Pathology-Based Approach to Seizure Outcome After Surgery for Pharmacoresistant Medial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

PubMed

Martinoni, Matteo; Berti, Pier Paolo; Marucci, Gianluca; Rubboli, Guido; Volpi, Lilia; Riguzzi, Patrizia; Marliani, Federica; Toni, Francesco; Bisulli, Francesca; Tinuper, Paolo; Michelucci, Roberto; Baruzzi, Agostino; Giulioni, Marco

2016-06-01

Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is the most common cause of drug-resistant medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Structural abnormalities such as HS, granule cell pathology (GCP), and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) have been classified histopathologically, possibly allowing a more accurate assessment of prognostic seizure and neuropsychologic outcomes. We correlated seizure outcome with comprehensive temporal lobe pathologic findings, identified according to the most recent classification systems of HS, GCP, and FCD. All the 83 patients who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) for drug-resistant MTLE and with a proven diagnosis of HS between April 2001 and May 2014 were collected. Patients were divided in 2 main groups: 1) isolated HS with/without GCP (HS +/- GCP); and 2) HS associated with FCD with/without GCP (HS+FCD +/- GCP). Patients were followed up at least 1 year, and seizure outcome was reported in accordance with Engel classification. Group I: HS +/- GCP: Statistical analysis confirmed a better outcome in HS + GCP patients than in HS-no GCP (P < 0.05). Moreover, a better outcome for the patients affected by GCP type I was observed (P < 0.05). Group II: HS+FCD +/- GCP: Patients with HS variant type I presented a better seizure outcome than the patients with HS type II (Engel class IA HS type I vs. type II: 69% vs. 40%). A pathology-based approach to epilepsy surgery might improve the interpretation of the results, could predict which cases will enjoy a better seizure outcome, and could help to the comprehension of the causes of failures. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gifted-Child Pedagogy: Meaningful Chimera?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coleman, Laurence J.

2003-01-01

This article explores the concept of gifted-child pedagogy (GCP) and consequences of adopting a GCP model. It argues that use of the term GCP can create a faux reality that GCP exists and that teachers who do not have this particular pedagogy cannot help gifted children. (Contains 7 references.) (CR)

Automatic Detection and Positioning of Ground Control Points Using TerraSAR-X Multiaspect Acquisitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montazeri, Sina; Gisinger, Christoph; Eineder, Michael; Zhu, Xiao xiang

2018-05-01

Geodetic stereo Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is capable of absolute three-dimensional localization of natural Persistent Scatterer (PS)s which allows for Ground Control Point (GCP) generation using only SAR data. The prerequisite for the method to achieve high precision results is the correct detection of common scatterers in SAR images acquired from different viewing geometries. In this contribution, we describe three strategies for automatic detection of identical targets in SAR images of urban areas taken from different orbit tracks. Moreover, a complete work-flow for automatic generation of large number of GCPs using SAR data is presented and its applicability is shown by exploiting TerraSAR-X (TS-X) high resolution spotlight images over the city of Oulu, Finland and a test site in Berlin, Germany.

Fault Tolerant Design Concepts for Highly Integrated Flight Critical Guidance and Control Systems: Conference Proceedings Held at the Guidance and Control Panel Symposium (49th) Held in Toulouse, France on 10-13 October 1989

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-04-01

conception des postes de pilotage et les r6les des pilotes doivent itre difinis avec soin en face des tiches automatis6es ainsi que les pcifications de...from USA and Canada: Commandant M.Mouhamad. FAF AGARD-NATO Executive, GCP Attention : GCP Executive AGARD-OTAN APO New York 09777 7 rue Ancelle F-92200...G.Manfeld 54 UN SYSTEME DE REFERENCES PRIMAIRES DE HAUTE INTEGRITE (A High Integrity Flight Data System) par J.L.Roch et J.Contet 55 ..... 4- K- ’-I

Ewald Summation Approach to Potential Models of Aqueous Electrolytes Involving Gaussian Charges and Induced Dipoles: Formal and Simulation Results

DOE PAGES

Chialvo, Ariel A.; Vlcek, Lukas

2014-11-01

We present a detailed derivation of the complete set of expressions required for the implementation of an Ewald summation approach to handle the long-range electrostatic interactions of polar and ionic model systems involving Gaussian charges and induced dipole moments with a particular application to the isobaricisothermal molecular dynamics simulation of our Gaussian Charge Polarizable (GCP) water model and its extension to aqueous electrolytes solutions. The set comprises the individual components of the potential energy, electrostatic potential, electrostatic field and gradient, the electrostatic force and the corresponding virial. Moreover, we show how the derived expressions converge to known point-based electrostatic counterpartsmore » when the parameters, defining the Gaussian charge and induced-dipole distributions, are extrapolated to their limiting point values. Finally, we illustrate the Ewald implementation against the current reaction field approach by isothermal-isobaric molecular dynamics of ambient GCP water for which we compared the outcomes of the thermodynamic, microstructural, and polarization behavior.« less

A new approach for automatic matching of ground control points in urban areas from heterogeneous images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cong, Chao; Liu, Dingsheng; Zhao, Lingjun

2008-12-01

This paper discusses a new method for the automatic matching of ground control points (GCPs) between satellite remote sensing Image and digital raster graphic (DRG) in urban areas. The key of this method is to automatically extract tie point pairs according to geographic characters from such heterogeneous images. Since there are big differences between such heterogeneous images respect to texture and corner features, more detail analyzations are performed to find similarities and differences between high resolution remote sensing Image and (DRG). Furthermore a new algorithms based on the fuzzy-c means (FCM) method is proposed to extract linear feature in remote sensing Image. Based on linear feature, crossings and corners extracted from these features are chosen as GCPs. On the other hand, similar method was used to find same features from DRGs. Finally, Hausdorff Distance was adopted to pick matching GCPs from above two GCP groups. Experiences shown the method can extract GCPs from such images with a reasonable RMS error.

Unmanned Aerial Systems and DSM matching for rock glacier monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dall'Asta, Elisa; Forlani, Gianfranco; Roncella, Riccardo; Santise, Marina; Diotri, Fabrizio; Morra di Cella, Umberto

2017-05-01

Among other techniques, aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry have long been used to control the displacements of landslides and glaciers as well as for the detection of terrain morphological changes. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are today an efficient tool to perform data acquisition in rough or difficult terrain, both safely and quickly, avoiding hazards and risks for the operators while at the same time containing the survey costs. Since 2012 ARPAVdA (the Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Aosta Valley, Italy) periodically surveys with UAS photogrammetry the Gran Sometta rock glacier, the Agency main monitoring site for the climate change impacts on high-mountain areas and related infrastructures. A Digital Surface Model (DSM) and an orthophoto of the rock glacier are produced after each survey flight. In order to accurately georeference them in a stable reference system, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) campaign is carried out at each epoch, to update the coordinates of signalised Ground Control Points (GCPs), since they partly lay in unstable (moving) areas. In late August 2015 a survey flight has been executed with a senseFly eBee RTK, with differential corrections sent from a ground reference station. The block has been adjusted without GCP using, as control information, only the projection centres coordinates encoded in the images. The RMS of the differences found on twelve Check Points were about 4 cm in horizontal and 7 cm in elevation, i.e. practically the same accuracy found using GCP. Differences between the DSMs produced at the same epoch with block orientation performed with GCP and with GNSS-determined projection centres were also investigated. To evaluate the rock glacier displacement fields between two epochs, corresponding features were at first manually identified on the orthophotos by a trained operator. To avoid the manual time-consuming procedure and increase the density of displacement information, two automatic procedures, the former using Least Squares Matching (LSM) and the latter a proprietary implementation of Semi-Global Matching (SGM) have been implemented. Both techniques were applied to pairs of orthophotos as well as to pairs of DSMs at different epochs. A discussion of the characteristics of the implemented methods is provided and the results of the comparison of the two methods with manual measurements are illustrated. Overall, results using DSM matching provided higher completeness of the displacement field than orthophoto matching, especially if long-term (year-to-year) comparisons are considered. At the same time, SGM in both cases produced less mismatches and more smooth and reliable displacement fields than LSM.

Effect of gloss and heat on the mechanical behaviour of a glass carbomer cement.

PubMed

Menne-Happ, Ulrike; Ilie, Nicoleta

2013-03-01

The effect of gloss and heat on the mechanical behaviour of a recently launched glass carbomer cement (GCP, GCP dental) was evaluated and compared with resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Fuji II LC, GC and Photac Fil Quick Aplicap, 3M ESPE). 120bar-shaped specimens (n=20) were produced, maintained in distilled water at 37°C and tested after one week. The GCP specimens were cured with and without heat application and with and without gloss. The flexural strength and modulus of elasticity in flexural test as well as the micro-mechanical properties (Vickers Hardness, indentation modulus, creep) of the top and bottom surface were evaluated. The amount and size of the fillers, voids and cracks were compared using a light and a scanning electron microscope. In the flexural test, the resin-modified glass ionomer cements performed significantly better than GCP. Fuji II LC and Photac Fil (Weibull parameter: 17.7 and 14.3) proved superior reliability in the flexural test compared to GCP (1.4-2.6). The highest Vickers Hardness and lowest creep were achieved by GCP, whereas Fuji II LC reached the highest indentation modulus. The results of this study proved that relationships exist between the compositions, microstructures and mechanical properties of the cements. Heat treatment and gloss application did not influence the mechanical properties of GCP. The mechanical properties were basically influenced by the type of cement and its microstructure. Considering the measured mechanical properties, there is no need of using gloss or heat when restoring teeth with GCP. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimizing digital elevation models (DEMs) accuracy for planning and design of mobile communication networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassan, Mahmoud A.

2004-02-01

Digital elevation models (DEMs) are important tools in the planning, design and maintenance of mobile communication networks. This research paper proposes a method for generating high accuracy DEMs based on SPOT satellite 1A stereo pair images, ground control points (GCP) and Erdas OrthoBASE Pro image processing software. DEMs with 0.2911 m mean error were achieved for the hilly and heavily populated city of Amman. The generated DEM was used to design a mobile communication network resulted in a minimum number of radio base transceiver stations, maximum number of covered regions and less than 2% of dead zones.

Shp2-Dependent ERK Signaling Is Essential for Induction of Bergmann Glia and Foliation of the Cerebellum

PubMed Central

Li, Kairong; Leung, Alan W.; Guo, Qiuxia; Yang, Wentian

2014-01-01

Folding of the cortex and the persistence of radial glia (RG)-like cells called Bergmann glia (BG) are hallmarks of the mammalian cerebellum. Similar to basal RG in the embryonic neocortex, BG maintain only basal processes and continuously express neural stem cell markers. Past studies had focused on the function of BG in granule cell migration and how granule cell progenitors (GCP) regulate cerebellar foliation. The molecular control of BG generation and its role in cerebellar foliation are less understood. Here, we have analyzed the function of the protein tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 in mice by deleting its gene Ptpn11 in the entire cerebellum or selectively in the GCP lineage. Deleting Ptpn11 in the entire cerebellum by En1-cre blocks transformation of RG into BG but preserves other major cerebellar cell types. In the absence of BG, inward invagination of GCP persists but is uncoupled from the folding of the Purkinje cell layer and the basement membrane, leading to disorganized lamination and an absence of cerebellar folia. In contrast, removing Ptpn11 in the GCP lineage by Atoh1-cre has no effect on cerebellar development, indicating that Shp2 is not cell autonomously required in GCP. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Ptpn11 interacts with Fgf8 and is essential for ERK activation in RG and nascent BG. Finally, expressing constitutively active MEK1 rescues BG formation and cerebellar foliation in Shp2-deficient cerebella. Our results demonstrate an essential role of Shp2 in BG specification via fibroblast growth factor/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase signaling, and reveal a crucial function of BG in organizing cerebellar foliation. PMID:24431450

Standard requirements for GCP-compliant data management in multinational clinical trials.

PubMed

Ohmann, Christian; Kuchinke, Wolfgang; Canham, Steve; Lauritsen, Jens; Salas, Nader; Schade-Brittinger, Carmen; Wittenberg, Michael; McPherson, Gladys; McCourt, John; Gueyffier, Francois; Lorimer, Andrea; Torres, Ferràn

2011-03-22

A recent survey has shown that data management in clinical trials performed by academic trial units still faces many difficulties (e.g. heterogeneity of software products, deficits in quality management, limited human and financial resources and the complexity of running a local computer centre). Unfortunately, no specific, practical and open standard for both GCP-compliant data management and the underlying IT-infrastructure is available to improve the situation. For that reason the "Working Group on Data Centres" of the European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network (ECRIN) has developed a standard specifying the requirements for high quality GCP-compliant data management in multinational clinical trials. International, European and national regulations and guidelines relevant to GCP, data security and IT infrastructures, as well as ECRIN documents produced previously, were evaluated to provide a starting point for the development of standard requirements. The requirements were produced by expert consensus of the ECRIN Working group on Data Centres, using a structured and standardised process. The requirements were divided into two main parts: an IT part covering standards for the underlying IT infrastructure and computer systems in general, and a Data Management (DM) part covering requirements for data management applications in clinical trials. The standard developed includes 115 IT requirements, split into 15 separate sections, 107 DM requirements (in 12 sections) and 13 other requirements (2 sections). Sections IT01 to IT05 deal with the basic IT infrastructure while IT06 and IT07 cover validation and local software development. IT08 to IT015 concern the aspects of IT systems that directly support clinical trial management. Sections DM01 to DM03 cover the implementation of a specific clinical data management application, i.e. for a specific trial, whilst DM04 to DM12 address the data management of trials across the unit. Section IN01 is dedicated to international aspects and ST01 to the competence of a trials unit's staff. The standard is intended to provide an open and widely used set of requirements for GCP-compliant data management, particularly in academic trial units. It is the intention that ECRIN will use these requirements as the basis for the certification of ECRIN data centres.

The Evaluation of GPS techniques for UAV-based Photogrammetry in Urban Area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeh, M. L.; Chou, Y. T.; Yang, L. S.

2016-06-01

The efficiency and high mobility of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) made them essential to aerial photography assisted survey and mapping. Especially for urban land use and land cover, that they often changes, and need UAVs to obtain new terrain data and the new changes of land use. This study aims to collect image data and three dimensional ground control points in Taichung city area with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), general camera and Real-Time Kinematic with positioning accuracy down to centimetre. The study area is an ecological park that has a low topography which support the city as a detention basin. A digital surface model was also built with Agisoft PhotoScan, and there will also be a high resolution orthophotos. There will be two conditions for this study, with or without ground control points and both were discussed and compared for the accuracy level of each of the digital surface models. According to check point deviation estimate, the model without ground control points has an average two-dimension error up to 40 centimeter, altitude error within one meter. The GCP-free RTK-airborne approach produces centimeter-level accuracy with excellent to low risk to the UAS operators. As in the case of the model with ground control points, the accuracy of x, y, z coordinates has gone up 54.62%, 49.07%, and 87.74%, and the accuracy of altitude has improved the most.

The chromatin remodeling factor CHD7 controls cerebellar development by regulating reelin expression

PubMed Central

Whittaker, Danielle E.; Riegman, Kimberley L.H.; Kasah, Sahrunizam; Mohan, Conor; Yu, Tian; Sala, Blanca Pijuan; Hebaishi, Husam; Caruso, Angela; Marques, Ana Claudia; Michetti, Caterina; Smachetti, María Eugenia Sanz; Shah, Apar; Sabbioni, Mara; Kulhanci, Omer; Tee, Wee-Wei; Reinberg, Danny; Scattoni, Maria Luisa; McGonnell, Imelda; Wardle, Fiona C.; Fernandes, Cathy

2017-01-01

The mechanisms underlying the neurodevelopmental deficits associated with CHARGE syndrome, which include cerebellar hypoplasia, developmental delay, coordination problems, and autistic features, have not been identified. CHARGE syndrome has been associated with mutations in the gene encoding the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler CHD7. CHD7 is expressed in neural stem and progenitor cells, but its role in neurogenesis during brain development remains unknown. Here we have shown that deletion of Chd7 from cerebellar granule cell progenitors (GCps) results in reduced GCp proliferation, cerebellar hypoplasia, developmental delay, and motor deficits in mice. Genome-wide expression profiling revealed downregulated expression of the gene encoding the glycoprotein reelin (Reln) in Chd7-deficient GCps. Recessive RELN mutations have been associated with severe cerebellar hypoplasia in humans. We found molecular and genetic evidence that reductions in Reln expression contribute to GCp proliferative defects and cerebellar hypoplasia in GCp-specific Chd7 mouse mutants. Finally, we showed that CHD7 is necessary for maintaining an open, accessible chromatin state at the Reln locus. Taken together, this study shows that Reln gene expression is regulated by chromatin remodeling, identifies CHD7 as a previously unrecognized upstream regulator of Reln, and provides direct in vivo evidence that a mammalian CHD protein can control brain development by modulating chromatin accessibility in neuronal progenitors. PMID:28165338

Reconstructing 3D coastal cliffs from airborne oblique photographs without ground control points

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dewez, T. J. B.

2014-05-01

Coastal cliff collapse hazard assessment requires measuring cliff face topography at regular intervals. Terrestrial laser scanner techniques have proven useful so far but are expensive to use either through purchasing the equipment or through survey subcontracting. In addition, terrestrial laser surveys take time which is sometimes incompatible with the time during with the beach is accessible at low-tide. By comparison, structure from motion techniques (SFM) are much less costly to implement, and if airborne, acquisition of several kilometers of coastline can be done in a matter of minutes. In this paper, the potential of GPS-tagged oblique airborne photographs and SFM techniques is examined to reconstruct chalk cliff dense 3D point clouds without Ground Control Points (GCP). The focus is put on comparing the relative 3D point of views reconstructed by Visual SFM with their synchronous Solmeta Geotagger Pro2 GPS locations using robust estimators. With a set of 568 oblique photos, shot from the open door of an airplane with a triplet of synchronized Nikon D7000, GPS and SFM-determined view point coordinates converge to X: ±31.5 m; Y: ±39.7 m; Z: ±13.0 m (LE66). Uncertainty in GPS position affects the model scale, angular attitude of the reference frame (the shoreline ends up tilted by 2°) and absolute positioning. Ground Control Points cannot be avoided to orient such models.

Analysis of salivary phenotypes of generalized aggressive and chronic periodontitis through nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics.

PubMed

Romano, Federica; Meoni, Gaia; Manavella, Valeria; Baima, Giacomo; Tenori, Leonardo; Cacciatore, Stefano; Aimetti, Mario

2018-06-07

Recent findings about the differential gene expression signature of periodontal lesions have raised the hypothesis of distinctive biological phenotypes expressed by generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) and generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) patients. Therefore, this cross-sectional investigation was planned, primarily, to determine the ability of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis of unstimulated whole saliva to discriminate GCP and GAgP disease-specific metabolomic fingerprint and, secondarily, to assess potential metabolites discriminating periodontitis patients from periodontally healthy individuals (HI). NMR-metabolomics spectra were acquired from salivary samples of patients with a clinical diagnosis of GCP (n = 33) or GAgP (n = 28) and from HI (n = 39). The clustering of HI, GCP and GAgP patients was achieved by using a combination of the Principal Component Analysis and Canonical Correlation Analysis on the NMR profiles. These analyses revealed a significant predictive accuracy discriminating HI from GCP, and discriminating HI from GAgP patients (both 81%). In contrast, the GAgP and GCP saliva samples seem to belong to the same metabolic space (60% predictive accuracy). Significantly lower levels (P < 0.05) of pyruvate, N-acetyl groups and lactate and higher levels (P < 0.05) of proline, phenylalanine, and tyrosine were found in GCP and GAgP patients compared with HI. Within the limitations of this study, CGP and GAgP metabolomic profiles were not unequivocally discriminated through a NMR-based spectroscopic analysis of saliva. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

a Light-Weight Laser Scanner for Uav Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tommaselli, A. M. G.; Torres, F. M.

2016-06-01

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) have been recognized as a tool for geospatial data acquisition due to their flexibility and favourable cost benefit ratio. The practical use of laser scanning devices on-board UAVs is also developing with new experimental and commercial systems. This paper describes a light-weight laser scanning system composed of an IbeoLux scanner, an Inertial Navigation System Span-IGM-S1, from Novatel, a Raspberry PI portable computer, which records data from both systems and an octopter UAV. The performance of this light-weight system was assessed both for accuracy and with respect to point density, using Ground Control Points (GCP) as reference. Two flights were performed with the UAV octopter carrying the equipment. In the first trial, the flight height was 100 m with six strips over a parking area. The second trial was carried out over an urban park with some buildings and artificial targets serving as reference Ground Control Points. In this experiment a flight height of 70 m was chosen to improve target response. Accuracy was assessed based on control points the coordinates of which were measured in the field. Results showed that vertical accuracy with this prototype is around 30 cm, which is acceptable for forest applications but this accuracy can be improved using further refinements in direct georeferencing and in the system calibration.

Upper Maastrichtian ammonite biostratigraphy of the Gulf Coastal Plain (Mississippi Embayment, southern USA)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Larina, Ekaterina; Garb, Matthew P.; Landman, Neil H.; Dastas, Natalie; Thibault, Nicolas; Edwards, Lucy E.; Phillips, George; Rovelli, Remy; Myers, Corinne; Naujokaityte, Jone

2016-01-01

The Cretaceous outcrop belt of the Mississippi Embayment in the Gulf Coastal Plain (GCP) spans the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary. A detailed reconstruction of this time interval is critical for understanding the nature of biotic and environmental changes preceding the end-Cretaceous Mass Extinction event and for deciphering the likely extinction mechanism (i.e., bolide impact versus volcanism). Eight sections encompassing the K/Pg succession across the Mississippi Embayment were analyzed using biostratigraphic sampling of ammonites, dinoflagellates, and nannofossils. An upper Maastrichtian ammonite zonation is proposed as follows, from oldest to youngest:Discoscaphites conradi Zone, D. minardi Zone, and D. iris Zone. Our study documents that the ammonite zonation established in the Atlantic Coastal Plain (ACP) extends to the GCP. This zonation is integrated with nannofossil and dinoflagellate biostratigraphy to provide a framework to more accurately determine the age relationships in this region. We demonstrate that ammonites and dinoflagellates are more reliable stratigraphic indicators in this area than nannofossils because age-diagnostic nannofossils are not consistently present within the upper Maastrichtian in the GCP. This biostratigraphic framework has the potential to become a useful tool for correlation of strata both within the GCP and between the GCP, Western Interior, and ACP. The presence of the uppermost Maastrichtian ammonite D. iris, calcareous nannofossil Micula prinsii, and dinoflagellates Palynodinium grallator and Disphaerogena carposphaeropsis suggests that the K/Pg succession in the GCP is nearly complete. Consequently, the GCP is an excellent setting for investigating fine scale temporal changes across the K/Pg boundary and ultimately elucidating the mechanisms causing extinction.

The Good Clinical Practice guideline and its interpretation - perceptions of clinical trial teams in sub-Saharan Africa.

PubMed

Vischer, N; Pfeiffer, C; Joller, A; Klingmann, I; Ka, A; Kpormegbe, S K; Burri, C

2016-08-01

To explore the advantages and challenges of working with the Good Clinical Practice (GCP)-International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) E6 guideline and its interpretation from the perspective of clinical trial teams based in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted 60 key informant interviews with clinical trial staff at different levels in clinical research centres in Kenya, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Senegal and thematically analysed the responses. Clinical trial teams perceived working with ICH-GCP as highly advantageous and regarded ICH-GCP as applicable to their setting and efficiently applied. Only for informed consent did some clinical trial staff (one-third) perceive the guideline as insufficiently applicable. Specific challenges included meeting the requirements for written and individual consent, conditions for impartial witnesses for illiterates or legally acceptable representatives for children, guaranteeing voluntary participation and ensuring full understanding of the consent given. It was deemed important to have ICH-GCP compliance monitored by relevant ethics committees and regulatory authorities, without having guidelines applied overcautiously. Clinical trial teams in sub-Saharan Africa perceived GCP as a helpful guideline, despite having been developed by northern organisations and despite the high administrative burden of implementing it. To mitigate consent challenges, we suggest adapting GCP and making use of the flexibility it offers. © 2016 The Authors. Tropical Medicine & International Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Cross Validation on the Equality of Uav-Based and Contour-Based Dems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, R.; Xu, Z.; Wu, L.; Liu, S.

2018-04-01

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) have been widely used for Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generation in geographic applications. This paper proposes a novel framework of generating DEM from UAV images. It starts with the generation of the point clouds by image matching, where the flight control data are used as reference for searching for the corresponding images, leading to a significant time saving. Besides, a set of ground control points (GCP) obtained from field surveying are used to transform the point clouds to the user's coordinate system. Following that, we use a multi-feature based supervised classification method for discriminating non-ground points from ground ones. In the end, we generate DEM by constructing triangular irregular networks and rasterization. The experiments are conducted in the east of Jilin province in China, which has been suffered from soil erosion for several years. The quality of UAV based DEM (UAV-DEM) is compared with that generated from contour interpolation (Contour-DEM). The comparison shows a higher resolution, as well as higher accuracy of UAV-DEMs, which contains more geographic information. In addition, the RMSE errors of the UAV-DEMs generated from point clouds with and without GCPs are ±0.5 m and ±20 m, respectively.

Gastritis cystica profunda recurrence after surgical resection: 2-year follow-up

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Gastritis cystica profunda (GCP) is an uncommon disease characterized by multiple cystic gastric glands within the submucosa of the stomach. Case description Here, we present a case of a 63-year-old man with intermittent epigastric discomfort in whom gastroscopy revealed multiple irregular elevated nodular lesions with smooth surfaces at the anterior of the antrum. Surgical resection of the nodular lesions was performed, and the diagnosis of gastritis cystica profunda (GCP) was confirmed by histological examination. Another elevated nodular lesion approximately 10 mm in diameter with an ulcer was found on the gastric side of the remnant stomach near the resection side from 6 to 24 months after the surgical resection. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and repeated biopsies of the new elevated lesion were performed. Homogeneous, anechoic masses originating from the submucosa without gastric adenocarcinoma in histological examination showed GCP recurrence may occur. Conclusions We report a case of GCP recurrence within 6 months after surgical resection. GCP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of elevated lesions in the stomach. PMID:24885818

Standard requirements for GCP-compliant data management in multinational clinical trials

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background A recent survey has shown that data management in clinical trials performed by academic trial units still faces many difficulties (e.g. heterogeneity of software products, deficits in quality management, limited human and financial resources and the complexity of running a local computer centre). Unfortunately, no specific, practical and open standard for both GCP-compliant data management and the underlying IT-infrastructure is available to improve the situation. For that reason the "Working Group on Data Centres" of the European Clinical Research Infrastructures Network (ECRIN) has developed a standard specifying the requirements for high quality GCP-compliant data management in multinational clinical trials. Methods International, European and national regulations and guidelines relevant to GCP, data security and IT infrastructures, as well as ECRIN documents produced previously, were evaluated to provide a starting point for the development of standard requirements. The requirements were produced by expert consensus of the ECRIN Working group on Data Centres, using a structured and standardised process. The requirements were divided into two main parts: an IT part covering standards for the underlying IT infrastructure and computer systems in general, and a Data Management (DM) part covering requirements for data management applications in clinical trials. Results The standard developed includes 115 IT requirements, split into 15 separate sections, 107 DM requirements (in 12 sections) and 13 other requirements (2 sections). Sections IT01 to IT05 deal with the basic IT infrastructure while IT06 and IT07 cover validation and local software development. IT08 to IT015 concern the aspects of IT systems that directly support clinical trial management. Sections DM01 to DM03 cover the implementation of a specific clinical data management application, i.e. for a specific trial, whilst DM04 to DM12 address the data management of trials across the unit. Section IN01 is dedicated to international aspects and ST01 to the competence of a trials unit's staff. Conclusions The standard is intended to provide an open and widely used set of requirements for GCP-compliant data management, particularly in academic trial units. It is the intention that ECRIN will use these requirements as the basis for the certification of ECRIN data centres. PMID:21426576

Efficacy testing of cosmetic products. A proposal to the European Community by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Environment and Energy.

PubMed

Serup, J

2001-08-01

Regulations for cosmetic products primarily address safety of the products that may be used by large populations of healthy consumers. Requirements for documentation of efficacy claims are only fragmentary. This synopsis aims to review and conclude a set of standards that may be acceptable to the European Community, and the cosmetic industry, as a legal standard for efficacy documentation in Europe in the future. Ethical, formal, experimental, statistical and other aspects of efficacy testing are described, including validation, quality control and assurance. The importance of user relevant clinical end points, a controlled randomized trial design and evidence-based cosmetic product documentation, validation of methods, statistical power estimation and proper data handling, reporting and archiving is emphasized. The main principles of the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) good clinical practice (GCP) should be followed by the cosmetics industry in a spirit of good documentation standard and scientific soundness, but full GCP is not considered mandatory in the field of cosmetics. Documentation by validated bio-instrumental methods may be acceptable, but efficacy documentation based on information about raw materials, reference to literature and laboratory experiments are only acceptable in exceptional cases. Principles for efficacy substantiation of cosmetic products in Europe, as described in this synopsis, are officially proposed by the Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy to the European Community as a basis for an amendment to the Cosmetics Directive or otherwise implemented as a European Community regulation.

Validation of the ASTER instrument level 1A scene geometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kieffer, H.H.; Mullins, K.F.; MacKinnon, D.J.

2008-01-01

An independent assessment of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument geometry was undertaken by the U.S. ASTER Team, to confirm the geometric correction parameters developed and applied to Level 1A (radiometrically and geometrically raw with correction parameters appended) ASTER data. The goal was to evaluate the geometric quality of the ASTER system and the stability of the Terra spacecraft. ASTER is a 15-band system containing optical instruments with resolutions from 15- to 90-meters; all geometrically registered products are ultimately tied to the 15-meter Visible and Near Infrared (VNIR) sub-system. Our evaluation process first involved establishing a large database of Ground Control Points (GCP) in the mid-western United States; an area with features of an appropriate size for spacecraft instrument resolutions. We used standard U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Digital Orthophoto Quads (DOQS) of areas in the mid-west to locate accurate GCPs by systematically identifying road intersections and recording their coordinates. Elevations for these points were derived from USGS Digital Elevation Models (DEMS). Road intersections in a swath of nine contiguous ASTER scenes were then matched to the GCPs, including terrain correction. We found no significant distortion in the images; after a simple image offset to absolute position, the RMS residual of about 200 points per scene was less than one-half a VNIR pixel. Absolute locations were within 80 meters, with a slow drift of about 10 meters over the entire 530-kilometer swath. Using strictly simultaneous observations of scenes 370 kilometers apart, we determined a stereo angle correction of 0.00134 degree with an accuracy of one microradian. The mid-west GCP field and the techniques used here should be widely applicable in assessing other spacecraft instruments having resolutions from 5 to 50-meters. ?? 2008 American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

Role of the GGDEF protein family in Salmonella cellulose biosynthesis and biofilm formation.

PubMed

García, Begoña; Latasa, Cristina; Solano, Cristina; García-del Portillo, Francisco; Gamazo, Carlos; Lasa, Iñigo

2004-10-01

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is capable of producing cellulose as the main exopolysaccharide compound of the biofilm matrix. It has been shown for Gluconacetobacter xylinum that cellulose biosynthesis is allosterically regulated by bis-(3',5') cyclic diguanylic acid, whose synthesis/degradation depends on diguanylate cyclase/phosphodiesterase enzymatic activities. A protein domain, named GGDEF, is present in all diguanylate cyclase/phosphodiesterase enzymes that have been studied to date. In this study, we analysed the molecular mechanisms responsible for the failure of Salmonella typhimurium strain SL1344 to form biofilms under different environmental conditions. Using a complementation assay, we were able to identify two genes, which can restore the biofilm defect of SL1344 when expressed from the plasmid pBR328. Based on the observation that one of the genes, STM1987, contains a GGDEF domain, and the other, mlrA, indirectly controls the expression of another GGDEF protein, AdrA, we proceeded on a mutational analysis of the additional GG[DE]EF motif containing proteins of S. typhimurium. Our results demonstrated that MlrA, and thus AdrA, is required for cellulose production and biofilm formation in LB complex medium whereas STM1987 (GGDEF domain containing protein A, gcpA) is critical for biofilm formation in the nutrient-deficient medium, ATM. Insertional inactivation of the other six members of the GGDEF family (gcpB-G) showed that only deletion of yciR (gcpE) affected cellulose production and biofilm formation. However, when provided on plasmid pBR328, most of the members of the GGDEF family showed a strong dominant phenotype able to bypass the need for AdrA and GcpA respectively. Altogether, these results indicate that most GGDEF proteins of S. typhimurium are functionally related, probably by controlling the levels of the same final product (cyclic di-GMP), which include among its regulatory targets the cellulose production and biofilm formation of S. typhimurium.

Drug regulators and ethics: which GCP issues are also ethical issues?

PubMed

Bernabe, Rosemarie D L C; van Thiel, Ghislaine J M W; Breekveldt, Nancy S; van Delden, Johannes J M

2016-02-01

Within the European Union (EU), good clinical practice (GCP) provides an ethical mandate to regulators; however, it is unclear what the content of that mandate is. By looking at the correspondence between GCP and ethical imperatives, we identify that the mandate is within the following: principles; benefit-risk ratio; scientific validity; results publication; informed consent; respect for participants; and special populations. There are also cases when regulations were ethical but were not pairable to an imperative, and when the former were stricter than the latter. Hence, we suggest closer cooperation between ethics committees and regulators to ensure that future versions of ethics guidelines cover the ethically relevant regulations that were not directly pairable to any imperative, and cooperation between GCP legislative bodies and ethics guideline-making bodies to resolve the discordant areas. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An experimental comparison of ETM+ image geometric correction methods in the mountainous areas of Yunnan Province, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jinliang; Wu, Xuejiao

2010-11-01

Geometric correction of imagery is a basic application of remote sensing technology. Its precision will impact directly on the accuracy and reliability of applications. The accuracy of geometric correction depends on many factors, including the used model for correction and the accuracy of the reference map, the number of ground control points (GCP) and its spatial distribution, resampling methods. The ETM+ image of Kunming Dianchi Lake Basin and 1:50000 geographical maps had been used to compare different correction methods. The results showed that: (1) The correction errors were more than one pixel and some of them were several pixels when the polynomial model was used. The correction accuracy was not stable when the Delaunay model was used. The correction errors were less than one pixel when the collinearity equation was used. (2) 6, 9, 25 and 35 GCP were selected randomly for geometric correction using the polynomial correction model respectively, the best result was obtained when 25 GCPs were used. (3) The contrast ratio of image corrected by using nearest neighbor and the best resampling rate was compared to that of using the cubic convolution and bilinear model. But the continuity of pixel gravy value was not very good. The contrast of image corrected was the worst and the computation time was the longest by using the cubic convolution method. According to the above results, the result was the best by using bilinear to resample.

Greater Curvature Plication with Duodenal-Jejunal Bypass: a Novel Metabolic Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

PubMed

Qiu, Nian-Cun; Cen, Xiao-Xia; Liu, Miao-E; Liu, Qing; Zha, Si-Luo; Shan, Cheng-Xiang; Zhang, Wei; Wang, Ling-Di; Wang, Yang; Qiu, Ming

2018-06-01

The study investigated the use of great curvature plication with duodenal-jejunal bypass (GCP-DJB) in a type 2 diabetic with obesity rat model. Twenty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were given a high fat and sugar diet with subsequent intraperitoneal injection of a small dosage of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) and randomly assigned to either GCP-DJB (n = 12) or Sham surgery (n = 10). Body weight, peripheral blood glucose, and fasting serum insulin were assayed, and insulin resistance index (IRI) was calculated, before and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery. No differences were found in the preoperative characteristics of the two groups (P > 0.05). At week 1, the body weights decreased significantly, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).The fasting blood glucose was significantly lower in the GCP-DJB than in the Sham group (P < 0.05), serum insulin levels were higher (P < 0.05), and IRI began to decline (P < 0.05). From 2 to 8 weeks, the body weight of Sham group gradually recovered and continued to rise, while the GCP-DJB group remained at a relatively lower state. Compared to the Sham group, the body weight, fasting blood glucose as well as IRI of GCP-DJB rats had significantly decreased (P < 0.05). But, the fasting insulin concentrations had significantly increased (P < 0.05). This novel GCP-DJB procedure established a stable animal model for the study of metabolic surgery to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Teenage Smoking in China.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheng, Tsung O.

1999-01-01

Examines the increasing problem of teenage smoking in modern China. Reviews China's smoking control efforts, a major feature of which has been to educate the youth against smoking so as to prevent them from starting and reduce the overall number of new smokers. (Contains 61 references.) (Author/GCP)

Examination about Influence for Precision of 3d Image Measurement from the Ground Control Point Measurement and Surface Matching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anai, T.; Kochi, N.; Yamada, M.; Sasaki, T.; Otani, H.; Sasaki, D.; Nishimura, S.; Kimoto, K.; Yasui, N.

2015-05-01

As the 3D image measurement software is now widely used with the recent development of computer-vision technology, the 3D measurement from the image is now has acquired the application field from desktop objects as wide as the topography survey in large geographical areas. Especially, the orientation, which used to be a complicated process in the heretofore image measurement, can be now performed automatically by simply taking many pictures around the object. And in the case of fully textured object, the 3D measurement of surface features is now done all automatically from the orientated images, and greatly facilitated the acquisition of the dense 3D point cloud from images with high precision. With all this development in the background, in the case of small and the middle size objects, we are now furnishing the all-around 3D measurement by a single digital camera sold on the market. And we have also developed the technology of the topographical measurement with the air-borne images taken by a small UAV [1~5]. In this present study, in the case of the small size objects, we examine the accuracy of surface measurement (Matching) by the data of the experiments. And as to the topographic measurement, we examine the influence of GCP distribution on the accuracy by the data of the experiments. Besides, we examined the difference of the analytical results in each of the 3D image measurement software. This document reviews the processing flow of orientation and the 3D measurement of each software and explains the feature of the each software. And as to the verification of the precision of stereo-matching, we measured the test plane and the test sphere of the known form and assessed the result. As to the topography measurement, we used the air-borne image data photographed at the test field in Yadorigi of Matsuda City, Kanagawa Prefecture JAPAN. We have constructed Ground Control Point which measured by RTK-GPS and Total Station. And we show the results of analysis made in each of the 3D image measurement software. Further, we deepen the study on the influence of the distribution of GCP on the precision.

gcpA (stm1987) is critical for cellulose production and biofilm formation on polystyrene surface by Salmonella enterica serovar Weltevreden in both high and low nutrient medium.

PubMed

Bhowmick, Patit Paban; Devegowda, Devananda; Ruwandeepika, H A Darshanee; Fuchs, Thilo M; Srikumar, Shabarinath; Karunasagar, Iddya; Karunasagar, Indrani

2011-02-01

Biofilm formation by Salmonella is a serious concern in the food-processing industry and the persistence of the organism in biofilms becomes a constant source of contamination. Since there is zero tolerance for Salmonella in foods, it is important to understand the mechanism of biofilm formation and to prevent the formation. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the biofilm-forming ability of seafood isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Weltevreden (S. Weltevreden) under two different nutrient conditions (normal strength trypticase soy broth (TSB) and 1:100 diluted TSB). The role of cellulose production in biofilm formation and in the expression of multicellular behavior (rough, dark, red morphotype: rdar) was investigated. Fourteen isolates of seafood associated S. Weltevreden were studied for biofilm production in polystyrene microtitre plates. Only one (SW49) of 14 was a strong biofilm former on polystyrene template and was able to produce biofilm in both undiluted TSB and 1:100 diluted TSB at 24h. All others produced moderate or weak biofilms which was higher in 1:100 diluted TSB compared to undiluted medium. All the isolates except one were positive by PCR for the three genes, gcpA (stm1987), adrA (yaiC) and csgD. Gene expression of gcpA, adrA and csgD was studied by real-time PCR with the one strong (SW49) and one representative weak (SW30) biofilm former. In SW49 at 24h of incubation, the expression of gcpA from biofilm cells was 33 and 36 times higher than from planktonic cells grown in TSB and diluted TSB respectively and at 72h the expression from biofilm cells was 57 and 61 times higher than that from planktonic cells. Quantification of gene expression did not reveal any significant difference in the expression of csgD and adrA gene. Deletion of gcpA in SW49 resulted in its inability to produce cellulose and consequent inability to bind calcoflour, inability to form rdar colony on Congo Red-agar plates and failure to produce biofilm on polystyrene substrate. The data indicated that, in case of S. Weltevreden, gcpA is critical for activating cellulose synthesis and biofilm formation both in undiluted and diluted TSB. The results of this study suggest the existence of an alternative biofilm regulatory pathway in S. Weltevreden. Role of adrA in cellulose production in nutrient rich medium is known but role of gepA in the above phenomenon is proved in this study. An understanding of the genes involved would help in looking at strategies of repression of the gene to control formation of biofilm. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Variable selection for marginal longitudinal generalized linear models.

PubMed

Cantoni, Eva; Flemming, Joanna Mills; Ronchetti, Elvezio

2005-06-01

Variable selection is an essential part of any statistical analysis and yet has been somewhat neglected in the context of longitudinal data analysis. In this article, we propose a generalized version of Mallows's C(p) (GC(p)) suitable for use with both parametric and nonparametric models. GC(p) provides an estimate of a measure of model's adequacy for prediction. We examine its performance with popular marginal longitudinal models (fitted using GEE) and contrast results with what is typically done in practice: variable selection based on Wald-type or score-type tests. An application to real data further demonstrates the merits of our approach while at the same time emphasizing some important robust features inherent to GC(p).

The importance of Good Clinical Practice guidelines and its role in clinical trials

PubMed Central

Vijayananthan, A; Nawawi, O

2008-01-01

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, recording, analyses and reporting of clinical trials. It also serves to protect the rights, integrity and confidentiality of trial subjects. It is very important to understand the background of the formation of the ICH-GCP guidelines as this, in itself, explains the reasons and the need for doing so. In this paper, we address the historical background and the events that led up to the formation of these guidelines. Today, the ICH-GCP guidelines are used in clinical trials throughout the globe with the main aim of protecting and preserving human rights. PMID:21614316

Photogrammetry in maritime and underwater archaeology: two marble wrecks from Sicily

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balletti, C.; Beltrame, C.; Costa, E.; Guerra, F.; Vernier, P.

2015-06-01

Underwater survey, compared to land archaeology, needs some specific techniques, because the application of some active 3D sensor, such as laser scanner, is obviously impossible. The necessity to produce three-dimensional survey, offering the same accuracy of classical terrestrial laserscanning or photogrammetric methods, combined with the request of low costs and rapid solutions, led the researchers to test and apply oftentimes image-based techniques. In the last two years the Ca' Foscari University and University IUAV of Venice are conducting a research on the application of integrated techniques to support underwater metric documentation, comparing them to the manual traditional one. The gained experience (and confirmed by other recently published papers) shows that the actual multiimage digital photogrammetry is a good solution for the underwater archaeology. This approach is useful both from a metric and from a recording point of view, because it achieves high quality results, such as accurate 3D models or 2D representations, offering a complete documentation of underwater sites. But photogrammetry has to be supported by a topographical survey (to acquire ground control points - GCP) to georeference all the finds in the same reference system. This paper presents the integrated survey of two roman shipwrecks, approaching differently in the GCP's acquisition just for the different morphological characteristic of the sites. The wrecks' cargos are huge marble blocks, presenting differences in quantities, layout and depths. Those characteristics determine the choice of the topographic survey. The results of the survey are two 3D polygonal textured models of the sites, which can be easily used for different analyses and reconstructive hypothesis, opening new possibilities of documentation with both specialists and the wider public. Furthermore, 3D models are the geometric base for 2D orthophoto and cross section extraction. The paper will illustrate all the phases regarding the survey's design, acquisition and realization and the data processing to obtain 2D and 3D final representation.

Effective empirical corrections for basis set superposition error in the def2-SVPD basis: gCP and DFT-C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witte, Jonathon; Neaton, Jeffrey B.; Head-Gordon, Martin

2017-06-01

With the aim of mitigating the basis set error in density functional theory (DFT) calculations employing local basis sets, we herein develop two empirical corrections for basis set superposition error (BSSE) in the def2-SVPD basis, a basis which—when stripped of BSSE—is capable of providing near-complete-basis DFT results for non-covalent interactions. Specifically, we adapt the existing pairwise geometrical counterpoise (gCP) approach to the def2-SVPD basis, and we develop a beyond-pairwise approach, DFT-C, which we parameterize across a small set of intermolecular interactions. Both gCP and DFT-C are evaluated against the traditional Boys-Bernardi counterpoise correction across a set of 3402 non-covalent binding energies and isomerization energies. We find that the DFT-C method represents a significant improvement over gCP, particularly for non-covalently-interacting molecular clusters. Moreover, DFT-C is transferable among density functionals and can be combined with existing functionals—such as B97M-V—to recover large-basis results at a fraction of the cost.

Geometric accuracy of LANDSAT-4 MSS image data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welch, R.; Usery, E. L.

1983-01-01

Analyses of the LANDSAT-4 MSS image data of North Georgia provided by the EDC in CCT-p formats reveal that errors of approximately + or - 30 m in the raw data can be reduced to about + or - 55 m based on rectification procedures involving the use of 20 to 30 well-distributed GCPs and 2nd or 3rd degree polynomial equations. Higher order polynomials do not appear to improve the rectification accuracy. A subscene area of 256 x 256 pixels was rectified with a 1st degree polynomial to yield an RMSE sub xy value of + or - 40 m, indicating that USGS 1:24,000 scale quadrangle-sized areas of LANDSAT-4 data can be fitted to a map base with relatively few control points and simple equations. The errors in the rectification process are caused by the spatial resolution of the MSS data, by errors in the maps and GCP digitizing process, and by displacements caused by terrain relief. Overall, due to the improved pointing and attitude control of the spacecraft, the geometric quality of the LANDSAT-4 MSS data appears much improved over that of LANDSATS -1, -2 and -3.

A simple versatile solution for collecting multidimensional clinical data based on the CakePHP web application framework.

PubMed

Biermann, Martin

2014-04-01

Clinical trials aiming for regulatory approval of a therapeutic agent must be conducted according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Clinical Data Management Systems (CDMS) are specialized software solutions geared toward GCP-trials. They are however less suited for data management in small non-GCP research projects. For use in researcher-initiated non-GCP studies, we developed a client-server database application based on the public domain CakePHP framework. The underlying MySQL database uses a simple data model based on only five data tables. The graphical user interface can be run in any web browser inside the hospital network. Data are validated upon entry. Data contained in external database systems can be imported interactively. Data are automatically anonymized on import, and the key lists identifying the subjects being logged to a restricted part of the database. Data analysis is performed by separate statistics and analysis software connecting to the database via a generic Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) interface. Since its first pilot implementation in 2011, the solution has been applied to seven different clinical research projects covering different clinical problems in different organ systems such as cancer of the thyroid and the prostate glands. This paper shows how the adoption of a generic web application framework is a feasible, flexible, low-cost, and user-friendly way of managing multidimensional research data in researcher-initiated non-GCP clinical projects. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

A geometrical correction for the inter- and intra-molecular basis set superposition error in Hartree-Fock and density functional theory calculations for large systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruse, Holger; Grimme, Stefan

2012-04-01

A semi-empirical counterpoise-type correction for basis set superposition error (BSSE) in molecular systems is presented. An atom pair-wise potential corrects for the inter- and intra-molecular BSSE in supermolecular Hartree-Fock (HF) or density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This geometrical counterpoise (gCP) denoted scheme depends only on the molecular geometry, i.e., no input from the electronic wave-function is required and hence is applicable to molecules with ten thousands of atoms. The four necessary parameters have been determined by a fit to standard Boys and Bernadi counterpoise corrections for Hobza's S66×8 set of non-covalently bound complexes (528 data points). The method's target are small basis sets (e.g., minimal, split-valence, 6-31G*), but reliable results are also obtained for larger triple-ζ sets. The intermolecular BSSE is calculated by gCP within a typical error of 10%-30% that proves sufficient in many practical applications. The approach is suggested as a quantitative correction in production work and can also be routinely applied to estimate the magnitude of the BSSE beforehand. The applicability for biomolecules as the primary target is tested for the crambin protein, where gCP removes intramolecular BSSE effectively and yields conformational energies comparable to def2-TZVP basis results. Good mutual agreement is also found with Jensen's ACP(4) scheme, estimating the intramolecular BSSE in the phenylalanine-glycine-phenylalanine tripeptide, for which also a relaxed rotational energy profile is presented. A variety of minimal and double-ζ basis sets combined with gCP and the dispersion corrections DFT-D3 and DFT-NL are successfully benchmarked on the S22 and S66 sets of non-covalent interactions. Outstanding performance with a mean absolute deviation (MAD) of 0.51 kcal/mol (0.38 kcal/mol after D3-refit) is obtained at the gCP-corrected HF-D3/(minimal basis) level for the S66 benchmark. The gCP-corrected B3LYP-D3/6-31G* model chemistry yields MAD=0.68 kcal/mol, which represents a huge improvement over plain B3LYP/6-31G* (MAD=2.3 kcal/mol). Application of gCP-corrected B97-D3 and HF-D3 on a set of large protein-ligand complexes prove the robustness of the method. Analytical gCP gradients make optimizations of large systems feasible with small basis sets, as demonstrated for the inter-ring distances of 9-helicene and most of the complexes in Hobza's S22 test set. The method is implemented in a freely available FORTRAN program obtainable from the author's website.

It is time to revise the international Good Clinical Practices guidelines: recommendations from non-commercial North-South collaborative trials.

PubMed

Ravinetto, Raffaella; Tinto, Halidou; Diro, Ermias; Okebe, Joseph; Mahendradhata, Yodi; Rijal, Suman; Gotuzzo, Eduardo; Lutumba, Pascal; Nahum, Alain; De Nys, Katelijne; Casteels, Minne; Boelaert, Marleen

2016-01-01

The Good Clinical Practices (GCP) codes of the WHO and the International Conference of Harmonization set international standards for clinical research. But critics argue that they were written without consideration for the challenges faced in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Based on our field experience in LMICs, we developed a non-exhaustive set of recommendations for the improvement of GCP. These cover 3 domains: ethical, legal and operational, and 8 specific issues: the double ethical review of 'externally sponsored' trials; the informed consent procedure in minors and in illiterate people; post-trial access to newly-developed products for the trial communities; the role of communities as key research actors; the definition of sponsor; and the guidance for contractual agreements, laboratory quality management systems, and quality assurance of investigational medicinal products. Issues not covered in our analysis include among others biobanking, standard of care, and study designs. The international GCP codes de facto guide national legislators and funding agencies, so the current shortcomings may weaken the regulatory oversight of international research. In addition, activities neglected by GCP are less likely to be implemented or funded. If GCP are meant to serve the interests of global society, a comprehensive revision is needed. The revised guidelines should be strongly rooted in ethics, sensitive to different sociocultural perspectives, and allow consideration for trial-specific and context-specific challenges. This can be only achieved if all stakeholders, including researchers, sponsors, regulators, ethical reviewers and patients' representatives from LMICs, as well as non-commercial researchers and sponsors from affluent countries, are transparently involved in the revision process. We hope that our limited analysis would foster advocacy for a broad and inclusive revision of the international GCP codes, to make them at the same time 'global', 'context centred' and 'patient centred'.

[Recording and reporting adverse reactions in clinical trials. New legal provisions according to the 12th Law Amending the German Drug Law (AMG) and the Ordinance on GCP (GCP-V)].

PubMed

Eckhardt, K; Cremer-Schaeffer, P; König, J; Paeschke, N

2005-02-01

With the 12th Law Amending the German Drug Law and the Ordinance on GCP (GCPV), new legal provisions for clinical trials came into force in August 2004. These include specific definitions and differentiated reporting obligations affecting investigators, sponsors, authorities and ethics committees concerning pharmacovigilance in clinical trials. The definitions according to section sign3 (6-8) GCP-V make clear that these provisions focus on those adverse events and adverse drug reactions, which are related to investigational medicinal products. In the GCP-V for the first time legally binding provisions for investigators are laid down defining obligations to report all serious adverse events to the sponsor. The sponsor of clinical trials plays a decisive role concerning the evaluation, documentation and reporting to the competent higher authorities, ethics committees and investigators involved in the clinical trial. In the GCP-V different time limits concerning the reporting for sponsors are laid down. The requirements concerning expedited reporting focus on suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions (SUSARs), i. e. those adverse serious reactions, which are not described in the information on the investigational medicinal product. The time limit for reporting SUSARs leading to death or life-threatening SUSARs is 7 days, while for other SUSARs the time limit is 15 days. Besides the responsibilities on expedited reporting the sponsor has to submit a line listing of all serious adverse reactions which occurred during the clinical trial and a report on the safety of the trial subjects on an annual basis or on request. On the European level the harmonisation concerning the provisions on pharmacovigilance in clinical trials according to the Directive 2001/20/EC and the Eudravigilance database should contribute to reach a faster and more effective exchange of safety information related to clinical trials between the different competent authorities of the EU member states.

Students' Attitudes toward a Group Coursework Protocol and Peer Assessment System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moraes, Caroline; Michaelidou, Nina; Canning, Louise

2016-01-01

This paper addresses a knowledge gap by presenting an empirical investigation of a group coursework protocol and peer assessment system (GCP&PAS) used in a UK university to support postgraduate marketing students in their assessed group activities. The aim of the research was to examine students' understanding of the GCP&PAS and their…

Aerial multi-camera systems: Accuracy and block triangulation issues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rupnik, Ewelina; Nex, Francesco; Toschi, Isabella; Remondino, Fabio

2015-03-01

Oblique photography has reached its maturity and has now been adopted for several applications. The number and variety of multi-camera oblique platforms available on the market is continuously growing. So far, few attempts have been made to study the influence of the additional cameras on the behaviour of the image block and comprehensive revisions to existing flight patterns are yet to be formulated. This paper looks into the precision and accuracy of 3D points triangulated from diverse multi-camera oblique platforms. Its coverage is divided into simulated and real case studies. Within the simulations, different imaging platform parameters and flight patterns are varied, reflecting both current market offerings and common flight practices. Attention is paid to the aspect of completeness in terms of dense matching algorithms and 3D city modelling - the most promising application of such systems. The experimental part demonstrates the behaviour of two oblique imaging platforms in real-world conditions. A number of Ground Control Point (GCP) configurations are adopted in order to point out the sensitivity of tested imaging networks and arising block deformations. To stress the contribution of slanted views, all scenarios are compared against a scenario in which exclusively nadir images are used for evaluation.

Impact of aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis on oral health-related quality of life.

PubMed

Llanos, Alexandre Hugo; Silva, Carlos Guillermo Benítez; Ichimura, Karina Tamie; Rebeis, Estela Sanches; Giudicissi, Marcela; Romano, Marcelo Munhóes; Saraiva, Luciana

2018-01-01

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effect of different forms of periodontal diseases on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Fifty-two patients with Aggressive Periodontitis (AP) or Chronic Periodontitis (CP) were included: nine patients with Localized Aggressive Periodontitis (LAP), thirty-three patients with Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis (GAP) and ten patients with Generalized Chronic Periodontitis (GCP). Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaires (OHIP-14) were distributed after a clinical examination that measured the following periodontal parameters: tooth loss, bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (REC) and clinical attachment level (CAL). The global OHIP-14 score means were 10.6 for LAP, 16.5 for GAP, and 17.5 for GCP. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was observed between the LAP group and the other two groups. There was significantly less bleeding and recession in the LAP group than in the patients with the generalized forms of periodontitis. LAP, GAP and GCP have an impact on patient quality of life when measured using the OHIP-14. Patients with GAP and GCP had poorer OHRQoL than LAP patients.

Best practices in social and behavioral research: report from the Enhancing Clinical Research Professional's Training and Qualifications project.

PubMed

Murphy, Susan L; Byks-Jazayeri, Christine; Calvin-Naylor, Nancy; Divecha, Vic; Anderson, Elizabeth; Eakin, Brenda; Fair, Alecia; Denton, Laura

2017-02-01

This article discusses the process of defining competencies and development of a best practices training course for investigators and clinical research coordinators who conduct social and behavioral research. The first project phase established recommendations for training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and was done in conjunction with representatives from 62 Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs. Diversity in behavioral clinical trials and differences in regulation of behavioral trials compared with clinical trials involving drugs, devices, or biologics necessitated a separate Social and Behavioral Work Group. This group worked with CTSA representatives to tailor competencies and fundamental GCP principles into best practices for social and behavioral research. Although concepts underlying GCP were deemed similar across all clinical trials, not all areas were equally applicable and the ways in which GCP would be enacted differ for behavioral trials. It was determined that suitable training in best practices for social and behavioral research was lacking. Based on the training need, an e-learning course for best practices is available to all CTSA sites. Each institution is able to track outcomes for its employees to help achieve standardized competency-based best practices for social and behavioral investigators and staff.

3-Dimensional Reconstruction of the ROSETTA Targets - Application to Asteroid 2867 Steins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Besse, Sebastien; Groussin, O.; Jorda, L.; Lamy, P.; OSIRIS Team

2008-09-01

The OSIRIS imaging experiment aboard the Rosetta spacecraft will image asteroids Steins in September 2008 and Lutetia in 2010, and comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. An accurate determination of the shape is a key point for the success of the mission operations and scientific objectives. Based on the experience of previous space missions (Deep Impact, Near, Galileo, Hayabusa), we are developing our own procedure for the shape reconstruction of small bodies. We use two different techniques : i) limb and terminator constraints and ii) ground control points (GCP) constraints. The first method allows the determination of a rough shape of the body when it is poorly resolved and no features are visible on the surface, while the second method provides an accurate shape model using high resolution images. We are currently testing both methods on simulated data, using and developing different algorithms for limb and terminator extraction (e.g.,wavelet), detection of points of interest (Harris, Susan, Fast Corner Detection), points pairing using correlation techniques (geometric model) and 3-dimensional reconstruction using line-of-sight information (photogrammetry). Both methods will be fully automated. We will hopefully present the 3D reconstruction of the Steins asteroid from images obtained during its flyby. Acknowledgment: Sébastien Besse acknowledges CNES and Thales for funding.

