Assessing the Utility of the Nominal Group Technique as a Consensus-Building Tool in Extension-Led Avian Influenza Response Planning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kline, Terence R.

2013-01-01

The intent of the project described was to apply the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to achieve a consensus on Avian Influenza (AI) planning in Northeastern Ohio. Nominal Group Technique is a process first developed by Delbecq, Vande Ven, and Gustafsen (1975) to allow all participants to have an equal say in an open forum setting. A very diverse…

Applications of artificial intelligence to mission planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ford, Donnie R.; Rogers, John S.; Floyd, Stephen A.

1990-01-01

The scheduling problem facing NASA-Marshall mission planning is extremely difficult for several reasons. The most critical factor is the computational complexity involved in developing a schedule. The size of the search space is large along some dimensions and infinite along others. It is because of this and other difficulties that many of the conventional operation research techniques are not feasible or inadequate to solve the problems by themselves. Therefore, the purpose is to examine various artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to assist conventional techniques or to replace them. The specific tasks performed were as follows: (1) to identify mission planning applications for object oriented and rule based programming; (2) to investigate interfacing AI dedicated hardware (Lisp machines) to VAX hardware; (3) to demonstrate how Lisp may be called from within FORTRAN programs; (4) to investigate and report on programming techniques used in some commercial AI shells, such as Knowledge Engineering Environment (KEE); and (5) to study and report on algorithmic methods to reduce complexity as related to AI techniques.

AI applications to conceptual aircraft design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chalfan, Kathryn M.

1990-01-01

This paper presents in viewgraph form several applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to the conceptual design of aircraft, including: an access manager for automated data management, AI techniques applied to optimization, and virtual reality for scientific visualization of the design prototype.

Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) programming techniques to tactical guidance for fighter aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcmanus, John W.; Goodrich, Kenneth H.

1989-01-01

A research program investigating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) programming techniques to aid in the development of a Tactical Decision Generator (TDG) for Within-Visual-Range (WVR) air combat engagements is discussed. The application of AI methods for development and implementation of the TDG is presented. The history of the Adaptive Maneuvering Logic (AML) program is traced and current versions of the (AML) program is traced and current versions of the AML program are compared and contrasted with the TDG system. The Knowledge-Based Systems (KBS) used by the TDG to aid in the decision-making process are outlined and example rules are presented. The results of tests to evaluate the performance of the TDG against a version of AML and against human pilots in the Langley Differential Maneuvering Simulator (DMS) are presented. To date, these results have shown significant performance gains in one-versus-one air combat engagements.

Mapping AIS coverage for trusted surveillance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lapinski, Anna-Liesa S.; Isenor, Anthony W.

2010-10-01

Automatic Identification System (AIS) is an unattended vessel reporting system developed for collision avoidance. Shipboard AIS equipment automatically broadcasts vessel positional data at regular intervals. The real-time position and identity data from a vessel is received by other vessels in the area thereby assisting with local navigation. As well, AIS broadcasts are beneficial to those concerned with coastal and harbour security. Land-based AIS receiving stations can also collect the AIS broadcasts. However, reception at the land station is dependent upon the ship's position relative to the receiving station. For AIS to be used as a trusted surveillance system, the characteristics of the AIS coverage area in the vicinity of the station (or stations) should be understood. This paper presents some results of a method being investigated at DRDC Atlantic, Canada) to map the AIS coverage characteristics of a dynamic AIS reception network. The method is shown to clearly distinguish AIS reception edges from those edges caused by vessel traffic patterns. The method can also be used to identify temporal changes in the coverage area, an important characteristic for local maritime security surveillance activities. Future research using the coverage estimate technique is also proposed to support surveillance activities.

Using AI/expert system technology to automate planning and replanning for the HST servicing missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bogovich, L.; Johnson, J; Tuchman, A.; Mclean, D.; Page, B.; Kispert, A.; Burkhardt, C.; Littlefield, R.; Potter, W.

1993-01-01

This paper describes a knowledge-based system that has been developed to automate planning and scheduling for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Servicing Missions. This new system is the Servicing Mission Planning and Replanning Tool (SM/PART). SM/PART has been delivered to the HST Flight Operations Team (FOT) at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) where it is being used to build integrated time lines and command plans to control the activities of the HST, Shuttle, Crew and ground systems for the next HST Servicing Mission. SM/PART reuses and extends AI/expert system technology from Interactive Experimenter Planning System (IEPS) systems to build or rebuild time lines and command plans more rapidly than was possible for previous missions where they were built manually. This capability provides an important safety factor for the HST, Shuttle and Crew in case unexpected events occur during the mission.

Destriping AIS data using Fourier filtering techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hlavka, C.

1986-01-01

Airborne Imaging Spectrometers (AIS) data collected in 1984 and 1985 showed pronounced striping in the vertical and horizontal directions. This striping reduced the signal to noise ratio so that features of the spectra of forest canopies were obscured or altered by noise. This noise was removed by application of a notch filter to the Fourier transform of the imagery in each waveband.

The implementation of AI technologies in computer wargames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiller, John A.

2004-08-01

Computer wargames involve the most in-depth analysis of general game theory. The enumerated turns of a game like chess are dwarfed by the exponentially larger possibilities of even a simple computer wargame. Implementing challenging AI is computer wargames is an important goal in both the commercial and military environments. In the commercial marketplace, customers demand a challenging AI opponent when they play a computer wargame and are frustrated by a lack of competence on the part of the AI. In the military environment, challenging AI opponents are important for several reasons. A challenging AI opponent will force the military professional to avoid routine or set-piece approaches to situations and cause them to think much deeper about military situations before taking action. A good AI opponent would also include national characteristics of the opponent being simulated, thus providing the military professional with even more of a challenge in planning and approach. Implementing current AI technologies in computer wargames is a technological challenge. The goal is to join the needs of AI in computer wargames with the solutions of current AI technologies. This talk will address several of those issues, possible solutions, and currently unsolved problems.

JGOMAS: New Approach to AI Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barella, A.; Valero, S.; Carrascosa, C.

2009-01-01

This paper presents a new environment for teaching practical work in AI subjects. The main purpose of this environment is to make AI techniques more appealing to students and to facilitate the use of the toolkits which are currently widely used in research and development. This new environment has a toolkit for developing and executing agents,…

Measurement level AIS/radar fusion for maritime surveillance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habtemariam, Biruk K.; Tharmarasa, R.; Meger, Eric; Kirubarajan, T.

2012-05-01

Using the Automatic Identification System (AIS) ships identify themselves intermittently by broadcasting their location information. However, traditionally radars are used as the primary source of surveillance and AIS is considered as a supplement with a little interaction between these data sets. The data from AIS is much more accurate than radar data with practically no false alarms. But unlike the radar data, the AIS measurements arrive unpredictably, depending on the type and behavior of a ship. The AIS data includes target IDs that can be associated to initialized tracks. In multitarget maritime surveillance environment, for some targets the revisit interval form the AIS could be very large. In addition, the revisit intervals for various targets can be different. In this paper, we proposed a joint probabilistic data association based tracking algorithm that addresses the aforementioned issues to fuse the radar measurements with AIS data. Multiple AIS IDs are assigned to a track, with probabilities updated by both AIS and radar measurements to resolve the ambiguity in the AIS ID source. Experimental results based on simulated data demonstrate the performance the proposed technique.

“Awake” intraoperative functional MRI (ai-fMRI) for mapping the eloquent cortex: Is it possible in awake craniotomy?☆

PubMed Central

Lu, Jun-Feng; Zhang, Han; Wu, Jin-Song; Yao, Cheng-Jun; Zhuang, Dong-Xiao; Qiu, Tian-Ming; Jia, Wen-Bin; Mao, Ying; Zhou, Liang-Fu

2012-01-01

As a promising noninvasive imaging technique, functional MRI (fMRI) has been extensively adopted as a functional localization procedure for surgical planning. However, the information provided by preoperative fMRI (pre-fMRI) is hampered by the brain deformation that is secondary to surgical procedures. Therefore, intraoperative fMRI (i-fMRI) becomes a potential alternative that can compensate for brain shifts by updating the functional localization information during craniotomy. However, previous i-fMRI studies required that patients be under general anesthesia, preventing the wider application of such a technique as the patients cannot perform tasks unless they are awake. In this study, we propose a new technique that combines awake surgery and i-fMRI, named “awake” i-fMRI (ai-fMRI). We introduced ai-fMRI to the real-time localization of sensorimotor areas during awake craniotomy in seven patients. The results showed that ai-fMRI could successfully detect activations in the bilateral primary sensorimotor areas and supplementary motor areas for all patients, indicating the feasibility of this technique in eloquent area localization. The reliability of ai-fMRI was further validated using intraoperative stimulation mapping (ISM) in two of the seven patients. Comparisons between the pre-fMRI-derived localization result and the ai-fMRI derived result showed that the former was subject to a heavy brain shift and led to incorrect localization, while the latter solved that problem. Additionally, the approaches for the acquisition and processing of the ai-fMRI data were fully illustrated and described. Some practical issues on employing ai-fMRI in awake craniotomy were systemically discussed, and guidelines were provided. PMID:24179766

Diverter AI based decision aid, phases 1 and 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sexton, George A.; Bayles, Scott J.; Patterson, Robert W.; Schulke, Duane A.; Williams, Deborah C.

1989-01-01

It was determined that a system to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into airborne flight management computers is feasible. The AI functions that would be most useful to the pilot are to perform situational assessment, evaluate outside influences on the contemplated rerouting, perform flight planning/replanning, and perform maneuver planning. A study of the software architecture and software tools capable of demonstrating Diverter was also made. A skeletal planner known as the Knowledge Acquisition Development Tool (KADET), which is a combination script-based and rule-based system, was used to implement the system. A prototype system was developed which demonstrates advanced in-flight planning/replanning capabilities.

Global Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) from Space Based AIS Ship Tracking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwehr, K. D.; Foulkes, J. A.; Lorenzini, D.; Kanawati, M.

2011-12-01

All nations need to be developing long term integrated strategies for how to use and preserve our natural resources. As a part of these strategies, we must evalutate how communities of users react to changes in rules and regulations of ocean use. Global characterization of the vessel traffic on our Earth's oceans is essential to understanding the existing uses to develop international Coast and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP). Ship traffic within 100-200km is beginning to be effectively covered in low latitudes by ground based receivers collecting position reports from the maritime Automatic Identification System (AIS). Unfortunately, remote islands, high latitudes, and open ocean Marine Protected Areas (MPA) are not covered by these ground systems. Deploying enough autonomous airborne (UAV) and surface (USV) vessels and buoys to provide adequate coverage is a difficult task. While the individual device costs are plummeting, a large fleet of AIS receivers is expensive to maintain. The global AIS coverage from SpaceQuest's low Earth orbit satellite receivers combined with the visualization and data storage infrastructure of Google (e.g. Maps, Earth, and Fusion Tables) provide a platform that enables researchers and resource managers to begin answer the question of how ocean resources are being utilized. Near real-time vessel traffic data will allow managers of marine resources to understand how changes to education, enforcement, rules, and regulations alter usage and compliance patterns. We will demonstrate the potential for this system using a sample SpaceQuest data set processed with libais which stores the results in a Fusion Table. From there, the data is imported to PyKML and visualized in Google Earth with a custom gx:Track visualization utilizing KML's extended data functionality to facilitate ship track interrogation. Analysts can then annotate and discuss vessel tracks in Fusion Tables.

Application of AI techniques to infer vegetation characteristics from directional reflectance(s)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kimes, D. S.; Smith, J. A.; Harrison, P. A.; Harrison, P. R.

1994-01-01

Traditionally, the remote sensing community has relied totally on spectral knowledge to extract vegetation characteristics. However, there are other knowledge bases (KB's) that can be used to significantly improve the accuracy and robustness of inference techniques. Using AI (artificial intelligence) techniques a KB system (VEG) was developed that integrates input spectral measurements with diverse KB's. These KB's consist of data sets of directional reflectance measurements, knowledge from literature, and knowledge from experts which are combined into an intelligent and efficient system for making vegetation inferences. VEG accepts spectral data of an unknown target as input, determines the best techniques for inferring the desired vegetation characteristic(s), applies the techniques to the target data, and provides a rigorous estimate of the accuracy of the inference. VEG was developed to: infer spectral hemispherical reflectance from any combination of nadir and/or off-nadir view angles; infer percent ground cover from any combination of nadir and/or off-nadir view angles; infer unknown view angle(s) from known view angle(s) (known as view angle extension); and discriminate between user defined vegetation classes using spectral and directional reflectance relationships developed from an automated learning algorithm. The errors for these techniques were generally very good ranging between 2 to 15% (proportional root mean square). The system is designed to aid scientists in developing, testing, and applying new inference techniques using directional reflectance data.

Interpretation of AIS Images of Cuprite, Nevada Using Constraints of Spectral Mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, M. O.; Adams, J. B.

1985-01-01

A technique is outlined that tests the hypothesis Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) image spectra are produced by mixtures of surface materials. This technique allows separation of AIS images into concentration images of spectral endmembers (e.g., surface materials causing spectral variation). Using a spectral reference library it was possible to uniquely identify these spectral endmembers with respect to the reference library and to calibrate the AIS images.

Quality measures and assurance for AI (Artificial Intelligence) software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rushby, John

1988-01-01

This report is concerned with the application of software quality and evaluation measures to AI software and, more broadly, with the question of quality assurance for AI software. Considered are not only the metrics that attempt to measure some aspect of software quality, but also the methodologies and techniques (such as systematic testing) that attempt to improve some dimension of quality, without necessarily quantifying the extent of the improvement. The report is divided into three parts Part 1 reviews existing software quality measures, i.e., those that have been developed for, and applied to, conventional software. Part 2 considers the characteristics of AI software, the applicability and potential utility of measures and techniques identified in the first part, and reviews those few methods developed specifically for AI software. Part 3 presents an assessment and recommendations for the further exploration of this important area.

Towards AI-powered personalization in MOOC learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Han; Miao, Chunyan; Leung, Cyril; White, Timothy John

2017-12-01

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) represent a form of large-scale learning that is changing the landscape of higher education. In this paper, we offer a perspective on how advances in artificial intelligence (AI) may enhance learning and research on MOOCs. We focus on emerging AI techniques including how knowledge representation tools can enable students to adjust the sequence of learning to fit their own needs; how optimization techniques can efficiently match community teaching assistants to MOOC mediation tasks to offer personal attention to learners; and how virtual learning companions with human traits such as curiosity and emotions can enhance learning experience on a large scale. These new capabilities will also bring opportunities for educational researchers to analyse students' learning skills and uncover points along learning paths where students with different backgrounds may require different help. Ethical considerations related to the application of AI in MOOC education research are also discussed.

AI Based Personal Learning Environments: Directions for Long Term Research. AI Memo 384.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldstein, Ira P.; Miller, Mark L.

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to the design of personal learning environments is an enterprise of both theoretical and practical interest. In the short term, the process of developing and testing intelligent tutoring programs serves as a new experimental vehicle for exploring alternative cognitive and pedagogical…

Preliminary geological investigation of AIS data at Mary Kathleen, Queensland, Australia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huntington, J. F.; Green, A. A.; Craig, M. D.; Cocks, T. D.

1986-01-01

The Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) was flown over granitic, volcanic, and calc-silicate terrain around the Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine in Queensland, in a test of its mineralocial mapping capabilities. An analysis strategy and restoration and enhancement techniques were developed to process the 128 band AIS data. A preliminary analysis of one of three AIS flight lines shows that the data contains considerable spectral variation but that it is also contaminated by second-order leakage of radiation from the near-infrared region. This makes the recognition of expected spectral absorption shapes very difficult. The effect appears worst in terrains containing considerable vegetation. Techniques that try to predict this supplementary radiation coupled with the log residual analytical technique show that expected mineral absorption spectra can be derived. The techniques suggest that with additional refinement correction procedures, the Australian AIS data may be revised. Application of the log residual analysis method has proved very successful on the cuprite, Nevada data set, and for highlighting the alunite, linite, and SiOH mineralogy.

NASA space station automation: AI-based technology review

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Firschein, O.; Georgeff, M. P.; Park, W.; Neumann, P.; Kautz, W. H.; Levitt, K. N.; Rom, R. J.; Poggio, A. A.

1985-01-01

Research and Development projects in automation for the Space Station are discussed. Artificial Intelligence (AI) based automation technologies are planned to enhance crew safety through reduced need for EVA, increase crew productivity through the reduction of routine operations, increase space station autonomy, and augment space station capability through the use of teleoperation and robotics. AI technology will also be developed for the servicing of satellites at the Space Station, system monitoring and diagnosis, space manufacturing, and the assembly of large space structures.

Application of AI methods to aircraft guidance and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hueschen, Richard M.; Mcmanus, John W.

1988-01-01

A research program for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) techniques with tools and methods used for aircraft flight control system design, development, and implementation is discussed. The application of the AI methods for the development and implementation of the logic software which operates with the control mode panel (CMP) of an aircraft is presented. The CMP is the pilot control panel for the automatic flight control system of a commercial-type research aircraft of Langley Research Center's Advanced Transport Operating Systems (ATOPS) program. A mouse-driven color-display emulation of the CMP, which was developed with AI methods and used to test the AI software logic implementation, is discussed. The operation of the CMP was enhanced with the addition of a display which was quickly developed with AI methods. The display advises the pilot of conditions not satisfied when a mode does not arm or engage. The implementation of the CMP software logic has shown that the time required to develop, implement, and modify software systems can be significantly reduced with the use of the AI methods.

Using AI Planning Techniques to Automatically Generate Image Processing Procedures: A Preliminary Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chien, S.

1994-01-01

This paper describes work on the Multimission VICAR Planner (MVP) system to automatically construct executable image processing procedures for custom image processing requests for the JPL Multimission Image Processing Lab (MIPL). This paper focuses on two issues. First, large search spaces caused by complex plans required the use of hand encoded control information. In order to address this in a manner similar to that used by human experts, MVP uses a decomposition-based planner to implement hierarchical/skeletal planning at the higher level and then uses a classical operator based planner to solve subproblems in contexts defined by the high-level decomposition.

AI Techniques in a Context-Aware Ubiquitous Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coppola, Paolo; Mea, Vincenzo Della; di Gaspero, Luca; Lomuscio, Raffaella; Mischis, Danny; Mizzaro, Stefano; Nazzi, Elena; Scagnetto, Ivan; Vassena, Luca

Nowadays, the mobile computing paradigm and the widespread diffusion of mobile devices are quickly changing and replacing many common assumptions about software architectures and interaction/communication models. The environment, in particular, or more generally, the so-called user context is claiming a central role in everyday’s use of cellular phones, PDAs, etc. This is due to the huge amount of data “suggested” by the surrounding environment that can be helpful in many common tasks. For instance, the current context can help a search engine to refine the set of results in a useful way, providing the user with a more suitable and exploitable information. Moreover, we can take full advantage of this new data source by “pushing” active contents towards mobile devices, empowering the latter with new features (e.g., applications) that can allow the user to fruitfully interact with the current context. Following this vision, mobile devices become dynamic self-adapting tools, according to the user needs and the possibilities offered by the environment. The present work proposes MoBe: an approach for providing a basic infrastructure for pervasive context-aware applications on mobile devices, in which AI techniques (namely a principled combination of rule-based systems, Bayesian networks and ontologies) are applied to context inference. The aim is to devise a general inferential framework to make easier the development of context-aware applications by integrating the information coming from physical and logical sensors (e.g., position, agenda) and reasoning about this information in order to infer new and more abstract contexts.

Distribution Planning: An Integration of Constraint Satisfaction & Heuristic Search Techniques

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-01

Proceedings of the Symposium on Aritificial Intelligence in ~~litary Logistics, Arlington, VA: American Defense Preparedness Assoc. pp. 177-182...dynamic changes, too many variables, and lack pf planning time. The Human Engineeri n ~ Laboratory (HEL) is developing artificial intelligence (AI...first attempt. The field of artificial intelligence includes a variety of knowledge-based approaches. Most widely known are Expert Systems, that are

AIS training manual

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kramer, C.F.; Barancik, J.I.

1989-05-01

This Training Manual was developed by the Injury Prevention and Analysis Group (IPAG) as part of a training program in AIS 85 and AIS-EM (Epidemiological Modifications) coding. The IPAG Program is designed primarily to train medical record and other health professionals from diverse backgrounds and experience levels in the use of AIS 85 and AIS 85-EM. The Manual is designed to be used as a reference text after completion of the Program and includes copies of visual projection materials used during the training sessions.

Administrative Information Systems Plan for FY89

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1988-11-01

The Administrative Information Systems (AIS) Plan was developed to prioritize, track, and control the cost of AIS activities. This annually published plan, in conjunction with quarterly status reports, measures projected AIS activities and progress. The AIS Plan and quarterly reporting are administered jointly by the Director of Computing and an Organization 30 director. Priority development projects are clearly defined and closely managed efforts that consume significant resources. Directorate supplementals describe other AIS activity within each directorate, which may include: production support; technical support; development activity; and other AIS effort.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Operations Research (OR), and Decision Support Systems (DSS): A conceptual framework

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parnell, Gregory S.; Rowell, William F.; Valusek, John R.

1987-01-01

In recent years there has been increasing interest in applying the computer based problem solving techniques of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Operations Research (OR), and Decision Support Systems (DSS) to analyze extremely complex problems. A conceptual framework is developed for successfully integrating these three techniques. First, the fields of AI, OR, and DSS are defined and the relationships among the three fields are explored. Next, a comprehensive adaptive design methodology for AI and OR modeling within the context of a DSS is described. These observations are made: (1) the solution of extremely complex knowledge problems with ill-defined, changing requirements can benefit greatly from the use of the adaptive design process, (2) the field of DSS provides the focus on the decision making process essential for tailoring solutions to these complex problems, (3) the characteristics of AI, OR, and DSS tools appears to be converging rapidly, and (4) there is a growing need for an interdisciplinary AI/OR/DSS education.

Formal verification of AI software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rushby, John; Whitehurst, R. Alan

1989-01-01

The application of formal verification techniques to Artificial Intelligence (AI) software, particularly expert systems, is investigated. Constraint satisfaction and model inversion are identified as two formal specification paradigms for different classes of expert systems. A formal definition of consistency is developed, and the notion of approximate semantics is introduced. Examples are given of how these ideas can be applied in both declarative and imperative forms.

Launching AI in NASA ground systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perkins, Dorothy C.; Truszkowski, Walter F.

1990-01-01

This paper will discuss recent operational successes in implementing expert systems to support the complex functions of NASA mission control systems at the Goddard Space Flight Center, including fault detection and diagnosis for real time and engineering analysis functions in the Cosmic Background Explorer and Gamma Ray Observatory missions and automation of resource planning and scheduling functions for various missions. It will also discuss ongoing developments and prototypes that will lead to increasingly sophisticated applications of artificial intelligence. These include the use of neural networks to perform telemetry monitoring functions, the implementation of generic expert system shells that can be customized to telemetry handling functions specific to NASA control centers, the applications of AI in training and user support, the long-term potential of implementing systems based around distributed, cooperative problem solving, and the use of AI to control and assist system development activities.

A Complete NMR Spectral Assignment of the Lipid-free Mouse Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoAI) C-terminal Truncation Mutant, ApoAI(1-216)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Yunhuang; Hoyt, David W.; Wang, Jianjun

2007-07-28

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI) is the major protein component of the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that has been a hot subject of interests because of its anti-atherogenic properties. Upon lipid-binding, apoAI undergoes conformational changes from lipid-free to several different HDL-associated states (1). These different conformational states regulate HDL formation, maturation and transportation. Recent crystal structure of lipid-free human apoAI represents a major progress of structural study of lipid-free apoAI (2). However, no structural is available for lipid-free mouse apoAI (240-residues). Since mouse HDL is homogenous with only HDL2-like size, whereas human HDL is heterogeneous, containing HDL2/HDL3 as its main species, a structuralmore » comparison between human and mouse apoAI may allow us to identify structure basis of HDL size distribution difference between human and mouse. We carried out an NMR structure determination of lipid-free mouse apoAI (1-216) and completely assigned backbone atoms (except backbone amide proton and nitrogen atoms for residues D1, N48, W107, K108, K132, E135, F147, R148, M169 and K203). Secondary structure prediction using backbone NMR parameters indicates that lipid-free mouse apoAI consists of a four helical segments in the N-terminal domain, residues 1-180. In addition, two short helices are also observed between residues 190-195 and 210-215. The helix locations are significantly different from those in the crystal structure of human apoAI, suggesting that mouse apoAI may have a different conformational adaptation upon lipid-binding. BMRB deposit with accession number: 15091.« less

43 CFR 10005.15 - Planning and management techniques applicable to the plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... applicable to the plan. 10005.15 Section 10005.15 Public Lands: Interior Regulations Relating to Public Lands... AND IMPLEMENTING THE COMMISSION'S MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION PLAN § 10005.15 Planning and management techniques applicable to the plan. The Commission recognizes that there are a wide range of techniques that...

Spike: AI scheduling for Hubble Space Telescope after 18 months of orbital operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, Mark D.

1992-01-01

This paper is a progress report on the Spike scheduling system, developed by the Space Telescope Science Institute for long-term scheduling of Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations. Spike is an activity-based scheduler which exploits artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for constraint representation and for scheduling search. The system has been in operational use since shortly after HST launch in April 1990. Spike was adopted for several other satellite scheduling problems; of particular interest was the demonstration that the Spike framework is sufficiently flexible to handle both long-term and short-term scheduling, on timescales of years down to minutes or less. We describe the recent progress made in scheduling search techniques, the lessons learned from early HST operations, and the application of Spike to other problem domains. We also describe plans for the future evolution of the system.

A study on the applications of AI in finishing of additive manufacturing parts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fathima Patham, K.

2017-06-01

Artificial intelligent and computer simulation are the technological powerful tools for solving complex problems in the manufacturing industries. Additive Manufacturing is one of the powerful manufacturing techniques that provide design flexibilities to the products. The products with complex shapes are directly manufactured without the need of any machining and tooling using Additive Manufacturing. However, the main drawback of the components produced using the Additive Manufacturing processes is the quality of the surfaces. This study aims to minimize the defects caused during Additive Manufacturing with the aid of Artificial Intelligence. The developed AI system has three layers, each layer is trying to eliminate or minimize the production errors. The first layer of the AI system optimizes the digitization of the 3D CAD model of the product and hence reduces the stair case errors. The second layer of the AI system optimizes the 3D printing machine parameters in order to eliminate the warping effect. The third layer of AI system helps to choose the surface finishing technique suitable for the printed component based on the Degree of Complexity of the product and the material. The efficiency of the developed AI system was examined on the functional parts such as gears.

Artificial Intelligence Study (AIS).

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-02-01

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGNECE HARDWARE ....... 2-50 AI Architecture ................................... 2-49 AI Hardware ....................................... 2...ftf1 829 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STUDY (RIS)(U) MAY CONCEPTS 1/3 A~NLYSIS AGENCY BETHESA RD R B NOJESKI FED 6? CM-RP-97-1 NCASIFIED /01/6 M |K 1.0...p/ - - ., e -- CAA- RP- 87-1 SAOFŔ)11 I ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STUDY (AIS) tNo DTICFEBRUARY 1987 LECT 00 I PREPARED BY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

AI Techniques for Space: The APSI Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steel, R.; Niézette, M.; Cesta, A.; Verfaille, G., Lavagna, M.; Donati, A.

2009-05-01

This paper will outline the framework and tools developed under the Advanced Planning and Schedule Initiative (APSI) study performed by VEGA for the European Space Agency in collaboration with three academic institutions, ISTC-CNR, ONERA, and Politecnico di Milano. We will start by illustrating the background history to APSI and why it was needed, giving a brief summary of all the partners within the project and the rolls they played within it. We will then take a closer look at what APSI actually consists of, showing the techniques that were used and detailing the framework that was developed within the scope of the project. We will follow this with an elaboration on the three demonstration test scenarios that have been developed as part of the project, illustrating the re-use and synergies between the three cases along the way. We will finally conclude with a summary of some pros and cons of the approach devised during the project and outline future directions to be further investigated and expanded on within the context of the work performed within the project.

Crystal structures, vibrational spectra and DFT calculations of five halogeno-derivatives of 7-azaindole (3Br7AI, 4Br7AI, 4Cl7AI, 3Br4Cl7AI and 5Br3Cl7AI): a comparative study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morzyk-Ociepa, Barbara; Dysz, Karolina; Turowska-Tyrk, Ilona; Michalska, Danuta

2018-01-01

Structures and vibrational spectra of 3-bromo-7-azaindole (3Br7AI), 4-bromo-7-azaindole (4Br7AI), 4-chloro-7-azaindole (4Cl7AI), 5-bromo-3-chloro-7-azaindole (5Br3Cl7AI) and 3-bromo-4-chloro-7-azaindole (3Br4Cl7AI) have been investigated. For the first time a single crystal analysis is reported for the three compounds: 3Br7AI (P21/n space group; a = 12.6586(3), b = 3.98664(12), c = 14.1189(4)Å, β = 100.901(2)o, Z = 4); 4Br7AI (P21/n space group; a = 5.38136 (13), b = 9.2262 (2), c = 13.9806 (4)Å, β = 90.052 (2)o, Z = 4); and 5Br3Cl7AI (C2/c space group; a = 22.9444(10), b = 3.91953(12), c = 17.8500(6)Å, β = 102.621(4)o, Z = 8). In the crystal structure, a pair of molecules forms a centrosymmetric dimer connected by dual nearly linear Nsbnd H⋯N hydrogen bonds between the pyrrole and pyridine rings. In addition, the structures of 4Br7AI and 5Br3Cl7AI are stabilized by C2sbnd H2⋯Br hydrogen bonds. The IR and Raman spectra of all compounds and their N-deuterated derivatives were recorded in the solid state. The theoretical molecular structures and vibrational spectra of the centrosymmetric dimers of five investigated compounds were calculated using the B3LYP method with the 6-311G++(d,p) basis set. The optimized structural parameters and the calculated vibrational spectra reproduce well the experiment. Detailed vibrational assignments for all these compounds have been made on the basis of the calculated potential energy distributions (PEDs). The characteristic marker bands for the chloro- and bromo-derivativeds of 7-azaindoles are reported.

Comparison of injury severity between AIS 2005 and AIS 1990 in a large injury database

PubMed Central

Barnes, J; Hassan, A; Cuerden, R; Cookson, R; Kohlhofer, J

2009-01-01

The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in car occupant injury severity recorded in AIS 2005 compared to AIS 1990 and to outline the likely effects on future data analysis findings. Occupant injury data in the UK Cooperative Crash Injury Study Database (CCIS) were coded for the period February 2006 to November 2007 using both AIS 1990 and AIS 2005. Data for 1,994 occupants with over 6000 coded injuries were reviewed at the AIS and MAIS level of severities and body regions to determine changes between the two coding methodologies. Overall there was an apparent general trend for fewer injuries to be coded at the AIS 4+ severity and more injuries to be coded at the AIS 2 severity. When these injury trends were reviewed in more detail it was found that the body regions which contributed the most to these changes in severity were the head, thorax and extremities. This is one of the first studies to examine the implications for large databases when changing to an updated method for coding injuries. PMID:20184835

USCG AIS Broadcast

Science.gov Websites

these cooler months. Did you know your body can cool 25 times faster in water than in air? That water Traffic Service began broadcasting Automatic Identification System (AIS) test messages to select test participants in the area via standard AIS channels. These broadcasts-originating from MMSI 003660471-are less

AI in CALL--Artificially Inflated or Almost Imminent?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schulze, Mathias

2008-01-01

The application of techniques from artificial intelligence (AI) to CALL has commonly been referred to as intelligent CALL (ICALL). ICALL is only slightly older than the "CALICO Journal", and this paper looks back at a quarter century of published research mainly in North America and by North American scholars. This "inventory…

Artificial intelligence (AI) based tactical guidance for fighter aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcmanus, John W.; Goodrich, Kenneth H.

1990-01-01

A research program investigating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to aid in the development of a Tactical Decision Generator (TDG) for Within Visual Range air combat engagements is discussed. The application of AI programming and problem solving methods in the development and implementation of the Computerized Logic For Air-to-Air Warfare Simulations (CLAWS), a second generation TDG, is presented. The knowledge-based systems used by CLAWS to aid in the tactical decision-making process are outlined in detail, and the results of tests to evaluate the performance of CLAWS versus a baseline TDG developed in FORTRAN to run in real time in the Langley Differential Maneuvering Simulator, are presented. To date, these test results have shown significant performance gains with respect to the TDG baseline in one-versus-one air combat engagements, and the AI-based TDG software has proven to be much easier to modify and maintain than the baseline FORTRAN TDG programs.

Oregon American Indian/Alaska Native Education State Plan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oregon State Dept. of Education, Salem.

The Oregon State Plan for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) education was developed by AI/AN communities and educators, the State Board of Education, and the State Department of Education. The plan includes 11 major educational goals: (1) the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) should promote effective education for AI/AN children; (2)…

Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Scheduling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, David E.; Frank, Jeremy; Jonsson, Ari K.; Norvig, Peter (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Planning research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has often focused on problems where there are cascading levels of action choice and complex interactions between actions. In contrast. Scheduling research has focused on much larger problems where there is little action choice, but the resulting ordering problem is hard. In this paper, we give an overview of M planning and scheduling techniques, focusing on their similarities, differences, and limitations. We also argue that many difficult practical problems lie somewhere between planning and scheduling, and that neither area has the right set of tools for solving these vexing problems.

NASA space station automation: AI-based technology review. Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Firschein, O.; Georgeff, M. P.; Park, W.; Cheeseman, P. C.; Goldberg, J.; Neumann, P.; Kautz, W. H.; Levitt, K. N.; Rom, R. J.; Poggio, A. A.

1985-01-01

Research and Development projects in automation technology for the Space Station are described. Artificial Intelligence (AI) based technologies are planned to enhance crew safety through reduced need for EVA, increase crew productivity through the reduction of routine operations, increase space station autonomy, and augment space station capability through the use of teleoperation and robotics.

T'ai chi ch'uan.

PubMed

Lewis, D E

2000-11-01

The Chinese practice of t'ai chi seems to be receiving increased interest in the West. This article gives a brief overview of t'ai chi, including its origins, development, principles and potential health benefits. The function of the essential elements of t'ai chi, namely the Form and chi kung are described and their potential benefits for patients and nurses are discussed. Exponents of t'ai chi believe that it has health benefits on physical, psychological and spiritual levels, thus promoting a feeling of well-being. In addition, regular practitioners are empowered to be in greater control of themselves, their health, and situations in which they find themselves.

The BSM-AI project: SUSY-AI-generalizing LHC limits on supersymmetry with machine learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caron, Sascha; Kim, Jong Soo; Rolbiecki, Krzysztof; de Austri, Roberto Ruiz; Stienen, Bob

2017-04-01

A key research question at the Large Hadron Collider is the test of models of new physics. Testing if a particular parameter set of such a model is excluded by LHC data is a challenge: it requires time consuming generation of scattering events, simulation of the detector response, event reconstruction, cross section calculations and analysis code to test against several hundred signal regions defined by the ATLAS and CMS experiments. In the BSM-AI project we approach this challenge with a new idea. A machine learning tool is devised to predict within a fraction of a millisecond if a model is excluded or not directly from the model parameters. A first example is SUSY-AI, trained on the phenomenological supersymmetric standard model (pMSSM). About 300, 000 pMSSM model sets - each tested against 200 signal regions by ATLAS - have been used to train and validate SUSY-AI. The code is currently able to reproduce the ATLAS exclusion regions in 19 dimensions with an accuracy of at least 93%. It has been validated further within the constrained MSSM and the minimal natural supersymmetric model, again showing high accuracy. SUSY-AI and its future BSM derivatives will help to solve the problem of recasting LHC results for any model of new physics. SUSY-AI can be downloaded from http://susyai.hepforge.org/. An on-line interface to the program for quick testing purposes can be found at http://www.susy-ai.org/.

A complete backbone spectral assignment of human apolipoprotein AI on a 38 kDa preβHDL (Lp1-AI) particle

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ren, Xuefeng; Yang, Yunhuang; Neville, T.

2007-06-12

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI, 243-residues) is the major protein component of the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that has been a hot subject of interests because of its anti-atherogenic properties. This important property of apoAI is related to its roles in reverse cholesterol transport pathway. Upon lipid-binding, apoAI undergoes conformational changes from lipid-free to several different HDL-associated states (1). These different conformational states regulate HDL formation, maturation and transportation. Two initial conformational states of apoAI are lipid-free apoAI and apoAI/preβHDL that recruit phospholipids and cholesterol to form HDL particles. In particular, lipid-free apoAI specifically binds to phospholipids to form lipid-poor apoAI, including apoAI/preβ-HDLmore » (~37 kDa). As a unique class of lipid poor HDL, both in vitro and in vivo evidence demonstrates that apoAI/preβ-HDLs are the most effective acceptors specifically for free cholesterol in human plasma and serves as the precursor of HDL particles (2). Here we report a complete backbone spectral assignment of human apoAI/preβHDL. Secondary structure prediction using backbone NMR parameters indicates that apoAI/preβHDL displays a two-domain structure: the N-terminal four helix-bundle domain (residues 1-186) and the C-terminal flexible domain (residues 187-243). A structure of apoAI/preβ-HDL is the first lipid-associated structure of apoAI and is critical for us to understand how apoAI recruits cholesterol to initialize HDL formation. BMRB deposit with accession number: 15093.« less

Rapid prototyping and AI programming environments applied to payload modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carnahan, Richard S., Jr.; Mendler, Andrew P.

1987-01-01

This effort focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) programming environments and rapid prototyping to aid in both space flight manned and unmanned payload simulation and training. Significant problems addressed are the large amount of development time required to design and implement just one of these payload simulations and the relative inflexibility of the resulting model to accepting future modification. Results of this effort have suggested that both rapid prototyping and AI programming environments can significantly reduce development time and cost when applied to the domain of payload modeling for crew training. The techniques employed are applicable to a variety of domains where models or simulations are required.

Application of AIS Technology to Forest Mapping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yool, S. R.; Star, J. L.

1985-01-01

Concerns about environmental effects of large scale deforestation have prompted efforts to map forests over large areas using various remote sensing data and image processing techniques. Basic research on the spectral characteristics of forest vegetation are required to form a basis for development of new techniques, and for image interpretation. Examination of LANDSAT data and image processing algorithms over a portion of boreal forest have demonstrated the complexity of relations between the various expressions of forest canopies, environmental variability, and the relative capacities of different image processing algorithms to achieve high classification accuracies under these conditions. Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data may in part provide the means to interpret the responses of standard data and techniques to the vegetation based on its relatively high spectral resolution.

AI mass spectrometers for space shuttle health monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, F. W.

1991-01-01

The facility Hazardous Gas Detection System (HGDS) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is a mass spectrometer based gas analyzer. Two instruments make up the HGDS, which is installed in a prime/backup arrangement, with the option of using both analyzers on the same sample line, or on two different lines simultaneously. It is used for monitoring the Shuttle during fuel loading, countdown, and drainback, if necessary. The use of complex instruments, operated over many shifts, has caused problems in tracking the status of the ground support equipment (GSE) and the vehicle. A requirement for overall system reliability has been a major force in the development of Shuttle GSE, and is the ultimate driver in the choice to pursue artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for Shuttle and Advanced Launch System (ALS) mass spectrometer systems. Shuttle applications of AI are detailed.

A Systems Development Life Cycle Project for the AIS Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Ting J.; Saemann, Georgia; Du, Hui

2007-01-01

The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) project was designed for use by an accounting information systems (AIS) class. Along the tasks in the SDLC, this project integrates students' knowledge of transaction and business processes, systems documentation techniques, relational database concepts, and hands-on skills in relational database use.…

Results from service tests on AI-91 gasoline

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Turovskii, F.V.; Bakaleinik, A.M.; Belyaev, A.A.

1988-01-01

Research was conducted to establish whether the operational reliability of engines will be affected by the use of a gasoline with an octane number two points lower than that of commercial AI-93 leaded gasoline with knock resistance in acceleration that is better than that of the AI-93 by approximately the same amount. Extended road tests were run in VAZ-2106 and Moskvich-2140 automobiles using gasoline with a research octane number of 91, containing an antiknock additive based on tetramethyl lead, and AI-93. The experimental AI-91 and the commercial AI-93 gasolines were prepared from the same base blend. Average specific fuel consumptionsmore » were identical for automobiles using AI-93 and AI-91 with the tetramethyl lead additive. For automobiles using AI-91 with the additive and with ethyl bromide as a lead scavenger the fuel consumption was 2% lower.« less

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Based Tactical Guidance for Fighter Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McManus, John W.; Goodrich, Kenneth H.

1990-01-01

A research program investigating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to aid in the development of a Tactical Decision Generator (TDG) for Within Visual Range (WVR) air combat engagements is discussed. The application of AI programming and problem solving methods in the development and implementation of the Computerized Logic For Air-to-Air Warfare Simulations (CLAWS), a second generation TDG, is presented. The Knowledge-Based Systems used by CLAWS to aid in the tactical decision-making process are outlined in detail, and the results of tests to evaluate the performance of CLAWS versus a baseline TDG developed in FORTRAN to run in real-time in the Langley Differential Maneuvering Simulator (DMS), are presented. To date, these test results have shown significant performance gains with respect to the TDG baseline in one-versus-one air combat engagements, and the AI-based TDG software has proven to be much easier to modify and maintain than the baseline FORTRAN TDG programs. Alternate computing environments and programming approaches, including the use of parallel algorithms and heterogeneous computer networks are discussed, and the design and performance of a prototype concurrent TDG system are presented.

Scoring of anatomic injury after trauma: AIS 98 versus AIS 90--do the changes affect overall severity assessment?

PubMed

Skaga, Nils O; Eken, Torsten; Hestnes, Morten; Jones, J Mary; Steen, Petter A

2007-01-01

Although several changes were implemented in the 1998 update of the abbreviated injury scale (AIS 98) versus the previous AIS 90, both are still used worldwide for coding of anatomic injury in trauma. This could possibly invalidate comparisons between systems using different AIS versions. Our aim was to evaluate whether the use of different coding dictionaries affected estimation of Injury Severity Score (ISS), New Injury Severity Score (NISS) and probability of survival (Ps) according to TRISS in a hospital-based trauma registry. In a prospective study including 1654 patients from Ulleval University Hospital, a Norwegian trauma referral centre, patients were coded according to both AIS 98 and AIS 90. Agreement between the classifications of ISS, NISS and Ps according to TRISS methodology was estimated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% CI. ISS changed for 378 of 1654 patients analysed (22.9%). One hundred and forty seven (8.9%) were coded differently due to different injury descriptions and 369 patients (22.3%) had a change in ISS value in one or more regions due to the different scoring algorithm for skin injuries introduced in AIS 98. This gave a minimal change in mean ISS (14.74 versus 14.54). An ICC value of 0.997 (95% CI 0.9968-0.9974) for ISS indicates excellent agreement between the scoring systems. There were no significant changes in NISS and Ps. There was excellent agreement for the overall population between ISS, NISS and Ps values obtained using AIS 90 and AIS 98 for injury coding. Injury descriptions for hypothermia were re-introduced in the recently published AIS 2005. We support this change as coding differences due to hypothermia were encountered in 4.3% of patients in the present study.

Artificial intelligence. Fears of an AI pioneer.

PubMed

Russell, Stuart; Bohannon, John

2015-07-17

From the enraged robots in the 1920 play R.U.R. to the homicidal computer H.A.L. in 2001: A Space Odyssey, science fiction writers have embraced the dark side of artificial intelligence (AI) ever since the concept entered our collective imagination. Sluggish progress in AI research, especially during the “AI winter” of the 1970s and 1980s, made such worries seem far-fetched. But recent breakthroughs in machine learning and vast improvements in computational power have brought a flood of research funding— and fresh concerns about where AI may lead us. One researcher now speaking up is Stuart Russell, a computer scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, who with Peter Norvig, director of research at Google, wrote the premier AI textbook, Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, now in its third edition. Last year, Russell joined the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom as an AI expert focusing on “risks that could lead to human extinction.” Among his chief concerns, which he aired at an April meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, run by the United Nations, is the danger of putting military drones and weaponry under the full control of AI systems. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Why Don't Accounting Students like AIS?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vatanasakdakul, Savanid; Aoun, Chadi

2011-01-01

Purpose: The demand for Accounting Information Systems (AIS) knowledge has increased exponentially over the past two decades, but studying AIS has not proved easy for many accounting students. The aim of the study is to understand the challenges accounting students face in studying AIS through investigation of the factors which may be contributing…

Using C to build a satellite scheduling expert system: Examples from the Explorer Platform planning system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mclean, David R.; Tuchman, Alan; Potter, William J.

1991-01-01

A C-based artificial intelligence (AI) development effort which is based on a software tools approach is discussed with emphasis on reusability and maintainability of code. The discussion starts with simple examples of how list processing can easily be implemented in C and then proceeds to the implementations of frames and objects which use dynamic memory allocation. The implementation of procedures which use depth first search, constraint propagation, context switching, and blackboard-like simulation environment are described. Techniques for managing the complexity of C-based AI software are noted, especially the object-oriented techniques of data encapsulation and incremental development. Finally, all these concepts are put together by describing the components of planning software called the Planning And Resource Reasoning (PARR) Shell. This shell was successfully utilized for scheduling services of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System for the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite since May of 1987 and will be used for operations scheduling of the Explorer Platform in Nov. of 1991.

Validation of the "HAMP" mapping algorithm: a tool for long-term trauma research studies in the conversion of AIS 2005 to AIS 98.

PubMed

Adams, Derk; Schreuder, Astrid B; Salottolo, Kristin; Settell, April; Goss, J Richard

2011-07-01

There are significant changes in the abbreviated injury scale (AIS) 2005 system, which make it impractical to compare patients coded in AIS version 98 with patients coded in AIS version 2005. Harborview Medical Center created a computer algorithm "Harborview AIS Mapping Program (HAMP)" to automatically convert AIS 2005 to AIS 98 injury codes. The mapping was validated using 6 months of double-coded patient injury records from a Level I Trauma Center. HAMP was used to determine how closely individual AIS and injury severity scores (ISS) were converted from AIS 2005 to AIS 98 versions. The kappa statistic was used to measure the agreement between manually determined codes and HAMP-derived codes. Seven hundred forty-nine patient records were used for validation. For the conversion of AIS codes, the measure of agreement between HAMP and manually determined codes was [kappa] = 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.86). The algorithm errors were smaller in magnitude than the manually determined coding errors. For the conversion of ISS, the agreement between HAMP versus manually determined ISS was [kappa] = 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.78-0.84). The HAMP algorithm successfully converted injuries coded in AIS 2005 to AIS 98. This algorithm will be useful when comparing trauma patient clinical data across populations coded in different versions, especially for longitudinal studies.

Artificial intelligence techniques used in respiratory sound analysis--a systematic review.

PubMed

Palaniappan, Rajkumar; Sundaraj, Kenneth; Sundaraj, Sebastian

2014-02-01

Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently been established as an alternative method to many conventional methods. The implementation of AI techniques for respiratory sound analysis can assist medical professionals in the diagnosis of lung pathologies. This article highlights the importance of AI techniques in the implementation of computer-based respiratory sound analysis. Articles on computer-based respiratory sound analysis using AI techniques were identified by searches conducted on various electronic resources, such as the IEEE, Springer, Elsevier, PubMed, and ACM digital library databases. Brief descriptions of the types of respiratory sounds and their respective characteristics are provided. We then analyzed each of the previous studies to determine the specific respiratory sounds/pathology analyzed, the number of subjects, the signal processing method used, the AI techniques used, and the performance of the AI technique used in the analysis of respiratory sounds. A detailed description of each of these studies is provided. In conclusion, this article provides recommendations for further advancements in respiratory sound analysis.

AI techniques for optimizing multi-objective reservoir operation upon human and riverine ecosystem demands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Wen-Ping; Chang, Fi-John; Chang, Li-Chiu; Herricks, Edwin E.

2015-11-01

Flow regime is the key driver of the riverine ecology. This study proposes a novel hybrid methodology based on artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for quantifying riverine ecosystems requirements and delivering suitable flow regimes that sustain river and floodplain ecology through optimizing reservoir operation. This approach addresses issues to better fit riverine ecosystem requirements with existing human demands. We first explored and characterized the relationship between flow regimes and fish communities through a hybrid artificial neural network (ANN). Then the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) was established for river flow management over the Shihmen Reservoir in northern Taiwan. The ecosystem requirement took the form of maximizing fish diversity, which could be estimated by the hybrid ANN. The human requirement was to provide a higher satisfaction degree of water supply. The results demonstrated that the proposed methodology could offer a number of diversified alternative strategies for reservoir operation and improve reservoir operational strategies producing downstream flows that could meet both human and ecosystem needs. Applications that make this methodology attractive to water resources managers benefit from the wide spread of Pareto-front (optimal) solutions allowing decision makers to easily determine the best compromise through the trade-off between reservoir operational strategies for human and ecosystem needs.

Crisis action planning and replanning using SIPE-2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skidmore, Jennifer D.

1993-01-01

Rome Laboratory and DARPA are jointly sponsoring an initiative to develop the next generation of AI planning and scheduling technology focused on military operations planning, especially for crisis situations. SRI International has demonstrated their knowledge-based planning technology in this domain with a system called SOCAP, System for Operations Crisis Action Planning. SOCAP's underlying power comes from SIPE-2, a hierarchical, domain-independent, nonlinear AI planner also developed at SRI. This paper discusses the features of SIPE-2 that made it an ideal choice for military operations planning and which contributed greatly to SOCAP's success.

Space-based detection of spoofing AIS signals using Doppler frequency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Shanzeng

2014-05-01

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a self-reporting system based on VHF radio to transmit a vessel's identity, position, speed, heading and other parameters to improve maritime domain awareness. However, AIS information can be programmatically spoofed by terrorists or other criminals, who often choose to masquerade as innocent civilians and exploit the vulnerabilities of military and civilian infrastructures for their purposes. Therefore, detecting and localizing a spoofing AIS ship become a critical and challenging issue for maritime security. This paper presents an algorithm to detect and geolocalize a spoofing AIS emitter using space-based AIS signals with its Doppler frequency. With an AIS signal sensor on a fast orbiting satellite, the measured AIS Doppler frequency of an AIS emitter can be used to define a double-napped cone of which the satellite is at its vertex and satellite velocity coincides with its axis, such that the theoretical Doppler frequency derived from the radial velocity to the AIS emitter matches the measured Doppler frequency. All such matches can only lie on either cone extending out from the satellite, which cuts the Earth's surface in two curves, so we know that the AIS emitter must lie somewhere on these curves. Two such AIS Doppler frequency measurements for the same stationary AIS emitter produce two valid curves which intersect at the position of the AIS emitter. Multiple Doppler frequency measurements can be used to better estimate the position fix of an AIS emitter, hence determine the spoofing AIS ship if the estimated position fix unreasonably differs from the position carried in its AIS message. A set of formulas are derived which relate an AIS emitter position to its Doppler frequency measurements.

Quantifying the tracking capability of space-based AIS systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skauen, Andreas Nordmo

2016-01-01

The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) has operated three Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers in space. Two are on dedicated nano-satellites, AISSat-1 and AISSat-2. The third, the NORAIS Receiver, was installed on the International Space Station. A general method for calculating the upper bound on the tracking capability of a space-based AIS system has been developed and the results from the algorithm applied to AISSat-1 and the NORAIS Receiver individually. In addition, a constellation of AISSat-1 and AISSat-2 is presented. The tracking capability is defined as the probability of re-detecting ships as they move around the globe and is explained to represent and upper bound on a space-based AIS system performance. AISSat-1 and AISSat-2 operates on the nominal AIS1 and AIS2 channels, while the NORAIS Receiver data used are from operations on the dedicated space AIS channels, AIS3 and AIS4. The improved tracking capability of operations on the space AIS channels is presented.

47 CFR 80.393 - Frequencies for AIS stations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... (AIS 1) and 162.025 MHz (AIS 2), each with a 25 kHz bandwidth, may be authorized only for AIS. In... carriage requirements for non-Federal Government ships. These requirements are codified at 33 CFR 164.46...

47 CFR 80.393 - Frequencies for AIS stations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... (AIS 1) and 162.025 MHz (AIS 2), each with a 25 kHz bandwidth, may be authorized only for AIS. In... carriage requirements for non-Federal Government ships. These requirements are codified at 33 CFR 164.46...

TBS and BMD at the end of AI-therapy: A prospective study of the B-ABLE cohort.

