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Intensity Changes (intensity + change)
Kinds of Intensity Changes Selected AbstractsA matching method using edges with the rigid body assumptionELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS IN JAPAN, Issue 11 2009Shiho Tanaka Abstract In this paper, we propose the matching method using the edge image with the rigid-body assumption. We introduce the virtual intensity added to the edge image and regard it as the energy function. It is assumed that the objects to match each other are rigid. The edges are repeatedly moved to the direction which the energy function is reduced by parallel translation and rotation. The corresponding point between two images can be found when the function is minimum. Real images include the areas which have no or extreme intensity change. The proposed method is available in those cases since it uses features of the image, that is, the edges. We showed this advantage by experiments on motion estimation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(11): 28,33, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10148 [source] Quantification of superparamagnetic iron oxide-mediated signal intensity change in patients with liver cirrhosis using T2 and T2* mapping: A preliminary reportJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2010Yong Eun Chung MD Abstract Purpose: To quantify the accumulation of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) in patients with and without liver cirrhosis using T2 and T2* mapping. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 10 patients without liver cirrhosis and 30 patients with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class A, n = 18; and B/C, n = 12). T2 and T2* mapping were performed before and after SPIO administration. The reductions in T2 (,T2) and T2* (,T2*) after SPIO administration were compared between the control and liver cirrhosis groups and the control, Child-Pugh A, and Child Pugh B/C groups. Results: There were significant differences in ,T2 (22.2 ± 4.4 and 15.1 ± 7.0) and ,T2* values (24.3 ± 3.3 and 16.8 ± 8.1) (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001) between the control and the liver cirrhosis groups. There was a significant difference in the ,T2* between the Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B/C groups (P < 0.001) and in the ,T2 and ,T2* between the control and Child-Pugh B/C groups (P = 0.018 and P < 0.001). Conclusion: ,T2 and ,T2* are significantly larger in patients without liver cirrhosis than those with liver cirrhosis. ,T2* is also significantly larger in Child-Pugh class A patients than those in Child-Pugh B/C. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:1379,1386. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Resovist enhanced MR imaging of the liver: Does quantitative assessment help in focal lesion classification and characterization?JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 5 2009Lucia Santoro MD Abstract Purpose: To improve characterization of focal liver lesions by a prospective quantitative analysis of percentage signal intensity change, in dynamic and late phases after slow (0.5 mL/s) Resovist administration. Materials and Methods: Seventy-three patients were submitted on clinical indication to MR examination with Resovist. Signal intensity of 92 detected focal lesions (5,80 mm) were measured with regions of interest and normalized to paravertebral muscle in arterial, portal, equilibrium and T1/T2 late phases, by two observers in conference. Five values of percentage variations per patient were obtained and statistically evaluated. Results: The enhancement obtained on dynamic study is more suitable in hemangiomas and focal nodular hyperplasias than in adenomas and hepatocellular carcinomas. To discriminate benign versus malignant lesions on late-phase-T2-weighted images, a cutoff = ,26%, allowed sensitivity and specificity values of 97.4% and 97.7%, respectively. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.99. To differentiate hemangioma versus all other focal liver lesions, on late-phase-T1-weighted images, a cutoff = +40% permitted sensitivity and specificity values of 90.5% and 98.0%, respectively. Area under the ROC curve was 0.98. Conclusion: Late phase quantitative evaluation after slow Resovist administration, allows to differentiate malignant from benign hepatic masses and hemangiomas from all the others focal liver lesions, on T2-/T1-weighted acquisitions, respectively. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1012,1020. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Preparation and characterization of chiral polyacrylates end-capped with bornyl groups in the side chainsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 5 2004Jui-Hsiang Liu Abstract Chiral polyacrylates with bornyl end-capped side chains with four kinds of mesogenic moieties (azobenzene, biphenyl, benzoyloxy biphenyl, and phenyl benzoate) were prepared. The phase properties of the polymers were investigated with X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarizing optical microscopy. The thermogravimetric characteristics, the glass-transition temperatures and weight-average molecular weights, of the homopolymers were evaluated. The optical properties of the synthesized polymers in diluted solutions and in the thin-film state were also evaluated. The optical behavior of the composite films upon photoirradiation was investigated through the change in the transmittance of the probe light triggered by ultraviolet (365-nm) irradiation. Ultraviolet irradiation and heat treatment caused a reversible intensity change of the probe light at , = 400 nm. The shrinkage of the photoisomerization of the composite films was also investigated with atomic force microscopy. A spot contraction appeared on the surface when it was irradiated with a laser light spot. The contraction was recovered by heat treatment at 80 °C for 10 min. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1075,1092, 2004 [source] Precision 1H,1H distance measurement via 13C NMR signals: utilization of 1H,1H double-quantum dipolar interactions recoupled under magic angle spinning conditionsMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2004Yoh Matsuki Abstract We applied the POST-C7 DQ-dipolar recoupling pulse sequence to the measurement of 1H,1H distances with high precision. The spectral resolution is enhanced by detecting the 1H magnetization via 13C signals. A least-squares fitting of the build-up curve of the transferred magnetization to the exact numerical simulations yielded a 1H,,1H, distance of 248 ± 4 pm for fully 13C-labeled L -valine. This distance agrees with the neutron diffraction study. The negative transferred magnetization clearly indicates that the direct DQ 1H,1H dipolar couplings have the largest effect. The signal for the magnetization transfer builds up rapidly by the direct 1H,1H dipolar coupling, and decreases to zero at longer mixing time when the relayed magnetization transfer becomes significant. This large intensity change of the signal leads to the high precision in the distance measurement. We inspected factors that limit the effective bandwidth of the POST-C7 recoupling for the 1H and 13C homonuclear spin systems. The spin interactions at times shorter than the cycle time of the C7 sequence were also evaluated to measure the distances. The carbon-detected 2D 1H DQ mixing experiment was demonstrated for the measurement of multiple 1H,1H distances. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Laser-induced formation of nonradiative centers observed by two-wavelength excited photoluminescencePHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 9 2008H. Ogawa Abstract By observing an intensity change of photoluminescence (PL) due to the addition of a below-gap excitation light (BGE effect), a quantitative determination of nonradiative recombination (NRR) centers becomes possible. We observed an irreversible decrease of the BGE effect, together with a distinct PL quenching, when a GaN/AlGaN quantum well was irradiated by a Nd:YAG laser (1.17 eV) in addition to a D2 lamp (4.88 eV). The decrease is considered to be due to the formation of a NRR center at sample surface. An equivalent rate equation analysis explained both of the experimental change rather well. The observation of a defect formation enables us to understand the nature of NRR centers more dynamically, thus it is effective for determining the origin of the defect and optimizing the growth condition in nitride-based materials. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] The study of the miscibility and morphology of poly(styrene-co-4-vinylphenol)/poly(propylene carbonate) blendsPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 8 2004Furong Qiu Abstract Blends of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) with copolymer poly(styrene-co-4-vinyl phenol) (STVPh) have been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) spin probe method and Raman spectroscopy. The ESR results indicated that the nitroxide radical existed in a PPC-rich and an STVPh-rich micro domain in the blends, corresponding to the fast-motion and slow-motion component in the ESR spectra, respectively. And in the temperature dependence composite spectra, the fast-motion fraction increased with increasing the hydroxyl group content in copolymer STVPh. Moreover, the ESR parameter T5mT, rotational correlation times (,c) and activation energies (Ea) showed similar dependence on the hydroxyl group content as the fast-motion fraction. It resulted from the enhancement of the hydrogen-bonding interaction between the hydroxyl groups in STVPh and the carboxyl groups and ether oxygen in PPC. However, the distinct band shift and intensity change among the Raman spectra of pure polymer components and those of the blends were observed. In the carboxyl-stretching region, the band shifted to lower frequency with increasing the hydroxyl groups. Furthermore, the phase morphologies of the blends were obtained by optical microscopy. All could be concluded that the hydrogen-bonding interaction between the two components was progressively favorable to the mixing process and was the driving force for the miscibility enhancement in the blends. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Drastic Solid-State Fluorescence Enhancement Behaviour of Phenanthro[9,10- d]imidazole-Type Fluorescent Hosts upon Inclusion of Carboxylic AcidsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 34 2009Yousuke Ooyama Abstract The crystals of phenanthro[9,10- d]imidazole-type fluorescent host 1 exhibit drastic fluorescence enhancement behaviour with a redshift in the emission maximum upon enclathration of various carboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid and propionic acid. The optical changes are greatly dependent on the identity of the enclathrated carboxylic acids. The fluorescent clathrate compounds are formed not only by cocrystallization from carboxylic acid solutions but also by solid (fluorescent host),gas (carboxylic acid vapour) contact. Furthermore, when the acetic acid inclusion crystals are exposed to propionic acid vapour, acetic acid is gradually replaced by propionic acid. The guest exchange of the inclusion crystals was accompanied with colour and fluorescent intensity changes. The X-ray structural analyses of the guest-free and carboxylic acid inclusion compounds demonstrated that the destructions of the ,,, interactions, and the intermolecular hydrogen bonds binding fluorophores were induced by the enclathrated carboxylic acid molecules. Moreover, the imidazole ring of the host is protonated by the enclathrated carboxylic acid proton. On the basis of the spectroscopic data and the crystal structures, the effects of the enclathrated carboxylic acid on the solid-state photophysical properties of the clathrate compounds are discussed.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] Polarization switching in BaTiO3 thin films measured by X-ray diffraction exploiting anomalous dispersionJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2004S. J. Van Reeuwijk Films of BaTiO3 ranging from 20,nm to 300,nm in thickness were grown with pulsed laser deposition on Nb:SrTiO3. The quality of the layers was investigated using atomic force microscopy, X-ray reflectivity and X-ray diffraction. Both the micrographs and the X-ray reflectivity spectra indicate a smooth surface of the layers. The X-ray diffraction profiles measured using synchrotron radiation show features characteristic for highly crystalline thin films. The application of an external electric field parallel to the c axis changes an hkl reflection of BaTiO3 to an hk reflection. Due to the anomalous dispersion, the intensities of these two reflections are not equal and the atomic displacements can be determined from the intensity differences. The electric field-induced intensity changes can be as large as a few percent, which makes data collection from a 100,nm film using Cu K, radiation from an X-ray tube feasible. The ,I/I values of a number of reflections from the 20 and 50,nm films were measured using synchrotron radiation. The observed ,I/I values were in good agreement with the intensity changes expected for polarization switching in the bulk. [source] Effect of an aliphatic spacer group on the adsorption mechanism on the colloidal silver surface of L -proline phosphonodipeptidesJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 12 2008Edyta Podstawka Abstract A comparative study of molecular structures of five L -proline (L -Pro) phosphonodipeptides: L -Pro-NH-C(Me,Me)-PO3H2 (P1), L -Pro-NH-C(Me,iPr)-PO3H2 (P2), L -Pro- L -NH-CH(iBu)-PO3H2 (P3), L -Pro- L -NH-CH(PA)-PO3H2 (P4) and L -Pro- L -NH-CH(BA)-PO3H2 (P5) has been carried out using Raman and absorption infrared techniques of molecular spectroscopy. The interpretation of the obtained spectra has been supported by density functional theory calculations (DFT) at the B3LYP; 6,31 + + G** level using Gaussian 2003 software. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on Ag-sol in aqueous solutions of these phosphonopeptides has also been investigated. The surface geometry of these molecules on a silver colloidal surface has been determined by observing the position and relative intensity changes of the Pro ring, amide, phosphonate and so-called spacer (,R) groups vibrations of the enhanced bands in their SERS spectra. Results show that P4 and P5 adsorb onto the silver as anionic molecules mainly via the amide bond (,1630, ,1533, ,1248, ,800 and ,565 cm,1), Pro ring (,956, ,907 and ,876 cm,1) and carboxylate group (,1395 and ,909 cm,1). Coadsorption of the imine nitrogen atom and PO group with the silver surface, possibly by formation of a weaker interaction with the metal, is also suggested by the enhancement of the bands at 1158 and 1248 cm,1. P1, P2 and P3 show two orientations of their main chain on the silver surface resulting from different interactions of the CCH3, NH and CONH fragments with this surface. Bonding to the Ag surface occurs mainly through the imino atom (1166 cm,1) for P2, while for P1 and P3 it occurs via the methyl group(s) (1194,1208 cm,1). The amide group functionality (CONH) is practically not involved in the adsorption process for P1 and P2, whereas the CsP bonds do assist in the adsorption. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Raman spectra of apatites: La10,x Si6,y (Al,Fe)y O26±,JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 1 2007G. Lucazeau Abstract Raman spectra of eight polycrystalline apatites of the general formula La10,xSi6,yM,yO26 ± , with M, = Al or Fe were obtained at 300 K. Raman spectra of La10Si4Fe2O26 and La9.83Si4.5Al1.5O26 were investigated in the range 80,1000 K and 80,623 K, respectively. Tentative assignments of bands to stretching and bending modes of SiO4 tetrahedra and to M'O vibrations are proposed. Except for the two new bands, which appear around 700 cm,1 when Al is replaced by Fe, only some band broadenings and relative intensity changes are observed as a function of the rate of O5 or La vacancies. Most of the bands soften and broaden continuously when raising the temperature. This is an indication that the Al- and Fe-substituted apatites do not undergo any structural change up to 1000 K. Above 1000 K, the broad and weak shoulder observed at 850 cm,1 for La10Si4Fe2O26 is replaced by a strong band at 868 cm,1, suggesting that SiO4 tetrahedra undergo a structural modification. All compounds show the same residual band broadening at 80 K. This suggests that there is a small rate of static disorder preferentially related to the solubility of Al and Fe in the Si sublattice rather than to other defects. Moreover, the observation of FeO modes indicates that the dynamics of the solid solution obeys the so-called two-mode behavior. The occurrence of FeO stretching vibrations 150 cm,1 lower than for those of SiO suggests that the coordination number of iron could be larger than 4, particularly for the Fe4+ species. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Solvent effects on sunscreen active ingredients using Raman spectroscopyJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 10 2003L. Beyere Abstract We present Raman spectra of five sunscreen active ingredients in 10 solvents. Shifts in the UV absorption maxima and the CO Raman mode wavenumber are observed for some of the sunscreens as a function of solvent. Correlations between the observed wavenumber shifts and solvent properties indicate that hydrogen bonding is a key interaction between sunscreen active ingredients and solvent. Interestingly, the relative Raman intensities are also sensitive to the hydrogen-bonding and polarizability properties of the solvent, reflecting differential stabilization of the sunscreen's resonance structures. These results suggest an ,expanded polarizability' view of the solvent's effect on the solute. The observed wavenumber and relative intensity changes were also utilized to identify the active agents present in commercial sunscreen preparations from their in situ Raman spectra. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Myocardial perfusion MRI with sliding-window conjugate-gradient HYPRMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2009Lan Ge Abstract First-pass perfusion MRI is a promising technique for detecting ischemic heart disease. However, the diagnostic value of the method is limited by the low spatial coverage, resolution, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and cardiac motion-related image artifacts. In this study we investigated the feasibility of using a method that combines sliding window and CG-HYPR methods (SW-CG-HYPR) to reduce the acquisition window for each slice while maintaining the temporal resolution of one frame per heartbeat in myocardial perfusion MRI. This method allows an increased number of slices, reduced motion artifacts, and preserves the relatively high SNR and spatial resolution of the "composite images." Results from eight volunteers demonstrate the feasibility of SW-CG-HYPR for accelerated myocardial perfusion imaging with accurate signal intensity changes of left ventricle blood pool and myocardium. Using this method the acquisition time per cardiac cycle was reduced by a factor of 4 and the number of slices was increased from 3 to 8 as compared to the conventional technique. The SNR of the myocardium at peak enhancement with SW-CG-HYPR (13.83 ± 2.60) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the conventional turbo-FLASH protocol (8.40 ± 1.62). Also, the spatial resolution of the myocardial perfection images was significantly improved. SW-CG-HYPR is a promising technique for myocardial perfusion MRI. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Non-contrast-enhanced perfusion and ventilation assessment of the human lung by means of fourier decomposition in proton MRIMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 3 2009Grzegorz Bauman Abstract Assessment of regional lung perfusion and ventilation has significant clinical value for the diagnosis and follow-up of pulmonary diseases. In this work a new method of non-contrast-enhanced functional lung MRI (not dependent on intravenous or inhalative contrast agents) is proposed. A two-dimensional (2D) true fast imaging with steady precession (TrueFISP) pulse sequence (TR/TE = 1.9 ms/0.8 ms, acquisition time [TA] = 112 ms/image) was implemented on a 1.5T whole-body MR scanner. The imaging protocol comprised sets of 198 lung images acquired with an imaging rate of 3.33 images/s in coronal and sagittal view. No electrocardiogram (ECG) or respiratory triggering was used. A nonrigid image registration algorithm was applied to compensate for respiratory motion. Rapid data acquisition allowed observing intensity changes in corresponding lung areas with respect to the cardiac and respiratory frequencies. After a Fourier analysis along the time domain, two spectral lines corresponding to both frequencies were used to calculate the perfusion- and ventilation-weighted images. The described method was applied in preliminary studies on volunteers and patients showing clinical relevance to obtain non-contrast-enhanced perfusion and ventilation data. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Retrospective cine 3He ventilation imaging under spontaneous breathing conditions: a non-invasive protocol for small-animal lung function imagingNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 2 2007Vasile Stupar Abstract A non-invasive and free-breathing hyperpolarized (HP) 3He imaging protocol for small animals was implemented and validated on rats for lung function imaging. Animals were allowed to breathe a mixture of air and 3He from a mask and a gas reservoir fitted to their heads. Radial imaging sequences were used, and MRI signal intensity changes were monitored for retrospective cine image reconstruction. The ventilation cycle of the animals was imaged with a 100,ms temporal resolution. The sliding window imaging technique was applied to reconstruct 5,ms time-shifted image series covering the complete breathing cycle. Image series were processed to extract quantitative ventilation parameters such as the gas arrival time. The reproducibility and the non-invasiveness of this ventilation imaging protocol were evaluated by multiple acquisitions on the same animals. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The effects of MRI signal intensity changes and clinical manifestations on prognosis after surgical intervention for cervical spondylotic myelopathyORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2009Ying-ze Zhang MD Objective:, To investigate whether the magnetic resonance (MR) T2 image signal intensity ratio and clinical manifestations can predict the prognosis in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods:, A total of 73 patients treated with anterior, posterior, or posterior-anterior combined surgery for compressive cervical myelopathy were enrolled retrospectively in this study. 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on all patients before surgery. T2-weighted images (T2WI) of sagittal signal intensity were obtained of the cervical spinal cord, and the regions of interest (ROI) were taken by 0.05 cm2. MR T2WI of sagittal normal cord signal at the C7-T1 disc level were also obtained, and the ROI were taken by 0.3 cm2. Signal value was measured by computer and the signal ratio between regions 0.05 cm2 and 0.3 cm2 calculated. Where no intramedullary high signal intensity was noted on MR T2WI, the ROI were taken by 0.05 cm2 of the region of most severe spinal cord compression. The 73 patients were divided into three groups by hierarchical clustering analysis with signal intensity ratio (group 1: low signal intensity ratio; group 2: middle signal intensity ratio; group 3: high signal intensity ratio). Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 11.0. Results:, There were significant differences between the three groups according to the recovery rate (P < 0.001), age (P= 0.003), duration of disease (P= 0.001), Babinski sign (P < 0.001), pre- and postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score (P= 0.006). With increases in both signal intensity ratio grade and age, the recovery rate and pre- and postoperative JOA scores gradually decreased, and the incidence of Babinski sign increased. There was no significant difference in sex among the three groups (P= 0.387). Multiple comparison tests further supported the above-mentioned results. Conclusion:, Patients with light or no intramedullary signal changes on T2WI had a good surgical outcome. However, increase of signal intensity ratio and occurrence of the pyramidal sign were associated with a poor prognosis after surgery. [source] Color centers in Yb:YAG crystals grown by temperature-gradient techniquesPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 10 2006Yongjun Dong Abstract Yb:YAG (Yb:Y3Al5O12) crystals have been grown by temperature-gradient techniques (TGT) and their color centers and impurity defects were investigated by means of gamma irradiations and thermal treatment. Two color centers located at 255 and 290 nm were observed in the as-grown TGT-Yb:YAG. Analysis shows that the 255 nm band may be associated with Fe3+ ions. Absorption intensity changes of the 290 nm band after gamma irradiation and thermal treatment indicate that this band may be associated with oxygen-vacancy defects. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Photoluminescent behavior of poly(3-hexylthiophene) derivatives with a high azobenzene content in the side chainsPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 5 2005Xiongyan Zhao Abstract A series of polythiophene derivatives with substantially higher azobenzene contents in the side chains were prepared via copolymerization of 3-hexylthiophene with four different types of 4-((4-(phenyl)azo)phenoxy)alkyl-3-thienylacetate. The alkyl spacers with different lengths, i.e. butyl, hexyl, octyl and undecyl groups were used between the azobenzene group and the thiophene ring. The compositions, structures and thermal properties of these polythiophene derivatives were characterized. The structural dependence of photoluminescent emission, photochromic behavior of these copolymers were systematically studied and compared with poly(3-hexylthiophene). The results show that the azobenzene substitution renders the polythiophene some interesting optical properties that can be modulated by UV light irradiation. In the azobenzene modified polythiophene, the intensity of photoluminescent emission associated with the conjugated polythiophene main chain was found to decrease significantly upon UV irradiation. The finding suggests that the photo-induced trans - cis isomerization of the azobenzene pendant groups has a significant effect on photoluminescent emission, particularly when short spacers are used between azobenzene groups and the main chain. However, the effect becomes less prominent when longer spacers are used between the azobenzene group and the main chain. Furthermore, UV irradiation of the copolymers also resulted in an increase in intensity and broadening of bandwidth for the absorption peak associated with the polythiophene backbones. Again the magnitude of intensity changes upon UV irradiation were found to be dependent on the spacer length between the azobenzene group and polythiophene main chain. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Tropical-cyclone intensification and predictability in three dimensionsTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 632 2008Nguyen Van Sang Abstract We present numerical-model experiments to investigate the dynamics of tropical-cyclone amplification and its predictability in three dimensions. For the prototype amplification problem beginning with a weak-tropical-storm-strength vortex, the emergent flow becomes highly asymmetric and dominated by deep convective vortex structures, even though the problem as posed is essentially axisymmetric. The asymmetries that develop are highly sensitive to the boundary-layer moisture distribution. When a small random moisture perturbation is added in the boundary layer at the initial time, the pattern of evolution of the flow asymmetries is changed dramatically, and a non-negligible spread in the local and azimuthally-averaged intensity results. We conclude, first, that the flow on the convective scales exhibits a degree of randomness, and only those asymmetric features that survive in an ensemble average of many realizations can be regarded as robust; and secondly, that there is an intrinsic uncertainty in the prediction of maximum intensity using either maximum-wind or minimum-surface-pressure metrics. There are clear implications for the possibility of deterministic forecasts of the mesoscale structure of tropical cyclones, which may have a major impact on the intensity and on rapid intensity changes. Some other aspects of vortex structure are addressed also, including vortex-size parameters, and sensitivity to the inclusion of different physical processes or higher spatial resolution. We investigate also the analogous problem on a ,-plane, a prototype problem for tropical-cyclone motion. A new perspective on the putative role of the wind--evaporation feedback process for tropical-cyclone intensification is offered also. The results provide new insight into the fluid dynamics of the intensification process in three dimensions, and at the same time suggest limitations of deterministic prediction for the mesoscale structure. Larger-scale characteristics, such as the radius of gale-force winds and ,-gyres, are found to be less variable than their mesoscale counterparts. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Radiation-induced site-specific damage of mercury derivatives: phasing and implicationsACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 9 2005Udupi A. Ramagopal The behavior of mercury-derivatized triclinic crystals of a 60,kDa protein target from the New York Structural GenomiX Research Consortium provides novel insights into the mechanism of heavy-atom-specific radiation damage and its potential exploitation for de novo structure solution. Despite significant anomalous signal, structure solution by classic SAD and MAD phasing approaches was not successful. A detailed analysis revealed that significant isomorphic variation of the diffracted intensities was induced by X-ray irradiation. These intensity changes allowed the crystal structure to be solved by the radiation-damage-induced phasing (RIP) technique. Inspection of the crystal structure and electron-density maps demonstrated that the covalent S,Hg bonds at all four derivatized cysteine sites were much more susceptible to radiation-induced cleavage than other bonds typically present in native proteins. A simple diagnostic is described to identify the fingerprint of such decay at the time of data collection/processing. The rapid radiation-induced decomposition of mercury adducts is consistent with the difficulties frequently associated with the experimental phasing of mercury derivatives and suggests a straightforward solution to overcome this limitation by radiation-damage-induced phasing with anomalous scattering (RIPAS). These results indicate that historically recalcitrant and newly emerging difficulties associated with Hg phasing should be revisited. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||