Method for the visualization of landform by mapping using low altitude UAV application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharan Kumar, N.; Ashraf Mohamad Ismail, Mohd; Sukor, Nur Sabahiah Abdul; Cheang, William

2018-05-01

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Digital Photogrammetry are evolving drastically in mapping technology. The significance and necessity for digital landform mapping are developing with years. In this study, a mapping workflow is applied to obtain two different input data sets which are the orthophoto and DSM. A fine flying technology is used to capture Low Altitude Aerial Photography (LAAP). Low altitude UAV (Drone) with the fixed advanced camera was utilized for imagery while computerized photogrammetry handling using Photo Scan was applied for cartographic information accumulation. The data processing through photogrammetry and orthomosaic processes is the main applications. High imagery quality is essential for the effectiveness and nature of normal mapping output such as 3D model, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Digital Surface Model (DSM) and Ortho Images. The exactitude of Ground Control Points (GCP), flight altitude and the resolution of the camera are essential for good quality DEM and Orthophoto.

Comparison among the efficacy of interventions for the return rate to receive the pap test report: randomized controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Vasconcelos, Camila Teixeira Moreira; Pinheiro, Ana Karina Bezerra; Nicolau, Ana Izabel Oliveira; Lima, Thaís Marques; Barbosa, Denise de Fátima Fernandes

2017-03-02

to test the effects of a behavioral, an educative and a comparative intervention on women's adherence to the return appointment to receive the pap test report. randomized controlled clinical trial at a Primary Health Care Service, involving three groups: EG (educative session and test demonstration), BG (recall ribbon) and standard intervention (card containing the return appointment - graphical reminder), called comparative group here (CG). To select the sample, the following was established: having started sexual activity and undergoing the pap smear during the study, resulting in 775 women. among the 775 women, 585 (75.5%) returned to receive the test result within 65 days. The educative group presented the highest return rate (EG=82%/CG=77%/BG=66%), statistically significant only when compared to the behavioral group (p=0.000). The educative group obtained the smallest interval (p<0.05) concerning the mean number of days of return to receive the test result (EG:M=43days/BG:M=47.5days/CG:M=44.8 days). the educative group reached higher return rates and the women returned earlier, but the behavioral intervention showed to be the least effective. Brazilian Clinical Trial Register: RBR-93ykhs. testar los efectos de una intervención comportamental (GCP), educativa (GE) y otra comparativa (GCA) en la adhesión de las mujeres a la consulta de retorno para recibir el laudo de citología vaginal. estudio experimental aleatorizado controlado en una Unidad de Atención Primaria de Salud con tres grupos: GE (sesión educativa y demonstración del examen), GCP (cinta recuerdo) e intervención estándar (tarjeta con la fecha de la consulta de retorno - recuerdo gráfico), llamado de grupo comparativo (GCA). Para seleccionar la muestra, fue establecido: haber iniciado actividad sexual y hacer la citología vaginal durante el estudio, resultando en 775 mujeres. entre las 775 mujeres, 585 (75,5%) regresaron para recibir el resultado del examen con hasta 65 días. El grupo educativo presentó el mayor porcentaje de retorno (GE=82%/GCA=77%/GCP=66%), con significancia estadística sólo cuando comparado al comportamental (p=0,000). El grupo educativo alcanzó menor intervalo (p<0,05) del promedio de días de retorno para recibir el resultado del examen (GE:M=43 días/GCP:M=47,5 días/GCA:M=44,8 días). el grupo educativo alcanzó proporciones mayores de retorno, y las mujeres regresaron más precozmente, pero la intervención comportamental se mostró la menos eficaz. Registro Brasileño de Ensayo Clínico: RBR-93ykhs. testar os efeitos de uma intervenção comportamental (GCP), educativa (GE) e outra de comparação (GCA) na adesão das mulheres à consulta de retorno para receber o laudo do exame colpocitológico. estudo experimental randomizado controlado em uma Unidade de Atenção Primária à Saúde com três grupos: GE (sessão educativa e demonstração do exame), GCP (fita lembrança) e intervenção-padrão (cartão contendo a data da consulta de retorno - lembrete gráfico), aqui denominado de grupo de comparação (GCA). Para a seleção da amostra, estabeleceu-se: ter iniciado atividade sexual e realizar o exame colpocitológico durante o estudo, resultando em 775 mulheres. dentre as 775 mulheres, 585 (75,5%) retornaram para receber, o resultado do exame com até 65 dias. O grupo educativo apresentou o maior percentual de retorno (GE=82%/GCA=77%/GCP=66%), com significância estatística apenas quando comparado ao comportamental (p=0,000). O grupo educativo obteve menor intervalo (p<0,05) da média de dias de retorno para receber o resultado do exame (GE:M=43dias/GCP:M=47,5dias/GCA:M=44,8 dias) . o grupo educativo atingiu proporções maiores de retorno, e as mulheres retornaram mais precocemente, porém a intervenção comportamental mostrou-se a menos eficaz. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaio Clínico: RBR-93ykhs.

Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified by CD-containing star polymer for MRI and drug delivery.

PubMed

Cha, Ruitao; Li, Juanjuan; Liu, Yang; Zhang, Yifan; Xie, Qian; Zhang, Mingming

2017-10-01

Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles with ultrasmall sizes show good T 1 or T 1 +T 2 contrast abilities, and have attracted considerable interest in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. For effective biomedical applications, the colloidal stability and biocompatibility of the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles need to be improved without reducing MRI relaxivity. In this paper, star polymers were used as coating materials to modify Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles in view of their dense molecular architecture with moderate flexibility. The star polymer was composed of a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) core and poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) arms. Meanwhile, reduced glutathione (GSH), as a model drug, was also associated with the star polymer. Thus, a new platform for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment was achieved. Compared to the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles coated with linear polymers, the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles coated with star polymers (Fe 3 O 4 @GCP) possessed higher GSH association capacity and better stability in serum-containing solution. GSH could be released from Fe 3 O 4 @GCP nanoparticles in response to pH value of the solution. Since the sulfhydryl group on GSH is able to combine free radicals, Fe 3 O 4 @GCP nanoparticles exhibited less cytotoxicity compared to the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles without including GSH. Furthermore, the nanoparticles could also serve as good T 1 MRI contrast agent, and the MRI relaxivity of Fe 3 O 4 @GCP nanoparticles did not decrease after coated with the star polymer. These results indicate that the precisely designed Fe 3 O 4 @GCP nanoparticles could be used as a versatile promising theranostic nano-platform. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Deciphering the Precision of Stereo IKONOS Canopy Height Models for U.S. Forests with G-LiHT Airborne LiDAR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rudasill-Neigh, Christopher S.; Masek, Jeffrey G.; Bourget, Paul; Cook, Bruce; Huang, Chengquan; Rishmawi, Khaldoun; Zhao, Feng

2014-01-01

Few studies have evaluated the precision of IKONOS stereo data for measuring forest canopy height. The high cost of airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data collection for large area studies and the present lack of a spaceborne instrument lead to the need to explore other low cost options. The US Government currently has access to a large archive of commercial high-resolution imagery, which could be quite valuable to forest structure studies. At 1 m resolution, we here compared canopy height models (CHMs) and height data derived from Goddard's airborne LiDAR Hyper-spectral and Thermal Imager (G-LiHT) with three types of IKONOS stereo derived digital surface models (DSMs) that estimate CHMs by subtracting National Elevation Data (NED) digital terrain models (DTMs). We found the following in three different forested regions of the US after excluding heterogeneous and disturbed forest samples: (1) G-LiHT DTMs were highly correlated with NED DTMs with R (sup 2) greater than 0.98 and root mean square errors (RMSEs) less than 2.96 m; (2) when using one visually identifiable ground control point (GCP) from NED, G-LiHT DSMs and IKONOS DSMs had R (sup 2) greater than 0.84 and RMSEs of 2.7 to 4.1 m; and (3) one GCP CHMs for two study sites had R (sup 2) greater than 0.7 and RMSEs of 2.6 to 3 m where data were collected less than four years apart. Our results suggest that IKONOS stereo data are a useful LiDAR alternative where high-quality DTMs are available.

The Use of the Nelder-Mead Method in Determining Projection Parameters for Globe Photographs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gede, M.

2009-04-01

A photo of a terrestrial or celestial globe can be handled as a map. The only hard issue is its projection: the so-called Tilted Perspective Projection which, if the optical axis of the photo intersects the globe's centre, is simplified to the Vertical Near-Side Perspective Projection. When georeferencing such a photo, the exact parameters of the projections are also needed. These parameters depend on the position of the viewpoint of the camera. Several hundreds of globe photos had to be georeferenced during the Virtual Globes Museum project, which made necessary to automatize the calculation of the projection parameters. The author developed a program for this task which uses the Nelder-Mead Method in order to find the optimum parameters when a set of control points are given as input. The Nelder-Mead method is a numerical algorithm for minimizing a function in a many-dimensional space. The function in the present application is the average error of the control points calculated from the actual values of parameters. The parameters are the geographical coordinates of the projection centre, the image coordinates of the same point, the rotation of the projection, the height of the perspective point and the scale of the photo (calculated in pixels/km). The program reads the Global Mappers Ground Control Point (.GCP) file format as input and creates projection description files (.PRJ) for the same software. The initial values of the geographical coordinates of the projection centre are calculated as the average of the control points, while the other parameters are set to experimental values which represent the most common circumstances of taking a globe photograph. The algorithm runs until the change of the parameters sinks below a pre-defined limit. The minimum search can be refined by using the previous result parameter set as new initial values. This paper introduces the calculation mechanism and examples of the usage. Other possible other usages of the method are also discussed.

Advanced Pediatric Brain Imaging Research Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

pretest AVG =63.9% to combined post test AVG=98.8%). The prior year, 2015, the Pretest Mean result was 6.45 and Posttest mean result was 9.4 (64% and...makers, and more. 4. Within the pretest , existing knowledge of International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) GCP training including: GCP Overview...focusing on pediatric brain injury. Our goal is to train, with the highest rigor, military trainees in conducting clinical research using advanced brain

The Generation Challenge Programme Platform: Semantic Standards and Workbench for Crop Science

PubMed Central

Bruskiewich, Richard; Senger, Martin; Davenport, Guy; Ruiz, Manuel; Rouard, Mathieu; Hazekamp, Tom; Takeya, Masaru; Doi, Koji; Satoh, Kouji; Costa, Marcos; Simon, Reinhard; Balaji, Jayashree; Akintunde, Akinnola; Mauleon, Ramil; Wanchana, Samart; Shah, Trushar; Anacleto, Mylah; Portugal, Arllet; Ulat, Victor Jun; Thongjuea, Supat; Braak, Kyle; Ritter, Sebastian; Dereeper, Alexis; Skofic, Milko; Rojas, Edwin; Martins, Natalia; Pappas, Georgios; Alamban, Ryan; Almodiel, Roque; Barboza, Lord Hendrix; Detras, Jeffrey; Manansala, Kevin; Mendoza, Michael Jonathan; Morales, Jeffrey; Peralta, Barry; Valerio, Rowena; Zhang, Yi; Gregorio, Sergio; Hermocilla, Joseph; Echavez, Michael; Yap, Jan Michael; Farmer, Andrew; Schiltz, Gary; Lee, Jennifer; Casstevens, Terry; Jaiswal, Pankaj; Meintjes, Ayton; Wilkinson, Mark; Good, Benjamin; Wagner, James; Morris, Jane; Marshall, David; Collins, Anthony; Kikuchi, Shoshi; Metz, Thomas; McLaren, Graham; van Hintum, Theo

2008-01-01

The Generation Challenge programme (GCP) is a global crop research consortium directed toward crop improvement through the application of comparative biology and genetic resources characterization to plant breeding. A key consortium research activity is the development of a GCP crop bioinformatics platform to support GCP research. This platform includes the following: (i) shared, public platform-independent domain models, ontology, and data formats to enable interoperability of data and analysis flows within the platform; (ii) web service and registry technologies to identify, share, and integrate information across diverse, globally dispersed data sources, as well as to access high-performance computational (HPC) facilities for computationally intensive, high-throughput analyses of project data; (iii) platform-specific middleware reference implementations of the domain model integrating a suite of public (largely open-access/-source) databases and software tools into a workbench to facilitate biodiversity analysis, comparative analysis of crop genomic data, and plant breeding decision making. PMID:18483570

New Insight into the Lithosphere Structure of the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pulliam, J.; Gurrola, H.; Mickus, K. L.; Keller, G. R.

2016-12-01

The Gulf Coast of Texas is a passive margin remaining after the breakup of Pangaea. The opening of the western Gulf of Mexico (GOM) was the result of the Yucatan block rifting away from North America and rotating to its present location but the exact nature of this rifting is not well understood. Some models describe it as passive rifting while other models consider it to be the result of active volcanic rifting. Until recently the sparse distribution of seismic stations limits our ability to image the deep crust and upper mantle that are important to the understanding of important tectonic process of the area. Here we present new observations from passive seismic imaging using data from a broadband 26-station profile across the Gulf Coastal Plain (GCP) and the EarthScope Transportable Array. Ps receiver function (RF) imaging of the GCP profile reveals possible remnants of a subducted slab beneath the GCP of the central Texas coast outboard of the Balcones fault zone. The presence of a remnant late Paleozoic slab associated with the assembly of Pangaea may imply that rifting associated with the opening of the GOM did not completely overprint older features, which suggests that passive rifting was responsible for the opening of western GOM. A remnant slab would provide a plausible explanation for a low velocity layer imaged beneath the coastal region by Sp RF imaging. A strong negative S110p phase observed in an Sp receiver functions image across the GCP of central Texas may be interpreted as the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere boundary (LAB) but observations of other positive and negative phases in the 110 and 200 km depth interval lead us to believe the interval is a semi-ductile region with layered flow. We refer to this interval as a "Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Transition Zone" (LATZ). The LATZ model is supported by observed high P but low S-wave velocities in this depth interval of tomographic models and by SKS analysis that inferred a large amount of anisotropy in the mantle beneath the GCP. Low velocity anomalies observed in Pn and body wave tomography models beneath the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen (SOA) suggests flow of warm mantle material beneath the SOA from the Rockies and Rio Grande Rift toward the GCP; a direction consistent with the seismic anisotropy polarization inferred beneath the region from SKS splitting measurements.

Effect of a self-adhesive coating on the load-bearing capacity of tooth-coloured restorative materials.

PubMed

Bagheri, R; Palamara, Jea; Mese, A; Manton, D J

2017-03-01

The aim of this study was to compare the flexural strength and Vickers hardness of tooth-coloured restorative materials with and without applying a self-adhesive coating for up to 6 months. Specimens were prepared from three resin composites (RC), two resin-modified glass-ionomer cements (RM-GIC) and two conventional glass-ionomer cements (CGIC). All materials were tested both with and without applying G-Coat Plus (GCP). Specimens were conditioned in 37 °C distilled deionized water for 24 h, and 1, 3 and 6 months. The specimens were strength tested using a four-point bend test jig in a universal testing machine. The broken specimen's halves were used for Vickers hardness testing. Representative specimens were examined under an environmental scanning electron microscope. Data analysis showed that regardless of time and materials, generally the surface coating was associated with a significant increase in the flexural strength of the materials. Applying the GCP decreased the hardness of almost all materials significantly (P < 0.05) and effect of time intervals on hardness was material dependent. The load-bearing capacity of the restorative materials was affected by applying self-adhesive coating and ageing. The CGIC had significantly higher hardness but lower flexural strength than the RM-GIC and RC. © 2016 Australian Dental Association.

The effect of a nano-filled resin coating on the 3-year clinical performance of a conventional high-viscosity glass-ionomer cement.

PubMed

Diem, Vu Thi Kieu; Tyas, Martin J; Ngo, Hien C; Phuong, Lam Hoai; Khanh, Ngo Dong

2014-04-01

The main aim of the study was to compare the clinical performance of the conventional high-powder/liquid ratio glass-ionomer cement (GIC) Fuji IX GP Extra (F IX), Fuji IX GP Extra with a low-viscosity nano-filled resin coating, G-Coat Plus (F IX+GCP), and a resin composite, Solare (S), as a comparison material. Moderate-depth occlusal cavities in the first permanent molars of 91 11-12-year-old children (1-4 restorations per child) were restored with either F IX (87 restorations), F IX+GCP (84 restorations) or S (83 restorations). Direct clinical assessment, photographic assessment and assessment of stone casts of the restorations were carried out at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. The colour match with the tooth of the GIC restorations improved over the 3 years of the study. Marginal staining and marginal adaptation were minimal for all restorations; three restorations exhibited secondary caries at 3 years. From the assessment of the casts, at 2 years, there was significantly less wear of the F IX GP Extra+GCP restorations than the F IX GP Extra restorations (P < 0.005). At 3 years, approximately 37 % of F IX GP Extra restorations showed wear slightly more than the adjacent enamel, compared to 28 % of F IX GP Extra+GCP restorations and 21 % of Solare restorations. Although this was not statistically significant, there was a trend that GCP can protect F IX GP Extra against wear. Although both Fuji IX GP Extra and Fuji IX GP Extra with G-Coat Plus showed acceptable clinical performance in occlusal cavities in children, the application of G-Coat Plus gave some protection against wear. The application of G-Coat Plus to Fuji IX GP Extra glass-ionomer cement may be beneficial in reducing wear in occlusal cavities.

ASTER DEM performance

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fujisada, H.; Bailey, G.B.; Kelly, Glen G.; Hara, S.; Abrams, M.J.

2005-01-01

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument onboard the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Terra spacecraft has an along-track stereoscopic capability using its a near-infrared spectral band to acquire the stereo data. ASTER has two telescopes, one for nadir-viewing and another for backward-viewing, with a base-to-height ratio of 0.6. The spatial resolution is 15 m in the horizontal plane. Parameters such as the line-of-sight vectors and the pointing axis were adjusted during the initial operation period to generate Level-1 data products with a high-quality stereo system performance. The evaluation of the digital elevation model (DEM) data was carried out both by Japanese and U.S. science teams separately using different DEM generation software and reference databases. The vertical accuracy of the DEM data generated from the Level-1A data is 20 m with 95% confidence without ground control point (GCP) correction for individual scenes. Geolocation accuracy that is important for the DEM datasets is better than 50 m. This appears to be limited by the spacecraft position accuracy. In addition, a slight increase in accuracy is observed by using GCPs to generate the stereo data.

Fission yeast MOZART1/Mzt1 is an essential γ-tubulin complex component required for complex recruitment to the microtubule organizing center, but not its assembly

PubMed Central

Masuda, Hirohisa; Mori, Risa; Yukawa, Masashi; Toda, Takashi

2013-01-01

γ-Tubulin plays a universal role in microtubule nucleation from microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) such as the animal centrosome and fungal spindle pole body (SPB). γ-Tubulin functions as a multiprotein complex called the γ-tubulin complex (γ-TuC), consisting of GCP1–6 (GCP1 is γ-tubulin). In fungi and flies, it has been shown that GCP1–3 are core components, as they are indispensable for γ-TuC complex assembly and cell division, whereas the other three GCPs are not. Recently a novel conserved component, MOZART1, was identified in humans and plants, but its precise functions remain to be determined. In this paper, we characterize the fission yeast homologue Mzt1, showing that it is essential for cell viability. Mzt1 is present in approximately equal stoichiometry with Alp4/GCP2 and localizes to all the MTOCs, including the SPB and interphase and equatorial MTOCs. Temperature-sensitive mzt1 mutants display varying degrees of compromised microtubule organization, exhibiting multiple defects during both interphase and mitosis. Mzt1 is required for γ-TuC recruitment, but not sufficient to localize to the SPB, which depends on γ-TuC integrity. Intriguingly, the core γ-TuC assembles in the absence of Mzt1. Mzt1 therefore plays a unique role within the γ-TuC components in attachment of this complex to the major MTOC site. PMID:23885124

Volumetric calculation using low cost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, A. A. Ab; Maulud, K. N. Abdul; Mohd, F. A.; Jaafar, O.; Tahar, K. N.

2017-12-01

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) technology has evolved dramatically in the 21st century. It is used by both military and general public for recreational purposes and mapping work. Operating cost for UAV is much cheaper compared to that of normal aircraft and it does not require a large work space. The UAV systems have similar functions with the LIDAR and satellite images technologies. These systems require a huge cost, labour and time consumption to produce elevation and dimension data. Measurement of difficult objects such as water tank can also be done by using UAV. The purpose of this paper is to show the capability of UAV to compute the volume of water tank based on a different number of images and control points. The results were compared with the actual volume of the tank to validate the measurement. In this study, the image acquisition was done using Phantom 3 Professional, which is a low cost UAV. The analysis in this study is based on different volume computations using two and four control points with variety set of UAV images. The results show that more images will provide a better quality measurement. With 95 images and four GCP, the error percentage to the actual volume is about 5%. Four controls are enough to get good results but more images are needed, estimated about 115 until 220 images. All in all, it can be concluded that the low cost UAV has a potential to be used for volume of water and dimension measurement.

Sustainable development of a GCP-compliant clinical trials platform in Africa: the malaria clinical trials alliance perspective.

PubMed

Ogutu, Bernhards R; Baiden, Rita; Diallo, Diadier; Smith, Peter G; Binka, Fred N

2010-04-20

The Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance (MCTA), a programme of INDEPTH network of demographic surveillance centres, was launched in 2006 with two broad objectives: to facilitate the timely development of a network of centres in Africa with the capacity to conduct clinical trials of malaria vaccines and drugs under conditions of good clinical practice (GCP); and to support, strengthen and mentor the centres in the network to facilitate their progression towards self-sustaining clinical research centres. Sixteen research centres in 10 African malaria-endemic countries were selected that were already working with the Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) or the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). All centres were visited to assess their requirements for research capacity development through infrastructure strengthening and training. Support provided by MCTA included: laboratory and facility refurbishment; workshops on GCP, malaria diagnosis, strategic management and media training; and training to support staff to undertake accreditation examinations of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). Short attachments to other network centres were also supported to facilitate sharing practices within the Alliance. MCTA also played a key role in the creation of the African Media & Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), which aims to promote interaction between researchers and the media for appropriate publicity and media reporting of research and developments on malaria, including drug and vaccine trials. In three years, MCTA strengthened 13 centres to perform GCP-compliant drug and vaccine trials, including 11 centres that form the backbone of a large phase III malaria vaccine trial. MCTA activities have demonstrated that centres can be brought up to GCP compliance on this time scale, but the costs are substantial and there is a need for further support of other centres to meet the growing demand for clinical trial capacity. The MCTA experience also indicates that capacity development in clinical trials is best carried out in the context of preparation for specific trials. In this regard MCTA centres involved in the phase III malaria vaccine trial were, on average, more successful at consolidating the training and infrastructure support than those centres focussing only on drug trials.

Sustainable development of a GCP-compliant clinical trials platform in Africa: the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance perspective

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background The Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance (MCTA), a programme of INDEPTH network of demographic surveillance centres, was launched in 2006 with two broad objectives: to facilitate the timely development of a network of centres in Africa with the capacity to conduct clinical trials of malaria vaccines and drugs under conditions of good clinical practice (GCP); and to support, strengthen and mentor the centres in the network to facilitate their progression towards self-sustaining clinical research centres. Case description Sixteen research centres in 10 African malaria-endemic countries were selected that were already working with the Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) or the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). All centres were visited to assess their requirements for research capacity development through infrastructure strengthening and training. Support provided by MCTA included: laboratory and facility refurbishment; workshops on GCP, malaria diagnosis, strategic management and media training; and training to support staff to undertake accreditation examinations of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). Short attachments to other network centres were also supported to facilitate sharing practices within the Alliance. MCTA also played a key role in the creation of the African Media & Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), which aims to promote interaction between researchers and the media for appropriate publicity and media reporting of research and developments on malaria, including drug and vaccine trials. Conclusion In three years, MCTA strengthened 13 centres to perform GCP-compliant drug and vaccine trials, including 11 centres that form the backbone of a large phase III malaria vaccine trial. MCTA activities have demonstrated that centres can be brought up to GCP compliance on this time scale, but the costs are substantial and there is a need for further support of other centres to meet the growing demand for clinical trial capacity. The MCTA experience also indicates that capacity development in clinical trials is best carried out in the context of preparation for specific trials. In this regard MCTA centres involved in the phase III malaria vaccine trial were, on average, more successful at consolidating the training and infrastructure support than those centres focussing only on drug trials. PMID:20406478

Multi-temporal monitoring of crack formation on a mountain col with low-cost unmanned aerial systems - a case study in Austria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stary, Ulrike; Adams, Marc

2016-04-01

In the Tuxer Alps of Western Austria, crack formation was observed on a col at approximately 2,500 m a.s.l., in close proximity to a highly frequented hiking trail. On an area of 0.2 ha, three several meter deep cracks were identified. Here we present the results of a 3-year monitoring of this area with low-cost, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and photogrammetric techniques. In 2013 and 2014, a custom-built fixed-wing UAS (Multiplex Mentor, wingspan 1.6 m, gross take-off weight 2.5 kg), equipped with a Sony NEX5 (16 mm prime lens, 14 MP sensor resolution) was used to map the study site. In 2015 we employed a helicopter (Thundertiger Raptor, 0.55 m blade length, gross take-off weight 2.8 kg), fitted with a GoPro2 (60° prime lens, 5 MP sensor resolution). In all three cases we recorded 1,200-2,000 images in 10-30 minutes. To georeference the images, 8-10 ground control points (GCP) were placed at the study site and measured with a Trimble GeoXT GPS device (expected accuracy 0.15 m, precision 0.3 m). Using AgiSoft's PhotoScan (v.1.1.6), Orthophotos (OP) and digital surface models (DSM) were calculated with 5 and 20 cm ground sampling distance, respectively. The visual interpretation of the OPs gave some indication, that the size of the cracks was increasing by 0.1-0.5 m (A-axis) or 0.2-0.8 m² per year. An interpretation of the DSMs was inconclusive with regard to the depth of the cracks due to shadows in the imagery and vertical or overhanging sidewalls of the cracks. Additionally the accuracy of the GCP-measurements was found to lie below the rate of change of the cracks, thus not permitting a direct calculation of difference DSM. From an operational point-of-view, the study site proved very challenging because of its exposed, high-alpine location, with high wind speeds, gusts and poor visibility hampering the UAS-missions. The monitoring campaign will continue in 2016, where the collection of additional ground-based reference data is planned (e.g. terrestrial photogrammetry, manual measurements, terrestrial laser scanning).

Evaluating horizontal positional accuracy of low-cost UAV orthomosaics over forest terrain using ground control points extracted from different sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patias, Petros; Giagkas, Fotis; Georgiadis, Charalampos; Mallinis, Giorgos; Kaimaris, Dimitris; Tsioukas, Vassileios

2017-09-01

Within the field of forestry, forest road mapping and inventory plays an important role in management activities related to wood harvesting industry, sentiment and water run-off modelling, biodiversity distribution and ecological connectivity, recreation activities, future planning of forest road networks and wildfire protection and fire-fighting. Especially in countries of the Mediterranean Rim, knowledge at regional and national scales regarding the distribution and the characteristics of rural and forest road network is essential in order to ensure an effective emergency management and rapid response of the fire-fighting mechanism. Yet, the absence of accurate and updated geodatabases and the drawbacks related to the use of traditional cartographic methods arising from the forest environment settings, and the cost and efforts needed, as thousands of meters need to be surveyed per site, trigger the need for new data sources and innovative mapping approaches. Monitoring the condition of unpaved forest roads with unmanned aerial vehicle technology is an attractive option for substituting objective, laboursome surveys. Although photogrammetric processing of UAV imagery can achieve accuracy of 1-2 centimeters and dense point clouds, the process is commonly based on the establishment of control points. In the case of forest road networks, which are linear features, there is a need for a great number of control points. Our aim is to evaluate low-cost UAV orthoimages generated over forest areas with GCP's captured from existing national scale aerial orthoimagery, satellite imagery available through a web mapping service (WMS), field surveys using Mobile Mapping System and GNSS receiver. We also explored the direct georeferencing potential through the GNSS onboard the low cost UAV. The results suggest that the GNSS approach proved to most accurate, while the positional accuracy derived using the WMS and the aerial orthoimagery datasets deemed satisfactory for the specific task at hand. The direct georeferencing procedure seems to be insufficient unless an onboard GNSS with improved specifications or Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) capabilities is used.

Testing Cross-Sectional and Prospective Mediators of Internalized Heterosexism on Heavy Drinking, Alcohol Problems, and Psychological Distress Among Heavy Drinking Men Who Have Sex With Men.

PubMed

Kuerbis, Alexis; Mereish, Ethan H; Hayes, Marie; Davis, Christine M; Shao, Sijing; Morgenstern, Jon

2017-01-01

Minority stress theory is one of the primary theories used to understand substance use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations. This study tested whether drinking to cope with stress (DTC), loneliness, and gay community participation (GCP) mediated the relationship between one type of minority stress (i.e., internalized heterosexism) and behavioral health outcomes. Using secondary data analysis and the PROCESS procedure, relationships between internalized heterosexism, the mediators (DTC, loneliness, and GCP), and outcomes (heavy drinking, alcohol problems, and psychological distress) were explored, both cross-sectionally and in a lagged manner, among both treatment-seeking and non-treatment-seeking problem drinking men who have sex with men. Problem drinkers (N = 187) were assessed, provided brief normative feedback about their drinking, given the choice to receive brief alcohol use disorder treatment or change on their own, and then followed for 9 months. Cross-sectional findings revealed that internalized heterosexism was significantly associated with heavy drinking, alcohol problems, and psychological distress. DTC emerged as a significant mediator of internalized heterosexism for all the health outcomes. Loneliness and GCP were significant mediators of internalized heterosexism for alcohol problems and psychological distress. Multiple mediation models reveal that all three mediators significantly contribute to internalized heterosexism's effect on health outcomes. Lagged analyses did not yield any significant indirect effects. DTC, loneliness, and GCP all play an integral, mediational role in the relationship between internalized heterosexism and alcohol problems and psychological distress. Findings underscore the necessity of addressing internalized heterosexism in psychosocial interventions along with coping skills training, emphasizing culturally relevant social support and loneliness.

Anticancer drug delivery with transferrin targeted polymeric chitosan vesicles.

PubMed

Dufes, Christine; Muller, Jean-Marc; Couet, William; Olivier, Jean-Christophe; Uchegbu, Ijeoma F; Schätzlein, Andreas G

2004-01-01

The study reports the initial biological evaluation of targeted polymeric glycol chitosan vesicles as carrier systems for doxorubicin (Dox). Transferrin (Tf) was covalently bound to the Dox-loaded palmitoylated glycol chitosan (GCP) vesicles using dimethylsuberimidate (DMSI). For comparison, glucose targeted niosomes were prepared using N-palmitoyl glucosamine. Biological properties were studied using confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and cytotoxicity assays as well as a mouse xenograft model. Tf vesicles were taken up rapidly with a plateau after 1-2 h and Dox reached the nucleus after 60-90 min. Uptake was not increased with the use of glucose ligands, but higher uptake and increased cytotoxicity were observed for Tf targeted as compared to GCP Dox alone. In the drug-resistant A2780AD cells and in A431 cells, the relative increase in activity was significantly higher for the Tf-GCP vesicles than would have been expected from the uptake studies. All vesicle formulations had a superior in vivo safety profile compared to the free drug. The in vitro advantage of targeted Tf vesicles did not translate into a therapeutic advantage in vivo. All vesicles reduced tumor size on day 2 but were overall less active than the free drug.

[Analysis of several key problems of good agricultural practice (GAP) of Chinese materia medica].

PubMed

Yang, Guang; Guo, Lan-Ping; Zhou, Xiu-Teng; Huang, Lu-Qi

2016-04-01

This paper reviewed the historical background of the GAP, analyzed the development experience of five Ps (GMP, GLP, GSP, GCP, GAP), analyzed the GAP based on economic theories, and pointed out that the core problem of GAP is ignoring economic laws. Once the GAP, is a process of certification, but neither the GAP announcement could be transformed into signal transmission quality in the product market, nor consumers could recognize the difference between GAP and non-GAP herbs in the terminal market, so manufacturers lack motivation for GAP certification. In this paper, we pointed out, that the GAP certification system should be redesigned under the guidance of economics, third party certification body, supervised by drug administration organization, to certificate GAP as high quality standards, to improve signal transduction mechanism of GAP certification, and to integrate GAP with the market. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Comparison of the recurrence rate of gastric dilatation with or without volvulus in dogs after circumcostal gastropexy versus gastrocolopexy.

PubMed

Eggertsdóttir, A V; Stigen y, Ø; Lønaas, L; Langeland, M; Devor, M; Vibe-Petersen, G; Eriksen, T

2001-01-01

To compare the recurrence rate of acute gastric dilatation with or without volvulus (GDV) after circumcostal gastropexy (CCGP) or gastrocolopexy (GCP) in dogs. A prospective, double-blind, multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical trial with two groups (A and B). Fifty-four client-owned dogs presented for treatment of GDV. Dogs with acute GDV that had not previously had a gastropexy performed were included. The preoperative treatment before gastropexy was standardized. A CCGP was performed on dogs in group A, and a GCP was performed on dogs in group B. Postoperative treatment was standardized, but deviation did occur according to the special needs of particular patients. A minimal follow-up time of 180 days was required for dogs not excluded from the study. The median follow-up time in group A was 700 days; in group B, it was 400 days. The occurrence of abdominal pain and gastrointestinal problems after surgery were recorded by the owners. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate of GDV between the two groups. At the end of the study, the recurrence rate was 9% and 20% in group A and in group B, respectively. Both surgical techniques are effective in preventing recurrence of GDV. Copyright 2001 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Duloxetine in OsteoArthritis (DOA) study: study protocol of a pragmatic open-label randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of preoperative pain treatment on postoperative outcome after total hip or knee arthroplasty

PubMed Central

Blikman, T; Rienstra, W; van Raaij, T M; ten Hagen, A J; Dijkstra, B; Zijlstra, W P; Bulstra, S K; van den Akker-Scheek, I; Stevens, M

2016-01-01

Introduction Residual pain is a major factor in patient dissatisfaction following total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). The proportion of patients with unfavourable long-term residual pain is high, ranging from 7% to 34%. There are studies indicating that a preoperative degree of central sensitisation (CS) is associated with poorer postoperative outcomes and residual pain. It is thus hypothesised that preoperative treatment of CS could enhance postoperative outcomes. Duloxetine has been shown to be effective for several chronic pain syndromes, including knee osteoarthritis (OA), in which CS is most likely one of the underlying pain mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate the postoperative effects of preoperative screening and targeted duloxetine treatment of CS on residual pain compared with care-as-usual. Methods and analysis This multicentre, pragmatic, prospective, open-label, randomised controlled trial includes patients with idiopathic hip/knee OA who are on a waiting list for primary THA/TKA. Patients at risk for CS will be randomly allocated to the preoperative duloxetine treatment programme group or the care-as-usual control group. The primary end point is the degree of postoperative pain 6 months after THA/TKA. Secondary end points at multiple time points up to 12 months postoperatively are: pain, neuropathic pain-like symptoms, (pain) sensitisation, pain catastrophising, joint-associated problems, physical activity, health-related quality of life, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and perceived improvement. Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Ethics and dissemination The study is approved by the local Medical Ethics Committee (METc 2014/087) and will be conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (64th, 2013) and the Good Clinical Practice standard (GCP), and in compliance with the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO). Trial registration number 2013-004313-41; Pre-results. PMID:26932142

[Efficacy of Arnica in varicose vein surgery: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study].

PubMed

Wolf, M; Tamaschke, C; Mayer, W; Heger, M

2003-10-01

In homeopathy ARNICA is widely used as a woundhealing medication and for the treatment of hematomas. In this pilot study the efficacy and safety of ARNICA D12 in patients following varicose vein surgery were investigated. Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial according to ICH GCP guidelines. The study was conducted by a surgeon at the Angiosurgical Clinic, Berlin- Buch. After randomized allocation, 60 patients received either ARNICA D12 or placebo. Start of medication occurred the evening before operation with 5 globules. On the operation day one preoperative and hourly postoperative dosages after awakening were given. On days 2-14 of the study 5 globules 3 times a day were given. OUTCOME CRITERIA: Surface (in cm(2) and using a three-point verbal rating scale) and intensity of hematomas induced by operation, complications of wound healing, and intensity of pain (five-point verbal rating scale) as well as efficacy and safety of the study medication were assessed. Hematoma surface was reduced (from day 7 to day 14) under ARNICA by 75.5% and under placebo by 71.5% (p = 0.4726). The comparison of hematoma surface (small, medium, large) using the verbal rating scale yielded a value of p = 0.1260. Pain score decreased by 1.0 +/- 2.2 points under ARNICA and 0.3 +/- 0.8 points under placebo (p = 0.1977). Remission or improvement of pain was observed in 43.3% of patients in the ARNICA group and in 27.6% of patients in the placebo group. Tolerability was rated as very good in all cases. The results of this pilot study showed a trend towards a beneficial effect of ARNICA D12 with regard to reduction of hematoma and pain during the postoperative course. For a statistically significant proof of efficacy of ARNICA D12 in patients following varicose vein surgery a larger sample size is necessary. Copyright 2003 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg

An Interferometric Processing Method to Maintain both Accuracy and Resolution of dem Using GAOFEN-3 SAR Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, T.; Tang, X.; Gao, X.; Chen, Q.; Zhang, X.; Guo, L.

2018-04-01

Gaofen-3 (GF-3) is the only in-orbit SAR satellite of China civilian fields. It is designed especially for ocean observation but not for interferometric applications. However, during the past one and a half years, the orbits of the satellite were adjusted for several times to ensure that the perpendicular baseline is short enough to provide interferograms. In this paper, we used the multi-look iteration algorithm to analyze the DEM obtained from InSAR. We first provide the theory of the method by considering the relationship between multi-look factor and the interferometric phase gradient. Then the GF-3 data as well as TanDEM-X data covering Songshan Mountain are taken for experiments. We use both the GCP data as well as the SRTM DEM for reference. The root-mean-square (RMS) values of TanDEM-X DEM assessed using GCP are 9.4 m, 9.3 m and 8.3 m with reference to ML factors of 8 × 8, 4 × 4 and 2 × 2, respectively. If we assess using SRTM, the corresponding RMS are 1.7 m, 5.4 m and 5.4 m. The result is opposite to that obtained using GCP given that the grid size of SRTM DEM is 90 m. The larger the ML factor, the more similar the calculated DEM to SRTM. RMS of GF-3 DEM compared to GCP is 10.2 m, 13.0 m and 13.8 m with reference to ML factors of 8 × 8, 4 × 4 and 2 × 2, respectively. While that compared to SRTM is 4.6 m, 15.1 m and 23.7 m. The accuracy is low compared to TanDEM-X DEM. Results show that the GF-3 data is potential in providing DEM data. However, the operational applications using GF-3 as interferometric data source would be challenging because of the instability of baseline coherence as well as the temporal coherence.

Drones at the Beach - Surf Zone Monitoring Using Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rynne, P.; Brouwer, R.; de Schipper, M. A.; Graham, F.; Reniers, A.; MacMahan, J. H.

2014-12-01

We investigate the potential of rotary wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to monitor the surf zone. In recent years, the arrival of lightweight, high-capacity batteries, low-power electronics and compact high-definition cameras has driven the development of commercially available UAVs for hobbyists. Moreover, the low operation costs have increased their potential for scientific research as these UAVs are extremely flexible surveying platforms. The UAVs can fly for ~12 min with a mean loiter radius of 1 - 3.5 m and a mean loiter error of 0.75 - 4.5 m, depending on the environmental conditions, flying style, battery type and vehicle type. Our experiments using multiple, alternating UAVs show that it is possible to have near continuous imagery data with similar Fields Of View. The images obtained from the UAVs (Fig. 1a), and in combination with surveyed Ground Control Points (GCPs) (Fig. 1b, red squares and white circles), can be geo-rectified (Fig. 1c) to pixel resolution between 0.01 - 1 m and a reprojection error, i.e. the difference between the surveyed GPS location of a GCP and the location of the GCP obtained from the geo-rectified image, of O(1 m). These geo-rectified images provide data on a variety of coastal aspects, such as beach width (Wb(x,t)), surf zone width (Wsf(x,t)), wave breaking location (rectangle B), beach usage (circle C) and location of dune vegegation (rectangle D), amongst others. Additionally, the possibility to have consecutive, high frequency (up to 2 Hz) rectified images makes the UAVs a great data instrument for spatially and temporally variable systems, such as the surf zone. Our first observations with the UAVs reveal the potential to quickly obtain surf zone and beach characteristics in response to storms or for day to day beach information, as well as the scientific pursuits of surf zone kinematics on different spatial and temporal scales, and dispersion and advection estimates of pollutants/dye. A selection of findings from several field experiments and using multiple optical instruments will be showed at the meeting, discussing the new possibilities rotary wing UAVs can offer for surf zone research.

Investigation on Glacier Thinning in Baspa, Western Himalaya.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

S, P.; Kulkarni, A. V.; Bhushan, S.

2017-12-01

Mass balance studies are important to assess the state of glaciers. Previously, numerous field investigations have been carried out in Baspa basin to measure mass balance. However, mass balance data from field are limited to a small number of glaciers and for short durations. Therefore, this study uses geodetic mass balance technique to evaluate the mass loss at decadal scale. Geodetic method involves differencing Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from different years to obtain change in glacier elevation, which will be subsequently used to evaluate mass balance. This study derives mass balance from 2000 to 2014 for 16 glaciers covering a total area of 70 Sq Km. The study uses Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM for year 2000 and DEM for year 2014 was derived from Cartosat-1 stereo pair using photogrammetric principles. A Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) survey was conducted in Baspa basin at different elevation zones to collect Ground Control Points (GCP) with millimeters accuracy. These GCP were used to derive Cartosat DEM. Various corrections were applied before differencing the two DEMs. They were co-registered using an analytical approach to account for horizontal shift. Corrections were also applied to remove the bias due to satellite acquisition geometry. SRTM DEM was acquired in February when the study area was covered by seasonal snow, whereas, Cartosat data was acquired during the ablation season. As the season of data acquisition varies for the two DEM, we have corrected for the bias that could be caused due to seasonal snow. Snowfall data from a meteorological station in the Baspa valley and a local precipitation gradient were used to determine the seasonal snow depth. Further, corrections were applied to account for the bias due to radar penetration in SRTM DEM. Then, the elevation changes were determined by subtracting the two DEMs to estimate mass balance. The figure below shows the change in glacier elevation. These results will be validated with field estimates. This investigation, after validation, will be an important addition in understanding changes in Himalayan glaciers.

AUGUSTO'S Sundial: Image-Based Modeling for Reverse Engeneering Purposes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baiocchi, V.; Barbarella, M.; Del Pizzo, S.; Giannone, F.; Troisi, S.; Piccaro, C.; Marcantonio, D.

2017-02-01

A photogrammetric survey of a unique archaeological site is reported in this paper. The survey was performed using both a panoramic image-based solution and by classical procedure. The panoramic image-based solution was carried out employing a commercial solution: the Trimble V10 Imaging Rover (IR). Such instrument is an integrated cameras system that captures 360 degrees digital panoramas, composed of 12 images, with a single push. The direct comparison of the point clouds obtained with traditional photogrammetric procedure and V10 stations, using the same GCP coordinates has been carried out in Cloud Compare, open source software that can provide the comparison between two point clouds supplied by all the main statistical data. The site is a portion of the dial plate of the "Horologium Augusti" inaugurated in 9 B.C.E. in the area of Campo Marzio and still present intact in the same position, in a cellar of a building in Rome, around 7 meter below the present ground level.

The impact of clinical research activities on communities in rural Africa: the development of the Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN) in Burkina Faso.

PubMed

Tinto, Halidou; Valea, Innocent; Sorgho, Hermann; Tahita, Marc Christian; Traore, Maminata; Bihoun, Biébo; Guiraud, Issa; Kpoda, Hervé; Rouamba, Jérémi; Ouédraogo, Sayouba; Lompo, Palpouguini; Yara, Sandrine; Kabore, William; Ouédraogo, Jean-Bosco; Guiguemdé, Robert Tinga; Binka, Fred N; Ogutu, Bernhards

2014-03-22

The opportunities for developing new drugs and vaccines for malaria control look brighter now than ten years ago. However, there are few places in sub-Saharan Africa with the necessary infrastructure and expertise to support such research in compliance to international standards of clinical research (ICH-GCP). The Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN) was founded in 2008 to provide a much-needed GCP-compliant clinical trial platform for an imminent large-scale Phase 3 malaria vaccine trial. A dynamic approach was used that entailed developing the required infrastructure and human resources, while engaging local communities in the process as key stakeholders. This provided a better understanding and ownership of the research activities by the local population. Within five years (2008-2013), the CRUN set up a fully and well-equipped GCP-compliant clinical trial research facility, which enabled to attract 25 grants. The research team grew from ten health workers prior to 2008 to 254 in 2013. A Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), which covers a total population of about 60,000 people in 24 villages was set up in the district. The local community contributed to the development of the facility through the leadership of the king and the mayor of Nanoro. As a result of their active advocacy, the government extended the national electrical grid to the new research center, and later to the entire village. This produced a positive impact on the community's quality of life. The quality of health care improved substantially, due to the creation of more elaborate clinical laboratory services and the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment. Involving the community in the key steps of establishing the centre provided the foundation for what was to become the CRUN success story. This experience demonstrates that when clinical trials research sites are carefully developed and implemented, they can have a positive and powerful impact on local communities in resource-poor settings, well beyond the task of generating expected study data.

Effects of crystal refining on wear behaviors and mechanical properties of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhenzhen; Guo, Jiawen; Sun, Yali; Tian, Beimin; Zheng, Xiaojuan; Zhou, Ming; He, Lin; Zhang, Shaofeng

2018-05-01

The purpose of this study is to improve wear resistance and mechanical properties of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics by refining their crystal sizes. After lithium disilicate glass-ceramics (LD) were melted to form precursory glass blocks, bar (N = 40, n = 10) and plate (N = 32, n = 8) specimens were prepared. According to the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of precursory glass, specimens G1-G4 were designed to form lithium disilicate glass-ceramics with different crystal sizes using a two-step thermal treatment. In the meantime, heat-pressed lithium disilicate glass-ceramics (GC-P) and original ingots (GC-O) were used as control groups. Glass-ceramics were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and were tested using flexural strength test, nanoindentation test and toughness measurements. The plate specimens were dynamically loaded in a chewing simulator with 350 N up to 2.4 × 10 6 loading cycles. The wear analysis of glass-ceramics was performed using a 3D profilometer after every 300,000 wear cycles. Wear morphologies and microstructures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. Multiple pairwise comparisons of means were performed by Tukey's post-hoc test. Materials with different crystal sizes (p < 0.05) exhibited different properties. Specifically, G3 with medium-sized crystals presented the highest flexural strength, hardness, elastic modulus and fracture toughness. G1 and G2 with small-sized crystals showed lower flexural strength, whereas G4, GC-P, and GC-O with large-sized crystals exhibited lower hardness and elastic modulus. The wear behaviors of all six groups showed running-in wear stage and steady wear stage. G3 showed the best wear resistance while GC-P and GC-O exhibited the highest wear volume loss. After crystal refining, lithium disilicate glass-ceramic with medium-sized crystals showed the highest wear resistance and mechanical properties. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Undergraduate Syllabi.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Journal of Teaching in the Addictions, 2003

2003-01-01

Presents sample undergraduate syllabi for seven addiction counseling courses. Courses include: Group Interventions in Substance Abuse and Addiction; Recovery and Relapse Prevention Methods; Group Counseling I and II; and Co-Occurring Disorders. (GCP)

Influence of a Non-formal Environmental Education Programme on Junior High-School Students' Environmental Literacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldman, Daphne; Ben Zvi Assaraf, Orit; Shaharabani, Dina

2013-02-01

One of the solutions implemented by schools for conducting value-based environmental education (EE) is outsourcing: allocating external environmental organizations that develop and conduct EE programmes. This study addressed such a programme-the Green Council Programme (GCP)-developed and implemented in schools by the Israeli Society for Protection of Nature. A pre-test/post-test design was used to investigate the influence of participation in the GCP on components of junior high-school students' environmental literacy. Conceptualizations of 'environment', environmental attitudes and sense of ability to act on environmental issues were studied employing quantitative and qualitative tools. Contribution of the programme to the cognitive domain, in developing a systemic understanding of the environment, was limited. On the other hand, participating in this programme heightened students' sensitivity to human-environment interrelationships and developed a more ecological worldview. After the programme, students demonstrated greater perception of humans as part of the environment, an increased sensitivity to human impact on the environment and their value for non-human nature moved from an anthropocentric to a more ecocentric orientation. While students' internal locus-of-control increased, when environmental protection entailed personal economic trade-offs, their support was limited and remained unchanged. The article concludes with recommendations, based on the findings, regarding supplementing the school (science) curriculum with external EE enrichment programmes.

A Holistic Treatment Approach to Male Erectile Disorder.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Millner, Vaughn S.; Ullery, Elizabeth K.

2002-01-01

This article offers information about erectile functioning, provides a DSM-IV-TR interpretation of erectile dysfunction, and discusses a biophysical approach to erectile dysfunction treatment. (Contains 36 references.) (GCP)

Life Transitions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eby, Linda C.; Wallender, Janis

2003-01-01

This article addresses how by helping students through life transitions--such as a new home, new sibling, or divorcing parents--school counselors can ensure that students are truly prepared academically and emotionally for life. (GCP)

Parenthood after Primary Infertility.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frances-Fischer, Jana E.; Lightsey, Owen Richard, Jr.

2003-01-01

Reviews the literature on the experience of parenting after primary infertility and describes construction and initial testing of an instrument for assessing characteristics of this understudied population. (Contains 52 references and 4 tables.) (GCP)

GCP inspections in Germany and Europe following the implementation of the Directive 2001/20/EC

PubMed Central

Göbel, Claus; Baier, Dieter; Ruhfus, Birgit; Hundt, Ferdinand

2009-01-01

Background: The implementation of the Clinical Trials Directive 2001/20/EC and the Good Clinical Practice Directive 2005/28/EC fundamentally restructured and harmonized the conduct of clinical trials in Europe. GCP inspections – which affect study sites, laboratories, sponsors and contract research organizations (CRO) alike – make up an important part of these regulations. A common understanding of how these regulations apply in daily life is however not always ensured. Methods: A working group of the Clinical Research/Quality Assurance subcommittee of the German Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (VFA) was established to outline the regulatory requirements, the experience gathered with inspections by means of a survey and to set up guidance on how to manage an inspection. Results and conclusions: The survey, conducted with the help of 15 pharmaceutical companies within the VFA, included a total of 224 inspections (74 inspections in Germany, 150 from other European countries). Most frequent findings in and outside Germany were related to “documentation” (40.5% vs. 21.3%), “investigational new drugs” (16.2% vs. 14.7%), “drug safety” (13.5% vs. 8%) and “application for a clinical trial authorization” (5.4% vs. 12%). From a German perspective, key findings of this working group were the necessity for a clear differentiation of responsibilities between national and federal as well as international authorities, a harmonization of inspection procedures and topics, and a clarification of whether pre-study/on-study and pre-approval/post-approval GCP inspections of the federal higher authority are included in the “Zentralstelle der Länder für Gesundheitsschutz bei Arzneimitteln und Medizinprodukten” (ZLG) requirements. The survey illustrated, that inspections usually are conducted at the investigational site, and that most of the findings are well known and thus could be prevented by communicating and discussing audit results more intensely within study groups. Again, the survey illustrated, that a harmonization of inspections appears warranted. Finally a code of practice is provided that considers these findings and delivers a basis for a successful inspection whether at the sponsor or the GCP site. PMID:19675741

Wetland Assessment Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (uav) Photogrammetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boon, M. A.; Greenfield, R.; Tesfamichael, S.

2016-06-01

The use of Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry is a valuable tool to enhance our understanding of wetlands. Accurate planning derived from this technological advancement allows for more effective management and conservation of wetland areas. This paper presents results of a study that aimed at investigating the use of UAV photogrammetry as a tool to enhance the assessment of wetland ecosystems. The UAV images were collected during a single flight within 2½ hours over a 100 ha area at the Kameelzynkraal farm, Gauteng Province, South Africa. An AKS Y-6 MKII multi-rotor UAV and a digital camera on a motion compensated gimbal mount were utilised for the survey. Twenty ground control points (GCPs) were surveyed using a Trimble GPS to achieve geometrical precision and georeferencing accuracy. Structure-from-Motion (SfM) computer vision techniques were used to derive ultra-high resolution point clouds, orthophotos and 3D models from the multi-view photos. The geometric accuracy of the data based on the 20 GCP's were 0.018 m for the overall, 0.0025 m for the vertical root mean squared error (RMSE) and an over all root mean square reprojection error of 0.18 pixel. The UAV products were then edited and subsequently analysed, interpreted and key attributes extracted using a selection of tools/ software applications to enhance the wetland assessment. The results exceeded our expectations and provided a valuable and accurate enhancement to the wetland delineation, classification and health assessment which even with detailed field studies would have been difficult to achieve.

College Student Credit Card Usage and Debt.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rybka, Kathryn M.

2001-01-01

Provides an overview of the concerns related to credit card usage by college students. Offers information student affairs professionals can use to help college students make responsible choices. (Contains 26 references.) (GCP)

Introduction to the Special Issue.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Savickas, Mark L.

2003-01-01

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the National Career Development Association and to anticipate its centennial, this special issue presents 9 analyses of the career counseling profession's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. (GCP)

Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium and Polarization Behavior of the GCP Water Model: Gaussian Charge-on-Spring versus Dipole Self-Consistent Field Approaches to Induced Polarization

DOE PAGES

Chialvo, Ariel A.; Moucka, Filip; Vlcek, Lukas; ...

2015-03-24

Here we implemented the Gaussian charge-on-spring (GCOS) version of the original self-consistent field implementation of the Gaussian Charge Polarizable water model and test its accuracy to represent the polarization behavior of the original model involving smeared charges and induced dipole moments. Moreover, for that purpose we adapted the recently developed multiple-particle-move (MPM) within the Gibbs and isochoric-isothermal ensembles Monte Carlo methods for the efficient simulation of polarizable fluids. We also assessed the accuracy of the GCOS representation by a direct comparison of the resulting vapor-liquid phase envelope, microstructure, and relevant microscopic descriptors of water polarization along the orthobaric curve againstmore » the corresponding quantities from the actual GCP water model.« less

Refractory materials in comet samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joswiak, D. J.; Brownlee, D. E.; Nguyen, A. N.; Messenger, S.

2017-08-01

Transmission electron microscope examination of more than 250 fragments, >1 μm from comet Wild 2 and a giant cluster interplanetary dust particle (GCP) of probable cometary origin has revealed four new calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs), an amoeboid olivine aggregate (AOA), and an additional AOA or Al-rich chondrule (ARC) object. All of the CAIs have concentric mineral structures and are composed of spinel + anorthite cores surrounded by Al,Ti clinopyroxenes and are similar to two previous CAIs discovered in Wild 2. All of the cometary refractory objects are of moderate refractory character. The mineral assemblages, textures, and bulk compositions of the comet CAIs are similar to nodules in fine-grained, spinel-rich inclusions (FGIs) found in primitive chondrites and like the nodules may be nebular condensates that were altered via solid-gas reactions in the solar nebula. Oxygen isotopes collected on one Wild 2 CAI also match FGIs. The lack of the most refractory inclusions in the comet samples may reflect the higher abundances of small moderately refractory CAI nodules that were produced in the nebula and the small sample sizes collected. In the comet samples, approximately 2-3% of all fragments larger than 1 μm, by number, are CAIs and nearly 50% of all bulbous Stardust tracks contain at least one CAI. We estimate that 0.5 volume % of Wild 2 material and 1 volume % of GCP is in the form of CAIs. ARCs and AOAs account for <1% of the Wild 2 and GCP grains by number.

Educating the Heart and Mind.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ASCA School Counselor, 2001

2001-01-01

This article argues that educating tomorrow's adults isn't simply about teaching students the quadratic equation or the date Columbus sailed to the new world. Social and emotional development is also an important component in student's development. (GCP)

Duloxetine in OsteoArthritis (DOA) study: study protocol of a pragmatic open-label randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of preoperative pain treatment on postoperative outcome after total hip or knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Blikman, T; Rienstra, W; van Raaij, T M; ten Hagen, A J; Dijkstra, B; Zijlstra, W P; Bulstra, S K; van den Akker-Scheek, I; Stevens, M

2016-03-01

Residual pain is a major factor in patient dissatisfaction following total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). The proportion of patients with unfavourable long-term residual pain is high, ranging from 7% to 34%. There are studies indicating that a preoperative degree of central sensitisation (CS) is associated with poorer postoperative outcomes and residual pain. It is thus hypothesised that preoperative treatment of CS could enhance postoperative outcomes. Duloxetine has been shown to be effective for several chronic pain syndromes, including knee osteoarthritis (OA), in which CS is most likely one of the underlying pain mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate the postoperative effects of preoperative screening and targeted duloxetine treatment of CS on residual pain compared with care-as-usual. This multicentre, pragmatic, prospective, open-label, randomised controlled trial includes patients with idiopathic hip/knee OA who are on a waiting list for primary THA/TKA. Patients at risk for CS will be randomly allocated to the preoperative duloxetine treatment programme group or the care-as-usual control group. The primary end point is the degree of postoperative pain 6 months after THA/TKA. Secondary end points at multiple time points up to 12 months postoperatively are: pain, neuropathic pain-like symptoms, (pain) sensitisation, pain catastrophising, joint-associated problems, physical activity, health-related quality of life, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and perceived improvement. Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The study is approved by the local Medical Ethics Committee (METc 2014/087) and will be conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (64th, 2013) and the Good Clinical Practice standard (GCP), and in compliance with the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO). 2013-004313-41; Pre-results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Estimating snow depth in real time using unmanned aerial vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niedzielski, Tomasz; Mizinski, Bartlomiej; Witek, Matylda; Spallek, Waldemar; Szymanowski, Mariusz

2016-04-01

In frame of the project no. LIDER/012/223/L-5/13/NCBR/2014, financed by the National Centre for Research and Development of Poland, we elaborated a fully automated approach for estimating snow depth in real time in the field. The procedure uses oblique aerial photographs taken by the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The geotagged images of snow-covered terrain are processed by the Structure-from-Motion (SfM) method which is used to produce a non-georeferenced dense point cloud. The workflow includes the enhanced RunSFM procedure (keypoint detection using the scale-invariant feature transform known as SIFT, image matching, bundling using the Bundler, executing the multi-view stereo PMVS and CMVS2 software) which is preceded by multicore image resizing. The dense point cloud is subsequently automatically georeferenced using the GRASS software, and the ground control points are borrowed from positions of image centres acquired from the UAV-mounted GPS receiver. Finally, the digital surface model (DSM) is produced which - to improve the accuracy of georeferencing - is shifted using a vector obtained through precise geodetic GPS observation of a single ground control point (GCP) placed on the Laboratory for Unmanned Observations of Earth (mobile lab established at the University of Wroclaw, Poland). The DSM includes snow cover and its difference with the corresponding snow-free DSM or digital terrain model (DTM), following the concept of the digital elevation model of differences (DOD), produces a map of snow depth. Since the final result depends on the snow-free model, two experiments are carried out. Firstly, we show the performance of the entire procedure when the snow-free model reveals a very high resolution (3 cm/px) and is produced using the UAV-taken photographs and the precise GCPs measured by the geodetic GPS receiver. Secondly, we perform a similar exercise but the 1-metre resolution light detection and ranging (LIDAR) DSM or DTM serves as the snow-free model. Thus, the main objective of the paper is to present the performance of the new procedure for estimating snow depth and to compare the two experiments.

