Software Engineering Improvement Plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2006-01-01

In performance of this task order, bd Systems personnel provided support to the Flight Software Branch and the Software Working Group through multiple tasks related to software engineering improvement and to activities of the independent Technical Authority (iTA) Discipline Technical Warrant Holder (DTWH) for software engineering. To ensure that the products, comments, and recommendations complied with customer requirements and the statement of work, bd Systems personnel maintained close coordination with the customer. These personnel performed work in areas such as update of agency requirements and directives database, software effort estimation, software problem reports, a web-based process asset library, miscellaneous documentation review, software system requirements, issue tracking software survey, systems engineering NPR, and project-related reviews. This report contains a summary of the work performed and the accomplishments in each of these areas.

75 FR 55942 - Avocados Grown in South Florida; Increased Assessment Rate

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-15

.... Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable... Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA... contacting Antoinette Carter, Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA...

Registration of angiographic image on real-time fluoroscopic image for image-guided percutaneous coronary intervention.

PubMed

Kim, Dongkue; Park, Sangsoo; Jeong, Myung Ho; Ryu, Jeha

2018-02-01

In percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), cardiologists must study two different X-ray image sources: a fluoroscopic image and an angiogram. Manipulating a guidewire while alternately monitoring the two separate images on separate screens requires a deep understanding of the anatomy of coronary vessels and substantial training. We propose 2D/2D spatiotemporal image registration of the two images in a single image in order to provide cardiologists with enhanced visual guidance in PCI. The proposed 2D/2D spatiotemporal registration method uses a cross-correlation of two ECG series in each image to temporally synchronize two separate images and register an angiographic image onto the fluoroscopic image. A guidewire centerline is then extracted from the fluoroscopic image in real time, and the alignment of the centerline with vessel outlines of the chosen angiographic image is optimized using the iterative closest point algorithm for spatial registration. A proof-of-concept evaluation with a phantom coronary vessel model with engineering students showed an error reduction rate greater than 74% on wrong insertion to nontarget branches compared to the non-registration method and more than 47% reduction in the task completion time in performing guidewire manipulation for very difficult tasks. Evaluation with a small number of experienced doctors shows a potentially significant reduction in both task completion time and error rate for difficult tasks. The total registration time with real procedure X-ray (angiographic and fluoroscopic) images takes [Formula: see text] 60 ms, which is within the fluoroscopic image acquisition rate of 15 Hz. By providing cardiologists with better visual guidance in PCI, the proposed spatiotemporal image registration method is shown to be useful in advancing the guidewire to the coronary vessel branches, especially those difficult to insert into.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of fruit trees by a shape from silhouette method

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In order to robotically prune a dormant fruit tree, the branches must be identified in a three-dimensional space. Furthermore, the branches need to be measured in order to determine which branches should be pruned. Both the identification and measurement of branches can be accomplished by generati...

Virtual Control Policy for Binary Ordered Resources Petri Net Class

PubMed Central

Rovetto, Carlos A.; Concepción, Tomás J.; Cano, Elia Esther

2016-01-01

Prevention and avoidance of deadlocks in sensor networks that use the wormhole routing algorithm is an active research domain. There are diverse control policies that will address this problem being our approach a new method. In this paper we present a virtual control policy for the new specialized Petri net subclass called Binary Ordered Resources Petri Net (BORPN). Essentially, it is an ordinary class constructed from various state machines that share unitary resources in a complex form, which allows branching and joining of processes. The reduced structure of this new class gives advantages that allow analysis of the entire system’s behavior, which is a prohibitive task for large systems because of the complexity and routing algorithms. PMID:27548170

Space Environmental Effects on Materials and Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sabbann, Leslie M.

2009-01-01

The Materials and Processes (M&P) Branch of the Structural Engineering Division at Johnson Space Center (JSC) seeks to uphold the production of dependable space hardware through materials research, which fits into NASA's purpose of advancing human exploration, use, and development of space. The Space Environmental Effects projects fully support these Agency goals. Two tasks were assigned to support M&P. Both assignments were to further the research of material behavior outside of Earth's atmosphere in order to determine which materials are most durable and safe to use in space for mitigating risks. One project, the Materials on International Space Station Experiments (MISSE) task, was to compile data from International Space Station (ISS) experiments to pinpoint beneficial space hardware. The other project was researching the effects on composite materials of exposure to high doses of radiation for a Lunar habitat project.

Slotted Waveguide Antenna Stiffened Structures (SWASS) Development for Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Radar (Briefing Charts)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

BRIEFING CHARTS) D. Zeppettella Structures Technology Branch Aerospace Vehicles Division Steve Bucca and Thomas Gage BerrieHill Research...R. WIPPERMAN, Chief Program Manager Structures Technology Branch Structures Technology Branch Aerospace Vehicles Division Aerospace Vehicles...Corporation) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 4920 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER Q06A 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING

Effects of oral administration of caffeine and D-ribose on mental fatigue.

PubMed

Ataka, Suzuka; Tanaka, Masaaki; Nozaki, Satoshi; Mizuma, Hiroshi; Mizuno, Kei; Tahara, Tsuyoshi; Sugino, Tomohiro; Shirai, Tomoko; Kajimoto, Yoshitaka; Kuratsune, Hirohiko; Kajimoto, Osami; Watanabe, Yasuyoshi

2008-03-01

We examined the effects of administering two different candidate antifatigue substances, caffeine and D-ribose, on mental fatigue. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover design, 17 healthy volunteers were randomized to oral caffeine (200 mg/d), D-ribose (2000 mg/d), or placebo for 8 d. As fatigue-inducing mental tasks, subjects performed a 30-min Uchida-Kraepelin psychodiagnostic test and a 30-min advanced trail-making test on four occasions. During the tasks, the task performance of the caffeine group was better than that of the placebo group. However, after the fatigue-inducing tasks, although subjective perception of fatigue, motivation, or sleepiness was not significantly different, plasma branched-chain amino acid levels in the caffeine group were lower than those of the placebo group. Administration of D-ribose had no effect. Because plasma branched-chain amino acid levels are decreased by mental fatigue, these results suggest that administration of caffeine improved task performance through the enhancement of central nervous system activity without increasing the sensation of fatigue. However, further decreases in branched-chain amino acid levels indicate that caffeine might promote deeper fatigue than placebo. Unfortunately, research subsequent to our study design has shown that D-ribose dosing higher than we used is needed to see a clinical effect and therefore no conclusions can be made from this study as to the efficacy of D-ribose.

76 FR 69296 - Proposed Models for Plant-Specific Adoption of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-08

... Adoption of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF-500, Revision 2, ``DC Electrical Rewrite... Technical Specifications Task Force (TSTF) Traveler TSTF-500, Revision 2, ``DC Electrical Rewrite--Update to... Reactor Systems Engineer, Technical Specifications Branch, Mail Stop: O-7 C2A, Division of Inspection and...

Signal Corps and Military Intelligence Officer Perceptions of a Multifunctional Branch Merger

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-12

CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) Martin, Johnathan P. Major US Army 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK...Commander, Lieutenant General Edward Cardon summed up the issue during a speaking engagement at CGSC stating: “We at the senior leader level are...Intelligence officers. The talent management aspect of the branch structure appears to be the impetus for creating a separate Cyber branch. Cardon said as

Dimensions of subcortical infarcts associated with first- to third-order branches of the basal ganglia arteries.

PubMed

Phan, Thanh G; van der Voort, Sanne; Beare, Richard; Ma, Henry; Clissold, Benjamin; Holt, Michael; Ly, John; Foster, Emma; Thong, Eleanor; Stuckey, Stephen; Cassell, Martin D; Srikanth, Velandai

2013-01-01

It has been described that lacunar infarct is characterized by its smallish size (15-20 mm) in the axial plane. However, the size of the basal ganglia artery responsible for this type of infarct is uncertain. Detection of small arterial occlusion is not possible with current angiography, hindering correlation of arterial occlusion with subcortical infarct size. Recently, investigators have published microangiographic templates of arteries supplying the basal ganglia. These templates display first-order (proximal) to third-order (distal) branching of these arteries and can help with estimating the likely site of arterial disease in subcortical infarcts. We correlated the dimensions of subcortical infarcts with the order of arterial branching described in a microangiographic template. Such data may provide further clues about the type of arteries associated with subcortical infarcts and assist in refining the concept of lacunar infarction. Patients with subcortical infarcts on MR imaging (MRI) admitted to our institution between 2009 and 2011 were included in the study. Infarcts were manually segmented and registered to a standard brain template. These segmented infarcts were scaled and overlapped with published microangiographic templates, and used by 6 raters who independently estimated the branching order of arterial disease that might result in these infarcts. We used regression analysis to relate these ratings to infarct dimensions. Among 777 patients, there were 33 (58% male) patients with subcortical infarcts. The mean age was 63.1 ± 15.1 years. Infarct dimensions for the groups were as follows: group 1 (first-order branch): height 37.6 ± 7.4 mm, horizontal width 21.2 ± 11.6 mm, anterior-posterior length 36.8 ± 20.1 mm; group 2 (second-order branch): height 25.2 ± 7.9 mm, horizontal width 16.6 ± 22.8 mm, anterior-posterior length 16.1 ± 8.0 mm; group 3 (third-order branch): height 11.6 ± 5.7 mm, axial width 5.3 ± 3.1 mm, anterior-posterior length 5.5 ± 3.8 mm. Increasing vessel branching order (from large to small vessels) was linearly and negatively associated with infarct height (β = -16.7 mm per change in branching order disease, 95% CI -20.3, -13.1 mm, p < 0.01) and anterior-posterior length (β = -16.8 mm per change in branching order disease, 95% CI -23.2, -10.5 mm, p < 0.01). Based on MRI infarct dimensions and a microangiographic template, it may be possible to estimate the branching order of the artery involved in subcortical infarcts. Further, our small data set suggests that reliance on an axial dimension of 15-20 mm may not be the best approach to classifying lacunar infarct. This finding needs to be confirmed in a larger data set. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The influence of branch order on optimal leaf vein geometries: Murray's law and area preserving branching.

PubMed

Price, Charles A; Knox, Sarah-Jane C; Brodribb, Tim J

2013-01-01

Models that predict the form of hierarchical branching networks typically invoke optimization based on biomechanical similitude, the minimization of impedance to fluid flow, or construction costs. Unfortunately, due to the small size and high number of vein segments found in real biological networks, complete descriptions of networks needed to evaluate such models are rare. To help address this we report results from the analysis of the branching geometry of 349 leaf vein networks comprising over 1.5 million individual vein segments. In addition to measuring the diameters of individual veins before and after vein bifurcations, we also assign vein orders using the Horton-Strahler ordering algorithm adopted from the study of river networks. Our results demonstrate that across all leaves, both radius tapering and the ratio of daughter to parent branch areas for leaf veins are in strong agreement with the expectation from Murray's law. However, as veins become larger, area ratios shift systematically toward values expected under area-preserving branching. Our work supports the idea that leaf vein networks differentiate roles of leaf support and hydraulic supply between hierarchical orders.

The hierarchical and functional connectivity of higher-order cognitive mechanisms: neurorobotic model to investigate the stability and flexibility of working memory

PubMed Central

Alnajjar, Fady; Yamashita, Yuichi; Tani, Jun

2013-01-01

Higher-order cognitive mechanisms (HOCM), such as planning, cognitive branching, switching, etc., are known to be the outcomes of a unique neural organizations and dynamics between various regions of the frontal lobe. Although some recent anatomical and neuroimaging studies have shed light on the architecture underlying the formation of such mechanisms, the neural dynamics and the pathways in and between the frontal lobe to form and/or to tune the stability level of its working memory remain controversial. A model to clarify this aspect is therefore required. In this study, we propose a simple neurocomputational model that suggests the basic concept of how HOCM, including the cognitive branching and switching in particular, may mechanistically emerge from time-based neural interactions. The proposed model is constructed such that its functional and structural hierarchy mimics, to a certain degree, the biological hierarchy that is believed to exist between local regions in the frontal lobe. Thus, the hierarchy is attained not only by the force of the layout architecture of the neural connections but also through distinct types of neurons, each with different time properties. To validate the model, cognitive branching and switching tasks were simulated in a physical humanoid robot driven by the model. Results reveal that separation between the lower and the higher-level neurons in such a model is an essential factor to form an appropriate working memory to handle cognitive branching and switching. The analyses of the obtained result also illustrates that the breadth of this separation is important to determine the characteristics of the resulting memory, either static memory or dynamic memory. This work can be considered as a joint research between synthetic and empirical studies, which can open an alternative research area for better understanding of brain mechanisms. PMID:23423881

The hierarchical and functional connectivity of higher-order cognitive mechanisms: neurorobotic model to investigate the stability and flexibility of working memory.

PubMed

Alnajjar, Fady; Yamashita, Yuichi; Tani, Jun

2013-01-01

Higher-order cognitive mechanisms (HOCM), such as planning, cognitive branching, switching, etc., are known to be the outcomes of a unique neural organizations and dynamics between various regions of the frontal lobe. Although some recent anatomical and neuroimaging studies have shed light on the architecture underlying the formation of such mechanisms, the neural dynamics and the pathways in and between the frontal lobe to form and/or to tune the stability level of its working memory remain controversial. A model to clarify this aspect is therefore required. In this study, we propose a simple neurocomputational model that suggests the basic concept of how HOCM, including the cognitive branching and switching in particular, may mechanistically emerge from time-based neural interactions. The proposed model is constructed such that its functional and structural hierarchy mimics, to a certain degree, the biological hierarchy that is believed to exist between local regions in the frontal lobe. Thus, the hierarchy is attained not only by the force of the layout architecture of the neural connections but also through distinct types of neurons, each with different time properties. To validate the model, cognitive branching and switching tasks were simulated in a physical humanoid robot driven by the model. Results reveal that separation between the lower and the higher-level neurons in such a model is an essential factor to form an appropriate working memory to handle cognitive branching and switching. The analyses of the obtained result also illustrates that the breadth of this separation is important to determine the characteristics of the resulting memory, either static memory or dynamic memory. This work can be considered as a joint research between synthetic and empirical studies, which can open an alternative research area for better understanding of brain mechanisms.

Combined effect of prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation and a working memory task on heart rate variability

PubMed Central

Boonstra, Tjeerd W.; Loo, Colleen K.; Martin, Donel

2017-01-01

Prefrontal cortex activity has been associated with changes to heart rate variability (HRV) via mediation of the cortico-subcortical pathways that regulate the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. Changes in HRV due to altered prefrontal cortex functioning can be predicted using the neurovisceral integration model, which suggests that prefrontal hyperactivity increases parasympathetic tone and decreases contributions from the sympathetic nervous system. Working memory (WM) tasks and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have been used independently to modulate brain activity demonstrating changes to HRV in agreement with the model. We investigated the combined effects of prefrontal tDCS and a WM task on HRV. Bifrontal tDCS was administered for 15 minutes at 2mA to 20 participants in a sham controlled, single-blind study using parallel groups. A WM task was completed by participants at three time points; pre-, during-, and post-tDCS, with resting state data collected at similar times. Frequency-domain HRV was computed for high frequency (HF; 0.15–0.4Hz) and low frequency (LF; 0.04–0.15Hz) power reflecting parasympathetic and sympathetic branch activity, respectively. Response time on the WM task, but not accuracy, improved from baseline to during-tDCS and post-tDCS with sham, but not active, stimulation. HF-HRV was significantly increased in the active tDCS group compared to sham, lasting beyond cessation of stimulation. Additionally, HF-HRV showed a task-related reduction in power during performance on the WM task. Changes in LF-HRV were moderately inversely correlated (r > 0.4) with changes in WM accuracy during and following tDCS compared to baseline levels. Stimulation of the prefrontal cortex resulted in changes to the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system in agreement with a linearly additive interpretation of effects. Sympathetic activity was not directly altered by tDCS, but was correlated with changes in WM performance. This suggests that the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches respond differentially due to similar, but distinct neural pathways. Given the ease of HRV data collection, studies of prefrontal tDCS would benefit from collection of this data as it provides unique insight into tDCS effects resulting from propagation through brain networks. PMID:28771509

Perception and motor activity: reality is always virtual

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bridgeman, Bruce

1999-05-01

We differentiate a cognitive branch of the visual system from a sensorimotor branch with the Roelofs, effect, a perception that a target's position is biased in the direction opposite the offset of a surrounding frame. Previous research left the possibility that accurate motor responses to a perceptually mislocated target might be mediated by oculomotor fixation of the target. Subjects performed judging and jabbing tasks to probe cognitive and motor system representations respectively while engaging in a saccadic task that prevented fixation of the target. Three experiments with an oculomotor distractor task evaluated judging and jabbing responses to the target. Three experiments did not show a Roelofs effect in spite of the prevention of fixation on the target. Motor response did not show a Roelofs effect in spite of the prevention of fixation on the target. Further, a decision about which of two targets to jab does not result in cognitive-system information affect motor response. The Roelofs effect was presented, however, in judging trials that also involved the saccadic task.

Highly Branched Phenotype of the Petunia dad1-1 Mutant Is Reversed by Grafting.

PubMed Central

Napoli, C.

1996-01-01

The recessive dad1-1 allele conditions a highly branched growth habit resulting from a proliferation of first- and second-order branches. Unlike the wild-type parent, which has lateral branching delayed until the third or fourth leaf node distal to the cotyledons, dad1-1 initiates lateral branching from each cotyledon axil. In addition to initiating lateral branching sooner than the wild type, dad1-1 sustains branching through more nodes on the main shoot axis than the wild type. In keeping with a propensity for branching at basal nodes, dad1-1 produces second-order branches at the proximal-most nodes on first-order branches and small shoots from accessory buds at basal nodes on the main shoot axis. Additional traits associated with the mutation are late flowering, adventitious root formation, shortened internodes, and mild leaf chlorosis. Graft studies show that a dad1-1 scion, when grafted onto wild-type stock, is converted to a phenotype resembling the wild type. Furthermore, a small wild-type interstock fragment inserted between a mutant root stock and a mutant scion is sufficient to convert the dad1-1 scion from mutant to a near wild-type appearance. The recessive dad1-1 phenotype combines traits associated with cytokinin overexpression, auxin overexpression, and gibberellin limitation, which suggests a complex interaction of hormones in establishing the mutant phenotype. PMID:12226274

[Primary branch size of Pinus koraiensis plantation: a prediction based on linear mixed effect model].

PubMed

Dong, Ling-Bo; Liu, Zhao-Gang; Li, Feng-Ri; Jiang, Li-Chun

2013-09-01

By using the branch analysis data of 955 standard branches from 60 sampled trees in 12 sampling plots of Pinus koraiensis plantation in Mengjiagang Forest Farm in Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China, and based on the linear mixed-effect model theory and methods, the models for predicting branch variables, including primary branch diameter, length, and angle, were developed. Considering tree effect, the MIXED module of SAS software was used to fit the prediction models. The results indicated that the fitting precision of the models could be improved by choosing appropriate random-effect parameters and variance-covariance structure. Then, the correlation structures including complex symmetry structure (CS), first-order autoregressive structure [AR(1)], and first-order autoregressive and moving average structure [ARMA(1,1)] were added to the optimal branch size mixed-effect model. The AR(1) improved the fitting precision of branch diameter and length mixed-effect model significantly, but all the three structures didn't improve the precision of branch angle mixed-effect model. In order to describe the heteroscedasticity during building mixed-effect model, the CF1 and CF2 functions were added to the branch mixed-effect model. CF1 function improved the fitting effect of branch angle mixed model significantly, whereas CF2 function improved the fitting effect of branch diameter and length mixed model significantly. Model validation confirmed that the mixed-effect model could improve the precision of prediction, as compare to the traditional regression model for the branch size prediction of Pinus koraiensis plantation.

Operational Environmental Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-09-01

Chemistry Branch - Physical Chemistry Branch " Analytical Research Division - Analytical Systems Branch - Methodology Research Branch - Spectroscopy Branch...electromagnetic frequency spec- trum and includes radio frequencies, infrared , visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays (in ascending order of...Verruculogen Aflatrem Picrotoxin Ciguatoxin Mycotoxins Simple Tr ichothecenes T-2 Toxin T-2 Tetraol Neosolaniol * Nivalenol Deoxynivalenol Verrucarol B-3 B lank

Co-op Essay - Tour 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Porter, Derrick

2014-01-01

The Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) is responsible for the training, planning and performance of all U.S. manned operations in space. Within this directorate all responsibilities are divided up into divisions. The EVA, Robotics & Crew Systems Operations Division performs ground operations and trains astronauts to carry out some of the more "high action" procedures in space. For example they orchestrate procedures like EVAs, or ExtraVehicular Activities (spacewalks), and robotics operations external to the International Space Station (ISS). The robotics branch of this division is responsible for the use of the Mobile Servicing System (MSS). This system is a combination of two robotic mechanisms and a series of equipment used to transport them on the ISS. The MSS is used to capture and position visiting vehicles, transport astronauts during EVAs, and perform external maintenance tasks on the ISS. This branch consists of two groups which are responsible for crew training and flight controlling, respectively. My first co-op tour took place Fall 2013. During this time I was given the opportunity to work in the robotics operations branch of the Mission Operations Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center. I was given a variety of tasks that encompassed, at a base level, all the aspects of the branch.

3 CFR 13490 - Executive Order 13490 of January 21, 2009. Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 3 The President 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Executive Order 13490 of January 21, 2009. Ethics... Order 13490 of January 21, 2009 EO 13490 Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel By the... Code, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Ethics Pledge. Every appointee in every executive...

Microvascular Branching as a Determinant of Blood Flow by Intravital Particle Imaging Velocimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parsons-Wingerter, Patricia; McKay, Terri L.; Vickerman, Mary B.; Wernet, Mark P.; Myers, Jerry G.; Radhakrishnan, Krishnan

2007-01-01

The effects of microvascular branching on blood flow were investigated in vivo by microscopic particle imaging velocimetry (micro-PIV). We use micro-PIV to measure blood flow by tracking red blood cells (RBC) as the moving particles. Velocity flow fields, including flow pulsatility, were analyzed for the first four branching orders of capillaries, postcapillary venules and small veins of the microvascular network within the developing avian yolksac at embryonic day 5 (E5). Increasing volumetric flowrates were obtained from parabolic laminar flow profiles as a function of increasing vessel diameter and branching order. Maximum flow velocities increased approximately twenty-fold as the function of increasing vessel diameter and branching order compared to flow velocities of 100 - 150 micron/sec in the capillaries. Results from our study will be useful for the increased understanding of blood flow within anastomotic, heterogeneous microvascular networks.

Hypergol Maintenance Facility Hazardous Waste South Staging Areas, SWMU 070 Corrective Measures Implementation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Ralinda R.

2016-01-01

This document presents the Corrective Measures Implementation (CMI) Year 10 Annual Report for implementation of corrective measures at the Hypergol Maintenance Facility (HMF) Hazardous Waste South Staging Areas at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The work is being performed by Tetra Tech, Inc., for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) NNK12CA15B, Task Order (TO) 07. Mr. Harry Plaza, P.E., of NASA's Environmental Assurance Branch is the Remediation Project Manager for John F. Kennedy Space Center. The Tetra Tech Program Manager is Mr. Mark Speranza, P.E., and the Tetra Tech Project Manager is Robert Simcik, P.E.

Universal features of dendrites through centripetal branch ordering

PubMed Central

Effenberger, Felix; Muellerleile, Julia

2017-01-01

Dendrites form predominantly binary trees that are exquisitely embedded in the networks of the brain. While neuronal computation is known to depend on the morphology of dendrites, their underlying topological blueprint remains unknown. Here, we used a centripetal branch ordering scheme originally developed to describe river networks—the Horton-Strahler order (SO)–to examine hierarchical relationships of branching statistics in reconstructed and model dendritic trees. We report on a number of universal topological relationships with SO that are true for all binary trees and distinguish those from SO-sorted metric measures that appear to be cell type-specific. The latter are therefore potential new candidates for categorising dendritic tree structures. Interestingly, we find a faithful correlation of branch diameters with centripetal branch orders, indicating a possible functional importance of SO for dendritic morphology and growth. Also, simulated local voltage responses to synaptic inputs are strongly correlated with SO. In summary, our study identifies important SO-dependent measures in dendritic morphology that are relevant for neural function while at the same time it describes other relationships that are universal for all dendrites. PMID:28671947

Life Science Start-up Activities at the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS).

PubMed

Huber, Gerda

2014-12-01

The universities of applied sciences (UAS) provide several values for the society and economy of a country. Besides education of high level professionals, transfer of knowledge from research to applications in industry or as new start-up companies is an important task. This is done in different ways in the various disciplines. In Life Sciences, a key industry branch in Switzerland, innovation is a competitive success factor and research findings from UAS/Life Sciences contribute to the valorization of new technologies to products, services and to business performance. In order to foster awareness for the innovation need of industry, UAS install processes and support for transfer of research and technology results to marketable applications. Furthermore they may facilitate contacts of researchers and students with entrepreneurs in order to animate start-up founding as a true alternative to being employed. Access to coaching and entrepreneurial training completes the essential basis.

Conceiving Education: The Creative Task before Us

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laverty, Megan J.

2014-01-01

Philosophers of education regularly undertake the challenging task of defining their field and what it is they do. John White and Harvey Siegel are no exception: Siegel categorizes philosophy of education as a branch of philosophy, and White responds that philosophers of education would do better to adopt a Deweyan perspective. White claims that…

Branching habit and the allocation of reproductive resources in conifers.

PubMed

Leslie, Andrew B

2012-09-01

Correlated relationships between branch thickness, branch density, and twig and leaf size have been used extensively to study the evolution of plant canopy architecture, but fewer studies have explored the impact of these relationships on the allocation of reproductive resources. This study quantifies pollen cone production in conifers, which have similar basic reproductive biology but vary dramatically in branching habit, in order to test how differences in branch diameter influence pollen cone size and the density with which they are deployed in the canopy. Measurements of canopy branch density, the number of cones per branch and cone size were used to estimate the amount of pollen cone tissues produced by 16 species in three major conifer clades. The number of pollen grains produced was also estimated using direct counts from individual pollen cones. The total amount of pollen cone tissues in the conifer canopy varied little among species and clades, although vegetative traits such as branch thickness, branch density and pollen cone size varied over several orders of magnitude. However, branching habit controls the way these tissues are deployed: taxa with small branches produce small pollen cones at a high density, while taxa with large branches produce large cones relatively sparsely. Conifers appear to invest similar amounts of energy in pollen production independent of branching habit. However, similar associations between branch thickness, branch density and pollen cone size are seen across conifers, including members of living and extinct groups not directly studied here. This suggests that reproductive features relating to pollen cone size are in large part a function of the evolution of vegetative morphology and branching habit.

76 FR 26976 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-10

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1193, to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal... Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Federal... Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule meets the applicable standards of Executive Order...

75 FR 5909 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-05

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1085, to Kevin C. Long, Acting Chief, Engineering Management Branch... Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Mitigation Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C... federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This...

75 FR 31373 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-03

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1105, to Kevin C. Long, Acting Chief, Engineering Management Branch... Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Mitigation Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C... federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This...

75 FR 34415 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-17

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1114, to Kevin C. Long, Acting Chief, Engineering Management Branch... Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Mitigation Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C... federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This...

Incorporating domain knowledge in chemical and biomedical named entity recognition with word representations.

PubMed

Munkhdalai, Tsendsuren; Li, Meijing; Batsuren, Khuyagbaatar; Park, Hyeon Ah; Choi, Nak Hyeon; Ryu, Keun Ho

2015-01-01

Chemical and biomedical Named Entity Recognition (NER) is an essential prerequisite task before effective text mining can begin for biochemical-text data. Exploiting unlabeled text data to leverage system performance has been an active and challenging research topic in text mining due to the recent growth in the amount of biomedical literature. We present a semi-supervised learning method that efficiently exploits unlabeled data in order to incorporate domain knowledge into a named entity recognition model and to leverage system performance. The proposed method includes Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks for text preprocessing, learning word representation features from a large amount of text data for feature extraction, and conditional random fields for token classification. Other than the free text in the domain, the proposed method does not rely on any lexicon nor any dictionary in order to keep the system applicable to other NER tasks in bio-text data. We extended BANNER, a biomedical NER system, with the proposed method. This yields an integrated system that can be applied to chemical and drug NER or biomedical NER. We call our branch of the BANNER system BANNER-CHEMDNER, which is scalable over millions of documents, processing about 530 documents per minute, is configurable via XML, and can be plugged into other systems by using the BANNER Unstructured Information Management Architecture (UIMA) interface. BANNER-CHEMDNER achieved an 85.68% and an 86.47% F-measure on the testing sets of CHEMDNER Chemical Entity Mention (CEM) and Chemical Document Indexing (CDI) subtasks, respectively, and achieved an 87.04% F-measure on the official testing set of the BioCreative II gene mention task, showing remarkable performance in both chemical and biomedical NER. BANNER-CHEMDNER system is available at: https://bitbucket.org/tsendeemts/banner-chemdner.

Composite Overview and Composite Aerocover Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caraccio, Anne; Tate, LaNetra; Dokos, Adam; Taylor, Brian; Brown, Chad

2014-01-01

Materials Science Division within the Engineering Directorate tasked by the Ares Launch Vehicle Division (LX-V) and the Fluids Testing and Technology Development Branch (NE-F6) to design, fabricate and test an aerodynamic composite shield for potential Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle infusion and a composite strut that will serve as a pathfinder in evaluating calorimeter data for the CRYOSTAT (cryogenic on orbit storage and transfer) Project. ATP project is to carry the design and development of the aerodynamic composite cover or "bracket" from cradle to grave including materials research, purchasing, design, fabrication, testing, analysis and presentation of the final product. Effort consisted of support from the Materials Testing & Corrosion Control Branch (NE-L2) for mechanical testing, the Prototype Development Branch (NE-L3) for CAD drawing, design/analysis, and fabrication, Materials & Processes Engineering Branch (NE-L4) for project management and materials selection; the Applied Physics Branch (NE-LS) for NDE/NDI support; and the Chemical Analysis Branch (NE-L6) for developmental systems evaluation. Funded by the Ares Launch Vehicle Division and the Fluids Testing and Technology Development Branch will provide ODC

Quasi-Algorithm Methods and Techniques for Specifying Objective Job/Task Performance Requirements

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-07-01

succeeding experts. While "dottings of i’s and crossings of t’s" may still occur, these trivia no longer significantly affect the course of task...That is, as soon as a branch entered under the assunption that condi- tion A applied was completed, administrator and expert recycled to the

The Effects of Warm-Up Tasks on the Iranian EFL Students' Writing Ability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Estalkhbijari, Zahra Pakdel; Khodareza, Mohammadreza

2012-01-01

This study aims to investigate the effects of warm up tasks as classroom activities on foreign language written production. For showing these effects, sixty out of one hundred forty Iranian sophomore EFL students from the Islamic Azad University of Lahijan branch, Iran were selected after following the Oxford Placement Test (OPT). Then, they were…

Branching habit and the allocation of reproductive resources in conifers

PubMed Central

Leslie, Andrew B.

2012-01-01

Background and Aims Correlated relationships between branch thickness, branch density, and twig and leaf size have been used extensively to study the evolution of plant canopy architecture, but fewer studies have explored the impact of these relationships on the allocation of reproductive resources. This study quantifies pollen cone production in conifers, which have similar basic reproductive biology but vary dramatically in branching habit, in order to test how differences in branch diameter influence pollen cone size and the density with which they are deployed in the canopy. Methods Measurements of canopy branch density, the number of cones per branch and cone size were used to estimate the amount of pollen cone tissues produced by 16 species in three major conifer clades. The number of pollen grains produced was also estimated using direct counts from individual pollen cones. Key Results The total amount of pollen cone tissues in the conifer canopy varied little among species and clades, although vegetative traits such as branch thickness, branch density and pollen cone size varied over several orders of magnitude. However, branching habit controls the way these tissues are deployed: taxa with small branches produce small pollen cones at a high density, while taxa with large branches produce large cones relatively sparsely. Conclusions Conifers appear to invest similar amounts of energy in pollen production independent of branching habit. However, similar associations between branch thickness, branch density and pollen cone size are seen across conifers, including members of living and extinct groups not directly studied here. This suggests that reproductive features relating to pollen cone size are in large part a function of the evolution of vegetative morphology and branching habit. PMID:22782240

The interactive impact of root branch order and soil genetic horizon on root respiration and nitrogen concentration.

PubMed

Trocha, Lidia K; Bulaj, Bartosz; Kutczynska, Paulina; Mucha, Joanna; Rutkowski, Pawel; Zadworny, Marcin

2017-08-01

In general, respiration (RS) is highly correlated with nitrogen concentration (N) in plant organs, including roots, which exhibit a positive N-RS relationship. Less is known, however, about the relationship between N and RS in roots of different branch orders within an individual tree along a vertical soil profile; this is especially true in trees with contrasting life strategies, such as pioneer Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) vs mid-successional sessile oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.). In the present research, the impact of root branch order, as represented by those with absorptive vs transporting ability, and soil genetic horizon on root N, RS and the N-RS relationship was examined. Mean RS and total N concentration differed significantly among root branch orders and was significantly higher in absorptive roots than in transporting roots. The soil genetic horizon differentially affected root RS in Scots pine vs sessile oak. The genetic horizon mostly affected RS in absorptive roots of Scots pine and transporting roots in sessile oak. Root N was the highest in absorptive roots and most affected by soil genetic horizon in both tree species. Root N was not correlated with soil N, although N levels were higher in roots growing in fertile soil genetic horizons. Overall, RS in different root branch orders was positively correlated with N in both species. The N-RS relationship in roots, pooled by soil genetic horizon, was significant in both species, but was only significant in sessile oak when roots were pooled by root branch order. In both tree species, a significant interaction was found between the soil genetic horizon and root branch order with root function; however, species-specific responses were found. Both root N, which was unaffected by soil N, and the positive N-RS relationship consistently observed in different genetic horizons suggest that root function prevails over environmental factors, such as soil genetic horizon. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Chronic recording of hand prosthesis control signals via a regenerative peripheral nerve interface in a rhesus macaque

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irwin, Z. T.; Schroeder, K. E.; Vu, P. P.; Tat, D. M.; Bullard, A. J.; Woo, S. L.; Sando, I. C.; Urbanchek, M. G.; Cederna, P. S.; Chestek, C. A.

2016-08-01

Objective. Loss of even part of the upper limb is a devastating injury. In order to fully restore natural function when lacking sufficient residual musculature, it is necessary to record directly from peripheral nerves. However, current approaches must make trade-offs between signal quality and longevity which limit their clinical potential. To address this issue, we have developed the regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) and tested its use in non-human primates. Approach. The RPNI consists of a small, autologous partial muscle graft reinnervated by a transected peripheral nerve branch. After reinnervation, the graft acts as a bioamplifier for descending motor commands in the nerve, enabling long-term recording of high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), functionally-specific electromyographic (EMG) signals. We implanted nine RPNIs on separate branches of the median and radial nerves in two rhesus macaques who were trained to perform cued finger movements. Main results. No adverse events were noted in either monkey, and we recorded normal EMG with high SNR (>8) from the RPNIs for up to 20 months post-implantation. Using RPNI signals recorded during the behavioral task, we were able to classify each monkey’s finger movements as flexion, extension, or rest with >96% accuracy. RPNI signals also enabled functional prosthetic control, allowing the monkeys to perform the same behavioral task equally well with either physical finger movements or RPNI-based movement classifications. Significance. The RPNI signal strength, stability, and longevity demonstrated here represents a promising method for controlling advanced prosthetic limbs and fully restoring natural movement.

Chronic recording of hand prosthesis control signals via a regenerative peripheral nerve interface in a rhesus macaque.

PubMed

Irwin, Z T; Schroeder, K E; Vu, P P; Tat, D M; Bullard, A J; Woo, S L; Sando, I C; Urbanchek, M G; Cederna, P S; Chestek, C A

2016-08-01

Loss of even part of the upper limb is a devastating injury. In order to fully restore natural function when lacking sufficient residual musculature, it is necessary to record directly from peripheral nerves. However, current approaches must make trade-offs between signal quality and longevity which limit their clinical potential. To address this issue, we have developed the regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) and tested its use in non-human primates. The RPNI consists of a small, autologous partial muscle graft reinnervated by a transected peripheral nerve branch. After reinnervation, the graft acts as a bioamplifier for descending motor commands in the nerve, enabling long-term recording of high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), functionally-specific electromyographic (EMG) signals. We implanted nine RPNIs on separate branches of the median and radial nerves in two rhesus macaques who were trained to perform cued finger movements. No adverse events were noted in either monkey, and we recorded normal EMG with high SNR (>8) from the RPNIs for up to 20 months post-implantation. Using RPNI signals recorded during the behavioral task, we were able to classify each monkey's finger movements as flexion, extension, or rest with >96% accuracy. RPNI signals also enabled functional prosthetic control, allowing the monkeys to perform the same behavioral task equally well with either physical finger movements or RPNI-based movement classifications. The RPNI signal strength, stability, and longevity demonstrated here represents a promising method for controlling advanced prosthetic limbs and fully restoring natural movement.

Future Modelling and Simulation Challenges (Defis futurs pour la modelisation et la simulation)

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-11-01

Language School Figure 2: Location of the simulation center within the MEC Military operations research section - simulation lab Military operations... language . This logic can be probabilistic (branching is randomised, which is useful for modelling error), tactical (a branch goes to the task with the... language and a collection of simulation tools that can be used to create human and team behaviour models to meet users’ needs. Hence, different ways of

Home Page: The Mode of Transport through the Information Superhighway

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lujan, Michelle R.

1995-01-01

The purpose of the project with the Aeroacoustics Branch was to create and submit a home page for the internet about branch information. In order to do this, one must also become familiar with the way that the internet operates. Learning HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and the ability to create a document using this language was the final objective in order to place a home page on the internet (World Wide Web). A manual of instructions regarding maintenance of the home page, and how to keep it up to date was also necessary in order to provide branch members with the opportunity to make any pertinent changes.

Branch morphology in young poplar clones on floodplain sites in Missouri

Treesearch

Stephen G. Pallardy; Daniel E. Gibbins

2003-01-01

Four Populus clones were grown in central Missouri for 2 years at 1 x 1 m spacing to study total biomass production on floodplain sites previously in forage grasses. Branch morphology (living, first-order proleptic, and sylleptic shoots) was assessed for 2-year-old plants. All 2-year-old plants had lateral branches, and clones varied significantly in certain branch...

A Discussion of Zero Spring Rate Mechanisms Used for the Active Isolation Mount Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teter, John E., Jr.

1999-01-01

In the summer of 1995 the Structural Dynamics Branch at NASA Langley Research Center set out to conceive a small, lightweight, low frequency isolation mount that could be used for spaceflight experiments. The Engineering Design Branch undertook the task of developing the isolation mount. This report describes the engineering process that led to three phases of a study entitled "Active Isolation Mounts" (AIM). A zero spring rate mechanism was used to achieve low fundamental frequencies for a payloads in the 1 to 10 pound range. It worked by balancing both a positive and a negative stiffness so that the net result was a small positive stiffness. The study demonstrated devices that could reduce the initial corner frequency by a factor of six for brief periods and a factor of two for extended periods. The designs were relatively simple and minimized weight, volume, and power. They could be scaled down and they were made of spaceflight compatible materials. All designs offered the ability to continuously vary the fundamental frequency. Yet, the goal of reducing the frequency by an order of magnitude was not achieved because the systems were too unstable at low frequencies. There was a trade between performance and stability.

Army Communicator. Volume 32, Number 1, Winter 2007

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

1, Winter 2007 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT...leader de- velopment is shifting from command- centric branch qualifying requirements to broader, less prescriptive, compe- tency-based experiences...able to move next summer may be offered an opportunity to broaden their career development by work - ing in another branch or functional area,” said

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

Carpentier, J.L.; Di Bono, P.J.; Tournebise, P.J.

The efficient bounding method for DC contingency analysis is improved using reciprocity properties. Knowing the consequences of the outage of a branch, these properties provide the consequences on that branch of various kinds of outages. This is used in order to reduce computation times and to get rid of some difficulties, such as those occurring when a branch flow is close to its limit before outage. Compensation, sparse vector, sparse inverse and bounding techniques are also used. A program has been implemented for single branch outages and tested on actual French EHV 650 bus network. Computation times are 60% ofmore » the Efficient Bounding method. The relevant algorithm is described in detail in the first part of this paper. In the second part, reciprocity properties and bounding formulas are extended for multiple branch outages and for multiple generator or load outages. An algorithm is proposed in order to handle all these cases simultaneously.« less

Factor and Organizational Substitutions to Minimize Costs in the Navy

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-01

navigation, propulsion, combat, hotel , communications, in-service support and any system corresponding to further tasks such as transport, hospital...propulsion, combat, hotel , communications, in-service support and any system corresponding to further tasks such as transport, hospital services and command...contract, a cadet may be able to increase her branch choice priority. The Officer Career Satisfaction Program (OCSP) is an incentive program with

E3: Organizing for Environment, Energy, and the Economy in the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology, and Government, New York, NY.

A Task Force created in 1989 was asked to provide the Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology, and Government with a brief statement outlining both functional needs in environment and energy and institutional forms to enhance the government's capability to address the emergent issues. One key need the Task Force has identified is for a greater…

Critical Branches and Lucky Loads in Control-Independence Architectures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Malik, Kshitiz

2009-01-01

Branch mispredicts have a first-order impact on the performance of integer applications. Control Independence (CI) architectures aim to overlap the penalties of mispredicted branches with useful execution by spawning control-independent work as separate threads. Although control independent, such threads may consume register and memory values…

Designing Dendrimer and Miktoarm Polymer Based Multi-Tasking Nanocarriers for Efficient Medical Therapy.

PubMed

Sharma, Anjali; Kakkar, Ashok

2015-09-17

To address current complex health problems, there has been an increasing demand for smart nanocarriers that could perform multiple complimentary biological tasks with high efficacy. This has provoked the design of tailor made nanocarriers, and the scientific community has made tremendous effort in meeting daunting challenges associated with synthetically articulating multiple functions into a single scaffold. Branched and hyper-branched macromolecular architectures have offered opportunities in enabling carriers with capabilities including location, delivery, imaging etc. Development of simple and versatile synthetic methodologies for these nanomaterials has been the key in diversifying macromolecule based medical therapy and treatment. This review highlights the advancement from conventional "only one function" to multifunctional nanomedicine. It is achieved by synthetic elaboration of multivalent platforms in miktoarm polymers and dendrimers by physical encapsulation, covalent linking and combinations thereof.

Geographic Information Systems and Web Page Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reynolds, Justin

2004-01-01

The Facilities Engineering and Architectural Branch is responsible for the design and maintenance of buildings, laboratories, and civil structures. In order to improve efficiency and quality, the FEAB has dedicated itself to establishing a data infrastructure based on Geographic Information Systems, GIs. The value of GIS was explained in an article dating back to 1980 entitled "Need for a Multipurpose Cadastre which stated, "There is a critical need for a better land-information system in the United States to improve land-conveyance procedures, furnish a basis for equitable taxation, and provide much-needed information for resource management and environmental planning." Scientists and engineers both point to GIS as the solution. What is GIS? According to most text books, Geographic Information Systems is a class of software that stores, manages, and analyzes mapable features on, above, or below the surface of the earth. GIS software is basically database management software to the management of spatial data and information. Simply put, Geographic Information Systems manage, analyze, chart, graph, and map spatial information. At the outset, I was given goals and expectations from my branch and from my mentor with regards to the further implementation of GIs. Those goals are as follows: (1) Continue the development of GIS for the underground structures. (2) Extract and export annotated data from AutoCAD drawing files and construct a database (to serve as a prototype for future work). (3) Examine existing underground record drawings to determine existing and non-existing underground tanks. Once this data was collected and analyzed, I set out on the task of creating a user-friendly database that could be assessed by all members of the branch. It was important that the database be built using programs that most employees already possess, ruling out most AutoCAD-based viewers. Therefore, I set out to create an Access database that translated onto the web using Internet Explorer as the foundation. After some programming, it was possible to view AutoCAD files and other GIS-related applications on Internet Explorer, while providing the user with a variety of editing commands and setting options. I was also given the task of launching a divisional website using Macromedia Flash and other web- development programs.

Multi-Window Controllers for Autonomous Space Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lurie, B, J.; Hadaegh, F. Y.

1997-01-01

Multi-window controllers select between elementary linear controllers using nonlinear windows based on the amplitude and frequency content of the feedback error. The controllers are relatively simple to implement and perform much better than linear controllers. The commanders for such controllers only order the destination point and are freed from generating the command time-profiles. The robotic missions rely heavily on the tasks of acquisition and tracking. For autonomous and optimal control of the spacecraft, the control bandwidth must be larger while the feedback can (and, therefore, must) be reduced.. Combining linear compensators via multi-window nonlinear summer guarantees minimum phase character of the combined transfer function. It is shown that the solution may require using several parallel branches and windows. Several examples of multi-window nonlinear controller applications are presented.

Fracture Property of Y-Shaped Cracks of Brittle Materials under Compression

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xiaoyan; Zhu, Zheming; Liu, Hongjie

2014-01-01

In order to investigate the properties of Y-shaped cracks of brittle materials under compression, compression tests by using square cement mortar specimens with Y-shaped crack were conducted. A true triaxial loading device was applied in the tests, and the major principle stresses or the critical stresses were measured. The results show that as the branch angle θ between the branch crack and the stem crack is 75°, the cracked specimen has the lowest strength. In order to explain the test results, numerical models of Y-shaped cracks by using ABAQUS code were established, and the J-integral method was applied in calculating crack tip stress intensity factor (SIF). The results show that when the branch angle θ increases, the SIF K I of the branch crack increases from negative to positive and the absolute value K II of the branch crack first increases, and as θ is 50°, it is the maximum, and then it decreases. Finally, in order to further investigate the stress distribution around Y-shaped cracks, photoelastic tests were conducted, and the test results generally agree with the compressive test results. PMID:25013846

Rooting sitka spruce from southeast Alaska.

Treesearch

Donald L. Copes

1987-01-01

Rooting and shoot growth characteristics of 10-, 15-, and 20-year-old Sitka spruce cuttings were studied. Twigs from three branch orders were tested with or without 5000 parts per million indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) hormone treatment. Rooting success averaged 64 percent. The effect of ortet age on rooting success was not significant. Cuttings from first-order branch...

Modeling Motivational and Action Attitudes

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-14

build on a few branches of this work to establish the properties of a productive schedule. As procrastination is one of the most damaging errors in...time manage- ment, we first reference recent work that has documented the negative effects of procrastination on performance. In one study, O’Donoghue...and Rabin [25] showed that people procrastinate more on important tasks, which inspired us to prioritize important tasks in scheduling. Motivation for

The role of branch architecture in assimilate production and partitioning: the example of apple (Malus domestica)

PubMed Central

Fanwoua, Julienne; Bairam, Emna; Delaire, Mickael; Buck-Sorlin, Gerhard

2014-01-01

Understanding the role of branch architecture in carbon production and allocation is essential to gain more insight into the complex process of assimilate partitioning in fruit trees. This mini review reports on the current knowledge of the role of branch architecture in carbohydrate production and partitioning in apple. The first-order carrier branch of apple illustrates the complexity of branch structure emerging from bud activity events and encountered in many fruit trees. Branch architecture influences carbon production by determining leaf exposure to light and by affecting leaf internal characteristics related to leaf photosynthetic capacity. The dynamics of assimilate partitioning between branch organs depends on the stage of development of sources and sinks. The sink strength of various branch organs and their relative positioning on the branch also affect partitioning. Vascular connections between branch organs determine major pathways for branch assimilate transport. We propose directions for employing a modeling approach to further elucidate the role of branch architecture on assimilate partitioning. PMID:25071813

Life span and structure of ephemeral root modules of different functional groups from a desert system.

PubMed

Liu, Bo; He, Junxia; Zeng, Fanjiang; Lei, Jiaqiang; Arndt, Stefan K

2016-07-01

The terminal branch orders of plant root systems have been proposed as short-lived 'ephemeral' modules specialized for resource absorption. The occurrence of ephemeral root modules has so far only been reported for a temperate tree species and it is unclear if the concept also applies to other woody (shrub, tree) and herb species. Fine roots of 12 perennial dicotyledonous herb, shrub and tree species were monitored for two growing seasons using a branch-order classification, sequential sampling and rhizotrons in the Taklamakan desert. Two root modules existed in all three plant functional groups. Among the first five branch orders, the first two (perennial herbs, shrubs) or three (trees) root orders were ephemeral and had a primary anatomical structure, high nitrogen (N) concentrations, high respiration rates and very short life spans of 1-4 months, whereas the last two branch orders in all functional groups were perennial, with thicker diameters, no or collapsed cortex, distinct secondary growth, low N concentrations, low respiration rates, but much longer life spans. Ephemeral, short-lived root modules and long-lived, persistent root modules seem to be a general feature across many plant functional groups and could represent a basic root system design. © 2016 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2016 New Phytologist Trust.

Avionics Simulation, Development and Software Engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Francis, Ronald C.; Settle, Gray; Tobbe, Patrick A.; Kissel, Ralph; Glaese, John; Blanche, Jim; Wallace, L. D.

2001-01-01

This monthly report summarizes the work performed under contract NAS8-00114 for Marshall Space Flight Center in the following tasks: 1) Purchase Order No. H-32831D, Task Order 001A, GPB Program Software Oversight; 2) Purchase Order No. H-32832D, Task Order 002, ISS EXPRESS Racks Software Support; 3) Purchase Order No. H-32833D, Task Order 003, SSRMS Math Model Integration; 4) Purchase Order No. H-32834D, Task Order 004, GPB Program Hardware Oversight; 5) Purchase Order No. H-32835D, Task Order 005, Electrodynamic Tether Operations and Control Analysis; 6) Purchase Order No. H-32837D, Task Order 007, SRB Command Receiver/Decoder; and 7) Purchase Order No. H-32838D, Task Order 008, AVGS/DART SW and Simulation Support

Organization of Amphiphilic Molecular Disks with Branched Hydrophilic Tails and Hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene Core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Myongsoo; Kim, Jung-Woo; Yoo, Yong-Sik; Peleshanko, Sergey; Larson, Kirsten; Vaknin, David; Markutsya, Sergei; Tsukruk, Vladimir V.

2002-03-01

Amphiphilic branched discotics consisting of the aromatic core and oligoethers as the branched peripheral chains have been characterized in bulk and monolayer states. The discotics based on di-branched oligoether side chains have been observed to self-organize into an ordered hexagonal columnar structure within liquid crystalline (LC) phases. The tetrabranched molecule showed only an isotropic liquid. The LC molecules with di-branched tails have been observed to form stable monolayers on the water surface in contrast to the tetra-branched tails. We suggest a crab-like molecular conformation and cluster-segregated monolayers with six-fold symmetry of face-on packing on a solid surface.

Diffusion pseudotime robustly reconstructs lineage branching.

PubMed

Haghverdi, Laleh; Büttner, Maren; Wolf, F Alexander; Buettner, Florian; Theis, Fabian J

2016-10-01

The temporal order of differentiating cells is intrinsically encoded in their single-cell expression profiles. We describe an efficient way to robustly estimate this order according to diffusion pseudotime (DPT), which measures transitions between cells using diffusion-like random walks. Our DPT software implementations make it possible to reconstruct the developmental progression of cells and identify transient or metastable states, branching decisions and differentiation endpoints.

Improved deoxyribozymes for synthesis of covalently branched DNA and RNA.

PubMed

Lee, Christine S; Mui, Timothy P; Silverman, Scott K

2011-01-01

A covalently branched nucleic acid can be synthesized by joining the 2'-hydroxyl of the branch-site ribonucleotide of a DNA or RNA strand to the activated 5'-phosphorus of a separate DNA or RNA strand. We have previously used deoxyribozymes to synthesize several types of branched nucleic acids for experiments in biotechnology and biochemistry. Here, we report in vitro selection experiments to identify improved deoxyribozymes for synthesis of branched DNA and RNA. Each of the new deoxyribozymes requires Mn²(+) as a cofactor, rather than Mg²(+) as used by our previous branch-forming deoxyribozymes, and each has an initially random region of 40 rather than 22 or fewer combined nucleotides. The deoxyribozymes all function by forming a three-helix-junction (3HJ) complex with their two oligonucleotide substrates. For synthesis of branched DNA, the best new deoxyribozyme, 8LV13, has k(obs) on the order of 0.1 min⁻¹, which is about two orders of magnitude faster than our previously identified 15HA9 deoxyribozyme. 8LV13 also functions at closer-to-neutral pH than does 15HA9 (pH 7.5 versus 9.0) and has useful tolerance for many DNA substrate sequences. For synthesis of branched RNA, two new deoxyribozymes, 8LX1 and 8LX6, were identified with broad sequence tolerances and substantial activity at pH 7.5, versus pH 9.0 for many of our previous deoxyribozymes that form branched RNA. These experiments provide new, and in key aspects improved, practical catalysts for preparation of synthetic branched DNA and RNA.

Un(MaSC)ing Stem Cell Dynamics in Mammary Branching Morphogenesis.

PubMed

Greenwood, Erin; Wrenn, Emma D; Cheung, Kevin J

2017-02-27

The properties of stem cells that participate in mammary gland branching morphogenesis remain contested. Reporting in Nature, Scheele et al. (2017) establish a model for post-pubertal mammary branching morphogenesis in which position-dependent, lineage-restricted stem cells undergo cell mixing in order to contribute to long-term growth. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Establishment of Maximum Voluntary Compressive Neck Tolerance Levels

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

Bridges Casey Pirnstill Chris Burneka John Plaga Grant Roush Biosciences and Performance Division Vulnerability Analysis Branch July 2011...S) Michael Cote, John Buhrman, Nathaniel Bridges, Casey Pirnstill, Chris Burneka, John Plaga , Grant Roush 5d. PROJECT NUMBER OSMS 5e. TASK

Structural plasticity in hippocampal cells related to the facilitative effect of intracranial self-stimulation on a spatial memory task.

PubMed

Chamorro-López, Jacobo; Miguéns, Miguel; Morgado-Bernal, Ignacio; Kastanauskaite, Asta; Selvas, Abraham; Cabané-Cucurella, Alberto; Aldavert-Vera, Laura; DeFelipe, Javier; Segura-Torres, Pilar

2015-12-01

Posttraining intracranial self-stimulation (SS) in the lateral hypothalamus facilitates the acquisition and retention of several implicit and explicit memory tasks. Here, intracellular injections of Lucifer yellow were used to assess morphological changes in hippocampal neurons that might be specifically related to the facilitative posttraining SS effect upon the acquisition and retention of a distributed spatial task in the Morris water maze. We examined the structure, size and branching complexity of cornus ammonis 1 (CA1) cells, and the spine density of CA1 pyramidal neurons and granular cells of the dentate gyrus (DG). Animals that received SS after each acquisition session performed faster and better than Sham ones--an improvement that was also evident in a probe trial 3 days after the last training session. The neuromorphological analysis revealed an increment in the size and branching complexity in apical CA1 dendritic arborization in SS-treated subjects as compared with Sham animals. Furthermore, increased spine density was observed in the CA1 field in SS animals, whereas no effects were observed in DG cells. Our results support the hypothesis that the facilitating effect of SS on the acquisition and retention of a spatial memory task could be related to structural plasticity in CA1 hippocampal cells. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Riparian forest and instream large wood characteristics, West Branch Sheepscot River, Maine, USA

Treesearch

Melissa Laser; James Jordan; Keith Nislow

2009-01-01

This study examined riparian forest and instream large wood characteristics in a 2.7 km reach of the West Branch of the Sheepscot River in Maine in order to increase our basic knowledge of these components in a system that is known to have undergone multiple land conversion. The West Branch is approximately 40 km long, drains a 132 km2...

Short-term effects of prescribed fire on mixed oak forests in the southern Appalachians: vegetation response

Treesearch

Katherine Elliott; James Vose

2010-01-01

We examined vegetation responses to prescribed fire on three mixed-oak sites located in the Blue Ridge Physiographic province of the southern Appalachian Mountains: Alarka Laurel Branch (AL), Robin Branch (RB), and Roach Mill Branch (RM). Each of the study sites was within a sub-watershed that drained a first order stream. Our objectives were to: 1) evaluate overstory...

Software for Managing Parametric Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yarrow, Maurice; McCann, Karen M.; DeVivo, Adrian

2003-01-01

The Information Power Grid Virtual Laboratory (ILab) is a Practical Extraction and Reporting Language (PERL) graphical-user-interface computer program that generates shell scripts to facilitate parametric studies performed on the Grid. (The Grid denotes a worldwide network of supercomputers used for scientific and engineering computations involving data sets too large to fit on desktop computers.) Heretofore, parametric studies on the Grid have been impeded by the need to create control language scripts and edit input data files painstaking tasks that are necessary for managing multiple jobs on multiple computers. ILab reflects an object-oriented approach to automation of these tasks: All data and operations are organized into packages in order to accelerate development and debugging. A container or document object in ILab, called an experiment, contains all the information (data and file paths) necessary to define a complex series of repeated, sequenced, and/or branching processes. For convenience and to enable reuse, this object is serialized to and from disk storage. At run time, the current ILab experiment is used to generate required input files and shell scripts, create directories, copy data files, and then both initiate and monitor the execution of all computational processes.

Functional compatibility between Purkinje cell axon branches and their target neurons in the cerebellum.

PubMed

Yang, Zhilai; Chen, Na; Ge, Rongjing; Qian, Hao; Wang, Jin-Hui

2017-09-22

A neuron sprouts an axon, and its branches to innervate many target neurons that are divergent in their functions. In order to efficiently regulate the diversified cells, the axon branches should differentiate functionally to be compatible with their target neurons, i.e., a function compatibility between presynaptic and postsynaptic partners. We have examined this hypothesis by using electrophysiological method in the cerebellum, in which the main axon of Purkinje cell projected to deep nucleus cells and the recurrent axons innervated the adjacent Purkinje cells. The fidelity of spike propagation is superior in the recurrent branches than the main axon. The capabilities of encoding spikes and processing GABAergic inputs are advanced in Purkinje cells versus deep nucleus cells. The functional differences among Purkinje's axonal branches and their postsynaptic neurons are preset by the variable dynamics of their voltage-gated sodium channels. In addition, activity strengths between presynaptic and postsynaptic partners are proportionally correlated, i.e., active axonal branches innervate active target neurons, or vice versa. The physiological impact of the functional compatibility is to make the neurons in their circuits to be activated appropriately. In conclusion, each cerebellar Purkinje cell sprouts the differentiated axon branches to be compatible with the diversified target cells in their functions, in order to construct the homeostatic and efficient units for their coordinated activity in neural circuits.

