generated energy was measured from external sinusoidal physical input vibration with several displacements and frequencies by using a mechanical shaker. As a result, the fullerene reinforced nanocomposite membrane based on nafion shows higher stiffness and Young's modulus than that of pure nafion membrane. Also, the nano-composite membrane had better water uptake and proton conductivity than the pure membrane. Fullerene reinforced nano-composite membrane transducer actuates to a much larger deformations than pure nafion membrane transducer. The developed membrane transducer dissipates more energy from the physical input vibration than that of unfilled(or virgin) Nafion membrane transducer.

A rectangle-type linear ultrasonic motor using longitudinal vibration transducers with four driving feet.

PubMed

Liu, Yingxiang; Chen, Weishan; Liu, Junkao; Shi, Shengjun

2013-04-01

To make full use of the vibrational energy of a longitudinal transducer, a rectangle-type linear ultrasonic motor with four driving feet is proposed in this paper. This new motor consists of four longitudinal vibration transducers which are arranged in a rectangle and form an enclosed construction. Lead zirconate titanate ceramics are embedded into the middle of the transducer and fastened by a wedge-caulking mechanism. Each transducer includes an exponentially shaped horn located on each end. The horns of the vertical transducers intersect at the base of the horizontal transducers' horns; the tip ends of the horizontal transducers' horns are used as the driving feet. Longitudinal vibrations are superimposed in the motor and generate elliptical movements at the tip ends of the horns. The working principle of the proposed motor is analyzed. The resonance frequencies of two working modes are tuned to be close to each other by adjusting the structural parameters. Transient analysis is developed to gain the vibration characteristics of the motor. A prototype motor is fabricated and measured. The vibration test results verify the feasibility of the proposed design. Typical output of the prototype is a no-load speed of 928 mm/s and maximum thrust force of 60 N at a voltage of 200 Vrms.

Smad2 and Smad3 have differential sensitivity in relaying TGFβ signaling and inversely regulate early lineage specification

PubMed Central

Liu, Ling; Liu, Xu; Ren, Xudong; Tian, Yue; Chen, Zhenyu; Xu, Xiangjie; Du, Yanhua; Jiang, Cizhong; Fang, Yujiang; Liu, Zhongliang; Fan, Beibei; Zhang, Quanbin; Jin, Guohua; Yang, Xiao; Zhang, Xiaoqing

2016-01-01

The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) related signaling is one of the most important signaling pathways regulating early developmental events. Smad2 and Smad3 are structurally similar and it is mostly considered that they are equally important in mediating TGFβ signals. Here, we show that Smad3 is an insensitive TGFβ transducer as compared with Smad2. Smad3 preferentially localizes within the nucleus and is thus sequestered from membrane signaling. The ability of Smad3 in oligomerization with Smad4 upon agonist stimulation is also impaired given its unique linker region. Smad2 mediated TGFβ signaling plays a crucial role in epiblast development and patterning of three germ layers. However, signaling unrelated nuclear localized Smad3 is dispensable for TGFβ signaling-mediated epiblast specification, but important for early neural development, an event blocked by TGFβ/Smad2 signaling. Both Smad2 and Smad3 bind to the conserved Smads binding element (SBE), but they show nonoverlapped target gene binding specificity and differential transcriptional activity. We conclude that Smad2 and Smad3 possess differential sensitivities in relaying TGFβ signaling and have distinct roles in regulating early developmental events. PMID:26905010

Smad2 and Smad3 have differential sensitivity in relaying TGFβ signaling and inversely regulate early lineage specification.

