Reduction of Airborne Bacterial Burden in the OR by Installation of Unidirectional Displacement Airflow (UDF) Systems.

PubMed

Fischer, Sebastian; Thieves, Martin; Hirsch, Tobias; Fischer, Klaus-Dieter; Hubert, Helmine; Beppler, Steffen; Seipp, Hans-Martin

2015-08-13

Intraoperative bacterial contamination is a major risk factor for postoperative wound infections. This study investigated the influence of type of ventilation system on intraoperative airborne bacterial burden before and after installation of unidirectional displacement air flow systems. We microbiologically monitored 1286 surgeries performed by a single surgical team that moved from operating rooms (ORs) equipped with turbulent mixing ventilation (TMV, according to standard DIN-1946-4 [1999], ORs 1, 2, and 3) to ORs with unidirectional displacement airflow (UDF, according to standard DIN-1946-4, annex D [2008], ORs 7 and 8). The airborne bacteria were collected intraoperatively with sedimentation plates. After incubation for 48 h, we analyzed the average number of bacteria per h, peak values, and correlation to surgery duration. In addition, we compared the last 138 surgeries in ORs 1-3 with the first 138 surgeries in ORs 7 and 8. Intraoperative airborne bacterial burden was 5.4 CFU/h, 5.5 CFU/h, and 6.1 CFU/h in ORs 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Peak values of burden were 10.7 CFU/h, 11.1 CFU/h, and 11.0 CFU/h in ORs 1, 2, and 3, respectively). With the UDF system, the intraoperative airborne bacterial burden was reduced to 0.21 CFU/h (OR 7) and 0.35 CFU/h (OR 8) on average (p<0.01). Accordingly, peak values decreased to 0.9 CFU/h and 1.0 CFU/h in ORs 7 and 8, respectively (p<0.01). Airborne bacterial burden increased linearly with surgery duration in ORs 1-3, but the UDF system in ORs 7 and 8 kept bacterial levels constantly low (<3 CFU/h). A comparison of the last 138 surgeries before with the first 138 surgeries after changing ORs revealed a 94% reduction in average airborne bacterial burden (5 CFU/h vs. 0.29 CFU/h, p<0.01). The unidirectional displacement airflow, which fulfills the requirements of standard DIN-1946-4 annex D of 2008, is an effective ventilation system that reduces airborne bacterial burden under real clinical conditions by more than 90%. Although decreased postoperative wound infection incidence was not specifically assessed, it is clear that airborne microbiological burden contributes to surgical infections.

Numerical analysis of thermal creep flow in curved channels for designing a prototype of Knudsen micropump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leontidis, V.; Brandner, J. J.; Baldas, L.; Colin, S.

2012-05-01

The possibility to generate a gas flow inside a channel just by imposing a tangential temperature gradient along the walls without the existence of an initial pressure difference is well known. The gas must be under rarefied conditions, meaning that the system must operate between the slip and the free molecular flow regimes, either at low pressure or/and at micro/nano-scale dimensions. This phenomenon is at the basis of the operation principle of Knudsen pumps, which are actually compressors without any moving parts. Nowadays, gas flows in the slip flow regime through microchannels can be modeled using commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics softwares, because in this regime the compressible Navier-Stokes equations with appropriate boundary conditions are still valid. A simulation procedure has been developed for the modeling of thermal creep flow using ANSYS Fluent®. The implementation of the boundary conditions is achieved by developing User Defined Functions (UDFs) by means of C++ routines. The complete first order velocity slip boundary condition, including the thermal creep effects due to the axial temperature gradient and the effect of the wall curvature, and the temperature jump boundary condition are applied. The developed simulation tool is used for the preliminary design of Knudsen micropumps consisting of a sequence of curved and straight channels.

Effects of gas temperature on nozzle damping experiments on cold-flow rocket motors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Bing-bing; Li, Shi-peng; Su, Wan-xing; Li, Jun-wei; Wang, Ning-fei

2016-09-01

In order to explore the impact of gas temperature on the nozzle damping characteristics of solid rocket motor, numerical simulations were carried out by an experimental motor in Naval Ordnance Test Station of China Lake in California. Using the pulse decay method, different cases were numerically studied via Fluent along with UDF (User Defined Functions). Firstly, mesh sensitivity analysis and monitor position-independent analysis were carried out for the computer code validation. Then, the numerical method was further validated by comparing the calculated results and experimental data. Finally, the effects of gas temperature on the nozzle damping characteristics were studied in this paper. The results indicated that the gas temperature had cooperative effects on the nozzle damping and there had great differences between cold flow and hot fire test. By discussion and analysis, it was found that the changing of mainstream velocity and the natural acoustic frequency resulted from gas temperature were the key factors that affected the nozzle damping, while the alteration of the mean pressure had little effect. Thus, the high pressure condition could be replaced by low pressure to reduce the difficulty of the test. Finally, the relation of the coefficients "alpha" between the cold flow and hot fire was got.

Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine under High Speed Operation: Study of Power Evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moh. M. Saad, Magedi; Mohd, Sofian Bin; Zulkafli, Mohd Fadhli Bin; Abdullah, Aslam Bin; Rahim, Mohammad Zulafif Bin; Subari, Zulkhairi Bin; Rosly, Nurhayati Binti

2017-10-01

Mechanical energy is produced through the rotation of wind turbine blades by air that convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Wind turbines are usually designed to be use for particular applications and design characteristics may vary depending on the area of use. The variety of applications is reflected on the size of turbines and their infrastructures, however, performance enhancement of wind turbine may start by analyzing the small horizontal axis wind turbine (SHAWT) under high wind speed operation. This paper analyzes the implementations of SHAWT turbines and investigates their performance in both simulation and real life. Depending on the real structure of the rotor geometry and aerodynamic test, the power performance of the SHAWT was simulated using ANSYS-FLUENT software at different wind speed up to 33.33 m/s (120km/h) in order to numerically investigate the actual turbine operation. Dynamic mesh and user define function (UDF) was used for revolving the rotor turbine via wind. Simulation results were further validated by experimental data and hence good matching was yielded. And for reducing the energy producing cost, car alternator was formed to be used as a small horizontal wind turbine. As a result, alternator-based turbine system was found to be a low-cost solution for exploitation of wind energy.

The ALMA Spectroscopic Survey in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field: Molecular Gas Reservoirs in High-redshift Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Decarli, Roberto; Walter, Fabian; Aravena, Manuel; Carilli, Chris; Bouwens, Rychard; da Cunha, Elisabete; Daddi, Emanuele; Elbaz, David; Riechers, Dominik; Smail, Ian; Swinbank, Mark; Weiss, Axel; Bacon, Roland; Bauer, Franz; Bell, Eric F.; Bertoldi, Frank; Chapman, Scott; Colina, Luis; Cortes, Paulo C.; Cox, Pierre; Gónzalez-López, Jorge; Inami, Hanae; Ivison, Rob; Hodge, Jacqueline; Karim, Alex; Magnelli, Benjamin; Ota, Kazuaki; Popping, Gergö; Rix, Hans-Walter; Sargent, Mark; van der Wel, Arjen; van der Werf, Paul

2016-12-01

We study the molecular gas properties of high-z galaxies observed in the ALMA Spectroscopic Survey (ASPECS) that targets an ˜1 arcmin2 region in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (UDF), a blind survey of CO emission (tracing molecular gas) in the 3 and 1 mm bands. Of a total of 1302 galaxies in the field, 56 have spectroscopic redshifts and correspondingly well-defined physical properties. Among these, 11 have infrared luminosities {L}{IR}\\gt {10}11 {L}⊙ , I.e., a detection in CO emission was expected. Out of these, 7 are detected at various significance in CO, and 4 are undetected in CO emission. In the CO-detected sources, we find CO excitation conditions that are lower than those typically found in starburst/sub-mm galaxy/QSO environments. We use the CO luminosities (including limits for non-detections) to derive molecular gas masses. We discuss our findings in the context of previous molecular gas observations at high redshift (star formation law, gas depletion times, gas fractions): the CO-detected galaxies in the UDF tend to reside on the low-{L}{IR} envelope of the scatter in the {L}{IR}{--}{L}{CO}\\prime relation, but exceptions exist. For the CO-detected sources, we find an average depletion time of ˜1 Gyr, with significant scatter. The average molecular-to-stellar mass ratio ({M}{{H}2}/M *) is consistent with earlier measurements of main-sequence galaxies at these redshifts, and again shows large variations among sources. In some cases, we also measure dust continuum emission. On average, the dust-based estimates of the molecular gas are a factor ˜2-5× smaller than those based on CO. When we account for detections as well as non-detections, we find large diversity in the molecular gas properties of the high-redshift galaxies covered by ASPECS.

12 CFR 1292.1 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Investment Cash Advance program means: (1) A Bank's AHP; (2) A Bank's CIP; (3) A Bank's RDF program or UDF...) through (1)(iv), and (2)(i) and (2)(ii) of this definition are eligible for CIP advances. Targeted...; (3) For advances provided under CIP: (i) For economic development projects, incomes at or below 80...

12 CFR 952.1 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... CIP; (3) A Bank's RDF program or UDF program using any combination of the targeted beneficiaries and... paragraphs (1)(i) through (1)(iv), and (2)(i) and (2)(ii) of this definition are eligible for CIP advances..., for a family of four; (3) For advances provided under CIP: (i) For economic development projects...

12 CFR 952.1 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... CIP; (3) A Bank's RDF program or UDF program using any combination of the targeted beneficiaries and... paragraphs (1)(i) through (1)(iv), and (2)(i) and (2)(ii) of this definition are eligible for CIP advances..., for a family of four; (3) For advances provided under CIP: (i) For economic development projects...

12 CFR 952.1 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... CIP; (3) A Bank's RDF program or UDF program using any combination of the targeted beneficiaries and... paragraphs (1)(i) through (1)(iv), and (2)(i) and (2)(ii) of this definition are eligible for CIP advances..., for a family of four; (3) For advances provided under CIP: (i) For economic development projects...

Local CFD kinetic model of cadmium vaporization during fluid bed incineration of municipal solid waste.

PubMed

Soria, J; Gauthier, D; Falcoz, Q; Flamant, G; Mazza, G

2013-03-15

The emissions of heavy metals during incineration of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) are a major issue to health and the environment. It is then necessary to well quantify these emissions in order to accomplish an adequate control and prevent the heavy metals from leaving the stacks. In this study the kinetic behavior of Cadmium during Fluidized Bed Incineration (FBI) of artificial MSW pellets, for bed temperatures ranging from 923 to 1073 K, was modeled. FLUENT 12.1.4 was used as the modeling framework for the simulations and implemented together with a complete set of user-defined functions (UDFs). The CFD model combines the combustion of a single solid waste particle with heavy metal (HM) vaporization from the burning particle, and it takes also into account both pyrolysis and volatiles' combustion. A kinetic rate law for the Cd release, derived from the CFD thermal analysis of the combusting particle, is proposed. The simulation results are compared with experimental data obtained in a lab-scale fluidized bed incinerator reported in literature, and with the predicted values from a particulate non-isothermal model, formerly developed by the authors. The comparison shows that the proposed CFD model represents very well the evolution of the HM release for the considered range of bed temperature. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

RANS Simulation (Virtual Blade Model [VBM]) of Array of Three Coaxial Lab Scaled DOE RM1 MHK Turbine with 5D Spacing

DOE Data Explorer

Javaherchi, Teymour

2016-06-08

Attached are the .cas and .dat files along with the required User Defined Functions (UDFs) and look-up table of lift and drag coefficients for the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation of three coaxially located lab-scaled DOE RM1 turbine implemented in ANSYS FLUENT CFD-package. The lab-scaled DOE RM1 is a re-design geometry, based of the full scale DOE RM1 design, producing same power output as the full scale model, while operating at matched Tip Speed Ratio values at reachable laboratory Reynolds number (see attached paper). In this case study the flow field around and in the wake of the lab-scaled DOE RM1 turbines in a coaxial array is simulated using Blade Element Model (a.k.a Virtual Blade Model) by solving RANS equations coupled with k-\\omega turbulence closure model. It should be highlighted that in this simulation the actual geometry of the rotor blade is not modeled. The effect of turbine rotating blades are modeled using the Blade Element Theory. This simulation provides an accurate estimate for the performance of each device and structure of their turbulent far wake. The results of these simulations were validated against the developed in-house experimental data. Simulations for other turbine configurations are available upon request.

RANS Simulation (Virtual Blade Model [VBM]) of Single Lab Scaled DOE RM1 MHK Turbine

DOE Data Explorer

Javaherchi, Teymour; Stelzenmuller, Nick; Aliseda, Alberto; Seydel, Joseph

2014-04-15

Attached are the .cas and .dat files for the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation of a single lab-scaled DOE RM1 turbine implemented in ANSYS FLUENT CFD-package. The lab-scaled DOE RM1 is a re-design geometry, based of the full scale DOE RM1 design, producing same power output as the full scale model, while operating at matched Tip Speed Ratio values at reachable laboratory Reynolds number (see attached paper). In this case study the flow field around and in the wake of the lab-scaled DOE RM1 turbine is simulated using Blade Element Model (a.k.a Virtual Blade Model) by solving RANS equations coupled with k-\\omega turbulence closure model. It should be highlighted that in this simulation the actual geometry of the rotor blade is not modeled. The effect of turbine rotating blades are modeled using the Blade Element Theory. This simulation provides an accurate estimate for the performance of device and structure of it's turbulent far wake. Due to the simplifications implemented for modeling the rotating blades in this model, VBM is limited to capture details of the flow field in near wake region of the device. The required User Defined Functions (UDFs) and look-up table of lift and drag coefficients are included along with the .cas and .dat files.

A combined study of heat and mass transfer in an infant incubator with an overhead screen.

PubMed

Ginalski, Maciej K; Nowak, Andrzej J; Wrobel, Luiz C

2007-06-01

The main objective of this study is to investigate the major physical processes taking place inside an infant incubator, before and after modifications have been made to its interior chamber. The modification involves the addition of an overhead screen to decrease radiation heat losses from the infant placed inside the incubator. The present study investigates the effect of these modifications on the convective heat flux from the infant's body to the surrounding environment inside the incubator. A combined analysis of airflow and heat transfer due to conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation has been performed, in order to calculate the temperature and velocity fields inside the incubator before and after the design modification. Due to the geometrical complexity of the model, computer-aided design (CAD) applications were used to generate a computer-based model. All numerical calculations have been performed using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package FLUENT, together with in-house routines used for managing purposes and user-defined functions (UDFs) which extend the basic solver capabilities. Numerical calculations have been performed for three different air inlet temperatures: 32, 34 and 36 degrees C. The study shows a decrease of the radiative and convective heat losses when the overhead screen is present. The results obtained were numerically verified as well as compared with results available in the literature from investigations of dry heat losses from infant manikins.

Numerical and experimental study of the 3D effect on connecting arm of vertical axis tidal current turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Wei; Kang, Hai-gui; Chen, Bing; Xie, Yu; Wang, Yin

2016-03-01

Vertical axis tidal current turbine is a promising device to extract energy from ocean current. One of the important components of the turbine is the connecting arm, which can bring about a significant effect on the pressure distribution along the span of the turbine blade, herein we call it 3D effect. However, so far the effect is rarely reported in the research, moreover, in numerical simulation. In the present study, a 3D numerical model of the turbine with the connecting arm was developed by using FLUENT software compiling the UDF (User Defined Function) command. The simulation results show that the pressure distribution along the span of blade with the connecting arm model is significantly different from those without the connecting arm. To facilitate the validation of numerical model, the laboratory experiment has been carried out by using three different types of NACA aerofoil connecting arm and circle section connecting arm. And results show that the turbine with NACA0012 connecting arm has the best start-up performance which is 0.346 m/s and the peak point of power conversion coefficient is around 0.33. A further study has been performed and a conclusion is drawn that the aerofoil and thickness of connecting arm are the most important factors on the power conversion coefficient of the vertical axis tidal current turbine.

ClimateSpark: An In-memory Distributed Computing Framework for Big Climate Data Analytics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, F.; Yang, C. P.; Duffy, D.; Schnase, J. L.; Li, Z.

2016-12-01

Massive array-based climate data is being generated from global surveillance systems and model simulations. They are widely used to analyze the environment problems, such as climate changes, natural hazards, and public health. However, knowing the underlying information from these big climate datasets is challenging due to both data- and computing- intensive issues in data processing and analyzing. To tackle the challenges, this paper proposes ClimateSpark, an in-memory distributed computing framework to support big climate data processing. In ClimateSpark, the spatiotemporal index is developed to enable Apache Spark to treat the array-based climate data (e.g. netCDF4, HDF4) as native formats, which are stored in Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) without any preprocessing. Based on the index, the spatiotemporal query services are provided to retrieve dataset according to a defined geospatial and temporal bounding box. The data subsets will be read out, and a data partition strategy will be applied to equally split the queried data to each computing node, and store them in memory as climateRDDs for processing. By leveraging Spark SQL and User Defined Function (UDFs), the climate data analysis operations can be conducted by the intuitive SQL language. ClimateSpark is evaluated by two use cases using the NASA Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) climate reanalysis dataset. One use case is to conduct the spatiotemporal query and visualize the subset results in animation; the other one is to compare different climate model outputs using Taylor-diagram service. Experimental results show that ClimateSpark can significantly accelerate data query and processing, and enable the complex analysis services served in the SQL-style fashion.

Galaxy evolution by color-log(n) type since redshift unity in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cameron, E.; Driver, S. P.

2009-01-01

Aims: We explore the use of the color-log(n) (where n is the global Sérsic index) plane as a tool for subdividing the galaxy population in a physically-motivated manner out to redshift unity. We thereby aim to quantify surface brightness evolution by color-log(n) type, accounting separately for the specific selection and measurement biases against each. Methods: We construct (u-r) color-log(n) diagrams for distant galaxies in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (UDF) within a series of volume-limited samples to z=1.5. The color-log(n) distributions of these high redshift galaxies are compared against that measured for nearby galaxies in the Millennium Galaxy Catalogue (MGC), as well as to the results of visual morphological classification. Based on this analysis we divide our sample into three color-structure classes. Namely, “red, compact”, “blue, diffuse” and “blue, compact”. Luminosity-size diagrams are constructed for members of the two largest classes (“red, compact” and “blue, diffuse”), both in the UDF and the MGC. Artificial galaxy simulations (for systems with exponential and de Vaucouleurs profile shapes alternately) are used to identify “bias-free” regions of the luminosity-size plane in which galaxies are detected with high completeness, and their fluxes and sizes recovered with minimal surface brightness-dependent biases. Galaxy evolution is quantified via comparison of the low and high redshift luminosity-size relations within these “bias-free” regions. Results: We confirm the correlation between color-log(n) plane position and visual morphological type observed locally and in other high redshift studies in the color and/or structure domain. The combined effects of observational uncertainties, the morphological K-correction and cosmic variance preclude a robust statistical comparison of the shape of the MGC and UDF color-log(n) distributions. However, in the interval 0.75 < z <1.0 where the UDF i-band samples close to rest-frame B-band light (i.e., the morphological K-correction between our samples is negligible) we are able to present tentative evidence of bimodality, albiet for a very small sample size (17 galaxies). Our unique approach to quantifying selection and measurement biases in the luminosity-size plane highlights the need to consider errors in the recovery of both magnitudes and sizes, and their dependence on profile shape. Motivated by these results we divide our sample into the three color-structure classes mentioned above and quantify luminosity-size evolution by galaxy type. Specifically, we detect decreases in B-band, surface brightness of 1.57 ± 0.22 mag arcsec-2 and 1.65 ± 0.22 mag arcsec-2 for our “blue, diffuse” and “red, compact” classes respectively between redshift unity and the present day.

An environmentally friendly method for the fabrication of reduced graphene oxide foam with a super oil absorption capacity.

PubMed

He, Yongqiang; Liu, Yue; Wu, Tao; Ma, Junkui; Wang, Xingrui; Gong, Qiaojuan; Kong, Weina; Xing, Fubao; Liu, Yu; Gao, Jianping

2013-09-15

Three kinds of graphene oxide (GO) foams were fabricated using different freezing methods (unidirectional freezing drying (UDF), non-directional freezing drying, and air freezing drying), and the corresponding reduced graphene oxide (RGO) foams were prepared by their thermal reduction of those GO foams. These RGO foams were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The absorption process and the factors that influence the absorption capacity were investigated. The RGO foams are hydrophobic and showed extremely high absorbing abilities for organic liquids. The absorption capacity of the RGO foams made by UDF was higher than 100 g g(-1) for all the oils tested (gasoline, diesel oil, pump oil, lubricating oil and olive oil) and had the highest value of about 122 g g(-1) for olive oil. The oil absorption capacity of the GO foams was lower than that of the RGO foams, but for olive oil, the absorption capacity was still high than 70 g g(-1), which is higher than that of most oil absorbents. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Building the Case for SNAP: Creation of Multi-Band, Simulated Images With Shapelets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferry, Matthew A.

2005-01-01

Dark energy has simultaneously been the most elusive and most important phenomenon in the shaping of the universe. A case for a proposed space-telescope called SNAP (SuperNova Acceleration Probe) is being built, a crucial component of which is image simulations. One method for this is "Shapelets," developed at Caltech. Shapelets form an orthonormal basis and are uniquely able to represent realistic space images and create new images based on real ones. Previously, simulations were created using the Hubble Deep Field (HDF) as a basis Set in one band. In this project, image simulations are created.using the 4 bands of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (UDF) as a basis set. This provides a better basis for simulations because (1) the survey is deeper, (2) they have a higher resolution, and (3) this is a step closer to simulating the 9 bands of SNAP. Image simulations are achieved by detecting sources in the UDF, decomposing them into shapelets, tweaking their parameters in realistic ways, and recomposing them into new images. Morphological tests were also run to verify the realism of the simulations. They have a wide variety of uses, including the ability to create weak gravitational lensing simulations.

Study of a Single-Power Two-Circuit ESR Process with Current-Carrying Mold: Mathematical Simulation of the Process and Experimental Verification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Yanwu; Hou, Zhiwen; Jiang, Zhouhua; Cao, Haibo; Feng, Qianlong; Cao, Yulong

2018-02-01

A novel single-power two-circuit ESR process (ESR-STCCM) with current-carrying mold has been investigated via numerical simulation and experimental research in this paper. A 2D quasi-steady-state mathematical model is developed to describe ESR-STCCM. The electromagnetic field, flow field, slag pool temperature distribution, and the shape of a molten steel pool in ESR-STCCM have been investigated by FLUENT software as well as user-defined functions (UDF). The results indicate that ESR-STCCM is different from the conventional ESR process. The maximum electromagnetic force, current density, Joule heat, and slag pool flow velocity are located in the lower part of the conductor in the ESR-STCCM process. The direction of the maximum electromagnetic force inclines upward. There are two distinct vortices in the slag pool. The larger swirl rotates counterclockwise near the conductor, with a value of 0.0263 m s-1 due to the interaction of the electromagnetic force and gravity. The maximum temperature of the slag pool is 2070 K (1797 °C) and is located in the center of the swirl with a filling ratio of 0.6 and a 20 mm electrode immersion depth. The depth of a molten steel pool is shallower, which is conducive to improving solidification quality. In addition, the filling ratio of 0.6 is conducive to controlling steel solidification quality. Some experiments have been done, and the numerical model is confirmed by experimental results.

Sub-Saharan Africa Report No. 2843.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-14

Quota System Lifted 33 University Students Boycott Classes 33 Higher University Fees Protested 33 Labor Unions Decline UDF Membership 33 Progress...Friday that Mr Biya might shortly summon a special congress of the country’s only political party, the Cameroon National Union (UNC). Its...understanding of the Soviet Union in its struggle against colonialism, Neocolonialism and apartheid. The OAU secretary general expressed gratitude for the

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Galaxy samples rest-frame ultraviolet structure (Bond+, 2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bond, N. A.; Gardner, J. P.; de Mello, D. F.; Teplitz, H. I.; Rafelski, M.; Koekemoer, A. M.; Coe, D.; Grogin, N.; Gawiser, E.; Ravindranath, S.; Scarlata, C.

2017-03-01

In this paper, we use data taken as part of a program (GO 11563, PI: Teplitz) to obtain UV imaging of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (hereafter UVUDF) and study intermediate-redshift galaxy structure in the F336W, F275W, and F225W filters, complementing existing optical and near-IR measurements from the 2012 Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF12; Ellis et al. 2013ApJ...763L...7E) survey. We use AB magnitudes throughout and assume a concordance cosmology with H0=71 km/s/Mpc, ωm=0.27, and ωλ=0.73 (Spergel et al. 2007ApJS..170..377S). The UVUDF data and the optical Hubble Ultradeep Field (UDF; Beckwith et al. 2006, J/AJ/132/1729) are both contained within a single deep field in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey South. The new UVUDF data include imaging in three filters (F336W, F275W, and F225W), obtained in 10 visits, for a total of 30 orbits per filter. In addition, from the UDF, we make use of deep drizzled images taken in the observed optical with the F435W, F606W, and F775W filters. (1 data file).

A CFD model for biomass combustion in a packed bed furnace

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

Karim, Md. Rezwanul; Department of Mechanical & Chemical Engineering, Islamic University of Technology, Gazipur 1704; Ovi, Ifat Rabbil Qudrat

Climate change has now become an important issue which is affecting environment and people around the world. Global warming is the main reason of climate change which is increasing day by day due to the growing demand of energy in developed countries. Use of renewable energy is now an established technique to decrease the adverse effect of global warming. Biomass is a widely accessible renewable energy source which reduces CO{sub 2} emissions for producing thermal energy or electricity. But the combustion of biomass is complex due its large variations and physical structures. Packed bed or fixed bed combustion is themore » most common method for the energy conversion of biomass. Experimental investigation of packed bed biomass combustion is difficult as the data collection inside the bed is challenging. CFD simulation of these combustion systems can be helpful to investigate different operational conditions and to evaluate the local values inside the investigation area. Available CFD codes can model the gas phase combustion but it can’t model the solid phase of biomass conversion. In this work, a complete three-dimensional CFD model is presented for numerical investigation of packed bed biomass combustion. The model describes the solid phase along with the interface between solid and gas phase. It also includes the bed shrinkage due to the continuous movement of the bed during solid fuel combustion. Several variables are employed to represent different parameters of solid mass. Packed bed is considered as a porous bed and User Defined Functions (UDFs) platform is used to introduce solid phase user defined variables in the CFD. Modified standard discrete transfer radiation method (DTRM) is applied to model the radiation heat transfer. Preliminary results of gas phase velocity and pressure drop over packed bed have been shown. The model can be useful for investigation of movement of the packed bed during solid fuel combustion.« less

Coupling scales for modelling heavy metal vaporization from municipal solid waste incineration in a fluid bed by CFD.

PubMed

Soria, José; Gauthier, Daniel; Flamant, Gilles; Rodriguez, Rosa; Mazza, Germán

2015-09-01

Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) in fluidized bed is a very interesting technology mainly due to high combustion efficiency, great flexibility for treating several types of waste fuels and reduction in pollutants emitted with the flue gas. However, there is a great concern with respect to the fate of heavy metals (HM) contained in MSW and their environmental impact. In this study, a coupled two-scale CFD model was developed for MSWI in a bubbling fluidized bed. It presents an original scheme that combines a single particle model and a global fluidized bed model in order to represent the HM vaporization during MSW combustion. Two of the most representative HM (Cd and Pb) with bed temperatures ranging between 923 and 1073K have been considered. This new approach uses ANSYS FLUENT 14.0 as the modelling platform for the simulations along with a complete set of self-developed user-defined functions (UDFs). The simulation results are compared to the experimental data obtained previously by the research group in a lab-scale fluid bed incinerator. The comparison indicates that the proposed CFD model predicts well the evolution of the HM release for the bed temperatures analyzed. It shows that both bed temperature and bed dynamics have influence on the HM vaporization rate. It can be concluded that CFD is a rigorous tool that provides valuable information about HM vaporization and that the original two-scale simulation scheme adopted allows to better represent the actual particle behavior in a fluid bed incinerator. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Full scale technology demonstration of a modern counterrotating unducted fan engine concept: Component test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

The UDF trademark (Unducted Fan) engine is a new aircraft engine concept based on an ungeared, counterrotating, unducted, ultra-high-bypass turbofan configuration. This engine is being developed to provide a high thrust-to-weight ratio powerplant with exceptional fuel efficiency for subsonic aircraft application. This report covers the testing of pertinent components of this engine such as the fan blades, control and actuation system, turbine blades and spools, seals, and mixer frame.

JEFX 10 demonstration of Cooperative Hunter Killer UAS and upstream data fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Funk, Brian K.; Castelli, Jonathan C.; Watkins, Adam S.; McCubbin, Christopher B.; Marshall, Steven J.; Barton, Jeffrey D.; Newman, Andrew J.; Peterson, Cammy K.; DeSena, Jonathan T.; Dutrow, Daniel A.; Rodriguez, Pedro A.

2011-05-01

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory deployed and demonstrated a prototype Cooperative Hunter Killer (CHK) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) capability and a prototype Upstream Data Fusion (UDF) capability as participants in the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2010 in April 2010. The CHK capability was deployed at the Nevada Test and Training Range to prosecute a convoy protection operational thread. It used mission-level autonomy (MLA) software applied to a networked swarm of three Raven hunter UAS and a Procerus Miracle surrogate killer UAS, all equipped with full motion video (FMV). The MLA software provides the capability for the hunter-killer swarm to autonomously search an area or road network, divide the search area, deconflict flight paths, and maintain line of sight communications with mobile ground stations. It also provides an interface for an operator to designate a threat and initiate automatic engagement of the target by the killer UAS. The UDF prototype was deployed at the Maritime Operations Center at Commander Second Fleet, Naval Station Norfolk to provide intelligence analysts and the ISR commander with a common fused track picture from the available FMV sources. It consisted of a video exploitation component that automatically detected moving objects, a multiple hypothesis tracker that fused all of the detection data to produce a common track picture, and a display and user interface component that visualized the common track picture along with appropriate geospatial information such as maps and terrain as well as target coordinates and the source video.

TADPOLE GALAXIES IN THE HUBBLE ULTRA DEEP FIELD

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

Elmegreen, Bruce G.; Elmegreen, Debra Meloy, E-mail: bge@watson.ibm.co, E-mail: elmegreen@vassar.ed

2010-10-20

Tadpole galaxies have a head-tail shape with a large clump of star formation at the head and a diffuse tail or streak of stars off to one side. We measured the head and tail masses, ages, surface brightnesses, and sizes for 66 tadpoles in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (UDF) and looked at the distribution of neighbor densities and tadpole orientations with respect to neighbors. The heads have masses of 10{sup 7}-10{sup 8} M{sub sun} and photometric ages of {approx}0.1 Gyr for z {approx} 2. The tails have slightly larger masses than the heads and comparable or slightly older ages.more » The most obvious interpretation of tadpoles as young merger remnants is difficult to verify. They have no enhanced proximity to other resolved galaxies as a class, and the heads, typically <0.2 kpc in diameter, usually have no obvious double-core structure. Another possibility is ram pressure interaction between a gas-rich galaxy and a diffuse cosmological flow. Ram pressure can trigger star formation on one side of a galaxy disk, giving the tadpole shape when viewed edge-on. Ram pressure can also strip away gas from a galaxy and put it into a tail, which then forms new stars and gravitationally drags along old stars with it. Such an effect might have already been observed in the Virgo Cluster. Another possibility is that tadpoles are edge-on disks with large, off-center clumps. Analogous lop-sided star formation in UDF clump clusters is shown.« less

Full Scale Technology Demonstration of a Modern Counterrotating Unducted Fan Engine Concept. Design Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

The Unducted Fan engine (UDF trademark) concept is based on an ungeared, counterrotating, unducted, ultra-high-bypass turbofan configuration. This engine is being developed to provide a high thrust-to-weight ratio power plant with exceptional fuel efficiency for subsonic aircraft application. This report covers the design methodology and details for the major components of this engine. The design intent of the engine is to efficiently produce 25,000 pounds of static thrust while meeting life and stress requirements. The engine is required to operate at Mach numbers of 0.8 or above.

Effect of switching off unidirectional downflow systems of operating theaters during prolonged inactivity on the period before the operating theater can safely be used.

PubMed

Traversari, A A L; Bottenheft, C; van Heumen, S P M; Goedhart, C A; Vos, M C

2017-02-01

Switching off air handling systems in operating theaters during periods of prolonged inactivity (eg, nights, weekends) can produce a substantial reduction of energy expenditure. However, little evidence is available regarding the effect of switching off the air handling system during periods of prolonged inactivity on the air quality in operating theaters during operational periods. The aim of this study is to determine the amount of time needed after restarting the ventilation system to return to a stable situation, with air quality at least equal to the situation before switching off the system. Measurements were performed in 3 operating theaters, all of them equipped with a unidirectional downflow (UDF) system. Measurements (particle counts of emitted particles with a particle size ≥0.5 µm) were taken during the start-up of the ventilation system to determine when prespecified degrees of protection were achieved. Temperature readings were taken to determine when a stable temperature difference between the periphery and the protected area was reached, signifying achievement of a stable condition. After starting up the system, the protected area achieved the required degrees of protection within 20 minutes (95% upper confidence limit). A stable temperature difference was achieved within 23 minutes (95% upper confidence limit). Both findings lie well within the period of 25 minutes normally required for preparations before the start of surgical procedures. Switching off the ventilation system during prolonged inactivity (during the night and weekend) has no negative effect on the air quality in UDF operating theaters during normal operational hours. Copyright © 2017 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Contrastive analysis of cooling performance between a high-level water collecting cooling tower and a typical cooling tower

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Miao; Wang, Jin; Wang, Jiajin; Shi, Cheng

2018-02-01

A three-dimensional (3D) numerical model is established and validated for cooling performance optimization between a high-level water collecting natural draft wet cooling tower (HNDWCT) and a usual natural draft wet cooling tower (UNDWCT) under the actual operation condition at Wanzhou power plant, Chongqing, China. User defined functions (UDFs) of source terms are composed and loaded into the spray, fill and rain zones. Considering the conditions of impact on three kinds of corrugated fills (Double-oblique wave, Two-way wave and S wave) and four kinds of fill height (1.25 m, 1.5 m, 1.75 m and 2 m), numerical simulation of cooling performance are analysed. The results demonstrate that the S wave has the highest cooling efficiency in three fills for both towers, indicating that fill characteristics are crucial to cooling performance. Moreover, the cooling performance of the HNDWCT is far superior to that of the UNDWCT with fill height increases of 1.75 m and above, because the air mass flow rate in the fill zone of the HNDWCT improves more than that in the UNDWCT, as a result of the rain zone resistance declining sharply for the HNDWCT. In addition, the mass and heat transfer capacity of the HNDWCT is better in the tower centre zone than in the outer zone near the tower wall under a uniform fill layout. This behaviour is inverted for the UNDWCT, perhaps because the high-level collection devices play the role of flow guiding in the inner zone. Therefore, when non-uniform fill layout optimization is applied to the HNDWCT, the inner zone increases in height from 1.75 m to 2 m, the outer zone reduces in height from 1.75 m to 1.5 m, and the outlet water temperature declines approximately 0.4 K compared to that of the uniform layout.

Coupling scales for modelling heavy metal vaporization from municipal solid waste incineration in a fluid bed by CFD

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

Soria, José, E-mail: jose.soria@probien.gob.ar; Gauthier, Daniel; Flamant, Gilles

2015-09-15

Highlights: • A CFD two-scale model is formulated to simulate heavy metal vaporization from waste incineration in fluidized beds. • MSW particle is modelled with the macroscopic particle model. • Influence of bed dynamics on HM vaporization is included. • CFD predicted results agree well with experimental data reported in literature. • This approach may be helpful for fluidized bed reactor modelling purposes. - Abstract: Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) in fluidized bed is a very interesting technology mainly due to high combustion efficiency, great flexibility for treating several types of waste fuels and reduction in pollutants emitted with themore » flue gas. However, there is a great concern with respect to the fate of heavy metals (HM) contained in MSW and their environmental impact. In this study, a coupled two-scale CFD model was developed for MSWI in a bubbling fluidized bed. It presents an original scheme that combines a single particle model and a global fluidized bed model in order to represent the HM vaporization during MSW combustion. Two of the most representative HM (Cd and Pb) with bed temperatures ranging between 923 and 1073 K have been considered. This new approach uses ANSYS FLUENT 14.0 as the modelling platform for the simulations along with a complete set of self-developed user-defined functions (UDFs). The simulation results are compared to the experimental data obtained previously by the research group in a lab-scale fluid bed incinerator. The comparison indicates that the proposed CFD model predicts well the evolution of the HM release for the bed temperatures analyzed. It shows that both bed temperature and bed dynamics have influence on the HM vaporization rate. It can be concluded that CFD is a rigorous tool that provides valuable information about HM vaporization and that the original two-scale simulation scheme adopted allows to better represent the actual particle behavior in a fluid bed incinerator.« less

The UDF05 Follow-up of the HUDF: I. The Faint-End Slope of the Lyman-Break Galaxy Population at zeta approx. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oesch, P. A.; Stiavelli, M.; Carollo, C. M.; Bergeron, L. E.; Koekemoer, A.; Lucas, R. A.; Pavlovsky, C. M.; Trenti, M.; Lilly, S. J.; Beckwith, S. V. W.;

ALMA Spectroscopic Survey in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field: Survey Description

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walter, Fabian; Decarli, Roberto; Aravena, Manuel; Carilli, Chris; Bouwens, Rychard; da Cunha, Elisabete; Daddi, Emanuele; Ivison, R. J.; Riechers, Dominik; Smail, Ian; Swinbank, Mark; Weiss, Axel; Anguita, Timo; Assef, Roberto; Bacon, Roland; Bauer, Franz; Bell, Eric F.; Bertoldi, Frank; Chapman, Scott; Colina, Luis; Cortes, Paulo C.; Cox, Pierre; Dickinson, Mark; Elbaz, David; Gónzalez-López, Jorge; Ibar, Edo; Inami, Hanae; Infante, Leopoldo; Hodge, Jacqueline; Karim, Alex; Le Fevre, Olivier; Magnelli, Benjamin; Neri, Roberto; Oesch, Pascal; Ota, Kazuaki; Popping, Gergö; Rix, Hans-Walter; Sargent, Mark; Sheth, Kartik; van der Wel, Arjen; van der Werf, Paul; Wagg, Jeff

2016-12-01

We present the rationale for and the observational description of ASPECS: the ALMA SPECtroscopic Survey in the Hubble Ultra-Deep Field (UDF), the cosmological deep field that has the deepest multi-wavelength data available. Our overarching goal is to obtain an unbiased census of molecular gas and dust continuum emission in high-redshift (z > 0.5) galaxies. The ˜1‧ region covered within the UDF was chosen to overlap with the deepest available imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope. Our ALMA observations consist of full frequency scans in band 3 (84-115 GHz) and band 6 (212-272 GHz) at approximately uniform line sensitivity ({L}{CO}\\prime ˜ 2 × 109 K km s-1 pc2), and continuum noise levels of 3.8 μJy beam-1 and 12.7 μJy beam-1, respectively. The molecular surveys cover the different rotational transitions of the CO molecule, leading to essentially full redshift coverage. The [C II] emission line is also covered at redshifts 6.0\\lt z\\lt 8.0. We present a customized algorithm to identify line candidates in the molecular line scans and quantify our ability to recover artificial sources from our data. Based on whether multiple CO lines are detected, and whether optical spectroscopic redshifts as well as optical counterparts exist, we constrain the most likely line identification. We report 10 (11) CO line candidates in the 3 mm (1 mm) band, and our statistical analysis shows that <4 of these (in each band) are likely spurious. Less than one-third of the total CO flux in the low-J CO line candidates are from sources that are not associated with an optical/NIR counterpart. We also present continuum maps of both the band 3 and band 6 observations. The data presented here form the basis of a number of dedicated studies that are presented in subsequent papers.

Big data analytics workflow management for eScience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiore, Sandro; D'Anca, Alessandro; Palazzo, Cosimo; Elia, Donatello; Mariello, Andrea; Nassisi, Paola; Aloisio, Giovanni

2015-04-01

In many domains such as climate and astrophysics, scientific data is often n-dimensional and requires tools that support specialized data types and primitives if it is to be properly stored, accessed, analysed and visualized. Currently, scientific data analytics relies on domain-specific software and libraries providing a huge set of operators and functionalities. However, most of these software fail at large scale since they: (i) are desktop based, rely on local computing capabilities and need the data locally; (ii) cannot benefit from available multicore/parallel machines since they are based on sequential codes; (iii) do not provide declarative languages to express scientific data analysis tasks, and (iv) do not provide newer or more scalable storage models to better support the data multidimensionality. Additionally, most of them: (v) are domain-specific, which also means they support a limited set of data formats, and (vi) do not provide a workflow support, to enable the construction, execution and monitoring of more complex "experiments". The Ophidia project aims at facing most of the challenges highlighted above by providing a big data analytics framework for eScience. Ophidia provides several parallel operators to manipulate large datasets. Some relevant examples include: (i) data sub-setting (slicing and dicing), (ii) data aggregation, (iii) array-based primitives (the same operator applies to all the implemented UDF extensions), (iv) data cube duplication, (v) data cube pivoting, (vi) NetCDF-import and export. Metadata operators are available too. Additionally, the Ophidia framework provides array-based primitives to perform data sub-setting, data aggregation (i.e. max, min, avg), array concatenation, algebraic expressions and predicate evaluation on large arrays of scientific data. Bit-oriented plugins have also been implemented to manage binary data cubes. Defining processing chains and workflows with tens, hundreds of data analytics operators is the real challenge in many practical scientific use cases. This talk will specifically address the main needs, requirements and challenges regarding data analytics workflow management applied to large scientific datasets. Three real use cases concerning analytics workflows for sea situational awareness, fire danger prevention, climate change and biodiversity will be discussed in detail.

Full scale technology demonstration of a modern counterrotating unducted fan engine concept. Engine test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

The Unducted Fan (UDF) engine is an innovative aircraft engine concept based on an ungeared, counterrotating, unducted, ultra-high-bypass turbofan configuration. This engine is being developed to provide a high thrust-to-weight ratio power plant with exceptional fuel efficiency for subsonic aircraft application. This report covers the successful ground testing of this engine. A test program exceeding 100-hr duration was completed, in which all the major goals were achieved. The following accomplishments were demonstrated: (1) full thrust (25,000 lb); (2) full counterrotating rotor speeds (1393+ rpm); (3) low specific fuel consumption (less than 0.24 lb/hr/lb); (4) new composite fan design; (5) counterrotation of structures, turbines, and fan blades; (6) control system; (7) actuation system; and (8) reverse thrust.

Euler analysis comparison with LDV data for an advanced counter-rotation propfan at cruise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Christopher J.; Podboy, Gary G.

1990-01-01

A fine mesh Euler solution of the F4/A4 unducted fan (UDF) model flowfield is compared with laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) data taken in the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. The comparison is made primarily at one axial plane downstream of the front rotor where the LDV particle lag errors are reduced. The agreement between measured and predicted velocities in this axial plane is good. The results show that a dense mesh is needed in the centerbody stagnation region to minimize entropy generation that weakens the aft row passage shock. The predicted radial location of the tip vortex downstream of the front rotor agrees well with the experimental results but the strength is overpredicted. With 40 points per chord line, the integrated performance quantities are nearly converged, but more points are needed to resolve passage shocks and flow field details.