Functional compatibility between Purkinje cell axon branches and their target neurons in the cerebellum

PubMed Central

Qian, Hao; Wang, Jin-Hui

2017-01-01

A neuron sprouts an axon, and its branches to innervate many target neurons that are divergent in their functions. In order to efficiently regulate the diversified cells, the axon branches should differentiate functionally to be compatible with their target neurons, i.e., a function compatibility between presynaptic and postsynaptic partners. We have examined this hypothesis by using electrophysiological method in the cerebellum, in which the main axon of Purkinje cell projected to deep nucleus cells and the recurrent axons innervated the adjacent Purkinje cells. The fidelity of spike propagation is superior in the recurrent branches than the main axon. The capabilities of encoding spikes and processing GABAergic inputs are advanced in Purkinje cells versus deep nucleus cells. The functional differences among Purkinje's axonal branches and their postsynaptic neurons are preset by the variable dynamics of their voltage-gated sodium channels. In addition, activity strengths between presynaptic and postsynaptic partners are proportionally correlated, i.e., active axonal branches innervate active target neurons, or vice versa. The physiological impact of the functional compatibility is to make the neurons in their circuits to be activated appropriately. In conclusion, each cerebellar Purkinje cell sprouts the differentiated axon branches to be compatible with the diversified target cells in their functions, in order to construct the homeostatic and efficient units for their coordinated activity in neural circuits. PMID:29069799

Spectroscopy of the Schwarzschild black hole at arbitrary frequencies.

PubMed

Casals, Marc; Ottewill, Adrian

2012-09-14

Linear field perturbations of a black hole are described by the Green function of the wave equation that they obey. After Fourier decomposing the Green function, its two natural contributions are given by poles (quasinormal modes) and a largely unexplored branch cut in the complex frequency plane. We present new analytic methods for calculating the branch cut on a Schwarzschild black hole for arbitrary values of the frequency. The branch cut yields a power-law tail decay for late times in the response of a black hole to an initial perturbation. We determine explicitly the first three orders in the power-law and show that the branch cut also yields a new logarithmic behavior T(-2ℓ-5)lnT for late times. Before the tail sets in, the quasinormal modes dominate the black hole response. For electromagnetic perturbations, the quasinormal mode frequencies approach the branch cut at large overtone index n. We determine these frequencies up to n(-5/2) and, formally, to arbitrary order. Highly damped quasinormal modes are of particular interest in that they have been linked to quantum properties of black holes.

48 CFR 2452.216-75 - Unpriced task orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Unpriced task orders. 2452... 2452.216-75 Unpriced task orders. As prescribed in 2416.506-70(a), insert the following clause: Unpriced Task Orders (FEB 2006) (a) Prior to the issuance of a task order under this contract, it is...

Should learners reason one step at a time? A randomised trial of two diagnostic scheme designs.

PubMed

Blissett, Sarah; Morrison, Deric; McCarty, David; Sibbald, Matthew

2017-04-01

Making a diagnosis can be difficult for learners as they must integrate multiple clinical variables. Diagnostic schemes can help learners with this complex task. A diagnostic scheme is an algorithm that organises possible diagnoses by assigning signs or symptoms (e.g. systolic murmur) to groups of similar diagnoses (e.g. aortic stenosis and aortic sclerosis) and provides distinguishing features to help discriminate between similar diagnoses (e.g. carotid pulse). The current literature does not identify whether scheme layouts should guide learners to reason one step at a time in a terminally branching scheme or weigh multiple variables simultaneously in a hybrid scheme. We compared diagnostic accuracy, perceptual errors and cognitive load using two scheme layouts for cardiac auscultation. Focused on the task of identifying murmurs on Harvey, a cardiopulmonary simulator, 86 internal medicine residents used two scheme layouts. The terminally branching scheme organised the information into single variable decisions. The hybrid scheme combined single variable decisions with a chart integrating multiple distinguishing features. Using a crossover design, participants completed one set of murmurs (diastolic or systolic) with either the terminally branching or the hybrid scheme. The second set of murmurs was completed with the other scheme. A repeated measures manova was performed to compare diagnostic accuracy, perceptual errors and cognitive load between the scheme layouts. There was a main effect of the scheme layout (Wilks' λ = 0.841, F 3,80 = 5.1, p = 0.003). Use of a terminally branching scheme was associated with increased diagnostic accuracy (65 versus 53%, p = 0.02), fewer perceptual errors (0.61 versus 0.98 errors, p = 0.001) and lower cognitive load (3.1 versus 3.5/7, p = 0.023). The terminally branching scheme was associated with improved diagnostic accuracy, fewer perceptual errors and lower cognitive load, suggesting that terminally branching schemes are effective for improving diagnostic accuracy. These findings can inform the design of schemes and other clinical decision aids. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and The Association for the Study of Medical Education.

Summary record of presentations to the Federal Telecommunication Standards Committee/Fiber optics task group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanson, A. G.

1987-03-01

The learning experience of a group of Federal-agency planners who face upgrading or augmenting existing on-premises communication systems and building wiring is documented. In July 1984, an interagency Fiber Optics Task Group was formed under the aegis of the Federal Telecommunication Standards Committee to study on-premises distribution systems, with emphasis on optical fiber implementation, sharing mutual problems and potential solutions for them. Chronological summary records of technical content of 11 Task Group meetings through September 1986 are summarized. Also condensed are the engineering presentations to the Task Group by industry on applicable state-of-the-art technology, including local area networks, private automatic branch exchanges, building wiring architecture, and optic fiber systems and components.

Turing mechanism underlying a branching model for lung morphogenesis.

PubMed

Xu, Hui; Sun, Mingzhu; Zhao, Xin

2017-01-01

The mammalian lung develops through branching morphogenesis. Two primary forms of branching, which occur in order, in the lung have been identified: tip bifurcation and side branching. However, the mechanisms of lung branching morphogenesis remain to be explored. In our previous study, a biological mechanism was presented for lung branching pattern formation through a branching model. Here, we provide a mathematical mechanism underlying the branching patterns. By decoupling the branching model, we demonstrated the existence of Turing instability. We performed Turing instability analysis to reveal the mathematical mechanism of the branching patterns. Our simulation results show that the Turing patterns underlying the branching patterns are spot patterns that exhibit high local morphogen concentration. The high local morphogen concentration induces the growth of branching. Furthermore, we found that the sparse spot patterns underlie the tip bifurcation patterns, while the dense spot patterns underlies the side branching patterns. The dispersion relation analysis shows that the Turing wavelength affects the branching structure. As the wavelength decreases, the spot patterns change from sparse to dense, the rate of tip bifurcation decreases and side branching eventually occurs instead. In the process of transformation, there may exists hybrid branching that mixes tip bifurcation and side branching. Since experimental studies have reported that branching mode switching from side branching to tip bifurcation in the lung is under genetic control, our simulation results suggest that genes control the switch of the branching mode by regulating the Turing wavelength. Our results provide a novel insight into and understanding of the formation of branching patterns in the lung and other biological systems.

Water cycle research associated with the CaPE hydrometeorology project (CHymP

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duchon, Claude E.

1993-01-01

One outgrowth of the Convection and Precipitation/Electrification (CaPE) experiment that took place in central Florida during July and August 1991 was the creation of the CaPE Hydrometeorology Project (CHymP). The principal goal of this project is to investigate the daily water cycle of the CaPE experimental area by analyzing the numerous land and atmosphere in situ and remotely sensed data sets that were generated during the 40-days of observations. The water cycle comprises the atmospheric branch. In turn, the atmospheric branch comprises precipitation leaving the base of the atmospheric volume under study, evaporation and transpiration entering the base, the net horizontal fluxes of water vapor and cloud water through the volume and the conversion of water vapor to cloud water and vice-versa. The sum of these components results in a time rate of change in the water and liquid water (or ice) content of the atmospheric volume. The components of the land branch are precipitation input to and evaporation and transpiration output from the surface, net horizontal fluxes of surface and subsurface water, the sum of which results in a time rate of change in surface and subsurface water mass. The objective of CHymP is to estimate these components in order to determine the daily water budget for a selected area within the CaPE domain. This work began in earnest in the summer of 1992 and continues. Even estimating all the budget components for one day is a complex and time consuming task. The discussions below provides a short summary of the rainfall quality assessment procedures followed by a plan for estimating the horizontal moisture flux.

Evidence for modality-independent order coding in working memory.

PubMed

Depoorter, Ann; Vandierendonck, André

2009-03-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the representation of serial order in working memory, more specifically whether serial order is coded by means of a modality-dependent or a modality-independent order code. This was investigated by means of a series of four experiments based on a dual-task methodology in which one short-term memory task was embedded between the presentation and recall of another short-term memory task. Two aspects were varied in these memory tasks--namely, the modality of the stimulus materials (verbal or visuo-spatial) and the presence of an order component in the task (an order or an item memory task). The results of this study showed impaired primary-task recognition performance when both the primary and the embedded task included an order component, irrespective of the modality of the stimulus materials. If one or both of the tasks did not contain an order component, less interference was found. The results of this study support the existence of a modality-independent order code.

75 FR 78647 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-16

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1163, to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal... Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Federal.... Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule meets the applicable standards of Executive...

76 FR 3590 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-20

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1171, to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal... Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Federal..., Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule meets the applicable standards of Executive Order 12988. List...

76 FR 59960 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-28

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1220, to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal... Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Federal..., Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule meets the applicable standards of Executive Order 12988. [[Page...

76 FR 19018 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-06

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1179, to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal... Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Federal..., Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule meets the applicable standards of Executive Order 12988. List...

76 FR 19005 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-06

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1187, to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal... Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Federal..., Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule meets the applicable standards of Executive Order 12988. List...

76 FR 66887 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-28

..., identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1226, to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal...: Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration..., Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule meets the applicable standards of Executive Order 12988. [[Page...

A Short History of Geopolitics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spencer, Donald S.

1988-01-01

Describes geopolitics as the branch of geography that explores the relationship between geographical realities and international affairs. The essential task of the discipline is to identify those geographical circumstances that explain the power interests, the character, and the behavior of nations. Includes a lesson plan that introduces students…

Counterinsurgency Principles for Contemporary Internal Conflict

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

avoided usual irregular warfare tactics and workout training on special operations and small group tactics, which helped military forces to counter the...to the police that patrol the streets . Sri Lanka’s Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DII) and the police’s Special Branch, two units tasked with

Transpersonal Art Therapy Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Franklin, Michael; Farrelly-Hansen, Mimi; Marek, Bernie; Swan-Foster, Nora; Wallingford, Sue

2000-01-01

Addresses the task of training future art therapists through a unique branch of transpersonal psychology referred to as "contemplative education." Discusses contemplative practices, such as meditation, and their relationship to creating art. Offers a definition of transpersonal art therapy as well as a literature review. (Contains 80…

Optimal quantum operations at zero energy cost

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiribella, Giulio; Yang, Yuxiang

2017-08-01

Quantum technologies are developing powerful tools to generate and manipulate coherent superpositions of different energy levels. Envisaging a new generation of energy-efficient quantum devices, here we explore how coherence can be manipulated without exchanging energy with the surrounding environment. We start from the task of converting a coherent superposition of energy eigenstates into another. We identify the optimal energy-preserving operations, both in the deterministic and in the probabilistic scenario. We then design a recursive protocol, wherein a branching sequence of energy-preserving filters increases the probability of success while reaching maximum fidelity at each iteration. Building on the recursive protocol, we construct efficient approximations of the optimal fidelity-probability trade-off, by taking coherent superpositions of the different branches generated by probabilistic filtering. The benefits of this construction are illustrated in applications to quantum metrology, quantum cloning, coherent state amplification, and ancilla-driven computation. Finally, we extend our results to transitions where the input state is generally mixed and we apply our findings to the task of purifying quantum coherence.

Linear and nonlinear dynamic analysis of redundant load path bearingless rotor systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murthy, V. R.; Shultz, Louis A.

1994-01-01

The goal of this research is to develop the transfer matrix method to treat nonlinear autonomous boundary value problems with multiple branches. The application is the complete nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of multiple-branched rotor blades. Once the development is complete, it can be incorporated into the existing transfer matrix analyses. There are several difficulties to be overcome in reaching this objective. The conventional transfer matrix method is limited in that it is applicable only to linear branch chain-like structures, but consideration of multiple branch modeling is important for bearingless rotors. Also, hingeless and bearingless rotor blade dynamic characteristics (particularly their aeroelasticity problems) are inherently nonlinear. The nonlinear equations of motion and the multiple-branched boundary value problem are treated together using a direct transfer matrix method. First, the formulation is applied to a nonlinear single-branch blade to validate the nonlinear portion of the formulation. The nonlinear system of equations is iteratively solved using a form of Newton-Raphson iteration scheme developed for differential equations of continuous systems. The formulation is then applied to determine the nonlinear steady state trim and aeroelastic stability of a rotor blade in hover with two branches at the root. A comprehensive computer program is developed and is used to obtain numerical results for the (1) free vibration, (2) nonlinearly deformed steady state, (3) free vibration about the nonlinearly deformed steady state, and (4) aeroelastic stability tasks. The numerical results obtained by the present method agree with results from other methods.

[Effects of Loquat-Branch Dust Substitution on Ganoderma lucidum Cultivation in Its Main Active Components].

PubMed

Zhang, Ping; Chen, Feng; Lai, Teng-qiang; Jin, Ling-yun; Li, Ye

2015-12-01

To select the best Ganoderma lucidum cultivation medium of replacing sawdust into loquat-branch dust, in order to realize high output and high quality production of Ganoderma lucidum. Loquat-branch dust was added as substitution in Ganoderma lucidum cultivation, its effects on the biomass and the content of Ganoderma polysaccharides, triterpenoids and flavonoids were analyzed. By using loquat-branch dust in culture, Ganoderma lucidum grew well with normal fruiting body obtained and spores released. Compared with control group, the biological efficiency was increased by 11.34%, when the addition of the loquat-branch dust was 80%, while the amount of spore had little difference. When the addition of the loquat-branch dust was 90%, the content of Ganoderma polysaccharides and triterpenoids was increased by 32.29% and 30.58% respectively, while the efficiency of flavonoids had little difference. Using loquat-branch dust cultivation can improve the quality of Ganoderma lucidum. According to the comprehensive score, 80% loquat-branch dust is the most suitable cultivation medium.

Materials and processes laboratory composite materials characterization task, part 1. Damage tolerance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nettles, A. T.; Tucker, D. S.; Patterson, W. J.; Franklin, S. W.; Gordon, G. H.; Hart, L.; Hodge, A. J.; Lance, D. G.; Russel, S. S.

1991-01-01

A test run was performed on IM6/3501-6 carbon-epoxy in which the material was processed, machined into specimens, and tested for damage tolerance capabilities. Nondestructive test data played a major role in this element of composite characterization. A time chart was produced showing the time the composite material spent within each Branch or Division in order to identify those areas which produce a long turnaround time. Instrumented drop weight testing was performed on the specimens with nondestructive evaluation being performed before and after the impacts. Destructive testing in the form of cross-sectional photomicrography and compression-after-impact testing were used. Results show that the processing and machining steps needed to be performed more rapidly if data on composite material is to be collected within a reasonable timeframe. The results of the damage tolerance testing showed that IM6/3501-6 is a brittle material that is very susceptible to impact damage.

Reconstruction of forest geometries from terrestrial laser scanning point clouds for canopy radiative transfer modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bremer, Magnus; Schmidtner, Korbinian; Rutzinger, Martin

2015-04-01

The architecture of forest canopies is a key parameter for forest ecological issues helping to model the variability of wood biomass and foliage in space and time. In order to understand the nature of subpixel effects of optical space-borne sensors with coarse spatial resolution, hypothetical 3D canopy models are widely used for the simulation of radiative transfer in forests. Thereby, radiation is traced through the atmosphere and canopy geometries until it reaches the optical sensor. For a realistic simulation scene we decompose terrestrial laser scanning point cloud data of leaf-off larch forest plots in the Austrian Alps and reconstruct detailed model ready input data for radiative transfer simulations. The point clouds are pre-classified into primitive classes using Principle Component Analysis (PCA) using scale adapted radius neighbourhoods. Elongated point structures are extracted as tree trunks. The tree trunks are used as seeds for a Dijkstra-growing procedure, in order to obtain single tree segmentation in the interlinked canopies. For the optimized reconstruction of branching architectures as vector models, point cloud skeletonisation is used in combination with an iterative Dijkstra-growing and by applying distance constraints. This allows conducting a hierarchical reconstruction preferring the tree trunk and higher order branches and avoiding over-skeletonization effects. Based on the reconstructed branching architectures, larch needles are modelled based on the hierarchical level of branches and the geometrical openness of the canopy. For radiative transfer simulations, branch architectures are used as mesh geometries representing branches as cylindrical pipes. Needles are either used as meshes or as voxel-turbids. The presented workflow allows an automatic classification and single tree segmentation in interlinked canopies. The iterative Dijkstra-growing using distance constraints generated realistic reconstruction results. As the mesh representation of branches proved to be sufficient for the simulation approach, the modelling of huge amounts of needles is much more efficient in voxel-turbid representation.

The Control of Public Faces in a Commercial Bureaucratic Work Situation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackall, Robert

1977-01-01

Bureaucratic work situations, particularly those with commercial goals, rationalize not only people's work tasks, but their social demeanor and behavior. This study examines the impact of such rationalization of appearance and interaction on clerical workers in several branches of a large bank. (Author/AM)

A microwave scattering model for layered vegetation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karam, Mostafa A.; Fung, Adrian K.; Lang, Roger H.; Chauhan, Narinder S.

1992-01-01

A microwave scattering model was developed for layered vegetation based on an iterative solution of the radiative transfer equation up to the second order to account for multiple scattering within the canopy and between the ground and the canopy. The model is designed to operate over a wide frequency range for both deciduous and coniferous forest and to account for the branch size distribution, leaf orientation distribution, and branch orientation distribution for each size. The canopy is modeled as a two-layered medium above a rough interface. The upper layer is the crown containing leaves, stems, and branches. The lower layer is the trunk region modeled as randomly positioned cylinders with a preferred orientation distribution above an irregular soil surface. Comparisons of this model with measurements from deciduous and coniferous forests show good agreements at several frequencies for both like and cross polarizations. Major features of the model needed to realize the agreement include allowance for: (1) branch size distribution, (2) second-order effects, and (3) tree component models valid over a wide range of frequencies.

The making of a branching annelid: an analysis of complete mitochondrial genome and ribosomal data of Ramisyllis multicaudata.

PubMed

Aguado, M Teresa; Glasby, Christopher J; Schroeder, Paul C; Weigert, Anne; Bleidorn, Christoph

2015-07-17

Ramisyllis multicaudata is a member of Syllidae (Annelida, Errantia, Phyllodocida) with a remarkable branching body plan. Using a next-generation sequencing approach, the complete mitochondrial genomes of R. multicaudata and Trypanobia sp. are sequenced and analysed, representing the first ones from Syllidae. The gene order in these two syllids does not follow the order proposed as the putative ground pattern in Errantia. The phylogenetic relationships of R. multicaudata are discerned using a phylogenetic approach with the nuclear 18S and the mitochondrial 16S and cox1 genes. Ramisyllis multicaudata is the sister group of a clade containing Trypanobia species. Both genera, Ramisyllis and Trypanobia, together with Parahaplosyllis, Trypanosyllis, Eurysyllis, and Xenosyllis are located in a long branched clade. The long branches are explained by an accelerated mutational rate in the 18S rRNA gene. Using a phylogenetic backbone, we propose a scenario in which the postembryonic addition of segments that occurs in most syllids, their huge diversity of reproductive modes, and their ability to regenerate lost parts, in combination, have provided an evolutionary basis to develop a new branching body pattern as realised in Ramisyllis.

Climate uniformity: its influence on team communication quality, task conflict, and team performance.

PubMed

González-Romá, Vicente; Hernández, Ana

2014-11-01

We investigated whether climate uniformity (the pattern of climate perceptions of organizational support within the team) is related to task conflict, team communication quality, and team performance. We used a sample composed of 141 bank branches and collected data at 3 time points. The results obtained showed that, after controlling for aggregate team climate, climate strength, and their interaction, a type of nonuniform climate pattern (weak dissimilarity) was directly related to task conflict and team communication quality. Teams with weak dissimilarity nonuniform patterns tended to show higher levels of task conflict and lower levels of team communication quality than teams with uniform climate patterns. The relationship between weak dissimilarity patterns and team performance was fully mediated by team communication quality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

An Anatomical Assessment of Branch Abscission and Branch-base Hydraulic Architecture in the Endangered Wollemia nobilis

PubMed Central

Burrows, G. E.; Meagher, P. F.; Heady, R. D.

2007-01-01

Background and Aims The branch-base xylem structure of the endangered Wollemia nobilis was anatomically investigated. Wollemia nobilis is probably the only extant tree species that produces only first-order branches and where all branches are cleanly abscised. An investigation was carried out to see if these unusual features might influence branch-base xylem structure and water supply to the foliage. Methods The xylem was sectioned at various distances along the branch bases of 6-year-old saplings. Huber values and relative theoretical hydraulic conductivities were calculated for various regions of the branch base. Key Results The most proximal branch base featured a pronounced xylem constriction. The constriction had only 14–31 % (average 21 %) of the cross-sectional area and 20–42 % (average 28 %) of the theoretical hydraulic conductivity of the more distal branch xylem. Wollemia nobilis had extremely low Huber values for a conifer. Conclusions The branch-base xylem constriction would appear to facilitate branch abscission, while the associated Huber values show that W. nobilis supplies a relatively large leaf area through a relatively small diameter ‘pipe’. It is tempting to suggest that the pronounced decline of W. nobilis in the Tertiary is related to its unusual branch-base structure but physiological studies of whole plant conductance are still needed. PMID:17272303

System Administrator for LCS Development Sets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garcia, Aaron

2013-01-01

The Spaceport Command and Control System Project is creating a Checkout and Control System that will eventually launch the next generation of vehicles from Kennedy Space Center. KSC has a large set of Development and Operational equipment already deployed in several facilities, including the Launch Control Center, which requires support. The position of System Administrator will complete tasks across multiple platforms (Linux/Windows), many of them virtual. The Hardware Branch of the Control and Data Systems Division at the Kennedy Space Center uses system administrators for a variety of tasks. The position of system administrator comes with many responsibilities which include maintaining computer systems, repair or set up hardware, install software, create backups and recover drive images are a sample of jobs which one must complete. Other duties may include working with clients in person or over the phone and resolving their computer system needs. Training is a major part of learning how an organization functions and operates. Taking that into consideration, NASA is no exception. Training on how to better protect the NASA computer infrastructure will be a topic to learn, followed by NASA work polices. Attending meetings and discussing progress will be expected. A system administrator will have an account with root access. Root access gives a user full access to a computer system and or network. System admins can remove critical system files and recover files using a tape backup. Problem solving will be an important skill to develop in order to complete the many tasks.

Techniques of imaging of the aorta and its first order branches by endoscopic ultrasound (with videos)

PubMed Central

Sharma, Malay; Rai, Praveer; Mehta, Varun; Rameshbabu, C. S.

2015-01-01

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a useful modality for imaging of the blood vessels of the mediastinum and abdomen. The aorta acts as an important home base during EUS imaging. The aorta and its branches are accessible by standard angiographic methods, but endosonography also provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the aorta and its branches. This article describes the techniques of imaging of different part of the aorta by EUS. PMID:26020043

Doppler Lidar System Design via Interdisciplinary Design Concept at NASA Langley Research Center - Part III

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnes, Bruce W.; Sessions, Alaric M.; Beyon, Jeffrey; Petway, Larry B.

2014-01-01

Optimized designs of the Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL) instrument for Autonomous Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) were accomplished via Interdisciplinary Design Concept (IDEC) at NASA Langley Research Center during the summer of 2013. Three branches in the Engineering Directorate and three students were involved in this joint task through the NASA Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars (LARSS) Program. The Laser Remote Sensing Branch (LRSB), Mechanical Systems Branch (MSB), and Structural and Thermal Systems Branch (STSB) were engaged to achieve optimal designs through iterative and interactive collaborative design processes. A preliminary design iteration was able to reduce the power consumption, mass, and footprint by removing redundant components and replacing inefficient components with more efficient ones. A second design iteration reduced volume and mass by replacing bulky components with excessive performance with smaller components custom-designed for the power system. The existing power system was analyzed to rank components in terms of inefficiency, power dissipation, footprint and mass. Design considerations and priorities are compared along with the results of each design iteration. Overall power system improvements are summarized for design implementations.

New waveguide shape for low loss and high uniformity y-branch optical splitter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burtscher, Catalina; Seyringer, Dana; Lucki, Michal; Kohler, Linda

2017-02-01

The most common application of optical Y-splitters is their use in FTTx networks. It allows several customers to share the same physical medium, bringing high-speed networking, digital television and telephone services to residences using fiber-optic cables. The task of the optical splitters in such FTTH networks is to split one optical signal in many identical signals bringing for example the same TV signal in different households. Of course, the more buildings can be served by one optical splitter the lower are the installation costs. Therefore, the special attention is paid mainly to the design of high channel optical splitters presenting the serious challenge for the professional designers. In this paper a new Y-branch shape is proposed for 1×32 Y-branch splitter ensuring better splitting properties compared to the one recommended by ITU, in terms of their performance in transmission systems using wavelength division multiplexing.

Assessing Skills from Placement to Completion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armstrong, Judy

A system to provide objective measures of institutional effectiveness was implemented at the Roswell branch of Eastern New Mexico University to determine whether the college was accountable to students, staff, and taxpayers; to improve the curriculum and programs; and to prepare for accreditation review in 1991. A task force spent the summer of…

Disrupting a Learning Environment for Promotion of Geometry Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jojo, Zingiswa

2017-01-01

Creating a classroom learning environment that is suitably designed for promotion of learners' performance in geometry, a branch of mathematics that addresses spatial sense and geometric reasoning, is a daunting task. This article focuses on how grade 8 teachers' action learning changed the learning environment for the promotion of geometry…

48 CFR 1852.216-80 - Task ordering procedure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... specified in the schedule. The Contractor may incur costs under this contract in performance of task orders... contemplated task order. (2) Proposed performance standards to be used as criteria for determining whether the... the task order, including special instructions or other information necessary for performance of the...

Branching fraction measurement of J /ψ →KSKL and search for J /ψ →KSKS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ablikim, M.; Achasov, M. N.; Ahmed, S.; Albrecht, M.; Alekseev, M.; Amoroso, A.; An, F. F.; An, Q.; Bai, J. Z.; Bai, Y.; Bakina, O.; Baldini Ferroli, R.; Ban, Y.; Bennett, D. W.; Bennett, J. V.; Berger, N.; Bertani, M.; Bettoni, D.; Bian, J. M.; Bianchi, F.; Boger, E.; Boyko, I.; Briere, R. A.; Cai, H.; Cai, X.; Cakir, O.; Calcaterra, A.; Cao, G. F.; Cetin, S. A.; Chai, J.; Chang, J. F.; Chelkov, G.; Chen, G.; Chen, H. S.; Chen, J. C.; Chen, M. L.; Chen, S. J.; Chen, X. R.; Chen, Y. B.; Chen, Z. X.; Chu, X. K.; Cibinetto, G.; Dai, H. L.; Dai, J. P.; Dbeyssi, A.; Dedovich, D.; Deng, Z. Y.; Denig, A.; Denysenko, I.; Destefanis, M.; de Mori, F.; Ding, Y.; Dong, C.; Dong, J.; Dong, L. Y.; Dong, M. Y.; Dorjkhaidav, O.; Dou, Z. L.; Du, S. X.; Duan, P. F.; Fang, J.; Fang, S. S.; Fang, X.; Fang, Y.; Farinelli, R.; Fava, L.; Fegan, S.; Feldbauer, F.; Felici, G.; Feng, C. Q.; Fioravanti, E.; Fritsch, M.; Fu, C. D.; Gao, Q.; Gao, X. L.; Gao, Y.; Gao, Y. G.; Gao, Z.; Garillon, B.; Garzia, I.; Goetzen, K.; Gong, L.; Gong, W. X.; Gradl, W.; Greco, M.; Gu, M. H.; Gu, S.; Gu, Y. T.; Guo, A. Q.; Guo, L. B.; Guo, R. P.; Guo, Y. P.; Haddadi, Z.; Han, S.; Hao, X. Q.; Harris, F. A.; He, K. L.; He, X. Q.; Heinsius, F. H.; Held, T.; Heng, Y. K.; Holtmann, T.; Hou, Z. L.; Hu, C.; Hu, H. M.; Hu, J. F.; Hu, T.; Hu, Y.; Huang, G. S.; Huang, J. S.; Huang, S. H.; Huang, X. T.; Huang, X. Z.; Huang, Z. L.; Hussain, T.; Ikegami Andersson, W.; Ji, Q.; Ji, Q. P.; Ji, X. B.; Ji, X. L.; Jiang, X. S.; Jiang, X. Y.; Jiao, J. B.; Jiao, Z.; Jin, D. P.; Jin, S.; Jin, Y.; Johansson, T.; Julin, A.; Kalantar-Nayestanaki, N.; Kang, X. L.; Kang, X. S.; Kavatsyuk, M.; Ke, B. C.; Khan, T.; Khoukaz, A.; Kiese, P.; Kliemt, R.; Koch, L.; Kolcu, O. B.; Kopf, B.; Kornicer, M.; Kuemmel, M.; Kuhlmann, M.; Kupsc, A.; Kühn, W.; Lange, J. S.; Lara, M.; Larin, P.; Lavezzi, L.; Leithoff, H.; Leng, C.; Li, C.; Li, Cheng; Li, D. M.; Li, F.; Li, F. Y.; Li, G.; Li, H. B.; Li, H. J.; Li, J. C.; Li, Jin; Li, K.; Li, K.; Li, K. J.; Li, Lei; Li, P. L.; Li, P. R.; Li, Q. Y.; Li, T.; Li, W. D.; Li, W. G.; Li, X. L.; Li, X. N.; Li, X. Q.; Li, Z. B.; Liang, H.; Liang, Y. F.; Liang, Y. T.; Liao, G. R.; Lin, D. X.; Liu, B.; Liu, B. J.; Liu, C. X.; Liu, D.; Liu, F. H.; Liu, Fang; Liu, Feng; Liu, H. B.; Liu, H. H.; Liu, H. H.; Liu, H. M.; Liu, J. B.; Liu, J. Y.; Liu, K.; Liu, K. Y.; Liu, Ke; Liu, L. D.; Liu, P. L.; Liu, Q.; Liu, S. B.; Liu, X.; Liu, Y. B.; Liu, Z. A.; Liu, Zhiqing; Long, Y. F.; Lou, X. C.; Lu, H. J.; Lu, J. G.; Lu, Y.; Lu, Y. P.; Luo, C. L.; Luo, M. X.; Luo, X. L.; Lyu, X. R.; Ma, F. C.; Ma, H. L.; Ma, L. L.; Ma, M. M.; Ma, Q. M.; Ma, T.; Ma, X. N.; Ma, X. Y.; Ma, Y. M.; Maas, F. E.; Maggiora, M.; Malik, Q. A.; Mao, Y. J.; Mao, Z. P.; Marcello, S.; Meng, Z. X.; Messchendorp, J. G.; Mezzadri, G.; Min, J.; Min, T. J.; Mitchell, R. E.; Mo, X. H.; Mo, Y. J.; Morales Morales, C.; Morello, G.; Muchnoi, N. Yu.; Muramatsu, H.; Mustafa, A.; Nefedov, Y.; Nerling, F.; Nikolaev, I. B.; Ning, Z.; Nisar, S.; Niu, S. L.; Niu, X. Y.; Olsen, S. L.; Ouyang, Q.; Pacetti, S.; Pan, Y.; Papenbrock, M.; Patteri, P.; Pelizaeus, M.; Pellegrino, J.; Peng, H. P.; Peters, K.; Pettersson, J.; Ping, J. L.; Ping, R. G.; Pitka, A.; Poling, R.; Prasad, V.; Qi, H. R.; Qi, M.; Qi, T. Y.; Qian, S.; Qiao, C. F.; Qin, N.; Qin, X. S.; Qin, Z. H.; Qiu, J. F.; Rashid, K. H.; Redmer, C. F.; Richter, M.; Ripka, M.; Rolo, M.; Rong, G.; Rosner, Ch.; Sarantsev, A.; Savrié, M.; Schnier, C.; Schoenning, K.; Shan, W.; Shao, M.; Shen, C. P.; Shen, P. X.; Shen, X. Y.; Sheng, H. Y.; Song, J. J.; Song, W. M.; Song, X. Y.; Sosio, S.; Sowa, C.; Spataro, S.; Sun, G. X.; Sun, J. F.; Sun, L.; Sun, S. S.; Sun, X. H.; Sun, Y. J.; Sun, Y. K.; Sun, Y. Z.; Sun, Z. J.; Sun, Z. T.; Tang, C. J.; Tang, G. Y.; Tang, X.; Tapan, I.; Tiemens, M.; Tsednee, B. T.; Uman, I.; Varner, G. S.; Wang, B.; Wang, B. L.; Wang, B. Q.; Wang, D.; Wang, D. Y.; Wang, Dan; Wang, K.; Wang, L. L.; Wang, L. S.; Wang, M.; Wang, P.; Wang, P. L.; Wang, W. P.; Wang, X. F.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Y. D.; Wang, Y. F.; Wang, Y. Q.; Wang, Z.; Wang, Z. G.; Wang, Z. H.; Wang, Z. Y.; Wang, Zongyuan; Weber, T.; Wei, D. H.; Wei, J. H.; Weidenkaff, P.; Wen, S. P.; Wiedner, U.; Wolke, M.; Wu, L. H.; Wu, L. J.; Wu, Z.; Xia, L.; Xia, Y.; Xiao, D.; Xiao, H.; Xiao, Y. J.; Xiao, Z. J.; Xie, X. H.; Xie, Y. G.; Xie, Y. H.; Xiong, X. A.; Xiu, Q. L.; Xu, G. F.; Xu, J. J.; Xu, L.; Xu, Q. J.; Xu, Q. N.; Xu, X. P.; Yan, L.; Yan, W. B.; Yan, W. C.; Yan, Y. H.; Yang, H. J.; Yang, H. X.; Yang, L.; Yang, Y. H.; Yang, Y. X.; Ye, M.; Ye, M. H.; Yin, J. H.; You, Z. Y.; Yu, B. X.; Yu, C. X.; Yu, J. S.; Yuan, C. Z.; Yuan, Y.; Yuncu, A.; Zafar, A. A.; Zeng, Y.; Zeng, Z.; Zhang, B. X.; Zhang, B. Y.; Zhang, C. C.; Zhang, D. H.; Zhang, H. H.; Zhang, H. Y.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, J. L.; Zhang, J. Q.; Zhang, J. W.; Zhang, J. Y.; Zhang, J. Z.; Zhang, K.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, S. Q.; Zhang, X. Y.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, Y. H.; Zhang, Y. T.; Zhang, Yu; Zhang, Z. H.; Zhang, Z. P.; Zhang, Z. Y.; Zhao, G.; Zhao, J. W.; Zhao, J. Y.; Zhao, J. Z.; Zhao, Lei; Zhao, Ling; Zhao, M. G.; Zhao, Q.; Zhao, S. J.; Zhao, T. C.; Zhao, Y. B.; Zhao, Z. G.; Zhemchugov, A.; Zheng, B.; Zheng, J. P.; Zheng, W. J.; Zheng, Y. H.; Zhong, B.; Zhou, L.; Zhou, X.; Zhou, X. K.; Zhou, X. R.; Zhou, X. Y.; Zhu, J.; Zhu, K.; Zhu, K. J.; Zhu, S.; Zhu, S. H.; Zhu, X. L.; Zhu, Y. C.; Zhu, Y. S.; Zhu, Z. A.; Zhuang, J.; Zou, B. S.; Zou, J. H.; Besiii Collaboration

2017-12-01

Using a sample of 1.31 ×109 J /ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we study the decays of J /ψ →KSKL and KSKS . The branching fraction of J /ψ →KSKL is determined to be B (J /ψ →KSKL)=(1.93 ±0.01 (stat )±0.05 (syst ))×10-4 , which significantly improves on previous measurements. No clear signal is observed for the J /ψ →KSKS process, and the upper limit at the 95% confidence level for its branching fraction is determined to be B (J /ψ →KSKS)<1.4 ×10-8 , which improves on the previous searches by 2 orders in magnitude and reaches the order of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen expectation.

48 CFR 2052.216-73 - Accelerated task order procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... the work, the contractor shall proceed with performance of the task order subject to the monetary... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Accelerated task order....216-73 Accelerated task order procedures. As prescribed at 2016.506-70(b), the contracting officer may...

Entanglement branching operator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harada, Kenji

2018-01-01

We introduce an entanglement branching operator to split a composite entanglement flow in a tensor network which is a promising theoretical tool for many-body systems. We can optimize an entanglement branching operator by solving a minimization problem based on squeezing operators. The entanglement branching is a new useful operation to manipulate a tensor network. For example, finding a particular entanglement structure by an entanglement branching operator, we can improve a higher-order tensor renormalization group method to catch a proper renormalization flow in a tensor network space. This new method yields a new type of tensor network states. The second example is a many-body decomposition of a tensor by using an entanglement branching operator. We can use it for a perfect disentangling among tensors. Applying a many-body decomposition recursively, we conceptually derive projected entangled pair states from quantum states that satisfy the area law of entanglement entropy.

Intercultural Communication Problems of American Expatriate Businessmen in Paris.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dudley, Juanita

In order to discover whether--and what--intercultural communication problems persist in businesses with headquarters in the United States and branches in another highly developed country, 12 Americans affiliated with Paris branches of United States businesses and two French executives of American firms were interviewed in Paris. This paper…

Teaching Machines and Programmed Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kay, Harry; And Others

The various devices used in programed instruction range from the simple linear programed book to branching and skip branching programs, adaptive teaching machines, and even complex computer based systems. In order to provide a background for the would-be programer, the essential principles of each of these devices is outlined. Different ideas of…

Moving towards a complete molecular framework of the Nematoda: a focus on the Enoplida and early-branching clades

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background The subclass Enoplia (Phylum Nematoda) is purported to be the earliest branching clade amongst all nematode taxa, yet the deep phylogeny of this important lineage remains elusive. Free-living marine species within the order Enoplida play prominent roles in marine ecosystems, but previous molecular phylogenies have provided only the briefest evolutionary insights; this study aimed to firmly resolve internal relationships within the hyper-diverse but poorly understood Enoplida. In addition, we revisited the molecular framework of the Nematoda using a rigorous phylogenetic approach in order to investigate patterns of early splits amongst the oldest lineages (Dorylaimia and Enoplia). Results Morphological identifications, nuclear gene sequences (18S and 28S rRNA), and mitochondrial gene sequences (cox1) were obtained from marine Enoplid specimens representing 37 genera. The 18S gene was used to resolve deep splits within the Enoplia and evaluate the branching order of major clades in the nematode tree; multiple phylogenetic methods and rigorous empirical tests were carried out to assess tree topologies under different parameters and combinations of taxa. Significantly increased taxon sampling within the Enoplida resulted in a well-supported, robust phylogenetic topology of this group, although the placement of certain clades was not fully resolved. Our analysis could not unequivocally confirm the earliest splits in the nematode tree, and outgroup choice significantly affected the observed branching order of the Dorylaimia and Enoplia. Both 28S and cox1 were too variable to infer deep phylogeny, but provided additional insight at lower taxonomic levels. Conclusions Analysis of internal relationships reveals that the Enoplia is split into two main clades, with groups consisting of terrestrial (Triplonchida) and primarily marine fauna (Enoplida). Five independent lineages were recovered within the Enoplida, containing a mixture of marine and terrestrial species; clade structure suggests that habitat transitions have occurred at least four times within this group. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain a consistent or well-supported topology amongst early-branching nematode lineages. It appears unlikely that single-gene phylogenies using the conserved 18S gene will be useful for confirming the branching order at the base of the nematode tree-future efforts will require multi-gene analyses or phylogenomic methods. PMID:21073704

High yield production of long branched Au nanoparticles characterized by atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy

PubMed Central

Mayoral, Alvaro; Magen, Cesar; Jose-Yacaman, Miguel

2011-01-01

Long multi-branched gold nanoparticles have been synthesized in a very high yield through a facile synthesis combining two different capping agents. The stability of these materials with the time has been tested and their characterization have been performed by diverse advanced electron microscopy techniques, paying special attention to aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy in order to unambiguously analyze the surface structure of the branches and provide insights for the formation of stellated gold nanoparticles. PMID:22125420

A novel side branch protection technique in coronary stent implantation: Jailed Corsair technique.

PubMed

Numasawa, Yohei; Sakakura, Kenichi; Yamamoto, Kei; Yamamoto, Shingo; Taniguchi, Yousuke; Fujita, Hideo; Momomura, Shin-Ichi

2017-06-01

Side branch occlusion, which was one of the common complications in percutaneous coronary interventions, was closely associated with cardiac death and myocardial infarction. Clinical guidelines also support the importance of preservation of physiologic blood flow in SB during PCI to bifurcation lesions. In order to avoid side branch occlusion during stent implantation, we often performed the jailed wire technique, in which a conventional guide wire was inserted to the side branch before stent implantation to the main vessel. However, the jailed wire technique could not always prevent side branch occlusion. In this case report, we described a case of 72-year-old male suffering from angina pectoris. Coronary angiography revealed the diffuse calcified stenosis in the proximal and middle of left anterior descending coronary artery, and the large diagonal branch originated from the middle of the stenosis. To prevent side branch occlusion, we performed a novel side branch protection technique by using the Corsair microcatheter (Asahi Intecc, Nagoya, Japan). In this case report, we illustrated this "Jailed Corsair technique", and discussed the advantage compared to other side branch protection techniques such as the jailed balloon technique. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

48 CFR 1352.216-74 - Task orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... changes can be made. (g) Task orders may be placed during the period of performance of the contract. Labor... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Task orders. 1352.216-74... SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Text of Provisions and Clauses 1352.216-74 Task orders. As...

Modality independence of order coding in working memory: Evidence from cross-modal order interference at recall.

PubMed

Vandierendonck, André

2016-01-01

Working memory researchers do not agree on whether order in serial recall is encoded by dedicated modality-specific systems or by a more general modality-independent system. Although previous research supports the existence of autonomous modality-specific systems, it has been shown that serial recognition memory is prone to cross-modal order interference by concurrent tasks. The present study used a serial recall task, which was performed in a single-task condition and in a dual-task condition with an embedded memory task in the retention interval. The modality of the serial task was either verbal or visuospatial, and the embedded tasks were in the other modality and required either serial or item recall. Care was taken to avoid modality overlaps during presentation and recall. In Experiment 1, visuospatial but not verbal serial recall was more impaired when the embedded task was an order than when it was an item task. Using a more difficult verbal serial recall task, verbal serial recall was also more impaired by another order recall task in Experiment 2. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis of modality-independent order coding. The implications for views on short-term recall and the multicomponent view of working memory are discussed.

48 CFR 217.204 - Contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...)(i) Notwithstanding FAR 17.204(e), the ordering period of a task order or delivery order contract...) of this section does not apply to the following: (A) Contracts, including task or delivery order contracts, awarded under other statutory authority. (B) Advisory and assistance service task order contracts...

Student Learning in an Electric Circuit Theory Course: Critical Aspects and Task Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carstensen, Anna-Karin; Bernhard, Jonte

2009-01-01

Understanding time-dependent responses, such as transients, is important in electric circuit theory and other branches of engineering. However, transient response is considered difficult to learn since familiarity with advanced mathematical tools such as Laplace transforms is required. Here, we analyse and describe a novel learning environment…

Flying High with the Bird Tetrahedron

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gjovik, Oistein

2012-01-01

This article presents an origami activity which can lead to rich tasks in several branches of mathematics. This activity is a good first step for preservice teachers to get to know one another, start talking to one another, and start discussing mathematics. It can also show them how mathematics teaching and learning have changed to a more…

76 FR 21820 - Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 Series Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-19

... Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office... incorporation of a new maintenance task for the MLG stabilizer extension springs. You may obtain further... Temporary Revision MRB-45, dated October 6, 2009 to Section 1-32, Systems/Powerplant Maintenance Program of...

Wood decay fungi of subalpine conifer forests

Treesearch

Jessie A. Glaeser; Kevin T. Smith

2016-01-01

One of the fundamental skills needed for hazard tree assessment is the evaluation of decay. This may be a difficult task as we usually only use external symptoms (wounds, basal swellings, decayed branch stubs), signs (mushrooms, fungal crusts or brackets) or mechanical/indirect sampling methods (drilling, electrical or sonic resistance) to estimate the amount of sound...

Computer vision for driver assistance systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handmann, Uwe; Kalinke, Thomas; Tzomakas, Christos; Werner, Martin; von Seelen, Werner

1998-07-01

Systems for automated image analysis are useful for a variety of tasks and their importance is still increasing due to technological advances and an increase of social acceptance. Especially in the field of driver assistance systems the progress in science has reached a level of high performance. Fully or partly autonomously guided vehicles, particularly for road-based traffic, pose high demands on the development of reliable algorithms due to the conditions imposed by natural environments. At the Institut fur Neuroinformatik, methods for analyzing driving relevant scenes by computer vision are developed in cooperation with several partners from the automobile industry. We introduce a system which extracts the important information from an image taken by a CCD camera installed at the rear view mirror in a car. The approach consists of a sequential and a parallel sensor and information processing. Three main tasks namely the initial segmentation (object detection), the object tracking and the object classification are realized by integration in the sequential branch and by fusion in the parallel branch. The main gain of this approach is given by the integrative coupling of different algorithms providing partly redundant information.

The factor structure and psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test.

PubMed

Sanchez-Garcia, Manuel; Extremera, Natalio; Fernandez-Berrocal, Pablo

2016-11-01

This research examined evidence regarding the reliability and validity of scores on the Spanish version of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, Version 2.0 (MSCEIT; Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2002). In Study 1, we found a close convergence of the Spanish consensus scores and the general and expert consensus scores determined with Mayer, Salovey, Caruso, and Sitarenios (2003) data. The MSCEIT also demonstrated adequate evidence of reliability of test scores as estimated by internal consistency and test-retest correlation after 12 weeks. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a 3-level higher factor model with 8 manifest variables (task scores), 4 first-level factors (corresponding to the 4-branch model of Mayer & Salovey [1997], with 2 tasks for each branch), 2 second-level factors (experiential and strategic areas, with 2 branches for each area), and 1 third-level factor (overall emotional intelligence [EI]), and multigroup analyses supported MSCEIT cross-gender invariance. Study 2 found evidence for the discriminant validity of scores on the MSCEIT subscales, which were differentially related to personality and self-reported EI. Study 3 provided evidence of the incremental validity of scores on the MSCEIT, which added significant variance to the prospective prediction of psychological well-being after controlling for personality traits. The psychometric properties of the Spanish MSCEIT are similar to those of the original English version, supporting its use for assessing emotional abilities in the Spanish population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

How Team-Level and Individual-Level Conflict Influences Team Commitment: A Multilevel Investigation.

PubMed

Lee, Sanghyun; Kwon, Seungwoo; Shin, Shung J; Kim, MinSoo; Park, In-Jo

2017-01-01

We investigate how two different types of conflict (task conflict and relationship conflict) at two different levels (individual-level and team-level) influence individual team commitment. The analysis was conducted using data we collected from 193 employees in 31 branch offices of a Korean commercial bank. The relationships at multiple levels were tested using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). The results showed that individual-level relationship conflict was negatively related to team commitment while individual-level task conflict was not. In addition, both team-level task and relationship conflict were negatively associated with team commitment. Finally, only team-level relationship conflict significantly moderated the relationship between individual-level relationship conflict and team commitment. We further derive theoretical implications of these findings.

How Team-Level and Individual-Level Conflict Influences Team Commitment: A Multilevel Investigation

PubMed Central

Lee, Sanghyun; Kwon, Seungwoo; Shin, Shung J.; Kim, MinSoo; Park, In-Jo

2018-01-01

We investigate how two different types of conflict (task conflict and relationship conflict) at two different levels (individual-level and team-level) influence individual team commitment. The analysis was conducted using data we collected from 193 employees in 31 branch offices of a Korean commercial bank. The relationships at multiple levels were tested using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). The results showed that individual-level relationship conflict was negatively related to team commitment while individual-level task conflict was not. In addition, both team-level task and relationship conflict were negatively associated with team commitment. Finally, only team-level relationship conflict significantly moderated the relationship between individual-level relationship conflict and team commitment. We further derive theoretical implications of these findings. PMID:29387033

Decays A →Z γ γ and ϕ →Z γ γ (ϕ =h , H ) in two-Higgs doublet models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez-Vélez, R.; Tavares-Velasco, G.

2018-05-01

The one-loop contributions to the decays of the C P -odd and C P -even scalar bosons A →Z γ γ and ϕ →Z γ γ (ϕ =h , H ) are calculated within the framework of C P -conserving two-Higgs doublet models (THDMs), where they are induced by box and reducible Feynman diagrams. The behavior of the corresponding branching ratios are then analyzed within the type-II THDM in a region of the parameter space around the alignment limit and still consistent with experimental data. It is found that the A →Z γ γ branching ratio is only relevant when mA>mH+mZ , but it is negligible otherwise. For mA>600 GeV and tβ≃O (1 ), BR (A →Z γ γ ) can reach values of the order of 10-5-10-4, but it decreases by about 1 order of magnitude as tβ increases up to 10. A similar behavior is followed by the H →Z γ γ decay, which only has a non-negligible branching ratio when mH>mA+mZ and can reach the level of 10-4-10-3 for mH>600 GeV and tβ≃O (1 ). We also estimated the branching ratios of these rare decays in the type-I THDM, where they can be about 1 order of magnitude larger than in type-II THDM. As far as the h →Z γ γ decay is concerned, since the properties of this scalar boson must be nearly identical to those of the SM Higgs boson, the h →Z γ γ branching ratio does not deviate significantly from the SM prediction, where it is negligibly small, of the order of 10-9. This result is in agreement with previous calculations.

The Specific Features of design and process engineering in branch of industrial enterprise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sosedko, V. V.; Yanishevskaya, A. G.

2017-06-01

Production output of industrial enterprise is organized in debugged working mechanisms at each stage of product’s life cycle from initial design documentation to product and finishing it with utilization. The topic of article is mathematical model of the system design and process engineering in branch of the industrial enterprise, statistical processing of estimated implementation results of developed mathematical model in branch, and demonstration of advantages at application at this enterprise. During the creation of model a data flow about driving of information, orders, details and modules in branch of enterprise groups of divisions were classified. Proceeding from the analysis of divisions activity, a data flow, details and documents the state graph of design and process engineering was constructed, transitions were described and coefficients are appropriated. To each condition of system of the constructed state graph the corresponding limiting state probabilities were defined, and also Kolmogorov’s equations are worked out. When integration of sets of equations of Kolmogorov the state probability of system activity the specified divisions and production as function of time in each instant is defined. On the basis of developed mathematical model of uniform system of designing and process engineering and manufacture, and a state graph by authors statistical processing the application of mathematical model results was carried out, and also advantage at application at this enterprise is shown. Researches on studying of loading services probability of branch and third-party contractors (the orders received from branch within a month) were conducted. The developed mathematical model of system design and process engineering and manufacture can be applied to definition of activity state probability of divisions and manufacture as function of time in each instant that will allow to keep account of loading of performance of work in branches of the enterprise.

Improvised Explosive Devices: Unclear Whether Culvert Denial Systems to Protect Troops are Functioning or Were Ever Installed

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-23

Regional Command-South. At least 4 of the contracts awarded by RCC-Kandahar were blanket purchase agreements ( BPA ) with multiple task orders against them...for the construction of culvert denial systems. Of the BPAs that we reviewed, both W91B4L-11-A-0031 (82 task orders) and W91B4L-11-A-0034 (14 task...orders) are no longer active. However, W91B4L-11-A-0033 (currently 117 task orders) and W91B4L-11-A-0037 (currently 198 task orders) are active BPAs

Partial branch and bound algorithm for improved data association in multiframe processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poore, Aubrey B.; Yan, Xin

1999-07-01

A central problem in multitarget, multisensor, and multiplatform tracking remains that of data association. Lagrangian relaxation methods have shown themselves to yield near optimal answers in real-time. The necessary improvement in the quality of these solutions warrants a continuing interest in these methods. These problems are NP-hard; the only known methods for solving them optimally are enumerative in nature with branch-and-bound being most efficient. Thus, the development of methods less than a full branch-and-bound are needed for improving the quality. Such methods as K-best, local search, and randomized search have been proposed to improve the quality of the relaxation solution. Here, a partial branch-and-bound technique along with adequate branching and ordering rules are developed. Lagrangian relaxation is used as a branching method and as a method to calculate the lower bound for subproblems. The result shows that the branch-and-bound framework greatly improves the resolution quality of the Lagrangian relaxation algorithm and yields better multiple solutions in less time than relaxation alone.

ADAPT

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

Reynolds, John; Jankovsky, Zachary; Metzroth, Kyle G

2018-04-04

The purpose of the ADAPT code is to generate Dynamic Event Trees (DET) using a user specified set of simulators. ADAPT can utilize any simulation tool which meets a minimal set of requirements. ADAPT is based on the concept of DET which uses explicit modeling of the deterministic dynamic processes that take place during a nuclear reactor plant system (or other complex system) evolution along with stochastic modeling. When DET are used to model various aspects of Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA), all accident progression scenarios starting from an initiating event are considered simultaneously. The DET branching occurs at user specifiedmore » times and/or when an action is required by the system and/or the operator. These outcomes then decide how the dynamic system variables will evolve in time for each DET branch. Since two different outcomes at a DET branching may lead to completely different paths for system evolution, the next branching for these paths may occur not only at separate times, but can be based on different branching criteria. The computational infrastructure allows for flexibility in ADAPT to link with different system simulation codes, parallel processing of the scenarios under consideration, on-line scenario management (initiation as well as termination), analysis of results, and user friendly graphical capabilities. The ADAPT system is designed for a distributed computing environment; the scheduler can track multiple concurrent branches simultaneously. The scheduler is modularized so that the DET branching strategy can be modified (e.g. biasing towards the worst-case scenario/event). Independent database systems store data from the simulation tasks and the DET structure so that the event tree can be constructed and analyzed later. ADAPT is provided with a user-friendly client which can easily sort through and display the results of an experiment, precluding the need for the user to manually inspect individual simulator runs.« less

Testing Consent Order On 4 Nonylphenol, Branched

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document announces that EPA has signed an enforceable testing Consent Order with GAF Chemicals Corporation, GE Specialty Chemicals Incorporated, Kalama Chemicals Incorporated, Monsanto Company, Rohm & Haas Company, Schenectady Chemicals Incorporated.

76 FR 39238 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Extension of Sunset Date for Protests of Task and Delivery Orders

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-05

...-AM08 Federal Acquisition Regulation; Extension of Sunset Date for Protests of Task and Delivery Orders... against the award of task or delivery orders by DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard from May 27, 2011, to... protests against the award of task and delivery orders from May 27, 2011, to September 30, 2016, but only...

Partial shoot reiteration in Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae) does not arise from ‘axillary meristems’

PubMed Central

Tomlinson, P. B.; Huggett, Brett A.

2011-01-01

Background and Aims Conifers are characterized by the paucity of axillary buds which in dicotyledonous trees usually occur at every node. To compensate, conifers also produce ‘axillary meristems’, which may be stimulated to late development. In juvenile material of Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae: Massart's model) first-order (plagiotropic) branches lack both axillary buds and, seemingly, axillary meristems. This contrasts with orthotropic (trunk) axes, which produce branches, either within the terminal bud or as reiterated orthotropic axes originating from axillary meristems. However, plagiotropic axes do produce branches if they are decapitated. This study investigated how this can occur if axillary meristems are not the source. Methods The terminal buds of a series of plagiotropic branches on juvenile trees were decapitated in order to generate axillary shoots. Shoots were culled at about weekly intervals to obtain stages in lateral shoot development. Serial sections were cut with a sliding microtome from the distal end of each sample and scanned sequentially for evidence of axillary meristems and early bud development. Key Results Anatomical search produced no clear evidence of pre-existing axillary meristems but did reveal stages of bud initiation. Buds were initiated in a group of small starch-rich cortical cells. Further development involved de-differentiation of these small cells and the development of contrasting outer and inner regions. The outer part becomes meristematic and organizes the apex of the new branch. The inner part develops a callus-like tissue of vacuolated cells within which vascular cambia are developed. This kind of insertion of a branch on the parent axis seems not to have been described before. Conclusions Axillary meristems in Wollemia characterize the leaf axils of trunk axes so that the origin of reiterated shoots is clear. Plagiotropic axes seemingly lack axillary meristems but still produce axillary branches by distinctive developmental processes. These observations demonstrate limited understanding of branch initiation in trees generally. PMID:21335327

"In Situ Vascular Nerve Graft" for Restoration of Intrinsic Hand Function: An Anatomical Study.