ICESat Lidar and Global Digital Elevation Models: Application to DESDynI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carabajal, Claudia C.; Harding, David J.; Suchdeo, Vijay P.

2010-01-01

Geodetic control is extremely important in the production and quality control of topographic data sets, enabling elevation results to be referenced to an absolute vertical datum. Global topographic data with improved geodetic accuracy achieved using global Ground Control Point (GCP) databases enable more accurate characterization of land topography and its change related to solid Earth processes, natural hazards and climate change. The multiple-beam lidar instrument that will be part of the NASA Deformation, Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics of Ice (DESDynI) mission will provide a comprehensive, global data set that can be used for geodetic control purposes. Here we illustrate that potential using data acquired by NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICEsat) that has acquired single-beam, globally distributed laser altimeter profiles (+/-86deg) since February of 2003 [1, 2]. The profiles provide a consistently referenced elevation data set with unprecedented accuracy and quantified measurement errors that can be used to generate GCPs with sub-decimeter vertical accuracy and better than 10 m horizontal accuracy. Like the planned capability for DESDynI, ICESat records a waveform that is the elevation distribution of energy reflected within the laser footprint from vegetation, where present, and the ground where illuminated through gaps in any vegetation cover [3]. The waveform enables assessment of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) with respect to the highest, centroid, and lowest elevations observed by ICESat and in some cases with respect to the ground identified beneath vegetation cover. Using the ICESat altimetry data we are developing a comprehensive database of consistent, global, geodetic ground control that will enhance the quality of a variety of regional to global DEMs. Here we illustrate the accuracy assessment of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM produced for Australia, documenting spatially varying elevation biases of several meters in magnitude.

Caregiver Resiliency.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siebert, Al

2002-01-01

This article argues that school counselors cannot teach and preach resilient behavior if they are not models of resiliency themselves. Examines why some people come through challenging times more emotionally intact than others and suggests some tips for increasing one's resilience potential. (GCP)

Race, Class, and Gender: A Constellation of "Positionalities" with Implications for Counseling.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harley, Debra A.; Jolivette, Kristine; McCormick, Katherine; Tice, Karen

2002-01-01

Examines the intersection of race, class, and gender and the dimensions of oppression and discrimination in counseling. Historical and contemporary dimensions of racism, misogyny, and classism are presented. (Contains 96 references.) (GCP)

[Consequences of the 12th AMG amendment on the conduct of non-commercial clinical trials].

PubMed

Rossion, I

2005-12-01

In 2004, the German Drug Law was reformed substantially putting into effect the European directive 2001/20/EG on Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Investigator initiated trials have to comply with the same requirements as clinical trials for drug development. When registered drugs are used in non-commercial clinical trials some simplifications are possible.Currently, all essential elements of GCP, such as financing of the trial, laying-down of sponsor responsibilities, establishing an extensive quality assurance system as well as immediate reporting of unexpected serious drug reactions, are stipulated by law. Since regulatory authorities and ethics committees have to approve every clinical trial, surveillance is reinforced. The new requirements cannot be met without sufficient financing, qualified personnel and professional structures for clinical trials. Compared to European partners, the research location Germany is at a disadvantage due to high administrative workload and costs.

Reflections on clinical research in sub-Saharan Africa.

PubMed

Kuepfer, Irene; Burri, Christian

2009-07-15

The urgent need for new, safe and sustainable interventions against diseases that disproportionally affect the poor is finally receiving global attention and the funding landscape for development projects has significantly improved during the past decade. For the development of new drug and vaccine candidates, clinical trials have become the most important tool to assess their safety and efficacy. Recently, there has been a seismic shift in the number of clinical trials conducted in resource-limited settings. We discuss the current framework of clinical research in sub-Saharan Africa, from building product pipelines to the capacities needed for the conduct of trials according the harmonised Good Clinical Practice (GCP) ICH E6 guideline. We place emphasis on clinical research in neglected tropical diseases which still frequently has to be conducted with limited financial, logistical and human resources. Given those short-comings we recommend minimum standards needed at the local, national and sponsor levels to provide GCP-compliant clinical research.

Academic investigator-initiated trials and the challenge of sponsor responsibility: the Cologne Sponsor Model.

PubMed

Georgias, Christine; Grunow, Andrea; Olderog, Miriam; May, Alexander; Paulus, Ursula

2012-12-01

With the amendment to the German Drug Law in 2004, the conduct of clinical trials changed by at least two main aspects: (1) The principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) were implemented in the national legislation, and (2) for the first time, the function of the sponsor of a clinical trial and the clinical trial itself have become legally binding definitions. By that, legal differences between industrial and academic clinical trials no longer exist. Clinical trials initiated by investigators have to fulfil the same requirements while the entire sponsor responsibility has to be carried out by the Coordinating Investigator or his institution including implementation of a quality management system according to the GCP. The Cologne Sponsor Model is an effective approach with settings, structures, basic features, action, and reporting lines, as well as funding for clinical trials initiated in an academic environment. The University of Cologne assumes the sponsor responsibility for clinical trials organised by the university researchers according to law. Sponsor's duties are delegated to a central operational unit of the sponsor - the Clinical Trials Center Cologne - which further delegates duties to the Coordinating Investigator. Clinical Trials Center Cologne was established in 2002 to support the performance of clinical trials at the university by offering comprehensive advisory and practical services covering all aspects of study planning and conduct. Furthermore, a specialised division of its quality management department acts as an independent sponsor's Quality Assurance Unit. The Clinical Trials Center Cologne has established a quality management system consisting of different components (1) to enable a reasoned decision to subsequent delegation, (2) for risk-based surveillance of trial conduct (audits, monitoring-checks, and reports), and (3) support and training of the Coordinating Investigator. Double functions of persons and departments in the university environment sometimes make it difficult to define roles in such a model. Therefore, it is necessary to establish clear reporting lines and moreover to monitor regularly and carefully the roles and responsibilities. With the combination of central management and support, control and independence of the researchers, our model represents a 'risk-based' system that offers a sensible option that fulfils the requirements of legal regulations and GCP for trials organised within the university environment.

Effects of Zn on the grain boundary properties of La 2-xSr xCu 1-yZn yO 4 superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naqib, S. H.; Islam, R. S.

2010-12-01

The properties of the grain boundaries (GBs) are of significant importance in high- T c cuprates. Most large scale applications of cuprate superconductors involve usage of sintered compounds. The critical current density and the ability to trap high magnetic flux inside the sample depend largely on the quality of the GBs. Zn has the ability to pin vortices but it also degrades superconductivity. In this study we have investigated the effect of Zn impurity on the intergrain coupling properties in high-quality La 2-xSr xCu 1-yZn yO 4 sintered samples with different hole concentrations, p (≡ x), over a wide range of Zn contents ( y) using field-dependent AC susceptibility (ACS) measurements. The ACS results enabled us to determine the superconducting transition temperature T c, and the temperature T gcp, at which the randomly oriented superconducting grains become coupled as a function of hole and disorder contents. We have analyzed the behavior of the GBs from the systematic evolution of the values of T gcp( p, y), T c( p, y), and from the contribution to the field-dependent ACS signal coming from the intergrain shielding current. Zn suppresses both T c and T gcp in a similar fashion. The hole content and the carrier localization due to Zn substitution seem to have significant effect on the coupling properties of the GBs. We have discussed the possible implications of these findings in detail in this article.

Bmi1 overexpression in the cerebellar granule cell lineage of mice affects cell proliferation and survival without initiating medulloblastoma formation

PubMed Central

Behesti, Hourinaz; Bhagat, Heeta; Dubuc, Adrian M.; Taylor, Michael D.; Marino, Silvia

2013-01-01

SUMMARY BMI1 is a potent inducer of neural stem cell self-renewal and neural progenitor cell proliferation during development and in adult tissue homeostasis. It is overexpressed in numerous human cancers – including medulloblastomas, in which its functional role is unclear. We generated transgenic mouse lines with targeted overexpression of Bmi1 in the cerebellar granule cell lineage, a cell type that has been shown to act as a cell of origin for medulloblastomas. Overexpression of Bmi1 in granule cell progenitors (GCPs) led to a decrease in cerebellar size due to decreased GCP proliferation and repression of the expression of cyclin genes, whereas Bmi1 overexpression in postmitotic granule cells improved cell survival in response to stress by altering the expression of genes in the mitochondrial cell death pathway and of Myc and Lef-1. Although no medulloblastomas developed in ageing cohorts of transgenic mice, crosses with Trp53−/− mice resulted in a low incidence of medulloblastoma formation. Furthermore, analysis of a large collection of primary human medulloblastomas revealed that tumours with a BMI1high TP53low molecular profile are significantly enriched in Group 4 human medulloblastomas. Our data suggest that different levels and timing of Bmi1 overexpression yield distinct cellular outcomes within the same cellular lineage. Importantly, Bmi1 overexpression at the GCP stage does not induce tumour formation, suggesting that BMI1 overexpression in GCP-derived human medulloblastomas probably occurs during later stages of oncogenesis and might serve to enhance tumour cell survival. PMID:23065639

The Gemini/HST Galaxy Cluster Project: Redshift 0.2–1.0 Cluster Sample, X-Ray Data, and Optical Photometry Catalog

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jørgensen, Inger; Chiboucas, Kristin; Hibon, Pascale; Nielsen, Louise D.; Takamiya, Marianne

2018-04-01

The Gemini/HST Galaxy Cluster Project (GCP) covers 14 z = 0.2–1.0 clusters with X-ray luminosity of {L}500≥slant {10}44 {erg} {{{s}}}-1 in the 0.1–2.4 keV band. In this paper, we provide homogeneously calibrated X-ray luminosities, masses, and radii, and we present the complete catalog of the ground-based photometry for the GCP clusters. The clusters were observed with either Gemini North or South in three or four of the optical passbands g‧, r‧, i‧, and z‧. The photometric catalog includes consistently calibrated total magnitudes, colors, and geometrical parameters. The photometry reaches ≈25 mag in the passband closest to the rest-frame B band. We summarize comparisons of our photometry with data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We describe the sample selection for our spectroscopic observations, and establish the calibrations to obtain rest-frame magnitudes and colors. Finally, we derive the color–magnitude relations for the clusters, and briefly discuss these in the context of evolution with redshift. Consistent with our results based on spectroscopic data, the color–magnitude relations support passive evolution of the red sequence galaxies. The absence of change in the slope with redshift constrains the allowable age variation along the red sequence to <0.05 dex between the brightest cluster galaxies and those four magnitudes fainter. This paper serves as the main reference for the GCP cluster and galaxy selection, X-ray data, and ground-based photometry.

40 CFR 63.1351 - Compliance dates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... compliance date for an existing source to meet the requirements of GCP for THC is December 20, 2007. (d) The..., 2006 to meet the THC emission limit of 20 ppmv/98 percent reduction or the mercury standard of 41 μg...

HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Beliefs among Pre-Service and In-Service School Counselors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Costin, Amanda C.; Page, Betsy J.; Pietrzak, Dale R.; Kerr, Dianne L.; Symons, Cynthia W.

2002-01-01

Investigates in-service and pre-service school counselors' current levels of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes, and the demographic factors potentially associated with HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes. (Contains 26 references.) (GCP)

Partnering through Outsourcing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palm, Richard L.

2001-01-01

Outsourcing has come to higher education and is being used to address cost concerns, quality of service, and other service management issues. Defines outsourcing terminology, provides reasons for outsourcing, and describes the outsourcing movement in the context of higher education. (Contains 45 references.) (GCP)

Physical Exercise as a Counseling Intervention.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chung, Y. Barry; Baird, M. Kathleen

1999-01-01

Provides an integrative review of the literature on the relationship between physical exercise and three psychological variables (depression, anxiety, and self-esteem). Proposes guidelines for using exercise as a counseling intervention, and makes suggestions for evaluating exercise interventions. (Author/GCP)

Geospatial Field Methods: An Undergraduate Course Built Around Point Cloud Construction and Analysis to Promote Spatial Learning and Use of Emerging Technology in Geoscience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bunds, M. P.

2017-12-01

Point clouds are a powerful data source in the geosciences, and the emergence of structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetric techniques has allowed them to be generated quickly and inexpensively. Consequently, applications of them as well as methods to generate, manipulate, and analyze them warrant inclusion in undergraduate curriculum. In a new course called Geospatial Field Methods at Utah Valley University, students in small groups use SfM to generate a point cloud from imagery collected with a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) and use it as a primary data source for a research project. Before creating their point clouds, students develop needed technical skills in laboratory and class activities. The students then apply the skills to construct the point clouds, and the research projects and point cloud construction serve as a central theme for the class. Intended student outcomes for the class include: technical skills related to acquiring, processing, and analyzing geospatial data; improved ability to carry out a research project; and increased knowledge related to their specific project. To construct the point clouds, students first plan their field work by outlining the field site, identifying locations for ground control points (GCPs), and loading them onto a handheld GPS for use in the field. They also estimate sUAS flight elevation, speed, and the flight path grid spacing required to produce a point cloud with the resolution required for their project goals. In the field, the students place the GCPs using handheld GPS, and survey the GCP locations using post-processed-kinematic (PPK) or real-time-kinematic (RTK) methods. The students pilot the sUAS and operate its camera according to the parameters that they estimated in planning their field work. Data processing includes obtaining accurate locations for the PPK/RTK base station and GCPs, and SfM processing with Agisoft Photoscan. The resulting point clouds are rasterized into digital surface models, assessed for accuracy, and analyzed in Geographic Information System software. Student projects have included mapping and analyzing landslide morphology, fault scarps, and earthquake ground surface rupture. Students have praised the geospatial skills they learn, whereas helping them stay on schedule to finish their projects is a challenge.

Systemic Approach to Elevation Data Acquisition for Geophysical Survey Alignments in Hilly Terrains Using UAVs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismail, M. A. M.; Kumar, N. S.; Abidin, M. H. Z.; Madun, A.

2018-04-01

This study is about systematic approach to photogrammetric survey that is applicable in the extraction of elevation data for geophysical surveys in hilly terrains using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The outcome will be to acquire high-quality geophysical data from areas where elevations vary by locating the best survey lines. The study area is located at the proposed construction site for the development of a water reservoir and related infrastructure in Kampus Pauh Putra, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. Seismic refraction surveys were carried out for the modelling of the subsurface for detailed site investigations. Study were carried out to identify the accuracy of the digital elevation model (DEM) produced from an UAV. At 100 m altitude (flying height), over 135 overlapping images were acquired using a DJI Phantom 3 quadcopter. All acquired images were processed for automatic 3D photo-reconstruction using Agisoft PhotoScan digital photogrammetric software, which was applied to all photogrammetric stages. The products generated included a 3D model, dense point cloud, mesh surface, digital orthophoto, and DEM. In validating the accuracy of the produced DEM, the coordinates of the selected ground control point (GCP) of the survey line in the imaging area were extracted from the generated DEM with the aid of Global Mapper software. These coordinates were compared with the GCPs obtained using a real-time kinematic global positioning system. The maximum percentage of difference between GCP’s and photogrammetry survey is 13.3 %. UAVs are suitable for acquiring elevation data for geophysical surveys which can save time and cost.

"Sometimes There Just Aren't Any Words": Using Expressive Therapy with Adolescents Living with Cancer.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baerg, Susan

2003-01-01

This article features the art and poetry of two patients, and details the process of bringing creative, expressive arts into counseling with adolescents living with acute or chronic illness. (Contains 17 references.) (GCP)

The Next Decade in Career Counseling: Cocoon Maintenance or Metamorphosis?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parmer, Twinet; Rush, Lee Covington

2003-01-01

Articulates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and future vision for career counseling using a cocoon maintenance or metamorphosis metaphor. Concludes with a vision for the future for the discipline and profession of career counseling. (Contains 40 references.) (GCP)

Stone Cutters of the Crown Jewel.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hurst, James C.

1999-01-01

Essay focuses on the significance of the past 30 years of "The Counseling Psychologist" (TCP) and the work of its editors. Acknowledges the role that TCP has played and continues to play in defining what counseling psychology is as a specialty. (GCP)

Treating Sibling Incest Using a Family Systems Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haskins, Cora

2003-01-01

Discusses family systems theory as a framework for understanding the common family dynamics observed in families where there is sibling abuse. Presents a case example using family systems theory as a framework for conceptualizing and developing treatment. (Contains 45 references.) (GCP)

Career Counseling with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Persons: The Next Decade.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chung, Y. Barry

2003-01-01

Proposes future directions for career counseling with lesbian, gay male, bisexual male and female, and transgendered persons. Suggestions include efforts for theory development, empirical research, career assessment, counseling practice, and counselor education. (Contains 53 references.) (GCP)

Engaging Male Students in Career Planning: How Practitioners Can Bridge the Gender Gap.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murray, Neil

2002-01-01

Discusses evidence showing that career planning services are often extraordinarily underused my male students. In this article, a veteran career cervices director considers the issue of participation in career planning activities by male students. (GCP)

Optimising UAV topographic surveys processed with structure-from-motion: Ground control quality, quantity and bundle adjustment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, M. R.; Robson, S.; d'Oleire-Oltmanns, S.; Niethammer, U.

2017-03-01

Structure-from-motion (SfM) algorithms greatly facilitate the production of detailed topographic models from photographs collected using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, the survey quality achieved in published geomorphological studies is highly variable, and sufficient processing details are never provided to understand fully the causes of variability. To address this, we show how survey quality and consistency can be improved through a deeper consideration of the underlying photogrammetric methods. We demonstrate the sensitivity of digital elevation models (DEMs) to processing settings that have not been discussed in the geomorphological literature, yet are a critical part of survey georeferencing, and are responsible for balancing the contributions of tie and control points. We provide a Monte Carlo approach to enable geomorphologists to (1) carefully consider sources of survey error and hence increase the accuracy of SfM-based DEMs and (2) minimise the associated field effort by robust determination of suitable lower-density deployments of ground control. By identifying appropriate processing settings and highlighting photogrammetric issues such as over-parameterisation during camera self-calibration, processing artefacts are reduced and the spatial variability of error minimised. We demonstrate such DEM improvements with a commonly-used SfM-based software (PhotoScan), which we augment with semi-automated and automated identification of ground control points (GCPs) in images, and apply to two contrasting case studies - an erosion gully survey (Taroudant, Morocco) and an active landslide survey (Super-Sauze, France). In the gully survey, refined processing settings eliminated step-like artefacts of up to 50 mm in amplitude, and overall DEM variability with GCP selection improved from 37 to 16 mm. In the much more challenging landslide case study, our processing halved planimetric error to 0.1 m, effectively doubling the frequency at which changes in landslide velocity could be detected. In both case studies, the Monte Carlo approach provided a robust demonstration that field effort could by substantially reduced by only deploying approximately half the number of GCPs, with minimal effect on the survey quality. To reduce processing artefacts and promote confidence in SfM-based geomorphological surveys, published results should include processing details which include the image residuals for both tie points and GCPs, and ensure that these are considered appropriately within the workflow.

Relationships: The Critical Ties That Bind Professionals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roper, Larry

2002-01-01

This article proposes that the success of student affairs professionals is more closely tied to their ability to construct and manage essential relationships during their careers than any other activity. The author discusses essential principles and skills in developing and managing professional relationships. (GCP)

Building a Winning Recruiting Team.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taguchi, Sherrie Gong

2002-01-01

Building a winning recruiting team is essential to the well being of virtually every organization. Putting together a great mix of people to represent an organization and bring in new talent can serve an organization well when competition is fierce or demand is down. (GCP)

Exploring Spiritual Beliefs in Relation to Adlerian Theory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Polanski, Patricia J.

2002-01-01

This article describes one counselor's exploration of her spiritual beliefs in relation to Adler's theory of counseling and human development in an effort to move toward ideological consistency and to enhance competence in addressing spiritual dimensions of clients' development. (Contains 34 references.) (GCP)

A Belated Appreciation of Justin Dart (1930-2002).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCarthy, Henry

2003-01-01

This article highlights the life experiences of civil rights leader Justin Dart, Jr. and his transformation into a tireless advocate for disability rights. The author also recounts how his own prejudice and stereotyping almost prevented him from getting to know Dart. (GCP)

Where Does a Mom's Love Go?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bongiorno, Patti Lynn

This book is dedicated to a mother who perished in the World Trade Center on September 11 and written for the children she left behind. The book was published to comfort those who have lost a mother, telling a story of love and loss. (GCP)

The Connecticut Experience.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aleman, Nancy M.; Landers, Patricia A.; Parkman, Gary W.

2002-01-01

This article shows how in Connecticut, making a solid connection with the state Department of Education has helped lead to well-developed, state-supported school counseling documents. Discusses how the latest efforts have resulted in two publications based on the National Standards for School Counseling Programs. (GCP)

An Examination of Family-Involved Approaches to Alcoholism Treatment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, James G.

2003-01-01

Introduces the development and theoretical underpinnings of family-involved treatment for alcoholism. Describes several interventions from the family therapy literature with an emphasis on behavioral techniques. Outlines efficacy research and considers some problems with the family approach. (Contains 42 references.) (GCP)

Bipolar Disorder in Adolescence: Diagnosis and Treatment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilkinson, Great Buyck; Taylor, Priscilla; Holt, Jan R.

2002-01-01

Due to developmental issues and overlapping symptoms with other disorders, diagnosing bipolar disorder in adolescents is often a confusing and complex process. This article highlights diagnostic criteria, symptoms and behaviors, and the differential diagnosis process. Treatment options are also discussed. (Contains 17 references.) (GCP)

Religiousness as a Predictor of Alcohol Use in High School Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Hae-Seong; Bauer, Scott; Oescher, Jeffrey

2001-01-01

Examines the relationship between religiousness and alcohol use of adolescents based on a sample of high school seniors. Results provide support for examining religiousness variables as predictors of alcohol use patterns of adolescents. (Contains 16 references and 4 tables.) (GCP)

Challenges and impact of conducting vaccine trials in Asia and Africa

PubMed Central

Kochhar, Sonali

2013-01-01

Immunization is one of the most beneficial and cost-effective disease prevention measures. There are global efforts to develop new vaccines for disease control. The vaccine clinical trials must be conducted in the countries where they will be used. This has led to vaccine trials being conducted across Asia and Africa where there is a high burden of infectious diseases. The setup and successful conduct of International standard GCP vaccine trials across trial centers located in resource constrained settings are challenging. The challenges, ethical considerations and impact of the implementation of clinical trials in low-resource settings are highlighted here to help vaccine development programs successfully conduct such trials. PMID:23321645

[Clinical safety data management in company non-sponsored trials].

PubMed

Saito, Akiko; Sakai, Junko; Kurihara, Masaaki; Kami, Masahiro; Kanda, Yoshinobu; Mori, Shin-ichiro; Takaue, Yoichi; Ohashi, Yasuo

2003-09-01

There is currently no harmonized way in Japan to manage safety data which are obtained during clinical trials supported by Government funds. There are two types of clinical trials, 'sponsored trials(sponsored by industrial companies)' and 'non-sponsored trials(funded by the Government, etc.)'. The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare has issued many of pharmaceutical laws(GCP, GPMSP etc.) for the regulation of sponsored trials, while none has ever established for non-sponsored trials, thus leaving the most important quality control/assurance unregulated. In this manuscript we discuss that the simple application of pharmaceutical laws to government-sponsored trials can not be a proper answer because of the different nature of the two types of trials.

Clinical trials and the new good clinical practice guideline in Japan. An economic perspective.

PubMed

Ono, S; Kodama, Y

2000-08-01

Japanese clinical trials have been drastically changing in response to the implementation of the International Conference on Harmonisation-Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) guideline in 1997. The most important aim of the new guideline is to standardise the quality of clinical trials in the US, European Union and Japan, but it inevitably imposes substantial costs on investigators, sponsors and even patients in Japan. The study environment in Japan differs from that in the US in several ways: (i) historical lack of a formal requirement for informed consent; (ii) patients' attitudes to clinical trials in terms of expectation of positive outcomes; (iii) the implications of universal health insurance for trial participation; (iv) the historical absence of on-site monitoring by the sponsor, with the attendant effects on study quality; and (v) the lack of adequate financial and personnel support for the conduct of trials. Implementation of the new GCP guideline will improve the ethical and scientific quality of trials conducted in Japan. It may also lead to an improved relationship between medical professionals and patients if the requirement for explicit informed consent in clinical trials leads to the provision of a similar level of patient information in routine care and changes the traditional paternalistic attitude of physicians to patients. The initial response of the Japanese 'market' for clinical trials to the implementation of the ICH-GCP guideline has been clinical trial price increases and a decrease in the number of study contracts. These changes can be explained by applying a simple demand-supply scheme. Whether clinical trials undertaken in Japan become more or less attractive to the industry in the long term will depend on other factors such as international regulations on the acceptability of foreign clinical trials and the reform of domestic healthcare policies.

The influence of Dworshak Dam on epilithic community metabolism in the Clearwater River, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Munn, M.D.; Brusven, M.A.

2004-01-01

Epilithic community metabolism was determined on a seasonal basis over two years in nonregulated and regulated reaches of the Clearwater River in northern Idaho, U.S.A. Metabolism was estimated using three, 12-liter recirculating chambers and the dissolved oxygen method, with parameters expressed as g O2 m−2 d−1. In the nonregulated reach above the reservoir, gross community productivity (GCP) ranged from 0.8 to 3.2, community respiration (CR24) from 0.3 to 1.2, and production/respiration (P/R) ratios from 1.2 to 3.3. Epilithic metabolism in the regulated reach immediately below the dam increased sharply; GCP ranged from 4.2 to 25.5, CR24 from 1.9 to 9.7, and P/R ratios from 1.4 to 5.7. Increased primary production and respiration in the regulated reach was a result of extensive growth of an aquatic moss (Fontanalis neo-mexicanus). The influence of the dam on epilithic community metabolism was mitigated 2.5 km downstream of the dam due to the regulated North Fork of the Clearwater River (NFCR) merging with the larger, nonregulated Clearwater River. While the regulated Clearwater River below the confluence was somewhat affected by the regulated NFCR flows upstream, metabolism was similar to that found above the reservoir (GCP = 1.2 – 2.6, CR24 = 0.6 – 1.3, and P/R = 1.4 – 2.2). This study demonstrates that while Dworshak Dam has altered both primary production and respiration directly below the dam, the placement of the dam only 2.5 km upstream from a nonregulated reach greatly mitigates its effects on stream metabolism downstream.

Microbial community production, respiration, and structure of the microbial food web of an ecosystem in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maixandeau, Anne; LefèVre, Dominique; Karayanni, Hera; Christaki, Urania; van Wambeke, France; Thyssen, Melilotus; Denis, Michel; FernáNdez, Camila I.; Uitz, Julia; Leblanc, Karine; QuéGuiner, Bernard

2005-07-01

Gross community production (GCP), dark community respiration (DCR), and the biomass of the different size classes of organisms in the microbial community were measured in the northeastern Atlantic basin as part of the Programme Océan Multidisciplinaire Méso Echelle (POMME) project. The field experiment was conducted during three seasons (winter, spring, and late summer-fall) in 2001. Samples were collected from four different mesoscale structures within the upper 100 m. GCP rates increased from winter (101 ± 24 mmol O2 m-2 d-1) to spring (153 ± 27 mmol O2 m-2 d-1) and then decreased from spring to late summer (44 ± 18 mmol O2 m-2 d-1). DCR rates increased from winter (-47 ± 18 mmol O2 m-2 d-1) to spring (-97 ± 7 mmol O2 m-2 d-1) and then decreased from spring to late summer (50 ± 7 mmol O2 m-2 d-1). The onset of stratification depended on latitude as well as on the presence of mesoscale structures (eddies), and this largely contributed to the variability of GCP. The trophic status of the POMME area was defined as net autotrophic, with a mean annual net community production rate of +38 ± 18 mmol O2 m-2 d-1, exhibiting a seasonal variation from +2 ± 20 mmol O2 m-2 d-1 to +57 ± 20 mmol O2 m-2 d-1. This study highlights that small organisms (picoautotrophs, nanoautotrophs, and bacteria) are the main organisms contributing to biological fluxes throughout the year and that episodic blooms of microphytoplankton are related to mesoscale structures.

Scleroderma dermal microvascular endothelial cells exhibit defective response to pro-angiogenic chemokines

PubMed Central

Rabquer, Bradley J.; Ohara, Ray A.; Stinson, William A.; Campbell, Phillip L.; Amin, M. Asif; Balogh, Beatrix; Zakhem, George; Renauer, Paul A.; Lozier, Ann; Arasu, Eshwar; Haines, G. Kenneth; Kahaleh, Bashar; Schiopu, Elena; Khanna, Dinesh; Koch, Alisa E.

2016-01-01

Objectives. Angiogenesis plays a critical role in SSc (scleroderma). The aim of this study was to examine the expression of growth-regulated protein-γ (Gro-γ/CXCL3), granulocyte chemotactic protein 2 (GCP-2/CXCL6) and their receptor CXCR2 in endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from SSc skin and determine whether these cells mount an angiogenic response towards pro-angiogenic chemokines. The downstream signalling pathways as well as the pro-angiogenic transcription factor inhibitor of DNA-binding protein 1 (Id-1) were also examined. Methods. Skin biopsies were obtained from patients with dcSSc. ECs were isolated via magnetic positive selection. Angiogenesis was measured by EC chemotaxis assay. Results. Gro-γ/CXCL3 and GCP-2/CXCL6 were minimally expressed in both skin types but elevated in SSc serum. Pro-angiogenic chemokine mRNA was greater in SSc ECs than in normal ECs. SSc ECs did not migrate to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Gro-γ/CXCL3, GCP-2/CXCL6 or CXCL16. The signalling pathways stimulated by these chemokines were also dysregulated. Id-1 mRNA in SSc ECs was lower compared with normal ECs, and overexpression of Id-1 in SSc ECs increased their ability to migrate towards VEGF and CXCL16. Conclusion. Our results show that SSc ECs are unable to respond to pro-angiogenic chemokines despite their increased expression in serum and ECs. This might be due to the differences in the signalling pathways activated by these chemokines in normal vs SSc ECs. In addition, the lower expression of Id-1 also decreases the angiogenic response. The inability of pro-angiogenic chemokines to promote EC migration provides an additional mechanism for the impaired angiogenesis that characterizes SSc. PMID:26705326

Selling: A Non-traditional Human Service Skill.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McClam, Tricia; Woodside, Marianne

1999-01-01

Interviews with human service professional across the United States identify selling as a helpful and often necessary skill for effective service delivery. Article introduces selling as a human service skill, explores its benefits to service delivery, and discusses its implications for human service education. (Author/GCP)

The Impact of Al-Islam on the African American Population.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lumumba, Hakeem

2003-01-01

This article explores different aspects of the Islamic religion, or Al-Islam, including the beliefs and religious practices of Muslims; the historical relationship among Africa, African Americans, and Al-Islam; and the current and future implications for African Americans. (Contains 25 references.) (GCP)

Spiritual Wellness for Clients with HIV/AIDS: Review of Counseling Issues.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holt, Jennifer L.; Houg, Bonnie L.; Romano, John L.

1999-01-01

Reviews the salient literature concerning the relationship between HIV/AIDS clients' counseling and spiritual issues. Three broad themes are used: terminal illness issues, religious disenfranchisement, and multicultural spiritual and religious issues. Practical recommendations for counselors and research implications are included. (Author/GCP)

Employment Counseling and Life Stressors: Coping through Expressive Writing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soper, Barlow; Von Bergen, C. W.

2001-01-01

Discusses the use of expressive writing as a potential intervention for use by employment counselors to assist clients in their search for work. Discusses factors that favorably influence expressive writing and specific procedures for implementation in the employment counseling context. (Contains 51 references.) (GCP)

Establishing pan-European clinical trials: regulatory compliance and other practical considerations.

PubMed

Grienenberger, Aurelie

2004-01-01

There are currently many concerns in the pharmaceutical and scientific community working in or around clinical research on the EU Directive 2001/20/EC or Clinical Trials Directive. The Directive introduces regulatory requirements for all phases of study in human subjects, drawing no distinction between commercially funded drug trials and non-commercial/academic research. The Directive makes Good Clinical Practice (GCP) a legal requirement in Europe and all clinical research will be subjected to the same rigorous standards including GCP and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) application even at the early clinical phases as well as exhaustive pharmacovigilance and protection of trial subjects. Some of these requirements may be seen as additional burden and a brake to clinical research in Europe. However, the application of the directive should provide a single and highly regulated market of 25 European countries for investigational medicinal products. This article reviews the main aspects and areas of concern of the Directive and provide US sponsor with useful references.

Promoting good health research practice in low- and middle-income countries

PubMed Central

Mahendradhata, Yodi; Nabieva, Jamila; Ahmad, Riris Andono; Henley, Patricia; Launois, Pascal; Merle, Corinne; Maure, Christine; Horstick, Olaf; Elango, Varalakshmi

2016-01-01

Background Good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines have been the source of improvement in the quality of clinical trials; however, there are limitations to the application of GCP in the conduct of health research beyond industry-sponsored clinical trials. The UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Disease is promoting good practice in all health research involving human through the Good Health Research Practice (GHRP) training program initiative. Objective To report the results of piloting the GHRP training program and formulate further steps to harness GHRP for promoting good practices in all health research involving human, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Design The objective of this training is to impart knowledge and skills for the application of ethical and quality principles to the design, conduct, recording, and reporting of health research involving human participants based on the level of risk, to ensure a fit-for-purpose quality system. This has been formulated into five sequential modules to be delivered in a 4-day course. Four courses have been organized in the pilot phase (2014–2015). The courses have been evaluated and assessed based on course feedback (quantitative and qualitative data) collected during course implementation and qualitative email-based pre- and post-course evaluation. Results Participants were highly satisfied with the course content and its organization. The relevance and applicability of the course content resulted in positive feedback and an articulated willingness to adapt and disseminate the course. Action points to strengthen the training program have been identified, and showed the imminent need to develop a consensus with a broader range of key stakeholders on the final set of GHRP standards and means for implementation. Conclusions There is an urgent need to harness the momentum to promote high-quality and ethical health research in LMICs through scaling up GHRP training and further development of GHRP principles into international standards. PMID:27498965

Seismic velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle beneath the Texas-Gulf of Mexico margin from joint inversion of Ps and Sp receiver functions and surface wave dispersion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agrawal, M.; Pulliam, J.; Sen, M. K.

2013-12-01

The seismic structure beneath Texas Gulf Coast Plain (GCP) is determined via velocity analysis of stacked common conversion point (CCP) Ps and Sp receiver functions and surface wave dispersion. The GCP is a portion of a ocean-continental transition zone, or 'passive margin', where seismic imaging of lithospheric Earth structure via passive seismic techniques has been rare. Seismic data from a temporary array of 22 broadband stations, spaced 16-20 km apart, on a ~380-km-long profile from Matagorda Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, to Johnson City, Texas were employed to construct a coherent image of the crust and uppermost mantle. CCP stacking was applied to data from teleseismic earthquakes to enhance the signal-to-noise ratios of converted phases, such as Ps phases. An inaccurate velocity model, used for time-to-depth conversion in CCP stacking, may produce higher errors, especially in a region of substantial lateral velocity variations. An accurate velocity model is therefore essential to constructing high quality depth-domain images. To find accurate velocity P- and S-wave models, we applied a joint modeling approach that searches for best-fitting models via simulated annealing. This joint inversion approach, which we call 'multi objective optimization in seismology' (MOOS), simultaneously models Ps receiver functions, Sp receiver functions and group velocity surface wave dispersion curves after assigning relative weights for each objective function. Weights are computed from the standard deviations of the data. Statistical tools such as the posterior parameter correlation matrix and posterior probability density (PPD) function are used to evaluate the constraints that each data type places on model parameters. They allow us to identify portions of the model that are well or poorly constrained.

Collegiate Alcohol Use and High-Risk Sexual Behavior: A Literature Review.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaly, Perry W.; Heesacker, Martin; Frost, Hanna M.

2002-01-01

Discusses two theories of alcohol use and risky behavior: disinhibition theory and alcohol myopia theory. Reviews the empirical research on collegiate alcohol use and high-risk sexual behavior. Suggestions for future research and for student personnel professionals are provided. (Contains 58 references.) (GCP)

Similarity of Deleterious Effects of Divorce on Chinese and American Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhou, Zheng; Bray, Melissa A.; Kehle, Thomas J.; Xin, Tao

2001-01-01

Reviews and contrasts the effects of divorce on Chinese children's adjustment to American children of divorce. Results indicate that the deleterious effects of divorce on children's academic and social functioning appear to be similar to that experienced by American children. (Contains 23 references.) (GCP)

Interview with Peggy Papp.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Lynn

2001-01-01

Presents an interview with Peggy Papp, a faculty member at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, where she is director of the Depression in Context Project. The Interview focuses on Papp's journey to becoming a marriage and family therapist and her role as a leader in field of feminist therapy. (GCP)

Case Study of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder--Heller's Syndrome.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bray, Melissa A.; Kehle, Thomas J.; Theodore, Lea A.; Broudy, Matthew S.

2002-01-01

Discusses the case of a 25-year-old male with childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), or Heller's syndrome, in terms of differential diagnosis, progression of the disorder, and suggestions for home- and school-based interventions. Documents the progressive deterioration of cognitive and social competencies. (Contains 23 references.) (GCP)

The Third Editorial Phase: A Story of a Worker Bee.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stone, Gerald L.

1999-01-01

Describes the content and policies of "The Counseling Psychologist" (TCP) during the years of 1991 to 1996. Accompanying this description and relevant data is a story about the editing experience. Comments about the relationship of TCP and larger social issues are discussed. (Author/GCP)

Helping Elementary-Age Children Cope with Disasters.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shen, Yih-Jiun; Sink, Christopher A.

2002-01-01

This article addresses the effects of disasters on elementary-age children and their needs for mental health. Suggests possible school-based interventions and provides a case study of a traumatized first-grader, demonstrating how child- centered play therapy can be used in school settings. (Contains 57 references.) (GCP)

Prisoners, Prison, and Religion: Religion and Adjustment to Prison.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clear, Todd R.; Sumter, Melvina T.

2002-01-01

Explore the relationship between inmate religiousness and adjustment to prison and the number of disciplinary confinements they receive. Findings indicate that a significant relationship exists between inmate religiousness and multiple measures of inmate adjustment to the prison environment. (Contains 81 references and 7 tables.) (GCP)

Annual low-cost monitoring of a coastal site in Greece by an unmanned aerial vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffmeister, Dirk; Bareth, Georg

2016-04-01

Coastal areas are under permanent change and are also the result of past processes. These processes are for example sediment transport, accumulation and erosion by normal and extreme waves (storms or tsunamis). As about 23% of the World's population lives within a 100 km distance of coasts, knowledge about coastal processes is important, in particular for possible changes in the nearby future. The past devastating tsunami events demonstrated profoundly the high vulnerability of coastal areas. In order to estimate the different effects, coastal monitoring approaches are of interest. Several different methods exist in order to determine changes in the sedimentary budget and coastline configuration. In order to estimate constant annual changes, we have applied terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) in an annual monitoring approach (2009-2011). In 2014, we changed to an approach based on dense imaging and structure-from-motion, applying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in order to conduct an annual monitoring of a coastal site in western Greece. Therefore, a GoPro Hero 3+ and a Canon PowerShot S110 mounted on a DJI-Phantom 2 were used. All surveys were conducted in a manually structured image acquisition with a huge overlap. Ground control points (GCP) were measured by tachymetric surveying. This successful approach was repeated again in 2015 with the Canon camera. The measurements of 2014 were controlled by an additional TLS survey, which revealed the high accuracy and more suitable coverage for the UAV-based data. Likewise, the large picture datasets were artificially reduced in order to estimate the most efficient number of images for dense point cloud processing. In addition, also the number of GCPs was decreased for one dataset. Overall, high-resolution digital elevation models with a ground resolution of 10 mm and an equal accuracy were achieved with this low-cost equipment. The data reveals the slight changes on this selected site.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for high resolution topography and monitoring: civil protection purposes on hydrogeological contexts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertacchini, Eleonora; Castagnetti, Cristina; Corsini, Alessandro; De Cono, Stefano

2014-10-01

The proposed work concerns the analysis of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), also known as drones, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) or UAS (Unmanned Aerial System), on hydrogeological contexts for civil protection purposes, underlying the advantages of using a flexible and relatively low cost system. The capabilities of photogrammetric RPAS multi-sensors platform were examined in term of mapping, creation of orthophotos, 3D models generation, data integration into a 3D GIS (Geographic Information System) and validation through independent techniques such as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The RPAS used (multirotor OktoXL, of the Mikrokopter) was equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, digital cameras for photos and videos, an inertial navigation system, a radio device for communication and telemetry, etc. This innovative way of viewing and understanding the environment showed huge potentialities for the study of the territory, and due to its characteristics could be well integrated with aircraft surveys. However, such characteristics seem to give priority to local applications for rigorous and accurate analysis, while it remains a means of expeditious investigation for more extended areas. According to civil protection purposes, the experimentation was carried out by simulating operational protocols, for example for inspection, surveillance, monitoring, land mapping, georeferencing methods (with or without Ground Control Points - GCP) based on high resolution topography (2D and 3D information).

Toward an automated low-cost three-dimensional crop surface monitoring system using oblique stereo imagery from consumer-grade smart cameras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brocks, Sebastian; Bendig, Juliane; Bareth, Georg

2016-10-01

Crop surface models (CSMs) representing plant height above ground level are a useful tool for monitoring in-field crop growth variability and enabling precision agriculture applications. A semiautomated system for generating CSMs was implemented. It combines an Android application running on a set of smart cameras for image acquisition and transmission and a set of Python scripts automating the structure-from-motion (SfM) software package Agisoft Photoscan and ArcGIS. Only ground-control-point (GCP) marking was performed manually. This system was set up on a barley field experiment with nine different barley cultivars in the growing period of 2014. Images were acquired three times a day for a period of two months. CSMs were successfully generated for 95 out of 98 acquisitions between May 2 and June 30. The best linear regressions of the CSM-derived plot-wise averaged plant-heights compared to manual plant height measurements taken at four dates resulted in a coefficient of determination R2 of 0.87 and a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.08 m, with Willmott's refined index of model performance dr equaling 0.78. In total, 103 mean plot heights were used in the regression based on the noon acquisition time. The presented system succeeded in semiautomatedly monitoring crop height on a plot scale to field scale.

Student Perceptions of the Transition from Elementary to Middle School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akos, Patrick

2002-01-01

This study sought to learn more about student perceptions during the transition from elementary to middle school. In response to students' concerns, it is suggested that school counselors implement preventive or proactive programming to assist students with the elementary to middle school transition. (Contains 22 references.) (GCP)

Parental Divorce and Interpersonal Trust in Adult Offspring.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

King, Valarie

2002-01-01

Examines whether parental divorce is associated with offspring trust in parents, intimate partners, and others. Results reveal that although parental divorce is negatively associated with trust, these effects largely disappear once the quality of the past parent-teen relationship is taken into account. (Contains 48 references and 4 tables.) (GCP)

Commentary:Deja vu All Over Again: What Will It Take To Solve Big Instructional Problems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ysseldyke, Jim

2000-01-01

Presents a response to "School Psychology from an Instructional Perspective: Solving Big, Not Little Problems" (this issue). The author supports Shapiro's arguments but worries much about the barriers that would have to be overcome to enable such a paradigm shift to occur. (GCP)

Sexual Harassment and Dual-Career Issues: The Case of Megan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perrone, Kristin M.

2002-01-01

Presents a case example of an application of an ecological model of career development in a woman with sexual harassment issues in the workplace and challenges related to being part of a dual-career marriage. Suggests career counseling strategies and discusses potential barriers to effective counseling. (GCP)

A Cluster Analytic Study of Clinical Orientations among Chemical Dependency Counselors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thombs, Dennis L.; Osborn, Cynthia J.

2001-01-01

Three distinct clinical orientations were identified in a sample of chemical dependency counselors (N=406). Based on cluster analysis, the largest group, identified and labeled as "uniform counselors," endorsed a simple, moral-disease model with little interest in psychosocial interventions. (Contains 50 references and 4 tables.) (GCP)

Letter Writing as a Tool To Increase Client Motivation To Change: Application to an Inpatient Crisis Unit.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tubman, Jonathan G.; Montgomery, Marilyn J.; Wagner, Eric F.

2001-01-01

Describes the application of a letter writing exercise as a motivational technique for group counseling in contemporary crisis unit settings. Discusses guidelines and implications for clinical practice with clients with multiple, chronic problems. (Contains 37 references and 1 table.) (GCP)

College Recruiting on a Tight Budget.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keeton, Allison

2002-01-01

Even during the best economic times, many companies question the value of their college relations program and its place within their human resources function. To achieve positive recruiting outcomes despite limited means, college relations professionals need to know their market, use internal resources, be creative, and make smart decisions. (GCP)

A Case in Clinical Supervision: A Framework for Putting Theory into Practice.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pearson, Quinn M.

2001-01-01

Presents a framework for applying supervision theory to clinical practice that integrates developmental and social role theories of supervision. Proposes that by providing the optimal supervision environment, supervisors are in a better position to meet the needs of counselors and the clients they serve. (GCP)

Close Online Relationships in a National Sample of Adolescents.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolak, Janis; Mitchell, Kimberly J.; Finkelhor, David

2002-01-01

Uses data from a national survey of adolescent Internet users to describe online relationships. Fourteen percent of the youths interviewed reported close online friendships during the past year, 7% reported face-to-face meetings, and 2% reported online romances. Few youths reported bad experiences with online friends. (GCP)

Women in Leadership: Living with the Constraints of the Glass Ceiling.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, M. Carolyn; Caffarella, Rosemary S.; Ingram, Peggy B.

1999-01-01

Explores how women managers construct their career paths, how they negotiate the demands of their professional and personal lives, and how being a woman impacts career development. Results indicate very little gender awareness among the women interviewed despite the experiences of gender discrimination experienced in their careers. (GCP)

Opiate and Cocaine Exposed Newborns: Growth Outcomes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Butz, Arlene M.; Kaufmann, Walter E.; Royall, Richard; Kolodner, Ken; Pulsifer, Margaret B.; Lears, Mary Kathleen; Henderson, Robin; Belcher, Harolyn; Sellers, Sherri; Wilson, Modena

1999-01-01

Examines growth parameters at birth in 204 infants born to mothers who used cocaine and/or opiates during pregnancy. Outcome measures included birth weight, length, and head circumference. Study provides support that in utero cocaine exposure may confer more risk for somatic growth retardation at birth than opiate exposure. (Author/GCP)

76 FR 48879 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Alabama Beach Mouse General Conservation Plan for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-09

...] Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Alabama Beach Mouse General Conservation Plan for Incidental... future incidental take applications. The take would affect the federally endangered Alabama beach mouse... GCP and the dEIS. These documents analyze the take of the Alabama beach mouse incidental to...

You Can't Fight the System: Strategies of Family Justice in Foster Care Reintegration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crenshaw, Wes; Barnum, David

2001-01-01

Discusses the issue of justice in family therapy interventions and shares several strategies and ways of thinking about the therapy of foster care. Illustrates a case study and the interventions used to restore justice to a family caught up in the "system." (GCP)

Calls to Teen Line: Representative Concerns of Adolescents.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boehm, Kathryn E.; Schondel, Connie K.; Ivoska, William J.; Marlowe, Alison L.; Manke-Mitchell, Laurie

1998-01-01

Study examines whether the concerns of teenagers calling a peer listening service are representative of the concerns of teenagers in the area served. Results indicate that students' biggest concerns involve family problems, peer relationships, self-esteem, and school problems. Concludes that calls to the teen line are representative. (Author/GCP)

Extending the Tradition of "The Counseling Psychologist" by Building on Strengths.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heppner, P. Paul

1999-01-01

Describes "The Counseling Psychologist's" (TCP) format and content, policy issues, editing experiences, and the interplay of professional and social forces during the years of 1997 to 1998. Focuses on the journal's mission to extend the tradition of the TCP by building on its many strengths. (GCP)

Anorexia Nervosa: Treatment in the Family Context.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levitt, Dana Heller

2001-01-01

One form of treatment for anorexia nervosa that continues to be developed is family therapy. In the following article, anorexia nervosa and its prevalence are defined, theories of its development are discussed, and family therapy interventions that have been applied to the treatment of the disorder are outlined. (Contains 15 references.) (GCP)

Surrender To Win: How Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Users Change Their Lives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vaughn, Courtney; Long, Wesley

1999-01-01

Investigates the uniqueness and complexity of adolescent drug and alcohol abuse recovery, particularly the early years and events catalyzing the surrender process. Offers individual interviews of seven adolescents who surrendered their alcohol and drug addictions and constructed sober identities through participation in Alcoholics Anonymous. (GCP)

Pushbroom Hyperspectral Imaging from AN Unmanned Aircraft System (uas) - Geometric Processingworkflow and Accuracy Assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turner, D.; Lucieer, A.; McCabe, M.; Parkes, S.; Clarke, I.

2017-08-01

In this study, we assess two push broom hyperspectral sensors as carried by small (10-15 kg) multi-rotor Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). We used a Headwall Photonics micro-Hyperspec push broom sensor with 324 spectral bands (4-5 nm FWHM) and a Headwall Photonics nano-Hyperspec sensor with 270 spectral bands (6 nm FWHM) both in the VNIR spectral range (400-1000 nm). A gimbal was used to stabilise the sensors in relation to the aircraft flight dynamics, and for the micro-Hyperspec a tightly coupled dual frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and Machine Vision Camera (MVC) were used for attitude and position determination. For the nano-Hyperspec, a navigation grade GNSS system and IMU provided position and attitude data. This study presents the geometric results of one flight over a grass oval on which a dense Ground Control Point (GCP) network was deployed. The aim being to ascertain the geometric accuracy achievable with the system. Using the PARGE software package (ReSe - Remote Sensing Applications) we ortho-rectify the push broom hyperspectral image strips and then quantify the accuracy of the ortho-rectification by using the GCPs as check points. The orientation (roll, pitch, and yaw) of the sensor is measured by the IMU. Alternatively imagery from a MVC running at 15 Hz, with accurate camera position data can be processed with Structure from Motion (SfM) software to obtain an estimated camera orientation. In this study, we look at which of these data sources will yield a flight strip with the highest geometric accuracy.

Probabilistic terrain models from waveform airborne LiDAR: AutoProbaDTM project results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jalobeanu, A.; Goncalves, G. R.

2012-12-01

The main objective of the AutoProbaDTM project was to develop new methods for automated probabilistic topographic map production using the latest LiDAR scanners. It included algorithmic development, implementation and validation over a 200 km2 test area in continental Portugal, representing roughly 100 GB of raw data and half a billion waveforms. We aimed to generate digital terrain models automatically, including ground topography as well as uncertainty maps, using Bayesian inference for model estimation and error propagation, and approaches based on image processing. Here we are presenting the results of the completed project (methodological developments and processing results from the test dataset). In June 2011, the test data were acquired in central Portugal, over an area of geomorphological and ecological interest, using a Riegl LMS-Q680i sensor. We managed to survey 70% of the test area at a satisfactory sampling rate, the angular spacing matching the laser beam divergence and the ground spacing nearly equal to the footprint (almost 4 pts/m2 for a 50cm footprint at 1500 m AGL). This is crucial for a correct processing as aliasing artifacts are significantly reduced. A reverse engineering had to be done as the data were delivered in a proprietary binary format, so we were able to read the waveforms and the essential parameters. A robust waveform processing method has been implemented and tested, georeferencing and geometric computations have been coded. Fast gridding and interpolation techniques have been developed. Validation is nearly completed, as well as geometric calibration, IMU error correction, full error propagation and large-scale DEM reconstruction. A probabilistic processing software package has been implemented and code optimization is in progress. This package includes new boresight calibration procedures, robust peak extraction modules, DEM gridding and interpolation methods, and means to visualize the produced uncertain surfaces (topography and accuracy map). Vegetation filtering for bare ground extraction has been left aside, and we wish to explore this research area in the future. A thorough validation of the new techniques and computed models has been conducted, using large numbers of ground control points (GCP) acquired with GPS, evenly distributed and classified according to ground cover and terrain characteristics. More than 16,000 GCP have been acquired during field work. The results are now freely accessible online through a web map service (GeoServer) thus allowing users to visualize data interactively without having to download the full processed dataset.

Mapping within-field variations of soil organic carbon content using UAV multispectral visible near-infrared images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilliot, Jean-Marc; Vaudour, Emmanuelle; Michelin, Joël

2016-04-01

This study was carried out in the framework of the PROSTOCK-Gessol3 project supported by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), the TOSCA-PLEIADES-CO project of the French Space Agency (CNES) and the SOERE PRO network working on environmental impacts of Organic Waste Products recycling on field crops at long time scale. The organic matter is an important soil fertility parameter and previous studies have shown the potential of spectral information measured in the laboratory or directly in the field using field spectro-radiometer or satellite imagery to predict the soil organic carbon (SOC) content. This work proposes a method for a spatial prediction of bare cultivated topsoil SOC content, from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) multispectral imagery. An agricultural plot of 13 ha, located in the western region of Paris France, was analysed in April 2013, shortly before sowing while it was still bare soil. Soils comprised haplic luvisols, rendzic cambisols and calcaric or colluvic cambisols. The UAV platform used was a fixed wing provided by Airinov® flying at an altitude of 150m and was equipped with a four channels multispectral visible near-infrared camera MultiSPEC 4C® (550nm, 660nm, 735 nm and 790 nm). Twenty three ground control points (GCP) were sampled within the plot according to soils descriptions. GCP positions were determined with a centimetric DGPS. Different observations and measurements were made synchronously with the drone flight: soil surface description, spectral measurements (with ASD FieldSpec 3® spectroradiometer), roughness measurements by a photogrammetric method. Each of these locations was sampled for both soil standard physico-chemical analysis and soil water content. A Structure From Motion (SFM) processing was done from the UAV imagery to produce a 15 cm resolution multispectral mosaic using the Agisoft Photoscan® software. The SOC content was modelled by partial least squares regression (PLSR) between the laboratory analyses and the multispectral information for the 23 plots. The mean squared error of cross validation (RMSECV) by LOO (Leave One Out) method was 1.97 g of OC per kg of soil. A second correction of the model incorporating the effects of moisture and roughness on reflectance, has improved the quality of the prediction by 18% and a RMSECV of 1.61 g / kg. The model was finally spatialized on the whole plot using ArcGIS® by applying the regression formula on all mosaic pixels. Results are discussed in the light of an additional sampling campaign carried out in October 2015, providing 34 independent samples.

Parents in Prison.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Arlene F.; Kreisher, Kristen

2002-01-01

When parents are incarcerated, their children can become the unintended victims. The children can suffer trauma similar to that from a divorce or the death of a loved one. As the number of parents in prison increases, it's vital that school counselors learn how to help these children with their issues of loss, shame and anger. (GCP)

What Are the Buildings Saying? A Study of First-Year Undergraduate Students' Attributions about College Campus Architecture.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bennett, Michael A.; Benton, Stephen L.

2001-01-01

Examines the attributions college students (N=301) make toward pictures of college campus buildings. Results reveal that students attributed greater likelihood of individual success to pictures depicting modern architecture than they did to those depicting traditional architecture. (Contains 28 references and 3 tables.) (Author/GCP)

Building Cultures of Peace: An Urgent Task for Counseling Professionals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gerstein, Lawrence H.; Moeschberger, Scott L.

2003-01-01

Reviews articles in a 2001 special issue of Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology (A. Brenes & M. Wessells, 2001b) devoted to building cultures of peace. Counselor educators are offered suggestions on how to prepare counselors to successfully create cultures of peace in a variety of communities. (Contains 21 references.) (GCP)

Client Pretreatment Characteristics as Predictors of Outcome in Brief Therapy for Bulimia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guiffrida, Douglas A.; Barnes, Kristin L.; Hoskins, Christine M.; Roman, Lisa L.

2001-01-01

Presents an overview for college counselors of the literature on bulimia treatment outcomes for purposes of screening, treatment, and referral. Outlines pretreatment characteristics that seem amenable to success in brief therapy, as well as those that do not lead to a positive outcome. (Contains 37 references and 2 tables.) (Author/GCP)

Development of an Art Psychotherapy Model for the Prevention and Treatment of Unresolved Grief during Midlife.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turetsky, Cheryl J.; Hays, Ronald E.

