Mineral Physicochemistry Underlying Feature-Based Extraction of Mineral Abundance and Composition from Shortwave, Mid and Thermal Infrared Reflectance Spectra

Reflectance spectroscopy allows cost-effective and rapid mineral characterisation, addressing mineral exploration and mining challenges. Shortwave (SWIR), mid (MIR) and thermal (TIR) infrared reflectance spectra are collected in a wide range of environments and scales, with instrumentation ranging from spaceborne, airborne, field and drill core sensors to IR microscopy. However, interpretation of reflectance spectra is, due to the abundance of potential vibrational modes in mineral assemblages, non-trivial and requires a thorough understanding of the potential factors contributing to the reflectance spectra. In order to close the gap between understanding mineral-diagnostic absorption features and efficient interpretation of reflectance spectra, an up-to-date overview of major vibrational modes of rock-forming minerals in the SWIR, MIR and TIR is provided. A series of scripts are proposed that allow the extraction of the relative intensity or wavelength position of single absorption and other mineral-diagnostic features. Binary discrimination diagrams can assist in rapidly evaluating mineral assemblages, and relative abundance and chemical composition of key vector minerals, in hydrothermal ore deposits. The aim of this contribution is to make geologically relevant information more easily extractable from reflectance spectra, enabling the mineral resources and geoscience communities to realise the full potential of hyperspectral sensing technologies.

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Recent Applications of High Resolution Electron Microscopy to Crystalline Arrays of Virus Particles

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100070199 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 470-482 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R.W. Horne

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Image Processing ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Staining Technique ◽

High Resolution Electron Microscopy ◽

Optical Diffraction ◽

Full Potential ◽

Virus Particles ◽

Resolution Electron ◽

Wide Range

The technique of surrounding virus particles with a neutralised electron dense stain was described at the Fourth International Congress on Electron Microscopy, Berlin 1958 (see Home & Brenner, 1960, p. 625). For many years the negative staining technique in one form or another, has been applied to a wide range of biological materials. However, the full potential of the method has only recently been explored following the development and applications of optical diffraction and computer image analytical techniques to electron micrographs (cf. De Hosier & Klug, 1968; Markham 1968; Crowther et al., 1970; Home & Markham, 1973; Klug & Berger, 1974; Crowther & Klug, 1975). These image processing procedures have allowed a more precise and quantitative approach to be made concerning the interpretation, measurement and reconstruction of repeating features in certain biological systems.

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Intelligent Processing of Loosely Structured Documents as a Strategy for Organizing Electronic Health Care Records

Methods of Information in Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1634938 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 32 (04) ◽

pp. 265-268 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

D. J. Essin

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Organization ◽

Database Systems ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Full Potential ◽

Care Organization ◽

Intelligent Processing ◽

Data Interchange ◽

Structured Documents ◽

Health Care Records

AbstractLoosely structured documents can capture more relevant information about medical events than is possible using today’s popular databases. In order to realize the full potential of this increased information content, techniques will be required that go beyond the static mapping of stored data into a single, rigid data model. Through intelligent processing, loosely structured documents can become a rich source of detailed data about actual events that can support the wide variety of applications needed to run a health-care organization, document medical care or conduct research. Abstraction and indirection are the means by which dynamic data models and intelligent processing are introduced into database systems. A system designed around loosely structured documents can evolve gracefully while preserving the integrity of the stored data. The ability to identify and locate the information contained within documents offers new opportunities to exchange data that can replace more rigid standards of data interchange.

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Enhanced Bilosomal Properties Resulted in Optimum Pharmacological Effects by Increased Acidification Pathways

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13081184 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1184

Author(s):

Armin Mooranian ◽

Thomas Foster ◽

Corina M Ionescu ◽

Daniel Walker ◽

Melissa Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bile Acids ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Cellular Respiration ◽

Full Potential ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Pharmacological Effects ◽

Β Cells ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Wide Range ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Introduction: Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that some bile acids, such as chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), can exert cellular protective effects when encapsulated with viable β-cells via anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress mechanisms. However, to explore their full potential, formulating such bile acids (that are intrinsically lipophilic) can be challenging, particularly if larger doses are required for optimal pharmacological effects. One promising approach is the development of nano gels. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine biological effects of various concentrations of CDCA using various solubilising nano gel systems on encapsulated β-cells. Methods: Using our established cellular encapsulation system, the Ionic Gelation Vibrational Jet Flow technology, a wide range of CDCA β-cell capsules were produced and examined for morphological, biological, and inflammatory profiles. Results and Conclusion: Capsules’ morphology and topographic characteristics remained similar, regardless of CDCA or nano gel concentrations. The best pharmacological, anti-inflammatory, and cellular respiration, metabolism, and energy production effects were observed at high CDCA and nano gel concentrations, suggesting dose-dependent cellular protective and positive effects of CDCA when incorporated with high loading nano gel.