PubMed

Mozaffarian, Kamran; Zemoodeh, Hamid Reza; Zarenezhad, Mohammad; Owji, Mohammad

2018-06-01

In combined high median and ulnar nerve injury, transfer of the posterior interosseous nerve branches to the motor branch of the ulnar nerve (MUN) is previously described in order to restore intrinsic hand function. In this operation a segment of sural nerve graft is required to close the gap between the donor and recipient nerves. However the thenar muscles are not innervated by this nerve transfer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the superficial radial nerve (SRN) can be used as an "in situ vascular nerve graft" to connect the donor nerves to the MUN and the motor branch of median nerve (MMN) at the same time in order to address all denervated intrinsic and thenar muscles. Twenty fresh male cadavers were dissected in order to evaluate the feasibility of this modification of technique. The size of nerve branches, the number of axons and the tension at repair site were evaluated. This nerve transfer was technically feasible in all specimens. There was no significant size mismatch between the donor and recipient nerves Conclusions: The possible advantages of this modification include innervation of both median and ulnar nerve innervated intrinsic muscles, preservation of vascularity of the nerve graft which might accelerate the nerve regeneration, avoidance of leg incision and therefore the possibility of performing surgery under regional instead of general anesthesia. Briefly, this novel technique is a viable option which can be used instead of conventional nerve graft in some brachial plexus or combined high median and ulnar nerve injuries when restoration of intrinsic hand function by transfer of posterior interosseous nerve branches is attempted.

40 CFR 799.5025 - Testing consent orders for mixtures without Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Required test FR citation Di(heptyl, nonyl, undecyl) phthalate (D711P) as a mixture of the following six substances: (1) diheptyl phthalate (branched and linear isomers), CAS No. 68515-44-6 Environmental effects. January 9, 1989. (2) dinonyl phthalate (branched and linear isomers), CAS No. 68515-45-7 ......do Do. (3...

40 CFR 799.5025 - Testing consent orders for mixtures without Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Required test FR citation Di(heptyl, nonyl, undecyl) phthalate (D711P) as a mixture of the following six substances: (1) diheptyl phthalate (branched and linear isomers), CAS No. 68515-44-6 Environmental effects. January 9, 1989. (2) dinonyl phthalate (branched and linear isomers), CAS No. 68515-45-7 ......do Do. (3...

40 CFR 799.5025 - Testing consent orders for mixtures without Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Required test FR citation Di(heptyl, nonyl, undecyl) phthalate (D711P) as a mixture of the following six substances: (1) diheptyl phthalate (branched and linear isomers), CAS No. 68515-44-6 Environmental effects. January 9, 1989. (2) dinonyl phthalate (branched and linear isomers), CAS No. 68515-45-7 ......do Do. (3...

40 CFR 799.5025 - Testing consent orders for mixtures without Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Required test FR citation Di(heptyl, nonyl, undecyl) phthalate (D711P) as a mixture of the following six substances: (1) diheptyl phthalate (branched and linear isomers), CAS No. 68515-44-6 Environmental effects. January 9, 1989. (2) dinonyl phthalate (branched and linear isomers), CAS No. 68515-45-7 ......do Do. (3...

Morphometry of the coronary ostia and the structure of coronary arteries in the shorthair domestic cat

PubMed Central

Barszcz, Karolina; Kupczyńska, Marta; Klećkowska-Nawrot, Joanna; Janeczek, Maciej; Goździewska-Harłajczuk, Karolina; Dzierzęcka, Małgorzata; Janczyk, Paweł

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to measure the area of the coronary ostia, assess their localization in the coronary sinuses and to determine the morphology of the stem of the left and right coronary arteries in the domestic shorthair cat. The study was conducted on 100 hearts of domestic shorthair cats of both sexes, aged 2–18 years, with an average body weight of 4.05 kg. A morphometric analysis of the coronary ostia was carried out on 52 hearts. The remaining 48 hearts were injected with a casting material in order to carry out a morphological assessment of the left and right coronary arteries. In all the studied animals, the surface of the left coronary artery ostium was larger than the surface of the right coronary artery ostium. There were four types of the left main coronary artery: type I (23 animals, 49%)–double-branched left main stem (giving off the left circumflex branch and the interventricular paraconal branch, which in turn gave off the septal branch), type II (12 animals, 26%)–double-branched left main stem (giving off the left circumflex branch and the interventricular paraconal branch without the septal branch), type III (11 animals, 23%)–triple-branched left main stem (giving off the left circumflex branch, interventricular branch and the septal branch, type IV (1 animal, 2%)–double-branched left main stem (giving off the interventricular paraconal branch and the left circumflex branch, which in turn gave off the septal branch). The left coronary artery ostium is greater than the right one. There is considerable diversity in the branches of proximal segment of the left coronary artery, while the right coronary artery is more conservative. These results can be useful in defining the optimal strategies in the endovascular procedures involving the coronary arteries or the aortic valve in the domestic shorthair cat. PMID:29020103

Branching fraction measurement of J / ψ → K S K L and search for J / ψ → K S K S

DOE PAGES

Ablikim, M.; Achasov, M. N.; Ahmed, S.; ...

2017-12-04

Using a sample of 1.31×10 9J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we study the decays of J/ψ→ K SK L and K SK S. The branching fraction of J/ψ→ K SK L is determined to be B(J/ψ→ K SK L) = (1:93 0:01 (stat:) 0:05 (syst:))×10 -4, which signi cantly improves on previous measurements. No clear signal is observed for the J/ψ→ K SK S process, and the upper limit at the 95% con dence level for its branching fraction is determined to be B(J= ! K SK S) < 1:4×10 -8, which improves onmore » the previous searches by 2 orders in magnitude and reaches the order of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen expectation.« less

Branching fraction measurement of J / ψ → K S K L and search for J / ψ → K S K S

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

Ablikim, M.; Achasov, M. N.; Ahmed, S.

Using a sample of 1.31×10 9J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we study the decays of J/ψ→ K SK L and K SK S. The branching fraction of J/ψ→ K SK L is determined to be B(J/ψ→ K SK L) = (1:93 0:01 (stat:) 0:05 (syst:))×10 -4, which signi cantly improves on previous measurements. No clear signal is observed for the J/ψ→ K SK S process, and the upper limit at the 95% con dence level for its branching fraction is determined to be B(J= ! K SK S) < 1:4×10 -8, which improves onmore » the previous searches by 2 orders in magnitude and reaches the order of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen expectation.« less

Generating Performance Models for Irregular Applications

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

Friese, Ryan D.; Tallent, Nathan R.; Vishnu, Abhinav

2017-05-30

Many applications have irregular behavior --- non-uniform input data, input-dependent solvers, irregular memory accesses, unbiased branches --- that cannot be captured using today's automated performance modeling techniques. We describe new hierarchical critical path analyses for the \\Palm model generation tool. To create a model's structure, we capture tasks along representative MPI critical paths. We create a histogram of critical tasks with parameterized task arguments and instance counts. To model each task, we identify hot instruction-level sub-paths and model each sub-path based on data flow, instruction scheduling, and data locality. We describe application models that generate accurate predictions for strong scalingmore » when varying CPU speed, cache speed, memory speed, and architecture. We present results for the Sweep3D neutron transport benchmark; Page Rank on multiple graphs; Support Vector Machine with pruning; and PFLOTRAN's reactive flow/transport solver with domain-induced load imbalance.« less

Wrist Camera Orientation for Effective Telerobotic Orbital Replaceable Unit (ORU) Changeout

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Sharon Monica; Aldridge, Hal A.; Vazquez, Sixto L.

1997-01-01

The Hydraulic Manipulator Testbed (HMTB) is the kinematic replica of the Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS). One use of the HMTB is to evaluate advanced control techniques for accomplishing robotic maintenance tasks on board the Space Station. Most maintenance tasks involve the direct manipulation of the robot by a human operator when high-quality visual feedback is important for precise control. An experiment was conducted in the Systems Integration Branch at the Langley Research Center to compare several configurations of the manipulator wrist camera for providing visual feedback during an Orbital Replaceable Unit changeout task. Several variables were considered such as wrist camera angle, camera focal length, target location, lighting. Each study participant performed the maintenance task by using eight combinations of the variables based on a Latin square design. The results of this experiment and conclusions based on data collected are presented.

Sensitivity of S-Cat to Sleep Deprivation

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

DIRECTORATE BIOSCIENCES AND PROTECTION DVSION BIOBEHAVIORAL PERFORMANCE BRANCH 2485 GILLINGHAM DRIVE BROOKS CITY-BASE TX 78235 Approved for public...7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT Embry-Riddle Arrorautical CHII Systemns, Inc. NTI, Inc. Lyndon B...non-invasive means to objectively evaluate the cognitive ability of astronauts to perform ruission critical tasks, particularly during extended

Invariant Functions, Symmetries and Primary Branch Solutions of First Order Autonomous Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lou, Sen-Yue; Yao, Ruo-Xia

2017-07-01

An invariant function (IF) is defined as a multiplier of a symmetry that means a symmetry multiplied by an IF is still a symmetry. Primary branch solutions of arbitrary first order scalar systems can be obtained by means of the IF and its related symmetry approach. Especially, one recursion operator and some sets of infinitely many high order symmetries are also explicitly given for arbitrary (1+1)-dimensional first order autonomous systems. Because of the intrusion of the arbitrary function, various implicit special exact solutions can be found by fixing the arbitrary functions and selecting different seed solutions. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundations of China under Grant Nos. 11435005, 11471004, 11175092, and 11205092, Shanghai Knowledge Service Platform for Trustworthy Internet of Things No. ZF1213 and K. C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University

NASA's Ultraviolet Astrophysics Branch: Present and future detector program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welsh, Barry Y.

1992-01-01

The various concepts in ultraviolet detector technology currently being funded by NASA's Astrophysics Division to carry out observations in the 100 to 3000 A region are reviewed. In order to match the science objectives of future space missions with new observational techniques, critical detector technology needs in the ultraviolet regime have been identified. The attempt by NASA's Astrophysics Division Advanced Programs Branch to formulate an integrated detector technology plan as part of the ongoing 'Astrotech 21' program in order to provide the technology base for these astrophysics missions of the 21st century is described.

The MATCHIT Automaton: Exploiting Compartmentalization for the Synthesis of Branched Polymers

PubMed Central

Weyland, Mathias S.; Fellermann, Harold; Hadorn, Maik; Sorek, Daniel; Lancet, Doron; Rasmussen, Steen; Füchslin, Rudolf M.

2013-01-01

We propose an automaton, a theoretical framework that demonstrates how to improve the yield of the synthesis of branched chemical polymer reactions. This is achieved by separating substeps of the path of synthesis into compartments. We use chemical containers (chemtainers) to carry the substances through a sequence of fixed successive compartments. We describe the automaton in mathematical terms and show how it can be configured automatically in order to synthesize a given branched polymer target. The algorithm we present finds an optimal path of synthesis in linear time. We discuss how the automaton models compartmentalized structures found in cells, such as the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, and we show how this compartmentalization can be exploited for the synthesis of branched polymers such as oligosaccharides. Lastly, we show examples of artificial branched polymers and discuss how the automaton can be configured to synthesize them with maximal yield. PMID:24489601

A predictive model of nuclear power plant crew decision-making and performance in a dynamic simulation environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coyne, Kevin Anthony

The safe operation of complex systems such as nuclear power plants requires close coordination between the human operators and plant systems. In order to maintain an adequate level of safety following an accident or other off-normal event, the operators often are called upon to perform complex tasks during dynamic situations with incomplete information. The safety of such complex systems can be greatly improved if the conditions that could lead operators to make poor decisions and commit erroneous actions during these situations can be predicted and mitigated. The primary goal of this research project was the development and validation of a cognitive model capable of simulating nuclear plant operator decision-making during accident conditions. Dynamic probabilistic risk assessment methods can improve the prediction of human error events by providing rich contextual information and an explicit consideration of feedback arising from man-machine interactions. The Accident Dynamics Simulator paired with the Information, Decision, and Action in a Crew context cognitive model (ADS-IDAC) shows promise for predicting situational contexts that might lead to human error events, particularly knowledge driven errors of commission. ADS-IDAC generates a discrete dynamic event tree (DDET) by applying simple branching rules that reflect variations in crew responses to plant events and system status changes. Branches can be generated to simulate slow or fast procedure execution speed, skipping of procedure steps, reliance on memorized information, activation of mental beliefs, variations in control inputs, and equipment failures. Complex operator mental models of plant behavior that guide crew actions can be represented within the ADS-IDAC mental belief framework and used to identify situational contexts that may lead to human error events. This research increased the capabilities of ADS-IDAC in several key areas. The ADS-IDAC computer code was improved to support additional branching events and provide a better representation of the IDAC cognitive model. An operator decision-making engine capable of responding to dynamic changes in situational context was implemented. The IDAC human performance model was fully integrated with a detailed nuclear plant model in order to realistically simulate plant accident scenarios. Finally, the improved ADS-IDAC model was calibrated, validated, and updated using actual nuclear plant crew performance data. This research led to the following general conclusions: (1) A relatively small number of branching rules are capable of efficiently capturing a wide spectrum of crew-to-crew variabilities. (2) Compared to traditional static risk assessment methods, ADS-IDAC can provide a more realistic and integrated assessment of human error events by directly determining the effect of operator behaviors on plant thermal hydraulic parameters. (3) The ADS-IDAC approach provides an efficient framework for capturing actual operator performance data such as timing of operator actions, mental models, and decision-making activities.

Communications System Architecture Development for Air Traffic Management and Aviation Weather Information Dissemination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gallagher, Seana; Olson, Matt; Blythe, Doug; Heletz, Jacob; Hamilton, Griff; Kolb, Bill; Homans, Al; Zemrowski, Ken; Decker, Steve; Tegge, Cindy

2000-01-01

This document is the NASA AATT Task Order 24 Final Report. NASA Research Task Order 24 calls for the development of eleven distinct task reports. Each task was a necessary exercise in the development of comprehensive communications systems architecture (CSA) for air traffic management and aviation weather information dissemination for 2015, the definition of the interim architecture for 2007, and the transition plan to achieve the desired End State. The eleven tasks are summarized along with the associated Task Order reference. The output of each task was an individual task report. The task reports that make up the main body of this document include Task 5, Task 6, Task 7, Task 8, Task 10, and Task 11. The other tasks provide the supporting detail used in the development of the architecture. These reports are included in the appendices. The detailed user needs, functional communications requirements and engineering requirements associated with Tasks 1, 2, and 3 have been put into a relational database and are provided electronically.

Psychosocial Risks Generated By Assets Specific Design Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Remus, Furtună; Angela, Domnariu; Petru, Lazăr

2015-07-01

The human activity concerning an occupation is resultant from the interaction between the psycho-biological, socio-cultural and organizational-occupational factors. Tehnological development, automation and computerization that are to be found in all the branches of activity, the level of speed in which things develop, as well as reaching their complexity, require less and less physical aptitudes and more cognitive qualifications. The person included in the work process is bound in most of the cases to come in line with the organizational-occupational situations that are specific to the demands of the job. The role of the programmer is essencial in the process of execution of ordered softwares, thus the truly brilliant ideas can only come from well-rested minds, concentrated on their tasks. The actual requirements of the jobs, besides the high number of benefits and opportunities, also create a series of psycho-social risks, which can increase the level of stress during work activity, especially for those who work under pressure.

Deep Belief Networks for Electroencephalography: A Review of Recent Contributions and Future Outlooks.

PubMed

Movahedi, Faezeh; Coyle, James L; Sejdic, Ervin

2018-05-01

Deep learning, a relatively new branch of machine learning, has been investigated for use in a variety of biomedical applications. Deep learning algorithms have been used to analyze different physiological signals and gain a better understanding of human physiology for automated diagnosis of abnormal conditions. In this paper, we provide an overview of deep learning approaches with a focus on deep belief networks in electroencephalography applications. We investigate the state-of-the-art algorithms for deep belief networks and then cover the application of these algorithms and their performances in electroencephalographic applications. We covered various applications of electroencephalography in medicine, including emotion recognition, sleep stage classification, and seizure detection, in order to understand how deep learning algorithms could be modified to better suit the tasks desired. This review is intended to provide researchers with a broad overview of the currently existing deep belief network methodology for electroencephalography signals, as well as to highlight potential challenges for future research.

Levels and determinants of pesticide exposure in re-entry workers in vineyards: results of the PESTEXPO study.

PubMed

Baldi, Isabelle; Lebailly, P; Bouvier, G; Rondeau, V; Kientz-Bouchart, V; Canal-Raffin, M; Garrigou, A

2014-07-01

Physical contact with branches, leaves, fruit or vegetables in previously treated crops is responsible for the transfer of pesticides to the worker's skin in agricultural tasks such as harvesting, pruning, thinning, cutting or sorting. Few studies have documented workers' exposure during re-entry in vineyards. In the PESTEXPO study, we described levels of exposure and analyzed their determinants during re-entry and harvesting in vineyards in the Bordeaux area, France. Between 2002 and 2007, volunteers performing re-entry tasks (N=46 days) or harvesting (N=48 days) after dithiocarbamate or folpet treatment were observed. Detailed information on the tasks was collected and dermal contamination was assessed using patches placed on the skin and hand-washing at the end of each working phase. Daily median contamination was 1 967.7 μl of mixture during re-entry (90(e) percentile: 5 045.3 μl) and 18.7 μl during harvesting (90(e) percentile: 911.4 μl). The type of task was the parameter found to be the most strongly associated with contamination. For re-entry, the highest contaminations were observed during raising of wires and cutting of branches. During the harvest, the contamination was maximal for grape-picking. The delay since the last treatment and the rate of active ingredient per hectare played a role, together with other factors such as meteorological factors, crop and farm characteristics, gloves and clothes. Our results underline the necessity to take into account exposures during re-entry and harvest when considering pesticide exposure, both for epidemiological research and preventive action. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Patterns of nocturnal rehydration in root tissues of Vaccinium corymbosum L. under severe drought conditions

PubMed Central

Valenzuela-Estrada, Luis R.; Richards, James H.; Diaz, Andres; Eissensat, David M.

2009-01-01

Although roots in dry soil layers are commonly rehydrated by internal hydraulic redistribution during the nocturnal period, patterns of tissue rehydration are poorly understood. Rates of nocturnal rehydration were examined in roots of different orders in Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Bluecrop’ (Northern highbush blueberry) grown in a split-pot system with one set of roots in relatively moist soil and the other set of roots in dry soil. Vaccinium is noted for a highly branched and extremely fine root system. It is hypothesized that nocturnal root tissue rehydration would be slow, especially in the distal root orders because of their greater hydraulic constraints (smaller vessel diameters and fewer number of vessels). Vaccinium root hydraulic properties delayed internal water movement. Even when water was readily available to roots in the wet soil and transpiration was minimal, it took a whole night-time period of 12 h for the distal finest roots (1st to 4th order) under dry soil conditions to reach the same water potentials as fine roots in moist soil (1st to 4th order). Even though roots under dry soil equilibrated with roots in moist soil, the equilibrium point reached before sunrise was about –1.2 MPa, indicating that tissues were not fully rehydrated. Using a single-branch root model, it was estimated that individual roots exhibiting the lowest water potentials in dry soil were 1st order roots (distal finest roots of the root system). However, considered at the branch level, root orders with the highest hydraulic resistances corresponded to the lowest orders of the permanent root system (3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-order roots), thus indicating possible locations of hydraulic safety control in the root system of this species. PMID:19188275

Patterns of nocturnal rehydration in root tissues of Vaccinium corymbosum L. under severe drought conditions.

PubMed

Valenzuela-Estrada, Luis R; Richards, James H; Diaz, Andres; Eissensat, David M

2009-01-01

Although roots in dry soil layers are commonly rehydrated by internal hydraulic redistribution during the nocturnal period, patterns of tissue rehydration are poorly understood. Rates of nocturnal rehydration were examined in roots of different orders in Vaccinium corymbosum L. 'Bluecrop' (Northern highbush blueberry) grown in a split-pot system with one set of roots in relatively moist soil and the other set of roots in dry soil. Vaccinium is noted for a highly branched and extremely fine root system. It is hypothesized that nocturnal root tissue rehydration would be slow, especially in the distal root orders because of their greater hydraulic constraints (smaller vessel diameters and fewer number of vessels). Vaccinium root hydraulic properties delayed internal water movement. Even when water was readily available to roots in the wet soil and transpiration was minimal, it took a whole night-time period of 12 h for the distal finest roots (1st to 4th order) under dry soil conditions to reach the same water potentials as fine roots in moist soil (1st to 4th order). Even though roots under dry soil equilibrated with roots in moist soil, the equilibrium point reached before sunrise was about -1.2 MPa, indicating that tissues were not fully rehydrated. Using a single-branch root model, it was estimated that individual roots exhibiting the lowest water potentials in dry soil were 1st order roots (distal finest roots of the root system). However, considered at the branch level, root orders with the highest hydraulic resistances corresponded to the lowest orders of the permanent root system (3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-order roots), thus indicating possible locations of hydraulic safety control in the root system of this species.

Does user-centred design affect the efficiency, usability and safety of CPOE order sets?

PubMed

Chan, Julie; Shojania, Kaveh G; Easty, Anthony C; Etchells, Edward E

2011-05-01

Application of user-centred design principles to Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems may improve task efficiency, usability or safety, but there is limited evaluative research of its impact on CPOE systems. We evaluated the task efficiency, usability, and safety of three order set formats: our hospital's planned CPOE order sets (CPOE Test), computer order sets based on user-centred design principles (User Centred Design), and existing pre-printed paper order sets (Paper). 27 staff physicians, residents and medical students. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, an academic hospital in Toronto, Canada. Methods Participants completed four simulated order set tasks with three order set formats (two CPOE Test tasks, one User Centred Design, and one Paper). Order of presentation of order set formats and tasks was randomized. Users received individual training for the CPOE Test format only. Completion time (efficiency), requests for assistance (usability), and errors in the submitted orders (safety). 27 study participants completed 108 order sets. Mean task times were: User Centred Design format 273 s, Paper format 293 s (p=0.73 compared to UCD format), and CPOE Test format 637 s (p<0.0001 compared to UCD format). Users requested assistance in 31% of the CPOE Test format tasks, whereas no assistance was needed for the other formats (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in number of errors between formats. The User Centred Design format was more efficient and usable than the CPOE Test format even though training was provided for the latter. We conclude that application of user-centred design principles can enhance task efficiency and usability, increasing the likelihood of successful implementation.

Does user-centred design affect the efficiency, usability and safety of CPOE order sets?

PubMed Central

Chan, Julie; Shojania, Kaveh G; Easty, Anthony C

2011-01-01

Background Application of user-centred design principles to Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems may improve task efficiency, usability or safety, but there is limited evaluative research of its impact on CPOE systems. Objective We evaluated the task efficiency, usability, and safety of three order set formats: our hospital's planned CPOE order sets (CPOE Test), computer order sets based on user-centred design principles (User Centred Design), and existing pre-printed paper order sets (Paper). Participants 27staff physicians, residents and medical students. Setting Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, an academic hospital in Toronto, Canada. Methods Participants completed four simulated order set tasks with three order set formats (two CPOE Test tasks, one User Centred Design, and one Paper). Order of presentation of order set formats and tasks was randomized. Users received individual training for the CPOE Test format only. Main Measures Completion time (efficiency), requests for assistance (usability), and errors in the submitted orders (safety). Results 27 study participants completed 108 order sets. Mean task times were: User Centred Design format 273 s, Paper format 293 s (p=0.73 compared to UCD format), and CPOE Test format 637 s (p<0.0001 compared to UCD format). Users requested assistance in 31% of the CPOE Test format tasks, whereas no assistance was needed for the other formats (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in number of errors between formats. Conclusions The User Centred Design format was more efficient and usable than the CPOE Test format even though training was provided for the latter. We conclude that application of user-centred design principles can enhance task efficiency and usability, increasing the likelihood of successful implementation. PMID:21486886

Branch Input Resistance and Steady Attenuation for Input to One Branch of a Dendritic Neuron Model

PubMed Central

Rall, Wilfrid; Rinzel, John

1973-01-01

Mathematical solutions and numerical illustrations are presented for the steady-state distribution of membrane potential in an extensively branched neuron model, when steady electric current is injected into only one dendritic branch. Explicit expressions are obtained for input resistance at the branch input site and for voltage attenuation from the input site to the soma; expressions for AC steady-state input impedance and attenuation are also presented. The theoretical model assumes passive membrane properties and the equivalent cylinder constraint on branch diameters. Numerical examples illustrate how branch input resistance and steady attenuation depend upon the following: the number of dendritic trees, the orders of dendritic branching, the electrotonic length of the dendritic trees, the location of the dendritic input site, and the input resistance at the soma. The application to cat spinal motoneurons, and to other neuron types, is discussed. The effect of a large dendritic input resistance upon the amount of local membrane depolarization at the synaptic site, and upon the amount of depolarization reaching the soma, is illustrated and discussed; simple proportionality with input resistance does not hold, in general. Also, branch input resistance is shown to exceed the input resistance at the soma by an amount that is always less than the sum of core resistances along the path from the input site to the soma. PMID:4715583

Searches for Leptonic B Decays at BaBar

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

Nelson, Silke; /SLAC

2012-04-25

Measurements of the branching fractions of purely leptonic decays of B-mesons translate into constraints in the plane of the charged Higgs mass versus tan {beta} which are relatively insensitive to the particular theoretical model. Using the full BABAR dataset of 450 million B-decays we search for these decays. No significant signal is found in the decays into electrons or muons and we set upper limits on the branching fractions of the order of a 10{sup -6} at 90% confidence level. We measure the branching fraction of B {yields} {tau}{mu} to be (1.7 {+-} 0.6) x 10{sup -4}.

Structural Mechanics and Dynamics Branch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stefko, George

2003-01-01

The 2002 annual report of the Structural Mechanics and Dynamics Branch reflects the majority of the work performed by the branch staff during the 2002 calendar year. Its purpose is to give a brief review of the branch s technical accomplishments. The Structural Mechanics and Dynamics Branch develops innovative computational tools, benchmark experimental data, and solutions to long-term barrier problems in the areas of propulsion aeroelasticity, active and passive damping, engine vibration control, rotor dynamics, magnetic suspension, structural mechanics, probabilistics, smart structures, engine system dynamics, and engine containment. Furthermore, the branch is developing a compact, nonpolluting, bearingless electric machine with electric power supplied by fuel cells for future "more electric" aircraft. An ultra-high-power-density machine that can generate projected power densities of 50 hp/lb or more, in comparison to conventional electric machines, which generate usually 0.2 hp/lb, is under development for application to electric drives for propulsive fans or propellers. In the future, propulsion and power systems will need to be lighter, to operate at higher temperatures, and to be more reliable in order to achieve higher performance and economic viability. The Structural Mechanics and Dynamics Branch is working to achieve these complex, challenging goals.

Quantum interference in coherent tunneling through branched molecular junctions containing ferrocene centers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xin; Kastlunger, Georg; Stadler, Robert

2017-08-01

In our theoretical study where we combine a nonequilibrium Green's function approach with density functional theory we investigate branched compounds containing ferrocene moieties in both branches which, due to their metal centers, are designed to allow for asymmetry induced by local charging. In these compounds the ferrocene moieties are connected to pyridyl anchor groups either directly or via acetylenic spacers in a metaconnection, where we also compare our results with those obtained for the respective single-branched molecules with both meta- and paraconnections between the metal center and the anchors. We find a destructive quantum interference (DQI) feature in the transmission function slightly below the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, which dominates the conductance even for the uncharged branched compound with spacer groups inserted. In an analysis based on mapping the structural characteristics of the range of molecules in our article onto tight-binding models, we identify the structural source of the DQI minimum as the through-space coupling between the pyridyl anchor groups. We also find that local charging in one of the branches changes the conductance only by about one order of magnitude, which we explain in terms of the spatial distributions of the relevant molecular orbitals for the branched compounds.

Interactions in the Metabolism of Glutamate and the Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Ketoacids in the CNS.

PubMed

Yudkoff, Marc

2017-01-01

Glutamatergic neurotransmission entails a tonic loss of glutamate from nerve endings into the synapse. Replacement of neuronal glutamate is essential in order to avoid depletion of the internal pool. In brain this occurs primarily via the glutamate-glutamine cycle, which invokes astrocytic synthesis of glutamine and hydrolysis of this amino acid via neuronal phosphate-dependent glutaminase. This cycle maintains constancy of internal pools, but it does not provide a mechanism for inevitable losses of glutamate N from brain. Import of glutamine or glutamate from blood does not occur to any appreciable extent. However, the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) cross the blood-brain barrier swiftly. The brain possesses abundant branched-chain amino acid transaminase activity which replenishes brain glutamate and also generates branched-chain ketoacids. It seems probable that the branched-chain amino acids and ketoacids participate in a "glutamate-BCAA cycle" which involves shuttling of branched-chain amino acids and ketoacids between astrocytes and neurons. This mechanism not only supports the synthesis of glutamate, it also may constitute a mechanism by which high (and potentially toxic) concentrations of glutamate can be avoided by the re-amination of branched-chain ketoacids.

Bud Composition, Branching Patterns and Leaf Phenology in Cerrado Woody Species

PubMed Central

DAMASCOS, M. A.; PRADO, C. H. B. A.; RONQUIM, C. C.

2005-01-01

• Background and Aims Plants have complex mechanisms of aerial biomass exposition, which depend on bud composition, the period of the year in which shoot extension occurs, branching pattern, foliage persistence, herbivory and environmental conditions. • Methods The influence of water availability and temperature on shoot growth, the bud composition, the leaf phenology, and the relationship between partial leaf fall and branching were evaluated over 3 years in Cerrado woody species Bauhinia rufa (BR), Leandra lacunosa (LL) and Miconia albicans (MA). • Key Results Deciduous BR preformed organs in buds and leaves flush synchronously at the transition from the dry to the wet season. The expansion time of leaves is <1 month. Main shoots (first-order axis, A1 shoots) extended over 30 d and they did not branch. BR budding and foliage unfolds were brought about independently of inter-annual rainfall variations. By contrast, in LL and MA evergreen species, the shoot extension rate and the neoformation of aerial organs depended on rainfall. Leaf emergence was continuous for 2–6 months and lamina expansion took place over 1–4 months. The leaf life span was 5–20 months and the main A1 shoot extension happened over 122–177 d. Both evergreen species allocated biomass to shoots, leaves or flowers continuously during the year, branching in the middle of the wet season to form second-order (A2 shoots) and third-order (A3 shoots) axis in LL and A2 shoots in MA. Partial shed of A1 shoot leaves would facilitate a higher branching intensity A2 shoot production in LL than in MA. MA presented a longer leaf life span, produced a lower percentage of A2 shoots but had a higher meristem persistence on A1 and A2 shoots than LL. • Conclusions It was possible to identify different patterns of aerial growth in Cerrado woody species defined by shoot-linked traits such as branching pattern, bud composition, meristem persistence and leaf phenology. These related traits must be considered over and above leaf deciduousness for searching functional guilds in a Cerrado woody community. For the first time a relationship between bud composition, shoot growth and leaf production pattern is found in savanna woody plants. PMID:16157631

The Office of the Materials Division

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramsey, amanda J.

2004-01-01

I was assigned to the Materials Division, which consists of the following branches; the Advanced Metallics Branch/5120-RMM, Ceramics Branch/5130-RMC, Polymers Branch/5150-RMP, and the Durability and Protective Coatings Branch/5160-RMD. Mrs. Pamela Spinosi is my assigned mentor. She was assisted by Ms.Raysa Rodriguez/5100-RM and Mrs.Denise Prestien/5100-RM, who are both employed by InDyne, Inc. My primary assignment this past summer was working directly with Ms. Rodriguez, assisting her with setting up the Integrated Financial Management Program (IFMP) 5130-RMC/Branch procedures and logs. These duties consisted of creating various spreadsheets for each individual branch member, which were updated daily. It was not hard to familiarize myself with these duties since this is my second summer working with Ms Rodriguez at NASA Glenn Research Center. RMC ordering laboratory, supplies and equipment for the Basic Materials Laboratory (Building 106) using the IF'MP/Purchase Card (P-card), a NASA-wide software program. I entered into the IFMP/Travel and Requisitions System, new Travel Authorizations for the 5130-RMC Civil Servant Branch Members. I also entered and completed Travel Vouchers for the 5130-RMC Ceramics Branch. I assisted in the Division Office creating new Emergency Contact list for the Materials Division. I worked with Dr. Hugh Gray, the Division Chief, and Dr. Ajay Misra, the 5130-RMC Branch Chief, on priority action items, with a close deadline, for a large NASA Proposal. Another project was working closely with Ms. Rodriguez in organizing and preparing for Dr. Ajay K. Misra's SESCDP (two year detail). This consisted of organizing files, file folders, personal information, and recording all data material onto CD's and printing all presentations for display in binders. I attended numerous Branch meetings, and observed many changes in the Branch Management organization.

Do monkeys choose to choose?

PubMed

Perdue, Bonnie M; Evans, Theodore A; Washburn, David A; Rumbaugh, Duane M; Beran, Michael J

2014-06-01

Both empirical and anecdotal evidence supports the idea that choice is preferred by humans. Previous research has demonstrated that this preference extends to nonhuman animals, but it remains largely unknown whether animals will actively seek out or prefer opportunities to choose. Here we explored the issue of whether capuchin and rhesus monkeys choose to choose. We used a modified version of the SELECT task-a computer program in which monkeys can choose the order of completion of various psychomotor and cognitive tasks. In the present experiments, each trial began with a choice between two icons, one of which allowed the monkey to select the order of task completion, and the other of which led to the assignment of a task order by the computer. In either case, subjects still had to complete the same number of tasks and the same number of task trials. The tasks were relatively easy, and the monkeys responded correctly on most trials. Thus, global reinforcement rates were approximately equated across conditions. The only difference was whether the monkey chose the task order or it was assigned, thus isolating the act of choosing. Given sufficient experience with the task icons, all monkeys showed a significant preference for choice when the alternative was a randomly assigned order of tasks. To a lesser extent, some of the monkeys maintained a preference for choice over a preferred, but computer-assigned, task order that was yoked to their own previous choice selection. The results indicated that monkeys prefer to choose when all other aspects of the task are equated.

Applying the Theory of Constraints to a Base Civil Engineering Operations Branch

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

Figure Page 1. Typical Work Order Processing . .......... 7 2. Typical Job Order Processing . .......... 8 3. Typical Simplified In-Service Work Plan for...Customers’ Customer Request Service Planning Unit Production] Control Center Material Control Scheduling CE Shops Figure 1.. Typical Work Order Processing 7

On the Problem of Structural Changes in Intellectual and Professional Potential [of the Russian Population

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Popova, I. P.; Temnitskii, A. L.

2012-01-01

It seems evident that the prospects of the country's development lie in a balanced model of the sectors and branches of Russia's economy, first and foremost with the creation of high-technology sectors and with higher significance attached to intellectual work and services. In terms of sociology, this task is linked closely to changes in the…

Thermodynamic States of the Mixed Spin 1/2 and Spin 1 Hexagonal Nanowire System Obtained from a Seven-Site Cluster Within an Improved Mean Field Approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendes, R. G. B.; Barreto, F. C. Sá; Santos, J. P.

2018-04-01

The mean field approximation results in the mixedspin 1/2 Ising model and spin 1 Blume-Capel model, in the hexagonal nanowire system, are obtained from the Bogoliubov inequality. The Gibbs free energy, magnetization, and critical frontiers are obtained. Besides the stable branches of the order parameters, we obtain the metastable and unstable parts of these curves and also find phase transitions of the metastable branches of the order parameters. The classification of the stable, metastable, and unstable states is made by comparing the free energy values of these states.

NASA's ultraviolet astrophysics branch - The next decade

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welsh, Barry Y.; Kaplan, Michael

1992-01-01

We review some of the mission concepts currently being considered by NASA's Astrophysics Division to carry out future observations in the 100-3000 Angstrom region. Examples of possible future missions include UV and visible interferometric experiments, a next generation Space Telescope and lunar-based UV instrumentation. In order to match the science objectives of these future missions with new observational techniques, critical technology needs in the ultraviolet regime have been identified. Here we describe how NASA's Astrophysics Division Advanced Programs Branch is attempting to formulate an integrated technology plan called the 'Astrotech 21' program in order to provide the technology base for these astrophysics missions of the 21st century.

Intensity of the /R/Q sub zero branch in the nu-9 fundamental of ethane. [laboratory spectra for Jupiter and Saturn IR observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tokunaga, A.; Varanasi, P.

1976-01-01

Recent observations of Jupiter and Saturn at 12 microns have shown strong emission in the nu-9 fundamental of ethane. In order to derive the abundance of ethane from the planetary observations, the absolute intensity of the (R)Q sub zero branch of the nu-9 fundamental was measured, yielding a value of 0.74 plus or minus 0.09/sq cm/atm at 300 K. In order to study the absorption features of the nu-9 fundamental, the computed rotational structure of the band was compared with the laboratory spectrum.

Evaluation of candidate working fluid formulations for the electrothermal - chemical wind tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akyurtlu, Jale F.; Akyurtlu, Ates

1991-01-01

Various candidate chemical formulations are evaluated as a precursor for the working fluid to be used in the electrothermal hypersonic test facility which was under study at the NASA LaRC Hypersonic Propulsion Branch, and the formulations which would most closely satisfy the goals set for the test facility are identified. Out of the four tasks specified in the original proposal, the first two, literature survey and collection of kinetic data, are almost completed. The third task, work on a mathematical model of the ET wind tunnel operation, was started and concentrated on the expansion in the nozzle with finite rate kinetics.

Grassroots Activists and the Three Branches of Government: "Key Players in the Civil Rights Movement"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Elizabeth; Silvestri, Linda

2014-01-01

In order to understand the complex workings of the three branches of American government, young citizens need early exposure in the elementary years to hands-on lessons that include real life examples and opportunities for students to apply what they have learned. To that end, the authors designed a five-day, inquiry-based unit for fourth grade…

Using Principal-Agent Theory as a Framework for Analysis in Evaluating the Multiple Stakeholders Involved in the Accreditation and Quality Assurance of International Medical Branch Campuses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Borgos, Jill E.

2013-01-01

This article applies the theoretical framework of principal-agent theory in order to better understand the complex organisational relationships emerging between entities invested in the establishment and monitoring of cross-border international branch campus medical schools. Using the key constructs of principal-agent theory, information asymmetry…

Portal vein branching order helps in the recognition of anomalous right-sided round ligament: common features and variations in portal vein anatomy.

PubMed

Yamashita, Rikiya; Yamaoka, Toshihide; Nishitai, Ryuta; Isoda, Hiroyoshi; Taura, Kojiro; Arizono, Shigeki; Furuta, Akihiro; Ohno, Tsuyoshi; Ono, Ayako; Togashi, Kaori

2017-07-01

This study aimed to evaluate the common features and variations of portal vein anatomy in right-sided round ligament (RSRL), which can help propose a method to detect and diagnose this anomaly. In this retrospective study of 14 patients with RSRL, the branching order of the portal tree was analyzed, with special focus on the relationship between the dorsal branch of the right anterior segmental portal vein (P A-D ) and the lateral segmental portal vein (P LL ), to determine the common features. The configuration of the portal vein from the main portal trunk to the right umbilical portion (RUP), the inclination of the RUP, and the number and thickness of the ramifications branching from the right anterior segmental portal vein (P A ) were evaluated for variations. In all subjects, the diverging point of the P A-D was constantly distal to that of the P LL . The portal vein configuration was I- and Z-shaped in nine and five subjects, respectively. The RUP was tilted to the right in all subjects. In Z-shaped subjects, the portal trunk between the branching point of the right posterior segmental portal vein and that of the P LL was tilted to the left in one subject and was almost parallel to the vertical plane in four subjects. Multiple ramifications were radially distributed from the P A in eight subjects, whereas one predominant P A-D branched from the P A in six subjects. Based on the diverging points of the P A-D and P LL , we proposed a three-step method for the detection and diagnosis of RSRL.

Higher-order Skyrme hair of black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gudnason, Sven Bjarke; Nitta, Muneto

2018-05-01

Higher-order derivative terms are considered as replacement for the Skyrme term in an Einstein-Skyrme-like model in order to pinpoint which properties are necessary for a black hole to possess stable static scalar hair. We find two new models able to support stable black hole hair in the limit of the Skyrme term being turned off. They contain 8 and 12 derivatives, respectively, and are roughly the Skyrme-term squared and the so-called BPS-Skyrme-term squared. In the twelfth-order model we find that the lower branches, which are normally unstable, become stable in the limit where the Skyrme term is turned off. We check this claim with a linear stability analysis. Finally, we find for a certain range of the gravitational coupling and horizon radius, that the twelfth-order model contains 4 solutions as opposed to 2. More surprisingly, the lowest part of the would-be unstable branch turns out to be the stable one of the 4 solutions.

Tree branch-shaped cupric oxide for highly effective photoelectrochemical water reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Youn Jeong; Jang, Ji-Wook; Choi, Sun Hee; Kim, Jae Young; Kim, Ju Hun; Youn, Duck Hyun; Kim, Won Yong; Han, Suenghoon; Sung Lee, Jae

2015-04-01

Highly efficient tree branch-shaped CuO photocathodes are fabricated using the hybrid microwave annealing process with a silicon susceptor within 10 minutes. The unique hierarchical, one-dimensional structure provides more facile charge transport, larger surface areas, and increased crystallinity and crystal ordering with less defects compared to irregular-shaped CuO prepared by conventional thermal annealing. As a result, the photocathode fabricated with the tree branch-shaped CuO produces an unprecedently high photocurrent density of -4.4 mA cm-2 at 0 VRHE under AM 1.5 G simulated sunlight compared to -1.44 mA cm-2 observed for a photocathode fabricated by thermal annealing. It is also confirmed that stoichiometric hydrogen and oxygen are produced from photoelectrochemical water splitting on the tree branch-shaped CuO photocathode and a platinum anode.Highly efficient tree branch-shaped CuO photocathodes are fabricated using the hybrid microwave annealing process with a silicon susceptor within 10 minutes. The unique hierarchical, one-dimensional structure provides more facile charge transport, larger surface areas, and increased crystallinity and crystal ordering with less defects compared to irregular-shaped CuO prepared by conventional thermal annealing. As a result, the photocathode fabricated with the tree branch-shaped CuO produces an unprecedently high photocurrent density of -4.4 mA cm-2 at 0 VRHE under AM 1.5 G simulated sunlight compared to -1.44 mA cm-2 observed for a photocathode fabricated by thermal annealing. It is also confirmed that stoichiometric hydrogen and oxygen are produced from photoelectrochemical water splitting on the tree branch-shaped CuO photocathode and a platinum anode. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: The detailed schematic diagram for the HMA process, XRD results, the temperature profile during HMA, derivative XANES results, TEM images, J-V curves, lists of previously reported copper oxide photocathode, and parameters extracted from EIS. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr00208g

Doppler Lidar System Design via Interdisciplinary Design Concept at NASA Langley Research Center - Part II

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crasner, Aaron I.; Scola,Salvatore; Beyon, Jeffrey Y.; Petway, Larry B.

2014-01-01

Optimized designs of the Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL) instrument for Autonomous Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) were accomplished via Interdisciplinary Design Concept (IDEC) at NASA Langley Research Center during the summer of 2013. Three branches in the Engineering Directorate and three students were involved in this joint task through the NASA Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars (LARSS) Program. The Laser Remote Sensing Branch (LRSB), Mechanical Systems Branch (MSB), and Structural and Thermal Systems Branch (STSB) were engaged to achieve optimal designs through iterative and interactive collaborative design processes. A preliminary design iteration was able to reduce the power consumption, mass, and footprint by removing redundant components and replacing inefficient components with more efficient ones. A second design iteration reduced volume and mass by replacing bulky components with excessive performance with smaller components custom-designed for the power system. Thermal modeling software was used to run steady state thermal analyses, which were used to both validate the designs and recommend further changes. Analyses were run on each redesign, as well as the original system. Thermal Desktop was used to run trade studies to account for uncertainty and assumptions about fan performance and boundary conditions. The studies suggested that, even if the assumptions were significantly wrong, the redesigned systems would remain within operating temperature limits.

Task-dependent and task-independent neurovascular responses to syntactic processing⋆

PubMed Central

Caplan, David; Chen, Evan; Waters, Gloria

2008-01-01

The neural basis for syntactic processing was studied using event-related fMRI to determine the locations of BOLD signal increases in the contrast of syntactically complex sentences with center-embedded, object-extracted relative clauses and syntactically simple sentences with right-branching, subject-extracted relative clauses in a group of 15 participants in three tasks. In a sentence verification task, participants saw a target sentence in one of these two syntactic forms, followed by a probe in a simple active form, and determined whether the probe expressed a proposition in the target. In a plausibility judgment task, participants determined whether a sentence in one of these two syntactic forms was plausible or implausible. Finally, in a non-word detection task, participants determined whether a sentence in one of these two syntactic forms contained only real words or a non-word. BOLD signal associated with the syntactic contrast increased in the left posterior inferior frontal gyrus in non-word detection and in a widespread set of areas in the other two tasks. We conclude that the BOLD activity in the left posterior inferior frontal gyrus reflects syntactic processing independent of concurrent cognitive operations and the more widespread areas of activation reflect the use of strategies and the use of the products of syntactic processing to accomplish tasks. PMID:18387556

75 FR 5925 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-05

... comments, identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1091, to Kevin C. Long, Acting Chief, Engineering Management..., Acting Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Mitigation Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency... federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This...

The Branching Pattern of the Brachiocephalic Trunk in the Donkey (Equus asinus).

PubMed

Akbari, G; Asadiahranjani, B; Goodarzi, N; Shokrollahi, S

2017-08-01

Donkeys are a member of the horse family (Equidae) and share a common ancestor. However, in morphological terms, donkeys and horses are regarded as two separate subgenus. Given variations in the branching pattern of the brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) in different species of animals and the use of donkeys in anatomy courses at colleges of veterinary medicine, we conducted this study in order to investigate the branching patterns of BCT and to describe detailed morphological information regarding donkeys. Seventeen mature donkeys were examined following euthanasia by exsanguination from the common carotid artery under general anaesthesia. Thirteen donkeys were embalmed and injected with coloured latex from BCT origin for better visualization of vessels. Four other donkeys were freshly studied without the embalming procedure. In all cases, the BCT was the only branch of the aortic arch and branched into the left subclavian (LSb) artery, the right costocervical trunk, the right subclavian (RSb) artery and the bicarotid trunk. The main branching pattern of the RSb was the costocervical trunk, the vertebral artery, the internal thoracic artery and the superficial cervical artery. The deep cervical artery branched from the costocervical trunk. The major branching pattern of the LSb was the vertebral artery, the internal thoracic artery and the superficial cervical artery. In donkeys, the external thoracic artery branches from the internal thoracic artery. Results obtained from this study indicate that BCT branching in donkeys has some similarities and differences as compared to that in horses and in the Caspian miniature horse. © 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Evaluation of popliteal artery branching patterns and a new subclassification of the 'usual' branching pattern.

PubMed

Celtikci, Pinar; Ergun, Onur; Durmaz, Hasan Ali; Conkbayir, Isik; Hekimoglu, Baki

2017-09-01

To determine the frequency of popliteal artery branching variations in a wide study cohort and to investigate the relationship between these variations and infrapopliteal peripheral arterial disease (PAD). A subclassification was proposed for the most encountered type I-A, utilizing tibio-fibular trunk (TFT) length. A total number of 1184 lower extremity digital subtraction angiography (DSA) studies of 669 patients were evaluated. Following exclusion, 863 lower extremity DSA studies (431 right, 432 left) of 545 patients were enrolled. Popliteal artery branching type, patency of anterior tibial artery (ATA), fibular artery (FA) and posterior tibial artery (PTA) in each extremity and TFT length for type I-A extremities were recorded. Percentages of branching patterns, mean length and cut-off value of TFT and incidence of PAD in different types of branching were calculated. Type I-A was the most common type of branching (81.3%). Frequency of branching pattern variation was 18.7%, the most common variation category was category III (12.2%) and the most common variation type was type III-A (5.6%). ATA and PTA had higher percentages of PAD in extremities with variant branching types. Cut-off value of 3 cm for TFT length was proposed in order to subclassify type I-A. Our study cohort presents a higher incidence of popliteal artery branching variations. Some branching variations might have effect on the involvement pattern of the infrapopliteal arteries by PAD. We propose a subclassification for type I-A; type I-A-S (TFT < 3 cm) and type I-A-L (TFT ≥ 3 cm) which might have impact on interventional procedures.

Method to acquire regions of fruit, branch and leaf from image of red apple in orchard

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Jidong; Xu, Liming

2017-07-01

This work proposed a method to acquire regions of fruit, branch and leaf from red apple image in orchard. To acquire fruit image, R-G image was extracted from the RGB image for corrosive working, hole filling, subregion removal, expansive working and opening operation in order. Finally, fruit image was acquired by threshold segmentation. To acquire leaf image, fruit image was subtracted from RGB image before extracting 2G-R-B image. Then, leaf image was acquired by subregion removal and threshold segmentation. To acquire branch image, dynamic threshold segmentation was conducted in the R-G image. Then, the segmented image was added to fruit image to acquire adding fruit image which was subtracted from RGB image with leaf image. Finally, branch image was acquired by opening operation, subregion removal and threshold segmentation after extracting the R-G image from the subtracting image. Compared with previous methods, more complete image of fruit, leaf and branch can be acquired from red apple image with this method.

Characterization of branch complexity by fractal analyses

USGS Publications Warehouse

Alados, C.L.; Escos, J.; Emlen, J.M.; Freeman, D.C.

1999-01-01

The comparison between complexity in the sense of space occupancy (box-counting fractal dimension D(c) and information dimension D1) and heterogeneity in the sense of space distribution (average evenness index f and evenness variation coefficient J(cv)) were investigated in mathematical fractal objects and natural branch structures. In general, increased fractal dimension was paired with low heterogeneity. Comparisons between branch architecture in Anthyllis cytisoides under different slope exposure and grazing impact revealed that branches were more complex and more homogeneously distributed for plants on northern exposures than southern, while grazing had no impact during a wet year. Developmental instability was also investigated by the statistical noise of the allometric relation between internode length and node order. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that fractal dimension of branch structure can be used to analyze the structural organization of plants, especially if we consider not only fractal dimension but also shoot distribution within the canopy (lacunarity). These indexes together with developmental instability analyses are good indicators of growth responses to the environment.

Characterization of branch complexity by fractal analyses and detect plant functional adaptations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Alados, C.L.; Escos, J.; Emlen, J.M.; Freeman, D.C.

1999-01-01

The comparison between complexity in the sense of space occupancy (box-counting fractal dimension Dc and information dimension DI ) and heterogeneity in the sense of space distribution (average evenness index and evenness variation coefficient JCV) were investigated in mathematical fractal objects and natural branch ¯ J structures. In general, increased fractal dimension was paired with low heterogeneity. Comparisons between branch architecture in Anthyllis cytisoides under different slope exposure and grazing impact revealed that branches were more complex and more homogeneously distributed for plants on northern exposures than southern, while grazing had no impact during a wet year. Developmental instability was also investigated by the statistical noise of the allometric relation between internode length and node order. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that fractal dimension of branch structure can be used to analyze the structural organization of plants, especially if we consider not only fractal dimension but also shoot distribution within the canopy (lacunarity). These indexes together with developmental instability analyses are good indicators of growth responses to the environment.

Resonant energy transfer and trace-level sensing using branched Ag-rod-supported carbon dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nair, Radhika V.; Arya, M.; Vijayan, C.

2018-05-01

We report on the resonant energy transfer in branched Ag rod-supported carbon dots (C-dots) and its applications for the trace-level sensing of highly reactive oxygen species and organic pollutants based on surface plasmon enhanced energy transfer (SPEET) and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The branched morphology of Ag is found to significantly enhance visible light absorption and thus increases the spectral overlap with C-dot emission. In addition, branched morphology results in the formation of a large number of plasmonic hotspots and efficient propagation of plasmons through the interconnections, as also supported by finite-difference time-domain simulations. Branched Ag-rod—C-dot composite is found to be able to detect 0.02 µM of hydrogen peroxide based on SPEET. The efficient transfer of electrons from C-dots to the Ag rod enhances the SERS efficiency of Ag resulting in an enhancement factor of the order of 108 and enables the composite to detect 10‑10 M of the organic pollutant Rhodamine 6G.

Load type influences motor unit recruitment in biceps brachii during a sustained contraction.

PubMed

Baudry, Stéphane; Rudroff, Thorsten; Pierpoint, Lauren A; Enoka, Roger M

2009-09-01

Twenty subjects participated in four experiments designed to compare time to task failure and motor-unit recruitment threshold during contractions sustained at 15% of maximum as the elbow flexor muscles either supported an inertial load (position task) or exerted an equivalent constant torque against a rigid restraint (force task). Subcutaneous branched bipolar electrodes were used to record single motor unit activity from the biceps brachii muscle during ramp contractions performed before and at 50 and 90% of the time to failure for the position task during both fatiguing contractions. The time to task failure was briefer for the position task than for the force task (P=0.0002). Thirty and 29 motor units were isolated during the force and position tasks, respectively. The recruitment threshold declined by 48 and 30% (P=0.0001) during the position task for motor units with an initial recruitment threshold below and above the target force, respectively, whereas no significant change in recruitment threshold was observed during the force task. Changes in recruitment threshold were associated with a decrease in the mean discharge rate (-16%), an increase in discharge rate variability (+40%), and a prolongation of the first two interspike intervals (+29 and +13%). These data indicate that there were faster changes in motor unit recruitment and rate coding during the position task than the force task despite a similar net muscle torque during both tasks. Moreover, the results suggest that the differential synaptic input observed during the position task influences most of the motor unit pool.

Anatomical study of renal arterial vasculature and its potential impact on partial nephrectomy.

PubMed

Macchi, Veronica; Crestani, Alessandro; Porzionato, Andrea; Sfriso, Maria Martina; Morra, Aldo; Rossanese, Marta; Novara, Giacomo; De Caro, Raffaele; Ficarra, Vincenzo

2017-07-01

To validate Graves' classification of the intrarenal arteries and to verify the absence of collateral arterial blood supply between different renal segments, in order to maximize peri-operative and functional outcomes of partial nephrectomy. The study was performed on 15 normal kidneys sampled from eight unembalmed cadavers. Kidneys with the surrounding perirenal fat tissue were removed en bloc with the abdominal segment of the aorta. The renal artery was injected with acrylic and radiopaque resins, with the specimen suspended in water. CT examination of the injected kidneys was performed to analyse the branches located deeply. After imaging acquisition, the specimens were treated with sodium hydroxide for removal of the parenchyma to obtain vascular casts. Ten casts (66.6%) showed the classic subdivision of the main artery into single posterior and anterior branches. With regard to the distribution of the segmental or second-order arteries, only two casts (13%) showed a pattern similar to that described by Graves, characterized by four segmental (second-order) branches coming from the anterior renal artery (apical, superior, middle and inferior). In the remaining 13 kidneys (87%) a different arterial vascular network was detected. In 10 casts (80%) a single renal segment was vascularized by two or more different branches coming from an artery leading to another segment (multiple vascularization). Multiple vascularization was observed in three (20%) apical segments, five (33%) superior segments, six (40%) middle segments, seven (47%) inferior segments and two (13%) posterior segments. This study shows that in the human kidneys the arterial vasculature is frequently different from that described by Graves. Moreover, in a significant percentage of cases, a single renal segment receives two or more branches that originate from an artery leading to another segment. © 2017 The Authors BJU International © 2017 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Effects of forest gap size on the architecture of Quercus variablis seedlings on the south slope of Qinling Mountains, west China].

PubMed

Yu, Bi-yun; Zhang, Wen-hui; He, Ting; You, Jian-jian; Li, Gang

2014-12-01

Typical sampling method was conducted to survey the effects of forest gap size on branch architecture, leaf characteristics and their vertical distribution of Quercus variablis seedlings from different size gaps in natural secondary Q. variablis thinning forest, on the south slope of Qinling Mountains. The results showed that gap size significantly affected the diameter, crown area of Q. variablis seedlings. The gap size positively correlated with diameter and negatively correlated with crown area, while it had no significant impact on seedling height, crown length and crown rates. The overall bifurcation ratio, stepwise bifurcation ratio, and ratio of branch diameter followed as large gap > middle gap > small gap > understory. The vertical distribution of first-order branches under different size gaps mainly concentrated at the middle and upper part of trunk, larger diameter first-order branches were mainly distributed at the lower part of trunk, and the angle of first-order branch increased at first and then declined with the increasing seedling height. With the increasing forest gap size, the leaf length, leaf width and average leaf area of seedlings all gradually declined, while the average leaf number per plant and relative total leaf number increased, the leaf length-width ratio kept stable, the relative leaf number was mainly distributed at the middle and upper parts of trunk, the changes of leaf area index was consistent with the change of the relative total number of leaves. There was no significant difference between the diameters of middle gap and large gap seedlings, but the diameter of middle gap seedlings was higher than that of large gap, suggesting the middle gap would benefit the seedlings regeneration and high-quality timber cultivation. To promote the regeneration of Q. variabilis seedlings, and to cultivate high-quality timber, appropriate thinning should be taken to increase the number of middle gaps in the management of Q. variabilis forest.

Anatomic distribution of renal artery stenosis in children: implications for imaging.

PubMed

Vo, Nghia J; Hammelman, Ben D; Racadio, Judy M; Strife, C Frederic; Johnson, Neil D; Racadio, John M

2006-10-01

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) causes significant hypertension in children. Frequently, pediatric RAS occurs with systemic disorders. In these cases, stenoses are often complex and/or include long segments. We believed that hypertensive children without comorbid conditions had a different lesion distribution and that the difference might have implications for imaging and treatment. To identify locations of RAS lesions in these hypertensive children without comorbid conditions. Patients who had renal angiography for hypertension from 1993 to 2005 were identified. Patients with systemic disorders, renovascular surgery, or normal angiograms were excluded. The angiograms of the remaining patients were reviewed for number, type, and location of stenoses. Eighty-seven patients underwent renal angiography for hypertension; 30 were excluded for comorbid conditions. Twenty-one of the remaining 57 patients had abnormal angiograms; 24 stenoses were identified in those patients. All were focal and distributed as follows: 6 (25%) main renal artery, 12 (50%) 2nd order branch, 3 (12.5%) 3rd order branch, and 3 (12.5%) accessory renal artery. Hypertensive children without comorbid conditions who have RAS usually have single, focal branch artery stenoses. This distribution supports angiography in these patients because of its superior sensitivity in detecting branch vessel disease and its therapeutic role in percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty.