PubMed

Liu, Ling; Liu, Xu; Ren, Xudong; Tian, Yue; Chen, Zhenyu; Xu, Xiangjie; Du, Yanhua; Jiang, Cizhong; Fang, Yujiang; Liu, Zhongliang; Fan, Beibei; Zhang, Quanbin; Jin, Guohua; Yang, Xiao; Zhang, Xiaoqing

2016-02-24

The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) related signaling is one of the most important signaling pathways regulating early developmental events. Smad2 and Smad3 are structurally similar and it is mostly considered that they are equally important in mediating TGFβ signals. Here, we show that Smad3 is an insensitive TGFβ transducer as compared with Smad2. Smad3 preferentially localizes within the nucleus and is thus sequestered from membrane signaling. The ability of Smad3 in oligomerization with Smad4 upon agonist stimulation is also impaired given its unique linker region. Smad2 mediated TGFβ signaling plays a crucial role in epiblast development and patterning of three germ layers. However, signaling unrelated nuclear localized Smad3 is dispensable for TGFβ signaling-mediated epiblast specification, but important for early neural development, an event blocked by TGFβ/Smad2 signaling. Both Smad2 and Smad3 bind to the conserved Smads binding element (SBE), but they show nonoverlapped target gene binding specificity and differential transcriptional activity. We conclude that Smad2 and Smad3 possess differential sensitivities in relaying TGFβ signaling and have distinct roles in regulating early developmental events.

Differentiating fatty and non-fatty tissue using photoacoustic imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Leo; Rohling, Robert; Abolmaesumi, Purang; Salcudean, Septimiu; Tang, Shuo

2014-03-01

In this paper, we demonstrate a temporal-domain intensity-based photoacoustic imaging method that can differentiate between fatty and non-fatty tissues. PA pressure intensity is partly dependent on the tissue's speed of sound, which increases as temperature increases in non-fatty tissue and decreases in fatty tissue. Therefore, by introducing a temperature change in the tissue and subsequently monitoring the change of the PA intensity, it is possible to distinguish between the two types of tissue. A commercial ultrasound system with a 128-element 5-14 MHz linear array transducer and a tunable ND:YAG laser were used to produce PA images. Ex-vivo bovine fat and porcine liver tissues were precooled to below 10°C and then warmed to room-temperature over ~1 hour period. A thermocouple monitored the temperature rise while PA images were acquired at 0.5°C intervals. The averaged intensity of the illuminated tissue region at each temperature interval was plotted and linearly fitted. Liver samples showed a mean increase of 2.82 %/°C, whereas bovine fat had a mean decrease of 6.24 %/°C. These results demonstrate that this method has the potential to perform tissue differentiation in the temporal-domain.

Centrosome misorientation mediates slowing of the cell cycle under limited nutrient conditions in Drosophila male germline stem cells

PubMed Central

Roth, Therese M.; Chiang, C.-Y. Ason; Inaba, Mayu; Yuan, Hebao; Salzmann, Viktoria; Roth, Caitlin E.; Yamashita, Yukiko M.

2012-01-01

Drosophila male germline stem cells (GSCs) divide asymmetrically, balancing self-renewal and differentiation. Although asymmetric stem cell division balances between self-renewal and differentiation, it does not dictate how frequently differentiating cells must be produced. In male GSCs, asymmetric GSC division is achieved by stereotyped positioning of the centrosome with respect to the stem cell niche. Recently we showed that the centrosome orientation checkpoint monitors the correct centrosome orientation to ensure an asymmetric outcome of the GSC division. When GSC centrosomes are not correctly oriented with respect to the niche, GSC cell cycle is arrested/delayed until the correct centrosome orientation is reacquired. Here we show that induction of centrosome misorientation upon culture in poor nutrient conditions mediates slowing of GSC cell proliferation via activation of the centrosome orientation checkpoint. Consistently, inactivation of the centrosome orientation checkpoint leads to lack of cell cycle slowdown even under poor nutrient conditions. We propose that centrosome misorientation serves as a mediator that transduces nutrient information into stem cell proliferation, providing a previously unappreciated mechanism of stem cell regulation in response to nutrient conditions. PMID:22357619

Interactions of Human Endothelial and Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cocultures

PubMed Central

Ern, Christina; Krump-Konvalinkova, Vera; Docheva, Denitsa; Schindler, Stefanie; Rossmann, Oliver; Böcker, Wolfgang; Mutschler, Wolf; Schieker, Matthias

