Shared Resource Center Research Articles

Experiments on Molecular Spectroscopy at the Novosibirsk Terahertz Free Electron Laser

The unique parameters of the Novosibirsk free electron laser (NovoFEL) allow unique experiments on the spectroscopy of molecules to be performed at the Shared Resource Center. The radiation parameters of terahertz NovoFEL are article described in detail. The molecular spectroscopy experiments performed on this laser are given with the corresponding references in which they are described. Possible but as yet unperformed experiments on terahertz NovoFEL in the field of ultra-high-resolution molecular spectroscopy are considered.

Indicators of Oxic and Anoxic Conditions in the System of the Current Sedimentation of Saline Lake Shira (Khakassia), According to High-Resolution SR XRF Data on Bottom Sediments Frozen In Situ

Frozen upper layers of the bottom sediment of Lake Shira are selected using special sampling equipment. Frozen samples and solid samples prepared from the upper layers of a sediment core are examined by means of X-ray fluorescence at the Local and Scanning X-Ray Fluorescence Elemental Analysis Station of the Siberian Synchrotron and Terahertz Radiation Center’s Shared Resource Center. Analytical data on the initial frozen and processed solid samples demonstrate the good repeatability of the results. Quantitative estimates of the sedimentation regimes are obtained, and geochemical indicators of the change in redox conditions are determined from the analysis data. Lithological and geochemical records are synchronized with regional seasonal and annual variations in weather and climate, and with the hydrological regime of the lake for the last 50 years.

Constructing Lithological/Geochemical Time Series in the Cross Sections of Bottom Sediments of Lake Karakel Using Data from Micro-XRF Scanning with a Beam of Synchrotron Radiation on the VEPP-3 Storage Ring

Cores of bottom sediments of Lake Karakel (Northern Caucasus) were obtained in 2010 and 2014 to perform geochemical studies for reconstructing the regional paleoclimate of the late Holocene. Solid samples of bottom sediments were scanned via micro-XRF with a step of 1 mm at the shared resource center of the Siberian Synchrotron and Terahertz Radiation Center. The contents of more than 20 elements were determined. The scan profiles are used to construct a single reference section with correction for a sediment layer dated via radiocarbon analysis, and to create a sediment core age–depth model.

Improving Value for Patients with Eczema

ObjectiveChronic diseases now represent a cost majority in the United States health care system. Contributing factors to rising costs include expensive novel and emerging therapies, under-treatment of disease, under-management of comorbidities, and patient dissatisfaction with care results. Critical to identifying replicable improvement methods is a reliable model to measure value. Study DesignIf we understand value within healthcare consumerism to be equal to a patient’s health outcome improvement over costs associated with care (Value=Outcomes/Costs), we can use this equation to measure the improvement of value. MethodsResearch and literature show that patient activation—the skills and confidence that equip patients to become actively engaged in their health care—impact health outcomes, costs, and patient experience. Reaching patient activation through engagement methods including shared decision-making (SDM) lead to improved value of care received. The National Eczema Association (NEA) Shared Decision-Making Resource Center can be a transformative strategy to measure and evaluate value of health care interventions for eczema patients to advance a value-driven health care system in the United States. ResultsThrough this Resource Center, NEA will measure patient value through their own perceptions using validated PRO instruments and other patient-generated health data. ConclusionsAssessment of this data will reveal findings that can assist researchers in evaluating the impact this care framework on patient-perceived value across other chronic diseases.

Текущее состояние и перспективы развития центра коллективного пользования «Дальневосточный Вычислительный Ресурс»

Текущее состояние и перспективы развития центра коллективного пользования «Дальневосточный Вычислительный Ресурс»

PGE2 release is independent of upregulation of Group V phospholipase A2 during long-term stimulation of P388D1 cells with LPS

P388D1 cells release arachidonic acid (AA) and produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) upon long-term stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cytosolic Group IVA (GIVA) phospholipase A2 (PLA2) has been implicated in this pathway. LPS stimulation also results in increased expression and secretion of a secretory PLA2, specifically GV PLA2. To test whether GV PLA2 contributes to PGE2 production and whether GIVA PLA2 activation increases the expression of GV PLA2, we utilized the specific GIVA PLA2 inhibitor pyrrophenone and second generation antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ONs) designed to specifically inhibit expression and activity of GV PLA2. Treatment of P388D1 cells with antisense caused a marked decrease in basal GV PLA2 mRNA and prevented the LPS-induced increase in GV PLA2 mRNA. LPS-stimulated cells release active GV PLA2 into the medium, which is inhibited to background levels by antisense treatment. However, LPS-induced PGE2 release by antisense-treated cells and by control cells are not significantly different. Collectively, the results suggest that the upregulation of GV PLA2 during long-term LPS stimulation is not required for PGE2 production by P388D1 cells. Experiments employing pyrrophenone suggested that GIVA PLA2 is the dominant player involved in AA release, but it appears not to be involved in the regulation of LPS-induced expression of GV PLA2 or cyclooxygenase-2.

