80,868 research outputs found
A 2 h periodic variation in the low-mass X-ray binary Ser X-1
No full textSpectroscopy of the low-mass X-ray binary Ser X-1 using the Gran Telescopio Canarias have revealed a ?2 h periodic variability that is present in the three strongest emission lines. We tentatively interpret this variability as due to orbital motion, making it the first indication of the orbital period of Ser X-1. Together with the fact that the emission lines are remarkably narrow, but still resolved, we show that a main-sequence K dwarf together with a canonical 1.4 M? neutron star gives a good description of the system. In this scenario, the most likely place for the emission lines to arise is the accretion disc, instead of a localized region in the binary (such as the irradiated surface or the stream-impact point), and their narrowness is due instead to the low inclination (?10°) of Ser X-1
Binding of D-phenylalanine and D-tyrosine To Carboxypeptidase-a
No full textThe structures of the complexes of carboxypeptidase A with the amino acids D-phenylalanine and D-tyrosine are reported as determined by x-ray crystallographic methods to a resolution of 2.0 A. In each individual study one molecule of amino acids binds to the enzyme in the COOH-terminal hydrophobic pocket: the carboxylate of the bound ligand salt links with Arg-145, and the alpha-amino group salt links with Glu-270. The carboxylate of Glu-270 must break its hydrogen bond with the native zinc-bound water molecule in order to exploit the latter interaction. This result is in accord with spectroscopic studies which indicate that the binding of D or L amino acids (or analogues thereof) allows for more facile displacement of the metal-bound water by anions (Bicknell, R., Schaffer, A., Bertini, I., Luchinat, C., Vallee, B. L., and Auld, D. S. (1988) Biochemistry 27, 1050-1057). Additionally, we observe a significant movement of the zinc-bound water molecule (approximately 1 A) upon the binding of D-ligands. We propose that this unanticipated movement also contributes to anion sensitivity. The structural results of the current x-ray study correct predictions made in an early model building study regarding the binding of D-phenylalanine (Lipscomb, W. N., Hartsuck, J. A., Reeke, G. N., Jr., Quiocho, F. A., Bethge, P. H., Ludwig, M. L., Steitz, T. A., Muirhead, H., and Coppola, J. C. (1968) Brookhaven Symp. Biol. 21, 24-90)
Registration and tracking to integrate X-ray and MR images in an XMR facility
No full textWe describe a registration and tracking technique to integrate cardiac X-ray images and cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images acquired from a combined X-ray and MR interventional suite (XMR). Optical tracking is used to determine the transformation matrices relating MR image coordinates and X-ray image coordinates. Calibration of X-ray projection geometry and tracking of the X-ray C-arm and table enable three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of vessel centerlines and catheters from bi-plane X-ray views. We can, therefore, combine single X-ray projection images with registered projection MR images from a volume acquisition, and we can also display 3-D reconstructions of catheters within a 3-D or multi-slice MR volume. Registration errors were assessed using phantom experiments. Errors in the combined projection images (two-dimensional target registration error--TRE) were found to be 2.4 to 4.2 mm, and the errors in the integrated volume representation (3-D TRE) were found to be 4.6 to 5.1 mm. These errors are clinically acceptable for alignment of images of the great vessels and the chambers of the heart. Results are shown for two patients. The first involves overlay of a catheter used for invasive pressure measurements on an MR volume that provides anatomical context. The second involves overlay of invasive electrode catheters (including a basket catheter) on a tagged MR volume in order to relate electrophysiology to myocardial motion in a patient with an arrhythmia. Visual assessment of these results suggests the errors were of a similar magnitude to those obtained in the phantom measurement
New insights on accretion in supergiant fast X-ray transients from XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL observations of IGR J17544-2619
No full textXMM–Newton observations of the supergiant fast X-ray transient IGR J17544?2619 are reported and placed in the context of an analysis of archival INTEGRAL/IBIS data that provide a refined estimate of the orbital period at 4.9272?±?0.0004?d. A complete outburst history across the INTEGRAL mission is reported. Although the new XMM–Newton observations (each lasting ?15 ks) targeted the peak flux in the phase-folded hard X-ray light curve of IGR J17544?2619, no bright outbursts were observed, the source spending the majority of the exposure at intermediate luminosities of the order of several 1033?erg?s?1 (0.5–10 keV) and displaying only low level flickering activity. For the final portion of the exposure, the luminosity of IGR J17544?2619 dropped to ?4?×?1032?erg?s?1 (0.5–10 keV), comparable with the lowest luminosities ever detected from this source, despite the observations being taken near to periastron. We consider the possible orbital geometry of IGR J17544?2619 and the implications for the nature of the mass transfer and accretion mechanisms for both IGR J17544?2619 and the supergiant fast X-ray transients (SFXTs) population. We conclude that accretion under the ‘quasi-spherical accretion’ model provides a good description of the behaviour of IGR J17544?2619 and suggests an additional mechanism for generating outbursts based upon the mass accumulation rate in the hot shell (atmosphere) that forms around the neutron star under the quasi-spherical formulation. Hence, we hope to aid in explaining the varied outburst behaviours observed across the SFXT population with a consistent underlying physical model
Time Resolved Two Dimensional X-Ray Densitometry of a Two Phase Flow Downstream of a Ventilated Cavity