2003-01-01

Presents an integrated model as an appropriate intervention to enable mourning and creativity and thus help in the prevention and treatment of unresolved grief in midlife. Two examples of this model in art-psychotherapy group treatment are provided. (Contains 53 references, 1 table, and 2 figures.) (GCP)

Differences between Adolescent Mothers and Nonmothers: An Interview Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garrett, Susan Corona; Tidwell, Romeria

1999-01-01

Reports on in-depth interviews conducted with nine adolescent females, all residing in a licensed care institution. Four of them were already mothers, four were not mothers, and one was pregnant. Abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction were found to be more pronounced among the mothers and the pregnant adolescent. (Author/GCP)

To Pee or Not To Pee: Reconsidering the Need for Urinalysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yacoubian, George S., Jr.; Urbach, Blake J.

2002-01-01

Compares urinalysis results for cocaine and opiates to self-reported three-day cocaine and opiate use. Statistics indicate that the strength of agreement between the two drug use measures is consistent over time. These findings suggest that the need for urinalysis should be reconsidered. (Contains 16 references and 2 tables.) (GCP)

The Sacred Child Project: A New Definition of "Formal" Services.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eagle, John; Painte, Deborah; Paulson, Susan; Young Bird, Mike

1999-01-01

Reviews the Sacred Child Project in North Dakota, a tribally developed version of the wraparound process. The effort combines contemporary human services with the spiritual and cultural wisdom of the tribes. The article is based on an interview and conversation between the authors and John VanDenBerg, a wraparound consultant. (Author/GCP)

Lavender Graduation: Acknowledging the Lives and Achievement of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender College Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sano, Ronni

2000-01-01

Discusses the origins and practices of Lavender Graduations, events in which the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender college students are celebrated. Examines results of an evaluation survey, reviews implications for practice, and provides suggestions for future research. (Contains 19 references.) (GCP)

Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples in the Treatment of Depression: A Pilot Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dessaulles, Andre; Johnson, Susan M.; Denton, Wayne H.

2003-01-01

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) for couples was compared to pharmacotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Both interventions were equally effective in symptom reduction. Results suggest EFT might be useful in the treatment of comorbid major depressive disorder and relational distress. (Contains 34 references and 1 figure.) (GCP)

Toward the Development of a Program Evaluation Business Model: Promoting the Longevity of Counselling in Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ernst, Kelly; Hiebert, Bryan

2002-01-01

Presents a model of comprehensive guidance and counseling integrated within a business context. Concludes that using program evaluation to position counseling as a business with effective service products may enhance the long-term viability of comprehensive guidance and counseling programs. (Contains 48 references.) (GCP)

Issues of Anger in the Workplace: Do Gender and Gender Role Matter?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gianakos, Irene

2002-01-01

To examine the influence of gender and gender role on anger experiences in the workplace, 257 adult students completed narratives describing their anger-provoking issues and anger expression. Analyses revealed that gender did not influence the types of issues cited or workers' anger expressions. (Contains 39 references and an appendix.) (GCP)

Hope, Illness, and Counselling Practice: Making Hope Visible.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edey, Wendy; Jevne, Ronna F.

2003-01-01

Draws on some of the literature from the fields of nursing and psychology which links counseling practice, hope, and illness. Addresses the issue of false hope and the challenge of being a hopeful counselor. Two working examples are used to suggest and briefly demonstrate interventions counselors might make. (Contains 31 references.) (GCP)

Facilitating Spiritual Meaning-Making for the Individual with a Diagnosis of a Terminal Illness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Laurie Shepherd

2003-01-01

Encourages counselors to recognize the value of incorporating the spiritual domain in their work and offers strategies that can be used to promote meaning-making when working with clients with limited life expectancy. The use of rituals and expressive activities is highlighted. (Contains 50 references.) (GCP)

Urban African American Adolescent Parents: Their Perceptions of Sex, Love, Intimacy, Pregnancy, and Parenting.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, Jewel L. Jones

1998-01-01

Examines the perception of urban African-American adolescent mothers and fathers regarding sex, love, intimacy, pregnancy, and parenting. Uses structured interviews and focus groups to gather data. Employs inductive data analysis using constant comparison methods to identify themes and patterns within and across gender groups. (Author/GCP)

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Successes and Failures: Eight Personal Perspectives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weinrach, Stephen G.; Ellis, Albert; MacLaren, Catharine; DiGiuseppe, Raymond; Vernon, Ann; Wolfe, Janet; Malkinson, Ruth; Backx, Wouter

2001-01-01

Eight experts in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) provide personal examples of their own successes and failures in applying REBT to themselves. The experts actively talked to themselves both rationally and irrationally. Rational self-talk was more prevalent in the examples of how REBT was successfully used by the experts. (GCP)

A Famine of Stories: Finding a Home in the Academy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cooper, Joanne E.; Benham, Maenette; Collay, Michelle; Martinez-Aleman, Ana; Scherr, Mary Woods

1999-01-01

Explores a deeper understanding of the lives of women faculty through narratives in an effort to simultaneously improve those lives and to end the dearth of stories in academia. Offers four diverse women's reflections on creating a space for themselves in academia. Strategies described involve continual reflection on self-identity. (GCP)

75 FR 52549 - Environmental Impact Statement; Alabama Beach Mouse Draft General Conservation Plan; Fort Morgan...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-26

... the ABM GCP is established, property owners who wish to develop low-density residences on the Fort... potentially significant impacts on biological resources, land use, air quality, water quality, water resources... future development could occur within these areas. It is important that suitable habitat be maintained...

The Georgetown University Consortium Project: A Report at the Halfway Mark

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vande Berg, Michael J.; Balkcum, Al; Scheid, Mark; Whalen, Brian J.

2004-01-01

In this article, the authors describe the Georgetown University Consortium Project (GCP), a three-year assessment study designed to document the learning abroad of students from Georgetown University, The University of Minnesota, Rice University, and Dickinson College. Funded by two Department of Education Title VI grants, this ongoing three-year…

21 CFR 312.120 - Foreign clinical studies not conducted under an IND.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) DRUGS FOR HUMAN USE INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG APPLICATION Miscellaneous § 312... the act or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (the PHS Act) (42 U.S.C. 262)) a well-designed... this section, GCP is defined as a standard for the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing...

Influence of a Non-Formal Environmental Education Programme on Junior High-School Students; Environmental Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldman, Daphne; Assaraf, Orit Ben Zvi; Shaharabani, Dina

2013-01-01

One of the solutions implemented by schools for conducting value-based environmental education (EE) is outsourcing: allocating external environmental organizations that develop and conduct EE programmes. This study addressed such a programme--the Green Council Programme (GCP)--developed and implemented in schools by the Israeli Society for…

Predatory stem cells in the non-zebrafish chordate, Botryllus schlosseri.

PubMed

Laird, Diana J; De Tomaso, Anthony W

2005-01-01

Botryllus schlosseri is a primitive marine chordate which provides a new model organism to study stem cell biology for several reasons. First, B. schlosseri is a colonial organism that undergoes continuous and regular asexual development. Botryllus adults regenerate themselves, including all somatic tissues and the germline, every week. Second, under natural conditions the cells responsible can mobilize and transplant between two individuals. Once transplanted, these cells can proliferate, differentiate, and often completely replace the cells of the host in both the germline and/or somatic tissues. These processes are called germ cell parasitism (gcp), or somatic cell parasitism (scp), respectively, and we have shown that there are winners and losers in this process, implying that the competitive ability of stem cells is a genetically-determined trait. Fundamental characteristics of stem cell biology, such as self-renewal capacity, homing, or differentiation kinetics must underlie the ability of a stem cell of one genotype to out-compete a stem cell of another genotype, and we are using this system prospectively to isolate the cells responsible and to analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying gcp and scp phenotypes.

Global Carbon Project: the 2013 global carbon budget (includes V.1.1, Nov2013, V.1.3, Dec2013, V.2.3, June2014, and V.2.4, July2014)

DOE Data Explorer

Le Quere, C. [University of East Anglia, Norwich UK; Peters, G. P. [Univ. of Oslo (Norway); Andres, R. J. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Andrew, R. M. [Univ. of Oslo (Norway); Boden, T. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); al., et

2013-01-01

Global emissions of carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels will reach 36 billion tonnes for the year 2013. "This is a level unprecedented in human history," says CSIRO's Dr Pep Canadell, Executive-Director of the Global Carbon Project (GCP) and co-author of a new report. The GCP provides an annual report of carbon dioxide emissions, land and ocean sinks and accumulation in the atmosphere, incorporating data from multiple research institutes from around the world. The 2013 figures coincide with the global launch of the Global Carbon Atlas, an online platform to explore, visualise and interpret the emissions data at the global, regional and national scales (www.globalcarbonatlas.org). The full data and methods are published today in the journal Earth System Science Data Discussions, and data and other graphic materials can be found at: www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget. The Global Carbon Budget 2013 is a collaborative effort of the global carbon cycle science community coordinated by the Global Carbon Project.

The future of monitoring in clinical research - a holistic approach: linking risk-based monitoring with quality management principles.

PubMed

Ansmann, Eva B; Hecht, Arthur; Henn, Doris K; Leptien, Sabine; Stelzer, Hans Günther

2013-01-01

Since several years risk-based monitoring is the new "magic bullet" for improvement in clinical research. Lots of authors in clinical research ranging from industry and academia to authorities are keen on demonstrating better monitoring-efficiency by reducing monitoring visits, monitoring time on site, monitoring costs and so on, always arguing with the use of risk-based monitoring principles. Mostly forgotten is the fact, that the use of risk-based monitoring is only adequate if all mandatory prerequisites at site and for the monitor and the sponsor are fulfilled.Based on the relevant chapter in ICH GCP (International Conference on Harmonisation of technical requirements for registration of pharmaceuticals for human use - Good Clinical Practice) this publication takes a holistic approach by identifying and describing the requirements for future monitoring and the use of risk-based monitoring. As the authors are operational managers as well as QA (Quality Assurance) experts, both aspects are represented to come up with efficient and qualitative ways of future monitoring according to ICH GCP.

A trilayer separator with dual function for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Rensheng; Fang, Ruopian; Wen, Lei; Shi, Ying; Wang, Shaogang; Li, Feng

2016-01-01

In this article, we propose a trilayer graphene/polypropylene/Al2O3 (GPA) separator with dual function for high performance lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Graphene is coated on one side of polypropylene (PP) separator, which functions as a conductive layer and an electrolyte reservoir that allows for rapid electron and ion transport. Then Al2O3 particles are coated on the other side to further enhance thermal stability and safety of the graphene coated polypropylene (GCP) separator, which are touched with lithium metal anode in the Li-S battery. The GPA separator shows good thermal stability after heating at 157 °C for 10 min while both GCP and PP separators showing an obvious shrinkage about 10%. The initial discharge specific capacity of Li-S coin cell with a GPA separator could reach 1067.7 mAh g-1 at 0.2C. After 100 discharge/charge cycles, it can still deliver a reversible capacity of as high as 804.4 mAh g-1 with 75% capacity retention. The pouch cells further confirm that the trilayer design has great promise towards practical applications.

Assessment of Photogrammetry Structure-from-Motion Compared to Terrestrial LiDAR Scanning for Generating Digital Elevation Models. Application to the Austre Lovéenbreen Polar Glacier Basin, Spitsbergen 79°N

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolle, F.; Friedt, J. M.; Bernard, É.; Prokop, A.; Griselin, M.

2014-12-01

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a key tool for analyzing spatially dependent processes including snow accumulation on slopes or glacier mass balance. Acquiring DEM within short time intervals provides new opportunities to evaluate such phenomena at the daily to seasonal rates.DEMs are usually generated from satellite imagery, aerial photography, airborne and ground-based LiDAR, and GPS surveys. In addition to these classical methods, we consider another alternative for periodic DEM acquisition with lower logistics requirements: digital processing of ground based, oblique view digital photography. Such a dataset, acquired using commercial off the shelf cameras, provides the source for generating elevation models using Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithms. Sets of pictures of a same structure but taken from various points of view are acquired. Selected features are identified on the images and allow for the reconstruction of the three-dimensional (3D) point cloud after computing the camera positions and optical properties. This cloud point, generated in an arbitrary coordinate system, is converted to an absolute coordinate system either by adding constraints of Ground Control Points (GCP), or including the (GPS) position of the cameras in the processing chain. We selected the opensource digital signal processing library provided by the French Geographic Institute (IGN) called Micmac for its fine processing granularity and the ability to assess the quality of each processing step.Although operating in snow covered environments appears challenging due to the lack of relevant features, we observed that enough reference points could be identified for 3D reconstruction. Despite poor climatic environment of the Arctic region considered (Ny Alesund area, 79oN) is not a problem for SfM, the low lying spring sun and the cast shadows appear as a limitation because of the lack of color dynamics in the digital cameras we used. A detailed understanding of the processing steps is mandatory during the image acquisition phase: compliance with acquisition rules reducing digital processing errors helps minimizing the uncertainty on the point cloud absolute position in its coordinate system. 3D models from SfM are compared with terrestrial LiDAR acquisitions for resolution assesment.

Safety and efficacy of aneurysm treatment with WEB in the cumulative population of three prospective, multicenter series.

PubMed

Pierot, Laurent; Moret, Jacques; Barreau, Xavier; Szikora, Istvan; Herbreteau, Denis; Turjman, Francis; Holtmannspötter, Markus; Januel, Anne-Christine; Costalat, Vincent; Fiehler, Jens; Klisch, Joachim; Gauvrit, Jean-Yves; Weber, Werner; Desal, Hubert; Velasco, Stéphane; Liebig, Thomas; Stockx, Luc; Berkefeld, Joachim; Molyneux, Andrew; Byrne, James; Spelle, Laurent

2018-06-01

Flow disruption with the WEB is an innovative endovascular approach for treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms. Initial studies have shown a low complication rate with good efficacy. To report clinical and anatomical results of the WEB treatment in the cumulative population of three Good Clinical Practice (GCP) studies: WEBCAST (WEB Clinical Assessment of Intrasaccular Aneurysm), French Observatory, and WEBCAST-2. WEBCAST, French Observatory, and WEBCAST-2 are single-arm, prospective, multicenter, GCP studies dedicated to the evaluation of WEB treatment. Clinical data were independently evaluated. Postoperative and 1-year aneurysm occlusion was independently evaluated using the 3-grade scale: complete occlusion, neck remnant, and aneurysm remnant. The cumulative population comprised 168 patients with 169 aneurysms, including 112 female subjects (66.7%). The patients' ages ranged between 27 and 77 years (mean 55.5±10.2 years). Aneurysm locations were middle cerebral artery in 86/169 aneurysms (50.9%), anterior communicating artery in 36/169 (21.3%), basilar artery in 30/169 (17.8%), and internal carotid artery terminus in 17/169 (10.1%). The aneurysm was ruptured in 14/169 (8.3%). There was no mortality at 1 month and procedure/device-related morbidity was 1.2% (2/168). At 1 year, complete aneurysm occlusion was observed in 81/153 aneurysms (52.9%), neck remnant in 40/153 aneurysms (26.1%), and aneurysm remnant in 32/153 aneurysms (20.9%). Re-treatment was carried out in 6.9%. This series is at the moment the largest prospective, multicenter, GCP series of patients with aneurysms treated with WEB. It shows the high safety and good mid-term efficacy of this treatment. French Observatory: Unique identifier (NCT18069); WEBCAST and WEBCAST-2: Unique identifier (NCT01778322). © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Good collaborative practice: reforming capacity building governance of international health research partnerships.

PubMed

Ward, Claire Leonie; Shaw, David; Sprumont, Dominique; Sankoh, Osman; Tanner, Marcel; Elger, Bernice

2018-01-08

In line with the policy objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this commentary seeks to examine the extent to which provisions of international health research guidance promote capacity building and equitable partnerships in global health research. Our evaluation finds that governance of collaborative research partnerships, and in particular capacity building, in resource-constrained settings is limited but has improved with the implementation guidance of the International Ethical Guidelines for Health-related Research Involving Humans by The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) (2016). However, more clarity is needed in national legislation, industry and ethics guidelines, and regulatory provisions to address the structural inequities and power imbalances inherent in international health research partnerships. Most notably, ethical partnership governance is not supported by the principal industry ethics guidelines - the International Conference on Harmonization Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceutical for Human Use (ICH) Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP). Given the strategic value of ICH-GCP guidelines in defining the role and responsibility of global health research partners, we conclude that such governance should stipulate the minimal requirements for creating an equitable environment of inclusion, mutual learning, transparency and accountability. Procedurally, this can be supported by i) shared research agenda setting with local leadership, ii) capacity assessments, and iii) construction of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Moreover, the requirement of capacity building needs to be coordinated amongst partners to support good collaborative practice and deliver on the public health goals of the research enterprise; improving local conditions of health and reducing global health inequality. In this respect, and in order to develop consistency between sources of research governance, ICH-GCP should reference CIOMS ethical guidelines as the established standard for collaborative partnership. Moreover, greater commitment and support should be given to co-ordinate, strengthen and enforce local laws requiring equitable research partnerships and health system strengthening.

Studying How College Affects Students: A Personal History of the CIRP.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Astin, Alexander W.

2003-01-01

A fair amount of what we know about college students and how they are affected by their college experience has been learned from the data gathered in the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP). In this article, CIRP's founder surveys the past, present, and future of the thirty-seven-year-old program. (Contains 12 references.) (GCP)

"Her Soul beneath the Bone"--On Coping with Breast Cancer.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacoby, Rebecca

2003-01-01

Common approaches to coping are discussed, followed by a description of the process of women coping with breast cancer as it is expressed in their own poems. Qualitative analysis was conducted on eight poems, with the results opening new avenues for counselors who work with women suffering from breast cancer. (Contains 54 references.) (GCP)

The Liberal Arts at Work: Marketing the Liberal Arts to Employers in the 21st Century.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brooks, Kate S.

2003-01-01

This article discusses the formation of a new framework for marketing the liberal arts, supported by the marketing successes of the past and strengthened by a renewed recognition of the specific educational value and relevance of the curriculum. Highlighted are four components in developing a new marketing plan. (GCP)

Youth Suicide Prevention: Mental Health and Public Health Perspectives. A Presentation and Training Aid.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

California Univ., Los Angeles. Center for Mental Health in Schools.

This presentation and training aid provides a brief overview and discussion of the nature and scope of youth suicide, what prevention programs try to do, a framework for a public health approach, guides to programs and more. This material can be used for both handouts and as overheads for use with presentations. (GCP)

A Creative Model for a Post-Treatment Group for Women with Cancer.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Slakov, June; Leslie, Mary

2003-01-01

A four-week experiential group for women at the British Columbia Cancer Agency offers the creative tools of art, meditation, and journal writing to help focus the inner work of healing in the presence of others. Using comments from the participants, a brief history, framework, and overview are outlined. (Contains 24 references.) (GCP)

From Vocational Decision Making to Career Building: Blueprint, Real Games, and School Counseling.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jarvis, Phillip S.; Keeley, Ethel S.

2003-01-01

Presents ways to help students make more informed career choices and gain employability and self-management skills under a suggested career development rubric. Focuses on the importance of considering a framework for school counselors to help students become aware of and master career management skills. (Contains 21 references and 2 tables.) (GCP)

Trend Analyses of Major Contributions in "The Counseling Psychologist" Cited From 1986 to 1996: Impact and Implications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flores, Lisa Y.; Rooney, S. Craig; Heppner, P. Paul; Browne, LaVonne Douglas; Wei, Mei-Fen

1999-01-01

This study commemorates the 30th anniversary of "The Counseling Psychologist" (TCP). Analyzes trends in the professional citations of the Major Contribution articles from the inception of TCP in 1969 through 1995. Results and implications are discussed with regard to professional issues, "TCP," and future research. (GCP)

Spanish Translations of a Standard Assessment Battery for Marital Distress.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mead, D. Eugene; Thurber, Shawn L.; Crane, Brent E.

2003-01-01

To better serve the growing number of Spanish-speaking couples and families in the U.S., it is useful to have a battery of instruments to assess the nature of their marital distress. This article presents the standard assessment battery that Brigham Young University uses to evaluate marital distress. (Contains 11 references and 1 table.) (GCP)

78 FR 59825 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; States of Michigan and Minnesota...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-30

... Order Reviews I. What is the background for this action? Minnesota submitted its regional haze SIP on... thousands of pages lacked, among other things, actual NO X emission limits for taconite facilities. The... necessarily employing GCP when they were later required by Administrative Order (AO) to conduct NO X testing...

76 FR 78243 - Notice of Availability for General Conservation Plans and Notice of Intent To Prepare...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-16

... Conservation Plans (GCPs) for the Penobscot Bay, Merrymeeting Bay, and Downeast Coastal Salmon Habitat Recovery... Segment (GOM DPS) of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The GCP will be implemented cooperatively by... survival and recovery of the species in the wild. The impacts of such take must also be minimized and...

Promoting Ecological Health Resilience for Minority Youth: Enhancing Health Care Access through the School Health Center.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clauss-Ehlers, Caroline C. C.

2003-01-01

Discusses the demographic realities of children of color in the U.S., with a focus on health care needs and access issues that have an enormous influence on health status. An ecologic model is presented that incorporates cultural values and community structures into the school health center. (Contains 50 references.) (GCP)

The Child-Centered Social Worker and the Sexually Abused Child: Pathway to Healing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Lorie Elizabeth; Weston, Elisabeth A.; Doueck, Howard J.; Krause, Denise J.

2002-01-01

In an effort to assist the sexually abused child throughout the court process, the authors propose the concept of a child-centered social worker committed to minimizing the potential for system-induced trauma by assisting the sexually abused child through the judicial process and providing clinical treatment as well. (Contains 68 references.) (GCP)

A Low Cost Rokkaku Kite Setup for Aerial Photogrammetric System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, A. F.; Khurshid, K.; Saleh, N.; Yousuf, A. A.

2015-03-01

Orthogonally Projected Area (OPA) of a geographical feature has primarily been studied utilizing rather time consuming field based sampling techniques. Remote sensing on the contrary provides the ability to acquire large scale data at a snapshot of time and lets the OPA to be calculated conveniently and with reasonable accuracy. Unfortunately satellite based remote sensing provides data at high cost and limited spatial resolution for scientific studies focused at small areas such as micro lakes micro ecosystems, etc. More importantly, recent satellite data may not be readily available for a particular location. This paper describes a low cost photogrammetric system to measure the OPA of a small scale geographic feature such as a plot of land, micro lake or an archaeological site, etc. Fitted with a consumer grade digital imaging system, a Rokkaku kite aerial platform with stable flight characteristics is designed and fabricated for image acquisition. The data processing procedure involves automatic Ground Control Point (GCP) detection, intelligent target area shape determination with minimal human input. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is built from scratch in MATLAB to allow the user to conveniently process the acquired data, archive and retrieve the results. Extensive on-field experimentation consists of multiple geographic features including flat land surfaces, buildings, undulating rural areas, and an irregular shaped micro lake, etc. Our results show that the proposed system is not only low cost, but provides a framework that is easy and fast to setup while maintaining the required constraints on the accuracy.

The effect of empagliflozin on oxidative nucleic acid modifications in patients with type 2 diabetes: protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

PubMed Central

Larsen, Emil List; Cejvanovic, Vanja; Kjær, Laura Kofoed; Vilsbøll, Tina; Knop, Filip Krag; Rungby, Jørgen; Poulsen, Henrik Enghusen

2017-01-01

Introduction Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although glycaemic control reduces microvascular complications, the effect of intensive treatment strategies or individual drugs on macrovascular diseases is still debated. RNA oxidation is associated with increased mortality in patients with T2D. Inspired by animal studies showing effect of a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor (empagliflozin) on oxidative stress and a recent trial evaluating empagliflozin that demonstrated improved cardiovascular outcomes in patients with T2D at high risk of cardiovascular events, we hypothesise that empagliflozin lowers oxidative stress. Methods and analysis In this randomised, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study, 34 adult males with T2D will be randomised (1:1) to empagliflozin or placebo once daily for 14 days as add-on to ongoing therapy. The primary endpoints will be changes in 24-hour urinary excretion of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) determined before and after intervention (by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry). Additionally, fasting levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) will be determined in plasma before and after intervention (by high-performance liquid chromatography). Further, the plasma levels of iron, transferrin, transferrin-saturation, and ferritin are determined to correlate the iron metabolism to the markers of oxidative modifications. Ethics and dissemination The study protocol has been approved by the Regional Committee on Biomedical Research Ethics (approval number H-16017433), the Danish Medicines Agency, and the Danish Data Protection Agency, and will be carried out under the surveillance and guidance of the GCP unit at Bispebjerg Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen in compliance with the ICH-GCP guidelines and in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The results of this study will be presented at national and international conferences, and submitted to a peer-reviewed international journal with authorship in accordance with Internation Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Recommendations state. Trial registration Study name: EMPOX; Pre-results: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02890745). Protocol version 5.1 - August, 2016. PMID:28490557

A Model of Contextual Motivation in Physical Education: Using Constructs from Self-Determination and Achievement Goal Theories To Predict Physical Activity Intentions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Standage, Martyn; Duda, Joan L.; Ntoumanis, Nikos

2003-01-01

Examines a study of student motivation in physical education that incorporated constructs from achievement goal and self-determination theories. Self-determined motivation was found to positively predict, whereas amotivation was a negative predictor of leisure-time physical activity intentions. (Contains 86 references and 3 tables.) (GCP)

Accountability: A M.E.A.S.U.R.E of the Impact School Counselors Have on Student Achievement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dahir, Carol A.; Stone, Carolyn B.

2003-01-01

Presents information on M.E.A.S.U.R.E., a process that assists school counselors in delivering a data-driven school counseling program. Highlights challenges faced by school counselors in an accountability-driven environment and provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. (Contains 10 references and 6 tables.) (GCP)

Cultural Differences and Similarities in Responses to the Silver Drawing Test in the USA, Brazil, Russia, Estonia, Thailand, and Australia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Silver, Rawley

2003-01-01

Summarizes cross-cultural studies of cognitive skills, emotions, and self-images found in responses to drawing tasks by children, adolescents, and adults. Its aim is to find out whether cultural differences in scores on the Silver Drawing Test can illuminate cultural preferences and contribute to cultural practices. (Contains 21 references.) (GCP)

Children and Young People Living in Changing Worlds: The Process of Assessing and Understanding the "Third Culture Kid."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cockburn, Laura

2002-01-01

Many families move to a number of different countries and the children are subjected to a wide variety of different cultures and experiences. This article highlights information collated in this area together with some of the experiences of being a school psychologist working in an international context. (Contains 12 references.) (GCP)

Global Carbon Project: the 2013 Global Carbon Budget (Version 2.3, issued June 2014)

DOE Data Explorer

Le Quere, C. [University of East Anglia, Norwich UK; Peters, G. P. [Univ. of Oslo (Norway); Andrew, R. J. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Andrew, R. M. [Univ. of Oslo (Norway); Boden, T. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

2013-01-01

Global emissions of carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels will reach 36 billion tonnes for the year 2013. "This is a level unprecedented in human history," says CSIRO's Dr Pep Canadell, Executive-Director of the Global Carbon Project (GCP) and co-author of a new report. The GCP provides an annual report of carbon dioxide emissions, land and ocean sinks and accumulation in the atmosphere, incorporating data from multiple research institutes from around the world. The 2013 figures coincide with the global launch of the Global Carbon Atlas, an online platform to explore, visualise and interpret the emissions data at the global, regional and national scales (www.globalcarbonatlas.org). The full data and methods are published today in the journal Earth System Science Data Discussions, and data and other graphic materials can be found at: www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget. The Global Carbon Budget 2013 is a collaborative effort of the global carbon cycle science community coordinated by the Global Carbon Project. The landing page for this dataset includes links to V. 1.1, issued Nov2013, V.1.3, issued Dec2013, and the June 2014 issue of V.2.3 of the 2013 Global Carbon Budget.

Using the Parallel Computing Toolbox with MATLAB on the Peregrine System |

Science.gov Websites

parallel pool took %g seconds.\\n', toc) % "single program multiple data" spmd fprintf('Worker %d says Hello World!\\n', labindex) end delete(gcp); % close the parallel pool exit To run the script on a compute node, create the file helloWorld.sub: #!/bin/bash #PBS -l walltime=05:00 #PBS -l nodes=1 #PBS -N

Effect of different thermo-light polymerization on flexural strength of two glass ionomer cements and a glass carbomer cement.

PubMed

Gorseta, Kristina; Borzabadi-Farahani, Ali; Moshaverinia, Alireza; Glavina, Domagoj; Lynch, Edward

2017-07-01

Whether polymerization lights can be used for heating glass ionomer cements (GICs) or glass carbomer (GCP) to improve their mechanical properties is not well established. The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the effect of thermo-light polymerization on the flexural strength (FS) of 2 GICs (Fuji IX GP Fast, Ketac Molar) and a GCP. Specimens (n=10) were prepared in stainless steel molds (2×2×25 mm), compressed, exposed to 3 polymerization lights (500, 1000, 1200 mW/cm 2 ) for 2 cycles of 40 seconds on each side, and stored in petroleum jelly (37°C, 24 hours). Significant FS differences were detected among groups after different thermo-light polymerization regimens (F=50.926, df=11, P<.001). GCP showed the highest mean FS (∼5 times, P<.001) after thermo-light polymerization with power outputs of 1000 (127.1 ±25.8 MPa) and 1200 mW/cm 2 (117.4 ±18.5 MPa), with no significance difference between them (P=.98), compared with 500 mW/cm 2 (24.1 ±1.7 MPa). For Ketac Molar, compared with autopolymerization setting (15.5 ±3.1 MPa), a significant increase in mean FS (∼2.5 times) was only observed in specimens treated with 1200 mW/cm 2 polymerization light (P=.03). For Fuji IX GP Fast, only the light with 1000 mW/cm 2 output significantly increased the FS (98.9 ±23.4 MPa, P<.001) compared with the autopolymerization setting (34.9 ±6.4 MPa). Thermo-light polymerization accelerated the development of FS in the tested GICs, potentially protecting against saliva contamination during the first 3 to 4 minutes after mixing GIC. Thermo-light polymerization of the glass carbomer with power outputs of 1000 and 1200 mW/cm 2 also substantially increased FS. The clinical advantages of the findings should be validated by in vivo studies. Copyright © 2016 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A survey of facilitators and barriers to recruitment to the MAGNETIC trial.

PubMed

Kaur, Geetinder; Smyth, Rosalind L; Powell, Colin V E; Williamson, Paula

2016-12-23

Recruitment to randomised controlled trials with children is challenging. It is imperative to understand the factors that boost or hinder recruitment of children to clinical trials. We conducted a survey of facilitators and barriers to recruitment to the MAGNETIC trial, using a previously developed web-based tool. MAGNETIC is a multicentre randomised trial of nebulised magnesium in acute severe asthma, recruiting 508 children from 30 UK sites. Recruiters were asked to grade a list of factors from -3 to +3 depending on whether the factor was perceived as a strong, intermediate or weak barrier (-3 to -1) or facilitator (+1 to + 3), and using (0) if it was thought to be not applicable. Free text responses were invited on strategies applied to counter the identified barriers. The commonly identified facilitators were motivation and experience of study teams, effective communication and coordination between teams at site and between sites and the Clinical Trials Unit, the presence of designated research nurses, good trial management, clinical trial publicity, simple inclusion criteria, effective communication with parents and presentation of trial information in a simple and clear manner. The commonly identified barriers were heavy clinical workload, shift patterns of work, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training, inadequate number of trained staff, time and setting of consent seeking, non-availability of research staff out of hours and parents' concerns about their child taking an experimental medicine. Having a designated research nurse, arranging GCP training and trial-related training sessions for staff were the most commonly reported interventions. This study highlights important generic and trial-specific facilitators and barriers to recruitment to a paediatric trial in the acute setting and provides information on the recruitment strategies or interventions that were applied to overcome these barriers. This information can be very useful in informing the design and conduct of future clinical trials with children, particularly in the acute or emergency setting. ISRCTN, ISRCTN81456894 . Registered on 15 November 2007.

Building high-performance system for processing a daily large volume of Chinese satellites imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Huawu; Huang, Shicun; Wang, Qi; Pan, Zhiqiang; Xin, Yubin

2014-10-01

The number of Earth observation satellites from China increases dramatically recently and those satellites are acquiring a large volume of imagery daily. As the main portal of image processing and distribution from those Chinese satellites, the China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA) has been working with PCI Geomatics during the last three years to solve two issues in this regard: processing the large volume of data (about 1,500 scenes or 1 TB per day) in a timely manner and generating geometrically accurate orthorectified products. After three-year research and development, a high performance system has been built and successfully delivered. The high performance system has a service oriented architecture and can be deployed to a cluster of computers that may be configured with high end computing power. The high performance is gained through, first, making image processing algorithms into parallel computing by using high performance graphic processing unit (GPU) cards and multiple cores from multiple CPUs, and, second, distributing processing tasks to a cluster of computing nodes. While achieving up to thirty (and even more) times faster in performance compared with the traditional practice, a particular methodology was developed to improve the geometric accuracy of images acquired from Chinese satellites (including HJ-1 A/B, ZY-1-02C, ZY-3, GF-1, etc.). The methodology consists of fully automatic collection of dense ground control points (GCP) from various resources and then application of those points to improve the photogrammetric model of the images. The delivered system is up running at CRESDA for pre-operational production and has been and is generating good return on investment by eliminating a great amount of manual labor and increasing more than ten times of data throughput daily with fewer operators. Future work, such as development of more performance-optimized algorithms, robust image matching methods and application workflows, is identified to improve the system in the coming years.

Protocol for the isotoxic intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a feasibility study.

PubMed

Haslett, Kate; Franks, Kevin; Hanna, Gerard G; Harden, Susan; Hatton, Matthew; Harrow, Stephen; McDonald, Fiona; Ashcroft, Linda; Falk, Sally; Groom, Nicki; Harris, Catherine; McCloskey, Paula; Whitehurst, Philip; Bayman, Neil; Faivre-Finn, Corinne

2016-04-15

The majority of stage III patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unsuitable for concurrent chemoradiotherapy, the non-surgical gold standard of care. As the alternative treatment options of sequential chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy alone are associated with high local failure rates, various intensification strategies have been employed. There is evidence to suggest that altered fractionation using hyperfractionation, acceleration, dose escalation, and individualisation may be of benefit. The MAASTRO group have pioneered the concept of 'isotoxic' radiotherapy allowing for individualised dose escalation using hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy based on predefined normal tissue constraints. This study aims to evaluate whether delivering isotoxic radiotherapy using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is achievable. Isotoxic IMRT is a multicentre feasibility study. From June 2014, a total of 35 patients from 7 UK centres, with a proven histological or cytological diagnosis of inoperable NSCLC, unsuitable for concurrent chemoradiotherapy will be recruited. A minimum of 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy is mandated before starting isotoxic radiotherapy. The dose of radiation will be increased until one or more of the organs at risk tolerance or the maximum dose of 79.2 Gy is reached. The primary end point is feasibility, with accrual rates, local control and overall survival our secondary end points. Patients will be followed up for 5 years. The study has received ethical approval (REC reference: 13/NW/0480) from the National Research Ethics Service (NRES) Committee North West-Greater Manchester South. The trial is conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice (GCP). The trial results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented internationally. NCT01836692; Pre-results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

4D very high-resolution topography monitoring of surface deformation using UAV-SfM framework.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clapuyt, François; Vanacker, Veerle; Schlunegger, Fritz; Van Oost, Kristof

2016-04-01

During the last years, exploratory research has shown that UAV-based image acquisition is suitable for environmental remote sensing and monitoring. Image acquisition with cameras mounted on an UAV can be performed at very-high spatial resolution and high temporal frequency in the most dynamic environments. Combined with Structure-from-Motion algorithm, the UAV-SfM framework is capable of providing digital surface models (DSM) which are highly accurate when compared to other very-high resolution topographic datasets and highly reproducible for repeated measurements over the same study area. In this study, we aim at assessing (1) differential movement of the Earth's surface and (2) the sediment budget of a complex earthflow located in the Central Swiss Alps based on three topographic datasets acquired over a period of 2 years. For three time steps, we acquired aerial photographs with a standard reflex camera mounted on a low-cost and lightweight UAV. Image datasets were then processed with the Structure-from-Motion algorithm in order to reconstruct a 3D dense point cloud representing the topography. Georeferencing of outputs has been achieved based on the ground control point (GCP) extraction method, previously surveyed on the field with a RTK GPS. Finally, digital elevation model of differences (DOD) has been computed to assess the topographic changes between the three acquisition dates while surface displacements have been quantified by using image correlation techniques. Our results show that the digital elevation model of topographic differences is able to capture surface deformation at cm-scale resolution. The mean annual displacement of the earthflow is about 3.6 m while the forefront of the landslide has advanced by ca. 30 meters over a period of 18 months. The 4D analysis permits to identify the direction and velocity of Earth movement. Stable topographic ridges condition the direction of the flow with highest downslope movement on steep slopes, and diffuse movement due to lateral sediment flux in the central part of the earthflow.

The GCP molecular marker toolkit, an instrument for use in breeding food security crops.

PubMed

Van Damme, Veerle; Gómez-Paniagua, Humberto; de Vicente, M Carmen

2011-12-01

Crop genetic resources carry variation useful for overcoming the challenges of modern agriculture. Molecular markers can facilitate the selection of agronomically important traits. The pervasiveness of genomics research has led to an overwhelming number of publications and databases, which are, nevertheless, scattered and hence often difficult for plant breeders to access, particularly those in developing countries. This situation separates them from developed countries, which have better endowed programs for developing varieties. To close this growing knowledge gap, we conducted an intensive literature review and consulted with more than 150 crop experts on the use of molecular markers in the breeding program of 19 food security crops. The result was a list of effectively used and highly reproducible sequence tagged site (STS), simple sequence repeat (SSR), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. However, only 12 food crops had molecular markers suitable for improvement. That is, marker-assisted selection is not yet used for Musa spp., coconut, lentils, millets, pigeonpea, sweet potato, and yam. For the other 12 crops, 214 molecular markers were found to be effectively used in association with 74 different traits. Results were compiled as the GCP Molecular Marker Toolkit, a free online tool that aims to promote the adoption of molecular approaches in breeding activities.

The Rockefeller University Navigation Program: A Structured Multidisciplinary Protocol Development and Educational Program to Advance Translational Research

PubMed Central

Kost, Rhonda G.; Dowd, Kathleen A.; Hurley, Arlene M.; Rainer, Tyler‐Lauren; Coller, Barry S.

2014-01-01

Abstract The development of translational clinical research protocols is complex. To assist investigators, we developed a structured supportive guidance process (Navigation) to expedite protocol development to the standards of good clinical practice (GCP), focusing on research ethics and integrity. Navigation consists of experienced research coordinators leading investigators through a concerted multistep protocol development process from concept initiation to submission of the final protocol. To assess the effectiveness of Navigation, we collect data on the experience of investigators, the intensity of support required for protocol development, IRB review outcomes, and protocol start and completion dates. One hundred forty‐four protocols underwent Navigation and achieved IRB approval since the program began in 2007, including 37 led by trainee investigators, 26 led by MDs, 9 by MD/PhDs, 57 by PhDs, and 12 by investigators with other credentials (e.g., RN, MPH). In every year, more than 50% of Navigated protocols were approved by the IRB within 30 days. For trainees who had more than one protocol navigated, the intensity of Navigation support required decreased over time. Navigation can increase access to translational studies for basic scientists, facilitate GCP training for investigators, and accelerate development and approval of protocols of high ethical and scientific quality. PMID:24405608

Ortho-Rectification of Narrow Band Multi-Spectral Imagery Assisted by Dslr RGB Imagery Acquired by a Fixed-Wing Uas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rau, J.-Y.; Jhan, J.-P.; Huang, C.-Y.

2015-08-01

Miniature Multiple Camera Array (MiniMCA-12) is a frame-based multilens/multispectral sensor composed of 12 lenses with narrow band filters. Due to its small size and light weight, it is suitable to mount on an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for acquiring high spectral, spatial and temporal resolution imagery used in various remote sensing applications. However, due to its wavelength range is only 10 nm that results in low image resolution and signal-to-noise ratio which are not suitable for image matching and digital surface model (DSM) generation. In the meantime, the spectral correlation among all 12 bands of MiniMCA images are low, it is difficult to perform tie-point matching and aerial triangulation at the same time. In this study, we thus propose the use of a DSLR camera to assist automatic aerial triangulation of MiniMCA-12 imagery and to produce higher spatial resolution DSM for MiniMCA12 ortho-image generation. Depending on the maximum payload weight of the used UAS, these two kinds of sensors could be collected at the same time or individually. In this study, we adopt a fixed-wing UAS to carry a Canon EOS 5D Mark2 DSLR camera and a MiniMCA-12 multi-spectral camera. For the purpose to perform automatic aerial triangulation between a DSLR camera and the MiniMCA-12, we choose one master band from MiniMCA-12 whose spectral range has overlap with the DSLR camera. However, all lenses of MiniMCA-12 have different perspective centers and viewing angles, the original 12 channels have significant band misregistration effect. Thus, the first issue encountered is to reduce the band misregistration effect. Due to all 12 MiniMCA lenses being frame-based, their spatial offsets are smaller than 15 cm and all images are almost 98% overlapped, we thus propose a modified projective transformation (MPT) method together with two systematic error correction procedures to register all 12 bands of imagery on the same image space. It means that those 12 bands of images acquired at the same exposure time will have same interior orientation parameters (IOPs) and exterior orientation parameters (EOPs) after band-to-band registration (BBR). Thus, in the aerial triangulation stage, the master band of MiniMCA-12 was treated as a reference channel to link with DSLR RGB images. It means, all reference images from the master band of MiniMCA-12 and all RGB images were triangulated at the same time with same coordinate system of ground control points (GCP). Due to the spatial resolution of RGB images is higher than the MiniMCA-12, the GCP can be marked on the RGB images only even they cannot be recognized on the MiniMCA images. Furthermore, a one meter gridded digital surface model (DSM) is created by the RGB images and applied to the MiniMCA imagery for ortho-rectification. Quantitative error analyses show that the proposed BBR scheme can achieve 0.33 pixels of average misregistration residuals length and the co-registration errors among 12 MiniMCA ortho-images and between MiniMCA and Canon RGB ortho-images are all less than 0.6 pixels. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is robust, reliable and accurate for future remote sensing applications.

Small baseline subsets approach of DInSAR for investigating land surface deformation along the high-speed railway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, Xiong; Tang, Yunwei

2014-11-01

Land surface deformation evidently exists in a newly-built high-speed railway in the southeast of China. In this study, we utilize the Small BAseline Subsets (SBAS)-Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (DInSAR) technique to detect land surface deformation along the railway. In this work, 40 Cosmo-SkyMed satellite images were selected to analyze the spatial distribution and velocity of the deformation in study area. 88 pairs of image with high coherence were firstly chosen with an appropriate threshold. These images were used to deduce the deformation velocity map and the variation in time series. This result can provide information for orbit correctness and ground control point (GCP) selection in the following steps. Then, more pairs of image were selected to tighten the constraint in time dimension, and to improve the final result by decreasing the phase unwrapping error. 171 combinations of SAR pairs were ultimately selected. Reliable GCPs were re-selected according to the previously derived deformation velocity map. Orbital residuals error was rectified using these GCPs, and nonlinear deformation components were estimated. Therefore, a more accurate surface deformation velocity map was produced. Precise geodetic leveling work was implemented in the meantime. We compared the leveling result with the geocoding SBAS product using the nearest neighbour method. The mean error and standard deviation of the error were respectively 0.82 mm and 4.17 mm. This result demonstrates the effectiveness of DInSAR technique for monitoring land surface deformation, which can serve as a reliable decision for supporting highspeed railway project design, construction, operation and maintenance.

Earth Observation and Geospatial techniques for Soil Salinity and Land Capability Assessment over Sundarban Bay of Bengal Coast, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Sumanta; Choudhury, Malini Roy; Das, Subhasish; Nagarajan, M.

2016-12-01

To guarantee food security and job creation of small scale farmers to commercial farmers, unproductive farms in the South 24 PGS, West Bengal need land reform program to be restructured and evaluated for agricultural productivity. This study established a potential role of remote sensing and GIS for identification and mapping of salinity zone and spatial planning of agricultural land over the Basanti and Gosaba Islands(808.314sq. km) of South 24 PGS. District of West Bengal. The primary data i.e. soil pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Sodium Absorption ratio (SAR) were obtained from soil samples of various GCP (Ground Control Points) locations collected at 50 mts. intervals by handheld GPS from 0-100 cm depths. The secondary information is acquired from the remotely sensed satellite data (LANDSAT ETM+) in different time scale and digital elevation model. The collected field samples were tested in the laboratory and were validated with Remote Sensing based digital indices analysisover the temporal satellite data to assess the potential changes due to over salinization. Soil physical properties such as texture, structure, depth and drainage condition is stored as attributes in a geographical soil database and linked with the soil map units. The thematic maps are integrated with climatic and terrain conditions of the area to produce land capability maps for paddy. Finally, The weighted overlay analysis was performed to assign theweights according to the importance of parameters taken into account for salineareaidentification and mapping to segregate higher, moderate, lower salinity zonesover the study area.

[Effectiveness of Vitex agnus-castus preparations].

PubMed

Gorkow, C; Wuttke, W; März, R W

2002-01-01

The prolactin-inhibiting effect of ACF-preparations, which is due to dopaminergic activities, has been shown in humans too and gives a pharmacological rationale for the clinical effects observed in the different indications (2, 11, 25, 26, 35, 41). Confirmation of efficacy in the treatment of mastalgia has been best endorsed by two recently published double-blind studies conducted according to the principles of GCP (14, 41). One double-blind study, several open and postmarketing surveillance studies have shown that the premenstrual syndrome, or individual symptoms, can be influenced positively (3, 6, 7, 9, 19, 21, 37). Design shortcomings in a second double-blind study should be eliminated in future studies in this indication to improve the body of evidence (18). Hither to there has been one controlled double-blind study of cycle disorders in the case of corpus luteum insufficiency with significant results and a number of non-controlled open studies (1, 4, 15, 16, 20, 24, 26, 27, 32, 35, 36). The high success rates in the open studies indicate therapeutic effects, and it should be possible to reproduce these results under double-blind conditions. The success rates on fertility disorders should be confirmed in controlled double-blind studies (10, 33, 34).

'Screening audit' as a quality assurance tool in good clinical practice compliant research environments.

PubMed

Park, Sinyoung; Nam, Chung Mo; Park, Sejung; Noh, Yang Hee; Ahn, Cho Rong; Yu, Wan Sun; Kim, Bo Kyung; Kim, Seung Min; Kim, Jin Seok; Rha, Sun Young

2018-04-25

With the growing amount of clinical research, regulations and research ethics are becoming more stringent. This trend introduces a need for quality assurance measures for ensuring adherence to research ethics and human research protection beyond Institutional Review Board approval. Audits, one of the most effective tools for assessing quality assurance, are measures used to evaluate Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and protocol compliance in clinical research. However, they are laborious, time consuming, and require expertise. Therefore, we developed a simple auditing process (a screening audit) and evaluated its feasibility and effectiveness. The screening audit was developed using a routine audit checklist based on the Severance Hospital's Human Research Protection Program policies and procedures. The measure includes 20 questions, and results are summarized in five categories of audit findings. We analyzed 462 studies that were reviewed by the Severance Hospital Human Research Protection Center between 2013 and 2017. We retrospectively analyzed research characteristics, reply rate, audit findings, associated factors and post-screening audit compliance, etc. RESULTS: Investigator reply rates gradually increased, except for the first year (73% → 26% → 53% → 49% → 55%). The studies were graded as "critical," "major," "minor," and "not a finding" (11.9, 39.0, 42.9, and 6.3%, respectively), based on findings and number of deficiencies. The auditors' decisions showed fair agreement with weighted kappa values of 0.316, 0.339, and 0.373. Low-risk level studies, single center studies, and non-phase clinical research showed more prevalent frequencies of being "major" or "critical" (p = 0.002, < 0.0001, < 0.0001, respectively). Inappropriateness of documents, failure to obtain informed consent, inappropriateness of informed consent process, and failure to protect participants' personal information were associated with higher audit grade (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.003). We were able to observe critical GCP violations in the routine internal audit results of post-screening audit compliance checks in "non-responding" and "critical" studies upon applying the screening audit. Our screening audit is a simple and effective way to assess overall GCP compliance by institutions and to ensure medical ethics. The tool also provides useful selection criteria for conducting routine audits.

A Broadband Investigation of the Texas/Gulf of Mexico Passive Margin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evanzia, D.; Ainsworth, R.; Pratt, K. W.; Pulliam, J.; Gurrola, H.

2012-12-01

The lithosphere of central and east Texas underwent two cycles of continental rifting and orogeny from the formation of Laurentia and assembly through the breakup of Pangea. The craton itself, exposed in the Llano uplift of central Texas, formed ~1.4 Ga as part of the great expanse of Mesoproterozoic crust that makes up southern Laurentia. Some of this crust was deformed during the Grenville orogeny ~1.1 Ga. Southern Laurentia was subsequently stable until rifting began in Cambrian time (~530 Ma). Suturing of Gondwana to Laurentia (310-290 Ma) during the assembly of Pangea formed the Ouachita orogen in west Texas. Sometime before 200 Ma rifting was initiated, opening the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). In north and east Texas the Ouachita front lies north of GoM rifting but, according to deep seismic data, Ouachita structures appear to coincide with GoM rifting in south and central Texas. This suggests that rifting in that region occurred along structures that were weakened previously by Ouachita deformation and reactivated during the Jurassic opening of the GoM. It is not clear whether the process that created the Gulf of Mexico and led to the formation of Texas' Gulf Coast Plain (GCP) is best described as "active" or "passive" rifting. A recent study interpreted the GCP to be a volcanic rifted margin—an active rifting process—using available gravity, magnetic, drilling and geological data, but older studies describe the opening of the GoM as a passive event. In the coastal plain, a large magnetic anomaly suggests that the crust here was modified by volcanism. Seismic data are sparse and of limited quality in the Gulf Coast region so we conducted a 2.5-year broadband seismograph transect across the GCP in an effort to clarify its structure and origin. In all, twenty-three broadband seismographs were deployed in a line from Matagorda Island, in the Gulf of Mexico, to Johnson City, TX, on the uplifted Llano Plateau from July 2010 to December 2012. These seismographs have an average spacing of 15 km and coincided with the deployment of EarthScope Transportable Array stations in central and east Texas. We will present the results of P- and S-wave tomographic inversions for upper mantle structure beneath the array.

Preliminary testing of flow-ecology hypotheses developed for the GCP LCC region

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brewer, Shannon K.; Davis, Mary

2014-01-01

The Ecological Limits of Hydrological Alteration (ELOHA) framework calls for the development of flow-ecology hypotheses to support protection of the flow regime from ecologically harmful alteration due to human activities. As part of a larger instream flow project for the Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GCP LCC), regional flow-ecology hypotheses were developed for fish, mussels, birds, and riparian vegetation (Davis and Brewer 20141). The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of existing ecological and hydrological data to test these hypotheses or others that may be developed in the future. Several databases related to biological collections and hydrologic data from Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana were compiled. State fish-community data from Oklahoma and Louisiana were summarized and paired with existing USGS gage data having at least a 40-year period of record that could be separated into reference and current conditions for comparison. The objective of this study was not to conduct exhaustive analyses of these data, the hypotheses, or analyses interpretation, but rather to use these data to determine if existing data were adequate to statistically test the regional flow-ecology hypotheses. The regional flow-ecology hypotheses were developed for the GCP LCC by a committee chaired by Shannon Brewer and Mary Davis (Davis and Brewer 2014). Existing data were useful for informing the hypotheses and suggest support for some hypotheses, but also highlight the need for additional testing and development as some results contradicted hypotheses. Results presented here suggest existing data are adequate to support some flow-ecology hypotheses; however, lack of sampling effort reported with the fish collections and the need for ecoregion-specific analyses suggest more data would be beneficial to analyses in some ecoregions. Additional fish sampling data from Texas and Louisiana will be available for future analyses and may ameliorate some of the data concerns and improve hypothesis interpretation. If the regional hydrologic model currently under development by the U.S. Geological Survey for the South-Central Climate Science Center is improved to produce daily hydrographs, it will enable use of fish data at ungaged locations. In future efforts, exhaustive analyses using these data, in addition to the development of more complex multivariate hypotheses, would be beneficial to understanding data gaps, particularly as relevant to species of conservation concern.

Clinical and microbiological evaluation of biofilm-gingival interface classification in patients with generalized forms of periodontitis.

PubMed

Kowalski, Jan; Górska, Renata

2014-01-01

In 2008 a new division of periodontal diseases based on the concept of biofilm-gingival interface (BGI), was presented. The aim of this study was to assess whether the proposed BGI categories could be useful in diagnosing patients with generalized forms of both aggressive (gAP) and chronic (gCP) periodontitis. DESIGN AND KEY METHODS: The study group consisted of 40 individuals (17 with gAP and 23 with gCP). All patients were divided into three groups according to the BGI scale: 4 patients with P1 (pockets deeper than 4 mms with bleeding index below 10%), 20 individuals with P2 (pockets deeper than 4 mms with bleeding index 10-50%) and 16 individuals with P3 (pockets deeper than 4 mms with bleeding index above 50%). The presence of bacteria in subgingival plaque was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction method. Statistically significant differences with respect to all parameters measured were found when patients were grouped according to the BGI scale--they were higher in P3 group. In gAP group A. actinomycetemcomitans and C. rectus were found in a higher numbers. No such differences were observed between P2 and P3 groups. The BGI scale seems to be helpful in effective and quick classifying of patients into adequate clinical subgroups.

Participation in health impact assessment: objectives, methods and core values.

PubMed

Wright, John; Parry, Jayne; Mathers, Jonathan

2005-01-01

Health impact assessment (HIA) is a multidisciplinary aid to decision-making that assesses the impact of policy on public health and on health inequalities. Its purpose is to assist decision-makers to maximize health gains and to reduce inequalities. The 1999 Gothenburg Consensus Paper (GCP) provides researchers with a rationale for establishing community participation as a core value of HIA. According to the GCP, participation in HIA empowers people within the decision-making process and redresses the democratic deficit between government and society. Participation in HIA generates a sense that health and decision-making is community-owned, and the personal experiences of citizens become integral to the formulation of policy. However, the participatory and empowering dimensions of HIA may prove difficult to operationalize. In this review of the participation strategies adopted in key applications of HIA in the United Kingdom, we found that HIA's aim of influencing decision-making creates tension between its participatory and knowledge-gathering dimensions. Accordingly, researchers have decreased the participatory dimension of HIA by reducing the importance attached to the community's experience of empowerment, ownership and democracy, while enlarging its knowledge-gathering dimension by giving pre-eminence to "expert" and "research-generated" evidence. Recent applications of HIA offer a serviceable rationale for participation as a means of information gathering and it is no longer tenable to uphold HIA as a means of empowering communities and advancing the aims of participatory democracy.

Participation in health impact assessment: objectives, methods and core values.

PubMed Central

Wright, John; Parry, Jayne; Mathers, Jonathan

2005-01-01

Health impact assessment (HIA) is a multidisciplinary aid to decision-making that assesses the impact of policy on public health and on health inequalities. Its purpose is to assist decision-makers to maximize health gains and to reduce inequalities. The 1999 Gothenburg Consensus Paper (GCP) provides researchers with a rationale for establishing community participation as a core value of HIA. According to the GCP, participation in HIA empowers people within the decision-making process and redresses the democratic deficit between government and society. Participation in HIA generates a sense that health and decision-making is community-owned, and the personal experiences of citizens become integral to the formulation of policy. However, the participatory and empowering dimensions of HIA may prove difficult to operationalize. In this review of the participation strategies adopted in key applications of HIA in the United Kingdom, we found that HIA's aim of influencing decision-making creates tension between its participatory and knowledge-gathering dimensions. Accordingly, researchers have decreased the participatory dimension of HIA by reducing the importance attached to the community's experience of empowerment, ownership and democracy, while enlarging its knowledge-gathering dimension by giving pre-eminence to "expert" and "research-generated" evidence. Recent applications of HIA offer a serviceable rationale for participation as a means of information gathering and it is no longer tenable to uphold HIA as a means of empowering communities and advancing the aims of participatory democracy. PMID:15682250

Surface Signatures of an Underground Explosion as Captured by Photogrammetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schultz-Fellenz, E. S.; Sussman, A. J.; Swanson, E.; Coppersmith, R.; Cooley, J.; Rougier, E.; Larmat, C. S.; Norskog, K.

2016-12-01

This study employed high-resolution photogrammetric modeling to quantify cm-scale surface topographic changes resulting from a 5000kg underground chemical explosion. The test occurred in April 2016 at a depth of 76m within a quartz monzonite intrusion in southern Nevada. The field area was a 210m x 150m polygon broadly centered on the explosion's emplacement hole. A grid of ground control points (GCPs) installed in the field area established control within the collection boundaries and ensured high-resolution digital model parameterization. Using RTK GPS techniques, GCP targets were surveyed in the days before and then again immediately after the underground explosion. A quadcopter UAS with a 12MP camera payload captured overlapping imagery at two flight altitudes (10m and 30m AGL) along automated flight courses for consistency and repeatability. The overlapping imagery was used to generate two digital elevation models, pre-shot and post-shot, for each of the flight altitudes. Spatial analyses of the DEMs and orthoimagery show uplift on the order of 1 to 18cm in the immediate area near ground zero. Other features such as alluvial fracturing appear in the photogrammetric and topographic datasets. Portions of the nearby granite outcrop experienced rock fall and rock rotation. The study detected erosional and depositional features on the test bed and adjacent to it. In addition to vertical change, pre-shot and post-shot surveys of the GCPs suggest evidence for lateral motion on the test bed surface, with movement away from surface ground zero on the order of 1 to 3cm. Results demonstrate that UAS photogrammetry method provides an efficient, high-fidelity, non-invasive method to quantify surface deformation. The photogrammetry data allow quantification of permanent surface deformation and of the spatial extent of damage. These constraints are necessary to develop hydrodynamic and seismic models of explosions that can be verified against recorded seismic data.