PubMed

María, Rodríguez-Sanz; Marta, Pineda-Moncusí; Sonia, Servitja; Natalia, Garcia-Giralt; Tamara, Martos; Ignasi, Tusquets; Maria, Martínez-García; Jaime, Rodriguez-Morera; Adolfo, Diez-Perez; Joan, Albanell; Xavier, Nogués

2016-11-01

Patients with breast cancer under aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment often develop osteoporosis and their average bone loss rate is twice that of natural reduction during menopause, increasing fracture risk. As the current diagnostic technique based on bone mineral density (BMD) provides no information on bone quality, the Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) has been proposed to reflect bone microarchitecture status. The present study was designed to assess prospective changes in TBS and lumbar spine (LS) BMD in postmenopausal women with breast cancer at completion of AI treatment. B-ABLE is a prospective cohort of 735 women with breast cancer treated with AIs according to American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations: 5years of AI starting within 6weeks post-surgery or 1month after the last cycle of chemotherapy (5y-AI group), or switching to an AI to complete 5-year therapy after 2-3years of tamoxifen (pTMX-AI group). Patients with osteoporosis were treated with oral bisphosphonates (BP). TBS and LS-BMD changes at completion of AI therapy were evaluated by Student t-test for paired samples. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed for correlations between LS-BMD and TBS. AI treatment was completed by 277 women. Of these, 70 (25.3%) were allocated to BP therapy. The non-BP-treated patients (74.7%) showed significant decreases in TBS (-2.94% in pTMX-AI and -2.93% in 5y-AI groups) and in LS-BMD (-4.14% in pTMX-AI and -2.28% in 5y-AI groups) at the end of AI treatment. In BP-treated patients, TBS remained stable at the end of AI treatment, whereas LS-BMD showed significant increases (+2.30% in pTMX-AI and +5.33% in 5y-AI groups). Moderate associations between TBS and LS-BMD values at baseline and at the end of AI treatment (r=0.4; P<0.001) were observed. At the end of treatment, changes in spine BMD and TBS were weakly correlated (r=0.1, P<0.01). AI therapy induces significant decreases in TBS, comparable to BMD loss. BP-treated patients maintained TBS values

Altering the time of the second gonadotropin-releasing hormone injection and artificial insemination (AI) during Ovsynch affects pregnancies per AI in lactating dairy cows.

PubMed

Brusveen, D J; Cunha, A P; Silva, C D; Cunha, P M; Sterry, R A; Silva, E P B; Guenther, J N; Wiltbank, M C

2008-03-01

Based on previous research, we hypothesized that Cosynch at 72 h [GnRH-7 d-PGF(2alpha)-72 h-GnRH + artificial insemination (AI)] would result in a greater number of pregnancies per AI (P/AI) than Cosynch at 48 h. Further, we hypothesized that P/AI would be improved to a greater extent when GnRH was administered at 56 h after PGF(2alpha) before AI at 72 h due to a more optimal interval between the LH surge and AI. Nine hundred twenty-seven lactating dairy cows (n = 1,507 AI) were blocked by pen, and pens rotated through treatments. All cows received GnRH followed 7 d later by PGF(2alpha) and then received one of the following: 1) GnRH + timed AI 48 h after PGF(2alpha) (Cosynch-48); 2) GnRH 56 h after PGF(2alpha) + timed AI 72 h after PGF(2alpha) (Ovsynch-56); or 3) GnRH + timed AI 72 h after PGF(2alpha) (Cosynch-72). Pregnancy diagnoses were performed by ultrasound at 31 to 33 d post-AI and again at 52 to 54 d post-AI. Overall P/AI were similar for the Cosynch-48 (29.2%) and Cosynch-72 (25.4%) groups. The Ovsynch-56 group had a greater P/AI (38.6%) than Cosynch-48 or Cosynch-72. Presynchronized first-service animals had greater P/AI than cows at later services in Cosynch-48 (36.2 vs. 23.0%) and Ovsynch-56 (44.8 vs. 32.7%) but not in Cosynch-72 (24.6 vs. 26.2%). Similarly, primiparous cows had greater P/AI than multiparous cows in Cosynch-48 (34.1 vs. 22.9%) and Ovsynch-56 (41.3 vs. 32.6%), but not Cosynch-72 (29.8 vs. 25.3%). In conclusion, we found no advantage to Cosynch at 72 h vs. 48 h. In contrast, we found a clear advantage to treating with GnRH at 56 h, 16 h before a 72-h AI, probably because of more-optimal timing of AI before ovulation.

Applying Mixed Methods Techniques in Strategic Planning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Voorhees, Richard A.

2008-01-01

In its most basic form, strategic planning is a process of anticipating change, identifying new opportunities, and executing strategy. The use of mixed methods, blending quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques and data, in the process of assembling a strategic plan can help to ensure a successful outcome. In this article, the author…

The application of connectionism to query planning/scheduling in intelligent user interfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Short, Nicholas, Jr.; Shastri, Lokendra

1990-01-01

In the mid nineties, the Earth Observing System (EOS) will generate an estimated 10 terabytes of data per day. This enormous amount of data will require the use of sophisticated technologies from real time distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data management. Without regard to the overall problems in distributed AI, efficient models were developed for doing query planning and/or scheduling in intelligent user interfaces that reside in a network environment. Before intelligent query/planning can be done, a model for real time AI planning and/or scheduling must be developed. As Connectionist Models (CM) have shown promise in increasing run times, a connectionist approach to AI planning and/or scheduling is proposed. The solution involves merging a CM rule based system to a general spreading activation model for the generation and selection of plans. The system was implemented in the Rochester Connectionist Simulator and runs on a Sun 3/260.

The role of artificial intelligence techniques in scheduling systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geoffroy, Amy L.; Britt, Daniel L.; Gohring, John R.

1990-01-01

Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques provide good solutions for many of the problems which are characteristic of scheduling applications. However, scheduling is a large, complex heterogeneous problem. Different applications will require different solutions. Any individual application will require the use of a variety of techniques, including both AI and conventional software methods. The operational context of the scheduling system will also play a large role in design considerations. The key is to identify those places where a specific AI technique is in fact the preferable solution, and to integrate that technique into the overall architecture.

AI based HealthCare Platform for Real Time, Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics using Reactive Programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Jagreet; Singh Mann, Kulwinder, Dr.

2018-01-01

AI in Healthcare needed to bring real, actionable insights and Individualized insights in real time for patients and Doctors to support treatment decisions., We need a Patient Centred Platform for integrating EHR Data, Patient Data, Prescriptions, Monitoring, Clinical research and Data. This paper proposes a generic architecture for enabling AI based healthcare analytics Platform by using open sources Technologies Apache beam, Apache Flink Apache Spark, Apache NiFi, Kafka, Tachyon, Gluster FS, NoSQL- Elasticsearch, Cassandra. This paper will show the importance of applying AI based predictive and prescriptive analytics techniques in Health sector. The system will be able to extract useful knowledge that helps in decision making and medical monitoring in real-time through an intelligent process analysis and big data processing.

Mapping Fishing Effort through AIS Data

PubMed Central

Natale, Fabrizio; Gibin, Maurizio; Alessandrini, Alfredo; Vespe, Michele; Paulrud, Anton

2015-01-01

Several research initiatives have been undertaken to map fishing effort at high spatial resolution using the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). An alternative to the VMS is represented by the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which in the EU became compulsory in May 2014 for all fishing vessels of length above 15 meters. The aim of this paper is to assess the uptake of the AIS in the EU fishing fleet and the feasibility of producing a map of fishing effort with high spatial and temporal resolution at European scale. After analysing a large AIS dataset for the period January-August 2014 and covering most of the EU waters, we show that AIS was adopted by around 75% of EU fishing vessels above 15 meters of length. Using the Swedish fleet as a case study, we developed a method to identify fishing activity based on the analysis of individual vessels’ speed profiles and produce a high resolution map of fishing effort based on AIS data. The method was validated using detailed logbook data and proved to be sufficiently accurate and computationally efficient to identify fishing grounds and effort in the case of trawlers, which represent the largest portion of the EU fishing fleet above 15 meters of length. Issues still to be addressed before extending the exercise to the entire EU fleet are the assessment of coverage levels of the AIS data for all EU waters and the identification of fishing activity in the case of vessels other than trawlers. PMID:26098430

Mapping Fishing Effort through AIS Data.

PubMed

Natale, Fabrizio; Gibin, Maurizio; Alessandrini, Alfredo; Vespe, Michele; Paulrud, Anton

2015-01-01

Several research initiatives have been undertaken to map fishing effort at high spatial resolution using the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). An alternative to the VMS is represented by the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which in the EU became compulsory in May 2014 for all fishing vessels of length above 15 meters. The aim of this paper is to assess the uptake of the AIS in the EU fishing fleet and the feasibility of producing a map of fishing effort with high spatial and temporal resolution at European scale. After analysing a large AIS dataset for the period January-August 2014 and covering most of the EU waters, we show that AIS was adopted by around 75% of EU fishing vessels above 15 meters of length. Using the Swedish fleet as a case study, we developed a method to identify fishing activity based on the analysis of individual vessels' speed profiles and produce a high resolution map of fishing effort based on AIS data. The method was validated using detailed logbook data and proved to be sufficiently accurate and computationally efficient to identify fishing grounds and effort in the case of trawlers, which represent the largest portion of the EU fishing fleet above 15 meters of length. Issues still to be addressed before extending the exercise to the entire EU fleet are the assessment of coverage levels of the AIS data for all EU waters and the identification of fishing activity in the case of vessels other than trawlers.

USACE AIS Transmit Technical Support Summary Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

the TAG block for the correct transmitters, and then send to the USACE AIS network. B. Outbound openings in the USCG firewall for the USCG Message...USACE AIS Transmit Technical Support Summary Report Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited...September 2014 Report No. CD-D-09-15 USACE AIS Transmit Technical Support Summary Report ii UNCLAS//Public | CG-926 RDC | I. Gonin et al. Public

33 CFR 164.46 - Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (AIS). 164.46 Section 164.46 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND... Identification System (AIS). (a) The following vessels must have a properly installed, operational, type approved AIS as of the date specified: (1) Self-propelled vessels of 65 feet or more in length, other than...

33 CFR 164.46 - Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (AIS). 164.46 Section 164.46 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND... Identification System (AIS). (a) The following vessels must have a properly installed, operational, type approved AIS as of the date specified: (1) Self-propelled vessels of 65 feet or more in length, other than...

33 CFR 164.46 - Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... (AIS). 164.46 Section 164.46 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND... Identification System (AIS). (a) The following vessels must have a properly installed, operational, type approved AIS as of the date specified: (1) Self-propelled vessels of 65 feet or more in length, other than...

33 CFR 164.46 - Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (AIS). 164.46 Section 164.46 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND... Identification System (AIS). (a) The following vessels must have a properly installed, operational, type approved AIS as of the date specified: (1) Self-propelled vessels of 65 feet or more in length, other than...

33 CFR 164.46 - Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... (AIS). 164.46 Section 164.46 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND... Identification System (AIS). (a) The following vessels must have a properly installed, operational, type approved AIS as of the date specified: (1) Self-propelled vessels of 65 feet or more in length, other than...

AI tools in computer based problem solving

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beane, Arthur J.

1988-01-01

The use of computers to solve value oriented, deterministic, algorithmic problems, has evolved a structured life cycle model of the software process. The symbolic processing techniques used, primarily in research, for solving nondeterministic problems, and those for which an algorithmic solution is unknown, have evolved a different model, much less structured. Traditionally, the two approaches have been used completely independently. With the advent of low cost, high performance 32 bit workstations executing identical software with large minicomputers and mainframes, it became possible to begin to merge both models into a single extended model of computer problem solving. The implementation of such an extended model on a VAX family of micro/mini/mainframe systems is described. Examples in both development and deployment of applications involving a blending of AI and traditional techniques are given.

Arco foresees productivity increases with AI technologies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smutz, J.

1989-01-09

Efforts are under way in exploration, production, and drilling to exploit the powerful technology known as artificial intelligence (AI). Arco Oil and Gas Co. (AOGC) foresees AI increasing productivity in nearly every aspect of its business. The industry trend toward applying state-of-the-art technology to exploration and production applications is creating a definite realignment of resources within AOGC information services. AI technologies such as expert systems represent a powerful, yet complex opportunity. The learning curve with which AI technologies challenge us can be effectively addressed through progressive hands-on experience. By beginning where cost effectiveness can be easily demonstrated and evolving tomore » more ambitious projects, this new way of thinking about applications can be effectively assimilated.« less

Tactical AI in Real Time Strategy Games

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-26

TACTICAL AI IN REAL TIME STRATEGY GAMES THESIS Donald A. Gruber, Capt, USAF AFIT-ENG-MS-15-M-021 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE...protection in the United States. AFIT-ENG-MS-15-M-021 TACTICAL AI IN REAL TIME STRATEGY GAMES THESIS Presented to the Faculty Department of Electrical...DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED. AFIT-ENG-MS-15-M-021 TACTICAL AI IN REAL TIME STRATEGY GAMES THESIS Donald A

T'ai Chi

MedlinePlus

... who practice it wear a martial arts training uniform. T'ai chi is usually practiced barefoot or ... health problem. Is your schedule jam-packed with school, work, and social activities? Here are a few ...

AI challenges for spacecraft control programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lightfoot, Patricia

1986-01-01

The application of AI technology to the spacecraft and experiment command and control systems environment is proposed. The disadvantages of the present methods for analyzing and resolving spacecraft experiment command and control problems are discussed. The potential capabilities and advantages of using AI for the spacecraft and experiment command and control systems are described.

Parallel plan execution with self-processing networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dautrechy, C. Lynne; Reggia, James A.

1989-01-01

A critical issue for space operations is how to develop and apply advanced automation techniques to reduce the cost and complexity of working in space. In this context, it is important to examine how recent advances in self-processing networks can be applied for planning and scheduling tasks. For this reason, the feasibility of applying self-processing network models to a variety of planning and control problems relevant to spacecraft activities is being explored. Goals are to demonstrate that self-processing methods are applicable to these problems, and that MIRRORS/II, a general purpose software environment for implementing self-processing models, is sufficiently robust to support development of a wide range of application prototypes. Using MIRRORS/II and marker passing modelling techniques, a model of the execution of a Spaceworld plan was implemented. This is a simplified model of the Voyager spacecraft which photographed Jupiter, Saturn, and their satellites. It is shown that plan execution, a task usually solved using traditional artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, can be accomplished using a self-processing network. The fact that self-processing networks were applied to other space-related tasks, in addition to the one discussed here, demonstrates the general applicability of this approach to planning and control problems relevant to spacecraft activities. It is also demonstrated that MIRRORS/II is a powerful environment for the development and evaluation of self-processing systems.

GLADIS: GLobal AIS & Data-X International Satellite Constellation

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

1Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited GLADIS : GLobal AIS & Data-X International Satellite Constellation Space-Based System for...TYPE N/A 3. DATES COVERED - 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE GLADIS : GLobal AIS & Data-X International Satellite Constellation 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b...Maritime & Technology Challenges • GLADIS Mission Objective • AIS & Data-X capabilities • GLADIS Architecture • International Strategy – MSSIS as Model

SU-F-T-427: Utilization and Evaluation of Diagnostic CT Imaging with MAR Technique for Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, M; Foster, R; Parks, H

Purpose: The objective was to utilize and evaluate diagnostic CT-MAR technique for radiation therapy treatment planning. Methods: A Toshiba-diagnostic-CT acquisition with SEMAR(Single-energy-MAR)-algorism was performed to make the metal-artifact-reduction (MAR) for patient treatment planning. CT-imaging datasets with and without SEMAR were taken on a Catphan-phantom. Two sets of CT-numbers were calibrated with the relative electron densities (RED). A tissue characterization phantom with Gammex various simulating material rods was used to establish the relationship between known REDs and corresponding CT-numbers. A GE-CT-sim acquisition was taken on the Catphan for comparison. A patient with bilateral hip arthroplasty was scanned in the radiotherapy CT-simmore » and the diagnostic SEMAR-CT on a flat panel. The derived SEMAR images were used as a primary CT dataset to create contours for the target, critical-structures, and for planning. A deformable registration was performed with VelocityAI to track voxel changes between SEMAR and CT-sim images. The SEMAR-CT images with minimal artifacts and high quality of geometrical and spatial integrity were employed for a treatment plan. Treatment-plans were evaluated based on deformable registration of SEMAR-CT and CT-sim dataset with assigned CT-numbers in the metal artifact regions in Eclipse v11 TPS. Results: The RED and CT-number relationships were consistent for the datasets in CT-sim and CT’s with and without SEMAR. SEMAR datasets with high image quality were used for PTV and organ delineation in the treatment planning process. For dose distribution to the PTV through the DVH analysis, the plan using CT-sim with the assigned CT-number showed a good agreement to those on deformable CT-SEMAR. Conclusion: A diagnostic-CT with MAR-algorithm can be utilized for radiotherapy treatment planning with CT-number calibrated to the RED. Treatment planning comparison and DVH shows a good agreement in the PTV and critical organs

Multimodal system planning technique : an analytical approach to peak period operation

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-11-01

The multimodal system planning technique described in this report is an improvement of the methodology used in the Dallas System Planning Study. The technique includes a spreadsheet-based process to identify the costs of congestion, construction, and...

The AI Interdisciplinary Context: Single or Multiple Research Bases?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khawam, Yves J.

1992-01-01

This study used citation analysis to determine whether the disciplines contributing to the journal literature of artificial intelligence (AI)--philosophy, psychology, linguistics, computer science, and engineering--share a common AI research base. The idea that AI consists of a completely interdisciplinary endeavor was refuted. (MES)

Comparisons of the Outcome Prediction Performance of Injury Severity Scoring Tools Using the Abbreviated Injury Scale 90 Update 98 (AIS 98) and 2005 Update 2008 (AIS 2008)

PubMed Central

Tohira, Hideo; Jacobs, Ian; Mountain, David; Gibson, Nick; Yeo, Allen

2011-01-01

The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) was revised in 2005 and updated in 2008 (AIS 2008). We aimed to compare the outcome prediction performance of AIS-based injury severity scoring tools by using AIS 2008 and AIS 98. We used all major trauma patients hospitalized to the Royal Perth Hospital between 1994 and 2008. We selected five AIS-based injury severity scoring tools, including Injury Severity Score (ISS), New Injury Severity Score (NISS), modified Anatomic Profile (mAP), Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) and A Severity Characterization of Trauma (ASCOT). We selected survival after injury as a target outcome. We used the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUROC) as a performance measure. First, we compared the five tools using all cases whose records included all variables for the TRISS (complete dataset) using a 10-fold cross-validation. Second, we compared the ISS and NISS for AIS 98 and AIS 2008 using all subjects (whole dataset). We identified 1,269 and 4,174 cases for a complete dataset and a whole dataset, respectively. With the 10-fold cross-validation, there were no clear differences in the AUROCs between the AIS 98- and AIS 2008-based scores. With the second comparison, the AIS 98-based ISS performed significantly worse than the AIS 2008-based ISS (p<0.0001), while there was no significant difference between the AIS 98- and AIS 2008-based NISSs. Researchers should be aware of these findings when they select an injury severity scoring tool for their studies. PMID:22105401

Comparisons of the Outcome Prediction Performance of Injury Severity Scoring Tools Using the Abbreviated Injury Scale 90 Update 98 (AIS 98) and 2005 Update 2008 (AIS 2008).

PubMed

Tohira, Hideo; Jacobs, Ian; Mountain, David; Gibson, Nick; Yeo, Allen

2011-01-01

The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) was revised in 2005 and updated in 2008 (AIS 2008). We aimed to compare the outcome prediction performance of AIS-based injury severity scoring tools by using AIS 2008 and AIS 98. We used all major trauma patients hospitalized to the Royal Perth Hospital between 1994 and 2008. We selected five AIS-based injury severity scoring tools, including Injury Severity Score (ISS), New Injury Severity Score (NISS), modified Anatomic Profile (mAP), Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) and A Severity Characterization of Trauma (ASCOT). We selected survival after injury as a target outcome. We used the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUROC) as a performance measure. First, we compared the five tools using all cases whose records included all variables for the TRISS (complete dataset) using a 10-fold cross-validation. Second, we compared the ISS and NISS for AIS 98 and AIS 2008 using all subjects (whole dataset). We identified 1,269 and 4,174 cases for a complete dataset and a whole dataset, respectively. With the 10-fold cross-validation, there were no clear differences in the AUROCs between the AIS 98- and AIS 2008-based scores. With the second comparison, the AIS 98-based ISS performed significantly worse than the AIS 2008-based ISS (p<0.0001), while there was no significant difference between the AIS 98- and AIS 2008-based NISSs. Researchers should be aware of these findings when they select an injury severity scoring tool for their studies.

[T'ai chi in the elderly: practical aspects].

PubMed

Kressig, Reto W; Beauchet, Olivier; Tharicharu, Jai

2003-11-01

New approaches to health promotion for the growing geriatric population are needed. Low to moderately intense exercise programs, such as T'ai Chi seem particularly appropriate for older individuals because of many worthwhile physiological and psychological long-term benefits. T'ai Chi reduces falls and improves postural stability in older adults. It also has a positive impact on muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness and can improve mobility in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It imparts a sense of well-being and confidence, and can reduce fear of falling in older adults. This article reviews the current medical literature regarding the multiple effects of T'ai Chi. Historical aspects of T'ai Chi and its current adaptation for practice by healthy older adults are presented. Finally, a set of modified exercises is proposed that is based on underlying principles of T'ai Chi and can be applied to patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

AI and cognitive science: the past and next 30 years.

PubMed

Forbus, Kenneth D

2010-07-01

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a core area of Cognitive Science, yet today few AI researchers attend the Cognitive Science Society meetings. This essay examines why, how AI has changed over the last 30 years, and some emerging areas of potential interest where AI and the Society can go together in the next 30 years, if they choose. Copyright © 2010 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

Towards an AI Behavior Toolkit for Games

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-01-01

Introduction To date there exists a disparity between AI research and game development technologies (Laird and van Lent 2000). We are currently...art AI re- sults. Such a kit has obvious benefits for both communities. On the game development side, the kit will provide a straight- forward method

The Relevance of AI Research to CAI.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kearsley, Greg P.

This article provides a tutorial introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) research for those involved in Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI). The general theme is that much of the current work in AI, particularly in the areas of natural language understanding systems, rule induction, programming languages, and socratic systems, has important…

Building regional early flood warning systems by AI techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, F. J.; Chang, L. C.; Amin, M. Z. B. M.

2017-12-01

Building early flood warning system is essential for the protection of the residents against flood hazards and make actions to mitigate the losses. This study implements AI technology for forecasting multi-step-ahead regional flood inundation maps during storm events. The methodology includes three major schemes: (1) configuring the self-organizing map (SOM) to categorize a large number of regional inundation maps into a meaningful topology; (2) building dynamic neural networks to forecast multi-step-ahead average inundated depths (AID); and (3) adjusting the weights of the selected neuron in the constructed SOM based on the forecasted AID to obtain real-time regional inundation maps. The proposed models are trained, and tested based on a large number of inundation data sets collected in regions with the most frequent and serious flooding in the river basin. The results appear that the SOM topological relationships between individual neurons and their neighbouring neurons are visible and clearly distinguishable, and the hybrid model can continuously provide multistep-ahead visible regional inundation maps with high resolution during storm events, which have relatively small RMSE values and high R2 as compared with numerical simulation data sets. The computing time is only few seconds, and thereby leads to real-time regional flood inundation forecasting and make early flood inundation warning system. We demonstrate that the proposed hybrid ANN-based model has a robust and reliable predictive ability and can be used for early warning to mitigate flood disasters.

A dynamic case-based planning system for space station application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oppacher, F.; Deugo, D.

1988-01-01

We are currently investigating the use of a case-based reasoning approach to develop a dynamic planning system. The dynamic planning system (DPS) is designed to perform resource management, i.e., to efficiently schedule tasks both with and without failed components. This approach deviates from related work on scheduling and on planning in AI in several aspects. In particular, an attempt is made to equip the planner with an ability to cope with a changing environment by dynamic replanning, to handle resource constraints and feedback, and to achieve some robustness and autonomy through plan learning by dynamic memory techniques. We briefly describe the proposed architecture of DPS and its four major components: the PLANNER, the plan EXECUTOR, the dynamic REPLANNER, and the plan EVALUATOR. The planner, which is implemented in Smalltalk, is being evaluated for use in connection with the Space Station Mobile Service System (MSS).

Enhanced AIS receiver design for satellite reception

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clazzer, Federico; Lázaro, Francisco; Plass, Simon

2016-12-01

The possibility to detect Automatic Identification System (AIS) messages from low earth orbit (LEO) satellites paves the road for a plurality of new and unexplored services. Besides worldwide tracking of vessels, maritime traffic monitoring, analysis of vessel routes employing big data, and oceans monitoring are just few of the fields, where satellite-aided AIS is beneficial. Designed for ship-to-ship communication and collision avoidance, AIS satellite reception performs poorly in regions with a high density of vessels. This calls for the development of advanced satellite AIS receivers able to improve the decoding capabilities. In this context, our contribution focuses on the introduction of a new enhanced AIS receiver design and its performance evaluation. The enhanced receiver makes use of a coherent receiver for the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) region, while for medium to high SNRs, a differential Viterbi receiver is used. Additional novelty of our work is in the exploitation of previously decoded packets from one vessel that is still under the LEO reception range, to improve the vessel detection probability. The assessment of the performance against a common receiver is done making the use of a simple and tight model of the medium access (MAC) layer and the multi-packet reception (MPR) matrix for physical layer (PHY) representation. Performance results show the benefits of such enhanced receiver, especially when it is bundled with successive interference cancellation (SIC).

S&T converging trends in dealing with disaster: A review on AI tools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasan, Abu Bakar; Isa, Mohd. Hafez Mohd.

2016-01-01

Science and Technology (S&T) has been able to help mankind to solve or minimize problems when arise. Different methodologies, techniques and tools were developed or used for specific cases by researchers, engineers, scientists throughout the world, and numerous papers and articles have been written by them. Nine selected cases such as flash flood, earthquakes, workplace accident, fault in aircraft industry, seismic vulnerability, disaster mitigation and management, and early fault detection in nuclear industry have been studied. This paper looked at those cases, and their results showed nearly 60% uses artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool. This paper also did some review that will help young researchers in deciding the types of AI tools to be selected; thus proving the future trends in S&T.

Long-range AIS message analysis based on the TianTuo-3 micro satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shiyou; Chen, Lihu; Chen, Xiaoqian; Zhao, Yong; Bai, Yuzhu

2017-07-01

The "Type-27 AIS message" is the long-range AIS broadcast message, which is primarily intended for the long-range detection of AIS typically by satellite. The TT3-AIS uses a four-frequency receiver scheme which includes two frequency channels conventionally applied by the AIS system and two new frequency channels allocated to the long-range AIS broadcast message. To the end of April 2016, the TT3-AIS has already received more than 11,400 packets of Type-27 AIS messages. In this paper, a detailed analysis of the Type-27 AIS messages is performed. Firstly, an eavesdropper diagram of the space-borne AIS received from the worldwide vessels is obtained. Secondly, the analysis to the trend of the number and the ratio of the new-type vessels is performed based on the Type-27 AIS message. The detection probability of the new-type vessels is also discussed. The result would be helpful on the usage of the long-range AIS message both for data application and for the improvement in designing the next space-based AIS receiver.

76 FR 77431 - Decommissioning Planning During Operations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-13

... (DG) DG-4014, ``Decommissioning Planning During Operations.'' This guide describes a method that the.... The draft regulatory guide entitled, ``Decommissioning Planning During Operations,'' is temporarily..., 40, 50, 70, and 72 RIN 3150-AI55 [NRC-2011-0286; NRC-2008-0030] Decommissioning Planning During...

Calibrating AIS images using the surface as a reference

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, M. O.; Roberts, D. A.; Shipman, H. M.; Adams, J. B.; Willis, S. C.; Gillespie, A. R.

1987-01-01

A method of evaluating the initial assumptions and uncertainties of the physical connection between Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) image data and laboratory/field spectrometer data was tested. The Tuscon AIS-2 image connects to lab reference spectra by an alignment to the image spectral endmembers through a system gain and offset for each band. Images were calibrated to reflectance so as to transform the image into a measure that is independent of the solar radiant flux. This transformation also makes the image spectra directly comparable to data from lab and field spectrometers. A method was tested for calibrating AIS images using the surface as a reference. The surface heterogeneity is defined by lab/field spectral measurements. It was found that the Tuscon AIS-2 image is consistent with each of the initial hypotheses: (1) that the AIS-2 instrument calibration is nearly linear; (2) the spectral variance is caused by sub-pixel mixtures of spectrally distinct materials and shade, and (3) that sub-pixel mixtures can be treated as linear mixtures of pure endmembers. It was also found that the image can be characterized by relatively few endmembers using the AIS-2 spectra.

Urban, Forest, and Agricultural AIS Data: Fine Spectral Structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderbilt, V. C.

1985-01-01

Spectra acquired by the Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) near Lafayette, IN, Ely, MN, and over the Stanford University campus, CA were analyzed for fine spectral structure using two techniques: the ratio of radiance of a ground target to the radiance of a standard and also the correlation coefficient of radiances at adjacent wavelengths. The results show ramp like features in the ratios. These features are due to the biochemical composition of the leaf and to the optical scattering properties of its cuticle. The size and shape of the ramps vary with ground cover.

Harbour surveillance with cameras calibrated with AIS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palmieri, F. A. N.; Castaldo, F.; Marino, G.

The inexpensive availability of surveillance cameras, easily connected in network configurations, suggests the deployment of this additional sensor modality in port surveillance. Vessels appearing within cameras fields of view can be recognized and localized providing to fusion centers information that can be added to data coming from Radar, Lidar, AIS, etc. Camera systems, that are used as localizers however, must be properly calibrated in changing scenarios where often there is limited choice on the position on which they are deployed. Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, that includes position, course and vessel's identity, freely available through inexpensive receivers, for some of the vessels appearing within the field of view, provide the opportunity to achieve proper camera calibration to be used for the localization of vessels not equipped with AIS transponders. In this paper we assume a pinhole model for camera geometry and propose perspective matrices computation using AIS positional data. Images obtained from calibrated cameras are then matched and pixel association is utilized for other vessel's localization. We report preliminary experimental results of calibration and localization using two cameras deployed on the Gulf of Naples coastline. The two cameras overlook a section of the harbour and record short video sequences that are synchronized offline with AIS positional information of easily-identified passenger ships. Other small vessels, not equipped with AIS transponders, are localized using camera matrices and pixel matching. Localization accuracy is experimentally evaluated as a function of target distance from the sensors.

Planning: supporting and optimizing clinical guidelines execution.

PubMed

Anselma, Luca; Montani, Stefania

2008-01-01

A crucial feature of computerized clinical guidelines (CGs) lies in the fact that they may be used not only as conventional documents (as if they were just free text) describing general procedures that users have to follow. In fact, thanks to a description of their actions and control flow in some semiformal representation language, CGs can also take advantage of Computer Science methods and Information Technology infrastructures and techniques, to become executable documents, in the sense that they may support clinical decision making and clinical procedures execution. In order to reach this goal, some advanced planning techniques, originally developed within the Artificial Intelligence (AI) community, may be (at least partially) resorted too, after a proper adaptation to the specific CG needs has been carried out.

Acid lipase inhibitor in chicken plasma identified as apolipoprotein A-I.

PubMed

Fujii, M; Higuchi, T; Mukai, S; Yonekura, M; Yano, T; Kawaguchi, H; Nonaka, K; Fukunaga, T; Sugimoto, Y; Yamada, S

1996-10-01

We have reported a inhibitor of acid lipases in liver lysosomes and erythrocytes from chickens [M. Fujii et al., Int. J. Biochem., 22, 895-898 (1990)]. In this paper, the properties of the inhibitor were described in comparison with those of apo A-I of chicken. The purified inhibitor migrated with the same mobility on SDS-PAGE as apo A-I, and had a molecular weight of 27,000. The peptide map from the lipase inhibitor was similar to that of apo A-I. Antibodies to the acid lipase inhibitor also reacted with apo A-I. Apo A-I inhibited the acid lipase activities of liver lysosomes and erythrocytes from chickens as strongly as the lipase inhibitor. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of lipase inhibitor was identical to that of apo A-I as far as residue 20. The amino acid sequence of peptides obtained from the inhibitor by cleavage with CNBr corresponded to internal sequence of apo A-I, and so the CNBr-peptides were derived by cleavage after the methionine residues in apo A-I. The findings showed that the inhibitor of the acid lipases in liver lysosomes and erythrocytes from chickens was identical to apo A-I.

47 CFR 80.393 - Frequencies for AIS stations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 162.025 MHz (AIS 2), each with a 25 kHz bandwidth, may be authorized only for AIS. In accordance with... requirements for non-Federal Government ships. These requirements are codified at 33 CFR 164.46, 401.20. [74 FR...

47 CFR 80.393 - Frequencies for AIS stations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 162.025 MHz (AIS 2), each with a 25 kHz bandwidth, may be authorized only for AIS. In accordance with... requirements for non-Federal Government ships. These requirements are codified at 33 CFR 164.46, 401.20. [74 FR...

47 CFR 80.393 - Frequencies for AIS stations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 162.025 MHz (AIS 2), each with a 25 kHz bandwidth, may be authorized only for AIS. In accordance with... requirements for non-Federal Government ships. These requirements are codified at 33 CFR 164.46, 401.20. [74 FR...

A Simulation of AI Programming Techniques in BASIC.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mandell, Alan

1986-01-01

Explains the functions of and the techniques employed in expert systems. Offers the program "The Periodic Table Expert," as a model for using artificial intelligence techniques in BASIC. Includes the program listing and directions for its use on: Tandy 1000, 1200, and 2000; IBM PC; PC Jr; TRS-80; and Apple computers. (ML)

Massively parallel support for a case-based planning system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kettler, Brian P.; Hendler, James A.; Anderson, William A.

1993-01-01

Case-based planning (CBP), a kind of case-based reasoning, is a technique in which previously generated plans (cases) are stored in memory and can be reused to solve similar planning problems in the future. CBP can save considerable time over generative planning, in which a new plan is produced from scratch. CBP thus offers a potential (heuristic) mechanism for handling intractable problems. One drawback of CBP systems has been the need for a highly structured memory to reduce retrieval times. This approach requires significant domain engineering and complex memory indexing schemes to make these planners efficient. In contrast, our CBP system, CaPER, uses a massively parallel frame-based AI language (PARKA) and can do extremely fast retrieval of complex cases from a large, unindexed memory. The ability to do fast, frequent retrievals has many advantages: indexing is unnecessary; very large case bases can be used; memory can be probed in numerous alternate ways; and queries can be made at several levels, allowing more specific retrieval of stored plans that better fit the target problem with less adaptation. In this paper we describe CaPER's case retrieval techniques and some experimental results showing its good performance, even on large case bases.

Application of Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauer, Frank H. (Technical Monitor); Dufrene, Warren R., Jr.

2003-01-01

This paper describes the development of an application of Artificial Intelligence for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) control. The project was done as part of the requirements for a class in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Nova southeastern University and as an adjunct to a project at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility for a resilient, robust, and intelligent UAV flight control system. A method is outlined which allows a base level application for applying an AI method, Fuzzy Logic, to aspects of Control Logic for UAV flight. One element of UAV flight, automated altitude hold, has been implemented and preliminary results displayed. A low cost approach was taken using freeware, gnu, software, and demo programs. The focus of this research has been to outline some of the AI techniques used for UAV flight control and discuss some of the tools used to apply AI techniques. The intent is to succeed with the implementation of applying AI techniques to actually control different aspects of the flight of an UAV.

Lead and aluminum bonding in Pb-AI metaphosphate glasses.

PubMed

Tsuchida, J E; Schneider, J; Pizani, P S; Oliveira, S L

2008-01-21

The bonding properties of cations in phosphate glasses determine many short- and medium-range structural features in the glass network, hence influencing bulk properties. In this work, Pb-Al-metaphosphate glasses (1 - x)Pb(PO(3))(2).xAI(PO(3))(3) with 0 < or = x < or = 1 were analyzed to determine the effect of the substitution of Pb by AI on the glass structure in the metaphosphate composition. The glass transition temperature and density were measured as a function of the Al concentration. The vibrational and structural properties were probed by Raman spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance of (31)P, (27)AI, and (207)Pb. Aluminum incorporates homogeneously in the glass creating a stiffer and less packed network. The average coordination number for AI decreases from 5.9 to 5.0 as x increases from 0.1 to 1, indicating more covalent AI-O bonds. The coordination number of Pb in these glasses is greater than 8, showing an increasing ionic behavior for compositions richer in AI. A quantitative analysis of the phosphate speciation shows definite trends in the bonding of AIO(n) groups and phosphate tetrahedra. In glasses with x < 0.48, phosphate groups share preferentially only one nonbridging O corner with an AIO(n) coordination polyhedron. For x > 0.48 more than one nonbridging O can be linked to AIO(n) polyhedra. There is no corner sharing of O between AIO(n) and PbO(n) polyhedra nor between AIO(n) themselves throughout the compositional range. The PbO(n) coordination polyhedra show considerable nonbridging O sharing, with each O participating in the coordination sphere of at least two Pb. The bonding preferences determined for Al are consistent with the behavior observed in Na-AI and Ca-AI metaphosphates, indicating this may be a general behavior for ternary phosphate glasses.

S&T converging trends in dealing with disaster: A review on AI tools

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hasan, Abu Bakar, E-mail: abakarh@usim.edu.my; Isa, Mohd Hafez Mohd.

Science and Technology (S&T) has been able to help mankind to solve or minimize problems when arise. Different methodologies, techniques and tools were developed or used for specific cases by researchers, engineers, scientists throughout the world, and numerous papers and articles have been written by them. Nine selected cases such as flash flood, earthquakes, workplace accident, fault in aircraft industry, seismic vulnerability, disaster mitigation and management, and early fault detection in nuclear industry have been studied. This paper looked at those cases, and their results showed nearly 60% uses artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool. This paper also did somemore » review that will help young researchers in deciding the types of AI tools to be selected; thus proving the future trends in S&T.« less

10 CFR 1017.28 - Processing on Automated Information Systems (AIS).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Processing on Automated Information Systems (AIS). 1017.28... UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORMATION Physical Protection Requirements § 1017.28 Processing on Automated Information Systems (AIS). UCNI may be processed or produced on any AIS that complies with the guidance in OMB...

Constraint-based integration of planning and scheduling for space-based observatory management

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Muscettola, Nicola; Smith, Steven F.

1994-01-01

Progress toward the development of effective, practical solutions to space-based observatory scheduling problems within the HSTS scheduling framework is reported. HSTS was developed and originally applied in the context of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) short-term observation scheduling problem. The work was motivated by the limitations of the current solution and, more generally, by the insufficiency of classical planning and scheduling approaches in this problem context. HSTS has subsequently been used to develop improved heuristic solution techniques in related scheduling domains and is currently being applied to develop a scheduling tool for the upcoming Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS) mission. The salient architectural characteristics of HSTS and their relationship to previous scheduling and AI planning research are summarized. Then, some key problem decomposition techniques underlying the integrated planning and scheduling approach to the HST problem are described; research results indicate that these techniques provide leverage in solving space-based observatory scheduling problems. Finally, more recently developed constraint-posting scheduling procedures and the current SWAS application focus are summarized.

Dependence of Achievable Plan Quality on Treatment Technique and Planning Goal Refinement: A Head-and-Neck Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Application

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qi, X. Sharon, E-mail: xqi@mednet.ucla.edu; Ruan, Dan; Lee, Steve P.

2015-03-15

Purpose: To develop a practical workflow for retrospectively analyzing target and normal tissue dose–volume endpoints for various intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) delivery techniques; to develop technique-specific planning goals to improve plan consistency and quality when feasible. Methods and Materials: A total of 165 consecutive head-and-neck patients from our patient registry were selected and retrospectively analyzed. All IMRT plans were generated using the same dose–volume guidelines for TomoTherapy (Tomo, Accuray), TrueBeam (TB, Varian) using fixed-field IMRT (TB-IMRT) or RAPIDARC (TB-RAPIDARC), or Siemens Oncor (Siemens-IMRT, Siemens). A MATLAB-based dose–volume extraction and analysis tool was developed to export dosimetric endpoints for eachmore » patient. With a fair stratification of patient cohort, the variation of achieved dosimetric endpoints was analyzed among different treatment techniques. Upon identification of statistically significant variations, technique-specific planning goals were derived from dynamically accumulated institutional data. Results: Retrospective analysis showed that although all techniques yielded comparable target coverage, the doses to the critical structures differed. The maximum cord doses were 34.1 ± 2.6, 42.7 ± 2.1, 43.3 ± 2.0, and 45.1 ± 1.6 Gy for Tomo, TB-IMRT, TB-RAPIDARC, and Siemens-IMRT plans, respectively. Analyses of variance showed significant differences for the maximum cord doses but no significant differences for other selected structures among the investigated IMRT delivery techniques. Subsequently, a refined technique-specific dose–volume guideline for maximum cord dose was derived at a confidence level of 95%. The dosimetric plans that failed the refined technique-specific planning goals were reoptimized according to the refined constraints. We observed better cord sparing with minimal variations for the target coverage and other organ at risk sparing for the Tomo cases, and

Vis-A-Plan /visualize a plan/ management technique provides performance-time scale

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ranck, N. H.

1967-01-01

Vis-A-Plan is a bar-charting technique for representing and evaluating project activities on a performance-time basis. This rectilinear method presents the logic diagram of a project as a series of horizontal time bars. It may be used supplementary to PERT or independently.

Oregon American Indian Alaska Native Education State Plan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Castillo, Susan

This state plan presents Oregon's 11 educational goals for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) education, which have been revised and detailed by the statewide Indian Education Council. The goals support the policy of the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), the educational philosophy of the AI/AN community, and the Indian Student Bill of…

Integrating the Wall Street Journal into AIS Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kohlmeyer, James M., III

2008-01-01

While it is important for accounting information systems (AIS) students to understand computer technology, internal controls and business processes, such knowledge is of little use without reference to appropriate contexts. Integrating Wall Street Journal (WSJ) readings and discussions into AIS classes can enrich learning by stimulating…

Recent progresses on AI-2 bacterial quorum sensing inhibitors.

PubMed

Zhu, Peng; Li, Minyong

2012-01-01

Quorum sensing (QS) is a communication procedure that predominates gene expression in response to cell density and fluctuations in the neighboring environment as a result of discerning molecules termed autoinducers (AIs). It has been embroiled that QS can govern bacterial behaviors such as the secretion of virulence factors, biofilm formation, bioluminescence production, conjugation, sporulation and swarming motility. Autoinducer 2 (AI-2), a QS signaling molecule brought up to be involved in interspecies communication, exists in both gram-negative and -positive bacteria. Therefore, novel approaches to interrupt AI-2 quorum sensing are being recognized as next generation antimicrobials. In the present review article, we summarized recent progresses on AI-2 bacterial quorum sensing inhibitors and discussed their potential as the antibacterial agents.

Feasibility of the partial-single arc technique in RapidArc planning for prostate cancer treatment

PubMed Central

Rana, Suresh; Cheng, ChihYao

2013-01-01

The volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique, in the form of RapidArc, is widely used to treat prostate cancer. The full-single arc (f-SA) technique in RapidArc planning for prostate cancer treatment provides efficient treatment, but it also delivers a higher radiation dose to the rectum. This study aimed to compare the dosimetric results from the new partial-single arc (p-SA) technique with those from the f-SA technique in RapidArc planning for prostate cancer treatment. In this study, 10 patients with low-risk prostate cancer were selected. For each patient, two sets of RapidArc plans (f-SA and p-SA) were created in the Eclipse treatment planning system. The f-SA plan was created using one full arc, and the p-SA plan was created using planning parameters identical to those of the f-SA plan but with anterior and posterior avoidance sectors. Various dosimetric parameters of the f-SA and p-SA plans were evaluated and compared for the same target coverage and identical plan optimization parameters. The f-SA and p-SA plans showed an average difference of ±1% for the doses to the planning target volume (PTV), and there were no clear differences in dose homogeneity or plan conformity. In comparison to the f-SA technique, the p-SA technique reduced the doses to the rectum by approximately 6.1% to 21.2%, to the bladder by approximately 10.3% to 29.5%, and to the penile bulb by approximately 2.2%. In contrast, the dose to the femoral heads, the integral dose, and the number of monitor units were higher in the p-SA plans by approximately 34.4%, 7.7%, and 9.2%, respectively. In conclusion, it is feasible to use the p-SA technique for RapidArc planning for prostate cancer treatment. For the same PTV coverage and identical plan optimization parameters, the p-SA technique is better in sparing the rectum and bladder without compromising plan conformity or target homogeneity when compared to the f-SA technique. PMID:23845140

Benefits of advanced software techniques for mission planning systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gasquet, A.; Parrod, Y.; Desaintvincent, A.

1994-01-01

The increasing complexity of modern spacecraft, and the stringent requirement for maximizing their mission return, call for a new generation of Mission Planning Systems (MPS). In this paper, we discuss the requirements for the Space Mission Planning and the benefits which can be expected from Artificial Intelligence techniques through examples of applications developed by Matra Marconi Space.

Benefits of advanced software techniques for mission planning systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasquet, A.; Parrod, Y.; Desaintvincent, A.

1994-10-01

The increasing complexity of modern spacecraft, and the stringent requirement for maximizing their mission return, call for a new generation of Mission Planning Systems (MPS). In this paper, we discuss the requirements for the Space Mission Planning and the benefits which can be expected from Artificial Intelligence techniques through examples of applications developed by Matra Marconi Space.

Simulation techniques in hyperthermia treatment planning

PubMed Central

Paulides, MM; Stauffer, PR; Neufeld, E; Maccarini, P; Kyriakou, A; Canters, RAM; Diederich, C; Bakker, JF; Van Rhoon, GC

2013-01-01

Clinical trials have shown that hyperthermia (HT), i.e. an increase of tissue temperature to 39-44°C, significantly enhance radiotherapy and chemotherapy effectiveness (1). Driven by the developments in computational techniques and computing power, personalized hyperthermia treatment planning (HTP) has matured and has become a powerful tool for optimizing treatment quality. Electromagnetic, ultrasound, and thermal simulations using realistic clinical setups are now being performed to achieve patient-specific treatment optimization. In addition, extensive studies aimed to properly implement novel HT tools and techniques, and to assess the quality of HT, are becoming more common. In this paper, we review the simulation tools and techniques developed for clinical hyperthermia, and evaluate their current status on the path from “model” to “clinic”. In addition, we illustrate the major techniques employed for validation and optimization. HTP has become an essential tool for improvement, control, and assessment of HT treatment quality. As such, it plays a pivotal role in the quest to establish HT as an efficacious addition to multi-modality treatment of cancer. PMID:23672453

Creating an AI modeling application for designers and developers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houlette, Ryan; Fu, Daniel; Jensen, Randy

2003-09-01

Simulation developers often realize an entity's AI by writing a program that exhibits the intended behavior. These behaviors are often the product of design documents written by designers. These individuals, while possessing a vast knowledge of the subject matter, might not have any programming knowledge whatsoever. To address this disconnect between design and subsequent development, we have created an AI application whereby a designer or developer sketches an entity's AI using a graphical "drag and drop" interface to quickly articulate behavior using a UML-like representation of state charts. Aside from the design-level benefits, the application also features a runtime engine that takes the application's data as input along with a simulation or game interface, and makes the AI operational. We discuss our experience in creating such an application for both designer and developer.

Modifications of the G6G timed-AI protocol improved pregnancy per AI and reduced pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows.

PubMed

Heidari, F; Dirandeh, E; Ansari Pirsaraei, Z; Colazo, M G

2017-11-01

In dairy cows, subjected to a G6G protocol, objectives were to determine effects of (1) extending the interval from prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) during presynchronization; and (2) adding a second PGF2α treatment before artificial insemination (AI), on ovarian response, plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations and pregnancy per AI (P/AI). In a 2×2 factorial design, lactating cows were randomly assigned to one of four timed AI (TAI) protocols: (1) G6G (n=149), one injection of PGF2α, GnRH 2 days later and a 7-day Ovsynch (GnRH, 7 days, PGF2α, 56 h, GnRH, 16 h, TAI) was initiated 6 days later; (2) G6GP (n=144), an additional PGF2α treatment (24 h after the first) during Ovsynch of the G6G protocol; (3) MG6G, one injection of PGF2α, GnRH 4 days later before initiation of the G6G protocol; and (4) MG6GP, an additional PGF2α treatment (24 h after the first) during Ovsynch of the MG6G protocol. Blood samples were collected (subset of 200 cows) at first GnRH and PGF2α of the Ovsynch, and at TAI to measure P4. Ultrasound examinations were performed in a subset of 406 cows to evaluate ovarian response at various times of Ovsynch, and in all cattle to determine pregnancy status at 32 and 60 days after TAI. Extending the interval by 2 days between PGF2α and GnRH during presynchronization increased (P<0.01) ovulatory response to first GnRH of Ovsynch, circulating P4 during Ovsynch, and P/AI at 32 and 60 days after TAI. Adding a second PGF2α treatment before AI increased the proportion of cows with luteal regression (P=0.04), improved P/AI at 60 days after TAI (P=0.05), and reduced pregnancy loss between 30 and 60 days after TAI (P=0.04). In summary, extending the interval from PGF2α to GnRH during presynchronization increased response to first GnRH of Ovsynch and P4 concentrations during Ovsynch, whereas adding a second PGF2α treatment before AI enhanced luteal regression. Both modifications of the G6G protocol improved

Comparison of AIS Versus TMS Data Collected over the Virginia Piedmont

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, R.; Evans, C. S.

1985-01-01

The Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS, NS001 Thematic Mapper Simlulator (TMS), and Zeiss camera collected remotely sensed data simultaneously on October 27, 1983, at an altitude of 6860 meters (22,500 feet). AIS data were collected in 32 channels covering 1200 to 1500 nm. A simple atmospheric correction was applied to the AIS data, after which spectra for four cover types were plotted. Spectra for these ground cover classes showed a telescoping effect for the wavelength endpoints. Principal components were extracted from the shortwave region of the AIS (1200 to 1280 nm), full spectrum AIS (1200 to 1500 nm) and TMS (450 to 12,500 nm) to create three separate three-component color image composites. A comparison of the TMS band 5 (1000 to 1300 nm) to the six principal components from the shortwave AIS region (1200 to 1280 nm) showed improved visual discrimination of ground cover types. Contrast of color image composites created from principal components showed the AIS composites to exhibit a clearer demarcation between certain ground cover types but subtle differences within other regions of the imagery were not as readily seen.

On the homotopy equivalence of simple AI-algebras

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aristov, O Yu

1999-02-28

Let A and B be simple unital AI-algebras (an AI-algebra is an inductive limit of C*-algebras of the form BigOplus{sub i}{sup k}C([0,1],M{sub N{sub i}}). It is proved that two arbitrary unital homomorphisms from A into B such that the corresponding maps K{sub 0}A{yields}K{sub 0}B coincide are homotopic. Necessary and sufficient conditions on the Elliott invariant for A and B to be homotopy equivalent are indicated. Moreover, two algebras in the above class having the same K-theory but not homotopy equivalent are constructed. A theorem on the homotopy of approximately unitarily equivalent homomorphisms between AI-algebras is used in the proof, whichmore » is deduced in its turn from a generalization to the case of AI-algebras of a theorem of Manuilov stating that a unitary matrix almost commuting with a self-adjoint matrix h can be joined to 1 by a continuous path consisting of unitary matrices almost commuting with h.« less

75 FR 59180 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Control Technique...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-27

... Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Control Technique Guidelines for Paper, Film, and... Technique Guidelines (CTG) for paper, film, and foil coatings. These amendments will reduce volatile organic... Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Control Technique Guidelines for Paper, Film, and...

Superhuman AI for heads-up no-limit poker: Libratus beats top professionals.

PubMed

Brown, Noam; Sandholm, Tuomas

2018-01-26

No-limit Texas hold'em is the most popular form of poker. Despite artificial intelligence (AI) successes in perfect-information games, the private information and massive game tree have made no-limit poker difficult to tackle. We present Libratus, an AI that, in a 120,000-hand competition, defeated four top human specialist professionals in heads-up no-limit Texas hold'em, the leading benchmark and long-standing challenge problem in imperfect-information game solving. Our game-theoretic approach features application-independent techniques: an algorithm for computing a blueprint for the overall strategy, an algorithm that fleshes out the details of the strategy for subgames that are reached during play, and a self-improver algorithm that fixes potential weaknesses that opponents have identified in the blueprint strategy. Copyright © 2018, The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

An Immune Agent for Web-Based AI Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gong, Tao; Cai, Zixing

2006-01-01

To overcome weakness and faults of a web-based e-learning course such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), an immune agent was proposed, simulating a natural immune mechanism against a virus. The immune agent was built on the multi-dimension education agent model and immune algorithm. The web-based AI course was comprised of many files, such as HTML…

Applying an AI Planner to Military Operations Planning

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-01-12

This paper describes a prototype system for quickly developing joint military courses of action. The system, SOCAP (System for Operations Crisis...display and applies this technology to military operations planning. This paper describes the Socap problem domain, how SIPE-2 was used to address this problem, and the strengths and weaknesses of our approach.

Spacecraft command verification: The AI solution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fesq, Lorraine M.; Stephan, Amy; Smith, Brian K.

1990-01-01

Recently, a knowledge-based approach was used to develop a system called the Command Constraint Checker (CCC) for TRW. CCC was created to automate the process of verifying spacecraft command sequences. To check command files by hand for timing and sequencing errors is a time-consuming and error-prone task. Conventional software solutions were rejected when it was estimated that it would require 36 man-months to build an automated tool to check constraints by conventional methods. Using rule-based representation to model the various timing and sequencing constraints of the spacecraft, CCC was developed and tested in only three months. By applying artificial intelligence techniques, CCC designers were able to demonstrate the viability of AI as a tool to transform difficult problems into easily managed tasks. The design considerations used in developing CCC are discussed and the potential impact of this system on future satellite programs is examined.