Database Objects vs Files: Evaluation of alternative strategies for managing large remote sensing data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baru, Chaitan; Nandigam, Viswanath; Krishnan, Sriram

2010-05-01

Increasingly, the geoscience user community expects modern IT capabilities to be available in service of their research and education activities, including the ability to easily access and process large remote sensing datasets via online portals such as GEON (www.geongrid.org) and OpenTopography (opentopography.org). However, serving such datasets via online data portals presents a number of challenges. In this talk, we will evaluate the pros and cons of alternative storage strategies for management and processing of such datasets using binary large object implementations (BLOBs) in database systems versus implementation in Hadoop files using the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS). The storage and I/O requirements for providing online access to large datasets dictate the need for declustering data across multiple disks, for capacity as well as bandwidth and response time performance. This requires partitioning larger files into a set of smaller files, and is accompanied by the concomitant requirement for managing large numbers of file. Storing these sub-files as blobs in a shared-nothing database implemented across a cluster provides the advantage that all the distributed storage management is done by the DBMS. Furthermore, subsetting and processing routines can be implemented as user-defined functions (UDFs) on these blobs and would run in parallel across the set of nodes in the cluster. On the other hand, there are both storage overheads and constraints, and software licensing dependencies created by such an implementation. Another approach is to store the files in an external filesystem with pointers to them from within database tables. The filesystem may be a regular UNIX filesystem, a parallel filesystem, or HDFS. In the HDFS case, HDFS would provide the file management capability, while the subsetting and processing routines would be implemented as Hadoop programs using the MapReduce model. Hadoop and its related software libraries are freely available. Another consideration is the strategy used for partitioning large data collections, and large datasets within collections, using round-robin vs hash partitioning vs range partitioning methods. Each has different characteristics in terms of spatial locality of data and resultant degree of declustering of the computations on the data. Furthermore, we have observed that, in practice, there can be large variations in the frequency of access to different parts of a large data collection and/or dataset, thereby creating "hotspots" in the data. We will evaluate the ability of different approaches for dealing effectively with such hotspots and alternative strategies for dealing with hotspots.

The NASA aircraft noise prediction program improved propeller analysis system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, L. Cathy

1991-01-01

The improvements and the modifications of the NASA Aircraft Noise Prediction Program (ANOPP) and the Propeller Analysis System (PAS) are described. Comparisons of the predictions and the test data are included in the case studies for the flat plate model in the Boundary Layer Module, for the effects of applying compressibility corrections to the lift and pressure coefficients, for the use of different weight factors in the Propeller Performance Module, for the use of the improved retarded time equation solution, and for the effect of the number grids in the Transonic Propeller Noise Module. The DNW tunnel test data of a propeller at different angles of attack and the Dowty Rotol data are compared with ANOPP predictions. The effect of the number of grids on the Transonic Propeller Noise Module predictions and the comparison of ANOPP TPN and DFP-ATP codes are studied. In addition to the above impact studies, the transonic propeller noise predictions for the SR-7, the UDF front rotor, and the support of the enroute noise test program are included.

ERA's Open Rotor Studies Including Shielding for Noise Reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Van Zante, Dale; Thomas, Russell

2012-01-01

The Open Rotor is a modern version of the UnDucted Fan (UDF) that was flight tested in the late 1980's through a partnership between NASA and General Electric (GE). Tests were conducted in the 9' x 15' Low Speed Wind Tunnel and the 8' x 6' Supersonic Wind Tunnel starting in late 2009 and completed in early 2012. Aerodynamic and acoustic data were obtained for takeoff, approach and cruise simulations. GE was the primary partner, but other organizations were involved such as Boeing and Airbus who provided additional hardware for fuselage simulations. This test campaign provided the acoustic and performance characteristics for modern open rotor blades designs." NASA and GE conducted joint systems analysis to evaluate how well new blade designs would perform on a B737 class aircraft, and compared the results to an advanced higher bypass ratio turbofan." Acoustic shielding experiments were performed at NASA GRC and Boeing LSAF facilities to provide data for noise estimates of unconventional aircraft configurations with Open Rotor propulsion systems." The work was sponsored by NASA's aeronautics programs, including the Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW) and the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) projects."

High speed turboprop aeroacoustic study (counterrotation). Volume 2: Computer programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitfield, C. E.; Mani, R.; Gliebe, P. R.

1990-01-01

The isolated counterrotating high speed turboprop noise prediction program developed and funded by GE Aircraft Engines was compared with model data taken in the GE Aircraft Engines Cell 41 anechoic facility, the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel, and in the NASA-Lewis 8 x 6 and 9 x 15 wind tunnels. The predictions show good agreement with measured data under both low and high speed simulated flight conditions. The installation effect model developed for single rotation, high speed turboprops was extended to include counter rotation. The additional effect of mounting a pylon upstream of the forward rotor was included in the flow field modeling. A nontraditional mechanism concerning the acoustic radiation from a propeller at angle of attack was investigated. Predictions made using this approach show results that are in much closer agreement with measurement over a range of operating conditions than those obtained via traditional fluctuating force methods. The isolated rotors and installation effects models were combined into a single prediction program. The results were compared with data taken during the flight test of the B727/UDF (trademark) engine demonstrator aircraft.

Advanced propeller research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Groeneweg, John F.; Bober, Lawrence J.

1990-01-01

Recent results of aerodynamic and acoustic research on both single rotation and counterrotation propellers are reviewed. Data and analytical results are presented for three propellers: SR-7A, the single rotation design used in the NASA Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) flight program; CRP-X1, the initial 5+5 Hamilton Standard counterrotating design; and F7-A7, the 8+8 counterrotating G.E. design used in the proof of concept Unducted Fan (UDF) engine. In addition to propeller efficiencies, cruise and takeoff noise, and blade pressure data, off-design phenomena involving formation of leading edge vortexes are described. Aerodynamic and acoustic computational results derived from 3-D Euler and acoustic radiation codes are presented. Research on unsteady flows which are particularly important for understanding counterrotation interaction noise, unsteady loading effects on acoustics, and flutter or forced response is described. The first results of 3-D unsteady Euler solutions are illustrated for a single rotation propeller at angle of attack and for a counterrotation propeller. Basic experimental and theoretical results from studies on the unsteady aerodynamics of oscillating cascades are outlined.

Advanced propeller research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Groeneweg, John F.; Bober, Lawrence J.

1987-01-01

Resent results of aerodynamic and acoustic research on both single and counter-rotation propellers are reviewed. Data and analytical results are presented for three propellers: SR-7A, the single rotation design used in the NASA Propfan Test Assessment (PTA); and F7-A7, the 8+8 counterrotating design used in the proof-of-concept Unducted Fan (UDF) engine. In addition to propeller efficiencies, cruise and takeoff noise, and blade pressure data, off-design phenomena involving formation of leading edge vortices are described. Aerodynamic and acoustic computational results derived from three-dimensional Euler and acoustic radiation codes are presented. Research on unsteady flows, which are particularly important for understanding counterrotation interaction noise, unsteady loading effects on acoustics, and flutter or forced response is described. The first results of three-dimensional unsteady Euler solutions are illustrated for a single rotation propeller at an angle of attack and for a counterrotation propeller. Basic experimental and theoretical results from studies of the unsteady aerodynamics of oscillating cascades are outlined. Finally, advanced concepts involving swirl recovery vanes and ultra bypass ducted propellers are discussed.

High speed turboprop aeroacoustic study (counterrotation). Volume 2: Computer programs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitfield, C. E.; Mani, R.; Gliebe, P. R.

1990-07-01

The isolated counterrotating high speed turboprop noise prediction program developed and funded by GE Aircraft Engines was compared with model data taken in the GE Aircraft Engines Cell 41 anechoic facility, the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel, and in the NASA-Lewis 8 x 6 and 9 x 15 wind tunnels. The predictions show good agreement with measured data under both low and high speed simulated flight conditions. The installation effect model developed for single rotation, high speed turboprops was extended to include counter rotation. The additional effect of mounting a pylon upstream of the forward rotor was included in the flow field modeling. A nontraditional mechanism concerning the acoustic radiation from a propeller at angle of attack was investigated. Predictions made using this approach show results that are in much closer agreement with measurement over a range of operating conditions than those obtained via traditional fluctuating force methods. The isolated rotors and installation effects models were combined into a single prediction program. The results were compared with data taken during the flight test of the B727/UDF (trademark) engine demonstrator aircraft.

Development of a simulation tool to analyze the orientation of LCPs during extrusion process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmadzadegan, Arash

In this thesis, different aspects of the rheology and directionality of the liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) are investigated. The rheology of LCPs are modeled with different rheological models in different die geometries. The final goal in modeling the rheology and directionality of LCPs is to have a better understanding of their rheology during extrusion processing methods inside extrusion dies and eventually produce more isotropic films of LCPs. An attempt to design a die geometry that produces more isotropic films was made and it was shown that it is possible to use the inertia of the polymer to generate a more isotropic velocity profile at the lip of the die. This isotropic velocity profile can lead to alignment of directors along the streamlines and produce an isotropic film of LCP. It is shown that the rheological properties of the LCP should be altered to have a very low viscosity for this type of die to work. To be able to investigate the effect of processing on directionality of LCPs, it is essential to develop a method to simulate the directionality based on processing conditions. As a result, a user defined function (UDF) code was added to ANSYSRTM ~FLUENTRTM~ to simulate the directionality of LCPs. The rheology of the LCP is modeled using power-law fluid model and the consistency index (K) and power-law index (n) were estimated based on the experimental measurements done with capillary rheometry. Three main phenomena that affect the directionality namely effects of Franks elastic energy, the effect of shear and the effect of movement of crystals with the bulk of polymer are investigated. The results of this simulation are close to physical phenomena seen in real LCPs. To quantify the directionality of the LCPs, the order parameter of the domain were calculated and compared for different flow and fluid conditions. All polymers including LCPs are viscoelastic fluids in molten state. To understand the rheology of LCPs, a die-swell experiment was carried out using LCP material and Polypropylene (PP). For this experiment a capillary die with two different land-lengths was designed and built. The die-swell of the materials were measured optically according to ISO standards and the dependence of the die swell for materials on rheological properties is investigated. To simulate the viscoelasticity of LCPs numerically, ANSYSRTM ~POLYFLOWRTM~ was used. ANSYSRTM ~POLYFLOWRTM~ has several viscoelastic models and is designed to simulate extrusion processes. The geometry of the capillary die designed for the experiments was modeled in ANSYSRTM ~POLYFLOWRTM~ and the results were compared with the experimental results obtained for LCP and PP. It is shown that the morphology of the polymer should be considered into account to have a correct simulation of die swell.

Selection and Physical Properties of High-redshift Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, G. W.

2014-09-01

Extremely Red Objects (EROs) and BzKs continue to attract considerable interest. It has been suggested that they may be the direct progenitors of present-day massive E/S0 galaxies, and can provide crucial constraints on the current galaxy formation and evolution models. Therefore, the key question is to measure the relative fraction of OGs (old galaxies) and DGs (young, and dusty starburst galaxies) in the sample of EROs. Many groups have been currently investigating the fractions of these two ERO populations using a variety of observational approaches, but the fraction of OGs and DGs from different surveys is different. In the meantime, a number of observations suggest that the epoch of z˜2 also plays an important role in galaxy formation and evolution for various reasons: the cosmic star formation rate density (SFRD) begins to drop at z˜2 from a flat plateau at higher redshifts; the morphological type mix of field galaxies changes remarkably at z˜2; the number density of QSOs has a peak at z˜2; and about 50% to 70% of the stellar mass assembly of galaxies took place in the redshift range 12.7) at z˜2 in the AEGIS field (K_{AB} < 22.0). The number counts of pgzKs in our sample turn over at K_{AB} ˜ 21.0, and both the number of faint and bright objects (including sgzKs and pgzKs) exceed the predictions of a recent semi-analytic model of galaxy formation. A more successful model is needed to explain this diversity. It is also found that the star formation rate (SFR) and specific SFR (sSFR) of sgzKs increase with redshift at all masses, implying that star-forming galaxies were much more active on average in the past. Moreover, the sSFR of massive galaxies is lower at all redshifts, suggesting that the mass growth of low-mass galaxies is more attributed to the star formation while comparing with high-mass galaxies. From the HST WFC3/F160W imaging data, we find that gzKs not only have diffuse structures, but also have single-object morphologies, implying that there are morphological variety and different formation processes for these galaxies at z˜2. In addition, we also find ˜ 10% of 828 gzKs can be classified as AGNs. In Chapter 4, we present Spitzer/IRS spectra of a sample of 14 ULIRGs with 0.2 {mJy} 10^{11} M_{⊙} and 410 M_⊙\\cdot yr^{-1}< SFR <1022 M_⊙\\cdot yr^{-1}, respectively. Their rest-frame optical morphologies are very diversified including string-like, extended/diffused, and even early type spiral morphologies, implying that there are different formation processes for these galaxies. We also search for active galactic nucleus (AGN) signature in our sample using X-ray, radio, and mid-infrared (MIR) observations. EGS22, EGS25, EGS27, and EGS34 are detected in the X-ray imaging. The X-ray luminosities for EGS22 and EGS34 can be accounted for by their intensive star formation. EGS25 and EGS27 have higher L_{2-10 keV}, indicating that they harbor AGNs. About 14% to 29% of the sample show signatures of AGNs in X-ray, MIR or radio. Finally, the summary of the whole thesis and outlook are presented in Chapter 5.

High speed turboprop aeroacoustic study (counterrotation). Volume 1: Model development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitfield, C. E.; Mani, R.; Gliebe, P. R.

1990-01-01

The isolated counterrotating high speed turboprop noise prediction program was compared with model data taken in the GE Aircraft Engines Cell 41 anechoic facility, the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel, and in NASA-Lewis' 8x6 and 9x15 wind tunnels. The predictions show good agreement with measured data under both low and high speed simulated flight conditions. The installation effect model developed for single rotation, high speed turboprops was extended to include counterotation. The additional effect of mounting a pylon upstream of the forward rotor was included in the flow field modeling. A nontraditional mechanism concerning the acoustic radiation from a propeller at angle of attach was investigated. Predictions made using this approach show results that are in much closer agreement with measurement over a range of operating conditions than those obtained via traditional fluctuating force methods. The isolated rotors and installation effects models were combines into a single prediction program, results of which were compared with data taken during the flight test of the B727/UDF engine demonstrator aircraft. Satisfactory comparisons between prediction and measured data for the demonstrator airplane, together with the identification of a nontraditional radiation mechanism for propellers at angle of attack are achieved.

The NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project/General Electric Open Rotor Test Campaign

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Van Zante, Dale

2013-01-01

The Open Rotor is a modern version of the UnDucted Fan (UDF) that was flight tested in the late 1980's through a partnership between NASA and General Electric (GE). Tests were conducted in the 9'x15' Low Speed Wind Tunnel and the 8'x6' Supersonic Wind Tunnel starting in late 2009 and completed in early 2012. Aerodynamic and acoustic data were obtained for takeoff, approach and cruise simulations. GE was the primary partner, but other organizations were involved such as Boeing and Airbus who provided additional hardware for fuselage simulations. This test campaign provided the acoustic and performance characteristics for modern open rotor blades designs." NASA and GE conducted joint systems analysis to evaluate how well new blade designs would perform on a B737 class aircraft, and compared the results to an advanced higher bypass ratio turbofan." Acoustic shielding experiments were performed at NASA GRC and Boeing LSAF facilities to provide data for noise estimates of unconventional aircraft configurations with Open Rotor propulsion systems." The work was sponsored by NASA's aeronautics programs, including the Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW) and the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) projects."

A three-dimensional numerical simulation of cell behavior in a flow chamber based on fluid-solid interaction.

PubMed

Bai, Long; Cui, Yuhong; Zhang, Yixia; Zhao, Na

2014-01-01

The mechanical behavior of blood cells in the vessels has a close relationship with the physical characteristics of the blood and the cells. In this paper, a numerical simulation method was proposed to understand a single-blood cell's behavior in the vessels based on fluid-solid interaction method, which was conducted under adaptive time step and fixed time step, respectively. The main programme was C++ codes, which called FLUENT and ANSYS software, and UDF and APDL acted as a messenger to connect FLUENT and ANSYS for exchanging data. The computing results show: (1) the blood cell moved towards the bottom of the flow chamber in the beginning due to the influence of gravity, then it began to jump up when reached a certain height rather than touching the bottom. It could move downwards again after jump up, the blood cell could keep this way of moving like dancing continuously in the vessels; (2) the blood cell was rolling and deforming all the time; the rotation had oscillatory changes and the deformation became conspicuously when the blood cell was dancing. This new simulation method and results can be widely used in the researches of cytology, blood, cells, etc.

High speed turboprop aeroacoustic study (counterrotation). Volume 1: Model development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitfield, C. E.; Mani, R.; Gliebe, P. R.

1990-07-01

The isolated counterrotating high speed turboprop noise prediction program was compared with model data taken in the GE Aircraft Engines Cell 41 anechoic facility, the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel, and in NASA-Lewis' 8x6 and 9x15 wind tunnels. The predictions show good agreement with measured data under both low and high speed simulated flight conditions. The installation effect model developed for single rotation, high speed turboprops was extended to include counterotation. The additional effect of mounting a pylon upstream of the forward rotor was included in the flow field modeling. A nontraditional mechanism concerning the acoustic radiation from a propeller at angle of attach was investigated. Predictions made using this approach show results that are in much closer agreement with measurement over a range of operating conditions than those obtained via traditional fluctuating force methods. The isolated rotors and installation effects models were combines into a single prediction program, results of which were compared with data taken during the flight test of the B727/UDF engine demonstrator aircraft. Satisfactory comparisons between prediction and measured data for the demonstrator airplane, together with the identification of a nontraditional radiation mechanism for propellers at angle of attack are achieved.

Predicting the High Redshift Galaxy Population for JWST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flynn, Zoey; Benson, Andrew

2017-01-01

The James Webb Space Telescope will be launched in Oct 2018 with the goal of observing galaxies in the redshift range of z = 10 - 15. As redshift increases, the age of the Universe decreases, allowing us to study objects formed only a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. This will provide a valuable opportunity to test and improve current galaxy formation theory by comparing predictions for mass, luminosity, and number density to the observed data. We have made testable predictions with the semi-analytical galaxy formation model Galacticus. The code uses Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods to determine viable sets of model parameters that match current astronomical data. The resulting constrained model was then set to match the specifications of the JWST Ultra Deep Field Imaging Survey. Predictions utilizing up to 100 viable parameter sets were calculated, allowing us to assess the uncertainty in current theoretical expectations. We predict that the planned UDF will be able to observe a significant number of objects past redshift z > 9 but nothing at redshift z > 11. In order to detect these faint objects at redshifts z = 11-15 we need to increase exposure time by at least a factor of 1.66.

The Effect of Operating Lamps on the Protected Area of a Unidirectional Down Flow (UDF) System.

PubMed

Traversari, A A L; Bottenheft, C; Louman, R; van Heumen, S P M; Böggemann, J

2017-04-01

Operating lamps are often seen as the most disruptive factors within the protective area in the operating theater (OT). The effect of the operation lamps (with different shapes) should be demonstrated in an OT by trial, since research on the effects of the lamps is still limited. The main aim of this study was to determine the effects of a skirt, different lamps, and the position of the lamp on the protected area. The concentration of airborne particles was measured under different circumstances, in order to determine the size and quality of the protected area. This entrainment/segregation test is based on the deliberate and controlled emission of particles outside the zone that is protected. The degree of protection (DP) at the center of the protected area was higher for the case with the skirt. This skirt stimulates more down flow and prevents the early entry of particles into the protected area. It can also be concluded that Lamp Y, due to its open shape, has the most positive effect on the DP at the center. It has also been shown that the position of the lamp has an effect on the protected area.

Constraints on z~10 Galaxies from the Deepest Hubble Space Telescope NICMOS Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouwens, R. J.; Illingworth, G. D.; Thompson, R. I.; Franx, M.

2005-05-01

We use all available fields with deep NICMOS imaging to search for J110-dropouts (H160,AB<~28) at z~10. Our primary data set for this search is the two J110+H160 NICMOS fields taken in parallel with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) Hubble Ultra Deep Field (UDF). The 5 σ limiting magnitudes were ~28.6 in J110 and ~28.5 in H160 (0.6" apertures). Several shallower fields were also used: J110+H160 NICMOS frames available over the Hubble Deep Field (HDF) North, the HDF-South NICMOS parallel, and the ACS UDF (with 5 σ limiting magnitudes in J110 and H160 ranging from 27.0 to 28.2). The primary selection criterion was (J110-H160)AB>1.8. Eleven such sources were found in all search fields using this criterion. Eight of these are clearly ruled out as credible z~10 sources, either as a result of detections (>2 σ) blueward of J110 or their colors redward of the break (H160-K~1.5) (redder than >~98% of lower redshift dropouts). The nature of the three remaining sources could not be determined from the data. This number appears consistent with the expected contamination from low-redshift interlopers. Analysis of the stacked images for the three candidates also suggests some contamination. Regardless of their true redshifts, the actual number of z~10 sources must be three or fewer. To assess the significance of these results, two lower redshift samples (a z~3.8 B-dropout and z~6 i-dropout sample) were projected to z~7-13 using a (1+z)-1 size scaling (for fixed luminosity). They were added to the image frames and the selection was repeated, giving 15.6 and 4.8 J110-dropouts, respectively. This suggests that to the limit of this probe (~0.3L*z=3), there has been evolution from z~3.8 and possibly from z~6. This is consistent with the strong evolution already noted at z~6 and z~7.5 relative to z~3-4. Even assuming that three sources from this probe are at z~10, the rest-frame continuum UV (~1500 Å) luminosity density at z~10 (integrated down to 0.3L*z=3) is just 0.19+0.13-0.09 times that at z~3.8 (or 0.19+0.15-0.10 times, including the small effect from cosmic variance). However, if none of our sources are at z~10, this ratio has a 1 σ upper limit of 0.07. Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.

Defining a Model for Mitochondrial Function in mESC Differentiation

EPA Science Inventory

Defining a Model for Mitochondrial Function in mESC DifferentiationDefining a Model for Mitochondrial Function in mESC Differentiation Differentiating embryonic stem cells (ESCs) undergo mitochondrial maturation leading to a switch from a system dependent upon glycolysis to a re...

Differential contributions of executive and episodic memory functions to problem solving in younger and older adults.

PubMed

Vandermorris, Susan; Sheldon, Signy; Winocur, Gordon; Moscovitch, Morris

2013-11-01

The relationship of higher order problem solving to basic neuropsychological processes likely depends on the type of problems to be solved. Well-defined problems (e.g., completing a series of errands) may rely primarily on executive functions. Conversely, ill-defined problems (e.g., navigating socially awkward situations) may, in addition, rely on medial temporal lobe (MTL) mediated episodic memory processes. Healthy young (N = 18; M = 19; SD = 1.3) and old (N = 18; M = 73; SD = 5.0) adults completed a battery of neuropsychological tests of executive and episodic memory function, and experimental tests of problem solving. Correlation analyses and age group comparisons demonstrated differential contributions of executive and autobiographical episodic memory function to well-defined and ill-defined problem solving and evidence for an episodic simulation mechanism underlying ill-defined problem solving efficacy. Findings are consistent with the emerging idea that MTL-mediated episodic simulation processes support the effective solution of ill-defined problems, over and above the contribution of frontally mediated executive functions. Implications for the development of intervention strategies that target preservation of functional independence in older adults are discussed.

WFIRST: Science from Deep Field Surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koekemoer, Anton M.; Foley, Ryan; WFIRST Deep Field Working Group

2018-06-01

WFIRST will enable deep field imaging across much larger areas than those previously obtained with Hubble, opening up completely new areas of parameter space for extragalactic deep fields including cosmology, supernova and galaxy evolution science. The instantaneous field of view of the Wide Field Instrument (WFI) is about 0.3 square degrees, which would for example yield an Ultra Deep Field (UDF) reaching similar depths at visible and near-infrared wavelengths to that obtained with Hubble, over an area about 100-200 times larger, for a comparable investment in time. Moreover, wider fields on scales of 10-20 square degrees could achieve depths comparable to large HST surveys at medium depths such as GOODS and CANDELS, and would enable multi-epoch supernova science that could be matched in area to LSST Deep Drilling fields or other large survey areas. Such fields may benefit from being placed on locations in the sky that have ancillary multi-band imaging or spectroscopy from other facilities, from the ground or in space. The WFIRST Deep Fields Working Group has been examining the science considerations for various types of deep fields that may be obtained with WFIRST, and present here a summary of the various properties of different locations in the sky that may be considered for future deep fields with WFIRST.

WFIRST: Science from Deep Field Surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koekemoer, Anton; Foley, Ryan; WFIRST Deep Field Working Group

2018-01-01

WFIRST will enable deep field imaging across much larger areas than those previously obtained with Hubble, opening up completely new areas of parameter space for extragalactic deep fields including cosmology, supernova and galaxy evolution science. The instantaneous field of view of the Wide Field Instrument (WFI) is about 0.3 square degrees, which would for example yield an Ultra Deep Field (UDF) reaching similar depths at visible and near-infrared wavelengths to that obtained with Hubble, over an area about 100-200 times larger, for a comparable investment in time. Moreover, wider fields on scales of 10-20 square degrees could achieve depths comparable to large HST surveys at medium depths such as GOODS and CANDELS, and would enable multi-epoch supernova science that could be matched in area to LSST Deep Drilling fields or other large survey areas. Such fields may benefit from being placed on locations in the sky that have ancillary multi-band imaging or spectroscopy from other facilities, from the ground or in space. The WFIRST Deep Fields Working Group has been examining the science considerations for various types of deep fields that may be obtained with WFIRST, and present here a summary of the various properties of different locations in the sky that may be considered for future deep fields with WFIRST.

CLUES to the past: Local Group progenitors amongst high-redshift Lyman break galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dayal, Pratika; Libeskind, Noam I.; Dunlop, James S.

2013-06-01

We use state-of-the-art numerical simulations to explore the observability and the expected physical properties of the progenitors of the Local Group galaxies at z ≃ 6-8, within 1 billion years of the big bang. We find that the most massive progenitors of the Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31) at z ≃ 6 and 7 are predicted to have absolute ultraviolet (UV) continuum magnitudes MUV ≃ -17 to -18, suggesting that their analogues lie close to the detection limits of the deepest near-infrared (IR) surveys conducted to date [i.e. Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3/IR Ultra Deep Field (UDF)12]. This in turn confirms that the majority of currently known z ≃ 6-8 galaxies are expected to be the seeds of present-day galaxies which are more massive than L* spirals. We also discuss the properties of the Local Group progenitors at these early epochs, extending down to absolute magnitudes MUV ≃ -13. The most massive MW/M31 progenitors at z ≃ 7 have stellar masses M* ≃ 107.5-8 M⊙, stellar metallicities Z* ˜ 3-6 per cent Z⊙, and predicted observed UV continuum slopes β ≃ -2.4 to -2.5.

Robust Regression Procedures for Predictor Variable Outliers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-03-01

space of probability dis- tributions. Then the influence function of the estimator is defined to be the derivative of the functional evaluated at the...measure of the impact of an outlier x0 on the estimator . . . . . .0 10 T(F) is the " influence function " which is defined to be T(F) - lirT(F")-T(F...positive and negative directions. An em- pirical influence function can be defined in a similar fashion simply by replacing F with F in eqn. (3.4).n

Defining functional groups based on running kinematics using Self-Organizing Maps and Support Vector Machines.

PubMed

Hoerzer, Stefan; von Tscharner, Vinzenz; Jacob, Christian; Nigg, Benno M

2015-07-16

A functional group is a collection of individuals who react in a similar way to a specific intervention/product such as a sport shoe. Matching footwear features to a functional group can possibly enhance footwear-related comfort, improve running performance, and decrease the risk of movement-related injuries. To match footwear features to a functional group, one has to first define the different groups using their distinctive movement patterns. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to propose and apply a methodological approach to define functional groups with different movement patterns using Self-Organizing Maps and Support Vector Machines. Further study objectives were to identify differences in age, gender and footwear-related comfort preferences between the functional groups. Kinematic data and subjective comfort preferences of 88 subjects (16-76 years; 45 m/43 f) were analysed. Eight functional groups with distinctive movement patterns were defined. The findings revealed that most of the groups differed in age or gender. Certain functional groups differed in their comfort preferences and, therefore, had group-specific footwear requirements to enhance footwear-related comfort. Some of the groups, which had group-specific footwear requirements, did not show any differences in age or gender. This is important because when defining functional groups simply using common grouping criteria like age or gender, certain functional groups with group-specific movement patterns and footwear requirements might not be detected. This emphasises the power of the proposed pattern recognition approach to automatically define groups by their distinctive movement patterns in order to be able to address their group-specific product requirements. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Defining functional distance using manifold embeddings of gene ontology annotations

PubMed Central

Lerman, Gilad; Shakhnovich, Boris E.

2007-01-01

Although rigorous measures of similarity for sequence and structure are now well established, the problem of defining functional relationships has been particularly daunting. Here, we present several manifold embedding techniques to compute distances between Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotations and consequently estimate functional distances between protein domains. To evaluate accuracy, we correlate the functional distance to the well established measures of sequence, structural, and phylogenetic similarities. Finally, we show that manual classification of structures into folds and superfamilies is mirrored by proximity in the newly defined function space. We show how functional distances place structure–function relationships in biological context resulting in insight into divergent and convergent evolution. The methods and results in this paper can be readily generalized and applied to a wide array of biologically relevant investigations, such as accuracy of annotation transference, the relationship between sequence, structure, and function, or coherence of expression modules. PMID:17595300

E-O Sensor Signal Recognition Simulation: Computer Code SPOT I.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-10-01

scattering phase function PDCO , defined at the specified wavelength, given for each of the scattering angles defined. Currently, a maximum of sixty-four...PHASE MATRIX DATA IS DEFINED PDCO AVERAGE PROBABILITY FOR PHASE MATRIX DEFINITION NPROB PROBLEM NUMBER 54 Fig. 12. FLOWCHART for the SPOT Computer Code...El0.1 WLAM(N) Wavelength at which the aerosol single-scattering phase function set is defined (microns) 3 8El0.1 PDCO (N,I) Average probability for

Counter rotating fans — An aircraft propulsion for the future?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schimming, Peter

2003-05-01

In the mid seventies a new propulsor for aircraft was designed and investigated - the so-called PROPFAN. With regard to the total pressure increase, it ranges between a conventional propeller and a turbofan with very high bypass ratio. This new propulsion system promised a reduction in fuel consumption of 15 to 25% compared to engines at that time. A lot of propfans (Hamilton Standard, USA) with different numbers of blades and blade shapes have been designed and tested in wind tunnels in order to find an optimum in efficiency, Fig.1. Parallel to this development GE, USA, made a design of a counter rotating unducted propfan, the so-called UDF, Fig.2. A prototype engine was manufactured and investigated on an in-flight test bed mounted at the MD82 and the B727. Since that time there has not been any further development of propfans (except AN 70 with NK 90-engine, Ukraine, which is more or less a propeller design) due to relatively low fuel prices and technical obstacles. Only technical programs in different countries are still going on in order to prepare a data base for designing counter rotating fans in terms of aeroacoustics, aerodynamics and aeroelasticities. In DLR, Germany, a lot of experimental and numerical work has been undertaken to understand the physical behaviour of the unsteady flow in a counter rotating fan.

Differential Item Functioning Detection across Two Methods of Defining Group Comparisons: Pairwise and Composite Group Comparisons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sari, Halil Ibrahim; Huggins, Anne Corinne

2015-01-01

This study compares two methods of defining groups for the detection of differential item functioning (DIF): (a) pairwise comparisons and (b) composite group comparisons. We aim to emphasize and empirically support the notion that the choice of pairwise versus composite group definitions in DIF is a reflection of how one defines fairness in DIF…

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

Vankerschaver, Joris; Liao, Cuicui; Leok, Melvin

The main goal of this paper is to derive an alternative characterization of the multisymplectic form formula for classical field theories using the geometry of the space of boundary values. We review the concept of Type-I/II generating functionals defined on the space of boundary data of a Lagrangian field theory. On the Lagrangian side, we define an analogue of Jacobi's solution to the Hamilton–Jacobi equation for field theories, and we show that by taking variational derivatives of this functional, we obtain an isotropic submanifold of the space of Cauchy data, described by the so-called multisymplectic form formula. As an examplemore » of the latter, we show that Lorentz's reciprocity principle in electromagnetism is a particular instance of the multisymplectic form formula. We also define a Hamiltonian analogue of Jacobi's solution, and we show that this functional is a Type-II generating functional. We finish the paper by defining a similar framework of generating functions for discrete field theories, and we show that for the linear wave equation, we recover the multisymplectic conservation law of Bridges.« less

Function-Based Interventions for Children with Challenging Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dunlap, Glen; Fox, Lise

2011-01-01

It is now axiomatic that challenging behaviors are defined more profitably by their functions (their motivations) than by their topographies (what they look like). The notion that challenging behaviors can be defined on the basis of their function has led in the past 30 years to a dramatically reconfigured approach to assessment and intervention.…

Discordance between Psychometric Testing and Questionnaire-Based Definitions of Executive Function Deficits in Individuals with ADHD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Biederman, Joseph; Petty, Carter R.; Fried, Ronna; Black, Sarah; Faneuil, Alicia; Doyle, Alysa E.; Seidman, Larry J.; Faraone, Stephen V.

2008-01-01

Objective: One suspected source of negative outcomes associated with ADHD has been deficits in executive functions. Although both psychometrically defined and self-reported executive function deficits (EFDs) have been shown to be associated with poor academic and occupational outcomes, whether these two approaches define the same individuals…

Photodissociation and photoionisation of atoms and molecules of astrophysical interest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heays, A. N.; Bosman, A. D.; van Dishoeck, E. F.

2017-06-01

A new collection of photodissociation and photoionisation cross sections for 102 atoms and molecules of astrochemical interest has been assembled, along with a brief review of the basic physical processes involved. These have been used to calculate dissociation and ionisation rates, with uncertainties, in a standard ultraviolet interstellar radiation field (ISRF) and for other wavelength-dependent radiation fields, including cool stellar and solar radiation, Lyman-α dominated radiation, and a cosmic-ray induced ultraviolet flux. The new ISRF rates generally agree within 30% with our previous compilations, with a few notable exceptions. Comparison with other databases such as PHIDRATES is made. The reduction of rates in shielded regions was calculated as a function of dust, molecular and atomic hydrogen, atomic C, and self-shielding column densities. The relative importance of these shielding types depends on the atom or molecule in question and the assumed dust optical properties. All of the new data are publicly available from the Leiden photodissociation and ionisation database. Sensitivity of the calculated rates to variation of temperature and isotope, and uncertainties in measured or calculated cross sections, are tested and discussed. Tests were conducted on the new rates with an interstellar-cloud chemical model, and find general agreement (within a factor of two) in abundances obtained with the previous iteration of the Leiden database assuming an ISRF, and order-of-magnitude variations assuming various kinds of stellar radiation. The newly parameterised dust-shielding factors makes a factor-of-two difference to many atomic and molecular abundances relative to parameters currently in the UDfA and KIDA astrochemical reaction databases. The newly-calculated cosmic-ray induced photodissociation and ionisation rates differ from current standard values up to a factor of 5. Under high temperature and cosmic-ray-flux conditions the new rates alter the equilibrium abundances of abundant dark cloud abundances by up to a factor of two. The partial cross sections for H2O and NH3 photodissociation forming OH, O, NH2 and NH are also evaluated and lead to radiation-field-dependent branching ratios.

Detectability of auditory signals presented without defined observation intervals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watson, C. S.; Nichols, T. L.

1976-01-01

Ability to detect tones in noise was measured without defined observation intervals. Latency density functions were estimated for the first response following a signal and, separately, for the first response following randomly distributed instances of background noise. Detection performance was measured by the maximum separation between the cumulative latency density functions for signal-plus-noise and for noise alone. Values of the index of detectability, estimated by this procedure, were approximately those obtained with a 2-dB weaker signal and defined observation intervals. Simulation of defined- and non-defined-interval tasks with an energy detector showed that this device performs very similarly to the human listener in both cases.

Using greenhouse gas fluxes to define soil functional types

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

Petrakis, Sandra; Barba, Josep; Bond-Lamberty, Ben

Soils provide key ecosystem services and directly control ecosystem functions; thus, there is a need to define the reference state of soil functionality. Most common functional classifications of ecosystems are vegetation-centered and neglect soil characteristics and processes. We propose Soil Functional Types (SFTs) as a conceptual approach to represent and describe the functionality of soils based on characteristics of their greenhouse gas (GHG) flux dynamics. We used automated measurements of CO2, CH4 and N2O in a forested area to define SFTs following a simple statistical framework. This study supports the hypothesis that SFTs provide additional insights on the spatial variabilitymore » of soil functionality beyond information represented by commonly measured soil parameters (e.g., soil moisture, soil temperature, litter biomass). We discuss the implications of this framework at the plot-scale and the potential of this approach at larger scales. This approach is a first step to provide a framework to define SFTs, but a community effort is necessary to harmonize any global classification for soil functionality. A global application of the proposed SFT framework will only be possible if there is a community-wide effort to share data and create a global database of GHG emissions from soils.« less

Toward a general theory of conical intersections in systems of identical nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keating, Sean P.; Mead, C. Alden

1987-02-01

It has been shown previously that the Herzberg-Longuet-Higgins sign change produced in Born-Oppenheimer electronic wave functions when the nuclei traverse a closed path around a conical intersection has implications for the symmetry of wave functions under permutations of identical nuclei. For systems of three or four identical nuclei, there are special features present which have facilitated the detailed analysis. The present paper reports progress toward a general theory for systems of n nuclei. For n=3 or 4, the two key functions which locate conical intersections and define compensating phase factors can conveniently be defined so as to transform under permutations according to a two-dimensional irreducible representation of the permutation group. Since such representations do not exist for n>4, we have chosen to develop a formalism in terms of lab-fixed electronic basis functions, and we show how to define the two key functions in principle. The functions so defined both turn out to be totally symmetric under permutations. We show how they can be used to define compensating phase factors so that all modified electronic wave functions are either totally symmetric or totally antisymmetric under permutations. A detailed analysis is made to cyclic permutations in the neighborhood of Dnh symmetry, which can be extended by continuity arguments to more general configurations, and criteria are obtained for sign changes. There is a qualitative discussion of the treatment of more general permutations.

On the Association between Adolescent Autonomy and Psychosocial Functioning: Examining Decisional Independence from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Petegem, Stijn; Beyers, Wim; Vansteenkiste, Maarten; Soenens, Bart

2012-01-01

In the present study, we focus on the concept of adolescent autonomy and its relation with psychosocial functioning. Specifically, we aim to differentiate between 2 prevailing conceptualizations of autonomy, that is, (a) autonomy defined as independence versus dependence and (b) autonomy defined as self-endorsed versus controlled functioning. A…

Coastal habitats as surrogates for taxonomic, functional and trophic structures of benthic faunal communities.

PubMed

Törnroos, Anna; Nordström, Marie C; Bonsdorff, Erik

2013-01-01

Due to human impact, there is extensive degradation and loss of marine habitats, which calls for measures that incorporate taxonomic as well as functional and trophic aspects of biodiversity. Since such data is less easily quantifiable in nature, the use of habitats as surrogates or proxies for biodiversity is on the rise in marine conservation and management. However, there is a critical gap in knowledge of whether pre-defined habitat units adequately represent the functional and trophic structure of communities. We also lack comparisons of different measures of community structure in terms of both between- (β) and within-habitat (α) variability when accounting for species densities. Thus, we evaluated a priori defined coastal habitats as surrogates for traditional taxonomic, functional and trophic zoobenthic community structure. We focused on four habitats (bare sand, canopy-forming algae, seagrass above- and belowground), all easily delineated in nature and defined through classification systems. We analyzed uni- and multivariate data on species and trait diversity as well as stable isotope ratios of benthic macrofauna. A good fit between habitat types and taxonomic and functional structure was found, although habitats were more similar functionally. This was attributed to within-habitat heterogeneity so when habitat divisions matched the taxonomic structure, only bare sand was functionally distinct. The pre-defined habitats did not meet the variability of trophic structure, which also proved to differentiate on a smaller spatial scale. The quantification of trophic structure using species density only identified an epi- and an infaunal unit. To summarize the results we present a conceptual model illustrating the match between pre-defined habitat types and the taxonomic, functional and trophic community structure. Our results show the importance of including functional and trophic aspects more comprehensively in marine management and spatial planning.

Functioning in the Real World: Using Storytelling to Improve Validity in the Assessment of Executive Functions.

PubMed

Annotti, Lee A; Teglasi, Hedwig

2017-01-01

Real-world contexts differ in the clarity of expectations for desired responses, as do assessment procedures, ranging along a continuum from maximal conditions that provide well-defined expectations to typical conditions that provide ill-defined expectations. Executive functions guide effective social interactions, but relations between them have not been studied with measures that are matched in the clarity of response expectations. In predicting teacher-rated social competence (SC) from kindergarteners' performance on tasks of executive functions (EFs), we found better model-data fit indexes when both measures were similar in the clarity of response expectations for the child. The maximal EF measure, the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, presents well-defined response expectations, and the typical EF measure, 5 scales from the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), presents ill-defined response expectations (i.e., Abstraction, Perceptual Integration, Cognitive-Experiential Integration, and Associative Thinking). To assess SC under maximal and typical conditions, we used 2 teacher-rated questionnaires, with items, respectively, that emphasize well-defined and ill-defined expectations: the Behavior Rating Inventory: Behavioral Regulation Index and the Social Skills Improvement System: Social Competence Scale. Findings suggest that matching clarity of expectations improves generalization across measures and highlight the usefulness of the TAT to measure EF.

From the Weyl quantization of a particle on the circle to number–phase Wigner functions

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

Przanowski, Maciej, E-mail: maciej.przanowski@p.lodz.pl; Brzykcy, Przemysław, E-mail: 800289@edu.p.lodz.pl; Tosiek, Jaromir, E-mail: jaromir.tosiek@p.lodz.pl

2014-12-15

A generalized Weyl quantization formalism for a particle on the circle is shown to supply an effective method for defining the number–phase Wigner function in quantum optics. A Wigner function for the state ϱ{sup ^} and the kernel K for a particle on the circle is defined and its properties are analysed. Then it is shown how this Wigner function can be easily modified to give the number–phase Wigner function in quantum optics. Some examples of such number–phase Wigner functions are considered.

Functional design specification for Stowage List And Hardware Tracking System (SLAHTS). [space shuttles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keltner, D. J.

1975-01-01

This functional design specification defines the total systems approach to meeting the requirements stated in the Detailed Requirements Document for Stowage List and Hardware Tracking System for the space shuttle program. The stowage list and hardware tracking system is identified at the system and subsystem level with each subsystem defined as a function of the total system.

The Americans with Disabilities Act: Using Job Analysis To Meet New Challenges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lozada-Larsen, Susana R.

This paper focuses on the role that job analysis plays under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The most obvious use of job analysis data is in defining the essential functions of each job. The job analysis technique used should: list the functions of the job, define which functions are essential rather than marginal, and offer proof of…

Functional Anorectal Disorders.