Impulse response of a two-dimensional rough surface overlying an inhomogeneous, nondispersive medium: A hybrid model

A numerical model to calculate the impulse response of a two-dimensional, impenetrable, rough surface directly in the time domain has been recently introduced [R. S. Keiffer and J. C. Novarini, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, 27–39 (2000)]. This model is based on wedge diffraction theory and assumes the half-space containing the source and receiver is homogeneous. In this work, the model is extended to handle media where the index of refraction varies with depth by merging the scattering model with a ray-based propagation model. The resulting hybrid model is tested against a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for backscattering from a corrugated surface in the presence of a refractive layer. This new model can be applied, for example, to calculate acoustic reverberation from the sea surface in cases where the water mass is inhomogeneous and dispersion is negligible. [Work supported by ONR/NRL (PE 61153N-32) and by grants of computer time DoD HPC Shared Resource Center at Stennis Space Center, MS.]

Seismoacoustic modeling of thin sedimented regions in the mid-Atlantic ridge

In several previous meetings results have been reported comparing computer generated acoustic simulations with reverberation data taken from the mid-Atlantic ridge region during the 1993 Acoustics Experiment (‘‘Site A, Seg 076’’ from the ONR Acoustic Reverberation Special Research Program). The acoustic simulations used representations of the rough, range-dependent ocean sediment/subbottom bathymetry that were generated by geomorphology models (the Webb–Jordan sediment distribution model and the Goff–Jordan fractal seafloor/basement model). A modified version of the Collins FEPE2WAY model was used for the long-range reverberation predictions. The simulated backscatter signal (210–280 Hz) compared favorably, in structure and level, with the reverberation data. In this study the same PE model is used to propagate the incident field to a thin sedimented region of interest. This field is then used as the initial field to the FFRAME and SAFE models to study the seismoacoustic influence of the thin sedimented regions on reverberation. Results will be presented that indicate the effects that shear waves and shear wave attenuations have on the reverberation. [Work supported by Office of Naval Research, Acoustic Reverberation SRP, and a High Performance Computing DoD Shared Resource Center grant.]

Further results from modeling deep-ocean reverberation from the Mid-Atlantic ridge

Results comparing computer model simulations and reverberation data [Chin-Bing and Murphy, 3328(A) (1994)] have been reported previously. The reverberation data were taken from the Mid-Atlantic ridge region during the 1993 Acoustics Experiment as part of the ONR Acoustic Reverberation Special Research Program (ARSRP). A representation of the rough, range-dependent ocean sediment and sub-bottom bathymetry of the region was obtained from geomorphological models (the Webb–Jordan sediment distribution model and the Goff–Jordan fractal seafloor/basement model). A modified version of the Collins fepe2way model was used for the long-range reverberation predictions. Our model simulations compared favorably with 210- to 290-Hz bandwidth reverberation data gathered from ‘‘site A, seg 076.’’ In this continuing study of site A, seg 076, the fframe and safe models are being used to study the influence of heavily sedimented regions on reverberation. New modeling results will be presented and compared with the measured reverberation. [Work supported by Office of Naval Research, Acoustic Reverberation SRP, and a High Performance Computing DoD Shared Resource Center grant.]

Computer model simulations of reverberation from the ARSRP acoustics experiment

Detailed reverberation measurements were made from the mid-Atlantic ridge region during the 1993 Acoustics Experiment, Acoustic Reverberation Special Research Program (ARSRP). The reverberation scenario (designated as ‘‘Seg 076’’) that ensonified a segment of sedimented seafloor overlying an anelastic subbottom has been examined. Computer simulations of the reverberant field were generated and compared with the ARSRP measured reverberation. Time domain and cw computer simulations were made using high-resolution ocean acoustic–seismoacoustic computer models. Several realizations of the rough range-dependent sediment and sub-bottom were used (from the Webb–Jordan sediment distribution model and the Goff–Jordan fractal seafloor/basement model). Computer simulations allowed ‘‘numerical experiments’’ to be performed whereby parts of the environment were changed or eliminated. Simulation results that help identify those seafloor regions responsible for the reverberant returns are presented. [Work supported by ONR, Acoustic Reverberation SRP, and the High Performance Computing DoD Shared Resource Center: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station (CEWES) HPC Center, Vicksburg, MS.]