Integration of SAR and AIS for ship detection and identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chan-Su; Kim, Tae-Ho

2012-06-01

This abstract describes the preliminary design concept for an integration system of SAR and AIS data. SAR sensors are used to acquire image data over large coverage area either through the space borne or airborne platforms in UTC. AIS reports should also obtained on the same date as of the SAR acquisition for the purpose to perform integration test. Once both data reports are obtained, one need to match the timings of AIS data acquisition over the SAR image acquisition time with consideration of local time & boundary to extract the closest time signal from AIS report in order to know the AIS based ship positions, but still one cannot be able to distinguish which ships have the AIS transponder after projection of AIS based position onto the SAR image acquisition boundary. As far as integration is concerned, the ship dead-reckoning concept is most important forecasted position which provides the AIS based ship position at the time of SAR image acquisition and also provides the hints for azimuth shift which occurred in SAR image for the case of moving ships which moves in the direction perpendicular to the direction of flight path. Unknown ship's DR estimation is to be carried out based on the initial positions, speed and course over ground, which has already been shorted out from AIS reports, during the step of time matching. This DR based ship's position will be the candidate element for searching the SAR based ship targets for the purpose of identification & matching within the certain boundary around DR. The searching method is performed by means of estimation of minimum distance from ship's DR to SAR based ship position, and once it determines, so the candidate element will look for matching like ship size match of DR based ship's dimension wrt SAR based ship's edge, there may be some error during the matching with SAR based ship edges with actual ship's hull design as per the longitudinal and transverse axis size information obtained from the AIS reports due to

Planning Under Continuous Time and Resource Uncertainty: A Challenge for AI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bresina, John; Dearden, Richard; Meuleau, Nicolas; Smith, David; Washington, Rich; Clancy, Daniel (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

There has been considerable work in Al on decision-theoretic planning and planning under uncertainty. Unfortunately, all of this work suffers from one or more of the following limitations: 1) it relies on very simple models of actions and time, 2) it assumes that uncertainty is manifested in discrete action outcomes, and 3) it is only practical for very small problems. For many real world problems, these assumptions fail to hold. A case in point is planning the activities for a Mars rover. For this domain none of the above assumptions are valid: 1) actions can be concurrent and have differing durations, 2) there is uncertainty concerning action durations and consumption of continuous resources like power, and 3) typical daily plans involve on the order of a hundred actions. We describe the rover problem, discuss previous work on planning under uncertainty, and present a detailed. but very small, example illustrating some of the difficulties of finding good plans.

Regulation of bacteria population behaviors by AI-2 "consumer cells" and "supplier cells".

PubMed

Quan, Yufen; Meng, Fankang; Ma, Xinyu; Song, Xinhao; Liu, Xiao; Gao, Weixia; Dang, Yulei; Meng, Yao; Cao, Mingfeng; Song, Cunjiang

2017-09-19

Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is a universal signal molecule and enables an individual bacteria to communicate with each other and ultimately control behaviors of the population. Harnessing the character of AI-2, two kinds of AI-2 "controller cells" ("consumer cells" and "supplier cells") were designed to "reprogram" the behaviors of entire population. For the consumer cells, genes associated with the uptake and processing of AI-2, which includes LsrACDB, LsrFG, LsrK, were overexpressed in varying combinations. Four consumer cell strains were constructed: Escherichia coli MG1655 pLsrACDB (NK-C1), MG1655 pLsrACDBK (NK-C2), MG1655 pLsrACDBFG (NK-C3) and MG1655 pLsrACDBFGK (NK-C4). The key enzymes responsible for production of AI-2, LuxS and Mtn, were also overexpressed, yielding strains MG1655 pLuxS (NK-SU1), and MG1655 pLuxS-Mtn (NK-SU2). All the consumer cells could decrease the environmental AI-2 concentration. NK-C2 and NK-C4 were most effective in AI-2 uptake and inhibited biofilm formation. While suppliers can increase the environmental AI-2 concentration and NK-SU2 was most effective in supplying AI-2 and facilitated biofilm formation. Further, reporter strain, MG1655 pLGFP was constructed. The expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in reporter cells was initiated and guided by AI-2. Mixture of consumer cells and reporter cells suggest that consumer cells can decrease the AI-2 concentration. And the supplier cells were co-cultured with reporter cells, indicating that supplier cells can provide more AI-2 compared to the control. The consumer cells and supplier cells could be used to regulate environmental AI-2 concentration and the biofilm formation. They can also modulate the AI-2 concentration when they were co-cultured with reporter cells. It can be envisioned that this system will become useful tools in synthetic biology and researching new antimicrobials.

Situated, strategic, and AI-Enhanced technology introduction to healthcare.

PubMed

Bushko, Renata G

2005-01-01

We work hard on creating AI-wings for physicians to let them fly higher and faster in diagnosing patients--a task that physicians do not want to automate. What we do not work hard on is determining the ENVIRONMENT in which physicians' AI wings are supposed to function. It seems to be a job for social/business analysts that have their own separate kingdom. For the sake of all of us (potential patients!) social/business consultants and their methodologies should not be treated as a separate kingdom. The most urgent task is to achieve synergy between (1) AI/Fuzzy/Neural research, (2) Applied medical AI, (3) Social/Business research on medical institutions. We need this synergy in order to assure humanistic medical technology; technology flexible and sensitive enough to facilitate healthcare work while leaving space for human pride and creativity. In order to achieve humanistic technology, designers should consider the impact of technological breakthroughs on the organizations in which this technology will function and the nature of work of humans destined to use this technology. Situated (different for each organization), Strategic (based on an in-depth knowledge of Healthcare business), and AI-Enhanced (ended with a dynamic model) method for introducing technology to Healthcare allows identifying areas where technology can make medical work easier. Using this method before automating human work will get us closer to the ideal where there is no discontinuity between design and use of programs; where the technology matches users' needs perfectly--the world with humanistic technology and healthcare workers with AI-wings.

A Descriptive Case Study of Appreciative Inquiry as an Approach to Strategic Planning for Special Education in a Public School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruhlman, Paul L., Jr.

2014-01-01

This study's purpose was to describe appreciative inquiry (AI) as an approach to strategic planning for special education in a public school. The study investigated four research questions. How do plans for special education emerge as participants engage in the four phases of AI during strategic planning for the future of special education in a…

Analysis of AIS Data of the Recluse Oil Field, Recluse, Wyoming

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dykstra, J. D.; Segal, D. B.

1985-01-01

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data were flown over the Recluse, Wyoming oil field on September 9, 1984. Processing software was developed at Earth Satellite Corporation (EarthSat) for interactive analysis of the AIS data. EarthSat's AIS processing capabilities include destriping, solar irradiance corrections, residual calculations, geometric resampling, equal energy normalization, interactive spectral classifications and a variety of compressive algorithms to reduce the data to 8-bit format with a minimum of information loss. The in-house photolab facilities of EarthSat can routinely produce high-quality color renditions of the enhanced AIS data. A total of 80 lithologic samples were collected under the AIS flight lines. Correlation (within the atmospheric windows) between the laboratory and the AIS spectra of sample sites was generally poor. Reasonable correlation was only possible in large, freshly plowed fields. Mixed pixels and contrast between the natural and sample's surfaces were believed responsible for the poor correlation. Finally, a drift of approximately three channels was observed in the diffraction grating position within the 1.8 to 2.1 micron quadrant.

Maritime Route Delineation using AIS Data from the Atlantic Coast of the US

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Breithaupt, Stephen A.; Copping, Andrea; Tagestad, Jerry

2016-09-28

This study examines maritime routes between ports along the Atlantic coast of the US, utilising Automated Identification System (AIS) data for the years 2010 through 2012. The delineation of vessel routes conducted in this study was motivated by development planned for offshore Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) along the Atlantic coast of the US and the need to evaluate the effect of these development areas on commercial shipping. To this end, available AIS data were processed to generate commercial vessel tracks for individual vessels, though cargo vessels are the focus in this study. The individual vessel tracks were sampled at transectsmore » placed along the Atlantic coast. The transect samples were analysed and partitioned by voyages between Atlantic ports to facilitate computation of vessel routes between ports. The route boundary analysis utilised a definition from UK guidance in which routes' boundaries encompassed 95% of the vessel traffic between ports. In addition to delineating route boundaries, we found multi-modal transverse distributions of vessels for well-travelled routes, which indicated preference for lanes of travel within the delineated routes.« less

SOCAP: Lessons learned in applying SIPE-2 to the military operations crisis action planning domain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Desimone, Roberto

1992-01-01

This report describes work funded under the DARPA Planning and Scheduling Initiative that led to the development of SOCAP (System for Operations Crisis Action Planning). In particular, it describes lessons learned in applying SIPE-2, the underlying AI planning technology within SOCAP, to the domain of military operations deliberate and crisis action planning. SOCAP was demonstrated at the U.S. Central Command and at the Pentagon in early 1992. A more detailed report about the lessons learned is currently being prepared. This report was presented during one of the panel discussions on 'The Relevance of Scheduling to AI Planning Systems.'

The application of artificial intelligence techniques to large distributed networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dubyah, R.; Smith, T. R.; Star, J. L.

1985-01-01

Data accessibility and transfer of information, including the land resources information system pilot, are structured as large computer information networks. These pilot efforts include the reduction of the difficulty to find and use data, reducing processing costs, and minimize incompatibility between data sources. Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques were suggested to achieve these goals. The applicability of certain AI techniques are explored in the context of distributed problem solving systems and the pilot land data system (PLDS). The topics discussed include: PLDS and its data processing requirements, expert systems and PLDS, distributed problem solving systems, AI problem solving paradigms, query processing, and distributed data bases.

Still-Born Autonomy Insurance Plan in Quebec: An Example of a Public Long-Term Care Insurance System in Canada.

PubMed

Hébert, Réjean

2016-01-01

Funding long-term care (LTC) is a challenge under the existing Beveridgean universal healthcare system. The Autonomy Insurance (AI) plan developed in Quebec was an attempt to introduce public LTC insurance into our healthcare system. The AI benefit was based on an assessment of the needs of older people and those with disabilities using a disability scale (SMAF) and case-mix classification system (Iso-SMAF Profiles). Under the plan, the benefit would be used to fund public institutions or purchase services from private organizations. Case managers were responsible for assessments and helping users and their families plan services and decide how to use the AI benefit. Funding AI was based on general tax revenues without capitalized funding, under a separate protected budget program. Projections were made for the additional budget needed to support AI, which would have mitigated the forecast increase in LTC spending due to population aging. All the legal, administrative, funding, training and contractual issues were dealt with, for implementation of the plan in April 2015. Unfortunately, the project was still-born for political reasons, but it demonstrates the feasibility of this essential innovation for Canada.

QML-AiNet: An immune network approach to learning qualitative differential equation models

PubMed Central

Pang, Wei; Coghill, George M.

2015-01-01

In this paper, we explore the application of Opt-AiNet, an immune network approach for search and optimisation problems, to learning qualitative models in the form of qualitative differential equations. The Opt-AiNet algorithm is adapted to qualitative model learning problems, resulting in the proposed system QML-AiNet. The potential of QML-AiNet to address the scalability and multimodal search space issues of qualitative model learning has been investigated. More importantly, to further improve the efficiency of QML-AiNet, we also modify the mutation operator according to the features of discrete qualitative model space. Experimental results show that the performance of QML-AiNet is comparable to QML-CLONALG, a QML system using the clonal selection algorithm (CLONALG). More importantly, QML-AiNet with the modified mutation operator can significantly improve the scalability of QML and is much more efficient than QML-CLONALG. PMID:25648212

QML-AiNet: An immune network approach to learning qualitative differential equation models.

PubMed

Pang, Wei; Coghill, George M

2015-02-01

In this paper, we explore the application of Opt-AiNet, an immune network approach for search and optimisation problems, to learning qualitative models in the form of qualitative differential equations. The Opt-AiNet algorithm is adapted to qualitative model learning problems, resulting in the proposed system QML-AiNet. The potential of QML-AiNet to address the scalability and multimodal search space issues of qualitative model learning has been investigated. More importantly, to further improve the efficiency of QML-AiNet, we also modify the mutation operator according to the features of discrete qualitative model space. Experimental results show that the performance of QML-AiNet is comparable to QML-CLONALG, a QML system using the clonal selection algorithm (CLONALG). More importantly, QML-AiNet with the modified mutation operator can significantly improve the scalability of QML and is much more efficient than QML-CLONALG.

The impact of the AIS 2005 revision on injury severity scores and clinical outcome measures.

PubMed

Salottolo, Kristin; Settell, April; Uribe, Phyllis; Akin, Shelley; Slone, Denetta Sue; O'Neal, Erika; Mains, Charles; Bar-Or, David

2009-09-01

The abbreviated injury scale (AIS) was updated in 2005 from the AIS 1998 version. The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of this change on injury severity scoring and outcome measures. Analyses were performed on all trauma patients consecutively admitted over a 6-month period at two geographically separate Level I trauma centers. Injuries were manually double-coded according to the AIS 05 and the AIS 98. Changes in AIS, ISS, and new ISS (NISS) were analysed using paired t-tests. Apparent differences in outcome by ISS strata (<16, 16-24, >24) were compared for AIS 05 versus AIS 98 using the Wald-type statistic. Lastly, the percent of patients with a change in ISS strata are reported. There were 2250 patients included in the study. Nearly half (46.4%) of AIS codes changed, resulting in a different AIS score for 18.9% of all codes. The mean ISS was significantly lower using the AIS 05 (11.7) versus the AIS 98 (13.3, p<0.001). Similarly, the mean NISS was significantly lower (16.3 versus 18.7, p<0.001). In the ISS strata 16-24 an apparent increase in mortality, length of stay, and percent of patients not discharged home was observed for the AIS 05 versus AIS 98. Changes in outcome measures for this stratum were as follows (AIS 98 versus AIS 05): mortality, 4.3% versus 7.7% (p=0.002); hospital length of stay, 5.2 days versus 7.3 days (p<0.001); percent of patients not discharged home, 39.2% versus 49.3% (p<0.001). Finally, there was a 20.5% reduction in patients with an ISS>or=16 and a 26.2% reduction in patients with an ISS>or=25 using the AIS 05. The AIS revision had a significant impact on overall injury severity measures, clinical outcome measures, and percent of patients in each ISS strata. Therefore, the AIS revision affects the ability to directly compare data generated using AIS 05 and AIS 98 which has implications in trauma research, reimbursement and ACS accreditation.

Functional specifications for AI software tools for electric power applications. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Faught, W.S.

1985-08-01

The principle barrier to the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the electric power industry has not been a lack of interest or appropriate problems, for the industry abounds in both. Like most others, however, the electric power industry lacks the personnel - knowledge engineers - with the special combination of training and skills AI programming demands. Conversely, very few AI specialists are conversant with electric power industry problems and applications. The recent availability of sophisticated AI programming environments is doing much to alleviate this shortage. These products provide a set of powerful and usable software tools that enablemore » even non-AI scientists to rapidly develop AI applications. The purpose of this project was to develop functional specifications for programming tools that, when integrated with existing general-purpose knowledge engineering tools, would expedite the production of AI applications for the electric power industry. Twelve potential applications, representative of major problem domains within the nuclear power industry, were analyzed in order to identify those tools that would be of greatest value in application development. Eight tools were specified, including facilities for power plant modeling, data base inquiry, simulation and machine-machine interface.« less

Validation of the Avoidance and Inflexibility Scale (AIS) among treatment-seeking smokers.

PubMed

Farris, Samantha G; Zvolensky, Michael J; DiBello, Angelo M; Schmidt, Norman B

2015-06-01

The Avoidance and Inflexibility Scale (AIS; Gifford et al., 2004) was derived as a smoking-specific measure of experiential avoidance. However, there has been little investigation of the psychometric proprieties of the AIS and no published work on the topic. The current study aimed to test the reliability and validity of the AIS among a sample of adult treatment-seeking daily smokers (n = 465; 48.2% female, 17.8 [SD = 9.60] cigarettes per day). The AIS was administered at 3 time points (baseline, quit-day, and 1 month postquit) as part of a larger smoking cessation trial. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a 2-factor solution, described by inflexibility and avoidance because of smoking related "thoughts/feelings" (9 items) and "somatic sensations" (4 items). Results revealed that the AIS-total and factor scores demonstrated high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The AIS total and factor scores also displayed high convergent, discriminant, and incremental predictive validity with theoretically relevant smoking and affective variables. The present data suggest that the AIS measure appears to be a valid and reliable smoking-specific index of experiential avoidance. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Validation of the Avoidance and Inflexibility Scale (AIS) among Treatment-Seeking Smoker

PubMed Central

Farris, Samantha G.; Zvolensky, Michael J.; DiBello, Angelo M.; Schmidt, Norman B.

2015-01-01

The Avoidance and Inflexibility Scale (AIS; Gifford et al., 2004) was derived as smoking-specific measure of experiential avoidance. However, there has been little investigation of the psychometric proprieties of the AIS and no published work on the topic. The current study aimed to test the reliability and validity of the AIS among a sample of adult treatment-seeking daily smokers (n = 465; 48.1% female, 17.8 [SD = 9.60] cigarettes per day). The AIS was administered at three time points (Baseline, Quit day, 1 month post-quit) as part of a larger smoking cessation trial. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a two-factor solution, described by inflexibility and avoidance due to smoking related “thoughts/feelings” (9 items) and “somatic sensations” (4 items). Results revealed that the AIS-total and factor scores demonstrated high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The AIS total and factor scores also displayed high convergent, discriminant, and incremental predictive validity with theoretically-relevant smoking and affective variables. The present data suggest that the AIS measure appears to be a valid and reliable smoking-specific index of experiential avoidance. PMID:25642937

Code AI Personal Web Pages

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garcia, Joseph A.; Smith, Charles A. (Technical Monitor)

1998-01-01

The document consists of a publicly available web site (george.arc.nasa.gov) for Joseph A. Garcia's personal web pages in the AI division. Only general information will be posted and no technical material. All the information is unclassified.

Analysis of AIS data of the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest, Alaska

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spanner, M. A.; Peterson, D. L.

1986-01-01

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data were acquired in 1985 over the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest, Alaska for the analysis of canopy characteristics including biochemistry. Concurrent with AIS overflights, foliage from fifteen coniferous and deciduous forest stands were analyzed for a variety of biochemical constituents including nitrogen, lignin, protein, and chlorophyll. Preliminary analysis of AIS spectra indicates that the wavelength region between 1450 to 1800 namometers (nm) displays distinct differences in spectral response for some of the forest stands. A flat field subtraction (forest stand spectra - flat field spectra) of the AIS spectra assisted in the interpretation of features of the spectra that are related to biology.

AIS 2005: a contemporary injury scale.

PubMed

Gennarelli, Thomas A; Wodzin, Elaine

2006-12-01

To determine and to quantify outcome from injury demands that multiple factors be universally applied so that there is uniform understanding that the same outcome is understood for the same injury. It is thus important to define the variables used in any outcome assessment. Critical to defining outcomes is the need for a universal language that defines individual injuries. The abbreviated injury scale (AIS) is the only dictionary specifically designed as a system to define the severity of injuries throughout the body. In addition to a universal injury language, it provides measures of injury severity that can be used to stratify and classify injury severity in all body regions. Its revision, AIS 2005 will be discussed here.

The Air Force Advanced Instructional System (AIS): An Overview.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yasutake, Joseph Y.; Stobie, William H.

The Air Force Advanced Instructional System (AIS) is a prototype computer-based multimedia system for the administration and management of individualized technical training on a large scale. The paper provides an overview of the AIS: (1) its purposes and goals, (2) the background and rationale for the development approach, (3) a basic description…

Pedagogy and the PC: Trends in the AIS Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Badua, Frank

2008-01-01

The author investigated the array of course topics in accounting information systems (AIS), as course syllabi embody. The author (a) used exploratory data analysis to determine the topics that AIS courses most frequently offered and (b) used descriptive statistics and econometric analysis to trace the diversity of course topics through time,…

The AIS-2005 Revision in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Mission Accomplished or Problems for Future Research?

PubMed Central

Carroll, Christopher P.; Cochran, Joseph A.; Price, Janet P.; Guse, Clare E.; Wang, Marjorie C.

2010-01-01

The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) is commonly used to score injury severity and describe types of injuries. In 2005, the AIS-Head section was revised to capture more detailed information about head injuries and to better reflect their clinical severity, but the impact of these changes is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare AIS-1998 and AIS-2005 coding of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) using medical records at a single Level I trauma center. We included patients with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale 3–8) after blunt injury, excluding those who were missing medical records. Detailed descriptions of injuries were collected, then manually coded into AIS-1998 and AIS-2005 by the same Certified AIS Specialist. Compared to AIS-1998, AIS-2005 coded the same injuries with lower severity scores [p<0.01] and with decreased mean and maximum AIS-Head scores [p<0.01]. Of the types of traumatic brain injuries, most of the changes occurred among cerebellar and cerebral injuries. Traumatic hypoxic brain injury secondary to systemic dysfunction was captured by AIS-2005 but not by AIS-1998. However, AIS-2005 captured fewer loss of consciousness cases due to changes in criteria for coding concussive injury. In conclusion, changes from AIS-1998 to AIS-2005 result in significant differences in severity scores and types of injuries captured. This may complicate future TBI research by precluding direct comparison to datasets using AIS-1998. TBIs should be coded into the same AIS-version for comparison or evaluation of trends, and specify which AIS-version is used. PMID:21050606

The AIS-2005 Revision in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Mission Accomplished or Problems for Future Research?

PubMed

Carroll, Christopher P; Cochran, Joseph A; Price, Janet P; Guse, Clare E; Wang, Marjorie C

2010-01-01

The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) is commonly used to score injury severity and describe types of injuries. In 2005, the AIS-Head section was revised to capture more detailed information about head injuries and to better reflect their clinical severity, but the impact of these changes is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare AIS-1998 and AIS-2005 coding of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) using medical records at a single Level I trauma center. We included patients with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale 3-8) after blunt injury, excluding those who were missing medical records. Detailed descriptions of injuries were collected, then manually coded into AIS-1998 and AIS-2005 by the same Certified AIS Specialist. Compared to AIS-1998, AIS-2005 coded the same injuries with lower severity scores [p<0.01] and with decreased mean and maximum AIS-Head scores [p<0.01]. Of the types of traumatic brain injuries, most of the changes occurred among cerebellar and cerebral injuries. Traumatic hypoxic brain injury secondary to systemic dysfunction was captured by AIS-2005 but not by AIS-1998. However, AIS-2005 captured fewer loss of consciousness cases due to changes in criteria for coding concussive injury. In conclusion, changes from AIS-1998 to AIS-2005 result in significant differences in severity scores and types of injuries captured. This may complicate future TBI research by precluding direct comparison to datasets using AIS-1998. TBIs should be coded into the same AIS-version for comparison or evaluation of trends, and specify which AIS-version is used.

Leadership through Partnership: A Collaborative, Strengths-Based Approach to Strategic Planning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Randolph, Loretta H.

2006-01-01

Organization sustainability depends on the creation of innovative partnerships that engage organization members at all levels in setting strategy and achieving goals. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is an approach to exploring what gives life to human systems when they function at their best. The use of an AI approach to strategic planning, invites…

76 FR 44045 - Establishment of the SANE/SART AI/AN Initiative Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-22

... SANE/SART AI/AN Initiative Committee AGENCY: Office for Victims of Crime, Justice. ACTION: Notice of...) Initiative (``SANE/SART AI/AN Initiative Committee'' or ``Committee'') is being established in accordance... SANE/SART AI/AN Initiative Committee will provide the Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the U...

Quality of head injury coding from autopsy reports with AIS © 2005 update 2008.

PubMed

Schick, Sylvia; Humrich, Anton; Graw, Matthias

2018-02-28

ABSTACT Objective: Coding injuries from autopsy reports of traffic accident victims according to Abbreviated Injury Scale AIS © 2005 update 2008 [1] is quite time consuming. The suspicion arose, that many issues leading to discussion between coder and control reader were based on information required by the AIS that was not documented in the autopsy reports. To quantify this suspicion, we introduced an AIS-detail-indicator (AIS-DI). To each injury in the AIS Codebook one letter from A to N was assigned indicating the level of detail. Rules were formulated to receive repeatable assignments. This scheme was applied to a selection of 149 multiply injured traffic fatalities. The frequencies of "not A" codes were calculated for each body region and it was analysed, why the most detailed level A had not been coded. As a first finding, the results of the head region are presented. 747 AIS head injury codes were found in 137 traffic fatalities, and 60% of these injuries were coded with an AIS-DI of level A. There are three different explanations for codes of AIS-DI "not A": Group 1 "Missing information in autopsy report" (5%), Group 2 "Clinical data required by AIS" (20%), and Group 3 "AIS system determined" (15%). Groups 1 and 2 show consequences for the ISS in 25 cases. Other body regions might perform differently. The AIS-DI can indicate the quality of the underlying data basis and, depending on the aims of different AIS users it can be a helpful tool for quality checks.

Knowledge-based computer systems for radiotherapy planning.

PubMed

Kalet, I J; Paluszynski, W

1990-08-01

Radiation therapy is one of the first areas of clinical medicine to utilize computers in support of routine clinical decision making. The role of the computer has evolved from simple dose calculations to elaborate interactive graphic three-dimensional simulations. These simulations can combine external irradiation from megavoltage photons, electrons, and particle beams with interstitial and intracavitary sources. With the flexibility and power of modern radiotherapy equipment and the ability of computer programs that simulate anything the machinery can do, we now face a challenge to utilize this capability to design more effective radiation treatments. How can we manage the increased complexity of sophisticated treatment planning? A promising approach will be to use artificial intelligence techniques to systematize our present knowledge about design of treatment plans, and to provide a framework for developing new treatment strategies. Far from replacing the physician, physicist, or dosimetrist, artificial intelligence-based software tools can assist the treatment planning team in producing more powerful and effective treatment plans. Research in progress using knowledge-based (AI) programming in treatment planning already has indicated the usefulness of such concepts as rule-based reasoning, hierarchical organization of knowledge, and reasoning from prototypes. Problems to be solved include how to handle continuously varying parameters and how to evaluate plans in order to direct improvements.

Intelligent Tools for Planning Knowledge base Development and Verification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chien, Steve A.

1996-01-01

A key obstacle hampering fielding of AI planning applications is the considerable expense of developing, verifying, updating, and maintaining the planning knowledge base (KB). Planning systems must be able to compare favorably in terms of software lifecycle costs to other means of automation such as scripts or rule-based expert systems.

The Additional Secondary Phase Correction System for AIS Signals

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiaoye; Zhang, Shufang; Sun, Xiaowen

2017-01-01

This paper looks at the development and implementation of the additional secondary phase factor (ASF) real-time correction system for the Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal. A large number of test data were collected using the developed ASF correction system and the propagation characteristics of the AIS signal that transmits at sea and the ASF real-time correction algorithm of the AIS signal were analyzed and verified. Accounting for the different hardware of the receivers in the land-based positioning system and the variation of the actual environmental factors, the ASF correction system corrects original measurements of positioning receivers in real time and provides corrected positioning accuracy within 10 m. PMID:28362330

DSCOVR_EPIC_L2_O3SO2AI_01

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2018-06-29

... dioxide (SO2) from volcanic plumes, scene reflectivity, and aerosol index (AI), retrieved from the ultraviolet (UV) measurements of DSCOVR ... Access:   Order Data Parameters:  Aerosol Index (AI) Reflectivity at 340 nm Vertical Column of Ozone (O3) ...

AIS Investigation of Agricultural Monocultures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, B. L.; Wrigley, R. C.

1985-01-01

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data were acquired over an agricultural area in eastern San Joaquin County, California in July, 1984. Cover type information was subsequently collected for all fields along this flight line. The lack of detailed ground data on individual fields, however, limited AIS data analysis to a qualitative comparison of the spectral reflectance curves for a total of nine cover types. Based on this analysis, it appears that cover types with a positive slope in the 1550 to 1700 nm region have a higher spectral response in the 1200 to 1300 nm region compared to those cover types with a negative slope in the 1550 to 1700 nm region. Within cover type, spectral variability was also found to be greater than that between cover types. Given the lack of additional field data, the reason for these differences is a matter of speculation.

'We usually just start dancing our Indian dances': urban American Indian (AI) female youths' negotiation of identity, health and the body.

PubMed

Jette, Shannon; Roberts, Erica Blue

2016-03-01

In this article, we utilise qualitative research techniques to explore how 14 urban American Indian (AI) females (aged 11-17) living in the state of Maryland discursively construct and experience health and the body, as well as how/if traditional culture shapes their understandings. In doing so, we address a significant gap in the knowledge base concerning the health beliefs of urban AI youth, and build upon research utilising a decolonising approach. Using a two-step process of thematic analysis and poststructuralist discourse analysis, we arrived at three key findings: (1) while youths are taught (and learn) mainstream lessons about health and bodily norms (mostly at school), they negotiate these lessons in complex and at times contradictory ways; (2) they do not view their AI status as conferring more or less risk upon them or their community; and (3) AI identity appears to be fluid in nature, becoming more salient, even a resource, in certain situations. We conclude with a discussion of the importance of spaces within the urban context in shaping youths' embodied subjectivities, and in particular, contrast the space of the school with that of the urban AI community centre. © 2015 Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness.

Planning and supervision of reactor defueling using discrete event techniques

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garcia, H.E.; Imel, G.R.; Houshyar, A.

1995-12-31

New fuel handling and conditioning activities for the defueling of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II are being performed at Argonne National Laboratory. Research is being conducted to investigate the use of discrete event simulation, analysis, and optimization techniques to plan, supervise, and perform these activities in such a way that productivity can be improved. The central idea is to characterize this defueling operation as a collection of interconnected serving cells, and then apply operational research techniques to identify appropriate planning schedules for given scenarios. In addition, a supervisory system is being developed to provide personnel with on-line information on themore » progress of fueling tasks and to suggest courses of action to accommodate changing operational conditions. This paper provides an introduction to the research in progress at ANL. In particular, it briefly describes the fuel handling configuration for reactor defueling at ANL, presenting the flow of material from the reactor grid to the interim storage location, and the expected contributions of this work. As an example of the studies being conducted for planning and supervision of fuel handling activities at ANL, an application of discrete event simulation techniques to evaluate different fuel cask transfer strategies is given at the end of the paper.« less

Material processing: AI-MSG modification

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woolsey, C.C.; Carnazzola, A.

1973-12-18

This specification establishes fabrication processing requirements such as cleaning, welding, brazing, and post-weld heat treating for the modification of the Atomics International (AI) Modular Steam Generator (MSG) for use in the Large Leak Test Rig (LLTR) for the study of sodium-water reactions.

Applying AI tools to operational space environmental analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krajnak, Mike; Jesse, Lisa; Mucks, John

1995-01-01

The U.S. Air Force and National Oceanic Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) space environmental operations centers are facing increasingly complex challenges meeting the needs of their growing user community. These centers provide current space environmental information and short term forecasts of geomagnetic activity. Recent advances in modeling and data access have provided sophisticated tools for making accurate and timely forecasts, but have introduced new problems associated with handling and analyzing large quantities of complex data. AI (Artificial Intelligence) techniques have been considered as potential solutions to some of these problems. Fielding AI systems has proven more difficult than expected, in part because of operational constraints. Using systems which have been demonstrated successfully in the operational environment will provide a basis for a useful data fusion and analysis capability. Our approach uses a general purpose AI system already in operational use within the military intelligence community, called the Temporal Analysis System (TAS). TAS is an operational suite of tools supporting data processing, data visualization, historical analysis, situation assessment and predictive analysis. TAS includes expert system tools to analyze incoming events for indications of particular situations and predicts future activity. The expert system operates on a knowledge base of temporal patterns encoded using a knowledge representation called Temporal Transition Models (TTM's) and an event database maintained by the other TAS tools. The system also includes a robust knowledge acquisition and maintenance tool for creating TTM's using a graphical specification language. The ability to manipulate TTM's in a graphical format gives non-computer specialists an intuitive way of accessing and editing the knowledge base. To support space environmental analyses, we used TAS's ability to define domain specific event analysis abstractions. The prototype system defines

Toward detecting California shrubland canopy chemistry with AIS data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Price, Curtis V.; Westman, Walter E.

1987-01-01

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS)-2 data of coastal sage scrub vegetation were examined for fine spectral features that might be used to predict concentrations of certain canopy chemical constituents. A Fourier notch filter was applied to the AIS data and the TREE and ROCK mode spectra were ratioed to a flat field. Portions of the resulting spectra resemble spectra for plant cellulose and starch in that both show reduced reflectance at 2100 and 2270 nm. The latter are regions of absorption of energy by organic bonds found in starch and cellulose. Whether the relationship is sufficient to predict the concentration of these chemicals from AIS spectra will require testing of the predictive ability of these wavebands with large field sample sizes.

HER2 status predicts for upfront AI benefit: A TRANS-AIOG meta-analysis of 12,129 patients from ATAC, BIG 1-98 and TEAM with centrally determined HER2.

PubMed

Bartlett, John M S; Ahmed, Ikhlaaq; Regan, Meredith M; Sestak, Ivana; Mallon, Elizabeth A; Dell'Orto, Patrizia; Thürlimann, Beat; Seynaeve, Caroline; Putter, Hein; Van de Velde, Cornelis J H; Brookes, Cassandra L; Forbes, John F; Viale, Giuseppe; Cuzick, Jack; Dowsett, Mitchell; Rea, Daniel W

2017-07-01

A meta-analysis of the effects of HER2 status, specifically within the first 2-3 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy, has the potential to inform patient selection for upfront aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy or switching strategy tamoxifen followed by AI. The pre-existing standardisation of methodology for HER2 (immunohistochemistry/fluorescence in situ hybridization) facilitates analysis of existing data for this key marker. Following a prospectively designed statistical analysis plan, patient data from 3 phase III trials Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination Trial (ATAC), Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 and Tamoxifen Exemestane Adjuvant Multicentre Trial (TEAM)] comparing an AI to tamoxifen during the first 2-3 years of adjuvant endocrine treatment were collected and a treatment-by-marker analysis of distant recurrence-free interval-censored at 2-3 years treatment - for HER2 status × AI versus tamoxifen treatment was performed to address the clinical question relating to efficacy of 'upfront' versus 'switch' strategies for AIs. A prospectively planned, patient-level data meta-analysis across 3 trials demonstrated a significant treatment (AI versus tamoxifen) by marker (HER2) interaction in a multivariate analysis; (interaction hazard ratio [HR] = 1.61, 95% CI 1.01-2.57; p < 0.05). Heterogeneity between trials did not reach statistical significance. The HER2 negative (HER2-ve) group gained greater benefit from AI versus tamoxifen (HR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.56-0.87) than the HER2-positive (HER2+ve) group (HR = 1.13, 95% CI 0.75-1.71). However, the small number of HER2+ve cases (n = 1092 across the 3 trials) and distant recurrences (n = 111) may explain heterogeneity between trials. A patient-level data meta-analysis demonstrated a significant interaction between HER2 status and treatment with AI versus tamoxifen in the first 2-3 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy. Patients with HER2-ve cancers experienced improved outcomes (distant relapse

Different AIS triplets: Different mortality predictions in identical ISS and NISS.

PubMed

Aharonson-Daniel, Limor; Giveon, Adi; Stein, Michael; Peleg, Kobi

2006-09-01

Previous studies demonstrated different mortality predictions for identical Injury Severity Scores (ISS) from different Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) triplets. This study elaborates in both scope and volume producing results of a larger magnitude, applicable to specific injury subgroups of blunt or penetrating, traumatic brain injury, various age groups, and replicated on NISS. All patients hospitalized after trauma at 10 hospitals, with ISS/NISS (new ISS) generated by two AIS triplets, excluding patients with isolated minor or moderate injuries to a single body region were studied. Patients were separated into two groups based on the different triplets. Inpatient-mortality rates were calculated for each triplet group. Odds ratios were calculated to estimate the risk of dying in one triplet group as compared with the other. The chi test determined whether the difference in mortality rate between the two groups was significantly different. Differences were further explored for various subgroups. There were 35,827 patients who had ISS/NISS scores generated by two different AIS triplets. Significant differences in death rates were noted between triplet groups forming identical ISS/NISS. Odds ratio for being in the second group (always containing the higher AIS score) ranged from 2.3 to 7.4. ISS and NISS that are formed by different AIS triplets have significantly different inpatient-mortality rates. The triplet with the higher AIS score has higher inpatient-mortality rates, overall and in several sub-populations of varying vulnerability. The comparison of populations and the interpretation of ISS/NISS based outcome data should take this important information into account and the components of AIS triplets creating each ISS and NISS should be reported.

Astronomical Instrumentation Systems Quality Management Planning: AISQMP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldbaum, Jesse

2017-06-01

The capability of small aperture astronomical instrumentation systems (AIS) to make meaningful scientific contributions has never been better. The purpose of AIS quality management planning (AISQMP) is to ensure the quality of these contributions such that they are both valid and reliable. The first step involved with AISQMP is to specify objective quality measures not just for the AIS final product, but also for the instrumentation used in its production. The next step is to set up a process to track these measures and control for any unwanted variation. The final step is continual effort applied to reducing variation and obtaining measured values near optimal theoretical performance. This paper provides an overview of AISQMP while focusing on objective quality measures applied to astronomical imaging systems.

Accretion in Radiative Equipartition (AiRE) Disks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yazdi, Yasaman K.; Afshordi, Niayesh, E-mail: yyazdi@pitp.ca, E-mail: nafshordi@pitp.ca

2017-07-01

Standard accretion disk theory predicts that the total pressure in disks at typical (sub-)Eddington accretion rates becomes radiation pressure dominated. However, radiation pressure dominated disks are thermally unstable. Since these disks are observed in approximate steady state over the instability timescale, our accretion models in the radiation-pressure-dominated regime (i.e., inner disk) need to be modified. Here, we present a modification to the Shakura and Sunyaev model, where the radiation pressure is in equipartition with the gas pressure in the inner region. We call these flows accretion in radiative equipartition (AiRE) disks. We introduce the basic features of AiRE disks andmore » show how they modify disk properties such as the Toomre parameter and the central temperature. We then show that the accretion rate of AiRE disks is limited from above and below, by Toomre and nodal sonic point instabilities, respectively. The former leads to a strict upper limit on the mass of supermassive black holes as a function of cosmic time (and spin), while the latter could explain the transition between hard and soft states of X-ray binaries.« less

Accretion in Radiative Equipartition (AiRE) Disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yazdi, Yasaman K.; Afshordi, Niayesh

2017-07-01

Standard accretion disk theory predicts that the total pressure in disks at typical (sub-)Eddington accretion rates becomes radiation pressure dominated. However, radiation pressure dominated disks are thermally unstable. Since these disks are observed in approximate steady state over the instability timescale, our accretion models in the radiation-pressure-dominated regime (I.e., inner disk) need to be modified. Here, we present a modification to the Shakura & Sunyaev model, where the radiation pressure is in equipartition with the gas pressure in the inner region. We call these flows accretion in radiative equipartition (AiRE) disks. We introduce the basic features of AiRE disks and show how they modify disk properties such as the Toomre parameter and the central temperature. We then show that the accretion rate of AiRE disks is limited from above and below, by Toomre and nodal sonic point instabilities, respectively. The former leads to a strict upper limit on the mass of supermassive black holes as a function of cosmic time (and spin), while the latter could explain the transition between hard and soft states of X-ray binaries.

Development and Validation of the Alcohol Identity Implicit Associations Test (AI-IAT)

PubMed Central

Gray, Heather M.; LaPlante, Debi A.; Bannon, Brittany L.; Ambady, Nalini; Shaffer, Howard J.

2011-01-01

Alcohol identity is the extent to which an individual perceives drinking alcohol to be a defining characteristic of his or her self-identity. Although alcohol identity might play an important role in risky college drinking practices, there is currently no easily administered, implicit measure of this concept. Therefore we developed a computerized implicit measure of alcohol identity (the Alcohol Identity Implicit Associations Test; AI-IAT) and assessed its reliability and predictive validity in relation to risky college drinking practices. One hundred forty-one college students completed the AI-IAT. Again 3- and 6-months later, we administered the AI-IAT and indices of engagement in risky college drinking practices. A subset of participants also completed the previously-validated implicit measure of alcohol identity. Scores on the AI-IAT were stable over time, internally consistent, and positively correlated with the previously-validated measure of alcohol identity. Baseline AI-IAT scores predicted future engagement in risky college drinking practices, even after controlling for standard alcohol consumption measures. We conclude that the AI-IAT reliably measures alcohol identity, a concept that appears to play an important role in risky college drinking practices. PMID:21621924

Comparison of AIS 1990 update 98 versus AIS 2005 for describing PMHS injuries in lateral and oblique sled tests

PubMed Central

Yoganandan, Narayan; Pintar, Frank A.; Humm, John R.; Stadter, Gregory W.; Curry, William H.; Brasel, Karen J.

2013-01-01

This study analyzed skeletal and organ injuries in pure lateral and oblique impacts from 20 intact post mortem human surrogate (PMHS) sled tests at 6.7 m/s. Injuries to the shoulder, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and spine were scored using AIS 1990–1998 update and 2005. The Injury Severity Scores (ISS) were extracted for both loadings from both versions. Mean age, stature, total body mass and body mass index for pure lateral and oblique tests: 58 and 55 years, 1.7 and 1.8 m, 69 and 66 kg, and 24 and 21 kg/m2. Skeletal injuries (ribs, sternum) occurred in both impacts. However, oblique impacts resulted in more injuries. Pure lateral and oblique impacts ISS: 0 to 16 and 0 to 24, representing a greater potential for injury-related consequences in real-world situations in oblique impacts. Internal organs were more involved in oblique impacts. ISS decreased in AIS 2005, reflecting changes to scoring and drawing attention to potential effects for pre-hospital care/medical aspects. Mean AIS scores for the two load vectors and two AIS coding schemes are included. From automotive crashworthiness perspectives, decreases in injury severities might alter injury risk functions with a shift to lower metrics for the same risk level than current risk estimations. This finding influences dummy-based injury criteria and occupant safety as risk functions are used for countermeasure effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses by regulatory bodies. Increase in organ injuries in oblique loading indicate the importance of this vector as current dummies and injury criteria used in regulations are based on pure lateral impact data. PMID:24406958

Waterway Performance Monitoring via Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

Transceivers onboard the vessels broadcast the 4 AIS signal containing position, heading, speed, and other identifying information to shore- based 5 towers...Great Lakes system based 31 on the voyage histories reconstructed with the Destination field from the AIS static reports. In 32 spite of the much... Information Systems for Estimating Coastal Maritime Risk. 38 Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2222, 39 TRB

Do older t'ai chi practitioners have better attention and memory function?

PubMed

Man, David W K; Tsang, William W N; Hui-Chan, Christina W Y

2010-12-01

Cognitive declines are common in older people and can be a major health issue in an aging world. One type of body-mind exercises, t'ai chi, can be a possible means to help maintaining older adults' cognitive abilities, in addition to beneficial effects of physical exercises. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether t'ai chi practitioners had better attention and memory functions than older people with or without regular exercises. A cross-sectional study examining the relationship between t'ai chi practice and age-, gender- and education-similar older peoples' attention and memory functions. Forty-two (42) community-dwelling elderly subjects, aged 60 or older, recruited from t'ai chi clubs in Hong Kong formed the t'ai chi group. Another 49 elderly having regular exercise habits were recruited from community centers for inclusion in the exercise group. A nonexercise group (normal healthy control) consisting of 44 subjects were also recruited by random selection and through contacting local elderly centers. They were also screened by the Modified Barthel Index, Chinese Mini-mental Status Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, and evaluated by attention tests (Color Trail Form A-1 and 2) and memory tests (including Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test and The Hong Kong List Learning Test). The main finding was that the three groups differed in attention and memory functions, and the t'ai chi group had demonstrated better performance than the other two groups in most subtests. As a causal relationship cannot be assumed in the present cross-sectional study, future research is required to examine how t'ai chi can improve cognitive function using a randomized control trial as well as determining whether t'ai chi practice can lead to better health status among elderly people.

Constellation analysis of an integrated AIS/remote sensing spaceborne system for ship detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graziano, Maria Daniela; D'Errico, Marco; Razzano, Elena

2012-08-01

A future system integrating data from remote sensing and upcoming AIS satellites is analyzed through the development of a novel design method for global, discontinuous coverage constellations. It is shown that 8 AIS satellites suffice to guarantee global coverage and a ship location update of 50 min if the spaceborne AIS receiver has a swath of 2800 nm. Furthermore, synergic utilization of COSMO/SkyMed and Radarsat-C data would provide a mean revisit time of 7 h, with AIS information available within 25 min from SAR data acquisition.

Airborne spectroradiometry: The application of AIS data to detecting subtle mineral absorption features

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cocks, T. D.; Green, A. A.

1986-01-01

Analysis of Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data acquired in Australia has revealed a number of operational problems. Horizontal striping in AIS imagery and spectral distortions due to order overlap were investigated. Horizontal striping, caused by grating position errors can be removed with little or no effect on spectral details. Order overlap remains a problem that seriously compromises identification of subtle mineral absorption features within AIS spectra. A spectrometric model of the AIS was developed to assist in identifying spurious spectral features, and will be used in efforts to restore the spectral integrity of the data.

Placement of empty catheters for an HDR-emulating LDR prostate brachytherapy technique: comparison to standard intraoperative planning.

PubMed

Niedermayr, Thomas R; Nguyen, Paul L; Murciano-Goroff, Yonina R; Kovtun, Konstantin A; Neubauer Sugar, Emily; Cail, Daniel W; O'Farrell, Desmond A; Hansen, Jorgen L; Cormack, Robert A; Buzurovic, Ivan; Wolfsberger, Luciant T; O'Leary, Michael P; Steele, Graeme S; Devlin, Philip M; Orio, Peter F

2014-01-01

We sought to determine whether placing empty catheters within the prostate and then inverse planning iodine-125 seed locations within those catheters (High Dose Rate-Emulating Low Dose Rate Prostate Brachytherapy [HELP] technique) would improve concordance between planned and achieved dosimetry compared with a standard intraoperative technique. We examined 30 consecutive low dose rate prostate cases performed by standard intraoperative technique of planning followed by needle placement/seed deposition and compared them to 30 consecutive low dose rate prostate cases performed by the HELP technique. The primary endpoint was concordance between planned percentage of the clinical target volume that receives at least 100% of the prescribed dose/dose that covers 90% of the volume of the clinical target volume (V100/D90) and the actual V100/D90 achieved at Postoperative Day 1. The HELP technique had superior concordance between the planned target dosimetry and what was actually achieved at Day 1 and Day 30. Specifically, target D90 at Day 1 was on average 33.7 Gy less than planned for the standard intraoperative technique but was only 10.5 Gy less than planned for the HELP technique (p < 0.001). Day 30 values were 16.6 Gy less vs. 2.2 Gy more than planned, respectively (p = 0.028). Day 1 target V100 was 6.3% less than planned with standard vs. 2.8% less for HELP (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the urethral and rectal concordance (all p > 0.05). Placing empty needles first and optimizing the plan to the known positions of the needles resulted in improved concordance between the planned and the achieved dosimetry to the target, possibly because of elimination of errors in needle placement. Copyright © 2014 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

AIS and Collision Avoidance a Sense of Déjà Vu

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stitt, I. P. A.

2004-05-01

Although AIS is already in use in a range of vessels, there has been little public discussion on how AIS should interact with the COLREGS in practice. The objective of this paper is to make a contribution to that debate, while recognising that “best practice” will evolve as more practical experience is obtained. The paper suggests the approach that should be adopted in several areas, but concludes that, overall, AIS is nothing more than one of several tools that should enable mariners to fulfil their existing obligations under the COLREGS.

Teaching AI Search Algorithms in a Web-Based Educational System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grivokostopoulou, Foteini; Hatzilygeroudis, Ioannis

2013-01-01

In this paper, we present a way of teaching AI search algorithms in a web-based adaptive educational system. Teaching is based on interactive examples and exercises. Interactive examples, which use visualized animations to present AI search algorithms in a step-by-step way with explanations, are used to make learning more attractive. Practice…

Methods for Processing and Interpretation of AIS Signals Corrupted by Noise and Packet Collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poļevskis, J.; Krastiņš, M.; Korāts, G.; Skorodumovs, A.; Trokšs, J.

2012-01-01

The authors deal with the operation of Automatic Identification System (AIS) used in the marine traffic monitoring to broadcast messages containing information about the vessel: id, payload, size, speed, destination etc., meant primarily for avoidance of ship collisions. To extend the radius of AIS operation, it is envisaged to dispose its receivers on satellites. However, in space, due to a large coverage area, interfering factors are especially pronounced - such as packet collision, Doppler's shift and noise impact on AIS message receiving, pre-processing and decoding. To assess the quality of an AIS receiver's operation, a test was carried out in which, varying automatically frequency, amplitude, noise, and other parameters, the data on the ability of the receiver's ability to decode AIS signals are collected. In the work, both hardware- and software-based AIS decoders were tested. As a result, quite satisfactory statistics has been gathered - both on the common and the differing features of such decoders when operating in space. To obtain reliable data on the software-defined radio AIS receivers, further research is envisaged.

Apolipoprotein AI Deficiency Inhibits Serum Opacity Factor Activity against Plasma High Density Lipoprotein via a Stabilization Mechanism

PubMed Central

Rosales, Corina; Patel, Niket; Gillard, Baiba K.; Yelamanchili, Dedipya; Yang, Yaliu; Courtney, Harry S.; Santos, Raul D.; Gotto, Antonio M.; Pownall, Henry J.

2016-01-01

The reaction of Streptococcal serum opacity factor (SOF) against plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL) produces a large cholesteryl ester-rich microemulsion (CERM), a smaller neo HDL that is apolipoprotein (apo) AI-poor, and lipid-free apo AI. SOF is active vs. both human and mouse plasma HDL. In vivo injection of SOF into mice reduces plasma cholesterol ~40% in 3 hours while forming the same products observed in vitro, but at different ratios. Previous studies supported the hypothesis that labile apo AI is required for the SOF reaction vs. HDL. Here we further tested that hypothesis by studies of SOF against HDL from apo AI-null mice. When injected into apo AI-null mice, SOF reduced plasma cholesterol ~35% in three hours. The reaction of SOF vs. apo AI-null HDL in vitro produced a CERM and neo HDL, but no lipid-free apo. Moreover, according to the rate of CERM formation, the extent and rate of the SOF reaction vs. apo AI-null mouse HDL was less than that against wild-type (WT) mouse HDL. Chaotropic perturbation studies using guanidine hydrochloride showed that apo AI-null HDL was more stable than WT HDL. Human apo AI added to apo AI-null HDL was quantitatively incorporated, giving reconstituted HDL. Both SOF and guanidine hydrochloride displaced apo AI from the reconstituted HDL. These results support the conclusion that apo AI-null HDL is more stable than WT HDL because it lacks apo AI, a labile protein that is readily displaced by physico-chemical and biochemical perturbations. Thus, apo AI-null HDL is less SOF-reactive than WT HDL. The properties of apo AI-null HDL can be partially restored to those of WT HDL by the spontaneous incorporation of human apo AI. It remains to be determined what other HDL functions are affected by apo AI deletion. PMID:25790332

Static and Completion Analysis for Planning Knowledge Base Development and Verification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chien, Steve A.

1996-01-01

A key obstacle hampering fielding of AI planning applications is the considerable expense of developing, verifying, updating, and maintaining the planning knowledge base (KB). Planning systems must be able to compare favorably in terms of software lifecycle costs to other means of automation such as scripts or rule-based expert systems.

Evaluation of AIS-2 (1986) data over hydrothermally altered granitoid rocks of the Singatse Range (Yerington) Nevada and comparison with 1985 AIS-1 data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyon, R. J. P.

1987-01-01

The Airborne Imaging Spectrometer-2 (AIS-2) flights along 2 subparallel lines (bearing 013) were designed to traverse 3 major rock assemblages - the Triassic sedimentary sequence; the granitoid rocks of the Yerington batholith and the Tertiary ignimbritic ash flow and ash fall tuffs. The first 2 sites are hydrothermally altered to a quartz-sericite-tourmaline mineralogy. The first AIS-2 data set showed numerous line dropouts and a considerable number of randomly distributed dark pixels. A second decommutation reduced the dropout essentially to near zero and the dark pixels by about 75 percent. Vertical striping was removed by histogram matching, column by column. A log residual spectrum was calculated which showed the departure of a 2 x 2 pixel area from the spatially and spectrally averaged scene. A 1:1 correlation was found with the log residual AIS-2 data and a large open pit area of gypsum. An area with known sericite agreed with the overflight data, and an area known to be free of any significant amount of O-H bearing materials showed no evidence of any in the AIS-2 log residuals.

Interactions between lipid-free apolipoprotein-AI and a lipopeptide incorporating the RGDS cell adhesion motif

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castelletto, V.; Hamley, I. W.; Reza, M.; Ruokolainen, J.