2010-01-01

Current strategies for tissue engineering of bone rely on the implantation of scaffolds, colonized with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), into a recipient. A major limitation is the lack of blood vessels. One approach to enhance the scaffold vascularisation is to supply the scaffolds with endothelial cells (EC). The main goal of this study was to establish a coculture system of hMSC and EC for the purposes of bone tissue engineering. Therefore, the cell behaviour, proliferation and differentiation capacity in various cell culture media as well as cell interactions in the cocultures were evaluated. The differentiation capacity of hMSC along osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineage was impaired in EC medium while in a mixed EC and hMSC media, hMSC maintained osteogenic differentiation. In order to identify and trace EC in the cocultures, EC were transduced with eGFP. Using time-lapse imaging, we observed that hMSC and EC actively migrated towards cells of their own type and formed separate clusters in long term cocultures. The scarcity of hMSC and EC contacts in the cocultures suggest the influence of growth factor-mediated cell interactions and points to the necessity of further optimization of the coculture conditions. PMID:21625373

Proceedings of a pressure transducer-packer workshop, June 25-28, 1991

USGS Publications Warehouse

Latkovich, V. J.

1993-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey conducted its first Pressure Transducer-Packer Workshop in Denver, Colorado, June 25-28, 1991. Nineteen attendees from the Survey, Environment Canada, academia, and the private sector presented papers concerning their experiences with the use of transducers and packers in hydrogeologic investigations. Workshop partici- pants concluded that fixed-head packers are generally more reliable than other types and that there is a need for a wet/wet transducer for deep wells. The group recommended that simple downhole technology be used, that only rugged commercially available packers be purchased, and that it is imperative electrical connections and transducer electronics be kept dry. (USGS)

Polarization Control with Piezoelectric and LiNbO3 Transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bradley, E.; Miles, E.; Loginov, B.; Vu, N.

Several Polarization control transducers have appeared on the market, and now automated, endless polarization control systems using these transducers are becoming available. Unfortunately it is not entirely clear what benchmark performance tests a polarization control system must pass, and the polarization disturbances a system must handle are open to some debate. We present quantitative measurements of realistic polarization disturbances and two benchmark tests we have successfully used to evaluate the performance of an automated, endless polarization control system. We use these tests to compare the performance of a system using piezoelectric transducers to that of a system using LiNbO3 transducers.

Smart transducer with radiomodem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pugach, V. N.; Voronin, E. L.

2018-04-01

Systems for measuring different parameters enabling metering and wireless data transmission are an urgent problem in the industry. One of the most promising solutions is the developments of metering instruments enabling radio-link and GSM data transmission. The article describes a transducer operating with temperature sensors of different types as well as with the sensors of other physical values with the output signal represented as current or voltage with subsequent measurement data transmission from the transducer to the computer via radio-link. The article provides transducer measurement accuracy check. The work confirmed the claimed temperature measurement accuracy, noted a stable data transmission via radio link and convenience of work with the transducer and software.

Performance of some miniature pressure transducers subjected to high rotational speeds and centripetal accelerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minkin, H. L.

1976-01-01

The performance characteristics of several miniature pressure transducers were determined at centripetal accelerations up to 11,200 g's at a rotational speed of 23,000 rpm. The variation in centripetal acceleration was produced by changing radial position of the transducer relative to the center of rotation. Residual zero outputs and transducer sensitivities were determined at 23,000 rpm and compared with those determined at 0 rpm. The actual pressures at the various transducer locations differ from the center line impressed pressures due to a rotational effect. Corrections for this effect were made. A brief description of the test apparatus is included.

Piezoelectric transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conragan, J.; Muller, R. S.

1970-01-01

Transducer consists of a hybrid thin film and a piezoelectric transistor that acts as a stress-sensitive device with built-in gain. It provides a stress/strain transducer that incorporates a signal amplification stage and sensor in a single package.

Acoustic transducer with damping means

DOEpatents

Smith, Richard W.; Adamson, Gerald E.