Fiber Laser Arrays

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-03

AFRL-DE-PS- AFRL-DE-PS- TR-2006-1059 TR-2006-1059 FIBER LASER ARRAYS Thomas B. Simpson L-3 Communications-Jaycor 3394...LEANNE J HENRY, Lt Col, USAF L. BRUCE SIMPSON, SES Chief, High Power Solid State Laser Branch Director, Directed Energy Directorate...SUBTITLE Fiber Laser Arrays 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 62605F 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 4866 5e. TASK NUMBER LR 6. AUTHOR(S) Thomas B. Simpson

Shear Moduli of Orthotropic Composites.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-03-01

COMPOSITES N. J. Pagano Mechanics & Surface Interactions Branch Nonmetallic Materials Division March 1980 DT1C> Technical Report AFML-TR-79-4164 ELE(I JUN...Surface Interactions Br. Nonmetallic Materials Division Nonmetallic Materials Division FOR THE COMMANDER M.KLLChief metallic Materials Division "If your...SrtaceT’ Ileation ranch 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT, TASK Materials Laboratory 219 u,\\i’- Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratories 21310, WD Wright

Differintegration: The One Branch of Calculus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berry, Andrew J.

2007-01-01

How might one define a functional operator D[superscript I]f(x), say for f(x) = 1 + x[superscript 2] + sin x, such that D[superscript +1](1 + x[superscript 2] + sin x) = 2x + cos x and D[superscript -1](1 + x[superscript 2] + sin x) = x + x[superscript 3]/3 - cos x? Our task in this article is to describe such an operator using a single formula…

Shared processing in multiple object tracking and visual working memory in the absence of response order and task order confounds

PubMed Central

Howe, Piers D. L.

2017-01-01

To understand how the visual system represents multiple moving objects and how those representations contribute to tracking, it is essential that we understand how the processes of attention and working memory interact. In the work described here we present an investigation of that interaction via a series of tracking and working memory dual-task experiments. Previously, it has been argued that tracking is resistant to disruption by a concurrent working memory task and that any apparent disruption is in fact due to observers making a response to the working memory task, rather than due to competition for shared resources. Contrary to this, in our experiments we find that when task order and response order confounds are avoided, all participants show a similar decrease in both tracking and working memory performance. However, if task and response order confounds are not adequately controlled for we find substantial individual differences, which could explain the previous conflicting reports on this topic. Our results provide clear evidence that tracking and working memory tasks share processing resources. PMID:28410383

Shared processing in multiple object tracking and visual working memory in the absence of response order and task order confounds.

PubMed

Lapierre, Mark D; Cropper, Simon J; Howe, Piers D L

2017-01-01

To understand how the visual system represents multiple moving objects and how those representations contribute to tracking, it is essential that we understand how the processes of attention and working memory interact. In the work described here we present an investigation of that interaction via a series of tracking and working memory dual-task experiments. Previously, it has been argued that tracking is resistant to disruption by a concurrent working memory task and that any apparent disruption is in fact due to observers making a response to the working memory task, rather than due to competition for shared resources. Contrary to this, in our experiments we find that when task order and response order confounds are avoided, all participants show a similar decrease in both tracking and working memory performance. However, if task and response order confounds are not adequately controlled for we find substantial individual differences, which could explain the previous conflicting reports on this topic. Our results provide clear evidence that tracking and working memory tasks share processing resources.

Inverse problems in quantum chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karwowski, Jacek

Inverse problems constitute a branch of applied mathematics with well-developed methodology and formalism. A broad family of tasks met in theoretical physics, in civil and mechanical engineering, as well as in various branches of medical and biological sciences has been formulated as specific implementations of the general theory of inverse problems. In this article, it is pointed out that a number of approaches met in quantum chemistry can (and should) be classified as inverse problems. Consequently, the methodology used in these approaches may be enriched by applying ideas and theorems developed within the general field of inverse problems. Several examples, including the RKR method for the construction of potential energy curves, determining parameter values in semiempirical methods, and finding external potentials for which the pertinent Schrödinger equation is exactly solvable, are discussed in detail.

Some dipole shower studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cabouat, Baptiste; Sjöstrand, Torbjörn

2018-03-01

Parton showers have become a standard component in the description of high-energy collisions. Nowadays most final-state ones are of the dipole character, wherein a pair of partons branches into three, with energy and momentum preserved inside this subsystem. For initial-state showers a dipole picture is also possible and commonly used, but the older global-recoil strategy remains a valid alternative, wherein larger groups of partons share the energy-momentum preservation task. In this article we introduce and implement a dipole picture also for initial-state radiation in Pythia, and compare with the existing global-recoil one, and with data. For the case of Deeply Inelastic Scattering we can directly compare with matrix element expressions and show that the dipole picture gives a very good description over the whole phase space, at least for the first branching.

Gap Reversal at Filling Factors 3 +1 /3 and 3 +1 /5 : Towards Novel Topological Order in the Fractional Quantum Hall Regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kleinbaum, Ethan; Kumar, Ashwani; Pfeiffer, L. N.; West, K. W.; Csáthy, G. A.

2015-02-01

In the region of the second Landau level several theories predict fractional quantum Hall states with novel topological order. We report the opening of an energy gap at the filling factor ν =3 +1 /3 , firmly establishing the ground state as a fractional quantum Hall state. This and other odd-denominator states unexpectedly break particle-hole symmetry. Specifically, we find that the relative magnitudes of the energy gaps of the ν =3 +1 /3 and 3 +1 /5 states from the upper spin branch are reversed when compared to the ν =2 +1 /3 and 2 +1 /5 counterpart states in the lower spin branch. Our findings raise the possibility that at least one of the former states is of an unusual topological order.

Checkpoint repair for high-performance out-of-order execution machines

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

Hwu, W.M.W.; Patt, Y.N.

Out-or-order execution and branch prediction are two mechanisms that can be used profitably in the design of supercomputers to increase performance. Proper exception handling and branch prediction miss handling in an out-of-order execution machine to require some kind of repair mechanism which can restore the machine to a known previous state. In this paper the authors present a class of repair mechanisms using the concept of checkpointing. The authors derive several properties of checkpoint repair mechanisms. In addition, they provide algorithms for performing checkpoint repair that incur little overhead in time and modest cost in hardware, which also require nomore » additional complexity or time for use with write-back cache memory systems than they do with write-through cache memory systems, contrary to statements made by previous researchers.« less

The effects of nidopallium caudolaterale inactivation on serial-order behaviour in pigeons (Columba livia).

PubMed

Johnston, Melissa Jane; Clarkson, Andrew N; Gowing, Emma K; Scarf, Damian; Colombo, Mike

2018-06-06

Serial-order behaviour is the ability to complete a sequence of responses in a predetermined order to achieve a reward. In birds, serial-order behaviour is thought to be impaired by damage to the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL). In the current study, we examined the role of the NCL in serial-order behaviour by training pigeons on a 4-item serial-order task and a go/no-go discrimination task. Following training, pigeons were received infusions of 1μl of either tetrodotoxin (TTX) or saline. Saline infusions had no impact on serial-order behaviour whereas TTX infusions resulted in a significant decrease in performance. The serial-order impairments, however, were not the results of errors of any specific error at any specific list item. With respect to the go/no-go discrimination task, saline infusions also had no impact on performance whereas TTX infusions impaired pigeons' discrimination abilities. Given the impairments on the go/no-go discrimination task, which does not require processing of serial-order information, we tentatively conclude that damage to the NCL does not impair serial-order behaviour per se, but rather results in a more generalised impairment that may impact performance across a range of tasks.

Number comparison and number ordering as predictors of arithmetic performance in adults: Exploring the link between the two skills, and investigating the question of domain-specificity.

PubMed

Morsanyi, Kinga; O'Mahony, Eileen; McCormack, Teresa

2017-12-01

Recent evidence has highlighted the important role that number-ordering skills play in arithmetic abilities, both in children and adults. In the current study, we demonstrated that number comparison and ordering skills were both significantly related to arithmetic performance in adults, and the effect size was greater in the case of ordering skills. Additionally, we found that the effect of number comparison skills on arithmetic performance was mediated by number-ordering skills. Moreover, performance on comparison and ordering tasks involving the months of the year was also strongly correlated with arithmetic skills, and participants displayed similar (canonical or reverse) distance effects on the comparison and ordering tasks involving months as when the tasks included numbers. This suggests that the processes responsible for the link between comparison and ordering skills and arithmetic performance are not specific to the domain of numbers. Finally, a factor analysis indicated that performance on comparison and ordering tasks loaded on a factor that included performance on a number line task and self-reported spatial thinking styles. These results substantially extend previous research on the role of order processing abilities in mental arithmetic.

Segmentation of the Aortic Valve Apparatus in 3D Echocardiographic Images: Deformable Modeling of a Branching Medial Structure

PubMed Central

Pouch, Alison M.; Tian, Sijie; Takabe, Manabu; Wang, Hongzhi; Yuan, Jiefu; Cheung, Albert T.; Jackson, Benjamin M.; Gorman, Joseph H.; Gorman, Robert C.; Yushkevich, Paul A.

2015-01-01

3D echocardiographic (3DE) imaging is a useful tool for assessing the complex geometry of the aortic valve apparatus. Segmentation of this structure in 3DE images is a challenging task that benefits from shape-guided deformable modeling methods, which enable inter-subject statistical shape comparison. Prior work demonstrates the efficacy of using continuous medial representation (cm-rep) as a shape descriptor for valve leaflets. However, its application to the entire aortic valve apparatus is limited since the structure has a branching medial geometry that cannot be explicitly parameterized in the original cm-rep framework. In this work, we show that the aortic valve apparatus can be accurately segmented using a new branching medial modeling paradigm. The segmentation method achieves a mean boundary displacement of 0.6 ± 0.1 mm (approximately one voxel) relative to manual segmentation on 11 3DE images of normal open aortic valves. This study demonstrates a promising approach for quantitative 3DE analysis of aortic valve morphology. PMID:26247062

Feature selection for the classification of traced neurons.

PubMed

López-Cabrera, José D; Lorenzo-Ginori, Juan V

2018-06-01

The great availability of computational tools to calculate the properties of traced neurons leads to the existence of many descriptors which allow the automated classification of neurons from these reconstructions. This situation determines the necessity to eliminate irrelevant features as well as making a selection of the most appropriate among them, in order to improve the quality of the classification obtained. The dataset used contains a total of 318 traced neurons, classified by human experts in 192 GABAergic interneurons and 126 pyramidal cells. The features were extracted by means of the L-measure software, which is one of the most used computational tools in neuroinformatics to quantify traced neurons. We review some current feature selection techniques as filter, wrapper, embedded and ensemble methods. The stability of the feature selection methods was measured. For the ensemble methods, several aggregation methods based on different metrics were applied to combine the subsets obtained during the feature selection process. The subsets obtained applying feature selection methods were evaluated using supervised classifiers, among which Random Forest, C4.5, SVM, Naïve Bayes, Knn, Decision Table and the Logistic classifier were used as classification algorithms. Feature selection methods of types filter, embedded, wrappers and ensembles were compared and the subsets returned were tested in classification tasks for different classification algorithms. L-measure features EucDistanceSD, PathDistanceSD, Branch_pathlengthAve, Branch_pathlengthSD and EucDistanceAve were present in more than 60% of the selected subsets which provides evidence about their importance in the classification of this neurons. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Encoding order and developmental dyslexia: A family of skills predicting different orthographic components

PubMed Central

Romani, Cristina; Tsouknida, Effie; Olson, Andrew

2015-01-01

We investigated order encoding in developmental dyslexia using a task that presented nonalphanumeric visual characters either simultaneously or sequentially—to tap spatial and temporal order encoding, respectively—and asked participants to reproduce their order. Dyslexic participants performed poorly in the sequential condition, but normally in the simultaneous condition, except for positions most susceptible to interference. These results are novel in demonstrating a selective difficulty with temporal order encoding in a dyslexic group. We also tested the associations between our order reconstruction tasks and: (a) lexical learning and phonological tasks; and (b) different reading and spelling tasks. Correlations were extensive when the whole group of participants was considered together. When dyslexics and controls were considered separately, different patterns of association emerged between orthographic tasks on the one side and tasks tapping order encoding, phonological processing, and written learning on the other. These results indicate that different skills support different aspects of orthographic processing and are impaired to different degrees in individuals with dyslexia. Therefore, developmental dyslexia is not caused by a single impairment, but by a family of deficits loosely related to difficulties with order. Understanding the contribution of these different deficits will be crucial to deepen our understanding of this disorder. PMID:25246235

48 CFR 316.505 - Ordering.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Indefinite-Delivery Contracts 316.505 Ordering. (b)(5) The HHS task-order and delivery-order ombudsman is the Director, Strategic Acquisition Service, PSC. The task-order and... of Performance Accountability, Resources and Technology ASPR/OAMCG: Chief of Acquisition Policy CDC...

3 CFR 13523 - Executive Order 13523 of December 11, 2009. Half-Day Closing of Executive Departments and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. All executive branch departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and...

pH regulation of mitochondrial branch chain alpha-keto acid transport and oxidation in rat heart mitochondria.

PubMed

Hutson, S M

1987-07-15

The kinetics of branched chain alpha-keto acid uptake and efflux were studied as a function of varied external and matrix pH. Matrix pH was determined by the distribution of 5,5'-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione. When rat heart mitochondria were incubated under transport conditions at pH 7.0 with succinate as respiratory substrate, the matrix pH was significantly greater than 8.0. Matrix pH remained greater than or equal to 8.0 when the medium pH was varied from 6.3 to 8.3, and it was lowered below 8.0 by addition of 5 mM phosphate or uncoupler. No pH gradient was detectable when mitochondria were incubated in the presence of valinomycin and uncoupler. Efflux of alpha-ketoisocaproate or alpha-ketoisovalerate from rat heart mitochondria obeyed first order kinetics. Varying the external pH from 6.6 to 8.3 had no significant effect on efflux, and at an external pH of 7.0, the first order rate constant for efflux was not affected by decreasing the matrix pH. On the other hand, exchange was sensitive to changes in medium but not matrix pH. The K0.5 for external branched chain alpha-keto acid was lowered by changing the medium pH from 7.6 to 6.3. At medium pH values greater than or equal to 8.0 both K0.5 and Vmax were affected. Uptake was determined either by measuring initial rates or was calculated after measuring the first order approach to a final equilibrium value. Unlike efflux, uptake was sensitive to changes in both external and matrix pH. The rate of branched chain alpha-keto acid uptake was stimulated by decreasing the medium pH from 8.3 to 6.3 and by alkalinization of the mitochondrial matrix. The estimated external pK for proton binding was 6.9. The data indicate that the branched chain alpha-keto acid transporter is asymmetric, that is, binding sites for substrate on the inside and outside of the mitochondrial membrane are not identical. alpha-Ketoisocaproate oxidation was measured at 37 degrees C in isolated mitochondria over the pH range of 6.6 to 8.1. Changes in the rate of branched chain alpha-keto acid oxidation, particularly when ATP was added (increase delta pH), were found to parallel the pH effects observed on branched chain alpha-keto acid uptake. Therefore, transport, and by implication oxidation, can be regulated by pH changes within the physiological range. Furthermore, intracellular pH may affect the degree of compartmentation between the cytosolic and mitochondrial branched chain alpha-keto acid pools.

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

Aranda, J. I.; Ramirez-Zavaleta, F.; Tututi, E. S.

The Higgs-mediated flavor violating bottom-strange quarks transitions induced at the one-loop level by a nondiagonal Hbs coupling are studied within the context of an effective Yukawa sector that comprises SU{sub L}(2)xU{sub Y}(1)-invariant operators of up to dimension six. The most recent experimental result on B{yields}X{sub s{gamma}} with hard photons is employed to constrain the Hbs vertex, which is used to estimate the branching ratio for the B{sub s{yields}{gamma}{gamma}} decay. It is found that the B{sub s{yields}{gamma}{gamma}} decay can reach a branching ratio of the order of 4x10{sup -8}, which is 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the current experimental limit.

The morphogenesis of feathers.

PubMed

Yu, Mingke; Wu, Ping; Widelitz, Randall B; Chuong, Cheng-Ming

2002-11-21

Feathers are highly ordered, hierarchical branched structures that confer birds with the ability of flight. Discoveries of fossilized dinosaurs in China bearing 'feather-like' structures have prompted interest in the origin and evolution of feathers. However, there is uncertainty about whether the irregularly branched integumentary fibres on dinosaurs such as Sinornithosaurus are truly feathers, and whether an integumentary appendage with a major central shaft and notched edges is a non-avian feather or a proto-feather. Here, we use a developmental approach to analyse molecular mechanisms in feather-branching morphogenesis. We have used the replication-competent avian sarcoma retrovirus to deliver exogenous genes to regenerating flight feather follicles of chickens. We show that the antagonistic balance between noggin and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) has a critical role in feather branching, with BMP4 promoting rachis formation and barb fusion, and noggin enhancing rachis and barb branching. Furthermore, we show that sonic hedgehog (Shh) is essential for inducing apoptosis of the marginal plate epithelia, which results in spaces between barbs. Our analyses identify the molecular pathways underlying the topological transformation of feathers from cylindrical epithelia to the hierarchical branched structures, and provide insights on the possible developmental mechanisms in the evolution of feather forms.

Comparison of lawsone contents among Lawsonia inermis plant parts and neurite outgrowth accelerators from branches.

PubMed

Oda, Yoshimi; Nakashima, Souichi; Kondo, Erina; Nakamura, Seikou; Yano, Mamiko; Kubota, Chisa; Masumoto, Yusuke; Hirao, Minami; Ogawa, Yuki; Matsuda, Hisashi

2018-05-17

Lawsonia inermis L. (Lythraceae) is cultivated in many countries, including Japan, China, India and Egypt. Its leaves are well known as hair dye and exhibit antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal and anticonvulsant activities. However, there are few reports on its branches. 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (lawsone) is a characteristic compound in its leaves. However, it remains to be clarified whether lawsone is present in other plant parts or not. In this study, we measured lawsone contents in the extracts of L. inermis flowers, leaves and branches by HPLC with tandem mass spectrometry. The extracts of L. inermis flowers, leaves and branches contained 116.9, 486.2 and 5.4 μg/g lawsone, respectively. Lawsone content was much lower in branches than the other plant parts. Next, in order to identify the biological constituents in the branches, we isolated nine known compounds and examined their effects on neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Among the constituents isolated, 2-[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-propane-1,3-diol (1) and quercetin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8) showed accelerative effects on neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.

Production of branched-chain alcohols by recombinant Ralstonia eutropha in fed-batch cultivation

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

Fei, Q; Brigham, CJ; Lu, JN

Branched-chain alcohols are considered promising green energy sources due to their compatibility with existing infrastructure and their high energy density. We utilized a strain of Ralstonia eutropha capable of producing branched-chain alcohols and examined its production in flask cultures. In order to increase isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol (isoamyl alcohol) productivity in the engineered strain, batch, fed-batch, and two-stage fed-batch cultures were carried out in this work. The effects of nitrogen source concentration on branched-chain alcohol production were investigated under four different initial concentrations in fermenters. A maximum 380 g m(-3) of branched-chain alcohol production was observed with 2 kg m(-3) initialmore » NH4Cl concentration in batch cultures. A pH-stat control strategy was utilized to investigate the optimum carbon source amount fed during fed-batch cultures for higher cell density. In cultures of R. eutropha strains that did not produce polyhydroxyalkanoate or branched-chain alcohols, a maximum cell dry weight of 36 kg m(-3) was observed using a fed-batch strategy, when 10 kg m(-3) carbon source was fed into culture medium. Finally, a total branched-chain alcohol titer of 790 g m(-3), the highest branched-chain alcohol yield of 0.03 g g(-1), and the maximum branched-chain alcohol productivity of 8.23 g m(-3) h(-1) were obtained from the engineered strain Re2410/pJL26 in a two-stage fed-batch culture system with pH-stat control. Isobutanol made up over 95% (mass fraction) of the total branched-chain alcohols titer produced in this study. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.« less

Root anatomy, morphology, and longevity among root orders in Vaccinium corymbosum (Ericaceae).

PubMed

Valenzuela-Estrada, Luis R; Vera-Caraballo, Vivianette; Ruth, Leah E; Eissenstat, David M

2008-12-01

Understanding root processes at the whole-plant or ecosystem scales requires an accounting of the range of functions within a root system. Studying root traits based on their branching order can be a powerful approach to understanding this complex system. The current study examined the highly branched root system of the ericoid plant, Vaccinium corymbosum L. (highbush blueberry) by classifying its root orders with a modified version of the morphometric approach similar to that used in hydrology for stream classification. Root anatomy provided valuable insight into variation in root function across orders. The more permanent portion of the root system occurred in 4th- and higher-order roots. Roots in these orders had radial growth; the lowest specific root length, N:C ratios, and mycorrhizal colonization; the highest tissue density and vessel number; and the coarsest root diameter. The ephemeral portion of the root system was mainly in the first three root orders. First- and 2nd-order roots were nearly anatomically identical, with similar mycorrhizal colonization and diameter, and also, despite being extremely fine, median lifespans were not very short (115-120 d; estimated with minirhizotrons). Our research underscores the value of examining root traits by root order and its implications to understanding belowground processes.

ISS Operations Cost Reductions Through Automation of Real-Time Planning Tasks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Timothy A.; Clancey, William J.; McDonald, Aaron; Toschlog, Jason; Tucker, Tyson; Khan, Ahmed; Madrid, Steven (Eric)

2011-01-01

In 2007 the Johnson Space Center s Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) management team challenged their organizations to find ways to reduce the cost of operations for supporting the International Space Station (ISS) in the Mission Control Center (MCC). Each MOD organization was asked to define and execute projects that would help them attain cost reductions by 2012. The MOD Operations Division Flight Planning Branch responded to this challenge by launching several software automation projects that would allow them to greatly improve console operations and reduce ISS console staffing and intern reduce operating costs. These tasks ranged from improving the management and integration mission plan changes, to automating the uploading and downloading of information to and from the ISS and the associated ground complex tasks that required multiple decision points. The software solutions leveraged several different technologies including customized web applications and implementation of industry standard web services architecture; as well as engaging a previously TRL 4-5 technology developed by Ames Research Center (ARC) that utilized an intelligent agent-based system to manage and automate file traffic flow, archive data, and generate console logs. These projects to date have allowed the MOD Operations organization to remove one full time (7 x 24 x 365) ISS console position in 2010; with the goal of eliminating a second full time ISS console support position by 2012. The team will also reduce one long range planning console position by 2014. When complete, these Flight Planning Branch projects will account for the elimination of 3 console positions and a reduction in staffing of 11 engineering personnel (EP) for ISS.

On-the-fly scheduling as a manifestation of partial-order planning and dynamic task values.

PubMed

Hannah, Samuel D; Neal, Andrew

2014-09-01

The aim of this study was to develop a computational account of the spontaneous task ordering that occurs within jobs as work unfolds ("on-the-fly task scheduling"). Air traffic control is an example of work in which operators have to schedule their tasks as a partially predictable work flow emerges. To date, little attention has been paid to such on-the-fly scheduling situations. We present a series of discrete-event models fit to conflict resolution decision data collected from experienced controllers operating in a high-fidelity simulation. Our simulations reveal air traffic controllers' scheduling decisions as examples of the partial-order planning approach of Hayes-Roth and Hayes-Roth. The most successful model uses opportunistic first-come-first-served scheduling to select tasks from a queue. Tasks with short deadlines are executed immediately. Tasks with long deadlines are evaluated to assess whether they need to be executed immediately or deferred. On-the-fly task scheduling is computationally tractable despite its surface complexity and understandable as an example of both the partial-order planning strategy and the dynamic-value approach to prioritization.

Fundamental Flame Velocities of Pure Hydrocarbons I : Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes Benzene, and Cyclohexane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerstein, Melvin; Levine, Oscar; Wong, Edgar L

1950-01-01

The flame velocities of 37 pure hydrocarbons including normal and branched alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes; as well as benzene and cyclohexane, together with the experimental technique employed are presented. The normal alkanes have about the same flame velocity from ethane through heptane with methane being about 16 percent lower. Unsaturation increases the flame velocity in the order of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Branching reduces the flame velocity.

Effort in Multitasking: Local and Global Assessment of Effort.

PubMed

Kiesel, Andrea; Dignath, David

2017-01-01

When performing multiple tasks in succession, self-organization of task order might be superior compared to external-controlled task schedules, because self-organization allows optimizing processing modes and thus reduces switch costs, and it increases commitment to task goals. However, self-organization is an additional executive control process that is not required if task order is externally specified and as such it is considered as time-consuming and effortful. To compare self-organized and externally controlled task scheduling, we suggest assessing global subjective and objectives measures of effort in addition to local performance measures. In our new experimental approach, we combined characteristics of dual tasking settings and task switching settings and compared local and global measures of effort in a condition with free choice of task sequence and a condition with cued task sequence. In a multi-tasking environment, participants chose the task order while the task requirement of the not-yet-performed task remained the same. This task preview allowed participants to work on the previously non-chosen items in parallel and resulted in faster responses and fewer errors in task switch trials than in task repetition trials. The free-choice group profited more from this task preview than the cued group when considering local performance measures. Nevertheless, the free-choice group invested more effort than the cued group when considering global measures. Thus, self-organization in task scheduling seems to be effortful even in conditions in which it is beneficiary for task processing. In a second experiment, we reduced the possibility of task preview for the not-yet-performed tasks in order to hinder efficient self-organization. Here neither local nor global measures revealed substantial differences between the free-choice and a cued task sequence condition. Based on the results of both experiments, we suggest that global assessment of effort in addition to local performance measures might be a useful tool for multitasking research.

Communication with U.S. federal decision makers : a primer with notes on the use of computer models as a means of communication.

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

Webb, Erik Karl; Tidwell, Vincent Carroll

2009-10-01

This document outlines ways to more effectively communicate with U.S. Federal decision makers by outlining the structure, authority, and motivations of various Federal groups, how to find the trusted advisors, and how to structure communication. All three branches of Federal governments have decision makers engaged in resolving major policy issues. The Legislative Branch (Congress) negotiates the authority and the resources that can be used by the Executive Branch. The Executive Branch has some latitude in implementation and prioritizing resources. The Judicial Branch resolves disputes. The goal of all decision makers is to choose and implement the option that best fitsmore » the needs and wants of the community. However, understanding the risk of technical, political and/or financial infeasibility and possible unintended consequences is extremely difficult. Primarily, decision makers are supported in their deliberations by trusted advisors who engage in the analysis of options as well as the day-to-day tasks associated with multi-party negotiations. In the best case, the trusted advisors use many sources of information to inform the process including the opinion of experts and if possible predictive analysis from which they can evaluate the projected consequences of their decisions. The paper covers the following: (1) Understanding Executive and Legislative decision makers - What can these decision makers do? (2) Finding the target audience - Who are the internal and external trusted advisors? (3) Packaging the message - How do we parse and integrate information, and how do we use computer simulation or models in policy communication?« less

Study of Bc→ψ (2 S )K , ηc(2 S )K , ψ (3770 )K decays with perturbative QCD approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Feng-Bo; Yu, Xian-Qiao

2018-05-01

We study the Bc→ψ (2 S ) K , ηc(2 S ) K , ψ (3770 ) K decays with perturbative QCD approach based on kT factorization. The new orbitally excited charmonium distribution amplitudes ψ (1 3D1) based on the Schrödinger wave function of the n =1 , l =2 state for the harmonic-oscillator potential are employed. By using the corresponding distribution amplitudes, we calculate the branching ratio of Bc→ψ (2 S ) K , ηc(2 S ) K , ψ (3770 ) K decays and the form factors A0 ,1 ,2 and V for the transition Bc→ψ (1 3D1) . We obtain the branching ratio of both Bc→ψ (2 S ) K and Bc→ηc(2 S ) K are at the order of 10-5. The effects of two sets of the S-D mixing angle θ =-1 2 ° and θ =2 7 ° for the decay Bc→ψ (3770 ) K are studied first in this paper. Our calculations show that the branching ratio of the decay Bc→ψ (3770 ) K can be raised from the order of 10-6 to the order of 10-5 at the mixing angle θ =-1 2 ° , which can be tested by the running LHC-b experiments.

Six-Year Nitrogen-Water Interaction Shifts the Frequency Distribution and Size Inequality of the First-Order Roots of Fraxinus mandschurica in a Mixed Mature Pinus koraiensis Forest.

PubMed

Wang, Cunguo; Geng, Zhenzhen; Chen, Zhao; Li, Jiandong; Guo, Wei; Zhao, Tian-Hong; Cao, Ying; Shen, Si; Jin, Daming; Li, Mai-He

2017-01-01

The variation in fine root traits in terms of size inequality at the individual root level can be identified as a strategy for adapting to the drastic changes in soil water and nutrient availabilities. The Gini and Lorenz asymmetry coefficients have been applied to describe the overall degree of size inequality, which, however, are neglected when conventional statistical means are calculated. Here, we used the Gini coefficient, Lorenz asymmetry coefficient and statistical mean in an investigation of Fraxinus mandschurica roots in a mixed mature Pinus koraiensis forest on Changbai Mountain, China. We analyzed 967 individual roots to determine the responses of length, diameter and area of the first-order roots and of branching intensity to 6 years of nitrogen addition (N), rainfall reduction (W) and their combination (NW). We found that first-order roots had a significantly greater average length and area but had smaller Gini coefficients in NW plots compared to in control plots (CK). Furthermore, the relationship between first-order root length and branching intensity was negative in CK, N, and W plots but positive in NW plots. The Lorenz asymmetry coefficient was >1 for the first-order root diameter in NW and W plots as well as for branching intensity in N plots. The bimodal frequency distribution of the first-order root length in NW plots differed clearly from the unimodal one in CK, N, and W plots. These results demonstrate that not only the mean but also the variation and the distribution mode of the first-order roots of F. mandschurica respond to soil nitrogen and water availability. The changes in size inequality of the first-order root traits suggest that Gini and Lorenz asymmetry coefficients can serve as informative parameters in ecological investigations of roots to improve our ability to predict how trees will respond to a changing climate at the individual root level.

Six-Year Nitrogen–Water Interaction Shifts the Frequency Distribution and Size Inequality of the First-Order Roots of Fraxinus mandschurica in a Mixed Mature Pinus koraiensis Forest

PubMed Central

Wang, Cunguo; Geng, Zhenzhen; Chen, Zhao; Li, Jiandong; Guo, Wei; Zhao, Tian-Hong; Cao, Ying; Shen, Si; Jin, Daming; Li, Mai-He

2017-01-01

The variation in fine root traits in terms of size inequality at the individual root level can be identified as a strategy for adapting to the drastic changes in soil water and nutrient availabilities. The Gini and Lorenz asymmetry coefficients have been applied to describe the overall degree of size inequality, which, however, are neglected when conventional statistical means are calculated. Here, we used the Gini coefficient, Lorenz asymmetry coefficient and statistical mean in an investigation of Fraxinus mandschurica roots in a mixed mature Pinus koraiensis forest on Changbai Mountain, China. We analyzed 967 individual roots to determine the responses of length, diameter and area of the first-order roots and of branching intensity to 6 years of nitrogen addition (N), rainfall reduction (W) and their combination (NW). We found that first-order roots had a significantly greater average length and area but had smaller Gini coefficients in NW plots compared to in control plots (CK). Furthermore, the relationship between first-order root length and branching intensity was negative in CK, N, and W plots but positive in NW plots. The Lorenz asymmetry coefficient was >1 for the first-order root diameter in NW and W plots as well as for branching intensity in N plots. The bimodal frequency distribution of the first-order root length in NW plots differed clearly from the unimodal one in CK, N, and W plots. These results demonstrate that not only the mean but also the variation and the distribution mode of the first-order roots of F. mandschurica respond to soil nitrogen and water availability. The changes in size inequality of the first-order root traits suggest that Gini and Lorenz asymmetry coefficients can serve as informative parameters in ecological investigations of roots to improve our ability to predict how trees will respond to a changing climate at the individual root level. PMID:29018474

Status and first results of BNL experiment 777: A search for K/sup +/. -->. pi. /sup +/. mu. /sup +/e/sup -/ and a study of K/sup +/. -->. mu. /sup +/e/sup +/e/sup -/

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

Baker, N.J.; Gordon, H.A.; Lazarus, D.M.

1987-10-01

Results of our search for short lived neutral particles emitted in K/sup +/ decay are given. We also seek to make an accurate measurement of the branching ratio for ..pi../sup 0/ ..-->.. e/sup +/e/sup -/ by looking for the decay chain K/sup +/ ..-->.. ..pi../sup +/..pi../sup 0/, ..pi../sup 0/ ..-->.. e/sup +/e/sup -/. The world average branching ratio for this decay is (1.8 +- 0.7) x 10/sup -7/ based on about 30 events from two experiments. Theory predicts that this branching ratio should be of order 6 x 10/sup -8/. If the branching ratio remains at the 2 x 10/supmore » -7/ level when measured with smaller errors, this could be an indication of new physics. 24 refs., 7 figs.« less

Fuzzy branching temporal logic.

PubMed

Moon, Seong-ick; Lee, Kwang H; Lee, Doheon

2004-04-01

Intelligent systems require a systematic way to represent and handle temporal information containing uncertainty. In particular, a logical framework is needed that can represent uncertain temporal information and its relationships with logical formulae. Fuzzy linear temporal logic (FLTL), a generalization of propositional linear temporal logic (PLTL) with fuzzy temporal events and fuzzy temporal states defined on a linear time model, was previously proposed for this purpose. However, many systems are best represented by branching time models in which each state can have more than one possible future path. In this paper, fuzzy branching temporal logic (FBTL) is proposed to address this problem. FBTL adopts and generalizes concurrent tree logic (CTL*), which is a classical branching temporal logic. The temporal model of FBTL is capable of representing fuzzy temporal events and fuzzy temporal states, and the order relation among them is represented as a directed graph. The utility of FBTL is demonstrated using a fuzzy job shop scheduling problem as an example.

Precipitation Recycling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eltahir, Elfatih A. B.; Bras, Rafael L.

1996-01-01

The water cycle regulates and reflects natural variability in climate at the regional and global scales. Large-scale human activities that involve changes in land cover, such as tropical deforestation, are likely to modify climate through changes in the water cycle. In order to understand, and hopefully be able to predict, the extent of these potential global and regional changes, we need first to understand how the water cycle works. In the past, most of the research in hydrology focused on the land branch of the water cycle, with little attention given to the atmospheric branch. The study of precipitation recycling which is defined as the contribution of local evaporation to local precipitation, aims at understanding hydrologic processes in the atmospheric branch of the water cycle. Simply stated, any study on precipitation recycling is about how the atmospheric branch of the water cycle works, namely, what happens to water vapor molecules after they evaporate from the surface, and where will they precipitate?

Model-based branching point detection in single-cell data by K-branches clustering

PubMed Central

Chlis, Nikolaos K.; Wolf, F. Alexander; Theis, Fabian J.

2017-01-01

Abstract Motivation The identification of heterogeneities in cell populations by utilizing single-cell technologies such as single-cell RNA-Seq, enables inference of cellular development and lineage trees. Several methods have been proposed for such inference from high-dimensional single-cell data. They typically assign each cell to a branch in a differentiation trajectory. However, they commonly assume specific geometries such as tree-like developmental hierarchies and lack statistically sound methods to decide on the number of branching events. Results We present K-Branches, a solution to the above problem by locally fitting half-lines to single-cell data, introducing a clustering algorithm similar to K-Means. These halflines are proxies for branches in the differentiation trajectory of cells. We propose a modified version of the GAP statistic for model selection, in order to decide on the number of lines that best describe the data locally. In this manner, we identify the location and number of subgroups of cells that are associated with branching events and full differentiation, respectively. We evaluate the performance of our method on single-cell RNA-Seq data describing the differentiation of myeloid progenitors during hematopoiesis, single-cell qPCR data of mouse blastocyst development, single-cell qPCR data of human myeloid monocytic leukemia and artificial data. Availability and implementation An R implementation of K-Branches is freely available at https://github.com/theislab/kbranches. Contact fabian.theis@helmholtz-muenchen.de Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:28582478

Synthesis of branched iminosugars through a hypervalent iodine(III)-mediated radical-polar crossover reaction.

PubMed

Santana, Andrés G; Paz, Nieves R; Francisco, Cosme G; Suárez, Ernesto; González, Concepción C

2013-08-02

The synthesis of a novel type of branched iminosugars is described. This synthetic strategy is based on two key reactions: first, an aldol reaction with formaldehyde in order to introduce selectively the hydroxymethyl branch, and second, a tandem β-fragmentation-intramolecular cyclization reaction. The combination of both reactions afforded a battery of compounds exhibiting a great structural complexity, with the concomitant formation of a quaternary center, starting from readily available aldoses. With this approach we have demonstrated the usefulness of the fragmentation of anomeric alkoxyl radicals (ARF) promoted by the PhIO/I2 system for the preparation of new compounds with potential interest for both medicinal and synthetic chemists.

Synthesis and photoelectrochemical properties of a novel CuO/ZnO nanorod photocathode for solar hydrogen generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaislamov, Ulugbek; Lee, Heon-Ju

2016-10-01

Here, we present a facile synthesis method and photoelectrochemical characterizations of a p-type CuO-nanorod array photoelectrode with ZnO nanorod branches. Vertically-aligned CuO nanorods were synthesized by using direct oxidation of metallic Cu nanorods grown on a Cu substrate by using a facile template-assisted electrodeposition method. The formed CuONR/ZnONB hierarchically-structured photoelectrode exhibited remarkable photoelectrodechemical performance and outstanding stability compared to the CuO NR photoelectrode without ZnO NR branches. Morphological, optical and electrochemical characterizations were carried out in order to examine the effects of ZnO nanorod branches on the stability and the overall electrochemical performance of the electrode.

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

Strauss, K; Nachabe, R; Racadio, J

Purpose: To define an alternative to antiscatter grid (ASG) removal in angiographic systems which achieves similar patient dose reduction as ASG removal without degrading image quality during pediatric imaging. Methods: This study was approved by the local institution animal care and use committee (IACUC). Six different digital subtraction angiography settings were evaluated that altered the mAs, (100, 70, 50, 35, 25, 17.5% of reference mAs) with and without ASG. Three pigs of 5, 15, and 20 kg (9, 15, and 17 cm abdominal thickness; smaller than a newborn, average 3 yr old, and average 10 year old human abdomen respectively)more » were imaged using the six dose settings with and without ASG. Image quality was defined as the order of vessel branch that is visible relative to the injected vessel. Five interventional radiologists evaluated all images. Image quality and patient dose were statistically compared using analysis of variance and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis to define the preferred dose level and use of ASG for a minimum visibility of 2nd or 3rd order branches of vessel visibility. Results: ASG grid removal reduces dose by 26% with reduced image quality. Only with the ASG present can 3rd order branches be visualized; 100% mAs is required for 9 cm pig while 70% mAs is adequate for the larger pigs. 2nd order branches can be visualized with ASG at 17.5% mAs for all three pig sizes. Without the ASG, 50%, 35% and 35% mAs is required for smallest to largest pig. Conclusion: Removing ASG reduces patient dose and image quality. Image quality can be improved with the ASG present while further reducing patient dose if an optimized radiographic technique is used. Rami Nachabe is an employee of Philips Health Care; Keith Strauss is a paid consultant of Philips Health Care.« less

Propulsion Controls and Diagnostics Research in Support of NASA Aeronautics and Exploration Mission Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2011-01-01

The Controls and Dynamics Branch (CDB) at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced propulsion controls and diagnostics technologies that will help meet the challenging goals of NASA programs under the Aeronautics Research and Exploration Systems Missions. This paper provides a brief overview of the various CDB tasks in support of the NASA programs. The programmatic structure of the CDB activities is described along with a brief overview of each of the CDB tasks including research objectives, technical challenges, and recent accomplishments. These tasks include active control of propulsion system components, intelligent propulsion diagnostics and control for reliable fault identification and accommodation, distributed engine control, and investigations into unsteady propulsion systems.

Task Force on Emergency Evacuation of Transport Airplanes. Volume 2. Supporting Documentation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-07-01

P.O. Box 604 Trinidaa, West Indies Rick Cremer Acting Manager, Frederic Diamond Air Carrier Branch President Federal Aviation Apeiron Technology...Lynch Transport Canada Further, to insure the availability of trained personnel to provide leadership in the event of an accident of an aircraft having...66-26A. -3- conmmendably in achieving evacuations within reasonable times while providingy calm ana etfective leadership , It was found that escape

Joining of Gamma Titanium Aluminides

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-09-01

AFRL-ML-WP-TR-2003-4036 JOINING OF GAMMA TITANIUM ALUMINIDES LTC William A. Baeslack, III Metals Branch (AFRL/MLLM) Metals, Ceramics, and...GAMMA TITANIUM ALUMINIDES 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 62102F 5d. PROJECT NUMBER MO2R 5e. TASK NUMBER 10 6. AUTHOR(S) LTC William A...comparatively discusses the results of research and development performed on the joining of gamma titanium aluminides during the past two decades. Although

Transonic Fan/Compressor Rotor Design Study. Volume 5

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-01

Fan Aircraft Engines Compressor Blade Thickness Rotor Camber Distribution Aerodesign Throat Margin Aerodynamics 20. ABStTRACT (Continue n reverse...Technology Branch FOR THE COMNANDER H. IV N BUS Director, Turbine Engine Division A If your address has changed, if you wish to be removed from our...ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT. TASK General Electric Ctmpany AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS Aircraft Engine Business Group Project 2307

OPERATION CASTLE. Radiological Safety. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-09-01

OPERATION CASTLE Radiological Safety Final Report Volume I Headquarters Joint Task Force Seven Technical Branch, J-3 Division Washington, DC...Spring 1954 EXTRACTED VERSION DTIC -uECTE MAR031986 NOTICE: This is an extract of Operation CASTLE, Radiological Safety, Final Report, Volume I ...SYMBOL (If jpQiictbl») ■ i PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 8c AOORESS (G(y, SU(t tncl ZIRCod») 10 SOURCE OF FUNDING NUMBERS PROGRAM

Talent Retention of the Air Force Officer Corps A Leader’s Role

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-16

skills. Take for example child prodigy Wolfgang Mozart who learned to play the piano at age four, began composing music at five, and wrote his...Task Force J4 (Afghanistan), Desk Officer (Philippines) and Air Movements Officer (Afghanistan), Branch Chief, Executive Officer, Flight Commander...expand the ability of commanders to deliberately develop their most capable officers. Lastly, the service needs to focus promotion on capabilities of

Doppler Lidar System Design via Interdisciplinary Design Concept at NASA Langley Research Center - Part I

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyer, Charles M.; Jackson, Trevor P.; Beyon, Jeffrey Y.; Petway, Larry B.

2013-01-01

Optimized designs of the Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL) instrument for Autonomous Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) were accomplished via Interdisciplinary Design Concept (IDEC) at NASA Langley Research Center during the summer of 2013. Three branches in the Engineering Directorate and three students were involved in this joint task through the NASA Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars (LARSS) Program. The Laser Remote Sensing Branch (LRSB), Mechanical Systems Branch (MSB), and Structural and Thermal Systems Branch (STSB) were engaged to achieve optimal designs through iterative and interactive collaborative design processes. A preliminary design iteration was able to reduce the power consumption, mass, and footprint by removing redundant components and replacing inefficient components with more efficient ones. A second design iteration reduced volume and mass by replacing bulky components with excessive performance with smaller components custom-designed for the power system. Mechanical placement collaboration reduced potential electromagnetic interference (EMI). Through application of newly selected electrical components and thermal analysis data, a total electronic chassis redesign was accomplished. Use of an innovative forced convection tunnel heat sink was employed to meet and exceed project requirements for cooling, mass reduction, and volume reduction. Functionality was a key concern to make efficient use of airflow, and accessibility was also imperative to allow for servicing of chassis internals. The collaborative process provided for accelerated design maturation with substantiated function.

Self assembled linear polymeric chains with tuneable semiflexibility using isotropic interactions.

PubMed

Abraham, Alex; Chatterji, Apratim

2018-04-21

We propose a two-body spherically symmetric (isotropic) potential such that particles interacting by the potential self-assemble into linear semiflexible polymeric chains without branching. By suitable control of the potential parameters, we can control the persistence length of the polymer and can even introduce a controlled number of branches. Thus we show how to achieve effective directional interactions starting from spherically symmetric potentials. The self-assembled polymers have an exponential distribution of chain lengths akin to what is observed for worm-like micellar systems. On increasing particle density, the polymeric chains self-organize to an ordered line-hexagonal phase where every chain is surrounded by six parallel chains, the transition is first order. On further increase in monomer density, the order is destroyed and we get a branched gel-like phase. This potential can be used to model semi-flexible equilibrium polymers with tunable semiflexibility and excluded volume. The use of the potential is computationally cheap and hence can be used to simulate and probe equilibrium polymer dynamics with long chains. The potential also gives a plausible method of tuning colloidal interactions in experiments such that one can obtain self-assembling polymeric chains made up of colloids and probe polymer dynamics using an optical microscope. Furthermore, we show how a modified potential leads to the observation of an intermediate nematic phase of self-assembled chains in between the low density disordered phase and the line-ordered hexagonal phase.

Self assembled linear polymeric chains with tuneable semiflexibility using isotropic interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abraham, Alex; Chatterji, Apratim

2018-04-01

We propose a two-body spherically symmetric (isotropic) potential such that particles interacting by the potential self-assemble into linear semiflexible polymeric chains without branching. By suitable control of the potential parameters, we can control the persistence length of the polymer and can even introduce a controlled number of branches. Thus we show how to achieve effective directional interactions starting from spherically symmetric potentials. The self-assembled polymers have an exponential distribution of chain lengths akin to what is observed for worm-like micellar systems. On increasing particle density, the polymeric chains self-organize to an ordered line-hexagonal phase where every chain is surrounded by six parallel chains, the transition is first order. On further increase in monomer density, the order is destroyed and we get a branched gel-like phase. This potential can be used to model semi-flexible equilibrium polymers with tunable semiflexibility and excluded volume. The use of the potential is computationally cheap and hence can be used to simulate and probe equilibrium polymer dynamics with long chains. The potential also gives a plausible method of tuning colloidal interactions in experiments such that one can obtain self-assembling polymeric chains made up of colloids and probe polymer dynamics using an optical microscope. Furthermore, we show how a modified potential leads to the observation of an intermediate nematic phase of self-assembled chains in between the low density disordered phase and the line-ordered hexagonal phase.

48 CFR 204.7005 - Assignment of order codes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Identification Numbers 204.7005 Assignment of order codes. (a) The Defense Logistics Agency, Acquisition Policy...-1000 Air Force: SAF/AQCI, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1060 Defense Logistics Agency: Defense Logistics Agency, Acquisition Policy Branch (J-3311), John J. Kingman Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060...

75 FR 13238 - Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Delay of Referendum

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-19

... Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Delay of Referendum AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service... importers of processed raspberries approve the issuance of the proposed Processed Raspberry Promotion..., Research and Promotion Branch, By, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 0634-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW...

48 CFR 16.501-1 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... maximum quantity) and that provides for the issuance of orders for the performance of tasks during the... of orders for the delivery of supplies during the period of the contract. Task-order contract means a...

Hemispatial neglect and serial order in verbal working memory.

PubMed

Antoine, Sophie; Ranzini, Mariagrazia; van Dijck, Jean-Philippe; Slama, Hichem; Bonato, Mario; Tousch, Ann; Dewulf, Myrtille; Bier, Jean-Christophe; Gevers, Wim

2018-01-09

Working memory refers to our ability to actively maintain and process a limited amount of information during a brief period of time. Often, not only the information itself but also its serial order is crucial for good task performance. It was recently proposed that serial order is grounded in spatial cognition. Here, we compared performance of a group of right hemisphere-damaged patients with hemispatial neglect to healthy controls in verbal working memory tasks. Participants memorized sequences of consonants at span level and had to judge whether a target consonant belonged to the memorized sequence (item task) or whether a pair of consonants were presented in the same order as in the memorized sequence (order task). In line with this idea that serial order is grounded in spatial cognition, we found that neglect patients made significantly more errors in the order task than in the item task compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, this deficit seemed functionally related to neglect severity and was more frequently observed following right posterior brain damage. Interestingly, this specific impairment for serial order in verbal working memory was not lateralized. We advance the hypotheses of a potential contribution to the deficit of serial order in neglect patients of either or both (1) reduced spatial working memory capacity that enables to keep track of the spatial codes that provide memorized items with a positional context, (2) a spatial compression of these codes in the intact representational space. © 2018 The British Psychological Society.

Comparison of pediatric radiation dose and vessel visibility on angiographic systems using piglets as a surrogate: antiscatter grid removal vs. lower detector air kerma settings with a grid — a preclinical investigation

PubMed Central

Racadio, John M.; Abruzzo, Todd A.; Johnson, Neil D.; Patel, Manish N.; Kukreja, Kamlesh U.; den Hartog, Mark. J. H.; Hoornaert, Bart P.A.; Nachabe, Rami A.

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to reduce pediatric doses while maintaining or improving image quality scores without removing the grid from X‐ray beam. This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Three piglets (5, 14, and 20 kg) were imaged using six different selectable detector air kerma (Kair) per frame values (100%, 70%, 50%, 35%, 25%, 17.5%) with and without the grid. Number of distal branches visualized with diagnostic confidence relative to the injected vessel defined image quality score. Five pediatric interventional radiologists evaluated all images. Image quality score and piglet Kair were statistically compared using analysis of variance and receiver operating curve analysis to define the preferred dose setting and use of grid for a visibility of 2nd and 3rd order vessel branches. Grid removal reduced both dose to subject and imaging quality by 26%. Third order branches could only be visualized with the grid present; 100% detector Kair was required for smallest pig, while 70% detector Kair was adequate for the two larger pigs. Second order branches could be visualized with grid at 17.5% detector Kair for all three pig sizes. Without the grid, 50%, 35%, and 35% detector Kair were required for smallest to largest pig, respectively. Grid removal reduces both dose and image quality score. Image quality scores can be maintained with less dose to subject with the grid in the beam as opposed to removed. Smaller anatomy requires more dose to the detector to achieve the same image quality score. PACS numbers: 87.53.Bn, 87.57.N‐, 87.57.cj, 87.59.cf, 87.59.Dj PMID:26699297

A comparison of serial order short-term memory effects across verbal and musical domains.

PubMed

Gorin, Simon; Mengal, Pierre; Majerus, Steve

2018-04-01

Recent studies suggest that the mechanisms involved in the short-term retention of serial order information may be shared across short-term memory (STM) domains such as verbal and visuospatial STM. Given the intrinsic sequential organization of musical material, the study of STM for musical information may be particularly informative about serial order retention processes and their domain-generality. The present experiment examined serial order STM for verbal and musical sequences in participants with no advanced musical expertise and experienced musicians. Serial order STM for verbal information was assessed via a serial order reconstruction task for digit sequences. In the musical domain, serial order STM was assessed using a novel melodic sequence reconstruction task maximizing the retention of tone order information. We observed that performance for the verbal and musical tasks was characterized by sequence length as well as primacy and recency effects. Serial order errors in both tasks were characterized by similar transposition gradients and ratios of fill-in:infill errors. These effects were observed for both participant groups, although the transposition gradients and ratios of fill-in:infill errors showed additional specificities for musician participants in the musical task. The data support domain-general serial order STM effects but also suggest the existence of additional domain-specific effects. Implications for models of serial order STM in verbal and musical domains are discussed.

High-precision QEC values of superallowed 0+ → 0+β-emitters 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, P.; Xu, X.; Shuai, P.; Chen, R. J.; Yan, X. L.; Zhang, Y. H.; Wang, M.; Litvinov, Yu. A.; Blaum, K.; Xu, H. S.; Bao, T.; Chen, X. C.; Chen, H.; Fu, C. Y.; He, J. J.; Kubono, S.; Lam, Y. H.; Liu, D. W.; Mao, R. S.; Ma, X. W.; Sun, M. Z.; Tu, X. L.; Xing, Y. M.; Yang, J. C.; Yuan, Y. J.; Zeng, Q.; Zhou, X.; Zhou, X. H.; Zhan, W. L.; Litvinov, S.; Audi, G.; Uesaka, T.; Yamaguchi, Y.; Yamaguchi, T.; Ozawa, A.; Sun, B. H.; Sun, Y.; Xu, F. R.

2017-04-01

Short-lived 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni were studied by isochronous mass spectrometry at the HIRFL-CSR facility in Lanzhou. The measured precision mass excesses (ME) of 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni are - 29471 (11) keV, - 34477 (6) keV and - 39278 (4) keV, respectively. The superallowed 0+ →0+β-decay Q values were derived to be QEC (46Cr) = 7604 (11) keV, QEC (50Fe) = 8150 (6) keV and QEC (54Ni) = 8731 (4) keV. The values for 50Fe and 54Ni are by one order of magnitude more precise than the adopted literature values. By combining the existing half-lives and branching ratios, we obtained the corrected Ft values to be Ft (50Fe) = 3103 (70) s and Ft (54Ni) = 3076 (50) s. The main contribution to the Ft uncertainties is now due to β-decay branching ratios, still, more high-precision measurements of the half-lives, the masses, and especially the branching ratios are needed in order to satisfy the requirements for a stringent CVC test.

Task- and time-dependent modulation of Ia presynaptic inhibition during fatiguing contractions performed by humans

PubMed Central

Maerz, Adam H.; Gould, Jeffrey R.; Enoka, Roger M.

2011-01-01

Presynaptic modulation of Ia afferents converging onto the motor neuron pool of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) was compared during contractions (20% of maximal force) sustained to failure as subjects controlled either the angular position of the wrist while supporting an inertial load (position task) or exerted an equivalent force against a rigid restraint (force task). Test Hoffmann (H) reflexes were evoked in the ECR by stimulating the radial nerve above the elbow. Conditioned H reflexes were obtained by stimulating either the median nerve above the elbow or at the wrist (palmar branch) to assess presynaptic inhibition of homonymous (D1 inhibition) and heteronymous Ia afferents (heteronymous Ia facilitation), respectively. The position task was briefer than the force task (P = 0.001), although the maximal voluntary force and electromyograph for ECR declined similarly at failure for both tasks. Changes in the amplitude of the conditioned H reflex were positively correlated between the two conditioning methods (P = 0.02) and differed between the two tasks (P < 0.05). The amplitude of the conditioned H reflex during the position task first increased (129 ± 20.5% of the initial value, P < 0.001) before returning to its initial value (P = 0.22), whereas it increased progressively during the force task to reach 122 ± 17.4% of the initial value at failure (P < 0.001). Moreover, changes in conditioned H reflexes were associated with the time to task failure and force fluctuations. The results suggest a task- and time-dependent modulation of presynaptic inhibition of Ia afferents during fatiguing contractions. PMID:21543747

Bsrightarrowtau+tau- decay in the general two Higgs doublet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iltan, Erhan Onur; Turan, Gursevil

2002-11-01

We study the exclusive decay Bsrightarrowtau+tau- in the general two Higgs doublet model. We analyse the dependencies of the branching ratio on the model parameters, including the leading order QCD corrections. We found that there is an enhancement in the branching ratio, especially for rtb = bar xiN,ttU/bar xiN,bbD > 1 case. Further, the neutral Higgs effects are detectable for large values of the parameter bar xiN,tautauD.

Website of the Systems and Analysis Branch Supported Projects and Graph Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kellerman, Corinne

2004-01-01

Throughout the past few weeks I have learned a great amount of information about many interesting aspects that go on here at NASA Glenn Research Center Branch 7820. Branch 7820 is the Systems and Analysis Branch. The people involved in this Branch deal with in a nutshell the analysis of propulsion systems for Earth to orbit and space transportation systems. The first project that I had worked on was helping my mentor learn more about lunar geography and the most recommended way to maintain communication for our future lunar missions. During this time I studied the craters of the moon, especially the South Pole, to provide her with information so that she can make decisions. I also researched to provide her with contact information on those people who are specialized in lunar geography so that she may talk to them to find out more in depth information. Most of my time spent here has been helping to develop a comprehensive explanation and background of the different projects our Branch has supported. When I first came to NASA Glenn and started working with the 7820 Branch there website had many holes that needed to be filled in. I have spent numerous weeks researching information about topics such as Project Prometheus itself and one of its components Jupiter s Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO). I have also done a large amount of research on propulsion systems and how different kinds work. I have learned many facts about Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) all the way to Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) systems. I will continue to do this until all the holes are filled and find out about Global Integrated Design Environment (GLIDE) and Next Generation Launch technology (NGLT). Since most of my job was providing information to go onto a website I has to learn how to put my information into a HTML format. I had no previous knowledge on how to do that kind of task and had to study how to do it and am now able to create a document in HTML format. There has been reorganizing done here at NASA Glenn and our Branch was moved to another building. Therefore, our library had to be moved with us. I spent time helping to put together the boxes, pack the library, and label them accordingly. This was not an easy task but was an experience in itself. I was able to see old posters that NASA had produced about different space missions and look at Russian map of the US and books on space missions. I was also about to see what was in the library in terms of reference material helped because now I can make use of the information for my research on the website. Throughout my internship my mentor will provide me with graphs to analyze and recreate so that she may use them to her advantage. I will learn from every piece of data that comes my way. Later, I will study and analysis gravity-loss for Earth departure trajectories. Since I haven't done that yet I cannot really describe what 1 will learn or what exactly the project entails. The whole experience has been great and I have no doubt that it will exceed every expectation previously thought.

[Current legal questions in relation to autologous blood transfusion and legally controlled blood donation in Germany].

PubMed

Biermann, E

1994-11-01

If a patient suffers any damage from treatment, the persons involved in transfusion medicine might be made liable according to civil and penal law for violations against the standards prescribed by the codes of performance and ethics of the individual professions. In order to avoid organisational liability, criteria for adequate patient care must be created which regulate facilities and equipment as well as staff. The typical hazards encountered in interdisciplinary cooperation between specialists of various branches of medicine must be counteracted by a constructive division of tasks and responsibilities. The participating physicians are moreover liable within the scope of the German law forbidding so-called 'unlawful interference with the possession of another' in the case of failure to obtain legally binding consent--usually resulting from inadequacies in informing the patient. The landmark decision by the German Federal Court of Justice on instructing patients about the risks of and alternatives to blood transfusions forces all those involved to take the consequences with regard to instructing patients about the risk of transfusions and concerning the implementation of techniques for sparing and replacing allogenic blood.

