Bimodal Visualization of Industrial X-Ray and Neutron Computed Tomography Data.

Advanced manufacturing creates increasingly complex objects with material compositions that are often difficult to characterize by a single modality. Our collaborating domain scientists are going beyond traditional methods by employing both X-ray and neutron computed tomography to obtain complementary representations expected to better resolve material boundaries. However, the use of two modalities creates its own challenges for visualization, requiring either complex adjustments of bimodal transfer functions or the need for multiple views. Together with experts in nondestructive evaluation, we designed a novel interactive bimodal visualization approach to create a combined view of the co-registered X-ray and neutron acquisitions of industrial objects. Using an automatic topological segmentation of the bivariate histogram of X-ray and neutron values as a starting point, the system provides a simple yet effective interface to easily create, explore, and adjust a bimodal visualization. We propose a widget with simple brushing interactions that enables the user to quickly correct the segmented histogram results. Our semiautomated system enables domain experts to intuitively explore large bimodal datasets without the need for either advanced segmentation algorithms or knowledge of visualization techniques. We demonstrate our approach using synthetic examples, industrial phantom objects created to stress bimodal scanning techniques, and real-world objects, and we discuss expert feedback.

Laser ultrasonic imaging of subsurface defects with the linear sampling method.

Laser ultrasonics is a remote nondestructive evaluation technique suitable for real-time monitoring of fabrication processes in semiconductor metrology, advanced manufacturing, and other applications where non-contact, high fidelity measurements are required. Here we investigate laser ultrasonic data processing approaches to reconstruct images of subsurface side drilled holes in aluminum alloy specimens. We demonstrate through simulation that the model-based linear sampling method (LSM) can perform accurate shape reconstruction of single and multiple holes and produce images with well-defined boundaries. We experimentally confirm that LSM produces images that represent the internal geometric features of an object, some of which may be missed by conventional imaging.

Preclinical Characterization and Development on NAQ as a Mu Opioid Receptor Partial Agonist for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment.

Mu opioid receptor (MOR) selective antagonists and partial agonists have clinical utility for the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUDs). However, the development of many has suffered due to their poor pharmacokinetic properties and/or rapid metabolism. Our recent efforts to identify MOR modulators have provided 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14ß-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6α-(isoquinoline-3-carboxamido)morphinan (NAQ), a low-efficacy partial agonist, that showed sub-nanomolar binding affinity to the MOR (K i 0.6 nM) with selectivity over the delta opioid receptor (δ/µ 241) and the kappa opioid receptor (κ/µ 48). Its potent inhibition of the analgesic effect of morphine (AD50 0.46 mg/kg) and precipitation of significantly less withdrawal symptoms even at 100-fold greater dose than naloxone represents a promising molecule for further development as a novel OUD therapeutic agent. Therefore, further in vitro and in vivo characterization of its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties was conducted to fully understand its pharmaceutical profile. NAQ showed favorable in vitro ADMET properties and no off-target binding to several classes of GPCRs, enzymes, and ion channels. Following intravenous administration, 1 mg/kg dose of NAQ showed a similar in vivo pharmacokinetic profile to naloxone; however, orally administered 10 mg/kg NAQ demonstrated significantly improved oral bioavailability over both naloxone and naltrexone. Abuse liability assessment of NAQ in rats demonstrated that NAQ functioned as a less potent reinforcer than heroin. Chronic 5 day NAQ pretreatment decreased heroin self-administration in a heroin-vs-food choice procedure similar to the clinically used MOR partial agonist buprenorphine. Taken together, these studies provide evidence supporting NAQ as a promising lead to develop novel OUD therapeutics.

Nine new species of Aleiodes Wesmael reared at Yanayacu Biological Station (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Rogadinae) in eastern Ecuador.

Nine new species of Aleiodes (Braconidae: Rogadinae) are described and illustrated: A. aclydis, A. albiterminus, A. arbitrium, A. atripileatus, A. capillosus, A. greeneiyi, A. nebulosus, A. speciosus and A. stilpnos. Because of the difficulties in distinguishing Neotropical species that belong to the circumscriptus and gastritor species-groups, a larger species-group combining the two, termed the circumscriptus/gastritor species-group, is created. The new species described in this study belonged to the seriatus, albitibia, gressitti, and circumscnptus/gastritor species-groups, respectively. Aldodes capillosus represents the first Neotropical species belonging to the gressitti species-group. Of the 34 previously described Neotropical species in Aldodes, only 13 have known biologies. The Aleiodes species in this study were reared from the families Geometridae and Noctuidae, two of the most common host families of other Aleiodes species worldwide.

A new species of Andesipolis Whitfield & Choi from the eastern Andes of Ecuador with notes on biology and classification (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Rhysipolinae).

A new species of braconid wasp, Andesipolis yanayacu, is described from the eastern Andes of Ecuador. Andesipolis yanayacu was reared as a gregarious koinobiont parasitoid of shelter building Pyralidae (Lepidoptera) larvae feeding on Urticaceae (Phenax rugosus and Boehmeria bullata). These are the first biological observations for the genus Andesipolis and the first species recorded from Ecuador. This is also the northern-most record for the genus as previously described species are from Chile. Based on morphological attributes and the newly discovered biology, Andesipolis is re-classified from the subfamily Mesostoinae into the subfamily Rhysipolinae.

New S-adenosyl-L-methionine analogues: synthesis and reactivity studies.

Two new and complementary synthetic strategies for 5'-N-chloroethylamino-5'-deoxyadenosines are presented. Additionally, the reaction kinetics of their conversion into aziridines under typical enzyme assay conditions is reported using time-resolved NMR spectroscopy. A stable photocaged derivative of 5'-N-chloroethylamino-5'-deoxyadenosine has also been synthesized, and its stability and activation in aqueous solution at physiological pH have been examined.