PubMed

Rao, Satish Sc; Bharucha, Adil E; Chiarioni, Giuseppe; Felt-Bersma, Richelle; Knowles, Charles; Malcolm, Allison; Wald, Arnold

2016-03-25

This report defines criteria and reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of common anorectal disorders: fecal incontinence (FI), functional anorectal pain and functional defecation disorders. FI is defined as the recurrent uncontrolled passage of fecal material for at least 3 months. The clinical features of FI are useful for guiding diagnostic testing and therapy. Anorectal manometry and imaging are useful for evaluating anal and pelvic floor structure and function. Education, antidiarrheals and biofeedback therapy are the mainstay of management; surgery may be useful in refractory cases. Functional anorectal pain syndromes are defined by clinical features and categorized into three subtypes. In proctalgia fugax, the pain is typically fleeting and lasts for seconds to minutes. In levator ani syndrome (LAS) and unspecified anorectal pain the pain lasts more than 30 minutes, but in LAS there is puborectalis tenderness. Functional defecation disorders are defined by >2 symptoms of chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, and with >2 features of impaired evacuation i.e., abnormal evacuation pattern on manometry, abnormal balloon expulsion test or impaired rectal evacuation by imaging. It includes two subtypes; dyssynergic defecation and inadequate defecatory propulsion. Pelvic floor biofeedback therapy is effective for treating LAS and defecatory disorders. Copyright © 2016 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

21 CFR 315.5 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

21 CFR 601.34 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

21 CFR 315.5 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

21 CFR 315.5 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

21 CFR 601.34 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

21 CFR 601.34 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

21 CFR 315.5 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

21 CFR 601.34 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

21 CFR 601.34 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

21 CFR 315.5 - Evaluation of effectiveness.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

..., physiological, or biochemical assessment is established by demonstrating in a defined clinical setting reliable measurement of function(s) or physiological, biochemical, or molecular process(es). (3) The claim of disease... demonstrating in a defined clinical setting that the test is useful in diagnostic or therapeutic patient...

Interactions between Mathematics and Physics: The History of the Concept of Function--Teaching with and about Nature of Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kjeldsen, Tinne Hoff; Lützen, Jesper

2015-01-01

In this paper, we discuss the history of the concept of function and emphasize in particular how problems in physics have led to essential changes in its definition and application in mathematical practices. Euler defined a function as an analytic expression, whereas Dirichlet defined it as a variable that depends in an arbitrary manner on another…

Space shuttle orbiter guidance, naviagation and control software functional requirements: Horizontal flight operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The shuttle GN&C software functions for horizontal flight operations are defined. Software functional requirements are grouped into two categories: first horizontal flight requirements and full mission horizontal flight requirements. The document privides the intial step in the shuttle GN&C software design process. It also serves as a management tool to identify analyses which are required to define requirements.

Recursive search method for the image elements of functionally defined surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vyatkin, S. I.

2017-05-01

This paper touches upon the synthesis of high-quality images in real time and the technique for specifying three-dimensional objects on the basis of perturbation functions. The recursive search method for the image elements of functionally defined objects with the use of graphics processing units is proposed. The advantages of such an approach over the frame-buffer visualization method are shown.

SEPT9_v1 Functions in Breast Cancer Cell Division

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

the regulation and function of septin filaments, and define new mechanisms regulating important cellular functions. BODY: 1). Study the effects...ciliogenesis. However, mechanisms for retaining these proteins and lipids in the primary cilia are not clear. We directly tested the presence of a diffusion...polarity and morphogenesis;  Defined mechanisms involving the roles of septins and microtubules in vesicle trafficking and epithelial morphogenesis

Transfer function concept for ultrasonic characterization of material microstructures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vary, A.; Kautz, H. E.

1986-01-01

The approach given depends on treating material microstructures as elastomechanical filters that have analytically definable transfer functions. These transfer functions can be defined in terms of the frequency dependence of the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient. The transfer function concept provides a basis for synthesizing expressions that characterize polycrystalline materials relative to microstructural factors such as mean grain size, grain-size distribution functions, and grain boundary energy transmission. Although the approach is nonrigorous, it leads to a rational basis for combining the previously mentioned diverse and fragmented equations for ultrasonic attenuation coefficients.

Improving Mixed Variable Optimization of Computational and Model Parameters Using Multiple Surrogate Functions

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

multiplicative corrections as well as space mapping transformations for models defined over a lower dimensional space. A corrected surrogate model for the...correction functions used in [72]. If the low fidelity model g(x̃) is defined over a lower dimensional space then a space mapping transformation is...required. As defined in [21, 72], space mapping is a method of mapping between models of different dimensionality or fidelity. Let P denote the space

On Defining Literacy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sherritt, Caroline A.

Defining literacy is a compelling challenge to educators. They generally use three models: instrumental, functional, and empowerment. The latter two approaches, which were increasingly evident in the 1980s, identify literacy by the social functions required in a given context or by the qualities needed for illiterate people to take control of…

Assembling Appliances Standards from a Basket of Functions

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

Siderious, Hans-Paul; Meier, Alan

2014-08-11

Rapid innovation in product design challenges the current methodology for setting standards and labels, especially for electronics, software and networking. Major problems include defining the product, measuring its energy consumption, and choosing the appropriate metric and level for the standard. Most governments have tried to solve these problems by defining ever more specific product subcategories, along with their corresponding test methods and metrics. An alternative approach would treat each energy-using product as something that delivers a basket of functions. Then separate standards would be constructed for the individual functions that can be defined, tested, and evaluated. Case studies of thermostats,more » displays and network equipment are presented to illustrate the problems with the classical approach for setting standards and indicate the merits and drawbacks of the alternative. The functional approach appears best suited to products whose primary purpose is processing information and that have multiple functions.« less

Mechanisms by Which Different Functional States of Mitochondria Define Yeast Longevity

PubMed Central

Beach, Adam; Leonov, Anna; Arlia-Ciommo, Anthony; Svistkova, Veronika; Lutchman, Vicky; Titorenko, Vladimir I.

2015-01-01

Mitochondrial functionality is vital to organismal physiology. A body of evidence supports the notion that an age-related progressive decline in mitochondrial function is a hallmark of cellular and organismal aging in evolutionarily distant eukaryotes. Studies of the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a unicellular eukaryote, have led to discoveries of genes, signaling pathways and chemical compounds that modulate longevity-defining cellular processes in eukaryotic organisms across phyla. These studies have provided deep insights into mechanistic links that exist between different traits of mitochondrial functionality and cellular aging. The molecular mechanisms underlying the essential role of mitochondria as signaling organelles in yeast aging have begun to emerge. In this review, we discuss recent progress in understanding mechanisms by which different functional states of mitochondria define yeast longevity, outline the most important unanswered questions and suggest directions for future research. PMID:25768339

AgRISTARS: Yield model development/soil moisture. Interface control document

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

The interactions and support functions required between the crop Yield Model Development (YMD) Project and Soil Moisture (SM) Project are defined. The requirements for YMD support of SM and vice-versa are outlined. Specific tasks in support of these interfaces are defined for development of support functions.

Ecological function as a target for ecosystem-based management: Defining when change matters in decision making

EPA Science Inventory

Ecosystem-based management (EBM) accounts for both direct and indirect drivers of ecological change for decision making. Just as with direct management of a resource, EBM requires a definition of management thresholds that define when change in function is sufficient to merit ma...

Evolution of Intrinsic Scatter in the SFR-Stellar Mass Correlation at 0.5 less than z Less Than 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kurczynski, Peter; Gawiser, Eric; Acquaviva, Viviana; Bell, Eric F.; Dekel, Avishai; De Mello, Duilia F.; Ferguson, Henry C.; Gardner, Jonathan P.; Grogin, Norman A.

2016-01-01

We present estimates of intrinsic scatter in the star formation rate (SFR)--stellar mass (M*) correlation in the redshift range 0.5 less than z less than 3.0 and in the mass range 10(exp 7) less than M* less than 10(exp 11) solar mass. We utilize photometry in the Hubble Ultradeep Field (HUDF12) and Ultraviolet Ultra Deep Field (UVUDF) campaigns and CANDELS/GOODS-S and estimate SFR, M* from broadband spectral energy distributions and the best-available redshifts. The maximum depth of the UDF photometry (F160W 29.9 AB, 5 sigma depth) probes the SFR--M* correlation down to M* approximately 10(exp 7) solar mass, a factor of 10-100 x lower in M* than previous studies, and comparable to dwarf galaxies in the local universe. We find the slope of the SFR-M* relationship to be near unity at all redshifts and the normalization to decrease with cosmic time. We find a moderate increase in intrinsic scatter with cosmic time from 0.2 to 0.4 dex across the epoch of peak cosmic star formation. None of our redshift bins show a statistically significant increase in intrinsic scatter approximately 100 Myr. Our results are consistent with a picture of gradual and self-similar assembly of galaxies across more than three orders of magnitude in stellar mass from as low as 10(exp 7) solar mass.

Predictors of Positive Outcomes in Offspring of Depressed Parents and Non-depressed Parents Across 20 Years

PubMed Central

Verdeli, Helen; Wickramaratne, Priya; Warner, Virginia; Mancini, Anthony; Weissman, Myrna

2014-01-01

Understanding differences in factors leading to positive outcomes in high-risk and low-risk offspring has important implications for preventive interventions. We identified variables predicting positive outcomes in a cohort of 235 offspring from 76 families in which one, both, or neither parent had major depressive disorder. Positive outcomes were termed resilient in offspring of depressed parents, and competent in offspring of non-depressed parents, and defined by two separate criteria: absence of psychiatric diagnosis and consistently high functioning at 2, 10, and 20 years follow-up. In offspring of depressed parents, easier temperament and higher self-esteem were associated with greater odds of resilient outcome defined by absence of diagnosis. Lower maternal overprotection, greater offspring self-esteem, and higher IQ were associated with greater odds of resilient outcome defined by consistently high functioning. Multivariate analysis indicated that resilient outcome defined by absence of diagnosis was best predicted by offspring self-esteem; resilient outcome defined by functioning was best predicted by maternal overprotection and self-esteem. Among offspring of non-depressed parents, greater family cohesion, easier temperament and higher self-esteem were associated with greater odds of offspring competent outcome defined by absence of diagnosis. Higher maternal affection and greater offspring self-esteem were associated with greater odds of competent outcome, defined by consistently high functioning. Multivariate analysis for each criterion indicated that competent outcome was best predicted by offspring self-esteem. As the most robust predictor of positive outcomes in offspring of depressed and non-depressed parents, self-esteem is an important target for youth preventive interventions. PMID:25374449

Buddy Tag CONOPS and Requirements.

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

Brotz, Jay Kristoffer; Deland, Sharon M.

2015-12-01

This document defines the concept of operations (CONOPS) and the requirements for the Buddy Tag, which is conceived and designed in collaboration between Sandia National Laboratories and Princeton University under the Department of State Key VerificationAssets Fund. The CONOPS describe how the tags are used to support verification of treaty limitations and is only defined to the extent necessary to support a tag design. The requirements define the necessary functions and desired non-functional features of the Buddy Tag at a high level

Anorectal Disorders

PubMed Central

Rao, Satish S. C.; Bharucha, Adil E.; Chiarioni, Giuseppe; Felt-Bersma, Richelle; Knowles, Charles; Malcolm, Allison; Wald, Arnold

2016-01-01

This report defines criteria and reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of the following common anorectal disorders: fecal incontinence (FI), functional anorectal pain, and functional defecation disorders. FI is defined as the recurrent uncontrolled passage of fecal material for at least 3 months. The clinical features of FI are useful for guiding diagnostic testing and therapy. Anorectal manometry and imaging are useful for evaluating anal and pelvic floor structure and function. Education, antidiarrheals, and biofeedback therapy are the mainstay of management; surgery may be useful in refractory cases. Functional anorectal pain syndromes are defined by clinical features and categorized into 3 subtypes. In proctalgia fugax, the pain is typically fleeting and lasts for seconds to minutes. In levator ani syndrome and unspecified anorectal pain, the pain lasts more than 30 minutes, but in levator ani syndrome there is puborectalis tenderness. Functional defecation disorders are defined by ≥2 symptoms of chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, and with ≥2 features of impaired evacuation, that is, abnormal evacuation pattern on manometry, abnormal balloon expulsion test, or impaired rectal evacuation by imaging. It includes 2 subtypes: dyssynergic defecation and inadequate defecatory propulsion. Pelvic floor biofeedback therapy is effective for treating levator ani syndrome and defecatory disorders. PMID:27144630

A framework for joint image-and-shape analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yi; Tannenbaum, Allen; Bouix, Sylvain

2014-03-01

Techniques in medical image analysis are many times used for the comparison or regression on the intensities of images. In general, the domain of the image is a given Cartesian grids. Shape analysis, on the other hand, studies the similarities and differences among spatial objects of arbitrary geometry and topology. Usually, there is no function defined on the domain of shapes. Recently, there has been a growing needs for defining and analyzing functions defined on the shape space, and a coupled analysis on both the shapes and the functions defined on them. Following this direction, in this work we present a coupled analysis for both images and shapes. As a result, the statistically significant discrepancies in both the image intensities as well as on the underlying shapes are detected. The method is applied on both brain images for the schizophrenia and heart images for atrial fibrillation patients.

20 CFR 375.6 - Personnel, fiscal, and service functions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... her respective geographic area. (b) Fiscal. (1) In a national emergency, as defined in § 375.2, the... OPERATION DURING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY § 375.6 Personnel, fiscal, and service functions. (a) Personnel. In a national emergency as defined in § 375.2, when it is no longer possible for a regional director to...

20 CFR 375.6 - Personnel, fiscal, and service functions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... her respective geographic area. (b) Fiscal. (1) In a national emergency, as defined in § 375.2, the... OPERATION DURING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY § 375.6 Personnel, fiscal, and service functions. (a) Personnel. In a national emergency as defined in § 375.2, when it is no longer possible for a regional director to...

Extraction of physical Schottky parameters using the Lambert function in Ni/AlGaN/GaN HEMT devices with defined conduction phenomena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latry, O.; Divay, A.; Fadil, D.; Dherbécourt, P.

2017-01-01

Electrical characterization analyses are proposed in this work using the Lambert function on Schottky junctions in GaN wide band gap semiconductor devices for extraction of physical parameters. The Lambert function is used to give an explicit expression of the current in the Schottky junction. This function is applied with defined conduction phenomena, whereas other work presented arbitrary (or undefined) conduction mechanisms in such parameters’ extractions. Based upon AlGaN/GaN HEMT structures, extractions of parameters are undergone in order to provide physical characteristics. This work highlights a new expression of current with defined conduction phenomena in order to quantify the physical properties of Schottky contacts in AlGaN/GaN HEMT transistors. Project supported by the French Department of Defense (DGA).

Discrete interference modeling via boolean algebra.

PubMed

Beckhoff, Gerhard

2011-01-01

Two types of boolean functions are considered, the locus function of n variables, and the interval function of ν = n - 1 variables. A 1-1 mapping is given that takes elements (cells) of the interval function to antidual pairs of elements in the locus function, and vice versa. A set of ν binary codewords representing the intervals are defined and used to generate the codewords of all genomic regions. Next a diallelic three-point system is reviewed in the light of boolean functions, which leads to redefining complete interference by a logic function. Together with the upper bound of noninterference already defined by a boolean function, it confines the region of interference. Extensions of these two functions to any finite number of ν are straightforward, but have been also made in terms of variables taken from the inclusion-exclusion principle (expressing "at least" and "exactly equal to" a decimal integer). Two coefficients of coincidence for systems with more than three loci are defined and discussed, one using the average of several individual coefficients and the other taking as coefficient a real number between zero and one. Finally, by way of a malfunction of the mod-2 addition, it is shown that a four-point system may produce two different functions, one of which exhibiting loss of a class of odd recombinants.

Goal-Function Tree Modeling for Systems Engineering and Fault Management

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Stephen B.; Breckenridge, Jonathan T.

2013-01-01

The draft NASA Fault Management (FM) Handbook (2012) states that Fault Management (FM) is a "part of systems engineering", and that it "demands a system-level perspective" (NASAHDBK- 1002, 7). What, exactly, is the relationship between systems engineering and FM? To NASA, systems engineering (SE) is "the art and science of developing an operable system capable of meeting requirements within often opposed constraints" (NASA/SP-2007-6105, 3). Systems engineering starts with the elucidation and development of requirements, which set the goals that the system is to achieve. To achieve these goals, the systems engineer typically defines functions, and the functions in turn are the basis for design trades to determine the best means to perform the functions. System Health Management (SHM), by contrast, defines "the capabilities of a system that preserve the system's ability to function as intended" (Johnson et al., 2011, 3). Fault Management, in turn, is the operational subset of SHM, which detects current or future failures, and takes operational measures to prevent or respond to these failures. Failure, in turn, is the "unacceptable performance of intended function." (Johnson 2011, 605) Thus the relationship of SE to FM is that SE defines the functions and the design to perform those functions to meet system goals and requirements, while FM detects the inability to perform those functions and takes action. SHM and FM are in essence "the dark side" of SE. For every function to be performed (SE), there is the possibility that it is not successfully performed (SHM); FM defines the means to operationally detect and respond to this lack of success. We can also describe this in terms of goals: for every goal to be achieved, there is the possibility that it is not achieved; FM defines the means to operationally detect and respond to this inability to achieve the goal. This brief description of relationships between SE, SHM, and FM provide hints to a modeling approach to provide formal connectivity between the nominal (SE), and off-nominal (SHM and FM) aspects of functions and designs. This paper describes a formal modeling approach to the initial phases of the development process that integrates the nominal and off-nominal perspectives in a model that unites SE goals and functions of with the failure to achieve goals and functions (SHM/FM).

New Approaches to Robust Confidence Intervals for Location: A Simulation Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-06-01

obtain a denominator for the test statistic. Those statistics based on location estimates derived from Hampel’s redescending influence function or v...defined an influence function for a test in terms of the behavior of its P-values when the data are sampled from a model distribution modified by point...proposal could be used for interval estimation as well as hypothesis testing, the extension is immediate. Once an influence function has been defined

Are functional foods redefining nutritional requirements?

PubMed

Jones, Peter J; Varady, Krista A

2008-02-01

Functional foods are increasing in popularity owing to their ability to confer health and physiological benefits. Nevertheless, the notion that functional foods improve health when providing nutrients at levels above and beyond existing recommended intakes is inconsistent with the definition of requirement. This disparity highlights the need for an alternative definition of nutrient requirement. The present objective is to examine distinctions between optimization of health, as defined by what we currently deem as required intakes, versus adding physiological benefit using bioactive agents found in functional foods. Presently, requirement is defined as the lowest amount of intake of a nutrient that will maintain a defined level of nourishment for a specific indicator of adequacy. In contrast, functional foods are described as ingredients that are not necessary for body function, yet provide added physiological benefit that confer better overall health. Plant sterols are one example of such an ingredient. Plant sterols lower plasma cholesterol concentrations, and may thus be considered essential nutrients in physiological situations where circulating cholesterol concentrations are high. Similarly, intakes of omega-3 fats beyond existing requirement may confer additional health benefits such as hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic effects. These examples underscore the inconsistencies between what is defined as a nutrient requirement versus what is identified as a health benefit of a functional food. Such discrepancies emphasize the need for a more all-encompassing definition of a nutrient requirement; that is, one that moves beyond the prevention of overt deficiency to encompass improved health and disease risk reduction.

Analysis of Cisco Open Network Environment (ONE) OpenFlow Controller Implementation

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

Software - Defined Networking ( SDN ), when fully realized, offer many improvements over the current rigid and...functionalities like handshake, connection setup, switch management, and security. 15. SUBJECT TERMS OpenFlow, software - defined networking , Cisco ONE, SDN ...innovating packet-forwarding technologies. Network device roles are strictly defined with little or no flexibility. In Software - Defined Networks ( SDNs ),

Structure-function analysis of genetically defined neuronal populations.

PubMed

Groh, Alexander; Krieger, Patrik

2013-10-01

Morphological and functional classification of individual neurons is a crucial aspect of the characterization of neuronal networks. Systematic structural and functional analysis of individual neurons is now possible using transgenic mice with genetically defined neurons that can be visualized in vivo or in brain slice preparations. Genetically defined neurons are useful for studying a particular class of neurons and also for more comprehensive studies of the neuronal content of a network. Specific subsets of neurons can be identified by fluorescence imaging of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) or another fluorophore expressed under the control of a cell-type-specific promoter. The advantages of such genetically defined neurons are not only their homogeneity and suitability for systematic descriptions of networks, but also their tremendous potential for cell-type-specific manipulation of neuronal networks in vivo. This article describes a selection of procedures for visualizing and studying the anatomy and physiology of genetically defined neurons in transgenic mice. We provide information about basic equipment, reagents, procedures, and analytical approaches for obtaining three-dimensional (3D) cell morphologies and determining the axonal input and output of genetically defined neurons. We exemplify with genetically labeled cortical neurons, but the procedures are applicable to other brain regions with little or no alterations.

Use of morphological characteristics to define functional groups of predatory fishes in the Celtic Sea.

PubMed

Reecht, Y; Rochet, M-J; Trenkel, V M; Jennings, S; Pinnegar, J K

2013-08-01

An ecomorphological method was developed, with a focus on predation functions, to define functional groups in the Celtic Sea fish community. Eleven functional traits, measured for 930 individuals from 33 species, led to 11 functional groups. Membership of functional groups was linked to body size and taxonomy. For seven species, there were ontogenetic changes in group membership. When diet composition, expressed as the proportions of different prey types recorded in stomachs, was compared among functional groups, morphology-based predictions accounted for 28-56% of the interindividual variance in prey type. This was larger than the 12-24% of variance that could be explained solely on the basis of body size. © 2013 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Coding and decoding libraries of sequence-defined functional copolymers synthesized via photoligation

PubMed Central

Zydziak, Nicolas; Konrad, Waldemar; Feist, Florian; Afonin, Sergii; Weidner, Steffen; Barner-Kowollik, Christopher

2016-01-01

Designing artificial macromolecules with absolute sequence order represents a considerable challenge. Here we report an advanced light-induced avenue to monodisperse sequence-defined functional linear macromolecules up to decamers via a unique photochemical approach. The versatility of the synthetic strategy—combining sequential and modular concepts—enables the synthesis of perfect macromolecules varying in chemical constitution and topology. Specific functions are placed at arbitrary positions along the chain via the successive addition of monomer units and blocks, leading to a library of functional homopolymers, alternating copolymers and block copolymers. The in-depth characterization of each sequence-defined chain confirms the precision nature of the macromolecules. Decoding of the functional information contained in the molecular structure is achieved via tandem mass spectrometry without recourse to their synthetic history, showing that the sequence information can be read. We submit that the presented photochemical strategy is a viable and advanced concept for coding individual monomer units along a macromolecular chain. PMID:27901024

Coding and decoding libraries of sequence-defined functional copolymers synthesized via photoligation.

PubMed

Zydziak, Nicolas; Konrad, Waldemar; Feist, Florian; Afonin, Sergii; Weidner, Steffen; Barner-Kowollik, Christopher

2016-11-30

Designing artificial macromolecules with absolute sequence order represents a considerable challenge. Here we report an advanced light-induced avenue to monodisperse sequence-defined functional linear macromolecules up to decamers via a unique photochemical approach. The versatility of the synthetic strategy-combining sequential and modular concepts-enables the synthesis of perfect macromolecules varying in chemical constitution and topology. Specific functions are placed at arbitrary positions along the chain via the successive addition of monomer units and blocks, leading to a library of functional homopolymers, alternating copolymers and block copolymers. The in-depth characterization of each sequence-defined chain confirms the precision nature of the macromolecules. Decoding of the functional information contained in the molecular structure is achieved via tandem mass spectrometry without recourse to their synthetic history, showing that the sequence information can be read. We submit that the presented photochemical strategy is a viable and advanced concept for coding individual monomer units along a macromolecular chain.

78 FR 292 - Request for Comments and Notice of Roundtable Events for Partnership for Enhancement of Quality...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-03

... define the boundaries of the patent property right. Software by its nature is operation-based and is... elements of software are often defined using functional language. While it is permissible to use functional... Software-Related Patents AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce. ACTION: Request for...

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy investigations of functionally defined language areas in schizophrenia patients with and without auditory hallucinations.

PubMed

Homan, Philipp; Vermathen, Peter; Van Swam, Claudia; Federspiel, Andrea; Boesch, Chris; Strik, Werner; Dierks, Thomas; Hubl, Daniela; Kreis, Roland

2014-07-01

Cerebral dysfunction occurring in mental disorders can show metabolic disturbances which are limited to circumscribed brain areas. Auditory hallucinations have been shown to be related to defined cortical areas linked to specific language functions. Here, we investigated if the study of metabolic changes in auditory hallucinations requires a functional rather than an anatomical definition of their location and size to allow a reliable investigation by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Schizophrenia patients with (AH; n=12) and without hallucinations (NH; n=8) and healthy controls (HC; n=11) underwent a verbal fluency task in functional MRI (fMRI) to functionally define Broca's and Wernicke's areas. Left and right Heschl's gyri were defined anatomically. The mean distances in native space between the fMRI-defined regions and a corresponding anatomically defined area were 12.4±6.1 mm (range: 2.7-36.1 mm) for Broca's area and 16.8±6.2 mm (range: 4.5-26.4 mm) for Wernicke's area, respectively. Hence, the spatial variance was of similar extent as the size of the investigated regions. Splitting the investigations into a single voxel examination in the frontal brain and a spectroscopic imaging part for the more homogeneous field areas led to good spectral quality for almost all spectra. In Broca's area, there was a significant group effect (p=0.03) with lower levels of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in NH compared to HC (p=0.02). There were positive associations of NAA levels in the left Heschl's gyrus with total (p=0.03) and negative (p=0.006) PANSS scores. In Broca's area, there was a negative association of myo-inositol levels with total PANSS scores (p=0.008). This study supports the neurodegenerative hypothesis of schizophrenia only in a frontal region whereas the results obtained from temporal regions are in contrast to the majority of previous studies. Future research should test the hypothesis raised by this study that a functional definition of language regions is needed if neurochemical imbalances are expected to be restricted to functional foci. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Investigating Evolutionary Conservation of Dendritic Cell Subset Identity and Functions

PubMed Central

Vu Manh, Thien-Phong; Bertho, Nicolas; Hosmalin, Anne; Schwartz-Cornil, Isabelle; Dalod, Marc

2015-01-01

Dendritic cells (DCs) were initially defined as mononuclear phagocytes with a dendritic morphology and an exquisite efficiency for naïve T-cell activation. DC encompass several subsets initially identified by their expression of specific cell surface molecules and later shown to excel in distinct functions and to develop under the instruction of different transcription factors or cytokines. Very few cell surface molecules are expressed in a specific manner on any immune cell type. Hence, to identify cell types, the sole use of a small number of cell surface markers in classical flow cytometry can be deceiving. Moreover, the markers currently used to define mononuclear phagocyte subsets vary depending on the tissue and animal species studied and even between laboratories. This has led to confusion in the definition of DC subset identity and in their attribution of specific functions. There is a strong need to identify a rigorous and consensus way to define mononuclear phagocyte subsets, with precise guidelines potentially applicable throughout tissues and species. We will discuss the advantages, drawbacks, and complementarities of different methodologies: cell surface phenotyping, ontogeny, functional characterization, and molecular profiling. We will advocate that gene expression profiling is a very rigorous, largely unbiased and accessible method to define the identity of mononuclear phagocyte subsets, which strengthens and refines surface phenotyping. It is uniquely powerful to yield new, experimentally testable, hypotheses on the ontogeny or functions of mononuclear phagocyte subsets, their molecular regulation, and their evolutionary conservation. We propose defining cell populations based on a combination of cell surface phenotyping, expression analysis of hallmark genes, and robust functional assays, in order to reach a consensus and integrate faster the huge but scattered knowledge accumulated by different laboratories on different cell types, organs, and species. PMID:26082777

[What do functionally defined populations contribute to the explanation of regional differences in medical care?].

PubMed

Graf von Stillfried, D; Czihal, T

2014-02-01

Geographic variation in health care is increasingly subject to analysis and health policy aiming at the suitable allocation of resources and the reduction of unwarranted variation for the patient populations concerned. As in the case of area-level indicators, in most cases populations are geographically defined. The concept of geographically defined populations, however, may be self-limiting with respect to identifying the potential for improvement. As an alternative, we explored how a functional definition of populations would support defining the scope for reducing unwarranted geographical variations. Given that patients in Germany have virtually no limits in accessing physicians of their choice, we adapted a method that has been developed in the United States to create virtual networks of physicians based on commonly treated patients. Using the physician claims data under statutory insurance, which covers 90% of the population, we defined 43,006 populations-and networks-in 2010. We found that there is considerable variation between the population in terms of their risk structure and the share of the primary care practice in the total services provided. Moreover, there are marked differences in the size and structure of networks between cities, densely populated regions, and rural regions. We analyzed the variation for two area-level indicators: the proportion of diabetics with at least one HbA1c test per year for diabetics, and the proportion of patients with low back pain undergoing computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Variation at the level of functionally defined populations proved to be larger than for geographically defined populations. The pattern of distribution gives evidence on the degree to which consensus targets could be reached and which networks need to be addressed in order to reduce unwarranted regional variation. The concept of functionally defined populations needs to be further developed before implementation.

Hardware Architecture Study for NASA's Space Software Defined Radios

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinhart, Richard C.; Scardelletti, Maximilian C.; Mortensen, Dale J.; Kacpura, Thomas J.; Andro, Monty; Smith, Carl; Liebetreu, John

2008-01-01

This study defines a hardware architecture approach for software defined radios to enable commonality among NASA space missions. The architecture accommodates a range of reconfigurable processing technologies including general purpose processors, digital signal processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) in addition to flexible and tunable radio frequency (RF) front-ends to satisfy varying mission requirements. The hardware architecture consists of modules, radio functions, and and interfaces. The modules are a logical division of common radio functions that comprise a typical communication radio. This paper describes the architecture details, module definitions, and the typical functions on each module as well as the module interfaces. Trade-offs between component-based, custom architecture and a functional-based, open architecture are described. The architecture does not specify the internal physical implementation within each module, nor does the architecture mandate the standards or ratings of the hardware used to construct the radios.

New Basis Functions for the Electromagnetic Solution of Arbitrarily-shaped, Three Dimensional Conducting Bodies using Method of Moments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mackenzie, Anne I.; Baginski, Michael E.; Rao, Sadasiva M.

2008-01-01

In this work, we present a new set of basis functions, defined over a pair of planar triangular patches, for the solution of electromagnetic scattering and radiation problems associated with arbitrarily-shaped surfaces using the method of moments solution procedure. The basis functions are constant over the function subdomain and resemble pulse functions for one and two dimensional problems. Further, another set of basis functions, point-wise orthogonal to the first set, is also defined over the same function space. The primary objective of developing these basis functions is to utilize them for the electromagnetic solution involving conducting, dielectric, and composite bodies. However, in the present work, only the conducting body solution is presented and compared with other data.

The Classification and Evolution of Enzyme Function

PubMed Central

Martínez Cuesta, Sergio; Rahman, Syed Asad; Furnham, Nicholas; Thornton, Janet M.

2015-01-01

Enzymes are the proteins responsible for the catalysis of life. Enzymes sharing a common ancestor as defined by sequence and structure similarity are grouped into families and superfamilies. The molecular function of enzymes is defined as their ability to catalyze biochemical reactions; it is manually classified by the Enzyme Commission and robust approaches to quantitatively compare catalytic reactions are just beginning to appear. Here, we present an overview of studies at the interface of the evolution and function of enzymes. PMID:25986631

Numerical Function Generators Using LUT Cascades

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

either algebraically (for example, sinðxÞ) or as a table of input/ output values. The user defines the numerical function by using the syntax of Scilab ...defined function in Scilab or specify it directly. Note that, by changing the parser of our system, any format can be used for the design entry. First...Methods for Multiple-Valued Input Address Generators,” Proc. 36th IEEE Int’l Symp. Multiple-Valued Logic (ISMVL ’06), May 2006. [29] Scilab 3.0, INRIA-ENPC

Capturing and Rendering With Incident Light Fields

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-01-01

Adelson and Bergen 1 as the Plenoptic Func- tion. They proposed this seven-dimensional function in the form P = P(θ,φ,λ, t,Vx,Vy,Vz), where P is defined...Light Field or Lumigraph can be used to reconstruct a 5D plenoptic function from a 4D dataset. Ashdown 2 presented Near Field Photometry, a method for...Incident Light Fields r1 ro n u v ro Figure 2: Incident Light Field Parametrization. The inci- dent light field is defined by a reduced plenoptic function

The helical ventricular myocardial band: global, three-dimensional, functional architecture of the ventricular myocardium.

PubMed

Kocica, Mladen J; Corno, Antonio F; Carreras-Costa, Francesc; Ballester-Rodes, Manel; Moghbel, Mark C; Cueva, Clotario N C; Lackovic, Vesna; Kanjuh, Vladimir I; Torrent-Guasp, Francisco

2006-04-01

We are currently witnessing the advent of new diagnostic tools and therapies for heart diseases, but, without serious scientific consensus on fundamental questions about normal and diseased heart structure and function. During the last decade, three successive, international, multidisciplinary symposia were organized in order to setup fundamental research principles, which would allow us to make a significant step forward in understanding heart structure and function. Helical ventricular myocardial band of Torrent-Guasp is the revolutionary new concept in understanding global, three-dimensional, functional architecture of the ventricular myocardium. This concept defines the principal, cumulative vectors, integrating the tissue architecture (i.e. form) and net forces developed (i.e. function) within the ventricular mass. Here we expose the compendium of Torrent-Guasp's half-century long functional anatomical investigations in the light of ongoing efforts to define the integrative approach, which would lead to new understanding of the ventricular form and function by linking across multiple scales of biological organization, as defined in ongoing Physiome project. Helical ventricular myocardial band of Torrent-Guasp may also, hopefully, allow overcoming some difficulties encountered in contemporary efforts to create a comprehensive mathematical model of the heart.

A new diagnostic approach to popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

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

Williams, Charles; Kennedy, Dominic; Bastian-Jordan, Matthew

A new method of diagnosing and defining functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is described. By combining ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques with dynamic plantarflexion of the ankle against resistance, functional entrapment can be demonstrated and the location of the arterial occlusion identified. This combination of imaging modalities will also define muscular anatomy for guiding intervention such as surgery or Botox injection.

What's at Stake in the Lives of People with Intellectual Disability? Part I: The Power of Naming, Defining, Diagnosing, Classifying, and Planning Supports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schalock, Robert L.; Luckasson, Ruth

2013-01-01

This article focuses on the power of naming, defining, diagnosing, classifying, and planning supports for people with intellectual disability. The article summarizes current thinking regarding these five functions, states the essential question addressed by the respective function, and provides an overview of the high stakes involved for people…

Average focal length and power of a section of any defined surface.

PubMed

Kaye, Stephen B

2010-04-01

To provide a method to allow calculation of the average focal length and power of a lens through a specified meridian of any defined surface, not limited to the paraxial approximations. University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom. Functions were derived to model back-vertex focal length and representative power through a meridian containing any defined surface. Average back-vertex focal length was based on the definition of the average of a function, using the angle of incidence as an independent variable. Univariate functions allowed determination of average focal length and power through a section of any defined or topographically measured surface of a known refractive index. These functions incorporated aberrations confined to the section. The proposed method closely approximates the average focal length, and by inference power, of a section (meridian) of a surface to a single or scalar value. It is not dependent on the paraxial and other nonconstant approximations and includes aberrations confined to that meridian. A generalization of this method to include all orthogonal and oblique meridians is needed before a comparison with measured wavefront values can be made. Copyright (c) 2010 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

FUNCTIONAL NETWORK ARCHITECTURE OF READING-RELATED REGIONS ACROSS DEVELOPMENT

PubMed Central

Vogel, Alecia C.; Church, Jessica A.; Power, Jonathan D.; Miezin, Fran M.; Petersen, Steven E.; Schlaggar, Bradley L.

2013-01-01

Reading requires coordinated neural processing across a large number of brain regions. Studying relationships between reading-related regions informs the specificity of information processing performed in each region. Here, regions of interest were defined from a meta-analysis of reading studies, including a developmental study. Relationships between regions were defined as temporal correlations in spontaneous fMRI signal; i.e., resting state functional connectivity MRI (RSFC). Graph theory based network analysis defined the community structure of the “reading-related” regions. Regions sorted into previously defined communities, such as the fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular control networks, and the default mode network. This structure was similar in children, and no apparent “reading” community was defined in any age group. These results argue against regions, or sets of regions, being specific or preferential for reading, instead indicating that regions used in reading are also used in a number of other tasks. PMID:23506969

Orthogonality of spherical harmonic coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLeod, M. G.

1980-08-01

Orthogonality relations are obtained for the spherical harmonic coefficients of functions defined on the surface of a sphere. Following a brief discussion of the orthogonality of Fourier series coefficients, consideration is given to the values averaged over all orientations of the coordinate system of the spherical harmonic coefficients of a function defined on the surface of a sphere that can be expressed in terms of Legendre polynomials for the special case where the function is the sum of two delta functions located at two different points on the sphere, and for the case of an essentially arbitrary function. It is noted that the orthogonality relations derived have found applications in statistical studies of the geomagnetic field.

Tank waste remediation system functions and requirements document

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

Carpenter, K.E

1996-10-03

This is the Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) Functions and Requirements Document derived from the TWRS Technical Baseline. The document consists of several text sections that provide the purpose, scope, background information, and an explanation of how this document assists the application of Systems Engineering to the TWRS. The primary functions identified in the TWRS Functions and Requirements Document are identified in Figure 4.1 (Section 4.0) Currently, this document is part of the overall effort to develop the TWRS Functional Requirements Baseline, and contains the functions and requirements needed to properly define the top three TWRS function levels. TWRS Technicalmore » Baseline information (RDD-100 database) included in the appendices of the attached document contain the TWRS functions, requirements, and architecture necessary to define the TWRS Functional Requirements Baseline. Document organization and user directions are provided in the introductory text. This document will continue to be modified during the TWRS life-cycle.« less

Project FOOTPRINT: Substation modeling and simulations for E1 pulses

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

Nelson, Scott D.; Larson, D. J.; Kirkendall, B. A.

This report includes a presentation with an: Introduction to CW coupling; Introduction to single-pulse coupling; Description of E1 waveforms; Structures in a substation yard --articulated (as part of the substation's defined electrical functionality)--unarticulated (not as part of the substation's defined electrical functionality); Coupling --electrical coupling (capacitive coupling) --magnetic coupling (inductive coupling); Connectivity to long-line transmission lines; Control infrastructure; Summary; and References.

Functional anorectal disorders.

PubMed

Bharucha, Adil E; Wald, Arnold; Enck, Paul; Rao, Satish

2006-04-01

This report defines criteria for diagnosing functional anorectal disorders (ie, fecal incontinence, anorectal pain, and disorders of defecation). Functional fecal incontinence is defined as the uncontrolled passage of fecal material recurring for > or =3 months in an individual with a developmental age of > or =4 years that is associated with: (1) abnormal functioning of normally innervated and structurally intact muscles, and/or (2) no or minor abnormalities of sphincter structure and/or innervation insufficient to explain fecal incontinence, and/or (3) normal or disordered bowel habits (ie, fecal retention or diarrhea), and/or (4) psychological causes. However, conditions wherein structural and/or neurogenic abnormalities explain the symptom, or are part of a generalized process (eg, diabetic neuropathy) are not included within functional fecal incontinence. Functional fecal incontinence is a common, but underrecognized symptom, which is equally prevalent in men and women, and can often cause considerable distress. The clinical features are useful for guiding diagnostic testing and therapy. Functional anorectal pain syndromes include proctalgia fugax (fleeting pain) and chronic proctalgia; chronic proctalgia may be subdivided into levator ani syndrome and unspecified anorectal pain, which are defined by arbitrary clinical criteria. Functional defecation disorders are characterized by 2 or more symptoms of constipation, with > or =2 of the following features during defecation: impaired evacuation, inappropriate contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, and inadequate propulsive forces. Functional disorders of defecation may be amenable to pelvic floor retraining by biofeedback therapy (such as dyssynergic defecation).

Numerical investigation on the expansion of supercritical carbon dioxide jet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Q.; Long, X. P.; Kang, Y.; Xiao, L. Z.; Wu, W.

2013-12-01

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) fluid is characterized by low rock breaking threshold pressure and high rock breaking rate. Meanwhile, SC-CO2 fluid has relatively low viscosity near to gas and high density near to liquid. So, it has great advantages in drilling and rock breaking over water. In this paper, numerical study of SC-CO2 flowing through a nozzle is presented. The purpose of this simulation is to ascertain why the SC-CO2 jet flow has better ability in drilling and rock breaking than the water jet flow. The simulation model was controlled by the RANS equations together with the continuity equation as well as the energy equation. The realizable k-epsilon turbulence model was adopted to govern the turbulent characteristics. Pressure boundary conditions were applied to the inlet and outlet boundary. The properties of carbon dioxide and water were described by UDF. It is found that: (1) under the same boundary conditions, the decay of dimensionless central axial velocity and dynamic pressure of water is quicker than that of the SC-CO2, and the core length of SC-CO2 jet is about 4.5 times of the nozzle diameter, which is 1 times longer than that of the water; (2) With the increase of inlet pressure or the decrease of outlet pressure, the dimensionless central axial velocity and dynamic pressure attenuation of water keeps the same, while the decay of central axial velocity of SC-CO2 turns gentle; (3) the change of central axial temperature of SC-CO2 is more complex than that of the water.

Effect of reduced aft diameter and increased blade number of high-speed counterrotation propeller performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gayle, E. Rose; Jeracki, Robert J.

1989-01-01

Performance data of 0.17-scale model counterrotation pusher propeller configurations were taken in the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel at Mach numbers of 0.66, 0.71, 0.75, and 0.79. These tests investigated the aerodynamic performance of the unducted fan (UDF) demonstrator propeller engine developed in a joint program by General Electric and NASA. Data were recorded to show the effect on counterrotation propeller cruise efficiency of two takeoff noise-reduction concepts. These two concepts are reduced aft blade diameter and increased forward blade number. The four configurations tested were a baseline (F1/A1 8/8) configuration, a reduced aft diameter (F1/A3 8/8) configuration, an increase forward blade number (F1/A1 9/8) configuration, and a combination of the latter two (F1/A3 9/8) configurations. Data were collected with a complex counterrotation propeller test rig via rotating thrust and torque balances and pressure instrumentation. Data comparisons documented the power differences between the baseline and the reduced aft diameter concepts. Performance comparisons to the baseline configuration showed that reducing the aft blade diameter reduced the net efficiency, and adding a blade to the front rotor increased the net efficiency. The combination of the two concepts showed only slightly lower net efficiency than the baseline configuration. It was also found that the counterrotation demonstrator propeller model (F7/A7 8/8) configuration outperformed the baseline (F1/A1 8/8) configuration.

Effect of reduced aft diameter and increased blade number on high-speed counterrotation propeller performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rose, Gayle E.; Jeracki, Robert J.

1989-01-01

Performance data of 0.17-scale model counterrotation pusher propeller configurations were taken in the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel at Mach numbers of 0.66, 0.71, 0.75, and 0.79. These tests investigated the aerodynamic performance of the unducted fan (UDF) demonstrator propeller engine developed in a joint program by General Electric and NASA. Data were recorded to show the effect on counterrotation propeller cruise efficiency of two takeoff noise-reduction concepts. These two concepts are reduced aft blade diameter and increased forward blade number. The four configurations tested were a baseline (F1/A1 8/8) configuration, a reduced aft diameter (F1/A3 8/8) configuration, an increase forward blade number (F1/A1 9/8) configuration, and a combination of the latter two (F1/A3 9/8) configurations. Data were collected with a complex counterrotation propeller test rig via rotating thrust and torque balances and pressure instrumentation. Data comparisons documented the power differences between the baseline and the reduced aft diameter concepts. Performance comparisons to the baseline configuration showed that reducing the aft blade diameter reduced the net efficiency, and adding a blade to the front rotor increased the net efficiency. The combination of the two concepts showed only slightly lower net efficiency than the baseline configuration. It was also found that the counterrotation demonstrator propeller model (F7/A7 8/8) configuration outperformed the baseline (F1/A1 8/8) configuration.