Automatic Near-Real-Time Image Processing Chain for Very High Resolution Optical Satellite Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ostir, K.; Cotar, K.; Marsetic, A.; Pehani, P.; Perse, M.; Zaksek, K.; Zaletelj, J.; Rodic, T.

2015-04-01

In response to the increasing need for automatic and fast satellite image processing SPACE-SI has developed and implemented a fully automatic image processing chain STORM that performs all processing steps from sensor-corrected optical images (level 1) to web-delivered map-ready images and products without operator's intervention. Initial development was tailored to high resolution RapidEye images, and all crucial and most challenging parts of the planned full processing chain were developed: module for automatic image orthorectification based on a physical sensor model and supported by the algorithm for automatic detection of ground control points (GCPs); atmospheric correction module, topographic corrections module that combines physical approach with Minnaert method and utilizing anisotropic illumination model; and modules for high level products generation. Various parts of the chain were implemented also for WorldView-2, THEOS, Pleiades, SPOT 6, Landsat 5-8, and PROBA-V. Support of full-frame sensor currently in development by SPACE-SI is in plan. The proposed paper focuses on the adaptation of the STORM processing chain to very high resolution multispectral images. The development concentrated on the sub-module for automatic detection of GCPs. The initially implemented two-step algorithm that worked only with rasterized vector roads and delivered GCPs with sub-pixel accuracy for the RapidEye images, was improved with the introduction of a third step: super-fine positioning of each GCP based on a reference raster chip. The added step exploits the high spatial resolution of the reference raster to improve the final matching results and to achieve pixel accuracy also on very high resolution optical satellite data.

[Computerized system validation of clinical researches].

PubMed

Yan, Charles; Chen, Feng; Xia, Jia-lai; Zheng, Qing-shan; Liu, Daniel

2015-11-01

Validation is a documented process that provides a high degree of assurance. The computer system does exactly and consistently what it is designed to do in a controlled manner throughout the life. The validation process begins with the system proposal/requirements definition, and continues application and maintenance until system retirement and retention of the e-records based on regulatory rules. The objective to do so is to clearly specify that each application of information technology fulfills its purpose. The computer system validation (CSV) is essential in clinical studies according to the GCP standard, meeting product's pre-determined attributes of the specifications, quality, safety and traceability. This paper describes how to perform the validation process and determine relevant stakeholders within an organization in the light of validation SOPs. Although a specific accountability in the implementation of the validation process might be outsourced, the ultimate responsibility of the CSV remains on the shoulder of the business process owner-sponsor. In order to show that the compliance of the system validation has been properly attained, it is essential to set up comprehensive validation procedures and maintain adequate documentations as well as training records. Quality of the system validation should be controlled using both QC and QA means.

16S rRNA based microarray analysis of ten periodontal bacteria in patients with different forms of periodontitis.

PubMed

Topcuoglu, Nursen; Kulekci, Guven

2015-10-01

DNA microarray analysis is a computer based technology, that a reverse capture, which targets 10 periodontal bacteria (ParoCheck) is available for rapid semi-quantitative determination. The aim of this three-year retrospective study was to display the microarray analysis results for the subgingival biofilm samples taken from patient cases diagnosed with different forms of periodontitis. A total of 84 patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP,n:29), generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP, n:25), peri-implantitis (PI,n:14), localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP,n:8) and refractory chronic periodontitis (RP,n:8) were consecutively selected from the archives of the Oral Microbiological Diagnostic Laboratory. The subgingival biofilm samples were analyzed by the microarray-based identification of 10 selected species. All the tested species were detected in the samples. The red complex bacteria were the most prevalent with very high levels in all groups. Fusobacterium nucleatum was detected in all samples at high levels. The green and blue complex bacteria were less prevalent compared with red and orange complex, except Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitas was detected in all LAP group. Positive correlations were found within all the red complex bacteria and between red and orange complex bacteria especially in GCP and GAP groups. Parocheck enables to monitoring of periodontal pathogens in all forms of periodontal disease and can be alternative to other guiding and reliable microbiologic tests. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evidence-based radiology: how to quickly assess the validity and strength of publications in the diagnostic radiology literature.

PubMed

Dodd, Jonathan D; MacEneaney, Peter M; Malone, Dermot E

2004-05-01

The aim of this study was to show how evidence-based medicine (EBM) techniques can be applied to the appraisal of diagnostic radiology publications. A clinical scenario is described: a gastroenterologist has questioned the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in a patient who may have common bile duct (CBD) stones. His opinion was based on an article on MRCP published in "Gut." The principles of EBM are described and then applied to the critical appraisal of this paper. Another paper on the same subject was obtained from the radiology literature and was also critically appraised using explicit EBM criteria. The principles for assessing the validity and strength of both studies are outlined. All statistical parameters were generated quickly using a spreadsheet in Excel format. The results of EBM assessment of both papers are presented. The calculation and application of confidence intervals (CIs) and likelihood ratios (LRs) for both studies are described. These statistical results are applied to individual patient scenarios using graphs of conditional probability (GCP). Basic EBM principles are described and additional points relevant to radiologists discussed. Online resources for EBR practice are identified. The principles of EBM and their application to radiology are discussed. It is emphasized that sensitivity and specificity are point estimates of the "true" characteristics of a test in clinical practice. A spreadsheet can be used to quickly calculate CIs, LRs and GCPs. These give the radiologist a better understanding of the meaning of diagnostic test results in any patient or population of patients.

Use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in the analysis of historical landslide occurred in 1885 in the Rječina River Valley, Croatia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dugonjić Jovančević, Sanja; Peranić, Josip; Ružić, Igor; Arbanas, Željko; Kalajžić, Duje; Benac, Čedomir

2016-04-01

Numerous instability phenomena have been recorded in the Rječina River Valley, near the City of Rijeka, in the past 250 years. Large landslides triggered by rainfall and floods, were registered on both sides of the Valley. Landslide inventory in the Valley was established based on recorded historical events and LiDAR imagery. The Rječina River is a typical karstic river 18.7km long, originating from the Gorski Kotar Mountains. The central part of the Valley, belongs to the dominant morphostructural unit that strikes in the northwest-southeast direction along the Rječina River. Karstified limestone rock mass is visible on the top of the slopes, while the flysch rock mass is present on the lower slopes and at the bottom of the Valley. Different types of movements can be distinguished in the area, such as the sliding of slope deposits over the flysch bedrock, rockfalls from limestone cliffs, sliding of huge rocky blocks, and active landslide on the north-eastern slope. The paper presents investigation of the dormant landslide located on the south-western slope of the Valley, which was recorded in 1870 in numerous historical descriptions. Due to intense and long-term rainfall, the landslide was reactivated in 1885, destroying and damaging houses in the eastern part of the Grohovo Village. To predict possible reactivation of the dormant landslide on the south-western side of the Valley, 2D stability back analyses were performed on the basis of landslide features, in order to approximate the position of sliding surface and landslide dimensions. The landslide topography is very steep, and the slope is covered by unstable debris material, so therefore hard to perform any terrestrial geodetic survey. Consumer-grade DJI Phantom 2 Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) was used to provide the data about the present slope topography. The landslide 3D point cloud was derived from approximately 200 photographs taken with RPAS, using structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry. Images were processed using the online Autodesk service "ReCap". Ground control points (GCP) collected with Total Station are identified on photorealistic point cloud and used for geo-referencing. Cloud Compare software was used for the point cloud processing. This study compared georeferenced landslide point cloud delivered from images with data acquired from laser scanning. RAPS and SfM application produced high accuracy landslide 3D point cloud, characterized by safe and quick data acquisition. Based on the adopted rock mass strength parameters, obtained from the back analysis, a stability analysis of the present slope situation was performed, and the present stability of the landslide body is determined. The unfavourable conditions and possible triggering factors such as saturation of the slope, caused by heavy rain and earthquake, were included in the analyses what enabled estimation of future landslide hazard and risk.

HMBPP-deficient Listeria mutant immunization alters pulmonary/systemic responses, effector functions, and memory polarization of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells

PubMed Central

Frencher, James T.; Shen, Hongbo; Yan, Lin; Wilson, Jessica O.; Freitag, Nancy E.; Rizzo, Alicia N.; Chen, Crystal Y.; Chen, Zheng W.

2014-01-01

Whereas infection or immunization of humans/primates with microbes coproducing HMBPP/IPP can remarkably activate Vγ2Vδ2 T cells, in vivo studies have not been done to dissect HMBPP- and IPP-driven expansion, pulmonary trafficking, effector functions, and memory polarization of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells. We define these phosphoantigen-host interplays by comparative immunizations of macaques with the HMBPP/IPP-coproducing Listeria ΔactA prfA* and HMBPP-deficient Listeria ΔactAΔgcpE prfA* mutant. The HMBPP-deficient ΔgcpE mutant shows lower ability to expand Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in vitro than the parental HMBPP-producing strain but displays comparably attenuated infectivity or immunogenicity. Respiratory immunization of macaques with the HMBPP-deficient mutant elicits lower pulmonary and systemic responses of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells compared with the HMBPP-producing vaccine strain. Interestingly, HMBPP-deficient mutant reimmunization or boosting elicits enhanced responses of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells, but the magnitude is lower than that by HMBPP-producing listeria. HMBPP-deficient listeria differentiated fewer Vγ2Vδ2 T effector cells capable of coproducing IFN-γ and TNF-α and inhibiting intracellular listeria than HMBPP-producing listeria. Furthermore, HMBPP deficiency in listerial immunization influences memory polarization of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells. Thus, both HMBPP and IPP production in listerial immunization or infection elicit systemic/pulmonary responses and differentiation of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells, but a role for HMBPP is more dominant. Findings may help devise immune intervention. PMID:25114162

Integrating between Malay culture and conservation in Green campus program: Best practices from Universitas Riau, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suwondo, Darmadi, Yunus, Mohd.

2017-11-01

Green campus program (GCP) is a policy to optimize the role of the University of Riau in implementing sustainable development. Green campus development is done by integrating Malay culture and conservation in every implementation of the program. We identify the biophysical, economic and socio-cultural characteristics as well as the problems encountered in the campus environment. This study uses desk study, survey, and focus group discussion (FGD). GCP analysis is divided into several stages, namely assess problem, design, implementation, monitor, evaluate and adjust. Bina Widya Campus of Universitas Riau has a good biodiversity of flora and fauna with species characteristics in lowland tropical forest ecosystems. Plant species of the Dipterocarpaceae family are the dominant species, whereas fauna is from reptile, leaves, and mammals. Efforts to maintain and enhance species diversity are undertaken by designing and constructing Arboretum and Ecoedupark for the ex situ conservation of flora and fauna. The enrichment of species is carried out by planting vegetation types that are closely related to Malay culture. On the other hand, the management of the green campus faces challenges in the diverse perceptions of stakeholders with low levels of academic participation. Economically the existence of the campus provides a multiplier effect on the emergence of various economic activities of the community around the campus. Implementation of green university campus of Riau University by integrating Melayu culture and conservation contributes to the creation of green open space which is increasingly widespread and able to support sustainable development, especially in Pekanbaru City.

Central corneal thickness and progression of the visual field and optic disc in glaucoma

PubMed Central

Chauhan, B C; Hutchison, D M; LeBlanc, R P; Artes, P H; Nicolela, M T

2005-01-01

Aims: To determine whether central corneal thickness (CCT) is a significant predictor of visual field and optic disc progression in open angle glaucoma. Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective study of glaucoma patients tested with static automated perimetry and confocal scanning laser tomography every 6 months. Progression was determined using a trend based approach called evidence of change (EOC) analysis in which sectoral ordinal scores based on the significance of regression coefficients of visual field pattern deviation and neuroretinal rim area over time are summed. Visual field progression was also determined using the event based glaucoma change probability (GCP) analysis using both total and pattern deviation. Results: The sample contained 101 eyes of 54 patients (mean (SD) age 56.5 (9.8) years) with a mean follow up of 9.2 (0.7) years and 20.7 (2.3) sets of examinations every 6 months. Lower CCT was associated with worse baseline visual fields and lower mean IOP in the follow up. In the longitudinal analysis CCT was not correlated with the EOC scores for visual field or optic disc change. In the GCP analyses, there was a tendency for groups classified as progressing to have lower CCT compared to non-progressing groups. In a multivariate analyses accounting for IOP, the opposite was found, whereby higher CCT was associated with visual field progression. None of the independent factors were predictive of optic disc progression. Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with established glaucoma, CCT was not a useful index in the risk assessment of visual field and optic disc progression. PMID:16024855

[Regulatory control of new medicines: help or hindrance?].

PubMed

Vozeh, S

1999-04-15

To answer the question of the benefit and the cost/benefit ratio of the activities of a drug regulatory agency, the most important, clinically relevant "products" of a licensing authority in general, and the Swiss licensing authority (IKS) in particular are discussed. The activities of the medicines licensing authority assure that: For all new substances the efficacy and a positive benefit/risk ratio have been demonstrated before a marketing authorisation. For all marketed medicines an information for professionals and patients is available that has been evaluated and approved by an independent and competent reviewer. An independent post marketing surveillance of the side effects profile continues after a medicine has been put on the market. All clinical trials investigating medicinal products are performed according to GCP rules corresponding to international ethical and scientific standards. An international comparison of the time needed for the evaluation of a marketing authorisation application for a new medicine reveals that the IKS is one of the most efficient agencies. This is illustrated with an example showing the evaluation times of the EMEA and the IKS for products approved in 1997.

Synthesis and structural characterization of oaklin-catechins.

PubMed

Sousa, André; Fernandes, Ana; Mateus, Nuno; De Freitas, Victor

2012-02-15

Condensation reactions of procyanidin dimer B4 with two representative oak wood cinnamic aldehydes (coniferaldehyde and sinapaldehyde) were conducted in winelike model solutions. Coniferaldehyde led to the formation of guaiacylcatechin-pyrylium-catechin (GCP-catechin, 737 m/z), whereas sinapaldehyde led to the formation of syringylcatechin-pyrylium-catechin (SCP-catechin, 767 m/z). The former was also structurally characterized by 1D and 2D NMR, allowing an elucidation of the formation mechanism of these oaklin-catechin adducts and demonstrating the importance of procyanidins in the formation of colored compounds through the reaction with cinnamic aldehydes extracted from oaks during storage.

Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry applied to historical imagery: plug & play?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakker, Maarten; Lane, Stuart N.

2017-04-01

The development of Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry has led to a vast increase and expansion of geomorphological applications. Highly detailed Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) can be efficiently generated from a variety of platforms that cover a large range of spatial scales. For the application of DEMs in geomorphic change analysis, precision and spatial resolution are not of sole importance, but also their accuracy, temporal resolution and temporal coverage. The use of archival imagery may substantially lengthen temporal coverage, allowing quantification of annual to decadal scale landform change. Whilst archival photogrammetry is not new, a question arises as to how applicable SfM methods are as a more cost-effective and straightforward alternative to the conventional approach. Here, we studied a relatively extreme case where we applied SfM techniques to archival aerial imagery, to investigate the decadal evolution of a low relief braided river. The Borgne is an Alpine river in south-west Switzerland which is strongly affected by flow abstraction for hydropower, allowing the fairly straightforward application of photogrammetry on the near-dry river bed. For 8 sets of scanned historical aerial images in the period 1959-2005 we performed Ground Control Point (GCP) assisted bundle adjustment using both classical archival digital photogrammetry (used as a reference dataset) and SfM based photogrammetry. For the SfM method, no further data were used to constrain camera or exterior orientation parameters a priori, but instead we used these for a posteriori verification. The resulting densified point clouds were registered onto a reference surface based on stable areas, allowing the correction for any systematic error in DEMs that may arise from (random) error in the bundle adjustment. The obtained results show that the quality of the SfM based bundle adjustment is similar to that of the classical photogrammetric approach. Next to image scale, the quality is strongly driven by ability of computer vision techniques to extract tie-points, which is controlled by image texture (quantified here using entropy) and image overlap (redundancy). Depending on the used image set, these characteristics may therefore be effectively exploited or pose a limitation for application. The quality of the results aside, we found that the recovered bundle adjustment parameters were not necessarily correct and that there was the possibility for a trade-off, between estimated focal length and camera flying height for example, such that the right results were obtained if not for the right reasons. This highlights the need to assess camera and exterior orientation parameters, and to address systematic errors that may evolve from this. For the latter, we found that point cloud registration is crucial, particularly in a low relief environment such as a braided river, for accurate change quantification and geomorphic interpretation. We conclude that, given a suitable set of images and considering principles of classical photogrammetric analysis, SfM methods can be effectively applied for archival imagery analysis, but that this is by no means a plug and play methodology.

Environmental assessment for the Groundwater Characterization Project, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada; Revision 1

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

NONE

1992-08-01

The US Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to conduct a program to characterize groundwater at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), Nye County, Nevada, in accordance with a 1987 DOE memorandum stating that all past, present, and future nuclear test sites would be treated as Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) sites (Memorandum from Bruce Green, Weapons Design and Testing Division, June 6, 1987). DOE has prepared an environmental assessment (DOE/EA-0532) to evaluate the environmental consequences associated with the proposed action, referred to as the Groundwater Characterization Project (GCP). This proposed action includes constructing access roads and drill pads,more » drilling and testing wells, and monitoring these wells for the purpose of characterizing groundwater at the NTS. Long-term monitoring and possible use of these wells in support of CERCLA, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, is also proposed. The GCP includes measures to mitigate potential impacts on sensitive biological, cultural and historical resources, and to protect workers and the environment from exposure to any radioactive or mixed waste materials that may be encountered. DOE considers those mitigation measures related to sensitive biological, cultural and historic resources as essential to render the impacts of the proposed action not significant, and DOE has prepared a Mitigation Action Plan (MAP) that explains how such mitigations will be planned and implemented. Based on the analyses presented in the EA, DOE has determined that the proposed action is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Therefore, preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required and the Department is issuing this FONSI.« less

Examination of the regulatory frameworks applicable to biologic drugs (including stem cells and their progeny) in Europe, the U.S., and Australia: part II--a method of software documentary analysis.

PubMed

Ilic, Nina; Savic, Snezana; Siegel, Evan; Atkinson, Kerry; Tasic, Ljiljana

2012-12-01

A wide range of regulatory standards applicable to production and use of tissues, cells, and other biologics (or biologicals), as advanced therapies, indicates considerable interest in the regulation of these products. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare high-tier documents within the Australian, European, and U.S. biologic drug regulatory environments using qualitative methodology. Eighteen high-tier documents from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulatory frameworks were subject to automated text analysis. Selected documents were consistent with the legal requirements for manufacturing and use of biologic drugs in humans and fall into six different categories. Concepts, themes, and their co-occurrence were identified and compared. The most frequent concepts in TGA, FDA, and EMA frameworks were "biological," "product," and "medicinal," respectively. This was consistent with the previous manual terminology search. Good Manufacturing Practice documents, across frameworks, identified "quality" and "appropriate" as main concepts, whereas in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) documents it was "clinical," followed by "trial," "subjects," "sponsor," and "data." GCP documents displayed considerably higher concordance between different regulatory frameworks, as demonstrated by a smaller number of concepts, similar size, and similar distance between them. Although high-tier documents often use different terminology, they share concepts and themes. This paper may be a modest contribution to the recognition of similarities and differences between analyzed regulatory documents. It may also fill the literature gap and provide some foundation for future comparative research of biologic drug regulations on a global level.

Relation of glypican-3 and E-cadherin expressions to clinicopathological features and prognosis of mucinous and non-mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Foda, Abd Al-Rahman Mohammad; Mohammad, Mie Ali; Abdel-Aziz, Azza; El-Hawary, Amira Kamal

2015-06-01

Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a member of the membrane-bound heparin sulfate proteoglycans. E-cadherin is an adhesive receptor that is believed to act as a tumor suppressor gene. Many studies had investigated E-cadherin expressions in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) while only one study had investigated GPC3 expression in CRC. This study aims to investigate expression of GCP3 and E-cadherin in colorectal mucinous carcinoma (MA) and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (NMA) using manual tissue microarray technique. Tumor tissue specimens are collected from 75 cases of MC and 75 cases of NMA who underwent radical surgery from Jan 2007 to Jan 2012 at the Gastroenterology Centre, Mansoura University, Egypt. Their clinicopathological parameters and survival data were revised and analyzed using established statistical methodologies. High-density manual tissue microarrays were constructed using modified mechanical pencil tip technique and immunohistochemistry for GPC3 and E-cadherin was done. NMA showed higher expression of GPC3 than MA with no statistically significant relation. NMA showed a significantly higher E-cadherin expression than MA. GPC3 and E-cadherin positivity rates were significantly interrelated in NMA, but not in MA, group. In NMA group, there was no significant relation between either GPC3 or E-cadherin expression and the clinicopathological features. In a univariate analysis, neither GPC3 nor E-cadherin expression showed a significant impact on disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS). GPC3 and E-cadherin expressions are not independent prognostic factors in CRC. However, expressions of both are significantly interrelated in NMA patients, suggesting an excellent interplay between both, in contrast to MA. Further molecular studies are needed to further explore the relationship between GCP3 and E-cadherin in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Complex landslides in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt - a case study in the State of Veracruz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilde, M.; Terhorst, B.; Schwindt, D.; Rodriguez Elizarrarás, S. R.; Morales Barrera, W. V.; Bücker, M.; Flores Orozco, A.; García García, E.; Pita de la Paz, C.

2017-12-01

The State of Veracruz (Mexico) is a region which is highly affected by landslides, therefore detailed studies on triggering factors and process dynamics of landslides are required. Profound insights are essential for further hazard assessments and compilation of susceptibility maps. Exemplary landslide sites were investigated in order to determine characteristic features of specific regions. In the Chiconquiaco Mountain Range numerous damaging landslide events occurred in the year of 2013 and our case study corresponds to a deep-seated landslide originating from this slide-intensive year. The main scientific aspects are placed on the reconstruction of the landslides geometry and its process dynamics. Therefore, surface and subsurface analysis form the base of a multimethodological approach. In order to perform surface analysis, aerial photographs were collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aiming at the generation of a 3D model with the Structure from Motion (SfM) work routine. Ground control points (GCP) were used to ensure the geometric accuracy of the model. The obtained DEM of the 2013 slide mass as well as an elevation model representing the topographic situation before the event (year 2011) were used to detect surface changes. The data enabled determination of the most affected areas as well as areas characterized by secondary movements. Furthermore, the volume of the slide mass could be calculated. Geophysical methods, as electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as well as seismic refraction tomography (SRT), were applied for subsurface analysis. Differences in subsurface composition, respectively density, allowed for separation of the slide mass and the underlying unit. Most relevant for our studies is the detection of an earlier landslide leading to the assumption that the 2013 landslide event corresponds to a reactivation process. This multimethodological approach enables a far-reaching visualization of complex landslides and strongly supports the reconstruction of interior structures and process dynamics.

A randomized, controlled study of a single intra-articular injection of etanercept or glucocorticosteroids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Bliddal, H; Terslev, L; Qvistgaard, E; Konig, M; Holm, C C; Rogind, H; Boesen, M; Danneskiold-Samsøe, B; Torp-Pedersen, S

2006-01-01

Glucocorticosteroids are used successfully for both systemic and intra-articular treatment of arthritis. Inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are effective when administered systemically and this study was performed to compare the effect of intra-articular injection of these two substances. A randomized, parallel-group, double-blind study with an independent observer. Thirty-eight patients with flare of arthritis in a single joint (wrist, elbow, or knee) were given intra-articular 25 mg etanercept or 40 mg methylprednisolone guided by ultrasound. The primary end-point was the 4-week change in pain in the target joint. The study complied with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) statement. At 4 weeks no difference in pain outcome between treatment groups was demonstrated by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Pain on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for etanercept was baseline mean 40.9 (SD 19.6) mm, follow-up 32.7 (29.1) mm (p = 0.29), methylprednisolone baseline mean 47.1 (29.6) mm, follow-up 25.3 (24.7) mm (p<0.001). The investigator's evaluation was for etanercept baseline 30.6 (21.2) mm, follow-up 17.1 (15.5) mm (p = 0.054) and for methylprednisolone baseline 35.4 (26.4) mm, follow-up 11.9 (14.6) mm (p = 0.012). Joint swelling was for etanercept baseline 1.78 (0.73), follow-up 1.25 (0.77) (p = 0.015) and for methylprednisolone baseline 1.74 (0.73), follow-up 0.71 (0.77) (p<0.001). One serious adverse event was seen in a patient treated with methylprednisolone injection. Although no difference between groups was demonstrated, the within-group effect of methylprednisolone was more marked than that of etanercept. Injections with 25 mg etanercept were well tolerated. However, the cost of etanercept will presumably limit its use to patients with adverse reactions to steroid.

Long-term monitoring of a large landslide by using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindner, Gerald; Schraml, Klaus; Mansberger, Reinfried; Hübl, Johannes

2015-04-01

Currently UAVs become more and more important in various scientific areas, including forestry, precision farming, archaeology and hydrology. Using these drones in natural hazards research enables a completely new level of data acquisition being flexible of site, invariant in time, cost-efficient and enabling arbitrary spatial resolution. In this study, a rotary-wing Mini-UAV carrying a DSLR camera was used to acquire time series of overlapping aerial images. These photographs were taken as input to extract Digital Surface Models (DSM) as well as orthophotos in the area of interest. The "Pechgraben" area in Upper Austria has a catchment area of approximately 2 km². Geology is mainly dominated by limestone and sandstone. Caused by heavy rainfalls in the late spring of 2013, an area of about 70 ha began to move towards the village in the valley. In addition to the urgent measures, the slow-moving landslide was monitored approximately every month over a time period of more than 18 months. A detailed documentation of the change process was the result. Moving velocities and height differences were quantified and validated using a dense network of Ground Control Points (GCP). For further analysis, 14 image flights with a total amount of 10.000 photographs were performed to create multi-temporal geodata in in sub-decimeter-resolution for two depicted areas of the landslide. Using a UAV for this application proved to be an excellent choice, as it allows short repetition times, low flying heights and high spatial resolution. Furthermore, the UAV acts almost weather independently as well as highly autonomously. High-quality results can be expected within a few hours after the photo flight. The UAV system performs very well in an alpine environment. Time series of the assessed geodata detect changes in topography and provide a long-term documentation of the measures taken in order to stop the landslide and to prevent infrastructure from damage.

All-digital precision processing of ERTS images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernstein, R. (Principal Investigator)

1975-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Digital techniques have been developed and used to apply precision-grade radiometric and geometric corrections to ERTS MSS and RBV scenes. Geometric accuracies sufficient for mapping at 1:250,000 scale have been demonstrated. Radiometric quality has been superior to ERTS NDPF precision products. A configuration analysis has shown that feasible, cost-effective all-digital systems for correcting ERTS data are easily obtainable. This report contains a summary of all results obtained during this study and includes: (1) radiometric and geometric correction techniques, (2) reseau detection, (3) GCP location, (4) resampling, (5) alternative configuration evaluations, and (6) error analysis.

LKB1 Regulates Cerebellar Development by Controlling Sonic Hedgehog-mediated Granule Cell Precursor Proliferation and Granule Cell Migration.

PubMed

Men, Yuqin; Zhang, Aizhen; Li, Haixiang; Jin, Yecheng; Sun, Xiaoyang; Li, Huashun; Gao, Jiangang

2015-11-09

The Liver Kinase B1 (LKB1) gene plays crucial roles in cell differentiation, proliferation and the establishment of cell polarity. We created LKB1 conditional knockout mice (LKB1(Atoh1) CKO) to investigate the function of LKB1 in cerebellar development. The LKB1(Atoh1) CKO mice displayed motor dysfunction. In the LKB1(Atoh1) CKO cerebellum, the overall structure had a larger volume and more lobules. LKB1 inactivation led to an increased proliferation of granule cell precursors (GCPs), aberrant granule cell migration and overproduction of unipolar brush cells. To investigate the mechanism underlying the abnormal foliation, we examined sonic hedgehog signalling (Shh) by testing its transcriptional mediators, the Gli proteins, which regulate the GCPs proliferation and cerebellar foliation during cerebellar development. The expression levels of Gli genes were significantly increased in the mutant cerebellum. In vitro assays showed that the proliferation of cultured GCPs from mutant cerebellum significantly increased, whereas the proliferation of mutant GCPs significantly decreased in the presence of a Shh inhibitor GDC-0049. Thus, LKB1 deficiency in the LKB1(Atoh1) CKO mice enhanced Shh signalling, leading to the excessive GCP proliferation and the formation of extra lobules. We proposed that LKB1 regulates cerebellar development by controlling GCPs proliferation through Shh signalling during cerebellar development.

LKB1 Regulates Cerebellar Development by Controlling Sonic Hedgehog-mediated Granule Cell Precursor Proliferation and Granule Cell Migration

PubMed Central

Men, Yuqin; Zhang, Aizhen; Li, Haixiang; Jin, Yecheng; Sun, Xiaoyang; Li, Huashun; Gao, Jiangang

2015-01-01

The Liver Kinase B1 (LKB1) gene plays crucial roles in cell differentiation, proliferation and the establishment of cell polarity. We created LKB1 conditional knockout mice (LKB1Atoh1 CKO) to investigate the function of LKB1 in cerebellar development. The LKB1Atoh1 CKO mice displayed motor dysfunction. In the LKB1Atoh1 CKO cerebellum, the overall structure had a larger volume and morelobules. LKB1 inactivationled to an increased proliferation of granule cell precursors (GCPs), aberrant granule cell migration and overproduction of unipolar brush cells. To investigate the mechanism underlying the abnormal foliation, we examined sonic hedgehog signalling (Shh) by testing its transcriptional mediators, the Gli proteins, which regulate the GCPs proliferation and cerebellar foliation during cerebellar development. The expression levels of Gli genes were significantly increased in the mutant cerebellum. In vitro assays showed that the proliferation of cultured GCPs from mutant cerebellum significantly increased, whereas the proliferation of mutant GCPs significantly decreased in the presence of a Shh inhibitor GDC-0049. Thus, LKB1 deficiency in the LKB1Atoh1 CKO mice enhanced Shh signalling, leading to the excessive GCP proliferation and the formation of extra lobules. We proposed that LKB1 regulates cerebellar development by controlling GCPs proliferation through Shh signalling during cerebellar development. PMID:26549569

Multiple edifice-collapse events in the Eastern Mexican Volcanic Belt: The role of sloping substrate and implications for hazard assessment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Carrasco-Nunez, Gerardo; Diaz-Castellon, Rodolfo; Siebert, L.; Hubbard, B.; Sheridan, M.F.; Rodriguez, Sergio R.

2006-01-01

The Citlalte??petl-Cofre de Perote volcanic chain forms an important physiographic barrier that separates the Central Altiplano (2500??masl) from the Gulf Coastal Plain (GCP) (1300??masl). The abrupt eastward drop in relief between these provinces gives rise to unstable conditions and consequent gravitational collapse of large volcanic edifices built at the edge of the Altiplano. Eastward sloping substrate, caused by the irregular configuration of the basement rocks, is the dominant factor that controls the direction of collapsing sectors in all major volcanoes in the region to be preferentially towards the GCP. These collapses produced voluminous debris avalanches and lahars that inundated the well-developed drainages and clastic aprons that characterize the Coastal Plain. Large catastrophic collapses from Citlalte??petl, Las Cumbres, and Cofre de Perote volcanoes are well documented in the geologic record. Some of the avalanches and transformed flows have exceptionally long runouts and reach the Gulf of Mexico traveling more than 120??km from their source. So far, no direct evidence has been found for magmatic activity associated with the initiation of these catastrophic flank-collapses. Apparently, instability of the volcanic edifices has been strongly favored by very intense hydrothermal alteration, abrupt topographic change, and intense fracturing. In addition to the eastward slope of the substrate, the reactivation of pre-volcanic basement structures during the Late Tertiary, and the E-W to ENE-SSW oriented regional stress regimes may have played an important role in the preferential movement direction of the avalanches and flows. In addition to magmatic-hydrothermal processes, high amounts of rainfall in the area is another factor that enhances alteration and eventually weakens the rocks. It is very likely that seismic activity may be the principal triggering mechanism that caused the flank collapse of large volcanic edifices in the Eastern Mexican Volcanic Belt. However, critical pore water pressure from extraordinary amounts of rainfall associated with hurricanes or other meteorological perturbation cannot be ruled out, particularly for smaller volume collapses. There are examples in the area of small seismogenic debris flows that have occurred in historical times, showing that these processes are not uncommon. Assessing the stability conditions of major volcanic edifices that have experienced catastrophic sector collapses is crucial for forecasting future events. This is particularly true for the Eastern Mexican Volcanic Belt, where in many cases no magmatic activity was associated with the collapse. Therefore, edifice failure could occur again without any precursory warning. ?? 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Airport databases for 3D synthetic-vision flight-guidance displays: database design, quality assessment, and data generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedrich, Axel; Raabe, Helmut; Schiefele, Jens; Doerr, Kai Uwe

1999-07-01

In future aircraft cockpit designs SVS (Synthetic Vision System) databases will be used to display 3D physical and virtual information to pilots. In contrast to pure warning systems (TAWS, MSAW, EGPWS) SVS serve to enhance pilot spatial awareness by 3-dimensional perspective views of the objects in the environment. Therefore all kind of aeronautical relevant data has to be integrated into the SVS-database: Navigation- data, terrain-data, obstacles and airport-Data. For the integration of all these data the concept of a GIS (Geographical Information System) based HQDB (High-Quality- Database) has been created at the TUD (Technical University Darmstadt). To enable database certification, quality- assessment procedures according to ICAO Annex 4, 11, 14 and 15 and RTCA DO-200A/EUROCAE ED76 were established in the concept. They can be differentiated in object-related quality- assessment-methods following the keywords accuracy, resolution, timeliness, traceability, assurance-level, completeness, format and GIS-related quality assessment methods with the keywords system-tolerances, logical consistence and visual quality assessment. An airport database is integrated in the concept as part of the High-Quality- Database. The contents of the HQDB are chosen so that they support both Flight-Guidance-SVS and other aeronautical applications like SMGCS (Surface Movement and Guidance Systems) and flight simulation as well. Most airport data are not available. Even though data for runways, threshold, taxilines and parking positions were to be generated by the end of 1997 (ICAO Annex 11 and 15) only a few countries fulfilled these requirements. For that reason methods of creating and certifying airport data have to be found. Remote sensing and digital photogrammetry serve as means to acquire large amounts of airport objects with high spatial resolution and accuracy in much shorter time than with classical surveying methods. Remotely sensed images can be acquired from satellite-platforms or aircraft-platforms. To achieve the highest horizontal accuracy requirements stated in ICAO Annex 14 for runway centerlines (0.50 meters), at the present moment only images acquired from aircraft based sensors can be used as source data. Still, ground reference by GCP (Ground Control-points) is obligatory. A DEM (Digital Elevation Model) can be created automatically in the photogrammetric process. It can be used as highly accurate elevation model for the airport area. The final verification of airport data is accomplished by independent surveyed runway- and taxiway- control-points. The concept of generation airport-data by means of remote sensing and photogrammetry was tested with the Stuttgart/Germany airport. The results proved that the final accuracy was within the accuracy specification defined by ICAO Annex 14.

Efficacy and mode of action of an immunomodulator herbal preparation containing Echinacea, wild indigo, and white cedar.

PubMed

Wüstenberg, P; Henneicke-von Zepelin, H H; Köhler, G; Stammwitz, U

1999-01-01

Using the example of an allopathic herbal combined preparation containing Echinacea root, wild indigo root, and white cedar leaf tips (Echinaceae radix + Baptisiae tinctoriae radix + Thujae occidentalis herba = Esberitox N), the efficacy and mode of action of a phytoimmunomodulator, or immune system enhancer, is described. Efficacy of the immunomodulator has been demonstrated in studies of acute viral respiratory tract infections and infections requiring antibiotic therapy. In a recent study compliant to GCP, the therapeutic superiority of the herbal immunomodulator over placebo was confirmed as statistically significant and clinically relevant. The present overview describes a model of the antigen-independent mode of action of phytoimmunomodulation ("immunobalancing").

Global Carbon Project: the 2014 Global Carbon Budget (V.1.0, issued Sept. 2014 and V.1.1, issued May 2015)

DOE Data Explorer

Le Quere, C. [University of East Anglia, Norwich UK; Moriarty, R. [University of East Anglia, Norwich UK; Andrew, R. M. [Univ. of Oslo (Norway); Peters, G. P. [Univ. of Oslo (Norway); Boden, T. A. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States), Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC)

2014-01-01

The GCP provides an annual report of carbon dioxide emissions, land and ocean sinks and accumulation in the atmosphere, incorporating data from multiple research institutes from around the world. More information can be found at www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget. Each year's Global Carbon Budget is a collaborative effort of the global carbon cycle science community coordinated by the Global Carbon Project. The landing page for this dataset includes links to the 2014 report, V. 1.0, issued Sept2014 and V.1.1, issued May 2015. Many links to older years versions are also available from this landing page.

Global Carbon Budget 2017

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Quéré, Corinne; Andrew, Robbie M.; Friedlingstein, Pierre; Sitch, Stephen; Pongratz, Julia; Manning, Andrew C.; Korsbakken, Jan Ivar; Peters, Glen P.; Canadell, Josep G.; Jackson, Robert B.; Boden, Thomas A.; Tans, Pieter P.; Andrews, Oliver D.; Arora, Vivek K.; Bakker, Dorothee C. E.; Barbero, Leticia; Becker, Meike; Betts, Richard A.; Bopp, Laurent; Chevallier, Frédéric; Chini, Louise P.; Ciais, Philippe; Cosca, Catherine E.; Cross, Jessica; Currie, Kim; Gasser, Thomas; Harris, Ian; Hauck, Judith; Haverd, Vanessa; Houghton, Richard A.; Hunt, Christopher W.; Hurtt, George; Ilyina, Tatiana; Jain, Atul K.; Kato, Etsushi; Kautz, Markus; Keeling, Ralph F.; Klein Goldewijk, Kees; Körtzinger, Arne; Landschützer, Peter; Lefèvre, Nathalie; Lenton, Andrew; Lienert, Sebastian; Lima, Ivan; Lombardozzi, Danica; Metzl, Nicolas; Millero, Frank; Monteiro, Pedro M. S.; Munro, David R.; Nabel, Julia E. M. S.; Nakaoka, Shin-ichiro; Nojiri, Yukihiro; Padin, X. Antonio; Peregon, Anna; Pfeil, Benjamin; Pierrot, Denis; Poulter, Benjamin; Rehder, Gregor; Reimer, Janet; Rödenbeck, Christian; Schwinger, Jörg; Séférian, Roland; Skjelvan, Ingunn; Stocker, Benjamin D.; Tian, Hanqin; Tilbrook, Bronte; Tubiello, Francesco N.; van der Laan-Luijkx, Ingrid T.; van der Werf, Guido R.; van Heuven, Steven; Viovy, Nicolas; Vuichard, Nicolas; Walker, Anthony P.; Watson, Andrew J.; Wiltshire, Andrew J.; Zaehle, Sönke; Zhu, Dan

2018-03-01

Accurate assessment of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and their redistribution among the atmosphere, ocean, and terrestrial biosphere - the global carbon budget - is important to better understand the global carbon cycle, support the development of climate policies, and project future climate change. Here we describe data sets and methodology to quantify the five major components of the global carbon budget and their uncertainties. CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry (EFF) are based on energy statistics and cement production data, respectively, while emissions from land-use change (ELUC), mainly deforestation, are based on land-cover change data and bookkeeping models. The global atmospheric CO2 concentration is measured directly and its rate of growth (GATM) is computed from the annual changes in concentration. The ocean CO2 sink (SOCEAN) and terrestrial CO2 sink (SLAND) are estimated with global process models constrained by observations. The resulting carbon budget imbalance (BIM), the difference between the estimated total emissions and the estimated changes in the atmosphere, ocean, and terrestrial biosphere, is a measure of imperfect data and understanding of the contemporary carbon cycle. All uncertainties are reported as ±1σ. For the last decade available (2007-2016), EFF was 9.4 ± 0.5 GtC yr-1, ELUC 1.3 ± 0.7 GtC yr-1, GATM 4.7 ± 0.1 GtC yr-1, SOCEAN 2.4 ± 0.5 GtC yr-1, and SLAND 3.0 ± 0.8 GtC yr-1, with a budget imbalance BIM of 0.6 GtC yr-1 indicating overestimated emissions and/or underestimated sinks. For year 2016 alone, the growth in EFF was approximately zero and emissions remained at 9.9 ± 0.5 GtC yr-1. Also for 2016, ELUC was 1.3 ± 0.7 GtC yr-1, GATM was 6.1 ± 0.2 GtC yr-1, SOCEAN was 2.6 ± 0.5 GtC yr-1, and SLAND was 2.7 ± 1.0 GtC yr-1, with a small BIM of -0.3 GtC. GATM continued to be higher in 2016 compared to the past decade (2007-2016), reflecting in part the high fossil emissions and the small SLAND consistent with El Niño conditions. The global atmospheric CO2 concentration reached 402.8 ± 0.1 ppm averaged over 2016. For 2017, preliminary data for the first 6-9 months indicate a renewed growth in EFF of +2.0 % (range of 0.8 to 3.0 %) based on national emissions projections for China, USA, and India, and projections of gross domestic product (GDP) corrected for recent changes in the carbon intensity of the economy for the rest of the world. This living data update documents changes in the methods and data sets used in this new global carbon budget compared with previous publications of this data set (Le Quéré et al., 2016, 2015b, a, 2014, 2013). All results presented here can be downloaded from https://doi.org/10.18160/GCP-2017 (GCP, 2017).

Avulsion research using flume experiments and highly accurate and temporal-rich SfM datasets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Javernick, L.; Bertoldi, W.; Vitti, A.

2017-12-01

SfM's ability to produce high-quality, large-scale digital elevation models (DEMs) of complicated and rapidly evolving systems has made it a valuable technique for low-budget researchers and practitioners. While SfM has provided valuable datasets that capture single-flood event DEMs, there is an increasing scientific need to capture higher temporal resolution datasets that can quantify the evolutionary processes instead of pre- and post-flood snapshots. However, flood events' dangerous field conditions and image matching challenges (e.g. wind, rain) prevent quality SfM-image acquisition. Conversely, flume experiments offer opportunities to document flood events, but achieving consistent and accurate DEMs to detect subtle changes in dry and inundated areas remains a challenge for SfM (e.g. parabolic error signatures).This research aimed at investigating the impact of naturally occurring and manipulated avulsions on braided river morphology and on the encroachment of floodplain vegetation, using laboratory experiments. This required DEMs with millimeter accuracy and precision and at a temporal resolution to capture the processes. SfM was chosen as it offered the most practical method. Through redundant local network design and a meticulous ground control point (GCP) survey with a Leica Total Station in red laser configuration (reported 2 mm accuracy), the SfM residual errors compared to separate ground truthing data produced mean errors of 1.5 mm (accuracy) and standard deviations of 1.4 mm (precision) without parabolic error signatures. Lighting conditions in the flume were limited to uniform, oblique, and filtered LED strips, which removed glint and thus improved bed elevation mean errors to 4 mm, but errors were further reduced by means of an open source software for refraction correction. The obtained datasets have provided the ability to quantify how small flood events with avulsion can have similar morphologic and vegetation impacts as large flood events without avulsion. Further, this research highlights the potential application of SfM in the laboratory and ability to document physical and biological processes at greater spatial and temporal resolution. Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship: River-HMV, 656917

Efficacy of a topical combination of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel (Broadline(®)) against naturally acquired infections with cestodes of the genus Joyeuxiella in cats.

PubMed

Schuster, Rolf K; Mustafa, Murad Basheer; Baskar, Jagadeesan Vijay; Rosentel, Joseph; Chester, S Theodore; Knaus, Martin

2016-07-01

Cats are host to dipylidiid cestodes of the genera Diplopylidium, Dipylidium and Joyeuxiella. Broadline(®), a topical broad-spectrum combination parasiticide containing fipronil (8.3 % w/v), (S)-methoprene (10 % w/v), eprinomectin (0.4 % w/v) and the cestocide praziquantel (8.3 % w/v), has previously been shown to be efficacious against Dipylidium caninum and Diplopylidium spp. in cats. To evaluate its efficacy against Joyeuxiella species, a blinded clinical efficacy study was conducted according to GCP. All cats had evidence for naturally acquired dipylidiid cestode infection as confirmed by pre-treatment examination. Cats were allocated randomly to two groups of 13 cats each based on bodyweight: Control (untreated) and Broadline(®) at 0.12 mL/kg bodyweight administered once topically. Based on the comparison of helminth counts in the treated and untreated cats seven days post treatment, Broadline(®) demonstrated >99 % efficacy (p < 0.01) against mature J. fuhrmanni and J. pasqualei, with 11 and 13 of the untreated cats harbouring 1 to 102 or 2 to 95 cestodes, respectively. In addition, parasite counts indicated 95.9 % efficacy (p = 0.006) against the rictularoid nematode Pterygodermatites cahirensis.

Double-blind, controlled, clinical trial planned in germany to investigate the efficacy of psychotherapy combined with triptorelin in adult male patients with severe pedophilic disorders: presentation of the study protocol.

PubMed

Briken, Peer; Berner, Wolfgang

2012-01-01

The treatment of paraphilias, especially of pedophilia, centers upon cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and pharmacologic interventions. Two open, uncontrolled clinical studies using the synthetic LHRH-agonist triptorelin suggested that, combined with psychotherapy, antiandrogen treatment reduced deviant sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors in paraphilic patients. There is a need for further research using controlled, randomized trials to examine the effectiveness of sexual offender treatment including psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic interventions. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy together with intramuscular (IM) 3-monthly injections of triptorelin in adult men with severe pedophilia. In this multicenter, forensic psychiatric hospital-based, double-blind, controlled, parallel group phase IV trial conducted in Germany, convicted male sexual offenders aged ≥ 18 years with pedophilia, as defined by DSM-IV-TR criteria, will be randomized to receive study-specific psychotherapy together either with triptorelin or placebo for 12 months (total of 4 injections). This is a pilot study, therefore exploratory data analyses will be carried out of three different target parameters: 1. Changes in psychosexual characteristics using the Multiphasic Sex Inventory (scale: sexual abuse of children) 2. Changes in the risk of violent sexual behavior using the Sexual Violence Risk-20 total score 3. Changes in serum testosterone concentration Treatment effects will be assessed by comparing baseline values with those at the final examination (month 12). The absence of real-life stimulants to test for actual recidivism limits possible findings. The study will be conducted in agreement with the European GCP-guideline, all relevant legal requirements, and the legal framework for voluntary treatment of convicted sexual offenders in Germany.

A comparative analysis of quality management standards for contract research organisations in clinical trials.

PubMed

Murray, Elizabeth; McAdam, Rodney

2007-01-01

This article compares and contrasts the main quality standards in the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry with specific focus on Good Clinical Practice (GCP), the standard for designing, conducting, recording and reporting clinical trials involving human participants. Comparison is made to ISO quality standards, which can be applied to all industries and types of organisation. The study is then narrowed to that of contract research organisations (CROs) involved in the conduct of clinical trials. The paper concludes that the ISO 9000 series of quality standards can act as a company-wide framework for quality management within such organisations by helping to direct quality efforts on a long-term basis without any loss of compliance. This study is valuable because comparative analysis in this domain is uncommon.

[The Coordinating Centers for Clinical Trials (KKS) and the KKS Network: competence for clinical research].

PubMed

Ohmann, Christian; Bruns, Insa; Wolff, Stephanie

2010-01-01

The Network of the Coordination Centers for Clinical Trials (CTCs; Koordinierungszentren für Klinische Studien(KKS)) comprises 17 institutions working as scientific service provider for universities, study groups, the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry as well as additional clients associated with clinical research. The CTCs have established planning and conduct of clinical trials according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines,with a wide range of study support in academia. One focus according to indications is cancer. Expertise in hematological/oncological research can be requested nationwide and cross-institutional. The KKS network currently cooperates with medical societies and other, even European networks in 20 countries and has been established as a strong platform for oncological trials. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

X linked neonatal centronuclear/myotubular myopathy: evidence for linkage to Xq28 DNA marker loci.

PubMed

Thomas, N S; Williams, H; Cole, G; Roberts, K; Clarke, A; Liechti-Gallati, S; Braga, S; Gerber, A; Meier, C; Moser, H

1990-05-01

We have studied the inheritance of several polymorphic Xq27/28 DNA marker loci in two three generation families with the X linked neonatal lethal form of centronuclear/myotubular myopathy (XL MTM). We found complete linkage of XLMTM to all four informative Xq28 markers analysed, with GCP/RCP (Z = 3.876, theta = 0.00), with DXS15 (Z = 3.737, theta = 0.00), with DXS52 (Z = 2.709, theta = 0.00), and with F8C (Z = 1.020, theta = 0.00). In the absence of any observable recombination, we are unable to sublocalise the XLMTM locus further within the Xq28 region. This evidence for an Xq28 localisation may allow us to carry out useful genetic counselling within such families.

Crystal-defect-induced facet-dependent electrocatalytic activity of 3D gold nanoflowers for the selective nanomolar detection of ascorbic acid.

PubMed

De, Sandip Kumar; Mondal, Subrata; Sen, Pintu; Pal, Uttam; Pathak, Biswarup; Rawat, Kuber Singh; Bardhan, Munmun; Bhattacharya, Maireyee; Satpati, Biswarup; De, Amitabha; Senapati, Dulal

2018-06-14

Understanding and exploring the decisive factors responsible for superlative catalytic efficiency is necessary to formulate active electrode materials for improved electrocatalysis and high-throughput sensing. This research demonstrates the ability of bud-shaped gold nanoflowers (AuNFs), intermediates in the bud-to-blossom gold nanoflower synthesis, to offer remarkable electrocatalytic efficiency in the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) at nanomolar concentrations. Multicomponent sensing in a single potential sweep is measured using differential pulse voltammetry while the kinetic parameters are estimated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The outstanding catalytic activity of bud-structured AuNF [iAuNFp(Bud)/iGCp ≅ 100] compared with other bud-to-blossom intermediate nanostructures is explained by studying their structural transitions, charge distributions, crystalline patterns, and intrinsic irregularities/defects. Detailed microscopic analysis shows that density of crystal defects, such as edges, terraces, steps, ledges, kinks, and dislocation, plays a major role in producing the high catalytic efficiency. An associated ab initio simulation provides necessary support for the projected role of different crystal facets as selective catalytic sites. Density functional theory corroborates the appearance of inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonding within AA molecules to control the resultant fingerprint peak potentials at variable concentrations. Bud-structured AuNF facilitates AA detection at nanomolar levels in a multicomponent pathological sample.

Good clinical practice regulatory inspections: Lessons for Indian investigator sites

PubMed Central

Marwah, R.; Van de Voorde, K.; Parchman, J.

2010-01-01

Regulatory inspections are important to evaluate the integrity of the data submitted to health authorities (HAs), protect patient safety, and assess adequacy of site/sponsor quality systems to achieve the same. Inspections generally occur after submission of data for marketing approval of an investigational drug. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in number of inspections by different HAs, including in India. The assessors/inspectors generally do a thorough review of site data before inspections. All aspects of ICH-GCP, site infrastructure, and quality control systems are assessed during the inspection. Findings are discussed during the close out meeting and a detailed inspection report issued afterward, which has to be responded to within 15–30 days with effective Corrective and Preventive Action Plan (CAPA). Protocol noncompliance, inadequate/inaccurate records, inadequate drug accountability, informed consent issues, and adverse event reporting were some of the most common findings observed during recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections. Drug development is being increasingly globalized and an increased number of patients enrolled in studies submitted as part of applications come from all over the world including India. Because of the steep increase in research activity in the country, inexperienced sites, and more stakeholders, increased efforts will be required to ensure continuous quality and compliance. HAs have also made clear that enforcement will be increased and be swift, aggressive, and effective. PMID:21350732

Conducting clinical trials in Singapore.

PubMed

Woo, K T

1999-04-01

All clinical trials in Singapore will now have to conform to the Medicines (Clinical Trials) Amended Regulations 1998 and the Singapore Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Guidelines 1998. The Medical Clinical Research Committee (MCRC) has been established to oversee the conduct of clinical drug trials in Singapore and together with the legislations in place, these will ensure that clinical trials conducted in Singapore are properly controlled and the well-being of trial subjects are safe guarded. All clinical drug trials require a Clinical Trial Certificate from the MCRC before the trial can proceed. The hospital ethics committee (EC) vets the application for a trial certificate before it is sent to MCRC. The drug company sponsoring the trial has to indemnify the trial investigators and the hospital for negligence arising from the trial. The MCRC, apart from ensuring the safety of trial subjects, has to provide continuing review of the clinical trial and monitors adverse events in the course of the trial. The EC will conduct continuing review of clinical trials. When a non-drug clinical trial is carried out, the EC will ensure that the proposed protocol addresses ethical concerns and meets regulatory requirements for such trials. There is great potential for pharmaceutical Research & Development (R&D) in Singapore. We must develop our skills and infrastructure in clinical trials to enable Singapore to be a regional hub for R&D of drugs in Asia.

Building clinical trial capacity to develop a new treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

PubMed

Tupasi, Thelma; Gupta, Rajesh; Danilovits, Manfred; Cirule, Andra; Sanchez-Garavito, Epifanio; Xiao, Heping; Cabrera-Rivero, Jose L; Vargas-Vasquez, Dante E; Gao, Mengqiu; Awad, Mohamed; Gentry, Leesa M; Geiter, Lawrence J; Wells, Charles D

2016-02-01

New drugs for infectious diseases often need to be evaluated in low-resource settings. While people working in such settings often provide high-quality care and perform operational research activities, they generally have less experience in conducting clinical trials designed for drug approval by stringent regulatory authorities. We carried out a capacity-building programme during a multi-centre randomized controlled trial of delamanid, a new drug for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The programme included: (i) site identification and needs assessment; (ii) achieving International Conference on Harmonization - Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) standards; (iii) establishing trial management; and (iv) increasing knowledge of global and local regulatory issues. Trials were conducted at 17 sites in nine countries (China, Egypt, Estonia, Japan, Latvia, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America). Eight of the 10 sites in low-resource settings had no experience in conducting the requisite clinical trials. Extensive capacity-building was done in all 10 sites. The programme resulted in improved local capacity in key areas such as trial design, data safety and monitoring, trial conduct and laboratory services. Clinical trials designed to generate data for regulatory approval require additional efforts beyond traditional research-capacity strengthening. Such capacity-building approaches provide an opportunity for product development partnerships to improve health systems beyond the direct conduct of the specific trial.

[Clinical drug trials in Germany--an assessment of current status from the viewpoint of industry].

PubMed

Baumbauer, E

1996-01-01

Drug development today is a highly professional and costly affair, whereby quality and speed are decisive competitive factors in a global setting. Germany is in the process of losing its attractiveness for clinical drug research as evidenced by a significant decrease in funding of clinical drug research which at the moment amounts to about 1.5 billion DM/year. This decrease is due to an adverse environment created by a certain anxiety in public opinion regarding technological advances, an overburden of regulations, lack of an infrastructure in hospitals to work according to GCP and a regulatory agency which has to compete with momentarily more effective agencies in Europe (UK, France). A joint effort between industry and the medical profession is called for to change this situation for the better.

DFT STUDY OF CO AND NO ADSORPTION ON BORON NITRIDE (BN)n = 3 - 5 NANOCLUSTERS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zahedi, Ehsan; Pangh, Abdolhakim; Ghorbanpour, Hamed

2015-11-01

Interaction of CO and NO molecules by different orientations on (BN)n=3-5 clusters have been studied at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory. Total electronic energies have been corrected for geometrical counterpoise (gCP) and dispersion (D3) energies at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. Formation of a new sigma bond between the gas and (BN)3 cluster, atom in molecules (AIM) results, density of states spectrums (DOS), molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surfaces, and visualization of wave function of molecular orbitals in the nearest bonding regions to the Fermi level have confirmed that adsorption of CO by carbon end atom, and NO by nitrogen end atom is covalent in nature, so that the charge transfer is occurred from gas molecule to the cluster.

Direct Georeferencing of Uav Data Based on Simple Building Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tampubolon, W.; Reinhardt, W.

2016-06-01

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data acquisition is more flexible compared with the more complex traditional airborne data acquisition. This advantage puts UAV platforms in a position as an alternative acquisition method in many applications including Large Scale Topographical Mapping (LSTM). LSTM, i.e. larger or equal than 1:10.000 map scale, is one of a number of prominent priority tasks to be solved in an accelerated way especially in third world developing countries such as Indonesia. As one component of fundamental geospatial data sets, large scale topographical maps are mandatory in order to enable detailed spatial planning. However, the accuracy of the products derived from the UAV data are normally not sufficient for LSTM as it needs robust georeferencing, which requires additional costly efforts such as the incorporation of sophisticated GPS Inertial Navigation System (INS) or Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) on the platform and/or Ground Control Point (GCP) data on the ground. To reduce the costs and the weight on the UAV alternative solutions have to be found. This paper outlines a direct georeferencing method of UAV data by providing image orientation parameters derived from simple building structures and presents results of an investigation on the achievable results in a LSTM application. In this case, the image orientation determination has been performed through sequential images without any input from INS/IMU equipment. The simple building structures play a significant role in such a way that geometrical characteristics have been considered. Some instances are the orthogonality of the building's wall/rooftop and the local knowledge of the building orientation in the field. In addition, we want to include the Structure from Motion (SfM) approach in order to reduce the number of required GCPs especially for the absolute orientation purpose. The SfM technique applied to the UAV data and simple building structures additionally presents an effective tool for the LSTM application at low cost. Our results show that image orientation calculations from building structure essentially improve the accuracy of direct georeferencing procedure adjusted also by the GCPs. To gain three dimensional (3D) point clouds in local coordinate system, an extraction procedure has been performed by using Agisoft Photo Scan. Subsequently, a Digital Surface Model (DSM) generated from the acquired data is the main output for LSTM that has to be assessed using standard field and conventional mapping workflows. For an appraisal, our DSM is compared directly with a similar DSM obtained by conventional airborne data acquisition using Leica RCD-30 metric camera as well as Trimble Phase One (P65+) camera. The comparison reveals that our approach can achieve meter level accuracy both in planimetric and vertical dimensions.