2014-11-01

The interaction of a designed bioactive lipopeptide C16-GGGRGDS, comprising a hexadecyl lipid chain attached to a functional heptapeptide, with the lipid-free apoliprotein, Apo-AI, is examined. This apolipoprotein is a major component of high density lipoprotein and it is involved in lipid metabolism and may serve as a biomarker for cardiovascular disease and Alzheimers' disease. We find via isothermal titration calorimetry that binding between the lipopeptide and Apo-AI occurs up to a saturation condition, just above equimolar for a 10.7 μM concentration of Apo-AI. A similar value is obtained from circular dichroism spectroscopy, which probes the reduction in α-helical secondary structure of Apo-AI upon addition of C16-GGGRGDS. Electron microscopy images show a persistence of fibrillar structures due to self-assembly of C16-GGGRGDS in mixtures with Apo-AI above the saturation binding condition. A small fraction of spheroidal or possibly ``nanodisc'' structures was observed. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data for Apo-AI can be fitted using a published crystal structure of the Apo-AI dimer. The SAXS data for the lipopeptide/Apo-AI mixtures above the saturation binding conditions can be fitted to the contribution from fibrillar structures coexisting with flat discs corresponding to Apo-AI/lipopeptide aggregates.

SDI satellite autonomy using AI and Ada

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fiala, Harvey E.

1990-01-01

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the programming language Ada to help a satellite recover from selected failures that could lead to mission failure are described. An unmanned satellite will have a separate AI subsystem running in parallel with the normal satellite subsystems. A satellite monitoring subsystem (SMS), under the control of a blackboard system, will continuously monitor selected satellite subsystems to become alert to any actual or potential problems. In the case of loss of communications with the earth or the home base, the satellite will go into a survival mode to reestablish communications with the earth. The use of an AI subsystem in this manner would have avoided the tragic loss of the two recent Soviet probes that were sent to investigate the planet Mars and its moons. The blackboard system works in conjunction with an SMS and a reconfiguration control subsystem (RCS). It can be shown to be an effective way for one central control subsystem to monitor and coordinate the activities and loads of many interacting subsystems that may or may not contain redundant and/or fault-tolerant elements. The blackboard system will be coded in Ada using tools such as the ABLE development system and the Ada Production system.

Pseudorange Measurement Method Based on AIS Signals.

PubMed

Zhang, Jingbo; Zhang, Shufang; Wang, Jinpeng

2017-05-22

In order to use the existing automatic identification system (AIS) to provide additional navigation and positioning services, a complete pseudorange measurements solution is presented in this paper. Through the mathematical analysis of the AIS signal, the bit-0-phases in the digital sequences were determined as the timestamps. Monte Carlo simulation was carried out to compare the accuracy of the zero-crossing and differential peak, which are two timestamp detection methods in the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. Considering the low-speed and low-dynamic motion characteristics of ships, an optimal estimation method based on the minimum mean square error is proposed to improve detection accuracy. Furthermore, the α difference filter algorithm was used to achieve the fusion of the optimal estimation results of the two detection methods. The results show that the algorithm can greatly improve the accuracy of pseudorange estimation under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. In order to verify the effectiveness of the scheme, prototypes containing the measurement scheme were developed and field tests in Xinghai Bay of Dalian (China) were performed. The test results show that the pseudorange measurement accuracy was better than 28 m (σ) without any modification of the existing AIS system.

Pseudorange Measurement Method Based on AIS Signals

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jingbo; Zhang, Shufang; Wang, Jinpeng

2017-01-01

In order to use the existing automatic identification system (AIS) to provide additional navigation and positioning services, a complete pseudorange measurements solution is presented in this paper. Through the mathematical analysis of the AIS signal, the bit-0-phases in the digital sequences were determined as the timestamps. Monte Carlo simulation was carried out to compare the accuracy of the zero-crossing and differential peak, which are two timestamp detection methods in the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. Considering the low-speed and low-dynamic motion characteristics of ships, an optimal estimation method based on the minimum mean square error is proposed to improve detection accuracy. Furthermore, the α difference filter algorithm was used to achieve the fusion of the optimal estimation results of the two detection methods. The results show that the algorithm can greatly improve the accuracy of pseudorange estimation under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. In order to verify the effectiveness of the scheme, prototypes containing the measurement scheme were developed and field tests in Xinghai Bay of Dalian (China) were performed. The test results show that the pseudorange measurement accuracy was better than 28 m (σ) without any modification of the existing AIS system. PMID:28531153

47 CFR 80.231 - Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.231 Section 80.231 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION... § 80.231 Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment must meet the technical requirements of IEC 62287...

47 CFR 80.231 - Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.231 Section 80.231 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION... § 80.231 Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment must meet the technical requirements of IEC 62287...

47 CFR 80.231 - Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.231 Section 80.231 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION... § 80.231 Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment must meet the technical requirements of IEC 62287...

47 CFR 80.275 - Technical Requirements for Class A Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Compulsory Ships § 80.275 Technical Requirements for Class A Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Prior to submitting a certification application for a Class A AIS device, the following... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.275 Section 80.275 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION...

47 CFR 80.275 - Technical Requirements for Class A Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Compulsory Ships § 80.275 Technical Requirements for Class A Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Prior to submitting a certification application for a Class A AIS device, the following... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.275 Section 80.275 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION...

47 CFR 80.275 - Technical Requirements for Class A Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Compulsory Ships § 80.275 Technical Requirements for Class A Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Prior to submitting a certification application for a Class A AIS device, the following... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.275 Section 80.275 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION...

47 CFR 80.275 - Technical Requirements for Class A Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Compulsory Ships § 80.275 Technical Requirements for Class A Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Prior to submitting a certification application for a Class A AIS device, the following... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.275 Section 80.275 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION...

An assessment of PERT as a technique for schedule planning and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sibbers, C. W.

1982-01-01

The PERT technique including the types of reports which can be computer generated using the NASA/LaRC PPARS System is described. An assessment is made of the effectiveness of PERT on various types of efforts as well as for specific purposes, namely, schedule planning, schedule analysis, schedule control, monitoring contractor schedule performance, and management reporting. This assessment is based primarily on the author's knowledge of the usage of PERT by NASA/LaRC personnel since the early 1960's. Both strengths and weaknesses of the technique for various applications are discussed. It is intended to serve as a reference guide for personnel performing project planning and control functions and technical personnel whose responsibilities either include schedule planning and control or require a general knowledge of the subject.

Direct recognition of superparamagnetic nanocrystals by macrophage scavenger receptor SR-AI.

PubMed

Chao, Ying; Karmali, Priya P; Mukthavaram, Rajesh; Kesari, Santosh; Kouznetsova, Valentina L; Tsigelny, Igor F; Simberg, Dmitri

2013-05-28

Scavenger receptors (SRs) are molecular pattern recognition receptors that have been shown to mediate opsonin-independent uptake of therapeutic and imaging nanoparticles, underlying the importance of SRs in nanomedicine. Unlike pathogens, engineered nanomaterials offer great flexibility in control of surface properties, allowing addressing specific questions regarding the molecular mechanisms of nanoparticle recognition. Recently, we showed that SR-type AI/II mediates opsonin-independent internalization of dextran superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles via positively charged extracellular collagen-like domain. To understand the mechanism of opsonin-independent SPIO recognition, we tested the binding and uptake of nanoparticles with different surface coatings by SR-AI. SPIO coated with 10 kDa dextran was efficiently recognized and taken up by SR-AI transfected cells and J774 macrophages, while SPIO with 20 kDa dextran coating or cross-linked dextran hydrogel avoided the binding and uptake. Nanoparticle negative charge density and zeta-potential did not correlate with SR-AI binding/uptake efficiency. Additional experiments and computer modeling revealed that recognition of the iron oxide crystalline core by the positively charged collagen-like domain of SR-AI is sterically hindered by surface polymer coating. Importantly, the modeling revealed a strong complementarity between the surface Fe-OH groups of the magnetite crystal and the charged lysines of the collagen-like domain of SR-AI, suggesting a specific recognition of SPIO crystalline surface. These data provide an insight into the molecular recognition of nanocrystals by innate immunity receptors and the mechanisms whereby polymer coatings promote immune evasion.

Astronomical Instrumentation Systems Quality Management Planning: AISQMP (Abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldbaum, J.

2017-12-01

(Abstract only) The capability of small aperture astronomical instrumentation systems (AIS) to make meaningful scientific contributions has never been better. The purpose of AIS quality management planning (AISQMP) is to ensure the quality of these contributions such that they are both valid and reliable. The first step involved with AISQMP is to specify objective quality measures not just for the AIS final product, but also for the instrumentation used in its production. The next step is to set up a process to track these measures and control for any unwanted variation. The final step is continual effort applied to reducing variation and obtaining measured values near optimal theoretical performance. This paper provides an overview of AISQMP while focusing on objective quality measures applied to astronomical imaging systems.

Explore the impacts of river flow and quality on biodiversity for water resources management by AI techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Fi-John; Tsai Tsai, Wen-Ping; Chang, Li-Chiu

2016-04-01

Water resources development is very challenging in Taiwan due to her diverse geographic environment and climatic conditions. To pursue sustainable water resources development, rationality and integrity is essential for water resources planning. River water quality and flow regimes are closely related to each other and affect river ecosystems simultaneously. This study aims to explore the complex impacts of water quality and flow regimes on fish community in order to comprehend the situations of the eco-hydrological system in the Danshui River of northern Taiwan. To make an effective and comprehensive strategy for sustainable water resources management, this study first models fish diversity through implementing a hybrid artificial neural network (ANN) based on long-term observational heterogeneity data of water quality, stream flow and fish species in the river. Then we use stream flow to estimate the loss of dissolved oxygen based on back-propagation neural networks (BPNNs). Finally, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is established for river flow management over the Shihmen Reservoir which is the main reservoir in this study area. In addition to satisfying the water demands of human beings and ecosystems, we also consider water quality for river flow management. The ecosystem requirement takes the form of maximizing fish diversity, which can be estimated by the hybrid ANN. The human requirement is to provide a higher satisfaction degree of water supply while the water quality requirement is to reduce the loss of dissolved oxygen in the river among flow stations. The results demonstrate that the proposed methodology can offer diversified alternative strategies for reservoir operation and improve reservoir operation strategies for producing downstream flows that could better meet both human and ecosystem needs as well as maintain river water quality. Keywords: Artificial intelligence (AI), Artificial neural networks (ANNs), Non

VizieR Online Data Catalog: AI CMi UBV light curves (Arkhipova+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arkhipova, V. P.; Ikonnikova, N. P.; Esipov, V. F.; Komissarova, G. V.

2017-07-01

The UBV observations of AI CMi were carried out at the Crimean Station of the SAI MSU using a 60-cm Zeiss reflector with a photoelectric photometer designed by Lyuty (1971, Soobshch. GAISh, No. 172, 30) with a 27" aperture. We began to observe AI CMi in 1996 and obtained more than 200 UBV magnitude estimates for the star in 21 years. Table 1 presents our UBV photometry for AI CMi reduced to the Johnson system. (1 data file).

Novel cross-linked alcohol-insoluble solid (CL-AIS) affinity gel from pea pod for pectinesterase purification.

PubMed

Wu, Ming-Chang; Lin, Guan-Hui; Wang, Yuh-Tai; Jiang, Chii-Ming; Chang, Hung-Min

2005-10-05

Alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS) from pea pod were cross-linked (CL-AIS) and used as an affinity gel matrix to isolate pectin esterases (PEs) from tendril shoots of chayote (TSC) and jelly fig achenes (JFA), and the results were compared with those isolated by ion-exchange chromatography with a commercial resin. CL-AIS gel matrix in a column displayed poor absorption and purification fold of PE; however, highly methoxylated CL-AIS (HM-CL-AIS), by exposing CL-AIS to methanolic sulfuric acid to increase the degree of esterification (DE) to 92%, facilitated the enzyme purification. The purified TSC PE and JFA PE by the HM-CL-AIS column were proofed as a single band on an SDS-PAGE gel, showing that the HM-CL-AIS column was a good matrix for purification of PE, either with alkaline isoelectric point (pI) (TSC PE) or with acidic pI (JFA PE).

Dental manpower planning in the Indian Health Service.

PubMed

Collins, R J; Broderick, E B; Herman, D J

1993-01-01

As a public health agency, the Indian Health Service (IHS) must plan for the needs of the entire American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) population and distribute resources as equitably as possible. To facilitate this process, the IHS has developed a manpower planning model to provide for the distribution of dental providers based upon the dental needs of the AI/AN population and within the limits of annual appropriations of funds. This paper briefly describes the original IHS Dental Program manpower planning model and the development of modifications over time. The need-based approach to manpower planning developed by the IHS Dental Program has exhibited utility and flexibility over time. It allows a determination of clinic size (number of operatories) and dental staffing requirements, and may be generalizable to other public health programs if an accurate assessment of utilization rate and treatment need can be made for the defined population. Nonetheless, the availability of resources in public programs is subject to the compromises inherent in the political process; thus, the use of a manpower planning model alone may not be sufficient to ensure the equitable distribution of dental resources and dental providers.

GPU: the biggest key processor for AI and parallel processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baji, Toru

2017-07-01

Two types of processors exist in the market. One is the conventional CPU and the other is Graphic Processor Unit (GPU). Typical CPU is composed of 1 to 8 cores while GPU has thousands of cores. CPU is good for sequential processing, while GPU is good to accelerate software with heavy parallel executions. GPU was initially dedicated for 3D graphics. However from 2006, when GPU started to apply general-purpose cores, it was noticed that this architecture can be used as a general purpose massive-parallel processor. NVIDIA developed a software framework Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) that make it possible to easily program the GPU for these application. With CUDA, GPU started to be used in workstations and supercomputers widely. Recently two key technologies are highlighted in the industry. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Driving Cars. AI requires a massive parallel operation to train many-layers of neural networks. With CPU alone, it was impossible to finish the training in a practical time. The latest multi-GPU system with P100 makes it possible to finish the training in a few hours. For the autonomous driving cars, TOPS class of performance is required to implement perception, localization, path planning processing and again SoC with integrated GPU will play a key role there. In this paper, the evolution of the GPU which is one of the biggest commercial devices requiring state-of-the-art fabrication technology will be introduced. Also overview of the GPU demanding key application like the ones described above will be introduced.

Deploying Embodied AI into Virtual Worlds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burden, David J. H.

The last two years have seen the start of commercial activity within virtual worlds. Unlike computer games where Non-Player-Character avatars are common, in most virtual worlds they are the exception — and until recently in Second Life they were non-existent. However there is real commercial scope for Als in these worlds — in roles from virtual sales staff and tutors to personal assistants. Deploying an embodied AI into a virtual world offers a unique opportunity to evaluate embodied Als, and to develop them within an environment where human and computer are on almost equal terms. This paper presents an architecture being used for the deployment of chatbot driven avatars within the Second Life virtual world, looks at the challenges of deploying an AI within such a virtual world, the possible implications for the Turing Test, and identifies research directions for the future.

Efficient coupling of starlight into single mode photonics using Adaptive Injection (AI)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norris, Barnaby; Cvetojevic, Nick; Gross, Simon; Arriola, Alexander; Tuthill, Peter; Lawrence, Jon; Richards, Samuel; Goodwin, Michael; Zheng, Jessica

2016-08-01

Using single-mode fibres in astronomy enables revolutionary techniques including single-mode interferometry and spectroscopy. However, injection of seeing-limited starlight into single mode photonics is extremely difficult. One solution is Adaptive Injection (AI). The telescope pupil is segmented into a number of smaller subapertures each with size r0, such that seeing can be approximated as a single tip / tilt / piston term for each subaperture, and then injected into a separate fibre via a facet of a segmented MEMS deformable mirror. The injection problem is then reduced to a set of individual tip tilt loops, resulting in high overall coupling efficiency.

The NeuroAiD Safe Treatment (NeST) Registry: a protocol

PubMed Central

Venketasubramanian, Narayanaswamy; Kumar, Ramesh; Soertidewi, Lyna; Abu Bakar, Azizi; Laik, Carine; Gan, Robert

2015-01-01

Introduction NeuroAiD (MLC601, MLC901), a combination of natural products, has been shown to be safe and to aid neurological recovery after brain injuries. The NeuroAiD Safe Treatment (NeST) Registry aims to assess its use and safety in the real-world setting. Methods and analysis The NeST Registry is designed as a product registry that would provide information on the use and safety of NeuroAiD in clinical practice. An online NeST Registry was set up to allow easy entry and retrieval of essential information including demographics, medical conditions, clinical assessments of neurological, functional and cognitive state, compliance, concomitant medications, and side effects, if any, among patients on NeuroAiD. Patients who are taking or have been prescribed NeuroAiD may be included. Participation is voluntary. Data collected are similar to information obtained during standard care and are prospectively entered by the participating physicians at baseline (before initialisation of NeuroAiD) and during subsequent visits. The primary outcome assessed is safety (ie, non-serious and serious adverse event), while compliance and neurological status over time are secondary outcomes. The in-person follow-up assessments are timed with clinical appointments. Anonymised data will be extracted and collectively analysed. Initial target sample size for the registry is 2000. Analysis will be performed after every 500 participants entered with completed follow-up information. Ethics and dissemination Doctors who prescribe NeuroAiD will be introduced to the registry by local partners. The central coordinator of the registry will discuss the protocol and requirements for implementation with doctors who show interest. Currently, the registry has been approved by the Ethics Committees of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysia) and National Brain Center (Indonesia). In addition, for other countries, Ethics Committee approval will be obtained in accordance with local requirements. Trial

[The effect of Ai Chi method in fibromyalgic patients].

PubMed

Santana, Jacqueline Soares de; Almeida, Ana Paula Gonçalves de; Brandão, Patrícia Martins Carvalho

2010-06-01

The objective of this article is to show the effect of the Ai Chi method, as an alternative form of hydrotherapeutic approach in fibromyalgia syndrome patients. Ten patients were studied, four were part of the experiment group and five of the control group, with one desistance. The patients were evaluated through the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (QIF) and Scale of Intensity and Index of pain in Sensible Points. Two evaluations were performed, before and after the treatment. The patients were submitted to ten sessions of the Ai Chi method during 40 minutes. The scale of intensity of pain in sensible points presented an improvement in the intensity of pain after the intervention, while quality of life remained without alteration. Regarding the quality of life, it was observed that the groups had similar results, because of the fact that patients had not presented improvement at depressive state. It was also verified a difference in the index of the sensible points between the groups; the explanation for this difference might be because of the benefits of the immersion in warm water and the effect of the Ai Chi method. There was no significant difference between the groups, which can be attributed to its limitations. In this way, new studies referring to the application of the Ai Chi method in patients carrying fibromyalgia syndrome become relevant.

AiGERM: A logic programming front end for GERM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hashim, Safaa H.

1990-01-01

AiGerm (Artificially Intelligent Graphical Entity Relation Modeler) is a relational data base query and programming language front end for MCC (Mission Control Center)/STP's (Space Test Program) Germ (Graphical Entity Relational Modeling) system. It is intended as an add-on component of the Germ system to be used for navigating very large networks of information. It can also function as an expert system shell for prototyping knowledge-based systems. AiGerm provides an interface between the programming language and Germ.

Functional subdivisions in low-frequency primary auditory cortex (AI).

PubMed

Wallace, M N; Palmer, A R

2009-04-01

We wished to test the hypothesis that there are modules in low-frequency AI that can be identified by their responsiveness to communication calls or particular regions of space. Units were recorded in anaesthetised guinea pig AI and stimulated with conspecific vocalizations and a virtual motion stimulus (binaural beats) presented via a closed sound system. Recording tracks were mainly oriented orthogonally to the cortical surface. Some of these contained units that were all time-locked to the structure of the chutter call (14/22 tracks) and/or the purr call (12/22 tracks) and/or that had a preference for stimuli from a particular region of space (8/20 tracks with four contralateral, two ipsilateral and two midline), or where there was a strong asymmetry in the response to beats of different direction (two tracks). We conclude that about half of low-frequency AI is organized into modules that are consistent with separate "what" and "where" pathways.

Absolute parameters for AI Phoenicis using WASP photometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirkby-Kent, J. A.; Maxted, P. F. L.; Serenelli, A. M.; Turner, O. D.; Evans, D. F.; Anderson, D. R.; Hellier, C.; West, R. G.

2016-06-01

Context. AI Phe is a double-lined, detached eclipsing binary, in which a K-type sub-giant star totally eclipses its main-sequence companion every 24.6 days. This configuration makes AI Phe ideal for testing stellar evolutionary models. Difficulties in obtaining a complete lightcurve mean the precision of existing radii measurements could be improved. Aims: Our aim is to improve the precision of the radius measurements for the stars in AI Phe using high-precision photometry from the Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP), and use these improved radius measurements together with estimates of the masses, temperatures and composition of the stars to place constraints on the mixing length, helium abundance and age of the system. Methods: A best-fit ebop model is used to obtain lightcurve parameters, with their standard errors calculated using a prayer-bead algorithm. These were combined with previously published spectroscopic orbit results, to obtain masses and radii. A Bayesian method is used to estimate the age of the system for model grids with different mixing lengths and helium abundances. Results: The radii are found to be R1 = 1.835 ± 0.014 R⊙, R2 = 2.912 ± 0.014 R⊙ and the masses M1 = 1.1973 ± 0.0037 M⊙, M2 = 1.2473 ± 0.0039 M⊙. From the best-fit stellar models we infer a mixing length of 1.78, a helium abundance of YAI = 0.26 +0.02-0.01 and an age of 4.39 ± 0.32 Gyr. Times of primary minimum show the period of AI Phe is not constant. Currently, there are insufficient data to determine the cause of this variation. Conclusions: Improved precision in the masses and radii have improved the age estimate, and allowed the mixing length and helium abundance to be constrained. The eccentricity is now the largest source of uncertainty in calculating the masses. Further work is needed to characterise the orbit of AI Phe. Obtaining more binaries with parameters measured to a similar level of precision would allow us to test for relationships between helium

Application of AI techniques to a voice-actuated computer system for reconstructing and displaying magnetic resonance imaging data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherley, Patrick L.; Pujol, Alfonso, Jr.; Meadow, John S.

1990-07-01

To provide a means of rendering complex computer architectures languages and input/output modalities transparent to experienced and inexperienced users research is being conducted to develop a voice driven/voice response computer graphics imaging system. The system will be used for reconstructing and displaying computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scan data. In conjunction with this study an artificial intelligence (Al) control strategy was developed to interface the voice components and support software to the computer graphics functions implemented on the Sun Microsystems 4/280 color graphics workstation. Based on generated text and converted renditions of verbal utterances by the user the Al control strategy determines the user''s intent and develops and validates a plan. The program type and parameters within the plan are used as input to the graphics system for reconstructing and displaying medical image data corresponding to that perceived intent. If the plan is not valid the control strategy queries the user for additional information. The control strategy operates in a conversation mode and vocally provides system status reports. A detailed examination of the various AT techniques is presented with major emphasis being placed on their specific roles within the total control strategy structure. 1.

Natural resource inventory for urban planning utilizing remote sensing techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foster, K. E.; Mackey, P. F.; Bonham, C. D.

1972-01-01

Remote sensing techniques were applied to the lower Pantano Wash area to acquire data for planning an ecological balance between the expanding Tucson metropolitan area and its environment. The types and distribution of vegetation are discussed along with the hydrologic aspects of the Wash.

The AIS-5000 parallel processor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schmitt, L.A.; Wilson, S.S.

1988-05-01

The AIS-5000 is a commercially available massively parallel processor which has been designed to operate in an industrial environment. It has fine-grained parallelism with up to 1024 processing elements arranged in a single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) architecture. The processing elements are arranged in a one-dimensional chain that, for computer vision applications, can be as wide as the image itself. This architecture has superior cost/performance characteristics than two-dimensional mesh-connected systems. The design of the processing elements and their interconnections as well as the software used to program the system allow a wide variety of algorithms and applications to be implemented. In thismore » paper, the overall architecture of the system is described. Various components of the system are discussed, including details of the processing elements, data I/O pathways and parallel memory organization. A virtual two-dimensional model for programming image-based algorithms for the system is presented. This model is supported by the AIS-5000 hardware and software and allows the system to be treated as a full-image-size, two-dimensional, mesh-connected parallel processor. Performance bench marks are given for certain simple and complex functions.« less

Augmentation index (AI) in a dose–response relationship with smoking habits in males

PubMed Central

Tsuru, Tomoko; Adachi, Hisashi; Enomoto, Mika; Fukami, Ako; Kumagai, Eita; Nakamura, Sachiko; Nohara, Yume; Kono, Shoko; Nakao, Erika; Sakaue, Akiko; Morikawa, Nagisa; Fukumoto, Yoshihiro

2016-01-01

Abstract We investigated the relationship between augmentation index (AI) and smoking habits in community-dwelling Japanese. This cross-sectional study enrolled 1926 subjects (769 males and 1157 females) aged 40 to 95 years who underwent a health check-up in a Japanese cohort of the Seven Countries Study, in Tanushimaru, a typical farming town in Kyushu Island in 2009. The subjects’ medical history, alcohol intake, smoking habit, and current medications for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes were ascertained by questionnaire. Radial arterial pressure wave analysis was used to obtain AI. We analyzed the data stratified by gender. Age-adjusted means of AI in males showed a clear dose–response relationship in 4 categories of smoking habits (P = 0.010). There was no significant relationship between AI and smoking habits in females (P = 0.127). The significant dose–response relationship (P = 0.036) in males between AI and 4 categories of smoking habits still remained even after adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, glucose, hypertensive medication, and alcohol intake. The present study demonstrated that AI values were significantly associated with smoking habits in a dose-dependent manner in Japanese males. PMID:28002323

Health Information in French (français)

MedlinePlus

... Translations Bacterial Infections Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) -- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV): What You Need to Know - English PDF Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) -- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV): What You Need to Know - français ( ...

Design of integrated ship monitoring system using SAR, RADAR, and AIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chan-Su; Kim, Tae-Ho; Hong, Danbee; Ahn, Hyung-Wook

2013-06-01

When we talk about for the ship detection, identification and its classification, we need to go for the wide area of monitoring and it may be possible only through satellite based monitoring approach which monitors and covers coastal as well as the oceanic zone. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has been widely used to detect targets of interest with the advantage of the operating capability in all weather and luminance free condition (Margarit and Tabasco, 2011). In EU waters, EMSA(European Maritime Safety Agency) is operating the SafeSeaNet and CleanSeaNet systems which provide the current positions of all ships and oil spill monitoring information in and around EU waters in a single picture to Member States using AIS, LRIT and SAR images. In many countries, a similar system has been developed and the key of the matter is to integrate all available data. This abstract describes the preliminary design concept for an integration system of RADAR, AIS and SAR data for vessel traffic monitoring. SAR sensors are used to acquire image data over large coverage area either through the space borne or airborne platforms in UTC. AIS reports should be also obtained on the same date as of the SAR acquisition for the purpose to perform integration test. Land-based RADAR can provide ships positions detected and tracked in near real time. In general, SAR are used to acquire image data over large coverage area, AIS reports are obtained from ship based transmitter, and RADAR can monitor continuously ships for a limited area. In this study, we developed individual ship monitoring algorithms using RADAR(FMCW and Pulse X-band), AIS and SAR(RADARSAT-2 Full-pol Mode). We conducted field experiments two times for displaying the RADAR, AIS and SAR integration over the Pyeongtaek Port, South Korea.

Processing the Interspecies Quorum-sensing Signal Autoinducer-2 (AI-2)

PubMed Central

Marques, João C.; Lamosa, Pedro; Russell, Caitlin; Ventura, Rita; Maycock, Christopher; Semmelhack, Martin F.; Miller, Stephen T.; Xavier, Karina B.

2011-01-01

The molecule (S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD) is produced by many different species of bacteria and is the precursor of the signal molecule autoinducer-2 (AI-2). AI-2 mediates interspecies communication and facilitates regulation of bacterial behaviors such as biofilm formation and virulence. A variety of bacterial species have the ability to sequester and process the AI-2 present in their environment, thereby interfering with the cell-cell communication of other bacteria. This process involves the AI-2-regulated lsr operon, comprised of the Lsr transport system that facilitates uptake of the signal, a kinase that phosphorylates the signal to phospho-DPD (P-DPD), and enzymes (like LsrG) that are responsible for processing the phosphorylated signal. Because P-DPD is the intracellular inducer of the lsr operon, enzymes involved in P-DPD processing impact the levels of Lsr expression. Here we show that LsrG catalyzes isomerization of P-DPD into 3,4,4-trihydroxy-2-pentanone-5-phosphate. We present the crystal structure of LsrG, identify potential catalytic residues, and determine which of these residues affects P-DPD processing in vivo and in vitro. We also show that an lsrG deletion mutant accumulates at least 10 times more P-DPD than wild type cells. Consistent with this result, we find that the lsrG mutant has increased expression of the lsr operon and an altered profile of AI-2 accumulation and removal. Understanding of the biochemical mechanisms employed by bacteria to quench signaling of other species can be of great utility in the development of therapies to control bacterial behavior. PMID:21454635

Processing the Interspecies Quorum-sensing Signal Autoinducer-2 (AI-2)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

J Marques; P Lamosa; C Russell

The molecule (S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD) is produced by many different species of bacteria and is the precursor of the signal molecule autoinducer-2 (AI-2). AI-2 mediates interspecies communication and facilitates regulation of bacterial behaviors such as biofilm formation and virulence. A variety of bacterial species have the ability to sequester and process the AI-2 present in their environment, thereby interfering with the cell-cell communication of other bacteria. This process involves the AI-2-regulated lsr operon, comprised of the Lsr transport system that facilitates uptake of the signal, a kinase that phosphorylates the signal to phospho-DPD (P-DPD), and enzymes (like LsrG) that are responsiblemore » for processing the phosphorylated signal. Because P-DPD is the intracellular inducer of the lsr operon, enzymes involved in P-DPD processing impact the levels of Lsr expression. Here we show that LsrG catalyzes isomerization of P-DPD into 3,4,4-trihydroxy-2-pentanone-5-phosphate. We present the crystal structure of LsrG, identify potential catalytic residues, and determine which of these residues affects P-DPD processing in vivo and in vitro. We also show that an lsrG deletion mutant accumulates at least 10 times more P-DPD than wild type cells. Consistent with this result, we find that the lsrG mutant has increased expression of the lsr operon and an altered profile of AI-2 accumulation and removal. Understanding of the biochemical mechanisms employed by bacteria to quench signaling of other species can be of great utility in the development of therapies to control bacterial behavior.« less

A model of lipid-free Apolipoprotein A-I revealed by iterative molecular dynamics simulation

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Xing; Lei, Dongsheng; Zhang, Lei; ...

2015-03-20

Apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), the major protein component of high-density lipoprotein, has been proven inversely correlated to cardiovascular risk in past decades. The lipid-free state of apo A-I is the initial stage which binds to lipids forming high-density lipoprotein. Molecular models of lipid-free apo A-I have been reported by methods like X-ray crystallography and chemical cross-linking/mass spectrometry (CCL/MS). Through structural analysis we found that those current models had limited consistency with other experimental results, such as those from hydrogen exchange with mass spectrometry. Through molecular dynamics simulations, we also found those models could not reach a stable equilibrium state. Therefore,more » by integrating various experimental results, we proposed a new structural model for lipidfree apo A-I, which contains a bundled four-helix N-terminal domain (1–192) that forms a variable hydrophobic groove and a mobile short hairpin C-terminal domain (193–243). This model exhibits an equilibrium state through molecular dynamics simulation and is consistent with most of the experimental results known from CCL/MS on lysine pairs, fluorescence resonance energy transfer and hydrogen exchange. This solution-state lipid-free apo A-I model may elucidate the possible conformational transitions of apo A-I binding with lipids in high-density lipoprotein formation.« less

Automated Data Processing as an AI Planning Problem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golden, Keith; Pang, Wanlin; Nemani, Ramakrishna; Votava, Petr

2003-01-01

NASA s vision for Earth Science is to build a "sensor web"; an adaptive array of heterogeneous satellites and other sensors that will track important events, such as storms, and provide real-time information about the state of the Earth to a wide variety of customers. Achieving his vision will require automation not only in the scheduling of the observations but also in the processing af tee resulting data. Ta address this need, we have developed a planner-based agent to automatically generate and execute data-flow programs to produce the requested data products. Data processing domains are substantially different from other planning domains that have been explored, and this has led us to substantially different choices in terms of representation and algorithms. We discuss some of these differences and discuss the approach we have adopted.

CRI planning and scheduling for space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aarup, Mads

1994-01-01

Computer Resources International (CRI) has many years of experience in developing space planning and scheduling systems for the European Space Agency. Activities range from AIT/AIV planning over mission planning to research in on-board autonomy using advanced planning and scheduling technologies in conjunction with model based diagnostics. This article presents four projects carried out for ESA by CRI with various subcontractors: (1) DI, Distributed Intelligence for Ground/Space Systems is an on-going research project; (2) GMPT, Generic Mission Planning Toolset, a feasibility study concluded in 1993; (3) OPTIMUM-AIV, Open Planning Tool for AIV, development of a knowledge based AIV planning and scheduling tool ended in 1992; and (4) PlanERS-1, development of an AI and knowledge-based mission planning prototype for the ERS-1 earth observation spacecraft ended in 1991.

Emerging trends in geospatial artificial intelligence (geoAI): potential applications for environmental epidemiology.

PubMed

VoPham, Trang; Hart, Jaime E; Laden, Francine; Chiang, Yao-Yi

2018-04-17

Geospatial artificial intelligence (geoAI) is an emerging scientific discipline that combines innovations in spatial science, artificial intelligence methods in machine learning (e.g., deep learning), data mining, and high-performance computing to extract knowledge from spatial big data. In environmental epidemiology, exposure modeling is a commonly used approach to conduct exposure assessment to determine the distribution of exposures in study populations. geoAI technologies provide important advantages for exposure modeling in environmental epidemiology, including the ability to incorporate large amounts of big spatial and temporal data in a variety of formats; computational efficiency; flexibility in algorithms and workflows to accommodate relevant characteristics of spatial (environmental) processes including spatial nonstationarity; and scalability to model other environmental exposures across different geographic areas. The objectives of this commentary are to provide an overview of key concepts surrounding the evolving and interdisciplinary field of geoAI including spatial data science, machine learning, deep learning, and data mining; recent geoAI applications in research; and potential future directions for geoAI in environmental epidemiology.

An Empirical Test of the Nominal Group Technique in State Solar Energy Planning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stephenson, Blair Y.; And Others

1982-01-01

Investigated use of the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) as an informational input mechanism into the formulation of a Solar Energy Plan. Data collected from a questionnaire indicated that the NGT was rated as being a highly effective mechanism providing input into the solar energy planning process. (Author/RC)

[Application of 3S techniques in ecological landscape planning of Harbin suburb].

PubMed

Fan, Wenyi; Gong, Wenfeng; Liu, Dandan; Zhou, Hongze; Zhu, Ning

2005-12-01

With the image data (SPOT), soil utilization map (1:50000) and other related materials of Harbin, and under the support of GIS, RS and GPS techniques, this paper obtained the landscape pattern of Harbin suburb and the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Harbin. Indices including mean patch area, landscape dominance, mean slope, mean altitude, and fragmentation degree were selected and synthetically analyzed, with the ecological landscape planning made by DEM model. The results showed that 3S techniques could help to decide typical landscape types. The landscape type database was established, and the landscape type thematic map was generated, with land use status and landscape distribution, physiognomy, and land use types combined. The ecological landscape planning was described in large scale with the image data and DEM combined, and the landscape structure of Harbin suburb was reflected directly with the ecological landscape planning and DEM combined, which improved the ecological function in this region, and provided scientific bases to the healthy development in urban-rural integration area.

Human Factors Plan for the Aeronautical Information Subsystem

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1994-10-01

This human factors plan covers the human factors effort for the development of the Aeronautical Information Subsystem (AIS) of the Operational Data Management System (ODMS). Broadly the goals of the human factors effort are to provide a user interfac...

The AI Bus architecture for distributed knowledge-based systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schultz, Roger D.; Stobie, Iain

1991-01-01

The AI Bus architecture is layered, distributed object oriented framework developed to support the requirements of advanced technology programs for an order of magnitude improvement in software costs. The consequent need for highly autonomous computer systems, adaptable to new technology advances over a long lifespan, led to the design of an open architecture and toolbox for building large scale, robust, production quality systems. The AI Bus accommodates a mix of knowledge based and conventional components, running on heterogeneous, distributed real world and testbed environment. The concepts and design is described of the AI Bus architecture and its current implementation status as a Unix C++ library or reusable objects. Each high level semiautonomous agent process consists of a number of knowledge sources together with interagent communication mechanisms based on shared blackboards and message passing acquaintances. Standard interfaces and protocols are followed for combining and validating subsystems. Dynamic probes or demons provide an event driven means for providing active objects with shared access to resources, and each other, while not violating their security.

Operational flow visualization techniques in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corlett, W. A.

1982-01-01

The unitary plan wind tunnel (UPWT) uses in daily operation are shown. New ideas for improving the quality of established flow visualization methods are developed and programs on promising new flow visualization techniques are pursued. The unitary plan wind tunnel is a supersonic facility, referred to as a production facility, although the majority of tests are inhouse basic research investigations. The facility has two 4 ft. by 4 ft. test sections which span a Mach range from 1.5 to 4.6. The cost of operation is about $10 per minute. Problems are the time required for a flow visualization test setup and investigation costs and the ability to obtain consistently repeatable results. Examples of sublimation, vapor screen, oil flow, minitufts, schlieren, and shadowgraphs taken in UPWT are presented. All tests in UPWT employ one or more of the flow visualization techniques.

Characterization of the apolipoprotein AI and CIII genes in the domestic pig

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Birchbauer, A.; Knipping, G.; Juritsch, B.

1993-03-01

The apolipoproteins (apo) AI and CIII are important constituents of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins. In humans, apo AI is believed to play an important protective role in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis, whereas apo CIII might be involved in the development of hypertriglyceridemia. Both human genes are located within a gene cluster on chromosome 11. Although the domestic pig has been widely used as an animal model in arteriosclerosis and lipid research, the porcine apolipoproteins genes are poorly characterized. In this report, the complete nucleotide sequences of the porcine apo AI and CIII genes are presented and the authors demonstrate,more » for the first time, apo CIII expression in the pig. Both genes are composed of four exons and three introns and resemble closely their human counterparts with regard to the transcriptional start sites, exon sizes, intron sizes, exon-intron borders, and the size of the intergenic region. The predicted pig apo AI is a protein of 241 amino acids, which is 2 amino acids shorter than human apo AI. The protein sequence was found to be very homologous to apo AI sequences in other mammalian species. Apo AI expression was detected on the mRNA level in porcine liver and intestine. The apo CIII gene encodes a protein with 73 amino acids, which is 6 amino acids shorter than human apo CIII. In contrast to the three isoforms of apo CIII found in humans, only one major isoform was detected in the pig. Presumably this isoform is unglycosylated. In addition to apo CIII expression in the liver and the intestine, a truncated form of apo CIII mRNA was also found in porcine kidney. The studies demonstrate the presence of an apo CIII gene, an apo CIII mRNA, and an apo CIII protein in the pig and, therefore, exclude a hypothesized apo CIII deficiency in these animals. 53 refs., 5 figs.« less

Virulence of Trypanosoma cruzi in Açai ( Euterpe oleraceae Martius) Pulp following Mild Heat Treatment.

PubMed

Barbosa, Rodrigo Labello; Pereira, Karen Signori; Dias, Viviane Liotti; Schmidt, Flávio Luis; Alves, Delma Pegolo; Guaraldo, Ana Maria Aparecida; Passos, Luiz Augusto Corrêa

2016-10-01

Outbreaks of acute Chagas disease (ACD) in northern Brazil can be caused by the ingestion of unprocessed açai pulp contaminated with Trypanosoma cruzi . The aim of this study was to determine the minimum thermal process required to inactivate T. cruzi in açai pulp. Trypomastigotes (100,000) of T. cruzi Y strain were added to 0.15 M NaCl or açai pulp and continuously mixed while being heat treated at 37 to 49°C for up to 1 h. When necessary, parasites were separated from açai pulp by forced sieving. Inocula were administrated intraperitoneally in inbred immunodeficient C.B-17-Prkdc scid /Pas Unib mice, and the recipients were monitored for parasitemia and mortality. Mice received prophylactic antibiotic therapy by using cephalexin to prevent bacterial infection from the açai pulp. T. cruzi retained its virulence in 0.15 M NaCl and açai pulp at 44 ± 0.1°C for 10 min and at 43 ± 0.1°C for 20 min, respectively, causing ACD and death in mice up to 24 days after infection. Incubation of açai pulp inoculum above 43°C for 20 min neutralized T. cruzi virulence, thereby preventing ACD and death in murine recipients. The heating of açai pulp above 43°C for 20 min is a practical and effective measure to prevent foodborne ACD caused by T. cruzi .

Evaluation of AIS Data for Agronomic and Rangeland Vegetation: Preliminary Results for August 1984 Flight over Nebraska Sandhills Agricultural Laboratory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blad, B. L.; Starks, P. J.; Hays, C.; Gardner, B. R.

1985-01-01

Since 1978 scientists from the Center for Agricultural Meteorology and Climatology at the University of Nebraska have been conducting research at the Sandhills Agricultural Laboratory on the effects of water stress on crop growth, development and yield using remote sensing techniques. We have been working to develop techniques, both remote and ground-based, to monitor water stress, phenological development, leaf area, phytomass production and grain yields of corn, soybeans and sorghum. Because of the sandy soils and relatively low rainfall at the site it is an excellent location to study water stress without the necessity of installing expensive rainout shelters. The primary objectives of research with the airborne imaging spectrometer (AIS) data collected during an August 1984 flight over the Sandhills Agricultural Laboratory are to evaluate the potential of using AIS to: (1) discriminate crop type; (2) to detect subtle architectural differences that exist among different cultivars or hybrids of agronomic crops; (3) to detect and quantify, if possible, the level of water stress imposed on the crops; and (4) to evaluate leaf area and biomass differences for different crops.

Dry eyes and AIs: If you don't ask you won't find out.

PubMed

Inglis, Holly; Boyle, Frances M; Friedlander, Michael L; Watson, Stephanie L

2015-12-01

Our objective was to investigate the hypothesis that women on adjuvant aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for treatment of breast cancer have a higher prevalence of dry eye syndrome (DES) compared with controls. Exposure and control groups were recruited. A cross sectional questionnaire-based study was performed. Demographic data and medical histories were collected. The presence of dry eye syndrome was determined by the ocular surface disease index (OSDI). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment - Endocrine Subscale (FACT-ES) was performed to investigate correlations with other side effects of AIs. 93 exposure group and 100 control group questionnaires were included. The groups were similar in all demographic variables. The prevalence of dry eye syndrome was 35% (exposure) and 18% (control) (p < 0.01, OR 2.5). AIs were the only factor associated with dry eyes. The OSDI score was negatively correlated with the total FACT-ES score and positively correlated with duration of treatment. Our study is the first to use a validated questionnaire to assess for DES in this population. DES is significantly more prevalent in women on AIs compared with controls. This is a newly emerging, and easily treated side effect of AIs. Self-reporting of dry eye symptoms underestimates the prevalence of DES with AIs. We recommend routine screening of patients on AIs with the OSDI with the aim of improving patient quality of life and possibly adherence. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Using C to build a satellite scheduling expert system: Examples from the Explorer platform planning system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mclean, David R.; Tuchman, Alan; Potter, William J.

1991-01-01

Recently, many expert systems were developed in a LISP environment and then ported to the real world C environment before the final system is delivered. This situation may require that the entire system be completely rewritten in C and may actually result in a system which is put together as quickly as possible with little regard for maintainability and further evolution. With the introduction of high performance UNIX and X-windows based workstations, a great deal of the advantages of developing a first system in the LISP environment have become questionable. A C-based AI development effort is described which is based on a software tools approach with emphasis on reusability and maintainability of code. The discussion starts with simple examples of how list processing can easily be implemented in C and then proceeds to the implementations of frames and objects which use dynamic memory allocation. The implementation of procedures which use depth first search, constraint propagation, context switching and a blackboard-like simulation environment are described. Techniques for managing the complexity of C-based AI software are noted, especially the object-oriented techniques of data encapsulation and incremental development. Finally, all these concepts are put together by describing the components of planning software called the Planning And Resource Reasoning (PARR) shell. This shell was successfully utilized for scheduling services of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System for the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite since May 1987 and will be used for operations scheduling of the Explorer Platform in November 1991.

76 FR 74630 - Making Changes to Emergency Plans for Nuclear Power Reactors

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-01

... NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 10 CFR Parts 50 and 52 RIN 3150-AI10 [NRC-2008-0122] Making Changes to Emergency Plans for Nuclear Power Reactors AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION... guide (RG) 1.219, ``Guidance on Making Changes to Emergency Plans for Nuclear Power Reactors.'' This...

DNA inversion within the apolipoproteins AI/CIII/AIV-encoding gene cluster of certain patients with premature atherosclerosis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karathanasis, S.K.; Ferris, E.; Haddad, I.A.

1987-10-01

The genes coding for apolipoproteins (apo) AI, CIII, and AIV, designated APOA1, APOC3, and APOA4, respectively, are closely linked and tandemly organized in the long arm of the human chromosome 11. A DNA rearrangement involving the genes encoding apoAI and apoCIII in certain patients with premature atherosclerosis has been associated with deficiency of both apoAI and apoCIII in the plasma of these patients. Structural characterization of the genes for apoAI and apoCIII in one of these patients indicates that this rearrangement consists of a DNA inversion containing portions of the 3' ends of the apoAI and apoCIII genes, including themore » DNA region between these genes. The breakpoints of this DNA inversion are located within the fourth exon of the apoAI gene and the first intron of the apoCIII gene. Thus, this DNA inversion results in reciprocal fusion of the apoAI and apoCIII gene transcriptional units. Expression of these gene fusions in cultured mammalian cells results in stable mRNA transcripts with sequences representing fusions of the apoAI and apoCIII mRNAs. These results indicate that absence of transcripts with correct apoAI and apoCIII mRNA sequences causes apoAI and apoCIII deficiency in the plasma of these patients and suggest that these apolipoproteins are involved in cholesterol homeostasis and protection against premature atherosclerosis.« less

Quadrant Analysis as a Strategic Planning Technique in Curriculum Development and Program Marketing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lynch, James; And Others

1996-01-01

Quadrant analysis, a widely-used research technique, is suggested as useful in college or university strategic planning. The technique uses consumer preference data and produces information suitable for a wide variety of curriculum and marketing decisions. Basic quadrant analysis design is described, and advanced variations are discussed, with…

Remote sensing techniques aid in preattack planning for fire management

Treesearch

Lucy Anne Salazar

1982-01-01

Remote sensing techniques were investigated as an alternative for documenting selected prettack fire planning information. Locations of fuel models, road systems, and water sources were recorded by Landsat satellite imagery and aerial photography for a portion of the Six Rivers National Forest in northwestern California. The two fuel model groups used were from the...

Assessment techniques for a learning-centered curriculum: evaluation design for adventures in supercomputing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Helland, B.; Summers, B.G.

1996-09-01

As the classroom paradigm shifts from being teacher-centered to being learner-centered, student assessments are evolving from typical paper and pencil testing to other methods of evaluation. Students should be probed for understanding, reasoning, and critical thinking abilities rather than their ability to return memorized facts. The assessment of the Department of Energy`s pilot program, Adventures in Supercomputing (AiS), offers one example of assessment techniques developed for learner-centered curricula. This assessment has employed a variety of methods to collect student data. Methods of assessment used were traditional testing, performance testing, interviews, short questionnaires via email, and student presentations of projects. Themore » data obtained from these sources have been analyzed by a professional assessment team at the Center for Children and Technology. The results have been used to improve the AiS curriculum and establish the quality of the overall AiS program. This paper will discuss the various methods of assessment used and the results.« less

C++ Planning and Resource Reasoning (PARR) shell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcintyre, James; Tuchman, Alan; Mclean, David; Littlefield, Ronald

1994-01-01

This paper describes a generic, C++ version of the Planning and Resource Reasoning (PARR) shell which has been developed to supersede the C-based versions of PARR that are currently used to support AI planning and scheduling applications in flight operations centers at Goddard Space Flight Center. This new object-oriented version of PARR can be more easily customized to build a variety of planning and scheduling applications, and C++ PARR applications can be more easily ported to different environments. Genetic classes, constraints, strategies, and paradigms are described along with two types of PARR interfaces.

Comparative planning evaluation of intensity-modulated radiotherapy techniques for complex lung cancer cases.

PubMed

Yartsev, Slav; Chen, Jeff; Yu, Edward; Kron, Tomas; Rodrigues, George; Coad, Terry; Trenka, Kristina; Wong, Eugene; Bauman, Glenn; Dyk, Jake Van

2006-02-01

Lung cancer treatment can be one of the most challenging fields in radiotherapy. The aim of the present study was to compare different modalities of radiation delivery based on a balanced scoring scheme for target coverage and normal tissue avoidance. Treatment plans were developed for 15 patients with stage III inoperable non-small cell lung cancer using 3D conformal technique and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Elective nodal irradiation was included for all cases to create the most challenging scenarios with large target volumes. A 2 cm margin was used around the gross tumour volume (GTV) to generate PTV2 and 1cm margin around elective nodes for PTV1 resulting in PTV1 volumes larger than 1000 cm(3) in 13 of the 15 patients. 3D conformal and IMRT plans were generated on a commercial treatment planning system (TheraPlan Plus, Nucletron) with various combinations of beam energies and gantry angles. A 'dose quality factor' (DQF) was introduced to correlate the plan quality with patient specific parameters. A good correlation was found between the quality of the plans and the overlap between PTV1 and lungs. The patient feature factor (PFF), which is a product of several pertinent characteristics, was introduced to facilitate the choice of a particular technique for a particular patient. This approach may allow the evaluation of different treatment options prior to actual planning, subject to validation in larger prospective data sets.

Application of modified dynamic conformal arc (MDCA) technique on liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) planning following RTOG 0438 guideline

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shi, Chengyu, E-mail: shicy1974@yahoo.com; Chen, Yong; Fang, Deborah

2015-04-01

Liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a feasible treatment method for the nonoperable, patient with early-stage liver cancer. Treatment planning for the SBRT is very important and has to consider the simulation accuracy, planning time, treatment efficiency effects etc. The modified dynamic conformal arc (MDCA) technique is a 3-dimensional conformal arc planning method, which has been proposed for liver SBRT planning at our center. In this study, we compared the MDCA technique with the RapidArc technique in terms of planning target volume (PTV) coverage and sparing of organs at risk (OARs). The results show that the MDCA technique hasmore » comparable plan quality to RapidArc considering PTV coverage, hot spots, heterogeneity index, and effective liver volume. For the 5 PTVs studied among 4 patients, the MDCA plan, when compared with the RapidArc plan, showed 9% more hot spots, more heterogeneity effect, more sparing of OARs, and lower liver effective volume. The monitor unit (MU) number for the MDCA plan is much lower than for the RapidArc plans. The MDCA plan has the advantages of less planning time, no-collision treatment, and a lower MU number.« less

A knowledge-based approach to improving optimization techniques in system planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Momoh, J. A.; Zhang, Z. Z.

1990-01-01

A knowledge-based (KB) approach to improve mathematical programming techniques used in the system planning environment is presented. The KB system assists in selecting appropriate optimization algorithms, objective functions, constraints and parameters. The scheme is implemented by integrating symbolic computation of rules derived from operator and planner's experience and is used for generalized optimization packages. The KB optimization software package is capable of improving the overall planning process which includes correction of given violations. The method was demonstrated on a large scale power system discussed in the paper.

Triglyceride enrichment of HDL enhances in vivo metabolic clearance of HDL apo A-I in healthy men

PubMed Central

Lamarche, Benoît; Uffelman, Kristine D.; Carpentier, André; Cohn, Jeffrey S.; Steiner, George; Barrett, P. Hugh; Lewis, Gary F.

1999-01-01

Triglyceride (TG) enrichment of HDL resulting from cholesteryl ester transfer protein–mediated exchange with TG-rich lipoproteins may enhance the lipolytic transformation and subsequent metabolic clearance of HDL particles in hypertriglyceridemic states. The present study investigates the effect of TG enrichment of HDL on the clearance of HDL-associated apo A-I in humans. HDL was isolated from plasma of six normolipidemic men (mean age: 29.7 ± 2.7 years) in the fasting state and after a five-hour intravenous infusion with a synthetic TG emulsion, Intralipid. Intralipid infusion resulted in a 2.1-fold increase in the TG content of HDL. Each tracer was then whole-labeled with 125I or 131I and injected intravenously into the subject. Apo A-I in TG-enriched HDL was cleared 26% more rapidly than apo A-I in fasting HDL. A strong correlation between the Intralipid-induced increase in the TG content of HDL and the increase in HDL apo A-I fractional catabolic rate reinforced the importance of TG enrichment of HDL in enhancing its metabolic clearance. HDL was separated further into lipoproteins containing apo A-II (LpAI:AII) and those without apo A-II (LpAI). Results revealed that the enhanced clearance of apo A-I from TG-enriched HDL could be largely attributed to differences in the clearance of LpAI but not LpAI:AII. This is, to our knowledge, the first direct demonstration in humans that TG enrichment of HDL enhances the clearance of HDL apo A-I from the circulation. This phenomenon could provide an important mechanism explaining how HDL apo A-I and HDL cholesterol are lowered in hypertriglyceridemic states. PMID:10207171

Extracting uranium from seawater: Promising AI series adsorbents

DOE PAGES

Das, Sadananda; Oyola, Y.; Mayes, Richard T.; ...