A grid spacing control technique for algebraic grid generation methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, R. E.; Kudlinski, R. A.; Everton, E. L.

1982-01-01

A technique which controls the spacing of grid points in algebraically defined coordinate transformations is described. The technique is based on the generation of control functions which map a uniformly distributed computational grid onto parametric variables defining the physical grid. The control functions are smoothed cubic splines. Sets of control points are input for each coordinate directions to outline the control functions. Smoothed cubic spline functions are then generated to approximate the input data. The technique works best in an interactive graphics environment where control inputs and grid displays are nearly instantaneous. The technique is illustrated with the two-boundary grid generation algorithm.

Reliability-Based Design Optimization of a Composite Airframe Component

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pai, Shantaram S.; Coroneos, Rula; Patnaik, Surya N.

2011-01-01

A stochastic optimization methodology (SDO) has been developed to design airframe structural components made of metallic and composite materials. The design method accommodates uncertainties in load, strength, and material properties that are defined by distribution functions with mean values and standard deviations. A response parameter, like a failure mode, has become a function of reliability. The primitive variables like thermomechanical loads, material properties, and failure theories, as well as variables like depth of beam or thickness of a membrane, are considered random parameters with specified distribution functions defined by mean values and standard deviations.

The Classification and Evolution of Enzyme Function.

PubMed

Martínez Cuesta, Sergio; Rahman, Syed Asad; Furnham, Nicholas; Thornton, Janet M

2015-09-15

Enzymes are the proteins responsible for the catalysis of life. Enzymes sharing a common ancestor as defined by sequence and structure similarity are grouped into families and superfamilies. The molecular function of enzymes is defined as their ability to catalyze biochemical reactions; it is manually classified by the Enzyme Commission and robust approaches to quantitatively compare catalytic reactions are just beginning to appear. Here, we present an overview of studies at the interface of the evolution and function of enzymes. Copyright © 2015 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Starting a new conversation: Engaging Veterans with spinal cord injury in discussions of what function means to them, the barriers/facilitators they encounter, and the adaptations they use to optimize function.

PubMed

Hill, Jennifer N; Balbale, Salva; Lones, Keshonna; LaVela, Sherri L

2017-01-01

Assessments of function in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) often utilize pre-defined constructs and measures without consideration of patient context, including how patients define function and what matters to them. We utilized photovoice to understand how individuals define function, facilitators and barriers to function, and adaptations to support functioning. Veterans with SCI were provided with cameras and guidelines to take photographs of things that: (1) help with functioning, (2) are barriers to function, and (3) represent adaptations used to support functioning. Interviews to discuss photographs followed and were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded-thematic coding. Nvivo 8 was used to store and organize data. Participants (n = 9) were male (89%), Caucasian (67%), had paraplegia (75%), averaged 64 years of age, and were injured, on average, for 22 years. Function was described in several ways: the concept of 'normalcy,' aspects of daily living, and ability to be independent. Facilitators included: helpful tools, physical therapy/therapists, transportation, and caregivers. Barriers included: wheelchair-related issues and interior/exterior barriers both in the community and in the hospital. Examples of adaptations included: traditional examples like ramps, and also creative examples like the use of rubber bands on a can to help with grip. Patient-perspectives elicited in-depth information that expanded the common definition of function by highlighting the concept of "normality," facilitators and barriers to function, and adaptations to optimize function. These insights emphasize function within a patient-context, emphasizing a holistic definition of function that can be used to develop personalized, patient-driven care plans. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Transfer and scaffolding of perceptual grouping occurs across organizing principles in 3- to 7-month-old infants.

PubMed

Quinn, Paul C; Bhatt, Ramesh S

2009-08-01

Previous research has demonstrated that organizational principles become functional over different time courses of development: Lightness similarity is available at 3 months of age, but form similarity is not readily in evidence until 6 months of age. We investigated whether organization would transfer across principles and whether perceptual scaffolding can occur from an already functional principle to a not-yet-operational principle. Six- to 7-month-old infants (Experiment 1) and 3- to 4-month-old infants (Experiment 2) who were familiarized with arrays of elements organized by lightness similarity displayed a subsequent visual preference for a novel organization defined by form similarity. Results with the older infants demonstrate transfer in perceptual grouping: The organization defined by one grouping principle can direct a visual preference for a novel organization defined by a different grouping principle. Findings with the younger infants suggest that learning based on an already functional organizational process enables an organizational process that is not yet functional through perceptual scaffolding.

Spatial epigenetics: linking nuclear structure and function in higher eukaryotes.

PubMed

Jackson, Dean A

2010-09-20

Eukaryotic cells are defined by the genetic information that is stored in their DNA. To function, this genetic information must be decoded. In doing this, the information encoded in DNA is copied first into RNA, during RNA transcription. Primary RNA transcripts are generated within transcription factories, where they are also processed into mature mRNAs, which then pass to the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm these mRNAs can finally be translated into protein in order to express the genetic information as a functional product. With only rare exceptions, the cells of an individual multicellular eukaryote contain identical genetic information. However, as different genes must be expressed in different cell types to define the structure and function of individual tissues, it is clear that mechanisms must have evolved to regulate gene expression. In higher eukaryotes, mechanisms that regulate the interaction of DNA with the sites where nuclear functions are performed provide one such layer of regulation. In this chapter, I evaluate how a detailed understanding of nuclear structure and chromatin dynamics are beginning to reveal how spatial mechanisms link chromatin structure and function. As these mechanisms operate to modulate the genetic information in DNA, the regulation of chromatin function by nuclear architecture defines the concept of 'spatial epigenetics'.

Distribution functions of probabilistic automata

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vatan, F.

2001-01-01

Each probabilistic automaton M over an alphabet A defines a probability measure Prob sub(M) on the set of all finite and infinite words over A. We can identify a k letter alphabet A with the set {0, 1,..., k-1}, and, hence, we can consider every finite or infinite word w over A as a radix k expansion of a real number X(w) in the interval [0, 1]. This makes X(w) a random variable and the distribution function of M is defined as usual: F(x) := Prob sub(M) { w: X(w) < x }. Utilizing the fixed-point semantics (denotational semantics), extended to probabilistic computations, we investigate the distribution functions of probabilistic automata in detail. Automata with continuous distribution functions are characterized. By a new, and much more easier method, it is shown that the distribution function F(x) is an analytic function if it is a polynomial. Finally, answering a question posed by D. Knuth and A. Yao, we show that a polynomial distribution function F(x) on [0, 1] can be generated by a prob abilistic automaton iff all the roots of F'(x) = 0 in this interval, if any, are rational numbers. For this, we define two dynamical systems on the set of polynomial distributions and study attracting fixed points of random composition of these two systems.

Thermal treatment of the minority game

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burgos, E.; Ceva, Horacio; Perazzo, R. P.

2002-03-01

We study a cost function for the aggregate behavior of all the agents involved in the minority game (MG) or the bar attendance model (BAM). The cost function allows us to define a deterministic, synchronous dynamic that yields results that have the main relevant features than those of the probabilistic, sequential dynamics used for the MG or the BAM. We define a temperature through a Langevin approach in terms of the fluctuations of the average attendance. We prove that the cost function is an extensive quantity that can play the role of an internal energy of the many-agent system while the temperature so defined is an intensive parameter. We compare the results of the thermal perturbation to the deterministic dynamics and prove that they agree with those obtained with the MG or BAM in the limit of very low temperature.

Thermal treatment of the minority game.

PubMed

Burgos, E; Ceva, Horacio; Perazzo, R P J

2002-03-01

We study a cost function for the aggregate behavior of all the agents involved in the minority game (MG) or the bar attendance model (BAM). The cost function allows us to define a deterministic, synchronous dynamic that yields results that have the main relevant features than those of the probabilistic, sequential dynamics used for the MG or the BAM. We define a temperature through a Langevin approach in terms of the fluctuations of the average attendance. We prove that the cost function is an extensive quantity that can play the role of an internal energy of the many-agent system while the temperature so defined is an intensive parameter. We compare the results of the thermal perturbation to the deterministic dynamics and prove that they agree with those obtained with the MG or BAM in the limit of very low temperature.

Orbital construction support equipment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Approximately 200 separate construction steps were defined for the three solar power satellite (SPS) concepts. Detailed construction scenarios were developed which describe the specific tasks to be accomplished, and identify general equipment requirements. The scenarios were used to perform a functional analysis, which resulted in the definition of 100 distinct SPS elements. These elements are the components, parts, subsystems, or assemblies upon which construction activities take place. The major SPS elements for each configuration are shown. For those elements, 300 functional requirements were identified in seven generic processes. Cumulatively, these processes encompass all functions required during SPS construction/assembly. Individually each process is defined such that it includes a specific type of activity. Each SPS element may involve activities relating to any or all of the generic processes. The processes are listed, and examples of the requirements defined for a typical element are given.

Defining Child Neglect Based on Child Protective Services Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dubowitz, H.; Pitts, S.C.; Litrownik, A.J.; Cox, C.E.; Runyan, D.; Black, M.M.

2005-01-01

Objectives:: To compare neglect defined by Child Protective Services official codes with neglect defined by a review of CPS narrative data, and to examine the validity of the different neglect measures using children's functioning at age 8 years. Methods:: Data are from 740 children participating in a consortium of longitudinal studies on child…

Data management system CIU and DIU. Appendix A: CIU and DIU schematics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

The Computer Interface Unit (CIU) and the Data Interface Unit (DIU) of the Data Management System (DMS) were described as to their functional location, purpose and function. This describes the CIU and DIU at the unit level illustrating their interface thru the Data Bus (DBUS) and to other DMS units. All unit level interfaces are defined as to function and characteristics. The controls, indicators, test points and connectors are listed and function, location and application are described for each. The mechanical configuration is defined and illustrated to provide card and component location for modification or repair purposes. Unique disassembly and assembly requirements are outlined where applicable. A unit internal functional block diagram level description is provided.

An Alternate Set of Basis Functions for the Electromagnetic Solution of Arbitrarily-Shaped, Three-Dimensional, Closed, Conducting Bodies Using Method of Moments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mackenzie, Anne I.; Baginski, Michael E.; Rao, Sadasiva M.

2008-01-01

In this work, we present an alternate set of basis functions, each defined over a pair of planar triangular patches, for the method of moments solution of electromagnetic scattering and radiation problems associated with arbitrarily-shaped, closed, conducting surfaces. The present basis functions are point-wise orthogonal to the pulse basis functions previously defined. The prime motivation to develop the present set of basis functions is to utilize them for the electromagnetic solution of dielectric bodies using a surface integral equation formulation which involves both electric and magnetic cur- rents. However, in the present work, only the conducting body solution is presented and compared with other data.

Fluctuation Induced Almost Invariant Sets

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-28

Planck) for the probability density function [15], discrete dynamical systems benefit from using the Frobenius - Perron operator (FP) formalism [12] to...from epidemiology. Conclusions are summarized in Section 4. II. GENERAL THEORY A. Stochastic Frobenius - Perron operator We define the Frobenius - Perron ...function ν(x). The stochastic Frobenius - 3 Perron (SFP) operator is defined to be PF [ρ(x)] = ∫ M ν(x− F (y))ρ(y)dy. (4) For our applications, we will

The Functional Quality of Soluble Recombinant Polypeptides Produced in Escherichia coli Is Defined by a Wide Conformational Spectrum▿

PubMed Central

Martínez-Alonso, Mónica; González-Montalbán, Nuria; García-Fruitós, Elena; Villaverde, Antonio

2008-01-01

We have observed that a soluble recombinant green fluorescent protein produced in Escherichia coli occurs in a wide conformational spectrum. This results in differently fluorescent protein fractions in which morphologically diverse soluble aggregates abound. Therefore, the functional quality of soluble versions of aggregation-prone recombinant proteins is defined statistically rather than by the prevalence of a canonical native structure. PMID:18836021

Some properties for integro-differential operator defined by a fractional formal.

PubMed

Abdulnaby, Zainab E; Ibrahim, Rabha W; Kılıçman, Adem

2016-01-01

Recently, the study of the fractional formal (operators, polynomials and classes of special functions) has been increased. This study not only in mathematics but extended to another topics. In this effort, we investigate a generalized integro-differential operator [Formula: see text] defined by a fractional formal (fractional differential operator) and study some its geometric properties by employing it in new subclasses of analytic univalent functions.

Evolution of sequence-defined highly functionalized nucleic acid polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhen; Lichtor, Phillip A.; Berliner, Adrian P.; Chen, Jonathan C.; Liu, David R.

2018-03-01

The evolution of sequence-defined synthetic polymers made of building blocks beyond those compatible with polymerase enzymes or the ribosome has the potential to generate new classes of receptors, catalysts and materials. Here we describe a ligase-mediated DNA-templated polymerization and in vitro selection system to evolve highly functionalized nucleic acid polymers (HFNAPs) made from 32 building blocks that contain eight chemically diverse side chains on a DNA backbone. Through iterated cycles of polymer translation, selection and reverse translation, we discovered HFNAPs that bind proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and interleukin-6, two protein targets implicated in human diseases. Mutation and reselection of an active PCSK9-binding polymer yielded evolved polymers with high affinity (KD = 3 nM). This evolved polymer potently inhibited the binding between PCSK9 and the low-density lipoprotein receptor. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that specific side chains at defined positions in the polymers are required for binding to their respective targets. Our findings expand the chemical space of evolvable polymers to include densely functionalized nucleic acids with diverse, researcher-defined chemical repertoires.

Contragenic functions on spheroidal domains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García-Ancona, Raybel; Morais, Joao; Porter, R. Michael

2018-05-01

We construct bases of polynomials for the spaces of square-integrable harmonic functions which are orthogonal to the monogenic and antimonogenic $\\mathbb{R}^3$-valued functions defined in a prolate or oblate spheroid.

Are Some Attitudes More Self-Defining Than Others? Assessing Self-Related Attitude Functions and Their Consequences.

PubMed

Zunick, Peter V; Teeny, Jacob D; Fazio, Russell H

2017-08-01

Attitudes serve multiple functions, some related to the self-concept. We call attitudes that help people define who they are "self-defining." Across four studies, we tested a brief self-report measure of the extent to which an attitude is self-defining. Studies 1 and 2 showed that self-defining attitudes tend to be extreme, positive, and unambivalent. Studies 3 and 4 produced two main findings. First, self-definition was related to, but not redundant with, a number of other characteristics of the attitude (e.g., attitude certainty). Second, self-definition predicted participants' intentions to spontaneously advocate and, in Study 4, their reactions to an opportunity to advocate behaviorally (i.e., writing about their attitude in an optional response box) following a self-threat. Overall, the results highlight the utility of this approach and, more broadly, demonstrate the value of considering the role of the self in attitudinal processes, and vice versa.

Defining of the BDX930 Assembly Language

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyer, R. S.; Moore, J. S.

1983-01-01

A definition of the BDX930 assembly language is presented. Various definition problems and suggested solutions are included. A class of defined recognizers based on boolean valued nowrecursive functions is employed in preprocessing.

Orthogonal polynomials for refinable linear functionals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laurie, Dirk; de Villiers, Johan

2006-12-01

A refinable linear functional is one that can be expressed as a convex combination and defined by a finite number of mask coefficients of certain stretched and shifted replicas of itself. The notion generalizes an integral weighted by a refinable function. The key to calculating a Gaussian quadrature formula for such a functional is to find the three-term recursion coefficients for the polynomials orthogonal with respect to that functional. We show how to obtain the recursion coefficients by using only the mask coefficients, and without the aid of modified moments. Our result implies the existence of the corresponding refinable functional whenever the mask coefficients are nonnegative, even when the same mask does not define a refinable function. The algorithm requires O(n^2) rational operations and, thus, can in principle deliver exact results. Numerical evidence suggests that it is also effective in floating-point arithmetic.

An Update on Statistical Boosting in Biomedicine.

PubMed

Mayr, Andreas; Hofner, Benjamin; Waldmann, Elisabeth; Hepp, Tobias; Meyer, Sebastian; Gefeller, Olaf

2017-01-01

Statistical boosting algorithms have triggered a lot of research during the last decade. They combine a powerful machine learning approach with classical statistical modelling, offering various practical advantages like automated variable selection and implicit regularization of effect estimates. They are extremely flexible, as the underlying base-learners (regression functions defining the type of effect for the explanatory variables) can be combined with any kind of loss function (target function to be optimized, defining the type of regression setting). In this review article, we highlight the most recent methodological developments on statistical boosting regarding variable selection, functional regression, and advanced time-to-event modelling. Additionally, we provide a short overview on relevant applications of statistical boosting in biomedicine.

Peptides, serotonin, and breathing: the role of the raphe in the control of respiration.

PubMed

Pilowsky, Paul M

2014-01-01

Over the last 20 years, it has become clear that many functionally defined autonomic neurons in the brainstem contain many more than one neurotransmitter. Here, the possible role and functions of colocalized neuropeptides in the caudal raphe nuclei of the medulla oblongata are discussed. Caudal raphe neurons provide an extensive input to neurons throughout the brainstem and spinal cord, including respiratory and cardiovascular neurons. It is concluded that one plausible function of colocalized neuropeptides is to maintain the membrane potential of target neurons within a defined window so that they remain able to function at extremes of activity. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Penalized nonparametric scalar-on-function regression via principal coordinates

PubMed Central

Reiss, Philip T.; Miller, David L.; Wu, Pei-Shien; Hua, Wen-Yu

2016-01-01

A number of classical approaches to nonparametric regression have recently been extended to the case of functional predictors. This paper introduces a new method of this type, which extends intermediate-rank penalized smoothing to scalar-on-function regression. In the proposed method, which we call principal coordinate ridge regression, one regresses the response on leading principal coordinates defined by a relevant distance among the functional predictors, while applying a ridge penalty. Our publicly available implementation, based on generalized additive modeling software, allows for fast optimal tuning parameter selection and for extensions to multiple functional predictors, exponential family-valued responses, and mixed-effects models. In an application to signature verification data, principal coordinate ridge regression, with dynamic time warping distance used to define the principal coordinates, is shown to outperform a functional generalized linear model. PMID:29217963

User-defined functions in the Arden Syntax: An extension proposal.

PubMed

Karadimas, Harry; Ebrahiminia, Vahid; Lepage, Eric

2015-12-11

The Arden Syntax is a knowledge-encoding standard, started in 1989, and now in its 10th revision, maintained by the health level seven (HL7) organization. It has constructs borrowed from several language concepts that were available at that time (mainly the HELP hospital information system and the Regenstrief medical record system (RMRS), but also the Pascal language, functional languages and the data structure of frames, used in artificial intelligence). The syntax has a rationale for its constructs, and has restrictions that follow this rationale. The main goal of the Standard is to promote knowledge sharing, by avoiding the complexity of traditional programs, so that a medical logic module (MLM) written in the Arden Syntax can remain shareable and understandable across institutions. One of the restrictions of the syntax is that you cannot define your own functions and subroutines inside an MLM. An MLM can, however, call another MLM, where this MLM will serve as a function. This will add an additional dependency between MLMs, a known criticism of the Arden Syntax knowledge model. This article explains why we believe the Arden Syntax would benefit from a construct for user-defined functions, discusses the need, the benefits and the limitations of such a construct. We used the recent grammar of the Arden Syntax v.2.10, and both the Arden Syntax standard document and the Arden Syntax Rationale article as guidelines. We gradually introduced production rules to the grammar. We used the CUP parsing tool to verify that no ambiguities were detected. A new grammar was produced, that supports user-defined functions. 22 production rules were added to the grammar. A parser was built using the CUP parsing tool. A few examples are given to illustrate the concepts. All examples were parsed correctly. It is possible to add user-defined functions to the Arden Syntax in a way that remains coherent with the standard. We believe that this enhances the readability and the robustness of MLMs. A detailed proposal will be submitted by the end of the year to the HL7 workgroup on Arden Syntax. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Defining and Applying a Functionality Approach to Intellectual Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luckasson, R.; Schalock, R. L.

2013-01-01

Background: The current functional models of disability do not adequately incorporate significant changes of the last three decades in our understanding of human functioning, and how the human functioning construct can be applied to clinical functions, professional practices and outcomes evaluation. Methods: The authors synthesise current…

Space station needs, attributes and architectural options: Study summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Space station needs, attributes, and architectural options that affect the future implementation and design of a space station system are examined. Requirements for candidate missions are used to define functional attributes of a space station. Station elements that perform these functions form the basic station architecture. Alternative ways to accomplish these functions are defined and configuration concepts are developed and evaluated. Configuration analyses are carried to the point that budgetary cost estimates of alternate approaches could be made. Emphasis is placed on differential costs for station support elements and benefits that accrue through use of the station.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR FAILURE PREVENTION IN AEROSPACE ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS UTILIZING HIGHER VOLTAGES

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-07-01

work , the guideline document (1) provides a basis for identifying high voltage design risks, (2) defines areas of concern as a function of environment ... work , the guideline document 1) provides a basis for identifying high voltage design risks, 2) defines areas of concern as a function of environment ...pressures (y-axis - breakdown voltage [volts-peak]) As an example of the impact of the aerospace environment , consider the calculation of the safe

Environmental and Water Quality Operational Studies. Evaluating Changes in Dike Field Fishes with Community Information Indices.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

large species lists into single numerical expressions. Species diversity is usually - defined as a function of the number of species (i.e. species...1958, Lloyd and Ghelardi 1964, Pielou 1969). The primary motivation * for calculating species diversity indices based on richness or abundance is...diversity was an intrinsic property in ecological processes and an important factor in defining ecosystem structure and function (McArthur 1955

Defining and Assessing Public Health Functions: A Global Analysis.

PubMed

Martin-Moreno, Jose M; Harris, Meggan; Jakubowski, Elke; Kluge, Hans

2016-01-01

Given the broad scope and intersectoral nature of public health structures and practices, there are inherent difficulties in defining which services fall under the public health remit and in assessing their capacity and performance. The aim of this study is to analyze how public health functions and practice have been defined and operationalized in different countries and regions around the world, with a specific focus on assessment tools that have been developed to evaluate the performance of essential public health functions, services, and operations. Our review has identified nearly 100 countries that have carried out assessments, using diverse analytical and methodological approaches. The assessment processes have evolved quite differently according to administrative arrangements and resource availability, but some key contextual factors emerge that seem to favor policy-oriented follow-up. These include local ownership of the assessment process, policymakers' commitment to reform, and expert technical advice for implementation.

Super-enhancers: Asset management in immune cell genomes.

PubMed

Witte, Steven; O'Shea, John J; Vahedi, Golnaz

2015-09-01

Super-enhancers (SEs) are regions of the genome consisting of clusters of regulatory elements bound with very high amounts of transcription factors, and this architecture appears to be the hallmark of genes and noncoding RNAs linked with cell identity. Recent studies have identified SEs in CD4(+) T cells and have further linked these regions to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with immune-mediated disorders, pointing to an important role for these structures in the T cell differentiation and function. Here we review the features that define SEs, and discuss their function within the broader understanding of the mechanisms that define immune cell identity and function. We propose that SEs present crucial regulatory hubs, coordinating intrinsic and extrinsic differentiation signals, and argue that delineating these regions will provide important insight into the factors and mechanisms that define immune cell identity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enabling complex queries to drug information sources through functional composition.

PubMed

Peters, Lee; Mortensen, Jonathan; Nguyen, Thang; Bodenreider, Olivier

2013-01-01

Our objective was to enable an end-user to create complex queries to drug information sources through functional composition, by creating sequences of functions from application program interfaces (API) to drug terminologies. The development of a functional composition model seeks to link functions from two distinct APIs. An ontology was developed using Protégé to model the functions of the RxNorm and NDF-RT APIs by describing the semantics of their input and output. A set of rules were developed to define the interoperable conditions for functional composition. The operational definition of interoperability between function pairs is established by executing the rules on the ontology. We illustrate that the functional composition model supports common use cases, including checking interactions for RxNorm drugs and deploying allergy lists defined in reference to drug properties in NDF-RT. This model supports the RxMix application (http://mor.nlm.nih.gov/RxMix/), an application we developed for enabling complex queries to the RxNorm and NDF-RT APIs.

Optimization with Fuzzy Data via Evolutionary Algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosiński, Witold

2010-09-01

Order fuzzy numbers (OFN) that make possible to deal with fuzzy inputs quantitatively, exactly in the same way as with real numbers, have been recently defined by the author and his 2 coworkers. The set of OFN forms a normed space and is a partially ordered ring. The case when the numbers are presented in the form of step functions, with finite resolution, simplifies all operations and the representation of defuzzification functionals. A general optimization problem with fuzzy data is formulated. Its fitness function attains fuzzy values. Since the adjoint space to the space of OFN is finite dimensional, a convex combination of all linear defuzzification functionals may be used to introduce a total order and a real-valued fitness function. Genetic operations on individuals representing fuzzy data are defined.

Case studies on optimization problems in MATLAB and COMSOL multiphysics by means of the livelink

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozana, Stepan; Pies, Martin; Docekal, Tomas

2016-06-01

LiveLink for COMSOL is a tool that integrates COMSOL Multiphysics with MATLAB to extend one's modeling with scripting programming in the MATLAB environment. It allows user to utilize the full power of MATLAB and its toolboxes in preprocessing, model manipulation, and post processing. At first, the head script launches COMSOL with MATLAB and defines initial value of all parameters, refers to the objective function J described in the objective function and creates and runs the defined optimization task. Once the task is launches, the COMSOL model is being called in the iteration loop (from MATLAB environment by use of API interface), changing defined optimization parameters so that the objective function is minimized, using fmincon function to find a local or global minimum of constrained linear or nonlinear multivariable function. Once the minimum is found, it returns exit flag, terminates optimization and returns the optimized values of the parameters. The cooperation with MATLAB via LiveLink enhances a powerful computational environment with complex multiphysics simulations. The paper will introduce using of the LiveLink for COMSOL for chosen case studies in the field of technical cybernetics and bioengineering.

Random walks with long-range steps generated by functions of Laplacian matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riascos, A. P.; Michelitsch, T. M.; Collet, B. A.; Nowakowski, A. F.; Nicolleau, F. C. G. A.

2018-04-01

In this paper, we explore different Markovian random walk strategies on networks with transition probabilities between nodes defined in terms of functions of the Laplacian matrix. We generalize random walk strategies with local information in the Laplacian matrix, that describes the connections of a network, to a dynamic determined by functions of this matrix. The resulting processes are non-local allowing transitions of the random walker from one node to nodes beyond its nearest neighbors. We find that only two types of Laplacian functions are admissible with distinct behaviors for long-range steps in the infinite network limit: type (i) functions generate Brownian motions, type (ii) functions Lévy flights. For this asymptotic long-range step behavior only the lowest non-vanishing order of the Laplacian function is relevant, namely first order for type (i), and fractional order for type (ii) functions. In the first part, we discuss spectral properties of the Laplacian matrix and a series of relations that are maintained by a particular type of functions that allow to define random walks on any type of undirected connected networks. Once described general properties, we explore characteristics of random walk strategies that emerge from particular cases with functions defined in terms of exponentials, logarithms and powers of the Laplacian as well as relations of these dynamics with non-local strategies like Lévy flights and fractional transport. Finally, we analyze the global capacity of these random walk strategies to explore networks like lattices and trees and different types of random and complex networks.

Designing Class Methods from Dataflow Diagrams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shoval, Peretz; Kabeli-Shani, Judith

A method for designing the class methods of an information system is described. The method is part of FOOM - Functional and Object-Oriented Methodology. In the analysis phase of FOOM, two models defining the users' requirements are created: a conceptual data model - an initial class diagram; and a functional model - hierarchical OO-DFDs (object-oriented dataflow diagrams). Based on these models, a well-defined process of methods design is applied. First, the OO-DFDs are converted into transactions, i.e., system processes that supports user task. The components and the process logic of each transaction are described in detail, using pseudocode. Then, each transaction is decomposed, according to well-defined rules, into class methods of various types: basic methods, application-specific methods and main transaction (control) methods. Each method is attached to a proper class; messages between methods express the process logic of each transaction. The methods are defined using pseudocode or message charts.

Inspiration from heart development: Biomimetic development of functional human cardiac organoids.

PubMed

Richards, Dylan J; Coyle, Robert C; Tan, Yu; Jia, Jia; Wong, Kerri; Toomer, Katelynn; Menick, Donald R; Mei, Ying

2017-10-01

Recent progress in human organoids has provided 3D tissue systems to model human development, diseases, as well as develop cell delivery systems for regenerative therapies. While direct differentiation of human embryoid bodies holds great promise for cardiac organoid production, intramyocardial cell organization during heart development provides biological foundation to fabricate human cardiac organoids with defined cell types. Inspired by the intramyocardial organization events in coronary vasculogenesis, where a diverse, yet defined, mixture of cardiac cell types self-organizes into functional myocardium in the absence of blood flow, we have developed a defined method to produce scaffold-free human cardiac organoids that structurally and functionally resembled the lumenized vascular network in the developing myocardium, supported hiPSC-CM development and possessed fundamental cardiac tissue-level functions. In particular, this development-driven strategy offers a robust, tunable system to examine the contributions of individual cell types, matrix materials and additional factors for developmental insight, biomimetic matrix composition to advance biomaterial design, tissue/organ-level drug screening, and cell therapy for heart repair. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Space shuttle propulsion systems on-board checkout and monitoring system development study (extension). Volume 1: Summary and technical results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An analysis was conducted of the space shuttle propulsion systems to define the onboard checkout and monitoring function. A baseline space shuttle vehicle and mission were used to establish the techniques and approach for defining the requirements. The requirements were analyzed to formulate criteria for implementing the functions of preflight checkout, performance monitoring, fault isolation, emergency detection, display, data storage, postflight evaluation, and maintenance retest.

Crack Growth Analysis for Arbitrary Spectrum Loading. Volume 1. Results and Discussion

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-10-01

amplitude growth without previous load history effects) the crack growth increments were increased. Many of the specimens were fitted with the Amsler...absolute magnitude of the maximum load.) Further, if S is defined as a function of the previous load history , then c h9 Equation (19) will predict...crack growth interaction effects. It remains then, to define S as a function of stress ratio and previous load history , and anyc other pertinent

International Workshop on Principles of Program Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-01-01

with respect to a semantics of the programming language. It is a sad fact that new program analyses often contain subtle bugs, and a formal ... It defines a higher-order function f with formal parameter x and body x 1; then it defines two functions g and h that are given as actual parameters...begin by presenting a formal semantics for WHILE. The material of this section may be skimmed through on a first reading; however, it is frequently

Binary Color Vision for Industrial Automation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-02-28

A . and Kak, A .: Digital Picture Processing. Academic Press, New York, 1976. (17) Connah, D. M . and Fishbourne, C . A .: "The...TEST CHART NATIONAL RUR AU OF STANDAR[l, A - -IA • . . ........ ......... ’ ... ’" ( ( READ INSTR C IN R REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE H"’FORE COMPLETN...image is defined by a function of 2-D posi , say I( m ,n), defined at chosen grid points of the image. For a achromatic grey-scale image, the function

An Analytic Solution for Surface Source Sigma Z Calculations.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-01

diabatic influence function , dimensionless temperature gradient 20. continued. - urbulence as a function of stability for inversion conditions. The...diabatic influence function (f). The unstable u = u,(In(z/zo) - )/k (4) regime diabatic influence function as defined by Paulson (1970) is presented in

Functional Intersection Area -- Oregon Department of Transportation

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-01-01

This discussion paper addresses the concepts involved in defining the functional area of an intersection. The elements which comprise the upstream functional area are identified; dimensions of the upstream area exclusive of queue storage, are given f...

Compensatory recruitment of neural resources in chronic alcoholism.

PubMed

Chanraud, Sandra; Sullivan, Edith V

2014-01-01

Functional recovery occurs with sustained sobriety, but the neural mechanisms enabling recovery are only now emerging. Theories about promising mechanisms involve concepts of neuroadaptation, where excessive alcohol consumption results in untoward structural and functional brain changes which are subsequently candidates for reversal with sobriety. Views on functional adaptation in chronic alcoholism have expanded with results from neuroimaging studies. Here, we first describe and define the concept of neuroadaptation according to emerging theories based on the growing literature in aging-related cognitive functioning. Then we describe findings as they apply to chronic alcoholism and factors that could influence compensation, such as functional brain reserve and the integrity of brain structure. Finally, we review brain plasticity based on physiologic mechanisms that could underlie mechanisms of neural compensation. Where possible, we provide operational criteria to define functional and neural compensation. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Next-Generation High-Throughput Functional Annotation of Microbial Genomes.

PubMed

Baric, Ralph S; Crosson, Sean; Damania, Blossom; Miller, Samuel I; Rubin, Eric J

2016-10-04

Host infection by microbial pathogens cues global changes in microbial and host cell biology that facilitate microbial replication and disease. The complete maps of thousands of bacterial and viral genomes have recently been defined; however, the rate at which physiological or biochemical functions have been assigned to genes has greatly lagged. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) addressed this gap by creating functional genomics centers dedicated to developing high-throughput approaches to assign gene function. These centers require broad-based and collaborative research programs to generate and integrate diverse data to achieve a comprehensive understanding of microbial pathogenesis. High-throughput functional genomics can lead to new therapeutics and better understanding of the next generation of emerging pathogens by rapidly defining new general mechanisms by which organisms cause disease and replicate in host tissues and by facilitating the rate at which functional data reach the scientific community. Copyright © 2016 Baric et al.

Models and algorithm of optimization launch and deployment of virtual network functions in the virtual data center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolodurina, I. P.; Parfenov, D. I.

2017-10-01

The goal of our investigation is optimization of network work in virtual data center. The advantage of modern infrastructure virtualization lies in the possibility to use software-defined networks. However, the existing optimization of algorithmic solutions does not take into account specific features working with multiple classes of virtual network functions. The current paper describes models characterizing the basic structures of object of virtual data center. They including: a level distribution model of software-defined infrastructure virtual data center, a generalized model of a virtual network function, a neural network model of the identification of virtual network functions. We also developed an efficient algorithm for the optimization technology of containerization of virtual network functions in virtual data center. We propose an efficient algorithm for placing virtual network functions. In our investigation we also generalize the well renowned heuristic and deterministic algorithms of Karmakar-Karp.

DEVELOPMENTS IN GRworkbench

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moylan, Andrew; Scott, Susan M.; Searle, Anthony C.

2006-02-01

The software tool GRworkbench is an ongoing project in visual, numerical General Relativity at The Australian National University. Recently, GRworkbench has been significantly extended to facilitate numerical experimentation in analytically-defined space-times. The numerical differential geometric engine has been rewritten using functional programming techniques, enabling objects which are normally defined as functions in the formalism of differential geometry and General Relativity to be directly represented as function variables in the C++ code of GRworkbench. The new functional differential geometric engine allows for more accurate and efficient visualisation of objects in space-times and makes new, efficient computational techniques available. Motivated by the desire to investigate a recent scientific claim using GRworkbench, new tools for numerical experimentation have been implemented, allowing for the simulation of complex physical situations.

WAIS Performance in Unincarcerated Groups of MMPI-Defined Sociopaths and Normal Controls

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allain, Albert N.

1974-01-01

This investigation examines WAIS performance in groups of 32 sociopaths and 33 normal controls defined by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory criteria. Sociopaths and normal controls show no differences in overall level of intellectual functioning. (Author)

Probabilistic atlases of default mode, executive control and salience network white matter tracts: an fMRI-guided diffusion tensor imaging and tractography study

PubMed Central

Figley, Teresa D.; Bhullar, Navdeep; Courtney, Susan M.; Figley, Chase R.

2015-01-01

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a powerful MRI technique that can be used to estimate both the microstructural integrity and the trajectories of white matter pathways throughout the central nervous system. This fiber tracking (aka, “tractography”) approach is often carried out using anatomically-defined seed points to identify white matter tracts that pass through one or more structures, but can also be performed using functionally-defined regions of interest (ROIs) that have been determined using functional MRI (fMRI) or other methods. In this study, we performed fMRI-guided DTI tractography between all of the previously defined nodes within each of six common resting-state brain networks, including the: dorsal Default Mode Network (dDMN), ventral Default Mode Network (vDMN), left Executive Control Network (lECN), right Executive Control Network (rECN), anterior Salience Network (aSN), and posterior Salience Network (pSN). By normalizing the data from 32 healthy control subjects to a standard template—using high-dimensional, non-linear warping methods—we were able to create probabilistic white matter atlases for each tract in stereotaxic coordinates. By investigating all 198 ROI-to-ROI combinations within the aforementioned resting-state networks (for a total of 6336 independent DTI tractography analyses), the resulting probabilistic atlases represent a comprehensive cohort of functionally-defined white matter regions that can be used in future brain imaging studies to: (1) ascribe DTI or other white matter changes to particular functional brain networks, and (2) compliment resting state fMRI or other functional connectivity analyses. PMID:26578930

Local and linear chemical reactivity response functions at finite temperature in density functional theory

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

Franco-Pérez, Marco, E-mail: francopj@mcmaster.ca, E-mail: ayers@mcmaster.ca, E-mail: jlgm@xanum.uam.mx, E-mail: avela@cinvestav.mx; Departamento de Química, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, México, D.F. 09340; Ayers, Paul W., E-mail: francopj@mcmaster.ca, E-mail: ayers@mcmaster.ca, E-mail: jlgm@xanum.uam.mx, E-mail: avela@cinvestav.mx

2015-12-28

We explore the local and nonlocal response functions of the grand canonical potential density functional at nonzero temperature. In analogy to the zero-temperature treatment, local (e.g., the average electron density and the local softness) and nonlocal (e.g., the softness kernel) intrinsic response functions are defined as partial derivatives of the grand canonical potential with respect to its thermodynamic variables (i.e., the chemical potential of the electron reservoir and the external potential generated by the atomic nuclei). To define the local and nonlocal response functions of the electron density (e.g., the Fukui function, the linear density response function, and the dualmore » descriptor), we differentiate with respect to the average electron number and the external potential. The well-known mathematical relationships between the intrinsic response functions and the electron-density responses are generalized to nonzero temperature, and we prove that in the zero-temperature limit, our results recover well-known identities from the density functional theory of chemical reactivity. Specific working equations and numerical results are provided for the 3-state ensemble model.« less

Local and linear chemical reactivity response functions at finite temperature in density functional theory.

PubMed

Franco-Pérez, Marco; Ayers, Paul W; Gázquez, José L; Vela, Alberto

2015-12-28

We explore the local and nonlocal response functions of the grand canonical potential density functional at nonzero temperature. In analogy to the zero-temperature treatment, local (e.g., the average electron density and the local softness) and nonlocal (e.g., the softness kernel) intrinsic response functions are defined as partial derivatives of the grand canonical potential with respect to its thermodynamic variables (i.e., the chemical potential of the electron reservoir and the external potential generated by the atomic nuclei). To define the local and nonlocal response functions of the electron density (e.g., the Fukui function, the linear density response function, and the dual descriptor), we differentiate with respect to the average electron number and the external potential. The well-known mathematical relationships between the intrinsic response functions and the electron-density responses are generalized to nonzero temperature, and we prove that in the zero-temperature limit, our results recover well-known identities from the density functional theory of chemical reactivity. Specific working equations and numerical results are provided for the 3-state ensemble model.

Fitting Curves by Fractal Interpolation: AN Application to the Quantification of Cognitive Brain Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navascues, M. A.; Sebastian, M. V.

Fractal interpolants of Barnsley are defined for any continuous function defined on a real compact interval. The uniform distance between the function and its approximant is bounded in terms of the vertical scale factors. As a general result, the density of the affine fractal interpolation functions of Barnsley in the space of continuous functions in a compact interval is proved. A method of data fitting by means of fractal interpolation functions is proposed. The procedure is applied to the quantification of cognitive brain processes. In particular, the increase in the complexity of the electroencephalographic signal produced by the execution of a test of visual attention is studied. The experiment was performed on two types of children: a healthy control group and a set of children diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder.

TU-F-12A-04: Differential Radiation Avoidance of Functional Liver Regions Defined by 99mTc-Sulfur Colloid SPECT/CT with Proton Therapy

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

Bowen, S; Miyaoka, R; Kinahan, P

2014-06-15

Purpose: Radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients is conventionally planned without consideration of spatial heterogeneity in hepatic function, which may increase risk of radiation-induced liver disease. Pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton radiotherapy (pRT) plans were generated to differentially decrease dose to functional liver volumes (FLV) defined on [{sup 99m}Tc]sulfur colloid (SC) SPECT/CT images (functional avoidance plans) and compared against conventional pRT plans. Methods: Three HCC patients underwent SC SPECT/CT scans for pRT planning acquired 15 min post injection over 24 min. Images were reconstructed with OSEM following scatter, collimator, and exhale CT attenuation correction. Functional liver volumes (FLV) were defined bymore » liver:spleen uptake ratio thresholds (43% to 90% maximum). Planning objectives to FLV were based on mean SC SPECT uptake ratio relative to GTV-subtracted liver and inversely scaled to mean liver dose of 20 Gy. PTV target coverage (V{sub 95}) was matched between conventional and functional avoidance plans. PBS pRT plans were optimized in RayStation for single field uniform dose (SFUD) and systematically perturbed to verify robustness to uncertainty in range, setup, and motion. Relative differences in FLV DVH and target dose heterogeneity (D{sub 2}-D{sub 98})/D50 were assessed. Results: For similar liver dose between functional avoidance and conventional PBS pRT plans (D{sub mean}≤5% difference, V{sub 18Gy}≤1% difference), dose to functional liver volumes were lower in avoidance plans but varied in magnitude across patients (FLV{sub 70%max} D{sub mean}≤26% difference, V{sub 18Gy}≤8% difference). Higher PTV dose heterogeneity in avoidance plans was associated with lower functional liver dose, particularly for the largest lesion [(D{sub 2}-D{sub 98})/D{sub 50}=13%, FLV{sub 90%max}=50% difference]. Conclusion: Differential avoidance of functional liver regions defined on sulfur colloid SPECT/CT is feasible with proton therapy. The magnitude of benefit appears to be patient specific and dependent on tumor location, size, and proximity to functional volumes. Further investigation in a larger cohort of patients may validate the clinical utility of functional avoidance planning of HCC radiotherapy.« less

Cognitively Inspired Neural Network for Situation Recognition

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-14

Y -HS-TR-2009-002S 12...using the identity d log y = 2.. dy y We introduce a set of association function s defined by [ (n ih) These functions define associations between...horizontal index, N! =500!. • • Y " I " ’ ," I ’/’r I , !" (, "II ,’, ’n ’,{ " ", ," 𔃻,1\\\\ " ’,". " .ŕ"",, ~ ’J’,’, "", "" ,l ’I ’Ii tl" I " ~ , , , ~" "

A technique for increasing the accuracy of the numerical inversion of the Laplace transform with applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berger, B. S.; Duangudom, S.