1976-11-02

An ultrasonic transducer specifically suited to high temperature sodium applications is described. A piezoelectric active element is joined to the transducer faceplate by coating the faceplate and juxtaposed active element face with wetting agents specifically compatible with the bonding procedure employed to achieve the joint. The opposite face of the active element is fitted with a backing member designed to assure continued electrical continuity during adverse operating conditions which can result in the fracturing of the active element. The fit is achieved employing a spring-loaded electrode operably arranged to electrically couple the internal transducer components, enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing, to accessory components normally employed in transducer applications. Two alternative backing members are taught for assuring electrical continuity. The first employs a resilient, discrete multipoint contact electrode in electrical communication with the active element face. The second employs a resilient, elastomeric, electrically conductive, damped member in electrical communication with the active element face in a manner to effect ring-down of the transducer. Each embodiment provides continued electrical continuity within the transducer in the event the active element fractures, while the second provides the added benefit of damping.

Self-focused ZnO transducers for ultrasonic biomicroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cannata, J. M.; Williams, J. A.; Zhou, Q. F.; Sun, L.; Shung, K. K.; Yu, H.; Kim, E. S.

2008-04-01

A simple fabrication technique was developed to produce high frequency (100MHz) self-focused single element transducers with sputtered zinc oxide (ZnO) crystal films. This technique requires the sputtering of a ZnO film directly onto a curved backing substrate. Transducers were fabricated by sputtering an 18μm thick ZnO layer on 2mm diameter aluminum rods with ends shaped and polished to produce a 2mm focus or f-number equal to one. The aluminum rod served a dual purpose as the backing layer and positive electrode for the resultant transducers. A 4μm Parylene matching layer was deposited on the transducers after housing and interconnect. This matching layer was used to protect the substrate and condition the transfer of acoustic energy between the ZnO film and the load medium. The pulse-echo response for a representative transducer was centered at 101MHz with a -6dB bandwidth of 49%. The measured two way insertion loss was 44dB. A tungsten wire phantom and an adult zebrafish eye were imaged to show the capability of these transducers.

Piezoelectric micromachined acoustic emission sensors for early stage damage detection in structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabir, Minoo; Kazari, Hanie; Ozevin, Didem

2018-03-01

Acoustic emission (AE) is a passive nondestructive evaluation (NDE) method that relies on the energy release of active flaws. The passive nature of this NDE method requires highly sensitive transducers in addition to low power and lightweight characteristics. With the advancement of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), acoustic emission (AE) transducers can be developed in low power and miniaturized. In this paper, the AE transducers operating in plate flexural mode driven piezoelectrically known as Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (PMUTs) are presented. The AE PMUTs are manufactured using PiezoMUMPS process by MEMSCAP and tuned to 46 kHz and 200 kHz. The PiezoMUMPs is a 5-mask level SOI (silicon-on-insulator) patterning and etching process followed by deposition of 0.5 micron Aluminum Nitride (AlN) to form piezoelectric layer to form the transducers. The AE transducers are numerically modeled using COMSOL Multiphysics software in order to optimize the performance before manufacturing. The electrometrical characterization experiments are presented. The efficiency of the proposed AE PMUTs compared to the conventional AE transducers in terms of power consumption, weight and sensitivity is presented.

Ultrahigh Frequency Lensless Ultrasonic Transducers for Acoustic Tweezers Application

PubMed Central

Hsu, Hsiu-Sheng; Li, Ying; Lee, Changyang; Lin, Anderson; Zhou, Qifa; Kim, Eun Sok; Shung, Kirk Koping

2014-01-01

Similar to optical tweezers, a tightly focused ultrasound microbeam is needed to manipulate microparticles in acoustic tweezers. The development of highly sensitive ultrahigh frequency ultrasonic transducers is crucial for trapping particles or cells with a size of a few microns. As an extra lens would cause excessive attenuation at ultrahigh frequencies, two types of 200-MHz lensless transducer design were developed as an ultrasound microbeam device for acoustic tweezers application. Lithium niobate single crystal press-focused (PF) transducer and zinc oxide self-focused transducer were designed, fabricated and characterized. Tightly focused acoustic beams produced by these transducers were shown to be capable of manipulating single microspheres as small as 5 μm two-dimensionally within a range of hundreds of micrometers in distilled water. The size of the trapped microspheres is the smallest ever reported in the literature of acoustic PF devices. These results suggest that these lensless ultrahigh frequency ultrasonic transducers are capable of manipulating particles at the cellular level and that acoustic tweezers may be a useful tool to manipulate a single cell or molecule for a wide range of biomedical applications. PMID:23042219

Development of a 20-MHz wide-bandwidth PMN-PT single crystal phased-array ultrasound transducer.