2015-11-10

A series of adsorbent (AI10 through AI17) were successfully developed at ORNL by radiation induced graft polymerization (RIGP) of acrylonitrile (AN) and vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) (at different mole/mole ratios) onto high surface area polyethylene fiber, with higher degree of grafting which ranges from 110 300%. The grafted nitrile groups were converted to amidoxime groups by reaction with 10 wt% hydroxylamine at 80 C for 72 hours. The amidoximated adsorbents were then conditioned with 0.44M KOH at 80 C followed by screening at ORNL with simulated seawater spiked with 8 ppm uranium. Uranium adsorption capacity in simulated seawater screening ranged frommore » 171-187 g-U/kg-ads irrespective of %DOG. The performance of the adsorbents for uranium adsorption in natural seawater was also carried out using flow-through-column at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The three hours KOH conditioning was better for higher uranium uptake than one hour. The adsorbent AI11 containing AN and VPA at the mole ration of 3.52, emerged as the potential candidate for higher uranium adsorption (3.35 g-U/Kg-ads.) after 56 days of exposure in the seawater in the flow-through-column. The rate vanadium adsorption over uranium was linearly increased throughout the 56 days exposure. The total vanadium uptake was ~5 times over uranium after 56 days.« less

Extracting uranium from seawater: Promising AI series adsorbents

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Das, Sadananda; Oyola, Y.; Mayes, Richard T.

A series of adsorbent (AI10 through AI17) were successfully developed at ORNL by radiation induced graft polymerization (RIGP) of acrylonitrile (AN) and vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) (at different mole/mole ratios) onto high surface area polyethylene fiber, with higher degree of grafting which ranges from 110 300%. The grafted nitrile groups were converted to amidoxime groups by reaction with 10 wt% hydroxylamine at 80 C for 72 hours. The amidoximated adsorbents were then conditioned with 0.44M KOH at 80 C followed by screening at ORNL with simulated seawater spiked with 8 ppm uranium. Uranium adsorption capacity in simulated seawater screening ranged frommore » 171-187 g-U/kg-ads irrespective of %DOG. The performance of the adsorbents for uranium adsorption in natural seawater was also carried out using flow-through-column at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The three hours KOH conditioning was better for higher uranium uptake than one hour. The adsorbent AI11 containing AN and VPA at the mole ration of 3.52, emerged as the potential candidate for higher uranium adsorption (3.35 g-U/Kg-ads.) after 56 days of exposure in the seawater in the flow-through-column. The rate vanadium adsorption over uranium was linearly increased throughout the 56 days exposure. The total vanadium uptake was ~5 times over uranium after 56 days.« less

Impact of pig insemination technique and semen preparation on profitability.

PubMed

Gonzalez-Peña, D; Knox, R V; Pettigrew, J; Rodriguez-Zas, S L

2014-01-01

Artificial insemination technique and semen preparation impact boar utilization efficiency, genetic dissemination, and biosecurity. Intrauterine (IUI) and deep intrauterine (DUI) AI techniques require lower number of spermatozoa per dose compared to conventional (CON) AI. Frozen semen (FRO) has been associated with lower reproductive performance compared to fresh semen (FRE) preparation. The combined effects of 3 AI techniques (CON, IUI, and DUI) and 2 semen preparations (FRE and FRO) on the financial indicators of a pig crossbreeding system were studied. A 3-tier system was simulated in ZPLAN and the genetic improvement in a representative scenario was characterized. The cross of nucleus lines B and A generated 200,000 BA sows at the multiplier level. The BA sows were inseminated (CON, IUI, or DUI) with FRE or FRO from line C boars at the commercial level. Semen preparation and AI technique were represented by distinct sow:boar ratios in the C × BA cross. A range of farrowing rates (60 to 90%) and litter sizes (8 to 14 liveborn pigs) were tested. Genetic improvement per year for number born alive, adjusted 21-d litter weight, days to 113.5 kg, backfat, and ADG were 0.01 pigs per litter, 0.06 kg, -0.09 d, -0.29 mm, and 0.88 g, respectively. On average, the net profit for FRE (FRO) increased (P-value < 0.0001) from CON to IUI and DUI by 2.2 (3.2%) and 2.6% (4%), respectively. The differences in profit between techniques were driven by differences in costs. Differences in fixed costs between IUI and DUI relative to CON were -2.4 (-5.2%) and -3.4% (-7.4%), respectively. The differences in total costs between FRE and FRO were lower than -5%. The difference in variable costs between FRE and FRO ranged from -5.3 (CON) to -24.7% (DUI). Overall, insemination technique and semen preparation had a nonlinear effect on profit. The average relative difference in profit between FRE and FRO was less than 3% for the scenarios studied.

78 FR 16783 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Georgia; Control Techniques Guidelines and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-19

... Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Georgia; Control Techniques Guidelines and Reasonably Available Control...), related to reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements. This correcting amendment corrects... October 21, 2009, SIP submittal for certain source categories for which EPA has issued control technique...

Changing to AIS 2005 and agreement of injury severity scores in a trauma registry with scores based on manual chart review.

PubMed

Stewart, Kenneth E; Cowan, Linda D; Thompson, David M

2011-09-01

The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) recently underwent a major revision from AIS 98 to AIS 05. AIS injury codes form the basis of widely used injury severity scores such as the injury severity score (ISS). ISS thresholds are often used in trauma case definitions and ISS is widely used in injury research to adjust for injury severity. This study evaluated changes from AIS 98 to AIS 05, the changes' effect on ISS distributions, and presents an application of the results. Injury descriptions from medical records of 137 randomly selected patients in the Oklahoma Trauma Registry (OTR) were obtained. A single trained coder used AIS 98 and AIS 05 to code each injury. ISS values were calculated and grouped into 4 categories: 1-8, 9-14, 16-24, >24. Paired ISS was compared using Kappa statistics and tests of symmetry. We identified common injury diagnoses for which AIS severity changed between versions. Estimates of the proportion of patients changing ISS groups were applied to the entire OTR to assess the impact on reporting and on a model for reimbursement. OTR AIS 98 and manual AIS 98-based ISS values had a weighted Kappa of 0.71. OTR AIS 98 and manual AIS 05-based ISS values had a Kappa of 0.58. Manual AIS 98 and manual AIS 05 ISS had the highest Kappa of 0.81, however, though the scores differed by only 1 ISS category, there were 30 discordant pairs. The distribution of these discordant pairs was not symmetrical (Bowker's S=30; df=6; p<0.0001) with AIS 05-based ISS values consistently shifted to a lower ISS category. Reductions in AIS severity and ISS values using AIS 05 were common for extremity fractures and thorax injuries. The results suggest fewer patients would be reported to the OTR or be eligible for reimbursement. Changing from AIS 98 to AIS 05 injury coding resulted in systematic changes in AIS codes and ISS. Specific injuries and body regions were differentially affected. Trauma registries and injury researchers that use AIS based injury coding can use this

An AIS-based approach to calculate atmospheric emissions from the UK fishing fleet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coello, Jonathan; Williams, Ian; Hudson, Dominic A.; Kemp, Simon

2015-08-01

The fishing industry is heavily reliant on the use of fossil fuel and emits large quantities of greenhouse gases and other atmospheric pollutants. Methods used to calculate fishing vessel emissions inventories have traditionally utilised estimates of fuel efficiency per unit of catch. These methods have weaknesses because they do not easily allow temporal and geographical allocation of emissions. A large proportion of fishing and other small commercial vessels are also omitted from global shipping emissions inventories such as the International Maritime Organisation's Greenhouse Gas Studies. This paper demonstrates an activity-based methodology for the production of temporally- and spatially-resolved emissions inventories using data produced by Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). The methodology addresses the issue of how to use AIS data for fleets where not all vessels use AIS technology and how to assign engine load when vessels are towing trawling or dredging gear. The results of this are compared to a fuel-based methodology using publicly available European Commission fisheries data on fuel efficiency and annual catch. The results show relatively good agreement between the two methodologies, with an estimate of 295.7 kilotons of fuel used and 914.4 kilotons of carbon dioxide emitted between May 2012 and May 2013 using the activity-based methodology. Different methods of calculating speed using AIS data are also compared. The results indicate that using the speed data contained directly in the AIS data is preferable to calculating speed from the distance and time interval between consecutive AIS data points.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), environment, exposome and epigenetics: a molecular perspective of postnatal normal spinal growth and the etiopathogenesis of AIS with consideration of a network approach and possible implications for medical therapy

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Genetic factors are believed to play an important role in the etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Discordant findings for monozygotic (MZ) twins with AIS show that environmental factors including different intrauterine environments are important in etiology, but what these environmental factors may be is unknown. Recent evidence for common chronic non-communicable diseases suggests epigenetic differences may underlie MZ twin discordance, and be the link between environmental factors and phenotypic differences. DNA methylation is one important epigenetic mechanism operating at the interface between genome and environment to regulate phenotypic plasticity with a complex regulation across the genome during the first decade of life. The word exposome refers to the totality of environmental exposures from conception onwards, comprising factors in external and internal environments. The word exposome is used here also in relation to physiologic and etiopathogenetic factors that affect normal spinal growth and may induce the deformity of AIS. In normal postnatal spinal growth we propose a new term and concept, physiologic growth-plate exposome for the normal processes particularly of the internal environments that may have epigenetic effects on growth plates of vertebrae. In AIS, we propose a new term and concept pathophysiologic scoliogenic exposome for the abnormal processes in molecular pathways particularly of the internal environment currently expressed as etiopathogenetic hypotheses; these are suggested to have deforming effects on the growth plates of vertebrae at cell, tissue, structure and/or organ levels that are considered to be epigenetic. New research is required for chromatin modifications including DNA methylation in AIS subjects and vertebral growth plates excised at surgery. In addition, consideration is needed for a possible network approach to etiopathogenesis by constructing AIS diseasomes. These approaches may lead through screening

The effect of Ai Chi aquatic therapy on individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study.

PubMed

So, Billy C L; Kong, Iris S Y; Lee, Roy K L; Man, Ryan W F; Tse, William H K; Fong, Adalade K W; Tsang, William W N

2017-05-01

[Purpose] To examine the efficacy of Ai Chi in relieving the pain and stiffness of knee osteoarthritis and improving, physical functioning, proprioception and quality of life. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-five persons with knee osteoarthritis completed 5 weeks Ai Chi practice (60 minutes per session, twice per week, 10 sessions in total). Knee pain and stiffness were measured before and after the intervention program. [Results] Significant improvements in pain, self-perceived physical functioning and self-perceived stiffness were observed after the Ai-Chi intervention. On average, no significant change in knee range of motion, 6-minute walk test distances or proprioception was observed. [Conclusion] A five-week Ai Chi intervention can improve the pain and stiffness of knee osteoarthritis and self-perceived physical functions and quality of life improvement. Ai Chi may be another treatment choice for people with knee OA to practice in the community.

Development of an expert based ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM map to AIS 2005 update 2008.

PubMed

Loftis, Kathryn L; Price, Janet P; Gillich, Patrick J; Cookman, Kathy J; Brammer, Amy L; St Germain, Trish; Barnes, Jo; Graymire, Vickie; Nayduch, Donna A; Read-Allsopp, Christine; Baus, Katherine; Stanley, Patsye A; Brennan, Maureen

2016-09-01

This article describes how maps were developed from the clinical modifications of the 9th and 10th revisions of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) to the Abbreviated Injury Scale 2005 Update 2008 (AIS08). The development of the mapping methodology is described, with discussion of the major assumptions used in the process to map ICD codes to AIS severities. There were many intricacies to developing the maps, because the 2 coding systems, ICD and AIS, were developed for different purposes and contain unique classification structures to meet these purposes. Experts in ICD and AIS analyzed the rules and coding guidelines of both injury coding schemes to develop rules for mapping ICD injury codes to the AIS08. This involved subject-matter expertise, detailed knowledge of anatomy, and an in-depth understanding of injury terms and definitions as applied in both taxonomies. The official ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM versions (injury sections) were mapped to the AIS08 codes and severities, following the rules outlined in each coding manual. The panel of experts was composed of coders certified in ICD and/or AIS from around the world. In the process of developing the map from ICD to AIS, the experts created rules to address issues with the differences in coding guidelines between the 2 schemas and assure a consistent approach to all codes. Over 19,000 ICD codes were analyzed and maps were generated for each code to AIS08 chapters, AIS08 severities, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) body regions. After completion of the maps, 14,101 (74%) of the eligible 19,012 injury-related ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes were assigned valid AIS08 severity scores between 1 and 6. The remaining 4,911 codes were assigned an AIS08 of 9 (unknown) or were determined to be nonmappable because the ICD description lacked sufficient qualifying information for determining severity according to AIS rules. There were also 15,214 (80%) ICD codes mapped to AIS08 chapter and ISS body region, which

Radiation treatment planning techniques for lymphoma of the stomach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Della Biancia, Cesar; Hunt, Margie; Furhang, Eli

2005-07-01

Purpose: Involved-field radiation therapy of the stomach is often used in the curative treatment of gastric lymphoma. Yet, the optimal technique to irradiate the stomach with minimal morbidity has not been well established. This study was designed to evaluate treatment planning alternatives for stomach irradiation, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), to determine which approach resulted in improved dose distribution and to identify patient-specific anatomic factors that might influence a treatment planning choice. Methods and Materials: Fifteen patients with lymphoma of the stomach (14 mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas and 1 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) were categorized into 3 types, depending onmore » the geometric relationship between the planning target volume (PTV) and kidneys. AP/PA and 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) plans were generated for each patient. IMRT was planned for 4 patients with challenging geometric relationship between the PTV and the kidneys to determine whether it was advantageous to use IMRT. Results: For type I patients (no overlap between PTV and kidneys), there was essentially no benefit from using 3DCRT over AP/PA. However, for patients with PTVs in close proximity to the kidneys (type II) or with high degree of overlap (type III), the 4-field 3DCRT plans were superior, reducing the kidney V {sub 15Gy} by approximately 90% for type II and 50% for type III patients. For type III, the use of a 3DCRT plan rather than an AP/PA plan decreased the V {sub 15Gy} by approximately 65% for the right kidney and 45% for the left kidney. In the selected cases, IMRT led to a further decrease in left kidney dose as well as in mean liver dose. Conclusions: The geometric relationship between the target and kidneys has a significant impact on the selection of the optimum beam arrangement. Using 4-field 3DCRT markedly decreases the kidney dose. The addition of IMRT led to further incremental improvements in the left

[The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). Options and problems in application].

PubMed

Haasper, C; Junge, M; Ernstberger, A; Brehme, H; Hannawald, L; Langer, C; Nehmzow, J; Otte, D; Sander, U; Krettek, C; Zwipp, H

2010-05-01

The new AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale) was released with an update by the AAAM (Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine) in 2008. It is a universal scoring system in the field of trauma applicable in clinic and research. In engineering it is used as a classification system for vehicle safety. The AIS can therefore be considered as an international, interdisciplinary and universal code of injury severity. This review focuses on a historical overview, potential applications and new coding options in the current version and also outlines the associated problems.

Incremental Contingency Planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dearden, Richard; Meuleau, Nicolas; Ramakrishnan, Sailesh; Smith, David E.; Washington, Rich

2003-01-01

There has been considerable work in AI on planning under uncertainty. However, this work generally assumes an extremely simple model of action that does not consider continuous time and resources. These assumptions are not reasonable for a Mars rover, which must cope with uncertainty about the duration of tasks, the energy required, the data storage necessary, and its current position and orientation. In this paper, we outline an approach to generating contingency plans when the sources of uncertainty involve continuous quantities such as time and resources. The approach involves first constructing a "seed" plan, and then incrementally adding contingent branches to this plan in order to improve utility. The challenge is to figure out the best places to insert contingency branches. This requires an estimate of how much utility could be gained by building a contingent branch at any given place in the seed plan. Computing this utility exactly is intractable, but we outline an approximation method that back propagates utility distributions through a graph structure similar to that of a plan graph.

Remote Stratigraphic Analysis: Combined TM and AIS Results in the Wind River/bighorn Basin Area, Wyoming

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lang, H. R.; Paylor, E. D.; Adams, S.

1985-01-01

An in-progress study demonstrates the utility of airborne imaging spectrometer (AIS) data for unraveling the stratigraphic evolution of a North American, western interior foreland basin. AIS data are used to determine the stratigraphic distribution of mineralogical facies that are diagnostic of specific depositional environments. After wavelength and amplitude calibration using natural ground targets with known spectral characteristics, AIS data identify calcite, dolomite, gypsum and montmorillonite-bearing strata in the Permian-Cretaceous sequence. Combined AIS and TM results illustrate the feasibility of spectral stratigraphy, remote analysis of stratigraphic sequences.

AIS spectra of desert shrub canopies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murray, R.; Isaacson, D. L.; Schrumpf, B. J.; Ripple, W. J.; Lewis, A. J.

1986-01-01

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data were collected 30 August 1985 from a desert shrub community in central Oregon. Spectra from artificial targets placed on the test site and from bare soil, big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata wyomingensis), silver sagebrush (Artemesia cana bolander), and exposed volcanic rocks were studied. Spectral data from grating position 3 (tree mode) were selected from 25 ground positions for analysis by Principal Factor Analysis (PFA). In this grating position, as many as six factors were identified as significant in contributing to spectral structure. Channels 74 through 84 (tree mode) best characterized between-class differences. Other channels were identified as nondiscriminating and as associated with such errors as excessive atmospheric absorption and grating positin changes. The test site was relatively simple with the two species (A. tridentata and A. cana) representing nearly 95% of biomass and with only two mineral backgrounds, a montmorillonitic soil and volcanic rocks. If, as in this study, six factors of spectral structure can be extracted from a single grating position from data acquired over a simple vegetation community, then AIS data must be considered rich in information-gathering potential.

Knowledge Acquisition, Validation, and Maintenance in a Planning System for Automated Image Processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chien, Steve A.

1996-01-01

A key obstacle hampering fielding of AI planning applications is the considerable expense of developing, verifying, updating, and maintainting the planning knowledge base (KB). Planning systems must be able to compare favorably in terms of software lifecycle costs to other means of automation such as scripts or rule-based expert systems. This paper describes a planning application of automated imaging processing and our overall approach to knowledge acquisition for this application.

75 FR 59084 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Control Technique...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-27

... Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland; Control Technique Guidelines for Paper, Film, and... from paper, film, and foil coatings. Specifically, Maryland is amending its regulations by adopting the requirements of EPA's Control Technique Guidelines (CTG) for Paper, Film, and Foil Coatings. These amendments...

Treatment planning and dosimetric comparison study on two different volumetric modulated arc therapy delivery techniques

PubMed Central

Kumar, S.A. Syam; Holla, Raghavendra; Sukumar, Prabakar; Padmanaban, Sriram; Vivekanandan, Nagarajan

2012-01-01

Aim To compare and evaluate the performance of two different volumetric modulated arc therapy delivery techniques. Background Volumetric modulated arc therapy is a novel technique that has recently been made available for clinical use. Planning and dosimetric comparison study was done for Elekta VMAT and Varian RapidArc for different treatment sites. Materials and methods Ten patients were selected for the planning comparison study. This includes 2 head and neck, 2 oesophagus, 1 bladder, 3 cervix and 2 rectum cases. Total dose of 50 Gy was given for all the plans. All plans were done for RapidArc using Eclipse and for Elekta VMAT with Monaco treatment planning system. All plans were generated with 6 MV X-rays for both RapidArc and Elekta VMAT. Plans were evaluated based on the ability to meet the dose volume histogram, dose homogeneity index, radiation conformity index, estimated radiation delivery time, integral dose and monitor units needed to deliver the prescribed dose. Results RapidArc plans achieved the best conformity (CI95% = 1.08 ± 0.07) while Elekta VMAT plans were slightly inferior (CI95% = 1.10 ± 0.05). The in-homogeneity in the PTV was highest with Elekta VMAT with HI equal to 0.12 ± 0.02 Gy when compared to RapidArc with 0.08 ± 0.03. Significant changes were observed between the RapidArc and Elekta VMAT plans in terms of the healthy tissue mean dose and integral dose. Elekta VMAT plans show a reduction in the healthy tissue mean dose (6.92 ± 2.90) Gy when compared to RapidArc (7.83 ± 3.31) Gy. The integral dose is found to be inferior with Elekta VMAT (11.50 ± 6.49) × 104 Gy cm3 when compared to RapidArc (13.11 ± 7.52) × 104 Gy cm3. Both Varian RapidArc and Elekta VMAT respected the planning objective for all organs at risk. Gamma analysis result for the pre-treatment quality assurance shows good agreement between the planned and delivered fluence for 3 mm DTA, 3% DD for all the evaluated points inside the

9-cis-retinoic acid increases apolipoprotein AI secretion and mRNA expression in HepG2 cells.

PubMed

Haghpassand, M; Moberly, J B

1995-10-01

HepG2 cells were studied as a model for regulation of hepatic apolipoprotein AI (apo AI) secretion and gene expression by 9-cis-retinoic acid. HepG2 cells cultured on plastic dishes were exposed to 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA) for 48 h with a complete media change at 24 h. Apo AI mass in cultured media was determined by ELISA, by quantitative immunoblotting and by steady-state 35S-methionine labeling. Messenger RNA levels were determined by RNase protection using probes for apo AI and the housekeeping gene, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH). 9-cis-RA increased secretion of apo AI by 52% at doses of 10 and 1 microM (6.3 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.2 +/- 0.3; P < 0.005; 6.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.7 ng of apo AI/mg cell protein, P < 0.05) and by 35% at 0.1 microM (5.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.4 ng apo AI/mg protein, P < 0.05, n = 4). Immunoblotting results were consistent with results from ELISA (70% increase at 10 microM 9-cis-RA, P < 0.001; 34% increase at 1 microM, P < 0.005, n = 3). Metabolically labeled apoAI in the medium was increased by 39% following steady-state labeling in the presence of 10 microM 9-cis-RA (597 +/- 7 vs. 430 +/- 13 DPM/microliters media; P < 0.001; n = 4). 9-cis-RA (10 microM) also increased HepG2 cell apo AI mRNA expression by 76% (68 700 +/- 400 vs. 38 900 +/- 2700 DPM, P < 0.01, n = 4), whereas expression of G3PDH mRNA was slightly decreased (14%, P < 0.05). Thus, 9-cis-RA stimulates apo AI expression in HepG2 cells, suggesting a role for retinoids in activating endogenous apo AI gene expression.

Applying AI to the Writer's Learning Environment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Houlette, Forrest

1991-01-01

Discussion of current applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to writing focuses on how to represent knowledge of the writing process in a way that links procedural knowledge to other types of knowledge. A model is proposed that integrates the subtasks of writing into the process of writing itself. (15 references) (LRW)

Assessing sound exposure from shipping in coastal waters using a single hydrophone and Automatic Identification System (AIS) data.

PubMed

Merchant, Nathan D; Witt, Matthew J; Blondel, Philippe; Godley, Brendan J; Smith, George H

2012-07-01

Underwater noise from shipping is a growing presence throughout the world's oceans, and may be subjecting marine fauna to chronic noise exposure with potentially severe long-term consequences. The coincidence of dense shipping activity and sensitive marine ecosystems in coastal environments is of particular concern, and noise assessment methodologies which describe the high temporal variability of sound exposure in these areas are needed. We present a method of characterising sound exposure from shipping using continuous passive acoustic monitoring combined with Automatic Identification System (AIS) shipping data. The method is applied to data recorded in Falmouth Bay, UK. Absolute and relative levels of intermittent ship noise contributions to the 24-h sound exposure level are determined using an adaptive threshold, and the spatial distribution of potential ship sources is then analysed using AIS data. This technique can be used to prioritize shipping noise mitigation strategies in coastal marine environments. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Extracting Uranium from Seawater: Promising AI Series Adsorbents

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Das, S.; Oyola, Y.; Mayes, R. T.

A new series of adsorbents (AI10 through AI17) were successfully developed at ORNL by radiation induced graft polymerization (RIGP) of acrylonitrile (AN) and vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) (at different mole to mole ratios) onto high surface area polyethylene fiber, with high degrees of grafting (DOG) varying from 110 to 300%. The grafted nitrile groups were converted to amidoxime groups by reaction with 5 wt % hydroxylamine at 80 °C for 72 h. The amidoximated adsorbents were then conditioned with 0.44 M KOH at 80 °C followed by screening at ORNL with prescreening brine spiked with 8 ppm uranium. Uranium adsorption capacitiesmore » in prescreening ranged from 171 to 187 g-U/kg-ads irrespective of percent DOG. The performance of the adsorbents with respect to uranium adsorption in natural seawater was also investigated using flow-throughcolumn testing at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Three hours of KOH conditioning led to higher uranium uptake than 1 h of conditioning. The adsorbent AI11, containing AN and VPA at the mole ratio of 3.52, emerged as the potential candidate for the highest uranium adsorption (3.35 g-U/kg-ads.) after 56 days of exposure in seawater flow-through-columns. The rate of vanadium adsorption over uranium linearly increased throughout the 56 days of exposure. The total mass of vanadium uptake was ~5 times greater than uranium after 56 days.« less

Radiobiological Impact of Planning Techniques for Prostate Cancer in Terms of Tumor Control Probability and Normal Tissue Complication Probability

PubMed Central

Rana, S; Cheng, CY

2014-01-01

Background: The radiobiological models describe the effects of the radiation treatment on cancer and healthy cells, and the radiobiological effects are generally characterized by the tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the radiobiological impact of RapidArc planning techniques for prostate cancer in terms of TCP and normal NTCP. Subjects and Methods: A computed tomography data set of ten cases involving low-risk prostate cancer was selected for this retrospective study. For each case, two RapidArc plans were created in Eclipse treatment planning system. The double arc (DA) plan was created using two full arcs and the single arc (SA) plan was created using one full arc. All treatment plans were calculated with anisotropic analytical algorithm. Radiobiological modeling response evaluation was performed by calculating Niemierko's equivalent uniform dose (EUD)-based Tumor TCP and NTCP values. Results: For prostate tumor, the average EUD in the SA plans was slightly higher than in the DA plans (78.10 Gy vs. 77.77 Gy; P = 0.01), but the average TCP was comparable (98.3% vs. 98.3%; P = 0.01). In comparison to the DA plans, the SA plans produced higher average EUD to bladder (40.71 Gy vs. 40.46 Gy; P = 0.03) and femoral heads (10.39 Gy vs. 9.40 Gy; P = 0.03), whereas both techniques produced NTCP well below 0.1% for bladder (P = 0.14) and femoral heads (P = 0.26). In contrast, the SA plans produced higher average NTCP compared to the DA plans (2.2% vs. 1.9%; P = 0.01). Furthermore, the EUD to rectum was slightly higher in the SA plans (62.88 Gy vs. 62.22 Gy; P = 0.01). Conclusion: The SA and DA techniques produced similar TCP for low-risk prostate cancer. The NTCP for femoral heads and bladder was comparable in the SA and DA plans; however, the SA technique resulted in higher NTCP for rectum in comparison with the DA technique. PMID:24761232

Açai Palm Fruit (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Pulp Improves Survival of Flies on a High Fat Diet

PubMed Central

Sun, Xiaoping; Seeberger, Jeanne; Alberico, Thomas; Wang, Chunxu; Wheeler, Charles T.; Schauss, Alexander G.; Zou, Sige

2010-01-01

Reducing oxidative damage is thought to be an effective aging intervention. Açai, a fruit indigenous to the Amazon, is rich in phytochemicals that possesses high anti-oxidant activities, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-cardiovascular disease properties. However, little is known about its potential anti-aging properties especially at the organismal level. Here we evaluated the effect of açai pulp on modulating lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster. We found that açai supplementation at 2% in the food increased the lifespan of female flies fed a high fat diet compared to the non-supplemented control. We measured transcript changes induced by açai for age-related genes. Although transcript levels of most genes tested were not altered, açai increased the transcript level of l(2)efl, a small heat-shock-related protein, and two detoxification genes, gstD1 and mtnA, while decreasing the transcript level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pepck), a key gene involved in gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, açai increased the lifespan of oxidative stressed females caused by sod1 RNAi. This suggests that açai improves survival of flies fed a high fat diet through activation of stress response pathways and suppression of Pepck expression. Açai has the potential to antagonize the detrimental effect of fat in the diet and alleviate oxidative stress in aging. PMID:20080168

Expression and purification of recombinant apolipoprotein A-I Zaragoza (L144R) and formation of reconstituted HDL particles.

PubMed

Fiddyment, Sarah; Barceló-Batllori, Sílvia; Pocoví, Miguel; García-Otín, Angel-Luis

2011-11-01

Apolipoprotein A-I Zaragoza (L144R) (apo A-I Z), has been associated with severe hypoalphalipoproteinemia and an enhanced effect of high density lipoprotein (HDL) reverse cholesterol transport. In order to perform further studies with this protein we have optimized an expression and purification method of recombinant wild-type apo A-I and apo A-I Z and produced mimetic HDL particles with each protein. An pET-45 expression system was used to produce N-terminal His-tagged apo A-I, wild-type or mutant, in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) which was subsequently purified by affinity chromatography in non-denaturing conditions. HDL particles were generated via a modified sodium cholate method. Expression and purification of both proteins was verified by SDS-PAGE, MALDI-TOF MS and immunochemical procedures. Yield was 30mg of purified protein (94% purity) per liter of culture. The reconstituted HDL particles checked via non-denaturing PAGE showed high homogeneity in their size when reconstituted both with wild-type apo A-I and apo A-I Z. An optimized system for the expression and purification of wild-type apo A-I and apo A-I Z with high yield and purity grade has been achieved, in addition to their use in reconstituted HDL particles, as a basis for further studies. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topical Hazard Evaluation Program of Candidate Insect Repellents AI3-38352a, AI3-38354a, AI3-38355a, US Department of Agriculture Proprietary Chemicals, May 1982 - November 1983.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-11-01

irrita- chemical and of 10% (wv) A13-38357a, AI3-38360a, tion reaction under Oil of Bergamot (positive and Ar3-38361a did test conditions and control...caused a greater Irritant positive control (Oil of effect than In un- Bergamot ) and diluent were Irradiated skin areas. applied to additional skin

Verifying AI Plan Models: Even the Best Laid Plans Need to be Verified

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Margaret; Cucullu, Gordon; Holzmann, Gerard; Smith, Benjamin

2004-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews work on model checking, and specifically the SPIN model checker. The goal of this work is to retire a significant class of risks associated with the use of Artificial Intelligence (Al) Planners on Missions. This effort must provide tangible testing results to a mission using Al technology. It is hoped that the work should be possible to leverage the technique and tools throughout NASA

Evaluation of criteria for optimal time AI postulated by estrous signs in lactating dairy cows kept in tie-stalls

PubMed Central

SUMIYOSHI, Toshiaki; ENDO, Natsumi; TANAKA, Tomomi; KAMOMAE, Hideo

2017-01-01

Relaxation of the intravaginal part of the uterus is obvious around 6 to 18 h before ovulation, and this is considered the optimal time for artificial insemination (AI), as demonstrated in recent studies. Estrous signs have been suggested as useful criteria for determining the optimal time for AI. Therefore, this study evaluated the usefulness of estrous signs, particularly the relaxation of the intravaginal part of the uterus, as criteria for determining the optimal time for AI. A Total of 100 lactating Holstein-Friesian cows kept in tie-stall barns were investigated. AI was carried out based on the criterion for the optimal time for AI (optimal group), and earlier (early group) and later (late group) than the optimal time for AI, determined on the basis of estrous signs. After AI, ovulation was assessed by rectal palpation and ultrasonographic observation at 6-h intervals. For 87.5% (35/40) of cows in the optimal group, AI was carried out 24-6 h before ovulation, which was previously accepted as the optimal time for AI. AI was carried out earlier (early group) and later (late group) than optimal time for AI in 62.1% (18/29) and 71.0% (22/31) of cows, respectively. The conception rate for the optimal group was 60.0%, and this conception rate was higher than that for the early group (44.8%) and late group (32.2%), without significance. Further, the conception rate of the optimal group was significantly higher than the sum of the conception rates of the early and late groups (38.3%; 23/60) (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the criteria postulated, relaxation of the intravaginal part of the uterus and other estrous signs are useful in determining the optimal time for AI. Furthermore, these estrous signs enable the estimations of stages in the periovulatory period. PMID:29081451

Augmentation index (AI) in a dose-response relationship with smoking habits in males: The Tanushimaru study.

PubMed

Tsuru, Tomoko; Adachi, Hisashi; Enomoto, Mika; Fukami, Ako; Kumagai, Eita; Nakamura, Sachiko; Nohara, Yume; Kono, Shoko; Nakao, Erika; Sakaue, Akiko; Morikawa, Nagisa; Fukumoto, Yoshihiro

2016-12-01

We investigated the relationship between augmentation index (AI) and smoking habits in community-dwelling Japanese.This cross-sectional study enrolled 1926 subjects (769 males and 1157 females) aged 40 to 95 years who underwent a health check-up in a Japanese cohort of the Seven Countries Study, in Tanushimaru, a typical farming town in Kyushu Island in 2009. The subjects' medical history, alcohol intake, smoking habit, and current medications for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes were ascertained by questionnaire. Radial arterial pressure wave analysis was used to obtain AI. We analyzed the data stratified by gender.Age-adjusted means of AI in males showed a clear dose-response relationship in 4 categories of smoking habits (P = 0.010). There was no significant relationship between AI and smoking habits in females (P = 0.127). The significant dose-response relationship (P = 0.036) in males between AI and 4 categories of smoking habits still remained even after adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, glucose, hypertensive medication, and alcohol intake.The present study demonstrated that AI values were significantly associated with smoking habits in a dose-dependent manner in Japanese males.

Capacity evaluation and infrastructure planning techniques for heterogeneous railway traffic under structured, flexible and mixed operations.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-01-22

The objective of this study is to develop new railway capacity evaluation tools and infrastructure planning techniques to address infrastructure or operations planning challenges under different operating styles. Three main research questions will be...

Planning the Breast Boost: Comparison of Three Techniques and Evolution of Tumor Bed During Treatment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hepel, Jaroslaw T.; Department of Radiation Oncology, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI; Evans, Suzanne B.

2009-06-01

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of two clinical techniques for electron boost planning compared with computed tomography (CT)-based planning. Additionally, we evaluated the tumor bed characteristics at whole breast planning and boost planning. Methods and Materials: A total of 30 women underwent tumor bed boost planning within 2 weeks of completing whole breast radiotherapy using three planning techniques: scar-based planning, palpation/clinical-based planning, and CT-based planning. The plans were analyzed for dosimetric coverage of the CT-delineated tumor bed. The cavity visualization score was used to define the CT-delineated tumor bed as well or poorly defined. Results: Scar-based planning resulted in inferiormore » tumor bed coverage compared with CT-based planning, with the minimal dose received by 90% of the target volume >90% in 53% and a geographic miss in 53%. The results of palpation/clinical-based planning were significantly better: 87% and 10% for the minimal dose received by 90% of the target volume >90% and geographic miss, respectively. Of the 30 tumor beds, 16 were poorly defined by the cavity visualization score. Of these 16, 8 were well demarcated by the surgical clips. The evaluation of the 22 well-defined tumor beds revealed similar results. A comparison of the tumor bed volume from the initial planning CT scan to the boost planning CT scan revealed a decrease in size in 77% of cases. The mean decrease in volume was 52%. Conclusion: The results of our study have shown that CT-based planning allows for optimal tumor bed coverage compared with clinical and scar-based approaches. However, in the setting of a poorly visualized cavity on CT without surgical clips, palpation/clinical-based planning can help delineate the appropriate target volumes and is superior to scar-based planning. CT simulation at boost planning could allow for a reduction in the boost volumes.« less

A systems engineering approach to AIS accreditation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harris, L.M.; Hunteman, W.J.

1994-04-01

The systems engineering model provides the vehicle for communication between the developer and the customer by presenting system facts and demonstrating the system in an organized form. The same model provides implementors with views of the system`s function and capability. The authors contend that the process of obtaining accreditation for a classified Automated Information System (AIS) adheres to the typical systems engineering model. The accreditation process is modeled as a ``roadmap`` with the customer represented by the Designed Accrediting Authority. The ``roadmap`` model reduces the amount of accreditation knowledge required of an AIS developer and maximizes the effectiveness of participationmore » in the accreditation process by making the understanding of accreditation a natural consequence of applying the model. This paper identifies ten ``destinations`` on the ``road`` to accreditation. The significance of each ``destination`` is explained, as are the potential consequences of its exclusion. The ``roadmap,`` which has been applied to a range of information systems throughout the DOE community, establishes a paradigm for the certification and accreditation of classified AISs.« less

Genome Sequence of Phytomonas françai, a Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Latex Parasite.

PubMed

Butler, Claire E; Jaskowska, Eleanor; Kelly, Steven

2017-01-12

Here, we report the genome sequence of the cassava (Manihot esculenta) latex parasite Phytomonas françai P. françai infection is linked with the yield-loss disease "chochamento de raizes" (empty roots) in the Unha variety of cassava, a disease characterized by poor root development and chlorosis of the leaves. Copyright © 2017 Butler et al.

Genome Sequence of Phytomonas françai, a Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Latex Parasite

PubMed Central

Butler, Claire E.; Jaskowska, Eleanor

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Here, we report the genome sequence of the cassava (Manihot esculenta) latex parasite Phytomonas françai. P. françai infection is linked with the yield-loss disease “chochamento de raizes” (empty roots) in the Unha variety of cassava, a disease characterized by poor root development and chlorosis of the leaves. PMID:28082482

The Use of AIS Data for Identifying and Mapping Calcareous Soils in Western Nebraska

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Samson, S. A.

1985-01-01

The identification of calcareous soils, through unique spectral responses of the vegetation to the chemical nature of calcareous soils, can improve the accuracy of delineating the boundaries of soil mapping units over conventional field techniques. The objective of this experiment is to evaluate the use of the Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) in the identification and delineation of calcareous soils in the western Sandhills of Nebraska. Based upon statistical differences found in separating the spectral curves below 1.3 microns, calcareous and non-calcareous soils may be identified by differences in species of vegetation. Additional work is needed to identify biogeochemical differences between the two soils.

Measuring near infrared spectral reflectance changes from water stressed conifer stands with AIS-2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riggs, George; Running, Steven W.

1987-01-01

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer-2 (AIS-2) data was acquired over two paired conifer stands for the purpose of detecting differences in spectral reflectance between stressed and natural canopies. Water stress was induced in a stand of Norway spruce and white pine by severing the sapwood near the ground. Water stress during the AIS flights was evaluated through shoot water potential and relative water content measurements. Preliminary analysis with raw AIS-2 data using SPAM indicates that there were small, inconsistent differences in absolute spectral reflectance in the near infrared 0.97 to 1.3 micron between the stressed and natural canopies.

Revisiting AI-2 quorum sensing inhibitors: direct comparison of alkyl-DPD analogues and a natural product fimbrolide.

PubMed

Lowery, Colin A; Abe, Takumi; Park, Junguk; Eubanks, Lisa M; Sawada, Daisuke; Kaufmann, Gunnar F; Janda, Kim D

2009-11-04

Quorum sensing (QS) systems have been discovered in a wide variety of bacteria, and mediate both intra- and interspecies communication. The AI-2-based QS system represents the most studied of these proposed interspecies systems and has been shown to regulate diverse functions such as bioluminescence, expression of virulence factors, and biofilm formation. As such, the development of modulatory compounds, both agonists and antagonists, is of great interest for the study of unknown AI-2-based QS systems and the potential treatment of bacterial infections. The fimbrolide class of natural products has exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against AI-2-based QS and as such may be considered the "gold standard" of AI-2 inhibitors. Thus, we sought to include a fimbrolide as a control compound for our recently developed alkyl-DPD panel of AI-2 modulators. Herein, we present a revised synthesis of a commonly studied fimbrolide as well as a direct comparison between the fimbrolide and alkyl-DPD analogues. We demonstrate that our alkyl-DPD analogues are more potent inhibitors of QS in both Vibrio harveyi and Salmonella typhimurium, the two organisms with defined AI-2 QS systems, and in doing so call into question the widely accepted use of fimbrolide-derived compounds as the "gold standard" of AI-2 inhibition.

Contingent plan structures for spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drummond, M.; Currie, K.; Tate, A.

1987-01-01

Most current AI planners build partially ordered plan structures which delay decisions on action ordering. Such structures cannot easily represent contingent actions. A representation which can is presented. The representation has some other useful features: it provides a good account of the causal structure of a plan, can be used to describe disjunctive actions, and it offers a planner the opportunity of even less commitment than the classical partial order on actions. The use of this representation is demonstrated in an on-board spacecraft activity sequencing problem. Contingent plan execution in a spacecraft context highlights the requirements for a fully disjunctive representation, since communication delays often prohibit extensive ground-based accounting for remotely sensed information and replanning on execution failure.

JNK1 Mediates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced CD14 and SR-AI Expression and Macrophage Foam Cell Formation.

PubMed

An, Dong; Hao, Feng; Hu, Chen; Kong, Wei; Xu, Xuemin; Cui, Mei-Zhen

2017-01-01

Foam cell formation is the key process in the development of atherosclerosis. The uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) converts macrophages into foam cells. We recently reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced foam cell formation is regulated by CD14 and scavenger receptor AI (SR-AI). In this study, we employed pharmaceutical and gene knockdown approaches to determine the upstream molecular mediators, which control LPS-induced foam cell formation. Our results demonstrated that the specific c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway inhibitor, SP600125, but neither the specific inhibitor of extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase MEK1/2, U0126, nor the specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, significantly blocks LPS-induced oxLDL uptake, suggesting that the JNK pathway is the upstream mediator of LPS-induced oxLDL uptake/foam cell formation. To address whether JNK pathway mediates LPS-induced oxLDL uptake is due to JNK pathway-regulated CD14 and SR-AI expression, we assessed whether the pharmaceutical inhibitor of JNK influences LPS-induced expression of CD14 and SR-AI. Our results indicate that JNK pathway mediates LPS-induced CD14 and SR-AI expression. To conclusively address the isoform role of JNK family, we depleted JNK isoforms using the JNK isoform-specific siRNA. Our data showed that the depletion of JNK1, but not JNK2 blocked LPS-induced CD14/SR-AI expression and foam cell formation. Taken together, our results reveal for the first time that JNK1 is the key mediator of LPS-induced CD14 and SR-AI expression in macrophages, leading to LPS-induced oxLDL uptake/foam cell formation. We conclude that the novel JNK1/CD14/SR-AI pathway controls macrophage oxLDL uptake/foam cell formation.

LUT observations of the mass-transferring binary AI Dra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Wenping; Qian, Shengbang; Li, Linjia; Zhou, Xiao; Zhao, Ergang; Liu, Nianping

2016-06-01

Complete UV band light curve of the eclipsing binary AI Dra was observed with the Lunar-based Ultraviolet Telescope (LUT) in October 2014. It is very useful to adopt this continuous and uninterrupted light curve to determine physical and orbital parameters of the binary system. Photometric solutions of the spot model are obtained by using the W-D (Wilson and Devinney) method. It is confirmed that AI Dra is a semi-detached binary with secondary component filling its critical Roche lobe, which indicates that a mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary one should happen. Orbital period analysis based on all available eclipse times suggests a secular period increase and two cyclic variations. The secular period increase was interpreted by mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary one at a rate of 4.12 ×10^{-8}M_{⊙}/yr, which is in agreement with the photometric solutions. Two cyclic oscillations were due to light travel-time effect (LTTE) via the presence of two cool stellar companions in a near 2:1 mean-motion resonance. Both photometric solutions and orbital period analysis confirm that AI Dra is a mass-transferring binary, the massive primary is filling 69 % of its critical Roche lobe. After the primary evolves to fill the critical Roche lobe, the mass transfer will be reversed and the binary will evolve into a contact configuration.

AIS radiometry and the problem of contamination from mixed spectral orders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conel, J. E.; Adams, S.; Alley, R. E.; Hoover, G.; Schultz, S.

1988-01-01

The spectral radiance of test areas under solar illumination is ascertained in view of Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data from Mono Lake, CA, establishing an atmospheric correction method for major absorbers on the basis of the spectrometric data themselves. The apparent low contrast of all atmospheric absorption bands leads to a study of contamination from overlapping spectral orders in the AIS data; this contamination is found unambiguously above 1500 nm with a magnitude that is a factor of 1.5-2.0 greater than the expected uncontaminated signal alone.

Defense Information Systems Program Automated CORDIVEM Design Requirements,

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-02-28

for the Soviet military organization and equipment. Dr. John Spagnuolo incorporated artificial intelligence techniques in the discussion of functional...4-44 4.1.2.18.2 Artificial Intelligence ...... ........ 4-49 4.1.2.18.3 Types of A.I ................. 4-51 4.1.2.19 General Planning Requirements...described later. Further, some subprocesses may need one of the various techniques associated with the broad field of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in

Using AI and Semantic Web Technologies to attack Process Complexity in Open Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, Simon; Giles, Nick; Li, Yang; Gharib, Hamid; Nguyen, Thuc Duong

Recently many vendors and groups have advocated using BPEL and WS-BPEL as a workflow language to encapsulate business logic. While encapsulating workflow and process logic in one place is a sensible architectural decision the implementation of complex workflows suffers from the same problems that made managing and maintaining hierarchical procedural programs difficult. BPEL lacks constructs for logical modularity such as the requirements construct from the STL [12] or the ability to adapt constructs like pure abstract classes for the same purpose. We describe a system that uses semantic web and agent concepts to implement an abstraction layer for BPEL based on the notion of Goals and service typing. AI planning was used to enable process engineers to create and validate systems that used services and goals as first class concepts and compiled processes at run time for execution.

Implementation of a Collision Probability Prediction Technique for Constellation Maneuver Planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Concha, Marco a.

2007-01-01

On March 22, 2006, the Space Technology 5 (ST5) constellation spacecraft were successfully delivered to orbit by a Pegasus XI, launch vehicle. An unexpected relative motion experienced by the constellation after orbit insertion brought about a problem. Soon after launch the observed relative position of the inert rocket body was between the leading and the middle spacecraft within the constellation. The successful planning and execution of an orbit maneuver that would create a fly-by of the rocket body was required to establish the.formation. This maneuver would create a close approach that needed to conform to predefined collision probability requirements. On April 21, 2006, the ST5 "155" spacecraft performed a large orbit maneuver and successfully passed the inert Pegasus 3rd Stage Rocket Body on April 30, 2006 15:20 UTC at a distance of 2.55 km with a Probability of Collision of less than 1.0E-06. This paper will outline the technique that was implemented to establish the safe planning and execution of the fly-by maneuver. The method makes use of Gaussian distribution models of state covariance to determine underlying probabilities of collision that arise under low velocity encounters. Specific numerical examples used for this analysis are discussed in detail. The mechanics of this technique are explained to foster deeper understanding of the concepts presented and to improve existing processes for use in future constellation maneuver planning.

Apolipoprotein AI tertiary structures determine stability and phospholipid-binding activity of discoidal high-density lipoprotein particles of different sizes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Bin; Ren, Xuefeng; Neville, Tracey

2009-05-18

Human high-density lipoprotein (HDL) plays a key role in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway that delivers excess cholesterol back to the liver for clearance. In vivo, HDL particles vary in size, shape and biological function. The discoidal HDL is a 140-240 kDa, disk-shaped intermediate of mature HDL. During mature spherical HDL formation, discoidal HDLs play a key role in loading cholesterol ester onto the HDL particles by activating the enzyme, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). One of the major problems for high-resolution structural studies of discoidal HDL is the difficulty in obtaining pure and, foremost, homogenous sample. We demonstrate here that themore » commonly used cholate dialysis method for discoidal HDL preparation usually contains 5-10% lipid-poor apoAI that significantly interferes with the high-resolution structural analysis of discoidal HDL using biophysical methods. Using an ultracentrifugation method, we quickly removed lipid-poor apoAI. We also purified discoidal reconstituted HDL (rHDL) into two pure discoidal HDL species of different sizes that are amendable for high-resolution structural studies. A small rHDL has a diameter of 7.6 nm, and a large rHDL has a diameter of 9.8 nm. We show that these two different sizes of discoidal HDL particles display different stability and phospholipid-binding activity. Interestingly, these property/functional differences are independent from the apoAI -helical secondary structure, but are determined by the tertiary structural difference of apoAI on different discoidal rHDL particles, as evidenced by two-dimensional NMR and negative stain electron microscopy data. Our result further provides the first high-resolution NMR data, demonstrating a promise of structural determination of discoidal HDL at atomic resolution using a combination of NMR and other biophysical techniques.« less

Background and current status of postmortem imaging in Japan: short history of "Autopsy imaging (Ai)".

PubMed

Okuda, Takahisa; Shiotani, Seiji; Sakamoto, Namiko; Kobayashi, Tomoya

2013-02-10

There is a low autopsy rate and wide distribution of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners in Japan. Therefore, many Japanese hospitals, including 36% of the hospitals with in-patient facilities and 89% of large hospitals with ER facilities conduct postmortem imaging (PMI), use clinical scanners to screen for causes in unusual deaths as an alternative to an autopsy or to determine whether an autopsy is needed. The Japanese PMI examination procedure is generally referred to as "autopsy imaging" (Ai) and the term "Ai" is now commonly used by the Japanese government. Currently, 26 of 47 Japanese prefectures have at least one Ai Center with scanners that are dedicated for PMI. Here, we briefly review the history of Japanese PMI (Ai) from 1985 to the present. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

AI in the Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirkpatrick, Susan N.; Biglan, Barbara

1990-01-01

Describes activities that present concepts and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) for elementary and secondary school students. The use of Logo with elementary students is discussed; appropriate software is described; programing activities using Logo, BASIC, and Prolog are examined; and the field of robotics is discussed. (four…

Effects of osteoporosis on AIS 3+ injury risk in motor-vehicle crashes.

PubMed

Rupp, Jonathan D; Flannagan, Carol A C; Hoff, Carrie N; Cunningham, Rebecca M

2010-11-01

Older occupants in motor-vehicle crashes are more likely to experience injury than younger occupants. One possible reason for this is that increasing age is associated with increased prevalence of osteoporosis, which decreases bone strength. Crash-injury data were used with Bayes' Theorem to estimate the conditional probability of AIS 3+ skeletal injury given that an occupant is osteoporotic for the injury to the head, spine, thorax, lower extremities, and upper extremities. This requires the conditional probabilities of osteoporosis given AIS 3+ injury for each of the body regions, which were determined from analysis of the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network database. It also requires information on probability of osteoporosis in the crash-involved population and the probabilities of AIS 3+ skeletal injury to different body regions in crashes. The latter probabilities were obtained from the National Automotive Sampling System-Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) database. The former was obtained by modeling the probability of osteoporosis in the US populations using data from the 2006 National Health Examination Nutrition Survey and applying this model to the estimate of the crash-involved population in NASS-CDS. To attempt to account for the effects of age on injury outcome that are independent of osteoporosis, only data from occupants who were 60 years of age or older were used in all analyses. Results indicate that the only body region that experiences a statistically significant change in fracture injury risk with osteoporosis is the spine, for which osteoporosis increases the risk of AIS 3+ fracture by 3.28 times, or from 0.41% to 1.34% (p<0.0001). This finding suggests that the increase in AIS 3+ injury risk with age for non-spine injuries is likely influenced by factors other than osteoporosis. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Forward treatment planning techniques to reduce the normalization effect in Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

PubMed

Cheng, Hao-Wen; Lo, Wei-Lun; Kuo, Chun-Yuan; Su, Yu-Kai; Tsai, Jo-Ting; Lin, Jia-Wei; Wang, Yu-Jen; Pan, David Hung-Chi

2017-11-01

In Gamma Knife forward treatment planning, normalization effect may be observed when multiple shots are used for treating large lesions. This effect can reduce the proportion of coverage of high-value isodose lines within targets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of forward treatment planning techniques using the Leksell Gamma Knife for the normalization effect reduction. We adjusted the shot positions and weightings to optimize the dose distribution and reduce the overlap of high-value isodose lines from each shot, thereby mitigating the normalization effect during treatment planning. The new collimation system, Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion, which contains eight movable sectors, provides an additional means to reduce the normalization effect by using composite shots. We propose different techniques in forward treatment planning that can reduce the normalization effect. Reducing the normalization effect increases the coverage proportion of higher isodose lines within targets, making the high-dose region within targets more uniform and increasing the mean dose to targets. Because of the increase in the mean dose to the target after reducing the normalization effect, we can set the prescribed marginal dose at a higher isodose level and reduce the maximum dose, thereby lowering the risk of complications. © 2017 Shuang Ho Hospital-Taipei Medical University. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Utilizing AI in Temporal, Spatial, and Resource Scheduling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stottler, Richard; Kalton, Annaka; Bell, Aaron

2006-01-01

Aurora is a software system enabling the rapid, easy solution of complex scheduling problems involving spatial and temporal constraints among operations and scarce resources (such as equipment, workspace, and human experts). Although developed for use in the International Space Station Processing Facility, Aurora is flexible enough that it can be easily customized for application to other scheduling domains and adapted as the requirements change or become more precisely known over time. Aurora s scheduling module utilizes artificial-intelligence (AI) techniques to make scheduling decisions on the basis of domain knowledge, including knowledge of constraints and their relative importance, interdependencies among operations, and possibly frequent changes in governing schedule requirements. Unlike many other scheduling software systems, Aurora focuses on resource requirements and temporal scheduling in combination. For example, Aurora can accommodate a domain requirement to schedule two subsequent operations to locations adjacent to a shared resource. The graphical interface allows the user to quickly visualize the schedule and perform changes reflecting additional knowledge or alterations in the situation. For example, the user might drag the activity corresponding to the start of operations to reflect a late delivery.