1973-01-01

A technique is introduced which extends the range of useful approximation of numerical inversion techniques to many cycles of an oscillatory function without requiring either the evaluation of the image function for many values of s or the computation of higher-order terms. The technique consists in reducing a given initial value problem defined over some interval into a sequence of initial value problems defined over a set of subintervals. Several numerical examples demonstrate the utility of the method.

A Bitvectors Library for PVS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butler, Ricky W.; Miner, Paul S.; Srivas, Mandayam K.; Greve, Dave A.; Miller, Steven P.

1996-01-01

This paper describes a bitvectors library that has been developed for PVS. The library defines a bitvector as a function from a subrange of the integers into (0,1). The library provides functions that interpret a bitvector as a natural number, as a 2's complement number, as a vector of logical values and as a 2's complement fraction. The library provides a concatenation operator and an extractor. Shift, extend and rotate operations are also, defined. Fundamental properties of each of these operations have been proved in PVS.

Accuracy analysis of pointing control system of solar power station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, J. C.; Peebles, P. Z., Jr.

1978-01-01

The first-phase effort concentrated on defining the minimum basic functions that the retrodirective array must perform, identifying circuits that are capable of satisfying the basic functions, and looking at some of the error sources in the system and how they affect accuracy. The initial effort also examined three methods for generating torques for mechanical antenna control, performed a rough analysis of the flexible body characteristics of the solar collector, and defined a control system configuration for mechanical pointing control of the array.

Stepper motor control that adjusts to motor loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howard, David E. (Inventor); Nola, Frank J. (Inventor)

2000-01-01

A system and method are provided for controlling a stepper motor having a rotor and a multi-phase stator. Sinusoidal command signals define a commanded position of the motor's rotor. An actual position of the rotor is sensed as a function of an electrical angle between the actual position and the commanded position. The actual position is defined by sinusoidal position signals. An adjustment signal is generated using the sinusoidal command signals and sinusoidal position signals. The adjustment signal is defined as a function of the cosine of the electrical angle. The adjustment signal is multiplied by each sinusoidal command signal to generate a corresponding set of excitation signals, each of which is applied to a corresponding phase of the multi-phase stator.

Multidisciplinary design optimization: An emerging new engineering discipline

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sobieszczanski-Sobieski, Jaroslaw

1993-01-01

This paper defines the Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) as a new field of research endeavor and as an aid in the design of engineering systems. It examines the MDO conceptual components in relation to each other and defines their functions.

ITS system specification. Appendix B, requirements by service/function/subfunction

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-01-01

The objective of the Polaris Project is to define an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) architecture for the state of Minnesota. An architecture is a framework that defines how multiple ITS Components interrelate and contribute to the overall I...

The Boundary Function Method. Fundamentals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kot, V. A.

2017-03-01

The boundary function method is proposed for solving applied problems of mathematical physics in the region defined by a partial differential equation of the general form involving constant or variable coefficients with a Dirichlet, Neumann, or Robin boundary condition. In this method, the desired function is defined by a power polynomial, and a boundary function represented in the form of the desired function or its derivative at one of the boundary points is introduced. Different sequences of boundary equations have been set up with the use of differential operators. Systems of linear algebraic equations constructed on the basis of these sequences allow one to determine the coefficients of a power polynomial. Constitutive equations have been derived for initial boundary-value problems of all the main types. With these equations, an initial boundary-value problem is transformed into the Cauchy problem for the boundary function. The determination of the boundary function by its derivative with respect to the time coordinate completes the solution of the problem.

GDF v2.0, an enhanced version of GDF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsoulos, Ioannis G.; Gavrilis, Dimitris; Dermatas, Evangelos

2007-12-01

An improved version of the function estimation program GDF is presented. The main enhancements of the new version include: multi-output function estimation, capability of defining custom functions in the grammar and selection of the error function. The new version has been evaluated on a series of classification and regression datasets, that are widely used for the evaluation of such methods. It is compared to two known neural networks and outperforms them in 5 (out of 10) datasets. Program summaryTitle of program: GDF v2.0 Catalogue identifier: ADXC_v2_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADXC_v2_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 98 147 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 2 040 684 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: GNU C++ Computer: The program is designed to be portable in all systems running the GNU C++ compiler Operating system: Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD RAM: 200000 bytes Classification: 4.9 Does the new version supersede the previous version?: Yes Nature of problem: The technique of function estimation tries to discover from a series of input data a functional form that best describes them. This can be performed with the use of parametric models, whose parameters can adapt according to the input data. Solution method: Functional forms are being created by genetic programming which are approximations for the symbolic regression problem. Reasons for new version: The GDF package was extended in order to be more flexible and user customizable than the old package. The user can extend the package by defining his own error functions and he can extend the grammar of the package by adding new functions to the function repertoire. Also, the new version can perform function estimation of multi-output functions and it can be used for classification problems. Summary of revisions: The following features have been added to the package GDF: Multi-output function approximation. The package can now approximate any function f:R→R. This feature gives also to the package the capability of performing classification and not only regression. User defined function can be added to the repertoire of the grammar, extending the regression capabilities of the package. This feature is limited to 3 functions, but easily this number can be increased. Capability of selecting the error function. The package offers now to the user apart from the mean square error other error functions such as: mean absolute square error, maximum square error. Also, user defined error functions can be added to the set of error functions. More verbose output. The main program displays more information to the user as well as the default values for the parameters. Also, the package gives to the user the capability to define an output file, where the output of the gdf program for the testing set will be stored after the termination of the process. Additional comments: A technical report describing the revisions, experiments and test runs is packaged with the source code. Running time: Depending on the train data.

Individual Differences in the Alignment of Structural and Functional Markers of the V5/MT Complex in Primates

PubMed Central

Large, I.; Bridge, H.; Ahmed, B.; Clare, S.; Kolasinski, J.; Lam, W. W.; Miller, K. L.; Dyrby, T. B.; Parker, A. J.; Smith, J. E. T.; Daubney, G.; Sallet, J.; Bell, A. H.; Krug, K.

2016-01-01

Extrastriate visual area V5/MT in primates is defined both structurally by myeloarchitecture and functionally by distinct responses to visual motion. Myelination is directly identifiable from postmortem histology but also indirectly by image contrast with structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). First, we compared the identification of V5/MT using both sMRI and histology in Rhesus macaques. A section-by-section comparison of histological slices with in vivo and postmortem sMRI for the same block of cortical tissue showed precise correspondence in localizing heavy myelination for V5/MT and neighboring MST. Thus, sMRI in macaques accurately locates histologically defined myelin within areas known to be motion selective. Second, we investigated the functionally homologous human motion complex (hMT+) using high-resolution in vivo imaging. Humans showed considerable intersubject variability in hMT+ location, when defined with myelin-weighted sMRI signals to reveal structure. When comparing sMRI markers to functional MRI in response to moving stimuli, a region of high myelin signal was generally located within the hMT+ complex. However, there were considerable differences in the alignment of structural and functional markers between individuals. Our results suggest that variation in area identification for hMT+ based on structural and functional markers reflects individual differences in human regional brain architecture. PMID:27371764

Synthesis of well-defined bisbenzoin end-functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) macrophotoinitiator by combination of ROP and click chemistry and its use in the synthesis of star copolymers by photoinduced free radical promoted cationic polymerization

PubMed Central

Uyar, Zafer; Degirmenci, Mustafa; Genli, Nasrettin; Yilmaz, Ayse

2017-01-01

Abstract A new well-defined bisbenzoin group end-functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) macrophotoinitiator (PCL-(PI)2) was synthesized by combination of ring opening polymerization (ROP) and click chemistry. The ROP of ε-CL monomer in bulk at 110 °C, by means of a hydroxyl functional initiator namely, 3-cyclohexene-1-methanol in conjunction with stannous-2-ethylhexanoate, (Sn(Oct)2), yielded a well-defined PCL with a cyclohexene end-chain group (PCL-CH). The bromination and subsequent azidation of the cyclohexene end-chain group gave bisazido functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-(N3)2). Separately, an acetylene functionalized benzoin photoinitiator (PI-alkyne) was synthesized by using benzoin and propargyl bromide. Then the click reaction between PCL-(N3)2 and PI-alkyne was performed by Cu(I) catalysis. The spectroscopic studies revealed that poly(ε-caprolactone) with bisbenzoin photoactive functional group at the chain end (PCL-(PI)2) with controlled chain length and low-polydispersity was obtained. This PCL-(PI)2 macrophotoinitiator was used as a precursor in photoinduced free radical promoted cationic polymerization to synthesize an AB2-type miktoarm star copolymer consisting of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL, as A block) and poly(cyclohexene oxide) (PCHO, as B block), namely PCL(PCHO)2. PMID:29491778

Thermal properties of the Cobourg Limestone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pitts, Michelle

The underground storage of used nuclear fuel in Deep Geologic Repositories (DGRs) has been a subject of research in Canada for decades. One important technical aspect of repository design is the accommodation of the mechanical impacts of thermal inputs (heating) from the fuel as it goes through the remainder of its life cycle. Placement room spacing, a major factor in project cost, will be determined by the ability of the host rock to dissipate heat. The thermal conductivity and linear thermal expansion will determine the evolution of the temperature and thermally-induced stress fields. Thermal processes must be well understood to design a successful DGR. This thesis examines the thermal properties of rocks, how they are influenced by factors such as temperature, pressure, mineralogy, porosity, and saturation; and common methods for calculating and/or measuring these properties. A brief overview of thermal and thermally-coupled processes in the context of DGRs demonstrates the degree to which they would impact design, construction, and operation of these critical structures. Several case histories of major in situ heating experiments are reviewed to determine how the lessons learned could be applied to a Canadian Underground Demonstration Facility (UDF). A mineralogy investigation using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) examines samples of the Cobourg Limestone from the Bowmanville and Bruce sites, and demonstrates geographical variability within the Cobourg Formation. The thermal properties of samples from the Bowmanville site are determined. A divided bar apparatus was constructed and used to measure thermal conductivity. The temperature measurement component of the divided bar apparatus was used to measure linear thermal expansion. Finally, the past investigations into the thermal impact of a DGR are reviewed, and the implications of the laboratory testing results on similar analyses are discussed.

Unveiling the Galaxy Population at 1.3 < z < 4: the HUDF05 NICMOS Parallel Fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Petty, Sara M.; deMello, Duilia F.; Wiklind, Tomy; Gardner, Jonathan P.; Mountain, Matt

2010-01-01

Using the Hubble Ultra Deep Field Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (HUDF-NICMOS) UDF05 parallel fields, we cross-matched 301 out of 630 galaxies with the ACS filters V606 and z850, NICMOS filters J110 and H160, and Spitzer IRAC filters at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8 , and 8.0 (mu)m. We modeled the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) to estimate: photometric redshifts, dust extinction, stellar mass, bolometric luminosity, starburst age and metallicity. To validate the photometric redshifts, comparisons with 16 spectroscopic redshifts give 75% within Delta < 0.2, which agrees with the sensitivities expected from the Balmer-break in our dataset. Five parallel fields observed by NICMOS have sensitivities in the H160-band of 80% at mAB = 25.4 and 50% at mAB = 26.7. Because the sample is H160-band selected, it is sensitive to stellar mass rather than UV luminosities. We also use Monte Carlo simulations to determine that the parameters from the best-fit SEDs are robust for the redshift ranges z > or approx. 1.3. Based on the robustness of the photometric redshifts, we analyze a subsample of the 301 galaxies at 1.3 < or = z < or = 2 (35 objects) and 3 < or = z < or = 4 (31 objects) and determine that L(BoI) and the star formation rate increase significantly from z approx. 1.5 to 4. The Balmer decrement is indicative of more evolved galaxies, and at high redshifts, they serve as records of some of the first galaxies. Therefore, the galaxies in this sample are great candidates for future surveys with the James Webb Space Telescope and Atacama Large Millimeter Array.

Influence of vibrational relaxation on perturbations in a shock layer on a plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirilovskiy, S. V.; Maslov, A. A.; Poplavskaya, T. V.; Tsyryul'nikov, I. S.

2015-05-01

The influence of excitation of molecular vibrational degrees of freedom on the mean flow and perturbation development in a hypersonic (M = 6-14) viscous shock layer is studied. The layer originates on a plate placed in a flow of air, carbon dioxide, or their mixture at high stagnation temperatures (2000-3000 K). The mean flow and pressure pulsation on the surface of the plate are measured in an IT-302M pulsed wind tunnel (Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences). Numerical simulation is carried out in terms of a model of a thermally perfect gas using the ANSYS Fluent program package based on solving nonstationary two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. External flow perturbations are introduced into the computational domain in the form of plane monochromatic acoustic waves using UDF modules built in the computational code. It is shown that the excitation of vibrational degrees of freedom in carbon dioxide molecules considerably influences the position of the head wave and intensifies perturbations in contrast to air in which the fraction of vibrationally excited molecules is low at the same parameters of the oncoming low. The influence of the excitation of vibrational degrees of freedom is studied both for equilibrium gas and for a vibrationally nonequilibrium gas. Nonequilibrium vibrational degrees of freedom are simulated using a two-temperature model of relaxation flows in which the time variation of the vibrational energy is described by the Landau-Teller equation with regard to a finite time of energy exchange between vibrational and translational-rotational degrees of freedom of molecules. It is found that the vibrational nonequilibrium has a damping effect on perturbations.

White matter lesions relate to tract-specific reductions in functional connectivity.

PubMed

Langen, Carolyn D; Zonneveld, Hazel I; White, Tonya; Huizinga, Wyke; Cremers, Lotte G M; de Groot, Marius; Ikram, Mohammad Arfan; Niessen, Wiro J; Vernooij, Meike W

2017-03-01

White matter lesions play a role in cognitive decline and dementia. One presumed pathway is through disconnection of functional networks. Little is known about location-specific effects of lesions on functional connectivity. This study examined location-specific effects within anatomically-defined white matter tracts in 1584 participants of the Rotterdam Study, aged 50-95. Tracts were delineated from diffusion magnetic resonance images using probabilistic tractography. Lesions were segmented on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Functional connectivity was defined across each tract on resting-state functional magnetic resonance images by using gray matter parcellations corresponding to the tract ends and calculating the correlation of the mean functional activity between the gray matter regions. A significant relationship between both local and brain-wide lesion load and tract-specific functional connectivity was found in several tracts using linear regressions, also after Bonferroni correction. Indirect connectivity analyses revealed that tract-specific functional connectivity is affected by lesions in several tracts simultaneously. These results suggest that local white matter lesions can decrease tract-specific functional connectivity, both in direct and indirect connections. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF DISEASE USING PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS

EPA Science Inventory

Abstract
Pulmonary function testing is used routinely in human medicine to objectively define functional deficits in individuals with respiratory disease. Despite the fact that respiratory disease is a common problem in veterinary medicine, evaluation of the small animal pa...

On the multiple zeros of a real analytic function with applications to the averaging theory of differential equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García, Isaac A.; Llibre, Jaume; Maza, Susanna

2018-06-01

In this work we consider real analytic functions , where , Ω is a bounded open subset of , is an interval containing the origin, are parameters, and ε is a small parameter. We study the branching of the zero-set of at multiple points when the parameter ε varies. We apply the obtained results to improve the classical averaging theory for computing T-periodic solutions of λ-families of analytic T-periodic ordinary differential equations defined on , using the displacement functions defined by these equations. We call the coefficients in the Taylor expansion of in powers of ε the averaged functions. The main contribution consists in analyzing the role that have the multiple zeros of the first non-zero averaged function. The outcome is that these multiple zeros can be of two different classes depending on whether the zeros belong or not to the analytic set defined by the real variety associated to the ideal generated by the averaged functions in the Noetheriang ring of all the real analytic functions at . We bound the maximum number of branches of isolated zeros that can bifurcate from each multiple zero z 0. Sometimes these bounds depend on the cardinalities of minimal bases of the former ideal. Several examples illustrate our results and they are compared with the classical theory, branching theory and also under the light of singularity theory of smooth maps. The examples range from polynomial vector fields to Abel differential equations and perturbed linear centers.

Defining and quantifying the resilience of responses to disturbance: a conceptual and modelling approach from soil science

PubMed Central

Todman, L. C.; Fraser, F. C.; Corstanje, R.; Deeks, L. K.; Harris, J. A.; Pawlett, M.; Ritz, K.; Whitmore, A. P.

2016-01-01

There are several conceptual definitions of resilience pertaining to environmental systems and, even if resilience is clearly defined in a particular context, it is challenging to quantify. We identify four characteristics of the response of a system function to disturbance that relate to “resilience”: (1) degree of return of the function to a reference level; (2) time taken to reach a new quasi-stable state; (3) rate (i.e. gradient) at which the function reaches the new state; (4) cumulative magnitude of the function (i.e. area under the curve) before a new state is reached. We develop metrics to quantify these characteristics based on an analogy with a mechanical spring and damper system. Using the example of the response of a soil function (respiration) to disturbance, we demonstrate that these metrics effectively discriminate key features of the dynamic response. Although any one of these characteristics could define resilience, each may lead to different insights and conclusions. The salient properties of a resilient response must thus be identified for different contexts. Because the temporal resolution of data affects the accurate determination of these metrics, we recommend that at least twelve measurements are made over the temporal range for which the response is expected. PMID:27329053

Genetic and Functional Drivers of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

PubMed

Reddy, Anupama; Zhang, Jenny; Davis, Nicholas S; Moffitt, Andrea B; Love, Cassandra L; Waldrop, Alexander; Leppa, Sirpa; Pasanen, Annika; Meriranta, Leo; Karjalainen-Lindsberg, Marja-Liisa; Nørgaard, Peter; Pedersen, Mette; Gang, Anne O; Høgdall, Estrid; Heavican, Tayla B; Lone, Waseem; Iqbal, Javeed; Qin, Qiu; Li, Guojie; Kim, So Young; Healy, Jane; Richards, Kristy L; Fedoriw, Yuri; Bernal-Mizrachi, Leon; Koff, Jean L; Staton, Ashley D; Flowers, Christopher R; Paltiel, Ora; Goldschmidt, Neta; Calaminici, Maria; Clear, Andrew; Gribben, John; Nguyen, Evelyn; Czader, Magdalena B; Ondrejka, Sarah L; Collie, Angela; Hsi, Eric D; Tse, Eric; Au-Yeung, Rex K H; Kwong, Yok-Lam; Srivastava, Gopesh; Choi, William W L; Evens, Andrew M; Pilichowska, Monika; Sengar, Manju; Reddy, Nishitha; Li, Shaoying; Chadburn, Amy; Gordon, Leo I; Jaffe, Elaine S; Levy, Shawn; Rempel, Rachel; Tzeng, Tiffany; Happ, Lanie E; Dave, Tushar; Rajagopalan, Deepthi; Datta, Jyotishka; Dunson, David B; Dave, Sandeep S

2017-10-05

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of blood cancer and is characterized by a striking degree of genetic and clinical heterogeneity. This heterogeneity poses a major barrier to understanding the genetic basis of the disease and its response to therapy. Here, we performed an integrative analysis of whole-exome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing in a cohort of 1,001 DLBCL patients to comprehensively define the landscape of 150 genetic drivers of the disease. We characterized the functional impact of these genes using an unbiased CRISPR screen of DLBCL cell lines to define oncogenes that promote cell growth. A prognostic model comprising these genetic alterations outperformed current established methods: cell of origin, the International Prognostic Index comprising clinical variables, and dual MYC and BCL2 expression. These results comprehensively define the genetic drivers and their functional roles in DLBCL to identify new therapeutic opportunities in the disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ecosystem health: I. Measuring ecosystem health

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schaeffer, David J.; Herricks, Edwin E.; Kerster, Harold W.

1988-07-01

Ecosystem analysis has been advanced by an improved understanding of how ecosystems are structured and how they function. Ecology has advanced from an emphasis on natural history to consideration of energetics, the relationships and connections between species, hierarchies, and systems theory. Still, we consider ecosystems as entities with a distinctive character and individual characteristics. Ecosystem maintenance and preservation form the objective of impact analysis, hazard evaluation, and other management or regulation activities. In this article we explore an approach to ecosystem analysis which identifies and quantifies factors which define the condition or state of an ecosystem in terms of health criteria. We relate ecosystem health to human/nonhuman animal health and explore the difficulties of defining ecosystem health and suggest criteria which provide a functional definition of state and condition. We suggest that, as has been found in human/nonhuman animal health studies, disease states can be recognized before disease is of clinical magnitude. Example disease states for ecosystems are functionally defined and discussed, together with test systems for their early detection.

Particle Creation at a Point Source by Means of Interior-Boundary Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lampart, Jonas; Schmidt, Julian; Teufel, Stefan; Tumulka, Roderich

2018-06-01

We consider a way of defining quantum Hamiltonians involving particle creation and annihilation based on an interior-boundary condition (IBC) on the wave function, where the wave function is the particle-position representation of a vector in Fock space, and the IBC relates (essentially) the values of the wave function at any two configurations that differ only by the creation of a particle. Here we prove, for a model of particle creation at one or more point sources using the Laplace operator as the free Hamiltonian, that a Hamiltonian can indeed be rigorously defined in this way without the need for any ultraviolet regularization, and that it is self-adjoint. We prove further that introducing an ultraviolet cut-off (thus smearing out particles over a positive radius) and applying a certain known renormalization procedure (taking the limit of removing the cut-off while subtracting a constant that tends to infinity) yields, up to addition of a finite constant, the Hamiltonian defined by the IBC.

ITS system specification. Appendix C, data flows by function for ITS services

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-01-01

The objective of the Polaris Project is to define an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) architecture for the state of Minnesota. An architecture is a framework that defines how multiple ITS Components interrelate and contribute to the overall I...

Marginality principle

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soil is a fragile resource supplying many goods and services. Given the diversity of soil across the world and within a landscape, there are many different capacities among soils to provide the basic soil functions. Marginality of soils is a difficult process to define because the metrics to define ...

Spaceborne computer executive routine functional design specification. Volume 2: Computer executive design for space station/base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kennedy, J. R.; Fitzpatrick, W. S.

1971-01-01

The computer executive functional system design concepts derived from study of the Space Station/Base are presented. Information Management System hardware configuration as directly influencing the executive design is reviewed. The hardware configuration and generic executive design requirements are considered in detail in a previous report (System Configuration and Executive Requirements Specifications for Reusable Shuttle and Space Station/Base, 9/25/70). This report defines basic system primitives and delineates processes and process control. Supervisor states are considered for describing basic multiprogramming and multiprocessing systems. A high-level computer executive including control of scheduling, allocation of resources, system interactions, and real-time supervisory functions is defined. The description is oriented to provide a baseline for a functional simulation of the computer executive system.

Functional organic materials based on polymerized liquid-crystal monomers: supramolecular hydrogen-bonded systems.

PubMed

Broer, Dirk J; Bastiaansen, Cees M W; Debije, Michael G; Schenning, Albertus P H J

2012-07-16

Functional organic materials are of great interest for a variety of applications. To obtain precise functional properties, well-defined hierarchically ordered supramolecular materials are crucial. The self-assembly of liquid crystals has proven to be an extremely useful tool in the development of well-defined nanostructured materials. We have chosen the illustrative example of photopolymerizable hydrogen-bonding mesogens to show that a wide variety of functional materials can be made from a relatively simple set of building blocks. Upon mixing these compounds with other reactive mesogens, nematic, chiral nematic, and smectic or columnar liquid-crystalline phases can be formed that can be applied as actuators, sensors and responsive reflectors, and nanoporous membranes, respectively. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Definition of chronic kidney disease and measurement of kidney function in original research papers: a review of the literature.

PubMed

Anderson, Jocelyn; Glynn, Liam G

2011-09-01

Over the past decade, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become an area of intensive clinical and epidemiological research. Despite the clarity provided by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines, there appears to be within the CKD research literature significant disagreement on how to define CKD and measure kidney function. The objectives of this study were to investigate the variety of methods used to define CKD and to measure kidney function in original research papers as well as to investigate whether the quality of the journal had any effect on the quality of the methodology used. This was a descriptive review and not a meta-analysis. Information was extracted from each article including publication details (including the journal's impact factor), definition of CKD, method used to estimate kidney function and quantity of serum creatinine readings used to define CKD. An electronic search of MEDLINE through OVID was completed using the search term CKD. The search was limited to articles in English published in 2009. Studies were included in the review only if they were original research articles including patients with CKD. Articles were excluded if they reported data from a paediatric population, a population solely on dialysis or if there was no full-text access through OVID. Each article was assessed for quality with respect to using KDOQI CKD definition criteria. A description of the pooled data was completed and chi-square tests were used to investigate the relation between article quality and journal quality. Analysis was carried out using SPSS (15.0) and a P-value of <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. The final review included 301 articles. There were a variety of methods used to define CKD in original research articles. Less than 20% (n = 59) of the articles adhered to the established international criteria for defining CKD. The majority of articles (52.1%) did not indicate the quantity of serum creatinine measurements used to define CKD. The impact factor or specialist nature of the scientific journal appears to have no bearing on whether or not published articles use the gold standard KDOQI guidelines for labelling a patient with a diagnosis of CKD. This review of literature found that a variety of definitions are being used in original research articles to define CKD and measure kidney function which calls into question the validity and reliability of such research findings and associated clinical guidelines. International consensus is urgently required to improve validity and generalizability of CKD research findings.

Laboratory sample stability. Is it possible to define a consensus stability function? An example of five blood magnitudes.

PubMed

Gómez Rioja, Rubén; Martínez Espartosa, Débora; Segovia, Marta; Ibarz, Mercedes; Llopis, María Antonia; Bauça, Josep Miquel; Marzana, Itziar; Barba, Nuria; Ventura, Monserrat; García Del Pino, Isabel; Puente, Juan José; Caballero, Andrea; Gómez, Carolina; García Álvarez, Ana; Alsina, María Jesús; Álvarez, Virtudes

2018-05-05

The stability limit of an analyte in a biological sample can be defined as the time required until a measured property acquires a bias higher than a defined specification. Many studies assessing stability and presenting recommendations of stability limits are available, but differences among them are frequent. The aim of this study was to classify and to grade a set of bibliographic studies on the stability of five common blood measurands and subsequently generate a consensus stability function. First, a bibliographic search was made for stability studies for five analytes in blood: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glucose, phosphorus, potassium and prostate specific antigen (PSA). The quality of every study was evaluated using an in-house grading tool. Second, the different conditions of stability were uniformly defined and the percent deviation (PD%) over time for each analyte and condition were scattered while unifying studies with similar conditions. From the 37 articles considered as valid, up to 130 experiments were evaluated and 629 PD% data were included (106 for ALT, 180 for glucose, 113 for phosphorus, 145 for potassium and 85 for PSA). Consensus stability equations were established for glucose, potassium, phosphorus and PSA, but not for ALT. Time is the main variable affecting stability in medical laboratory samples. Bibliographic studies differ in recommedations of stability limits mainly because of different specifications for maximum allowable error. Definition of a consensus stability function in specific conditions can help laboratories define stability limits using their own quality specifications.

The use of echocardiographic indices in defining and assessing right ventricular systolic function in critical care research.

PubMed

Huang, Stephen J; Nalos, Marek; Smith, Louise; Rajamani, Arvind; McLean, Anthony S

2018-05-22

Many echocardiographic indices (or methods) for assessing right ventricular (RV) function are available, but each has its strengths and limitations. In some cases, there might be discordance between the indices. We conducted a systematic review to audit the echocardiographic RV assessments in critical care research to see if a consistent pattern existed. We specifically looked into the kind and number of RV indices used, and how RV dysfunction was defined in each study. Studies conducted in critical care settings and reported echocardiographic RV function indices from 1997 to 2017 were searched systematically from three databases. Non-adult studies, case reports, reviews and secondary studies were excluded. These studies' characteristics and RV indices reported were summarized. Out of 495 non-duplicated publications found, 81 studies were included in our systematic review. There has been an increasing trend of studying RV function by echocardiography since 2001, and most were conducted in ICU. Thirty-one studies use a single index, mostly TAPSE, to define RV dysfunction; 33 used composite indices and the combinations varied between studies. Seventeen studies did not define RV dysfunction. For those using composite indices, many did not explain their choices. TAPSE seemed to be the most popular index in the last 2-3 years. Many studies used combinations of indices but, apart from cor pulmonale, we could not find a consistent pattern of RV assessment and definition of RV dysfunction amongst these studies.

Defining recovery in chronic fatigue syndrome: a critical review.

PubMed

Adamowicz, Jenna L; Caikauskaite, Indre; Friedberg, Fred

2014-11-01

In chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), the lack of consensus on how recovery should be defined or interpreted has generated controversy and confusion. The purpose of this paper was to systematically review, compare, and evaluate the definitions of recovery reported in the CFS literature and to make recommendations about the scope of recovery assessments. A search was done using the MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases for peer review papers that contained the search terms "chronic fatigue syndrome" and "recovery," "reversal," "remission," and/or "treatment response." From the 22 extracted studies, recovery was operationally defined by reference with one or more of these domains: (1) pre-morbid functioning; (2) both fatigue and function; (3) fatigue (or related symptoms) alone; (4) function alone; and/or (5) brief global assessment. Almost all of the studies measuring recovery in CFS did so differently. The brief global assessment was the most common outcome measure used to define recovery. Estimates of recovery ranged from 0 to 66 % in intervention studies and 2.6 to 62 % in naturalistic studies. Given that the term "recovery" was often based on limited assessments and less than full restoration of health, other more precise and accurate labels (e.g., clinically significant improvement) may be more appropriate and informative. In keeping with common understandings of the term recovery, we recommend a consistent definition that captures a broad-based return to health with assessments of both fatigue and function as well as the patient's perceptions of his/her recovery status.

Functional Glycomic Analysis of Human Milk Glycans Reveals the Presence of Virus Receptors and Embryonic Stem Cell Biomarkers*

PubMed Central

Yu, Ying; Mishra, Shreya; Song, Xuezheng; Lasanajak, Yi; Bradley, Konrad C.; Tappert, Mary M.; Air, Gillian M.; Steinhauer, David A.; Halder, Sujata; Cotmore, Susan; Tattersall, Peter; Agbandje-McKenna, Mavis; Cummings, Richard D.; Smith, David F.

2012-01-01

Human milk contains a large diversity of free glycans beyond lactose, but their functions are not well understood. To explore their functional recognition, here we describe a shotgun glycan microarray prepared from isolated human milk glycans (HMGs), and our studies on their recognition by viruses, antibodies, and glycan-binding proteins (GBPs), including lectins. The total neutral and sialylated HMGs were derivatized with a bifunctional fluorescent tag, separated by multidimensional HPLC, and archived in a tagged glycan library, which was then used to print a shotgun glycan microarray (SGM). This SGM was first interrogated with well defined GBPs and antibodies. These data demonstrated both the utility of the array and provided preliminary structural information (metadata) about this complex glycome. Anti-TRA-1 antibodies that recognize human pluripotent stem cells specifically recognized several HMGs that were then further structurally defined as novel epitopes for these antibodies. Human influenza viruses and Parvovirus Minute Viruses of Mice also specifically recognized several HMGs. For glycan sequencing, we used a novel approach termed metadata-assisted glycan sequencing (MAGS), in which we combine information from analyses of glycans by mass spectrometry with glycan interactions with defined GBPs and antibodies before and after exoglycosidase treatments on the microarray. Together, these results provide novel insights into diverse recognition functions of HMGs and show the utility of the SGM approach and MAGS as resources for defining novel glycan recognition by GBPs, antibodies, and pathogens. PMID:23115247

ANL/RBC: A computer code for the analysis of Rankine bottoming cycles, including system cost evaluation and off-design performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mclennan, G. A.

1986-01-01

This report describes, and is a User's Manual for, a computer code (ANL/RBC) which calculates cycle performance for Rankine bottoming cycles extracting heat from a specified source gas stream. The code calculates cycle power and efficiency and the sizes for the heat exchangers, using tabular input of the properties of the cycle working fluid. An option is provided to calculate the costs of system components from user defined input cost functions. These cost functions may be defined in equation form or by numerical tabular data. A variety of functional forms have been included for these functions and they may be combined to create very general cost functions. An optional calculation mode can be used to determine the off-design performance of a system when operated away from the design-point, using the heat exchanger areas calculated for the design-point.

The Ablowitz–Ladik system on a finite set of integers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Baoqiang

2018-07-01

We show how to solve initial-boundary value problems for integrable nonlinear differential–difference equations on a finite set of integers. The method we employ is the discrete analogue of the unified transform (Fokas method). The implementation of this method to the Ablowitz–Ladik system yields the solution in terms of the unique solution of a matrix Riemann–Hilbert problem, which has a jump matrix with explicit -dependence involving certain functions referred to as spectral functions. Some of these functions are defined in terms of the initial value, while the remaining spectral functions are defined in terms of two sets of boundary values. These spectral functions are not independent but satisfy an algebraic relation called global relation. We analyze the global relation to characterize the unknown boundary values in terms of the given initial and boundary values. We also discuss the linearizable boundary conditions.

A very strong difference property for semisimple compact connected lie groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shtern, A. I.

2011-06-01

Let G be a topological group. For a function f: G → ℝ and h ∈ G, the difference function Δ h f is defined by the rule Δ h f( x) = f( xh) - f( x) ( x ∈ G). A function H: G → ℝ is said to be additive if it satisfies the Cauchy functional equation H( x + y) = H( x) + H( y) for every x, y ∈ G. A class F of real-valued functions defined on G is said to have the difference property if, for every function f: G → ℝ satisfying Δ h f ∈ F for each h ∈ G, there is an additive function H such that f - H ∈ F. Erdős' conjecture claiming that the class of continuous functions on ℝ has the difference property was proved by N. G. de Bruijn; later on, F. W. Carroll and F. S. Koehl obtained a similar result for compact Abelian groups and, under the additional assumption that the other one-sided difference function ∇ h f defined by ∇ h f( x) = f( xh) - f( x) ( x ∈ G, h ∈ G) is measurable for any h ∈ G, also for noncommutative compact metric groups. In the present paper, we consider a narrower class of groups, namely, the family of semisimple compact connected Lie groups. It turns out that these groups admit a significantly stronger difference property. Namely, if a function f: G → ℝ on a semisimple compact connected Lie group has continuous difference functions Δ h f for any h ∈ G (without the additional assumption concerning the measurability of the functions of the form ∇ h f), then f is automatically continuous, and no nontrivial additive function of the form H is needed. Some applications are indicated, including difference theorems for homogeneous spaces of compact connected Lie groups.

Quadrature, Interpolation and Observability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hodges, Lucille McDaniel

1997-01-01

Methods of interpolation and quadrature have been used for over 300 years. Improvements in the techniques have been made by many, most notably by Gauss, whose technique applied to polynomials is referred to as Gaussian Quadrature. Stieltjes extended Gauss's method to certain non-polynomial functions as early as 1884. Conditions that guarantee the existence of quadrature formulas for certain collections of functions were studied by Tchebycheff, and his work was extended by others. Today, a class of functions which satisfies these conditions is called a Tchebycheff System. This thesis contains the definition of a Tchebycheff System, along with the theorems, proofs, and definitions necessary to guarantee the existence of quadrature formulas for such systems. Solutions of discretely observable linear control systems are of particular interest, and observability with respect to a given output function is defined. The output function is written as a linear combination of a collection of orthonormal functions. Orthonormal functions are defined, and their properties are discussed. The technique for evaluating the coefficients in the output function involves evaluating the definite integral of functions which can be shown to form a Tchebycheff system. Therefore, quadrature formulas for these integrals exist, and in many cases are known. The technique given is useful in cases where the method of direct calculation is unstable. The condition number of a matrix is defined and shown to be an indication of the the degree to which perturbations in data affect the accuracy of the solution. In special cases, the number of data points required for direct calculation is the same as the number required by the method presented in this thesis. But the method is shown to require more data points in other cases. A lower bound for the number of data points required is given.

Using Approximations to Accelerate Engineering Design Optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Torczon, Virginia; Trosset, Michael W.

1998-01-01

Optimization problems that arise in engineering design are often characterized by several features that hinder the use of standard nonlinear optimization techniques. Foremost among these features is that the functions used to define the engineering optimization problem often are computationally intensive. Within a standard nonlinear optimization algorithm, the computational expense of evaluating the functions that define the problem would necessarily be incurred for each iteration of the optimization algorithm. Faced with such prohibitive computational costs, an attractive alternative is to make use of surrogates within an optimization context since surrogates can be chosen or constructed so that they are typically much less expensive to compute. For the purposes of this paper, we will focus on the use of algebraic approximations as surrogates for the objective. In this paper we introduce the use of so-called merit functions that explicitly recognize the desirability of improving the current approximation to the objective during the course of the optimization. We define and experiment with the use of merit functions chosen to simultaneously improve both the solution to the optimization problem (the objective) and the quality of the approximation. Our goal is to further improve the effectiveness of our general approach without sacrificing any of its rigor.

Self-actuated shutdown-system development: system response-analysis status

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

Deane, N.A.; Gregoire, K.E.; Tatsumi, J.T.

1980-09-01

This report provides a preliminary evaluation of the SASS response time requirements for the safe shutdown earthquake (SSE), the flow coastdown (FCD), and two transient overpower (TOP) events. The driving functions for the SSE are a 20 cent step reactivity insertion with a +- 60 cent oscillation super imposed for 10 seconds combined with a flow coastdown defined by F/F/sub (0)/ = 1/(1+.2788t). The driving function of the FCD is just the relative flow curve defined above for the SSE. The TOP event driving function represents a control rod runout to a total of 60 cents at ramp rates ofmore » .76 cents/s and 6.1 cents/s. 3 figures.« less

A lightweight, flow-based toolkit for parallel and distributed bioinformatics pipelines

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Bioinformatic analyses typically proceed as chains of data-processing tasks. A pipeline, or 'workflow', is a well-defined protocol, with a specific structure defined by the topology of data-flow interdependencies, and a particular functionality arising from the data transformations applied at each step. In computer science, the dataflow programming (DFP) paradigm defines software systems constructed in this manner, as networks of message-passing components. Thus, bioinformatic workflows can be naturally mapped onto DFP concepts. Results To enable the flexible creation and execution of bioinformatics dataflows, we have written a modular framework for parallel pipelines in Python ('PaPy'). A PaPy workflow is created from re-usable components connected by data-pipes into a directed acyclic graph, which together define nested higher-order map functions. The successive functional transformations of input data are evaluated on flexibly pooled compute resources, either local or remote. Input items are processed in batches of adjustable size, all flowing one to tune the trade-off between parallelism and lazy-evaluation (memory consumption). An add-on module ('NuBio') facilitates the creation of bioinformatics workflows by providing domain specific data-containers (e.g., for biomolecular sequences, alignments, structures) and functionality (e.g., to parse/write standard file formats). Conclusions PaPy offers a modular framework for the creation and deployment of parallel and distributed data-processing workflows. Pipelines derive their functionality from user-written, data-coupled components, so PaPy also can be viewed as a lightweight toolkit for extensible, flow-based bioinformatics data-processing. The simplicity and flexibility of distributed PaPy pipelines may help users bridge the gap between traditional desktop/workstation and grid computing. PaPy is freely distributed as open-source Python code at http://muralab.org/PaPy, and includes extensive documentation and annotated usage examples. PMID:21352538

A lightweight, flow-based toolkit for parallel and distributed bioinformatics pipelines.

PubMed

Cieślik, Marcin; Mura, Cameron

2011-02-25

Bioinformatic analyses typically proceed as chains of data-processing tasks. A pipeline, or 'workflow', is a well-defined protocol, with a specific structure defined by the topology of data-flow interdependencies, and a particular functionality arising from the data transformations applied at each step. In computer science, the dataflow programming (DFP) paradigm defines software systems constructed in this manner, as networks of message-passing components. Thus, bioinformatic workflows can be naturally mapped onto DFP concepts. To enable the flexible creation and execution of bioinformatics dataflows, we have written a modular framework for parallel pipelines in Python ('PaPy'). A PaPy workflow is created from re-usable components connected by data-pipes into a directed acyclic graph, which together define nested higher-order map functions. The successive functional transformations of input data are evaluated on flexibly pooled compute resources, either local or remote. Input items are processed in batches of adjustable size, all flowing one to tune the trade-off between parallelism and lazy-evaluation (memory consumption). An add-on module ('NuBio') facilitates the creation of bioinformatics workflows by providing domain specific data-containers (e.g., for biomolecular sequences, alignments, structures) and functionality (e.g., to parse/write standard file formats). PaPy offers a modular framework for the creation and deployment of parallel and distributed data-processing workflows. Pipelines derive their functionality from user-written, data-coupled components, so PaPy also can be viewed as a lightweight toolkit for extensible, flow-based bioinformatics data-processing. The simplicity and flexibility of distributed PaPy pipelines may help users bridge the gap between traditional desktop/workstation and grid computing. PaPy is freely distributed as open-source Python code at http://muralab.org/PaPy, and includes extensive documentation and annotated usage examples.

Functional Electrical Stimulation in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van der Linden, Marietta

2012-01-01

In this article, the author talks about functional electrical stimulation in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is defined as the electrical stimulation of muscles that have impaired motor control, in order to produce a contraction to obtain functionally useful movement. It was first proposed in…

Transforming the Way We Teach Function Transformations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faulkenberry, Eileen Durand; Faulkenberry, Thomas J.

2010-01-01

In this article, the authors discuss "function," a well-defined rule that relates inputs to outputs. They have found that by using the input-output definition of "function," they can examine transformations of functions simply by looking at changes to input or output and the respective changes to the graph. Applying transformations to the input…

Polynomial Asymptotes of the Second Kind

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dobbs, David E.

2011-01-01

This note uses the analytic notion of asymptotic functions to study when a function is asymptotic to a polynomial function. Along with associated existence and uniqueness results, this kind of asymptotic behaviour is related to the type of asymptote that was recently defined in a more geometric way. Applications are given to rational functions and…

Increasing the Functional Culture Content of the Foreign Language Class.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spinelli, Emily

An important category of culture to include in second language curriculum is functional culture, defined as the elements of surface and deep culture as well as civilization that must be learned to function while traveling, living, studying, or working in a foreign culture. Elements of functional culture include acting appropriately in everyday…

SU-F-T-301: Planar Dose Pass Rate Inflation Due to the MapCHECK Measurement Uncertainty Function

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

Bailey, D; Spaans, J; Kumaraswamy, L

Purpose: To quantify the effect of the Measurement Uncertainty function on planar dosimetry pass rates, as analyzed with Sun Nuclear Corporation analytic software (“MapCHECK” or “SNC Patient”). This optional function is toggled on by default upon software installation, and automatically increases the user-defined dose percent difference (%Diff) tolerance for each planar dose comparison. Methods: Dose planes from 109 IMRT fields and 40 VMAT arcs were measured with the MapCHECK 2 diode array, and compared to calculated planes from a commercial treatment planning system. Pass rates were calculated within the SNC analytic software using varying calculation parameters, including Measurement Uncertainty onmore » and off. By varying the %Diff criterion for each dose comparison performed with Measurement Uncertainty turned off, an effective %Diff criterion was defined for each field/arc corresponding to the pass rate achieved with MapCHECK Uncertainty turned on. Results: For 3%/3mm analysis, the Measurement Uncertainty function increases the user-defined %Diff by 0.8–1.1% average, depending on plan type and calculation technique, for an average pass rate increase of 1.0–3.5% (maximum +8.7%). For 2%, 2 mm analysis, the Measurement Uncertainty function increases the user-defined %Diff by 0.7–1.2% average, for an average pass rate increase of 3.5–8.1% (maximum +14.2%). The largest increases in pass rate are generally seen with poorly-matched planar dose comparisons; the MapCHECK Uncertainty effect is markedly smaller as pass rates approach 100%. Conclusion: The Measurement Uncertainty function may substantially inflate planar dose comparison pass rates for typical IMRT and VMAT planes. The types of uncertainties incorporated into the function (and their associated quantitative estimates) as described in the software user’s manual may not accurately estimate realistic measurement uncertainty for the user’s measurement conditions. Pass rates listed in published reports or otherwise compared to the results of other users or vendors should clearly indicate whether the Measurement Uncertainty function is used.« less

Triazine-based sequence-defined polymers with side-chain diversity and backbone-backbone interaction motifs

DOE PAGES

Grate, Jay W.; Mo, Kai -For; Daily, Michael D.