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Recent Advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Forest Remote Sensing—A Systematic Review. Part I: A General Framework

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12030327 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 327 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Riccardo Dainelli ◽

Piero Toscano ◽

Salvatore Filippo Di Gennaro ◽

Alessandro Matese

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Forest Monitoring ◽

Machine Learning Techniques ◽

Planted Forests ◽

Systematic Analysis ◽

Aerial Photogrammetry ◽

Wide Range ◽

Aerial Vehicle

Natural, semi-natural, and planted forests are a key asset worldwide, providing a broad range of positive externalities. For sustainable forest planning and management, remote sensing (RS) platforms are rapidly going mainstream. In a framework where scientific production is growing exponentially, a systematic analysis of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based forestry research papers is of paramount importance to understand trends, overlaps and gaps. The present review is organized into two parts (Part I and Part II). Part II inspects specific technical issues regarding the application of UAV-RS in forestry, together with the pros and cons of different UAV solutions and activities where additional effort is needed, such as the technology transfer. Part I systematically analyzes and discusses general aspects of applying UAV in natural, semi-natural and artificial forestry ecosystems in the recent peer-reviewed literature (2018–mid-2020). The specific goals are threefold: (i) create a carefully selected bibliographic dataset that other researchers can draw on for their scientific works; (ii) analyze general and recent trends in RS forest monitoring (iii) reveal gaps in the general research framework where an additional activity is needed. Through double-step filtering of research items found in the Web of Science search engine, the study gathers and analyzes a comprehensive dataset (226 articles). Papers have been categorized into six main topics, and the relevant information has been subsequently extracted. The strong points emerging from this study concern the wide range of topics in the forestry sector and in particular the retrieval of tree inventory parameters often through Digital Aerial Photogrammetry (DAP), RGB sensors, and machine learning techniques. Nevertheless, challenges still exist regarding the promotion of UAV-RS in specific parts of the world, mostly in the tropical and equatorial forests. Much additional research is required for the full exploitation of hyperspectral sensors and for planning long-term monitoring.

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Short-range structure, the role of bismuth and property-structure correlations in bismuth borate glasses

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics ◽

10.1039/d1cp00301a ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Christos P.E. Varsamis ◽

Nikos Makris ◽

Christina Valvi ◽

E. I. Kamitsos

Keyword(s):

Short Range ◽

Composition Range ◽

Reflectance Spectra ◽

Borate Glasses ◽

Infrared Reflectance ◽

Bismuth Borate ◽

Splat Quenching ◽

Structure Correlations ◽

Short Range Structure

Bismuth-containing borate glasses, xBi2O3-(1-x)B2O3, were synthesized in the broad composition range 0.20≤x≤0.80 by melting in Pt crucibles and splat-quenching between two metal blocks. Infrared reflectance spectra, measured in the range...

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Molecular markers and antioxidant activity in berry crops: Genetic diversity analysis

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps2011-240 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 92 (6) ◽

pp. 1121-1133 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

S. C. Debnath ◽

Y. L. Siow ◽

J. Petkau ◽

D. An ◽

N. V. Bykova

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Molecular Markers ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Diversity Analysis ◽