Resolution to the B→πK puzzle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hsiang-Nan; Mishima, Satoshi; Sanda, A. I.

2005-12-01

We calculate the important next-to-leading-order contributions to the B→πK, ππ decays from the vertex corrections, the quark loops, and the magnetic penguins in the perturbative QCD approach. It is found that the latter two reduce the leading-order penguin amplitudes by about 10% and modify only the B→πK branching ratios. The main effect of the vertex corrections is to increase the small color-suppressed tree amplitude by a factor of 3, which then resolves the large difference between the direct CP asymmetries of the B0→π∓K± and B±→π0K± modes. The puzzle from the large B0→π0π0 branching ratio still remains.

13 CFR 124.510 - What percentage of work must a Participant perform on an 8(a) contract?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... performance of work percentage need not be met on task orders issued during the first six months of the... mean that the Participant must perform 50 percent of the applicable costs for each task order with its... costs for the combined total of all task orders issued to date at six month intervals. Example to...

Improving the Quality of Service and Security of Military Networks with a Network Tasking Order Process

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AND SECURITY OF MILITARY NETWORKS WITH A NETWORK TASKING ORDER...United States. AFIT/DCS/ENG/10-09 IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AND SECURITY OF MILITARY NETWORKS WITH A NETWORK TASKING ORDER PROCESS...USAF September 2010 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED AFIT/DCS/ENG/10-09 IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AND

Relationships between root respiration rate and root morphology, chemistry and anatomy in Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica.

PubMed

Jia, Shuxia; McLaughlin, Neil B; Gu, Jiacun; Li, Xingpeng; Wang, Zhengquan

2013-06-01

Tree roots are highly heterogeneous in form and function. Previous studies revealed that fine root respiration was related to root morphology, tissue nitrogen (N) concentration and temperature, and varied with both soil depth and season. The underlying mechanisms governing the relationship between root respiration and root morphology, chemistry and anatomy along the root branch order have not been addressed. Here, we examined these relationships of the first- to fifth-order roots for near surface roots (0-10 cm) of 22-year-old larch (Larix gmelinii L.) and ash (Fraxinus mandshurica L.) plantations. Root respiration rate at 18 °C was measured by gas phase O2 electrodes across the first five branching order roots (the distal roots numbered as first order) at three times of the year. Root parameters of root diameter, specific root length (SRL), tissue N concentration, total non-structural carbohydrates (starch and soluble sugar) concentration (TNC), cortical thickness and stele diameter were also measured concurrently. With increasing root order, root diameter, TNC and the ratio of root TNC to tissue N concentration increased, while the SRL, tissue N concentration and cortical proportion decreased. Root respiration rate also monotonically decreased with increasing root order in both species. Cortical tissue (including exodermis, cortical parenchyma and endodermis) was present in the first three order roots, and cross sections of the cortex for the first-order root accounted for 68% (larch) and 86% (ash) of the total cross section of the root. Root respiration was closely related to root traits such as diameter, SRL, tissue N concentration, root TNC : tissue N ratio and stele-to-root diameter proportion among the first five orders, which explained up to 81-94% of variation in the rate of root respiration for larch and up to 83-93% for ash. These results suggest that the systematic variations of root respiration rate within tree fine root system are possibly due to the changes of tissue N concentration and anatomical structure along root branch orders in both tree species, which provide deeper understanding in the mechanism of how root traits affect root respiration in woody plants.

Investigation of the feasibility of optical diagnostic measurements at the exit of the SSME

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shirley, John A.; Boedeker, Laurence R.

1993-01-01

Under Contract NAS8-36861 sponsored by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the United Technologies Research Center is conducting an investigation of the feasibility of remote optical diagnostics to measure temperature, species concentration and velocity at the exit of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). This is a two phase study consisting of a conceptual design phase followed by a laboratory experimental investigation. The first task of the conceptual design studies is to screen and evaluate the techniques which can be used for the measurements. The second task is to select the most promising technique or techniques, if as expected, more than one type of measurement must be used to measure all the flow variables of interest. The third task is to examine in detail analytically the capabilities and limitations of the selected technique(s). The results of this study are described in the section of this report entitled Conceptual Design Investigations. The conceptual design studies identified spontaneous Raman scattering and photodissociative flow-tagging for measurements respectively of gas temperature and major species concentration and for velocity. These techniques and others that were considered are described in the section describing the conceptual design. The objective of the second phase of investigations was to investigate experimentally the techniques identified in the first phase. The first task of the experimental feasibility study is to design and assemble laboratory scale experimental apparatus to evaluate the best approaches for SSME exit optical diagnostics for temperature, species concentrations and velocity, as selected in the Phase I conceptual design study. The second task is to evaluate performance, investigate limitations, and establish actual diagnostic capabilities, accuracies and precision for the selected optical systems. The third task is to evaluate design requirements and system trade-offs of conceptual instruments. Spontaneous Raman scattering excited by a KrF excimer laser pulse was investigated for SSME exit plane temperature and major species concentration measurements. The relative concentrations of molecular hydrogen and water vapor would be determined by measuring the integrated Q-branch scattering signals through narrow bandpass filters in front of photomultipliers. The temperature would be determined by comparing the signal from a single hydrogen rotational Raman line to the total hydrogen Q-branch signal. The rotational Raman line would be isolated by a monochromator and detected with a PMT.

Dual-task interference effects on cross-modal numerical order and sound intensity judgments: the more the louder?

PubMed

Alards-Tomalin, Doug; Walker, Alexander C; Nepon, Hillary; Leboe-McGowan, Launa C

2017-09-01

In the current study, cross-task interactions between number order and sound intensity judgments were assessed using a dual-task paradigm. Participants first categorized numerical sequences composed of Arabic digits as either ordered (ascending, descending) or non-ordered. Following each number sequence, participants then had to judge the intensity level of a target sound. Experiment 1 emphasized processing the two tasks independently (serial processing), while Experiments 2 and 3 emphasized processing the two tasks simultaneously (parallel processing). Cross-task interference occurred only when the task required parallel processing and was specific to ascending numerical sequences, which led to a higher proportion of louder sound intensity judgments. In Experiment 4 we examined whether this unidirectional interaction was the result of participants misattributing enhanced processing fluency experienced on ascending sequences as indicating a louder target sound. The unidirectional finding could not be entirely attributed to misattributed processing fluency, and may also be connected to experientially derived conceptual associations between ascending number sequences and greater magnitude, consistent with conceptual mapping theory.

76 FR 22757 - Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-22

...-10-0015; PR-A2] RIN 0581-AD03 Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry.... SUMMARY: This rule proposes a Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry... proposed Order may be obtained from the Referendum Agent, Research and Promotion Branch, Fruit and...

To branch out or stay focused? Affective shifts differentially predict organizational citizenship behavior and task performance.

PubMed

Yang, Liu-Qin; Simon, Lauren S; Wang, Lei; Zheng, Xiaoming

2016-06-01

We draw from personality systems interaction (PSI) theory (Kuhl, 2000) and regulatory focus theory (Higgins, 1997) to examine how dynamic positive and negative affective processes interact to predict both task and contextual performance. Using a twice-daily diary design over the course of a 3-week period, results from multilevel regression analysis revealed that distinct patterns of change in positive and negative affect optimally predicted contextual and task performance among a sample of 71 employees at a medium-sized technology company. Specifically, within persons, increases (upshifts) in positive affect over the course of a workday better predicted the subsequent day's organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) when such increases were coupled with decreases (downshifts) in negative affect. The optimal pattern of change in positive and negative affect differed, however, in predicting task performance. That is, upshifts in positive affect over the course of the workday better predicted the subsequent day's task performance when such upshifts were accompanied by upshifts in negative affect. The contribution of our findings to PSI theory and the broader affective and motivation regulation literatures, along with practical implications, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

The stochastic dance of early HIV infection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merrill, Stephen J.

2005-12-01

The stochastic nature of early HIV infection is described in a series of models, each of which captures aspects of the dance of HIV during the early stages of infection. It is to this highly variable target that the immune response must respond. The adaptability of the various components of the immune response is an important aspect of the system's operation, as the nature of the pathogens that the response will be required to respond to and the order in which those responses must be made cannot be known beforehand. As HIV infection has direct influence over cells responsible for the immune response, the dance predicts that the immune response will be also in a variable state of readiness and capability for this task of adaptation. The description of the stochastic dance of HIV here will use the tools of stochastic models, and for the most part, simulation. The justification for this approach is that the early stages and the development of HIV diversity require that the model to be able to describe both individual sample path and patient-to-patient variability. In addition, as early viral dynamics are best described using branching processes, the explosive growth of these models both predicts high variability and rapid response of HIV to changes in system parameters.In this paper, a basic viral growth model based on a time dependent continuous-time branching process is used to describe the growth of HIV infected cells in the macrophage and lymphocyte populations. Immigration from the reservoir population is added to the basic model to describe the incubation time distribution. This distribution is deduced directly from the modeling assumptions and the model of viral growth. A system of two branching processes, one in the infected macrophage population and one in the infected lymphocyte population is used to provide a description of the relationship between the development of HIV diversity as it relates to tropism (host cell preference). The role of the immune response to HIV and HIV infected cells is used to describe the movement of the infection from a few infected macrophages to a disease of infected CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Sall1-dependent signals affect Wnt signaling and ureter tip fate to initiate kidney development.

PubMed

Kiefer, Susan M; Robbins, Lynn; Stumpff, Kelly M; Lin, Congxing; Ma, Liang; Rauchman, Michael

2010-09-01

Development of the metanephric kidney depends on precise control of branching of the ureteric bud. Branching events represent terminal bifurcations that are thought to depend on unique patterns of gene expression in the tip compared with the stalk and are influenced by mesenchymal signals. The metanephric mesenchyme-derived signals that control gene expression at the ureteric bud tip are not well understood. In mouse Sall1 mutants, the ureteric bud grows out and invades the metanephric mesenchyme, but it fails to initiate branching despite tip-specific expression of Ret and Wnt11. The stalk-specific marker Wnt9b and the beta-catenin downstream target Axin2 are ectopically expressed in the mutant ureteric bud tips, suggesting that upregulated canonical Wnt signaling disrupts ureter branching in this mutant. In support of this hypothesis, ureter arrest is rescued by lowering beta-catenin levels in the Sall1 mutant and is phenocopied by ectopic expression of a stabilized beta-catenin in the ureteric bud. Furthermore, transgenic overexpression of Wnt9b in the ureteric bud causes reduced branching in multiple founder lines. These studies indicate that Sall1-dependent signals from the metanephric mesenchyme are required to modulate ureteric bud tip Wnt patterning in order to initiate branching.

Manipulation of the Geometry and Modulation of the Optical Response of Surfactant-Free Gold Nanostars: A Systematic Bottom-Up Synthesis

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

De Silva Indrasekara, Agampodi S.; Johnson, Sean F.; Odion, Ren A.

Among plasmonic nanoparticles, surfactant-free branched gold nanoparticles have exhibited exceptional properties as a nanoplatform for a wide variety of applications ranging from surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensing and imaging applications to photothermal treatment and photoimmunotherapy for cancer treatments. The effectiveness and reliability of branched gold nanoparticles in biomedical applications strongly rely on the consistency and reproducibility of physical, chemical, optical, and therapeutic properties of nanoparticles, which are mainly governed by their morphological features. Herein, we present an optimized bottom-up synthesis that improves the reproducibility and homogeneity of the gold-branched nanoparticles with desired morphological features and optical properties. We identified that themore » order of reagent addition is crucial for improved homogeneity of the branched nature of nanoparticles that enable a high batch-to-batch reproducibility and reliability. In addition, a different combination of the synthesis parameters, in particular, additive halides and concentration ratios of reactive Au to Ag and Au to Au seeds, which yield branched nanoparticle of similar localized surface plasmon resonances but with distinguishable changes in the dimensions of the branches, was realized. Overall, our study introduces the design parameters for the purpose-tailored manufacturing of surfactant-free gold nanostars in a reliable manner.« less

Manipulation of the Geometry and Modulation of the Optical Response of Surfactant-Free Gold Nanostars: A Systematic Bottom-Up Synthesis

DOE PAGES

De Silva Indrasekara, Agampodi S.; Johnson, Sean F.; Odion, Ren A.; ...

2018-02-22

Among plasmonic nanoparticles, surfactant-free branched gold nanoparticles have exhibited exceptional properties as a nanoplatform for a wide variety of applications ranging from surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensing and imaging applications to photothermal treatment and photoimmunotherapy for cancer treatments. The effectiveness and reliability of branched gold nanoparticles in biomedical applications strongly rely on the consistency and reproducibility of physical, chemical, optical, and therapeutic properties of nanoparticles, which are mainly governed by their morphological features. Herein, we present an optimized bottom-up synthesis that improves the reproducibility and homogeneity of the gold-branched nanoparticles with desired morphological features and optical properties. We identified that themore » order of reagent addition is crucial for improved homogeneity of the branched nature of nanoparticles that enable a high batch-to-batch reproducibility and reliability. In addition, a different combination of the synthesis parameters, in particular, additive halides and concentration ratios of reactive Au to Ag and Au to Au seeds, which yield branched nanoparticle of similar localized surface plasmon resonances but with distinguishable changes in the dimensions of the branches, was realized. Overall, our study introduces the design parameters for the purpose-tailored manufacturing of surfactant-free gold nanostars in a reliable manner.« less

Chemiomics: network reconstruction and kinetics of port wine aging.

PubMed

Monforte, Ana Rita; Jacobson, Dan; Silva Ferreira, A C

2015-03-11

Network reconstruction (NR) has proven to be useful in the detection and visualization of relationships among the compounds present in a Port wine aging data set. This view of the data provides a considerable amount of information with which to understand the kinetic contexts of the molecules represented by peaks in each chromatogram. The aim of this study was to use NR together with the determination of kinetic parameters to extract more information about the mechanisms involved in Port wine aging. The volatile compounds present in samples of Port wines spanning 128 years in age were measured with the use of GC-MS. After chromatogram alignment, a peak matrix was created, and all peak vectors were compared to one another to determine their Pearson correlations over time. A correlation network was created and filtered on the basis of the resulting correlation values. Some nodes in the network were further studied in experiments on Port wines stored under different conditions of oxygen and temperature in order to determine their kinetic parameters. The resulting network can be divided into three main branches. The first branch is related to compounds that do not directly correlate to age, the second branch contains compounds affected by temperature, and the third branch contains compounds associated with oxygen. Compounds clustered in the same branch of the network have similar expression patterns over time as well as the same kinetic order, thus are likely to be dependent on the same technological parameters. Network construction and visualization provides more information with which to understand the probable kinetic contexts of the molecules represented by peaks in each chromatogram. The approach described here is a powerful tool for the study of mechanisms and kinetics in complex systems and should aid in the understanding and monitoring of wine quality.

Characterization of ultrahigh-molecular weight cationic polyacrylamide using frit-inlet asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation and multi-angle light scattering.

PubMed

Woo, Sohee; Lee, Ju Yong; Choi, Woonjin; Moon, Myeong Hee

2016-01-15

In this study, frit inlet asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (FlFFF) with multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and differential refractive index (DRI) detection is utilized for size separation, determination of molecular weight (MW), and conformation of ultrahigh-MW (10(7)-10(9) g/mol) cationic polyacrylamides (C-PAMs), a class of water-soluble copolymers based on acrylamide and vinyl-type comonomers with quaternary ammonium cations that are widely used in wastewater treatment and in paper industries. Linear and branched C-PAM copolymers prepared in two different polymerization methods (solution and emulsion) from varying amounts of crosslinking agent and initiator were size fractionated by FlFFF with field-programming. It was found experimentally that the linear copolymers from both polymerization methods were less than 10(8) g/mol in MW with compact, nearly spherical structures, while the branched C-PAM copolymers from the emulsion polymerization showed a significant increase in average MW up to ∼ 10(9)g/mol, which was about 20-fold greater than those from the solution method, and the branched copolymers had more compact or shrunken conformations. While both linear and branched copolymers less than 10(8) g/mol MW were well resolved in an increasing order of MW (normal mode), it was noted that branched copolymers prepared through emulsion polymerization exhibited significantly larger MWs of 10(8-)10(9) g/mol and eluted in the steric/hyperlayer mode, in which the elution order is reversed in an extreme run condition (strong initial field strength followed by a fast field decay during programming). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recalibration of the Multisensory Temporal Window of Integration Results from Changing Task Demands

PubMed Central

Mégevand, Pierre; Molholm, Sophie; Nayak, Ashabari; Foxe, John J.

2013-01-01

The notion of the temporal window of integration, when applied in a multisensory context, refers to the breadth of the interval across which the brain perceives two stimuli from different sensory modalities as synchronous. It maintains a unitary perception of multisensory events despite physical and biophysical timing differences between the senses. The boundaries of the window can be influenced by attention and past sensory experience. Here we examined whether task demands could also influence the multisensory temporal window of integration. We varied the stimulus onset asynchrony between simple, short-lasting auditory and visual stimuli while participants performed two tasks in separate blocks: a temporal order judgment task that required the discrimination of subtle auditory-visual asynchronies, and a reaction time task to the first incoming stimulus irrespective of its sensory modality. We defined the temporal window of integration as the range of stimulus onset asynchronies where performance was below 75% in the temporal order judgment task, as well as the range of stimulus onset asynchronies where responses showed multisensory facilitation (race model violation) in the reaction time task. In 5 of 11 participants, we observed audio-visual stimulus onset asynchronies where reaction time was significantly accelerated (indicating successful integration in this task) while performance was accurate in the temporal order judgment task (indicating successful segregation in that task). This dissociation suggests that in some participants, the boundaries of the temporal window of integration can adaptively recalibrate in order to optimize performance according to specific task demands. PMID:23951203

Technology for Sustained Supersonic Combustion Task Order 0006: Scramjet Research with Flight-Like Inflow Conditions

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

flight vehicle . Many facilities are not large enough to perform free-jet testing of scramjet engines which include an inlet. Rather, testing is often...AFRL-RQ-WP-TR-2013-0029 TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINED SUPERSONIC COMBUSTION Task Order 0006: Scramjet Research with Flight-Like Inflow...TITLE AND SUBTITLE TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINED SUPERSONIC COMBUSTION Task Order 0006: Scramjet Research with Flight-Like Inflow Conditions 5a

Crowd counting via region based multi-channel convolution neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Xiaoguang; Gao, Siqi; Bai, Xiangzhi

2017-11-01

This paper proposed a novel region based multi-channel convolution neural network architecture for crowd counting. In order to effectively solve the perspective distortion in crowd datasets with a great diversity of scales, this work combines the main channel and three branch channels. These channels extract both the global and region features. And the results are used to estimate density map. Moreover, kernels with ladder-shaped sizes are designed across all the branch channels, which generate adaptive region features. Also, branch channels use relatively deep and shallow network to achieve more accurate detector. By using these strategies, the proposed architecture achieves state-of-the-art performance on ShanghaiTech datasets and competitive performance on UCF_CC_50 datasets.

Improved Acquisition for System Sustainment: Availability-Based Importance Framework for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Acquisition

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-30

when these equipment failures cause some of the worst accidents and environmental damages in human history such as the March 2011 Fukushima Nuclear ...ultimately facilitate the MRO acquisition process through effective maintenance triggers and supplier selection Task 2. Stochastic Availability Importance...dollars with a replacement plan lasting for several decades [GAO 2004]. A budget reduction of about 29 percent since 1990 has “forced the branches of the

Met Nuclear Localization and Signaling in Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-01

and in germinal regions of many tissues using 4 unique antibodies . Cell fractionation reveals a 60kDa band recognized by C-terminal Met antibodies ...cascades such as Gab1 , Grb2 and PI3K, leading to proliferation, scattering, increased motility, invasion and branching morphogenesis (reviewed in (2...Identification of Met antibodies for use on tissue microarray of normal and cancerous cells, Months 12-24 Task 2. Definition of the domain

Material Handling Equipment Evaluation for Crater Repair

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-11-01

Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE...project. Jeb. S. Tingle was the ERDC Airfield Damage Repair program manager. The work was performed by the Airfields and Pavement Branch (GMA) of the...USAF’s) ability to perform airfield pavement repair tasks to support the operation of modern aircraft for a variety of mission scenarios. The ADR

A Marine Hazardous Substances Data System. Volume 2.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-12-01

substances are considered by the Task III panel ill to exhibit the greatest potential for occupational health effects and warrant the greatest precautions for...Hazards Branch 1111 N NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances 1121 P NIOSH/OSHA Pocket Guideto Chemical Hazards [61 U Undocumented Source...NAS Hazard Liquid or -- Rating Vapor Irritant Solid Irritant Poisons 0 No effect No effect No effect 1 Slight Effect Causes skin Slightly toxic

The Levi-Civita Tensor and Identities in Vector Analysis. Vector Field Identities. Modules and Monographs in Undergraduate Mathematics and Its Applications Project. UMAP Unit 427.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yiu, Chang-li; Wilde, Carroll O.

Vector analysis is viewed to play a key role in many branches of engineering and the physical sciences. This unit is geared towards deriving identities and establishing "machinery" to make derivations a routine task. It is noted that the module is not an applications unit, but has as its primary objective the goal of providing science,…

Index to FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine Reports: 1961 Through 2006

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

Research Branch) has always comprised a group of research teams identified primarily by their specialty func- tions. In 2001, CAMI was renamed the...implications of unmanned aircraft accidents: Flight control problems. Above: This is an entry from the Chronological Index of research reports, shown... control research task. AD660198 65-32 Gogel WC, Mertens HW: Problems in depth perception: A method of simulating objects moving in depth. AD660171 1966 66

A Network Optimization Solution using SAS/OR Tools for the Department of the Army Branching Problem

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-18

OPTMODEL; NETFLOW ;Nodes;Arcs;ROTC; assignments;Basic Branches;Cadet Satisfaction; CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified This paper will demonstrate...implement a solution using the NETFLOW procedure and repeat that network solution using the OPTMODEL procedure. The OPTMODEL implementation will be...96.545599 M 1 AV AV IN EN FA AR 4 96.221521 M 1 IN IN MI EN MP AR 1 Figure 1, Supply: cadet data (5 of 2545) ordered by OMS PROC NETFLOW takes a

Syntactic Recursion Facilitates and Working Memory Predicts Recursive Theory of Mind

PubMed Central

Arslan, Burcu; Hohenberger, Annette; Verbrugge, Rineke

2017-01-01

In this study, we focus on the possible roles of second-order syntactic recursion and working memory in terms of simple and complex span tasks in the development of second-order false belief reasoning. We tested 89 Turkish children in two age groups, one younger (4;6–6;5 years) and one older (6;7–8;10 years). Although second-order syntactic recursion is significantly correlated with the second-order false belief task, results of ordinal logistic regressions revealed that the main predictor of second-order false belief reasoning is complex working memory span. Unlike simple working memory and second-order syntactic recursion tasks, the complex working memory task required processing information serially with additional reasoning demands that require complex working memory strategies. Based on our results, we propose that children’s second-order theory of mind develops when they have efficient reasoning rules to process embedded beliefs serially, thus overcoming a possible serial processing bottleneck. PMID:28072823

First report on the Oak Ridge K-25 Site Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program for Mitchell Branch

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

Smith, J.G.; Adams, S.M.; Kszos, L.A.

1993-08-01

A modified National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit was issued to the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (now referred to as the Oak Ridge K-25 Site) on September 11, 1986. The Oak Ridge K-25 Site is a former uranium-enrichment production facility, which is currently managed by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. for the US Department of Energy. As required in Part III (L) of that permit, a plan for the biological monitoring of Mitchell Branch (K-1700 stream) was prepared and submitted for approval to the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation [formerly the Tennesseemore » Department of Health and Environment (Loar et al. 1992b)]. The K-25 Site Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (BMAP) described biomonitoring activities that would be conducted over the duration of the permit. Because it was anticipated that the composition of existing effluent streams entering Mitchell Branch would be altered shortly after the modified permit was issued, sampling of the benthic invertebrate and fish communities (Task 4 of BMAP) was initiated in August and September 1986 respectively.« less

Multidisciplinary Optimization Branch Experience Using iSIGHT Software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Padula, S. L.; Korte, J. J.; Dunn, H. J.; Salas, A. O.

1999-01-01

The Multidisciplinary Optimization (MDO) Branch at NASA Langley is investigating frameworks for supporting multidisciplinary analysis and optimization research. A framework provides software and system services to integrate computational tasks and allows the researcher to concentrate more on the application and less on the programming details. A framework also provides a common working environment and a full range of optimization tools, and so increases the productivity of multidisciplinary research teams. Finally, a framework enables staff members to develop applications for use by disciplinary experts in other organizations. This year, the MDO Branch has gained experience with the iSIGHT framework. This paper describes experiences with four aerospace applications, including: (1) reusable launch vehicle sizing, (2) aerospike nozzle design, (3) low-noise rotorcraft trajectories, and (4) acoustic liner design. Brief overviews of each problem are provided, including the number and type of disciplinary codes and computation time estimates. In addition, the optimization methods, objective functions, design variables, and constraints are described for each problem. For each case, discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of using the iSIGHT framework are provided as well as notes on the ease of use of various advanced features and suggestions for areas of improvement.

Lidar detection of underwater objects using a neuro-SVM-based architecture.

PubMed

Mitra, Vikramjit; Wang, Chia-Jiu; Banerjee, Satarupa

2006-05-01

This paper presents a neural network architecture using a support vector machine (SVM) as an inference engine (IE) for classification of light detection and ranging (Lidar) data. Lidar data gives a sequence of laser backscatter intensities obtained from laser shots generated from an airborne object at various altitudes above the earth surface. Lidar data is pre-filtered to remove high frequency noise. As the Lidar shots are taken from above the earth surface, it has some air backscatter information, which is of no importance for detecting underwater objects. Because of these, the air backscatter information is eliminated from the data and a segment of this data is subsequently selected to extract features for classification. This is then encoded using linear predictive coding (LPC) and polynomial approximation. The coefficients thus generated are used as inputs to the two branches of a parallel neural architecture. The decisions obtained from the two branches are vector multiplied and the result is fed to an SVM-based IE that presents the final inference. Two parallel neural architectures using multilayer perception (MLP) and hybrid radial basis function (HRBF) are considered in this paper. The proposed structure fits the Lidar data classification task well due to the inherent classification efficiency of neural networks and accurate decision-making capability of SVM. A Bayesian classifier and a quadratic classifier were considered for the Lidar data classification task but they failed to offer high prediction accuracy. Furthermore, a single-layered artificial neural network (ANN) classifier was also considered and it failed to offer good accuracy. The parallel ANN architecture proposed in this paper offers high prediction accuracy (98.9%) and is found to be the most suitable architecture for the proposed task of Lidar data classification.

PREFACE: First International Workshop and Summer School on Plasma Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benova, Evgenia; Zhelyazkov, Ivan; Atanassov, Vladimir

2006-07-01

The First International Workshop and Summer School on Plasma Physics (IWSSPP'05) organized by The Faculty of Physics, University of Sofia and the Foundation `Theoretical and Computational Physics and Astrophysics' was dedicated to the World Year of Physics 2005 and held in Kiten, Bulgaria, on the Black Sea Coast, from 8--12 June 2005. The aim of the workshop was to bring together scientists from various branches of plasma physics in order to ensure an interdisciplinary exchange of views and initiate possible collaborations. Another important task was to stimulate the creation and support of a new generation of young scientists for the further development of plasma physics fundamentals and applications. This volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series includes 31 papers (invited lectures, contributed talks and posters) devoted to various branches of plasma physics, among them fusion research, kinetics and transport phenomena in gas discharge plasmas, MHD waves and instabilities in the solar atmosphere, dc and microwave discharge modelling, plasma diagnostics, cross sections and rate constants of elementary processes, material processing, plasma-chemistry and technology. Some of them have been presented by internationally known and recognized specialists in their fields; others are Masters or PhD students' first steps in science. In both cases, we believe they will stimulate readers' interest. We would like to thank the members of both the International Advisory Committee and the Local Organizing Committee. We greatly appreciate the financial support from the sponsors: the Department for Language Teaching and International Students at Sofia University, Dr Ivan Bogorov Publishing house, and Artgraph2 Publishing house. We would like to express our gratitude to the invited lecturers who were willing to pay the participation fee. In this way, in addition to the intellectual support they provided by means of their excellent lectures, they also supported the school financially.

[Coronary circulation in asymmetrical hypertrophy of the interventricular septum. On a new pathogenic hypothesis].

PubMed

Sánchez, G; Orea, A; Trevethan, S; Martínez Ríos, M A

1984-01-01

Thirty-four patients with left ventricular hypertrophy were studied. In all cases the following parameters were analyzed: 1) Echocardiography:left ventricular diastolic and systolic diameters, ejection fraction, thickness and movement of interventricular septum and posterior wall of the left ventricle (LV) 2) Electrocardiography: R wave voltaje in precordial leads V2, V3 and V5 and electrical axis in frontal plane 3) Catheterization: intracavitary pressures in LV and aortic pressures 4) Left ventriculography: areas of altered contractility 5) Coronariography: distribution pattern of coronary arteries and number of first order branches of circumflex (CA) and anterior descending coronary arteries (ADCA). The population was divided into 2 groups. Group A (GA) was made up of 22 patients with concentric hypertrophy (CH) of the LV (15 with systemic hypertensive heart disease, 6 with aortic valvular stenosis and 1 idiopathic). Echocardiographic findings included posterior wall thickness (PWT) or septal thickness of 1.1. cm or more and interventricular septum-posterior wall thickness ratio (S/PW) of less than 1.3. Group B (GB) included 12 patients with asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH), idiopathic in 5, systemic hypertensive heart disease in 4 and aortic valvular stenosis in 3. In these patients the S/PW thickness ratio was greater than 1.3 and the thickness of either wall greater than 1.1. cm. When the data of the two groups were compared there were significant differences in relation to the presence of septal hypertrophy. The R wave voltage in V2, interventricular thickness and S/PW were greater in GB. In addition, septal movement was less in GB than in Group A (0.47 +/- 0.26 cm vs. 0.74 +/- 0.37 cm; P less than 0.05). PWT was also less in Group B than in A (B: 1.01 +/- 0.1 cm, A: 1.2 +/- 0.2 cm; P less than 0.001). The CA in Group B divided into fewer than 4 first order branches to the upper two thirds of the posterior and lateral walls of the LV in 91.6%. This distribution of circumflex branches was found in 31.8% of the patients in Group A (P less than 0.05). In Group B, the ADCA divided into septal branches with no more than 2 diagonal branches. The posterior descending artery dominated septal distribution in 100% of these cases (GA: 31.8%; P less than 0.05). The sum of the first order branches of the CA and the ADCA was 5.6 +/- 0.9 in Group A and 2.7 +/- 0.9 branches in Group B (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (CR&D) Task Order 0035: Incorporation of Metal Nanoshells into Photovoltaic Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-07-01

AFRL-RX-WP-TR-2010-4185 COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (CR&D) Task Order 0035: Incorporation of Metal Nanoshells into Photovoltaic...08 June 2005 – 07 June 2007 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (CR&D) Task Order 0035: Incorporation of Metal ...The plasmon resonance in metallic nanoshells can be used to efficiently harvest solar energy and convert it into thermal or electronic form. Possible

Collaborative Research and Development (CR&D). Task Order 0049: Tribological Modeling

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-05-01

scratch test for TiN on stainless steel with better substrate mechanical properties. This present study was focused on the study of stress distribution...AFRL-RX-WP-TR-2010-4189 COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (CR&D) Task Order 0049: Tribological Modeling Young Sup Kang Universal...SUBTITLE COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (CR&D) Task Order 0049: Tribological Modeling 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER F33615-03-D-5801-0049 5b

Photoelectrochemical water splitting strongly enhanced in fast-grown ZnO nanotree and nanocluster structures† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6ta02788a Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Sangle, Abhijeet; Zhang, Siyuan; Yuan, Shuai; Zhao, Yin; Shi, Liyi; Hoye, Robert L. Z.; Cho, Seungho; Li, Dongdong

2016-01-01

We demonstrate selective growth of ZnO branched nanostructures: from nanorod clusters (with branches parallel to parent rods) to nanotrees (with branches perpendicular to parent rods). The growth of these structures was realized using a three-step approach: electrodeposition of nanorods (NRs), followed by the sputtering of ZnO seed layers, followed by the growth of branched arms using hydrothermal growth. The density, size and direction of the branches were tailored by tuning the deposition parameters. To our knowledge, this is the first report of control of branch direction. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of the ZnO nanostructures follows the order: nanotrees (NTs) > nanorod clusters (NCs) > parent NRs. The NT structure with the best PEC performance also possesses the shortest fabrication period which had never been reported before. The photocurrent of the NT and NC photoelectrodes is 0.67 and 0.56 mA cm–2 at 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively, an enhancement of 139% and 100% when compared to the ZnO NR structures. The key reason for the improved performance is shown to be the very large surface-to-volume ratios in the branched nanostructures, which gives rise to enhanced light absorption, improved charge transfer across the nanostructure/electrolyte interfaces to the electrolyte and efficient charge transport within the material. PMID:27774147

Non-Evolutionary Algorithms for Scheduling Dependent Tasks in Distributed Heterogeneous Computing Environments

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

Wayne F. Boyer; Gurdeep S. Hura

2005-09-01

The Problem of obtaining an optimal matching and scheduling of interdependent tasks in distributed heterogeneous computing (DHC) environments is well known to be an NP-hard problem. In a DHC system, task execution time is dependent on the machine to which it is assigned and task precedence constraints are represented by a directed acyclic graph. Recent research in evolutionary techniques has shown that genetic algorithms usually obtain more efficient schedules that other known algorithms. We propose a non-evolutionary random scheduling (RS) algorithm for efficient matching and scheduling of inter-dependent tasks in a DHC system. RS is a succession of randomized taskmore » orderings and a heuristic mapping from task order to schedule. Randomized task ordering is effectively a topological sort where the outcome may be any possible task order for which the task precedent constraints are maintained. A detailed comparison to existing evolutionary techniques (GA and PSGA) shows the proposed algorithm is less complex than evolutionary techniques, computes schedules in less time, requires less memory and fewer tuning parameters. Simulation results show that the average schedules produced by RS are approximately as efficient as PSGA schedules for all cases studied and clearly more efficient than PSGA for certain cases. The standard formulation for the scheduling problem addressed in this paper is Rm|prec|Cmax.,« less

Numerical Order and Quantity Processing in Number Comparison

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turconi, Eva; Campbell, Jamie I. D.; Seron, Xavier

2006-01-01

We investigated processing of numerical order information and its relation to mechanisms of numerical quantity processing. In two experiments, performance on a quantity-comparison task (e.g. 2 5; which is larger?) was compared with performance on a relative-order judgment task (e.g. 2 5; ascending or descending order?). The comparison task…

A Second Look at Second-Order Belief Attribution in Autism.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tager-Flusberg, Helen; Sullivan, Kate

1994-01-01

Twelve students with autism and 12 with mental retardation, who had passed a first-order test of false belief, were given a second-order reasoning task. No intergroup performance differences were seen. Findings suggest that the difficulty for both groups with the second-order task lies in information processing demands rather than conceptual…

3 CFR 13518 - Executive Order 13518 of November 9, 2009. Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... opportunities for veterans within the executive branch, consistent with merit system principles and veterans... in section 4 of this order, merit system principles, the agency's strategic human capital plan, and... employment opportunities for veterans within the agency, consistent with law and merit system principles...

The effects of voice and manual control mode on dual task performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wickens, C. D.; Zenyuh, J.; Culp, V.; Marshak, W.

1986-01-01

Two fundamental principles of human performance, compatibility and resource competition, are combined with two structural dichotomies in the human information processing system, manual versus voice output, and left versus right cerebral hemisphere, in order to predict the optimum combination of voice and manual control with either hand, for time-sharing performance of a dicrete and continuous task. Eight right handed male subjected performed a discrete first-order tracking task, time-shared with an auditorily presented Sternberg Memory Search Task. Each task could be controlled by voice, or by the left or right hand, in all possible combinations except for a dual voice mode. When performance was analyzed in terms of a dual-task decrement from single task control conditions, the following variables influenced time-sharing efficiency in diminishing order of magnitude, (1) the modality of control, (discrete manual control of tracking was superior to discrete voice control of tracking and the converse was true with the memory search task), (2) response competition, (performance was degraded when both tasks were responded manually), (3) hemispheric competition, (performance degraded whenever two tasks were controlled by the left hemisphere) (i.e., voice or right handed control). The results confirm the value of predictive models invoice control implementation.

Equivalent Relaxations of Optimal Power Flow

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

Bose, S; Low, SH; Teeraratkul, T

2015-03-01

Several convex relaxations of the optimal power flow (OPF) problem have recently been developed using both bus injection models and branch flow models. In this paper, we prove relations among three convex relaxations: a semidefinite relaxation that computes a full matrix, a chordal relaxation based on a chordal extension of the network graph, and a second-order cone relaxation that computes the smallest partial matrix. We prove a bijection between the feasible sets of the OPF in the bus injection model and the branch flow model, establishing the equivalence of these two models and their second-order cone relaxations. Our results implymore » that, for radial networks, all these relaxations are equivalent and one should always solve the second-order cone relaxation. For mesh networks, the semidefinite relaxation and the chordal relaxation are equally tight and both are strictly tighter than the second-order cone relaxation. Therefore, for mesh networks, one should either solve the chordal relaxation or the SOCP relaxation, trading off tightness and the required computational effort. Simulations are used to illustrate these results.« less

47 CFR 1.85 - Suspension of operator licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... license is ordered suspended, the operator shall send his operator license to the Licensing and Technical Analysis Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, in...

47 CFR 1.85 - Suspension of operator licenses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... license is ordered suspended, the operator shall send his operator license to the Licensing and Technical Analysis Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, in...

State responsibility and right to health in Brazil: a balance of the Branches' actions.

PubMed

Baptista, Tatiana Wargas de Faria; Machado, Cristiani Vieira; de Lima, Luciana Dias

2009-01-01

The 1988 Federal Constitution set forth a new political-institutional moment in Brazil reasserting the Democratic State and defining a broad social protection policy including health as a social citizenship right. Since its promulgation, a great number of laws, ministerial decrees and administrative actions have attempted to make feasible the political project outlined in the Constitution. On the other hand, in the same period, the number of legal orders regarding health related demands has increased. Such a movement has revealed inconsistencies and contradictions in the legal and normative scope of SUS (Unified Health System), as well as problems not calculated by health policies, questioning the Executive Branch's actions and creating a new demand for legislation. This article discusses the role of the State in health as of 1990, considering the action of the Branches. The perspectives on the right to health in the construction of a democratic State oriented to social wellbeing, facing the challenges related to coordination mechanisms and balance among Branches in the health issue, are discussed.

Degradation of isoproturon and bentazone in peat- and compost-based biomixtures.

PubMed

Coppola, Laura; Pilar Castillo, Maria Del; Vischetti, Costantino

2011-01-01

The composition and properties of a biomixture used in a biobed are decisive for pesticide sorption and degradation. This study was performed to investigate the capability of compost-based substrates in mixtures with citrus peel and vine branch straw and peat-based substrates in mixtures with soil and vine branch straw at different levels in order to degrade isoproturon and bentazone. Dissipation and mineralisation rates of both pesticides were determined, and metabolic activity was followed as respiration. Compost-based substrates showed faster pesticide dissipation in the presence of lignocellulosic materials, as in garden compost and vine branch straw. The increasing content of vine branch straw in peat-based substrates does not seem to affect dissipation of the parent compounds. Low mineralisation rate was observed in all treatments. Higher pesticide degradation was observed in the lignocellulosic substrates, probably because of the development of lignin-degrading microorganisms which have shown to be robust and are able to degrade recalcitrant pesticides. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry.

Third report on the Oak Ridge K-25 Site Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program for Mitchell Branch

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

Hinzman, R.L.; Adams, S.M.; Ashwood, T.L.

1995-08-01

As a condition of the modified National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued to the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP; now referred to as the Oak Ridge K-25 Site) on September 11, 1986, a Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (BMAP) was developed for the receiving stream (Mitchell Branch or K-1700 stream). On October 1, 1992, a renewed NPDES permit was issued for the K-25 Site. A biological monitoring plan was submitted for Mitchell Branch, Poplar Creek, Poplar Creek Embayment of the Clinch River and any unnamed tributaries of these streams. The objectives of BMAP are to (1) demonstratemore » that the effluent limitations established for the Oak Ridge K-25 Site protect and maintain the use of Mitchell Branch for growth and propagation of fish and other aquatic life and (2) document the effects on stream biota resulting from operation of major new pollution abatement facilities, including the Central Neutralization Facility (CNF) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) incinerator. The BMAP consists of four tasks: (1) toxicity monitoring; (2) bioaccumulation monitoring; (3) assessment of fish health; and (4) instream monitoring of biological communities, including benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. This document, the third in a series, reports on the results of the Oak Ridge K-25 Site BMAP; it describes studies that were conducted over various periods of time between June 1990 and December 1993, although monitoring conducted outside this time period is included, as appropriate.« less

In search of intelligence: evolving a developmental neuron capable of learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Gul Muhammad; Miller, Julian Francis

2014-10-01

A neuro-inspired multi-chromosomal genotype for a single developmental neuron capable of learning and developing memory is proposed. This genotype is evolved so that the phenotype which changes and develops during an agent's lifetime (while problem-solving) gives the agent the capacity for learning by experience. Seven important processes of signal processing and neural structure development are identified from biology and encoded using Cartesian Genetic Programming. These chromosomes represent the electrical and developmental aspects of dendrites, axonal branches, synapses and the neuron soma. The neural morphology that occurs by running these chromosomes is highly dynamic. The dendritic/axonal branches and synaptic connections form and change in response to situations encountered in the learning task. The approach has been evaluated in the context of maze-solving and the board game of checkers (draughts) demonstrating interesting learning capabilities. The motivation underlying this research is to, ab initio, evolve genotypes that build phenotypes with an ability to learn.

The Osler Student Societies of the University of Texas medical branch: a medical professionalism translational tool.

PubMed

Malloy, Michael H

2012-12-01

This essay reviews some of the issues associated with the challenge of integrating the concepts of medical professionalism into the socialization and identity formation of the undergraduate medical student. A narrative-based approach to the integration of professionalism in medical education proposed by Coulehan (Acad Med 80(10):892-898, 2005) offers an appealing method to accomplish the task in a less didactic format and in a way that promotes more personal growth. In this essay, I review how the Osler Student Societies of the University of Texas Medical Branch developed and how they offer a convenient vehicle to carry out this narrative-based approach to professionalism. Through mentor-modeled professional behavior, opportunities for student self-reflection, the development of narrative skills through reflection on great literature, and opportunities for community service, the Osler Student Societies provide a ready-made narrative-based approach to medical professionalism education.

A Study of Novice Systems Analysis Problem Solving Behaviors Using Protocol Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-09-01

conducted. Each subject was given the same task to perform. The task involved a case study (Appendix B) of a utility company’s customer order processing system...behavior (Ramesh, 1989). The task was to design a customer order processing system that utilized a centralized telephone answering service center...of the utility company’s customer order processing system that was developed based on information obtained by a large systems consulting firm during

Differentiated evolutionary relationships among chordates from comparative alignments of multiple sequences of MyoD and MyoG myogenic regulatory factors.

PubMed

Oliani, L C; Lidani, K C F; Gabriel, J E

2015-10-16

MyoD and MyoG are transcription factors that have essential roles in myogenic lineage determination and muscle differentiation. The purpose of this study was to compare multiple amino acid sequences of myogenic regulatory proteins to infer evolutionary relationships among chordates. Protein sequences from Mus musculus (P10085 and P12979), human Homo sapiens (P15172 and P15173), bovine Bos taurus (Q7YS82 and Q7YS81), wild pig Sus scrofa (P49811 and P49812), quail Coturnix coturnix (P21572 and P34060), chicken Gallus gallus (P16075 and P17920), rat Rattus norvegicus (Q02346 and P20428), domestic water buffalo Bubalus bubalis (D2SP11 and A7L034), and sheep Ovis aries (Q90477 and D3YKV7) were searched from a non-redundant protein sequence database UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot, and subsequently analyzed using the Mega6.0 software. MyoD evolutionary analyses revealed the presence of three main clusters with all mammals branched in one cluster, members of the order Rodentia (mouse and rat) in a second branch linked to the first, and birds of the order Galliformes (chicken and quail) remaining isolated in a third. MyoG evolutionary analyses aligned sequences in two main clusters, all mammalian specimens grouped in different sub-branches, and birds clustered in a second branch. These analyses suggest that the evolution of MyoD and MyoG was driven by different pathways.

Weighted Distances in Scale-Free Configuration Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adriaans, Erwin; Komjáthy, Júlia

2018-01-01

In this paper we study first-passage percolation in the configuration model with empirical degree distribution that follows a power-law with exponent τ \\in (2,3) . We assign independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) weights to the edges of the graph. We investigate the weighted distance (the length of the shortest weighted path) between two uniformly chosen vertices, called typical distances. When the underlying age-dependent branching process approximating the local neighborhoods of vertices is found to produce infinitely many individuals in finite time—called explosive branching process—Baroni, Hofstad and the second author showed in Baroni et al. (J Appl Probab 54(1):146-164, 2017) that typical distances converge in distribution to a bounded random variable. The order of magnitude of typical distances remained open for the τ \\in (2,3) case when the underlying branching process is not explosive. We close this gap by determining the first order of magnitude of typical distances in this regime for arbitrary, not necessary continuous edge-weight distributions that produce a non-explosive age-dependent branching process with infinite mean power-law offspring distributions. This sequence tends to infinity with the amount of vertices, and, by choosing an appropriate weight distribution, can be tuned to be any growing function that is O(log log n) , where n is the number of vertices in the graph. We show that the result remains valid for the the erased configuration model as well, where we delete loops and any second and further edges between two vertices.

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2011

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Sen. Nelson, Ben [D-NE

2010-09-16

Senate - 09/16/2010 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 570. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Modeling of Depth Cue Integration in Manual Control Tasks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sweet, Barbara T.; Kaiser, Mary K.; Davis, Wendy

2003-01-01

Psychophysical research has demonstrated that human observers utilize a variety of visual cues to form a perception of three-dimensional depth. However, most of these studies have utilized a passive judgement paradigm, and failed to consider depth-cue integration as a dynamic and task-specific process. In the current study, we developed and experimentally validated a model of manual control of depth that examines how two potential cues (stereo disparity and relative size) are utilized in both first- and second-order active depth control tasks. We found that stereo disparity plays the dominate role for determining depth position, while relative size dominates perception of depth velocity. Stereo disparity also plays a reduced role when made less salient (i.e., when viewing distance is increased). Manual control models predict that position information is sufficient for first-order control tasks, while velocity information is required to perform a second-order control task. Thus, the rules for depth-cue integration in active control tasks are dependent on both task demands and cue quality.

Using naturally occurring polysaccharides to align molecules with nonlinear optical activity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasthofer, Thomas

1996-01-01

The Biophysics and Advanced Materials Branch of the Microgravity Science and Applications Division at Marshall Space Flight Center has been investigating polymers with the potential for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications for a number of years. Some of the potential applications for NLO materials include optical communications, computing, and switching. To this point the branch's research has involved polydiacetylenes, phthalocyanins, and other synthetic polymers which have inherent NLO properties. The aim of the present research is to investigate the possibility of using naturally occurring polymers such as polysaccharides or proteins to trap and align small organic molecules with useful NLO properties. Ordering molecules with NLO properties enhances 3rd order nonlinear effects and is required for 2nd order nonlinear effects. Potential advantages of such a system are the flexibility to use different small molecules with varying chemical and optical properties, the stability and cost of the polymers, and the ability to form thin, optically transparent films. Since the quality of any polymer films depends on optimizing ordering and minimizing defects, this work is particularly well suited for microgravity experiments. Polysaccharide and protein polymers form microscopic crystallites which must align to form ordered arrays. The ordered association of crystallites is disrupted by gravity effects and NASA research on protein crystal growth has demonstrated that low gravity conditions can improve crystal quality.

The J-Staff System, Network Synchronisation and Noise

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S... work . A key challenge of such structures is their tendency to fall into extreme dynamical modes. One is a ‘two-speed’ mode, where units interacting with...longer term planning, led by the J5 Planning Branch, fall into a slow cycle of work , while those entities interacting predominately with operations

Mines and Demolitions

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-04-22

effectiveness of these mineb is determined by the Wound Ballistics Branch of the U. S. Army Balliatics Research ’Laboratories, Aberden Proving Ground , KI...Ia. P ROORAM EL EME~dT.PAOj ECT. TASK( * AREA & WORK UNIT NIAMOERS U. S. Array AbrenP.:oing Ground (STEaP-Htr-H) Aberdeen Proving Srouad, Ltd. 2 005...to th~a publiratioa should bp~ forwarded to Comaander. U. S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, ATTN: D RSTE-M.S, Abevdt.,en Proving Ground . Md. 21005

The effect of federal health policy on occupational medicine.

PubMed

McCunney, R J; Cikins, W

1990-01-01

All three branches of the federal government affect occupational medicine. Notable examples include: 1) the Department of Transportation ruling (1988) requiring drug testing in diverse areas of the transportation industry (executive branch); 2) the Workplace Drug Act (1988) calling for organizations to have a policy towards drug and alcohol abuse (legislative branch); and 3) the Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of drug testing in the transportation industry (1989) and that infectious diseases are a handicap in accordance with the 1973 Federal Rehabilitation Act (1987). The executive branch plays a major role in occupational medicine primarily through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which issues standards based on a rule making process; the executive branch can also affect occupational medicine indirectly, as evidenced by President Reagan's Executive Order 12291 calling for Office of Management and Budget oversight of regulatory initiatives. The legislative branch enacts laws, conducts hearings, and requests reports on the operations of federal agencies. The judicial branch addresses occupational health issues when people affected by an executive ruling want to challenge the ruling; or in the case of the Supreme Court, when deliberating an issue over which two circuit courts of appeal have come to divergent opinions. The Occupational Medicine profession can participate in the political process through awareness of proposed legislation and by responding accordingly with letters, resolutions, or testimony. Similar options exist within the executive branch by participating in the rule-making process. A representative of the Governmental Affairs Committee, through periodic visits with key Washington representatives, can keep members of the American College of Occupational Medicine informed about federal legislative and regulatory activities. In appropriate cases, the organization can then take a formal position on governmental activities that affect the speciality.

Countermanding eye-head gaze shifts in humans: marching orders are delivered to the head first.

PubMed

Corneil, Brian D; Elsley, James K

2005-07-01

The countermanding task requires subjects to cancel a planned movement on appearance of a stop signal, providing insights into response generation and suppression. Here, we studied human eye-head gaze shifts in a countermanding task with targets located beyond the horizontal oculomotor range. Consistent with head-restrained saccadic countermanding studies, the proportion of gaze shifts on stop trials increased the longer the stop signal was delayed after target presentation, and gaze shift stop-signal reaction times (SSRTs: a derived statistic measuring how long it takes to cancel a movement) averaged approximately 120 ms across seven subjects. We also observed a marked proportion of trials (13% of all stop trials) during which gaze remained stable but the head moved toward the target. Such head movements were more common at intermediate stop signal delays. We never observed the converse sequence wherein gaze moved while the head remained stable. SSRTs for head movements averaged approximately 190 ms or approximately 70-75 ms longer than gaze SSRTs. Although our findings are inconsistent with a single race to threshold as proposed for controlling saccadic eye movements, movement parameters on stop trials attested to interactions consistent with a race model architecture. To explain our data, we tested two extensions to the saccadic race model. The first assumed that gaze shifts and head movements are controlled by parallel but independent races. The second model assumed that gaze shifts and head movements are controlled by a single race, preceded by terminal ballistic intervals not under inhibitory control, and that the head-movement branch is activated at a lower threshold. Although simulations of both models produced acceptable fits to the empirical data, we favor the second alternative as it is more parsimonious with recent findings in the oculomotor system. Using the second model, estimates for gaze and head ballistic intervals were approximately 25 and 90 ms, respectively, consistent with the known physiology of the final motor paths. Further, the threshold of the head movement branch was estimated to be 85% of that required to activate gaze shifts. From these results, we conclude that a commitment to a head movement is made in advance of gaze shifts and that the comparative SSRT differences result primarily from biomechanical differences inherent to eye and head motion.

On the missing second generation AGB stars in NGC 6752

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cassisi, Santi; Salaris, Maurizio; Pietrinferni, Adriano; Vink, Jorick S.; Monelli, Matteo

2014-11-01

In recent years the view of Galactic globular clusters as simple stellar populations has changed dramatically, it is now thought that basically all globular clusters host multiple stellar populations, each with its own chemical abundance pattern and colour-magnitude diagram sequence. Recent spectroscopic observations of asymptotic giant branch stars in the globular cluster NGC 6752 have disclosed a low [Na/Fe] abundance for the whole sample, suggesting that they are all first generation stars, and that all second generation stars fail to reach the AGB in this cluster. A scenario proposed to explain these observations invokes strong mass loss in second generation horizontal branch stars - all located at the hot side of the blue and extended horizontal branch of this cluster - possibly induced by the metal enhancement associated to radiative levitation. This enhanced mass loss would prevent second generation stars from reaching the asymptotic giant branch phase, thus explaining at the same time the low value of the ratio between horizontal branch and asymptotic giant branch stars (the R2 parameter) observed in NGC 6752. We have critically discussed this mass-loss scenario, finding that the required mass-loss rates are of the order of 10-9 M⊙ yr-1, significantly higher than current theoretical and empirical constraints. By making use of synthetic horizontal branch simulations, we demonstrate that our modelling correctly predicts the R2 parameter for NGC 6752, without the need to invoke very efficient mass loss during the core He-burning stage. As a test of our stellar models we show that we can reproduce the observed value of R2 for both M 3, a cluster of approximately the same metallicity and with a redder horizontal branch morphology, and M 13, a cluster with a horizontal branch very similar to NGC 6752. However, our simulations for the NGC 6752 horizontal branch predict however the presence of a significant fraction of second generation stars (about 50%) along the cluster asymptotic giant branch. We conclude that there is no simple explanation for the lack of second generation stars in the spectroscopically surveyed sample, although the interplay between mass loss (with low rates) and radiative levitation may play a role in explaining this puzzle.

Human liver segments: role of cryptic liver lobes and vascular physiology in the development of liver veins and left-right asymmetry.

PubMed

Hikspoors, Jill P J M; Peeters, Mathijs M J P; Kruepunga, Nutmethee; Mekonen, Hayelom K; Mommen, Greet M C; Köhler, S Eleonore; Lamers, Wouter H

2017-12-07

Couinaud based his well-known subdivision of the liver into (surgical) segments on the branching order of portal veins and the location of hepatic veins. However, both segment boundaries and number remain controversial due to an incomplete understanding of the role of liver lobes and vascular physiology on hepatic venous development. Human embryonic livers (5-10 weeks of development) were visualized with Amira 3D-reconstruction and Cinema 4D-remodeling software. Starting at 5 weeks, the portal and umbilical veins sprouted portal-vein branches that, at 6.5 weeks, had been pruned to 3 main branches in the right hemi-liver, whereas all (>10) persisted in the left hemi-liver. The asymmetric branching pattern of the umbilical vein resembled that of a "distributing" vessel, whereas the more symmetric branching of the portal trunk resembled a "delivering" vessel. At 6 weeks, 3-4 main hepatic-vein outlets drained into the inferior caval vein, of which that draining the caudate lobe formed the intrahepatic portion of the caval vein. More peripherally, 5-6 major tributaries drained both dorsolateral regions and the left and right ventromedial regions, implying a "crypto-lobar" distribution. Lobar boundaries, even in non-lobated human livers, and functional vascular requirements account for the predictable topography and branching pattern of the liver veins, respectively.

Expression and characterization of thermostable glycogen branching enzyme from Geobacillus mahadia Geo-05.

PubMed

Mohtar, Nur Syazwani; Abdul Rahman, Mohd Basyaruddin; Raja Abd Rahman, Raja Noor Zaliha; Leow, Thean Chor; Salleh, Abu Bakar; Mat Isa, Mohd Noor

2016-01-01

The glycogen branching enzyme (EC 2.4.1.18), which catalyses the formation of α -1,6-glycosidic branch points in glycogen structure, is often used to enhance the nutritional value and quality of food and beverages. In order to be applicable in industries, enzymes that are stable and active at high temperature are much desired. Using genome mining, the nucleotide sequence of the branching enzyme gene ( glgB ) was extracted from the Geobacillus mahadia Geo-05 genome sequence provided by the Malaysia Genome Institute. The size of the gene is 2013 bp, and the theoretical molecular weight of the protein is 78.43 kDa. The gene sequence was then used to predict the thermostability, function and the three dimensional structure of the enzyme. The gene was cloned and overexpressed in E. coli to verify the predicted result experimentally. The purified enzyme was used to study the effect of temperature and pH on enzyme activity and stability, and the inhibitory effect by metal ion on enzyme activity. This thermostable glycogen branching enzyme was found to be most active at 55 °C, and the half-life at 60 °C and 70 °C was 24 h and 5 h, respectively. From this research, a thermostable glycogen branching enzyme was successfully isolated from Geobacillus mahadia Geo-05 by genome mining together with molecular biology technique.