2016-02-10

Sequence control in polymers, well-known in nature, encodes structure and functionality. Here we introduce a new architecture, based on the nucleophilic aromatic substitution chemistry of cyanuric chloride, that creates a new class of sequence-defined polymers dubbed TZPs. Proof of concept is demonstrated with two synthesized hexamers, having neutral and ionizable side chains. Molecular dynamics simulations show backbone–backbone interactions, including H-bonding motifs and pi–pi interactions. This architecture is arguably biomimetic while differing from sequence-defined polymers having peptide bonds. In conclusion, the synthetic methodology supports the structural diversity of side chains known in peptides, as well as backbone–backbone hydrogen-bonding motifs, and willmore » thus enable new macromolecules and materials with useful functions.« less

Triazine-Based Sequence-Defined Polymers with Side-Chain Diversity and Backbone-Backbone Interaction Motifs.

PubMed

Grate, Jay W; Mo, Kai-For; Daily, Michael D

2016-03-14

Sequence control in polymers, well-known in nature, encodes structure and functionality. Here we introduce a new architecture, based on the nucleophilic aromatic substitution chemistry of cyanuric chloride, that creates a new class of sequence-defined polymers dubbed TZPs. Proof of concept is demonstrated with two synthesized hexamers, having neutral and ionizable side chains. Molecular dynamics simulations show backbone-backbone interactions, including H-bonding motifs and pi-pi interactions. This architecture is arguably biomimetic while differing from sequence-defined polymers having peptide bonds. The synthetic methodology supports the structural diversity of side chains known in peptides, as well as backbone-backbone hydrogen-bonding motifs, and will thus enable new macromolecules and materials with useful functions. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Triazine-based sequence-defined polymers with side-chain diversity and backbone-backbone interaction motifs

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

Grate, Jay W.; Mo, Kai -For; Daily, Michael D.

Sequence control in polymers, well-known in nature, encodes structure and functionality. Here we introduce a new architecture, based on the nucleophilic aromatic substitution chemistry of cyanuric chloride, that creates a new class of sequence-defined polymers dubbed TZPs. Proof of concept is demonstrated with two synthesized hexamers, having neutral and ionizable side chains. Molecular dynamics simulations show backbone–backbone interactions, including H-bonding motifs and pi–pi interactions. This architecture is arguably biomimetic while differing from sequence-defined polymers having peptide bonds. In conclusion, the synthetic methodology supports the structural diversity of side chains known in peptides, as well as backbone–backbone hydrogen-bonding motifs, and willmore » thus enable new macromolecules and materials with useful functions.« less

Function Invariant and Parameter Scale-Free Transformation Methods

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bentler, P. M.; Wingard, Joseph A.

1977-01-01

A scale-invariant simple structure function of previously studied function components for principal component analysis and factor analysis is defined. First and second partial derivatives are obtained, and Newton-Raphson iterations are utilized. The resulting solutions are locally optimal and subjectively pleasing. (Author/JKS)

Culture-Sensitive Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vandenberghe, L.

2008-01-01

Functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP) is defined as behavior-analytically conceptualized talk therapy. In contrast to the technique-oriented educational format of cognitive behavior therapy and the use of structural mediational models, FAP depends on the functional analysis of the moment-to-moment stream of interactions between client and…

Green fluorescent protein nanopolygons as monodisperse supramolecular assemblies of functional proteins with defined valency

PubMed Central

Kim, Young Eun; Kim, Yu-na; Kim, Jung A.; Kim, Ho Min; Jung, Yongwon

2015-01-01

Supramolecular protein assemblies offer novel nanoscale architectures with molecular precision and unparalleled functional diversity. A key challenge, however, is to create precise nano-assemblies of functional proteins with both defined structures and a controlled number of protein-building blocks. Here we report a series of supramolecular green fluorescent protein oligomers that are assembled in precise polygonal geometries and prepared in a monodisperse population. Green fluorescent protein is engineered to be self-assembled in cells into oligomeric assemblies that are natively separated in a single-protein resolution by surface charge manipulation, affording monodisperse protein (nano)polygons from dimer to decamer. Several functional proteins are multivalently displayed on the oligomers with controlled orientations. Spatial arrangements of protein oligomers and displayed functional proteins are directly visualized by a transmission electron microscope. By employing our functional protein assemblies, we provide experimental insight into multivalent protein–protein interactions and tools to manipulate receptor clustering on live cell surfaces. PMID:25972078

Generalized local emission tomography

DOEpatents

Katsevich, Alexander J.

1998-01-01

Emission tomography enables locations and values of internal isotope density distributions to be determined from radiation emitted from the whole object. In the method for locating the values of discontinuities, the intensities of radiation emitted from either the whole object or a region of the object containing the discontinuities are inputted to a local tomography function .function..sub..LAMBDA..sup.(.PHI.) to define the location S of the isotope density discontinuity. The asymptotic behavior of .function..sub..LAMBDA..sup.(.PHI.) is determined in a neighborhood of S, and the value for the discontinuity is estimated from the asymptotic behavior of .function..sub..LAMBDA..sup.(.PHI.) knowing pointwise values of the attenuation coefficient within the object. In the method for determining the location of the discontinuity, the intensities of radiation emitted from an object are inputted to a local tomography function .function..sub..LAMBDA..sup.(.PHI.) to define the location S of the density discontinuity and the location .GAMMA. of the attenuation coefficient discontinuity. Pointwise values of the attenuation coefficient within the object need not be known in this case.

The Adler D-function for N = 1 SQCD regularized by higher covariant derivatives in the three-loop approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kataev, A. L.; Kazantsev, A. E.; Stepanyantz, K. V.

2018-01-01

We calculate the Adler D-function for N = 1 SQCD in the three-loop approximation using the higher covariant derivative regularization and the NSVZ-like subtraction scheme. The recently formulated all-order relation between the Adler function and the anomalous dimension of the matter superfields defined in terms of the bare coupling constant is first considered and generalized to the case of an arbitrary representation for the chiral matter superfields. The correctness of this all-order relation is explicitly verified at the three-loop level. The special renormalization scheme in which this all-order relation remains valid for the D-function and the anomalous dimension defined in terms of the renormalized coupling constant is constructed in the case of using the higher derivative regularization. The analytic expression for the Adler function for N = 1 SQCD is found in this scheme to the order O (αs2). The problem of scheme-dependence of the D-function and the NSVZ-like equation is briefly discussed.

Ill-defined problem solving in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: linking episodic memory to effective solution generation.

PubMed

Sheldon, S; Vandermorris, S; Al-Haj, M; Cohen, S; Winocur, G; Moscovitch, M

2015-02-01

It is well accepted that the medial temporal lobes (MTL), and the hippocampus specifically, support episodic memory processes. Emerging evidence suggests that these processes also support the ability to effectively solve ill-defined problems which are those that do not have a set routine or solution. To test the relation between episodic memory and problem solving, we examined the ability of individuals with single domain amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), a condition characterized by episodic memory impairment, to solve ill-defined social problems. Participants with aMCI and age and education matched controls were given a battery of tests that included standardized neuropsychological measures, the Autobiographical Interview (Levine et al., 2002) that scored for episodic content in descriptions of past personal events, and a measure of ill-defined social problem solving. Corroborating previous findings, the aMCI group generated less episodically rich narratives when describing past events. Individuals with aMCI also generated less effective solutions when solving ill-defined problems compared to the control participants. Correlation analyses demonstrated that the ability to recall episodic elements from autobiographical memories was positively related to the ability to effectively solve ill-defined problems. The ability to solve these ill-defined problems was related to measures of activities of daily living. In conjunction with previous reports, the results of the present study point to a new functional role of episodic memory in ill-defined goal-directed behavior and other non-memory tasks that require flexible thinking. Our findings also have implications for the cognitive and behavioural profile of aMCI by suggesting that the ability to effectively solve ill-defined problems is related to sustained functional independence. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Structural Model Related to the Understanding of the Concept of Function: Definition and Problem Solving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Panaoura, Areti; Michael-Chrysanthou, Paraskevi; Gagatsis, Athanasios; Elia, Iliada; Philippou, Andreas

2017-01-01

This article focuses on exploring students' understanding of the concept of function concerning three main aspects: secondary students' ability to (1) define the concept of function and present examples of functions, (2) solve tasks which asked them to recognize and interpret the concept of function presented in different forms of representation,…

Development of a preference-based index from the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25.

PubMed

Rentz, Anne M; Kowalski, Jonathan W; Walt, John G; Hays, Ron D; Brazier, John E; Yu, Ren; Lee, Paul; Bressler, Neil; Revicki, Dennis A

2014-03-01

Understanding how individuals value health states is central to patient-centered care and to health policy decision making. Generic preference-based measures of health may not effectively capture the impact of ocular diseases. Recently, 6 items from the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 were used to develop the Visual Function Questionnaire-Utility Index health state classification, which defines visual function health states. To describe elicitation of preferences for health states generated from the Visual Function Questionnaire-Utility Index health state classification and development of an algorithm to estimate health preference scores for any health state. Nonintervention, cross-sectional study of the general community in 4 countries (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and United States). A total of 607 adult participants were recruited from local newspaper advertisements. In the United Kingdom, an existing database of participants from previous studies was used for recruitment. Eight of 15,625 possible health states from the Visual Function Questionnaire-Utility Index were valued using time trade-off technique. A θ severity score was calculated for Visual Function Questionnaire-Utility Index-defined health states using item response theory analysis. Regression models were then used to develop an algorithm to assign health state preference values for all potential health states defined by the Visual Function Questionnaire-Utility Index. Health state preference values for the 8 states ranged from a mean (SD) of 0.343 (0.395) to 0.956 (0.124). As expected, preference values declined with worsening visual function. Results indicate that the Visual Function Questionnaire-Utility Index describes states that participants view as spanning most of the continuum from full health to dead. Visual Function Questionnaire-Utility Index health state classification produces health preference scores that can be estimated in vision-related studies that include the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25. These preference scores may be of value for estimating utilities in economic and health policy analyses.

A system of three-dimensional complex variables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, E. Dale

1986-01-01

Some results of a new theory of multidimensional complex variables are reported, including analytic functions of a three-dimensional (3-D) complex variable. Three-dimensional complex numbers are defined, including vector properties and rules of multiplication. The necessary conditions for a function of a 3-D variable to be analytic are given and shown to be analogous to the 2-D Cauchy-Riemann equations. A simple example also demonstrates the analogy between the newly defined 3-D complex velocity and 3-D complex potential and the corresponding ordinary complex velocity and complex potential in two dimensions.

On Weak and Strong 2k- bent Boolean Functions

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-01

U.S.A. Email: pstanica@nps.edu Abstract—In this paper we introduce a sequence of discrete Fourier transforms and define new versions of bent...denotes the complex conjugate of z. An important tool in our analysis is the discrete Fourier transform , known in Boolean functions literature, as Walsh...Hadamard, or Walsh–Hadamard transform , which is the func- tion Wf : Fn2 → C, defined by Wf (u) = 2− n 2 ∑ x∈Vn (−1)f(x)⊕u·x. Any f ∈ Bn can be

Towards a cognitive resource limitations model of diminished expression in schizotypy.

PubMed

Cohen, Alex S; Morrison, Sean C; Brown, Laura A; Minor, Kyle S

2012-02-01

Diminished expression of speech is a pernicious feature of both schizophrenia and schizotypy--defined as the personality organization reflecting a putative genetic schizophrenia liability. As yet, the mechanism underlying diminished expression is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that diminished expression reflects a cognitive resource issue--that is, as cognitive resources are depleted, expression becomes diminished in individuals with psychometrically defined schizotypy. Acoustic analysis of natural speech was procured during experimentally manipulated baseline and high cognitive-load dual tasks and examined in 38 individuals with psychometrically defined schizotypy and 34 controls. For both groups, expression significantly decreased as a function of increased task demands, although there were no group differences in expression or magnitude of change across baseline to high cognitive-load conditions. Participants with self-reported constricted affect showed significant reductions in expression under high-load versus baseline speaking conditions relative to other schizotypal and control participants. Moreover, psychometrically defined schizotypal participants with poor cognitive performance on the high-load task, suggestive of depleted cognitive resources, also showed expressivity reductions compared with other participants. These findings suggest that diminished expression occurs as a function of limited cognitive resources in psychometrically defined schizotypy. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved.

Using Visualization to Generalize on Quadratic Patterning Tasks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirwan, J. Vince

2017-01-01

Patterning tasks engage students in a core aspect of algebraic thinking-generalization (Kaput 2008). The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Algebra Standard states that students in grades 9-12 should "generalize patterns using explicitly defined and recursively defined functions" (NCTM 2000, p. 296). Although educators…

Relationships between Stress and Immunity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Stress, as it relates to bodily functions, has been defined as the sum of all biologic reactions to physical, emotional, or mental stimuli that disturb an individual’s homeostasis. Therefore, a stressor can be defined as any internal or external stimuli or threat that disrupts homeostasis of the bod...

Assessing sensory quality of rice to meet industry needs.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Food industries need consistent supplies of rice that are well-defined in terms of functional, nutritional, and sensory characteristics associated with intrinsic product quality to allow them to be directed to the most appropriate, highest value markets. Defining the sensory quality of rice is prob...

On the spectrum of inhomogeneous turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trevino, G.

1979-01-01

Inhomogeneous turbulence is defined as turbulence whose statistics are functions of spatial position. The turbulence spectrum, and particularly how the shape of the spectrum varies, from point to point in space, as a consequence of well defined spatial variations in the turbulence intensity and/or integral scale is investigated.

The Functional Impact of the Intestinal Microbiome on Mucosal Immunity and Systemic Autoimmunity

PubMed Central

Longman, Randy S.; Littman, Dan R.

2016-01-01

Purpose of Review This review will highlight recent advances functionally linking the gut microbiome with mucosal and systemic immune cell activation potentially underlying autoimmunity. Recent Findings Dynamic interactions between the gut microbiome and environmental cues (including diet and medicines) shape the effector potential of the microbial organ. Key bacteria and viruses have emerged, that, in defined microenvironments, play a critical role in regulating effector lymphocyte functions. The coordinated interactions between these different microbial kingdoms—including bacteria, helminths, and viruses (termed transkingdom interactions)—play a critical role in shaping immunity. Emerging strategies to identify immunologically-relevant microbes with the potential to regulate immune cell functions both at mucosal sites and systemically will likely define key diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Summary The microbiome constitutes a critical microbial organ with coordinated interactions that shape host immunity. PMID:26002030

[Learning outcomes in public health education in Poland according to international settlements].

PubMed

Cianciara, Dorota

2009-01-01

The essential functions of the Polish public health system have never been officially defined and some approaches are visible. In the article existing foreign catalogues of essential public health functions (services) and core competences for public health professionals and students are presented. They were confronted with students' final skills in public health field of study, described in formal Polish educational standards. It was claimed that graduates' competencies in Poland do not cover the full range of public health functions and skills defined in different countries. In the 2nd cycle of study an emphasis is put down on education for the managers of health care. An urgent need of change of educational standards for public health field of study was underlined. This is closely related to the need of national debate on public health functions.

Algebraic special functions and SO(3,2)

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

Celeghini, E., E-mail: celeghini@fi.infn.it; Olmo, M.A. del, E-mail: olmo@fta.uva.es

2013-06-15

A ladder structure of operators is presented for the associated Legendre polynomials and the sphericas harmonics. In both cases these operators belong to the irreducible representation of the Lie algebra so(3,2) with quadratic Casimir equals to −5/4. As both are also bases of square-integrable functions, the universal enveloping algebra of so(3,2) is thus shown to be homomorphic to the space of linear operators acting on the L{sup 2} functions defined on (−1,1)×Z and on the sphere S{sup 2}, respectively. The presence of a ladder structure is suggested to be the general condition to obtain a Lie algebra representation defining inmore » this way the “algebraic special functions” that are proposed to be the connection between Lie algebras and square-integrable functions so that the space of linear operators on the L{sup 2} functions is homomorphic to the universal enveloping algebra. The passage to the group, by means of the exponential map, shows that the associated Legendre polynomials and the spherical harmonics support the corresponding unitary irreducible representation of the group SO(3,2). -- Highlights: •The algebraic ladder structure is constructed for the associated Legendre polynomials (ALP). •ALP and spherical harmonics support a unitary irreducible SO(3,2)-representation. •A ladder structure is the condition to get a Lie group representation defining “algebraic special functions”. •The “algebraic special functions” connect Lie algebras and L{sup 2} functions.« less

Worsening renal function defined as an absolute increase in serum creatinine is a biased metric for the study of cardio-renal interactions.

PubMed

Testani, Jeffrey M; McCauley, Brian D; Chen, Jennifer; Shumski, Michael; Shannon, Richard P

2010-01-01

Worsening renal function (WRF) during the treatment of decompensated heart failure, frequently defined as an absolute increase in serum creatinine >or=0.3 mg/dl, has been reported as a strong adverse prognostic factor in several studies. We hypothesized that this definition of WRF is biased by baseline renal function secondary to the exponential relationship between creatinine and renal function. We reviewed consecutive admissions with a discharge diagnosis of heart failure. An increase in creatinine >or=0.3 mg/dl (WRF(CREAT)) was compared to a decrease in GFR >or=20% (WRF(GFR)). Overall, 993 admissions met eligibility. WRF(CREAT) occurred in 31.5% and WRF(GFR) in 32.7%. WRF(CREAT) and WRF(GFR) had opposing relationships with baseline renal function (OR = 1.9 vs. OR = 0.51, respectively, p < 0.001). Both definitions had similar unadjusted associations with death at 30 days [WRF(GFR) OR = 2.3 (95% CI 1.1-4.8), p = 0.026; WRF(CREAT) OR = 2.1 (95% CI 1.0-4.4), p = 0.047]. Controlling for baseline renal insufficiency, WRF(GFR) added incrementally in the prediction of mortality (p = 0.009); however, WRF(CREAT) did not (p = 0.11). WRF, defined as an absolute change in serum creatinine, is heavily biased by baseline renal function. An alternative definition of WRF should be considered for future studies of cardio-renal interactions. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Association of sarcopenia with functional decline in community-dwelling elderly subjects in Japan.

PubMed

Tanimoto, Yoshimi; Watanabe, Misuzu; Sun, Wei; Tanimoto, Keiji; Shishikura, Kanako; Sugiura, Yumiko; Kusabiraki, Toshiyuki; Kono, Koichi

2013-10-01

The present study aimed to determine the association of sarcopenia, defined by muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance, with functional disability from a 2-year cohort study of community-dwelling elderly Japanese people. Participants were 743 community-dwelling elderly Japanese people aged 65 years or older. We used bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to measure muscle mass, grip strength to measure muscle strength, and usual walking speed to measure physical performance in a baseline study. Functional disability was defined using an activities of daily living (ADL) scale and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scale at baseline and during follow-up examinations 2 years later. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age and body mass index, was used to examine the association between sarcopenia and the occurrence of functional disability. In the present study, 7.8% of men and 10.2% of women were classified as having sarcopenia. Among sarcopenia patients in the baseline study, 36.8% of men and 18.8% of women became dependent in ADL at 2-year follow up. From the logistic regression analysis adjusted by age and body mass index, sarcopenia was significantly associated with the occurrences of physical disability compared with normal subjects in both men and women. Sarcopenia, defined by muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance, was associated with functional decline over a 2-year period in elderly Japanese. Interventions to prevent sarcopenia are very important to prevent functional decline among elderly individuals. © 2013 Japan Geriatrics Society.

High Functioning Autism.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reed, Vicki

This paper reviews the characteristics and needs of students with high functioning autism. First, it lists 18 common characteristics of autism, then it stresses that autism is defined by the general pattern of characteristics. Next, it discusses how people with high functioning autism differ from those with autism. These differences include higher…

AN INDICATOR OF POTENTIAL STREAM WOOD CONTRIBUTION FOR RIPARIAN FORESTS

EPA Science Inventory

In northwestern Oregon a key function of riparian forests is to provide wood to the stream network. This function is a prominent feature of Federal and State forest practices in the region. Thus, defining indicators which are associated with this function are important for desi...

Who Researches Functional Literacy?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaw, Donita; Perry, Kristen H.; Ivanyuk, Lyudmyla; Tham, Sarah

2017-01-01

The purpose of our study was to discover who researches functional literacy. This study was situated within a larger systematic literature review. We searched seven electronic databases and identified 90 sources to answer our larger question regarding how functional literacy is defined and conceptualized as well as the specific question pertinent…

Developing Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching in a Methods Course: The Case of Function

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steele, Michael D.; Hillen, Amy F.; Smith, Margaret S.

2013-01-01

This study describes teacher learning in a teaching experiment consisting of a content-focused methods course involving the mathematical knowledge for teaching function. Prospective and practicing teachers in the course showed growth in their ability to define function, to provide examples of functions and link them to the definition, in the…

White Matter Connectivity of the Thalamus Delineates the Functional Architecture of Competing Thalamocortical Systems

PubMed Central

O'Muircheartaigh, Jonathan; Keller, Simon S.; Barker, Gareth J.; Richardson, Mark P.

2015-01-01

There is an increasing awareness of the involvement of thalamic connectivity on higher level cortical functioning in the human brain. This is reflected by the influence of thalamic stimulation on cortical activity and behavior as well as apparently cortical lesion syndromes occurring as a function of small thalamic insults. Here, we attempt to noninvasively test the correspondence of structural and functional connectivity of the human thalamus using diffusion-weighted and resting-state functional MRI. Using a large sample of 102 adults, we apply tensor independent component analysis to diffusion MRI tractography data to blindly parcellate bilateral thalamus according to diffusion tractography-defined structural connectivity. Using resting-state functional MRI collected in the same subjects, we show that the resulting structurally defined thalamic regions map to spatially distinct, and anatomically predictable, whole-brain functional networks in the same subjects. Although there was significant variability in the functional connectivity patterns, the resulting 51 structural and functional patterns could broadly be reduced to a subset of 7 similar core network types. These networks were distinct from typical cortical resting-state networks. Importantly, these networks were distributed across the brain and, in a subset, map extremely well to known thalamocortico-basal-ganglial loops. PMID:25899706

Scalar curvature in conformal geometry of Connes-Landi noncommutative manifolds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yang

2017-11-01

We first propose a conformal geometry for Connes-Landi noncommutative manifolds and study the associated scalar curvature. The new scalar curvature contains its Riemannian counterpart as the commutative limit. Similar to the results on noncommutative two tori, the quantum part of the curvature consists of actions of the modular derivation through two local curvature functions. Explicit expressions for those functions are obtained for all even dimensions (greater than two). In dimension four, the one variable function shows striking similarity to the analytic functions of the characteristic classes appeared in the Atiyah-Singer local index formula, namely, it is roughly a product of the j-function (which defines the A ˆ -class of a manifold) and an exponential function (which defines the Chern character of a bundle). By performing two different computations for the variation of the Einstein-Hilbert action, we obtain deep internal relations between two local curvature functions. Straightforward verification for those relations gives a strong conceptual confirmation for the whole computational machinery we have developed so far, especially the Mathematica code hidden behind the paper.

40 CFR 94.211 - Emission-related maintenance instructions for purchasers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... the Administrator's satisfaction that the engine will function properly only if the component or... section are defined as critical emission-related components. (i) Catalytic convertor. (ii) Electronic... which satisfy one of the conditions defined in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) through (j)(2)(vi) of this section...

The Semantic Web in Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Czerkawski, Betül Özkan

2014-01-01

The Semantic Web enables increased collaboration among computers and people by organizing unstructured data on the World Wide Web. Rather than a separate body, the Semantic Web is a functional extension of the current Web made possible by defining relationships among websites and other online content. When explicitly defined, these relationships…

5 CFR 334.102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... research and development center. State as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3371(1) means a State of the United States... college or university, or a technical or junior college; Local government as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3371(2)(A... principal functions, professional advisory, research, educational, or development services, or related...

5 CFR 334.102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... research and development center. State as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3371(1) means a State of the United States... college or university, or a technical or junior college; Local government as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3371(2)(A... principal functions, professional advisory, research, educational, or development services, or related...

Malnutrition, Learning, and Behavior.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kallen, David J.

Malnutrition can be defined as a lack of a sufficient quantity or quality of nutrients to maintain the body system at some definable level of functioning. It has been estimated that nearly half the children in the world today grow and develop under conditions of protein or protein-calorie malnutrition sufficient to impair their physical…

The Discriminating Power of Items that Measure More than One Dimension.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reckase, Mark D.

The work presented in this paper defined conceptually the concepts of multidimensional discrimination and information, derived mathematical expressions for the concepts for a particular multidimensional item response theory (IRT) model, and applied the concepts to actual test data. Multidimensional discrimination was defined as a function of the…

Information Needs of the Ceramic Industry; A Users-Need Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Janning, Edward A.; And Others

This report examines the problems in the flow of scientific and technological information in the Ceramic Industry. The research methodology used involved a panel of experts which defined the functions performed by ceramists and their corresponding information needs, listed sources of information available to ceramists, and defined problems and…

New Interpretation of the Wigner Function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daboul, Jamil

1996-01-01

I define a two-sided or forward-backward propagator for the pseudo-diffusion equation of the 'squeezed' Q function. This propagator leads to squeezing in one of the phase-space variables and anti-squeezing in the other. By noting that the Q function is related to the Wigner function by a special case of the above propagator, I am led to a new interpretation of the Wigner function.

Evaluation of the efficiency and safety in cosmetic products.

PubMed

Uckaya, Meryem; Uckaya, Fatih; Demir, Nazan; Demir, Yasar

2016-02-29

Chemicals used in cosmetics have to interact with enzymes for beneficial or destroy purpose after they enter in our body. Active sections of enzymes that catalyze reactions have three dimensions and they are active optically. When these limitations of catalytic sections are considered, it may be considered that defining geometric specifications of chemical materials and functional groups they contain may contribute on safety evaluations of cosmetic products. In this study, defining similarities and differences of geometric structures of chemicals that are prohibited to be used in cosmetic products and chemical that are allowed to be used by using group theory and analyze of functional groups that are often encountered in these chemicals are aimed. Molecule formulas related to chemical material of, 276 pieces chemicals that are prohibited to be used in cosmetic products and 65 pieces chemicals that are allowed, are used as the material. Two and three-dimension structures of these formulas are drawn and types and quantity of functional groups they contain are defined. And as a method, freeware (Free Trial) version of "Chem-BioOffice Ultra 13.0 Suite" chemical drawing program to draw two and three-dimension of formulas, "Campus-Licensed" version that are provided for use by our university of "Autodesk 3DS Max" for three-dimension drawings are used. In order to analyze geometric specifications of drawn molecules according to Group Theory and define type and quantity of available functional groups, Excel applications developed by Prof. Dr. Yaşar Demir are used. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Executive Function and Reading Aptitude: A Grounded Theory Analysis of Teacher Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nordman, Jenny

2013-01-01

This qualitative, grounded theory study investigated teacher perspectives on the relationship between executive function and reading aptitude. The influence of executive function may be underestimated in terms of its impact on reading aptitude, which could have significant implications on how reading aptitude is currently defined. The foundational…

Processing of Derived Forms in High-Functioning Dyslexics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deacon, S. Helene; Parrila, Rauno; Kirby, John R.

2006-01-01

We report on an experiment designed to evaluate processing of derived forms in high-functioning dyslexics, defined as university students with a history of reading difficulties who have age-appropriate reading comprehension skills. We compared high-functioning dyslexics with a group of normal adult readers in their performance on a lexical…

Social Behaviorism, Human Motivation, and the Conditioning Therapies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Staats, Arthur W.

The author conceives of the human emotional system as being composed of three functions of motivational stimuli: (a) the attitudinal or emotional, (b) the reinforcing, and (c) the discriminative controlling function which the stimuli acquire. He defines and describes each of these functions and their effect on integrated learning principles. He…

Waking and Dreaming Need Profiles: An Exploratory Study of Adaptive Functioning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hutchinson, Robert Linton, II

Research has defined the various adaptive, compensatory and complementary functions of dreams. To investigate the evidence of adaptive functioning in the dream state, 30 medical students (21 males, 9 females) from St. George's University, Grenada, completed personal surveys, a waking psychological profile, and a dreaming psychological profile…

Designing Homework to Mediate Executive Functioning Deficits in Students with Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stockall, Nancy

2017-01-01

Designing homework to mediate executive functioning disorders of students with disabilities is critical to their future academic success. The article explains and defines different executive functions of the brain and how these impact students' ability to benefit from homework assignments. Specific strategies are provided for designing…

LTP Induction Modifies Functional Relationship among Hippocampal Neurons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yun, Sung H.; Lee, Deok S.; Lee, Hyunjung; Baeg, Eun H.; Kim, Yun B.; Jung, Min W.

2007-01-01

To obtain evidence linking long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory, we examined whether LTP induction modifies functional relationship among neurons in the rat hippocampus. In contrast to neurons in low-frequency stimulated or AP5-treated slices, LTP induction altered "functional connectivity," as defined by the degree of synchronous firing, among…

[Concepts of development of the neurosurgical operative environment in the 21st century].

PubMed

Apuzzo, M; Liu, C

2002-01-01

The operative environment has to a large extent defines the "state of the art and science" of neurosurgery, which is now undergoing rapid reinvention. In order to remain current, each neurosurgeon should periodically reconsider their personal operative environment and its functional design with reference to modernity of practice as currently defined. Historical trends and their analysis offer predictive guides for development of such settings with an eye toward the future. Examination of technical developments in decade timeframes defines the progress in capability and need. Progressive minimalism of manipulation and the presence of operative definition with increasing precision are evident, with concurrent miniaturization of attendant computerized support systems, sensors, robotic interfaces, and imaging devices. These trends and developments offer the opportunity for simplificity of setting design with higher functionality as the desired endpoint.

On B-type Open-Closed Landau-Ginzburg Theories Defined on Calabi-Yau Stein Manifolds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babalic, Elena Mirela; Doryn, Dmitry; Lazaroiu, Calin Iuliu; Tavakol, Mehdi

2018-05-01

We consider the bulk algebra and topological D-brane category arising from the differential model of the open-closed B-type topological Landau-Ginzburg theory defined by a pair (X,W), where X is a non-compact Calabi-Yau manifold and W is a complex-valued holomorphic function. When X is a Stein manifold (but not restricted to be a domain of holomorphy), we extract equivalent descriptions of the bulk algebra and of the category of topological D-branes which are constructed using only the analytic space associated to X. In particular, we show that the D-brane category is described by projective factorizations defined over the ring of holomorphic functions of X. We also discuss simplifications of the analytic models which arise when X is holomorphically parallelizable and illustrate these in a few classes of examples.

Open Architecture Standard for NASA's Software-Defined Space Telecommunications Radio Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinhart, Richard C.; Johnson, Sandra K.; Kacpura, Thomas J.; Hall, Charles S.; Smith, Carl R.; Liebetreu, John

2008-01-01

NASA is developing an architecture standard for software-defined radios used in space- and ground-based platforms to enable commonality among radio developments to enhance capability and services while reducing mission and programmatic risk. Transceivers (or transponders) with functionality primarily defined in software (e.g., firmware) have the ability to change their functional behavior through software alone. This radio architecture standard offers value by employing common waveform software interfaces, method of instantiation, operation, and testing among different compliant hardware and software products. These common interfaces within the architecture abstract application software from the underlying hardware to enable technology insertion independently at either the software or hardware layer. This paper presents the initial Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) Architecture for NASA missions to provide the desired software abstraction and flexibility while minimizing the resources necessary to support the architecture.

Wavelets on the Group SO(3) and the Sphere S3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernstein, Swanhild

2007-09-01

The construction of wavelets relies on translations and dilations which are perfectly given in R. On the sphere translations can be considered as rotations but it difficult to say what are dilations. For the 2-dimensional sphere there exist two different approaches to obtain wavelets which are worth to be considered. The first concept goes back to Freeden and collaborators [2] which defines wavelets by means of kernels of spherical singular integrals. The other concept developed by Antoine and Vandergheynst and coworkers [3] is a purely group theoretical approach and defines dilations as dilations in the tangent plane. Surprisingly both concepts coincides for zonal functions. We will define wavelets on the 3-dimensional sphere by means of kernels of singular integrals and demonstrate that wavelets constructed by Antoine and Vandergheynst for zonal functions meet our definition.

On functions of quasi-Toeplitz matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bini, D. A.; Massei, S.; Meini, B.

2017-11-01

Let a(z)=\\sumi\\in Za_iz^i be a complex-valued function, defined for |z|=1, such that \\sumi=-∞+∞|ia_i|<∞. Consider the semi-infinite Toeplitz matrix T(a)=(ti,j)i,j\\in Z^+ associated with the symbol a(z) such that {ti,j=aj-i}. A quasi-Toeplitz matrix associated with the symbol a(z) is a matrix of the form A=T(a)+E where E=(ei,j), \\sumi,j\\in Z^+|ei,j|<∞, and is called a {QT}-matrix. Given a function f(x) and a {QT}-matrix M, we provide conditions under which f(M) is well defined and is a {QT}-matrix. Moreover, we introduce a parametrization of {QT}-matrices and algorithms for the computation of f(M). We treat the case where f(x) is given in terms of power series and the case where f(x) is defined in terms of a Cauchy integral. This analysis is also applied to finite matrices which can be written as the sum of a Toeplitz matrix and a low rank correction. Bibliography: 27 titles.

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

Bezák, Viktor, E-mail: bezak@fmph.uniba.sk

Quantum theory of the non-harmonic oscillator defined by the energy operator proposed by Yurke and Buks (2006) is presented. Although these authors considered a specific problem related to a model of transmission lines in a Kerr medium, our ambition is not to discuss the physical substantiation of their model. Instead, we consider the problem from an abstract, logically deductive, viewpoint. Using the Yurke–Buks energy operator, we focus attention on the imaginary-time propagator. We derive it as a functional of the Mehler kernel and, alternatively, as an exact series involving Hermite polynomials. For a statistical ensemble of identical oscillators defined bymore » the Yurke–Buks energy operator, we calculate the partition function, average energy, free energy and entropy. Using the diagonal element of the canonical density matrix of this ensemble in the coordinate representation, we define a probability density, which appears to be a deformed Gaussian distribution. A peculiarity of this probability density is that it may reveal, when plotted as a function of the position variable, a shape with two peaks located symmetrically with respect to the central point.« less

Space-Based Reconfigurable Software Defined Radio Test Bed Aboard International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinhart, Richard C.; Lux, James P.

2014-01-01

The National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) recently launched a new software defined radio research test bed to the International Space Station. The test bed, sponsored by the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Office within NASA is referred to as the SCaN Testbed. The SCaN Testbed is a highly capable communications system, composed of three software defined radios, integrated into a flight system, and mounted to the truss of the International Space Station. Software defined radios offer the future promise of in-flight reconfigurability, autonomy, and eventually cognitive operation. The adoption of software defined radios offers space missions a new way to develop and operate space transceivers for communications and navigation. Reconfigurable or software defined radios with communications and navigation functions implemented in software or VHDL (Very High Speed Hardware Description Language) provide the capability to change the functionality of the radio during development or after launch. The ability to change the operating characteristics of a radio through software once deployed to space offers the flexibility to adapt to new science opportunities, recover from anomalies within the science payload or communication system, and potentially reduce development cost and risk by adapting generic space platforms to meet specific mission requirements. The software defined radios on the SCaN Testbed are each compliant to NASA's Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) Architecture. The STRS Architecture is an open, non-proprietary architecture that defines interfaces for the connections between radio components. It provides an operating environment to abstract the communication waveform application from the underlying platform specific hardware such as digital-to-analog converters, analog-to-digital converters, oscillators, RF attenuators, automatic gain control circuits, FPGAs, general-purpose processors, etc. and the interconnections among different radio components.

A reference architecture for telemonitoring.

PubMed

Clarke, Malcolm

2004-01-01

The Telecare Interactive Continuous Monitoring System exploits GPRS to provide an ambulatory device that monitors selected vital signs on a continuous basis. Alarms are sent when parameters fall outside preset limits, and accompanying physiological data may also be transmitted. The always-connected property of GPRS allows continuous interactive control of the device and its sensors, permitting changes to monitoring parameters or even enabling continuous monitoring of a sensor in emergency. A new personal area network (PAN) has been developed to support short-range wireless connection to sensors worn on the body including ECG and finger worn SpO2. Most notable is use of ultra low radio frequency to reduce power to minimum. The system has been designed to use a hierarchical architecture for sensors and "derived" signals, such as HR from ECG, so that each can be independently controlled and managed. Sensors are treated as objects, and functions are defined to control aspects of behaviour. These are refined in order to define a generic set of abstract functions to handle the majority of functions, leaving a minimum of sensor specific commands. The intention is to define a reference architecture in order to research the functionality and system architecture of a telemonitoring system. The Telecare project is funded through a grant from the European Commission (IST programme).

The Cut-Score Operating Function: A New Tool to Aid in Standard Setting

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grabovsky, Irina; Wainer, Howard

2017-01-01

In this essay, we describe the construction and use of the Cut-Score Operating Function in aiding standard setting decisions. The Cut-Score Operating Function shows the relation between the cut-score chosen and the consequent error rate. It allows error rates to be defined by multiple loss functions and will show the behavior of each loss…

The Radial Distribution Function (RDF) of Amorphous Selenium Obtained through the Vacuum Evaporator

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

Guda, Bardhyl; Dede, Marie

2010-01-21

After the amorphous selenium obtained through the vacuum evaporator, the relevant diffraction intensity is taken and its processing is made. Further on the interferential function is calculated and the radial density function is defined. For determining these functions are used two methods, which were compared with each other and finally are received results for amorphous selenium RDF.

A functional approach to movement analysis and error identification in sports and physical education

PubMed Central

Hossner, Ernst-Joachim; Schiebl, Frank; Göhner, Ulrich

2015-01-01

In a hypothesis-and-theory paper, a functional approach to movement analysis in sports is introduced. In this approach, contrary to classical concepts, it is not anymore the “ideal” movement of elite athletes that is taken as a template for the movements produced by learners. Instead, movements are understood as the means to solve given tasks that in turn, are defined by to-be-achieved task goals. A functional analysis comprises the steps of (1) recognizing constraints that define the functional structure, (2) identifying sub-actions that subserve the achievement of structure-dependent goals, (3) explicating modalities as specifics of the movement execution, and (4) assigning functions to actions, sub-actions and modalities. Regarding motor-control theory, a functional approach can be linked to a dynamical-system framework of behavioral shaping, to cognitive models of modular effect-related motor control as well as to explicit concepts of goal setting and goal achievement. Finally, it is shown that a functional approach is of particular help for sports practice in the context of structuring part practice, recognizing functionally equivalent task solutions, finding innovative technique alternatives, distinguishing errors from style, and identifying root causes of movement errors. PMID:26441717

Nocturnal Hypoxia and Loss of Kidney Function

PubMed Central

Ahmed, Sofia B.; Ronksley, Paul E.; Hemmelgarn, Brenda R.; Tsai, Willis H.; Manns, Braden J.; Tonelli, Marcello; Klarenbach, Scott W.; Chin, Rick; Clement, Fiona M.; Hanly, Patrick J.

2011-01-01

Background Although obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more common in patients with kidney disease, whether nocturnal hypoxia affects kidney function is unknown. Methods We studied all adult subjects referred for diagnostic testing of sleep apnea between July 2005 and December 31 2007 who had serial measurement of their kidney function. Nocturnal hypoxia was defined as oxygen saturation (SaO2) below 90% for ≥12% of the nocturnal monitoring time. The primary outcome, accelerated loss of kidney function, was defined as a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥4 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year. Results 858 participants were included and followed for a mean study period of 2.1 years. Overall 374 (44%) had nocturnal hypoxia, and 49 (5.7%) had accelerated loss of kidney function. Compared to controls without hypoxia, patients with nocturnal hypoxia had a significant increase in the adjusted risk of accelerated kidney function loss (odds ratio (OR) 2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25, 6.67). Conclusion Nocturnal hypoxia was independently associated with an increased risk of accelerated kidney function loss. Further studies are required to determine whether treatment and correction of nocturnal hypoxia reduces loss of kidney function. PMID:21559506

It is as it does: genital form and function in sex reassignment surgery.

PubMed

Plemons, Eric D

2014-03-01

Surgeons who perform sex reassignment surgeries (SRS) define their goals and evaluate their outcomes in terms of two kinds of results: aesthetic and functional. Since the neogenitals fashioned through sex reassignment surgeries do not enable reproductive function, surgeons must determine what the function of the genitals is or ought to be. A review of surgical literature demonstrates that questions of what constitute genital form and function, while putatively answered in the operating room, are not answerable in the discourses of clinical evaluation used to define them. When the genitals--the word itself derived from the Latin genitas meaning to beget--are not reproductive, the question of their function shifts away from the biological and into other registers: pleasure, intimacy, sociality. As condensed sites of meaning and meaning-making around which selves, affects, resources, anxieties and futures are organized, the genitals signify in excess of the categories of "aesthetic" and "function" that surgeons use to assess them. Not reducible to either aesthetics or function, but constitutive of them both, this excess appears in surgical texts in the form of imagined futures of social and sexual engagement and demonstrates a powerful means by which properly sexed bodies are created.

The Avian Proghrelin System

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

To understand how the proghrelin system functions in regulating growth hormone release and food intake as well as defining its pleiotropic roles in such diverse physiological processes as energy homeostasis, gastrointestinal tract function and reproduction requires detailed knowledge of the structur...

Introduction and historical perspective.

PubMed

Gunning, Peter

2008-01-01

Tropomyosin is a coiled coil dimer which forms a polymer along the major groove of the majority of actin filaments. It is therefore one of the two primary components of the actin filament. Our understanding of the biological function of tropomyosin has been driven almost entirely by its role in striated muscle. This reflects both its original discovery as part of the thin filament in skeletal muscle and its pivotal role in regulating muscle contraction. In contrast, its role in the function of the cytoskeleton of all cells has been poorly understood due, at least in part, to the technical challenge of deciphering the function of a large number of isoforms. This book has brought together many of the leading researchers who have defined the function of tropomyosin in both normal and pathological conditions. Each author brings their own perspective in a series of stand alone reviews of the areas of tropomyosin research they have played a major role in defining.

Indications and interpretation of esophageal function testing.

PubMed

Gyawali, C Prakash; de Bortoli, Nicola; Clarke, John; Marinelli, Carla; Tolone, Salvatore; Roman, Sabine; Savarino, Edoardo

2018-05-12

Esophageal symptoms are common, and can arise from mucosal, motor, functional, and neoplastic processes, among others. Judicious use of diagnostic testing can help define the etiology of symptoms and can direct management. Endoscopy, esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM), ambulatory pH or pH-impedance manometry, and barium radiography are commonly used for esophageal function testing; functional lumen imaging probe is an emerging option. Recent consensus guidelines have provided direction in using test findings toward defining mechanisms of esophageal symptoms. The Chicago Classification describes hierarchical steps in diagnosing esophageal motility disorders. The Lyon Consensus characterizes conclusive evidence on esophageal testing for a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and establishes a motor classification of GERD. Taking these recent advances into consideration, our discussion focuses primarily on the indications, technique, equipment, and interpretation of esophageal HRM and ambulatory reflux monitoring in the evaluation of esophageal symptoms, and describes indications for alternative esophageal tests. © 2018 New York Academy of Sciences.