PubMed

Wong, Chi-Man; Chen, Yan; Luo, Haosu; Dai, Jiyan; Lam, Kwok-Ho; Chan, Helen Lai-Wa

2017-01-01

In this study, a 20-MHz 64-element phased-array ultrasound transducer with a one-wavelength pitch is developed using a PMN-30%PT single crystal and double-matching layer scheme. High piezoelectric (d 33 >1000pC/N) and electromechanical coupling (k 33 >0.8) properties of the single crystal with an optimized fabrication process involving the photolithography technique have been demonstrated to be suitable for wide-bandwidth (⩾70%) and high-sensitivity (insertion loss ⩽30dB) phased-array transducer application. A -6dBbandwidth of 91% and an insertion loss of 29dBfor the 20-MHz 64-element phased-array transducer were achieved. This result shows that the bandwidth is improved comparing with the investigated high-frequency (⩾20MHz) ultrasound transducers using piezoelectric ceramic and single crystal materials. It shows that this phased-array transducer has potential to improve the resolution of biomedical imaging, theoretically. Based on the hypothesis of resolution improvement, this phased-array transducer is capable for small animal (i.e. mouse and zebrafish) studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental measurement of structural power flow on an aircraft fuselage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cuschieri, J. M.

1989-01-01

An experimental technique is used to measure the structural power flow through an aircraft fuselage with the excitation near the wing attachment location. Because of the large number of measurements required to analyze the whole of an aircraft fuselage, it is necessary that a balance be achieved between the number of measurement transducers, the mounting of these transducers, and the accuracy of the measurements. Using four transducers mounted on a bakelite platform, the structural intensity vectors at locations distributed throughout the fuselage are measured. To minimize the errors associated with using a four transducers technique the measurement positions are selected away from bulkheads and stiffeners. Because four separate transducers are used, with each transducer having its own drive and conditioning amplifiers, phase errors are introduced in the measurements that can be much greater than the phase differences associated with the measurements. To minimize these phase errors two sets of measurements are taken for each position with the orientation of the transducers rotated by 180 deg and an average taken between the two sets of measurements. Results are presented and discussed.

A micro-machined source transducer for a parametric array in air.

PubMed

Lee, Haksue; Kang, Daesil; Moon, Wonkyu

2009-04-01

Parametric array applications in air, such as highly directional parametric loudspeaker systems, usually rely on large radiators to generate the high-intensity primary beams required for nonlinear interactions. However, a conventional transducer, as a primary wave projector, requires a great deal of electrical power because its electroacoustic efficiency is very low due to the large characteristic mechanical impedance in air. The feasibility of a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer as an efficient finite-amplitude wave projector was studied. A piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasonic transducer array consisting of lead zirconate titanate uni-morph elements was designed and fabricated for this purpose. Theoretical and experimental evaluations showed that a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer array can be used as an efficient source transducer for a parametric array in air. The beam patterns and propagation curves of the difference frequency wave and the primary wave generated by the micro-machined ultrasonic transducer array were measured. Although the theoretical results were based on ideal parametric array models, the theoretical data explained the experimental results reasonably well. These experiments demonstrated the potential of micro-machined primary wave projector.

Measurement component technology. Volume 1: Cryogenic pressure measurement technology, high pressure flange seals, hydrogen embrittlement of pressure transducer material, close coupled versus remote transducer installation and temperature compensation of pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayakawa, K. K.; Udell, D. R.; Iwata, M. M.; Lytle, C. F.; Chrisco, R. M.; Greenough, C. S.; Walling, J. A.