No full textTo measure the void fraction distribution in gas-liquid flows, a two-dimensional x-ray densitometry system was developed. This system is capable of acquiring a two-dimensional projection with a 225 cm2 area of measurement through 21 cm of water. The images can be acquired at rates on the order of 1 kHz. Common sources of error in x-ray imaging, such as x-ray scatter, image distortion, veiling glare, and beam hardening were considered, and mitigated. The measured average void fraction was compared success fully to that of a phantom target and found to be within 1%. To evaluate the performance of the new system, the flow in and downstream of a ventilated nominally two-dimensional partial cavity was investigated and compared to measurements from dual tip fiber optical probes and high speed video. The measurements were found to have satisfactory agreement for void fractions above 5% of the selected void fraction measurement range.Office of Naval Research under grant N00014-10-1-097
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Enhanced colour encoding of materials discrimination information for multiple view dual-energy x-ray imaging
No full textThis thesis reports an investigation into dual-energy X-ray discrimination techniques. These techniques are designed to provide colour-coded materials discrimination information in a sequence of perspective images exhibiting sequential parallax. The methods developed are combined with a novel 3D imaging technique employing depth from motion or kinetic depth effect (KDE). This technique when applied to X-ray images is termed KDEX imaging and was developed previously by the university team for luggage screening applications at security checkpoints. A primary motivation for this research is that the dual-energy X-ray techniques, which are routinely incorporated into ‘standard’ 2D luggage scanners, provide relatively crude materials discrimination information. In this work it was critical that robust materials discrimination and colour encoding process was implemented as the sequential parallax exhibited by the KDEX imagery may introduce colour changes, due to the different X-ray beam paths associated with each perspective image. Any introduction of ‘colour noise’ into the resultant image sequences could affect the perception of depth and hinder the ongoing assessment of the potential utility of the dual-energy KDEX technique. Two dual-energy discrimination methods have been developed, termed K-II and W-E respectively. Employing the total amount of attenuation measured at each energy level and the weight fraction of layered structures, a combination of the K-II and the W-E techniques enables the computation and extraction of a target objects’ effective atomic number (Zeff) and its surface density (ρS) in the presence of masking layers
W. D. Snodgrass, 1st Annual Arts Reunion
No full textW. D. Snodgrass is currently the Visiting Writer at Old Dominion University. He is the author of Heart\u27s Needle, After Experience, and The Fuhrer Bunker, as well as the pseudonymous book Remains. In addition to these volumes of poetry. Mr. Snodgrass has published a collection of critical essays In Radical Pursuit and several translations. In 1967 he received the Pulitzer Prize
A new heuristic geometrical approach for finding non-coplanar multiple edge diffraction ray paths
No full textRooftop diffraction can contribute significantly to the propagation path loss in outdoor microcellular environments. For non-coplanar multiple edges, the finding of exact ray paths requires a complex algebraic analysis that is infeasible for rapid application in deterministic ray tracing models. A new heuristic geometrical approach is reported that finds the ray paths for arbitrary height rooftop diffraction and rooftop-to-building corner diffraction. This method can be applied to any 3-D image based ray tracing model. The accuracy of the new method is first quantified using two specific test cases. The method is then implemented in an existing microcellular ray model and path loss predictions are compared with measured data. The heuristic diffraction approach is shown to be simple to implement and lowers the prediction error when compared with the traditional Vertical Plane diffraction approximatio
Development and optimisation of supercritical fluid deposition of semiconductor films
No full textThis thesis is concerned with the deposition, and characterisation, of semiconductor thin films and microstructures deposited from a supercritical fluid. Thin films of CdS, GaP, InP, InAs, and Ge were deposited using supercritical CO2 and CO2-solvent mixtures. Ge was deposited into macropores etched into crystalline silicon substrates. A variety of reactors were designed in order to achieve the successful deposition of the materials. The surface morphology and crystallinity of the films were characterised by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The chemical composition of the films was analysed by energy or wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The optoelectronic quality of the CdS and InP films was analysed by photoluminescence spectroscopy and mapping. The CdS films deposited were confirmed to be of hexagonal phase by X-ray diffraction and exhibited band edge luminescence. The InP and InAs films were determined to be of cubic structure and the InP films were found to exhibit weak band edge luminescence. The fabrication of macroporous silicon templates by photoelectrochemical etching is also discussed. Pores with diameters of between 60 nm and 2 µm were fabricated, having aspect ratios of up to 100:1. Ge was successfully deposited into macropores etched into these crystalline silicon templates with near conformal coverage
Characterization of defect structures in nanocrystalline materials by X-ray line profile analysis
No full textX-ray line profile analysis is a powerful alternative tool for determining dislocation densities, dislocation type, crystallite and subgrain size and size-distributions, and planar defects, especially the frequency of twin boundaries and stacking faults. The method is especially useful in the case of submicron grain size or nanocrystalline materials, where X-ray line broadening is a well pronounced effect, and the observation of defects with very large density is often not easy by transmission electron microscopy. The fundamentals of X-ray line broadening are summarized in terms of the different qualitative breadth methods, and the more sophisticated and more quantitative whole pattern fitting procedures. The efficiency and practical use of X-ray line profile analysis is shown by discussing its applications to metallic, ceramic, diamond-like and polymer nanomaterials
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