Space Telecommunications Radio Systems (STRS) Hardware Architecture Standard: Release 1.0 Hardware Section

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinhart, Richard C.; Kacpura, Thomas J.; Smith, Carl R.; Liebetreu, John; Hill, Gary; Mortensen, Dale J.; Andro, Monty; Scardelletti, Maximilian C.; Farrington, Allen

2008-01-01

This report defines a hardware architecture approach for software-defined radios to enable commonality among NASA space missions. The architecture accommodates a range of reconfigurable processing technologies including general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, field programmable gate arrays, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) in addition to flexible and tunable radiofrequency front ends to satisfy varying mission requirements. The hardware architecture consists of modules, radio functions, and interfaces. The modules are a logical division of common radio functions that compose a typical communication radio. This report describes the architecture details, the module definitions, the typical functions on each module, and the module interfaces. Tradeoffs between component-based, custom architecture and a functional-based, open architecture are described. The architecture does not specify a physical implementation internally on each module, nor does the architecture mandate the standards or ratings of the hardware used to construct the radios.

Kinematics and constraints associated with swashplate blade pitch control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leyland, Jane A.

1993-01-01

An important class of techniques to reduce helicopter vibration is based on using a Higher Harmonic controller to optimally define the Higher Harmonic blade pitch. These techniques typically require solution of a general optimization problem requiring the determination of a control vector which minimizes a performance index where functions of the control vector are subject to inequality constraints. Six possible constraint functions associated with swashplate blade pitch control were identified and defined. These functions constrain: (1) blade pitch Fourier Coefficients expressed in the Rotating System, (2) blade pitch Fourier Coefficients expressed in the Nonrotating System, (3) stroke of the individual actuators expressed in the Nonrotating System, (4) blade pitch expressed as a function of blade azimuth and actuator stroke, (5) time rate-of-change of the aforementioned parameters, and (6) required actuator power. The aforementioned constraints and the associated kinematics of swashplate blade pitch control by means of the strokes of the individual actuators are documented.

Solving a class of generalized fractional programming problems using the feasibility of linear programs.

PubMed

Shen, Peiping; Zhang, Tongli; Wang, Chunfeng

2017-01-01

This article presents a new approximation algorithm for globally solving a class of generalized fractional programming problems (P) whose objective functions are defined as an appropriate composition of ratios of affine functions. To solve this problem, the algorithm solves an equivalent optimization problem (Q) via an exploration of a suitably defined nonuniform grid. The main work of the algorithm involves checking the feasibility of linear programs associated with the interesting grid points. It is proved that the proposed algorithm is a fully polynomial time approximation scheme as the ratio terms are fixed in the objective function to problem (P), based on the computational complexity result. In contrast to existing results in literature, the algorithm does not require the assumptions on quasi-concavity or low-rank of the objective function to problem (P). Numerical results are given to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Analytic complexity of functions of two variables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beloshapka, V. K.

2007-09-01

The definition of analytic complexity of an analytic function of two variables is given. It is proved that the class of functions of a chosen complexity is a differentialalgebraic set. A differential polynomial defining the functions of first class is constructed. An algorithm for obtaining relations defining an arbitrary class is described. Examples of functions are given whose order of complexity is equal to zero, one, two, and infinity. It is shown that the formal order of complexity of the Cardano and Ferrari formulas is significantly higher than their analytic complexity. The complexity classes turn out to be invariant with respect to a certain infinite-dimensional transformation pseudogroup. In this connection, we describe the orbits of the action of this pseudogroup in the jets of orders one, two, and three. The notion of complexity order is extended to plane (or “planar”) 3-webs. It is discovered that webs of complexity order one are the hexagonal webs. Some problems are posed.

The Application of Nonstandard Analysis to the Study of Inviscid Shock Wave Jump Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farassat, F.; Baty, R. S.

1998-01-01

The use of conservation laws in nonconservative form for deriving shock jump conditions by Schwartz distribution theory leads to ambiguous products of generalized functions. Nonstandard analysis is used to define a class of Heaviside functions where the jump from zero to one occurs on an infinitesimal interval. These Heaviside functions differ by their microstructure near x = 0, i.e., by the nature of the rise within the infinitesimal interval it is shown that the conservation laws in nonconservative form can relate the different Heaviside functions used to define jumps in different flow parameters. There are no mathematical or logical ambiguities in the derivation of the jump conditions. An important result is that the microstructure of the Heaviside function of the jump in entropy has a positive peak greater than one within the infinitesimal interval where the jump occurs. This phenomena is known from more sophisticated studies of the structure of shock waves using viscous fluid assumption. However, the present analysis is simpler and more direct.

Two-Component Noncollinear Time-Dependent Spin Density Functional Theory for Excited State Calculations.

PubMed

Egidi, Franco; Sun, Shichao; Goings, Joshua J; Scalmani, Giovanni; Frisch, Michael J; Li, Xiaosong

2017-06-13

We present a linear response formalism for the description of the electronic excitations of a noncollinear reference defined via Kohn-Sham spin density functional methods. A set of auxiliary variables, defined using the density and noncollinear magnetization density vector, allows the generalization of spin density functional kernels commonly used in collinear DFT to noncollinear cases, including local density, GGA, meta-GGA and hybrid functionals. Working equations and derivations of functional second derivatives with respect to the noncollinear density, required in the linear response noncollinear TDDFT formalism, are presented in this work. This formalism takes all components of the spin magnetization into account independent of the type of reference state (open or closed shell). As a result, the method introduced here is able to afford a nonzero local xc torque on the spin magnetization while still satisfying the zero-torque theorem globally. The formalism is applied to a few test cases using the variational exact-two-component reference including spin-orbit coupling to illustrate the capabilities of the method.

MANCaLog: A Logic for Multi-Attribute Network Cascades

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

influence function , whose precise effects will be described later on when we discuss the semantics. As a result, a rule consists of four major parts...i) an influence function , (ii) neighbor criteria, (iii) target criteria, and (iv) a target. Intuitively, (i) specifies how the neighbors influence the...in terms of these elements. First, we define influence functions and neighbor criteria. Definition 2.6 ( Influence Function ). An influence function is a

The Effects of Concurrent Verbal and Visual Tasks on Category Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miles, Sarah J.; Minda, John Paul

2011-01-01

Current theories of category learning posit separate verbal and nonverbal learning systems. Past research suggests that the verbal system relies on verbal working memory and executive functioning and learns rule-defined categories; the nonverbal system does not rely on verbal working memory and learns non-rule-defined categories (E. M. Waldron…

The Forms and Functions of Impulsive Actions: Implications for Behavioral Assessment and Therapy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farmer, Richard F.; Golden, Jeannie A.

2009-01-01

Impulsivity is a central defining feature of several psychiatric disorders and a frequent correlate of many forms of psychopathology and maladjustment. Despite recognition of the importance of impulsivity to an understanding of a wide variety of clinically-relevant behaviors, this multifaceted construct remains ill-defined and not well understood.…

75 FR 61797 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-06

... amending Section 11 to include a definition of ``System routing table,'' defined as the proprietary process... Locked and Crossed Market Rules. \\3\\ Nasdaq has previously defined the term ``System routing table'' in... better value is the essence of a well-functioning competitive marketplace. The Exchange also believes...

Topics in Nanophotonic Devices for Nitrogen-Vacancy Color Centers in Diamond

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Babinec, Thomas Michael

2012-01-01

Recently, developments in novel and high-purity materials allow for the presence of a single, solitary crystalline defect to define the electronic, magnetic, and optical functionality of a device. The discrete nature of the active dopant, whose properties are defined by a quantum mechanical description of its structure, enables radically new…

T dwarfs all the way to 550 K?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burningham, Ben; Pinfield, D. J.; Leggett, S. K.; Tamura, M.; Lucas, P. W.; Homeier, D.

2009-02-01

We highlight recent results from the UKIDSS Large Area Survey (LAS) including a T dwarf with an estimated Teff = 550-600 K and new constraints on the substellar mass function in the field. We also define the T9 subtype as an extension to the T spectral sequence defined by Burgasser et al. (2006).

42 CFR 424.11 - General procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... functions he or she is authorized to perform under State law. (4) A nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist as defined in paragraph (e)(5) or (e)(6) of this section, or a physician assistant as defined in... section, to qualify as a nurse practitioner, an individual must— (i) Be a registered professional nurse...

Leading Charters: How Charter School Administrators Define Their Roles and Their Ability to Lead

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carpenter, Dick Michael, II; Peak, Charity

2013-01-01

Charter schools have been studied from numerous perspectives. One topic that remains under-researched, however, is charter school leadership. Therefore, we examine how charter administrators define their leadership roles and their ability to lead. Results indicate that charter principals see three primary functions in their leadership--building…

Vineyard soil bacterial diversity and composition revealed by 16S rRNA genes: differentiation by geographic features

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Here, we examine soil-borne microbial biogeography as a function of the features that 31 define an American Viticultural Area (AVA), a geographically delimited American wine grape32 growing region, defined for its distinguishing features of climate, geology, soils, physical 33 features (topography a...

Torn in Two: An Examiniation of Elementary School Counselors' Perceptions on Self-Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sesto, Casper

2013-01-01

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA; The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, 2005) developed the ASCA National Model to define the prescribed roles and functions of the professional school counselor. Although the national model initially defines school counselors' roles, counselors find it difficult to…

42 CFR 412.602 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... data items into the fields of the computerized patient assessment software program. Functional-related... 1, 2005, an area as defined in § 412.62(f)(1)(iii). For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2005, rural area means an area as defined in § 412.64(b)(1)(ii)(C). Transfer means the release of a...

42 CFR 412.602 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... data items into the fields of the computerized patient assessment software program. Functional-related... 1, 2005, an area as defined in § 412.62(f)(1)(iii). For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2005, rural area means an area as defined in § 412.64(b)(1)(ii)(C). Transfer means the release of a...

42 CFR 412.602 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... data items into the fields of the computerized patient assessment software program. Functional-related... 1, 2005, an area as defined in § 412.62(f)(1)(iii). For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2005, rural area means an area as defined in § 412.64(b)(1)(ii)(C). Transfer means the release of a...

Ego depletion interferes with rule-defined category learning but not non-rule-defined category learning.

PubMed

Minda, John P; Rabi, Rahel

2015-01-01

Considerable research on category learning has suggested that many cognitive and environmental factors can have a differential effect on the learning of rule-defined (RD) categories as opposed to the learning of non-rule-defined (NRD) categories. Prior research has also suggested that ego depletion can temporarily reduce the capacity for executive functioning and cognitive flexibility. The present study examined whether temporarily reducing participants' executive functioning via a resource depletion manipulation would differentially impact RD and NRD category learning. Participants were either asked to write a story with no restrictions (the control condition), or without using two common letters (the ego depletion condition). Participants were then asked to learn either a set of RD categories or a set of NRD categories. Resource depleted participants performed more poorly than controls on the RD task, but did not differ from controls on the NRD task, suggesting that self regulatory resources are required for successful RD category learning. These results lend support to multiple systems theories and clarify the role of self-regulatory resources within this theory.

Ego depletion interferes with rule-defined category learning but not non-rule-defined category learning

PubMed Central

Minda, John P.; Rabi, Rahel

2015-01-01

Considerable research on category learning has suggested that many cognitive and environmental factors can have a differential effect on the learning of rule-defined (RD) categories as opposed to the learning of non-rule-defined (NRD) categories. Prior research has also suggested that ego depletion can temporarily reduce the capacity for executive functioning and cognitive flexibility. The present study examined whether temporarily reducing participants’ executive functioning via a resource depletion manipulation would differentially impact RD and NRD category learning. Participants were either asked to write a story with no restrictions (the control condition), or without using two common letters (the ego depletion condition). Participants were then asked to learn either a set of RD categories or a set of NRD categories. Resource depleted participants performed more poorly than controls on the RD task, but did not differ from controls on the NRD task, suggesting that self regulatory resources are required for successful RD category learning. These results lend support to multiple systems theories and clarify the role of self-regulatory resources within this theory. PMID:25688220

Differential Item Functioning Detection Across Two Methods of Defining Group Comparisons

PubMed Central

Sari, Halil Ibrahim

2014-01-01

This study compares two methods of defining groups for the detection of differential item functioning (DIF): (a) pairwise comparisons and (b) composite group comparisons. We aim to emphasize and empirically support the notion that the choice of pairwise versus composite group definitions in DIF is a reflection of how one defines fairness in DIF studies. In this study, a simulation was conducted based on data from a 60-item ACT Mathematics test (ACT; Hanson & Béguin). The unsigned area measure method (Raju) was used as the DIF detection method. An application to operational data was also completed in the study, as well as a comparison of observed Type I error rates and false discovery rates across the two methods of defining groups. Results indicate that the amount of flagged DIF or interpretations about DIF in all conditions were not the same across the two methods, and there may be some benefits to using composite group approaches. The results are discussed in connection to differing definitions of fairness. Recommendations for practice are made. PMID:29795837

Designable and dynamic single-walled stiff nanotubes assembled from sequence-defined peptoids

DOE PAGES

Jin, Haibao; Ding, Yan-Huai; Wang, Mingming; ...

2018-01-18

Despite recent advances in assembly of organic nanotubes, conferral of sequence-defined engineering and dynamic response characteristics to the tubules remains a challenge. Here we report a new family of highly-designable and dynamic single-walled nanotubes assembled from sequence-defined peptoids through a unique “rolling-up and closure of nanosheet” mechanism. During the assembly process, amorphous spherical particles of amphiphilic peptoid oligomers (APOs) crystallized to form well-defined nanosheets which were then folded to form single-walled peptoid nanotubes (SW-PNTs). These SW-PNTs undergo a pH-triggered, reversible contraction-expansion motion. By varying the number of hydrophobic residues of APOs, we demonstrate the tuning of PNT wall thickness andmore » diameter, and mechanical properties. AFM-based mechanical measurements indicate that PNTs are highly stiff (Young’s Modulus ~13-17 GPa), comparable to the stiffest known biological materials. We further demonstrate that the precise incorporation of functional groups within PNTs and the application of functional PNTs in water decontamination. We believe these SW-PNTs can provide a robust platform for development of biomimetic materials tailored to specific applications.« less

Application of Monte Carlo Method for Evaluation of Uncertainties of ITS-90 by Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palenčár, Rudolf; Sopkuliak, Peter; Palenčár, Jakub; Ďuriš, Stanislav; Suroviak, Emil; Halaj, Martin

2017-06-01

Evaluation of uncertainties of the temperature measurement by standard platinum resistance thermometer calibrated at the defining fixed points according to ITS-90 is a problem that can be solved in different ways. The paper presents a procedure based on the propagation of distributions using the Monte Carlo method. The procedure employs generation of pseudo-random numbers for the input variables of resistances at the defining fixed points, supposing the multivariate Gaussian distribution for input quantities. This allows taking into account the correlations among resistances at the defining fixed points. Assumption of Gaussian probability density function is acceptable, with respect to the several sources of uncertainties of resistances. In the case of uncorrelated resistances at the defining fixed points, the method is applicable to any probability density function. Validation of the law of propagation of uncertainty using the Monte Carlo method is presented on the example of specific data for 25 Ω standard platinum resistance thermometer in the temperature range from 0 to 660 °C. Using this example, we demonstrate suitability of the method by validation of its results.

Designable and dynamic single-walled stiff nanotubes assembled from sequence-defined peptoids

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

Jin, Haibao; Ding, Yan-Huai; Wang, Mingming

Despite recent advances in assembly of organic nanotubes, conferral of sequence-defined engineering and dynamic response characteristics to the tubules remains a challenge. Here we report a new family of highly-designable and dynamic single-walled nanotubes assembled from sequence-defined peptoids through a unique “rolling-up and closure of nanosheet” mechanism. During the assembly process, amorphous spherical particles of amphiphilic peptoid oligomers (APOs) crystallized to form well-defined nanosheets which were then folded to form single-walled peptoid nanotubes (SW-PNTs). These SW-PNTs undergo a pH-triggered, reversible contraction-expansion motion. By varying the number of hydrophobic residues of APOs, we demonstrate the tuning of PNT wall thickness andmore » diameter, and mechanical properties. AFM-based mechanical measurements indicate that PNTs are highly stiff (Young’s Modulus ~13-17 GPa), comparable to the stiffest known biological materials. We further demonstrate that the precise incorporation of functional groups within PNTs and the application of functional PNTs in water decontamination. We believe these SW-PNTs can provide a robust platform for development of biomimetic materials tailored to specific applications.« less

Characterization of Rod Function Phenotypes Across a Range of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Severities and Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits

PubMed Central

Flynn, Oliver J.; Cukras, Catherine A.; Jeffrey, Brett G.

2018-01-01

Purpose To examine spatial changes in rod-mediated function in relationship to local structural changes across the central retina in eyes with a spectrum of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease severity. Methods Participants were categorized into five AMD severity groups based on fundus features. Scotopic thresholds were measured at 14 loci spanning ±18° along the vertical meridian from one eye of each of 42 participants (mean = 71.7 ± 9.9 years). Following a 30% bleach, dark adaptation was measured at eight loci (±12°). Rod intercept time (RIT) was defined from the time to detect a −3.1 log cd/m2 stimulus. RITslope was defined from the linear fit of RIT with decreasing retinal eccentricity. The presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), ellipsoid (EZ) band disruption, and drusen at the test loci was evaluated using optical coherence tomography. Results Scotopic thresholds indicated greater rod function loss in the macula, which correlated with increasing AMD group severity. RITslope, which captures the spatial change in the rate of dark adaptation, increased with AMD severity (P < 0.0001). Three rod function phenotypes emerged: RF1, normal rod function; RF2, normal scotopic thresholds but slowed dark adaptation; and RF3, elevated scotopic thresholds with slowed dark adaptation. Dark adaptation was slowed at all loci with SDD or EZ band disruption, and at 32% of loci with no local structural changes. Conclusions Three rod function phenotypes were defined from combined measurement of scotopic threshold and dark adaptation. Spatial changes in dark adaptation across the macula were captured with RITslope, which may be a useful outcome measure for functional studies of AMD. PMID:29847647

Characterization of Rod Function Phenotypes Across a Range of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Severities and Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits.

PubMed

Flynn, Oliver J; Cukras, Catherine A; Jeffrey, Brett G

2018-05-01

To examine spatial changes in rod-mediated function in relationship to local structural changes across the central retina in eyes with a spectrum of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease severity. Participants were categorized into five AMD severity groups based on fundus features. Scotopic thresholds were measured at 14 loci spanning ±18° along the vertical meridian from one eye of each of 42 participants (mean = 71.7 ± 9.9 years). Following a 30% bleach, dark adaptation was measured at eight loci (±12°). Rod intercept time (RIT) was defined from the time to detect a -3.1 log cd/m2 stimulus. RITslope was defined from the linear fit of RIT with decreasing retinal eccentricity. The presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), ellipsoid (EZ) band disruption, and drusen at the test loci was evaluated using optical coherence tomography. Scotopic thresholds indicated greater rod function loss in the macula, which correlated with increasing AMD group severity. RITslope, which captures the spatial change in the rate of dark adaptation, increased with AMD severity (P < 0.0001). Three rod function phenotypes emerged: RF1, normal rod function; RF2, normal scotopic thresholds but slowed dark adaptation; and RF3, elevated scotopic thresholds with slowed dark adaptation. Dark adaptation was slowed at all loci with SDD or EZ band disruption, and at 32% of loci with no local structural changes. Three rod function phenotypes were defined from combined measurement of scotopic threshold and dark adaptation. Spatial changes in dark adaptation across the macula were captured with RITslope, which may be a useful outcome measure for functional studies of AMD.

Comparison of particle swarm optimization and simulated annealing for locating additional boreholes considering combined variance minimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soltani-Mohammadi, Saeed; Safa, Mohammad; Mokhtari, Hadi

2016-10-01

One of the most important stages in complementary exploration is optimal designing the additional drilling pattern or defining the optimum number and location of additional boreholes. Quite a lot research has been carried out in this regard in which for most of the proposed algorithms, kriging variance minimization as a criterion for uncertainty assessment is defined as objective function and the problem could be solved through optimization methods. Although kriging variance implementation is known to have many advantages in objective function definition, it is not sensitive to local variability. As a result, the only factors evaluated for locating the additional boreholes are initial data configuration and variogram model parameters and the effects of local variability are omitted. In this paper, with the goal of considering the local variability in boundaries uncertainty assessment, the application of combined variance is investigated to define the objective function. Thus in order to verify the applicability of the proposed objective function, it is used to locate the additional boreholes in Esfordi phosphate mine through the implementation of metaheuristic optimization methods such as simulated annealing and particle swarm optimization. Comparison of results from the proposed objective function and conventional methods indicates that the new changes imposed on the objective function has caused the algorithm output to be sensitive to the variations of grade, domain's boundaries and the thickness of mineralization domain. The comparison between the results of different optimization algorithms proved that for the presented case the application of particle swarm optimization is more appropriate than simulated annealing.

Poor physical function in elderly women in low-level aged care is related to muscle strength rather than to measures of sarcopenia

PubMed Central

Woods, Julie L; Iuliano-Burns, Sandra; King, Susannah J; Strauss, Boyd J; Walker, Karen Z

2011-01-01

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and investigate relationships among body composition, muscle strength, and physical function in elderly women in low-level aged care. Subjects and methods: Sixty-three ambulatory women (mean age 86 years) participated in this cross-sectional study where body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); ankle, knee, and hip strength by the Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester; and physical function by ‘timed up and go’ (TUG) and walking speed (WS) over 6 meters. Body composition data from a female reference group (n = 62, mean age 29 years) provided cut-off values for defining sarcopenia. Results: Elderly women had higher body mass index (P < 0.001), lower lean mass (P < 0.001), and higher fat mass (P < 0.01) than the young reference group. Only a small proportion (3.2%) had absolute sarcopenia (defined by appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height squared) whereas 37% had relative sarcopenia class II (defined by percentage skeletal muscle mass). Scores for TUG and WS indicated relatively poor physical function, yet these measures were not associated with muscle mass or indices of sarcopenia. In multivariate analysis, only hip abductor strength predicted both TUG and WS (both P = 0.01). Conclusion: Hip strength is a more important indicator of physical functioning than lean mass. Measurement of hip strength may therefore be a useful screening tool to detect those at risk of functional decline and requirement for additional care. Further longitudinal studies with a range of other strength measures are warranted. PMID:21472094

Poor physical function in elderly women in low-level aged care is related to muscle strength rather than to measures of sarcopenia.

PubMed

Woods, Julie L; Iuliano-Burns, Sandra; King, Susannah J; Strauss, Boyd J; Walker, Karen Z

2011-01-01

To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and investigate relationships among body composition, muscle strength, and physical function in elderly women in low-level aged care. Sixty-three ambulatory women (mean age 86 years) participated in this cross-sectional study where body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); ankle, knee, and hip strength by the Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester; and physical function by 'timed up and go' (TUG) and walking speed (WS) over 6 meters. Body composition data from a female reference group (n = 62, mean age 29 years) provided cut-off values for defining sarcopenia. Elderly women had higher body mass index (P < 0.001), lower lean mass (P < 0.001), and higher fat mass (P < 0.01) than the young reference group. Only a small proportion (3.2%) had absolute sarcopenia (defined by appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height squared) whereas 37% had relative sarcopenia class II (defined by percentage skeletal muscle mass). Scores for TUG and WS indicated relatively poor physical function, yet these measures were not associated with muscle mass or indices of sarcopenia. In multivariate analysis, only hip abductor strength predicted both TUG and WS (both P = 0.01). Hip strength is a more important indicator of physical functioning than lean mass. Measurement of hip strength may therefore be a useful screening tool to detect those at risk of functional decline and requirement for additional care. Further longitudinal studies with a range of other strength measures are warranted.

Students' Understanding of the Function-Derivative Relationship When Learning Economic Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ariza, Angel; Llinares, Salvador; Valls, Julia

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to characterise students' understanding of the function-derivative relationship when learning economic concepts. To this end, we use a fuzzy metric (Chang 1968) to identify the development of economic concept understanding that is defined by the function-derivative relationship. The results indicate that the understanding…

Functional Outcomes in the Treatment of Adults with ADHD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adler, Lenard A.; Spencer, Thomas J.; Levine, Louise R.; Ramsey, Janet L.; Tamura, Roy; Kelsey, Douglas; Ball, Susan G.; Allen, Albert J.; Biederman, Joseph

2008-01-01

Objective: ADHD is associated with significant functional impairment in adults. The present study examined functional outcomes following 6-month double-blind treatment with either atomoxetine or placebo. Method: Patients were 410 adults (58.5% male) with "DSM-IV"--defined ADHD. They were randomly assigned to receive either atomoxetine 40 mg/day to…

Identifying functional communities for use in forest planning and decisionmaking

Treesearch

Pamela J. Jakes; Thomas E. Fish

1998-01-01

Public land managers are searching for frameworks for organizing and displaying social information that will make it useful in forest management and decisionmaking. On the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests in Wisconsin, managers and researchers have used the concept of functional communities to develop such a framework. Functional communities define geographic areas...

Function-Based Approach to Designing an Instructional Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Kristy; Pinkelman, Sarah

2017-01-01

Teachers are faced with the challenge of selecting interventions that are most likely to be effective and best matched to the function of problem behavior. This article will define aspects of the instructional environment and describe a decision-making logic to select environmental variables. A summary of commonly used function-based interventions…

Impact of Executive Function Deficits and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on Academic Outcomes in Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Biederman, Joseph; Monuteaux, Michael C.; Doyle, Alysa E.; Seidman, Larry J.; Wilens, Timothy E.; Ferrero, Frances; Morgan, Christie L.; Faraone, Stephen V.

2004-01-01

The association between executive function deficits (EFDs) and functional outcomes were examined among children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants were children and adolescents with (n = 259) and without (n = 222) ADHD, as ascertained from pediatric and psychiatric clinics. The authors defined EFD as…

Swarm formation control utilizing elliptical surfaces and limiting functions.

PubMed

Barnes, Laura E; Fields, Mary Anne; Valavanis, Kimon P

2009-12-01

In this paper, we present a strategy for organizing swarms of unmanned vehicles into a formation by utilizing artificial potential fields that were generated from normal and sigmoid functions. These functions construct the surface on which swarm members travel, controlling the overall swarm geometry and the individual member spacing. Nonlinear limiting functions are defined to provide tighter swarm control by modifying and adjusting a set of control variables that force the swarm to behave according to set constraints, formation, and member spacing. The artificial potential functions and limiting functions are combined to control swarm formation, orientation, and swarm movement as a whole. Parameters are chosen based on desired formation and user-defined constraints. This approach is computationally efficient and scales well to different swarm sizes, to heterogeneous systems, and to both centralized and decentralized swarm models. Simulation results are presented for a swarm of 10 and 40 robots that follow circle, ellipse, and wedge formations. Experimental results are included to demonstrate the applicability of the approach on a swarm of four custom-built unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).

Sleep-Wake Disturbances in Sedentary Community-Dwelling Elders With Functional Limitations

PubMed Central

Vaz Fragoso, Carlos A.; Miller, Michael E.; Fielding, Roger A.; King, Abby C.; Kritchevsky, Stephen B.; McDermott, Mary M.; Myers, Valerie; Newman, Anne B.; Pahor, Marco; Gill, Thomas M.

2014-01-01

OBJECTIVES To evaluate sleep-wake disturbances in sedentary community-dwelling elders with functional limitations. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Lifestyle Interventions and Independence in Elder (LIFE) Study. PARTICIPANTS 1635 community-dwelling persons, mean age 78.9, who spent <20 minutes/week in the past month of regular physical activity and <125 minutes/week of moderate physical activity, and had a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score <10. MEASUREMENTS Mobility was evaluated by the 400-meter walk time (slow gait speed defined as <0.8 m/s) and SPPB score (≤7 defined moderate-to-severe mobility impairment). Physical inactivity was defined by sedentary time, as percent of accelerometry wear time with activity <100 counts/min); top quartile established high sedentary time. Sleep-wake disturbances were evaluated by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) (range 0–28; ≥8 defined insomnia), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (range 0–24; ≥10 defined daytime drowsiness), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (range 0–21; >5 defined poor sleep quality), and Berlin Questionnaire (high risk of sleep apnea). RESULTS Prevalence rates were 43.5% for slow gait speed and 44.7% for moderate-to-severe mobility impairment, with 77.0% of accelerometry wear time spent as sedentary time. Prevalence rates were 33.0% for insomnia, 18.1% for daytime drowsiness, 47.8% for poor sleep quality, and 32.9% for high risk of sleep apnea. Participants with insomnia, daytime drowsiness, and poor sleep quality had mean values of 12.1 for ISI, 12.5 for ESS, and 9.2 for PSQI, respectively. In adjusted models, measures of mobility and physical inactivity were generally not associated with sleep-wake disturbances, using continuous or categorical variables. CONCLUSION In a large sample of sedentary community-dwelling elders with functional limitations, sleep-wake disturbances were prevalent but only mildly severe, and were generally not associated with mobility impairment or physical inactivity. PMID:24889836

Role of man in flight experiment payloads, phase 1. [Spacelab mission planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malone, T. B.; Kirkpatrick, M.

1974-01-01

The identification of required data for studies of Spacelab experiment functional allocation, the development of an approach to collecting these data from the payload community, and the specification of analytical methods necessary to quantitatively determine the role of man in specific Spacelab experiments are presented. A generalized Spacelab experiment operation sequence was developed, and the parameters necessary to describe each signle function in the sequence were identified. A set of functional descriptor worksheets were also drawn up. The methodological approach to defining the role of man was defined as a series of trade studies using a digial simulation technique. The tradeoff variables identified include scientific crew size, skill mix, and location. An existing digital simulation program suitable for the required analyses was identified and obtained.

Sex differences in the association of physical function and cognitive function with life satisfaction in older age: The Rancho Bernardo Study.

PubMed

Ratigan, Amanda; Kritz-Silverstein, Donna; Barrett-Connor, Elizabeth

2016-07-01

This study examines the cross-sectional associations of cognitive and physical function with life satisfaction in middle-class, community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older. Participants were 632 women and 410 men who had cognitive function tests (CFT) and physical function tasks (PFT) assessed at a clinic visit between 1988 and 1992, and who responded in 1992 to a mailed survey that included life satisfaction measures. Cognitive impairment was defined as ≤24 on MMSE, ≥132 on Trails B, ≤12 on Category Fluency, ≤13 on Buschke long-term recall, and ≤7 on Heaton immediate recall. Physical impairment was defined as participants' self-reported difficulty (yes/no) in performing 10 physical functions. Multiple linear regression examined associations between life satisfaction and impairment on ≥1 CFT or difficulty with ≥1 PFT. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; range:0-26) and Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSI-Z; range:5-35). Participants' average age was 73.4 years (range=60-94). Categorically defined cognitive impairment was present in 40% of men and 47% of women. Additionally, 30% of men and 43% of women reported difficulty performing any PFT. Adjusting for age and impairment on ≥1 CFT, difficulty performing ≥1 PFT was associated with lower LSI-Z and SWLS scores in men (β=-1.73, -1.26, respectively, p<0.05) and women (β=-1.79, -1.93, respectively, p<0.01). However, impairment on ≥ 1 CFT was not associated with LSI-Z or SWLS score after adjusting for age and difficulty with ≥1 PFT. Limited cognitive function was more common than limited physical function; however, limited physical function was more predictive of lower life satisfaction. Interventions to increase or maintain mobility among older adults may improve overall life satisfaction. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Interactive effects of diabetes and impaired kidney function on cognitive performance in old age: a population-based study.

PubMed

Yin, Zhaoxue; Yan, Zhongrui; Liang, Yajun; Jiang, Hui; Cai, Chuanzhu; Song, Aiqin; Feng, Lei; Qiu, Chengxuan

2016-01-12

The interactive effect between diabetes and impaired kidney function on cognitive impairment in older adults has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of diabetes and impaired kidney function with cognitive impairment among Chinese older people living in a rural area. This cross-sectional study included 1,358 participants (age ≥60 years; 60.5% women) in the population-based Confucius Hometown Aging Project in Shandong, China. Data on demographics, lifestyle factors, health history, use of medications, global cognitive function, and kidney function were collected through structured interviews, clinical examinations, and blood tests. We defined diabetes as a fasting plasma glucose level ≥7.0 mmol/l or use of hypoglycemic agents, impaired kidney function as glomerular filtration rate estimated from cystatin C (eGFRcys) <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Cognitive impairment was defined using the education-based cut-off scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Data were analyzed using multiple general linear and logistic regression models. Cognitive impairment was defined in 197 (14.5%) persons. The multi-adjusted β coefficient of MMSE score associated with diabetes was -0.06 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.16, 0.03); the corresponding figures associated with eGFRcys <60, 60-89.9, and ≥90 ml/min/1.73 m(2) were -0.15 (-0.28, -0.02), -0.01 (-0.10, 0.08), and 0 (reference) (Ptrend = 0.046), respectively. Diabetes and impaired kidney function showed an interactive effect on cognitive impairment ( interaction = 0.02). Compared with individuals having neither diabetes nor impaired kidney function, those with both conditions had a multi-adjusted odds ratio of 4.23 (95% CI, 2.10-8.49) for cognitive impairment. The relative excess risk due to interaction was 2.74. This study suggests that concurrent presence of diabetes and impaired kidney function is associated with a substantial likelihood for cognitive impairment in older adults.

A solution to the surface intersection problem. [Boolean functions in geometric modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Timer, H. G.

1977-01-01

An application-independent geometric model within a data base framework should support the use of Boolean operators which allow the user to construct a complex model by appropriately combining a series of simple models. The use of these operators leads to the concept of implicitly and explicitly defined surfaces. With an explicitly defined model, the surface area may be computed by simply summing the surface areas of the bounding surfaces. For an implicitly defined model, the surface area computation must deal with active and inactive regions. Because the surface intersection problem involves four unknowns and its solution is a space curve, the parametric coordinates of each surface must be determined as a function of the arc length. Various subproblems involved in the general intersection problem are discussed, and the mathematical basis for their solution is presented along with a program written in FORTRAN IV for implementation on the IBM 370 TSO system.

Models for discrete-time self-similar vector processes with application to network traffic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Seungsin; Rao, Raghuveer M.; Narasimha, Rajesh

2003-07-01

The paper defines self-similarity for vector processes by employing the discrete-time continuous-dilation operation which has successfully been used previously by the authors to define 1-D discrete-time stochastic self-similar processes. To define self-similarity of vector processes, it is required to consider the cross-correlation functions between different 1-D processes as well as the autocorrelation function of each constituent 1-D process in it. System models to synthesize self-similar vector processes are constructed based on the definition. With these systems, it is possible to generate self-similar vector processes from white noise inputs. An important aspect of the proposed models is that they can be used to synthesize various types of self-similar vector processes by choosing proper parameters. Additionally, the paper presents evidence of vector self-similarity in two-channel wireless LAN data and applies the aforementioned systems to simulate the corresponding network traffic traces.

Minimal metabolic pathway structure is consistent with associated biomolecular interactions

PubMed Central

Bordbar, Aarash; Nagarajan, Harish; Lewis, Nathan E; Latif, Haythem; Ebrahim, Ali; Federowicz, Stephen; Schellenberger, Jan; Palsson, Bernhard O

2014-01-01

Pathways are a universal paradigm for functionally describing cellular processes. Even though advances in high-throughput data generation have transformed biology, the core of our biological understanding, and hence data interpretation, is still predicated on human-defined pathways. Here, we introduce an unbiased, pathway structure for genome-scale metabolic networks defined based on principles of parsimony that do not mimic canonical human-defined textbook pathways. Instead, these minimal pathways better describe multiple independent pathway-associated biomolecular interaction datasets suggesting a functional organization for metabolism based on parsimonious use of cellular components. We use the inherent predictive capability of these pathways to experimentally discover novel transcriptional regulatory interactions in Escherichia coli metabolism for three transcription factors, effectively doubling the known regulatory roles for Nac and MntR. This study suggests an underlying and fundamental principle in the evolutionary selection of pathway structures; namely, that pathways may be minimal, independent, and segregated. PMID:24987116

Defined Engineered Human Myocardium with Advanced Maturation for Applications in Heart Failure Modelling and Repair

PubMed Central

Tiburcy, Malte; Hudson, James E.; Balfanz, Paul; Schlick, Susanne; Meyer, Tim; Liao, Mei-Ling Chang; Levent, Elif; Raad, Farah; Zeidler, Sebastian; Wingender, Edgar; Riegler, Johannes; Wang, Mouer; Gold, Joseph D.; Kehat, Izhak; Wettwer, Erich; Ravens, Ursula; Dierickx, Pieterjan; van Laake, Linda W.; Goumans, Marie Jose; Khadjeh, Sara; Toischer, Karl; Hasenfuss, Gerd; Couture, Larry A.; Unger, Andreas; Linke, Wolfgang A.; Araki, Toshiyuki; Neel, Benjamin; Keller, Gordon; Gepstein, Lior; Wu, Joseph C.; Zimmermann, Wolfram-Hubertus

2017-01-01

Background Advancing structural and functional maturation of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes remains a key challenge for applications in disease modelling, drug screening, and heart repair. Here, we sought to advance cardiomyocyte maturation in engineered human myocardium (EHM) towards an adult phenotype under defined conditions. Methods We systematically investigated cell composition, matrix and media conditions to generate EHM from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts with organotypic functionality under serum-free conditions. We employed morphological, functional, and transcriptome analyses to benchmark maturation of EHM. Results EHM demonstrated important structural and functional properties of postnatal myocardium, including: (1) rod-shaped cardiomyocytes with M-bands assembled as a functional syncytium; (2) systolic twitch forces at a similar level as observed in bona fide postnatal myocardium; (3) a positive force-frequency-response; (4) inotropic responses to β-adrenergic stimulation mediated via canonical β1- and β2-adrenoceptor signaling pathways; and (5) evidence for advanced molecular maturation by transcriptome profiling. EHM responded to chronic catecholamine toxicity with contractile dysfunction, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiomyocyte death, and NT-proBNP release; all are classical hallmarks of heart failure. Additionally, we demonstrate scalability of EHM according to anticipated clinical demands for cardiac repair. Conclusions We provide proof-of-concept for a universally applicable technology for the engineering of macro-scale human myocardium for disease modelling and heart repair from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes under defined, serum-free conditions. PMID:28167635

Preserved, deteriorated, and premorbidly impaired patterns of intellectual ability in schizophrenia.

PubMed

Ammari, Narmeen; Heinrichs, R Walter; Pinnock, Farena; Miles, Ashley A; Muharib, Eva; McDermid Vaz, Stephanie

2014-05-01

The main purpose of this investigation was to identify patterns of intellectual performance in schizophrenia patients suggesting preserved, deteriorated, and premorbidly impaired ability, and to determine clinical, cognitive, and functional correlates of these patterns. We assessed 101 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 80 non-psychiatric control participants. The "preserved" performance pattern was defined by average-range estimated premorbid and current IQ with no evidence of decline (premorbid-current IQ difference <10 points). The "deteriorated" pattern was defined by a difference between estimated premorbid and current IQ estimates of 10 points or more. The premorbidly "impaired" pattern was defined by below average estimated premorbid and current IQ and no evidence of decline greater than 10 points. Preserved and deteriorated patterns in healthy controls were also identified and studied in comparison to patient findings. The groups were compared on demographic, neurocognitive, clinical and functionality variables. Patients with the preserved pattern outperformed those meeting criteria for deteriorated and compromised intellectual ability on a composite measure of neurocognitive ability as well as in terms of functional competence. Patients demonstrating the deteriorated and compromised patterns were equivalent across all measures. However, "preserved" patients failed to show any advantage in terms of community functioning and demonstrated cognitive impairments relative to control participants. Our results suggest that proposed patterns of intellectual decline and stability exist in both the schizophrenia and general populations, but may not hold true across other cognitive abilities and do not translate into differential functional outcome.

Defined Engineered Human Myocardium With Advanced Maturation for Applications in Heart Failure Modeling and Repair.