Comparison of Turkish Injury Scale (TIS) with the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS).

PubMed

Günay, Yasemin; Yavuz, M Fatih; Eşiyok, Burcu

2003-03-12

According to the Turkish Penal Code, Section 456, an assailant is punished in a correlation to the severity of the victim's injury. In this study, the injury scale used in Turkey in the basis code 456 is compared with Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). For this aim, a total of 984 cases out of the total amount reported at the Traumatology Section of the Turkish Council for Forensic Medicine were randomly selected and evaluated retrospectively. In all, 40.7% of injuries were caused by blunt trauma, whereas 59.3% were caused by a penetrating trauma. According to the Turkish Injury Scale (TIS), 40.3% of the cases were scored to be of a first degree of injury, 15.6% as second degree and 44.1% as third degree. When compared, the score points 3, 4 and 5 in the AIS were seen to be nearly equivalent to the TIS of third degree. From this point of view, in the modified AIS 91.1% of first degree of injury, 51.2% of second degree and 97.2% of third degree of injury are harmonious with TIS. Generally, 83.2% of the cases are harmonious with the AIS system. The purpose of this study is to determine what was the source of differences and to focus on particular traumatic lesions in order to determine a possible rearrangement of the Turkish Injury Scale.

Integrated skin flash planning technique for intensity-modulated radiation therapy for vulvar cancer prevents marginal misses and improves superficial dose coverage.

PubMed

Dyer, Brandon A; Jenshus, Abriel; Mayadev, Jyoti S

2018-02-28

Radiation therapy (RT) plays a definitive role in locally advanced vulvar cancer, and in the adjuvant setting with high risk postoperative features after wide local excision. There is significant morbidity associated with traditional, large RT fields using 2D or 3D techniques, and the use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in vulvar cancer is increasing. However, there remains a paucity of technical information regarding the prevention of a marginal miss during the treatment planning process. The use of an integrated skin flash (ISF) during RT planning can be used to account for anatomic variation, and intra- and interfraction motion seen during treatment. Herein we present the case of a patient with a T1aN0M0, Stage IA vulva cancer to illustrate the progressive vulvar swelling and lymph edema seen during treatment and retrospectively evaluate the dosimetric effects of using an ISF RT plan vs standard RT planning techniques. Standard planning techniques to treat vulvar cancer patients with IMRT do not sufficiently account for the change in patient anatomy and can lead to a marginal miss. ISF is an RT planning technique that can decrease the risk of a marginal miss and the technique is easily implemented during the planning stages of RT treatment. Furthermore, use of an ISF technique can improve vulvar clinical target volume coverage and plan homogeneity. Based on our experience, and this study, a 2-cm ISF is suggested to account for variations in daily clinical setup and changes in patient anatomy during treatment. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The Application of Multiple Reaction Monitoring to Assess Apo A-I Methionine Oxidations in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

PubMed Central

Yassine, Hussein N.; Jackson, Angela M.; Reaven, Peter D.; Nedelkov, Dobrin; Nelson, Randall W.; Lau, Serrine S.; Borchers, Christoph H.

2014-01-01

The oxidative modification of apolipoprotein A-I ‘s methionine148(M148) is associated with defective HDL function in vitro. Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) is a mass spectrometric technique that can be used to quantitate post-translational modifications. In this study, we developed an MRM assay to monitor the abundance ratio of the peptide containing oxidized M148 to the native peptide in Apo A-I. Measurement of the oxidized-to-unoxidized-M148 ratio was reproducible (CV<5%). The extent of methionine M148 oxidation in the HDL of healthy controls, and type 2 diabetic participants with and without prior cardiovascular events (CVD) were then examined. The results suggest a significant increase in the relative ratio of the peptide containing oxidized M148 to the unmodified peptide in the HDL of participants with diabetes and CVD (p<0.001), compared to participants without CVD. Monitoring the abundance ratio of the peptides containing oxidized and unoxidized M148 by MRM provides a means of examining the relationship between M148 oxidation and vascular complications in CVD. PMID:25705587

Achieving transformational change: using appreciative inquiry for strategic planning in a school of nursing.

PubMed

Harmon, Rebecca Bouterie; Fontaine, Dorrie; Plews-Ogan, Margaret; Williams, Anne

2012-01-01

To achieve transformational change, a transformational approach is needed. The Appreciative Inquiry (AI) summit is a method that has been used to achieve transformational change in business for at least 20 years, but this innovative alternative approach is unknown to nursing. At the University of Virginia School of Nursing, an AI Summit was designed to bring all staff, faculty, student representatives, and members of the community together to rewrite the school's strategic plan. New connections within the school, the university, and the community were made when 135 participants engaged in the appreciative, 4-step AI process of discovering, dreaming, designing, and creating the school's future. During the summit, 7 strategic teams formed to move the school toward the best possible future while building on the existing positive core. This article describes 10 steps needed to design an AI summit and implications for using this method at other schools of nursing. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Architecture studies and system demonstrations for optical parallel processor for AI and NI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sing H.

1988-03-01

In solving deterministic AI problems the data search for matching the arguments of a PROLOG expression causes serious bottleneck when implemented sequentially by electronic systems. To overcome this bottleneck we have developed the concepts for an optical expert system based on matrix-algebraic formulation, which will be suitable for parallel optical implementation. The optical AI system based on matrix-algebraic formation will offer distinct advantages for parallel search, adult learning, etc.

Planning/scheduling techniques for VQ-based image compression

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Short, Nicholas M., Jr.; Manohar, Mareboyana; Tilton, James C.

1994-01-01

The enormous size of the data holding and the complexity of the information system resulting from the EOS system pose several challenges to computer scientists, one of which is data archival and dissemination. More than ninety percent of the data holdings of NASA is in the form of images which will be accessed by users across the computer networks. Accessing the image data in its full resolution creates data traffic problems. Image browsing using a lossy compression reduces this data traffic, as well as storage by factor of 30-40. Of the several image compression techniques, VQ is most appropriate for this application since the decompression of the VQ compressed images is a table lookup process which makes minimal additional demands on the user's computational resources. Lossy compression of image data needs expert level knowledge in general and is not straightforward to use. This is especially true in the case of VQ. It involves the selection of appropriate codebooks for a given data set and vector dimensions for each compression ratio, etc. A planning and scheduling system is described for using the VQ compression technique in the data access and ingest of raw satellite data.

State Revolving Fund American Iron and Steel (AIS) Requirement

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The AIS provision requires CWSRF and DWSRF assistance recipients to use iron and steel products that are produced in the U.S. It applies to projects for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public water system or treatment work.

Exploring AI Language Assistants with Primary EFL Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Underwood, Joshua

2017-01-01

The main objective of this study was to identify ways to incorporate voice-driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) effectively in classroom language learning. This nine month teacher-led design research study employed technology probes (Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, Google voice search) and co-design methods with a class of primary age English as a…

Knowledge-Based Planning Model for Courses of Action Generation,

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-04-07

AO-AIS 608 KNOWLEDGE-BASED PLANNING MODEL FOR COURSES OF ACTION mJI OENERATION(U) ARMY MAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA USI FE D R COLLINS ET AL. 97APR...agencies. This document may not be released for open publication until it has been cleared by the appropriate military service or government agency. 00 DTIC...I ELECTE KNOWLEDGE-BASED PLANNING MODEL C AUG 5~ FOR COURSES OF ACTION GENERATION DD BY COLONEL D. R. COLLINS LIEUTENANT COLONEL(P) T. A. BAUCUM

Antibacterial Activity of AI-Hemocidin 2, a Novel N-Terminal Peptide of Hemoglobin Purified from Arca inflata.

PubMed

Li, Chunlei; Zhu, Jianhua; Wang, Yanqing; Chen, Yuyan; Song, Liyan; Zheng, Weiming; Li, Jingjing; Yu, Rongmin

2017-06-29

The continued emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in recent years is of great concern. The search for new classes of antibacterial agents has expanded to non-traditional sources such as shellfish. An antibacterial subunit of hemoglobin (Hb-I) was purified from the mantle of Arca inflata by phosphate extraction and ion exchange chromatography. A novel antibacterial peptide, AI-hemocidin 2, derived from Hb-I, was discovered using bioinformatics analysis. It displayed antibacterial activity across a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 37.5 to 300 μg/mL, and it exhibited minimal hemolytic or cytotoxic activities. The antibacterial activity of AI-hemocidin 2 was thermostable (25-100 °C) and pH resistant (pH 3-10). The cellular integrity was determined by flow cytometry. AI-hemocidin 2 was capable of permeating the cellular membrane. Changes in the cell morphology were observed with a scanning electron microscope. Circular dichroism spectra suggested that AI-hemocidin 2 formed an α-helix structure in the membrane mimetic environment. The results indicated that the anti-bacterial mechanism for AI-hemocidin 2 occurred through disrupting the cell membrane. AI-hemocidin 2 might be a potential candidate for tackling antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Antibacterial Activity of AI-Hemocidin 2, a Novel N-Terminal Peptide of Hemoglobin Purified from Arca inflata

PubMed Central

Li, Chunlei; Zhu, Jianhua; Wang, Yanqing; Chen, Yuyan; Song, Liyan; Zheng, Weiming; Li, Jingjing; Yu, Rongmin

2017-01-01

The continued emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in recent years is of great concern. The search for new classes of antibacterial agents has expanded to non-traditional sources such as shellfish. An antibacterial subunit of hemoglobin (Hb-I) was purified from the mantle of Arca inflata by phosphate extraction and ion exchange chromatography. A novel antibacterial peptide, AI-hemocidin 2, derived from Hb-I, was discovered using bioinformatics analysis. It displayed antibacterial activity across a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 37.5 to 300 μg/mL, and it exhibited minimal hemolytic or cytotoxic activities. The antibacterial activity of AI-hemocidin 2 was thermostable (25–100 °C) and pH resistant (pH 3–10). The cellular integrity was determined by flow cytometry. AI-hemocidin 2 was capable of permeating the cellular membrane. Changes in the cell morphology were observed with a scanning electron microscope. Circular dichroism spectra suggested that AI-hemocidin 2 formed an α-helix structure in the membrane mimetic environment. The results indicated that the anti-bacterial mechanism for AI-hemocidin 2 occurred through disrupting the cell membrane. AI-hemocidin 2 might be a potential candidate for tackling antibiotic resistant bacteria. PMID:28661457

Thiophenone Attenuates Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli O103:H2 Virulence by Interfering with AI-2 Signaling.

PubMed

Witsø, Ingun Lund; Valen Rukke, Håkon; Benneche, Tore; Aamdal Scheie, Anne

2016-01-01

Interference with bacterial quorum sensing communication provides an anti-virulence strategy to control pathogenic bacteria. Here, using the Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) O103:H2, we showed for the first time that thiophenone TF101 reduced expression of lsrB; the gene encoding the AI-2 receptor. Combined results of transcriptional and phenotypic analyses suggested that TF101 interfere with AI-2 signalling, possibly by competing with AI-2 for binding to LsrB. This is supported by in silico docking prediction of thiophenone TF101 in the LsrB pocket. Transcriptional analyses furthermore showed that thiophenone TF101 interfered with expression of the virulence genes eae and fimH. In addition, TF101 reduced AI-2 induced E. coli adhesion to colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. TF101, on the other hand, did not affect epinephrine or norepinephrine enhanced E. coli adhesion. Overall, our results showed that thiophenone TF101 interfered with virulence expression in E. coli O103:H2, suggestedly by interfering with AI-2 mediated quorum sensing. We thus conclude that thiophenone TF101 might represent a promising future anti-virulence agent in the fight against pathogenic E. coli.

Thiophenone Attenuates Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli O103:H2 Virulence by Interfering with AI-2 Signaling

PubMed Central

Valen Rukke, Håkon; Benneche, Tore; Aamdal Scheie, Anne

2016-01-01

Interference with bacterial quorum sensing communication provides an anti-virulence strategy to control pathogenic bacteria. Here, using the Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) O103:H2, we showed for the first time that thiophenone TF101 reduced expression of lsrB; the gene encoding the AI-2 receptor. Combined results of transcriptional and phenotypic analyses suggested that TF101 interfere with AI-2 signalling, possibly by competing with AI-2 for binding to LsrB. This is supported by in silico docking prediction of thiophenone TF101 in the LsrB pocket. Transcriptional analyses furthermore showed that thiophenone TF101 interfered with expression of the virulence genes eae and fimH. In addition, TF101 reduced AI-2 induced E. coli adhesion to colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. TF101, on the other hand, did not affect epinephrine or norepinephrine enhanced E. coli adhesion. Overall, our results showed that thiophenone TF101 interfered with virulence expression in E. coli O103:H2, suggestedly by interfering with AI-2 mediated quorum sensing. We thus conclude that thiophenone TF101 might represent a promising future anti-virulence agent in the fight against pathogenic E. coli. PMID:27309855

Using Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) codes to classify Computed Tomography (CT) features in the Marshall System.

PubMed

Lesko, Mehdi M; Woodford, Maralyn; White, Laura; O'Brien, Sarah J; Childs, Charmaine; Lecky, Fiona E

2010-08-06

The purpose of Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) is to code various types of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) based on their anatomical location and severity. The Marshall CT Classification is used to identify those subgroups of brain injured patients at higher risk of deterioration or mortality. The purpose of this study is to determine whether and how AIS coding can be translated to the Marshall Classification Initially, a Marshall Class was allocated to each AIS code through cross-tabulation. This was agreed upon through several discussion meetings with experts from both fields (clinicians and AIS coders). Furthermore, in order to make this translation possible, some necessary assumptions with regards to coding and classification of mass lesions and brain swelling were essential which were all approved and made explicit. The proposed method involves two stages: firstly to determine all possible Marshall Classes which a given patient can attract based on allocated AIS codes; via cross-tabulation and secondly to assign one Marshall Class to each patient through an algorithm. This method can be easily programmed in computer softwares and it would enable future important TBI research programs using trauma registry data.

Using Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) codes to classify Computed Tomography (CT) features in the Marshall System

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background The purpose of Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) is to code various types of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) based on their anatomical location and severity. The Marshall CT Classification is used to identify those subgroups of brain injured patients at higher risk of deterioration or mortality. The purpose of this study is to determine whether and how AIS coding can be translated to the Marshall Classification Methods Initially, a Marshall Class was allocated to each AIS code through cross-tabulation. This was agreed upon through several discussion meetings with experts from both fields (clinicians and AIS coders). Furthermore, in order to make this translation possible, some necessary assumptions with regards to coding and classification of mass lesions and brain swelling were essential which were all approved and made explicit. Results The proposed method involves two stages: firstly to determine all possible Marshall Classes which a given patient can attract based on allocated AIS codes; via cross-tabulation and secondly to assign one Marshall Class to each patient through an algorithm. Conclusion This method can be easily programmed in computer softwares and it would enable future important TBI research programs using trauma registry data. PMID:20691038

Contingency Planning for Planetary Rovers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dearden, Richard; Meuleau, Nicolas; Ramakrishnan, Sailesh; Smith, David; Washington, Rich; Clancy, Daniel (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

There has been considerable work in AI on planning under uncertainty. But this work generally assumes an extremely simple model of action that does not consider continuous time and resources. These assumptions are not reasonable for a Mars rover, which must cope with uncertainty about the duration of tasks, the power required, the data storage necessary, along with its position and orientation. In this paper, we outline an approach to generating contingency plans when the sources of uncertainty involve continuous quantities such as time and resources. The approach involves first constructing a "seed" plan, and then incrementally adding contingent branches to this plan in order to improve utility. The challenge is to figure out the best places to insert contingency branches. This requires an estimate of how much utility could be gained by building a contingent branch at any given place in the seed plan. Computing this utility exactly is intractable, but we outline an approximation method that back propagates utility distributions through a graph structure similar to that of a plan graph.

Autonomously Generating Operations Sequences for a Mars Rover Using Artificial Intelligence-Based Planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherwood, R.; Mutz, D.; Estlin, T.; Chien, S.; Backes, P.; Norris, J.; Tran, D.; Cooper, B.; Rabideau, G.; Mishkin, A.; Maxwell, S.

2001-07-01

This article discusses a proof-of-concept prototype for ground-based automatic generation of validated rover command sequences from high-level science and engineering activities. This prototype is based on ASPEN, the Automated Scheduling and Planning Environment. This artificial intelligence (AI)-based planning and scheduling system will automatically generate a command sequence that will execute within resource constraints and satisfy flight rules. An automated planning and scheduling system encodes rover design knowledge and uses search and reasoning techniques to automatically generate low-level command sequences while respecting rover operability constraints, science and engineering preferences, environmental predictions, and also adhering to hard temporal constraints. This prototype planning system has been field-tested using the Rocky 7 rover at JPL and will be field-tested on more complex rovers to prove its effectiveness before transferring the technology to flight operations for an upcoming NASA mission. Enabling goal-driven commanding of planetary rovers greatly reduces the requirements for highly skilled rover engineering personnel. This in turn greatly reduces mission operations costs. In addition, goal-driven commanding permits a faster response to changes in rover state (e.g., faults) or science discoveries by removing the time-consuming manual sequence validation process, allowing rapid "what-if" analyses, and thus reducing overall cycle times.

AiRCare: A naturalistic evaluation of the effectiveness of a protracted telephone-based recovery assistance program on continuing care outcomes.

PubMed

Proctor, Steven L; Wainwright, Jaclyn L; Herschman, Philip L; Kopak, Albert M

2017-02-01

Substance use disorder treatments are increasingly being contextualized within a disease management framework. Within this context, there is an identified need to maintain patients in treatment for longer periods of time in order to help them learn how to manage their disease. One way to meet this need is through telephone-based interventions that engage patients, and include more active outreach attempts and involvement of the patient's family. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of three formats of an intensive 12-month post-discharge telephone-based case management approach (AiRCare) on adherence to continuing care plans and substance use outcomes. Data were abstracted from electronic medical records for 379 patients (59.9% male) discharged from a residential treatment program located in the southwestern U.S. from 2013 to 2015. Patients were categorized into one of three groups and received telephone contacts based on their self-selection upon admission to residential treatment (i.e., patient only, family only, and both patient and family). Outcome variables included re-engagement and re-admission rates, quality of life, abstinence rates at 6 and 12 months, and compliance with continuing care plans. Favorable short- and long-term outcomes were found for the majority of patients, irrespective of case management group. There appeared to be some value in the addition of family contacts to patient contacts with respect to reducing risk for 12-month re-admission to residential care. These positive but preliminary indications of the effectiveness of AiRCare require replication in a well-powered, randomized controlled trial. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Uterine insemination with a standard AI dose in a sow pool system.

PubMed

Peltoniemi, O A T; Alm, K; Andersson, M

2009-06-01

The effect of uterine AI with a standard dose of spermatozoa on fertility of the sow was studied in a field trial. The trial involved a sow pool system with 440 sows using AI as the primary method of breeding. Sows were twice a day checked for oestrus symptoms by back pressure test in front of a boar on days 3-6 after weaning. When in standing heat, sows were randomly allocated into either a uterine insemination group (UTER, n = 157) or standard AI group (CONT, n = 169) and bred accordingly using 3 billion spermatozoa in 80 ml of extender. In both treatment groups, insemination was repeated once if the sow was still receptive 24 h later. Using pregnancy (farrowed or not) and live-born litter size as the outcome variables, a logistic and linear regression approach, respectively, was taken to study the effect of the following factors: treatment (UTER vs CONT), AI operator, breed, satellite herd preceding weaning, parity, weaning-to-oestrus interval and length of lactation. Overall, live-born litter size was 11.3 +/- 2.9, repeat breeding rate 4.2% and farrowing rate 91.2%. In the UTER group, 93.6% of inseminated sows farrowed, whereas farrowing rate for the CONT group was 88.8% (p = 0.13). Intrauterine insemination with a standard AI dose did not result in a significant improvement in the live-born litter size (11.5 +/- 2.8 for the UTER and 11.1 +/- 3.0 for the CONT sows, respectively, p = 0.13). However, the preceding satellite herd had a highly significant effect on the live-born litter size (12.4 +/- 2.6; 11.1 +/- 2.9; 10.8 +/- 2.9 and 10.9 +/- 2.9 for the four satellite herds, p < 0.01). We conclude that uterine insemination did not have a significant effect on live-born litter size and farrowing rate and we also conclude that satellite herd appears to have a major effect on fertility in a sow pool system.

Polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) from Colombia.

PubMed

Garzón, G Astrid; Narváez-Cuenca, Carlos-Eduardo; Vincken, Jean-Paul; Gruppen, Harry

2017-02-15

Berries of Colombian Euterpe oleracea Mart. were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), anthocyanin (ACN) content, and antioxidant activity. Additionally, reversed-phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (RP-UHPLC-PDA) and heated electrospray ionization (HESI) multistage mass spectrometry (MS(n)) were used to determine the composition of phenolic compounds. Anthocyanin content was 0.57±0.39mg cyanidin-3-glucoside/g fresh weight (FW) and TPC was 6.07±2.17mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g FW. The ABTS radical scavenging activity was 3.1±1.3μmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/100g FW, whereas the DPPH value was 2693.1±332.8μmol TE/100g FW. Overall, results show that Colombian açai has a more diverse polyphenolic profile and higher antioxidant activity than Brazilian açai. This information could be useful in authentification procedures to differentiate Brazilian açai from Colombian açai when used as an alternative for the supply of this fruit during the time of shortage in Brazil. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Urtica dioica agglutinin and Arabidopsis thaliana Chia4 chitinase on the protozoan Phytomonas françai.

PubMed

Gomes Rocha, Graça Celeste; Nicolich, Rebecca; Romeiro, Alexandre; Margis-Pinheiro, Márcia; Attias, Márcia; Alves-Ferreira, Márcio

2003-09-12

The genus Phytomonas is responsible for many diseases in different crop plant species. The finding that chitin is an exposed cell surface polysaccharide in Phytomonas françai and the observation that chitinases can inhibit fungal growth raises expectations about the potential effect of plant chitinases on the P. françai cell membrane surface. The plant chitinases Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA) and Arabidopsis thaliana Chia4 (ATCHIT4) proteins were over-expressed in bacteria and the interaction between these proteins and P. françai surface was analyzed by immunocytochemistry. We showed that UDA and ATCHIT4 proteins can interact with surface-exposed chitin from P. françai.

A Study of Impairing Injuries in Real World Crashes Using the Injury Impairment Scale (IIS) and the Predicted Functional Capacity Index (PFCI-AIS)

PubMed Central

Barnes, Jo; Morris, Andrew

2009-01-01

The ability to predict impairment outcomes in large databases using a simplified technique allows researchers to focus attention on preventing costly impairing injuries. The dilemma that exists for researchers is to determine which method is the most reliable and valid. This study examines available methods to predict impairment and explores the differences between the IIS and pFCI applied to real world crash injury data. Occupant injury data from the UK Co-operative Crash Injury Study (CCIS) database have been coded using AIS 1990 and AIS 2005. The data have subsequently been recoded using the associated impairment scales namely the Injury Impairment Scale (IIS) and the predicted Functional Capacity Index (pFCI) to determine the predicted impairment levels of injuries at one year post crash. Comparisons between the levels of impairment were made and any differences further explored. Injury data for the period February 2006 to September 2008 from the CCIS database were used in the analysis which involved a dataset of 2,437 occcupants who sustained over 8000 injuries. This study found some differences between the impairment scales for injuries coded to the AIS 1990 and AIS 2005 coding dictionaries. The pFCI predicts 31.5% of injuries to be impairing in AIS 2005, less than the IIS (38.5%) using AIS 1990. Using CCIS data the pFCI predicted that only 6% of the occupants with a coded injury would have an impairing injury compared to 24% of occupants using the IIS. The main body regions identified as having the major differences between the two impairment scales for car occupants were the head and spine. Follow up data were then used for a small number of cases (n=31, lower extremity and whiplash injuries) to examine any differences in predicted impairment versus perceived impairment. These data were selected from a previous study conducted between 2003 and 2006 and identified the discrepancy between predicted impairment and actual perceived impairment as defined by the

A study of impairing injuries in real world crashes using the Injury Impairment Scale (IIS) and the predicted Functional Capacity Index (PFCI-AIS).

PubMed

Barnes, Jo; Morris, Andrew

2009-10-01

The ability to predict impairment outcomes in large databases using a simplified technique allows researchers to focus attention on preventing costly impairing injuries. The dilemma that exists for researchers is to determine which method is the most reliable and valid. This study examines available methods to predict impairment and explores the differences between the IIS and pFCI applied to real world crash injury data. Occupant injury data from the UK Co-operative Crash Injury Study (CCIS) database have been coded using AIS 1990 and AIS 2005. The data have subsequently been recoded using the associated impairment scales namely the Injury Impairment Scale (IIS) and the predicted Functional Capacity Index (pFCI) to determine the predicted impairment levels of injuries at one year post crash. Comparisons between the levels of impairment were made and any differences further explored. Injury data for the period February 2006 to September 2008 from the CCIS database were used in the analysis which involved a dataset of 2,437 occcupants who sustained over 8000 injuries. This study found some differences between the impairment scales for injuries coded to the AIS 1990 and AIS 2005 coding dictionaries. The pFCI predicts 31.5% of injuries to be impairing in AIS 2005, less than the IIS (38.5%) using AIS 1990. Using CCIS data the pFCI predicted that only 6% of the occupants with a coded injury would have an impairing injury compared to 24% of occupants using the IIS. The main body regions identified as having the major differences between the two impairment scales for car occupants were the head and spine. Follow up data were then used for a small number of cases (n=31, lower extremity and whiplash injuries) to examine any differences in predicted impairment versus perceived impairment. These data were selected from a previous study conducted between 2003 and 2006 and identified the discrepancy between predicted impairment and actual perceived impairment as defined by the

Preliminary results from an investigation of AIS-1 data over an area of epithermal alteration: Plateau, Northern Queensland, Australia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mackin, Steve; Munday, Tim; Hook, Simon

1987-01-01

Airborne Imaging Spectrometer-1 (AIS-1) data were flown over undifferentiated sequences of acid to intermediate volcanics and intrusives; meta-sediments; and a series of partially lateritized sedimentary rocks. The area exhibits a considerable spectral variability, after the suppression of striping effects. Log residual, and Internal Average Relative Reflectance (IARR) analytical techniques were used to enhance mineralogically related spectral features. Both methods produce similar results, but did not visually highlight mineral absorption features due to processing artifacts in areas of significant vegetation cover. The enhancement of mineral related absorption features was achieved using a hybrid processing approach based on the relative reflectance differences between vegetated and non-vegetated surfaces at 1.2 and 2.1 micron. The result is an image with little overall contrast, but which enhances the more subtle spectral features believed to be associated with clays and epidote. The AIS data was subject to interactive analysis using SPAM. Clear separation of clay and epidote related absorption features was apparent, and the identification of kaolinite was possible despite detrimental spectral effects.

Period analysis of the eclipsing binary AI Dra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zasche, P.; Uhlář, R.; Svoboda, P.

2010-03-01

The eclipsing binary system AI Dra reveals changes of its orbital period. These variations could be described as a result of orbiting the eclipsing pair around a common center of mass with two unseen companions with the periods about 18 and 43 years together with a steady period increase. Fourteen new minima observations were carried out by the authors.

Sensor assignment to mission in AI-TECD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganger, Robert; de Mel, Geeth; Pham, Tien; Rudnicki, Ronald; Schreiber, Yonatan

2016-05-01

Sensor-mission assignment involves the allocation of sensors and other information-providing resources to missions in order to cover the information needs of the individual tasks within each mission. The importance of efficient and effective means to find appropriate resources for tasks is exacerbated in the coalition context where the operational environment is dynamic and a multitude of critically important tasks need to achieve their collective goals to meet the objectives of the coalition. The Sensor Assignment to Mission (SAM) framework—a research product of the International Technology Alliance in Network and Information Sciences (NIS-ITA) program—provided the first knowledge intensive resource selection approach for the sensor network domain so that contextual information could be used to effectively select resources for tasks in coalition environments. Recently, CUBRC, Inc. was tasked with operationalizing the SAM framework through the use of the I2WD Common Core Ontologies for the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) sponsored Actionable Intelligence Technology Enabled Capabilities Demonstration (AI-TECD). The demonstration event took place at Fort Dix, New Jersey during July 2015, and this paper discusses the integration and the successful demonstration of the SAM framework within the AI-TECD, lessons learned, and its potential impact in future operations.

A comparison of KABCO and AIS injury severity metrics using CODES linked data.

PubMed

Burch, Cynthia; Cook, Lawrence; Dischinger, Patricia

2014-01-01

The research objective is to compare the consistency of distributions between crash assigned (KABCO) and hospital assigned (Abbreviated Injury Scale, AIS) injury severity scoring systems for 2 states. The hypothesis is that AIS scores will be more consistent between the 2 studied states (Maryland and Utah) than KABCO. The analysis involved Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) data from 2 states, Maryland and Utah, for years 2006-2008. Crash report and hospital inpatient data were linked probabilistically and International Classification of Diseases (CMS 2013) codes from hospital records were translated into AIS codes. KABCO scores from police crash reports were compared to those AIS scores within and between the 2 study states. Maryland appears to have the more severe crash report KABCO scoring for injured crash participants, with close to 50 percent of all injured persons being coded as a level B or worse, and Utah observes approximately 40 percent in this group. When analyzing AIS scores, some fluctuation was seen within states over time, but the distribution of MAIS is much more comparable between states. Maryland had approximately 85 percent of hospitalized injured cases coded as MAIS = 1 or minor. In Utah this percentage was close to 80 percent for all 3 years. This is quite different from the KABCO distributions, where Maryland had a smaller percentage of cases in the lowest injury severity category as compared to Utah. This analysis examines the distribution of 2 injury severity metrics different in both design and collection and found that both classifications are consistent within each state from 2006 to 2008. However, the distribution of both KABCO and Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) varies between the states. MAIS was found to be more consistent between states than KABCO.

Automatic Publication of a MIS Product to GeoNetwork: Case of the AIS Indexer

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-01

installation and configuration The following instructions are for installing and configuring the software packages Java 1.6 and MySQL 5.5 which are...An Automatic Identification System (AIS) reception indexer Java application was developed in the summer of 2011, based on the work of Lapinski and...release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT An Automatic Identification System (AIS) reception indexer Java application was

Reduced expression of the long non-coding RNA AI364715 in gastric cancer and its clinical significance.

PubMed

Zhu, Shengqian; Mao, Jinqin; Shao, Yongfu; Chen, Fang; Zhu, Xiaoqin; Xu, Dingli; Zhang, Xinjun; Guo, Junming

2015-09-01

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), which is greater than 200 nucleotides, is a class of RNA molecules without protein coding function. In recent years, studies have shown that lncRNAs are associated with cancers. They are affecting the occurrence and development of cancers. However, the diagnostic significances of lncRNAs in gastric cancer are largely unknown. In this study, we focused on AI364715, one typical lncRNA. A total of 186 samples were collected from two cancer centers. To find the potential association between its level and gastric cancer, we first collected 75 paired gastric cancer tissues and normal tissues, which are 5 cm away from the edge of carcinoma. Besides, 18 human healthy gastric mucosa and 18 gastric precancerous lesions (dysplasia) were also collected. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was first used to detect the expression level of AI364715 at multiple stages of gastric tumorigenesis. Then, the relationships between AI364715 level and the clinicopathological factors of patients with gastric cancer were analyzed. The results showed that the expression level of AI364715 in gastric cancer tissues was downregulated. Meanwhile, its expression level was closely associated with tumor size and differentiation. More importantly, AI364715 expression level was significantly changed in dysplasia, the typical precancerous lesions. Taken together, AI364715 may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Nanomaterial characterization through image treatment, 3D reconstruction and AI techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez de Uralde Huarte, Juan Jose

Nanotechnology is not only the science of the future, but it is indeed the science of today. It is used in all sectors, from health to energy, including information technologies and transport. For the present investigation, we have taken carbon black as a use case. This nanomaterial is mixed with a wide variety of materials to improve their properties, like abrasion resistance, tire and plastic wear or tinting strength in pigments. Nowadays, indirect methods of analysis, like oil absorption or nitrogen adsorption are the most common techniques of the nanomaterial industry. These procedures measure the change in the physical state while adding oil and nitrogen. In this way, the superficial area is estimated and related with the properties of the material. Nevertheless, we have chosen to improve the existent direct methods, which consist in analysing microscopy images of nanomaterials. We have made progress in the image processing treatments and in the extracted features. In fact, some of them have overcome the existing features in the literature. In addition, we have applied, for the first time in the literature, machine learning to aggregate categorization. In this way, we identify automatically their morphology, which will determine the final properties of the material that is mixed with. Finally, we have presented an aggregate reconstruction genetic algorithm that, with only two orthogonal images, provides more information than a tomography, which needs a lot of images. To summarize, we have improved the state of the art in direct analysing techniques, allowing in the near future the replacement of the current indirect techniques.

The potato amylase inhibitor gene SbAI regulates cold-induced sweetening in potato tubers by modulating amylase activity.

PubMed

Zhang, Huiling; Liu, Jun; Hou, Juan; Yao, Ying; Lin, Yuan; Ou, Yongbin; Song, Botao; Xie, Conghua

2014-09-01

Potato cold-induced sweetening (CIS) is critical for the postharvest quality of potato tubers. Starch degradation is considered to be one of the key pathways in the CIS process. However, the functions of the genes that encode enzymes related to starch degradation in CIS and the activity regulation of these enzymes have received less attention. A potato amylase inhibitor gene known as SbAI was cloned from the wild potato species Solanum berthaultii. This genetic transformation confirmed that in contrast to the SbAI suppression in CIS-resistant potatoes, overexpressing SbAI in CIS-sensitive potatoes resulted in less amylase activity and a lower rate of starch degradation accompanied by a lower reducing sugar (RS) content in cold-stored tubers. This finding suggested that the SbAI gene may play crucial roles in potato CIS by modulating the amylase activity. Further investigations indicated that pairwise protein-protein interactions occurred between SbAI and α-amylase StAmy23, β-amylases StBAM1 and StBAM9. SbAI could inhibit the activities of both α-amylase and β-amylase in potato tubers primarily by repressing StAmy23 and StBAM1, respectively. These findings provide the first evidence that SbAI is a key regulator of the amylases that confer starch degradation and RS accumulation in cold-stored potato tubers. © 2014 Society for Experimental Biology, Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Advances in Breeding Management and Use of Ovulation Induction for Fixed-time AI.

PubMed

Kirkwood, R N; Kauffold, J

2015-07-01

The objective of the breeding herd is the predictable and consistent production of high quality pigs. To achieve this objective, an appropriate number of females need to be mated in each breeding week and they should maintain their pregnancy and deliver large litters. Many factors can impact achievement of optimal sow productivity, particularly breeding management. Most matings will involve artificial insemination (AI), and successful AI requires deposition into the cervix (or beyond) of sufficient viable high quality sperm at an appropriate time relative to ovulation. This is facilitated by improved knowledge of the sow's ovarian function prior to and during her oestrous period. Realization of the importance of establishing an adequate sperm reservoir in the oviduct at an appropriate time relative to ovulation has led to advances in the management of AI. The future of AI will likely involve insemination of single doses of high genetic merit semen, potentially having a reduced sperm concentration which is made possible by knowledge of the effect of site of sperm deposition on sow fertility. In particular, knowledge of when a sow is likely to ovulate during a natural or induced oestrous period will prove invaluable in the maintenance of herd productivity. This review will examine options for breeding management, including the control of oestrus and ovulation, on sow herd reproductive performance. © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Deep subcortical infarct burden in relation to apolipoprotein B/AI ratio in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

PubMed

Park, J-H; Hong, K-S; Lee, J; Kim, Y-J; Song, P

2013-04-01

Pre-existing brain infarct (PBI), frequently seen on magnetic resonance imaging and usually silent, is recognized as a risk factor for future stroke. Increased apolipoprotein B (apoB)/apoAI ratio is known to be a risk predictor of ischaemic stroke and is associated with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). However, little is known about the association of apoB/apoAI ratio with PBI. A total of 522 statin-/fibrate-naïve Korean patients, who experienced acute ischaemic stroke, were categorized into three groups: ICAS (n=254), extracranial (n=51), and no cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis (n=217). We explored the association between apoB/apoAI ratio and PBI lesions according to atherosclerosis type (ICAS, ECAS, and NCAS), PBI location (deep subcortical [ds-PBI] versus hemispheric [h-PBI]), and symptomatic PBI (s-PBI) which was relevant to a prior clinical stroke event. Pre-existing brain infarct(+) patients showed a higher apoB/apoAI ratio than PBI(-) patients (0.81 ± 0.28 vs. 0.72 ± 0.23, P<0.001). In ICAS group, patients with higher apoB/apoAI ratio quartiles had more PBIs, ds-PBIs, and s-PBIs (P=0.020, P=0.025, and P=0.001, respectively). With multivariable analyses, the highest apoB/apoAI ratio quartile was associated with PBI (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.39-4.73), ds-PBI (2.48; 1.33-4.62), and advanced (≥ 3) ds-PBIs (2.68; 1.27-5.63) in ICAS group, but not with h-PBI. s-PBI had a dose-response relationship with apoB/apoAI ratio quartiles (6.18; 1.31-29.13 for the second; 5.34; 1.06-26.83 for the third; and 12.17; 2.50-59.19 for the fourth quartile), when referenced to the first quartile. ApoB/apoAI ratio is associated with asymptomatic deep subcortical ischaemic burden as well as with symptomatic lesion in patients with ICAS. © 2012 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2012 EFNS.

A scallop C-type lectin from Argopecten irradians (AiCTL5) with activities of lipopolysaccharide binding and Gram-negative bacteria agglutination.

PubMed

Mu, Changkao; Song, Xiaoyan; Zhao, Jianmin; Wang, Lingling; Qiu, Limei; Zhang, Huan; Zhou, Zhi; Wang, Mengqiang; Song, Linsheng; Wang, Chunlin

2012-05-01

C-type lectins are a family of calcium-dependent carbohydrate-binding proteins. In the present study, a C-type lectin (designated as AiCTL5) was identified and characterized from Argopecten irradians. The full-length cDNA of AiCTL5 was of 673 bp, containing a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 24 bp, a 3' UTR of 130 bp with a poly (A) tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 519 bp encoding a polypeptide of 172 amino acids with a putative signal peptide of 17 amino acids. A C-type lectin-like domain (CRD) containing 6 conserved cysteines and a putative glycosylation sites were identified in the deduced amino acid sequence of AiCTL5. AiCTL5 shared 11%-27.5% identity with the previous reported C-type lectin from A. irradians. The cDNA fragment encoding the mature peptide of AiCTL5 was recombined into pET-21a (+) with a C-terminal hexa-histidine tag fused in-frame, and expressed in Escherichia coli Origami (DE3). The recombinant AiCTL5 (rAiCTL5) agglutinated Gram-negative E. coli TOP10F' and Listonella anguillarum, but did not agglutinate Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis and Micrococcus luteus, and the agglutination could be inhibited by EDTA, indicating that AiCTL5 was a Ca(2+)-dependent lectin. rAiCTL5 exhibited a significantly strong activity to bind LPS from E. coli, which conformed to the agglutinating activity toward Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, rAiCTL5 also agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes. These results indicated that AiCTL5 could function as a pattern recognition receptor to protect bay scallop from Gram-negative bacterial infection, and also provide evidence to understand the structural and functional diverse of lectin. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SU-F-T-446: Improving Craniospinal Irradiation Technique Using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) Planning and Its Dosimetric Verification

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, X; Tejani, M; Jiang, X

2016-06-15

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment planning technique for supine craniospinal irradiation (CSI). Evaluate the suitability of VMAT for CSI with dosimetric measurements and compare it to 3D conformal planning using specific plan metrics such as dose conformity, homogeneity, and dose of organs at risk (OAR). Methods: Ten CSI patients treated with conventional 3D technique were re-planned with VMAT. The PTV was contoured to include the whole contents of the brain and spinal canal with a uniform margin of 5 mm. VMAT plans were generated with two partial arcs coveringmore » the brain, two partial arcs for the superior portion of the spinal cord and two partial arcs covering the remaining inferior portion of the spinal cord. Conformity index (CI), heterogeneity indexes (HI) and max and mean doses of OAR were compared to 3D plans. VMAT plans were delivered onto an anthropomorphic phantom loaded with Gafchromic films and OSLDs placed at specific positions to evaluate the plan dose at the junctions and as well as the plan dose distributions. Results: This VMAT technique was validated with a clinical study of 10 patients. The average CI was 1.03±0.02 for VMAT plans and 1.96±0.32 for conformal plans. And the average HI was 1.15±0.01 for VMAT plans and 1.51±0.21 for conformal plans. The mean and max doses to the all OARs for VMAT plans were significantly lower than conformal plans. The measured dose in phantom for VAMT plans was comparable to the calculated dose in Eclipse and the doses at junctions were verified. Conclusion: VMAT CSI was able to achieve better dose conformity and heterogeneity as well as significantly reducing the dose to Heart, esophagus and larynx. VMAT CSI appears to be a dosimterically advantageous, faster delivery, has better reproducibility CSI treatment.« less

flowAI: automatic and interactive anomaly discerning tools for flow cytometry data.

PubMed

Monaco, Gianni; Chen, Hao; Poidinger, Michael; Chen, Jinmiao; de Magalhães, João Pedro; Larbi, Anis

2016-08-15

Flow cytometry (FCM) is widely used in both clinical and basic research to characterize cell phenotypes and functions. The latest FCM instruments analyze up to 20 markers of individual cells, producing high-dimensional data. This requires the use of the latest clustering and dimensionality reduction techniques to automatically segregate cell sub-populations in an unbiased manner. However, automated analyses may lead to false discoveries due to inter-sample differences in quality and properties. We present an R package, flowAI, containing two methods to clean FCM files from unwanted events: (i) an automatic method that adopts algorithms for the detection of anomalies and (ii) an interactive method with a graphical user interface implemented into an R shiny application. The general approach behind the two methods consists of three key steps to check and remove suspected anomalies that derive from (i) abrupt changes in the flow rate, (ii) instability of signal acquisition and (iii) outliers in the lower limit and margin events in the upper limit of the dynamic range. For each file analyzed our software generates a summary of the quality assessment from the aforementioned steps. The software presented is an intuitive solution seeking to improve the results not only of manual but also and in particular of automatic analysis on FCM data. R source code available through Bioconductor: http://bioconductor.org/packages/flowAI/ CONTACTS: mongianni1@gmail.com or Anis_Larbi@immunol.a-star.edu.sg Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Artificial Intelligence Research Branch future plans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Helen (Editor)

1992-01-01

This report contains information on the activities of the Artificial Intelligence Research Branch (FIA) at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) in 1992, as well as planned work in 1993. These activities span a range from basic scientific research through engineering development to fielded NASA applications, particularly those applications that are enabled by basic research carried out in FIA. Work is conducted in-house and through collaborative partners in academia and industry. All of our work has research themes with a dual commitment to technical excellence and applicability to NASA short, medium, and long-term problems. FIA acts as the Agency's lead organization for research aspects of artificial intelligence, working closely with a second research laboratory at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and AI applications groups throughout all NASA centers. This report is organized along three major research themes: (1) Planning and Scheduling: deciding on a sequence of actions to achieve a set of complex goals and determining when to execute those actions and how to allocate resources to carry them out; (2) Machine Learning: techniques for forming theories about natural and man-made phenomena; and for improving the problem-solving performance of computational systems over time; and (3) Research on the acquisition, representation, and utilization of knowledge in support of diagnosis design of engineered systems and analysis of actual systems.

Effects of BMI on the risk and frequency of AIS 3+ injuries in motor-vehicle crashes.

PubMed

Rupp, Jonathan D; Flannagan, Carol A C; Leslie, Andrew J; Hoff, Carrie N; Reed, Matthew P; Cunningham, Rebecca M

2013-01-01

Determine the effects of BMI on the risk of serious-to-fatal injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥ 3 or AIS 3+) to different body regions for adults in frontal, nearside, farside, and rollover crashes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to a probability sample of adult occupants involved in crashes generated by combining the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS-CDS) with a pseudoweighted version of the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network database. Logistic regression models were applied to weighted data to estimate the change in the number of occupants with AIS 3+ injuries if no occupants were obese. Increasing BMI increased risk of lower-extremity injury in frontal crashes, decreased risk of lower-extremity injury in nearside impacts, increased risk of upper-extremity injury in frontal and nearside crashes, and increased risk of spine injury in frontal crashes. Several of these findings were affected by interactions with gender and vehicle type. If no occupants in frontal crashes were obese, 7% fewer occupants would sustain AIS 3+ upper-extremity injuries, 8% fewer occupants would sustain AIS 3+ lower-extremity injuries, and 28% fewer occupants would sustain AIS 3+ spine injuries. Results of this study have implications on the design and evaluation of vehicle safety systems. Copyright © 2013 The Obesity Society.

Polychronous Zirconology of Navysh Volcanics of the Ai Formation (Southern Urals)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasnobaev, A. A.; Puchkov, V. N.; Sergeeva, N. D.

2018-01-01

In order to resolve the age of Navysh volcanics (NV), which is usually attributed to the Lower Riphean of the Ai Formation, we have used geochronological, petrologic, and mineralogical methods of zirconology, apart from the SHRIMP isotopic data of single zircon grains. Moreover, TIMS isotope age analyses have been conducted, the results of which can be regarded as both controlling and providing the most correct information. The TIMS and SHRIMP data make it possible to suggest a polychronous character of the NV, which include not only Riphean, but also Paleozoic groups of volcanics. In this situation, an assessment of the scales of such polychroneity of NV and, correspondingly, of the Ai Formation as a whole becomes urgent.

Spinal Cord Injury-Assessing Tolerability and Use of Combined Rehabilitation and NeuroAiD (SATURN Study): Protocol of An Exploratory Study In Assessing the Safety and Efficacy of NeuroAiD Amongst People Who Sustain Severe Spinal Cord Injury.

PubMed

Kumar, Ramesh; Htwe, Ohnmar; Baharudin, Azmi; Ariffin, Mohammad Hisam; Abdul Rhani, Shaharuddin; Ibrahim, Kamalnizat; Rustam, Aishah; Gan, Robert

2016-12-05

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition with limited therapeutic options despite decades of research. Current treatment options include use of steroids, surgery, and rehabilitation. Nevertheless, many patients with SCI remain disabled. MLC601 (NeuroAiD), a combination of natural products, has been shown to be safe and to aid neurological recovery after brain injuries and may have a potential role in improving recovery after SCI. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NeuroAiD amongst people who sustain SCI in the study setting. Spinal Cord Injury-Assessing Tolerability and Use of Combined Rehabilitation and NeuroAiD (SATURN) is a prospective cohort study of patients with moderately severe to severe SCI, defined as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) A and B. These patients will be treated with open-label NeuroAiD for 6 months in addition to standard care and followed for 24 months. Anonymized data will be prospectively collected at baseline and months 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 and will include information on demographics; main diagnostics; and neurological and functional state assessed by the Spinal Cord Independence Measure, ASIA-International Standard for Neurological Classification Spinal Cord Injury, and Short Form (SF-8) Health Survey. In addition, NeuroAiD treatment, compliance, concomitant therapies, and side effects, if any, will be collected. Investigators will use a secured online system for data entry. The study is approved by the ethics committee of Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia. The coprimary endpoints are safety, AIS grade, and improvement in ASIA motor score at 6 months. Secondary endpoints are AIS grade, ASIA motor scores and sensory scores, Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM), SF-8 Health Survey, and compliance at other time points. SATURN investigates the promising role of NeuroAiD in SCI especially given its excellent safety profile. We described here the protocol and

Spinal Cord Injury—Assessing Tolerability and Use of Combined Rehabilitation and NeuroAiD (SATURN Study): Protocol of An Exploratory Study In Assessing the Safety and Efficacy of NeuroAiD Amongst People Who Sustain Severe Spinal Cord Injury

PubMed Central

Htwe, Ohnmar; Baharudin, Azmi; Ariffin, Mohammad Hisam; Abdul Rhani, Shaharuddin; Ibrahim, Kamalnizat; Rustam, Aishah; Gan, Robert

2016-01-01

Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition with limited therapeutic options despite decades of research. Current treatment options include use of steroids, surgery, and rehabilitation. Nevertheless, many patients with SCI remain disabled. MLC601 (NeuroAiD), a combination of natural products, has been shown to be safe and to aid neurological recovery after brain injuries and may have a potential role in improving recovery after SCI. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NeuroAiD amongst people who sustain SCI in the study setting. Methods Spinal Cord Injury—Assessing Tolerability and Use of Combined Rehabilitation and NeuroAiD (SATURN) is a prospective cohort study of patients with moderately severe to severe SCI, defined as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) A and B. These patients will be treated with open-label NeuroAiD for 6 months in addition to standard care and followed for 24 months. Anonymized data will be prospectively collected at baseline and months 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 and will include information on demographics; main diagnostics; and neurological and functional state assessed by the Spinal Cord Independence Measure, ASIA—International Standard for Neurological Classification Spinal Cord Injury, and Short Form (SF-8) Health Survey. In addition, NeuroAiD treatment, compliance, concomitant therapies, and side effects, if any, will be collected. Investigators will use a secured online system for data entry. The study is approved by the ethics committee of Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia. Results The coprimary endpoints are safety, AIS grade, and improvement in ASIA motor score at 6 months. Secondary endpoints are AIS grade, ASIA motor scores and sensory scores, Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM), SF-8 Health Survey, and compliance at other time points. Conclusions SATURN investigates the promising role of NeuroAiD in SCI especially given its excellent

Acidocalcisomes of Phytomonas françai possess distinct morphological characteristics and contain iron.

PubMed

Miranda, Kildare; Rodrigues, Claudia O; Hentchel, Joachim; Vercesi, Anibal; Plattner, Helmut; de Souza, Wanderley; Docampo, Roberto

2004-10-01

Acidocalcisomes are acidic calcium storage compartments described initially in trypanosomatid and apicomplexan parasites, and recently found in other unicellular eukaryotes. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of acidocalcisomes in the plant trypanosomatid Phytomonas françai. Electron-dense organelles of P. françai were shown to contain large amounts of oxygen, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc as determined by X-ray microanalysis, either in situ or when purified using iodixanol gradient centrifugation or by elemental mapping. The presence of iron is not common in other acidocalcisomes. In situ, but not when purified, these organelles showed an elongated shape differing from previously described acidocalcisomes. However, these organelles also possessed a vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase (V-H+-PPase) as determined by biochemical methods and by immunofluorescence microscopy using antibodies against the enzyme. Together, these results suggest that the electron-dense organelles of P. françai are homologous to the acidocalcisomes described in other trypanosomatids, although with distinct morphology and elemental content.

Satellite and Missile Data Generation for AIS.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-01

8217..lI SATELLITE AND MISSILE DATA SGENERATION FOR AIS Operating Systems, Inc. S Dr. Georgette M4. T. Silva Dr. Christine A. Montgomery APPROVED FOR PUBLIC...Same " UNCLASSIFIEDSame S .. DECLASSIFI CATION DOWNGRADING N/ASCH E D ULE 16. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of this Report) Approved for public release...provislon.of adequate system control. 1-6 1.2.2 Current Capabilities of 031’ s Message Text Processing System. The OSI message text analysis system has the

Range and mission scheduling automation using combined AI and operations research techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arbabi, Mansur; Pfeifer, Michael

1987-01-01

Ground-based systems for Satellite Command, Control, and Communications (C3) operations require a method for planning, scheduling and assigning the range resources such as: antenna systems scattered around the world, communications systems, and personnel. The method must accommodate user priorities, last minute changes, maintenance requirements, and exceptions from nominal requirements. Described are computer programs which solve 24 hour scheduling problems, using heuristic algorithms and a real time interactive scheduling process.

Maintaining consistency between planning hierarchies: Techniques and applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zoch, David R.

1987-01-01

In many planning and scheduling environments, it is desirable to be able to view and manipulate plans at different levels of abstraction, allowing the users the option of viewing and manipulating either a very detailed representation of the plan or a high-level more abstract version of the plan. Generating a detailed plan from a more abstract plan requires domain-specific planning/scheduling knowledge; the reverse process of generating a high-level plan from a detailed plan Reverse Plan Maintenance, or RPM) requires having the system remember the actions it took based on its domain-specific knowledge and its reasons for taking those actions. This reverse plan maintenance process is described as implemented in a specific planning and scheduling tool, The Mission Operations Planning Assistant (MOPA), as well as the applications of RPM to other planning and scheduling problems; emphasizing the knowledge that is needed to maintain the correspondence between the different hierarchical planning levels.