Dispersion corrected hartree-fock and density functional theory for organic crystal structure prediction.

PubMed

Brandenburg, Jan Gerit; Grimme, Stefan

2014-01-01

We present and evaluate dispersion corrected Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) based quantum chemical methods for organic crystal structure prediction. The necessity of correcting for missing long-range electron correlation, also known as van der Waals (vdW) interaction, is pointed out and some methodological issues such as inclusion of three-body dispersion terms are discussed. One of the most efficient and widely used methods is the semi-classical dispersion correction D3. Its applicability for the calculation of sublimation energies is investigated for the benchmark set X23 consisting of 23 small organic crystals. For PBE-D3 the mean absolute deviation (MAD) is below the estimated experimental uncertainty of 1.3 kcal/mol. For two larger π-systems, the equilibrium crystal geometry is investigated and very good agreement with experimental data is found. Since these calculations are carried out with huge plane-wave basis sets they are rather time consuming and routinely applicable only to systems with less than about 200 atoms in the unit cell. Aiming at crystal structure prediction, which involves screening of many structures, a pre-sorting with faster methods is mandatory. Small, atom-centered basis sets can speed up the computation significantly but they suffer greatly from basis set errors. We present the recently developed geometrical counterpoise correction gCP. It is a fast semi-empirical method which corrects for most of the inter- and intramolecular basis set superposition error. For HF calculations with nearly minimal basis sets, we additionally correct for short-range basis incompleteness. We combine all three terms in the HF-3c denoted scheme which performs very well for the X23 sublimation energies with an MAD of only 1.5 kcal/mol, which is close to the huge basis set DFT-D3 result.

Acupuncture paired with herbal medicine for prediabetes: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Li, Xinger; Liu, Haiyan; Feng, Huiping; Xian, Zhongren; Chen, Yanhong; Chen, Jianping; Tang, Chunzhi; Lai, Xinsheng; Lan, Xiaoling; Huang, Huanzhen; Yu, Dongdong

2017-06-28

Type-2 diabetes has become a major disease and is known to seriously impair people's health worldwide. Prediabetes includes impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and is the most critical period for preventing type-2 diabetes, as it can be identified and reversed. Studies in the past decade have indicated that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may be beneficial for treating prediabetes. However, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) should be conducted to obtain more clinical evidence on this topic. An RCT will be implemented in this study, using a72-week study period (24 weeks for the intervention and 48 weeks for follow-up). Participants will be recruited from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University in China. Eighty participants will be randomized to the treatment group (acupuncture plus herbal medicine and health education) or the control group (health education only), 40 participants in each. People included in this study must have been diagnosed with prediabetes using Western medicine criteria. The endpoint indices include the incidence of diabetes mellitus and the reversion rate. The primary outcome is fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, 2-h plasma glucose (2-hPG) level after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ) level. Secondary outcomes include the following: Body Mass Index (BMI); hemorheology, including shear rates of whole-blood viscosity and plasma viscosity. Safety indices include hepatic (ALT, AST) and renal function (BUN, Cr) and records of adverse events, including diarrhoea, colds, pharyngitis, and sleep disorders. Quality control will be implemented, including quality control of the laboratory, researchers, participants, investigational drugs, data and documents, occurrence of bias, supervision, among others, according to uniform standard operating procedures (SOPs) which have been established by the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) office of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture paired with herbal medicine for the treatment of patients with prediabetes. Chinese clinical trials register ChiCTR-INR-16008891 . Registered on 23 July 2016.

Practice-Based Research Network Infrastructure Design for Institutional Review Board Risk Assessment and Generalizability of Clinical Results.

PubMed

Curro, Frederick; Thompson, Van P; Naftolin, Frederick; Grill, Ashley; Vena, Don; Terracio, Louis; Hashimoto, Mariko; Buchholz, Matthew; McKinstry, Andrea; Cannon, Diane; Alfano, Vincent; Gooden, Thalia; Vernillo, Anthony; Czeisler, Elan

2013-01-01

Data from clinical studies generated by Practice Based Research Networks should be generalizable to the profession. For nationally representative data a broad recruitment of practitioners may pose added risks to IRB's. Infrastructure must assure data integrity while minimizing risk to assure that the clinical results are generalizable. The PEARL Network is an interdisciplinary dental/medical PBRN conducting a broad range of clinical studies. The infrastructure is designed to support the principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and create a data audit trail to ensure data integrity for generalizability. As the PBRN concept becomes of greater interest, membership may expand beyond the local community, and the issue of geography versus risk management becomes of concern to the IRB. The PEARL Network describes how it resolves many of the issues related to recruiting on a National basis while maintaining study compliance to ensure patient safety and minimize risk to the IRB.

Proneurotrophin-3 promotes cell cycle withdrawal of developing cerebellar granule cell progenitors via the p75 neurotrophin receptor.

PubMed

Zanin, Juan Pablo; Abercrombie, Elizabeth; Friedman, Wilma J

2016-07-19

Cerebellar granule cell progenitors (GCP) proliferate extensively in the external granule layer (EGL) of the developing cerebellum prior to differentiating and migrating. Mechanisms that regulate the appropriate timing of cell cycle withdrawal of these neuronal progenitors during brain development are not well defined. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) is highly expressed in the proliferating GCPs, but is downregulated once the cells leave the cell cycle. This receptor has primarily been characterized as a death receptor for its ability to induce neuronal apoptosis following injury. Here we demonstrate a novel function for p75(NTR) in regulating proper cell cycle exit of neuronal progenitors in the developing rat and mouse EGL, which is stimulated by proNT3. In the absence of p75(NTR), GCPs continue to proliferate beyond their normal period, resulting in a larger cerebellum that persists into adulthood, with consequent motor deficits.

Experience and challenges from clinical trials with malaria vaccines in Africa.

PubMed

Mwangoka, Grace; Ogutu, Bernhards; Msambichaka, Beverly; Mzee, Tutu; Salim, Nahya; Kafuruki, Shubis; Mpina, Maxmillian; Shekalaghe, Seif; Tanner, Marcel; Abdulla, Salim

2013-03-04

Malaria vaccines are considered amongst the most important modalities for potential elimination of malaria disease and transmission. Research and development in this field has been an area of intense effort by many groups over the last few decades. Despite this, there is currently no licensed malaria vaccine. Researchers, clinical trialists and vaccine developers have been working on many approached to make malaria vaccine available.African research institutions have developed and demonstrated a great capacity to undertake clinical trials in accordance to the International Conference on Harmonization-Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) standards in the last decade; particularly in the field of malaria vaccines and anti-malarial drugs. This capacity is a result of networking among African scientists in collaboration with other partners; this has traversed both clinical trials and malaria control programmes as part of the Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP). GMAP outlined and support global strategies toward the elimination and eradication of malaria in many areas, translating in reduction in public health burden, especially for African children. In the sub-Saharan region the capacity to undertake more clinical trials remains small in comparison to the actual need.However, sustainability of the already developed capacity is essential and crucial for the evaluation of different interventions and diagnostic tools/strategies for other diseases like TB, HIV, neglected tropical diseases and non-communicable diseases. There is urgent need for innovative mechanisms for the sustainability and expansion of the capacity in clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa as the catalyst for health improvement and maintained.

Characterization of Mannheimia haemolytica isolated from feedlot cattle that were healthy or treated for bovine respiratory disease

PubMed Central

Klima, Cassidy L.; Alexander, Trevor W.; Hendrick, Steve; McAllister, Tim A.

2014-01-01

Mannheimia haemolytica is the principal bacterial pathogen associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD). As an opportunistic pathogen, M. haemolytica is also frequently isolated from the respiratory tract of healthy cattle. This study examined the characteristics of M. haemolytica collected using deep nasal swabs from healthy cattle (n = 49) and cattle diagnosed with BRD (n = 41). Isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), serotyped, and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen isolates for virulence [leukotoxin C (lktC), putative adhesin (ahs), outer-membrane lipoprotein (gs60), O-sialoglycoprotease (gcp), transferring-binding protein B (tbpB) and UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-2-epimerase (nmaA)] and antimicrobial resistance [tet(H), blaROB-1, erm(X), erm(42), msr(E)-mph(E) and aphA-1] genes. Isolates were genetically diverse but in three instances, M. haemolytica with the same pulsotype, resistance phenotype, and genotype were collected from cattle with BRD. This occurred once between cattle located in two different feedlots, once between cattle in the same feedlot, but in different pens, and once among cattle from the same feedlot in the same pen. Isolates from healthy cattle were primarily serotype 2 (75.5%) while those from individuals with BRD were serotype 1 (70.7%) or 6 (19.5%). Resistance to at least one antibiotic occurred more frequently (P < 0.001) in M. haemolytica collected from cattle with BRD (37%) compared with those that were healthy (2%). Overall, tetracycline resistance (18%) was the most prevalent resistant phenotype. All tetracycline-resistant M. haemolytica encoded tet(H). Ampicillin resistance (6%) and neomycin resistance (15%) were detected and corresponded to the presence of the blaROB-1 and aphA-1 genes, respectively. Tilmicosin resistance (6%) was also detected, but the resistance genes responsible were not identified. The virulence genes lktC, ahs, gs60, and gcp were present in all isolates examined, while tbpB and nmaA were only detected in serotype 1 and serotype 6 isolates indicating they may be potential targets for serotype-specific identification or vaccine development. These results provide the first reported evidence of transmission and spread of antimicrobial-resistant M. haemolytica that have contributed to bovine respiratory disease in western Canadian feedlots. PMID:24396179

The red-green visual pigment gene region in adrenoleukodystrophy.

PubMed Central

Aubourg, P; Feil, R; Guidoux, S; Kaplan, J C; Moser, H; Kahn, A; Mandel, J L

1990-01-01

Although recent data established that a specific very-long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase is defective in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), the ALD gene is still unidentified. The ALD locus has been mapped to Xq28, like the red and green color pigment genes. Abnormal color vision has been observed in 12 of 27 patients with adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), a milder form of ALD. Furthermore, rearrangements of the color vision gene cluster were found in four of eight ALD kindreds. This led us to propose that a single DNA rearrangement could underlie both ALD and abnormal color vision in these patients. Study of 34 French ALD patients failed to reveal a higher than expected frequency of green/red visual pigment rearrangements 3' to the red/green color vision gene complex. The previous report of such rearrangements was based on small numbers and lack of knowledge that the frequency of "abnormal" color vision arrays on molecular analysis was twice as high as expected on the basis of the frequency of phenotypic color vision defects. The red/green color pigment (R/GCP) region was studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in 14 of these patients, and we did not find any fragment size difference between the patients and normal individuals who have the same number of pigment genes. The R/GCP region was also analyzed in 29 French and seven North American ALD patients by using six genomic DNA probes, isolated from a cosmid walk, that flank the color vision genes. No deletions were found with probes that lie 3' of the green pigment genes. One of the eight previously reported ALD individuals has a long deletion 5' of the red pigment gene, a deletion causing blue cone monochromacy. This finding and the previous findings of a 45% frequency of phenotypic color vision defects in patients with AMN may suggest that the ALD/AMN gene lies 5' to the red pigment gene and that the frequent phenotypic color vision anomalies owe their origin to deleted DNA that includes regulatory genes for color vision. It is possible, however, that phenotypic color vision anomalies in AMN may be phenocopies secondary to retinal or neural involvement by the disease. The single case of blue cone monochromacy may therefore be a fortuitous coincidence of two diseases. Images p[466]-a Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 8 PMID:2309698

Comparison of propofol and dexmedetomidine infused overnight to treat hyperactive and mixed ICU delirium: a protocol for the Basel ProDex clinical trial

PubMed Central

Ledergerber, Katrin; von Felten, Stefanie; Sutter, Raoul; Rüegg, Stephan; Gantner, Lukas; Zimmermann, Sibylle; Blum, Andrea; Steiner, Luzius A; Marsch, Stephan; Siegemund, Martin

2017-01-01

Background/objectives Delirium is a neurobehavioural disturbance that frequently develops particularly in the intensive care unit (ICU) population. It was first described more than half a century ago, where it was already discovered as a state that might come along with serious complications such as prolonged ICU and hospital stay, reduced quality of life and increased mortality. However, in most cases, there is still lack of proof for causal relationship. Its presence frequently remains unrecognised due to suggested predominance of the hypoactive form. Furthermore, in the general ICU population, it has been shown that the duration of delirium is associated with worse long-term cognitive function. Due to the multifactorial origin of delirium, we have several but no incontestable treatment options. Nonetheless, delirium bears a high burden for patient, family members and the medical care team. The Basel ProDex Study targets improvement of hyperactive and mixed delirium therapy in critically ill patients. We will focus on reducing the duration and severity of delirium by implementing dexmedetomidine into the treatment plan. Dexmedetomidine compared with other sedatives shows fewer side effects representing a better risk profile for delirium treatment in general. This could further contribute to higher patient safety. The aim of the BaProDex Trial is to assess the superiority of dexmedetomidine to propofol for treatment of hyperactive and mixed delirium in the ICU. We hypothesise that dexmedetomidine, compared with propofol administered at night, shortens both the duration and severity of delirium. Methods/design The Basel ProDex Study is an investigator-initiated, one-institutional, two-centre randomised controlled clinical trial for the treatment of delirium with dexmedetomidine versus propofol in 316 critically ill patients suffering from hyperactive and mixed delirium. The primary outcome measure is delirium duration in hours. Secondary outcomes include delirium-free days at day 28, death at day 28, delirium severity, amount of ventilator days, amount of rescue sedation with haloperidol, length of ICU and hospital stay, and pharmaceutical economic analysis of the treatments. Sample size was estimated to be able to show the superiority of dexmedetomidine compared with propofol regarding the duration of delirium in hours. The trial will be externally monitored according to good clinical practice (GCP) requirements. There are no interim analyses planned for this trial. Ethics and dissemination This study will be conducted in compliance with the protocol, the current version of the Declaration of Helsinki, the International Conference on Harmonization- Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) or Europäische Norm International Organization for Standardization (ISO EN 14155; as far as applicable) as well as all national legal and regulatory requirements. Only the study team will have access to trial specific data. Anonymisation will be achieved by a unique patient identification code. Trial data will be archived for a minimum of 10 years after study termination. We plan to publish the data in a major peer-reviewed clinical journal. Trials registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02807467 Protocol version Clinical Study Protocol Version 2, 16.08.2016 PMID:28710219

Photogrammetric Processing Using ZY-3 Satellite Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kornus, W.; Magariños, A.; Pla, M.; Soler, E.; Perez, F.

2015-03-01

This paper evaluates the stereoscopic capacities of the Chinese sensor ZiYuan-3 (ZY-3) for the generation of photogrammetric products. The satellite was launched on January 9, 2012 and carries three high-resolution panchromatic cameras viewing in forward (22º), nadir (0º) and backward direction (-22º) and an infrared multi-spectral scanner (IRMSS), which is slightly looking forward (6º). The ground sampling distance (GSD) is 2.1m for the nadir image, 3.5m for the two oblique stereo images and 5.8m for the multispectral image. The evaluated ZY-3 imagery consists of a full set of threefold-stereo and a multi-spectral image covering an area of ca. 50km x 50km north-west of Barcelona, Spain. The complete photogrammetric processing chain was executed including image orientation, the generation of a digital surface model (DSM), radiometric image correction, pansharpening, orthoimage generation and digital stereo plotting. All 4 images are oriented by estimating affine transformation parameters between observed and nominal RPC (rational polynomial coefficients) image positions of 17 ground control points (GCP) and a subsequent calculation of refined RPC. From 10 independent check points RMS errors of 2.2m, 2.0m and 2.7m in X, Y and H are obtained. Subsequently, a DSM of 5m grid spacing is generated fully automatically. A comparison with the Lidar data results in an overall DSM accuracy of approximately 3m. In moderate and flat terrain higher accuracies in the order of 2.5m and better are achieved. In a next step orthoimages from the high resolution nadir image and the multispectral image are generated using the refined RPC geometry and the DSM. After radiometric corrections a fused high resolution colour orthoimage with 2.1m pixel size is created using an adaptive HSL method. The pansharpen process is performed after the individual geocorrection due to the different viewing angles between the two images. In a detailed analysis of the colour orthoimage artifacts are detected covering an area of 4691ha, corresponding to less than 2% of the imaged area. Most of the artifacts are caused by clouds (4614ha). A minor part (77ha) is affected by colour patch, stripping or blooming effects. For the final qualitative analysis on the usability of the ZY-3 imagery for stereo plotting purposes stereo combinations of the nadir and an oblique image are discarded, mainly due to the different pixel size, which produces difficulties in the stereoscopic vision and poor accuracy in positioning and measuring. With the two oblique images a level of detail equivalent to 1:25.000 scale is achieved for transport network, hydrography, vegetation and elements to model the terrain as break lines. For settlement, including buildings and other constructions a lower level of detail is achieved equivalent to 1:50.000 scale.

Problems and Limitations of Satellite Image Orientation for Determination of Height Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobsen, K.

2017-05-01

The usual satellite image orientation is based on bias corrected rational polynomial coefficients (RPC). The RPC are describing the direct sensor orientation of the satellite images. The locations of the projection centres today are without problems, but an accuracy limit is caused by the attitudes. Very high resolution satellites today are very agile, able to change the pointed area over 200km within 10 to 11 seconds. The corresponding fast attitude acceleration of the satellite may cause a jitter which cannot be expressed by the third order RPC, even if it is recorded by the gyros. Only a correction of the image geometry may help, but usually this will not be done. The first indication of jitter problems is shown by systematic errors of the y-parallaxes (py) for the intersection of corresponding points during the computation of ground coordinates. These y-parallaxes have a limited influence to the ground coordinates, but similar problems can be expected for the x-parallaxes, determining directly the object height. Systematic y-parallaxes are shown for Ziyuan-3 (ZY3), WorldView-2 (WV2), Pleiades, Cartosat-1, IKONOS and GeoEye. Some of them have clear jitter effects. In addition linear trends of py can be seen. Linear trends in py and tilts in of computed height models may be caused by limited accuracy of the attitude registration, but also by bias correction with affinity transformation. The bias correction is based on ground control points (GCPs). The accuracy of the GCPs usually does not cause some limitations but the identification of the GCPs in the images may be difficult. With 2-dimensional bias corrected RPC-orientation by affinity transformation tilts of the generated height models may be caused, but due to large affine image deformations some satellites, as Cartosat-1, have to be handled with bias correction by affinity transformation. Instead of a 2-dimensional RPC-orientation also a 3-dimensional orientation is possible, respecting the object height more as by 2-dimensional orientation. The 3-dimensional orientation showed advantages for orientation based on a limited number of GCPs, but in case of poor GCP distribution it may cause also negative effects. For some of the used satellites the bias correction by affinity transformation showed advantages, but for some other the bias correction by shift was leading to a better levelling of the generated height models, even if the root mean square (RMS) differences at the GCPs were larger as for bias correction by affinity transformation. The generated height models can be analyzed and corrected with reference height models. For the used data sets accurate reference height models are available, but an analysis and correction with the free of charge available SRTM digital surface model (DSM) or ALOS World 3D (AW3D30) is also possible and leads to similar results. The comparison of the generated height models with the reference DSM shows some height undulations, but the major accuracy influence is caused by tilts of the height models. Some height model undulations reach up to 50 % of the ground sampling distance (GSD), this is not negligible but it cannot be seen not so much at the standard deviations of the height. In any case an improvement of the generated height models is possible with reference height models. If such corrections are applied it compensates possible negative effects of the type of bias correction or 2-dimensional orientations against 3-dimensional handling.

Formation of Polymer Particles by Direct Polymerization on the Surface of a Supramolecular Template.

PubMed

Schmuck, Carsten; Li, Mao; Zellermann, Elio

2018-04-06

Formation of polymeric materials on the surface of supramolecular assemblies is rather challenging due to the often weak non-covalent interactions between the self-assembled template and the monomers before polymerization. We herein describe that the introduction of a supramolecular anion recognition motif, the guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole cation (GCP), into a short Fmoc-dipeptide 1 leads to self-assembled spherical nanoparticles in aqueous solution. Onto the surface of these nanoparticles negatively charged diacetylene monomers can be attached which after UV polymerization lead to the formation of a polymer shell around the self-assembled template. The hybrid supramolecular and polymeric nanoparticles demonstrated intriguing thermal hysteresis phenomenon. The template nanoparticle could be disassembled through the treatment with organic base which cleaved the Fmoc moiety on 1. This strategy thus showed that a supramolecular anion recognition motif allows the post-assembly formation of polymeric nanomaterials from anionic monomers around a cationic self-assembled template. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

[Ethical principles of clinical trials in minors].

PubMed

Koch, H J; Raschka, C

2002-12-05

Clinical trials in volunteers and patients are essential to ensure rational treatment of patients. As a rule, drugs are routinely developed for adults, but children are excluded. A major reason for this restriction are ethical justifications, in particular the lack of autonomy on the part of children. The principle of fairness, however, requires that everyone should benefit from progress. Industry, science and society are therefore called upon to find ways of making available safe and adequate treatment for children as quickly as possible, by defining the required conditions for pediatric clinical trials. Important principles are minimal risk, minimal invasivity, rapid decision-making, and careful documentation of trial results. Dynamic ethical principles, such as autonomy and competence in adolescents must be considered on equal footing with existing international GCP guidelines. Aspects of child psychology indicate that the autonomy of adolescents should be respected. Where economic incentives for such trials are absent, for example, in the case of non-pharmacological problems, pediatric trials must be considered a task for society as a whole.

SPS antenna pointing control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, J. C.

1980-01-01

The pointing control of a microwave antenna of the Satellite Power System was investigated emphasizing: (1) the SPS antenna pointing error sensing method; (2) a rigid body pointing control design; and (3) approaches for modeling the flexible body characteristics of the solar collector. Accuracy requirements for the antenna pointing control consist of a mechanical pointing control accuracy of three arc-minutes and an electronic phased array pointing accuracy of three arc-seconds. Results based on the factors considered in current analysis, show that the three arc-minute overall pointing control accuracy can be achieved in practice.

Challenges in conducting psychiatry studies in India

PubMed Central

Kharawala, Saifuddin; Dalal, Jeroze

2011-01-01

A large number of psychiatry studies are conducted in India. Psychiatry studies are complex and present unique challenges in the Indian setting. Ethical issues pertaining to the risk of worsening of illness, use of placebo and validity of informed consents are commonly faced. Site selection can be difficult due to the relative paucity of ICH-GCP (International Conference on Harmonisation - Good Clinical Practice) trained psychiatry investigators in India. Recruitment can be challenging due to issues such as strict eligibility criteria, (lack of) availability of caregiver, illness-related considerations, etc. Assessment of the consent capacity of patients is not simple, while structured assessments are not commonly employed. As the illness fluctuates, the consent capacity may change, thus requiring continued assessment of consent capacity. Study patients run the risk of worsening of illness and suicide due to exposure to inactive treatments; this risk is counterbalanced by use of appropriate study designs, as well as the indirect psychotherapeutic support received. Psychiatry studies are associated with a high placebo response. This necessitates conduct of placebo-controlled studies despite the attendant difficulties. Also, the high placebo response is often the cause of failed trials. Rating scales are essential for assessment of drug response. Some rating instruments as well as some rater training procedures may not be suitable for the Indian setting. Technological advancements may increase the procedural complexity but improve the quality of ratings. Psychiatry studies present monitors and auditors with unique scenarios too. Utilization of psychiatry specific training and expertise is recommended to ensure successful conduct of these studies in India. PMID:21584176

Experience and challenges from clinical trials with malaria vaccines in Africa

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Malaria vaccines are considered amongst the most important modalities for potential elimination of malaria disease and transmission. Research and development in this field has been an area of intense effort by many groups over the last few decades. Despite this, there is currently no licensed malaria vaccine. Researchers, clinical trialists and vaccine developers have been working on many approached to make malaria vaccine available. African research institutions have developed and demonstrated a great capacity to undertake clinical trials in accordance to the International Conference on Harmonization-Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) standards in the last decade; particularly in the field of malaria vaccines and anti-malarial drugs. This capacity is a result of networking among African scientists in collaboration with other partners; this has traversed both clinical trials and malaria control programmes as part of the Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP). GMAP outlined and support global strategies toward the elimination and eradication of malaria in many areas, translating in reduction in public health burden, especially for African children. In the sub-Saharan region the capacity to undertake more clinical trials remains small in comparison to the actual need. However, sustainability of the already developed capacity is essential and crucial for the evaluation of different interventions and diagnostic tools/strategies for other diseases like TB, HIV, neglected tropical diseases and non-communicable diseases. There is urgent need for innovative mechanisms for the sustainability and expansion of the capacity in clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa as the catalyst for health improvement and maintained. PMID:23496910

Evaluation of the Capacity of PCR and High-Resolution Melt Curve Analysis for Identification of Mixed Infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum Strains

PubMed Central

Ghorashi, Seyed A.; Kanci, Anna; Noormohammadi, Amir H.

2015-01-01

Pathogenicity and presentation of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection may differ from one strain to another and this may have implications on control measures. Infection of individual birds with more than one MG strain has been reported. A PCR followed by high resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis has been developed in our laboratory and routinely used for detection and differentiation of MG strains. However the potential of this test for identification of MG strains in a mixed specimen has not been evaluated. In the present study, the capability of PCR-HRM curve analysis technique, targeting vlhA and pvpA genes was assessed for identification of individual MG strains in a mixed population. Different DNA ratios of two MG strains from 1 to 10-4 ng were tested with some generated conventional and normalized curves distinct from those of individual strains alone. Using genotype confidence percentages (GCP) generated from HRM curve analysis, it was found that vlhA PCR-HRM was more consistent than pvpA PCR-HRM for the detection of MG ts-11 vaccine strain mixed with any of the MG strains 6/85, F, S6 or a field isolate. The potential of vlhA PCR-HRM to detect mixed MG strains in a specimen was found to be primarily dependent on quantity and proportion of the target DNAs in the mixture. This is the first study examining the capacity of PCR-HRM technique for identification of individual MG strains in a mixed strain population. PMID:25970590

Pointing control for the International Comet Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leblanc, D. R.; Schumacher, L. L.

1980-01-01

The design of the pointing control system for the proposed International Comet Mission, intended to fly by Comet Halley and rendezvous with Comet Tempel-2 is presented. Following a review of mission objectives and the spacecraft configuration, design constraints on the pointing control system controlling the two-axis gimballed scan platform supporting the science instruments are discussed in relation to the scientific requirements of the mission. The primary design options considered for the pointing control system design for the baseline spacecraft are summarized, and the design selected, which employs a target-referenced, inertially stabilized control system, is described in detail. The four basic modes of operation of the pointing control subsystem (target acquisition, inertial hold, target track and slew) are discussed as they relate to operations at Halley and Tempel-2. It is pointed that the pointing control system design represents a significant advance in the state of the art of pointing controls for planetary missions.

49 CFR 236.403 - Signals at controlled point.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Signals at controlled point. 236.403 Section 236..., INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR OF SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND APPLIANCES Traffic Control Systems Standards § 236.403 Signals at controlled point. Signals at controlled point shall be so...

49 CFR 236.403 - Signals at controlled point.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Signals at controlled point. 236.403 Section 236..., INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR OF SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND APPLIANCES Traffic Control Systems Standards § 236.403 Signals at controlled point. Signals at controlled point shall be so...

49 CFR 236.403 - Signals at controlled point.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Signals at controlled point. 236.403 Section 236..., INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR OF SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND APPLIANCES Traffic Control Systems Standards § 236.403 Signals at controlled point. Signals at controlled point shall be so...

49 CFR 236.403 - Signals at controlled point.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Signals at controlled point. 236.403 Section 236..., INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR OF SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND APPLIANCES Traffic Control Systems Standards § 236.403 Signals at controlled point. Signals at controlled point shall be so...

49 CFR 236.403 - Signals at controlled point.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Signals at controlled point. 236.403 Section 236..., INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR OF SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND APPLIANCES Traffic Control Systems Standards § 236.403 Signals at controlled point. Signals at controlled point shall be so...

49 CFR 236.103 - Switch circuit controller or point detector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switch circuit controller or point detector. 236.103 Section 236.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL... controller or point detector. Switch circuit controller, circuit controller, or point detector operated by...

49 CFR 236.103 - Switch circuit controller or point detector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switch circuit controller or point detector. 236.103 Section 236.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL... controller or point detector. Switch circuit controller, circuit controller, or point detector operated by...

49 CFR 236.103 - Switch circuit controller or point detector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switch circuit controller or point detector. 236.103 Section 236.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL... controller or point detector. Switch circuit controller, circuit controller, or point detector operated by...

49 CFR 236.103 - Switch circuit controller or point detector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switch circuit controller or point detector. 236.103 Section 236.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL... controller or point detector. Switch circuit controller, circuit controller, or point detector operated by...

49 CFR 236.103 - Switch circuit controller or point detector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switch circuit controller or point detector. 236.103 Section 236.103 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL... controller or point detector. Switch circuit controller, circuit controller, or point detector operated by...

21 CFR 123.6 - Hazard analysis and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... identified food safety hazards, including as appropriate: (i) Critical control points designed to control... control points designed to control food safety hazards introduced outside the processing plant environment... Control Point (HACCP) plan. 123.6 Section 123.6 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF...

21 CFR 123.6 - Hazard analysis and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... identified food safety hazards, including as appropriate: (i) Critical control points designed to control... control points designed to control food safety hazards introduced outside the processing plant environment... Control Point (HACCP) plan. 123.6 Section 123.6 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF...

21 CFR 123.6 - Hazard analysis and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... identified food safety hazards, including as appropriate: (i) Critical control points designed to control... control points designed to control food safety hazards introduced outside the processing plant environment... Control Point (HACCP) plan. 123.6 Section 123.6 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF...

21 CFR 120.8 - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...: (i) Critical control points designed to control food hazards that are reasonably likely to occur and could be introduced inside the processing plant environment; and (ii) Critical control points designed... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP...

21 CFR 120.8 - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...: (i) Critical control points designed to control food hazards that are reasonably likely to occur and could be introduced inside the processing plant environment; and (ii) Critical control points designed... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP...

21 CFR 120.8 - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...: (i) Critical control points designed to control food hazards that are reasonably likely to occur and could be introduced inside the processing plant environment; and (ii) Critical control points designed... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP...

21 CFR 120.8 - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...: (i) Critical control points designed to control food hazards that are reasonably likely to occur and could be introduced inside the processing plant environment; and (ii) Critical control points designed... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP...

21 CFR 120.8 - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

...: (i) Critical control points designed to control food hazards that are reasonably likely to occur and could be introduced inside the processing plant environment; and (ii) Critical control points designed... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP...

Registration of opthalmic images using control points

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heneghan, Conor; Maguire, Paul

2003-03-01

A method for registering pairs of digital ophthalmic images of the retina is presented using anatomical features as control points present in both images. The anatomical features chosen are blood vessel crossings and bifurcations. These control points are identified by a combination of local contrast enhancement, and morphological processing. In general, the matching between control points is unknown, however, so an automated algorithm is used to determine the matching pairs of control points in the two images as follows. Using two control points from each image, rigid global transform (RGT) coefficients are calculated for all possible combinations of control point pairs, and the set of RGT coefficients is identified. Once control point pairs are established, registration of two images can be achieved by using linear regression to optimize an RGT, bilinear or second order polynomial global transform. An example of cross-modal image registration using an optical image and a fluorescein angiogram of an eye is presented to illustrate the technique.

Earth observing system instrument pointing control modeling for polar orbiting platforms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Briggs, H. C.; Kia, T.; Mccabe, S. A.; Bell, C. E.

1987-01-01

An approach to instrument pointing control performance assessment for large multi-instrument platforms is described. First, instrument pointing requirements and reference platform control systems for the Eos Polar Platforms are reviewed. Performance modeling tools including NASTRAN models of two large platforms, a modal selection procedure utilizing a balanced realization method, and reduced order platform models with core and instrument pointing control loops added are then described. Time history simulations of instrument pointing and stability performance in response to commanded slewing of adjacent instruments demonstrates the limits of tolerable slew activity. Simplified models of rigid body responses are also developed for comparison. Instrument pointing control methods required in addition to the core platform control system to meet instrument pointing requirements are considered.

Realtime control of multiple-focus phased array heating patterns based on noninvasive ultrasound thermography.

PubMed

Casper, Andrew; Liu, Dalong; Ebbini, Emad S

2012-01-01

A system for the realtime generation and control of multiple-focus ultrasound phased-array heating patterns is presented. The system employs a 1-MHz, 64-element array and driving electronics capable of fine spatial and temporal control of the heating pattern. The driver is integrated with a realtime 2-D temperature imaging system implemented on a commercial scanner. The coordinates of the temperature control points are defined on B-mode guidance images from the scanner, together with the temperature set points and controller parameters. The temperature at each point is controlled by an independent proportional, integral, and derivative controller that determines the focal intensity at that point. Optimal multiple-focus synthesis is applied to generate the desired heating pattern at the control points. The controller dynamically reallocates the power available among the foci from the shared power supply upon reaching the desired temperature at each control point. Furthermore, anti-windup compensation is implemented at each control point to improve the system dynamics. In vitro experiments in tissue-mimicking phantom demonstrate the robustness of the controllers for short (2-5 s) and longer multiple-focus high-intensity focused ultrasound exposures. Thermocouple measurements in the vicinity of the control points confirm the dynamics of the temperature variations obtained through noninvasive feedback. © 2011 IEEE

Relative Error Evaluation to Typical Open Global dem Datasets in Shanxi Plateau of China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, S.; Zhang, S.; Cheng, W.

2018-04-01

Produced by radar data or stereo remote sensing image pairs, global DEM datasets are one of the most important types for DEM data. Relative error relates to surface quality created by DEM data, so it relates to geomorphology and hydrologic applications using DEM data. Taking Shanxi Plateau of China as the study area, this research evaluated the relative error to typical open global DEM datasets including Shuttle Radar Terrain Mission (SRTM) data with 1 arc second resolution (SRTM1), SRTM data with 3 arc second resolution (SRTM3), ASTER global DEM data in the second version (GDEM-v2) and ALOS world 3D-30m (AW3D) data. Through process and selection, more than 300,000 ICESat/GLA14 points were used as the GCP data, and the vertical error was computed and compared among four typical global DEM datasets. Then, more than 2,600,000 ICESat/GLA14 point pairs were acquired using the distance threshold between 100 m and 500 m. Meanwhile, the horizontal distance between every point pair was computed, so the relative error was achieved using slope values based on vertical error difference and the horizontal distance of the point pairs. Finally, false slope ratio (FSR) index was computed through analyzing the difference between DEM and ICESat/GLA14 values for every point pair. Both relative error and FSR index were categorically compared for the four DEM datasets under different slope classes. Research results show: Overall, AW3D has the lowest relative error values in mean error, mean absolute error, root mean square error and standard deviation error; then the SRTM1 data, its values are a little higher than AW3D data; the SRTM3 and GDEM-v2 data have the highest relative error values, and the values for the two datasets are similar. Considering different slope conditions, all the four DEM data have better performance in flat areas but worse performance in sloping regions; AW3D has the best performance in all the slope classes, a litter better than SRTM1; with slope increasing, the relative error for the SRTM3 data increases faster than other DEM datasets; so SRTM3 is better than GDEM-v2 in flat regions but worse in sloping regions. As to FSR value, AW3D has the lowest value, 4.37 %; then SRTM1 data, 5.80 %, similar to AW3D data; SRTM3 has higher value, about 8.27 %; GDEM-v2 data has the highest FSR value, about 12.15 %. FSR can represent the performance of correctly creating the earth surface based on DEM data. Hence, AW3D has the best performance, which is approximate to but a little better than SRTM1. The performance of SRTM3 and GDEM-v2 is similar, which is much worse than AW3D and SRTM1, and the performance of GDEM-v2 is the worst of all. Originated from the DEM dataset with 5m resolution, AW3D is regarded as the most precise global DEM datasets up to now, so it may exerts more effect in topographic analysis and geographic research. Through analysis and comparison of the relative error for the four open global DEM datasets, this research will provide reference in open global DEM datasets selection and applications in geosciences and other relevant fields.

47 CFR 22.325 - Control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Control points. 22.325 Section 22.325... Operational and Technical Requirements Operational Requirements § 22.325 Control points. Each station in the Public Mobile Services must have at least one control point and a person on duty who is responsible for...

47 CFR 22.325 - Control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Control points. 22.325 Section 22.325... Operational and Technical Requirements Operational Requirements § 22.325 Control points. Each station in the Public Mobile Services must have at least one control point and a person on duty who is responsible for...

47 CFR 22.325 - Control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Control points. 22.325 Section 22.325... Operational and Technical Requirements Operational Requirements § 22.325 Control points. Each station in the Public Mobile Services must have at least one control point and a person on duty who is responsible for...

47 CFR 22.325 - Control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Control points. 22.325 Section 22.325... Operational and Technical Requirements Operational Requirements § 22.325 Control points. Each station in the Public Mobile Services must have at least one control point and a person on duty who is responsible for...

47 CFR 22.325 - Control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Control points. 22.325 Section 22.325... Operational and Technical Requirements Operational Requirements § 22.325 Control points. Each station in the Public Mobile Services must have at least one control point and a person on duty who is responsible for...

Local treatment of chronic wounds: in patients with peripheral vascular disease, chronic venous insufficiency, and diabetes.

PubMed

Rüttermann, Mike; Maier-Hasselmann, Andreas; Nink-Grebe, Brigitte; Burckhardt, Marion

2013-01-01

A chronic wound is defined as an area where the skin is not intact that fails to heal within eight weeks. Such wounds usually develop on the lower limbs as a complication of diabetes, venous insufficiency, or inadequate arterial perfusion. Most of the roughly 45,000 limb amputations performed in Germany each year are necessitated by non-healing chronic wounds. In the development of this S3 guideline, a systematic search was performed that yielded 4998 references including 38 randomized, controlled trials and 26 systematic reviews, which were used as the basis for the recommendations and statements made in the guideline. Twelve member societies of the umbrella Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften, AWMF), as well as the German Association of Nursing Science (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pflegewissenschaft, and patient representatives participated in the consensus rounds in which the guideline's recommendations and statements were agreed upon. This guideline contains seven evidence-based recommendations and 30 good clinical practice (GCP) recommendations. Evidence-based recommendations are given in favor of hydrogel, hyperbaric oxygenation, and integrated care, and against the use of medicinal honey and growth factors. Terms are defined precisely in order to ease communication and to specify what is meant by "wound debridement" (a procedure performed by a physician) as opposed to cleansing a wound. Under the premise of preventing pain, exudation, and maceration, local therapeutic agents can be chosen on the basis of the scientific evidence, the patient's preference, the physician's experience, and the wound situation. Costs should also be considered. Scant evidence is available to answer many of the relevant questions about chronic wounds. There are valid data in support of hyperbaric oxygen and integrated care. More research is needed.

Treatment of antipsychotic-associated obesity with a GLP-1 receptor agonist--protocol for an investigator-initiated prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded intervention study: the TAO study protocol.

PubMed

Ishøy, Pelle L; Knop, Filip K; Broberg, Brian V; Baandrup, Lone; Fagerlund, Birgitte; Jørgensen, Niklas R; Andersen, Ulrik B; Rostrup, Egill; Glenthøj, Birte Y; Ebdrup, Bjørn H

2014-01-08

Antipsychotic medication is widely associated with dysmetabolism including obesity and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular-related diseases and early death. Obesity is considered the single most important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Interventions against antipsychotic-associated obesity are limited and insufficient. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but their bodyweight-lowering effects have also been recognised in patients with non-diabetes. The primary endpoint of this trial is weight loss after 3 months of treatment with a GLP-1 receptor agonist (exenatide once weekly) in patients with non-diabetic schizophrenia with antipsychotic-associated obesity. Secondary endpoints include physiological and metabolic measurements, various psychopathological and cognitive measures, and structural and functional brain MRI. 40 obese patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated with antipsychotic drugs will be randomised to subcutaneous injection of exenatide once weekly (2 mg) or placebo for 3 months, adjunctive to their antipsychotic treatment. The trial has been approved by the Danish Health and Medicines Authority, the National Committee on Health Research Ethics and the Danish Data Protection Agency. Trial participation presupposes theoral and written patient informed consent. An external, independent monitoring committee (Good Clinical Practice Unit at Copenhagen University Hospital) will monitor the study according to the GCP Guidelines. Trial data, including positive, negative and inconclusive results, will be presented at national and international scientific meetings and conferences. Papers will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01794429; National Committee on Health Research Ethics project number: 36378; EudraCT nr: 2012-005404-17; The Danish Data Protection Agency project number: RHP-2012-027.

Autonomous agricultural remote sensing systems with high spatial and temporal resolutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, Haitao

In this research, two novel agricultural remote sensing (RS) systems, a Stand-alone Infield Crop Monitor RS System (SICMRS) and an autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) based RS system have been studied. A high-resolution digital color and multi-spectral camera was used as the image sensor for the SICMRS system. An artificially intelligent (AI) controller based on artificial neural network (ANN) and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was developed. Morrow Plots corn field RS images in the 2004 and 2006 growing seasons were collected by the SICMRS system. The field site contained 8 subplots (9.14 m x 9.14 m) that were planted with corn and three different fertilizer treatments were used among those subplots. The raw RS images were geometrically corrected, resampled to 10cm resolution, removed soil background and calibrated to real reflectance. The RS images from two growing seasons were studied and 10 different vegetation indices were derived from each day's image. The result from the image processing demonstrated that the vegetation indices have temporal effects. To achieve high quality RS data, one has to utilize the right indices and capture the images at the right time in the growing season. Maximum variations among the image data set are within the V6-V10 stages, which indicated that these stages are the best period to identify the spatial variability caused by the nutrient stress in the corn field. The derived vegetation indices were also used to build yield prediction models via the linear regression method. At that point, all of the yield prediction models were evaluated by comparing the R2-value and the best index model from each day's image was picked based on the highest R 2-value. It was shown that the green normalized difference vegetation (GNDVI) based model is more sensitive to yield prediction than other indices-based models. During the VT-R4 stages, the GNDVI based models were able to explain more than 95% potential corn yield consistently for both seasons. The VT-R4 stages are the best period of time to estimate the corn yield. The SICMS system is only suitable for the RS research at a fixed location. In order to provide more flexibility of the RS image collection, a novel UAV based system has been studied. The UAV based agricultural RS system used a light helicopter platform equipped with a multi-spectral camera. The UAV control system consisted of an on-board and a ground station subsystem. For the on-board subsystem, an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) based UAV navigation system was designed and implemented. The navigation system, using low cost inertial sensors, magnetometer, GPS and a single board computer, was capable of providing continuous estimates of UAV position and attitude at 50 Hz using sensor fusion techniques. The ground station subsystem was designed to be an interface between a human operator and the UAV to implement mission planning, flight command activation, and real-time flight monitoring. The navigation system is controlled by the ground station, and able to navigate the UAV in the air to reach the predefined waypoints and trigger the multi-spectral camera. By so doing, the aerial images at each point could be captured automatically. The developed UAV RS system can provide a maximum flexibility in crop field RS image collection. It is essential to perform the geometric correction and the geocoding before an aerial image can be used for precision farming. An automatic (no Ground Control Point (GCP) needed) UAV image georeferencing algorithm was developed. This algorithm can do the automatic image correction and georeferencing based on the real-time navigation data and a camera lens distortion model. The accuracy of the georeferencing algorithm was better than 90 cm according to a series test. The accuracy that has been achieved indicates that, not only is the position solution good, but the attitude error is extremely small. The waypoints planning for UAV flight was investigated. It suggested that a 16.5% forward overlap and a 15% lateral overlap were required to avoiding missing desired mapping area when the UAV flies above 45 m high with 4.5 mm lens. A whole field mosaic image can be generated according to the individual image georeferencing information. A 0.569 m mosaic error has been achieved and this accuracy is sufficient for many of the intended precision agricultural applications. With careful interpretation, the UAV images are an excellent source of high spatial and temporal resolution data for precision agricultural applications. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Instrument Pointing Control System for the Stellar Interferometry Mission - Planet Quest

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brugarolas, Paul B.; Kang, Bryan

2006-01-01

This paper describes the high precision Instrument Pointing Control System (PCS) for the Stellar Interferometry Mission (SIM) - Planet Quest. The PCS system provides front-end pointing, compensation for spacecraft motion, and feedforward stabilization, which are needed for proper interference. Optical interferometric measurements require very precise pointing (0.03 as, 1-(sigma) radial) for maximizing the interference pattern visibility. This requirement is achieved by fine pointing control of articulating pointing mirrors with feedback from angle tracking cameras. The overall pointing system design concept is presentcd. Functional requirements and an acquisition concept are given. Guide and Science pointing control loops are discussed. Simulation analyses demonstrate the feasibility of the design.

Use of GC/MS and Microtome Techniques as Methods to Evaluate ODC Free Cleaner Diffusion and Evaporation in Insulation and Phenolic Case Material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biegert, L. L.

2001-01-01

Because of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment (CAAA) many chlorinated solvents used in the aerospace industry are being phased out. Replacement of the ODC (ozone-depleting chemicals) with less volatile, non-ozone depleting cleaners has been extensively studied over the past seven years at Thiokol Propulsion, a Division of Cordant Technologies, Inc. The down selection of ODC replacement cleaners has been based on several factors including the diffusion evaporation of the cleaners in selected substrates. Methodologies were developed to evaluate the cleaner content in substrates. Methods of cutting thin slices of material (microtoming) were combined with GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy) analysis. Substrates evaluated in this study include potential solid rocket motor materials: ASNBR (asbestos-filled nitrile butadiene rubber) and CFEPDM (carbon-filled ethylene propylene dimonomer) insulation and glass (GCP), carbon (CCP) and silica (SCP) cloth phenolic substrates with fibers either parallel (0 deg) or perpendicular (90 deg) to the surface. Residue profiles indicate both cleaner and substrate composition affect the diffusion and subsequent evaporation of the cleaner from the substrate surface.

[The Association of Urological Oncology (AOU) German Cancer Society e.V. The competent counterpart for research in Uro-oncology].

PubMed

Rexer, H

2005-04-01

With more than 85,000 newly diagnosed cancers per year, uro-oncology alone represents a significant part in the field of oncology in Germany. Therefore, the Task Group for Uro-Oncology (The Association of Urogenital Oncology, AUO) of the German Cancer Association (DKG) was founded in 1989 to enforce high quality in research on urological cancer. The main aim has been to improve the quality of clinical cancer studies. The board of the AUO reviews, certifies and gives accreditation to study protocols with respect to GCP standards, likelihood of realisation and scientific impact of the study objectives. To support enrolment of patients, the AUO initiated a study group of more than 85 clinical centers of excellence and publishes timely details on the different studies in the appropriate media. Moreover, the members of the AUO board organize seminars, scientific meetings and pharmaceutical hearings. In this article, the organisation's structure is described in detail. Various aspects of AUO work, carried out over the years, are highlighted, and data presented on the outcome of studies.

A Library of Phosphoproteomic and Chromatin Signatures for Characterizing Cellular Responses to Drug Perturbations.

PubMed

Litichevskiy, Lev; Peckner, Ryan; Abelin, Jennifer G; Asiedu, Jacob K; Creech, Amanda L; Davis, John F; Davison, Desiree; Dunning, Caitlin M; Egertson, Jarrett D; Egri, Shawn; Gould, Joshua; Ko, Tak; Johnson, Sarah A; Lahr, David L; Lam, Daniel; Liu, Zihan; Lyons, Nicholas J; Lu, Xiaodong; MacLean, Brendan X; Mungenast, Alison E; Officer, Adam; Natoli, Ted E; Papanastasiou, Malvina; Patel, Jinal; Sharma, Vagisha; Toder, Courtney; Tubelli, Andrew A; Young, Jennie Z; Carr, Steven A; Golub, Todd R; Subramanian, Aravind; MacCoss, Michael J; Tsai, Li-Huei; Jaffe, Jacob D

2018-04-25

Although the value of proteomics has been demonstrated, cost and scale are typically prohibitive, and gene expression profiling remains dominant for characterizing cellular responses to perturbations. However, high-throughput sentinel assays provide an opportunity for proteomics to contribute at a meaningful scale. We present a systematic library resource (90 drugs × 6 cell lines) of proteomic signatures that measure changes in the reduced-representation phosphoproteome (P100) and changes in epigenetic marks on histones (GCP). A majority of these drugs elicited reproducible signatures, but notable cell line- and assay-specific differences were observed. Using the "connectivity" framework, we compared signatures across cell types and integrated data across assays, including a transcriptional assay (L1000). Consistent connectivity among cell types revealed cellular responses that transcended lineage, and consistent connectivity among assays revealed unexpected associations between drugs. We further leveraged the resource against public data to formulate hypotheses for treatment of multiple myeloma and acute lymphocytic leukemia. This resource is publicly available at https://clue.io/proteomics. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical trials in "emerging markets": regulatory considerations and other factors.

PubMed

Singh, Romi; Wang, Ouhong

2013-11-01

Clinical studies are being placed in emerging markets as part of global drug development programs to access large pool of eligible patients and to benefit from a cost effective structure. However, over the last few years, the definition of "emerging markets" is being revisited, especially from a regulatory perspective. For purposes of this article, countries outside US, EU and the traditional "western countries" are discussed. Multiple factors are considered for placement of clinical studies such as adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), medical infrastructure & standard of care, number of eligible patients, etc. This article also discusses other quantitative factors such as country's GDP, patent applications, healthcare expenditure, healthcare infrastructure, corruption, innovation, etc. These different factors and indexes are correlated to the number of clinical studies ongoing in the "emerging markets". R&D, healthcare expenditure, technology infrastructure, transparency, and level of innovation, show a significant correlation with the number of clinical trials being conducted in these countries. This is the first analysis of its kind to evaluate and correlate the various other factors to the number of clinical studies in a country. © 2013.

Cost-effective and business-beneficial computer validation for bioanalytical laboratories.

PubMed

McDowall, Rd

2011-07-01

Computerized system validation is often viewed as a burden and a waste of time to meet regulatory requirements. This article presents a different approach by looking at validation in a bioanalytical laboratory from the business benefits that computer validation can bring. Ask yourself the question, have you ever bought a computerized system that did not meet your initial expectations? This article will look at understanding the process to be automated, the paper to be eliminated and the records to be signed to meet the requirements of the GLP or GCP and Part 11 regulations. This paper will only consider commercial nonconfigurable and configurable software such as plate readers and LC-MS/MS data systems rather than LIMS or custom applications. Two streamlined life cycle models are presented. The first one consists of a single document for validation of nonconfigurable software. The second is for configurable software and is a five-stage model that avoids the need to write functional and design specifications. Both models are aimed at managing the risk each type of software poses whist reducing the amount of documented evidence required for validation.

Generic Bluetooth Data Module

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-09-01

to Ref (1). 34 RS232.java Serial Coomunication port class To Bluetooth module HCI.java Host Control Interface class L2CAP.java Logical Link Control...standard protocol for transporting IP datagrams over point-to-point link . It is designed to run over RFCOMM to accomplish point-to-point connections...Control and Adaption Host Controller Interface Link Manager Baseband / Link Controller Radio Figure 2. Bluetooth layers (From Ref. [3].) C

The effect of different control point sampling sequences on convergence of VMAT inverse planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pardo Montero, Juan; Fenwick, John D.

2011-04-01

A key component of some volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) optimization algorithms is the progressive addition of control points to the optimization. This idea was introduced in Otto's seminal VMAT paper, in which a coarse sampling of control points was used at the beginning of the optimization and new control points were progressively added one at a time. A different form of the methodology is also present in the RapidArc optimizer, which adds new control points in groups called 'multiresolution levels', each doubling the number of control points in the optimization. This progressive sampling accelerates convergence, improving the results obtained, and has similarities with the ordered subset algorithm used to accelerate iterative image reconstruction. In this work we have used a VMAT optimizer developed in-house to study the performance of optimization algorithms which use different control point sampling sequences, most of which fall into three different classes: doubling sequences, which add new control points in groups such that the number of control points in the optimization is (roughly) doubled; Otto-like progressive sampling which adds one control point at a time, and equi-length sequences which contain several multiresolution levels each with the same number of control points. Results are presented in this study for two clinical geometries, prostate and head-and-neck treatments. A dependence of the quality of the final solution on the number of starting control points has been observed, in agreement with previous works. We have found that some sequences, especially E20 and E30 (equi-length sequences with 20 and 30 multiresolution levels, respectively), generate better results than a 5 multiresolution level RapidArc-like sequence. The final value of the cost function is reduced up to 20%, such reductions leading to small improvements in dosimetric parameters characterizing the treatments—slightly more homogeneous target doses and better sparing of the organs at risk.

46 CFR 153.297 - Emergency actuators at the point of cargo control.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Emergency actuators at the point of cargo control. 153... and Equipment Piping Systems and Cargo Handling Equipment § 153.297 Emergency actuators at the point of cargo control. (a) The point from which cargo transfer is controlled must have the same actuators...

49 CFR 236.303 - Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. 236.303 Section 236.303... § 236.303 Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. The control circuit for each aspect with indication more favorable...

49 CFR 236.303 - Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. 236.303 Section 236.303... § 236.303 Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. The control circuit for each aspect with indication more favorable...

49 CFR 236.303 - Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. 236.303 Section 236.303... § 236.303 Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. The control circuit for each aspect with indication more favorable...

49 CFR 236.303 - Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. 236.303 Section 236.303... § 236.303 Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. The control circuit for each aspect with indication more favorable...

49 CFR 236.303 - Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. 236.303 Section 236.303... § 236.303 Control circuits for signals, selection through circuit controller operated by switch points or by switch locking mechanism. The control circuit for each aspect with indication more favorable...

Filtering method of star control points for geometric correction of remote sensing image based on RANSAC algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Xiangli; Yang, Jungang; Deng, Xinpu

2018-04-01

In the process of geometric correction of remote sensing image, occasionally, a large number of redundant control points may result in low correction accuracy. In order to solve this problem, a control points filtering algorithm based on RANdom SAmple Consensus (RANSAC) was proposed. The basic idea of the RANSAC algorithm is that using the smallest data set possible to estimate the model parameters and then enlarge this set with consistent data points. In this paper, unlike traditional methods of geometric correction using Ground Control Points (GCPs), the simulation experiments are carried out to correct remote sensing images, which using visible stars as control points. In addition, the accuracy of geometric correction without Star Control Points (SCPs) optimization is also shown. The experimental results show that the SCPs's filtering method based on RANSAC algorithm has a great improvement on the accuracy of remote sensing image correction.

Onboard utilization of ground control points for image correction. Volume 3: Ground control point simulation software design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

The software developed to simulate the ground control point navigation system is described. The Ground Control Point Simulation Program (GCPSIM) is designed as an analysis tool to predict the performance of the navigation system. The system consists of two star trackers, a global positioning system receiver, a gyro package, and a landmark tracker.

Anatomy of an experimental two-link flexible manipulator under end-point control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oakley, Celia M.; Cannon, Robert H., Jr.

1990-01-01

The design and experimental implementation of an end-point controller for two-link flexible manipulators are presented. The end-point controller is based on linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) theory and is shown to exhibit significant improvements in trajectory tracking over a conventional controller design. To understand the behavior of the manipulator structure under end-point control, a strobe sequence illustrating the link deflections during a typical slew maneuver is included.

Standardized Fault-Tolerant Sensing Nodes for an Intelligent Turbine Engine Control System (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-01

representation of a centralized control system on a turbine engine. All actuators and sensors are point-to-point cabled to the controller ( FADEC ) which...electronics themselves. Figure 1: Centralized Control System Each function resides within the FADEC and uses Unique Point-to-Point Analog...distributed control system on the same turbine engine. The actuators and sensors interface to Smart Nodes which, in turn communicate to the FADEC via

Populating a Control Point Database: A cooperative effort between the USGS, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center and the Grand Canyon Youth Organization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, K. M.; Fritzinger, C.; Wharton, E.

2004-12-01

The Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center measures the effects of Glen Canyon Dam operations on the resources along the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Lake Mead in support of the Grand Canyon Adaptive Management Program. Control points are integral for geo-referencing the myriad of data collected in the Grand Canyon including aerial photography, topographic and bathymetric data used for classification and change-detection analysis of physical, biologic and cultural resources. The survey department has compiled a list of 870 control points installed by various organizations needing to establish a consistent reference for data collected at field sites along the 240 mile stretch of Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. This list is the foundation for the Control Point Database established primarily for researchers, to locate control points and independently geo-reference collected field data. The database has the potential to be a valuable mapping tool for assisting researchers to easily locate a control point and reduce the occurrance of unknowingly installing new control points within close proximity of an existing control point. The database is missing photographs and accurate site description information. Current site descriptions do not accurately define the location of the point but refer to the project that used the point, or some other interesting fact associated with the point. The Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) resolved this problem by turning the data collection effort into an educational exercise for the participants of the Grand Canyon Youth organization. Grand Canyon Youth is a non-profit organization providing experiential education for middle and high school aged youth. GCMRC and the Grand Canyon Youth formed a partnership where GCMRC provided the logistical support, equipment, and training to conduct the field work, and the Grand Canyon Youth provided the time and personnel to complete the field work. Two data collection efforts were conducted during the 2004 summer allowing 40 youth the opportunity to contribute valuable information to the Control Point Database. This information included: verification of point existence, photographs, accurate site descriptions concisely describing the location of the point, how to reach the point, the specific point location and detailed bearings to visible and obvious land marks. The youth learned to locate themselves and find the points using 1:1000 airphotos, write detailed site descriptions, take bearings with a compass, measure vertical and horizontal distances, and use a digital camera. The youth found information for 252 control points (29% of the total points).

The point of no return: A fundamental limit on the ability to control thought and action.