1972-01-01

The results are presented of an investigation into the availability and performance capability of measurement components in the area of cryogenic temperature, pressure, flow and liquid detection components and high temperature strain gages. In addition, technical subjects allied to the components were researched and discussed. These selected areas of investigation were: (1) high pressure flange seals, (2) hydrogen embrittlement of pressure transducer diaphragms, (3) The effects of close-coupled versus remote transducer installation on pressure measurement, (4) temperature transducer configuration effects on measurements, and (5) techniques in temperature compensation of strain gage pressure transducers. The purpose of the program was to investigate the latest design and application techniques in measurement component technology and to document this information along with recommendations for upgrading measurement component designs for future S-2 derivative applications. Recommendations are provided for upgrading existing state-of-the-art in component design, where required, to satisfy performance requirements of S-2 derivative vehicles.

Variability of Acoustic Transmissions in a Shallow Water Area,

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-01

as changes in the probability density and distribution functions, and the 17 PEILChJ4WO AA Aw i-m--t SACLANTCEN SR-46 test is sensitive to these...transducer on the bottom, i.e. no delay variations, and another with a lot of movements. The left parts of the figure show projections of spreading...change a lot from one ping group (matrix) to the next (see Figs. 9c and TOc). Comparing the runs tests (Figs. 9a and lOa) we see that there is a lot

Single-Cell-Based Analysis Highlights a Surge in Cell-to-Cell Molecular Variability Preceding Irreversible Commitment in a Differentiation Process

PubMed Central

Boullu, Loïs; Morin, Valérie; Vallin, Elodie; Guillemin, Anissa; Papili Gao, Nan; Cosette, Jérémie; Arnaud, Ophélie; Kupiec, Jean-Jacques; Espinasse, Thibault

2016-01-01

In some recent studies, a view emerged that stochastic dynamics governing the switching of cells from one differentiation state to another could be characterized by a peak in gene expression variability at the point of fate commitment. We have tested this hypothesis at the single-cell level by analyzing primary chicken erythroid progenitors through their differentiation process and measuring the expression of selected genes at six sequential time-points after induction of differentiation. In contrast to population-based expression data, single-cell gene expression data revealed a high cell-to-cell variability, which was masked by averaging. We were able to show that the correlation network was a very dynamical entity and that a subgroup of genes tend to follow the predictions from the dynamical network biomarker (DNB) theory. In addition, we also identified a small group of functionally related genes encoding proteins involved in sterol synthesis that could act as the initial drivers of the differentiation. In order to assess quantitatively the cell-to-cell variability in gene expression and its evolution in time, we used Shannon entropy as a measure of the heterogeneity. Entropy values showed a significant increase in the first 8 h of the differentiation process, reaching a peak between 8 and 24 h, before decreasing to significantly lower values. Moreover, we observed that the previous point of maximum entropy precedes two paramount key points: an irreversible commitment to differentiation between 24 and 48 h followed by a significant increase in cell size variability at 48 h. In conclusion, when analyzed at the single cell level, the differentiation process looks very different from its classical population average view. New observables (like entropy) can be computed, the behavior of which is fully compatible with the idea that differentiation is not a “simple” program that all cells execute identically but results from the dynamical behavior of the underlying molecular network. PMID:28027290

Single-Cell-Based Analysis Highlights a Surge in Cell-to-Cell Molecular Variability Preceding Irreversible Commitment in a Differentiation Process.

PubMed

Richard, Angélique; Boullu, Loïs; Herbach, Ulysse; Bonnafoux, Arnaud; Morin, Valérie; Vallin, Elodie; Guillemin, Anissa; Papili Gao, Nan; Gunawan, Rudiyanto; Cosette, Jérémie; Arnaud, Ophélie; Kupiec, Jean-Jacques; Espinasse, Thibault; Gonin-Giraud, Sandrine; Gandrillon, Olivier