English Learners (ELs) Who Are American Indian and/or Alaska Native (AI/AN). Fast Facts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Office of English Language Acquisition, US Department of Education, 2016

2016-01-01

The Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) has synthesized key data on English learners (ELs) into two-page PDF sheets, by topic, with graphics, plus key contacts. The topics for this report on English Learners (ELs) Who Are American Indian and/or Alaska Native (AI/AN) include: (1) States With the Highest Percentage of ELs Who Were AI/AN:…

Screening and identification of apolipoprotein A-I as a potential hepatoblastoma biomarker in children, excluding inflammatory factors

PubMed Central

ZHAO, WEI; LI, JUAN; ZHANG, YILIN; GAO, PENGFEI; ZHANG, JUNJIE; GUO, FEI; YU, JIEKAI; ZHENG, SHU; WANG, JIAXIANG

2015-01-01

The aim of the present study was to identify a child hepatoblastoma serum biomarker that is unaffected by inflammatory factors, with the ultimate aim of finding an effective method for the early diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. The magnetic bead-based weak cation exchange chromatography technique was used to process serum harvested from 30 children with hepatoblastoma, 20 children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and 20 healthy children. Proteins differentially expressed in SIRS were excluded from consideration as biomarkers for hepatoblastoma. Proteins differentially expressed in hepatoblastoma and healthy controls were screened using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). Target proteins were purified by SDS-PAGE, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-TOF-MS was used to determine their amino acid sequences. Protein matches were searched in the SwissProt database. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and ELISA were employed to confirm the expression of target proteins. Following screening to exclude inflammatory factors, SELDI-TOF-MS revealed a protein with a mass-to-charge ratio of 9,348 Da that was expressed at significantly lower levels in the serum of children with hepatoblastoma compared with healthy controls (P<0.01). Sequence analysis identified this protein as apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-I). qPCR and ELISA confirmed that the expression of Apo A-I mRNA and protein were significantly lower in children with hepatoblastoma compared with healthy controls (P<0.05). These results indicate that Apo A-I is a non-inflammatory protein marker for hepatoblastoma with the potential for use in early diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. In addition, the present study demonstrates the feasibility of proteomic screening for the identification of proteins that can serve as markers for a specific tumor. PMID:26171005

Screening and identification of apolipoprotein A-I as a potential hepatoblastoma biomarker in children, excluding inflammatory factors.

PubMed

Zhao, Wei; Li, Juan; Zhang, Yilin; Gao, Pengfei; Zhang, Junjie; Guo, Fei; Yu, Jiekai; Zheng, Shu; Wang, Jiaxiang

2015-07-01

The aim of the present study was to identify a child hepatoblastoma serum biomarker that is unaffected by inflammatory factors, with the ultimate aim of finding an effective method for the early diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. The magnetic bead-based weak cation exchange chromatography technique was used to process serum harvested from 30 children with hepatoblastoma, 20 children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and 20 healthy children. Proteins differentially expressed in SIRS were excluded from consideration as biomarkers for hepatoblastoma. Proteins differentially expressed in hepatoblastoma and healthy controls were screened using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). Target proteins were purified by SDS-PAGE, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-TOF-MS was used to determine their amino acid sequences. Protein matches were searched in the SwissProt database. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and ELISA were employed to confirm the expression of target proteins. Following screening to exclude inflammatory factors, SELDI-TOF-MS revealed a protein with a mass-to-charge ratio of 9,348 Da that was expressed at significantly lower levels in the serum of children with hepatoblastoma compared with healthy controls (P<0.01). Sequence analysis identified this protein as apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-I). qPCR and ELISA confirmed that the expression of Apo A-I mRNA and protein were significantly lower in children with hepatoblastoma compared with healthy controls (P<0.05). These results indicate that Apo A-I is a non-inflammatory protein marker for hepatoblastoma with the potential for use in early diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. In addition, the present study demonstrates the feasibility of proteomic screening for the identification of proteins that can serve as markers for a specific tumor.

AIS-2 automated meter for spectra recorded on photographic plates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ramendik, G.I.; Khromov, A.Yu.; Volkov, V.L.

1986-10-01

The AIS-2 system contains a G-2 microdensitometer, an Elektronika D3-28 microcomputer, an Shch1312 digital voltmeter, and an S1-72 oscilloscope, which serves as a graphics display. The system operates in the interactive mode.

The treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) according to present evidence. A systematic review.

PubMed

Weiss, H-R; Goodall, D

2008-06-01

Traditionally, the treatment options for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the most common form of scoliosis, are exercises; in-patient rehabilitation; braces and surgery. The outcomes of treatments are usually compared with the natural history or observation (non-intervention). The aim of this paper was to provide a synopsis of all treatment options in the light of evidence based practice (EBP). A systematic review was carried out using the most encompassing databases available. Literature has been searched for the outcome parameter ''rate of progression'' and only prospective controlled studies that have considered the treatment versus the natural history have been included. The search strategy included the following terms: ''adolescent idiopathic scoliosis''; ''idiopathic scoliosis''; ''natural history''; ''observation''; ''physiotherapy''; ''physical therapy''; ''rehabilitation''; ''bracing''; ''orthotics'' and ''surgery''. Prospective short-term studies have been found to support outpatient physiotherapy. One prospective controlled study was found to support scoliosis in-patient rehabilitation (SIR). One prospective multi-centre study, a long-term prospective controlled study and a meta-analysis have been found to support bracing. No controlled study, neither short, mid nor long-term, was found to reveal any substantial evidence to support surgery as a treatment for this condition. There is some evidence supporting the conservative treatment for AIS. No substantial evidence has been found in terms of prospective controlled studies to support surgical intervention. In light of the unknown long-term effects of surgery, a randomised controlled trial (RCT) seems necessary. Due to the presence of evidence to support conservative treatments, a plan to compose a RCT for conservative treatment options seems unethical. But it is also important to conclude that the evidence for conservative treatments is weak in number and length.

Plan Recognition using Statistical Relational Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-25

arguments. Section 4 describes several variants of MLNs for plan recognition. All MLN mod- els were implemented using Alchemy (Kok et al., 2010), an...For both MLN approaches, we used MC-SAT (Poon and Domingos, 2006) as implemented in the Alchemy system on both Monroe and Linux. Evaluation Metric We...Singla P, Poon H, Lowd D, Wang J, Nath A, Domingos P. The Alchemy System for Statistical Relational AI. Techni- cal Report; Department of Computer Science

The Development of AI in Medicine and the Research Environment of the SPHINX Project at the Start of the 1980s.

PubMed

Fieschi, M

2012-01-01

To review the history of AI in Medicine in the 1980's, placing the SPHINX system in the context of other research in this field. Summarize the main systems for AI in medicine developed in the 1970-1980 decade and their relationship to the development of clinical decision-making and consultation systems The approaches taken by AI in medicine research groups is compared and contrasted to those of others using statistical and logical methods for representing clinical inferences, and the different AI approaches are summarized, and related to the architecture and systems implementation of SPHINX CONCLUSION: The SPHINX system combined a number of advanced representational and inference choices from AI in designing a decision- support system for clinical consultation in the 1980s. The context within which the system was developed is outlined and related to the historical evolution of AI in medicine during that decade.

Association between cagA, vacAi, and dupA genes of Helicobacter pylori and gastroduodenal pathologies in Chilean patients.

PubMed

Paredes-Osses, Esteban; Sáez, Katia; Sanhueza, Enrique; Hebel, Sonja; González, Carlos; Briceño, Carlos; García Cancino, Apolinaria

2017-09-01

In addition to the already known cagA gene, novel genetic markers have been associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) virulence: the dupA and vacAi genes. These genes might play an important role as specific markers to determine the clinical outcome of the disease, especially the vacAi gene, which has been expected to be a good marker of severe pathologies like gastric adenocarcinoma. In the present study, the association of cagA, dupA, and vacAi genes with gastroduodenal pathologies in Chilean patients was studied. One hundred and thirty-two patients positive for H. pylori were divided into two groups-non-severe and severe gastric pathologies-and investigated for the presence of cagA, dupA, and vacAi H. pylori virulence genes by PCR. The cagA gene was detected in 20/132 patients (15.2%), the vacAi1 gene was detected in 54/132 patients (40.9%), the vacAi2 gene was detected in 26/132 patients (19.7%), and the dupA gene was detected in 50/132 (37.9%) patients. Logistic regression model analysis showed that the vacAi1 isoform gene in the infected strains and the severity of the diseases outcome were highly associated, causing severe gastric damage that may lead to gastric cancer (p < 0.0001; OR = 8.75; 95% CI 3.54-21.64). Conversely, cagA (p = 0.3507; OR = 1.62; 95% CI 0.59-4.45) and vacAi2 (p = 0.0114; OR = 3.09; 95% CI 1.26-7.60) genes were not associated with damage, while the dupA gene was associated significantly with non-severe clinical outcome (p = 0.0032; OR = 0.25; 95% CI 0.09-0.65). In addition, dupA gene exerts protection against severe gastric pathologies induced by vacAi1 by delaying the outcome of the disease by approximately 20 years.

A simple way to plan implant positioning: the "S-technique".

PubMed

Piano, Sergio

2011-01-01

This study presents a technique for improving implant placements. As is widely known, a correct positioning is essential in restoration-driven implants, as well as in tilted implants in order to obtain satisfactory final functional and esthetic results. To this end, some authors have emphasized the importance of using a diagnostic and/or surgical guide to plan the exact implant position. In practice, one of the clinical problems faced is how to check the accuracy of the template prior to initiating the surgical phase. A simple method called the "S-Technique" is proposed in order to evaluate and to change, if necessary, the projected position of the implants by way of metal rods as radiopaque markers. This device is easy to produce and is cost-saving to the clinician and, therefore, to the patient. Furthermore, in specific patients, this method could also decrease the need for computerized tomography scans and/or radiographs, thus reducing health risks for the patient.

Abundance and distribution of ultramafic microbreccia in Moses Rock Dike: Quantitative application of AIS data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mustard, John F.; Pieters, Carle M.

1987-01-01

Moses Rock dike is a Tertiary diatreme containing serpentinized ultramafic microbreccia (SUM). Field evidence indicates the SUM was emplaced first followed by breccias derived from the Permian strata exposed in the walls of the diatreme and finally by complex breccias containing basement and mantle derived rocks. SUM is found primarily dispersed throughout the matrix of the diatreme. Moses Rock dike was examined with Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) to map the distribution and excess of SUM in the matrix and to better understand the nature of the eruption which formed this explosive volcanic feature. AIS data was calibrated by dividing the suite of AIS data by data from an internal standard area and then multiplying this relative reflectance data by the absolute bidirectional reflectance of a selected sample from the standard area which was measured in the lab. From the calibrated AIS data the minerals serpentine, gypsum, and illite as well as desert varnish and the lithologies SUM and other sandstones were identified. SUM distribution and abundance in the matrix of the diatreme were examined in detail and two distinct styles of SUM dispersion were observed. The two styles are discussed in detail.

Disruption of Human Plasma High Density Lipoproteins by Streptococcal Serum Opacity Factor Requires Labile Apolipoprotein A-I

PubMed Central

Han, Mikyung; Gillard, Baiba K.; Courtney, Harry S.; Ward, Kathryn; Rosales, Corina; Khant, Htet; Ludtke, Steven J.; Pownall, Henry J.

2010-01-01

Human plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL), the primary vehicle for reverse cholesterol transport, are the target of serum opacity factor (SOF), a virulence determinant of Streptococcus pyogenes that turns serum opaque. HDL comprise a core of neutral lipids–cholesteryl esters and some triglyceride–surrounded by a surface monolayer of cholesterol, phospholipids, and specialized proteins–apolipoproteins (apos) A-I and A-II. HDL is an unstable particle residing in a kinetic trap from which it can escape via chaotropic, detergent or thermal perturbation. Recombinant (r) SOF catalyzes the transfer of nearly all neutral lipids of ~100,000 HDL particles (D ~ 8.5 nm) into a single, large cholesteryl ester-rich microemulsion (CERM; D >100 nm) leaving a new HDL-like particle–neo HDL (D ~5.8 nm) while releasing lipid-free (LF) apo A-I. CERM formation and apo A-I release have similar kinetics suggesting parallel or rapid consecutive steps. By using complementary physico-chemical methods, we have refined the mechanistic model for HDL opacification. According to size exclusion chromatography, HDL containing non-labile apo A-I resists rSOF-mediated opacification. Based on kinetic cryo electron microscopy, rSOF (10 nM) catalyzes the conversion of HDL (4 μM) to neo HDL via a step-wise mechanism in which intermediate-size particles are seen. Kinetic turbidimetry revealed opacification as a rising exponential reaction with a rate constant k = (4.400 ± 0.004) × 10−2 min−1. Analysis of the kinetic data using transition state theory gave an enthalpy, entropy and free energy of activation of ΔH‡ = 73.9 kJ/mol, ΔS‡ = −66.87 J/°K, and ΔG‡ = 94.6 kJ/mol respectively. The free energy of activation for opacification is nearly identical to that for the displacement of apo A-I from HDL by guanidine hydrochloride. We conclude that apo A-I lability is required for HDL opacification, LF apo A-I desorption is the rate-limiting step, and nearly all HDL particles contain

"Fast" Is Not "Real-Time": Designing Effective Real-Time AI Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Reilly, Cindy A.; Cromarty, Andrew S.

1985-04-01

Realistic practical problem domains (such as robotics, process control, and certain kinds of signal processing) stand to benefit greatly from the application of artificial intelligence techniques. These problem domains are of special interest because they are typified by complex dynamic environments in which the ability to select and initiate a proper response to environmental events in real time is a strict prerequisite to effective environmental interaction. Artificial intelligence systems developed to date have been sheltered from this real-time requirement, however, largely by virtue of their use of simplified problem domains or problem representations. The plethora of colloquial and (in general) mutually inconsistent interpretations of the term "real-time" employed by workers in each of these domains further exacerbates the difficul-ties in effectively applying state-of-the-art problem solving tech-niques to time-critical problems. Indeed, the intellectual waters are by now sufficiently muddied that the pursuit of a rigorous treatment of intelligent real-time performance mandates the redevelopment of proper problem perspective on what "real-time" means, starting from first principles. We present a simple but nonetheless formal definition of real-time performance. We then undertake an analysis of both conventional techniques and AI technology with respect to their ability to meet substantive real-time performance criteria. This analysis provides a basis for specification of problem-independent design requirements for systems that would claim real-time performance. Finally, we discuss the application of these design principles to a pragmatic problem in real-time signal understanding.

AI-based (ANN and SVM) statistical downscaling methods for precipitation estimation under climate change scenarios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehrvand, Masoud; Baghanam, Aida Hosseini; Razzaghzadeh, Zahra; Nourani, Vahid

2017-04-01

Since statistical downscaling methods are the most largely used models to study hydrologic impact studies under climate change scenarios, nonlinear regression models known as Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based models such as Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) have been used to spatially downscale the precipitation outputs of Global Climate Models (GCMs). The study has been carried out using GCM and station data over GCM grid points located around the Peace-Tampa Bay watershed weather stations. Before downscaling with AI-based model, correlation coefficient values have been computed between a few selected large-scale predictor variables and local scale predictands to select the most effective predictors. The selected predictors are then assessed considering grid location for the site in question. In order to increase AI-based downscaling model accuracy pre-processing has been developed on precipitation time series. In this way, the precipitation data derived from various GCM data analyzed thoroughly to find the highest value of correlation coefficient between GCM-based historical data and station precipitation data. Both GCM and station precipitation time series have been assessed by comparing mean and variances over specific intervals. Results indicated that there is similar trend between GCM and station precipitation data; however station data has non-stationary time series while GCM data does not. Finally AI-based downscaling model have been applied to several GCMs with selected predictors by targeting local precipitation time series as predictand. The consequences of recent step have been used to produce multiple ensembles of downscaled AI-based models.

77 FR 58953 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Delaware; Control Technique...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-25

... Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Delaware; Control Technique Guidelines for Plastic Parts... categories: Plastic Parts, Metal Furniture, Large Appliances, and Miscellaneous Metal Parts. EPA is approving... Compounds, sections 2.0 ``Definitions,'' 12.0 ``Surface Coating of Plastic Parts,'' 19.0 ``Coating of Metal...

Anti-inflammatory activity of polyphenolics from açai (Euterpe oleracea Martius) in intestinal myofibroblasts CCD-18Co cells.

PubMed

Dias, Manoela Maciel dos Santos; Martino, Hércia Stampini Duarte; Noratto, Giuliana; Roque-Andrade, Andrea; Stringheta, Paulo César; Talcott, Stephen; Ramos, Afonso Mota; Mertens-Talcott, Susanne U

2015-10-01

The demand for tropical fruits high in polyphenolics including açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) has been increasing based on ascribed health benefits and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of açai polyphenolics in human colon myofibroblastic CCD-18Co cells to investigate the suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory proteins. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of açai extract, 1-5 mg gallic acid equivalent L(-1), were selected. The generation of ROS was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and açai extract partially reversed this effect to 0.53-fold of the LPS-control. Açai extract (5 mg GAE L(-1)) down-regulated LPS-induced mRNA-expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha, TNF-α (to 0.42-fold), cyclooxygenase 2, COX-2 (to 0.61-fold), toll-like receptor-4, TLR-4 (to 0.52-fold), TNF receptor-associated factor 6, TRAF-6 (to 0.64-fold), nuclear factor kappa-B, NF-κB (to 0.76-fold), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, VCAM-1 (to 0.71-fold) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1, ICAM-1 (to 0.68-fold). The protein levels of COX-2, TLR-4, p-NF-κB and ICAM-1 were induced by LPS and the açai extract partially reversed this effect in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest the anti-inflammatory effect of açai polyphenolic extract in intestinal cells are at least in part mediated through the inhibition of ROS and the expression of TLR-4 and NF-κB. Results indicate the potential for açai polyphenolics in the prevention of intestinal inflammation.

Measuring the Value of AI in Space Science and Exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blair, B.; Parr, J.; Diamond, B.; Pittman, B.; Rasky, D.

2017-10-01

FDL is tackling knowledge gaps useful to the space program by forming small teams of industrial partners, cutting-edge AI researchers and space science domain experts, and tasking them to solve problems that are important to NASA as well as humanity's future.

AIS Spectra for Stressed and Unstressed Plant Communities in the Carolina Slate Belt

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wickland, D. E.

1985-01-01

Airborne imaging spectrometer (AIS) data were collected over a number of derelict heavy metal mine sites in the Carolina slate belt of North Carolina. A 32 channel (1156 to 1456 nm) data set was acquired in October, 1983 at the time of peak fall foliage display, and a 128 channel (1220 to 2420) data set was acquired near the end of the spring leaf flush in May, 1984. Spectral curves were extracted from the AIS data for differing ground cover types (e.g., pine forests, mixed deciduous forests, mine sites, and pastures). Variation in the width of an absorption feature located at approximately 1190 nm has been related to differences in forest type. Small differences in the location and shape of features in the near infrared plateau (1156 to 1300 nm) and the region 2000 to 2420 nm have yet to be evaluated. Because these variations were subtle, and because atmospheric effects were apparent in the data, high priority must be assigned to devising a means of removing atmospheric effects from AIS spectra.

Analysis of the lifetime and culling reasons for AI boars.

PubMed

Knecht, Damian; Jankowska-Mąkosa, Anna; Duziński, Kamil

2017-01-01

The aim of the study was to analyze the lifetime and culling reasons for boars used in insemination centers (AI centers). The data collected from 355 culled boars from 1998 to 2013 included: age at start of semen collection, boar herd life, culling reason, daily gain and lean meat content, and number of ejaculates not meeting sales requirements after dilution. Culling reasons were divided into 7 groups: low semen value (LSV), low or lack of libido (LL), leg problems (LP), infectious diseases (ID), old age (OA), reduced demand for semen from the given boar (RD), and others (OT). The most common culling reasons for boars were LSV (23.7%) and RD (22.5%). It was observed that the lowest daily gains were noted in boars culled due to OA. Boars culled due to OA and RD were maintained in production for the longest time (over 1000 d), for LSV and ID retention was about 700 d, and due to LL below 400 d. The survival probability was over 0.9 until 1.5 yr, and just over 0.2 until 4 yr. The highest relative frequency was observed in the 36 th and 42 nd mo of life (over 16%). Hazard risk analysis revealed a more than 10 times higher risk of culling in the case of LL, ID or OT, in comparison to OA. The results can be used as a direct point of reference for the identification of emerging problems in AI boar exploitation and the development of an appropriate culling policy in AI centers.

AI in medical education--another grand challenge for medical informatics.

PubMed

Lillehaug, S I; Lajoie, S P

1998-03-01

The potential benefits of artificial intelligence in medicine (AIM) were never realized as anticipated. This paper addresses ways in which such potential can be achieved. Recent discussions of this topic have proposed a stronger integration between AIM applications and health information systems, and emphasize computer guidelines to support the new health care paradigms of evidence-based medicine and cost-effectiveness. These proposals, however, promote the initial definition of AIM applications as being AI systems that can perform or aid in diagnoses. We challenge this traditional philosophy of AIM and propose a new approach aiming at empowering health care workers to become independent self-sufficient problem solvers and decision makers. Our philosophy is based on findings from a review of empirical research that examines the relationship between the health care personnel's level of knowledge and skills, their job satisfaction, and the quality of the health care they provide. This review supports addressing the quality of health care by empowering health care workers to reach their full potential. As an aid in this empowerment process we argue for reviving a long forgotten AIM research area, namely, AI based applications for medical education and training. There is a growing body of research in artificial intelligence in education that demonstrates that the use of artificial intelligence can enhance learning in numerous domains. By examining the strengths of these educational applications and the results from previous AIM research we derive a framework for empowering medical personnel and consequently raising the quality of health care through the use of advanced AI based technology.

78 FR 34306 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans: North Carolina; Control Techniques...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-07

... Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans: North Carolina; Control Techniques Guidelines and Reasonably Available Control Technology AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY... Carolina's commitment associated with the conditional approval of its reasonably available control...

Evaluation of an artificial intelligence guided inverse planning system: clinical case study.

PubMed

Yan, Hui; Yin, Fang-Fang; Willett, Christopher

2007-04-01

An artificial intelligence (AI) guided method for parameter adjustment of inverse planning was implemented on a commercial inverse treatment planning system. For evaluation purpose, four typical clinical cases were tested and the results from both plans achieved by automated and manual methods were compared. The procedure of parameter adjustment mainly consists of three major loops. Each loop is in charge of modifying parameters of one category, which is carried out by a specially customized fuzzy inference system. A physician prescribed multiple constraints for a selected volume were adopted to account for the tradeoff between prescription dose to the PTV and dose-volume constraints for critical organs. The searching process for an optimal parameter combination began with the first constraint, and proceeds to the next until a plan with acceptable dose was achieved. The initial setup of the plan parameters was the same for each case and was adjusted independently by both manual and automated methods. After the parameters of one category were updated, the intensity maps of all fields were re-optimized and the plan dose was subsequently re-calculated. When final plan arrived, the dose statistics were calculated from both plans and compared. For planned target volume (PTV), the dose for 95% volume is up to 10% higher in plans using the automated method than those using the manual method. For critical organs, an average decrease of the plan dose was achieved. However, the automated method cannot improve the plan dose for some critical organs due to limitations of the inference rules currently employed. For normal tissue, there was no significant difference between plan doses achieved by either automated or manual method. With the application of AI-guided method, the basic parameter adjustment task can be accomplished automatically and a comparable plan dose was achieved in comparison with that achieved by the manual method. Future improvements to incorporate case

An AIS-Based E-mail Classification Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qing, Jinjian; Mao, Ruilong; Bie, Rongfang; Gao, Xiao-Zhi

This paper proposes a new e-mail classification method based on the Artificial Immune System (AIS), which is endowed with good diversity and self-adaptive ability by using the immune learning, immune memory, and immune recognition. In our method, the features of spam and non-spam extracted from the training sets are combined together, and the number of false positives (non-spam messages that are incorrectly classified as spam) can be reduced. The experimental results demonstrate that this method is effective in reducing the false rate.

Detection and genotyping of Trypanosoma cruzi from açai products commercialized in Rio de Janeiro and Pará, Brazil.

PubMed

Ferreira, Renata Trotta Barroso; Cabral, Maria Luiza; Martins, Ronald Sodré; Araujo, Paula Finamore; da Silva, Sérgio Alves; Britto, Constança; Branquinho, Maria Regina; Cardarelli-Leite, Paola; Moreira, Otacilio C

2018-04-10

Several cases of food-borne acute Chagas disease (ACD) have been reported in the Brazilian Amazon so far. Up to 2004, the occurrence of ACD by oral transmission, associated with food consumption, was rare. Recent cases of ACD in Brazil have been attributed to the consumption of juice from the açai palm containing reservoir animals or insect vectors waste, infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. This study aimed to determine the T. cruzi contamination rate and to genotype the parasite in food samples prepared from açai, which are commercialized in Rio de Janeiro and the Pará States in Brazil. The amplificability of DNA extracted from açai samples, and T. cruzi and Triatominae detection were performed by conventional PCR. Molecular characterization was done by multilocus PCR analysis, to determine the parasite discrete type units (DTUs) based on the size of PCR products in agarose gels, using the intergenic region of the spliced leader (SL), 24 Sα rDNA and nuclear fragment A10 as targets. From the 140 samples of açai-based products analyzed, T. cruzi DNA was detected in 14 samples (10%); triatomine DNA was detected in one of these 14 samples. The parasite genotyping demonstrated that food samples containing açai showed a mixture of T. cruzi DTUs with TcIII, TcV and TcI prevailing. In this study, the molecular detection and identification of T. cruzi from açai-based manufactured food samples, was performed for the first time. Although parasite DNA is a marker of possible contamination during food manufacturing, our findings do not indicate that açai is a source of Chagas disease via oral transmission per se, as live parasites were not investigated. Nevertheless, a molecular approach could be a powerful tool in the epidemiological investigation of outbreaks, supporting previous evidence that açai-based food can be contaminated with T. cruzi. Furthermore, both food quality control and assessment of good manufacturing practices involving açai-based products can be

Dietary açai modulates ROS production by neutrophils and gene expression of liver antioxidant enzymes in rats

PubMed Central

Guerra, Joyce Ferreira da Costa; Magalhães, Cíntia Lopes de Brito; Costa, Daniela Caldeira; Silva, Marcelo Eustáquio; Pedrosa, Maria Lúcia

2011-01-01

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) has recently emerged as a promising source of natural antioxidants. Because increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defense mechanisms are important factors in the development of diabetic complications and many health claims have been reported for açai, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible protective effects of açai on the production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils and on the liver antioxidant defense system in control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diet supplementation with 2% açai was found to increase mRNA levels for gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione peroxidase in liver tissue and to decrease reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils. Compared to control animals, diabetic rats exhibited lower levels of mRNA coding for Zn-superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and higher levels of reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and carbonyl proteins in hepatic tissues. Although açai supplementation was not effective in restore gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats, it showed a protective effect, decreasing thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels and increasing reduced glutathione content in the liver. These findings suggest that açai can modulate reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils and that it has a significant favorable effect on the liver antioxidant defense system under fisiological conditions of oxidative stress and partially revert deleterious effects of diabetes in the liver. PMID:22128218

Artificial Intelligence: Is the Future Now for A.I.?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramaswami, Rama

2009-01-01

In education, artificial intelligence (AI) has not made much headway. In the one area where it would seem poised to lend the most benefit--assessment--the reliance on standardized tests, intensified by the demands of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which holds schools accountable for whether students pass statewide exams, precludes its use.…

Planning and scheduling the Hubble Space Telescope: Practical application of advanced techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Glenn E.

1994-01-01

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a major astronomical facility that was launched in April, 1990. In late 1993, the first of several planned servicing missions refurbished the telescope, including corrections for a manufacturing flaw in the primary mirror. Orbiting above the distorting effects of the Earth's atmosphere, the HST provides an unrivaled combination of sensitivity, spectral coverage and angular resolution. The HST is arguably the most complex scientific observatory ever constructed and effective use of this valuable resource required novel approaches to astronomical observation and the development of advanced software systems including techniques to represent scheduling preferences and constraints, a constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) based scheduler and a rule based planning system. This paper presents a discussion of these systems and the lessons learned from operational experience.

Non-thermal combined treatments in the processing of açai (Euterpe oleracea) juice.

PubMed

Oliveira, Ana Flávia A; Mar, Josiana M; Santos, Samara F; da Silva Júnior, Joel L; Kluczkovski, Ariane M; Bakry, Amr M; Bezerra, Jaqueline de Araújo; Nunomura, Rita de Cássia Saraiva; Sanches, Edgar A; Campelo, Pedro H

2018-11-01

Quality parameters of açai juice processed with ultrasound-assisted, ozone and the combined methods were analyzed in this work. Two ultrasound energy densities (350 and 700 J·mL -1 ) and two ozonization times (5 and 10 min with 1.5 ppm) were analyzed for pure açai juice and 8 different treatments (2 2 complete factorial). To evaluate the quality parameters of the juice, physical-chemical analyzes such as pH, titratable acidity, cloud value, non-enzymatic browning, rheology, antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS), phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, enzymatic activity (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) and microbial counts (mesophilic bacteria, molds and yeasts) were conducted. The treatments with ozone were better for microbial inactivation and the ultrasound for enzymatic inactivation. In general, the use of non-thermal methods can be a good alternative for the processing of açai juice. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Overcoming barriers to population-based injury research: development and validation of an ICD10-to-AIS algorithm.

PubMed

Haas, Barbara; Xiong, Wei; Brennan-Barnes, Maureen; Gomez, David; Nathens, Avery B

2012-02-01

Hospital administrative databases are a useful source of population-level data on injured patients; however, these databases use the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system, which does not provide a direct means of estimating injury severity. We created and validated a crosswalk to derive Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores from injury-related diagnostic codes in the tenth revision of the ICD (ICD-10). We assessed the validity of the crosswalk using data from the Ontario Trauma Registry Comprehensive Data Set (OTRCDS). The AIS and Injury Severity Scores (ISS) derived using the algorithm were compared with those assigned by expert abstractors. We evaluated the ability of the algorithm to identify patients with AIS scores of 3 or greater. We used κ and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) as measures of concordance. In total, 10 431 patients were identified in the OTRCDS. The algorithm accurately identified patients with at least 1 AIS score of 3 or greater (κ 0.65), as well as patients with a head AIS score of 3 or greater (κ 0.78). Mapped and abstracted ISS were similar; ICC across the entire cohort was 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.81-0.84), indicating good agreement. When comparing mapped and abstracted ISS, the difference between scores was 10 or less in 87% of patients. Concordance between mapped and abstracted ISS was similar across strata of age, mechanism of injury and mortality. Our ICD-10-to-AIS algorithm produces reliable estimates of injury severity from data available in administrative databases. This algorithm can facilitate the use of administrative data for population-based injury research in jurisdictions using ICD-10.

Appreciative Inquiry and Autonomy-Supportive Classes in Business Education: A Semilongitudinal Study of AI in the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conklin, Thomas A.; Hartman, Nathan S.

2014-01-01

In this article, we describe 10 separate classroom experiences where an appreciative inquiry (AI) exercise was used for course creation. Post-exercise surveys of students showed that the AI exercise was perceived to be a successful practice. Students indicated putting effort toward reaching their peak learning experience and were satisfied with…

Automated Information System (AIS) Support for FMF Units When Deployed or in Combat (1985-1995).

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-04-13

1995 ) MAJOR T. J. DUNN DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR DEVELOPMENTAL COORDINATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER MARINE CORPS DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION COMMAND...Support for FMF Units When Deployed or in Combat (1985- 1995 ) (Deployed AIS-88) Study (SCN: 60-81-02) 1. The objectives of the study were: a. To...S. TYPE OF REPORT 6 PERIOD COVERED Automated Information System (AIS) Support for Final Report FMF Units When Deployed or in Combat (1985- 1995 ) 6

SU-F-T-188: A Robust Treatment Planning Technique for Proton Pencil Beam Scanning Cranial Spinal Irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhu, M; Mehta, M; Badiyan, S

2016-06-15

Purpose: To propose a proton pencil beam scanning (PBS) cranial spinal irradiation (CSI) treatment planning technique robust against patient roll, isocenter offset and proton range uncertainty. Method: Proton PBS plans were created (Eclipse V11) for three previously treated CSI patients to 36 Gy (1.8 Gy/fractions). The target volume was separated into three regions: brain, upper spine and lower spine. One posterior-anterior (PA) beam was used for each spine region, and two posterior-oblique beams (15° apart from PA direction, denoted as 2PO-15) for the brain region. For comparison, another plan using one PA beam for the brain target (denoted as 1PA)more » was created. Using the same optimization objectives, 98% CTV was optimized to receive the prescription dose. To evaluate plan robustness against patient roll, the gantry angle was increased by 3° and dose was recalculated without changing the proton spot weights. On the re-calculated plan, doses were then calculated using 12 scenarios that are combinations of isocenter shift (±3mm in X, Y, and Z directions) and proton range variation (±3.5%). The worst-case-scenario (WCS) brain CTV dosimetric metrics were compared to the nominal plan. Results: For both beam arrangements, the brain field(s) and upper-spine field overlap in the T2–T5 region depending on patient anatomy. The maximum monitor unit per spot were 48.7%, 47.2%, and 40.0% higher for 1PA plans than 2PO-15 plans for the three patients. The 2PO-15 plans have better dose conformity. At the same level of CTV coverage, the 2PO-15 plans have lower maximum dose and higher minimum dose to the CTV. The 2PO-15 plans also showed lower WCS maximum dose to CTV, while the WCS minimum dose to CTV were comparable between the two techniques. Conclusion: Our method of using two posterior-oblique beams for brain target provides improved dose conformity and homogeneity, and plan robustness including patient roll.« less

Extracellular metalloproteinase activity in Phytomonas françai.

PubMed

Almeida, Flávia V S; Branquinha, Marta H; Giovanni-De-Simone, Salvatore; Vermelho, Alane B

2003-03-01

Extracellular proteolytic activities were detected in Phytomonas françai culture supernatant. A 67-kDa enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration in a HPLC system. This proteinase was optimally active at 28 degrees C and pH 5.0; and the use of proteolytic inhibitors indicated that it belongs to the metalloproteinase class. This is the first report on the purification of an extracellular metalloproteinase from a Phytomonas species.

AiResearch QCGAT engine: Acoustic test results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kisner, L. S.

1980-01-01

The noise levels of the quiet, general aviation turbofan (QCGAT) engine were measured in ground static noise tests. The static noise levels were found to be markedly lower than the demonstrably quiet AiResearch model TFE731 engine. The measured QCGAT noise levels were correlated with analytical noise source predictions to derive free-field component noise predictions. These component noise sources were used to predict the QCGAT flyover noise levels at FAR Part 36 conditions. The predicted flyover noise levels are about 10 decibels lower than the current quietest business jets.

Influence of temperament score and handling facility on stress, reproductive hormone concentrations, and fixed time AI pregnancy rates in beef heifers.

PubMed

Kasimanickam, R; Schroeder, S; Assay, M; Kasimanickam, V; Moore, D A; Gay, J M; Whittier, W D

2014-10-01

The objectives were (i) to evaluate the effect of temperament, determined by modified 2-point chute exit and gait score, on artificial insemination (AI) pregnancy rates in beef heifers following fixed time AI and (ii) to determine the effect of temperament on cortisol, substance-P, prolactin and progesterone at initiation of synchronization and at the time of AI. Angus beef heifers (n = 967) at eight locations were included in this study. At the initiation of synchronization (Day 0 = initiation of synchronization), all heifers received a body condition score (BCS), and temperament score (0 = calm; slow exit and walk or 1 = excitable; fast exit or jump or trot or run). Blood samples were collected from a sub-population of heifers (n = 86) at both synchronization initiation and the time of AI to determine the differences in serum progesterone, cortisol, prolactin and substance-P concentrations between temperament groups. Heifers were synchronized with 5-day CO-Synch+ controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol and were inseminated at 56 h after CIDR removal. Heifers were examined for pregnancy by ultrasound 70 days after AI to determine AI pregnancy. Controlling for synchronization treatment (p = 0.03), facility design (p = 0.05), and cattle handling facility design by temperament score interaction (p = 0.02), the AI pregnancy differed between heifers with excitable and calm temperament (51.9% vs 60.3%; p = 0.01). The alley-way with acute bends and turns, and long straight alley-way had lower AI pregnancy rate than did the semicircular alley-way (53.5%, 56.3% and 67.0% respectively; p = 0.05). The serum hormone concentrations differed significantly between different types of cattle handling facility (p < 0.05). The cattle handling facility design by temperament group interactions significantly influenced progesterone (p = 0.01), cortisol (p = 0.01), prolactin (p = 0.02) and substance-P (p = 0.04) both at the initiation of

New Methodology for an Expert-Designed Map From International Classification of Diseases (ICD) to Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 3+ Severity Injury.

PubMed

Zonfrillo, Mark R; Weaver, Ashley A; Gillich, Patrick J; Price, Janet P; Stitzel, Joel D

2015-01-01

There has been a longstanding desire for a map to convert International Classification of Diseases (ICD) injury codes to Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) codes to reflect the severity of those diagnoses. The Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM) was tasked by European Union representatives to create a categorical map classifying diagnoses codes as serious injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] 3+), minor/moderate injury (AIS 1/2), or indeterminate. This study's objective was to map injury-related ICD-9-CM (clinical modification) and ICD-10-CM codes to these severity categories. Approximately 19,000 ICD codes were mapped, including injuries from the following categories: amputations, blood vessel injury, burns, crushing injury, dislocations/sprains/strains, foreign body, fractures, internal organ, nerve/spinal cord injury, intracranial, laceration, open wounds, and superficial injury/contusion. Two parallel activities were completed to create the maps: (1) An in-person expert panel and (2) an electronic survey. The panel consisted of expert users of AIS and ICD from North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The panel met in person for 5 days, with follow-up virtual meetings to create and revise the maps. Additional qualitative data were documented to resolve potential discrepancies in mapping. The electronic survey was completed by 95 injury coding professionals from North America, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand over 12 weeks. ICD-to-AIS maps were created for: ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM. Both maps indicated whether the corresponding AIS 2005/Update 2008 severity score for each ICD code was AIS 3+, 1/2, or indeterminable. Though some ICD codes could be mapped to multiple AIS codes, the maximum severity of all potentially mapped injuries determined the final severity categorization. The in-person panel consisted of 13 experts, with 11 Certified AIS specialists (CAISS) with a median of 8 years and an average of 15 years of coding experience

A gEUD-based inverse planning technique for HDR prostate brachytherapy: Feasibility study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Giantsoudi, D.; Department of Radiation Oncology, Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Baltas, D.

2013-04-15

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to study the feasibility of a new inverse planning technique based on the generalized equivalent uniform dose for image-guided high dose rate (HDR) prostate cancer brachytherapy in comparison to conventional dose-volume based optimization. Methods: The quality of 12 clinical HDR brachytherapy implants for prostate utilizing HIPO (Hybrid Inverse Planning Optimization) is compared with alternative plans, which were produced through inverse planning using the generalized equivalent uniform dose (gEUD). All the common dose-volume indices for the prostate and the organs at risk were considered together with radiobiological measures. The clinical effectiveness of the differentmore » dose distributions was investigated by comparing dose volume histogram and gEUD evaluators. Results: Our results demonstrate the feasibility of gEUD-based inverse planning in HDR brachytherapy implants for prostate. A statistically significant decrease in D{sub 10} or/and final gEUD values for the organs at risk (urethra, bladder, and rectum) was found while improving dose homogeneity or dose conformity of the target volume. Conclusions: Following the promising results of gEUD-based optimization in intensity modulated radiation therapy treatment optimization, as reported in the literature, the implementation of a similar model in HDR brachytherapy treatment plan optimization is suggested by this study. The potential of improved sparing of organs at risk was shown for various gEUD-based optimization parameter protocols, which indicates the ability of this method to adapt to the user's preferences.« less

Seated T'ai Chi in Older Taiwanese People Using Wheelchairs: A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Mood States and Self-Efficacy.

PubMed

Hsu, Chen-Yuan; Moyle, Wendy; Cooke, Marie; Jones, Cindy

2016-12-01

There is growing interest in t'ai chi, but little research has addressed whether t'ai chi is effective in older people using wheelchairs for mobilization. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of seated t'ai chi exercise and usual standard activities on mood states and self-efficacy in older people living in a long-term care facility and using wheelchairs for mobilization. Randomized controlled trial (trial registration no. ACTRN12613000029796). One long-term-care facility in Taiwan. Sixty participants were randomly assigned by a computer-generated random sequence to a t'ai chi group (n = 30) or a usual exercise and entertainment activities group (n = 30). Seated t'ai chi exercise for 40 minutes three times a week for 26 weeks was provided. Mood states (Profile of Mood States Short Form [POMS-SF]) and self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy for Exercise [SEE]). At week 26, participants in the t'ai chi group reported significantly lower mood states on the fatigue-inertia dimension of the POMS-SF (mean score ± standard deviation, 3.56 ± 3.71) than did the control group (mean score, 7.16 ± 6.36) (F [1, 58] = 7.15; p < 0.05). The t'ai chi group recorded significantly higher SEE levels (mean, 35.66 ± 36.83) than did those in the control group (mean, 15.30 ± 26.43) (F [1, 58] = 6.05; p < 0.05). The findings highlight the importance of t'ai chi for a reduction in the fatigue-inertia mood state and an increase in self-efficacy for older people using wheelchairs.

Automatic Identification System (AIS) Transmit Testing in Louisville Phase 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

project. Two of the captains were Capt. David Williams and Capt. Spencer Kennedy. After leaving SCI, the team members went to Crounse Inc. and met...team members had a phone conference with Herbert Taylor (VP Operations, Kongsberg Maritime Simulation Inc.) to discuss the integration of AIS data in

Overview of Supersonic Aerodynamics Measurement Techniques in the NASA Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Gary E.

2007-01-01

An overview is given of selected measurement techniques used in the NASA Langley Research Center (NASA LaRC) Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of aerospace vehicles operating at supersonic speeds. A broad definition of a measurement technique is adopted in this paper and is any qualitative or quantitative experimental approach that provides information leading to the improved understanding of the supersonic aerodynamic characteristics. On-surface and off-surface measurement techniques used to obtain discrete (point) and global (field) measurements and planar and global flow visualizations are described, and examples of all methods are included. The discussion is limited to recent experiences in the UPWT and is, therefore, not an exhaustive review of existing experimental techniques. The diversity and high quality of the measurement techniques and the resultant data illustrate the capabilities of a ground-based experimental facility and the key role that it plays in the advancement of our understanding, prediction, and control of supersonic aerodynamics.

Preliminary Evaluation of AIS Spectra Along a Topographic/moisture Gradient in the Nebraska Sandhills

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Runquist, D. C.

1985-01-01

Six spectral plots, each summarizing single-pixel reflectance for 128 channels of Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data, were examined. The six sample pixels were located along a topographic/moisture gradient from lake surface to dune top in the Nebraska Sandhills. AIS spectra for various moisture regimes/vegetative zones appear quite logical, with a general positive relationship between increasing elevation (i.e., decreasing access of plant roots to water) and increasing reflectance in the spectral regions diagnostic of leaf-water content (i.e., bands centered on 1.65 and 2.20 microns).

Lipid and apolipoproteins (ApoAI, ApoB, Apo CIII, ApoE) disturbance in hemodialysis (HD) and renal transplant (Tx) patients.

PubMed

Janicki, Krzysztof; Solski, Janusz; Janicka, Lucyna; Kimak, Elzbieta; Bednarek-Skublewska, Anna; Stettner, Seweryn; Molas, Grzegorz

2004-01-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum lipid and apolipoprotein profiles among patients after renal transplantation (Tx) and to compare them with the profiles obtained for permanently hemodialysed patients (HD). The investigations were performed at 15 Tx, 40 HD patients and the control group of 40 healthy subjects. There were significantly increased TG, ApoAIII, ApoE, TC/ HDL-C, ApoCIII non B, ApoCIII:B and decreased HDL-C, ApoAI, HDL-C/ApoAI, ApoAI/ApoCIII, ApoB/ApoCIII ratios comparing HD patients to the control group. There were increased TG, ApoCIII, ApoCIII non B, ApoB/ApoCIII ratios and decreased ApoAI/ApoCIII ratios in Tx patients as compared to the control subjects. Moreover, there were significantly higher HDL, ApoAI, HDL/ApoAI, ApoCIII non B and lower ApoE, ApoE/ApoB, ApoCIII:B ratios in Tx patients as compared to these of HD patients. Significant inverse correlation of the time which passed from executed Tx and ApoCIII:B ratio (r = -0.67; p < 0.01) at renal transplant patients were observed, which means the diminished risk of development of atherosclerosis.

Homocysteine diminishes apolipoprotein A-I function and expression in patients with hypothyroidism: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Yang, Ning; Yao, Zhi; Miao, Li; Liu, Jia; Gao, Xia; Xu, Yuan; Wang, Guang

2016-07-26

Hypothyroidism (HO) can significantly impair lipid metabolism and increase cardiovascular disease risk. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Our previous study demonstrated that HHcy significantly induced insulin resistance and impaired coronary artery endothelial function in patients with either hypertension or HO. In the present study, we studied whether plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) were altered in patients with HO, and if so, whether this change was mediated by HHcy. A total of 258 subjects were enrolled and divided into the following three groups: control group (n = 94), HO group (n = 73), and subclinical hypothyroidism (SHO) group (n = 91). Additionally, all groups were subdivided based on the subjects' Hcy levels into HHcy (plasma Hcy level over 15 μmol/l) and normal Hcy subgroups. The plasma levels of lipid indexes were measured. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the correlations between groups. The plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in the HO group than in the SHO or control groups (all p < 0.05). Moreover, levels of Apo A-I and HDL-C were markedly reduced in the HHcy subgroup compared with the normal Hcy subgroup for patients with either HO (Apo A-I: p < 0.05; HDL-C: p < 0.01) or SHO (Apo A-I: p < 0.05; HDL-C: p < 0.01). In addition, the plasma Hcy levels were negatively correlated with levels of Apo A-I in all three groups (HO group: r = - 0.320, SHO group: r = - 0.337 and control group: r = - 0.317; all p < 0.01). Hcy levels were significantly increased in patients with HO or SHO. These increased Hcy levels may impair cardiovascular function via the inhibition of Apo A-1 expression and impairment of its antioxidant capacity. Our findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of hypothyroidism-induced metabolic disorders.

A comparative study of standard intensity-modulated radiotherapy and RapidArc planning techniques for ipsilateral and bilateral head and neck irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pursley, Jennifer, E-mail: jpursley@mgh.harvard.edu; Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Damato, Antonio L.

The purpose of this study was to investigate class solutions using RapidArc volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning for ipsilateral and bilateral head and neck (H&N) irradiation, and to compare dosimetric results with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans. A total of 14 patients who received ipsilateral and 10 patients who received bilateral head and neck irradiation were retrospectively replanned with several volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques. For ipsilateral neck irradiation, the volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques included two 360° arcs, two 360° arcs with avoidance sectors around the contralateral parotid, two 260° or 270° arcs, and two 210° arcs. For bilateral neck irradiation, themore » volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques included two 360° arcs, two 360° arcs with avoidance sectors around the shoulders, and 3 arcs. All patients had a sliding-window-delivery intensity-modulated radiotherapy plan that was used as the benchmark for dosimetric comparison. For ipsilateral neck irradiation, a volumetric-modulated arc therapy technique using two 360° arcs with avoidance sectors around the contralateral parotid was dosimetrically comparable to intensity-modulated radiotherapy, with improved conformity (conformity index = 1.22 vs 1.36, p < 0.04) and lower contralateral parotid mean dose (5.6 vs 6.8 Gy, p < 0.03). For bilateral neck irradiation, 3-arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques were dosimetrically comparable to intensity-modulated radiotherapy while also avoiding irradiation through the shoulders. All volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques required fewer monitor units than sliding-window intensity-modulated radiotherapy to deliver treatment, with an average reduction of 35% for ipsilateral plans and 67% for bilateral plans. Thus, for ipsilateral head and neck irradiation a volumetric-modulated arc therapy technique using two 360° arcs with avoidance sectors around the contralateral parotid is

A comparative study of standard intensity-modulated radiotherapy and RapidArc planning techniques for ipsilateral and bilateral head and neck irradiation.

PubMed

Pursley, Jennifer; Damato, Antonio L; Czerminska, Maria A; Margalit, Danielle N; Sher, David J; Tishler, Roy B

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate class solutions using RapidArc volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning for ipsilateral and bilateral head and neck (H&N) irradiation, and to compare dosimetric results with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans. A total of 14 patients who received ipsilateral and 10 patients who received bilateral head and neck irradiation were retrospectively replanned with several volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques. For ipsilateral neck irradiation, the volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques included two 360° arcs, two 360° arcs with avoidance sectors around the contralateral parotid, two 260° or 270° arcs, and two 210° arcs. For bilateral neck irradiation, the volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques included two 360° arcs, two 360° arcs with avoidance sectors around the shoulders, and 3 arcs. All patients had a sliding-window-delivery intensity-modulated radiotherapy plan that was used as the benchmark for dosimetric comparison. For ipsilateral neck irradiation, a volumetric-modulated arc therapy technique using two 360° arcs with avoidance sectors around the contralateral parotid was dosimetrically comparable to intensity-modulated radiotherapy, with improved conformity (conformity index = 1.22 vs 1.36, p < 0.04) and lower contralateral parotid mean dose (5.6 vs 6.8Gy, p < 0.03). For bilateral neck irradiation, 3-arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques were dosimetrically comparable to intensity-modulated radiotherapy while also avoiding irradiation through the shoulders. All volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques required fewer monitor units than sliding-window intensity-modulated radiotherapy to deliver treatment, with an average reduction of 35% for ipsilateral plans and 67% for bilateral plans. Thus, for ipsilateral head and neck irradiation a volumetric-modulated arc therapy technique using two 360° arcs with avoidance sectors around the contralateral parotid is

AI And Early Vision - Part II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Julesz, Bela

1989-08-01

A quarter of a century ago I introduced two paradigms into psychology which in the intervening years have had a direct impact on the psychobiology of early vision and an indirect one on artificial intelligence (AI or machine vision). The first, the computer-generated random-dot stereogram (RDS) paradigm (Julesz, 1960) at its very inception posed a strategic question both for AI and neurophysiology. The finding that stereoscopic depth perception (stereopsis) is possible without the many enigmatic cues of monocular form recognition - as assumed previously - demonstrated that stereopsis with its basic problem of finding matches between corresponding random aggregates of dots in the left and right visual fields became ripe for modeling. Indeed, the binocular matching problem of stereopsis opened up an entire field of study, eventually leading to the computational models of David Marr (1982) and his coworkers. The fusion of RDS had an even greater impact on neurophysiologists - including Hubel and Wiesel (1962) - who realized that stereopsis must occur at an early stage, and can be studied easier than form perception. This insight recently culminated in the studies by Gian Poggio (1984) who found binocular-disparity - tuned neurons in the input stage to the visual cortex (layer IVB in V1) in the monkey that were selectively triggered by dynamic RDS. Thus the first paradigm led to a strategic insight: that with stereoscopic vision there is no camouflage, and as such was advantageous for our primate ancestors to evolve the cortical machinery of stereoscopic vision to capture camouflaged prey (insects) at a standstill. Amazingly, although stereopsis evolved relatively late in primates, it captured the very input stages of the visual cortex. (For a detailed review, see Julesz, 1986a)

Discrimination of Coastal Vegetation and Biomass Using AIS Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gross, M. F.; Klemas, V.

1985-01-01

The Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) was flown over a coastal wetlands region near Lewes, Delaware, adjacent to the Delaware Bay on 16 August 1984. Using the AIS data, it was possible to discriminate between four different types of wetland vegetation canopies: (1) trees; (2) broadleaf herbaceous plants (e.g., Acnida cannabina, Hisbiscus moscheutos); (3) the low marsh grass Spartina alterniflora; and (4) the high marsh grasses Distichlis spicata and Spartina patens. The single most useful region of the spectrum was that between 1.40 and 1.90 microns, where slopes of portions of the radiance curve and ratios of radiance at particular wavelengths were significantly different for the four canopy types. The ratio between the highest digital number in the 1.40 to 1.90 microns and .84 to .94 microns regions and a similar ratio between the peaks in radiance in the 1.12 to 1.40 microns and .84 to .94 microns spectral regions were also very effective at discriminating between vegetation types. Differences in radiance values at various wavelengths between samples of the same vegetation type could potentially be used to estimate biomass.

Effects of deep-horn AI on fertilization and embryo production in superovulated cows and heifers

PubMed Central

Carvalho, P.D.; Souza, A.H.; Sartori, R.; Hackbart, K.S.; Dresch, A.R.; Vieira, L.M.; Baruselli, P.S.; Guenther, J.N.; Fricke, P.M.; Shaver, R.D.; Wiltbank, M.C.