SDF1 Reduces Interneuron Leading Process Branching through Dual Regulation of Actin and Microtubules

PubMed Central

Lysko, Daniel E.; Putt, Mary

2014-01-01

Normal cerebral cortical function requires a highly ordered balance between projection neurons and interneurons. During development these two neuronal populations migrate from distinct progenitor zones to form the cerebral cortex, with interneurons originating in the more distant ganglionic eminences. Moreover, deficits in interneurons have been linked to a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders underscoring the importance of understanding interneuron development and function. We, and others, have identified SDF1 signaling as one important modulator of interneuron migration speed and leading process branching behavior in mice, although how SDF1 signaling impacts these behaviors remains unknown. We previously found SDF1 inhibited leading process branching while increasing the rate of migration. We have now mechanistically linked SDF1 modulation of leading process branching behavior to a dual regulation of both actin and microtubule organization. We find SDF1 consolidates actin at the leading process tip by de-repressing calpain protease and increasing proteolysis of branched-actin-supporting cortactin. Additionally, SDF1 stabilizes the microtubule array in the leading process through activation of the microtubule-associated protein doublecortin (DCX). DCX stabilizes the microtubule array by bundling microtubules within the leading process, reducing branching. These data provide mechanistic insight into the regulation of interneuron leading process dynamics during neuronal migration in mice and provides insight into how cortactin and DCX, a known human neuronal migration disorder gene, participate in this process. PMID:24695713

High-precision Q EC values of superallowed 0 + → 0 + β-emitters 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni

DOE PAGES

Zhang, P.; Xu, X.; Shuai, P.; ...

2017-01-23

Short-lived 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni were studied by isochronous mass spectrometry at the HIRFL-CSR facility in Lanzhou. The measured precision mass excesses (ME) of 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni are -29471(11) keV, -34477(6) keV and -39278(4) keV, respectively. The superallowed 0 +→0+β-decay Q values were derived to be Q EC( 46Cr) =7604(11) keV, Q EC( 50Fe) =8150(6) keV and Q EC( 54Ni) =8731(4) keV. The values for 50Fe and 54Ni are by one order of magnitude more precise than the adopted literature values. By combining the existing half-lives and branching ratios, we obtained the corrected ℱt values to be ℱt(more » 50Fe) =3103(70) s and ℱt( 54Ni) =3076(50) s. The main contribution to the ℱt uncertainties is now due to β-decay branching ratios, still, more high-precision measurements of the half-lives, the masses, and especially the branching ratios are needed in order to satisfy the requirements for a stringent CVC test.« less

High-precision Q EC values of superallowed 0 + → 0 + β-emitters 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni

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

Zhang, P.; Xu, X.; Shuai, P.

Short-lived 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni were studied by isochronous mass spectrometry at the HIRFL-CSR facility in Lanzhou. The measured precision mass excesses (ME) of 46Cr, 50Fe and 54Ni are -29471(11) keV, -34477(6) keV and -39278(4) keV, respectively. The superallowed 0 +→0+β-decay Q values were derived to be Q EC( 46Cr) =7604(11) keV, Q EC( 50Fe) =8150(6) keV and Q EC( 54Ni) =8731(4) keV. The values for 50Fe and 54Ni are by one order of magnitude more precise than the adopted literature values. By combining the existing half-lives and branching ratios, we obtained the corrected ℱt values to be ℱt(more » 50Fe) =3103(70) s and ℱt( 54Ni) =3076(50) s. The main contribution to the ℱt uncertainties is now due to β-decay branching ratios, still, more high-precision measurements of the half-lives, the masses, and especially the branching ratios are needed in order to satisfy the requirements for a stringent CVC test.« less

Correlation between polymer architecture, mesoscale structure and photovoltaic performance in side-chain-modified PAE-PAV:fullerene bulk-heterojunction solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rathgeber, S.; Kuehnlenz, F.; Hoppe, H.; Egbe, D. A. M.; Tuerk, S.; Perlich, J.; Gehrke, R.

2012-02-01

A poly(arylene-ethynylene)-alt-poly(arylene-vinylene) statistical copolymer carrying linear and branched alkoxy side chains along the conjugated backbone in a random manner, yields, compared to its regular substituted counterparts, an improved performance in polymer:fullerene bulk-heterojunction solar cells. Results obtained from GiWAXS experiments show that the improved performance of the statistical copolymer may be attributed to the following structural characteristics: 1) Well, ordered stacked domains that promote backbone planarization and thus improve the ππ-overlap. 2) Partly face-on alignment of domains relative to the electrodes for an improved active layer electrode charge transfer. Branched side chains seem to promote face-on domain orientation. Most likely they can minimize their unfavorable contact with the interface by just bringing the CH3 groups of the branches into direct contact with the surface so that favorable phenylene-substrate interaction can promote face-on orientation. 3) A more isotropic domain orientation throughout the active layer to ensure that the backbone alignment direction has components perpendicular and parallel to the electrodes in order to compromise between light absorption and efficient intra-chain charge transport.

Experimental cross-correlation nitrogen Q-branch CARS thermometry in a spark ignition engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lockett, R. D.; Ball, D.; Robertson, G. N.

2013-07-01

A purely experimental technique was employed to derive temperatures from nitrogen Q-branch Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) spectra, obtained in a high pressure, high temperature environment (spark ignition Otto engine). This was in order to obviate any errors arising from deficiencies in the spectral scaling laws which are commonly used to represent nitrogen Q-branch CARS spectra at high pressure. The spectra obtained in the engine were compared with spectra obtained in a calibrated high pressure, high temperature cell, using direct cross-correlation in place of the minimisation of sums of squares of residuals. The technique is demonstrated through the measurement of air temperature as a function of crankshaft angle inside the cylinder of a motored single-cylinder Ricardo E6 research engine, followed by the measurement of fuel-air mixture temperatures obtained during the compression stroke in a knocking Ricardo E6 engine. A standard CARS programme (SANDIA's CARSFIT) was employed to calibrate the altered non-resonant background contribution to the CARS spectra that was caused by the alteration to the mole fraction of nitrogen in the unburned fuel-air mixture. The compression temperature profiles were extrapolated in order to predict the auto-ignition temperatures.

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2013

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Rep. Crenshaw, Ander [R-FL-4

2012-06-01

Senate - 08/02/2012 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 466. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status Passed HouseHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Fitting model-based psychometric functions to simultaneity and temporal-order judgment data: MATLAB and R routines.

PubMed

Alcalá-Quintana, Rocío; García-Pérez, Miguel A

2013-12-01

Research on temporal-order perception uses temporal-order judgment (TOJ) tasks or synchrony judgment (SJ) tasks in their binary SJ2 or ternary SJ3 variants. In all cases, two stimuli are presented with some temporal delay, and observers judge the order of presentation. Arbitrary psychometric functions are typically fitted to obtain performance measures such as sensitivity or the point of subjective simultaneity, but the parameters of these functions are uninterpretable. We describe routines in MATLAB and R that fit model-based functions whose parameters are interpretable in terms of the processes underlying temporal-order and simultaneity judgments and responses. These functions arise from an independent-channels model assuming arrival latencies with exponential distributions and a trichotomous decision space. Different routines fit data separately for SJ2, SJ3, and TOJ tasks, jointly for any two tasks, or also jointly for the three tasks (for common cases in which two or even the three tasks were used with the same stimuli and participants). Additional routines provide bootstrap p-values and confidence intervals for estimated parameters. A further routine is included that obtains performance measures from the fitted functions. An R package for Windows and source code of the MATLAB and R routines are available as Supplementary Files.

Domain-Generality of Timing-Based Serial Order Processes in Short-Term Memory: New Insights from Musical and Verbal Domains

PubMed Central

Kowialiewski, Benjamin; Majerus, Steve

2016-01-01

Several models in the verbal domain of short-term memory (STM) consider a dissociation between item and order processing. This view is supported by data demonstrating that different types of time-based interference have a greater effect on memory for the order of to-be-remembered items than on memory for the items themselves. The present study investigated the domain-generality of the item versus serial order dissociation by comparing the differential effects of time-based interfering tasks, such as rhythmic interference and articulatory suppression, on item and order processing in verbal and musical STM domains. In Experiment 1, participants had to maintain sequences of verbal or musical information in STM, followed by a probe sequence, this under different conditions of interference (no-interference, rhythmic interference, articulatory suppression). They were required to decide whether all items of the probe list matched those of the memory list (item condition) or whether the order of the items in the probe sequence matched the order in the memory list (order condition). In Experiment 2, participants performed a serial order probe recognition task for verbal and musical sequences ensuring sequential maintenance processes, under no-interference or rhythmic interference conditions. For Experiment 1, serial order recognition was not significantly more impacted by interfering tasks than was item recognition, this for both verbal and musical domains. For Experiment 2, we observed selective interference of the rhythmic interference condition on both musical and verbal order STM tasks. Overall, the results suggest a similar and selective sensitivity to time-based interference for serial order STM in verbal and musical domains, but only when the STM tasks ensure sequential maintenance processes. PMID:27992565

Domain-Generality of Timing-Based Serial Order Processes in Short-Term Memory: New Insights from Musical and Verbal Domains.

PubMed

Gorin, Simon; Kowialiewski, Benjamin; Majerus, Steve

2016-01-01

Several models in the verbal domain of short-term memory (STM) consider a dissociation between item and order processing. This view is supported by data demonstrating that different types of time-based interference have a greater effect on memory for the order of to-be-remembered items than on memory for the items themselves. The present study investigated the domain-generality of the item versus serial order dissociation by comparing the differential effects of time-based interfering tasks, such as rhythmic interference and articulatory suppression, on item and order processing in verbal and musical STM domains. In Experiment 1, participants had to maintain sequences of verbal or musical information in STM, followed by a probe sequence, this under different conditions of interference (no-interference, rhythmic interference, articulatory suppression). They were required to decide whether all items of the probe list matched those of the memory list (item condition) or whether the order of the items in the probe sequence matched the order in the memory list (order condition). In Experiment 2, participants performed a serial order probe recognition task for verbal and musical sequences ensuring sequential maintenance processes, under no-interference or rhythmic interference conditions. For Experiment 1, serial order recognition was not significantly more impacted by interfering tasks than was item recognition, this for both verbal and musical domains. For Experiment 2, we observed selective interference of the rhythmic interference condition on both musical and verbal order STM tasks. Overall, the results suggest a similar and selective sensitivity to time-based interference for serial order STM in verbal and musical domains, but only when the STM tasks ensure sequential maintenance processes.

Anisotropic-Scale Junction Detection and Matching for Indoor Images.

PubMed

Xue, Nan; Xia, Gui-Song; Bai, Xiang; Zhang, Liangpei; Shen, Weiming

Junctions play an important role in characterizing local geometrical structures of images, and the detection of which is a longstanding but challenging task. Existing junction detectors usually focus on identifying the location and orientations of junction branches while ignoring their scales, which, however, contain rich geometries of images. This paper presents a novel approach for junction detection and characterization, which especially exploits the locally anisotropic geometries of a junction and estimates its scales by relying on an a-contrario model. The output junctions are with anisotropic scales, saying that a scale parameter is associated with each branch of a junction and are thus named as anisotropic-scale junctions (ASJs). We then apply the new detected ASJs for matching indoor images, where there are dramatic changes of viewpoints and the detected local visual features, e.g., key-points, are usually insufficient and lack distinctive ability. We propose to use the anisotropic geometries of our junctions to improve the matching precision of indoor images. The matching results on sets of indoor images demonstrate that our approach achieves the state-of-the-art performance on indoor image matching.Junctions play an important role in characterizing local geometrical structures of images, and the detection of which is a longstanding but challenging task. Existing junction detectors usually focus on identifying the location and orientations of junction branches while ignoring their scales, which, however, contain rich geometries of images. This paper presents a novel approach for junction detection and characterization, which especially exploits the locally anisotropic geometries of a junction and estimates its scales by relying on an a-contrario model. The output junctions are with anisotropic scales, saying that a scale parameter is associated with each branch of a junction and are thus named as anisotropic-scale junctions (ASJs). We then apply the new detected ASJs for matching indoor images, where there are dramatic changes of viewpoints and the detected local visual features, e.g., key-points, are usually insufficient and lack distinctive ability. We propose to use the anisotropic geometries of our junctions to improve the matching precision of indoor images. The matching results on sets of indoor images demonstrate that our approach achieves the state-of-the-art performance on indoor image matching.

Application of manual control theory to the study of biological stress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Replogle, C. R.; Holden, F. M.; Iay, C. N.

1972-01-01

A study was run using both a stable, third-order task and an adaptive first-order unstable task singly and in combination to test the effects of 2 min hypoxia (22000 ft) on human operator. The results indicate that the RMS error in the stable task does not change as a function of hypoxic stress whereas the error in an unstable task changes significantly. Models involving human operator parameter changes and noise injection are discussed.

A Task-Content Analysis of an Introductory Entomology Curriculum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brandenburg, R.

Described is an analysis of the content, tasks, and strategies needed by students to enable them to identify insects to order by sight and to family by use of a standard dichotomous taxonomic key. Tasks and strategies are broken down and arranged progressively in the approximate order in which students should progress. Included are listings of…

78 FR 72132 - RBS Securities Inc. and Citizens Investment Advisors; Notice of Application and Temporary Order

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-02

... Washington Boulevard, Stamford, CT 06901; Citizens IA, c/o RBS Citizens Financial Group Inc., 101 Park Avenue... 202-551-6882 or David P. Bartels, Branch Chief, at 202-551-6821 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a temporary order and summary of...

7 CFR 999.500 - Safeguard procedures for walnuts and certain dates exempt from grade, size, quality, and maturity...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SPECIALTY CROPS; IMPORT REGULATIONS... cannot be used for drying and sale as dried walnuts); walnuts used in non-competitive outlets such as use... the Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, USDA, and shall show the...

10 CFR 15.35 - Payments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., credit card, or money order and should be payable to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, License Fee and Accounts Receivable Branch, P.O. Box 954514, St. Louis, MO. 63195-4514, unless payment is...

Electrophysiological evidence for differential processing of numerical quantity and order in humans.

PubMed

Turconi, Eva; Jemel, Boutheina; Rossion, Bruno; Seron, Xavier

2004-09-01

It is yet unclear whether the processing of number magnitude and order rely on common or different functional processes and neural substrates. On the one hand, recent neuroimaging studies show that quantity and order coding activate the same areas in the parietal and prefrontal cortices. On the other hand, evidence from developmental and neuropsychological studies suggest dissociated mechanisms for processing quantity and order information. To clarify this issue, the present study investigated the spatio-temporal course of quantity and order coding operations using event-related potentials (ERPs). Twenty-four subjects performed a quantity task (classifying numbers as smaller or larger than 15) and an order task on the same material (classifying numbers as coming before or after 15), as well as a control order task on letters (classifying letters as coming before or after M). Behavioral results showed a classical distance effect (decreasing reaction times [RTs] with increasing distance from the standard) for all tasks. In agreement with previous electrophysiological evidence, this effect was significant on a P2 parietal component for numerical material. However, the difference between processing numbers close or far from the target appeared earlier and was larger on the left hemisphere for quantity processing, while it was delayed and bilateral for order processing. There was also a significant distance effect in all tasks on parietal sites for the following P3 component elicited by numbers, but this effect was larger on prefrontal areas for the order judgment. In conclusion, both quantity and order show similar behavioral effects, but they are associated with different spatio-temporal courses in parietal and prefrontal cortices.

48 CFR 5.703 - Definition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS Publicizing Requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 5.703 Definition. As used in this subpart— Task or delivery order contract means a “delivery order contract,” and a “task order contract,” as defined in 16.501-1. For example, it includes Governmentwide...

48 CFR 5.703 - Definition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS Publicizing Requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 5.703 Definition. As used in this subpart— Task or delivery order contract means a “delivery order contract,” and a “task order contract,” as defined in 16.501-1. For example, it includes Governmentwide...

48 CFR 516.506 - Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... items, when the contract authorizes FAS and other activities to issue delivery or task orders, insert the clause at 552.216-72, Placement of Orders. If only FAS will issue delivery or task orders, insert... Program items and in other FAS Program solicitations. [75 FR 41096, July 15, 2010] ...

48 CFR 516.506 - Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... items, when the contract authorizes FAS and other activities to issue delivery or task orders, insert the clause at 552.216-72, Placement of Orders. If only FAS will issue delivery or task orders, insert... Program items and in other FAS Program solicitations. [75 FR 41096, July 15, 2010] ...

48 CFR 516.506 - Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... items, when the contract authorizes FAS and other activities to issue delivery or task orders, insert the clause at 552.216-72, Placement of Orders. If only FAS will issue delivery or task orders, insert... Program items and in other FAS Program solicitations. [75 FR 41096, July 15, 2010] ...

48 CFR 516.506 - Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... items, when the contract authorizes FAS and other activities to issue delivery or task orders, insert the clause at 552.216-72, Placement of Orders. If only FAS will issue delivery or task orders, insert... Program items and in other FAS Program solicitations. [75 FR 41096, July 15, 2010] ...

48 CFR 516.506 - Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... items, when the contract authorizes FAS and other activities to issue delivery or task orders, insert the clause at 552.216-72, Placement of Orders. If only FAS will issue delivery or task orders, insert... Program items and in other FAS Program solicitations. [75 FR 41096, July 15, 2010] ...

78 FR 46792 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Repeal of Sunset for Certain Protests of Task or Delivery Order...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-01

... Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013. This section removes the sunset date for protests against certain orders under a task-order contract or delivery-order contract for title 10 agencies only... agencies covered by title 10 of the United States Code, namely DoD, NASA, and Coast Guard. This section...

Floods on Roseberry Creek, Wacker Branch, and three unnamed tributaries to Roseberry Creek in the vicinity of Scottsboro, Alabama. Flood report

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

Not Available

1982-10-01

The study was requested by the city to provide information reflecting current flood conditions in order for the community to better administer its floodplain management program and to qualify for participation in the regular phase of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This report updates and expands the coverage of a previous TVA report published in April 1967. Profiles and flooded area and floodway maps are provided for Roseberry Creek, Wacker Branch, and three previously unstudied tributaries to Roseberry Creek.

Distributed intelligent control and status networking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fortin, Andre; Patel, Manoj

1993-01-01

Over the past two years, the Network Control Systems Branch (Code 532) has been investigating control and status networking technologies. These emerging technologies use distributed processing over a network to accomplish a particular custom task. These networks consist of small intelligent 'nodes' that perform simple tasks. Containing simple, inexpensive hardware and software, these nodes can be easily developed and maintained. Once networked, the nodes can perform a complex operation without a central host. This type of system provides an alternative to more complex control and status systems which require a central computer. This paper will provide some background and discuss some applications of this technology. It will also demonstrate the suitability of one particular technology for the Space Network (SN) and discuss the prototyping activities of Code 532 utilizing this technology.

Telerobotic research at NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sliwa, Nancy E.

1987-01-01

An overview of Automation Technology Branch facilities and research is presented. Manipulator research includes dual-arm coordination studies, space manipulator dynamics, end-effector controller development, automatic space structure assembly, and the development of a dual-arm master-slave telerobotic manipulator system. Sensor research includes gravity-compensated force control, real-time monovision techniques, and laser ranging. Artificial intelligence techniques are being explored for supervisory task control, collision avoidance, and connectionist system architectures. A high-fidelity dynamic simulation of robotic systems, ROBSIM, is being supported and extended. Cooperative efforts with Oak Ridge National Laboratory have verified the ability of teleoperators to perform complex structural assembly tasks, and have resulted in the definition of a new dual-arm master-slave telerobotic manipulator. A bibliography of research results and a list of technical contacts are included.

Theory of Mind Development in Adolescence and Early Adulthood: The Growing Complexity of Recursive Thinking Ability

PubMed Central

Valle, Annalisa; Massaro, Davide; Castelli, Ilaria; Marchetti, Antonella

2015-01-01

This study explores the development of theory of mind, operationalized as recursive thinking ability, from adolescence to early adulthood (N = 110; young adolescents = 47; adolescents = 43; young adults = 20). The construct of theory of mind has been operationalized in two different ways: as the ability to recognize the correct mental state of a character, and as the ability to attribute the correct mental state in order to predict the character’s behaviour. The Imposing Memory Task, with five recursive thinking levels, and a third-order false-belief task with three recursive thinking levels (devised for this study) have been used. The relationship among working memory, executive functions, and linguistic skills are also analysed. Results show that subjects exhibit less understanding of elevated recursive thinking levels (third, fourth, and fifth) compared to the first and second levels. Working memory is correlated with total recursive thinking, whereas performance on the linguistic comprehension task is related to third level recursive thinking in both theory of mind tasks. An effect of age on third-order false-belief task performance was also found. A key finding of the present study is that the third-order false-belief task shows significant age differences in the application of recursive thinking that involves the prediction of others’ behaviour. In contrast, such an age effect is not observed in the Imposing Memory Task. These results may support the extension of the investigation of the third order false belief after childhood. PMID:27247645

Inference of beliefs and emotions in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Zaitchik, Deborah; Koff, Elissa; Brownell, Hiram; Winner, Ellen; Albert, Marilyn

2006-01-01

The present study compared 20 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease with 20 older controls (ages 69-94 years) on their ability to make inferences about emotions and beliefs in others. Six tasks tested their ability to make 1st-order and 2nd-order inferences as well as to offer explanations and moral evaluations of human action by appeal to emotions and beliefs. Results showed that the ability to infer emotions and beliefs in 1st-order tasks remains largely intact in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Patients were able to use mental states in the prediction, explanation, and moral evaluation of behavior. Impairment on 2nd-order tasks involving inference of mental states was equivalent to impairment on control tasks, suggesting that patients' difficulty is secondary to their cognitive impairments. ((c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).

Branching ratios, CP asymmetries and polarizations of B→ ψ (2S) V decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rui, Zhou; Li, Ya; Xiao, Zhen-Jun

2017-09-01

We analyze the non-leptonic decays B/B_s→ ψ (2S) V with V=(ρ , ω , K^{*}, φ ) by employing the perturbative QCD (pQCD) factorization approach. Here the branching ratios, the CP asymmetries and the complete set of polarization observables are investigated systematically. Besides the traditional contributions from the factorizable and non-factorizable diagrams at the leading order, the next-to-leading order (NLO) vertex corrections could also provide considerable contributions. The pQCD predictions for the branching ratios of the B_{(s)}→ ψ (2S)K^{*}, ψ (2S)φ decays are consistent with the measured values within errors. As for B→ ψ (2S) ρ , ψ (2S) ω decays, the branching ratios can reach the order of 10^{-5} and could be measured in the LHCb and Belle-II experiments. The numerical results show that the direct CP asymmetries of the considered decays are very small. Thus the observation of any large direct CP asymmetry for these decays will be a signal for new physics. The mixing-induced CP asymmetries in the neutral modes are very close to sin 2β _{(s)}, which suggests that these channels can give a cross-check on the measurement of the Cabbibo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) angle β and β _s. We find that the longitudinal polarization fractions f_0 are suppressed to ˜ 50% due to the large non-factorizable contributions. The magnitudes and phases of the two transverse amplitudes A_{allel } and A_{\\perp } are roughly equal, which is an indication for the approximate light-quark helicity conservation in these decays. The overall polarization observables of B→ ψ (2S) K^{*0} and B_s→ ψ (2S) φ channels are also in good agreement with the experimental measurements as reported by LHCb and BaBar. Other results can also be tested by the LHCb and Belle-II experiments.

Branching ratios, CP asymmetries and polarizations of $$B\\rightarrow \\psi (2S) V$$ decays

DOE PAGES

Rui, Zhou; Li, Ya; Xiao, Zhen -Jun

2017-09-14

We analyze the non-leptonic decays B/B s→ψ(2S)V with V=(ρ,ω,K*,Φ) by employing the perturbative QCD (pQCD) factorization approach. Here the branching ratios, the CP asymmetries and the complete set of polarization observables are investigated systematically. Besides the traditional contributions from the factorizable and non-factorizable diagrams at the leading order, the next-to-leading order (NLO) vertex corrections could also provide considerable contributions. The pQCD predictions for the branching ratios of the B (s)→ψ(2S)K*,ψ(2S) decays are consistent with the measured values within errors. As for B→ψ(2S)ρ,ψ(2S)ω decays, the branching ratios can reach the order of 10 –5 and could be measured in the LHCbmore » and Belle-II experiments. The numerical results show that the direct CP asymmetries of the considered decays are very small. Thus the observation of any large direct CP asymmetry for these decays will be a signal for new physics. The mixing-induced CP asymmetries in the neutral modes are very close to sin2β (s), which suggests that these channels can give a cross-check on the measurement of the Cabbibo–Kobayashi–Maskawa (CKM) angle β and β s. We find that the longitudinal polarization fractions f 0 are suppressed to ~50% due to the large non-factorizable contributions. The magnitudes and phases of the two transverse amplitudes A∥ and A⊥ are roughly equal, which is an indication for the approximate light-quark helicity conservation in these decays. The overall polarization observables of B→ψ(2S)K* 0 and B s→ψ(2S)Φ channels are also in good agreement with the experimental measurements as reported by LHCb and BaBar. In conclusion, other results can also be tested by the LHCb and Belle-II experiments.« less

Branching ratios, CP asymmetries and polarizations of $$B\\rightarrow \\psi (2S) V$$ decays

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

Rui, Zhou; Li, Ya; Xiao, Zhen -Jun

We analyze the non-leptonic decays B/B s→ψ(2S)V with V=(ρ,ω,K*,Φ) by employing the perturbative QCD (pQCD) factorization approach. Here the branching ratios, the CP asymmetries and the complete set of polarization observables are investigated systematically. Besides the traditional contributions from the factorizable and non-factorizable diagrams at the leading order, the next-to-leading order (NLO) vertex corrections could also provide considerable contributions. The pQCD predictions for the branching ratios of the B (s)→ψ(2S)K*,ψ(2S) decays are consistent with the measured values within errors. As for B→ψ(2S)ρ,ψ(2S)ω decays, the branching ratios can reach the order of 10 –5 and could be measured in the LHCbmore » and Belle-II experiments. The numerical results show that the direct CP asymmetries of the considered decays are very small. Thus the observation of any large direct CP asymmetry for these decays will be a signal for new physics. The mixing-induced CP asymmetries in the neutral modes are very close to sin2β (s), which suggests that these channels can give a cross-check on the measurement of the Cabbibo–Kobayashi–Maskawa (CKM) angle β and β s. We find that the longitudinal polarization fractions f 0 are suppressed to ~50% due to the large non-factorizable contributions. The magnitudes and phases of the two transverse amplitudes A∥ and A⊥ are roughly equal, which is an indication for the approximate light-quark helicity conservation in these decays. The overall polarization observables of B→ψ(2S)K* 0 and B s→ψ(2S)Φ channels are also in good agreement with the experimental measurements as reported by LHCb and BaBar. In conclusion, other results can also be tested by the LHCb and Belle-II experiments.« less

Anatomy of Bs → PV decays and effects of next-to-leading order contributions in the perturbative QCD factorization approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Da-Cheng; Yang, Ping; Liu, Xin; Xiao, Zhen-Jun

2018-06-01

In this paper, we will make systematic calculations for the branching ratios and the CP-violating asymmetries of the twenty one Bbars0 → PV decays by employing the perturbative QCD (PQCD) factorization approach. Besides the full leading-order (LO) contributions, all currently known next-to-leading order (NLO) contributions are taken into account. We found numerically that: (a) the NLO contributions can provide ∼ 40% enhancement to the LO PQCD predictions for B (Bbars0 →K0K bar * 0) and B (Bbars0 →K±K*∓), or a ∼ 37% reduction to B (Bbars0 →π-K*+); and we confirmed that the inclusion of the known NLO contributions can improve significantly the agreement between the theory and those currently available experimental measurements; (b) the total effects on the PQCD predictions for the relevant Bs0 → P transition form factors after the inclusion of the NLO twist-2 and twist-3 contributions is generally small in magnitude: less than 10% enhancement respect to the leading order result; (c) for the "tree" dominated decay Bbars0 →K+ρ- and the "color-suppressed-tree" decay Bbars0 →π0K*0, the big difference between the PQCD predictions for their branching ratios are induced by different topological structure and by interference effects among the decay amplitude AT,C and AP: constructive for the first decay but destructive for the second one; and (d) for Bbars0 → V (η ,η‧) decays, the complex pattern of the PQCD predictions for their branching ratios can be understood by rather different topological structures and the interference effects between the decay amplitude A (Vηq) and A (Vηs) due to the η-η‧ mixing.

Special Purpose Crew Restraints for Teleoperation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitmore, Mihriban; Holden, Kritina; Norris, Lena

2004-01-01

With permanent human presence onboard the International Space Station (ISS), and long duration space missions being planned for the moon and Mars, humans will be living and working in microgravity over increasingly long periods of time. In addition to weightlessness, the confined nature of a spacecraft environment results in ergonomic challenges such as limited visibility, and access to the activity area. These challenges can result in prolonged periods of unnatural postures for the crew, ultimately causing pain, injury, and loss of productivity. Determining the right set of human factors requirements and providing an ergonomically designed environment is crucial to mission success. While a number of general purpose restraints have been used on ISS (handrails, foot loops), experience has shown that these general purpose restraints may not be optimal, or even acceptable for some tasks that have unique requirements. For example, some onboard activities require extreme stability (e.g., glovebox microsurgery), and others involve the use of arm, torso and foot movements in order to perform the task (e-g. robotic teleoperation); standard restraint systems will not work in these situations. The Usability Testing and Analysis Facility (WAF) at the NASA Johnson Space Center began evaluations of crew restraints for these special situations by looking at NASAs Robonaut. Developed by the Robot Systems Technology Branch, Robonaut is a humanoid robot that can be remotely operated through a tetepresence control system by an operator. It was designed to perform work in hazardous environments (e.g., Extra Vehicular Activities). A Robonaut restraint was designed, modeled for the population, and ultimately tested onboard the KC-135 microgravity aircraft. While in microgravity, participants were asked to get in and out of the restraint from different locations, perform maximum reach exercises, and finally to teleoperate Robonaut while in the restraint. The sessions were videotaped, and participants completed a questionnaire at the end of each flight day. Results from this evaluation are being used to develop the human factors design requirements for teleoperation tasks in microgravity.

Test-retest reliability and task order effects of emotional cognitive tests in healthy subjects.

PubMed

Adams, Thomas; Pounder, Zoe; Preston, Sally; Hanson, Andy; Gallagher, Peter; Harmer, Catherine J; McAllister-Williams, R Hamish

2016-11-01

Little is known of the retest reliability of emotional cognitive tasks or the impact of using different tasks employing similar emotional stimuli within a battery. We investigated this in healthy subjects. We found improved overall performance in an emotional attentional blink task (EABT) with repeat testing at one hour and one week compared to baseline, but the impact of an emotional stimulus on performance was unchanged. Similarly, performance on a facial expression recognition task (FERT) was better one week after a baseline test, though the relative effect of specific emotions was unaltered. There was no effect of repeat testing on an emotional word categorising, recall and recognition task. We found no difference in performance in the FERT and EABT irrespective of task order. We concluded that it is possible to use emotional cognitive tasks in longitudinal studies and combine tasks using emotional facial stimuli in a single battery.

A Verification Method of Inter-Task Cooperation in Embedded Real-time Systems and its Evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Toshio

In software development process of embedded real-time systems, the design of the task cooperation process is very important. The cooperating process of such tasks is specified by task cooperation patterns. Adoption of unsuitable task cooperation patterns has fatal influence on system performance, quality, and extendibility. In order to prevent repetitive work caused by the shortage of task cooperation performance, it is necessary to verify task cooperation patterns in an early software development stage. However, it is very difficult to verify task cooperation patterns in an early software developing stage where task program codes are not completed yet. Therefore, we propose a verification method using task skeleton program codes and a real-time kernel that has a function of recording all events during software execution such as system calls issued by task program codes, external interrupts, and timer interrupt. In order to evaluate the proposed verification method, we applied it to the software development process of a mechatronics control system.

Review of Joint Forces Intelligence Command Response to 9/11 Commission

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-23

USJFCOM tasked its subordinate organizations, to include the JFIC, lo provide information in response to the DIA inquiry. The USJFCOM sent lhe tasker...first plane hit the World Trade Center. JFIC started lo set up a Crisis Action Support Cell (CASC). The CASC consisted of a Team Leader, Information...the Poi!MiiiFP Analysis Branch Is a "jack of all trades. master of none". As far as we know, JFIC Is one ·of the few DoD entities attempting lo

A Carcinogenicity Bioassay of Isobutyl 2-Cyanoacrylate (IBC) in Fischer- 344-Rats--One Year Interim Sacrifice Report. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

adhesive for use in sutureless wound ial surgery, and in other surgical modality could provide a time-saving and ion to the management of combat... wounds . Dental Research (USAIDR) has been assigned e therapeutic potential of IBC. As part tasked the Toxicology Branch, Letter^an LAIR), to...caged individually in stainless steel wire- mesh cages in racks equipped with automatically flushing dumptanks. No bedding was used in any of the

Electric Propulsion Test & Evaluation Methodologies for Plasma in the Environments of Space and Testing (EP TEMPEST) (Briefing Charts)

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

in the Environments of Space and Testing (EP TEMPEST ) - Program Review (Briefing Charts) 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER In-House 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c...of Space and Testing (EP TEMPEST ) AFOSR T&E Program Review 13-17 April 2015 Dr. Daniel L. Brown In-Space Propulsion Branch (RQRS) Aerospace Systems...Statement A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. EP TEMPEST (Lab Task, FY14-FY16) Program Goals and Objectives Title: Electric

Effect of Pulsed 5.62 GHz Microwaves on Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) Performing a Repeated Acquisition Task.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-28

i Dist Reviewed by Approved and Released by Ashton Graybiel, M.D. Captain W. M. Houk , MC, USN Chief, Scientific Advisor Commanding Officer 28...attention should be given to exposures of the head and extrem- ities when establishing safety standards for human exposure.: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Mr. C. S ...final written form of this report, and to Mr. R. C. Barrett, Mr. J. B. Paul and Mr. S . K. Sulcer, Vj ;ual Aids Branch, for their artistic production of

Initial Field Deployment Results of Green PCB Removal from Sediment Systems (GPRSS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeVor, Robert William

2014-01-01

The goal of this task order was to complete optimization and development of the Green PCB Remediation from Sediment Systems(GPRSSs) technology, culminating in the production of functioning demonstration test units which would be deployed at a suitable demonstration location. This location would be selected in conjunction with Toxicological & Ecological Associates who have entered into a SAA with NASA to partner with and further develop this technology. The GPRSSs technology was initially developed under ESC Task Order 83 with the purpose of providing a green remediation technology capable of in-situ removal and remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from contaminated sediments. The core concept of the technology, a polymeric blanket capable of absorbing PCBs when in contact with contaminated sediments was then transitioned to Task Order 165 where the primary objective was to fully design and optimize a functioning test unit capable of testing the theoretical and laboratory scale concepts in a real world situation. Results from both task orders are included in this report for completeness, although Task Order 165 focused on the blanket design and the small scale field demonstration in which is currently still ongoing in Altavista, VA.

Flight Services and Aircraft Access: Active Flow Control Vertical Tail and Insect Accretion and Mitigation Flight Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whalen, Edward A.

2016-01-01

This document serves as the final report for the Flight Services and Aircraft Access task order NNL14AA57T as part of NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project ITD12A+. It includes descriptions of flight test preparations and execution for the Active Flow Control (AFC) Vertical Tail and Insect Accretion and Mitigation (IAM) experiments conducted on the 757 ecoDemonstrator. For the AFC Vertical Tail, this is the culmination of efforts under two task orders. The task order was managed by Boeing Research & Technology and executed by an enterprise-wide Boeing team that included Boeing Research & Technology, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Boeing Defense and Space and Boeing Test and Evaluation. Boeing BR&T in St. Louis was responsible for overall Boeing project management and coordination with NASA. The 757 flight test asset was provided and managed by the BCA ecoDemonstrator Program, in partnership with Stifel Aircraft Leasing and the TUI Group. With this report, all of the required deliverables related to management of this task order have been met and delivered to NASA as summarized in Table 1. In addition, this task order is part of a broader collaboration between NASA and Boeing.

3 CFR 13519 - Executive Order 13519 of November 17, 2009. Establishment of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

...; (m) the Federal Housing Finance Agency; (n) the Office of Thrift Supervision; (o) the Office of the... outreach with representatives of financial institutions, corporate entities, nonprofit organizations, State... Corporate Fraud Task Force created by Executive Order 13271 of July 9, 2002. Executive Order 13271 is hereby...

Motor cortical encoding of serial order in a context-recall task.

PubMed

Carpenter, A F; Georgopoulos, A P; Pellizzer, G

1999-03-12

The neural encoding of serial order was studied in the motor cortex of monkeys performing a context-recall memory scanning task. Up to five visual stimuli were presented successively on a circle (list presentation phase), and then one of them (test stimulus) changed color; the monkeys had to make a single motor response toward the stimulus that immediately followed the test stimulus in the list. Correct performance in this task depends on memorization of the serial order of the stimuli during their presentation. It was found that changes in neural activity during the list presentation phase reflected the serial order of the stimuli; the effect on cell activity of the serial order of stimuli during their presentation was at least as strong as the effect of motor direction on cell activity during the execution of the motor response. This establishes the serial order of stimuli in a motor task as an important determinant of motor cortical activity during stimulus presentation and in the absence of changes in peripheral motor events, in contrast to the commonly held view of the motor cortex as just an "upper motor neuron."

Probing the Hardest Branching within Jets in Heavy-Ion Collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chien, Yang-Ting; Vitev, Ivan

2017-09-01

Heavy ion collisions present exciting opportunities to study the effects of quantum coherence in the formation of subatomic particle showers. We report on the first calculation of the momentum sharing and angular separation distributions between the leading subjets inside a reconstructed jet in such collisions. These observables are directly sensitive to the hardest branching within jets and can probe the early stage of the jet formation. We find that the leading-order medium-induced splitting functions, here obtained in the framework of soft-collinear effective theory with Glauber gluon interactions, capture the essential many-body physics, which is different from proton-proton reactions. Qualitative and in most cases quantitative agreement between theory and preliminary CMS measurements suggests that hard parton branching in strongly interacting matter can be dramatically modified. We also propose a new measurement that will illuminate its angular structure.

Probing the Hardest Branching within Jets in Heavy-Ion Collisions.

PubMed

Chien, Yang-Ting; Vitev, Ivan

2017-09-15

Heavy ion collisions present exciting opportunities to study the effects of quantum coherence in the formation of subatomic particle showers. We report on the first calculation of the momentum sharing and angular separation distributions between the leading subjets inside a reconstructed jet in such collisions. These observables are directly sensitive to the hardest branching within jets and can probe the early stage of the jet formation. We find that the leading-order medium-induced splitting functions, here obtained in the framework of soft-collinear effective theory with Glauber gluon interactions, capture the essential many-body physics, which is different from proton-proton reactions. Qualitative and in most cases quantitative agreement between theory and preliminary CMS measurements suggests that hard parton branching in strongly interacting matter can be dramatically modified. We also propose a new measurement that will illuminate its angular structure.

Healthcare sustainability and the challenges of innovation to biopharmaceuticals in Canada.

PubMed

Rosenberg-Yunger, Zahava R S; Daar, Abdallah S; Singer, Peter A; Martin, Douglas K

2008-09-01

Governments around the world have focused on issues of sustainability, innovations and priority setting within their health systems. Tension exists between governments' desire to increase biotechnology innovation and the need to address health system sustainability. This commentary will: (1) review government initiatives in biotechnology in health innovation; (2) discuss how innovation, specifically biopharmaceuticals, challenges health system sustainability; and (3) explore how the tension between innovation and sustainability can be addressed using fairness and legitimacy. It is evident that a uni-jurisdictional approach may not be optimal in promoting innovation while ensuring a sustainable health system. Harmonization of biotechnology policies across the federal, provincial, and territorial governments will ensure consistent policies across all branches in order to circumvent the possibility of one governmental branch refusing to reimburse the very innovations other branches are promoting.

Implementation of context independent code on a new array processor: The Super-65

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colbert, R. O.; Bowhill, S. A.

1981-01-01

The feasibility of rewriting standard uniprocessor programs into code which contains no context-dependent branches is explored. Context independent code (CIC) would contain no branches that might require different processing elements to branch different ways. In order to investigate the possibilities and restrictions of CIC, several programs were recoded into CIC and a four-element array processor was built. This processor (the Super-65) consisted of three 6502 microprocessors and the Apple II microcomputer. The results obtained were somewhat dependent upon the specific architecture of the Super-65 but within bounds, the throughput of the array processor was found to increase linearly with the number of processing elements (PEs). The slope of throughput versus PEs is highly dependent on the program and varied from 0.33 to 1.00 for the sample programs.

Second report on the Oak Ridge K-25 Site Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program for Mitchell Branch

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

Smith, J.G.; Adams, S.M.; Hinzman, R.L.

1994-03-01

On September 11, 1986, a modified National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit was issued for the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP; now referred to as the Oak Ridge K-25 Site), a former uranium-enrichment production facility. As required in Part III of the permit, a Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (BMAP) was developed for the biological monitoring of Mitchell Branch (K-1700 stream) and submitted for approval to the US EPA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The plan described biomonitoring activities that would be conducted over the duration of the permit. The objectives of the BMAP are tomore » demonstrate that the effluent limitations established for the Oak Ridge K-25 Site protect and maintain the use of Mitchell Branch for growth and propagation of fish and other aquatic life, and to document the effects on stream biota resulting from operation of major new pollution abatement facilities. The BMAP consists of four tasks: ambient toxicity testing; bioaccumulation studies; biological indicator studies; and ecological surveys of stream communities, including benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. This document is the second in a series of reports presenting the results of the studies that were conducted over various periods of time between August 1987 and June 1990.« less

Overview of Propulsion Controls and Diagnostics Research at NASA Glenn

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2012-01-01

With the increased emphasis on aircraft safety, enhanced performance and affordability, and the need to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft, there are many new challenges being faced by the designers of aircraft propulsion systems. The Controls and Dynamics Branch (CDB) at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced controls and health management technologies that will help meet these challenges through the concept of an Intelligent Engine. CDB conducts propulsion control and diagnostics research in support of various programs and projects under the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. The paper first provides an overview of the various research tasks in CDB relative to the NASA programs and projects, and briefly describes the progress being made on each of these tasks. The discussion here is at a high level providing the objectives of the tasks, the technical challenges in meeting the objectives and most recent accomplishments. References are provided for each of the technical tasks for the reader to familiarize themselves with the details.

Basic and applied research program. Semiannual report, July-December 1978

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

Butler, B.L.

1979-12-01

The status of research projects in the Basic and Applied Research Program at SERI is presented for the semiannual period ending December 31, 1978. The five tasks in this program are grouped into Materials Research and Development, Materials Processing and Development, Photoconversion Research, Exploratory Research, and Energy Resource and Assessment and have been carried out by personnel in the Materials, Bio/Chemical Conversion, and Energy Resource and Assessment Branches. Subtask elements in the task areas include coatings and films, polymers, metallurgy and corrosion, optical materials, surfaces and interfaces in materials research and development; photochemistry, photoelectrochemistry, and photobiology in photoconversion; thin glassmore » mirror development, silver degradation of mirrors, hail resistance of thin glass, thin glass manufacturing, cellular glass development, and sorption by desiccants in materials processing and development; and thermoelectric energy conversion, desiccant cooling, photothermal degradation, and amorphous materials in exploratory research. For each task or subtask element, the overview, scope, goals, approach, apparatus and equipment, and supporting subcontracts are presented, as applicable, in addition to the status of the projects in each task or subtask. Listing of publications and reports authored by personnel associated with the Basic and Applied Research Program and prepared or published during 1978 are also included.« less

Impact of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism on Fatty Acid and Alkene Biosynthesis in Micrococcus luteus.

PubMed

Surger, Maximilian J; Angelov, Angel; Stier, Philipp; Übelacker, Maria; Liebl, Wolfgang

2018-01-01

Micrococcus luteus naturally produces alkenes, unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, and represents a promising host to produce hydrocarbons as constituents of biofuels and lubricants. In this work, we identify the genes for key enzymes of the branched-chain amino acid catabolism in M. luteus , whose first metabolic steps lead also to the formation of primer molecules for branched-chain fatty acid and olefin biosynthesis, and demonstrate how these genes can be used to manipulate the production of specific olefins in this organism. We constructed mutants of several gene candidates involved in the branched-chain amino acid metabolism or its regulation and investigated the resulting changes in the cellular fatty acid and olefin profiles by GC/MS. The gene cluster encoding the components of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKD) complex was identified by deletion and promoter exchange mutagenesis. Overexpression of the BCKD gene cluster resulted in about threefold increased olefin production whereas deletion of the cluster led to a drastic reduction in branched-chain fatty acid content and a complete loss of olefin production. The specificities of the acyl-CoA dehydrogenases of the branched amino acid degradation pathways were deduced from the fatty acid and olefin profiles of the respective deletion mutant strains. In addition, growth experiments with branched amino acids as the only nitrogen source were carried out with the mutants in order to confirm our annotations. Both the deletion mutant of the BCKD complex, responsible for the further degradation of all three branched-chain amino acids, as well as the deletion mutant of the proposed isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (specific for leucine degradation) were not able to grow on leucine in contrast to the parental strain. In conclusion, our experiments allow the unambigous assignment of specific functions to the genes for key enzymes of the branched-chain amino acid metabolism of M. luteus . We also show how this knowledge can be used to engineer the isomeric composition and the chain lengths of the olefins produced by this organism.

Control of mobility in molecular organic semiconductors by dendrimer generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lupton, J. M.; Samuel, I. D.; Beavington, R.; Frampton, M. J.; Burn, P. L.; Bässler, H.

2001-04-01

Conjugated dendrimers are of interest as novel materials for light-emitting diodes. They consist of a luminescent chromophore at the core with highly branched conjugated dendron sidegroups. In these materials, light emission occurs from the core and is independent of generation. The dendron branching controls the separation between the chromophores. We present here a family of conjugated dendrimers and investigate the effect of dendron branching on light emission and charge transport. We apply a number of transport measurement techniques to thin films of a conjugated dendrimer in a light-emitting diode configuration to determine the effect of chromophore spacing on charge transport. We find that the mobility is reduced by two orders of magnitude as the size of the molecule doubles with increased branching or dendrimer generation. The degree of branching allows a unique control of mobility by molecular structure. An increase in chromophore separation also results in a reduction of intermolecular interactions, which reduces the red emission tail in film photoluminescence. We find that the steady-state charge transport is well described by a simple device model incorporating the effect of generation, and use the materials to shed light on the interpretation of transient electroluminescence data. We demonstrate the significance of the ability to tune the mobility in bilayer devices, where a more balanced charge transport can be achieved.

Analysis of logistic distribution performance of good supply from PT. Mentari Trans Nusantara distribution center to branches using Smart PLS 3.0

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Endrawati, Titin; Siregar, M. Tirtana

2018-03-01

PT Mentari Trans Nusantara is a company engaged in the distribution of goods from the manufacture of the product to the distributor branch of the customer so that the product distribution must be controlled directly from the PT Mentari Trans Nusantara Center for faster delivery process. Problems often occur on the expedition company which in charge in sending the goods although it has quite extensive networking. The company is less control over logistics management. Meanwhile, logistics distribution management control policy will affect the company's performance in distributing products to customer distributor branches and managing product inventory in distribution center. PT Mentari Trans Nusantara is an expedition company which engaged in good delivery, including in Jakarta. Logistics management performance is very important due to its related to the supply of goods from the central activities to the branches based oncustomer demand. Supply chain management performance is obviously depends on the location of both the distribution center and branches, the smoothness of transportation in the distribution and the availability of the product in the distribution center to meet the demand in order to avoid losing sales. This study concluded that the company could be more efficient and effective in minimizing the risks of loses by improve its logistic management.

75 FR 61589 - Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Section 610 Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-06

... results of an Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) review of the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and...: Maureen T. Pello, Marketing Specialist, Research and Promotion Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS... 61589

Media Notes: Bringing Government to Life.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sive, Mary Robinson

1981-01-01

This column examines some recent media materials for middle and high schools on federal, state, and local government; the legislative process; the presidency; the judicial branch; elections; and citizen participation. Complete ordering information is included. (Author/SJL)

Formative Evaluation of a Generic Decision Aid for Classroom Use.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freeman, Jared T.; Guillen, Julio

Results of a formative evaluation of a decision aid for students of taxonomic domains such as statistics or biology are reported. The tool, XPT-EASE, is designed to allow a student to search a taxonomy by traversing its branches in an arbitrary order, presumably the order simplest for the student, rather than by starting from the root node and…

Chemiomics: Network Reconstruction and Kinetics of Port Wine Aging

DOE PAGES

Monforte, Ana Rita; Jacobson, Dan; Silva Ferreira, A. C.

2015-02-11

Network reconstruction (NR) has proven to be useful in the detection and visualization of relationships among the compounds present in a Port wine aging data set. This view of the data provides a considerable amount of information with which to understand the kinetic contexts of the molecules represented by peaks in each chromatogram. The aim of this paper was to use NR together with the determination of kinetic parameters to extract more information about the mechanisms involved in Port wine aging. The volatile compounds present in samples of Port wines spanning 128 years in age were measured with the usemore » of GC-MS. After chromatogram alignment, a peak matrix was created, and all peak vectors were compared to one another to determine their Pearson correlations over time. A correlation network was created and filtered on the basis of the resulting correlation values. Some nodes in the network were further studied in experiments on Port wines stored under different conditions of oxygen and temperature in order to determine their kinetic parameters. The resulting network can be divided into three main branches. The first branch is related to compounds that do not directly correlate to age, the second branch contains compounds affected by temperature, and the third branch contains compounds associated with oxygen. Compounds clustered in the same branch of the network have similar expression patterns over time as well as the same kinetic order, thus are likely to be dependent on the same technological parameters. Network construction and visualization provides more information with which to understand the probable kinetic contexts of the molecules represented by peaks in each chromatogram. Finally, the approach described here is a powerful tool for the study of mechanisms and kinetics in complex systems and should aid in the understanding and monitoring of wine quality.« less

The effects of suction on the nonlinear stability of the three-dimensional boundary layer above a rotating disc

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bassom, Andrew P.; Seddougui, Sharon O.

1991-01-01

There exist two types of stationary instability of the flow over a rotating disc corresponding to the upper branch, inviscid mode and the lower branch mode, which has a triple deck structure, of the neutral stability curve. A theoretical study of the linear problem and an account of the weakly nonlinear properties of the lower branch modes have been undertaken by Hall and MacKerrell respectively. Motivated by recent reports of experimental sightings of the lower branch mode and an examination of the role of suction on the linear stability properties of the flow here, the effects are studied of suction on the nonlinear disturbance described by MacKerrell. The additional analysis required in order to incorporate suction is relatively straightforward and enables the derivation of an amplitude equation which describes the evolution of the mode. For each value of the suction, a threshold value of the disturbance amplitude is obtained; modes of size greater than this threshold grow without limit as they develop away from the point of neutral stability.

Branching ratio and polarization of B→ρ(ω)ρ(ω) decays in perturbative QCD approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ying; Lü, Cai-Dian

2006-01-01

In this work, we calculate the branching ratios, polarization fractions and CP asymmetry parameters of decay modes B→ρ(ω)ρ(ω) in the perturbative QCD approach, which is based on kT factorization. After calculation, we find that the branching ratios of B0→ρ+ρ-, B+→ρ+ρ0, and B+→ρ+ω are at the order of 10-5, and their longitudinal polarization fractions are more than 90%. The above results agree with BaBar’s measurements. We also calculate the branching ratios and polarization fractions of B0→ρ0ρ0, B0→ρ0ω, and B0→ωω decays. We find that their longitudinal polarization fractions are suppressed to 60-80% due to a small color suppressed tree contribution. The dominant penguin and nonfactorization tree contributions equally contribute to the longitudinal and transverse polarization, which will be tested in the future experiments. We predict the CP asymmetry of B0→ρ+ρ- and B+→ρ+ρ0, which will be measured in B factories.

Complexity of chemical graphs in terms of size, branching, and cyclicity.

PubMed

Balaban, A T; Mills, D; Kodali, V; Basak, S C

2006-08-01

Chemical graph complexity depends on many factors, but the main ones are size, branching, and cyclicity. Some molecular descriptors embrace together all these three parameters, which cannot then be disentangled. The topological index J (and its refinements that include accounting for bond multiplicity and the presence of heteroatoms) was designed to compensate in a significant measure for graph size and cyclicity, and therefore it contains information mainly on branching. In order to separate these factors, two new indices (F and G) related with J are proposed, which allow to group together graphs with the same size into families of constitutional formulas differing in their branching and cyclicity. A comparison with other topological indices revealed that a few other topological indices vary similarly with index G, notably DN2S4 among the triplet indices, and TOTOP among the indices contained in the Molconn-Z program. This comparison involved all possible chemical graphs (i.e. connected planar graphs with vertex degrees not higher than four) with four through six vertices, and all possible alkanes with four through nine carbon atoms.

Branching ratios and CP asymmetries of B→ χ _{c1}K(π ) decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rui, Zhou; Zhao, Qiang; Zhang, Li-li

2018-06-01

We investigate the exclusive nonleptonic decays B→ χ _{c1}K(π ) in the conventional perturbative QCD (PQCD) formalism. The predictions of branching ratios and CP asymmetries are given in detail. We compare our results with available experimental data as well as predictions of other theoretical studies existing in the literature. It seems that the branching ratios of B→ χ _{c1} K are more consistent with data than the earlier analyses. For the Cabibbo-suppressed B_s decays, the branching ratios can reach the order of 10^{-5}, which would be straight forward for experimental observations. The numerical results show that the direct CP asymmetries of the concerned decays are rather small. The mixing-induced CP asymmetry in the B^0→ χ _{c1}K_S is very close to sin {2β }, which suggests that this channel offer an alternative method for measuring the Cabbibo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) angle β . The obtained results in the present work could be tested by further experiments in the LHCb and forthcoming Belle II.

Fault Protection Design and Testing for the Cassini Spacecraft in a "Mixed" Thruster Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bates, David; Lee, Allan; Meakin, Peter; Weitl, Raquel

2013-01-01

NASA's Cassini Spacecraft, launched on October 15th, 1997 and arrived at Saturn on June 30th, 2004, is the largest and most ambitious interplanetary spacecraft in history. In order to meet the challenging attitude control and navigation requirements of the orbit profile at Saturn, Cassini is equipped with a monopropellant thruster based Reaction Control System (RCS), a bipropellant Main Engine Assembly (MEA) and a Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA). In 2008, after 11 years of reliable service, several RCS thrusters began to show signs of end of life degradation, which led the operations team to successfully perform the swap from the A-branch to the B-branch RCS system. If similar degradation begins to occur on any of the B-branch thrusters, Cassini might have to assume a "mixed" thruster configuration, where a subset of both A and B branch thrusters will be designated as prime. The Cassini Fault Protection FSW was recently updated to handle this scenario. The design, implementation, and testing of this update is described in this paper.

Separate mechanisms for magnitude and order processing in the spatial-numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect: The strange case of musical note values.

PubMed

Prpic, Valter; Fumarola, Antonia; De Tommaso, Matteo; Luccio, Riccardo; Murgia, Mauro; Agostini, Tiziano

2016-08-01

The spatial-numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect is considered an evidence of the association between numbers and space, with faster left key-press responses to small numbers and faster right key-press responses to large numbers. We examined whether visually presented note values produce a SNARC-like effect. Differently from numbers, note values are represented as a decreasing left-to-right progression, allowing us to disambiguate the contribution of order and magnitude in determining the direction of the effect. Musicians with formal education performed a note value comparison in Experiment 1 (direct task), a line orientation judgment in Experiment 2 (indirect task), and a detection task in Experiment 3 (indirect task). When note values were task relevant (direct task), participants responded faster to large note values with the left key-press, and vice versa. Conversely, when note values were task irrelevant (indirect tasks), the direction of this association was reversed. This evidence suggests the existence of separate mechanisms underlying the SNARC effect. Namely, an Order-Related Mechanism (ORM) and a Magnitude-Related Mechanism (MRM) that are revealed by different task demands. Indeed, according to a new model we proposed, ordinal and magnitude related information appears to be preferentially involved in direct and indirect tasks, respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of autoionising states on the single and double ionisation yields of neon with soft X-ray fields. JMO Series: Attosecond and Strong Field Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Middleton, D. P. W.; Nikolopoulos, L. A. A.

2012-11-01

In this work, single and double ionisation yields of neon under extreme ultraviolet free-electron laser (FEL) radiation tuned in the vicinity of the autoionising states (AIS) of Ne+ were studied. Density matrix equations were developed and were used to calculate the dependence of the branching ratios of singly and doubly ionised neon on the field intensity and its duration. In addition, in response to a recent experiment [M. Martins et al., Phys. Rev. A 2011, 80, 023411], a quantitative analysis was undertaken in order to reproduce the magnitude of the branching ratios by varying the FEL photon frequency in the range 41.0-42.0 eV in accordance with the experimental report. While the reported variations of the species' branching ratios as a function of the FEL field's photon energy were found, their magnitude and shape differ. In general, the branching ratios are found to be heavily dependent on the given combination of the peak intensity and the pulse duration. Furthermore, the FEL's stochastic fluctuation has been modelled by solving the average density matrix equations and it was found that stochastic effects should also affect branching ratios, mainly due to the increase in the effective bandwidth of the pulse in comparison with the AIS's decay ionisation width. Our calculations suggest that field fluctuations generally diminish the resonance features of the branching ratios.

Separate transcriptionally regulated pathways specify distinct classes of sister dendrites in a nociceptive neuron.