PubMed

Logan, Gordon D

2015-01-01

Bartlett (1958. Thinking. New York: Basic Books) described the point of no return as a point of irrevocable commitment to action, which was preceded by a period of gradually increasing commitment. As such, the point of no return reflects a fundamental limit on the ability to control thought and action. I review the literature on the point of no return, taking three perspectives. First, I consider the point of no return from the perspective of the controlled act, as a locus in the architecture and anatomy of the underlying processes. I review experiments from the stop-signal paradigm that suggest that the point of no return is located late in the response system. Then I consider the point of no return from the perspective of the act of control that tries to change the controlled act before it becomes irrevocable. From this perspective, the point of no return is a point in time that provides enough "lead time" for the act of control to take effect. I review experiments that measure the response time to the stop signal as the lead time required for response inhibition in the stop-signal paradigm. Finally, I consider the point of no return in hierarchically controlled tasks, in which there may be many points of no return at different levels of the hierarchy. I review experiments on skilled typing that suggest different points of no return for the commands that determine what is typed and the countermands that inhibit typing, with increasing commitment to action the lower the level in the hierarchy. I end by considering the point of no return in perception and thought as well as action.

Heat rejection sublimator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dingell, Charles W. (Inventor); Quintana, Clemente E. (Inventor); Le, Suy (Inventor); Clark, Michael R. (Inventor); Cloutier, Robert E. (Inventor); Hafermalz, David Scott (Inventor)

2009-01-01

A sublimator includes a sublimation plate having a thermal element disposed adjacent to a feed water channel and a control point disposed between at least a portion of the thermal element and a large pore substrate. The control point includes a sintered metal material. A method of dissipating heat using a sublimator includes a sublimation plate having a thermal element and a control point. The thermal element is disposed adjacent to a feed water channel and the control point is disposed between at least a portion of the thermal element and a large pore substrate. The method includes controlling a flow rate of feed water to the large pore substrate at the control point and supplying heated coolant to the thermal element. Sublimation occurs in the large pore substrate and the controlling of the flow rate of feed water is independent of time. A sublimator includes a sublimation plate having a thermal element disposed adjacent to a feed water channel and a control point disposed between at least a portion of the thermal element and a large pore substrate. The control point restricts a flow rate of feed water from the feed water channel to the large pore substrate independent of time.

Novel switching method for single-phase NPC three-level inverter with neutral-point voltage control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, June-Seok; Lee, Seung-Joo; Lee, Kyo-Beum

2018-02-01

This paper proposes a novel switching method with the neutral-point voltage control in a single-phase neutral-point-clamped three-level inverter (SP-NPCI) used in photovoltaic systems. A proposed novel switching method for the SP-NPCI improves the efficiency. The main concept is to fix the switching state of one leg. As a result, the switching loss decreases and the total efficiency is improved. In addition, it enables the maximum power-point-tracking operation to be performed by applying the proposed neutral-point voltage control algorithm. This control is implemented by modifying the reference signal. Simulation and experimental results provide verification of the performance of a novel switching method with the neutral-point voltage control.

2. INTERIOR VIEW OF ENTRY CONTROL POINT (BLDG. 768) FROM ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

2. INTERIOR VIEW OF ENTRY CONTROL POINT (BLDG. 768) FROM SOUTHWEST CORNER - Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Entry Control Point, Napa & Alden Roads, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA

[A landscape ecological approach for urban non-point source pollution control].

PubMed

Guo, Qinghai; Ma, Keming; Zhao, Jingzhu; Yang, Liu; Yin, Chengqing

2005-05-01

Urban non-point source pollution is a new problem appeared with the speeding development of urbanization. The particularity of urban land use and the increase of impervious surface area make urban non-point source pollution differ from agricultural non-point source pollution, and more difficult to control. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are the effective practices commonly applied in controlling urban non-point source pollution, mainly adopting local repairing practices to control the pollutants in surface runoff. Because of the close relationship between urban land use patterns and non-point source pollution, it would be rational to combine the landscape ecological planning with local BMPs to control the urban non-point source pollution, which needs, firstly, analyzing and evaluating the influence of landscape structure on water-bodies, pollution sources and pollutant removal processes to define the relationships between landscape spatial pattern and non-point source pollution and to decide the key polluted fields, and secondly, adjusting inherent landscape structures or/and joining new landscape factors to form new landscape pattern, and combining landscape planning and management through applying BMPs into planning to improve urban landscape heterogeneity and to control urban non-point source pollution.

The Point of No Return

PubMed Central

Logan, Gordon D.

2015-01-01

Bartlett (1958) described the point of no return as a point of irrevocable commitment to action, which was preceded by a period of gradually increasing commitment. As such, the point of no return reflects a fundamental limit on the ability to control thought and action. I review the literature on the point of no return, taking three perspectives. First, I consider the point of no return from the perspective of the controlled act, as a locus in the architecture and anatomy of the underlying processes. I review experiments from the stop-signal paradigm that suggest that the point of no return is located late in the response system. Then I consider the point of no return from the perspective of the act of control that tries to change the controlled act before it becomes irrevocable. From this perspective, the point of no return is a point in time that provides enough “lead time” for the act of control to take effect. I review experiments that measure the response time to the stop signal as the lead time required for response inhibition in the stop-signal paradigm. Finally, I consider the point of no return in hierarchically controlled tasks, in which there may be many points of no return at different levels of the hierarchy. I review experiments on skilled typing that suggest different points of no return for the commands that determine what is typed and the countermands that inhibit typing, with increasing commitment to action the lower the level in the hierarchy. I end by considering the point of no return in perception and thought as well as action. PMID:25633089

Pointing and control system enabling technology for future automated space missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dahlgren, J. B.

1978-01-01

Future automated space missions present challenging opportunities in the pointing-and-control technology disciplines. The enabling pointing-and-control system technologies for missions from 1985 to the year 2000 were identified and assessed. A generic mission set including Earth orbiter, planetary, and other missions which predominantly drive the pointing-and-control requirements was selected for detailed evaluation. Technology candidates identified were prioritized as planning options for future NASA-OAST advanced development programs. The primary technology thrusts in each candidate program were cited, and advanced development programs in pointing-and-control were recommended for the FY 80 to FY 87 period, based on these technology thrusts.

Optical control of multi-stage thin film solar cell production

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

Li, Jian; Levi, Dean H.; Contreras, Miguel A.

2016-05-17

Embodiments include methods of depositing and controlling the deposition of a film in multiple stages. The disclosed deposition and deposition control methods include the optical monitoring of a deposition matrix to determine a time when at least one transition point occurs. In certain embodiments, the transition point or transition points are a stoichiometry point. Methods may also include controlling the length of time in which material is deposited during a deposition stage or controlling the amount of the first, second or subsequent materials deposited during any deposition stage in response to a determination of the time when a selected transitionmore » point occurs.« less

40 CFR 63.361 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... oxidation control device or at the exhaust point from the combustion chamber of a thermal oxidation control... scrubber achieves at least 99-percent control of ethylene oxide emissions. Oxidation temperature means the temperature at the outlet point of a catalytic oxidation unit control device or at the exhaust point from the...

49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

49 CFR 236.342 - Switch circuit controller.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Switch circuit controller. 236.342 Section 236.342... Instructions § 236.342 Switch circuit controller. Switch circuit controller connected at the point to switch... corresponding to switch point closure when switch point is open one-fourth inch or more. Inspection and Tests ...

40 CFR 63.652 - Emissions averaging provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... emissions average. This must include any Group 1 emission points to which the reference control technology... controls for a Group 1 emission point, the pollution prevention measure alone does not have to reduce... in control after November 15, 1990; (2) Group 1 emission points that are controlled by a reference...

40 CFR 63.652 - Emissions averaging provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... emissions average. This must include any Group 1 emission points to which the reference control technology... controls for a Group 1 emission point, the pollution prevention measure alone does not have to reduce... in control after November 15, 1990; (2) Group 1 emission points that are controlled by a reference...

Methodological demonstration of laser beam pointing control for space gravitational wave detection missions.

PubMed

Dong, Yu-Hui; Liu, He-Shan; Luo, Zi-Ren; Li, Yu-Qiong; Jin, Gang

2014-07-01

In space laser interferometer gravitational wave (G.W.) detection missions, the stability of the laser beam pointing direction has to be kept at 10 nrad/√Hz. Otherwise, the beam pointing jitter noise will dominate the noise budget and make the detection of G.W. impossible. Disturbed by the residue non-conservative forces, the fluctuation of the laser beam pointing direction could be a few μrad/√Hz at frequencies from 0.1 mHz to 10 Hz. Therefore, the laser beam pointing control system is an essential requirement for those space G.W. detection missions. An on-ground test of such beam pointing control system is performed, where the Differential Wave-front Sensing technique is used to sense the beams pointing jitter. An active controlled steering mirror is employed to adjust the beam pointing direction to compensate the jitter. The experimental result shows that the pointing control system can be used for very large dynamic range up to 5 μrad. At the interested frequencies of space G.W. detection missions, between 1 mHz and 1 Hz, beam pointing stability of 6 nrad/√Hz is achieved.

Methodological demonstration of laser beam pointing control for space gravitational wave detection missions

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

Dong, Yu-Hui; Liu, He-Shan; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190

In space laser interferometer gravitational wave (G.W.) detection missions, the stability of the laser beam pointing direction has to be kept at 10 nrad/√Hz. Otherwise, the beam pointing jitter noise will dominate the noise budget and make the detection of G.W. impossible. Disturbed by the residue non-conservative forces, the fluctuation of the laser beam pointing direction could be a few μrad/√Hz at frequencies from 0.1 mHz to 10 Hz. Therefore, the laser beam pointing control system is an essential requirement for those space G.W. detection missions. An on-ground test of such beam pointing control system is performed, where the Differentialmore » Wave-front Sensing technique is used to sense the beams pointing jitter. An active controlled steering mirror is employed to adjust the beam pointing direction to compensate the jitter. The experimental result shows that the pointing control system can be used for very large dynamic range up to 5 μrad. At the interested frequencies of space G.W. detection missions, between 1 mHz and 1 Hz, beam pointing stability of 6 nrad/√Hz is achieved.« less

Reconfigurable Pointing Control for High Resolution Space Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bayard, David S.; Kia, Tooraj; vanCleve, Jeffrey

1997-01-01

In this paper, a pointing control performance criteria is established to support high resolution space spectroscopy. Results indicate that these pointing requirements are very stringent, and would typically be difficult to meet using standard 3-axis spacecraft control. To resolve this difficulty, it is shown that performance can be significantly improved using a reconfigurable control architecture that switches among a small bank of detuned Kalman filters. The effectiveness of the control reconfiguration approach is demonstrated by example on the Space Infra, Red Telescope Facility (SIRTF) pointing system, in support of the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) payload.

A randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of a standardised extract of fresh Crataegus berries (Crataegisan) in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure NYHA II.

PubMed

Degenring, F H; Suter, A; Weber, M; Saller, R

2003-01-01

A placebo controlled, randomised, parallel group, multicentre trial conducted in accordance with the guidelines of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) shows the efficacy and safety of a standardised extract of fresh berries of Crataegus oxyacantha L. and monogyna Jacq. (Crataegisan) in patients with cardiac failure NYHA class II. A total of 143 patients (72 men, 71 women, mean age of 64.8 (8.0 years) were recruited and treated with 3 times 30 drops of the extract (n = 69) or placebo (n = 74) for 8 weeks. The primary variable for the evaluation of efficacy was the change in exercise tolerance determined with bicycle exercise testing, secondary variables included the blood pressure-heart rate product (BHP). Subjective cardiac symptoms at rest and at higher levels of exertion were assessed by the patient on a categorical rating scale. An overall assessment of efficacy at the final visit was provided by the patient and the investigator. In the ITT population there was a significant increase in exercise tolerance in both groups between visit 1 and visit 3. The difference between the treatment groups was 8.3 watts in favour of the standardised extract of fresh Crataegus berries (p = 0.045). The result is confirmed in the PP population (p = 0.047). Changes in BHP at 50 watts and at comparable maximum load were in favour of Crataegus extract but the results are not statistically significant. The subjective assessment of cardiac symptoms at rest and at higher levels of exertion did not change significantly and the patient and investigator overall assessment of efficacy were similar for the two groups. The medication was well tolerated and had a high level of patient acceptability. The significant improvement, due to the fact that dyspnoea and fatigue do not occur until a significantly higher wattage has been reached in the bicycle exercise testing allows the conclusion that the recruited NYHA II patients may expect an improvement in their heart failure condition under long term therapy with the standardised extract of fresh Crataegus berries.

47 CFR 90.471 - Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems. 90.471 Section 90.471 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control Systems § 90.471 Points of...

47 CFR 90.471 - Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems. 90.471 Section 90.471 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control Systems § 90.471 Points of...

47 CFR 90.471 - Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems. 90.471 Section 90.471 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control Systems § 90.471 Points of...

47 CFR 90.471 - Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems. 90.471 Section 90.471 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control Systems § 90.471 Points of...

47 CFR 90.471 - Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Points of operation in internal transmitter control systems. 90.471 Section 90.471 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control Systems § 90.471 Points of...

MSFC Skylab attitude and pointing control system mission evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chubb, W. B.

1974-01-01

The results of detailed performance analyses of the attitude and pointing control system in-orbit hardware and software on Skylab are reported. Performance is compared with requirements, test results, and prelaunch predictions. A brief history of the altitude and pointing control system evolution leading to the launch configuration is presented. The report states that the attitude and pointing system satisfied all requirements.

A Study of a Two Stage Maximum Power Point Tracking Control of a Photovoltaic System under Partially Shaded Insolation Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Kenji; Takano, Ichiro; Sawada, Yoshio

A photovoltaic array shows relatively low output power density, and has a greatly drooping Current-Voltage (I-V) characteristic. Therefore, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control is used to maximize the output power of the array. Many papers have been reported in relation to MPPT. However, the Current-Power (I-P) curve sometimes shows multi-local maximum points mode under non-uniform insolation conditions. The operating point of the PV system tends to converge to a local maximum output point which is not the real maximal output point on the I-P curve. Some papers have been also reported, trying to avoid this difficulty. However most of those control systems become rather complicated. Then, the two stage MPPT control method is proposed in this paper to realize a relatively simple control system which can track the real maximum power point even under non-uniform insolation conditions. The feasibility of this control concept is confirmed for steady insolation as well as for rapidly changing insolation by simulation study using software PSIM and LabVIEW. In addition, simulated experiment confirms fundament al operation of the two stage MPPT control.

Spacecraft Maneuvering at the Sun/Earth-Moon L2 Libration Point

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahid, Kamran

Spacecraft formation flying in the vicinity of the Sun/Earth-Moon libration points offers many promising possibilities for space exploration. The concept of formation flying involves the distribution of the functionality of a single spacecraft among several smaller, cooperative spacecraft. The libration points are locations relative to two large orbiting bodies where a third body with relatively small mass can remain stationary relative to the two larger bodies. The most significant perturbation experienced by a spacecraft at the libration point is effect of solar radiation pressure. This thesis presents the development of nonlinear control techniques for maneuvering control at the Sun-Earth/Moon L2 libration point. A new thruster based formation control technique is presented. We also consider a leader/follower formation architecture, and examine the station keeping control of the leader spacecraft and the formation control of the follower spacecraft using solar radiation pressure. Reference trajectories of the leader spacecraft, halo and Lissajous orbits, are determined using a numerical technique in order to take into account all major gravitational perturbations. The nonlinear controllers are developed based on Lyapunov analysis, including non-adaptive and adaptive designs. Thruster based and solar radiation pressure based control laws for spacecraft maneuvering at the Sun-Earth/Moon libration point are developed. Higher order sliding mode control is utilized to address the non-affine structure of the solar sail control inputs. The reduced input solar radiation pressure problem is properly addressed as an underactuated control problem. The development of adaptive control for solar sail equipped spacecraft is an innovation and represents and advancement in solar sailing control technology. Controller performance is evaluated in a high fidelity ephemeris model to reflect a realistic simulated space environment. The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control techniques for spacecraft maneuvering using solar radiation pressure at the L2 libration point. Stationkeeping accuracies of 50m and formation maintenance accuracies of less than 1m are possible using solar radiation pressure at a sub-L2 libration point. The benefits of these control techniques include increasing libration point mission lifetimes and doubling payload mass fractions as compared to conventional propulsion methods.

Pointing and tracking control for freedom's Solar Dynamic modules and vibration control of freedom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quinn, Roger D.; Chen, Jiunn-Liang

1992-01-01

A control strategy is presented for pointing particular modules of flexible multibody space structures while simultaneously attenuating structural vibrations. The application that is addressed is the planned Space Station Freedom in a growth configuration with Solar Dynamic (SD) module. A NASTRAN model of Freedom is used to demonstrate the control strategy. Two cases of SD concentrator fine-pointing controller bandwidths are studied with examples. The effect of limiting the controller motor torques to realistic baseline values is examined. SD pointing and station vibration control is accomplished during realistic disturbances due to aerodynamic drag, Shuttle docking, and Shuttle reaction control system plume impingement on SD. Gravity gradient induced torques on SD are relatively small and pseudo-steady.

Implementation of control point form of algebraic grid-generation technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choo, Yung K.; Miller, David P.; Reno, Charles J.

1991-01-01

The control point form (CPF) provides explicit control of physical grid shape and grid spacing through the movement of the control points. The control point array, called a control net, is a space grid type arrangement of locations in physical space with an index for each direction. As an algebraic method CPF is efficient and works well with interactive computer graphics. A family of menu-driven, interactive grid-generation computer codes (TURBO) is being developed by using CPF. Key features of TurboI (a TURBO member) are discussed and typical results are presented. TurboI runs on any IRIS 4D series workstation.

Optimization of block-floating-point realizations for digital controllers with finite-word-length considerations.

PubMed

Wu, Jun; Hu, Xie-he; Chen, Sheng; Chu, Jian

2003-01-01

The closed-loop stability issue of finite-precision realizations was investigated for digital controllers implemented in block-floating-point format. The controller coefficient perturbation was analyzed resulting from using finite word length (FWL) block-floating-point representation scheme. A block-floating-point FWL closed-loop stability measure was derived which considers both the dynamic range and precision. To facilitate the design of optimal finite-precision controller realizations, a computationally tractable block-floating-point FWL closed-loop stability measure was then introduced and the method of computing the value of this measure for a given controller realization was developed. The optimal controller realization is defined as the solution that maximizes the corresponding measure, and a numerical optimization approach was adopted to solve the resulting optimal realization problem. A numerical example was used to illustrate the design procedure and to compare the optimal controller realization with the initial realization.

[Comparison of self-controlled retruded approach and bimanual manipulation method on the relationship of incisal point displacement in the mandibular retruded contact position].

PubMed

Zhang, Lei; Li, Yun-xia; Kang, Yan-feng; Yang, Guang-ju; Xie, Qiu-fei

2014-02-18

To evaluate the relationship of incisal point displacements in the mandibular retruded contact position (RCP) between the self-controlled retruded approach and bimanual manipulation method. Twelve healthy young volunteers were selected. The RCP was guided through the self-controlled retruded approach and bimanual manipulation method. The track of the incisal point was recorded, using the mandibular movement trace recording system. The movement direction of the incisal point in horizontal plane was observed. The distance between the incisal point of the RCP and intercuspal contact position (ICP) was measured. Except one volunteer's incisal point movement direction of the RCP was oblique, others were straight toward posterior. The displacements of the incisal point from the ICP to RCP guided through self-controlled approach and bimanual manipulation method were (1.15 ± 0.64) mm, (0.98 ± 0.29) mm respectively. There was no statistical significance between the two methods (P > 0.05). The displacements of the incisal point from the ICP to RCP guided through self-controlled approach and bimanual manipulation method are approximately the same.

Control system development for a 1 MW/e/ solar thermal power plant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daubert, E. R.; Bergthold, F. M., Jr.; Fulton, D. G.

1981-01-01

The point-focusing distributed receiver power plant considered consists of a number of power modules delivering power to a central collection point. Each power module contains a parabolic dish concentrator with a closed-cycle receiver/turbine/alternator assembly. Currently, a single-module prototype plant is under construction. The major control system tasks required are related to concentrator pointing control, receiver temperature control, and turbine speed control. Attention is given to operational control details, control hardware and software, and aspects of CRT output display.

41 CFR 101-26.606 - Supply support available from the inventory control points of the military departments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... from the inventory control points of the military departments. 101-26.606 Section 101-26.606 Public... § 101-26.606 Supply support available from the inventory control points of the military departments. Federal civil agencies may obtain items of supply which are procured and managed by the inventory control...

Dynamics and control of high area-to-mass ratio spacecraft and its application to geomagnetic exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Tong; Xu, Ming; Colombo, Camilla

2018-04-01

This paper studies the dynamics and control of a spacecraft, whose area-to-mass ratio is increased by deploying a reflective orientable surface such as a solar sail or a solar panel. The dynamical system describing the motion of a non-zero attitude angle high area-to-mass ratio spacecraft under the effects of the Earth's oblateness and solar radiation pressure admits the existence of equilibrium points, whose number and the eccentricity values depend on the semi-major axis, the area-to-mass ratio and the attitude angle of the spacecraft together. When two out of three parameters are fixed, five different dynamical topologies successively occur through varying the third parameter. Two of these five topologies are critical cases characterized by the appearance of the bifurcation phenomena. A conventional Hamiltonian structure-preserving (HSP) controller and an improved HSP controller are both constructed to stabilize the hyperbolic equilibrium point. Through the use of a conventional HSP controller, a bounded trajectory around the hyperbolic equilibrium point is obtained, while an improved HSP controller allows the spacecraft to easily transfer to the hyperbolic equilibrium point and to follow varying equilibrium points. A bifurcation control using topologies and changes of behavior areas can also stabilize a spacecraft near a hyperbolic equilibrium point. Natural trajectories around stable equilibrium point and these stabilized trajectories around hyperbolic equilibrium point can all be applied to geomagnetic exploration.

The application of hazard analysis and critical control points and risk management in the preparation of anti-cancer drugs.

PubMed

Bonan, Brigitte; Martelli, Nicolas; Berhoune, Malik; Maestroni, Marie-Laure; Havard, Laurent; Prognon, Patrice

2009-02-01

To apply the Hazard analysis and Critical Control Points method to the preparation of anti-cancer drugs. To identify critical control points in our cancer chemotherapy process and to propose control measures and corrective actions to manage these processes. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points application began in January 2004 in our centralized chemotherapy compounding unit. From October 2004 to August 2005, monitoring of the process nonconformities was performed to assess the method. According to the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points method, a multidisciplinary team was formed to describe and assess the cancer chemotherapy process. This team listed all of the critical points and calculated their risk indexes according to their frequency of occurrence, their severity and their detectability. The team defined monitoring, control measures and corrective actions for each identified risk. Finally, over a 10-month period, pharmacists reported each non-conformity of the process in a follow-up document. Our team described 11 steps in the cancer chemotherapy process. The team identified 39 critical control points, including 11 of higher importance with a high-risk index. Over 10 months, 16,647 preparations were performed; 1225 nonconformities were reported during this same period. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points method is relevant when it is used to target a specific process such as the preparation of anti-cancer drugs. This method helped us to focus on the production steps, which can have a critical influence on product quality, and led us to improve our process.

Model reference adaptive control for the azimuth-pointing system of a balloon-borne stabilized platform

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lubin, Philip M.; Tomizuka, Masayoshi; Chingcuanco, Alfredo O.; Meinhold, Peter R.

1991-01-01

A balloon-born stabilized platform has been developed for the remotely operated altitude-azimuth pointing of a millimeter wave telescope system. This paper presents a development and implementation of model reference adaptive control (MRAC) for the azimuth-pointing system of the stabilized platform. The primary goal of the controller is to achieve pointing rms better than 0.1 deg. Simulation results indicate that MRAC can achieve pointing rms better than 0.1 deg. Ground test results show pointing rms better than 0.03 deg. Data from the first flight at the National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF) Palestine, Texas show pointing rms better than 0.02 deg.

Wireless power charging using point of load controlled high frequency power converters

DOEpatents

Miller, John M.; Campbell, Steven L.; Chambon, Paul H.; Seiber, Larry E.; White, Clifford P.

2015-10-13

An apparatus for wirelessly charging a battery of an electric vehicle is provided with a point of load control. The apparatus includes a base unit for generating a direct current (DC) voltage. The base unit is regulated by a power level controller. One or more point of load converters can be connected to the base unit by a conductor, with each point of load converter comprising a control signal generator that transmits a signal to the power level controller. The output power level of the DC voltage provided by the base unit is controlled by power level controller such that the power level is sufficient to power all active load converters when commanded to do so by any of the active controllers, without generating excessive power that may be otherwise wasted.

77 FR 13513 - Modernizing the Regulation of Clinical Trials and Approaches to Good Clinical Practice; Public...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-07

...The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a 2-day public hearing to obtain input from interested persons on FDA's scope and direction in modernizing the regulations, policies, and practices that apply to the conduct of clinical trials of FDA-regulated products. Clinical trials are a critical source of evidence to inform medical policy and practice, and effective regulatory oversight is needed to ensure that human subjects are protected and resulting clinical trial data are credible and accurate. FDA is aware of concerns within the clinical trial community that certain regulations and policies applicable to the conduct of clinical trials may result in inefficiencies or increased cost and may not facilitate the use of innovative methods and technological advances to improve clinical trial quality. The Agency is involved in an effort to modernize the regulatory framework that governs clinical trials and approaches to good clinical practice (GCP). The purpose of this hearing is to solicit public input from a broad group of stakeholders on the scope and direction of this effort, including encouraging the use of innovative models that may enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the clinical trial enterprise.

Topical photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid in the treatment of actinic keratoses: a first clinical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karrer, Sigrid; Szeimies, Rolf-Markus; Sauerwald, Angela; Landthaler, Michael

1996-01-01

In this first clinical study performed according to GCP- (good clinical practice) guidelines, efficacy, and tolerability of topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were tested in the treatment of actinic keratoses. Ten patients (6 f, 4 m) with 36 lesions (19 located on hands and arms, 17 on the head) received ALA-PDT once. Five to six hours after occlusive application of ALA (water-in-oil-emulsion containing 10% ALA) irradiation was performed with an incoherent light source. Up to 3 months after treatment patients were monitored. A score evaluating infiltration and keratosis of treated actinic keratoses allowed us to estimate therapeutic efficacy. Compared to the initial score (100%) significantly lower score-sums were observed at the 28 day follow-up at both localizations (head: 15%; hand: 67%). Complete remission (score sum 0) resulted in 71% of actinic keratoses localized on the head. Except for slight pain and burning sensations during and after irradiation there were no notable side effects. This study proved good efficacy and tolerability of topical PDT in the treatment of actinic keratoses. Whether PDT is able to compete with established treatment modalities remains to be shown in further studies.

Attitude control system of the Delfi-n3Xt satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reijneveld, J.; Choukroun, D.

2013-12-01

This work is concerned with the development of the attitude control algorithms that will be implemented on board of the Delfi-n3xt nanosatellite, which is to be launched in 2013. One of the mission objectives is to demonstrate Sun pointing and three axis stabilization. The attitude control modes and the associated algorithms are described. The control authority is shared between three body-mounted magnetorquers (MTQ) and three orthogonal reaction wheels. The attitude information is retrieved from Sun vector measurements, Earth magnetic field measurements, and gyro measurements. The design of the control is achieved as a trade between simplicity and performance. Stabilization and Sun pointing are achieved via the successive application of the classical Bdot control law and a quaternion feedback control. For the purpose of Sun pointing, a simple quaternion estimation scheme is implemented based on geometric arguments, where the need for a costly optimal filtering algorithm is alleviated, and a single line of sight (LoS) measurement is required - here the Sun vector. Beyond the three-axis Sun pointing mode, spinning Sun pointing modes are also described and used as demonstration modes. The three-axis Sun pointing mode requires reaction wheels and magnetic control while the spinning control modes are implemented with magnetic control only. In addition, a simple scheme for angular rates estimation using Sun vector and Earth magnetic measurements is tested in the case of gyro failures. The various control modes performances are illustrated via extensive simulations over several orbits time spans. The simulated models of the dynamical space environment, of the attitude hardware, and the onboard controller logic are using realistic assumptions. All control modes satisfy the minimal Sun pointing requirements allowed for power generation.

End-point controller design for an experimental two-link flexible manipulator using convex optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oakley, Celia M.; Barratt, Craig H.

1990-01-01

Recent results in linear controller design are used to design an end-point controller for an experimental two-link flexible manipulator. A nominal 14-state linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) controller was augmented with a 528-tap finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter designed using convex optimization techniques. The resulting 278-state controller produced improved end-point trajectory tracking and disturbance rejection in simulation and experimentally in real time.

Autonomous Pointing Control of a Large Satellite Antenna Subject to Parametric Uncertainty

PubMed Central

Wu, Shunan; Liu, Yufei; Radice, Gianmarco; Tan, Shujun

2017-01-01

With the development of satellite mobile communications, large antennas are now widely used. The precise pointing of the antenna’s optical axis is essential for many space missions. This paper addresses the challenging problem of high-precision autonomous pointing control of a large satellite antenna. The pointing dynamics are firstly proposed. The proportional–derivative feedback and structural filter to perform pointing maneuvers and suppress antenna vibrations are then presented. An adaptive controller to estimate actual system frequencies in the presence of modal parameters uncertainty is proposed. In order to reduce periodic errors, the modified controllers, which include the proposed adaptive controller and an active disturbance rejection filter, are then developed. The system stability and robustness are analyzed and discussed in the frequency domain. Numerical results are finally provided, and the results have demonstrated that the proposed controllers have good autonomy and robustness. PMID:28287450

Octopuses use a human-like strategy to control precise point-to-point arm movements.

PubMed

Sumbre, Germán; Fiorito, Graziano; Flash, Tamar; Hochner, Binyamin

2006-04-18

One of the key problems in motor control is mastering or reducing the number of degrees of freedom (DOFs) through coordination. This problem is especially prominent with hyper-redundant limbs such as the extremely flexible arm of the octopus. Several strategies for simplifying these control problems have been suggested for human point-to-point arm movements. Despite the evolutionary gap and morphological differences, humans and octopuses evolved similar strategies when fetching food to the mouth. To achieve this precise point-to-point-task, octopus arms generate a quasi-articulated structure based on three dynamic joints. A rotational movement around these joints brings the object to the mouth . Here, we describe a peripheral neural mechanism-two waves of muscle activation propagate toward each other, and their collision point sets the medial-joint location. This is a remarkably simple mechanism for adjusting the length of the segments according to where the object is grasped. Furthermore, similar to certain human arm movements, kinematic invariants were observed at the joint level rather than at the end-effector level, suggesting intrinsic control coordination. The evolutionary convergence to similar geometrical and kinematic features suggests that a kinematically constrained articulated limb controlled at the level of joint space is the optimal solution for precise point-to-point movements.

Prehospital Emergency Inguinal Clamp Controls Hemorrhage in Cadaver Model

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-01

fit at anatomic pressure points needed in hemorrhage control. The CRoC was placed on trauma manikins at the U.S. Army Med- ical Department Center and...simulant was pumped to quantify device effective- ness in testing. Points of application included proximal pressure point control of popliteal...a casualty’s wound from the point of injury on the battlefield to the emergency department has been impractical; so a device was made to replace the

Alternator control for battery charging

DOEpatents

Brunstetter, Craig A.; Jaye, John R.; Tallarek, Glen E.; Adams, Joseph B.

2015-07-14

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical system for an automotive vehicle has an electrical generating machine and a battery. A set point voltage, which sets an output voltage of the electrical generating machine, is set by an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU selects one of a plurality of control modes for controlling the alternator based on an operating state of the vehicle as determined from vehicle operating parameters. The ECU selects a range for the set point voltage based on the selected control mode and then sets the set point voltage within the range based on feedback parameters for that control mode. In an aspect, the control modes include a trickle charge mode and battery charge current is the feedback parameter and the ECU controls the set point voltage within the range to maintain a predetermined battery charge current.

Hubble Space Telescope Reduced-Gyro Control Law Design, Implementation, and On-Orbit Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clapp, Brian R.; Ramsey, Patrick R.; Wirzburger, John H.; Smith, Daniel C.; VanArsadall, John C.

2008-01-01

Following gyro failures in April 2001 and April 2003, HST Pointing Control System engineers designed reduced-gyro control laws to extend the spacecraft science mission. The Two-Gyro Science (TGS) and One-Gyro Science (OGS) control laws were designed and implemented using magnetometers, star trackers, and Fine Guidance Sensors in succession to control vehicle rate about the missing gyro axes. Both TGS and OGS have demonstrated on-orbit pointing stability of 7 milli-arcseconds or less, which depends upon the guide star magnitude used by the Fine Guidance Sensor. This paper describes the design, implementation, and on-orbit performance of the TGS and OGS control law fine-pointing modes using Fixed Head Star Trackers and Fine Guidance Sensors, after successfully achieving coarse-pointing control using magnetometers.

1. GENERAL VIEW OF WEST FACE OF ENTRY CONTROL POINT ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

1. GENERAL VIEW OF WEST FACE OF ENTRY CONTROL POINT (BLDG. 768) SHOWING RELATIVE POSITION TO TECHNICAL SUPPORT BUILDING (BLDG. 762/762A) AND SLC-3 AIR FORCE BUILDING (BLDG. 761) - Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Entry Control Point, Napa & Alden Roads, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA

75 FR 8239 - School Food Safety Program Based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Principles (HACCP...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-24

... 0584-AD65 School Food Safety Program Based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Principles... Safety Program Based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Principles (HACCP) was published on... of Management and Budget (OMB) cleared the associated information collection requirements (ICR) on...

77 FR 70724 - Eligibility of the Republic of Korea To Export Poultry Products to the United States

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-27

...) official controls over condemned product; (8) a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system...) Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems, (5) Chemical Residue Testing Programs, and (6) Microbiological Testing Programs. FSIS evaluates the information submitted to verify that the critical points in...

Fine pointing control for free-space optical communication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Portillo, A. A.; Ortiz, G. G.; Racho, C.

2000-01-01

Free-Space Optical Communications requires precise, stable laser pointing to maintain operating conditions. This paper also describes the software and hardware implementation of Fine Pointing Control based on the Optical Communications Demonstrator architecture.

On the existence of touch points for first-order state inequality constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seywald, Hans; Cliff, Eugene M.

1993-01-01

The appearance of touch points in state constrained optimal control problems with general vector-valued control is studied. Under the assumption that the Hamiltonian is regular, touch points for first-order state inequalities are shown to exist only under very special conditions. In many cases of practical importance these conditions can be used to exclude touch points a priori without solving an optimal control problem. The results are demonstrated on a simple example.

A multiple pointing-mount control strategy for space platforms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, C. D.

1992-01-01

A new disturbance-adaptive control strategy for multiple pointing-mount space platforms is proposed and illustrated by consideration of a simplified 3-link dynamic model of a multiple pointing-mount space platform. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the new platform control strategy. The simulation results also reveal a system 'destabilization phenomena' that can occur if the set of individual platform-mounted experiment controllers are 'too responsive.'

A new lunar absolute control point: established by images from the landing camera on Chang'e-3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fen-Fei; Liu, Jian-Jun; Li, Chun-Lai; Ren, Xin; Mu, Ling-Li; Yan, Wei; Wang, Wen-Rui; Xiao, Jing-Tao; Tan, Xu; Zhang, Xiao-Xia; Zou, Xiao-Duan; Gao, Xing-Ye

2014-12-01

The establishment of a lunar control network is one of the core tasks in selenodesy, in which defining an absolute control point on the Moon is the most important step. However, up to now, the number of absolute control points has been very sparse. These absolute control points have mainly been lunar laser ranging retroreflectors, whose geographical location can be observed by observations on Earth and also identified in high resolution lunar satellite images. The Chang'e-3 (CE-3) probe successfully landed on the Moon, and its geographical location has been monitored by an observing station on Earth. Since its positional accuracy is expected to reach the meter level, the CE-3 landing site can become a new high precision absolute control point. We use a sequence of images taken from the landing camera, as well as satellite images taken by CE-1 and CE-2, to identify the location of the CE-3 lander. With its geographical location known, the CE-3 landing site can be established as a new absolute control point, which will effectively expand the current area of the lunar absolute control network by 22%, and can greatly facilitate future research in the field of lunar surveying and mapping, as well as selenodesy.

MASTICATORY FUNCTION OF OBESE CANDIDATES TO BARIATRIC SURGERY FROM DISTINCT SOCIOECONOMIC CLASSES.

PubMed

Passeri, Celso Roberto; Andrade, Jacira Alves Caracik de Camargo; Tomal, Karla Thaíza; Pracucho, Eduardo Marcucci; Campos, Livia Paschoalino de; Sales-Peres, Silvia Helena de Carvalho

Obesity and metabolic syndrome can be labeled as worldwide outbreak; thus, both have led to serious public health problem. Oral health can be worsened by both, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Tooth loss harms masticatory function, essential status to whom will be submitted to bariatric surgery. Assess masticatory function of obese candidates to bariatric surgery, who belong to distinct socioeconomic class range, in order to recognize hazard factors and the bias of socioeconomic factor in this context. Observational cross-section study, with samples comprised by two groups of patients, with distinct socioeconomic class range, one of them belonging to public health system (SUSG) and the other to private clinic (CPG), candidates to bariatric surgery. Were assessed anthropometric data, comorbidities and medicines usage, blood tests, habits and the number of dental functional units. The groups SUSG and CPG were homogeneous taking into account gender (p=0,890) and age range (p=0,170). The number of dental functional units was higher in the private group (p<0.001). The impaired masticatory function was rather present among public group (p<0.001) and female gender (p<0,001). Regarded as blood tests, fasting glucose was higher in female in SUSG (p<0,001). The following hazard factors have corroborated to have patients rated as impaired masticatory function: belong to public service (OR: 8.420, p=0.003), higher age (OR: 1.186, p<0.001), female gender (OR: 0.153, p=0.029), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.545, p=0.045) and smokers (OR: 2.951, p=0.043). The general health and masticatory function of female SUSG were worse, highlighting the socioeconomic condition as hazard factor. Obesidade e síndrome metabólica são graves problemas de saúde pública, com características de epidemia mundial. A saúde bucal é agravada por ambas as condições. Perda dentária prejudica função mastigatória, condição essencial para o paciente que será submetido à cirurgia bariátrica. Avaliar a função mastigatória de pacientes obesos candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica pertencentes a dois serviços de saúde com padrões socioeconômicos distintos, afim de identificar fatores de risco e a influência do fator socioeconômico nesta condição. Estudo observacional transversal, com amostra constituída por dois grupos de pacientes obesos, com condições socioeconômicas distintas, um pertencente ao sistema público de saúde (GSUS) e outro à clínica privada (GCP), candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica. Foram analisados dados antropométricos, comorbidades e uso de medicamentos para seu controle, exames laboratoriais, hábitos e o número de unidades funcionais dentárias presentes. Os grupos GSUS e GCP foram homogêneos quanto ao gênero (p=0,890) e faixa etária (p=0,170). A média de unidades funcionais dentárias foi maior no grupo privado (p<0,001). A função mastigatória prejudicada foi mais presente no grupo GSUS e no gênero feminino (p<0,001). Quanto aos exames laboratoriais: glicemia de jejum esteve mais alterada em mulheres do GSUS (p<0,001). Foram fatores de risco independentes para ter função mastigatória prejudicada: ter origem no serviço público de saúde (OR: 8,420 - p=0,003), maior idade (OR: 1,186 - p<0,001), ser do gênero feminino (OR: 0,153 - p=0,029), portador de diabete melito (OR: 2,545 - p=0,045) e tabagista (OR: 2,951 - p=0,043). A saúde geral e função mastigatória de mulheres do GSUS foram piores, ressaltando a condição socioeconômica como fator de risco.

Pointright: a system to redirect mouse and keyboard control among multiple machines

DOEpatents

Johanson, Bradley E [Palo Alto, CA; Winograd, Terry A [Stanford, CA; Hutchins, Gregory M [Mountain View, CA

2008-09-30

The present invention provides a software system, PointRight, that allows for smooth and effortless control of pointing and input devices among multiple displays. With PointRight, a single free-floating mouse and keyboard can be used to control multiple screens. When the cursor reaches the edge of a screen it seamlessly moves to the adjacent screen and keyboard control is simultaneously redirected to the appropriate machine. Laptops may also redirect their keyboard and pointing device, and multiple pointers are supported simultaneously. The system automatically reconfigures itself as displays go on, go off, or change the machine they display.

Robust non-rigid registration algorithm based on local affine registration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Liyang; Xiong, Lei; Du, Shaoyi; Bi, Duyan; Fang, Ting; Liu, Kun; Wu, Dongpeng

2018-04-01

Aiming at the problem that the traditional point set non-rigid registration algorithm has low precision and slow convergence speed for complex local deformation data, this paper proposes a robust non-rigid registration algorithm based on local affine registration. The algorithm uses a hierarchical iterative method to complete the point set non-rigid registration from coarse to fine. In each iteration, the sub data point sets and sub model point sets are divided and the shape control points of each sub point set are updated. Then we use the control point guided affine ICP algorithm to solve the local affine transformation between the corresponding sub point sets. Next, the local affine transformation obtained by the previous step is used to update the sub data point sets and their shape control point sets. When the algorithm reaches the maximum iteration layer K, the loop ends and outputs the updated sub data point sets. Experimental results demonstrate that the accuracy and convergence of our algorithm are greatly improved compared with the traditional point set non-rigid registration algorithms.

Design of a new high-performance pointing controller for the Hubble Space Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, C. D.

1993-01-01

A new form of high-performance, disturbance-adaptive pointing controller for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is proposed. This new controller is all linear (constant gains) and can maintain accurate 'pointing' of the HST in the face of persistent randomly triggered uncertain, unmeasurable 'flapping' motions of the large attached solar array panels. Similar disturbances associated with antennas and other flexible appendages can also be accommodated. The effectiveness and practicality of the proposed new controller is demonstrated by a detailed design and simulation testing of one such controller for a planar-motion, fully nonlinear model of HST. The simulation results show a high degree of disturbance isolation and pointing stability.

Measurement of asthma control according to Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines: a comparison with the Asthma Control Questionnaire.

PubMed

Olaguibel, José María; Quirce, Santiago; Juliá, Berta; Fernández, Cristina; Fortuna, Ana María; Molina, Jesús; Plaza, Vicente

2012-06-22

Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) is a validated tool to measure asthma control. Cut-off points that best discriminate "well-controlled" or "not well-controlled" asthma have been suggested from the analysis of a large randomized clinical trial but they may not be adequate for daily clinical practice. To establish cut-off points of the ACQ that best discriminate the level of control according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2006 guidelines in patients with asthma managed at Allergology and Pulmonology Departments as well as Primary Care Centers in Spain. An epidemiological descriptive study, with prospective data collection. Asthma control following GINA-2006 classification and 7-item ACQ was assessed. The study population was split in two parts: 2/3 for finding the cut-off points (development population) and 1/3 for validating the results (validation population). A total of 1,363 stable asthmatic patients were included (mean age 38 ± 14 years, 60.3% women; 69.1% non-smokers). Patient classification according to GINA-defined asthma control was: controlled 13.6%, partially controlled 34.2%, and uncontrolled 52.3%. The ACQ cut-off points that better agreed with GINA-defined asthma control categories were calculated using receiver operating curves (ROC). The analysis showed that ACQ < 0.5 was the optimal cut-off point for "controlled asthma" (sensitivity 74.1%, specificity 77.5%) and 1.00 for "uncontrolled asthma" (sensitivity 73%, specificity 88.2%). Kappa index between GINA categories and ACQ was 0.62 (p < 0.001). The ACQ cut-off points associated with GINA-defined asthma control in a real-life setting were <0.5 for controlled asthma and ≥1 for uncontrolled asthma.

Feedforward-feedback control of dissolved oxygen concentration in a predenitrification system.

PubMed

Yong, Ma; Yongzhen, Peng; Shuying, Wang

2005-07-01

As the largest single energy-consuming component in most biological wastewater treatment systems, aeration control is of great interest from the point of view of saving energy and improving wastewater treatment plant efficiency. In this paper, three different strategies, including conventional constant dissolved oxygen (DO) set-point control, cascade DO set-point control, and feedforward-feedback DO set-point control were evaluated using the denitrification layout of the IWA simulation benchmark. Simulation studies showed that the feedforward-feedback DO set-point control strategy was better than the other control strategies at meeting the effluent standards and reducing operational costs. The control strategy works primarily by feedforward control based on an ammonium sensor located at the head of the aerobic process. It has an important advantage over effluent measurements in that there is no (or only a very short) time delay for information; feedforward control was combined with slow feedback control to compensate for model approximations. The feedforward-feedback DO control was implemented in a lab-scale wastewater treatment plant for a period of 60 days. Compared to operation with constant DO concentration, the required airflow could be reduced by up to 8-15% by employing the feedforward-feedback DO-control strategy, and the effluent ammonia concentration could be reduced by up to 15-25%. This control strategy can be expected to be accepted by the operating personnel in wastewater treatment plants.

Integration of imagery and cartographic data through a common map base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, J.

1983-01-01

Several disparate data types are integrated by using control points as the basis for spatially registering the data to a map base. The data are reprojected to match the coordinates of the reference UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) map projection, as expressed in lines and samples. Control point selection is the most critical aspect of integrating the Thematic Mapper Simulator MSS imagery with the cartographic data. It is noted that control points chosen from the imagery are subject to error from mislocated points, either points that did not correlate well to the reference map or minor pixel offsets because of interactive cursorring errors. Errors are also introduced in map control points when points are improperly located and digitized, leading to inaccurate latitude and longitude coordinates. Nonsystematic aircraft platform variations, such as yawl, pitch, and roll, affect the spatial fidelity of the imagery in comparison with the quadrangles. Features in adjacent flight paths do not always correspond properly owing to the systematic panorama effect and alteration of flightline direction, as well as platform variations.

47 CFR 90.473 - Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points. 90.473 Section 90.473 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control...

47 CFR 90.473 - Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points. 90.473 Section 90.473 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control...

47 CFR 90.473 - Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points. 90.473 Section 90.473 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control...

47 CFR 90.473 - Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points. 90.473 Section 90.473 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control...

47 CFR 90.473 - Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Operation of internal transmitter control systems through licensed fixed control points. 90.473 Section 90.473 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Transmitter Control Internal Transmitter Control...

Interactive grid generation for turbomachinery flow field simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choo, Yung K.; Eiseman, Peter R.; Reno, Charles

1988-01-01

The control point form of algebraic grid generation presented provides the means that are needed to generate well structured grids for turbomachinery flow simulations. It uses a sparse collection of control points distributed over the flow domain. The shape and position of coordinate curves can be adjusted from these control points while the grid conforms precisely to all boundaries. An interactive program called TURBO, which uses the control point form, is being developed. Basic features of the code are discussed and sample grids are presented. A finite volume LU implicit scheme is used to simulate flow in a turbine cascade on the grid generated by the program.

Interactive grid generation for turbomachinery flow field simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choo, Yung K.; Reno, Charles; Eiseman, Peter R.

1988-01-01

The control point form of algebraic grid generation presented provides the means that are needed to generate well structured grids of turbomachinery flow simulations. It uses a sparse collection of control points distributed over the flow domain. The shape and position of coordinate curves can be adjusted from these control points while the grid conforms precisely to all boundaries. An interactive program called TURBO, which uses the control point form, is being developed. Basic features of the code are discussed and sample grids are presented. A finite volume LU implicit scheme is used to simulate flow in a turbine cascade on the grid generated by the program.

Measurement of asthma control according to global initiative for asthma guidelines: a comparison with the asthma control questionnaire

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Introduction Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) is a validated tool to measure asthma control. Cut-off points that best discriminate “well-controlled” or “not well-controlled” asthma have been suggested from the analysis of a large randomized clinical trial but they may not be adequate for daily clinical practice. Aims To establish cut-off points of the ACQ that best discriminate the level of control according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2006 guidelines in patients with asthma managed at Allergology and Pulmonology Departments as well as Primary Care Centers in Spain. Patients and methods An epidemiological descriptive study, with prospective data collection. Asthma control following GINA-2006 classification and 7-item ACQ was assessed. The study population was split in two parts: 2/3 for finding the cut-off points (development population) and 1/3 for validating the results (validation population). Results A total of 1,363 stable asthmatic patients were included (mean age 38 ± 14 years, 60.3% women; 69.1% non-smokers). Patient classification according to GINA-defined asthma control was: controlled 13.6%, partially controlled 34.2%, and uncontrolled 52.3%. The ACQ cut-off points that better agreed with GINA-defined asthma control categories were calculated using receiver operating curves (ROC). The analysis showed that ACQ < 0.5 was the optimal cut-off point for “controlled asthma” (sensitivity 74.1%, specificity 77.5%) and 1.00 for “uncontrolled asthma” (sensitivity 73%, specificity 88.2%). Kappa index between GINA categories and ACQ was 0.62 (p < 0.001). Conclusion The ACQ cut-off points associated with GINA-defined asthma control in a real-life setting were <0.5 for controlled asthma and ≥1 for uncontrolled asthma. PMID:22726416

Analytic aerotriangulation utilizing Skylab earth terrain camera (S-190B) photography. [from Charlotte, North Carolina to Rappahannock River in Virginia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keller, M. (Principal Investigator)

1975-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Inherent errors in using nonmetric Skylab photography and office-identified photo control made it necessary to perform numerous block adjustment solutions involving different combinations of control and weights. The final block adjustment was executed holding to 14 of the office-identified photo control points. Solution accuracy was evaluated by comparing the analytically computed ground positions of the withheld photo control points with their known ground positions and also by determining the standard errors of these points from variance values. A horizontal position RMS error of 15 meters was attained. The maximum observed error in position at a control point was 25 meters.

Pointing and figure control system for a space-based far-IR segmented telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lau, Kenneth

1993-01-01

A pointing and figure control system for two space-based far-IR telescopes, the 10-20 m Large Deployable Reflector and the 3.6 m Submillimeter Intermediate Mission, is described. The figure maintenance control system is designed to counter the optical elements translational and rotational changes induced by long-term thermal drifts that the support structure may experience. The pointing system applies optical truss to telescope pointing; a laser metrology system is used to transfer pointing informaton from an external fine guidance sensor to the telescope optical boresight, defined by the primary mirror, secondary mirror, and focal plane assembly.

Treatment of antipsychotic-associated obesity with a GLP-1 receptor agonist—protocol for an investigator-initiated prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded intervention study: the TAO study protocol

PubMed Central

Ishøy, Pelle L; Knop, Filip K; Broberg, Brian V; Baandrup, Lone; Fagerlund, Birgitte; Jørgensen, Niklas R; Andersen, Ulrik B; Rostrup, Egill; Glenthøj, Birte Y; Ebdrup, Bjørn H

2014-01-01

Introduction Antipsychotic medication is widely associated with dysmetabolism including obesity and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular-related diseases and early death. Obesity is considered the single most important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Interventions against antipsychotic-associated obesity are limited and insufficient. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but their bodyweight-lowering effects have also been recognised in patients with non-diabetes. The primary endpoint of this trial is weight loss after 3 months of treatment with a GLP-1 receptor agonist (exenatide once weekly) in patients with non-diabetic schizophrenia with antipsychotic-associated obesity. Secondary endpoints include physiological and metabolic measurements, various psychopathological and cognitive measures, and structural and functional brain MRI. Methods and analysis 40 obese patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated with antipsychotic drugs will be randomised to subcutaneous injection of exenatide once weekly (2 mg) or placebo for 3 months, adjunctive to their antipsychotic treatment. Ethics and dissemination The trial has been approved by the Danish Health and Medicines Authority, the National Committee on Health Research Ethics and the Danish Data Protection Agency. Trial participation presupposes theoral and written patient informed consent. An external, independent monitoring committee (Good Clinical Practice Unit at Copenhagen University Hospital) will monitor the study according to the GCP Guidelines. Trial data, including positive, negative and inconclusive results, will be presented at national and international scientific meetings and conferences. Papers will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01794429; National Committee on Health Research Ethics project number: 36378; EudraCT nr: 2012-005404-17; The Danish Data Protection Agency project number: RHP-2012-027. PMID:24401727

Calculation of the ELISA's cut-off based on the change-point analysis method for detection of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Bolivian dogs in the absence of controls.

PubMed

Lardeux, Frédéric; Torrico, Gino; Aliaga, Claudia

2016-07-04

In ELISAs, sera of individuals infected by Trypanosoma cruzi show absorbance values above a cut-off value. The cut-off is generally computed by means of formulas that need absorbance readings of negative (and sometimes positive) controls, which are included in the titer plates amongst the unknown samples. When no controls are available, other techniques should be employed such as change-point analysis. The method was applied to Bolivian dog sera processed by ELISA to diagnose T. cruzi infection. In each titer plate, the change-point analysis estimated a step point which correctly discriminated among known positive and known negative sera, unlike some of the six usual cut-off formulas tested. To analyse the ELISAs results, the change-point method was as good as the usual cut-off formula of the form "mean + 3 standard deviation of negative controls". Change-point analysis is therefore an efficient alternative method to analyse ELISA absorbance values when no controls are available.

Three Axis Control of the Hubble Space Telescope Using Two Reaction Wheels and Magnetic Torquer Bars for Science Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hur-Diaz, Sun; Wirzburger, John; Smith, Dan

2008-01-01

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is renowned for its superb pointing accuracy of less than 10 milli-arcseconds absolute pointing error. To accomplish this, the HST relies on its complement of four reaction wheel assemblies (RWAs) for attitude control and four magnetic torquer bars (MTBs) for momentum management. As with most satellites with reaction wheel control, the fourth RWA provides for fault tolerance to maintain three-axis pointing capability should a failure occur and a wheel is lost from operations. If an additional failure is encountered, the ability to maintain three-axis pointing is jeopardized. In order to prepare for this potential situation, HST Pointing Control Subsystem (PCS) Team developed a Two Reaction Wheel Science (TRS) control mode. This mode utilizes two RWAs and four magnetic torquer bars to achieve three-axis stabilization and pointing accuracy necessary for a continued science observing program. This paper presents the design of the TRS mode and operational considerations necessary to protect the spacecraft while allowing for a substantial science program.

47 CFR 90.463 - Transmitter control points.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

....463 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES.... (b) Each station or licensed system of communication shall normally have a control point, or control... fixed position in a system of communication at or from which the control operator exercises supervision...

Global shape estimates and GIS cartography of Io and Enceladus using new control point network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadezhdina, I.; Patraty, V.; Shishkina, L.; Zhukov, D.; Zubarev, A.; Karachevtseva, I.; Oberst, J.

2012-04-01

We have analyzed a total of 53 Galileo and Voyager images of Io and 54 Cassini images of Enceladus to derive new geodetic control point networks for the two satellites. In order to derive the network for Io we used a subset of 66 images from those used in previous control point network studies [1, 2]. Additionally we have carried out new point measurements. We used recently reconstructed Galileo spacecraft trajectory data, supplied by the spacecraft navigation team of JPL. A total of 1956 tie point measurements for Io and 4392 ones for Enceladus have been carried out, which were processed by performing photogrammetric bundle block adjustments. Measurements and block adjustments were performed by means of the «PHOTOMOD» software [3] which was especially adapted for this study to accommodate global networks of small bodies, such as Io and Enceladus. As a result, two catalogs with the Cartesian three-dimensional coordinates of 197 and 351 control points were obtained for Io and Enceladus, respectively. The control points for Io have a mean overall accuracy of 4985.7 m (RMS). The individual accuracy of the control points for Enceladus differ substantially over the surface (the range is from 0.1 to 36.0 km) because images lack coverage and resolutions. We also determine best-fit spheres, spheroids, and tri-axial ellipsoids. The centers of the models were found to be shifted from the coordinate system origin attesting to possible errors in the ephemeris of Io. Conclusion and Future work: A comparison of our results for Io with the most recent control point network analysis [2] has revealed that we managed to derive the same accuracy of the control points using a smaller number of images and measurements (This study: 1956 measurements, DLR study: 4392). This probably attests to the fact that the now available new navigation data are internally more consistent. At present an analysis of the data is in progress. We report that control point measurements and global network analysis for small planetary bodies by means of the software «PHOTOMOD» is fast and efficient. Using the new control points and shape models of the satellites we are currently preparing new maps of Io and Enceladus using GIS tools. For parts of the surface for which we have quality stereo-images we will produce DEMs and orthoimages, which will be shown at the conference. Acknowledgments: This research was funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (MEGA-GRANT, Project name: "Geodesy, cartography and the study of planets and satellites", contract No. 11.G34.31.0021).

Development and Integration of Control System Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Young K.

1998-01-01

The computer simulation tool, TREETOPS, has been upgraded and used at NASA/MSFC to model various complicated mechanical systems and to perform their dynamics and control analysis with pointing control systems. A TREETOPS model of Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility - Imaging (AXAF-1) dynamics and control system was developed to evaluate the AXAF-I pointing performance for Normal Pointing Mode. An optical model of Shooting Star Experiment (SSE) was also developed and its optical performance analysis was done using the MACOS software.

Vibration isolation and dual-stage actuation pointing system for space precision payloads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Yongfang; Huang, Hai

2018-02-01

Pointing and stability requirements for future space missions are becoming more and more stringent. This work follows the pointing control method which consists of a traditional spacecraft attitude control system and a payload active pointing loop, further proposing a vibration isolation and dual-stage actuation pointing system for space precision payloads based on a soft Stewart platform. Central to the concept is using the dual-stage actuator instead of the traditional voice coil motor single-stage actuator to improve the payload active pointing capability. Based on a specified payload, the corresponding platform was designed to be installed between the spacecraft bus and the payload. The performance of the proposed system is demonstrated by preliminary closed-loop control investigations in simulations. With the ordinary spacecraft bus, the line-of-sight pointing accuracy can be controlled to below a few milliarcseconds in tip and tilt. Meanwhile, utilizing the voice coil motor with the softening spring in parallel, which is a portion of the dual-stage actuator, the system effectively achieves low-frequency motion transmission and high-frequency vibration isolation along the other four degree-of-freedom directions.