2018-01-01

The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of site of semen deposition on fertilization rate and embryo quality in superovulated cows. The hypothesis was that deposition of semen into the uterine horns would increase the fertilization rate compared with deposition of semen into the uterine body. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of uterine environment on fertilization rate and embryo quality. It was hypothesized that subclinical endometritis at the onset of superstimulation would decrease the fertilization rates and embryo quality. In experiment 1, 17 superovulated heifers were randomly assigned to receive artificial insemination (AI) into the uterine body or uterine horns. The total number of fertilized structures and fertilization rate from superovulated heifers was increased (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively) when semen was deposited into the uterine horns compared with the uterine body. Other embryo characteristics did not differ based on the site of semen deposition. In experiment 2, 14 lactating dairy cows were superovulated twice and were randomly assigned to receive AI into the uterine body or deep into the uterine horns using a crossover design. Neither fertilization rate nor any other embryo characteristics were improved when semen was placed deep into the uterine horns compared with the uterine body. In experiment 3, 72 superovulated lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned to receive AI into the uterine body or uterine horns. Before initiation of superstimulatory treatments, an endometrial cytology sample was collected from each cow. Ova/embryos were collected by a nonsurgical technique at 70 ± 3 days in milk. Similar to experiment 2, neither fertilization rate nor any other embryo characteristics differed based on the site of semen deposition in experiment 3. The percentage of cows with subclinical endometritis did not differ between treatments. Interestingly, there was a tendency (P = 0.09) for a reduction

How Is Pulmonary Function and Exercise Tolerance Affected in Patients With AIS Who Have Undergone Spinal Fusion?

PubMed

Jeans, Kelly A; Lovejoy, John F; Karol, Lori A; McClung, Anna M

2017-11-01

Prospectively enrolled AIS patients who underwent spinal fusion, with 2 year follow-up. To evaluate the cardiovascular fitness and activity level in patients with AIS pre- and post-spinal fusion and to determine if initial curve magnitude or pulmonary function is predictive of exercise capacity. Researchers have tried to link pulmonary function testing (PFT) to exercise capacity; the results are mixed. Some report no improvement in PFTs or aerobic activity after surgical correction, and PFT measures were not predictive of exercise capacity. Conflicting results have shown Vo 2max results to fall within normal range in AIS patients while PFTs show minimal impairment. AIS patients underwent PFT and oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) testing during a submaximal graded exercise test (GXT) pre- and post-spinal fusion. Vo 2max was predicted in those patients who completed the test to 85% of maximal heart rate. Pre- to postoperative changes were assessed and then compared to age-matched control subjects. Correlations between Vo 2max and curve severity, pulmonary function, and activity level were assessed. Thirty-seven patients participated. Vo 2max was predicted in 23 patients pre- and postoperation. There was a significant reduction in Vo 2max postfusion (39.5 ± 6.5 mL/kg/min vs 42.1 ± 8.1 mL/kg/min, p = .033); however, compared with controls (40.5 ± 6.5 mL/kg/min), all data were within the normal range (p > .05). AIS patients reporting high activity had significantly greater Vo 2max than those reporting low activity both pre and postoperatively, but this difference only met statistical significance preop (p < .05). Curve magnitude and PFT measures were not found to correlate with Vo 2max (p > .05). Vo 2max in patients with AIS is within normal range both pre- and postfusion. Pulmonary limitations are accommodated for with a slightly increased breathing rate and a slightly reduced overall workload. Activity level rather than curve severity affects Vo 2max outcomes following

A Fast Goal Recognition Technique Based on Interaction Estimates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

E-Martin, Yolanda; R-Moreno, Maria D.; Smith, David E.

2015-01-01

Goal Recognition is the task of inferring an actor's goals given some or all of the actor's observed actions. There is considerable interest in Goal Recognition for use in intelligent personal assistants, smart environments, intelligent tutoring systems, and monitoring user's needs. In much of this work, the actor's observed actions are compared against a generated library of plans. Recent work by Ramirez and Geffner makes use of AI planning to determine how closely a sequence of observed actions matches plans for each possible goal. For each goal, this is done by comparing the cost of a plan for that goal with the cost of a plan for that goal that includes the observed actions. This approach yields useful rankings, but is impractical for real-time goal recognition in large domains because of the computational expense of constructing plans for each possible goal. In this paper, we introduce an approach that propagates cost and interaction information in a plan graph, and uses this information to estimate goal probabilities. We show that this approach is much faster, but still yields high quality results.

Methodology Investigation of AI Test Officer Support Tool II

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-10-01

request. B-1 This page intentionally blank B-2 APPENDIX C. ACRONYM AND AB9EVIATIONS ADP ............ Autmated Data Processing AI...longer needed. Do not return it to the originator. DISCLAIMER Information and data contained in this document are based on input available at the time...infrastructure, with subsequent incorporation of common requirements into a supporting structure (i.e., data bases, networks, geographic information

AI at Ames: Artificial Intelligence research and application at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, February 1985

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrews, Alison E. (Editor)

1985-01-01

Charts are given that illustrate function versus domain for artificial intelligence (AI) applications and interests and research area versus project number for AI research. A list is given of project titles with associated project numbers and page numbers. Also, project descriptions, including title, participants, and status are given.

MR angiography fusion technique for treatment planning of intracranial arteriovenous malformations.

PubMed

McGee, Kiaran P; Ivanovic, Vladimir; Felmlee, Joel P; Meyer, Fredrick B; Pollock, Bruce E; Huston, John

2006-03-01

To develop an image fusion technique using elliptical centric contrast-enhanced (CE) MR angiography (MRA) and three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) acquisitions for radiosurgery treatment planning of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). CE and 3D-TOF MR angiograms with disparate in-plane fields of view (FOVs) were acquired, followed by k-space reformatting to provide equal voxel dimensions. Spatial domain addition was performed to provide a third, fused data volume. Spatial distortion was evaluated on an MRA phantom and provided slice-dependent and global distortion along the three physical dimensions of the MR scanner. In vivo validation was performed on 10 patients with intracranial AVMs prior to their conventional angiogram on the day of gamma knife radiosurgery. Spatial distortion in the phantom within a volume of 14 x 14 x 3.2 cm(3) was less than +/-1 mm (+/-1 standard deviation (SD)) for CE and 3D-TOF data sets. Fused data volumes were successfully generated for all 10 patients. Image fusion can be used to obtain high-resolution CE-MRA images of intracranial AVMs while keeping the fiducial markers needed for gamma knife radiosurgery planning. The spatial fidelity of these data is within the tolerance acceptable for daily quality control (QC) purposes and gamma knife treatment planning. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Overcoming barriers to population-based injury research: development and validation of an ICD-10–to–AIS algorithm

PubMed Central

Haas, Barbara; Xiong, Wei; Brennan-Barnes, Maureen; Gomez, David; Nathens, Avery B.

2012-01-01

Background Hospital administrative databases are a useful source of population-level data on injured patients; however, these databases use the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system, which does not provide a direct means of estimating injury severity. We created and validated a crosswalk to derive Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores from injury-related diagnostic codes in the tenth revision of the ICD (ICD-10). Methods We assessed the validity of the crosswalk using data from the Ontario Trauma Registry Comprehensive Data Set (OTR-CDS). The AIS and Injury Severity Scores (ISS) derived using the algorithm were compared with those assigned by expert abstractors. We evaluated the ability of the algorithm to identify patients with AIS scores of 3 or greater. We used κ and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) as measures of concordance. Results In total, 10 431 patients were identified in the OTR-CDS. The algorithm accurately identified patients with at least 1 AIS score of 3 or greater (κ 0.65), as well as patients with a head AIS score of 3 or greater (κ 0.78). Mapped and abstracted ISS were similar; ICC across the entire cohort was 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.81–0.84), indicating good agreement. When comparing mapped and abstracted ISS, the difference between scores was 10 or less in 87% of patients. Concordance between mapped and abstracted ISS was similar across strata of age, mechanism of injury and mortality. Conclusion Our ICD-10–to–AIS algorithm produces reliable estimates of injury severity from data available in administrative databases. This algorithm can facilitate the use of administrative data for population-based injury research in jurisdictions using ICD-10. PMID:22269308

SU-E-T-18: A Comparison of Planning Techniques for Bilateral Reconstructed Chest Wall Patients Undergoing Whole Breast Irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Volpe, T; Margiasso, R; Saleh, Z

2015-06-15

Purpose: As we continuously see more bilateral reconstructed chest wall cases, new challenges are being presented to deliver left-sided breast irradiation. We herein compare three Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) planning techniques (tangents, VMAT, and IMRT) and two free breathing techniques (VMAT and IMRT). Methods: Three left-sided chest wall patients with bilateral implants were studied. Tangents, VMAT, and IMRT plans were created for DIBH scans. VMAT and IMRT plans were created for free breathing scans. All plans were normalized so that 95% of the prescription dose was delivered to 95% of the planning target volume (PTV). The maximum point dosemore » was constrained to less than 120% of the prescription dose. Since the success of DIBH delivery largely depends on patient’s ability to perform consistent breath hold during beam on time, smaller number of Monitor Units (MU) is in general desired. For each patient, the following information was collected to compare the planning techniques: heart mean dose, left and right lung V20 Gy, contra-lateral (right) breast mean dose, cord max dose, and MU. Results: The average heart mean dose over all patients are 1561, 692, 985, 1245, and 1121 cGy, for DIBH tangents, VMAT, IMRT, free breathing VMAT and IMRT, respectively. For left lung V20 are 60%, 28%, 26%, 30%, and 29%. For contra-lateral breast mean dose are 244, 687, 616, 783, 438 cGy. MU are 253, 853, 2048, 1035, and 1874 MUs. Conclusion: In the setting of bilateral chest wall reconstruction, opposed tangent beams cannot consistently achieve desired heart and left lung sparing. DIBH consistently achieves better healthy tissue sparing. VMAT appears to be preferential to IMRT for planning and delivering radiation to patients with bilaterally reconstructed chest walls being treated with DIBH.« less

Commutability of control materials for external quality assessment of serum apolipoprotein A-I measurement.

PubMed

Zeng, Jie; Qi, Tianqi; Wang, Shu; Zhang, Tianjiao; Zhou, Weiyan; Zhao, Haijian; Ma, Rong; Zhang, Jiangtao; Yan, Ying; Dong, Jun; Zhang, Chuanbao; Chen, Wenxiang

2018-04-25

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the commutability of commercial control materials and human serum pools and to investigate the suitability of the materials for the external quality assessment (EQA) of serum apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) measurement. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) EP14-A3 protocol was used for the commutability study. Apo A-I concentrations in two levels of commercial control materials used in EQA program, two fresh-frozen human serum pools (FSPs) and two frozen human serum pools prepared from residual clinical specimens (RSPs) were measured along with 50 individual samples using nine commercial assays. Measurement results of the 50 individual samples obtained with different assays were pairwise analyzed by Deming regression, and 95% prediction intervals (PIs) were calculated. The commutability of the processed materials was evaluated by comparing the measurement results of the materials with the limits of the PIs. The FSP-1 was commutable for all the 36 assay pairs, and FSP-2 was commutable for 30 pairs; RSP-1 and RSP-2 showed commutability for 27/36 and 22/36 assay pairs, respectively, whereas the two EQA materials were commutable only for 4/36 and 5/36 assay pairs, respectively. Non-commutability of the tested EQA materials has been observed among current apo A-I assays. EQA programs need either to take into account the commutability-related biases in the interpretation of the EQA results or to use more commutable materials. Frozen human serum pools were commutable for most of the assays.

Past, present and prospect of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based model for sediment transport prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afan, Haitham Abdulmohsin; El-shafie, Ahmed; Mohtar, Wan Hanna Melini Wan; Yaseen, Zaher Mundher

2016-10-01

An accurate model for sediment prediction is a priority for all hydrological researchers. Many conventional methods have shown an inability to achieve an accurate prediction of suspended sediment. These methods are unable to understand the behaviour of sediment transport in rivers due to the complexity, noise, non-stationarity, and dynamism of the sediment pattern. In the past two decades, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computational approaches have become a remarkable tool for developing an accurate model. These approaches are considered a powerful tool for solving any non-linear model, as they can deal easily with a large number of data and sophisticated models. This paper is a review of all AI approaches that have been applied in sediment modelling. The current research focuses on the development of AI application in sediment transport. In addition, the review identifies major challenges and opportunities for prospective research. Throughout the literature, complementary models superior to classical modelling.

Artificial intelligence - New tools for aerospace project managers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moja, D. C.

1985-01-01

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is currently being used for business-oriented, money-making applications, such as medical diagnosis, computer system configuration, and geological exploration. The present paper has the objective to assess new AI tools and techniques which will be available to assist aerospace managers in the accomplishment of their tasks. A study conducted by Brown and Cheeseman (1983) indicates that AI will be employed in all traditional management areas, taking into account goal setting, decision making, policy formulation, evaluation, planning, budgeting, auditing, personnel management, training, legal affairs, and procurement. Artificial intelligence/expert systems are discussed, giving attention to the three primary areas concerned with intelligent robots, natural language interfaces, and expert systems. Aspects of information retrieval are also considered along with the decision support system, and expert systems for project planning and scheduling.

Predicting trauma patient mortality: ICD [or ICD-10-AM] versus AIS based approaches.

PubMed

Willis, Cameron D; Gabbe, Belinda J; Jolley, Damien; Harrison, James E; Cameron, Peter A

2010-11-01

The International Classification of Diseases Injury Severity Score (ICISS) has been proposed as an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10-based alternative to mortality prediction tools that use Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) data, including the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS). To date, studies have not examined the performance of ICISS using Australian trauma registry data. This study aimed to compare the performance of ICISS with other mortality prediction tools in an Australian trauma registry. This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from the Victorian State Trauma Registry. A training dataset was created for model development and a validation dataset for evaluation. The multiplicative ICISS model was compared with a worst injury ICISS approach, Victorian TRISS (V-TRISS, using local coefficients), maximum AIS severity and a multivariable model including ICD-10-AM codes as predictors. Models were investigated for discrimination (C-statistic) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic). The multivariable approach had the highest level of discrimination (C-statistic 0.90) and calibration (H-L 7.65, P= 0.468). Worst injury ICISS, V-TRISS and maximum AIS had similar performance. The multiplicative ICISS produced the lowest level of discrimination (C-statistic 0.80) and poorest calibration (H-L 50.23, P < 0.001). The performance of ICISS may be affected by the data used to develop estimates, the ICD version employed, the methods for deriving estimates and the inclusion of covariates. In this analysis, a multivariable approach using ICD-10-AM codes was the best-performing method. A multivariable ICISS approach may therefore be a useful alternative to AIS-based methods and may have comparable predictive performance to locally derived TRISS models. © 2010 The Authors. ANZ Journal of Surgery © 2010 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Integrated technique of planning the capital repair of residential buildings and objects of transport infrastructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dement'eva, Marina

2017-10-01

The paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of two fundamentally different methods for planning capital repairs of objects of transport infrastructure and residential development. The first method was based on perspective long-term plans. Normative service life were the basis for planning the periodicity of repairs. The second method was based on the performance of repairs in fact of the onset of the malfunction. Problems of financing repair work, of the uneven aging of constructs and engineering systems, different wear mechanism in different conditions of exploitation, absence of methods of planning repairs of administrative and production buildings (depots, stations, etc.) justify the need to optimize methods of planning the repair and the relevance of this paper. The aim of the study was to develop the main provisions of an integrated technique for planning the capital repair of buildings of any functional purpose, which combines the advantages of each of the discussed planning methods. For this purpose, the consequences of technical and economic risk were analyzed of the buildings, including stations, depots, transport transfer hubs, administrative buildings, etc when choosing different planning methods. One of the significant results of the study is the possibility of justifying the optimal period of capital repairs on the basis of the proposed technical and economic criteria. The adjustment of the planned repair schedule is carried out taking into account the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the exploitation process.

New directions for Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in optimum design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hajela, Prabhat

1989-01-01

Developments and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) methods in the design of structural systems is reviewed. Principal shortcomings in the current approach are emphasized, and the need for some degree of formalism in the development environment for such design tools is underscored. Emphasis is placed on efforts to integrate algorithmic computations in expert systems.

The assessment of the impact of socio-economic factors in accepting cancer using the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS).

PubMed

Czerw, Aleksandra I; Bilińska, Magdalena; Deptała, Andrzej

2016-01-01

The paper presents the results of examining the level of acceptance of the illness in cancer patients using the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). The study involved cancer patients treated at the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry the Interior in Warsaw in 2014. The questionnaire comprised basic demographic questions (socio-economic factors) and the AIS test estimating the level of illness acceptance in patients. For the group of patients in the research group, the arithmetic mean amounted to 27.56 points. The period of time that elapsed between the first cancer diagnosis and the start of the study did not influence the score of accepting illness. The acceptance of illness in patients diagnosed with metastases differed from the acceptance of illness by patients diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Females obtained the average of 29.59 in the AIS test, whereas the average in male patients was 26.17. The patients' age did not impact the AIS test. There were no differences in the AIS test results between a group of people with secondary education and a group of people with higher education. There were no differences in the AIS test results between employed individuals versus pensioners. The inhabitants of cities were characterized by the highest degree of acceptance of their health condition. The lowest degree of acceptance of illness was observed in the group with the lowest average incomes. In the group of married individuals the average degree of acceptance of illness amounted to 27.37 points. The average degree of acceptance of illness in patients that declared themselves as single amounted to 25.75. The average degree of acceptance of illness in the study group was 27.56 points, which is a relatively high level of acceptance of cancer. The main socio-economic factor, which influenced the AIS test results was whether metastases were diagnosed or not. There were no differences between patients in groups where the time that elapsed from the first diagnosis of

Chitin: a cell-surface component of Phytomonas françai.

PubMed

Nakamura, C V; Esteves, M J; Andrade, A F; Alviano, C S; de Souza, W; Angluster, J

1993-01-01

The occurrence of chitin as a structural component of the surface of the phytopathogenic protozoan Phytomonas françai was demonstrated by paper and gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of the products of enzymatic and chemical hydrolysis of alkali-resistant polysaccharides, lectin binding, glycosidase digestion, and infrared spectra. Chitin was characterized by its insolubility in hot alkali and chromatographic immobility as well as by the release of glucosamine on hydrolysis with strong acid and of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) on hydrolysis with chitinase. The presence of chitin was also shown directly by binding of wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA), which recognizes GlcNAc units, to the parasite surface. Fluorescein-labeled WGA binding was completely abolished by treatment with chitinase. This effect was specific since it could be prevented by incubating the enzyme with chitin before treatment of the phytomonads. These findings indicate that chitin is an exposed cell-surface polysaccharide in Phytomonas françai. The data were confirmed by the infrared spectrum of an alkali-insoluble residue, which showed a pattern typical of chitin.

An Architecture for Autonomic Web Service Process Planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Colm; Xue Wang, Ming; Pahl, Claus

Web service composition is a technology that has received considerable attention in the last number of years. Languages and tools to aid in the process of creating composite Web services have been received specific attention. Web service composition is the process of linking single Web services together in order to accomplish more complex tasks. One area of Web service composition that has not received as much attention is the area of dynamic error handling and re-planning, enabling autonomic composition. Given a repository of service descriptions and a task to complete, it is possible for AI planners to automatically create a plan that will achieve this goal. If however a service in the plan is unavailable or erroneous the plan will fail. Motivated by this problem, this paper suggests autonomous re-planning as a means to overcome dynamic problems. Our solution involves automatically recovering from faults and creating a context-dependent alternate plan. We present an architecture that serves as a basis for the central activities autonomous composition, monitoring and fault handling.

Integrated System Test of the Advanced Instructional System (AIS). Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lintz, Larry M.; And Others

The integrated system test for the Advanced Instructional System (AIS) was designed to provide quantitative information regarding training time reductions resulting from certain computer managed instruction features. The reliabilities of these features and of support systems were also investigated. Basic computer managed instruction reduced…

Comparison of Artificial Immune System and Particle Swarm Optimization Techniques for Error Optimization of Machine Vision Based Tool Movements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahapatra, Prasant Kumar; Sethi, Spardha; Kumar, Amod

2015-10-01

In conventional tool positioning technique, sensors embedded in the motion stages provide the accurate tool position information. In this paper, a machine vision based system and image processing technique for motion measurement of lathe tool from two-dimensional sequential images captured using charge coupled device camera having a resolution of 250 microns has been described. An algorithm was developed to calculate the observed distance travelled by the tool from the captured images. As expected, error was observed in the value of the distance traversed by the tool calculated from these images. Optimization of errors due to machine vision system, calibration, environmental factors, etc. in lathe tool movement was carried out using two soft computing techniques, namely, artificial immune system (AIS) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The results show better capability of AIS over PSO.

Master plan nurse duty roster using the 0-1 goal programming technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismail, Wan Rosmanira; Jenal, Ruzzakiah

2013-04-01

The scheduling of nurses is particularly challenging because of the nature of the work which is around the clock. In addition, inefficient duty roster can have an effect on the nurses well being as well as their job satisfaction. In nurse scheduling problem (NSP), nurses are generally allocated to periods of work over a specified time horizon. A typical length of the schedule varies from a few weeks to a month. The schedule will be consistently rebuilt after the specified time period and will result in a time-consuming task for the administrative staff involved. Moreover, the task becomes overwhelming when the staff needs to consider the previous duty rosters in order to maintain the quality of schedules. Therefore, this study suggests the development of a master plan for a nurse duty roster for approximately one year. The master plan starts with the development of a blue print for the nurse duty roster using a 0-1 goal programming technique. The appropriate working period for this blue print is formulated based on the number of night shifts and the number of required nurses for night shift per schedule. Subsequently, the blue print is repeated to complete the annual nurse duty roster. These newly developed procedures were then tested on several data sets. The test results found that the master plan has successfully distributed the annual workload evenly among nurses. In addition, the master plan allows nurses to arrange their career and social activities in advance.

Approach for Autonomous Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Using Intelligent Agents for Knowledge Creation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dufrene, Warren R., Jr.

2004-01-01

This paper describes the development of a planned approach for Autonomous operation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). A Hybrid approach will seek to provide Knowledge Generation through the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intelligent Agents (IA) for UAV control. The applications of several different types of AI techniques for flight are explored during this research effort. The research concentration is directed to the application of different AI methods within the UAV arena. By evaluating AI and biological system approaches. which include Expert Systems, Neural Networks. Intelligent Agents, Fuzzy Logic, and Complex Adaptive Systems, a new insight may be gained into the benefits of AI and CAS techniques applied to achieving true autonomous operation of these systems. Although flight systems were explored, the benefits should apply to many Unmanned Vehicles such as: Rovers. Ocean Explorers, Robots, and autonomous operation systems. A portion of the flight system is broken down into control agents that represent the intelligent agent approach used in AI. After the completion of a successful approach, a framework for applying an intelligent agent is presented. The initial results from simulation of a security agent for communication are presented.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) dietary intake affects plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, cholesteryl ester transfer to high-density lipoprotein and redox metabolism: A prospective study in women.

PubMed

Pala, Daniela; Barbosa, Priscila Oliveira; Silva, Carla Teixeira; de Souza, Melina Oliveira; Freitas, Fatima Rodrigues; Volp, Ana Carolina Pinheiro; Maranhão, Raul Cavalcante; Freitas, Renata Nascimento de

2018-04-01

The açai fruit (Euterpe oleracea Martius), which is native to the Brazilian Amazon region, was shown to have high polyphenols and MUFA contents. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of açai consumption on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, the transfer of lipids to HDL (which is a relevant HDL function), and some biomarkers of redox metabolism. Forty healthy volunteer women aged 24 ± 3 years consumed 200 g of açai pulp/day for 4 weeks; their clinical variables and blood sample were obtained before and after this period. Açai pulp consumption did not alter anthropometric parameters, systemic arterial pressure, glucose, insulin and total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein (apo) B, but it did increase the concentration of apo A-I. Açai consumption decreased the ROS, ox-LDL and malondialdehyde while increasing the activity of antioxidative paraoxonase 1. Overall, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was increased. Regarding the transfer of plasma lipids to HDL, açai consumption increased the transfer of cholesteryl esters (p = 0.0043) to HDL. Unesterified cholesterol, phospholipids and triglyceride transfers were unaffected. The increase in apo A-I and the cholesteryl ester transfer to HDL after the açai intake period suggests that an improvement in the metabolism of this lipoprotein occurred, and it is well known that HDL is protective against atherosclerosis. Another important finding was the general improvement of the anti-oxidant defences elicited by açai consumption. Our data indicate that açai has favourable actions on plasma HDL metabolism and anti-oxidant defence; therefore açai could have a beneficial overall role against atherosclerosis, and it is a consistently good candidate to consider as a functional food. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

The Baade-Wesselink projection factor of the δ-Scuti stars AI Vel and β Cas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guiglion, G.; Nardetto, N.; Domiciano de Souza, A.; Mathias, P.; Mourard, D.; Poretti, E.

2012-12-01

The Baade-Wesselink method of distance determination is based on the oscillations of pulsating stars. After determining the angular diameter and the linear radius variations, the distance is derived by a simple ratio. The linear radius variation is measured by integrating the pulsation velocity (hereafter V_{puls}) over one pulsating cycle. However, from observations we have only access to the radial velocity (V_{rad}) because of the projection along the line-of-sight. The projection factor, used to convert the radial velocity into the pulsation velocity, is defined by: p = V_{puls} / V_{rad}. We aim to derive the projection factor for two δ-Scuti stars, the high amplitude pulsator AI Vel and the fast rotator β Cas. The geometric component of the projection factor is derived using a limb-darkening model of the intensity distribution of AI Vel, and a fast rotator model for β Cas. Then, by comparing the radial velocity curves of several spectral lines forming at different levels in the atmosphere, we derive directly the velocity gradient (in a part of the atmosphere of the star) using SOPHIE/OHP data for β Cas and HARPS/ESO data for AI Vel, which is used to derive a dynamical projection factor for both stars. We find p = 1.44 ± 0.05 for AI Vel and p = 1.41 ± 0.25 for β Cas. By comparing Cepheids and δ-Scuti stars, these results bring valuable insights into the dynamical structure of pulsating star atmospheres.

Molecular dynamics simulations on discoidal HDL particles suggest a mechanism for rotation in the apo A-I belt model.

PubMed

Klon, Anthony E; Segrest, Jere P; Harvey, Stephen C

2002-12-06

Apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) is the major protein component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. Elevated levels of HDL in the bloodstream have been shown to correlate strongly with a reduced risk factor for atherosclerosis. Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out on three separate model discoidal high-density lipoprotein particles (HDL) containing two monomers of apo A-I and 160 molecules of palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC), to a time-scale of 1ns. The starting structures were on the basis of previously published molecular belt models of HDL consisting of the lipid-binding C-terminal domain (residues 44-243) wrapped around the circumference of a discoidal HDL particle. Subtle changes between two of the starting structures resulted in significantly different behavior during the course of the simulation. The results provide support for the hypothesis of Segrest et al. that helical registration in the molecular belt model of apo A-I is modulated by intermolecular salt bridges. In addition, we propose an explanation for the presence of proline punctuation in the molecular belt model, and for the presence of two 11-mer helical repeats interrupting the otherwise regular pattern of 22-mer helical repeats in the lipid-binding domain of apo A-I.

[Application prospect of human-artificial intelligence system in future manned space flight].

PubMed

Wei, Jin-he

2003-01-01

To make the manned space flight more efficient and safer, a concept of human-artificial (AI) system is proposed in the present paper. The task of future manned space flight and the technique requirement with respect to the human-AI system development were analyzed. The main points are as follows: 1)Astronaut and AI are complementary to each other functionally; 2) Both symbol AI and connectionist AI should be included in the human-AI system, but expert system and Soar-like system are used mainly inside the cabin, the COG-like robots are mainly assigned for EVA either in LEO flight or on the surface of Moon or Mars; 3) The human-AI system is hierarchical in nature with astronaut at the top level; 4) The complex interfaces between astronaut and AI are the key points for running the system reliably and efficiently. As the importance of human-AI system in future manned space flight and the complexity of related technology, it is suggested that the R/D should be planned as early as possible.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Upregulates Paraoxonase 1 Gene Expression and Activity with Concomitant Reduction of Hepatic Steatosis in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

PubMed Central

Lage, Nara Nunes; Lopes, Juliana Márcia Macedo; de Lima, Wanderson Geraldo

2016-01-01

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a fruit from the Amazon region, has emerged as a promising source of polyphenols. Açai consumption has been increasing owing to ascribed health benefits and antioxidant properties; however, its effects on hepatic injury are limited. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effect of filtered açai pulp on the expression of paraoxonase (PON) isoforms and PON1 activity in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The rats were fed a standard AIN-93M (control) diet or a high-fat (HF) diet containing 25% soy oil and 1% cholesterol with or without açai pulp (2 g/day) for 6 weeks. Our results show that açai pulp prevented low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, increased serum and hepatic PON1 activity, and upregulated the expression of PON1 and ApoA-I in the liver. In HF diet-fed rats, treatment with açai pulp attenuated liver damage, reducing fat infiltration and triglyceride (TG) content. In rats receiving açai, increased serum PON1 activity was correlated with a reduction in hepatic steatosis and hepatic injury. These findings suggest the use of açai as a potential therapy for liver injuries, supporting the idea that dietary antioxidants are a promising approach to enhance the defensive systems against oxidative stress. PMID:27642496

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Upregulates Paraoxonase 1 Gene Expression and Activity with Concomitant Reduction of Hepatic Steatosis in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats.

PubMed

Pereira, Renata Rebeca; de Abreu, Isabel Cristina Mallosto Emerich; Guerra, Joyce Ferreira da Costa; Lage, Nara Nunes; Lopes, Juliana Márcia Macedo; Silva, Maísa; de Lima, Wanderson Geraldo; Silva, Marcelo Eustáquio; Pedrosa, Maria Lucia

2016-01-01

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a fruit from the Amazon region, has emerged as a promising source of polyphenols. Açai consumption has been increasing owing to ascribed health benefits and antioxidant properties; however, its effects on hepatic injury are limited. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effect of filtered açai pulp on the expression of paraoxonase (PON) isoforms and PON1 activity in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The rats were fed a standard AIN-93M (control) diet or a high-fat (HF) diet containing 25% soy oil and 1% cholesterol with or without açai pulp (2 g/day) for 6 weeks. Our results show that açai pulp prevented low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, increased serum and hepatic PON1 activity, and upregulated the expression of PON1 and ApoA-I in the liver. In HF diet-fed rats, treatment with açai pulp attenuated liver damage, reducing fat infiltration and triglyceride (TG) content. In rats receiving açai, increased serum PON1 activity was correlated with a reduction in hepatic steatosis and hepatic injury. These findings suggest the use of açai as a potential therapy for liver injuries, supporting the idea that dietary antioxidants are a promising approach to enhance the defensive systems against oxidative stress.

Resource Allocation Planning Helper (RALPH): Lessons learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Durham, Ralph; Reilly, Norman B.; Springer, Joe B.

1990-01-01

The current task of Resource Allocation Process includes the planning and apportionment of JPL's Ground Data System composed of the Deep Space Network and Mission Control and Computing Center facilities. The addition of the data driven, rule based planning system, RALPH, has expanded the planning horizon from 8 weeks to 10 years and has resulted in large labor savings. Use of the system has also resulted in important improvements in science return through enhanced resource utilization. In addition, RALPH has been instrumental in supporting rapid turn around for an increased volume of special what if studies. The status of RALPH is briefly reviewed and important lessons learned from the creation of an highly functional design team are focused on through an evolutionary design and implementation period in which an AI shell was selected, prototyped, and ultimately abandoned, and through the fundamental changes to the very process that spawned the tool kit. Principal topics include proper integration of software tools within the planning environment, transition from prototype to delivered to delivered software, changes in the planning methodology as a result of evolving software capabilities and creation of the ability to develop and process generic requirements to allow planning flexibility.

Effects of Ai Chi on balance, quality of life, functional mobility, and motor impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease^.

PubMed

Kurt, Emine Eda; Büyükturan, Buket; Büyükturan, Öznur; Erdem, Hatice Rana; Tuncay, Figen

2018-04-01

In this study, we aimed to investigate effects of Ai Chi on balance, functional mobility, health-related quality of life, and motor impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease. This study was conducted as an open-label randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN26292510) with repeated measures. Forty patients with Parkinson's disease stages 2 to 3 according to the Hoehn and Yahr Scale were randomly allocated to either an Ai Chi exercise group or a land-based exercise control group for 5 weeks. Balance was measured using the Biodex-3,1 and the Berg Balance Scale. Functional mobility was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go Test. Additionally, health-related quality of life and motor activity were assessed with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III. Although patients in both groups showed significant improvement in all outcome variables, improvement of dynamic balance was significantly greater in the Ai Chi group (p < 0.001), Berg Balance Scale (p < 0.001), Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.002), Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (p < 0.001), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that an Ai Chi exercise program improves balance, mobility, motor ability, and quality of life. In addition, Ai Chi exercise was more effective as an intervention than land-based exercise in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. Implications for rehabilitation Ai Chi exercises (aquatic exercises) may help improve balance, functional mobility, health-related quality of life, and motor ability in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease more efficiently than similar land-based exercises. Ai Chi exercises should be considered as a rehabilitation option for treatment of patients with mild or moderate Parkinson's disease.

Role of urea on recombinant Apo A-I stability and its utilization in anion exchange chromatography.

PubMed

Angarita, Monica; Arosio, Paolo; Müller-Späth, Thomas; Baur, Daniel; Falkenstein, Roberto; Kuhne, Wolfgang; Morbidelli, Massimo

2014-08-08

Apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) is an important lipid-binding protein involved in the transport and metabolism of cholesterol. High protein purity, in particular with respect to endotoxins is required for therapeutic applications. The use of urea during the purification process of recombinant Apo A-I produced in Escherichia coli has been suggested so as to provide high endotoxin clearance. In this work, we show that urea can be used as a sole modifier during the ion exchange chromatographic purification of Apo A-I and we investigate the molecular mechanism of elution by correlating the effect of urea on self-association, conformation and adsorption equilibrium properties of a modified model Apo A-I. In the absence of urea the protein was found to be present as a population of oligomers represented mainly by trimers, hexamers and nonamers. The addition of urea induced oligomer dissociation and protein structure unfolding. We correlated the changes in protein association and conformation with variations of the adsorption equilibrium of the protein on a strong anion exchanger. It was confirmed that the adsorption isotherms, described by a Langmuir model, were dependent on both protein and urea concentrations. Monomers, observed at low urea concentration (0.5M), were characterized by larger binding affinity and adsorption capacity compared to both protein oligomers (0M) and unfolded monomers (2-8M). The reduction of both the binding strength and maximum adsorption capacity at urea concentrations larger than 0.5M explains the ability of urea of inducing elution of the protein from the ion exchange resin. The dissociation of the protein complexes occurring during the elution could likely be the origin of the effective clearance of endotoxins originally trapped inside the oligomers. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Regulation of Yersina pestis Virulence by AI-2 Mediated Quorum Sensing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Segelke, B; Hok, S; Lao, V

The proposed research was motivated by an interest in understanding Y. pestis virulence mechanisms and bacteria cell-cell communication. It is expected that a greater understanding of virulence mechanisms will ultimately lead to biothreat countermeasures and novel therapeutics. Y. pestis is the etiological agent of plague, the most devastating disease in human history. Y. pestis infection has a high mortality rate and a short incubation before mortality. There is no widely available and effective vaccine for Y. pestis and multi-drug resistant strains are emerging. Y. pestis is a recognized biothreat agent based on the wide distribution of the bacteria in researchmore » laboratories around the world and on the knowledge that methods exist to produce and aerosolize large amounts of bacteria. We hypothesized that cell-cell communication via signaling molecules, or quorum sensing, by Y. pestis is important for the regulation of virulence factor gene expression during host invasion, though a causative link had never been established. Quorum sensing is a mode of intercellular communication which enables orchestration of gene expression for many bacteria as a function of population density and available evidence suggests there may be a link between quorum sensing and regulation of Y. pesits virulence. Several pathogenic bacteria have been shown to regulate expression of virulence factor genes, including genes encoding type III secretion, via quorum sensing. The Y. pestis genome encodes several cell-cell signaling pathways and the interaction of at least three of these are thought to be involved in one or more modes of host invasion. Furthermore, Y. pestis gene expression array studies carried out at LLNL have established a correlation between expression of known virulence factors and genes involved in processing of the AI-2 quorum sensing signal. This was a basic research project that was intended to provide new insights into bacterial intercellular communication and

Applying AI systems in the T and D arena. [Artificial Intelligence, Transmission and Distribution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Venkata, S.S.; Liu, Chenching; Sumic, Z.

1993-04-01

The power engineering community has capitalized on various computer technologies since the early 1960s, with most successful application to solving well-defined problems that are capable of being modeled. Although computing methods have made notable progress in the power engineering arena, there is still a class of problems that is not easy to define or formulate to apply conventional computerized methods. In addition to being difficult to express in a closed mathematical form, these problems are often characterized by the absence of one or both of the following features: a predetermined decision path from the initial state to goal (ill-structured problem);more » a well-defined criteria for whether an obtained solution is acceptable (open-ended problem). Power engineers have been investigating the application of AI-based methodologies to power system problems. Most of the work in the past has been geared towards the development of expert systems as an operator's aid in energy control centers for bulk power transmission systems operating under abnormal conditions. Alarm processing, fault diagnosis, system restoration, and voltage/var control are a few key areas where significant research work has progressed to date. Results of this research have effected more than 100 prototype expert systems for power systems throughout the US, Japan, and Europe. The objectives of this article are to: expose engineers to the benefits of using AI methods for a host of transmission and distribution (T and D) problems that need immediate attention; identify problems that could be solved more effectively by applying AI approaches; summarize recent developments and successful AI applications in T and D.« less

SU-E-J-125: A Novel IMRT Planning Technique to Spare Sacral Bone Marrow in Pelvic Cancer Patients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McGuire, S; Bhatia, S; Sun, W

Purpose: Develop an IMRT planning technique that can preferentially spare sacral bone marrow for pelvic cancer patients. Methods: Six pelvic cancer patients (two each with anal, cervical, and rectal cancer) were enrolled in an IRB approved protocol to obtain FLT PET images at simulation, during, and post chemoradiation therapy. Initially, conventional IMRT plans were created to maintain target coverage and reduce dose to OARs such as bladder, bowel, rectum, and femoral heads. Simulation FLT PET images were used to create IMRT plans to spare bone marrow identified as regions with SUV of 2 or greater (IMRT-BMS) within the pelvic bonesmore » from top of L3 to 5mm below the greater trochanter without compromising PTV coverage or OAR sparing when compared to the initial IMRT plan. IMRT-BMS plans used 8–10 beam angles that surrounded the subject. These plans were used for treatment. Retrospectively, the same simulation FLT PET images were used to create IMRT plans that spared bone marrow located in the sacral pelvic bone region (IMRT-FAN) also without compromising PTV coverage or OAR sparing. IMRT-FAN plans used 16 beam angles every 12° anteriorly from 90° – 270°. Optimization objectives for the sacral bone marrow avoidance region were weighted to reduce ≥V10. Results: IMRT-FAN reduced dose to the sacral bone marrow for all six subjects. The average V5, V10, V20, and V30 differences from the IMRT-BMS plan were −2.2 ± 1.7%, −11.4 ± 3.6%, −17.6 ± 5.1%, and −19.1 ± 8.1% respectively. Average PTV coverage change was 0.5% ± 0.8% from the conventional IMRT plan. Conclusion: An IMRT planning technique that uses beams from the anterior and lateral directions reduced the volume of sacral bone marrow that receives ≤10Gy while maintaining PTV coverage and OAR sparing. Additionally, the volume of sacral bone marrow that received 20 or 30 Gy was also reduced.« less

AI AND SAR APPROACHES FOR PREDICTING CHEMICAL CARCINOGENICITY: SURVEY AND STATUS REPORT

EPA Science Inventory

A wide variety of artificial intelligence (AI) and structure-activity relationship (SAR approaches have been applied to tackling the general problem of predicting rodent chemical carcinogenicity. Given the diversity of chemical structures and mechanisms relative to this endpoin...

Effect of education on ability of AI professionals and herd-owner inseminators to detect cows not in oestrus and its relation with progesterone concentration on day of re-insemination.

PubMed

Vartia, K; Taponen, J; Heikkinen, J; Lindeberg, H

2017-10-15

The effect of training background of persons performing artificial insemination (AI) (herd-owner inseminators (OWNER), AI technicians (AI-T), and fertility consultants (FC)) on pregnancy rate and their ability to detect cows not in oestrus were studied. A total of 1584 re-AI occasions on 754 dairy farms were included. Milk samples for progesterone (P4) analysis in all cases were collected, as were data on the herd, previous breeding attempts, oestrous signs, uterine tone, slipperiness of cervix, and co-operation of the cow. Further breeding attempts and next calving or culling date were sought from registers. The cases were distributed into three categories based on P4 concentrations; <6 nmol/l (no luteal activity, could be in oestrus), 6-10 nmol/l (some luteal activity), and >10 nmol/l (high luteal activity, not in oestrus). Of cows offered for re-AI 7.7% had P4 concentration >10 nmol/l, with no difference between OWNER farms and farms using AI service. OWNERs chose for AI more cows having intermediate P4 than farms using AI service (9.8% vs. 5.9%, p < 0.05). AI-Ts recommended no AI significantly less often than FCs (1.6% vs. 4.9%, p < 0.01). Both groups were equally right: 71% and 68% of cows that were recommended to have no AI had high P4 concentration. Due to courageous and correct rejection of cows with high P4, FCs inseminated proportionally more cows in low P4 and less cows in intermediate P4 than OWNERs (p < 0.05). Of cows finally inseminated, 36.7% became pregnant, with no difference between OWNER farms and farms using AI service. Fertility consultants had higher pregnancy rates than AI-Ts (39.6% vs. 32.6%, p < 0.05). Toneless uterus and sticky cervix at AI significantly correlated with AI occurring at the wrong time (p < 0.001). Behaviour of the cow at AI did not predict P4 concentration. In conclusion, 7.7% of cows offered for re-AI had high P4 concentration. Training of AI personnel increased their ability to detect and reject these cows

15 CFR 923.43 - Direct State land and water use planning and regulation-Technique B.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Direct State land and water use planning and regulation-Technique B. 923.43 Section 923.43 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade (Continued) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE...

15 CFR 923.43 - Direct State land and water use planning and regulation-Technique B.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Direct State land and water use planning and regulation-Technique B. 923.43 Section 923.43 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade (Continued) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE...

Application of scenario analysis and multiagent technique in land-use planning: a case study on Sanjiang wetlands.

PubMed

Yu, Huan; Ni, Shi-Jun; Kong, Bo; He, Zheng-Wei; Zhang, Cheng-Jiang; Zhang, Shu-Qing; Pan, Xin; Xia, Chao-Xu; Li, Xuan-Qiong

2013-01-01

Land-use planning has triggered debates on social and environmental values, in which two key questions will be faced: one is how to see different planning simulation results instantaneously and apply the results back to interactively assist planning work; the other is how to ensure that the planning simulation result is scientific and accurate. To answer these questions, the objective of this paper is to analyze whether and how a bridge can be built between qualitative and quantitative approaches for land-use planning work and to find out a way to overcome the gap that exists between the ability to construct computer simulation models to aid integrated land-use plan making and the demand for them by planning professionals. The study presented a theoretical framework of land-use planning based on scenario analysis (SA) method and multiagent system (MAS) simulation integration and selected freshwater wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain of China as a case study area. Study results showed that MAS simulation technique emphasizing quantitative process effectively compensated for the SA method emphasizing qualitative process, which realized the organic combination of qualitative and quantitative land-use planning work, and then provided a new idea and method for the land-use planning and sustainable managements of land resources.

Application of Scenario Analysis and Multiagent Technique in Land-Use Planning: A Case Study on Sanjiang Wetlands

PubMed Central

Ni, Shi-Jun; He, Zheng-Wei; Zhang, Cheng-Jiang; Zhang, Shu-Qing; Pan, Xin; Xia, Chao-Xu; Li, Xuan-Qiong

2013-01-01

Land-use planning has triggered debates on social and environmental values, in which two key questions will be faced: one is how to see different planning simulation results instantaneously and apply the results back to interactively assist planning work; the other is how to ensure that the planning simulation result is scientific and accurate. To answer these questions, the objective of this paper is to analyze whether and how a bridge can be built between qualitative and quantitative approaches for land-use planning work and to find out a way to overcome the gap that exists between the ability to construct computer simulation models to aid integrated land-use plan making and the demand for them by planning professionals. The study presented a theoretical framework of land-use planning based on scenario analysis (SA) method and multiagent system (MAS) simulation integration and selected freshwater wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain of China as a case study area. Study results showed that MAS simulation technique emphasizing quantitative process effectively compensated for the SA method emphasizing qualitative process, which realized the organic combination of qualitative and quantitative land-use planning work, and then provided a new idea and method for the land-use planning and sustainable managements of land resources. PMID:23818816

STAR - A computer language for hybrid AI applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borchardt, G. C.

1986-01-01

Constructing Artificial Intelligence application systems which rely on both symbolic and non-symbolic processing places heavy demands on the communication of data between dissimilar languages. This paper describes STAR (Simple Tool for Automated Reasoning), a computer language for the development of AI application systems which supports the transfer of data structures between a symbolic level and a non-symbolic level defined in languages such as FORTRAN, C and PASCAL. The organization of STAR is presented, followed by the description of an application involving STAR in the interpretation of airborne imaging spectrometer data.

The Effect of T'ai Chi Exercise on Lipid Profiles: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

PubMed

Alenazi, Aqeel M; Alshehri, Mohammed M; Hoover, Jeffrey C; Yabroudi, Mohammad A; Kachanathu, Shaji John; Liu, Wen

2018-03-01

Cardiovascular disease is a common health problem resulting from many factors, including dyslipidemia. T'ai chi is one of the interventions assigned to improve lipid profiles and other physical outcomes. However, conflicting results might be attributed to different study designs and interventional approaches. A systematic review and meta-analysis are needed to evaluate existing evidence. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate existing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) regarding the overall effect of t'ai chi exercise on lipid profiles. Electronic databases (MEDLINE and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) were searched. The authors included only English peer reviewed published RCTs that used a t'ai chi intervention and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as the primary outcome along with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and/or total cholesterol (TC) as secondary outcomes. The authors identified 37 potentially eligible studies. Only eight RCTs were eligible for their qualitative review, and seven studies were eligible for meta-analysis. The included studies were rated as having a low risk of bias. Despite the overall low risk of bias, all studies failed to blind participants to group assignment and were generally unclear about whether they were selectively reporting data. A fixed effect model (I 2  = 38.16%) demonstrated a small positive effect of t'ai chi on HDL-C (Cohen d = 0.12; standard error [SE] = 0.067; p = 0.037). A random effect model demonstrated a medium effect and small effect for LDL-C (Cohen d = 0.47; SE = 0.347; p = 0.089) and TC (Cohen d = 0.34; SE = 0.225; p = 0.066), respectively. T'ai chi may potentially be beneficial on lipid profiles across different age groups and populations. Although there were conflicting results regarding the effect of t'ai chi on lipid profiles, the majority of studies had at least a small positive effect indicating

Integrating Enterprise Resource Planning (SAP) in the Accounting Curriculum: A Systematic Literature Review and Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blount, Yvette; Abedin, Babak; Vatanasakdakul, Savanid; Erfani, Seyedezahra

2016-01-01

This study investigates how an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software package SAP was integrated into the curriculum of an accounting information systems (AIS) course in an Australian university. Furthermore, the paper provides a systematic literature review of articles published between 1990 and 2013 to understand how ERP systems were…

SU-F-T-429: Craniospinal Irradiation by VMAT Technique: Impact of FFF Beam and High Resolution MLC On Plan Quality

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ganesh, T; Sarkar, B; Munshi, A

2016-06-15

Purpose: Objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of using flattening filter free (FFF) beam with 0.5 cm multileaf collimator (MLC) leaves over conventional flattened beam with 1 cm leaf width MLC on the treatment plan quality in cranio-spinal irradiation (CSI). Methods: For five medulloblastoma cases (3 males and 2 females), who were previously treated by volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique using conventional flattened beam shaped by 1 cm width MLC leaves, four test plans were generated and compared against the delivered plan. These retrospective plans consisted of four different combinations of flattened and FFF beams frommore » Elekta’s Agility treatment head with 0.5 cm width MLC leaves. Sparing of organs at risks (OAR) in terms of dose to 5%, 50%, 75% and 90% volumes, mean and maximum dose were evaluated. Results: All plans satisfied the planning objective of covering 95% of PTV by at least 95% of prescription dose. Marginal variation of dose spillage was observed between different VMAT plans at very low dose range (1–5 Gy). Variation in dose statistics for PTVs and OARs were within 1% or 1 Gy. Amongst the five plans, the plan with flattened beam with 1 cm MLC had the highest number of MUs, 2.13 times higher than the plan with Agility MLC with FFF beam that had the least number of MUs. No statistically significant difference (p≥0.05) was observed between the reference plan and the retrospectively generated plans in terms of PTV coverage, cold spot, hot spot and organ at risk doses. Conclusion: In the treatment of CSI cases by VMAT technique, FFF beams and/or finer width MLC did not exhibit advantage over the flattened beams or wider MLC in terms of plan quality except for reduction in MUs.« less

The computer integrated documentation project: A merge of hypermedia and AI techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mathe, Nathalie; Boy, Guy

1993-01-01

To generate intelligent indexing that allows context-sensitive information retrieval, a system must be able to acquire knowledge directly through interaction with users. In this paper, we present the architecture for CID (Computer Integrated Documentation). CID is a system that enables integration of various technical documents in a hypertext framework and includes an intelligent browsing system that incorporates indexing in context. CID's knowledge-based indexing mechanism allows case based knowledge acquisition by experimentation. It utilizes on-line user information requirements and suggestions either to reinforce current indexing in case of success or to generate new knowledge in case of failure. This allows CID's intelligent interface system to provide helpful responses, based on previous experience (user feedback). We describe CID's current capabilities and provide an overview of our plans for extending the system.

Effective Association of SAR and AIS Data Using Non-Rigid Point Pattern Matching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Z.; Ji, K. F.; Xing, X. W.; Zou, H. X.

2014-03-01

Ship surveillance using multiple remote sensing sensors becomes more and more vital presently. Among the various sensors, space-borne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is optimal for its high resolution over wide swaths and all-weather working capabilities. Meanwhile, Automatic Identification System (AIS) is efficient to provide ship navigational information. Limited to the progress of ship surveillance using SAR image only, the integration of them significantly benefits more. Data association is the fundamental issue. Many algorithms have been developed including the Nearest-Neighbour (NN) algorithm, the Joint Probabilistic Data Association (JPDA) method, and the Multiple Hypothesis Testing (MHT) approach. Ship positions derived from SAR image can be associated with the ones provided by AIS. State-of-the-art method (NN algorithm) is proved to be feasible. But it faces more challenges under adverse circumstances, such as high-density-shipping condition. We investigate the non-rigid Point Pattern Matching (PPM) method to solve this problem. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to introduce non-rigid PPM to the data association of SAR and AIS. On the basis of introduction to the data association, Coherent Point Drift (CPD) algorithm is investigated. Experiments are carried out and the results illustrate that the CPD algorithm achieves higher accuracy and outperforms state-of-the-art method, especially under high-density-shipping condition.

Apolipoproteins A-I, A-II and E are independently distributed among intracellular and newly secreted HDL of human hepatoma cells

PubMed Central

Gillard, Baiba K.; Lin, Hu-Yu Alice; Massey, John B.; Pownall, Henry J.

2009-01-01

Whereas hepatocytes secrete the major human plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL)-protein, apo A-I, as lipid-free and lipidated species, the biogenic itineraries of apo A-II and apo E are unknown. Human plasma and HepG2 cell-derived apo A-II and apo E occur as monomers, homodimers and heterodimers. Dimerization of apo A-II, which is more lipophilic than apo A-I, is catalyzed by lipid surfaces. Thus, we hypothesized that lipidation of intracellular and secreted apo A-II exceeds that of apo A-I, and once lipidated, apo A-II dimerizes. Fractionation of HepG2 cell lysate and media by size exclusion chromatography showed that intracellular apo A-II and apo E are fully lipidated and occur on nascent HDL and VLDL respectively, while only 45% of intracellular apo A-I is lipidated. Secreted apo A-II and apo E occur on small HDL and on LDL and large HDL respectively. HDL particles containing both apo A-II and apo A-I form only after secretion from both HepG2 and Huh7 hepatoma cells. Apo A-II dimerizes intracellularly while intracellular apo E is monomeric but after secretion associates with HDL and subsequently dimerizes. Thus, HDL apolipoproteins A-I, A-II and E have distinct intracellular and post-secretory pathways of hepatic lipidation and dimerization in the process of HDL formation. These early forms of HDL are expected to follow different apolipoprotein-specific pathways through plasma remodeling and reverse cholesterol transport. PMID:19635584

Techniques of Australian forest planning

Treesearch

Australian Forestry Council

1978-01-01

Computer modeling has been extensively adopted for Australian forest planning over the last ten years. It has been confined almost entirely to the plantations of fast-growing species for which adequate inventory, growth, and experimental data are available. Stand simulation models have replaced conventional yield tables and enabled a wide range of alternative...

75 FR 71183 - 23rd Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 206: EUROCAE WG 76 Plenary: AIS and MET Data Link Services

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-22

... Services Delivery Architecture Recommendations are included in the TOR deliverables. The Concept of Use for... operating picture for evolving global ATM concepts. The AIS and MET Services Delivery Architecture... provides recommended alternatives for AIS and MET data delivery architectures. The Concept of Use and...

15 CFR 923.43 - Direct State land and water use planning and regulation-Technique B.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Direct State land and water use... Authorities and Organization § 923.43 Direct State land and water use planning and regulation—Technique B. (a... subsection 306(d)(11) of the Act for control of land and water uses within the coastal zone. The second such...