PubMed

O'Brien, Barbara M J; Palumbos, Sierra D; Novakovic, Michaela; Shang, Xueying; Sundararajan, Lakshmi; Miller, David M

2017-12-15

The dendritic processes of nociceptive neurons transduce external signals into neurochemical cues that alert the organism to potentially damaging stimuli. The receptive field for each sensory neuron is defined by its dendritic arbor, but the mechanisms that shape dendritic architecture are incompletely understood. Using the model nociceptor, the PVD neuron in C. elegans, we determined that two types of PVD lateral branches project along the dorsal/ventral axis to generate the PVD dendritic arbor: (1) Pioneer dendrites that adhere to the epidermis, and (2) Commissural dendrites that fasciculate with circumferential motor neuron processes. Previous reports have shown that the LIM homeodomain transcription factor MEC-3 is required for all higher order PVD branching and that one of its targets, the claudin-like membrane protein HPO-30, preferentially promotes outgrowth of pioneer branches. Here, we show that another MEC-3 target, the conserved TFIIA-like zinc finger transcription factor EGL-46, adopts the alternative role of specifying commissural dendrites. The known EGL-46 binding partner, the TEAD transcription factor EGL-44, is also required for PVD commissural branch outgrowth. Double mutants of hpo-30 and egl-44 show strong enhancement of the lateral branching defect with decreased numbers of both pioneer and commissural dendrites. Thus, HPO-30/Claudin and EGL-46/EGL-44 function downstream of MEC-3 and in parallel acting pathways to direct outgrowth of two distinct classes of PVD dendritic branches. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In Vitro Experimental Model for the Long-Term Analysis of Cellular Dynamics During Bronchial Tree Development from Lung Epithelial Cells

PubMed Central

Maruta, Naomichi; Marumoto, Moegi

2017-01-01

Lung branching morphogenesis has been studied for decades, but the underlying developmental mechanisms are still not fully understood. Cellular movements dynamically change during the branching process, but it is difficult to observe long-term cellular dynamics by in vivo or tissue culture experiments. Therefore, developing an in vitro experimental model of bronchial tree would provide an essential tool for developmental biology, pathology, and systems biology. In this study, we succeeded in reconstructing a bronchial tree in vitro by using primary human bronchial epithelial cells. A high concentration gradient of bronchial epithelial cells was required for branching initiation, whereas homogeneously distributed endothelial cells induced the formation of successive branches. Subsequently, the branches grew in size to the order of millimeter. The developed model contains only two types of cells and it facilitates the analysis of lung branching morphogenesis. By taking advantage of our experimental model, we carried out long-term time-lapse observations, which revealed self-assembly, collective migration with leader cells, rotational motion, and spiral motion of epithelial cells in each developmental event. Mathematical simulation was also carried out to analyze the self-assembly process and it revealed simple rules that govern cellular dynamics. Our experimental model has provided many new insights into lung development and it has the potential to accelerate the study of developmental mechanisms, pattern formation, left–right asymmetry, and disease pathogenesis of the human lung. PMID:28471293

A Case of Chronic Total Occlusion of the Left Anterior Descending Artery Successfully Treated with Side Branch Technique Using the Soutenir CV

PubMed Central

Niizeki, Takeshi; Ikeno, Eiichiro; Kubota, Isao

2017-01-01

Patient: Male, 54 Final Diagnosis: Old myocardial infarction Symptoms: Lower extremity swelling • respiratory distress Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Success Specialty: Cardiology Objective: Unusual setting of medical care Background: Success rates for treatment of chronic total occlusion (CTO) have dramatically improved in recent years with the development of new CTO guidewires and development of new techniques such as the retrograde approach. In the antegrade approach, a guidewire is occasionally passed through a side branch despite successful wire crossing of the CTO lesion. In order to pass a wire through the main artery, there are a few side branch techniques such as a reverse wire technique. Case Report: A 54-year-old man with symptoms of heart failure was admitted to our hospital. Coronary angiography showed CTO of the proximal left anterior descending artery. Percutaneous coronary intervention with an antegrade approach was started. We succeeded in passing the wire through a side branch but not the main artery. Unfortunately, a reverse wire technique failed in this case. Next, the wire passed through a side branch was exchanged with the Soutenir CV, and a retrograde approach was started. The wire crossing from retrograde was entwined around the Soutenir CV. After that, the retrograde wire was snared and guided to the antegrade guiding catheter, which resulted in successful wiring into the main artery easily. Conclusions: The side branch technique using the Soutenir CV may be an effective strategy in some cases. PMID:28082733

A long-time limit for world subway networks.

PubMed

Roth, Camille; Kang, Soong Moon; Batty, Michael; Barthelemy, Marc

2012-10-07

We study the temporal evolution of the structure of the world's largest subway networks in an exploratory manner. We show that, remarkably, all these networks converge to a shape that shares similar generic features despite their geographical and economic differences. This limiting shape is made of a core with branches radiating from it. For most of these networks, the average degree of a node (station) within the core has a value of order 2.5 and the proportion of k = 2 nodes in the core is larger than 60 per cent. The number of branches scales roughly as the square root of the number of stations, the current proportion of branches represents about half of the total number of stations, and the average diameter of branches is about twice the average radial extension of the core. Spatial measures such as the number of stations at a given distance to the barycentre display a first regime which grows as r(2) followed by another regime with different exponents, and eventually saturates. These results--difficult to interpret in the framework of fractal geometry--confirm and yield a natural explanation in the geometric picture of this core and their branches: the first regime corresponds to a uniform core, while the second regime is controlled by the interstation spacing on branches. The apparent convergence towards a unique network shape in the temporal limit suggests the existence of dominant, universal mechanisms governing the evolution of these structures.

A long-time limit for world subway networks

PubMed Central

Roth, Camille; Kang, Soong Moon; Batty, Michael; Barthelemy, Marc

2012-01-01

We study the temporal evolution of the structure of the world's largest subway networks in an exploratory manner. We show that, remarkably, all these networks converge to a shape that shares similar generic features despite their geographical and economic differences. This limiting shape is made of a core with branches radiating from it. For most of these networks, the average degree of a node (station) within the core has a value of order 2.5 and the proportion of k = 2 nodes in the core is larger than 60 per cent. The number of branches scales roughly as the square root of the number of stations, the current proportion of branches represents about half of the total number of stations, and the average diameter of branches is about twice the average radial extension of the core. Spatial measures such as the number of stations at a given distance to the barycentre display a first regime which grows as r2 followed by another regime with different exponents, and eventually saturates. These results—difficult to interpret in the framework of fractal geometry—confirm and yield a natural explanation in the geometric picture of this core and their branches: the first regime corresponds to a uniform core, while the second regime is controlled by the interstation spacing on branches. The apparent convergence towards a unique network shape in the temporal limit suggests the existence of dominant, universal mechanisms governing the evolution of these structures. PMID:22593096

Integrated management of thesis using clustering method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Astuti, Indah Fitri; Cahyadi, Dedy

2017-02-01

Thesis is one of major requirements for student in pursuing their bachelor degree. In fact, finishing the thesis involves a long process including consultation, writing manuscript, conducting the chosen method, seminar scheduling, searching for references, and appraisal process by the board of mentors and examiners. Unfortunately, most of students find it hard to match all the lecturers' free time to sit together in a seminar room in order to examine the thesis. Therefore, seminar scheduling process should be on the top of priority to be solved. Manual mechanism for this task no longer fulfills the need. People in campus including students, staffs, and lecturers demand a system in which all the stakeholders can interact each other and manage the thesis process without conflicting their timetable. A branch of computer science named Management Information System (MIS) could be a breakthrough in dealing with thesis management. This research conduct a method called clustering to distinguish certain categories using mathematics formulas. A system then be developed along with the method to create a well-managed tool in providing some main facilities such as seminar scheduling, consultation and review process, thesis approval, assessment process, and also a reliable database of thesis. The database plays an important role in present and future purposes.

On deception detection in multi-agent systems and deception intent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, Eugene, Jr.; Li, Deqing; Yuan, Xiuqing

2008-04-01

Deception detection plays an important role in the military decision-making process, but detecting deception is a challenging task. The deception planning process involves a number of human factors. It is intent-driven where intentions are usually hidden or not easily observable. As a result, in order to detect deception, any adversary model must have the capability to capture the adversary's intent. This paper discusses deception detection in multi-agent systems and in adversary modeling. We examined psychological and cognitive science research on deception and implemented various theories of deception within our approach. First, in multi-agent expert systems, one detection method uses correlations between agents to predict reasonable opinions/responses of other agents (Santos & Johnson, 2004). We further explore this idea and present studies that show the impact of different factors on detection success rate. Second, from adversary modeling, our detection method focuses on inferring adversary intent. By combining deception "branches" with intent inference models, we can estimate an adversary's deceptive activities and at the same time enhance intent inference. Two major kinds of deceptions are developed in this approach in different fashions. Simulative deception attempts to find inconsistency in observables, while dissimulative deception emphasizes the inference of enemy intentions.

Preserving genes, species, or ecosystems? Healing the fractured foundations of conservation policy.

PubMed

Bowen, B W

1999-12-01

The scientific foundations of conservation policy are the subject of a recent tripolar debate, with systematists arguing for the primacy of phylogenetic rankings, ecologists arguing for protection at the level of populations or ecosystems, and evolutionary biologists urging more attention for the factors that enhance adaptation and biodiversity. In the field of conservation genetics, this controversy is manifested in the diverse viewpoints of molecular systematists, population biologists, and evolutionary (and quantitative) geneticists. A resolution of these viewpoints is proposed here, based on the premise that preserving particular objects (genes, species, or ecosystems) is not the ultimate goal of conservation. In order to be successful, conservation efforts must preserve the processes of life. This task requires the identification and protection of diverse branches in the tree of life (phylogenetics), the maintenance of life-support systems for organisms (ecology), and the continued adaptation of organisms to changing environments (evolution). None of these objectives alone is sufficient to preserve the threads of life across time. Under this temporal perspective, molecular genetic technologies have applications in all three conservation agendas; DNA sequence comparisons serve the phylogenetic goals, population genetic markers serve the ecological goals, quantitative genetics and genome explorations serve the evolutionary goals.

A survey of the state of the art and focused research in range systems, task 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yao, K.

1986-01-01

Many communication, control, and information processing subsystems are modeled by linear systems incorporating tapped delay lines (TDL). Such optimized subsystems result in full precision multiplications in the TDL. In order to reduce complexity and cost in a microprocessor implementation, these multiplications can be replaced by single-shift instructions which are equivalent to powers of two multiplications. Since, in general, the obvious operation of rounding the infinite precision TDL coefficients to the nearest powers of two usually yield quite poor system performance, the optimum powers of two coefficient solution was considered. Detailed explanations on the use of branch-and-bound algorithms for finding the optimum powers of two solutions are given. Specific demonstration of this methodology to the design of a linear data equalizer and its implementation in assembly language on a 8080 microprocessor with a 12 bit A/D converter are reported. This simple microprocessor implementation with optimized TDL coefficients achieves a system performance comparable to the optimum linear equalization with full precision multiplications for an input data rate of 300 baud. The philosophy demonstrated in this implementation is dully applicable to many other microprocessor controlled information processing systems.

Origin of spiders and their spinning organs illuminated by mid-Cretaceous amber fossils.

PubMed

Huang, Diying; Hormiga, Gustavo; Cai, Chenyang; Su, Yitong; Yin, Zongjun; Xia, Fangyuan; Giribet, Gonzalo

2018-04-01

Understanding the genealogical relationships among the arachnid orders is an onerous task, but fossils have aided in anchoring some branches of the arachnid tree of life. The discovery of Palaeozoic fossils with characters found in both extant spiders and other arachnids provided evidence for a series of extinctions of what was thought to be a grade, Uraraneida, that led to modern spiders. Here, we report two extraordinarily well-preserved Mesozoic members of Uraraneida with a segmented abdomen, multi-articulate spinnerets with well-defined spigots, modified male palps, spider-like chelicerae and a uropygid-like telson. The new fossils, belonging to the species Chimerarachne yingi, were analysed phylogenetically in a large data matrix of extant and extinct arachnids under a diverse regime of analytical conditions, most of which resulted in placing Uraraneida as the sister clade of Araneae (spiders). The phylogenetic placement of this arachnid fossil extends the presence of spinnerets and modified palps more basally in the arachnid tree than was previously thought. Ecologically, the new fossil extends the record of Uraraneida 170 million years towards the present, thus showing that uraraneids and spiders co-existed for a large fraction of their evolutionary history.

Andromonoecy and developmental plasticity in Chaerophyllum bulbosum (Apiaceae–Apioideae)

PubMed Central

Reuther, Kerstin; Claßen-Bockhoff, Regine

2013-01-01

Background and Aims Andromonoecy, the presence of hermaphrodite and male flowers in the same individual, is genetically fixed or induced, e.g. by fruit set. Little is known about the forces triggering andromonoecy in the Apiaceae. In the present study, a natural population of the protandrous Chaerophyllum bulbosum was investigated to elucidate architectural constraints and effects of resource reallocation. Methods Three sets of plants (each n = 15) were treated by hand pollination, pollinator exclusion and removal of low-order inflorescences. Fifteen untreated plants were left as controls. Key Results Untreated plants produce umbels up to the third branch order, with increasing proportions of male flowers from 15 % (terminal umbel) to 100 % (third-order umbels). Fruit set correspondingly decreases from 70% (terminal umbel) to <10 % (second-order umbels). Insignificant differences from hand-pollinated plants do not reveal any sign of pollinator limitation at the study site. Bagged individuals show the same increase in male flowers with age as untreated plants, indicating that the presence of andromonoecy is not induced by fruit set. After umbel removal, individuals tend to present a higher number of hermaphrodite flowers and fruits in the umbels of second and third order. Three plants (25 %) produced an additional branch order composed of 100 % male umbels. Conclusions Inherited andromonoecy and the plastic response to environmental conditions are interpreted as a self-regulating system saving investment costs and optimizing fruit set at the same time. PMID:23585495

[Transverse radioulnar branch of the dorsal ulnar nerve: anatomic description and arthroscopic implications from 45 cadaveric dissections].

PubMed

Ehlinger, M; Rapp, E; Cognet, J-M; Clavert, P; Bonnomet, F; Kahn, J-L; Kempf, J-F

2005-05-01

We conducted an anatomic study of the transverse branch of the dorsal ulnar nerve to describe its morphology and position in relation to arthroscopic exploration portals. Forty-five non-side-matched anatomic specimens of unknown age and gender were preserved in formol. The dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve was identified and dissected proximally to distally in order to reveal the different terminal branches. The morphometric analysis included measurement of the length and diameter of the transverse branch and measurement of wrist width. We also measured the smallest distance between the transverse branch and the ulnar styloid process, and between the branch and usual arthroscopic portals (4-5, 6R, 6U) in the axis of the forearm. The transverse branch was inconstant. It was found in 12 of the 45 dissection specimens (27%). In two-thirds of the specimens, the branch ran over less than 50% of the wrist width, tangentially to the radiocarpal joint. Mean nerve diameter was 1 mm. It was found 5-6 mm from the ulnar styloid process and was distal to it in 83% of the specimens. The dissections demonstrated two anatomic variants. Type A corresponded to a branch running distally to the ulnar styloid process, parallel to the joint line (10/12 specimens). Type B exhibited a trajectory proximal to the ulnar styloid process, crossing the ulnar head (2/12 specimens). The relations with the arthroscopic portals (4-5, 6R, 6U) showed that the mean distance from the branch to the portal was 3.75 mm for the 4-5 portal (distally in 11/12 specimens), 3.68 mm for the 6R portal (distally in 10/12 specimens), and 4.83 mm for the 6U portal (distally in 7 specimens and proximally in 5). To our knowledge, there has been only one report specifically devoted to this transverse branch. Two other reports simply mention its existence. According to the literature, the transverse branch of the dorsal ulnar nerve occurs in 60-80% of the cases. We found two anatomic variations different than those described in the literature. Based on our findings and data reported previously, we propose a new classification, describing two main types. In Type 1, the transverse branch arises proximally to the ulnar styloid process;type 1A and type IB are described in relation to the direction of the branch. In Type II, the branch arises distally to the ulnar styloid process;type IIA and type IIB again being described in relation to the direction of the branch. On the tangential trajectory over the radiocarpal joint, the morphometric data show a zone of risk described by a rectangle measuring 10 mm wide (6 mm distal and 4 mm proximal to the ulnar styloid process) and covering 50% of the wrist width. The relations with arthroscopic portals describe a zone of risk corresponding to a 5-7 mm radius circle centered on the portals (4-5, 6R, 6U), which includes 83% of the transverse branches.

Flight deck task management

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-12-21

This report documents the work undertaken in support of Volpe Task Order No. T0026, Flight Deck Task Management. The objectives of this work effort were to: : 1) Develop a specific and standard definition of task management (TM) : 2) Conduct a ...

Generalizability of the Ordering among Five Formal Reasoning Tasks by an Ordering-Theoretic Method.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bart, William M.; And Others

1979-01-01

Five Inhelder-Piaget formal operations tasks were analyzed to determine the extent that the formal operational skills they assess were ordered into a stable hierarchy generalizable across samples of subjects. Subjects were 34 collegiate gymnasts (19 males, 15 females), and 22 students (1 male, 21 females) from a university nursing program.…

48 CFR 52.215-22 - Limitations on Pass-Through Charges-Identification of Subcontract Effort.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

.... The offeror's proposal shall exclude excessive pass-through charges. (c) Performance of work by the..., under the contract, task order, or delivery order. (2) If the offeror intends to subcontract more than 70 percent of the total cost of work to be performed under the contract, task order, or delivery...

Vertical profile of branch CO2 efflux in a Norway spruce tree: a case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acosta, M.; Pavelka, M.

2012-04-01

Despite woody-tissue CO2 effluxes having been recognized as an important component of forest carbon budget due to the fraction of assimilates used and the dramatic increase in woody with stand development, there is limited research to determine the CO2 efflux vertical variability of woody-tissue components. For a better understanding and quantification of branch woody-tissue CO2 efflux in forest ecosystems, it is necessary to identify the environmental factors influencing it and the role of the branch distribution within the canopy. The proper assessment of this forest component will improve the knowledge of the ratio between ecosystem respiration and gross primary production at forest ecosystem. In order to achieve this goal, branch CO2 efflux of Norway spruce tree was measured in ten branches at five different whorls during the growing season 2004 (from June till October) in campaigns of 3-4 times per month at the Beskydy Mts., the Czech Republic, using a portable infrared gas analyzer operating as a closed system. Branch woody tissue temperature was measured continuously in ten minutes intervals for each sample position during the whole experiment period. On the basis of relation between CO2 efflux rate and woody tissue temperature a value of Q10 and normalized CO2 efflux rate (E10 - CO2 efflux rate at 10° C) were calculated for each sampled position. Estimated Q10 values ranged from 2.12 to 2.89 and E10 ranged from 0.41 to 1.19 ?molCO2m-2 s-1. Differences in branch CO2 efflux were found between orientations; East side branches presented higher efflux rate than west side branches. The highest branch CO2 efflux rate values were measured in August and the lowest in October, which were connected with woody tissue temperature and ontogenetic processes during these periods. Branch CO2 efflux was significantly and positively correlated with branch position within canopy and woody tissue temperature. Branches from the upper whorls showed higher respiration activity and seasonal dynamics than branches from the lower whorls. The results presented in this study serve primarily to demonstrate the importance of branch location within canopy from the point of view of the CO2 efflux. CO2 efflux from branch woody-tissue exhibited vertical differentiation among whorls that must be taken into account when collecting, analysis and interpreting data. The determination of CO2 efflux from individual components at ecosystem level is still needed to gain a better understanding of the carbon budget issues. Such data are important for evaluating effect of global climate or other possible influences on carbon cycling and sequestration in forest ecosystems. Acknowledgment: This work was support by the projects CZ.1.05/1.1.00/02.0073 from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and LM2010007 from the Ministry of the Environmental of Czech Republic

Controls on stream network branching angles, tested using landscape evolution models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theodoratos, Nikolaos; Seybold, Hansjörg; Kirchner, James W.

2016-04-01

Stream networks are striking landscape features. The topology of stream networks has been extensively studied, but their geometry has received limited attention. Analyses of nearly 1 million stream junctions across the contiguous United States [1] have revealed that stream branching angles vary systematically with climate and topographic gradients at continental scale. Stream networks in areas with wet climates and gentle slopes tend to have wider branching angles than in areas with dry climates or steep slopes, but the mechanistic linkages underlying these empirical correlations remain unclear. Under different climatic and topographic conditions different runoff generation mechanisms and, consequently, transport processes are dominant. Models [2] and experiments [3] have shown that the relative strength of channel incision versus diffusive hillslope transport controls the spacing between valleys, an important geometric property of stream networks. We used landscape evolution models (LEMs) to test whether similar factors control network branching angles as well. We simulated stream networks using a wide range of hillslope diffusion and channel incision parameters. The resulting branching angles vary systematically with the parameters, but by much less than the regional variability in real-world stream networks. Our results suggest that the competition between hillslope and channeling processes influences branching angles, but that other mechanisms may also be needed to account for the variability in branching angles observed in the field. References: [1] H. Seybold, D. H. Rothman, and J. W. Kirchner, 2015, Climate's watermark in the geometry of river networks, Submitted manuscript. [2] J. T. Perron, W. E. Dietrich, and J. W. Kirchner, 2008, Controls on the spacing of first-order valleys, Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, F04016. [3] K. E. Sweeney, J. J. Roering, and C. Ellis, 2015, Experimental evidence for hillslope control of landscape scale, Science, 349(6243), 51-53.

Development of N-version software samples for an experiment in software fault tolerance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lauterbach, L.

1987-01-01

The report documents the task planning and software development phases of an effort to obtain twenty versions of code independently designed and developed from a common specification. These versions were created for use in future experiments in software fault tolerance, in continuation of the experimental series underway at the Systems Validation Methods Branch (SVMB) at NASA Langley Research Center. The 20 versions were developed under controlled conditions at four U.S. universities, by 20 teams of two researchers each. The versions process raw data from a modified Redundant Strapped Down Inertial Measurement Unit (RSDIMU). The specifications, and over 200 questions submitted by the developers concerning the specifications, are included as appendices to this report. Design documents, and design and code walkthrough reports for each version, were also obtained in this task for use in future studies.

A Strategy for Integrating a Large Finite Element Model Using MSC NASTRAN/PATRAN: X-33 Lessons Learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McGhee, D. S.

1999-01-01

The X-33 vehicle is an advanced technology demonstrator sponsored by NASA. For the past 3 years the Structural Dynamics and Loads Branch of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has had the task of integrating the X-33 vehicle structural finite element model. In that time, five versions of the integrated vehicle model have been produced and a strategy has evolved that would benefit anyone given the task of integrating structural finite element models that have been generated by various modelers and companies. The strategy that has been presented here consists of six decisions that need to be made: purpose of models, units, common materials list, model numbering, interface control, and archive format. This strategy has been proven and expanded from experience on the X-33 vehicle.

Cosmetology: Task Analyses. Competency-Based Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henrico County Public Schools, Glen Allen, VA. Virginia Vocational Curriculum Center.

These task analyses are designed to be used in combination with the "Trade and Industrial Education Service Area Resource" in order to implement competency-based education in the cosmetology program in Virginia. The task analysis document contains the task inventory, suggested task sequence lists, and content outlines for the secondary…

Commercial Photography: Task Analyses. Competency-Based Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Endo, Paula; Morrell, Linda

These task analyses are designed to be used in combination with the "Trade and Industrial Education Service Area Resource" in order to implement competency-based education in the commercial photography program in Virginia. The task analysis document contains the task inventory, suggested task sequence lists, and content outlines for the…

Nurse's Assistant: Task Analyses. Competency-Based Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henrico County Public Schools, Glen Allen, VA. Virginia Vocational Curriculum Center.

These task analyses are designed to be used in combination with the "Health Occupations Education Service Area Resource" in order to implement competency-based education in the nurse's assistant program in Virginia. The task analysis document contains the task inventory, suggested task sequence lists, and content outlines for Nursing…

Masonry: Task Analyses. Competency-Based Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henrico County Public Schools, Glen Allen, VA. Virginia Vocational Curriculum Center.

These task analyses are designed to be used in combination with the "Trade and Industrial Education Service Area Resource" in order to implement competency-based education in the masonry program in Virginia. The task analysis document contains the task inventory, suggested task sequence lists, and content outlines for the secondary…

REGIONAL AIR POLLUTION STUDY, QUALITY ASSURANCE AUDITS

EPA Science Inventory

RAPS Quality Assurance audits were conducted under this Task Order in continuation of the audit program previously conducted under Task Order No. 58. Quantitative field audits were conducted of the Regional Air Monitoring System (RAMS) Air Monitoring Stations, Local Air Monitorin...

[Effects of forest gap size on the growth and form quality of Taxus wallichina var. mairei in Cunninghamia lanceolata forests].

PubMed

Ou, Jian de; Wu, Zhi Zhuang; Luo, Ning

2016-10-01

In order to clarify the effects of forest gap size on the growth and stem form quality of Taxus wallichina var. mairei and effectiveness of the precious timbers cultivation, 25 sample plots in Cunninghamia lanceolata forest gaps were established in Mingxi County, Fujian Province, China to determine the indices of the growth, stem form and branching indices of T. wallichina var. mairei seedlings. The relationships between the gap size and growth, stem form and branching were investigated. The 25 sample plots were located at five microhabitats which were classified based on gap size as follows: Class1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which had a gap size of 25-50 m 2 , 50-75 m 2 , 75-100 m 2 , 100-125 m 2 and 125-150 m 2 , respectively. The evaluation index system of precious timbers was built by using hierarchical analysis. The 5 classes of forest gaps were evaluated comprehensively by using the multiobjective decision making method. The results showed that gap size significantly affected 11 indices, i.e., height, DBH, crown width, forking rate, stem straightness, stem fullness, taperingness, diameter height ratio, height under living branch, interval between branches, and max-branch base diameter. Class1and 2 both significantly promoted the growth of height, DBH and crown width, and both significantly inhibited forking rate and taperingness, and improved stem straightness. Class2 significantly improved stem fullness and diameter height ratio. Class1and 2 significantly improved height under living branch and reduced max-branch base diameter. Class 1 significantly increased interval between branches. Class1and2 significantly improved the comprehensive evaluation score of precious timbers. This study suggested that controlled cutting intensity could be used to create forest gaps of 25-75 m 2 , which improved the precious timber cultivating process of T. wallichina var. mairei in C. lanceolata forests.

Voluntary task switching under load: contribution of top-down and bottom-up factors in goal-directed behavior.

PubMed

Demanet, Jelle; Verbruggen, Frederick; Liefooghe, Baptist; Vandierendonck, André

2010-06-01

The present study investigated the relative contribution of bottom-up and top-down control to task selection in the voluntary task-switching (VTS) procedure. In order to manipulate the efficiency of top-down control, a concurrent working memory load was imposed during VTS. In three experiments, bottom-up factors, such as stimulus repetitions, repetition of irrelevant information, and stimulus-task associations, were introduced in order to investigate their influence on task selection. We observed that the tendency to repeat tasks was stronger under load, suggesting that top-down control counteracts the automatic tendency to repeat tasks. The results also indicated that task selection can be guided by several elements in the environment, but that only the influence of stimulus repetitions depends on the efficiency of top-down control. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed within the interplay between top-down and bottom-up control that underlies the voluntary selection of tasks.

Exact short-time height distribution for the flat Kardar-Parisi-Zhang interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Naftali R.; Meerson, Baruch

2018-05-01

We determine the exact short-time distribution -lnPf(" close=")H ,t )">H ,t =Sf(H )/√{t } of the one-point height H =h (x =0 ,t ) of an evolving 1 +1 Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) interface for flat initial condition. This is achieved by combining (i) the optimal fluctuation method, (ii) a time-reversal symmetry of the KPZ equation in 1 +1 dimension, and (iii) the recently determined exact short-time height distribution -lnPst(H ) of the latter, one encounters two branches: an analytic and a nonanalytic. The analytic branch is nonphysical beyond a critical value of H where a second-order dynamical phase transition occurs. Here we show that, remarkably, it is the analytic branch of Sst(H ) which determines the large-deviation function Sf(H ) of the flat interface via a simple mapping Sf(H )=2-3 /2Sst[GENETIC AND METABOLIC URGENCIES IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT: MAPLE SYRUP URINE DISEASE].

PubMed

Páez Rojas, Paola Liliana; Suarez Obando, Fernando

2015-07-01

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a hereditary disorder of branched chain amino/keto acid metabolism, caused by a decreased activity of the branched-chain alpha- ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKAD), which leads to abnormal elevated plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) clinically manifested as a heavy burden for Central Nervous system. The toxic accumulation of substrates promotes the development of a severe and rapidly progressive neonatal encephalopathy if treatment is not immediately given. This disorder has a specific medical management in acute phase in order to minimize mortality and morbidity. For all those reasons, it is important to include the MSUD as a possible diagnosis in a encephalopathic newborn. We present a colombian newborn with classical MSUD with fatal outcome as an example of metabolic emergency and a differential diagnosis in the encephalopathic newborn. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

An Efficient Solution Method for Multibody Systems with Loops Using Multiple Processors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghosh, Tushar K.; Nguyen, Luong A.; Quiocho, Leslie J.

2015-01-01

This paper describes a multibody dynamics algorithm formulated for parallel implementation on multiprocessor computing platforms using the divide-and-conquer approach. The system of interest is a general topology of rigid and elastic articulated bodies with or without loops. The algorithm divides the multibody system into a number of smaller sets of bodies in chain or tree structures, called "branches" at convenient joints called "connection points", and uses an Order-N (O (N)) approach to formulate the dynamics of each branch in terms of the unknown spatial connection forces. The equations of motion for the branches, leaving the connection forces as unknowns, are implemented in separate processors in parallel for computational efficiency, and the equations for all the unknown connection forces are synthesized and solved in one or several processors. The performances of two implementations of this divide-and-conquer algorithm in multiple processors are compared with an existing method implemented on a single processor.

Search for the decay D0→γγ and measurement of the branching fraction for D0→π0π0

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lees, J. P.; Poireau, V.; Prencipe, E.; Tisserand, V.; Garra Tico, J.; Grauges, E.; Martinelli, M.; Milanes, D. A.; Palano, A.; Pappagallo, M.; Eigen, G.; Stugu, B.; Sun, L.; Brown, D. N.; Kerth, L. T.; Kolomensky, Yu. G.; Lynch, G.; Koch, H.; Schroeder, T.; Asgeirsson, D. J.; Hearty, C.; Mattison, T. S.; McKenna, J. A.; Khan, A.; Blinov, V. E.; Buzykaev, A. R.; Druzhinin, V. P.; Golubev, V. B.; Kravchenko, E. A.; Onuchin, A. P.; Serednyakov, S. I.; Skovpen, Yu. I.; Solodov, E. P.; Todyshev, K. Yu.; Yushkov, A. N.; Bondioli, M.; Curry, S.; Kirkby, D.; Lankford, A. J.; Mandelkern, M.; Stoker, D. P.; Atmacan, H.; Gary, J. W.; Liu, F.; Long, O.; Vitug, G. M.; Campagnari, C.; Hong, T. M.; Kovalskyi, D.; Richman, J. D.; West, C. A.; Eisner, A. M.; Kroseberg, J.; Lockman, W. S.; Martinez, A. J.; Schalk, T.; Schumm, B. A.; Seiden, A.; Cheng, C. H.; Doll, D. A.; Echenard, B.; Flood, K. T.; Hitlin, D. G.; Ongmongkolkul, P.; Porter, F. C.; Rakitin, A. Y.; Andreassen, R.; Dubrovin, M. S.; Meadows, B. T.; Sokoloff, M. D.; Bloom, P. C.; Ford, W. T.; Gaz, A.; Nagel, M.; Nauenberg, U.; Smith, J. G.; Wagner, S. R.; Ayad, R.; Toki, W. H.; Spaan, B.; Kobel, M. J.; Schubert, K. R.; Schwierz, R.; Bernard, D.; Verderi, M.; Clark, P. J.; Playfer, S.; Watson, J. E.; Bettoni, D.; Bozzi, C.; Calabrese, R.; Cibinetto, G.; Fioravanti, E.; Garzia, I.; Luppi, E.; Munerato, M.; Negrini, M.; Piemontese, L.; Baldini-Ferroli, R.; Calcaterra, A.; de Sangro, R.; Finocchiaro, G.; Nicolaci, M.; Pacetti, S.; Patteri, P.; Peruzzi, I. M.; Piccolo, M.; Rama, M.; Zallo, A.; Contri, R.; Guido, E.; Lo Vetere, M.; Monge, M. R.; Passaggio, S.; Patrignani, C.; Robutti, E.; Bhuyan, B.; Prasad, V.; Lee, C. L.; Morii, M.; Edwards, A. J.; Adametz, A.; Marks, J.; Uwer, U.; Bernlochner, F. U.; Ebert, M.; Lacker, H. M.; Lueck, T.; Dauncey, P. D.; Tibbetts, M.; Behera, P. K.; Mallik, U.; Chen, C.; Cochran, J.; Crawley, H. B.; Meyer, W. T.; Prell, S.; Rosenberg, E. I.; Rubin, A. E.; Gritsan, A. V.; Guo, Z. J.; Arnaud, N.; Davier, M.; Derkach, D.; Grosdidier, G.; Le Diberder, F.; Lutz, A. M.; Malaescu, B.; Roudeau, P.; Schune, M. H.; Stocchi, A.; Wormser, G.; Lange, D. J.; Wright, D. M.; Bingham, I.; Chavez, C. A.; Coleman, J. P.; Fry, J. R.; Gabathuler, E.; Hutchcroft, D. E.; Payne, D. J.; Touramanis, C.; Bevan, A. J.; Di Lodovico, F.; Sacco, R.; Sigamani, M.; Cowan, G.; Paramesvaran, S.; Brown, D. N.; Davis, C. L.; Denig, A. G.; Fritsch, M.; Gradl, W.; Hafner, A.; Alwyn, K. E.; Bailey, D.; Barlow, R. J.; Jackson, G.; Lafferty, G. D.; Cenci, R.; Hamilton, B.; Jawahery, A.; Roberts, D. A.; Simi, G.; Dallapiccola, C.; Salvati, E.; Cowan, R.; Dujmic, D.; Sciolla, G.; Lindemann, D.; Patel, P. M.; Robertson, S. H.; Schram, M.; Biassoni, P.; Lazzaro, A.; Lombardo, V.; Palombo, F.; Stracka, S.; Cremaldi, L.; Godang, R.; Kroeger, R.; Sonnek, P.; Summers, D. J.; Nguyen, X.; Taras, P.; De Nardo, G.; Monorchio, D.; Onorato, G.; Sciacca, C.; Raven, G.; Snoek, H. L.; Jessop, C. P.; Knoepfel, K. J.; LoSecco, J. M.; Wang, W. F.; Honscheid, K.; Kass, R.; Morris, J. P.; Brau, J.; Frey, R.; Sinev, N. B.; Strom, D.; Torrence, E.; Feltresi, E.; Gagliardi, N.; Margoni, M.; Morandin, M.; Posocco, M.; Rotondo, M.; Simonetto, F.; Stroili, R.; Ben-Haim, E.; Bomben, M.; Bonneaud, G. R.; Briand, H.; Calderini, G.; Chauveau, J.; Hamon, O.; Leruste, Ph.; Marchiori, G.; Ocariz, J.; Sitt, S.; Biasini, M.; Manoni, E.; Rossi, A.; Angelini, C.; Batignani, G.; Bettarini, S.; Carpinelli, M.; Casarosa, G.; Cervelli, A.; Forti, F.; Giorgi, M. A.; Lusiani, A.; Neri, N.; Oberhof, B.; Paoloni, E.; Perez, A.; Rizzo, G.; Walsh, J. J.; Lopes Pegna, D.; Lu, C.; Olsen, J.; Smith, A. J. S.; Telnov, A. V.; Anulli, F.; Cavoto, G.; Faccini, R.; Ferrarotto, F.; Ferroni, F.; Gaspero, M.; Li Gioi, L.; Mazzoni, M. A.; Piredda, G.; Buenger, C.; Hartmann, T.; Leddig, T.; Schröder, H.; Waldi, R.; Adye, T.; Olaiya, E. O.; Wilson, F. F.; Emery, S.; Hamel de Monchenault, G.; Vasseur, G.; Yèche, Ch.; Aston, D.; Bard, D. J.; Bartoldus, R.; Benitez, J. F.; Cartaro, C.; Convery, M. R.; Dorfan, J.; Dubois-Felsmann, G. P.; Dunwoodie, W.; Field, R. C.; Franco Sevilla, M.; Fulsom, B. G.; Gabareen, A. M.; Graham, M. T.; Grenier, P.; Hast, C.; Innes, W. R.; Kelsey, M. H.; Kim, H.; Kim, P.; Kocian, M. L.; Leith, D. W. G. S.; Lewis, P.; Li, S.; Lindquist, B.; Luitz, S.; Luth, V.; Lynch, H. L.; MacFarlane, D. B.; Muller, D. R.; Neal, H.; Nelson, S.; Ofte, I.; Perl, M.; Pulliam, T.; Ratcliff, B. N.; Roodman, A.; Salnikov, A. A.; Santoro, V.; Schindler, R. H.; Snyder, A.; Su, D.; Sullivan, M. K.; Va'vra, J.; Wagner, A. P.; Weaver, M.; Wisniewski, W. J.; Wittgen, M.; Wright, D. H.; Wulsin, H. W.; Yarritu, A. K.; Young, C. C.; Ziegler, V.; Park, W.; Purohit, M. V.; White, R. M.; Wilson, J. R.; Randle-Conde, A.; Sekula, S. J.; Bellis, M.; Burchat, P. R.; Miyashita, T. S.; Alam, M. S.; Ernst, J. A.; Gorodeisky, R.; Guttman, N.; Peimer, D. R.; Soffer, A.; Lund, P.; Spanier, S. M.; Eckmann, R.; Ritchie, J. L.; Ruland, A. M.; Schilling, C. J.; Schwitters, R. F.; Wray, B. C.; Izen, J. M.; Lou, X. C.; Bianchi, F.; Gamba, D.; Lanceri, L.; Vitale, L.; Lopez-March, N.; Martinez-Vidal, F.; Oyanguren, A.; Ahmed, H.; Albert, J.; Banerjee, Sw.; Choi, H. H. F.; King, G. J.; Kowalewski, R.; Lewczuk, M. J.; Lindsay, C.; Nugent, I. M.; Roney, J. M.; Sobie, R. J.; Gershon, T. J.; Harrison, P. F.; Latham, T. E.; Puccio, E. M. T.; Band, H. R.; Dasu, S.; Pan, Y.; Prepost, R.; Vuosalo, C. O.; Wu, S. L.

2012-05-01

We search for the rare decay of the D0 meson to two photons, D0→γγ, and present a measurement of the branching fraction for a D0 meson decaying to two neutral pions, B(D0→π0π0). The data sample analyzed corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 470.5fb-1 collected by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e+e- collider at SLAC. We place an upper limit on the branching fraction, B(D0→γγ)<2.2×10-6, at 90% confidence level. This limit improves on the existing limit by an order of magnitude. We also find B(D0→π0π0)=(8.4±0.1±0.4±0.3)×10-4.

Statistics of backscatter radar return from vegetation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karam, M. A.; Chen, K. S.; Fung, A. K.

1992-01-01

The statistical characteristics of radar return from vegetation targets are investigated through a simulation study based upon the first-order scattered field. For simulation purposes, the vegetation targets are modeled as a layer of randomly oriented and spaced finite cylinders, needles, or discs, or a combination of them. The finite cylinder is used to represent a branch or a trunk, the needle for a stem or a coniferous leaf, and the disc for a decidous leaf. For a plane wave illuminating a vegetation canopy, simulation results show that the signal returned from a layer of disc- or needle-shaped leaves follows the Gamma distribution, and that the signal returned from a layer of branches resembles the log normal distribution. The Gamma distribution also represents the signal returned from a layer of a mixture of branches and leaves regardless of the leaf shapes. Results also indicate that the polarization state does not have a significant impact on signal distribution.

Regeneration of the eighth cranial nerve in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana.

PubMed

Newman, A; Honrubia, V

1992-01-01

The present study was done in order to document the ability of the eighth cranial nerve of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) to regenerate, the anatomic characteristics of the regenerated fibers, and the specificity of projections from individual endorgan branches of the nerve. The eighth cranial nerve was sharply transected between the ganglion cells and the brain stem in 40 healthy bullfrogs and allowed to regenerate. Anatomic studies were performed in these animals a minimum of 3 months postoperatively. Horseradish peroxidase was used to label the whole vestibular nerve or its individual endorgan branches. Labeled regenerated fibers could be identified crossing the site of the nerve section and projecting centrally to the vestibular nuclei in a pattern similar to that of normal frogs. Labeling of individual branches showed that regenerated fibers innervated the same specific areas found in normal frogs. Unlike normal animals, both thick and thin fibers projected to the medial nucleus.

High-level, but not low-level, motion perception is impaired in patients with schizophrenia.

PubMed

Kandil, Farid I; Pedersen, Anya; Wehnes, Jana; Ohrmann, Patricia

2013-01-01

Smooth pursuit eye movements are compromised in patients with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives. Although research has demonstrated that the motor components of smooth pursuit eye movements are intact, motion perception has been shown to be impaired. In particular, studies have consistently revealed deficits in performance on tasks specific to the high-order motion area V5 (middle temporal area, MT) in patients with schizophrenia. In contrast, data from low-level motion detectors in the primary visual cortex (V1) have been inconsistent. To differentiate between low-level and high-level visual motion processing, we applied a temporal-order judgment task for motion events and a motion-defined figure-ground segregation task using patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Successful judgments in both tasks rely on the same low-level motion detectors in the V1; however, the first task is further processed in the higher-order motion area MT in the magnocellular (dorsal) pathway, whereas the second task requires subsequent computations in the parvocellular (ventral) pathway in visual area V4 and the inferotemporal cortex (IT). These latter structures are supposed to be intact in schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia revealed a significantly impaired temporal resolution on the motion-based temporal-order judgment task but only mild impairment in the motion-based segregation task. These results imply that low-level motion detection in V1 is not, or is only slightly, compromised; furthermore, our data restrain the locus of the well-known deficit in motion detection to areas beyond the primary visual cortex.

Three-Dimensional Dendrite Growth Within the Shrouds of Single Crystal Blades of a Nickel-Based Superalloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fu; Wu, Zining; Huang, Can; Ma, Dexin; Jakumeit, Jürgen; Bührig-Polaczek, Andreas

2017-12-01

The effect of withdrawal rates on the three-dimensional dendrite growth within the shrouds of single crystal blades during directional solidification was studied by both experiments and numerical simulations. The results showed that at given withdrawal rates, the dendrite pattern within the shrouds comprised three zones: primary dendrite zone, secondary dendrite spread zone, and a higher-order dendrite branched zone. With increasing withdrawal rate, the average primary dendrite arm spacing in the primary dendrite zone and the average secondary dendrite arm spacings in both the secondary dendrite spread zone and the higher-order dendrite branched zone were reduced. Independent of the variation in withdrawal rate, two analogous dendrite growth routes were observed within the shrouds of the employed blade geometry. These routes originated from the primary dendrites in the primary dendrite zone and filled in the shrouds by directly spreading secondary or successively branching higher-order dendrites. Except for a withdrawal rate of 6 mm min-1, these dendrites impinged at the shroud's highest extremity and could be explained by the simulated moving isotherms. As the withdrawal rate was increased to 2.5 mm min-1, undercooling and contraction stress-related equiaxed grains were observed in the interdendritic region at the lowest shroud extremity. With increasing withdrawal rate, the amount of the defects was increased. Since the defects destroy the integrity of single crystal blades, the solidification condition within the shroud should be controlled to avoid their occurrence. Along the dendrite growth route, an accumulated misorientation of the dendrites was observed. At the same positions, this accumulation increased with increasing withdrawal rate.

[Au]/[Ag]-catalysed expedient synthesis of branched heneicosafuranosyl arabinogalactan motif of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thadke, Shivaji A.; Mishra, Bijoyananda; Islam, Maidul; Pasari, Sandip; Manmode, Sujit; Rao, Boddu Venkateswara; Neralkar, Mahesh; Shinde, Ganesh P.; Walke, Gulab; Hotha, Srinivas

2017-01-01

Emergence of multidrug-resistant and extreme-drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) can cause serious socioeconomic burdens. Arabinogalactan present on the cellular envelope of MTb is unique and is required for its survival; access to arabinogalactan is essential for understanding the biosynthetic machinery that assembles it. Isolation from Nature is a herculean task and, as a result, chemical synthesis is the most sought after technique. Here we report a convergent synthesis of branched heneicosafuranosyl arabinogalactan (HAG) of MTb. Key furanosylations are performed using [Au]/[Ag] catalysts. The synthesis of HAG is achieved by the repetitive use of three reactions namely 1,2-trans furanoside synthesis by propargyl 1,2-orthoester donors, unmasking of silyl ether, and conversion of n-pentenyl furanosides into 1,2-orthoesters. Synthesis of HAG is achieved in 47 steps (with an overall yield of 0.09%) of which 21 are installation of furanosidic linkages in a stereoselective manner.

Air Breathing Propulsion Controls and Diagnostics Research at NASA Glenn Under NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2014-01-01

The Intelligent Control and Autonomy Branch (ICA) at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced controls and health management technologies that will help meet the goals of the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Programs. These efforts are primarily under the various projects under the Fundamental Aeronautics Program (FAP) and the Aviation Safety Program (ASP). The ICA Branch is focused on advancing the state-of-the-art of aero-engine control and diagnostics technologies to help improve aviation safety, increase efficiency, and enable operation with reduced emissions. This paper describes the various ICA research efforts under the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Programs with a summary of motivation, background, technical approach, and recent accomplishments for each of the research tasks.

Air Breathing Propulsion Controls and Diagnostics Research at NASA Glenn Under NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2015-01-01

The Intelligent Control and Autonomy Branch (ICA) at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced controls and health management technologies that will help meet the goals of the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Programs. These efforts are primarily under the various projects under the Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP), Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP) and Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TAC). The ICA Branch is focused on advancing the state-of-the-art of aero-engine control and diagnostics technologies to help improve aviation safety, increase efficiency, and enable operation with reduced emissions. This paper describes the various ICA research efforts under the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Programs with a summary of motivation, background, technical approach, and recent accomplishments for each of the research tasks.

Double-Pedicled Free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap for the Coverage of Thigh Soft-Tissue Defect.

PubMed

Bota, Olimpiu; Spindler, Nick; Sauber, Jeannine; Aydogan, Emrah; Langer, Stefan

2017-08-01

Soft-tissue defects caused by radiation injury are a challenging task for the reconstructive surgeon, due to the extent of the soft-tissue damage and the associated injuries of the local blood vessels and bone tissue. We present the application of the versatile deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for the coverage of an extended lateral thigh soft-tissue defect after the surgical resection of an undifferentiated pleomorphic high-grade sarcoma, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy. A double-pedicled free DIEP flap (756 cm 2 ) was harvested and anastomosed to the transverse branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and a lateral branch of the popliteal artery (P1). The flap survived completely without serious complications, and the patient was able to walk with crutches 3 months postoperatively. This is the first case report of a free bipedicled DIEP flap for the coverage of a thigh defect in a male patient.

Double-Pedicled Free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap for the Coverage of Thigh Soft-Tissue Defect

PubMed Central

Spindler, Nick; Sauber, Jeannine; Aydogan, Emrah; Langer, Stefan

2017-01-01

Summary: Soft-tissue defects caused by radiation injury are a challenging task for the reconstructive surgeon, due to the extent of the soft-tissue damage and the associated injuries of the local blood vessels and bone tissue. We present the application of the versatile deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for the coverage of an extended lateral thigh soft-tissue defect after the surgical resection of an undifferentiated pleomorphic high-grade sarcoma, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy. A double-pedicled free DIEP flap (756 cm2) was harvested and anastomosed to the transverse branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and a lateral branch of the popliteal artery (P1). The flap survived completely without serious complications, and the patient was able to walk with crutches 3 months postoperatively. This is the first case report of a free bipedicled DIEP flap for the coverage of a thigh defect in a male patient. PMID:28894652

Evaluation of a conceptual framework for predicting navigation performance in virtual reality.

PubMed

Grübel, Jascha; Thrash, Tyler; Hölscher, Christoph; Schinazi, Victor R

2017-01-01

Previous research in spatial cognition has often relied on simple spatial tasks in static environments in order to draw inferences regarding navigation performance. These tasks are typically divided into categories (e.g., egocentric or allocentric) that reflect different two-systems theories. Unfortunately, this two-systems approach has been insufficient for reliably predicting navigation performance in virtual reality (VR). In the present experiment, participants were asked to learn and navigate towards goal locations in a virtual city and then perform eight simple spatial tasks in a separate environment. These eight tasks were organised along four orthogonal dimensions (static/dynamic, perceived/remembered, egocentric/allocentric, and distance/direction). We employed confirmatory and exploratory analyses in order to assess the relationship between navigation performance and performances on these simple tasks. We provide evidence that a dynamic task (i.e., intercepting a moving object) is capable of predicting navigation performance in a familiar virtual environment better than several categories of static tasks. These results have important implications for studies on navigation in VR that tend to over-emphasise the role of spatial memory. Given that our dynamic tasks required efficient interaction with the human interface device (HID), they were more closely aligned with the perceptuomotor processes associated with locomotion than wayfinding. In the future, researchers should consider training participants on HIDs using a dynamic task prior to conducting a navigation experiment. Performances on dynamic tasks should also be assessed in order to avoid confounding skill with an HID and spatial knowledge acquisition.

Evaluation of a conceptual framework for predicting navigation performance in virtual reality

PubMed Central

Thrash, Tyler; Hölscher, Christoph; Schinazi, Victor R.

2017-01-01

Previous research in spatial cognition has often relied on simple spatial tasks in static environments in order to draw inferences regarding navigation performance. These tasks are typically divided into categories (e.g., egocentric or allocentric) that reflect different two-systems theories. Unfortunately, this two-systems approach has been insufficient for reliably predicting navigation performance in virtual reality (VR). In the present experiment, participants were asked to learn and navigate towards goal locations in a virtual city and then perform eight simple spatial tasks in a separate environment. These eight tasks were organised along four orthogonal dimensions (static/dynamic, perceived/remembered, egocentric/allocentric, and distance/direction). We employed confirmatory and exploratory analyses in order to assess the relationship between navigation performance and performances on these simple tasks. We provide evidence that a dynamic task (i.e., intercepting a moving object) is capable of predicting navigation performance in a familiar virtual environment better than several categories of static tasks. These results have important implications for studies on navigation in VR that tend to over-emphasise the role of spatial memory. Given that our dynamic tasks required efficient interaction with the human interface device (HID), they were more closely aligned with the perceptuomotor processes associated with locomotion than wayfinding. In the future, researchers should consider training participants on HIDs using a dynamic task prior to conducting a navigation experiment. Performances on dynamic tasks should also be assessed in order to avoid confounding skill with an HID and spatial knowledge acquisition. PMID:28915266

A shared representation of order between encoding and recognition in visual short-term memory.

PubMed

Kalm, Kristjan; Norris, Dennis

2017-07-15

Many complex tasks require people to bind individual events into a sequence that can be held in short term memory (STM). For this purpose information about the order of the individual events in the sequence needs to be maintained in an active and accessible form in STM over a period of few seconds. Here we investigated how the temporal order information is shared between the presentation and response phases of an STM task. We trained a classification algorithm on the fMRI activity patterns from the presentation phase of the STM task to predict the order of the items during the subsequent recognition phase. While voxels in a number of brain regions represented positional information during either presentation and recognition phases, only voxels in the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the anterior temporal lobe (ATL) represented position consistently across task phases. A shared positional code in the ATL might reflect verbal recoding of visual sequences to facilitate the maintenance of order information over several seconds. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cue-induced smoking urges deplete cigarette smokers' self-control resources.

PubMed

Hagger, Martin S; Leaver, Eamonn; Esser, Kerstin; Leung, Chung-Ming; Te Pas, Nina; Keatley, David A; Chan, Derwin K-C; Chatzisarantis, Nikos L D

2013-12-01

Exposure to smoking-related cues leads to increased urge to smoke in regular cigarette smokers and resisting these urges requires considerable self-control. Adopting a resource depletion model, two studies tested the hypothesis that resisting smoking urges depletes self-control resources. Adopting a within-participants randomized cross-over design, participants (study 1, N = 19; study 2, N = 32) were exposed to smoking-related (study 1: smoking images; study 2: cigarette cue-exposure task) and neutral (study 1: neutral images; study 2: drinking-straw task) cues with presentation order randomized. After each cue set, participants completed self-control tasks (study 1: handgrip task; study 2: handgrip and Stroop tasks), performance on which constituted dependent measures of self-control. Self-control task performance was significantly impaired when exposed to smoking-related cues compared to neutral cues. No significant presentation-order effects, or interaction effects between stimulus and presentation order, were found. Findings corroborate our hypothesis that resisting smoking urges depletes cigarette smokers' self-control resources and suggests that self-control capacity is governed by a limited resource.

Enhancements to the Design Manager's Aide for Intelligent Decomposition (DeMAID)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, James L.; Barthelemy, Jean-Francois M.

1992-01-01

This paper discusses the addition of two new enhancements to the program Design Manager's Aide for Intelligent Decomposition (DeMAID). DeMAID is a knowledge-based tool used to aid a design manager in understanding the interactions among the tasks of a complex design problem. This is done by ordering the tasks to minimize feedback, determining the participating subsystems, and displaying them in an easily understood format. The two new enhancements include (1) rules for ordering a complex assembly process and (2) rules for determining which analysis tasks must be re-executed to compute the output of one task based on a change in input to that or another task.

Enhancements to the Design Manager's Aide for Intelligent Decomposition (DeMaid)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, James L.; Barthelemy, Jean-Francois M.

1992-01-01

This paper discusses the addition of two new enhancements to the program Design Manager's Aide for Intelligent Decomposition (DeMAID). DeMAID is a knowledge-based tool used to aid a design manager in understanding the interactions among the tasks of a complex design problem. This is done by ordering the tasks to minimize feedback, determining the participating subsystems, and displaying them in an easily understood format. The two new enhancements include (1) rules for ordering a complex assembly process and (2) rules for determining which analysis tasks must be re-executed to compute the output of one task based on a change in input to that or another task.

Precision pointing and control of flexible spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bantell, M. H., Jr.

1987-01-01

The problem and long term objectives for the precision pointing and control of flexible spacecraft are given. The four basic objectives are stated in terms of two principle tasks. Under Task 1, robust low order controllers, improved structural modeling methods for control applications and identification methods for structural dynamics are being developed. Under Task 2, a lab test experiment for verification of control laws and system identification algorithms is being developed. For Task 1, work has focused on robust low order controller design and some initial considerations for structural modeling in control applications. For Task 2, work has focused on experiment design and fabrication, along with sensor selection and initial digital controller implementation. Conclusions are given.

Ada Compiler Validation Summary Report: Certificate Number: 940630W1. 11360, Radional Software Corporation, VADSself for DEC Alpha AXP OSF/1, Product Number: 2100-01439, Version 6.2, DEC 3000 Model 500 AXP under OSF/1, V1.3

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-07-21

for the task’s type. The address of an ADA KRN DEFS.TASK ATTR T record is the argument of the piagma and- is passed to the underlying microkernel at...task creation. The task attributes are microkernel dependent. See ada krn defs.a in standard for the type definition of TASK ATTR T and the different...ENDIAN, BIG _4DIAN BYTE-ORDER: constant BYTE ORDER T :- LITTLEENDIAN; type L4 _ADDRESS is private; NO_ LONG_ADDR : constant 10CG_ADDRESS; function

White matter integrity of the medial forebrain bundle and attention and working memory deficits following traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Owens, Jacqueline A; Spitz, Gershon; Ponsford, Jennie L; Dymowski, Alicia R; Ferris, Nicholas; Willmott, Catherine

2017-02-01

The medial forebrain bundle (MFB) contains ascending catecholamine fibers that project to the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Damage to these fibers following traumatic brain injury (TBI) may alter extracellular catecholamine levels in the PFC and impede attention and working memory ability. This study investigated white matter microstructure of the medial MFB, specifically the supero-lateral branch (slMFB), following TBI, and its association with performance on attention and working memory tasks. Neuropsychological measures of attention and working memory were administered to 20 moderate-severe participants with TBI (posttraumatic amnesia M  = 40.05 ± 37.10 days, median time since injury 10.48 months, range 3.72-87.49) and 20 healthy controls. Probabilistic tractography was used to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values for 17 participants with TBI and 20 healthy controls. When compared to controls, participants with TBI were found to have significantly lower FA ( p  < .001) and higher MD ( p  < .001) slMFB values, and they were slower to complete tasks including Trail Making Task-A, Hayling, selective attention task, n -back, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. This study was the first to demonstrate microstructural white matter damage within the slMFB following TBI. However, no evidence was found for an association of alterations to this tract and performance on attentional tasks.

The relationship between second-order false belief and display rules reasoning: the integration of cognitive and affective social understanding.

PubMed

Naito, Mika; Seki, Yoshimi

2009-01-01

To investigate the relation between cognitive and affective social understanding, Japanese 4- to 8-year-olds received tasks of first- and second-order false beliefs and prosocial and self-presentational display rules. From 6 to 8 years, children comprehended display rules, as well as second-order false belief, using social pressures justifications decreasingly and motivational justifications with embedded perspectives increasingly with age. Although not related to either type of display across ages, second-order tasks were associated with both types of display tasks only at 8 years when examined in each age group. Results suggest that children base their second-order theory of mind and display rules understanding on distinct reasoning until middle childhood, during which time the originally distinct aspects of social understanding are integrated.

Working Memory Capacity and Resistance to Interference

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oberauer, Klaus; Lange, Elke; Engle, Randall W.

2004-01-01

Single-task and dual-task versions of verbal and spatial serial order memory tasks were administered to 120 students tested for working memory capacity with four previously validated measures. In the dual-task versions, similarity between the memory material and the material of the secondary processing task was varied. With verbal material, three…

Business Economics: Task Analyses. Competency-Based Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henrico County Public Schools, Glen Allen, VA. Virginia Vocational Curriculum Center.

This task analyses guide is designed to be used in combination with the "Business Education Service Area Resource" in order to implement competency-based education in the Business Economics course in Virginia. The task analyses guide contains the task inventory, suggested task sequence list, and content outline for the specific course in business…

Concreteness effects in short-term memory: a test of the item-order hypothesis.