2016-12-01

In some recent studies, a view emerged that stochastic dynamics governing the switching of cells from one differentiation state to another could be characterized by a peak in gene expression variability at the point of fate commitment. We have tested this hypothesis at the single-cell level by analyzing primary chicken erythroid progenitors through their differentiation process and measuring the expression of selected genes at six sequential time-points after induction of differentiation. In contrast to population-based expression data, single-cell gene expression data revealed a high cell-to-cell variability, which was masked by averaging. We were able to show that the correlation network was a very dynamical entity and that a subgroup of genes tend to follow the predictions from the dynamical network biomarker (DNB) theory. In addition, we also identified a small group of functionally related genes encoding proteins involved in sterol synthesis that could act as the initial drivers of the differentiation. In order to assess quantitatively the cell-to-cell variability in gene expression and its evolution in time, we used Shannon entropy as a measure of the heterogeneity. Entropy values showed a significant increase in the first 8 h of the differentiation process, reaching a peak between 8 and 24 h, before decreasing to significantly lower values. Moreover, we observed that the previous point of maximum entropy precedes two paramount key points: an irreversible commitment to differentiation between 24 and 48 h followed by a significant increase in cell size variability at 48 h. In conclusion, when analyzed at the single cell level, the differentiation process looks very different from its classical population average view. New observables (like entropy) can be computed, the behavior of which is fully compatible with the idea that differentiation is not a "simple" program that all cells execute identically but results from the dynamical behavior of the underlying molecular network.

Integration-deficient lentivectors: an effective strategy to purify and differentiate human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatic progenitors.

PubMed

Yang, Guanghua; Si-Tayeb, Karim; Corbineau, Sébastien; Vernet, Rémi; Gayon, Régis; Dianat, Noushin; Martinet, Clémence; Clay, Denis; Goulinet-Mainot, Sylvie; Tachdjian, Gérard; Tachdjian, Gérard; Burks, Deborah; Vallier, Ludovic; Bouillé, Pascale; Dubart-Kupperschmitt, Anne; Weber, Anne

2013-07-19

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) hold great promise for applications in regenerative medicine. However, the safety of cell therapy using differentiated hPSC derivatives must be improved through methods that will permit the transplantation of homogenous populations of a specific cell type. To date, purification of progenitors and mature cells generated from either embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells remains challenging with use of conventional methods. We used lentivectors encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by the liver-specific apoliprotein A-II (APOA-II) promoter to purify human hepatic progenitors. We evaluated both integrating and integration-defective lentivectors in combination with an HIV integrase inhibitor. A human embryonic stem cell line was differentiated into hepatic progenitors using a chemically defined protocol. Subsequently, cells were transduced and sorted at day 16 of differentiation to obtain a cell population enriched in hepatic progenitor cells. After sorting, more than 99% of these APOA-II-GFP-positive cells expressed hepatoblast markers such as α-fetoprotein and cytokeratin 19. When further cultured for 16 days, these cells underwent differentiation into more mature cells and exhibited hepatocyte properties such as albumin secretion. Moreover, they were devoid of vector DNA integration. We have developed an effective strategy to purify human hepatic cells from cultures of differentiating hPSCs, producing a novel tool that could be used not only for cell therapy but also for in vitro applications such as drug screening. The present strategy should also be suitable for the purification of a broad range of cell types derived from either pluripotent or adult stem cells.

Involvement of Prolonged Ras Activation in Thrombopoietin-Induced Megakaryocytic Differentiation of a Human Factor-Dependent Hematopoietic Cell Line

PubMed Central

Matsumura, Itaru; Nakajima, Koichi; Wakao, Hiroshi; Hattori, Seisuke; Hashimoto, Koji; Sugahara, Hiroyuki; Kato, Takashi; Miyazaki, Hiroshi; Hirano, Toshio; Kanakura, Yuzuru