Full Potential ◽

Genetic Diversity Analysis ◽

Wide Range ◽

Berry Crops ◽

Improvement Programs

Debnath, S. C., Siow, Y. L., Petkau, J., An, D. and Bykova, N. V. 2012. Molecular markers and antioxidant activity in berry crops: Genetic diversity analysis. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1121–1133. An improved understanding of important roles of dietary fruits in maintaining human health has led to a dramatic increase of global berry crop production. Berry fruits contain relatively high levels of vitamin C, cellulose and pectin, and produce anthocyanins, which have important therapeutic values, including antitumor, antiulcer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. There is a need to develop reliable methods to identify berry germplasm and assess genetic diversity/relatedness for dietary properties in berry genotypes for practical breeding purposes through genotype selection in a breeding program for cultivar development, and proprietary-rights protection. The introduction of molecular biology techniques, such as DNA-based markers, allows direct comparison of different genetic materials independent of environmental influences. Significant progress has been made in diversity analysis of wild cranberry, lowbush blueberry, lingonberry and cloudberry germplasm, and in strawberry and raspberry cultivars and advanced breeding lines developed in Canada. Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers detected an adequate degree of polymorphism to differentiate among berry genotypes, making this technology valuable for cultivar identification and for the more efficient choice of parents in the current berry improvement programs. Although multiple factors affect antioxidant activity, a wide range of genetic diversity has been reported in wild and cultivated berry crops. Diversity analysis based on molecular markers did not agree with those from antioxidant activity. The paper also discusses the issues that still need to be addressed to utilize the full potential of molecular techniques including expressed sequence tag-polymerase chain reaction (EST-PCR) analysis to develop improved environment-friendly berry cultivars suited to the changing needs of growers and consumers.

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Layered Manufacturing: Challenges and Opportunities

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-758-ll1.4 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 758 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Khershed P. Cooper

Keyword(s):

Science Research ◽

Scientific Activity ◽

Layered Manufacturing ◽

Full Potential ◽

Local Composition ◽

Photosensitive Polymers ◽

Wide Range ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Future Direction

ABSTRACTLayered Manufacturing (LM) refers to computer-aided manufacturing processes in which parts are made in sequential layers relatively quickly. Parts that are produced by LM can be formed from a wide range of materials such as photosensitive polymers, metals and ceramics in sizes from a centimeter to a few meters with sub-millimeter feature resolutions. LM has found use in diverse areas including biomedical engineering, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, defense, electronics and design engineering. The promise of LM is the capability to make customized complex-shaped functional parts without specialized tooling and without assembly. LM is still a few years away from fully realizing its promise but its potential for manufacturing remains high. A few of the fundamental challenges in materials processing confronting the community are improving the quality of the surface finish, eliminating residual stress, controlling local composition and microstructure, achieving fine feature size and dimensional tolerance and accelerating processing speed. Until these challenges are met, the applicability of LM and its commercialization will be restricted. Sustained scientific activity in LM has advanced over the past decade into many different areas of manufacturing and has enabled exploration of novel processes and development of hybrid processes. The research community of today has the opportunity to shape the future direction of science research to realize the full potential of LM.

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Dispersive evaluation and surface chemistry of advanced, multifunctional silica/lignin hybrid biomaterials

Open Chemistry ◽

10.2478/s11532-013-0322-4 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1860-1873 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Magdalena Nowacka ◽

Łukasz Klapiszewski ◽

Małgorzata Norman ◽

Teofil Jesionowski

Keyword(s):

Zeta Potential ◽

Surface Charge ◽

Electrochemical Sensors ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Structural Features ◽

Kraft Lignin ◽

Morphological Properties ◽

Wide Range ◽

Hybrid Biomaterials

AbstractAdvanced silica/lignin hybrid biomaterials were obtained using hydrated or fumed silicas (Aerosil®200) and Kraft lignin as precursors, which is a cheap and biodegradable natural polymer. To extend the possible range of applications, the silicas were first modified with N-2-(aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxsysilane, and then with Kraft lignin, which had been oxidized with sodium periodate. The SiO2/lignin hybrids and precursors were characterised by means of determination of their physicochemical and dispersive-morphological properties. The effectiveness of silica binding to lignin was verified by FT-IR spectroscopy. The zeta potential value provides relevant information regarding interactions between colloid particles. Measurement of the zeta potential values enabled an indirect assessment of stability for the studied hybrid systems. Determination of zeta potential and density of surface charge also permitted the quantitative analysis of changes in surface charge, and indirectly confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method for synthesis of SiO2/lignin hybrid materials. A particularly attractive feature for practical use is their stability, especially electrokinetic stability. It is expected that silica/lignin hybrids will find a wide range of applications (polymer fillers, biosorbents, electrochemical sensors), as they combine the unique properties of silica with the specific structural features of lignin. This makes these hybrids biomaterials advanced and multifunctional.

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