PubMed

Roche, Jaclynn; Tolan, G Anne; Tehan, Gerald

2011-12-01

The following experiments explore word length and concreteness effects in short-term memory within an item-order processing framework. This framework asserts order memory is better for those items that are relatively easy to process at the item level. However, words that are difficult to process benefit at the item level for increased attention/resources being applied. The prediction of the model is that differential item and order processing can be detected in episodic tasks that differ in the degree to which item or order memory are required by the task. The item-order account has been applied to the word length effect such that there is a short word advantage in serial recall but a long word advantage in item recognition. The current experiment considered the possibility that concreteness effects might be explained within the same framework. In two experiments, word length (Experiment 1) and concreteness (Experiment 2) are examined using forward serial recall, backward serial recall, and item recognition. These results for word length replicate previous studies showing the dissociation in item and order tasks. The same was not true for the concreteness effect. In all three tasks concrete words were better remembered than abstract words. The concreteness effect cannot be explained in terms of an item-order trade off. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved.

Anatomically ordered tapping interferes more with one-digit addition than two-digit addition: a dual-task fMRI study.

PubMed

Soylu, Firat; Newman, Sharlene D

2016-02-01

Fingers are used as canonical representations for numbers across cultures. In previous imaging studies, it was shown that arithmetic processing activates neural resources that are known to participate in finger movements. Additionally, in one dual-task study, it was shown that anatomically ordered finger tapping disrupts addition and subtraction more than multiplication, possibly due to a long-lasting effect of early finger counting experiences on the neural correlates and organization of addition and subtraction processes. How arithmetic task difficulty and tapping complexity affect the concurrent performance is still unclear. If early finger counting experiences have bearing on the neural correlates of arithmetic in adults, then one would expect anatomically and non-anatomically ordered tapping to have different interference effects, given that finger counting is usually anatomically ordered. To unravel these issues, we studied how (1) arithmetic task difficulty and (2) the complexity of the finger tapping sequence (anatomical vs. non-anatomical ordering) affect concurrent performance and use of key neural circuits using a mixed block/event-related dual-task fMRI design with adult participants. The results suggest that complexity of the tapping sequence modulates interference on addition, and that one-digit addition (fact retrieval), compared to two-digit addition (calculation), is more affected from anatomically ordered tapping. The region-of-interest analysis showed higher left angular gyrus BOLD response for one-digit compared to two-digit addition, and in no-tapping conditions than dual tapping conditions. The results support a specific association between addition fact retrieval and anatomically ordered finger movements in adults, possibly due to finger counting strategies that deploy anatomically ordered finger movements early in the development.

Dorsal raphe nucleus projecting retinal ganglion cells: Why Y cells?

PubMed Central

Pickard, Gary E.; So, Kwok-Fai; Pu, Mingliang

2015-01-01

Retinal ganglion Y (alpha) cells are found in retinas ranging from frogs to mice to primates. The highly conserved nature of the large, fast conducting retinal Y cell is a testament to its fundamental task, although precisely what this task is remained ill-defined. The recent discovery that Y-alpha retinal ganglion cells send axon collaterals to the serotonergic dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) in addition to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), medial interlaminar nucleus (MIN), pretectum and the superior colliculus (SC) has offered new insights into the important survival tasks performed by these cells with highly branched axons. We propose that in addition to its role in visual perception, the Y-alpha retinal ganglion cell provides concurrent signals via axon collaterals to the DRN, the major source of serotonergic afferents to the forebrain, to dramatically inhibit 5-HT activity during orientation or alerting/escape responses, which dis-facilitates ongoing tonic motor activity while dis-inhibiting sensory information processing throughout the visual system. The new data provide a fresh view of these evolutionarily old retinal ganglion cells. PMID:26363667

[Elective reconstruction of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm type IV by transabdominal approach].

PubMed

Marjanović, Ivan; Jevtić, Miodrag; Misović, Sidor; Sarac, Momir

2012-01-01

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) type IV represents an aortic dilatation from the level of the diaphragmatic hiatus to the iliac arteries branches, including visceral branches of the aorta. In the traditional procedure of TAAA type IV repair, the body is opened using thoractomy and laparotomy in order to provide adequate exposure of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta for safe aortic reconstruction. We reported a 71-year-old man with elective reconstruction of the TAAA type IV performed by transabdominal approach. Computed tomography scans angiography revealed a TAAA type IV with diameter of 62 mm in the region of celiac trunk andsuperior mesenteric artery branching, and the largest diameter of 75 mm in the infrarenal aortic level. The patient comorbidity included a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension, therefore he was treated for a prolonged period. In preparation for the planned aortic reconstruction asymptomatic carotid disease (occlusion of the left internal carotid artery and subtotal stenosis of the right internal carotid artery) was diagnosed. Within the same intervention percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent placement in right internal carotid artery was made. In general, under endotracheal anesthesia and epidural analgesia, with transabdominal approach performed aortic reconstruction with tubular dakron graft 24 mm were, and reimplantation of visceral aortic branches into the graft performed. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the postoperative day 17. Control computed tomography scan angiography performed three months after the operation showed vascular state of the patient to be in order. Complete transabdominal approach to TAAA type IV represents an appropriate substitute for thoracoabdominal approach, without compromising safety of the patient. This approach is less traumatic, especially in patients with impaired pulmonary function, because there is no thoracotomy and any complications that could follow this approach.

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

Prentice, John K.; Gardner, David Randall

A methodology was developed for computing the probability that the sensor dart for the 'Near Real-Time Site Characterization for Assured HDBT Defeat' Grand-Challenge LDRD project will survive deployment over a forested region. The probability can be decomposed into three approximately independent probabilities that account for forest coverage, branch density and the physics of an impact between the dart and a tree branch. The probability that a dart survives an impact with a tree branch was determined from the deflection induced by the impact. If a dart that was deflected so that it impacted the ground at an angle of attackmore » exceeding a user-specified, threshold value, the dart was assumed to not survive the impact with the branch; otherwise it was assumed to have survived. A computer code was developed for calculating dart angle of attack at impact with the ground and a Monte Carlo scheme was used to calculate the probability distribution of a sensor dart surviving an impact with a branch as a function of branch radius, length, and height from the ground. Both an early prototype design and the current dart design were used in these studies. As a general rule of thumb, it we observed that for reasonably generic trees and for a threshold angle of attack of 5{sup o} (which is conservative for dart survival), the probability of reaching the ground with an angle of attack less than the threshold is on the order of 30% for the prototype dart design and 60% for the current dart design, though these numbers should be treated with some caution.« less

Testing for Independence between Evolutionary Processes.

PubMed

Behdenna, Abdelkader; Pothier, Joël; Abby, Sophie S; Lambert, Amaury; Achaz, Guillaume

2016-09-01

Evolutionary events co-occurring along phylogenetic trees usually point to complex adaptive phenomena, sometimes implicating epistasis. While a number of methods have been developed to account for co-occurrence of events on the same internal or external branch of an evolutionary tree, there is a need to account for the larger diversity of possible relative positions of events in a tree. Here we propose a method to quantify to what extent two or more evolutionary events are associated on a phylogenetic tree. The method is applicable to any discrete character, like substitutions within a coding sequence or gains/losses of a biological function. Our method uses a general approach to statistically test for significant associations between events along the tree, which encompasses both events inseparable on the same branch, and events genealogically ordered on different branches. It assumes that the phylogeny and themapping of branches is known without errors. We address this problem from the statistical viewpoint by a linear algebra representation of the localization of the evolutionary events on the tree.We compute the full probability distribution of the number of paired events occurring in the same branch or in different branches of the tree, under a null model of independence where each type of event occurs at a constant rate uniformly inthephylogenetic tree. The strengths andweaknesses of themethodare assessed via simulations;we then apply the method to explore the loss of cell motility in intracellular pathogens. © The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press, on behalf of the Society of Systematic Biologists. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Enantioseparation and optical rotation of flavor-relevant 4-alkyl-branched fatty acids.

PubMed

Eibler, Dorothee; Vetter, Walter

2017-07-07

Short chain 4-alkyl-branched fatty acids are character impact compounds of the flavor of sheep and goat milk and meat. Due to their methyl or ethyl branches these volatile fatty acids are chiral, and both enantiomers are characterized by different aroma intensities. Recently, it was found that 4-methyloctanoic acid (4-Me-8:0), 4-ethyloctanoic acid (4-Et-8:0), and 4-methylnonanoic acid (4-Me-9:0) are enantiopure in goat and sheep samples, if present. Here we generated enantiopure or enantioenriched standards from racemates by means of (R)-selective esterification with lipase B and verified that 4-Me-8:0, 4-Et-8:0 and 4-Me-9:0 were (R)-enantiopure in these tissues. Determination of the optical rotation and [α] D value was carried out to show that (R)-4-Et-8:0 is dextrorotary and to verify the literature values of (R)-4-methyl-branched fatty acids. The elution order of free acids and the methyl and ethyl esters of 4-Me-8:0, 4-Et-8:0, 4-Me-9:0 and 4-methylhexanoic acid (4-Me-6:0) enantiomers was investigated on different chiral columns as well as the (-)-menthyl ester by indirect enantiomer separation on an ionic liquid phase. Different chiral recognition processes were suggested for free acid and esters of 4-Me-8:0 and 4-Me-9:0 on the one hand (decisive: 4-alkyl branch) compared to 4-Me-6:0 on the other hand (decisive: branch on antepenultimate carbon). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

IR-Driven Ultrafast Transfer of Plasmonic Hot Electrons in Nonmetallic Branched Heterostructures for Enhanced H2 Generation.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhenyi; Jiang, Xiaoyi; Liu, Benkang; Guo, Lijiao; Lu, Na; Wang, Li; Huang, Jindou; Liu, Kuichao; Dong, Bin

2018-03-01

The ultrafast transfer of plasmon-induced hot electrons is considered an effective kinetics process to enhance the photoconversion efficiencies of semiconductors through strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of plasmonic nanostructures. Although this classical sensitization approach is widely used in noble-metal-semiconductor systems, it remains unclear in nonmetallic plasmonic heterostructures. Here, by combining ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy with theoretical simulations, IR-driven transfer of plasmon-induced hot electron in a nonmetallic branched heterostructure is demonstrated, which is fabricated through solvothermal growth of plasmonic W 18 O 49 nanowires (as branches) onto TiO 2 electrospun nanofibers (as backbones). The ultrafast transfer of hot electron from the W 18 O 49 branches to the TiO 2 backbones occurs within a timeframe on the order of 200 fs with very large rate constants ranging from 3.8 × 10 12 to 5.5 × 10 12 s -1 . Upon LSPR excitation by low-energy IR photons, the W 18 O 49 /TiO 2 branched heterostructure exhibits obviously enhanced catalytic H 2 generation from ammonia borane compared with that of W 18 O 49 nanowires. Further investigations by finely controlling experimental conditions unambiguously confirm that this plasmon-enhanced catalytic activity arises from the transfer of hot electron rather than from the photothermal effect. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A Scheduling Algorithm for Cloud Computing System Based on the Driver of Dynamic Essential Path.

PubMed

Xie, Zhiqiang; Shao, Xia; Xin, Yu

2016-01-01

To solve the problem of task scheduling in the cloud computing system, this paper proposes a scheduling algorithm for cloud computing based on the driver of dynamic essential path (DDEP). This algorithm applies a predecessor-task layer priority strategy to solve the problem of constraint relations among task nodes. The strategy assigns different priority values to every task node based on the scheduling order of task node as affected by the constraint relations among task nodes, and the task node list is generated by the different priority value. To address the scheduling order problem in which task nodes have the same priority value, the dynamic essential long path strategy is proposed. This strategy computes the dynamic essential path of the pre-scheduling task nodes based on the actual computation cost and communication cost of task node in the scheduling process. The task node that has the longest dynamic essential path is scheduled first as the completion time of task graph is indirectly influenced by the finishing time of task nodes in the longest dynamic essential path. Finally, we demonstrate the proposed algorithm via simulation experiments using Matlab tools. The experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the task Makespan in most cases and meet a high quality performance objective.

A Scheduling Algorithm for Cloud Computing System Based on the Driver of Dynamic Essential Path

PubMed Central

Xie, Zhiqiang; Shao, Xia; Xin, Yu

2016-01-01

To solve the problem of task scheduling in the cloud computing system, this paper proposes a scheduling algorithm for cloud computing based on the driver of dynamic essential path (DDEP). This algorithm applies a predecessor-task layer priority strategy to solve the problem of constraint relations among task nodes. The strategy assigns different priority values to every task node based on the scheduling order of task node as affected by the constraint relations among task nodes, and the task node list is generated by the different priority value. To address the scheduling order problem in which task nodes have the same priority value, the dynamic essential long path strategy is proposed. This strategy computes the dynamic essential path of the pre-scheduling task nodes based on the actual computation cost and communication cost of task node in the scheduling process. The task node that has the longest dynamic essential path is scheduled first as the completion time of task graph is indirectly influenced by the finishing time of task nodes in the longest dynamic essential path. Finally, we demonstrate the proposed algorithm via simulation experiments using Matlab tools. The experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the task Makespan in most cases and meet a high quality performance objective. PMID:27490901

48 CFR 2052.216-72 - Task order procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...; (5) Technical skills required; and (6) Estimated level of effort. (b) Task order technical proposal. By the date specified in the TORFP, the contractor shall deliver to the contracting officer a written or verbal (as specified in the TORFP technical proposal submittal instructions) technical proposal...

False-belief understanding in frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Fernandez-Duque, Diego; Baird, Jodie A; Black, Sandra E

2009-05-01

The ability to understand other people's behavior in terms of mental states, such as beliefs, desires, and intentions, is central to social interaction. It has been argued that the interpersonal problems of patients with behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (FTD-b) are due to a dysfunction of that system. We used first- and second-order false-belief tasks to assess theory-of-mind reasoning in a group of patients with FTD-b and a cognitively matched group of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both patient groups were equally impaired relative to a healthy elderly group in the cognitively demanding second-order false-belief tasks, revealing that cognitive demands are an important factor in false-belief task performance. Both patient groups reached ceiling performance in the first-order false-belief tasks with minimal cognitive demands, despite the striking difference in their social graces. These results suggest that a conceptual deficit in theory of mind-as measured by the false-belief task-is not at the core of the differences between FTD-b and AD.

Laser Pulse Production for NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stysley, Paul R.; Coyle, D. Barry; Clarke, Greg B.; Frese, Erich; Blalock, Gordon; Morey, Peter; Kay, Richard B.; Poulios, Demetrios; Hersh, Michael

2016-01-01

The Lasers and Electro-Optics Branch at Goddard Space Flight Center has been tasked with building the Lasers for the Global Ecosystems Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) Lidar Mission, to be installed on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) on the International Space Station (ISS). GEDI will use three NASA-developed lasers, each coupled with a Beam Dithering Unit (BDU) to produce three sets of staggered footprints on the Earth's surface to accurately measure global biomass. We will report on the design, assembly progress, test results, and delivery process of this laser system.

Laser Pulse Production for NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stysley, Paul R.; Coyle, D. Barry; Clarke, Greg B.; Frese, Erich; Blalock, Gordon; Morey, Peter; Kay, Richard B.; Poulios, Demetrios; Hersh, Michael

2016-01-01

The Lasers and Electro-Optics Branch at Goddard Space Flight Center has been tasked with building the Lasers for the Global Ecosystems Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) Lidar Mission, to be installed on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) on the International Space Station (ISS)1. GEDI will use three NASA-developed lasers, each coupled with a Beam Dithering Unit (BDU) to produce three sets of staggered footprints on the Earth's surface to accurately measure global biomass. We will report on the design, assembly progress, test results, and delivery process of this laser system.

European Scientific Notes, Volume 35, Number 11

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-30

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 𔃺,. PROGRAM ELEMENT, PROJECT, TASK US Office of Naval Research Branch Office London AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS Box 39...presentation in both sides of the tree. Such methodsI was "Non-Standard Uses of the word If," can be spectacularly efficient: in one by D.S. Bred and R. Smit...probability sample of rf uses reduced to a few minutes’ run. was analyzed. Of these, some 60 percent At least two game programs are now of the If’s were

Active learning of neuron morphology for accurate automated tracing of neurites

PubMed Central

Gala, Rohan; Chapeton, Julio; Jitesh, Jayant; Bhavsar, Chintan; Stepanyants, Armen

2014-01-01

Automating the process of neurite tracing from light microscopy stacks of images is essential for large-scale or high-throughput quantitative studies of neural circuits. While the general layout of labeled neurites can be captured by many automated tracing algorithms, it is often not possible to differentiate reliably between the processes belonging to different cells. The reason is that some neurites in the stack may appear broken due to imperfect labeling, while others may appear fused due to the limited resolution of optical microscopy. Trained neuroanatomists routinely resolve such topological ambiguities during manual tracing tasks by combining information about distances between branches, branch orientations, intensities, calibers, tortuosities, colors, as well as the presence of spines or boutons. Likewise, to evaluate different topological scenarios automatically, we developed a machine learning approach that combines many of the above mentioned features. A specifically designed confidence measure was used to actively train the algorithm during user-assisted tracing procedure. Active learning significantly reduces the training time and makes it possible to obtain less than 1% generalization error rates by providing few training examples. To evaluate the overall performance of the algorithm a number of image stacks were reconstructed automatically, as well as manually by several trained users, making it possible to compare the automated traces to the baseline inter-user variability. Several geometrical and topological features of the traces were selected for the comparisons. These features include the total trace length, the total numbers of branch and terminal points, the affinity of corresponding traces, and the distances between corresponding branch and terminal points. Our results show that when the density of labeled neurites is sufficiently low, automated traces are not significantly different from manual reconstructions obtained by trained users. PMID:24904306

Evaluating distribution of the left branch of the middle colic artery and the left colic artery by CT angiography and colonography to classify blood supply to the splenic flexure.

PubMed

Fukuoka, Asako; Sasaki, Takahiro; Tsukikawa, Satoshi; Miyajima, Nobuyoshi; Ostubo, Takehito

2017-05-01

CT angiography has gained widespread acceptance for preoperative evaluation of blood supply in patients with colorectal cancer. However, there have been few reports that pertain to the splenic flexure, for which surgery is technically difficult. We used preoperative CT angiography and CT colonography to evaluate blood supply to the splenic flexure. We defined the splenic flexure as the junction of the distal third of the transverse colon and the proximal third of the descending colon. We reviewed 191 cases and considered the descending colon as divided into the proximal third and the distal two-thirds; we then determined which part of the descending colon the left colic artery (LCA) entered. We also considered the transverse colon as divided into the proximal two-thirds and the distal third, and evaluated which part of the transverse colon the left branch of the middle colic artery entered. We classified blood supply to the splenic flexure into six types, described by the feeder vessels: type 1, the LCA (39.7%); type 2, the left branch of the middle colic artery (17.8%); type 3, the LCA and the left branch of the middle colic artery (9.9%); type 4, the accessory left colic artery (4.1%); type 5, the LCA and the accessory left colic artery (2.6%); and type 6, the marginal artery (25.6%). We classified blood supply to the splenic flexure into more complex types than previous reports had. Because we dissect the lymph nodes according to the type of blood supply, knowing the type before splenic flexure surgery is crucial. © 2016 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

75 FR 78664 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-16

... submit comments, identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1169, to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management... INFORMATION CONTACT: Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation..., Civil Justice Reform. This proposed rule meets the applicable standards of Executive Order 12988. List...

48 CFR 701.601 - General

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Head of the Agency for all purposes described in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR, 48 CFR... procurement related aspects of the Foreign Assistance Act, Executive Order 11223, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, and other statutory and Executive Branch procurement policies and requirements...

5 CFR 2638.402 - Corrective orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

....402 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND EXECUTIVE AGENCY ETHICS PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES Correction of Executive Branch Agency Ethics... agency ethics program is not in full compliance with the requirements set forth in applicable statutes or...

5 CFR 2634.304 - Gifts and reimbursements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Section 2634.304 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS EXECUTIVE BRANCH... modified by Executive Order 12731, and the implementing regulations on standards of ethical conduct... ethics officials at his agency to determine whether standards of conduct rules will permit acceptance...

5 CFR 2638.402 - Corrective orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

....402 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND EXECUTIVE AGENCY ETHICS PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES Correction of Executive Branch Agency Ethics... agency ethics program is not in full compliance with the requirements set forth in applicable statutes or...

78 FR 68018 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-13

..., Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC; New Executive... a currently valid OMB control number. Agricultural Marketing Service Title: Generic Fruit Crops, Marketing Order Administration Branch. OMB Control Number: 0581-0189. Summary of Collection: Industries...

5 CFR 2638.402 - Corrective orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

....402 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND EXECUTIVE AGENCY ETHICS PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES Correction of Executive Branch Agency Ethics... agency ethics program is not in full compliance with the requirements set forth in applicable statutes or...

5 CFR 2638.402 - Corrective orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

....402 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND EXECUTIVE AGENCY ETHICS PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES Correction of Executive Branch Agency Ethics... agency ethics program is not in full compliance with the requirements set forth in applicable statutes or...

5 CFR 2638.402 - Corrective orders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

....402 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS GOVERNMENT ETHICS OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND EXECUTIVE AGENCY ETHICS PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES Correction of Executive Branch Agency Ethics... agency ethics program is not in full compliance with the requirements set forth in applicable statutes or...

76 FR 60838 - Debarment, Suspension, and Ineligibility of Contractors

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-30

... GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE Debarment, Suspension, and Ineligibility of Contractors AGENCY... of government contractors. As a legislative branch agency, GAO is not subject to the requirements of... (hereinafter, contractors) who are responsible. However, GAO's Procurement Order has not explicitly referenced...

An initial framework for the language of higher-order thinking mathematics practices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staples, Megan E.; Truxaw, Mary P.

2012-09-01

This article presents an examination of the language demands of cognitively demanding tasks and proposes an initial framework for the language demands of higher-order mathematics thinking practices. We articulate four categories for this framework: language of generalisation, language of comparison, language of proportional reasoning, and language of analysing impact. These categories were developed out of our collaborative work to design and implement higher-order thinking tasks with a group of Grade 9 (14- and 15-year-olds) teachers teaching in a linguistically diverse setting; analyses of student work samples on these tasks; and our knowledge of the literature. We describe each type of language demand and then analyse student work in each category to reveal linguistic challenges facing students as they engage these mathematical tasks. Implications for teaching and professional development are discussed.

Short-term memory for serial order supports vocabulary development: new evidence from a novel word learning paradigm.

PubMed

Majerus, Steve; Boukebza, Claire

2013-12-01

Although recent studies suggest a strong association between short-term memory (STM) for serial order and lexical development, the precise mechanisms linking the two domains remain to be determined. This study explored the nature of these mechanisms via a microanalysis of performance on serial order STM and novel word learning tasks. In the experiment, 6- and 7-year-old children were administered tasks maximizing STM for either item or serial order information as well as paired-associate learning tasks involving the learning of novel words, visual symbols, or familiar word pair associations. Learning abilities for novel words were specifically predicted by serial order STM abilities. A measure estimating the precision of serial order coding predicted the rate of correct repetitions and the rate of phoneme migration errors during the novel word learning process. In line with recent theoretical accounts, these results suggest that serial order STM supports vocabulary development via ordered and detailed reactivation of the novel phonological sequences that characterize new words. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Phonon spectra and the one-phonon and two-phonon densities of states of UO2 and PuO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poplavnoi, A. S.; Fedorova, T. P.; Fedorov, I. A.

2017-04-01

The vibrational spectra of uranium dioxide UO2 and plutonium dioxide PuO2, as well as the one-phonon densities of states and thermal occupation number weighted two-phonon densities of states, have been calculated within the framework of the phenomenological rigid ion model. It has been shown that the acoustic and optical branches of the spectra are predominantly determined by vibrations of the metal and oxygen atoms, respectively, because the atomic masses of the metal and oxygen differ from each other by an order of magnitude. On this basis, the vibrational spectra can be represented in two Brillouin zones, i.e., in the Brillouin zone of the crystal and the Brillouin zone of the oxygen sublattice. In this case, the number of optical branches decreases by a factor of two. The two-phonon densities of states consist of two broad structured peaks. The temperature dependences of the upper peak exhibit a thermal broadening of the phonon lines L01 and L02 in the upper part of the optical branches. The lower peak is responsible for the thermal broadening of the lowest two optical (T02, T01) and acoustic (LA, TA) branches.

Affinities and architecture of Devonian trunks of Prototaxites loganii.

PubMed

Retallack, G J; Landing, Ed

2014-01-01

Devonian fossil logs of Prototaxites loganii have been considered kelp-like aquatic algae, rolled up carpets of liverworts, enormous saprophytic fungal fruiting bodies or giant lichens. Algae and rolled liverwort models cannot explain the proportions and branching described here of a complete fossil of Prototaxites loganii from the Middle Devonian (386 Ma) Bellvale Sandstone on Schunnemunk Mountain, eastern New York. The "Schunnemunk tree" was 8.83 m long and had six branches, each about 1 m long and 9 cm diam, on the upper 1.2 m of the main axis. The coalified outermost layer of the Schunnemunk trunk and branches have isotopic compositions (δ(13)CPDB) of -25.03 ± 0.13‰ and -26.17 ± 0.69‰, respectively. The outermost part of the trunk has poorly preserved invaginations above cortical nests of coccoid cells embraced by much-branched tubular cells. This histology is unlike algae, liverworts or vascular plants and most like lichen with coccoid chlorophyte phycobionts. Prototaxites has been placed within Basidiomycota but lacks clear dikaryan features. Prototaxites and its extinct order Nematophytales may belong within Mucoromycotina or Glomeromycota. © 2014 by The Mycological Society of America.

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

Ostensen, R. H.; Degroote, P.; Vos, J.

We introduce the first g-mode pulsator found to reside on the classical blue horizontal branch. One year of Kepler observations of KIC 1718290 reveals a rich spectrum of low-amplitude modes with periods between 1 and 12 hr, most of which follow a regular spacing of 276.3 s. This mode structure strongly resembles that of the V1093 Her pulsators, with only a slight shift toward longer periods. Our spectroscopy, however, reveals KIC 1718290 to be quite distinct from the sdB stars that show V1093 Her pulsations, which all have surface gravities higher than log g = 5.1 and helium abundances depletedmore » by at least an order of magnitude relative to the solar composition. We find that KIC 1718290 has T{sub eff} = 22,100 K, log g = 4.72, and a super-solar helium abundance (log N{sub He}/N{sub H} = -0.45). This places it well above the extreme horizontal branch, rather on the very blue end of the classical horizontal branch, where shell hydrogen burning is present. We conclude that KIC 1718290 must have suffered extreme mass loss during its first giant stage, but not sufficient to reach the extreme horizontal branch.« less

Combinatorial Multiobjective Optimization Using Genetic Algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crossley, William A.; Martin. Eric T.

2002-01-01

The research proposed in this document investigated multiobjective optimization approaches based upon the Genetic Algorithm (GA). Several versions of the GA have been adopted for multiobjective design, but, prior to this research, there had not been significant comparisons of the most popular strategies. The research effort first generalized the two-branch tournament genetic algorithm in to an N-branch genetic algorithm, then the N-branch GA was compared with a version of the popular Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA). Because the genetic algorithm is well suited to combinatorial (mixed discrete / continuous) optimization problems, the GA can be used in the conceptual phase of design to combine selection (discrete variable) and sizing (continuous variable) tasks. Using a multiobjective formulation for the design of a 50-passenger aircraft to meet the competing objectives of minimizing takeoff gross weight and minimizing trip time, the GA generated a range of tradeoff designs that illustrate which aircraft features change from a low-weight, slow trip-time aircraft design to a heavy-weight, short trip-time aircraft design. Given the objective formulation and analysis methods used, the results of this study identify where turboprop-powered aircraft and turbofan-powered aircraft become more desirable for the 50 seat passenger application. This aircraft design application also begins to suggest how a combinatorial multiobjective optimization technique could be used to assist in the design of morphing aircraft.

Nickel-Hydrogen and Lithium Ion Space Batteries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reid, Robert O., II

2004-01-01

The tasks of the Electrochemistry Branch of NASA Glenn Research Center are to improve and develop high energy density and rechargeable, life-long batteries. It is with these batteries that people across the globe are able to power their cell phones, laptop computers, and cameras. Here, at NASA Glenn Research Center, the engineers and scientists of the Electrochemistry branch are leading the way in the development of more powerful, long life batteries that can be used to power space shuttles and satellites. As of now, the cutting edge research and development is being done on nickel-hydrogen batteries and lithium ion batteries. Presently, nickel-hydrogen batteries are common types of batteries that are used to power satellites, space stations, and space shuttles, while lithium batteries are mainly used to power smaller appliances such as portable computers and phones. However, the Electrochemistry Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center is focusing more on the development of lithium ion batteries for deep space use. Because of the limitless possibilities, lithium ion batteries can revolutionize the space industry for the better. When compared to nickel-hydrogen batteries, lithium ion batteries possess more advantages than its counterpart. Lithium ion batteries are much smaller than nickel-hydrogen batteries and also put out more power. They are more energy efficient and operate with much more power at a reduced weight than its counterpart. Lithium ion cells are also cheaper to make, possess flexibility that allow for different design modifications. With those statistics in hand, the Electrochemistry Branch of NASA Glenn has decided to shut down its Nickel-Hydrogen testing for lithium ion battery development. Also, the blackout in the summer of 2003 eliminated vital test data, which played a part in shutting down the program. from the nickel-hydrogen batteries and compare it to past data. My other responsibilities include superheating the electrolyte that is used in the nickel-hydrogen cell in a calorimeter to test its performance under various conditions. 1 used a program called Arbin to study my data. The Arbin allows me to look at different parameters such as pressure and time and how they affect the changing temperature of the electrolyte that is being tested. In addition, I had the responsibility of taking apart and modifying battery coolers that would be used. My mentors told me that the batteries kept shutting down, so it was my responsibility to remove excess fan grilles, rotate the fans, and then switch the aluminum standoffs with nylon ones so that the coolers could operate without problems. My last task is to collect all the battery test data and organize them into charts using Microsoft Excel, before the Branch is able to conduct its research on lithium ion batteries. Therefore, during my tenure, it is my responsibility to take down final test data

Dyslexic children show short-term memory deficits in phonological storage and serial rehearsal: an fMRI study.

PubMed

Beneventi, Harald; Tønnessen, Finn Egil; Ersland, Lars

2009-01-01

Dyslexia is primarily associated with a phonological processing deficit. However, the clinical manifestation also includes a reduced verbal working memory (WM) span. It is unclear whether this WM impairment is caused by the phonological deficit or a distinct WM deficit. The main aim of this study was to investigate neuronal activation related to phonological storage and rehearsal of serial order in WM in a sample of 13-year-old dyslexic children compared with age-matched nondyslexic children. A sequential verbal WM task with two tasks was used. In the Letter Probe task, the probe consisted of a single letter and the judgment was for the presence or absence of that letter in the prior sequence of six letters. In the Sequence Probe (SP) task, the probe consisted of all six letters and the judgment was for a match of their serial order with the temporal order in the prior sequence. Group analyses as well as single-subject analysis were performed with the statistical parametric mapping software SPM2. In the Letter Probe task, the dyslexic readers showed reduced activation in the left precentral gyrus (BA6) compared to control group. In the Sequence Probe task, the dyslexic readers showed reduced activation in the prefrontal cortex and the superior parietal cortex (BA7) compared to the control subjects. Our findings suggest that a verbal WM impairment in dyslexia involves an extended neural network including the prefrontal cortex and the superior parietal cortex. Reduced activation in the left BA6 in both the Letter Probe and Sequence Probe tasks may be caused by a deficit in phonological processing. However, reduced bilateral activation in the BA7 in the Sequence Probe task only could indicate a distinct working memory deficit in dyslexia associated with temporal order processing.

Task Analysis for Legal Assistant Program. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schrader, Marvin A.; Knight, John

The Legal Assistant Task Analysis Project was undertaken to provide data related to the importance of tasks and the frequency of tasks that are, or could be, assigned to an assistant. In order to accomplish this, a task survey form was constructed and distributed to a sample of attorneys in (1) private practice, (2) companies or corporations, and…

Task planning and control synthesis for robotic manipulation in space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanderson, A. C.; Peshkin, M. A.; Homem-De-mello, L. S.

1987-01-01

Space-based robotic systems for diagnosis, repair and assembly of systems will require new techniques of planning and manipulation to accomplish these complex tasks. Results of work in assembly task representation, discrete task planning, and control synthesis which provide a design environment for flexible assembly systems in manufacturing applications, and which extend to planning of manipulatiuon operations in unstructured environments are summarized. Assembly planning is carried out using the AND/OR graph representation which encompasses all possible partial orders of operations and may be used to plan assembly sequences. Discrete task planning uses the configuration map which facilitates search over a space of discrete operations parameters in sequential operations in order to achieve required goals in the space of bounded configuration sets.

Reactive processing of biodegradable polyesters with dicumyl peroxide: A structural, rheological and property study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canale, Philip Louis

Studies were undertaken to gain an understanding as to the mechanistic, rheological, thermal, and mechanical property effects that can be expected by reactively extruding biodegradable polyesters with dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The two main polymers used were poly(epsilon-caprolactone), (PCL), and proprietary copolyester, Eastar 14766. The reactive extrusions were carried out at 160°C at various DCP levels. The percent branching and type of branching, (tetraor tri-functional), were determined by SEC and by the comparison of branched distributions to statistical models. It was found that PCL quantitatively formed tetra-functional branches while the Eastar 14766 formed a combination of tri- and tetra-functional branch points. The Eastar 14766 was also shown to be more reactive than the PCL, with half as much DCP being required to achieve equivalent amounts of branching. Thermal properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. In a multi-phase, upper critical solution temperature (UCST) system, such as Eastar 14766, the branches resulted in a compatiblization effect. This was shown as an increase in the glass transition temperature rising with the DCP level used in the reactive extrusion. The crystallization temperature decreased, and the heat of melting increased as the amount of branching/DCP level increased. The latter was attributed to the lower stereo regularity and/or the lower crystallization rate. The crystallization temperature increase is attributed to increased kinetics required, due to slower phase separation or increased viscosity. Branching/DCP level was shown to have a smaller effect on PCL, with the largest effect being an 11% relative decrease in heat of melting at the highest DCP level. Rheology studies showed that both Eastar 14766 and PCL displayed typical branching behavior with increases in melt elasticity and zero shear viscosity. An estimate of the plateau modulus revealed the entanglement molecular weight for Eastar 14766 to be approximately three times lower than that of PCL. This explained why Eastar 14766 had a larger enhancement in zero shear viscosity and elasticity than PCL. It was also noted, qualitatively, that branching in both materials produced a broadened elastic modulus curve. This was attributed to the difference in the molecular weight/relaxation time relationship between linear and branched materials. Tensile modulus and elongation studies showed PCL to be insensitive to branching. However, studies with Eastar 14766 showed tensile strength and elongation at break to be increased 30 and 10% respectively with branching. Tensile modulus on the other hand, remained relatively unchanged. These effects were attributed to phase changes due to increased compatibilization of the copolymer. A brief study of a 50/50 blend of Eastar 14766 and Poly(lactic acid) with and without DCP showed that the blend with DCP had a similar tensile strength. However, the ultimate elongation increased by 150% and the modulus decreased of 26%. This shows the possible utility of reactive blending with peroxides in order to achieve a higher degree of compatibilization in a blend.

Using meta-information of a posteriori Bayesian solutions of the hypocentre location task for improving accuracy of location error estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Debski, Wojciech

2015-06-01

The spatial location of sources of seismic waves is one of the first tasks when transient waves from natural (uncontrolled) sources are analysed in many branches of physics, including seismology, oceanology, to name a few. Source activity and its spatial variability in time, the geometry of recording network, the complexity and heterogeneity of wave velocity distribution are all factors influencing the performance of location algorithms and accuracy of the achieved results. Although estimating of the earthquake foci location is relatively simple, a quantitative estimation of the location accuracy is really a challenging task even if the probabilistic inverse method is used because it requires knowledge of statistics of observational, modelling and a priori uncertainties. In this paper, we addressed this task when statistics of observational and/or modelling errors are unknown. This common situation requires introduction of a priori constraints on the likelihood (misfit) function which significantly influence the estimated errors. Based on the results of an analysis of 120 seismic events from the Rudna copper mine operating in southwestern Poland, we propose an approach based on an analysis of Shanon's entropy calculated for the a posteriori distribution. We show that this meta-characteristic of the a posteriori distribution carries some information on uncertainties of the solution found.

Redintegration, task difficulty, and immediate serial recall tasks.

PubMed

Ritchie, Gabrielle; Tolan, Georgina Anne; Tehan, Gerald

2015-03-01

While current theoretical models remain somewhat inconclusive in their explanation of short-term memory (STM), many theories suggest at least a contribution of long-term memory (LTM) to the short-term system. A number of researchers refer to this process as redintegration (e.g., Schweickert, 1993). Under short-term recall conditions, the current study investigated the effects of redintegration and task difficulty in order to extend research conducted by Neale and Tehan (2007). Thirty participants in Experiment 1 and 26 participants in Experiment 2 completed a serial recall task in which retention interval, presentation rate, and articulatory suppression were used to modify task difficulty. Redintegration was examined by manipulating the characteristics of the to-be-remembered items; lexicality in Experiment 1 and wordlikeness in Experiment 2. Responses were scored based on correct-in-position recall, item scoring, and order accuracy scoring. In line with the Neale and Tehan results, as the difficulty of the task increased so did the effects of redintegration. This was evident in that the advantage for words in Experiment 1 and wordlikeness in Experiment 2 decreased as task difficulty increased. This relationship was observed for item but not order memory, and findings were discussed in relation to the theory of redintegration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

An initial test of a normative Figure Of Merit for the quality of overall task performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lemay, Moira; Comstock, J. R., Jr.

1990-01-01

An overall indicator, or Figure Of Merit (FOM), of the quality of crew/vehicle system performance is needed to establish the effect of workload on efficiency and to identify overload conditions. A normative FOM is proposed in which performance is measured on a representative task and a normative data base obtained. FOMs for subsequent executions of the task are then reported in terms of weighted deviations from average task performance. Performance of discrete tasks is measured primarily in terms of subtask time and errors. Discrete task performance is then combined with a measure of continuous vehicle control. In order to test the normative FOM procedure, the technique was applied to an existing set of data from a simulated landing task in which standard communications with ATC was compared with a data link communications system. The results indicated that while mean task performance was not affected, task variability, as measured by the FOM, was significantly higher when data link communications were used. In order to establish the sensitivity of the normative FOM method, further testing of the measure is recommended.

Interplay between geometry and flow distribution in an airway tree.

PubMed

Mauroy, B; Filoche, M; Andrade, J S; Sapoval, B

2003-04-11

Uniform flow distribution in a symmetric volume can be realized through a symmetric branched tree. It is shown here, however, by 3D numerical simulation of the Navier-Stokes equations, that the flow partitioning can be highly sensitive to deviations from exact symmetry if inertial effects are present. The flow asymmetry is quantified and found to depend on the Reynolds number. Moreover, for a given Reynolds number, we show that the flow distribution depends on the aspect ratio of the branching elements as well as their angular arrangement. Our results indicate that physiological variability should be severely restricted in order to ensure adequate fluid distribution through a tree.

Updating the biomedical engineering curriculum: Inclusion of Health Technology Assessment subjects.

PubMed

Martinez Licona, Fabiola; Urbina, Edmundo Gerardo; Azpiroz-Leehan, Joaquin

2010-01-01

This paper describes the work being carried out at Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) in Mexico City with regard to the continuous evaluation and updating of the Biomedical Engineering (BME) curriculum. In particular the courses regarded as part of the BME basic branch are reduced and new sets of elective subjects are proposed in order to bring closer the research work at UAM with the subjects in the BME curriculum. Special emphasis is placed on subjects dealing with Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Health economics, as this branch of the BME discipline is quite promising in Mexico, but there are very few professionals in the field with adequate qualifications.

Credit WCT. Photographic copy of photograph, in 1963 a "Y" ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Credit WCT. Photographic copy of photograph, in 1963 a "Y" branch connector was introduced at the Dd test station in order to add a second test cell (named Dy) to the Dd train of coolers and ejectors. This view shows the diffuser used to connect the Dy test chamber with the "Y" branch. This Dy chamber was the second one installed at this station; it was later moved and incorporated into a larger horizontal test station retaining the Dy designation. (JPL negative no. 384-11176-B, 17 May 1976) - Jet Propulsion Laboratory Edwards Facility, Test Stand D, Edwards Air Force Base, Boron, Kern County, CA

An Algorithm for the Weighted Earliness-Tardiness Unconstrained Project Scheduling Problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afshar Nadjafi, Behrouz; Shadrokh, Shahram

This research considers a project scheduling problem with the object of minimizing weighted earliness-tardiness penalty costs, taking into account a deadline for the project and precedence relations among the activities. An exact recursive method has been proposed for solving the basic form of this problem. We present a new depth-first branch and bound algorithm for extended form of the problem, which time value of money is taken into account by discounting the cash flows. The algorithm is extended with two bounding rules in order to reduce the size of the branch and bound tree. Finally, some test problems are solved and computational results are reported.

Scattering models for some vegetation samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karam, M. A.; Fung, A. K.; Antar, Y. M. M.

1987-01-01

The Helmholtz integral equation is presently derived for a scatterer of arbitrary shape, and reduced in order to obtain the far zone-scattered field in terms of the field within the scatterer. Attention is given to the effect of different approaches to field estimation within the scatterer on the backscattering cross section, as illustrated numerically by the cases of a circular disk, a needle, and a finite-length cylinder. A comparison is made of the results obtained by modeling a leaf by means of a circular disk within the Shifrin approximation, and a tree branch by means of a finite-length cylinder, with measurements from a single leaf and a single branch.

The beta(+) decay and cosmic-ray half-life of Mn-54

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dacruz, M. T. F.; Norman, E. B.; Chan, Y. D.; Garcia, A.; Larimer, R. M.; Lesko, K. T.; Stokstad, R. G.; Wietfeldt, F. E.

1993-03-01

We performed a search for the beta(+) branch of Mn-54 decay. As a cosmic ray, Mn-54, deprived of its atomic electrons, can decay only via beta(+) and beta(-) decay, with a half-life of the order of 106 yr. This turns Mn-54 into a suitable cosmic chronometer for the study of cosmic-ray confinement times. We searched for coincident back-to-back 511-keV gamma-rays using two germanium detectors inside a Nal(Tl) annulus. An upper limit of 2 x 10-8 was found for the beta(+) decay branch, corresponding to a lower limit of 13.7 for the log ft value.

Orbital State Manipulation of a Diamond Nitrogen-Vacancy Center Using a Mechanical Resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, H. Y.; MacQuarrie, E. R.; Fuchs, G. D.

2018-04-01

We study the resonant optical transitions of a single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center that is coherently dressed by a strong mechanical drive. Using a gigahertz-frequency diamond mechanical resonator that is strain coupled to a NV center's orbital states, we demonstrate coherent Raman sidebands out to the ninth order and orbital-phonon interactions that mix the two excited-state orbital branches. These interactions are spectroscopically revealed through a multiphonon Rabi splitting of the orbital branches which scales as a function of resonator driving amplitude and is successfully reproduced in a quantum model. Finally, we discuss the application of mechanical driving to engineering NV-center orbital states.

Molecular Design of Branched and Binary Molecules at Ordered Interfaces

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

Genson, Kirsten Larson

2005-01-01

This study examined five different branched molecular architectures to discern the effect of design on the ability of molecules to form ordered structures at interfaces. Photochromic monodendrons formed kinked packing structures at the air-water interface due to the cross-sectional area mismatch created by varying number of alkyl tails and the hydrophilic polar head group. The lower generations formed orthorhombic unit cell with long range ordering despite the alkyl tails tilted to a large degree. Favorable interactions between liquid crystalline terminal groups and the underlying substrate were observed to compel a flexible carbosilane dendrimer core to form a compressed elliptical conformationmore » which packed stagger within lamellae domains with limited short range ordering. A twelve arm binary star polymer was observed to form two dimensional micelles at the air-water interface attributed to the higher polystyrene block composition. Linear rod-coil molecules formed a multitude of packing structures at the air-water interface due to the varying composition. Tree-like rod-coil molecules demonstrated the ability to form one-dimensional structures at the air-water interface and at the air-solvent interface caused by the preferential ordering of the rigid rod cores. The role of molecular architecture and composition was examined and the influence chemically competing fragments was shown to exert on the packing structure. The amphiphilic balance of the different molecular series exhibited control on the ordering behavior at the air-water interface and within bulk structures. The shell nature and tail type was determined to dictate the preferential ordering structure and molecular reorganization at interfaces with the core nature effect secondary.« less

Children's Understanding of Second-Order False Belief: Comparisons of Content and Method of Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Scott A.

2013-01-01

This research examined children's performance on second-order false belief tasks as a function of the content area for the belief and the method of assessing understanding. A total of 70 kindergarten and first-grade children responded to four second-order stories. On two stories, the task was to judge a belief about a belief, and on two, the…

Influence of fatigue and velocity on the latency and recruitment order of scapular muscles.

PubMed

Mendez-Rebolledo, Guillermo; Gatica-Rojas, Valeska; Guzman-Muñoz, Eduardo; Martinez-Valdes, Eduardo; Guzman-Venegas, Rodrigo; Berral de la Rosa, Francisco Jose

2018-07-01

To determine the influence of velocity and fatigue on scapular muscle activation latency and recruitment order during a voluntary arm raise task, in healthy individuals. Cross-sectional study. University laboratory. Twenty three male adults per group (high-velocity and low-velocity). Onset latency of scapular muscles [Anterior deltoid (AD), lower trapezius (LT), middle trapezius (MT), upper trapezius (UT), and serratus anterior (SA)] was assessed by surface electromyography. The participants were assigned to one of two groups: low-velocity or high-velocity. Both groups performed a voluntary arm raise task in the scapular plane under two conditions: no-fatigue and fatigue. The UT showed early activation (p < 0.01) in the fatigue condition when performing the arm raise task at a high velocity. At a low velocity and with no muscular fatigue, the recruitment order was MT, LT, SA, AD, and UT. However, the recruitment order changed in the high-velocity with muscular fatigue condition, since the recruitment order was UT, AD, SA, LT, and MT. The simultaneous presence of fatigue and high-velocity in an arm raise task is associated with a decrease in the UT activation latency and a modification of the recruitment order of scapular muscles. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Usage of the back-propagation method for alphabet recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaila Sree, R. N.; Eswaran, Kumar; Sundararajan, N.

1999-03-01

Artificial Neural Networks play a pivotal role in the branch of Artificial Intelligence. They can be trained efficiently for a variety of tasks using different methods, of which the Back Propagation method is one among them. The paper studies the choosing of various design parameters of a neural network for the Back Propagation method. The study shows that when these parameters are properly assigned, the training task of the net is greatly simplified. The character recognition problem has been chosen as a test case for this study. A sample space of different handwritten characters of the English alphabet was gathered. A Neural net is finally designed taking many the design aspects into consideration and trained for different styles of writing. Experimental results are reported and discussed. It has been found that an appropriate choice of the design parameters of the neural net for the Back Propagation method reduces the training time and improves the performance of the net.

Towards a visual modeling approach to designing microelectromechanical system transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dewey, Allen; Srinivasan, Vijay; Icoz, Evrim

1999-12-01

In this paper, we address initial design capture and system conceptualization of microelectromechanical system transducers based on visual modeling and design. Visual modeling frames the task of generating hardware description language (analog and digital) component models in a manner similar to the task of generating software programming language applications. A structured topological design strategy is employed, whereby microelectromechanical foundry cell libraries are utilized to facilitate the design process of exploring candidate cells (topologies), varying key aspects of the transduction for each topology, and determining which topology best satisfies design requirements. Coupled-energy microelectromechanical system characterizations at a circuit level of abstraction are presented that are based on branch constitutive relations and an overall system of simultaneous differential and algebraic equations. The resulting design methodology is called visual integrated-microelectromechanical VHDL-AMS interactive design (VHDL-AMS is visual hardware design language for analog and mixed signal).

48 CFR 237.170-2 - Approval requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...-2 Approval requirements. (a) Acquisition of services through a contract or task order that is not performance based. (1) For acquisitions at or below $85.5 million, obtain the approval of the official... the senior procurement executive. (b) Acquisition of services through use of a contract or task order...

Constructive Processes in Memory for Order.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Kirk H.; And Others

The transformation of episodic inputs to semantic representations was studied in two very similar tasks. In one, subjects were required to infer the underlying four-term linear ordering from three comparative sentences such as, "The teacher is taller than the doctor." In the second task, subjects inferred underlying 4- and 5-digit…

Parallel multireference configuration interaction calculations on mini-β-carotenes and β-carotene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kleinschmidt, Martin; Marian, Christel M.; Waletzke, Mirko; Grimme, Stefan

2009-01-01

We present a parallelized version of a direct selecting multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) code [S. Grimme and M. Waletzke, J. Chem. Phys. 111, 5645 (1999)]. The program can be run either in ab initio mode or as semiempirical procedure combined with density functional theory (DFT/MRCI). We have investigated the efficiency of the parallelization in case studies on carotenoids and porphyrins. The performance is found to depend heavily on the cluster architecture. While the speed-up on the older Intel Netburst technology is close to linear for up to 12-16 processes, our results indicate that it is not favorable to use all cores of modern Intel Dual Core or Quad Core processors simultaneously for memory intensive tasks. Due to saturation of the memory bandwidth, we recommend to run less demanding tasks on the latter architectures in parallel to two (Dual Core) or four (Quad Core) MRCI processes per node. The DFT/MRCI branch has been employed to study the low-lying singlet and triplet states of mini-n-β-carotenes (n =3, 5, 7, 9) and β-carotene (n =11) at the geometries of the ground state, the first excited triplet state, and the optically bright singlet state. The order of states depends heavily on the conjugation length and the nuclear geometry. The B1u+ state constitutes the S1 state in the vertical absorption spectrum of mini-3-β-carotene but switches order with the 2 A1g- state upon excited state relaxation. In the longer carotenes, near degeneracy or even root flipping between the B1u+ and B1u- states is observed whereas the 3 A1g- state is found to remain energetically above the optically bright B1u+ state at all nuclear geometries investigated here. The DFT/MRCI method is seen to underestimate the absolute excitation energies of the longer mini-β-carotenes but the energy gaps between the excited states are reproduced well. In addition to singlet data, triplet-triplet absorption energies are presented. For β-carotene, where these transition energies are known from experiment, excellent agreement with our calculations is observed.

Parallel multireference configuration interaction calculations on mini-beta-carotenes and beta-carotene.

PubMed

Kleinschmidt, Martin; Marian, Christel M; Waletzke, Mirko; Grimme, Stefan

2009-01-28

We present a parallelized version of a direct selecting multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) code [S. Grimme and M. Waletzke, J. Chem. Phys. 111, 5645 (1999)]. The program can be run either in ab initio mode or as semiempirical procedure combined with density functional theory (DFT/MRCI). We have investigated the efficiency of the parallelization in case studies on carotenoids and porphyrins. The performance is found to depend heavily on the cluster architecture. While the speed-up on the older Intel Netburst technology is close to linear for up to 12-16 processes, our results indicate that it is not favorable to use all cores of modern Intel Dual Core or Quad Core processors simultaneously for memory intensive tasks. Due to saturation of the memory bandwidth, we recommend to run less demanding tasks on the latter architectures in parallel to two (Dual Core) or four (Quad Core) MRCI processes per node. The DFT/MRCI branch has been employed to study the low-lying singlet and triplet states of mini-n-beta-carotenes (n=3, 5, 7, 9) and beta-carotene (n=11) at the geometries of the ground state, the first excited triplet state, and the optically bright singlet state. The order of states depends heavily on the conjugation length and the nuclear geometry. The (1)B(u) (+) state constitutes the S(1) state in the vertical absorption spectrum of mini-3-beta-carotene but switches order with the 2 (1)A(g) (-) state upon excited state relaxation. In the longer carotenes, near degeneracy or even root flipping between the (1)B(u) (+) and (1)B(u) (-) states is observed whereas the 3 (1)A(g) (-) state is found to remain energetically above the optically bright (1)B(u) (+) state at all nuclear geometries investigated here. The DFT/MRCI method is seen to underestimate the absolute excitation energies of the longer mini-beta-carotenes but the energy gaps between the excited states are reproduced well. In addition to singlet data, triplet-triplet absorption energies are presented. For beta-carotene, where these transition energies are known from experiment, excellent agreement with our calculations is observed.

Task and fatigue effects on low-threshold motor units in human hand muscle.

PubMed

Enoka, R M; Robinson, G A; Kossev, A R

1989-12-01

1. The activity of single motor units was recorded in the first dorsal interosseus muscle of human subjects while they performed an isometric ramp-and-hold maneuver. Motor-unit activity was characterized before and after fatigue by the use of a branched bipolar electrode that was positioned subcutaneously over the test muscle. Activity was characterized in terms of the forces of recruitment and derecruitment and the discharge pattern. The purpose was to determine, before and after fatigue, whether motor-unit activity was affected by the direction in which the force was exerted. 2. Regardless of the task during prefatigue trials, interimpulse intervals were 1) more variable during increases or decreases in force than when force was held constant at the target value (4-6% above the recruitment force), and 2) more clustered around an arbitrary central value than would be expected with a normal (Gaussian) distribution. Both effects were seen during the flexion and abduction tasks. The behavior of low-threshold motor units in first dorsal interosseus is thus largely unaffected by the direction of the force exerted by the index finger. The absence of a task (i.e., a direction of force) effect suggests that the resultant force vector about the metacarpophalangeal joint of the index finger is not coded in terms of discrete populations of motor units, but, rather, it is based on the net muscle activity about the joint. 3. Motor-unit behavior during and after fatigue showed that the relatively homogeneous behavior seen before fatigue could be severely disrupted. The fatiguing protocol involved the continuous repetition, to the endurance limit, of a 15-s ramp-and-hold maneuver in which the abduction target force was 50% of maximum and was held for 10-s epochs (ramps up and down were approximately 2 s each). Motor-unit threshold was assessed by the forces of recruitment and derecruitment associated with each cycle of the fatigue test. Changes in recruitment force during the protocol were either minimal or, when present, not systematic. In contrast, the derecruitment force of all units exhibited a marked and progressive increase over the course of the test. 4. After the fatigue test, when the initial threshold tasks were repeated, the behavior of most motor units changed. These changes included the derecruitment of previously active motor units, the recruitment of additional motor units, and an increased discharge variability of units that remained recruited. The variation in recruitment order seemed to be much greater than that reported previously for nonfatiguing conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

78 FR 13761 - Designation of One Entity Pursuant to Executive Order 13448

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Validation of a Computational Model for the SLS Core Stage Oxygen Tank Diffuser Concept and the Low Profile Diffuser - An Advanced Development Design for the SLS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brodnick, Jacob; Richardson, Brian; Ramachandran, Narayanan

2015-01-01

The Low Profile Diffuser (LPD) project originated as an award from the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Advanced Development (ADO) office to the Main Propulsion Systems Branch (ER22). The task was created to develop and test an LPD concept that could produce comparable performance to a larger, traditionally designed, ullage gas diffuser while occupying a smaller volume envelope. Historically, ullage gas diffusers have been large, bulky devices that occupy a significant portion of the propellant tank, decreasing the tank volume available for propellant. Ullage pressurization of spacecraft propellant tanks is required to prevent boil-off of cryogenic propellants and to provide a positive pressure for propellant extraction. To achieve this, ullage gas diffusers must slow hot, high-pressure gas entering a propellant tank from supersonic speeds to only a few meters per second. Decreasing the incoming gas velocity is typically accomplished through expansion to larger areas within the diffuser which has traditionally led to large diffuser lengths. The Fluid Dynamics Branch (ER42) developed and applied advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis methods in order to mature the LPD design from and initial concept to an optimized test prototype and to provide extremely accurate pre-test predictions of diffuser performance. Additionally, the diffuser concept for the Core Stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) was analyzed in a short amount of time to guide test data collection efforts of the qualification of the device. CFD analysis of the SLS diffuser design provided new insights into the functioning of the device and was qualitatively validated against hot wire anemometry of the exterior flow field. Rigorous data analysis of the measurements was performed on static and dynamic pressure data, data from two microphones, accelerometers and hot wire anemometry with automated traverse. Feasibility of the LPD concept and validation of the computational model were demonstrated by the test data.

Age, environment, object recognition and morphological diversity of GFAP-immunolabeled astrocytes.

PubMed

Diniz, Daniel Guerreiro; de Oliveira, Marcus Augusto; de Lima, Camila Mendes; Fôro, César Augusto Raiol; Sosthenes, Marcia Consentino Kronka; Bento-Torres, João; da Costa Vasconcelos, Pedro Fernando; Anthony, Daniel Clive; Diniz, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço

2016-10-10

Few studies have explored the glial response to a standard environment and how the response may be associated with age-related cognitive decline in learning and memory. Here we investigated aging and environmental influences on hippocampal-dependent tasks and on the morphology of an unbiased selected population of astrocytes from the molecular layer of dentate gyrus, which is the main target of perforant pathway. Six and twenty-month-old female, albino Swiss mice were housed, from weaning, in a standard or enriched environment, including running wheels for exercise and tested for object recognition and contextual memories. Young adult and aged subjects, independent of environment, were able to distinguish familiar from novel objects. All experimental groups, except aged mice from standard environment, distinguish stationary from displaced objects. Young adult but not aged mice, independent of environment, were able to distinguish older from recent objects. Only young mice from an enriched environment were able to distinguish novel from familiar contexts. Unbiased selected astrocytes from the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus were reconstructed in three-dimensions and classified using hierarchical cluster analysis of bimodal or multimodal morphological features. We found two morphological phenotypes of astrocytes and we designated type I the astrocytes that exhibited significantly higher values of morphological complexity as compared with type II. Complexity = [Sum of the terminal orders + Number of terminals] × [Total branch length/Number of primary branches]. On average, type I morphological complexity seems to be much more sensitive to age and environmental influences than that of type II. Indeed, aging and environmental impoverishment interact and reduce the morphological complexity of type I astrocytes at a point that they could not be distinguished anymore from type II. We suggest these two types of astrocytes may have different physiological roles and that the detrimental effects of aging on memory in mice from a standard environment may be associated with a reduction of astrocytes morphological diversity.