1998-01-01

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a hematopoietic growth factor that plays fundamental roles is both megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis through binding to its receptor, c-mpl. Although TPO has been shown to activate various types of intracellular signaling molecules, such as the Janus family of protein tyrosine kinases, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), and ras, the precise mechanisms underlying TPO-induced proliferation and differentiation remain unknown. In an effort to clarify the mechanisms of TPO-induced proliferation and differentiation, c-mpl was introduced into F-36P, a human interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent erythroleukemia cell line, and the effects of TPO on the c-mpl-transfected F-36P (F-36P-mpl) cells were investigated. F-36P-mpl cells were found to proliferate and differentiate at a high rate into mature megakaryocytes in response to TPO. Dominant-negative (dn) forms of STAT1, STAT3, STAT5, and ras were inducibly expressed in F-36P-mpl cells, and their effects on TPO-induced proliferation and megakaryocytic differentiation were analyzed. Among these dn molecules, both dn ras and dn STAT5 reduced TPO- or IL-3-induced proliferation of F-36P-mpl cells by ∼30%, and only dn ras could inhibit TPO-induced megakaryocytic differentiation. In accord with this result, overexpression of activated ras (H-rasG12V) for 5 days led to megakaryocytic differentiation of F-36P-mpl cells. In a time course analysis on H-rasG12V-induced differentiation, activation of the ras pathway for 24 to 28 h was required and sufficient to induce megakaryocytic differentiation. Consistent with this result, the treatment of F-36P-mpl cells with TPO was able to induce prolonged activation of ras for more than 24 h, whereas IL-3 had only a transient effect. These results suggest that prolonged ras activation may be involved in TPO-induced megakaryocytic differentiation. PMID:9632812

Review of Chest Deflection Measurement Techniques and Transducers

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1978-06-01

A summary is presented of measurement techniques and transducers that have been used, or are presently available and exhibit potential for use in the measurement of dynamic chest deflection. Various techniques and transducers are evaluated for their ...

Detection and generation of first sound in4He by vibrating superleak transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giordano, N.; Edison, N.

1986-07-01

Measurement is made of the first-sound generation and detection efficiencies of vibrating superleak transducers (VSTs) operated in superfluid4He. This is accomplished by using an ordinary pressure transducer to generate first sound with a VST as the detector, and by using a pressure transducer to detect the sound generated by a VST. The results are in reasonably good agreement with the current theory of VST operation.

Detection and generation of first sound in /sup 4/He by vibrating superleak transducers

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

Giordano, N.; Edison, N.

Measurement is made of the first-sound generation and detection efficiencies of vibrating superleak transducers (VSTs) operated in superfluid /sup 4/He. This is accomplished by using an ordinary pressure transducer to generate first sound with a VST as the detector, and by using a pressure transducer to detect the sound generated by a VST. The results are in reasonably good agreement with the current theory of VST operation.

High-frequency piezopolymer transducers with a copper-clad polyimide backing layer

PubMed Central

Ketterling, Jeffrey A.; Aristizábal, Orlando; Turnbull, Daniel H.

2006-01-01

The effect of a copper-clad polyimide (CCP) backing layer on piezopolymer transducer performance is evaluated. High-frequency, spherically curved polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) transducers with and without a CCP backing layer are electrically and acoustically tested. The results showed very similar operating characteristics. B-mode in vivo images of a mouse embryo also showed no qualitative differences indicating the CCP backing layer does not effect transducer performance. PMID:16889345

In situ health monitoring of piezoelectric sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drouant, George J. (Inventor); Jensen, Scott L. (Inventor)

2013-01-01

An in situ health monitoring apparatus may include an exciter circuit that applies a pulse to a piezoelectric transducer and a data processing system that determines the piezoelectric transducer's dynamic response to the first pulse. The dynamic response can be used to evaluate the operating range, health, and as-mounted resonance frequency of the transducer, as well as the strength of a coupling between the transducer and a structure and the health of the structure.

Means for ultrasonic testing when material properties vary

DOEpatents

Beller, Laurence S.

1979-01-01

A device is provided for maintaining constant sensitivity in an ultrasonic testing device, despite varying attenuation due to the properties of the material being tested. The device includes a sensor transducer for transmitting and receiving a test signal and a monitor transducer positioned so as to receive ultrasonic energy transmitted through the material to be tested. The received signal of the monitor transducer is utilized in analyzing data obtained from the sensor transducer.

Sonar Transducer Reliability Improvement Program (STRIP) FY81.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-10-01

that must be considered when selecting a material for the design of a sonar transducer. In the past decade, plastics have decreased in cost and...required in a sonar transducer system. A recent example of this type of failure has been with a neoprene .tfer formulation which was designed to meet...subject of the first design specification for transducer elastomers. Previous work on this material under the aegis of the Sonar Transduction