Antenna Controller Replacement Software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chao, Roger Y.; Morgan, Scott C.; Strain, Martha M.; Rockwell, Stephen T.; Shimizu, Kenneth J.; Tehrani, Barzia J.; Kwok, Jaclyn H.; Tuazon-Wong, Michelle; Valtier, Henry; Nalbandi, Reza;

Flights between a neighborhoods of unstable libration points of Sun-Earth system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Surkova, Valerya; Shmyrov, Vasily

2018-05-01

In this paper we study the problem of constructing impulse flights between neighborhoods of unstable collinear libration points of the Sun-Earth system [1]. Such maneuvering in near-Earth space may prove to be in demand in modern space navigation. For example, such a maneuvering was done by the space vehicle GENESIS. Three test points are chosen for the implementation of the impulse control, in order to move to a neighborhood of the libration point L2. It is shown that the earlier on the exit from the vicinity of the libration point L1 impulse control was realized, the sooner the neighborhood L2 was achieved. Separated from this problem, the problem of optimal control in the neighborhood of L2 was considered and a form of stabilizing control is presented.

Upgrade of a GEP50 robot control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alounai, Ali T.; Gharsalli, Imed

2000-03-01

Recently the ASL at Tennessee Technological University was donated a GEP50 welder. The welding is done via off line point-to-point teaching. A state of the art robot was needed for research but because money was not available to purchase such an expensive item. It was therefore decided to upgrade the GEP50 control system to make the welder a multitasking robot. The robot has five degrees of freedom can be sufficient to pursue some research in robotics control. The problem was that the control system of the welder is limited to point-to-point control, using off-line teaching. To make the GEP50 a multitasking robot that can be controlled using different control strategies, the existing control system of the welder had to be replaced. The upgrade turned to be a low cost operation. This robot is currently in sue to test different advanced control strategies in the ASL. This work discusses all the steps and tasks undertaken during the upgrade operation. The hardware and software required or the upgrade are provided in this paper. The newly developed control system has been implemented and tested successfully.

GOES-R active vibration damping controller design, implementation, and on-orbit performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clapp, Brian R.; Weigl, Harald J.; Goodzeit, Neil E.; Carter, Delano R.; Rood, Timothy J.

2018-01-01

GOES-R series spacecraft feature a number of flexible appendages with modal frequencies below 3.0 Hz which, if excited by spacecraft disturbances, can be sources of undesirable jitter perturbing spacecraft pointing. To meet GOES-R pointing stability requirements, the spacecraft flight software implements an Active Vibration Damping (AVD) rate control law which acts in parallel with the nadir point attitude control law. The AVD controller commands spacecraft reaction wheel actuators based upon Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) inputs to provide additional damping for spacecraft structural modes below 3.0 Hz which vary with solar wing angle. A GOES-R spacecraft dynamics and attitude control system identified model is constructed from pseudo-random reaction wheel torque commands and IMU angular rate response measurements occurring over a single orbit during spacecraft post-deployment activities. The identified Fourier model is computed on the ground, uplinked to the spacecraft flight computer, and the AVD controller filter coefficients are periodically computed on-board from the Fourier model. Consequently, the AVD controller formulation is based not upon pre-launch simulation model estimates but upon on-orbit nadir point attitude control and time-varying spacecraft dynamics. GOES-R high-fidelity time domain simulation results herein demonstrate the accuracy of the AVD identified Fourier model relative to the pre-launch spacecraft dynamics and control truth model. The AVD controller on-board the GOES-16 spacecraft achieves more than a ten-fold increase in structural mode damping for the fundamental solar wing mode while maintaining controller stability margins and ensuring that the nadir point attitude control bandwidth does not fall below 0.02 Hz. On-orbit GOES-16 spacecraft appendage modal frequencies and damping ratios are quantified based upon the AVD system identification, and the increase in modal damping provided by the AVD controller for each structural mode is presented. The GOES-16 spacecraft AVD controller frequency domain stability margins and nadir point attitude control bandwidth are presented along with on-orbit time domain disturbance response performance.

GOES-R Active Vibration Damping Controller Design, Implementation, and On-Orbit Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clapp, Brian R.; Weigl, Harald J.; Goodzeit, Neil E.; Carter, Delano R.; Rood, Timothy J.

2017-01-01

GOES-R series spacecraft feature a number of flexible appendages with modal frequencies below 3.0 Hz which, if excited by spacecraft disturbances, can be sources of undesirable jitter perturbing spacecraft pointing. In order to meet GOES-R pointing stability requirements, the spacecraft flight software implements an Active Vibration Damping (AVD) rate control law which acts in parallel with the nadir point attitude control law. The AVD controller commands spacecraft reaction wheel actuators based upon Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) inputs to provide additional damping for spacecraft structural modes below 3.0 Hz which vary with solar wing angle. A GOES-R spacecraft dynamics and attitude control system identified model is constructed from pseudo-random reaction wheel torque commands and IMU angular rate response measurements occurring over a single orbit during spacecraft post-deployment activities. The identified Fourier model is computed on the ground, uplinked to the spacecraft flight computer, and the AVD controller filter coefficients are periodically computed on-board from the Fourier model. Consequently, the AVD controller formulation is based not upon pre-launch simulation model estimates but upon on-orbit nadir point attitude control and time-varying spacecraft dynamics. GOES-R high-fidelity time domain simulation results herein demonstrate the accuracy of the AVD identified Fourier model relative to the pre-launch spacecraft dynamics and control truth model. The AVD controller on-board the GOES-16 spacecraft achieves more than a ten-fold increase in structural mode damping of the fundamental solar wing mode while maintaining controller stability margins and ensuring that the nadir point attitude control bandwidth does not fall below 0.02 Hz. On-orbit GOES-16 spacecraft appendage modal frequencies and damping ratios are quantified based upon the AVD system identification, and the increase in modal damping provided by the AVD controller for each structural mode is presented. The GOES-16 spacecraft AVD controller frequency domain stability margins and nadir point attitude control bandwidth are presented along with on-orbit time domain disturbance response performance.

Design of permanent magnet synchronous motor speed control system based on SVPWM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Haibo

2017-04-01

The control system is designed to realize TMS320F28335 based on the permanent magnet synchronous motor speed control system, and put it to quoting all electric of injection molding machine. The system of the control method used SVPWM, through the sampling motor current and rotating transformer position information, realize speed, current double closed loop control. Through the TMS320F28335 hardware floating-point processing core, realize the application for permanent magnet synchronous motor in the floating point arithmetic, to replace the past fixed-point algorithm, and improve the efficiency of the code.

Controllability of semi-infinite rod heating by a point source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khurshudyan, A.

2018-04-01

The possibility of control over heating of a semi-infinite thin rod by a point source concentrated at an inner point of the rod, is studied. Quadratic and piecewise constant solutions of the problem are derived, and the possibilities of solving appropriate problems of optimal control are indicated. Determining of the parameters of the piecewise constant solution is reduced to a problem of nonlinear programming. Numerical examples are considered.

Inertial Pointing and Positioning System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yee, Robert (Inventor); Robbins, Fred (Inventor)

1998-01-01

An inertial pointing and control system and method for pointing to a designated target with known coordinates from a platform to provide accurate position, steering, and command information. The system continuously receives GPS signals and corrects Inertial Navigation System (INS) dead reckoning or drift errors. An INS is mounted directly on a pointing instrument rather than in a remote location on the platform for-monitoring the terrestrial position and instrument attitude. and for pointing the instrument at designated celestial targets or ground based landmarks. As a result. the pointing instrument and die INS move independently in inertial space from the platform since the INS is decoupled from the platform. Another important characteristic of the present system is that selected INS measurements are combined with predefined coordinate transformation equations and control logic algorithms under computer control in order to generate inertial pointing commands to the pointing instrument. More specifically. the computer calculates the desired instrument angles (Phi, Theta. Psi). which are then compared to the Euler angles measured by the instrument- mounted INS. and forms the pointing command error angles as a result of the compared difference.

75 FR 14361 - Notification, Documentation, and Recordkeeping Requirements for Inspected Establishments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-25

... establishment's process control plans, that is, its Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plans. DATES... control plans, i.e., its Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans; and (3) make the recall... systematic prevention of biological, chemical, and physical hazards. HACCP plans are establishment-developed...

40 CFR 63.503 - Emissions averaging provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... used in conjunction with other controls for a Group 1 storage vessel, batch front-end process vent... will be allowed only for the increase in control after November 15, 1990. (2) Group 1 emission points... Group 1 emission points that are controlled to a level less stringent than the reference control...

40 CFR 63.503 - Emissions averaging provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... used in conjunction with other controls for a Group 1 storage vessel, batch front-end process vent... will be allowed only for the increase in control after November 15, 1990. (2) Group 1 emission points... Group 1 emission points that are controlled to a level less stringent than the reference control...

40 CFR 63.503 - Emissions averaging provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... used in conjunction with other controls for a Group 1 storage vessel, batch front-end process vent... will be allowed only for the increase in control after November 15, 1990. (2) Group 1 emission points... Group 1 emission points that are controlled to a level less stringent than the reference control...

40 CFR 63.503 - Emissions averaging provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... used in conjunction with other controls for a Group 1 storage vessel, batch front-end process vent... will be allowed only for the increase in control after November 15, 1990. (2) Group 1 emission points... Group 1 emission points that are controlled to a level less stringent than the reference control...

40 CFR 63.503 - Emissions averaging provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... used in conjunction with other controls for a Group 1 storage vessel, batch front-end process vent... will be allowed only for the increase in control after November 15, 1990. (2) Group 1 emission points... Group 1 emission points that are controlled to a level less stringent than the reference control...

Simulation of flexible appendage interactions with Mariner Venus/Mercury attitude control and science platform pointing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fleischer, G. E.

1973-01-01

A new computer subroutine, which solves the attitude equations of motion for any vehicle idealized as a topological tree of hinge-connected rigid bodies, is used to simulate and analyze science instrument pointing control interaction with a flexible Mariner Venus/Mercury (MVM) spacecraft. The subroutine's user options include linearized or partially linearized hinge-connected models whose computational advantages are demonstrated for the MVM problem. Results of the pointing control/flexible vehicle interaction simulations, including imaging experiment pointing accuracy predictions and implications for MVM science sequence planning, are described in detail.

Flight performance of Skylab attitude and pointing control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chubb, W. B.; Kennel, H. F.; Rupp, C. C.; Seltzer, S. M.

1975-01-01

The Skylab attitude and pointing control system (APCS) requirements are briefly reviewed and the way in which they became altered during the prelaunch phase of development is noted. The actual flight mission (including mission alterations during flight) is described. The serious hardware failures that occurred, beginning during ascent through the atmosphere, also are described. The APCS's ability to overcome these failures and meet mission changes are presented. The large around-the-clock support effort on the ground is discussed. Salient design points and software flexibility that should afford pertinent experience for future spacecraft attitude and pointing control system designs are included.

High Frequency of Early Repolarization and Brugada-Type Electrocardiograms in Hypercalcemia.

PubMed

Sonoda, Keiko; Watanabe, Hiroshi; Hisamatsu, Takashi; Ashihara, Takashi; Ohno, Seiko; Hayashi, Hideki; Horie, Minoru; Minamino, Tohru

2016-01-01

J wave, or early repolarization has recently been associated with an increased risk of lethal arrhythmia and sudden death, both in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and in the general population. Hypercalcemia is one of the causes of J point and ST segment elevation, but the relationship has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of hypercalcemia on J point elevation. Electrocardiographic findings were compared in 89 patients with hypercalcemia and 267 age- and sex-matched healthy controls with normocalcemia. The association of J point elevation with arrhythmia events in patients with hypercalcemia was also studied. The PR interval and the QRS duration were longer in patients with hypercalcemia than in normocalcemic controls. Both the QT and the corrected QT intervals were shorter in patients with hypercalcemia compared with normocalcemic controls. Conduction disorders, ST-T abnormalities, and J point elevation were more common in patients with hypercalcemia than normocalcemic controls. Following the resolution of hypercalcemia, the frequency of J point elevation decreased to a level similar to that noted in controls. During hospitalization, no arrhythmia event occurred in patients with hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia was associated with J point elevation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Maximum Power Point Tracking Control Method of a Photovoltaic Power Generator with Consideration of Dynamic Characteristics of Solar Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Takashi; Yoshida, Toshiya; Ohniwa, Katsumi

This paper discusses a new control strategy for photovoltaic power generation systems with consideration of dynamic characteristics of the photovoltaic cells. The controller estimates internal currents of an equivalent circuit for the cells. This estimated, or the virtual current and the actual voltage of the cells are fed to a conventional Maximum-Power-Point-Tracking (MPPT) controller. Consequently, this MPPT controller still tracks the optimum point even though it is so designed that the seeking speed of the operating point is extremely high. This system may suit for applications, which are installed in rapidly changeable insolation and temperature-conditions e.g. automobiles, trains, and airplanes. The proposed method is verified by experiment with a combination of this estimating function and the modified Boehringer's MPPT algorithm.

Stochastic analysis of the control of the movement of the spacecraft in the vicinity of the colinear libration point by means of the forces of luminous pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lukyanov, S. S.

1983-01-01

This paper is dedicated to the possible investigation of the utilization of the solar radiation pressure for the spacecraft motion control in the vicinity of collinear libration point of planar restricted ring problem of three bodies. The control is realized by changing the solar sail area at its permanent orientation. In this problem the influence of the trajectory errors and the errors of the execution control is accounted. It is worked out, the estimation method of the solar sail sizes, which are necessary for spacecraft keeping in the vicinity of collinear libration point during the certain time with given probability. The main control parameters were calculated for some examples in case of libration points of the Sun-Earth and Earth-Moon systems.

Randomised clinical trial of five ear acupuncture points for the treatment of overweight people.

PubMed

Yeo, Sujung; Kim, Kang Sik; Lim, Sabina

2014-04-01

To evaluate the efficacy of the five ear acupuncture points (Shen-men, Spleen, Stomach, Hunger, Endocrine), generally used in Korean clinics for treating obesity, and compare them with the Hunger acupuncture point. A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted in 91 Koreans (16 male and 75 female, body mass index (BMI)≥23), who had not received any other weight control treatment within the past 6 months. Subjects were divided randomly into treatment I, treatment II or sham control groups and received unilateral auricular acupuncture with indwelling needles replaced weekly for 8 weeks. Treatment I group received acupuncture at the five ear acupuncture points, treatment II group at the Hunger acupuncture point only and the sham control group received acupuncture at the five ear acupuncture points used in treatment I, but the needles were removed immediately after insertion. BMI, waist circumference, weight, body fat mass (BFM), percentage body fat and blood pressure were measured at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. For the 58 participants who provided data at 8 weeks, significant differences in BMI, weight and BFM were found between the treatment and control groups. Treatment groups I and II showed 6.1% and 5.7% reduction in BMI, respectively (p<0.004). There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups. This finding suggests that the five ear acupuncture points, generally used in Korean clinics, and the Hunger point alone treatment are both effective for treating overweight people.

Analgesic effects of treatments for non-specific low back pain: a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized trials.

PubMed

Machado, L A C; Kamper, S J; Herbert, R D; Maher, C G; McAuley, J H

2009-05-01

Estimates of treatment effects reported in placebo-controlled randomized trials are less subject to bias than those estimates provided by other study designs. The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate the analgesic effects of treatments for non-specific low back pain reported in placebo-controlled randomized trials. Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PsychInfo and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for eligible trials from earliest records to November 2006. Continuous pain outcomes were converted to a common 0-100 scale and pooled using a random effects model. A total of 76 trials reporting on 34 treatments were included. Fifty percent of the investigated treatments had statistically significant effects, but for most the effects were small or moderate: 47% had point estimates of effects of <10 points on the 100-point scale, 38% had point estimates from 10 to 20 points and 15% had point estimates of >20 points. Treatments reported to have large effects (>20 points) had been investigated only in a single trial. This meta-analysis revealed that the analgesic effects of many treatments for non-specific low back pain are small and that they do not differ in populations with acute or chronic symptoms.

The Control Point Library Building System. [for Landsat MSS and RBV geometric image correction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niblack, W.

1981-01-01

The Earth Resources Observation System (EROS) Data Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota distributes precision corrected Landsat MSS and RBV data. These data are derived from master data tapes produced by the Master Data Processor (MDP), NASA's system for computing and applying corrections to the data. Included in the MDP is the Control Point Library Building System (CPLBS), an interactive, menu-driven system which permits a user to build and maintain libraries of control points. The control points are required to achieve the high geometric accuracy desired in the output MSS and RBV data. This paper describes the processing performed by CPLBS, the accuracy of the system, and the host computer and special image viewing equipment employed.

Density functional theory and phytochemical study of 8-hydroxyisodiospyrin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullah, Zakir; Ata-ur-Rahman; Fazl-i-Sattar; Rauf, Abdur; Yaseen, Muhammad; Hassan, Waseem; Tariq, Muhammad; Ayub, Khurshid; Tahir, Asif Ali; Ullah, Habib

2015-09-01

Comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies of a natural product, 8-hydroxyisodiospyrin (HDO) have been carried out. Based on the correlation of experimental and theoretical data, an appropriate computational model was developed for obtaining the electronic, spectroscopic, and thermodynamic parameters of HDO. First of all, the exact structure of HDO is confirmed from the nice correlation of theory and experiment, prior to determination of its electroactive nature. Hybrid density functional theory (DFT) is employed for all theoretical simulations. The experimental and predicted IR and UV-vis spectra [B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory] have excellent correlation. Inter-molecular non-covalent interaction of HDO with different gases such as NH3, CO2, CO, H2O is investigated through geometrical counterpoise (gCP) i.e., B3LYP-gCP-D3/6-31G∗ method. Furthermore, the inter-molecular interaction is also supported by geometrical parameters, electronic properties, thermodynamic parameters and charge analysis. All these characterizations have corroborated each other and confirmed the electroactive nature (non-covalent interaction ability) of HDO for the studied gases. Electronic properties such as Ionization Potential (IP), Electron Affinities (EA), electrostatic potential (ESP), density of states (DOS), HOMO, LUMO, and band gap of HDO have been estimated for the first time theoretically.

International models of investigator-initiated trials: implications for Japan

PubMed Central

Trimble, E. L.; Ledermann, J.; Law, K.; Miyata, T.; Imamura, C. K.; Nam, B.-H.; Kim, Y.H.; Bang, Y.-J.; Michaels, M.; Ardron, D.; Amano, S.; Ando, Y.; Tominaga, T.; Kurokawa, K.; Takebe, N.

2012-01-01

Background Academic/institutional investigator-initiated clinical trials benefit individuals and society by supplementing gaps in industry-sponsored clinical trials. Materials In May 2010, experts from Japan, the Republic of Korea, the UK, and the United States, met at a symposium in Tokyo, Japan, to discuss how policies related to the conduct of clinical trials, which have been shown to be effective, may be applied to other regions of the world. Results In order to increase the availability of anticancer drugs world-wide, nations including Japan should examine the benefits of increasing the number of investigator-initiated clinical trials. These trials represent one of the most effective ways to translate basic scientific knowledge into clinical practice. These trials should be conducted under GCP guidelines and include Investigational New Drug application submissions with the ultimate goal of future drug approval. Conclusions To maximize the effectiveness of these trials, a policy to educate health care professionals, cancer patients and their families, and the public in general on the benefits of clinical trials should be strengthened. Finally, policies that expedite the clinical development of novel cancer drugs which have already been shown to be effective in other countries are needed in many nations including Japan to accelerate drug approval. PMID:22843420

Dsm Based Orientation of Large Stereo Satellite Image Blocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

d'Angelo, P.; Reinartz, P.

2012-07-01

High resolution stereo satellite imagery is well suited for the creation of digital surface models (DSM). A system for highly automated and operational DSM and orthoimage generation based on CARTOSAT-1 imagery is presented, with emphasis on fully automated georeferencing. The proposed system processes level-1 stereo scenes using the rational polynomial coefficients (RPC) universal sensor model. The RPC are derived from orbit and attitude information and have a much lower accuracy than the ground resolution of approximately 2.5 m. In order to use the images for orthorectification or DSM generation, an affine RPC correction is required. In this paper, GCP are automatically derived from lower resolution reference datasets (Landsat ETM+ Geocover and SRTM DSM). The traditional method of collecting the lateral position from a reference image and interpolating the corresponding height from the DEM ignores the higher lateral accuracy of the SRTM dataset. Our method avoids this drawback by using a RPC correction based on DSM alignment, resulting in improved geolocation of both DSM and ortho images. Scene based method and a bundle block adjustment based correction are developed and evaluated for a test site covering the nothern part of Italy, for which 405 Cartosat-1 Stereopairs are available. Both methods are tested against independent ground truth. Checks against this ground truth indicate a lateral error of 10 meters.

Geometric and Radiometric Evaluation of Rasat Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cam, Ali; Topan, Hüseyin; Oruç, Murat; Özendi, Mustafa; Bayık, Çağlar

2016-06-01

RASAT, the second remote sensing satellite of Turkey, was designed and assembled, and also is being operated by TÜBİTAK Uzay (Space) Technologies Research Institute (Ankara). RASAT images in various levels are available free-of-charge via Gezgin portal for Turkish citizens. In this paper, the images in panchromatic (7.5 m GSD) and RGB (15 m GSD) bands in various levels were investigated with respect to its geometric and radiometric characteristics. The first geometric analysis is the estimation of the effective GSD as less than 1 pixel for radiometrically processed level (L1R) of both panchromatic and RGB images. Secondly, 2D georeferencing accuracy is estimated by various non-physical transformation models (similarity, 2D affine, polynomial, affine projection, projective, DLT and GCP based RFM) reaching sub-pixel accuracy using minimum 39 and maximum 52 GCPs. The radiometric characteristics are also investigated for 8 bits, estimating SNR between 21.8-42.2, and noise 0.0-3.5 for panchromatic and MS images for L1R when the sea is masked to obtain the results for land areas. The analysis show that RASAT images satisfies requirements for various applications. The research is carried out in Zonguldak test site which is mountainous and partly covered by dense forest and urban areas.

VLF Observation of Long Ionospheric Recovery Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cotts, B. R.; Inan, U. S.

2006-12-01

On the evening of 20 November 1992, three early/fast events were observed on the great circle path (GCP) from the NAU transmitter in Puerto Rico to Gander (GA), Newfoundland. These events were found to have significantly longer recovery times (up to 20 minutes) than any previously documented events. Typical early/fast events and Lightning-induced Electron Precipitation (LEP) events affect the D-region ionosphere near the night-time VLF-reflection height of ~85 km and exhibit recovery to pre-event levels of < 180 seconds [e.g., Sampath et al., 2000]. These lightning-associated long recovery VLF events resemble the observed long ionospheric recovery of the VLF signature of the 27 December 2004 galactic gamma-ray flare event [Inan et al., 2006], which was interpreted to be due to the unusually high electron detachment rates at low (below 40 km) altitudes, The region of the ionosphere affected in these long recovery VLF events may thus also include the altitude range < 40 km, and may possibly be related to gigantic jets. In this context, preliminary results indicate that the lightning-associated VLF long recovery events appear to be more common in oceanic thunderstorms. In this paper, we present occurrence statistics and other measured properties of VLF long recovery events, observed on all-sea based and land based VLF great circle paths.

Digital controller design: Analysis of the annular suspension pointing system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuo, B. C.

1979-01-01

The Annular Suspension and Pointing System (ASPS) is a payload auxiliary pointing device of the Space Shuttle. The ASPS is comprised of two major subassemblies, a vernier and a coarse pointing subsystem. The experiment is attached to a mounting plate/rim combination which is suspended on magnetic bearing/actuators (MBA) strategically located about the rim. Fine pointing is achieved by gimballing the plate/rim within the MBA gaps. Control about the experiment line-of-sight is obtained through the use of a non-contacting rim drive and positioning torquer. All sensors used to close the servo loops on the vernier system are noncontacting elements. Therefore, the experiment is a free-flyer constrained only by the magnetic forces generated by the control loops.

Constrained tracking control for nonlinear systems.

PubMed

Khani, Fatemeh; Haeri, Mohammad

2017-09-01

This paper proposes a tracking control strategy for nonlinear systems without needing a prior knowledge of the reference trajectory. The proposed method consists of a set of local controllers with appropriate overlaps in their stability regions and an on-line switching strategy which implements these controllers and uses some augmented intermediate controllers to ensure steering the system states to the desired set points without needing to redesign the controller for each value of set point changes. The proposed approach provides smooth transient responses despite switching among the local controllers. It should be mentioned that the stability regions of the proposed controllers could be estimated off-line for a range of set-point changes. The efficiencies of the proposed algorithm are illustrated via two example simulations. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dual-mode disturbance-accommodating pointing controller for Hubble Space Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Addington, Stewart I.; Johnson, C. D.

1995-03-01

Cyclic thermal expansions and mechanical stiction effects in the solar arrays on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) are triggering repeated occurrences of damped, relaxation-type flex-body vibrations of the solar arrays. Those solar array vibrations are, in turn, causing unwanted deviations of the telescope from its specified pointing direction. In this paper we propose two strategies one can adopt in designing a telescope-pointing controller to cope with the aforementioned disturbances: 1) a total isolation (TI) control strategy whereby the HST controller torques are designed to adaptively counteract and cancel out the persistent disturbing torques that are causing the unwanted telescope motions and 2) an array damping (AD) control strategy whereby the HST controller torques are used to actively augment the natural dampening of the solar array vibrations and the attendant telescope motions, between triggerings of the stiction-related flex-body relaxation oscillations. Using the principles of disturbance accommodation control theory, a dual-mode controller for a generic, planar-motion (single-axis) model of the HST is proposed. This controller incorporates both the TI and AD modes of disturbance accommodation. Simulation studies of the closed-loop system using generic parameter values clearly indicate, qualitatively, the enhanced pointing performance such a controller can achieve.

[Powdered infant formulae preparation guide for hospitals based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles].

PubMed

Vargas-Leguás, H; Rodríguez Garrido, V; Lorite Cuenca, R; Pérez-Portabella, C; Redecillas Ferreiro, S; Campins Martí, M

2009-06-01

This guide for the preparation of powdered infant formulae in hospital environments is a collaborative work between several hospital services and is based on national and European regulations, international experts meetings and the recommendations of scientific societies. This guide also uses the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles proposed by Codex Alimentarius and emphasises effective verifying measures, microbiological controls of the process and the corrective actions when monitoring indicates that a critical control point is not under control. It is a dynamic guide and specifies the evaluation procedures that allow it to be constantly adapted.

Automated search of control points in surface-based morphometry.

PubMed

Canna, Antonietta; Russo, Andrea G; Ponticorvo, Sara; Manara, Renzo; Pepino, Alessandro; Sansone, Mario; Di Salle, Francesco; Esposito, Fabrizio

2018-04-16

Cortical surface-based morphometry is based on a semi-automated analysis of structural MRI images. In FreeSurfer, a widespread tool for surface-based analyses, a visual check of gray-white matter borders is followed by the manual placement of control points to drive the topological correction (editing) of segmented data. A novel algorithm combining radial sampling and machine learning is presented for the automated control point search (ACPS). Four data sets with 3 T MRI structural images were used for ACPS validation, including raw data acquired twice in 36 healthy subjects and both raw and FreeSurfer preprocessed data of 125 healthy subjects from public databases. The unedited data from a subgroup of subjects were submitted to manual control point search and editing. The ACPS algorithm was trained on manual control points and tested on new (unseen) unedited data. Cortical thickness (CT) and fractal dimensionality (FD) were estimated in three data sets by reconstructing surfaces from both unedited and edited data, and the effects of editing were compared between manual and automated editing and versus no editing. The ACPS-based editing improved the surface reconstructions similarly to manual editing. Compared to no editing, ACPS-based and manual editing significantly reduced CT and FD in consistent regions across different data sets. Despite the extra processing of control point driven reconstructions, CT and FD estimates were highly reproducible in almost all cortical regions, albeit some problematic regions (e.g. entorhinal cortex) may benefit from different editing. The use of control points improves the surface reconstruction and the ACPS algorithm can automate their search reducing the burden of manual editing. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Precise control of flexible manipulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cannon, R. H., Jr.; Bindford, T. O.; Schmitz, E.

1984-01-01

The design and experimental testing of end point position controllers for a very flexible one link lightweight manipulator are summarized. The latest upgraded version of the experimental set up, and the basic differences between conventional joint angle feedback and end point position feedback are described. A general procedure for application of modern control methods to the problem is outlined. The relationship between weighting parameters and the bandwidth and control stiffness of the resulting end point position closed loop system is shown. It is found that joint rate angle feedback in addition to the primary end point position sensor is essential for adequate disturbance rejection capability of the closed loop system. The use of a low order multivariable compensator design computer code; called Sandy is documented. A solution to the problem of control mode switching between position sensor sets is outlined. The proof of concept for endpoint position feedback for a one link flexible manipulator was demonstrated. The bandwidth obtained with the experimental end point position controller is about twice as fast as the beam's first natural cantilevered frequency, and comes within a factor of four of the absolute physical speed limit imposed by the wave propagation time of the beam.

Neural network-based nonlinear model predictive control vs. linear quadratic gaussian control

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cho, C.; Vance, R.; Mardi, N.; Qian, Z.; Prisbrey, K.

1997-01-01

One problem with the application of neural networks to the multivariable control of mineral and extractive processes is determining whether and how to use them. The objective of this investigation was to compare neural network control to more conventional strategies and to determine if there are any advantages in using neural network control in terms of set-point tracking, rise time, settling time, disturbance rejection and other criteria. The procedure involved developing neural network controllers using both historical plant data and simulation models. Various control patterns were tried, including both inverse and direct neural network plant models. These were compared to state space controllers that are, by nature, linear. For grinding and leaching circuits, a nonlinear neural network-based model predictive control strategy was superior to a state space-based linear quadratic gaussian controller. The investigation pointed out the importance of incorporating state space into neural networks by making them recurrent, i.e., feeding certain output state variables into input nodes in the neural network. It was concluded that neural network controllers can have better disturbance rejection, set-point tracking, rise time, settling time and lower set-point overshoot, and it was also concluded that neural network controllers can be more reliable and easy to implement in complex, multivariable plants.

Design and FPGA Implementation of a Universal Chaotic Signal Generator Based on the Verilog HDL Fixed-Point Algorithm and State Machine Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Mo; Yu, Simin; Wen, Yuqiong; Lü, Jinhu; He, Jianbin; Lin, Zhuosheng

In this paper, a novel design methodology and its FPGA hardware implementation for a universal chaotic signal generator is proposed via the Verilog HDL fixed-point algorithm and state machine control. According to continuous-time or discrete-time chaotic equations, a Verilog HDL fixed-point algorithm and its corresponding digital system are first designed. In the FPGA hardware platform, each operation step of Verilog HDL fixed-point algorithm is then controlled by a state machine. The generality of this method is that, for any given chaotic equation, it can be decomposed into four basic operation procedures, i.e. nonlinear function calculation, iterative sequence operation, iterative values right shifting and ceiling, and chaotic iterative sequences output, each of which corresponds to only a state via state machine control. Compared with the Verilog HDL floating-point algorithm, the Verilog HDL fixed-point algorithm can save the FPGA hardware resources and improve the operation efficiency. FPGA-based hardware experimental results validate the feasibility and reliability of the proposed approach.

A general-purpose balloon-borne pointing system for solar scientific instruments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Polites, M. E.

1990-01-01

A general purpose balloonborne pointing system for accommodating a wide variety of solar scientific instruments is described. It is designed for precise pointing, low cost, and quick launch. It offers the option of three-axis control, pitch-yaw-roll, or two-axis control, pitch-yaw, depending on the needs of the solar instrument. Simulation results are presented that indicate good pointing capability at Sun elevation angles ranging from 10 to 80 deg.

Annular suspension and pointing system with controlled DC electromagnets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vu, Josephine Lynn; Tam, Kwok Hung

1993-01-01

The Annular Suspension and Pointing System (ASPS) developed by the Flight System division of Sperry Corporation is a six-degree of freedom payload pointing system designed for use with the space shuttle. This magnetic suspension and pointing system provides precise controlled pointing in six-degrees of freedom, isolation of payload-carrier disturbances, and end mount controlled pointing. Those are great advantages over the traditional mechanical joints for space applications. In this design, we first analyzed the assumed model of the single degree ASPS bearing actuator and obtained the plant dynamics equations. By linearizing the plant dynamics equations, we designed the cascade and feedback compensators such that a stable and satisfied result was obtained. The specified feedback compensator was computer simulated with the nonlinearized plant dynamics equations. The results indicated that an unstable output occurred. In other words, the designed feedback compensator failed. The failure of the design is due to the Taylor's series expansion not converging.

Pointing control using a moving base of support.

PubMed

Hondzinski, Jan M; Kwon, Taegyong

2009-07-01

The purposes of this study were to determine whether gaze direction provides a control signal for movement direction for a pointing task requiring a step and to gain insight into why discrepancies previously identified in the literature for endpoint accuracy with gaze directed eccentrically exist. Straight arm pointing movements were performed to real and remembered target locations, either toward or 30 degrees eccentric to gaze direction. Pointing occurred in normal room lighting or darkness while subjects sat, stood still or side-stepped left or right. Trunk rotation contributed 22-65% to gaze orientations when it was not constrained. Error differences for different target locations explained discrepancies among previous experiments. Variable pointing errors were influenced by gaze direction, while mean systematic pointing errors and trunk orientations were influenced by step direction. These data support the use of a control strategy that relies on gaze direction and equilibrium inputs for whole-body goal-directed movements.

A Participatory Randomized Controlled Trial in Knowledge Translation (KT) to Promote the Adoption of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in An Urban District of Thailand.

PubMed

Suriyawongpaisal, Paibul; Tansirisithikul, Rassamee; Sakulpipat, Thida; Charoensuk, Phikul; Aekplakorn, Wichai

2016-02-01

To examine effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in glycemic control for poor control diabetes patients, and test whether the glycemic outcome for those with the 7-point SMBG was better than those with 5-point SMBG or usual care. Randomized-controlled trial (RCT) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 30 years or older HbA1c > 7. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups; 7-point SMBG 5-point SBMG and control group. Differences in HbA1c at 6 months and baseline were compared among groups. A total of 191 patients with poor control of diabetes were included. Compared with baseline, at 6 months, average change in HbAlc among control, 7-point, and 5-point SMBG were -0.38, -0.87, and -0.99 (p = 0.04), respectively. The corresponding percentages of patients with reduced HbA1c were 57.1%, 77.6% and 75.5%, respectively (p = 0.03). Using different cut-off values for HbA1c (< 7 and < 7.5) resulted in different percentage distribution of T2DM patients among the 3 groups, yet the differences were not statistically significant. Reductions in body weight were observed in both SMBG groups but not in the control group. Using RCT on participatory basis, SMBG with individual dietary counseling was effective in short term. Further engagement with the provider team, the patients/care takers and the health care financing agency to integrate SMBG in the care protocol for poor control diabetes should be considered.

Kinematics of prehension and pointing movements in C6 quadriplegic patients.

PubMed

Laffont, I; Briand, E; Dizien, O; Combeaud, M; Bussel, B; Revol, M; Roby-Brami, A

2000-06-01

C6 quadriplegic patients lack voluntary control of their triceps muscle but can still perform reaching movements to grasp objects or point to targets. The present study documents the kinematic properties of reaching in these patients. We investigated the kinematics of prehension and pointing movements in four quadriplegic patients and five control subjects. Prehension and pointing movements were recorded for each subject using various object positions (ie different directions and distances from the subject). The 3D motion was analyzed with Fastrack Polhemus sensors. During prehension tasks the velocity profile of control subjects showed two peaks (go and return); the first velocity peak was scaled to the distance of the object. In quadriplegic patients there was a third intermediary peak corresponding to the grasping of the object. The amplitude of the first peak was slightly smaller than in control subjects. Velocity was scaled to the distance of the object, but with a greater dispersion than in control subjects. Total movement time was longer in quadriplegics because of the prolonged grasping phase. There were few differences in the pointing movements of normal and quadriplegic subjects. The scapula contributed more to the reaching phase of both movements in quadriplegic patients. In spite of some quantitative differences, the kinematics of the hand during reaching and pointing in quadriplegic patients are surprisingly similar to those of control subjects. Spinal Cord (2000) 38, 354 - 362.

Fixed Point Learning Based Intelligent Traffic Control System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zongyao, Wang; Cong, Sui; Cheng, Shao

2017-10-01

Fixed point learning has become an important tool to analyse large scale distributed system such as urban traffic network. This paper presents a fixed point learning based intelligence traffic network control system. The system applies convergence property of fixed point theorem to optimize the traffic flow density. The intelligence traffic control system achieves maximum road resources usage by averaging traffic flow density among the traffic network. The intelligence traffic network control system is built based on decentralized structure and intelligence cooperation. No central control is needed to manage the system. The proposed system is simple, effective and feasible for practical use. The performance of the system is tested via theoretical proof and simulations. The results demonstrate that the system can effectively solve the traffic congestion problem and increase the vehicles average speed. It also proves that the system is flexible, reliable and feasible for practical use.

Experimental study of adaptive pointing and tracking for large flexible space structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boussalis, D.; Bayard, D. S.; Ih, C.; Wang, S. J.; Ahmed, A.

1991-01-01

This paper describes an experimental study of adaptive pointing and tracking control for flexible spacecraft conducted on a complex ground experiment facility. The algorithm used in this study is based on a multivariable direct model reference adaptive control law. Several experimental validation studies were performed earlier using this algorithm for vibration damping and robust regulation, with excellent results. The current work extends previous studies by addressing the pointing and tracking problem. As is consistent with an adaptive control framework, the plant is assumed to be poorly known to the extent that only system level knowledge of its dynamics is available. Explicit bounds on the steady-state pointing error are derived as functions of the adaptive controller design parameters. It is shown that good tracking performance can be achieved in an experimental setting by adjusting adaptive controller design weightings according to the guidelines indicated by the analytical expressions for the error.

Benchmarking to the world's best in mathematics. Quality control in curriculum and instruction among the top performers in the TIMSS.

PubMed

Phelps, R P

2001-08-01

This article describes the education quality control systems (for mathematics) used by those countries that performed best on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Enforced quality control measures are defined as "decision points"--where adherence to the curriculum and instruction system can be reinforced. Most decision points involve stakes for the student, teacher, or school. They involve potential consequences for failure to adhere to the system and to follow the program at a reasonable pace. Generally, countries with more decision points perform better on the TIMSS. When the number of decision points and TIMSS test scores are adjusted for country wealth, the relationship between the degree of (enforced) quality control and student achievement appears to be positive and exponential. The more (enforced) quality control measures employed in an education system, the greater is students' academic achievement.

Academic requirements for Certificate of Completion of Training in surgical training: Consensus recommendations from the Association of Surgeons in Training/National Research Collaborative Consensus Group.

PubMed

Lee, Mathew J; Bhangu, A; Blencowe, Natalie S; Nepogodiev, D; Gokani, Vimal J; Harries, Rhiannon L; Akinfala, M; Ali, O; Allum, W; Bosanquet, D C; Boyce, K; Bradburn, M; Chapman, S J; Christopher, E; Coulter, I; Dean, B J F; Dickfos, M; El Boghdady, M; Elmasry, M; Fleming, S; Glasbey, J; Healy, C; Kasivisvanathan, V; Khan, K S; Kolias, A G; Lee, S M; Morton, D; O'Beirne, J; Sinclair, P; Sutton, P A

2016-11-01

Surgical trainees are expected to demonstrate academic achievement in order to obtain their certificate of completion of training (CCT). These standards are set by the Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) and specialty advisory committees (SAC). The standards are not equivalent across all surgical specialties and recognise different achievements as evidence. They do not recognise changes in models of research and focus on outcomes rather than process. The Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) and National Research Collaborative (NRC) set out to develop progressive, consistent and flexible evidence set for academic requirements at CCT. A modified-Delphi approach was used. An expert group consisting of representatives from the ASiT and the NRC undertook iterative review of a document proposing changes to requirements. This was circulated amongst wider stakeholders. After ten iterations, an open meeting was held to discuss these proposals. Voting on statements was performed using a 5-point Likert Scale. Each statement was voted on twice, with ≥80% of votes in agreement meaning the statement was approved. The results of this vote were used to propose core and optional academic requirements for CCT. Online discussion concluded after ten rounds. At the consensus meeting, statements were voted on by 25 delegates from across surgical specialties and training-grades. The group strongly favoured acquisition of 'Good Clinical Practice' training and research methodology training as CCT requirements. The group agreed that higher degrees, publications in any author position (including collaborative authorship), recruiting patients to a study or multicentre audit and presentation at a national or international meeting could be used as evidence for the purpose of CCT. The group agreed on two essential 'core' requirements (GCP and methodology training) and two of a menu of four 'additional' requirements (publication with any authorship position, presentation, recruitment of patients to a multicentre study and completion of a higher degree), which should be completed in order to attain CCT. This approach has engaged stakeholders to produce a progressive set of academic requirements for CCT, which are applicable across surgical specialties. Flexibility in requirements whilst retaining a high standard of evidence is desirable. Copyright © 2016 IJS Publishing Group Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Kalman filter based glucose control at small set points during fed-batch cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Arndt, Michael; Hitzmann, Bernd

2004-01-01

A glucose control system is presented, which is able to control cultivations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae even at low glucose concentrations. Glucose concentrations are determined using a special flow injection analysis (FIA) system, which does not require a sampling module. An extended Kalman filter is employed for smoothing the glucose measurements as well as for the prediction of glucose and biomass concentration, the maximum specific growth rate, and the volume of the culture broth. The predicted values are utilized for feedforward/feedback control of the glucose concentration at set points of 0.08 and 0.05 g/L. The controller established well-defined conditions over several hours up to biomass concentrations of 13.5 and 20.7 g/L, respectively. The specific glucose uptake rates at both set points were 1.04 and 0.68 g/g/h, respectively. It is demonstrated that during fed-batch cultivation an overall pure oxidative metabolism of glucose is maintained at the lower set point and a specific ethanol production rate of 0.18 g/g/h at the higher set point.

Digital identification of cartographic control points

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaskell, R. W.

1988-01-01

Techniques have been developed for the sub-pixel location of control points in satellite images returned by the Voyager spacecraft. The procedure uses digital imaging data in the neighborhood of the point to form a multipicture model of a piece of the surface. Comparison of this model with the digital image in each picture determines the control point locations to about a tenth of a pixel. At this level of precision, previously insignificant effects must be considered, including chromatic aberration, high level imaging distortions, and systematic errors due to navigation uncertainties. Use of these methods in the study of Jupiter's satellite Io has proven very fruitful.

A vision-based end-point control for a two-link flexible manipulator. M.S. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Obergfell, Klaus

1991-01-01

The measurement and control of the end-effector position of a large two-link flexible manipulator are investigated. The system implementation is described and an initial algorithm for static end-point positioning is discussed. Most existing robots are controlled through independent joint controllers, while the end-effector position is estimated from the joint positions using a kinematic relation. End-point position feedback can be used to compensate for uncertainty and structural deflections. Such feedback is especially important for flexible robots. Computer vision is utilized to obtain end-point position measurements. A look-and-move control structure alleviates the disadvantages of the slow and variable computer vision sampling frequency. This control structure consists of an inner joint-based loop and an outer vision-based loop. A static positioning algorithm was implemented and experimentally verified. This algorithm utilizes the manipulator Jacobian to transform a tip position error to a joint error. The joint error is then used to give a new reference input to the joint controller. The convergence of the algorithm is demonstrated experimentally under payload variation. A Landmark Tracking System (Dickerson, et al 1990) is used for vision-based end-point measurements. This system was modified and tested. A real-time control system was implemented on a PC and interfaced with the vision system and the robot.

Observing Mode Attitude Controller for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calhourn, Philip C.; Garrick, Joseph C.

2007-01-01

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission is the first of a series of lunar robotic spacecraft scheduled for launch in Fall 2008. LRO will spend at least one year in a low altitude polar orbit around the Moon, collecting lunar environment science and mapping data to enable future human exploration. The LRO employs a 3-axis stabilized attitude control system (ACS) whose primary control mode, the "Observing mode", provides Lunar Nadir, off-Nadir, and Inertial fine pointing for the science data collection and instrument calibration. The controller combines the capability of fine pointing with that of on-demand large angle full-sky attitude reorientation into a single ACS mode, providing simplicity of spacecraft operation as well as maximum flexibility for science data collection. A conventional suite of ACS components is employed in this mode to meet the pointing and control objectives. This paper describes the design and analysis of the primary LRO fine pointing and attitude re-orientation controller function, known as the "Observing mode" of the ACS subsystem. The control design utilizes quaternion feedback, augmented with a unique algorithm that ensures accurate Nadir tracking during large angle yaw maneuvers in the presence of high system momentum and/or maneuver rates. Results of system stability analysis and Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the observing mode controller can meet fine pointing and maneuver performance requirements.

ATM CMG/EPEA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abramowitz, R.; Kovek, J.; Teimer, W.; Haddad, S. P.

1975-01-01

The Apollo Telescope mount double gimballed control moment gyro ATM CMG is described. Photographs of the CMG and its subassemblies are presented along with a functional block diagram of the CMG subsystem. Analog processing electronics for ATM vehicle pointing control and ATM experiment package pointing control are also described.

Optimal Ventilation Control in Complex Urban Tunnels with Multi-Point Pollutant Discharge

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-10-01

Zhen Tan (ORCID ID 0000-0003-1711-3557) H. Oliver Gao (ORCID ID 0000-0002-7861-9634) We propose an optimal ventilation control model for complex urban vehicular tunnels with distributed pollutant discharge points. The control problem is formulated as...

Point- and line-based transformation models for high resolution satellite image rectification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abd Elrahman, Ahmed Mohamed Shaker

Rigorous mathematical models with the aid of satellite ephemeris data can present the relationship between the satellite image space and the object space. With government funded satellites, access to calibration and ephemeris data has allowed the development and use of these models. However, for commercial high-resolution satellites, which have been recently launched, these data are withheld from users, and therefore alternative empirical models should be used. In general, the existing empirical models are based on the use of control points and involve linking points in the image space and the corresponding points in the object space. But the lack of control points in some remote areas and the questionable accuracy of the identified discrete conjugate points provide a catalyst for the development of algorithms based on features other than control points. This research, concerned with image rectification and 3D geo-positioning determination using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery (HRSI), has two major objectives. First, the effects of satellite sensor characteristics, number of ground control points (GCPs), and terrain elevation variations on the performance of several point based empirical models are studied. Second, a new mathematical model, using only linear features as control features, or linear features with a minimum number of GCPs, is developed. To meet the first objective, several experiments for different satellites such as Ikonos, QuickBird, and IRS-1D have been conducted using different point based empirical models. Various data sets covering different terrain types are presented and results from representative sets of the experiments are shown and analyzed. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and the superiority of these models under certain conditions. From the results obtained, several alternatives to circumvent the effects of the satellite sensor characteristics, the number of GCPs, and the terrain elevation variations are introduced. To meet the second objective, a new model named the Line Based Transformation Model (LBTM) is developed for HRSI rectification. The model has the flexibility to either solely use linear features or use linear features and a number of control points to define the image transformation parameters. Unlike point features, which must be explicitly defined, linear features have the advantage that they can be implicitly defined by any segment along the line. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

POSTURAL CONTROL ASSESSMENT IN PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AND SEDENTARY INDIVIDUALS WITH PARAPLEGIA.

PubMed

Magnani, Paola Errera; Cliquet, Alberto; de Abreu, Daniela Cristina Carvalho

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate functional independence and trunk control during maximum-range tasks in individuals with spinal cord injuries, who were divided into sedentary (SSI, n=10) and physically active (PASI, n=10) groups . Anamnesis was conducted and level and type of injury were identified (according to the American Spinal Injury Association protocol, ASIA) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) questionnaire was applied. For the forward and lateral reach task, the subjects were instructed to reach as far as possible. Mean data were compared using the unpaired t test and Mann-Whitney test and differences were considered significant when p<0.05 . The PASI group performed better in self-care activities (PASI: 40.8±0.42 points, SSI: 38.0±3.58 points, p=0.01), sphincter control (PASI: 10.5±1.84 points, SSI: 8.2±3.04 points, p=0.02), transfers (PASI: 20.7±0.48 points, SSI: 16.9±4.27 points, p=0.04), and total FIM score (PASI: 104.0±2.30 points, SSI 105.1±8.56 points, p=0.01). On the maximum reach task, the PASI group had a greater average range in all directions evaluated (p<0.05) . The continuous practice of exercise increased motor function independence and trunk control in individuals with complete spinal cord injury. Level of Evidence II, Prospective Comparative Study.

Adaptive CT scanning system

DOEpatents

Sampayan, Stephen E.

2016-11-22

Apparatus, systems, and methods that provide an X-ray interrogation system having a plurality of stationary X-ray point sources arranged to substantially encircle an area or space to be interrogated. A plurality of stationary detectors are arranged to substantially encircle the area or space to be interrogated, A controller is adapted to control the stationary X-ray point sources to emit X-rays one at a time, and to control the stationary detectors to detect the X-rays emitted by the stationary X-ray point sources.

An integrated set of UNIX based system tools at control room level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potepan, F.; Scafuri, C.; Bortolotto, C.; Surace, G.

1994-12-01

The design effort of providing a simple point-and-click approach to the equipment access has led to the definition and realization of a modular set of software tools to be used at the ELETTRA control room level. Point-to-point equipment access requires neither programming nor specific knowledge of the control system architecture. The development and integration of communication, graphic, editing and global database modules are described in depth, followed by a report of their use in the first commissioning period.

40 CFR 63.53 - Application content for case-by-case MACT determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... identified emission point or group of affected emission points, an identification of control technology in... on the design, operation, size, estimated control efficiency and any other information deemed... CATEGORIES Requirements for Control Technology Determinations for Major Sources in Accordance With Clean Air...

40 CFR 63.53 - Application content for case-by-case MACT determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... identified emission point or group of affected emission points, an identification of control technology in... on the design, operation, size, estimated control efficiency and any other information deemed... CATEGORIES Requirements for Control Technology Determinations for Major Sources in Accordance With Clean Air...

40 CFR 63.53 - Application content for case-by-case MACT determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... identified emission point or group of affected emission points, an identification of control technology in... on the design, operation, size, estimated control efficiency and any other information deemed... CATEGORIES Requirements for Control Technology Determinations for Major Sources in Accordance With Clean Air...

40 CFR 63.53 - Application content for case-by-case MACT determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... identified emission point or group of affected emission points, an identification of control technology in... on the design, operation, size, estimated control efficiency and any other information deemed... CATEGORIES Requirements for Control Technology Determinations for Major Sources in Accordance With Clean Air...

Alternative Attitude Commanding and Control for Precise Spacecraft Landing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Gurkirpal

2004-01-01

A report proposes an alternative method of control for precision landing on a remote planet. In the traditional method, the attitude of a spacecraft is required to track a commanded translational acceleration vector, which is generated at each time step by solving a two-point boundary value problem. No requirement of continuity is imposed on the acceleration. The translational acceleration does not necessarily vary smoothly. Tracking of a non-smooth acceleration causes the vehicle attitude to exhibit undesirable transients and poor pointing stability behavior. In the alternative method, the two-point boundary value problem is not solved at each time step. A smooth reference position profile is computed. The profile is recomputed only when the control errors get sufficiently large. The nominal attitude is still required to track the smooth reference acceleration command. A steering logic is proposed that controls the position and velocity errors about the reference profile by perturbing the attitude slightly about the nominal attitude. The overall pointing behavior is therefore smooth, greatly reducing the degree of pointing instability.

Childhood Self-Control Predicts Smoking Throughout Life: Evidence From 21,000 Cohort Study Participants

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Objective: Low self-control has been linked with smoking, yet it remains unclear whether childhood self-control underlies the emergence of lifetime smoking patterns. We examined the contribution of childhood self-control to early smoking initiation and smoking across adulthood. Methods: 21,132 participants were drawn from 2 nationally representative cohort studies; the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS) and the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS). Child self-control was teacher-rated at age 10 in the BCS and at ages 7 and 11 in the NCDS. Participants reported their smoking status and number of cigarettes smoked per day at 5 time-points in the BCS (ages 26–42) and 6 time-points in the NCDS (ages 23–55). Both studies controlled for socioeconomic background, cognitive ability, psychological distress, gender, and parental smoking; the NCDS also controlled for an extended set of background characteristics. Results: Early self-control made a substantial graded contribution to (not) smoking throughout life. In adjusted regression models, a 1-SD increase in self-control predicted a 6.9 percentage point lower probability of smoking in the BCS, and this was replicated in the NCDS (5.2 point reduced risk). Adolescent smoking explained over half of the association between self-control and adult smoking. Childhood self-control was positively related to smoking cessation and negatively related to smoking initiation, relapse to smoking, and the number of cigarettes smoked in adulthood. Conclusions: This study provides strong evidence that low childhood self-control predicts an increased risk of smoking throughout adulthood and points to adolescent smoking as a key pathway through which this may occur. PMID:27607137

Accuracy assessment of minimum control points for UAV photography and georeferencing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skarlatos, D.; Procopiou, E.; Stavrou, G.; Gregoriou, M.

2013-08-01

In recent years, Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (AUAV) became popular among researchers across disciplines because they combine many advantages. One major application is monitoring and mapping. Their ability to fly beyond eye sight autonomously, collecting data over large areas whenever, wherever, makes them excellent platform for monitoring hazardous areas or disasters. In both cases rapid mapping is needed while human access isn't always a given. Indeed, current automatic processing of aerial photos using photogrammetry and computer vision algorithms allows for rapid orthophomap production and Digital Surface Model (DSM) generation, as tools for monitoring and damage assessment. In such cases, control point measurement using GPS is either impossible, or time consuming or costly. This work investigates accuracies that can be attained using few or none control points over areas of one square kilometer, in two test sites; a typical block and a corridor survey. On board GPS data logged during AUAV's flight are being used for direct georeferencing, while ground check points are being used for evaluation. In addition various control point layouts are being tested using bundle adjustment for accuracy evaluation. Results indicate that it is possible to use on board single frequency GPS for direct georeferencing in cases of disaster management or areas without easy access, or even over featureless areas. Due to large numbers of tie points in the bundle adjustment, horizontal accuracy can be fulfilled with a rather small number of control points, but vertical accuracy may not.

Control of Bethlehem's coke-oven battery A at Sparrow Point

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

Michel, A.

1984-02-01

A new 6 m 80-oven compound-fired coke battery capable of producing in excess of 850,000 ton/year began production at Sparrow Point, Maryland, in 1982. The electrical, fuel distribution and control systems are described, together with the computer process control and monitoring systems.

40 CFR 63.1332 - Emissions averaging provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... other controls for a Group 1 storage vessel, batch process vent, aggregate batch vent stream, continuous... in control after November 15, 1990. (2) Group 1 emission points, identified in paragraph (c)(3) of... applicable reference control technology or standard and the emissions allowed for the Group 1 emission point...

40 CFR 63.1332 - Emissions averaging provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... other controls for a Group 1 storage vessel, batch process vent, aggregate batch vent stream, continuous... in control after November 15, 1990. (2) Group 1 emission points, identified in paragraph (c)(3) of... reference control technology or standard and the emissions allowed for the Group 1 emission point. Said...

Control Variate Estimators of Survivor Growth from Point Samples

Treesearch

Francis A. Roesch; Paul C. van Deusen

1993-01-01

Two estimators of the control variate type for survivor growth from remeasured point samples are proposed and compared with more familiar estimators. The large reductionsin variance, observed in many cases forestimators constructed with control variates, arealso realized in thisapplication. A simulation study yielded consistent reductions in variance which were often...

Active noise control using a steerable parametric array loudspeaker.

PubMed

Tanaka, Nobuo; Tanaka, Motoki

2010-06-01

Arguably active noise control enables the sound suppression at the designated control points, while the sound pressure except the targeted locations is likely to augment. The reason is clear; a control source normally radiates the sound omnidirectionally. To cope with this problem, this paper introduces a parametric array loudspeaker (PAL) which produces a spatially focused sound beam due to the attribute of ultrasound used for carrier waves, thereby allowing one to suppress the sound pressure at the designated point without causing spillover in the whole sound field. First the fundamental characteristics of PAL are overviewed. The scattered pressure in the near field contributed by source strength of PAL is then described, which is needed for the design of an active noise control system. Furthermore, the optimal control law for minimizing the sound pressure at control points is derived, the control effect being investigated analytically and experimentally. With a view to tracking a moving target point, a steerable PAL based upon a phased array scheme is presented, with the result that the generation of a moving zone of quiet becomes possible without mechanically rotating the PAL. An experiment is finally conducted, demonstrating the validity of the proposed method.

Attitude Control Subsystem for the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hewston, Alan W.; Mitchell, Kent A.; Sawicki, Jerzy T.

1996-01-01

This paper provides an overview of the on-orbit operation of the Attitude Control Subsystem (ACS) for the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). The three ACTS control axes are defined, including the means for sensing attitude and determining the pointing errors. The desired pointing requirements for various modes of control as well as the disturbance torques that oppose the control are identified. Finally, the hardware actuators and control loops utilized to reduce the attitude error are described.

49 CFR 236.334 - Point detector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Point detector. 236.334 Section 236.334... Instructions § 236.334 Point detector. Point detector shall be maintained so that when switch mechanism is... switch point. Point detector circuit controller shall be maintained so that the contacts will not assume...

49 CFR 236.334 - Point detector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Point detector. 236.334 Section 236.334... Instructions § 236.334 Point detector. Point detector shall be maintained so that when switch mechanism is... switch point. Point detector circuit controller shall be maintained so that the contacts will not assume...

49 CFR 236.334 - Point detector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Point detector. 236.334 Section 236.334... Instructions § 236.334 Point detector. Point detector shall be maintained so that when switch mechanism is... switch point. Point detector circuit controller shall be maintained so that the contacts will not assume...

49 CFR 236.334 - Point detector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Point detector. 236.334 Section 236.334... Instructions § 236.334 Point detector. Point detector shall be maintained so that when switch mechanism is... switch point. Point detector circuit controller shall be maintained so that the contacts will not assume...