PubMed

Tiburcy, Malte; Hudson, James E; Balfanz, Paul; Schlick, Susanne; Meyer, Tim; Chang Liao, Mei-Ling; Levent, Elif; Raad, Farah; Zeidler, Sebastian; Wingender, Edgar; Riegler, Johannes; Wang, Mouer; Gold, Joseph D; Kehat, Izhak; Wettwer, Erich; Ravens, Ursula; Dierickx, Pieterjan; van Laake, Linda W; Goumans, Marie Jose; Khadjeh, Sara; Toischer, Karl; Hasenfuss, Gerd; Couture, Larry A; Unger, Andreas; Linke, Wolfgang A; Araki, Toshiyuki; Neel, Benjamin; Keller, Gordon; Gepstein, Lior; Wu, Joseph C; Zimmermann, Wolfram-Hubertus

2017-05-09

Advancing structural and functional maturation of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes remains a key challenge for applications in disease modeling, drug screening, and heart repair. Here, we sought to advance cardiomyocyte maturation in engineered human myocardium (EHM) toward an adult phenotype under defined conditions. We systematically investigated cell composition, matrix, and media conditions to generate EHM from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts with organotypic functionality under serum-free conditions. We used morphological, functional, and transcriptome analyses to benchmark maturation of EHM. EHM demonstrated important structural and functional properties of postnatal myocardium, including: (1) rod-shaped cardiomyocytes with M bands assembled as a functional syncytium; (2) systolic twitch forces at a similar level as observed in bona fide postnatal myocardium; (3) a positive force-frequency response; (4) inotropic responses to β-adrenergic stimulation mediated via canonical β 1 - and β 2 -adrenoceptor signaling pathways; and (5) evidence for advanced molecular maturation by transcriptome profiling. EHM responded to chronic catecholamine toxicity with contractile dysfunction, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiomyocyte death, and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide release; all are classical hallmarks of heart failure. In addition, we demonstrate the scalability of EHM according to anticipated clinical demands for cardiac repair. We provide proof-of-concept for a universally applicable technology for the engineering of macroscale human myocardium for disease modeling and heart repair from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes under defined, serum-free conditions. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

The N and C Termini of ZO-1 Are Surrounded by Distinct Proteins and Functional Protein Networks*

PubMed Central

Van Itallie, Christina M.; Aponte, Angel; Tietgens, Amber Jean; Gucek, Marjan; Fredriksson, Karin; Anderson, James Melvin

2013-01-01

The proteins and functional protein networks of the tight junction remain incompletely defined. Among the currently known proteins are barrier-forming proteins like occludin and the claudin family; scaffolding proteins like ZO-1; and some cytoskeletal, signaling, and cell polarity proteins. To define a more complete list of proteins and infer their functional implications, we identified the proteins that are within molecular dimensions of ZO-1 by fusing biotin ligase to either its N or C terminus, expressing these fusion proteins in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells, and purifying and identifying the resulting biotinylated proteins by mass spectrometry. Of a predicted proteome of ∼9000, we identified more than 400 proteins tagged by biotin ligase fused to ZO-1, with both identical and distinct proteins near the N- and C-terminal ends. Those proximal to the N terminus were enriched in transmembrane tight junction proteins, and those proximal to the C terminus were enriched in cytoskeletal proteins. We also identified many unexpected but easily rationalized proteins and verified partial colocalization of three of these proteins with ZO-1 as examples. In addition, functional networks of interacting proteins were tagged, such as the basolateral but not apical polarity network. These results provide a rich inventory of proteins and potential novel insights into functions and protein networks that should catalyze further understanding of tight junction biology. Unexpectedly, the technique demonstrates high spatial resolution, which could be generally applied to defining other subcellular protein compartmentalization. PMID:23553632

Diversity of Neuropeptide Cell-Cell Signaling Molecules Generated by Proteolytic Processing Revealed by Neuropeptidomics Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hook, Vivian; Lietz, Christopher B.; Podvin, Sonia; Cajka, Tomas; Fiehn, Oliver

2018-05-01

Neuropeptides are short peptides in the range of 3-40 residues that are secreted for cell-cell communication in neuroendocrine systems. In the nervous system, neuropeptides comprise the largest group of neurotransmitters. In the endocrine system, neuropeptides function as peptide hormones to coordinate intercellular signaling among target physiological systems. The diversity of neuropeptide functions is defined by their distinct primary sequences, peptide lengths, proteolytic processing of pro-neuropeptide precursors, and covalent modifications. Global, untargeted neuropeptidomics mass spectrometry is advantageous for defining the structural features of the thousands to tens of thousands of neuropeptides present in biological systems. Defining neuropeptide structures is the basis for defining the proteolytic processing pathways that convert pro-neuropeptides into active peptides. Neuropeptidomics has revealed that processing of pro-neuropeptides occurs at paired basic residues sites, and at non-basic residue sites. Processing results in neuropeptides with known functions and generates novel peptides representing intervening peptide domains flanked by dibasic residue processing sites, identified by neuropeptidomics. While very short peptide products of 2-4 residues are predicted from pro-neuropeptide dibasic processing sites, such peptides have not been readily identified; therefore, it will be logical to utilize metabolomics to identify very short peptides with neuropeptidomics in future studies. Proteolytic processing is accompanied by covalent post-translational modifications (PTMs) of neuropeptides comprising C-terminal amidation, N-terminal pyroglutamate, disulfide bonds, phosphorylation, sulfation, acetylation, glycosylation, and others. Neuropeptidomics can define PTM features of neuropeptides. In summary, neuropeptidomics for untargeted, global analyses of neuropeptides is essential for elucidation of proteases that generate diverse neuropeptides for cell-cell signaling. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Diversity of Neuropeptide Cell-Cell Signaling Molecules Generated by Proteolytic Processing Revealed by Neuropeptidomics Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hook, Vivian; Lietz, Christopher B.; Podvin, Sonia; Cajka, Tomas; Fiehn, Oliver

2018-04-01

Neuropeptides are short peptides in the range of 3-40 residues that are secreted for cell-cell communication in neuroendocrine systems. In the nervous system, neuropeptides comprise the largest group of neurotransmitters. In the endocrine system, neuropeptides function as peptide hormones to coordinate intercellular signaling among target physiological systems. The diversity of neuropeptide functions is defined by their distinct primary sequences, peptide lengths, proteolytic processing of pro-neuropeptide precursors, and covalent modifications. Global, untargeted neuropeptidomics mass spectrometry is advantageous for defining the structural features of the thousands to tens of thousands of neuropeptides present in biological systems. Defining neuropeptide structures is the basis for defining the proteolytic processing pathways that convert pro-neuropeptides into active peptides. Neuropeptidomics has revealed that processing of pro-neuropeptides occurs at paired basic residues sites, and at non-basic residue sites. Processing results in neuropeptides with known functions and generates novel peptides representing intervening peptide domains flanked by dibasic residue processing sites, identified by neuropeptidomics. While very short peptide products of 2-4 residues are predicted from pro-neuropeptide dibasic processing sites, such peptides have not been readily identified; therefore, it will be logical to utilize metabolomics to identify very short peptides with neuropeptidomics in future studies. Proteolytic processing is accompanied by covalent post-translational modifications (PTMs) of neuropeptides comprising C-terminal amidation, N-terminal pyroglutamate, disulfide bonds, phosphorylation, sulfation, acetylation, glycosylation, and others. Neuropeptidomics can define PTM features of neuropeptides. In summary, neuropeptidomics for untargeted, global analyses of neuropeptides is essential for elucidation of proteases that generate diverse neuropeptides for cell-cell signaling. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Implementation of a Tabulated Failure Model Into a Generalized Composite Material Model Suitable for Use in Impact Problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldberg, Robert K.; Carney, Kelly S.; Dubois, Paul; Hoffarth, Canio; Khaled, Bilal; Shyamsunder, Loukham; Rajan, Subramaniam; Blankenhorn, Gunther

2017-01-01

The need for accurate material models to simulate the deformation, damage and failure of polymer matrix composites under impact conditions is becoming critical as these materials are gaining increased use in the aerospace and automotive communities. The aerospace community has identified several key capabilities which are currently lacking in the available material models in commercial transient dynamic finite element codes. To attempt to improve the predictive capability of composite impact simulations, a next generation material model is being developed for incorporation within the commercial transient dynamic finite element code LS-DYNA. The material model, which incorporates plasticity, damage and failure, utilizes experimentally based tabulated input to define the evolution of plasticity and damage and the initiation of failure as opposed to specifying discrete input parameters such as modulus and strength. The plasticity portion of the orthotropic, three-dimensional, macroscopic composite constitutive model is based on an extension of the Tsai-Wu composite failure model into a generalized yield function with a non-associative flow rule. For the damage model, a strain equivalent formulation is used to allow for the uncoupling of the deformation and damage analyses. For the failure model, a tabulated approach is utilized in which a stress or strain based invariant is defined as a function of the location of the current stress state in stress space to define the initiation of failure. Failure surfaces can be defined with any arbitrary shape, unlike traditional failure models where the mathematical functions used to define the failure surface impose a specific shape on the failure surface. In the current paper, the complete development of the failure model is described and the generation of a tabulated failure surface for a representative composite material is discussed.

Education and the cognitive decline associated with MRI-defined brain infarct.

PubMed

Elkins, J S; Longstreth, W T; Manolio, T A; Newman, A B; Bhadelia, R A; Johnston, S C

2006-08-08

To assess whether educational attainment, a correlate of cognitive reserve, predicts the amount of cognitive decline associated with a new brain infarct. The Cardiovascular Health Study is a population-based, longitudinal study of people aged 65 years and older. Cognitive function was measured annually using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) and the Digit-Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The authors tested whether education level modified 1) the cross-sectional association between cognitive performance and MRI-defined infarct and 2) the change in cognitive function associated with an incident infarct at a follow-up MRI. In cross-sectional analysis (n = 3,660), MRI-defined infarct was associated with a greater impact on 3MS performance in the lowest education quartile when compared with others (p for heterogeneity = 0.012). Among those with a follow-up MRI who had no infarct on initial MRI (n = 1,433), education level was not associated with the incidence, size, or location of new brain infarct. However, a new MRI-defined infarct predicted substantially greater decline in 3MS scores in the lowest education group compared with the others (6.3, 95% CI 4.4- to 8.2-point decline vs 1.7, 95% CI 0.7- to 2.7-point decline; p for heterogeneity < 0.001). Higher education was not associated with smaller declines in DSST performance in the setting of MRI-defined infarct. Education seems to modify an individual's decline on a test of general cognitive function when there is incident brain infarct. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that cognitive reserve influences the impact of vascular injury in the brain.

Value Engineering Synergies with Lean Six Sigma

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

understanding the problem, developing solutions, and evalu- ating pros and cons of the solutions. The paramount considerations are getting enough facts and...parts or labor operations. Functions are defined for every element of the product or process that con - sumes resources. The functions are typically...shoot bullets, detect movement, and so forth). A work function establishes quantitative statements. Functional definitions con - taining a verb and a

Generalized emission functions for photon emission from quark-gluon plasma

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

Suryanarayana, S. V.

The Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal effects on photon emission from the quark-gluon plasma have been studied as a function of photon mass, at a fixed temperature of the plasma. The integral equations for the transverse vector function [f-tilde)(p-tilde){sub (perpendicular)})] and the longitudinal function [g-tilde)(p-tilde){sub (perpendicular)})] consisting of multiple scattering effects are solved by the self-consistent iterations method and also by the variational method for the variable set {l_brace}p{sub 0},q{sub 0},Q{sup 2}{r_brace}. We considered the bremsstrahlung and the off shell annihilation (aws) processes. We define two new dynamical scaling variables, x{sub T},x{sub L}, for bremsstrahlung and aws processes which are functions of variables p{submore » 0},q{sub 0},Q{sup 2}. We define four new emission functions for massive photon emission represented by g{sub T}{sup b},g{sub T}{sup a},g{sub L}{sup b},g{sub L}{sup a} and we constructed these using the exact numerical solutions of the integral equations. These four emission functions have been parametrized by suitable simple empirical fits. Using the empirical emission functions, we calculated the imaginary part of the photon polarization tensor as a function of photon mass and energy.« less

Defining functioning levels in patients with schizophrenia: A combination of a novel clustering method and brain SPECT analysis.

PubMed

Catherine, Faget-Agius; Aurélie, Vincenti; Eric, Guedj; Pierre, Michel; Raphaëlle, Richieri; Marine, Alessandrini; Pascal, Auquier; Christophe, Lançon; Laurent, Boyer

2017-12-30

This study aims to define functioning levels of patients with schizophrenia by using a method of interpretable clustering based on a specific functioning scale, the Functional Remission Of General Schizophrenia (FROGS) scale, and to test their validity regarding clinical and neuroimaging characterization. In this observational study, patients with schizophrenia have been classified using a hierarchical top-down method called clustering using unsupervised binary trees (CUBT). Socio-demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging SPECT perfusion data were compared between the different clusters to ensure their clinical relevance. A total of 242 patients were analyzed. A four-group functioning level structure has been identified: 54 are classified as "minimal", 81 as "low", 64 as "moderate", and 43 as "high". The clustering shows satisfactory statistical properties, including reproducibility and discriminancy. The 4 clusters consistently differentiate patients. "High" functioning level patients reported significantly the lowest scores on the PANSS and the CDSS, and the highest scores on the GAF, the MARS and S-QoL 18. Functioning levels were significantly associated with cerebral perfusion of two relevant areas: the left inferior parietal cortex and the anterior cingulate. Our study provides relevant functioning levels in schizophrenia, and may enhance the use of functioning scale. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

MetaNET--a web-accessible interactive platform for biological metabolic network analysis.

PubMed

Narang, Pankaj; Khan, Shawez; Hemrom, Anmol Jaywant; Lynn, Andrew Michael

2014-01-01

Metabolic reactions have been extensively studied and compiled over the last century. These have provided a theoretical base to implement models, simulations of which are used to identify drug targets and optimize metabolic throughput at a systemic level. While tools for the perturbation of metabolic networks are available, their applications are limited and restricted as they require varied dependencies and often a commercial platform for full functionality. We have developed MetaNET, an open source user-friendly platform-independent and web-accessible resource consisting of several pre-defined workflows for metabolic network analysis. MetaNET is a web-accessible platform that incorporates a range of functions which can be combined to produce different simulations related to metabolic networks. These include (i) optimization of an objective function for wild type strain, gene/catalyst/reaction knock-out/knock-down analysis using flux balance analysis. (ii) flux variability analysis (iii) chemical species participation (iv) cycles and extreme paths identification and (v) choke point reaction analysis to facilitate identification of potential drug targets. The platform is built using custom scripts along with the open-source Galaxy workflow and Systems Biology Research Tool as components. Pre-defined workflows are available for common processes, and an exhaustive list of over 50 functions are provided for user defined workflows. MetaNET, available at http://metanet.osdd.net , provides a user-friendly rich interface allowing the analysis of genome-scale metabolic networks under various genetic and environmental conditions. The framework permits the storage of previous results, the ability to repeat analysis and share results with other users over the internet as well as run different tools simultaneously using pre-defined workflows, and user-created custom workflows.

Dynamic selection mechanism for quality of service aware web services

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Mello, Demian Antony; Ananthanarayana, V. S.

2010-02-01

A web service is an interface of the software component that can be accessed by standard Internet protocols. The web service technology enables an application to application communication and interoperability. The increasing number of web service providers throughout the globe have produced numerous web services providing the same or similar functionality. This necessitates the use of tools and techniques to search the suitable services available over the Web. UDDI (universal description, discovery and integration) is the first initiative to find the suitable web services based on the requester's functional demands. However, the requester's requirements may also include non-functional aspects like quality of service (QoS). In this paper, the authors define a QoS model for QoS aware and business driven web service publishing and selection. The authors propose a QoS requirement format for the requesters, to specify their complex demands on QoS for the web service selection. The authors define a tree structure called quality constraint tree (QCT) to represent the requester's variety of requirements on QoS properties having varied preferences. The paper proposes a QoS broker based architecture for web service selection, which facilitates the requesters to specify their QoS requirements to select qualitatively optimal web service. A web service selection algorithm is presented, which ranks the functionally similar web services based on the degree of satisfaction of the requester's QoS requirements and preferences. The paper defines web service provider qualities to distinguish qualitatively competitive web services. The paper also presents the modelling and selection mechanism for the requester's alternative constraints defined on the QoS. The authors implement the QoS broker based system to prove the correctness of the proposed web service selection mechanism.

The Protein Interactome of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Bacterial Meta-interactomes Improve Function Predictions.

PubMed

Wuchty, S; Rajagopala, S V; Blazie, S M; Parrish, J R; Khuri, S; Finley, R L; Uetz, P

2017-01-01

The functions of roughly a third of all proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae , a significant human-pathogenic bacterium, are unknown. Using a yeast two-hybrid approach, we have determined more than 2,000 novel protein interactions in this organism. We augmented this network with meta-interactome data that we defined as the pool of all interactions between evolutionarily conserved proteins in other bacteria. We found that such interactions significantly improved our ability to predict a protein's function, allowing us to provide functional predictions for 299 S. pneumoniae proteins with previously unknown functions. IMPORTANCE Identification of protein interactions in bacterial species can help define the individual roles that proteins play in cellular pathways and pathogenesis. Very few protein interactions have been identified for the important human pathogen S. pneumoniae . We used an experimental approach to identify over 2,000 new protein interactions for S. pneumoniae , the most extensive interactome data for this bacterium to date. To predict protein function, we used our interactome data augmented with interactions from other closely related bacteria. The combination of the experimental data and meta-interactome data significantly improved the prediction results, allowing us to assign possible functions to a large number of poorly characterized proteins.

New form of the exact NSVZ β-function: the three-loop verification for terms containing Yukawa couplings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazantsev, A. E.; Shakhmanov, V. Yu.; Stepanyantz, K. V.

2018-04-01

We investigate a recently proposed new form of the exact NSVZ β-function, which relates the β-function to the anomalous dimensions of the quantum gauge superfield, of the Faddeev-Popov ghosts, and of the chiral matter superfields. Namely, for the general renormalizable N = 1 supersymmetric gauge theory, regularized by higher covariant derivatives, the sum of all three-loop contributions to the β-function containing the Yukawa couplings is compared with the corresponding two-loop contributions to the anomalous dimensions of the quantum superfields. It is demonstrated that for the considered terms both new and original forms of the NSVZ relation are valid independently of the subtraction scheme if the renormalization group functions are defined in terms of the bare couplings. This result is obtained from the equality relating the loop integrals, which, in turn, follows from the factorization of the integrals for the β-function into integrals of double total derivatives. For the renormalization group functions defined in terms of the renormalized couplings we verify that the NSVZ scheme is obtained with the higher covariant derivative regularization supplemented by the subtraction scheme in which only powers of ln Λ /μ are included into the renormalization constants.

Studies on functional foods in Japan--state of the art.

PubMed

Arai, S

1996-01-01

This paper pinpoints the "tertiary" function of foods which, different from the conventional "primary" and "secondary" functions that are related to nutrition and preference, respectively, is understood to be directly involved in the modulation of our physiological systems such as the immune, endocrine, nerve, circulatory, and digestive systems. Insights into this newly defined function are particularly important in that the intake of some physiologically functional constituents of foods could be effective in preventing diseases that may be caused by disorders in these physiological systems. Technologically, it has become feasible to design and produce physiologically functional foods (simply, functional foods) that are expected to satisfy in whole or in part a today's demand for disease prevention by eating. Such public expectations are reflected in the activation and development of systematic, large-scale studies on foods as seen in "Grant-in-Aid" research sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has initiated a policy of officially approving functional foods in terms of "foods for specified health uses" as defined by new legislation. Up to now (October 1995), 58 items have thus been approved. The first was a hypoallergenic rice product approved as of June 1, 1993. Here I discuss details of studies on rice-based functional foods. Other basic and applied studies directed toward the tertiary function, with future perspectives for functional foods, are also discussed.

HSI top-down requirements analysis for ship manpower reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malone, Thomas B.; Bost, J. R.

2000-11-01

U.S. Navy ship acquisition programs such as DD 21 and CVNX are increasingly relying on top down requirements analysis (TDRA) to define and assess design approaches for workload and manpower reduction, and for ensuring required levels of human performance, reliability, safety, and quality of life at sea. The human systems integration (HSI) approach to TDRA begins with a function analysis which identifies the functions derived from the requirements in the Operational Requirements Document (ORD). The function analysis serves as the function baseline for the ship, and also supports the definition of RDT&E and Total Ownership Cost requirements. A mission analysis is then conducted to identify mission scenarios, again based on requirements in the ORD, and the Design Reference Mission (DRM). This is followed by a mission/function analysis which establishes the function requirements to successfully perform the ship's missions. Function requirements of major importance for HSI are information, performance, decision, and support requirements associated with each function. An allocation of functions defines the roles of humans and automation in performing the functions associated with a mission. Alternate design concepts, based on function allocation strategies, are then described, and task networks associated with the concepts are developed. Task network simulations are conducted to assess workloads and human performance capabilities associated with alternate concepts. An assessment of the affordability and risk associated with alternate concepts is performed, and manning estimates are developed for feasible design concepts.

Application of Quasi-Linearization Techniques to Rail Vehicle Dynamic Analyses

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1978-11-01

The objective of the work reported here was to define methods for applying the describing function technique to realistic models of nonlinear rail cars. The describing function method offers a compromise between the accuracy of nonlinear digital simu...

Management and Operations Auditing: A Business Oriented Management Structure For a Unified School District.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conway, Ernest J.; And Others

An operations audit was conducted for a school district. The purpose of the audit was to determine the organization of the central office and reorganize its structure and staff as appropriate to clearly define goals and objectives, specify roles and responsibilities, eliminate wasted or duplicated efforts, and functionally define operational work…

The role of fecundity and reproductive effort in defining life history strategies of North American freshwater mussels

Treesearch

Wendell R. Haag

2013-01-01

Selection is expected to optimize reproductive investment resulting in characteristic trade-offs among traits such as brood size, offspring size, somatic maintenance, and lifespan; relative patterns of energy allocation to these functions are important in defining life-history strategies. Freshwater mussels are a diverse and imperiled component of aquatic ecosystems,...

Maternal Psychosocial Functioning in Families of Very Low Birthweight Infants.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schlansker, Jill Thrift; And Others

Reported in this paper are preliminary results from a study designed to examine the development of self-esteem and mastery of mothers with infants of very low birth weight (VLBW). (The term "self-esteem" is defined as the degree of positive or negative self-regard reported by an individual, and "mastery" is defined as the…

Influence of Activity Mode on Feeling States of High School Physical Education Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hannon, James C.; Pellet, Tracey L.

2005-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine if changes in positive well-being, psychological distress, fatigue, and enjoyment vary as a function of physical activity mode. Fifty-five senior high school students participated in one of four fitness activities including two defined as traditional (running and step-aerobics) and two defined as…

Robust Multiple Linear Regression.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

difficulty, but it might have more solutions corresponding to local minima. Influence Function of M-Estimates The influence function describes the effect...distributionn n function. In case of M-Estimates the influence function was found to be pro- portional to and given as T(X F)) " C(xpF,T) = .(X.T(F) F(dx...where the inverse of any distribution function F is defined in the usual way as F- (s) = inf{x IF(x) > s) 0<sə Influence Function of L-Estimates In a

On the Relativistic Separable Functions for the Breakup Reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bondarenko, Serge G.; Burov, Valery V.; Rogochaya, Elena P.

2018-02-01

In the paper the so-called modified Yamaguchi function for the Bethe-Salpeter equation with a separable kernel is discussed. The type of the functions is defined by the analytic stucture of the hadron current with breakup - the reactions with interacting nucleon-nucleon pair in the final state (electro-, photo-, and nucleon-disintegration of the deuteron).

The Statistics of a Function

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Sheldon P.; Gordon, Florence S.

2010-01-01

One of the most important applications of the definite integral in a modern calculus course is the mean value of a function. Thus, if a function "f" is defined on an interval ["a", "b"], then the mean, or average value, of "f" is given by [image omitted]. In this note, we will investigate the meaning of other statistics associated with a function…

Unexpected Changes of Itinerary--Adaptive Functioning Difficulties in Daily Transitions for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rydzewska, Ewelina

2016-01-01

Adaptive functioning skills, also known as adaptive behaviours, refer to a multifaceted concept defined as behaviours necessary for age-appropriate, independent functioning in social, communication, daily living or motor areas. In light of the growing population of children with ASD who will eventually become adults, increased understanding of…

A hardware-oriented algorithm for floating-point function generation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Grady, E. Pearse; Young, Baek-Kyu

1991-01-01

An algorithm is presented for performing accurate, high-speed, floating-point function generation for univariate functions defined at arbitrary breakpoints. Rapid identification of the breakpoint interval, which includes the input argument, is shown to be the key operation in the algorithm. A hardware implementation which makes extensive use of read/write memories is used to illustrate the algorithm.

The NERV Methodology: Non-Functional Requirements Elicitation, Reasoning and Validation in Agile Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Domah, Darshan

2013-01-01

Agile software development has become very popular around the world in recent years, with methods such as Scrum and Extreme Programming (XP). Literature suggests that functionality is the primary focus in Agile processes while non-functional requirements (NFR) are either ignored or ill-defined. However, for software to be of good quality both…

Alternative Measurement Paradigms for Measuring Executive Functions: SEM (Formative and Reflective Models) and IRT (Rasch Models)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Engelhard, George, Jr.; Wang, Jue

2014-01-01

The authors of the Focus article pose important questions regarding whether or not performance-based tasks related to executive functioning are best viewed as reflective or formative indicators. Miyake and Friedman (2012) define executive functioning (EF) as "a set of general-purpose control mechanisms, often linked to the prefrontal cortex…

Some subclasses of multivalent functions involving a certain linear operator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srivastava, H. M.; Patel, J.

2005-10-01

The authors investigate various inclusion and other properties of several subclasses of the class of normalized p-valent analytic functions in the open unit disk, which are defined here by means of a certain linear operator. Problems involving generalized neighborhoods of analytic functions in the class are investigated. Finally, some applications of fractional calculus operators are considered.

The Importance of Motor Functional Levels from the Activity Limitation Perspective of ICF in Children with Cerebral Palsy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mutlu, Akmer

2010-01-01

Our purpose in this study was to evaluate performance and capacity as defined by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) from the "activity limitation" perspective of International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and to investigate the relationship between the…

Ground states of partially connected binary neural networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baram, Yoram

1990-01-01

Neural networks defined by outer products of vectors over (-1, 0, 1) are considered. Patterns over (-1, 0, 1) define by their outer products partially connected neural networks consisting of internally strongly connected, externally weakly connected subnetworks. Subpatterns over (-1, 1) define subnetworks, and their combinations that agree in the common bits define permissible words. It is shown that the permissible words are locally stable states of the network, provided that each of the subnetworks stores mutually orthogonal subwords, or, at most, two subwords. It is also shown that when each of the subnetworks stores two mutually orthogonal binary subwords at most, the permissible words, defined as the combinations of the subwords (one corresponding to each subnetwork), that agree in their common bits are the unique ground states of the associated energy function.

Evaluation of expert systems - An approach and case study. [of determining software functional requirements for command management of satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liebowitz, J.

1985-01-01

Techniques that were applied in defining an expert system prototype for first-cut evaluations of the software functional requirements of NASA satellite command management activities are described. The prototype was developed using the Knowledge Engineering System. Criteria were selected for evaluating the satellite software before defining the expert system prototype. Application of the prototype system is illustrated in terms of the evaluation procedures used with the COBE satellite to be launched in 1988. The limited number of options which can be considered by the program mandates that biases in the system output must be well understood by the users.

Life Extending Control. [mechanical fatigue in reusable rocket engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lorenzo, Carl F.; Merrill, Walter C.

1991-01-01

The concept of Life Extending Control is defined. Life is defined in terms of mechanical fatigue life. A brief description is given of the current approach to life prediction using a local, cyclic, stress-strain approach for a critical system component. An alternative approach to life prediction based on a continuous functional relationship to component performance is proposed. Based on cyclic life prediction, an approach to life extending control, called the Life Management Approach, is proposed. A second approach, also based on cyclic life prediction, called the implicit approach, is presented. Assuming the existence of the alternative functional life prediction approach, two additional concepts for Life Extending Control are presented.

Life extending control: A concept paper

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lorenzo, Carl F.; Merrill, Walter C.

1991-01-01

The concept of Life Extending Control is defined. Life is defined in terms of mechanical fatigue life. A brief description is given of the current approach to life prediction using a local, cyclic, stress-strain approach for a critical system component. An alternative approach to life prediction based on a continuous functional relationship to component performance is proposed.Base on cyclic life prediction an approach to Life Extending Control, called the Life Management Approach is proposed. A second approach, also based on cyclic life prediction, called the Implicit Approach, is presented. Assuming the existence of the alternative functional life prediction approach, two additional concepts for Life Extending Control are presented.

Tree-manipulating systems and Church-Rosser theorems.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosen, B. K.

1973-01-01

Study of a broad class of tree-manipulating systems called subtree replacement systems. The use of this framework is illustrated by general theorems analogous to the Church-Rosser theorem and by applications of these theorems. Sufficient conditions are derived for the Church-Rosser property, and their applications to recursive definitions, the lambda calculus, and parallel programming are discussed. McCarthy's (1963) recursive calculus is extended by allowing a choice between call-by-value and call-by-name. It is shown that recursively defined functions are single-valued despite the nondeterminism of the evaluation algorithm. It is also shown that these functions solve their defining equations in a 'canonical' manner.

Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) Architecture Standard. Release 1.02.1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinhart, Richard C.; Kacpura, Thomas J.; Handler, Louis M.; Hall, C. Steve; Mortensen, Dale J.; Johnson, Sandra K.; Briones, Janette C.; Nappier, Jennifer M.; Downey, Joseph A.; Lux, James P.

2012-01-01

This document contains the NASA architecture standard for software defined radios used in space- and ground-based platforms to enable commonality among radio developments to enhance capability and services while reducing mission and programmatic risk. Transceivers (or transponders) with functionality primarily defined in software (e.g., firmware) have the ability to change their functional behavior through software alone. This radio architecture standard offers value by employing common waveform software interfaces, method of instantiation, operation, and testing among different compliant hardware and software products. These common interfaces within the architecture abstract application software from the underlying hardware to enable technology insertion independently at either the software or hardware layer.

Discrete event simulation tool for analysis of qualitative models of continuous processing systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malin, Jane T. (Inventor); Basham, Bryan D. (Inventor); Harris, Richard A. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

An artificial intelligence design and qualitative modeling tool is disclosed for creating computer models and simulating continuous activities, functions, and/or behavior using developed discrete event techniques. Conveniently, the tool is organized in four modules: library design module, model construction module, simulation module, and experimentation and analysis. The library design module supports the building of library knowledge including component classes and elements pertinent to a particular domain of continuous activities, functions, and behavior being modeled. The continuous behavior is defined discretely with respect to invocation statements, effect statements, and time delays. The functionality of the components is defined in terms of variable cluster instances, independent processes, and modes, further defined in terms of mode transition processes and mode dependent processes. Model construction utilizes the hierarchy of libraries and connects them with appropriate relations. The simulation executes a specialized initialization routine and executes events in a manner that includes selective inherency of characteristics through a time and event schema until the event queue in the simulator is emptied. The experimentation and analysis module supports analysis through the generation of appropriate log files and graphics developments and includes the ability of log file comparisons.

Professional Competencies of Cuban Specialists in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine.

PubMed

Véliz-Martínez, Pedro L; Jorna-Calixto, Ana R; Oramas-González, René

2016-10-01

INTRODUCTION The quality of medical training and practice reflects the competency level of the professionals involved. The intensive care and emergency medicine specialty in Cuba has not defined its competencies. OBJECTIVE Identify the competencies required for specialty practice in intensive care and emergency medicine. METHODS The study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2015, using qualitative techniques; 48 professionals participated. We undertook functional occupational analysis, based on functions defined in a previous study. Three expert groups were utilized: the first used various group techniques; the second, the Delphi method; and the third, the Delphi method and a Likert questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 73 specific competencies were defined, grouped in 11 units: 44 in the patient care function, 16 in management, 7 in teaching and 6 in research. A competency map is provided. CONCLUSIONS The intensive care and emergency medicine specialty competencies identified will help improve professional standards, ensure health workforce quality, improve patient care and academic performance, and enable objective evaluation of specialists' competence and performance. KEYWORDS Clinical competency, competency-based education, professional education, intensive care, emergency medicine, urgent care, continuing medical education, curriculum, medical residency, Cuba.

From learning to forgetting: behavioral, circuitry, and molecular properties define the different functional states of the recognition memory trace.

PubMed

Romero-Granados, Rocío; Fontán-Lozano, Angela; Delgado-García, José María; Carrión, Angel M

2010-05-01

Neuropsychological analyses of amnesic patients, as well as lesion experiments, indicate that the temporal lobe is essential for the encoding, storage, and expression of object recognition memory (ORM). However, temporal lobe structures directly involved in the consolidation and reconsolidation of these memories are not yet well-defined. We report here that systemic administration of a protein synthesis inhibitor before or up to 4 h after training or reactivation sessions impairs consolidation and reconsolidation of ORM, without affecting short-term memory. We have also observed that ORM reconsolidation is sensitive to protein synthesis inhibition, independently of the ORM trace age. Using bdnf and egr-1 gene expression analysis, we defined temporal lobe areas related to consolidation and reconsolidation of ORM. Training and reactivation 21 days after ORM acquisition sessions provoked changes in bdnf mRNA in somatosensory, perirhinal, and hippocampal cortices. Reactivation 2 days after the training session elicited changes in bdnf and egr-1 mRNA in entorhinal and prefrontal cortices, while reactivation 9 days post-training provoked an increase in egr-1 transcription in somatosensory and entorhinal cortices. The differences in activated circuits and in the capacity to recall the memory trace after 9 or 21 days post-training suggest that memory trace suffers functional changes in this period of time. All these results indicate that the functional state of the recognition memory trace, from acquisition to forgetting, can be specifically defined by behavioral, circuitry, and molecular properties. 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

[X-ray semiotics of sialolithiasis in functional digital subtraction sialography].

PubMed

Iudin, L A; Kondrashin, S A; Afanas'ev, V V; Shchipskiĭ, A V

1995-01-01

Twenty-seven patients with sialolithiasis were examined using functional subtraction sialography developed by the authors. Differential diagnostic signs characterizing the degree of involvement of the salivary gland were defined. High efficacy of the method helps correctly plan the treatment strategy.

Ecological functions of riparian zones in Oregon hydrological landscapes

EPA Science Inventory

The ecological functions of streams and associated riparian zones are strongly influenced by the hydrological attributes of watersheds and landscapes in which they occur. Oregon hydrologic landscape regions (HLRs) have been defined based on four types of GIS data: 1) climate, 2) ...

An adjoint view on flux consistency and strong wall boundary conditions to the Navier–Stokes equations

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

Stück, Arthur, E-mail: arthur.stueck@dlr.de

2015-11-15

Inconsistent discrete expressions in the boundary treatment of Navier–Stokes solvers and in the definition of force objective functionals can lead to discrete-adjoint boundary treatments that are not a valid representation of the boundary conditions to the corresponding adjoint partial differential equations. The underlying problem is studied for an elementary 1D advection–diffusion problem first using a node-centred finite-volume discretisation. The defect of the boundary operators in the inconsistently defined discrete-adjoint problem leads to oscillations and becomes evident with the additional insight of the continuous-adjoint approach. A homogenisation of the discretisations for the primal boundary treatment and the force objective functional yieldsmore » second-order functional accuracy and eliminates the defect in the discrete-adjoint boundary treatment. Subsequently, the issue is studied for aerodynamic Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes problems in conjunction with a standard finite-volume discretisation on median-dual grids and a strong implementation of noslip walls, found in many unstructured general-purpose flow solvers. Going out from a base-line discretisation of force objective functionals which is independent of the boundary treatment in the flow solver, two improved flux-consistent schemes are presented; based on either body wall-defined or farfield-defined control-volumes they resolve the dual inconsistency. The behaviour of the schemes is investigated on a sequence of grids in 2D and 3D.« less

The effect of fMRI task combinations on determining the hemispheric dominance of language functions.

PubMed

Niskanen, Eini; Könönen, Mervi; Villberg, Ville; Nissi, Mikko; Ranta-Aho, Perttu; Säisänen, Laura; Karjalainen, Pasi; Aikiä, Marja; Kälviäinen, Reetta; Mervaala, Esa; Vanninen, Ritva

2012-04-01

The purpose of this study is to establish the most suitable combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) language tasks for clinical use in determining language dominance and to define the variability in laterality index (LI) and activation power between different combinations of language tasks. Activation patterns of different fMRI analyses of five language tasks (word generation, responsive naming, letter task, sentence comprehension, and word pair) were defined for 20 healthy volunteers (16 right-handed). LIs and sums of T values were calculated for each task separately and for four combinations of tasks in predefined regions of interest. Variability in terms of activation power and lateralization was defined in each analysis. In addition, the visual assessment of lateralization of language functions based on the individual fMRI activation maps was conducted by an experienced neuroradiologist. A combination analysis of word generation, responsive naming, and sentence comprehension was the most suitable in terms of activation power, robustness to detect essential language areas, and scanning time. In general, combination analyses of the tasks provided higher overall activation levels than single tasks and reduced the number of outlier voxels disturbing the calculation of LI. A combination of auditory and visually presented tasks that activate different aspects of language functions with sufficient activation power may be a useful task battery for determining language dominance in patients.

[Concordance between a head circumference growth function and intellectual disability in relation with the cause of microcephaly].

PubMed

Coronado, R; Macaya Ruíz, A; Giraldo Arjonilla, J; Roig-Quilis, M

2015-08-01

Our aim was to investigate the correlations between patterns of head growth and intellectual disability among distinct aetiological presentations of microcephaly. 3,269 head circumference (HC) charts of patients from a tertiary neuropediatric unit were reviewed and 136 microcephalic participants selected. Using the Z-scores of registered HC measurements we defined the variables: HC Minimum, HC Drop and HC Catch-up. We classified patients according to the presence or absence of intellectual disability (IQ below 71) and according to the cause of microcephaly (idiopathic, familial, syndromic, symptomatic and mixed). Using Discriminant Analysis a C-function was defined as C=HC Minimum + HC Drop with a cut-off level of C=-4.32 Z-score. In our sample 95% of patients scoring below this level, severe microcephaly, were classified in the disabled group while the overall concordance was 66%. In the symptomatic-mixed group the concordance between HC function and outcome reached 82% in contrast to only 54% in the idiopathic-syndromic group (P-value=0.0002). We defined a HC growth function which discriminates intellectual disability of microcephalic patients better than isolated HC measurements, especially for those with secondary and mixed aetiologies. Copyright © 2014 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Hollow fibers - Their applications to the study of mammalian cell function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hymer, W. C.; Angeline, M.; Harkness, J.; Chu, M.; Grindleland, R.

1984-01-01

The use of hollow fiber technology in cell culture and transplantation is examined. The morphologies of encapsulated pituitary cells before and after implantation into the rat are defined. Implantation experiments using hollow fibers to study mammalian cell functions are described. Consideration is given to examining somatotroph, prolactin, prostrate, fibroblast, and retinal cell functions. These experiments demonstrate that hollow fiber technology is applicable for studying mammalian cell functions.

Tug fleet and ground operations schedules and controls. Volume 2: Part 3, appendixes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

A space tug function description data sheet is prepared for each block of the space tug functional flow diagram. A summary of the basic information regarding the activities performed in its respective functional block is provided. The sheets are catalogued by functional flow block numbers with reference blocks at the end. The specific items of information contained in each data sheet are defined.

Fine-Grained Parcellation of Brain Connectivity Improves Differentiation of States of Consciousness During Graded Propofol Sedation.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaolin; Lauer, Kathryn K; Ward, B Douglas; Roberts, Christopher J; Liu, Suyan; Gollapudy, Suneeta; Rohloff, Robert; Gross, William; Xu, Zhan; Chen, Guangyu; Binder, Jeffrey R; Li, Shi-Jiang; Hudetz, Anthony G

2017-08-01

Conscious perception relies on interactions between spatially and functionally distinct modules of the brain at various spatiotemporal scales. These interactions are altered by anesthesia, an intervention that leads to fading consciousness. Relatively little is known about brain functional connectivity and its anesthetic modulation at a fine spatial scale. Here, we used functional imaging to examine propofol-induced changes in functional connectivity in brain networks defined at a fine-grained parcellation based on a combination of anatomical and functional features. Fifteen healthy volunteers underwent resting-state functional imaging in wakeful baseline, mild sedation, deep sedation, and recovery of consciousness. Compared with wakeful baseline, propofol produced widespread, dose-dependent functional connectivity changes that scaled with the extent to which consciousness was altered. The dominant changes in connectivity were associated with the frontal lobes. By examining node pairs that demonstrated a trend of functional connectivity change between wakefulness and deep sedation, quadratic discriminant analysis differentiated the states of consciousness in individual participants more accurately at a fine-grained parcellation (e.g., 2000 nodes) than at a coarse-grained parcellation (e.g., 116 anatomical nodes). Our study suggests that defining brain networks at a high granularity may provide a superior imaging-based distinction of the graded effect of anesthesia on consciousness.

Analytic properties for the honeycomb lattice Green function at the origin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joyce, G. S.

2018-05-01

The analytic properties of the honeycomb lattice Green function are investigated, where is a complex variable which lies in a plane. This double integral defines a single-valued analytic function provided that a cut is made along the real axis from w  =  ‑3 to . In order to analyse the behaviour of along the edges of the cut it is convenient to define the limit function where . It is shown that and can be evaluated exactly for all in terms of various hypergeometric functions, where the argument function is always real-valued and rational. The second-order linear Fuchsian differential equation satisfied by is also used to derive series expansions for and which are valid in the neighbourhood of the regular singular points and . Integral representations are established for and , where with . In particular, it is proved that where J 0(z) and Y 0(z) denote Bessel functions of the first and second kind, respectively. The results derived in the paper are utilized to evaluate the associated logarithmic integral where w lies in the cut plane. A new set of orthogonal polynomials which are connected with the honeycomb lattice Green function are also briefly discussed. Finally, a link between and the theory of Pearson random walks in a plane is established.

Planned Subtotal Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma Differs from the Ideal Radiosurgical Target Defined by Adaptive Hybrid Surgery.

PubMed

Sheppard, John P; Lagman, Carlito; Prashant, Giyarpuram N; Alkhalid, Yasmine; Nguyen, Thien; Duong, Courtney; Udawatta, Methma; Gaonkar, Bilwaj; Tenn, Stephen E; Bloch, Orin; Yang, Isaac

2018-06-01

To retrospectively compare ideal radiosurgical target volumes defined by a manual method (surgeon) to those determined by Adaptive Hybrid Surgery (AHS) operative planning software in 7 patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS). Four attending surgeons (3 neurosurgeons and 1 ear, nose, and throat surgeon) manually contoured planned residual tumors volumes for 7 consecutive patients with VS. Next, the AHS software determined the ideal radiosurgical target volumes based on a specified radiotherapy plan. Our primary measure was the difference between the average planned residual tumor volumes and the ideal radiosurgical target volumes defined by AHS (dRV AHS-planned ). We included 7 consecutive patients with VS in this study. The planned residual tumor volumes were smaller than the ideal radiosurgical target volumes defined by AHS (1.6 vs. 4.5 cm 3 , P = 0.004). On average, the actual post-operative residual tumor volumes were smaller than the ideal radiosurgical target volumes defined by AHS (2.2 cm 3 vs. 4.5 cm 3 ; P = 0.02). The average difference between the ideal radiosurgical target volume defined by AHS and the planned residual tumor volume (dRV AHS-planned ) was 2.9 ± 1.7 cm 3 , and we observed a trend toward larger dRV AHS-planned in patients who lost serviceable facial nerve function compared with patients who maintained serviceable facial nerve function (4.7 cm 3 vs. 1.9 cm 3 ; P = 0.06). Planned subtotal resection of VS diverges from the ideal radiosurgical target defined by AHS, but whether that influences clinical outcomes is unclear. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Programming of the complex logarithm function in the solution of the cracked anisotropic plate loaded by a point force

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaal, K. J. J. M.

1991-06-01

In programming solutions of complex function theory, the complex logarithm function is replaced by the complex logarithmic function, introducing a discontinuity along the branch cut into the programmed solution which was not present in the mathematical solution. Recently, Liaw and Kamel presented their solution of the infinite anisotropic centrally cracked plate loaded by an arbitrary point force, which they used as Green's function in a boundary element method intended to evaluate the stress intensity factor at the tip of a crack originating from an elliptical home. Their solution may be used as Green's function of many more numerical methods involving anisotropic elasticity. In programming applications of Liaw and Kamel's solution, the standard definition of the logarithmic function with the branch cut at the nonpositive real axis cannot provide a reliable computation of the displacement field for Liaw and Kamel's solution. Either the branch cut should be redefined outside the domain of the logarithmic function, after proving that the domain is limited to a part of the plane, or the logarithmic function should be defined on its Riemann surface. A two dimensional line fractal can provide the link between all mesh points on the plane essential to evaluate the logarithm function on its Riemann surface. As an example, a two dimensional line fractal is defined for a mesh once used by Erdogan and Arin.

Definition of Specific Functions and Procedural Skills Required by Cuban Specialists in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine.

PubMed

Véliz, Pedro L; Berra, Esperanza M; Jorna, Ana R

2015-07-01

INTRODUCTION Medical specialties' core curricula should take into account functions to be carried out, positions to be filled and populations to be served. The functions in the professional profile for specialty training of Cuban intensive care and emergency medicine specialists do not include all the activities that they actually perform in professional practice. OBJECTIVE Define the specific functions and procedural skills required of Cuban specialists in intensive care and emergency medicine. METHODS The study was conducted from April 2011 to September 2013. A three-stage methodological strategy was designed using qualitative techniques. By purposive maximum variation sampling, 82 professionals were selected. Documentary analysis and key informant criteria were used in the first stage. Two expert groups were formed in the second stage: one used various group techniques (focus group, oral and written brainstorming) and the second used a three-round Delphi method. In the final stage, a third group of experts was questioned in semistructured in-depth interviews, and a two-round Delphi method was employed to assess priorities. RESULTS Ultimately, 78 specific functions were defined: 47 (60.3%) patient care, 16 (20.5%) managerial, 6 (7.7%) teaching, and 9 (11.5%) research. Thirty-one procedural skills were identified. The specific functions and procedural skills defined relate to the profession's requirements in clinical care of the critically ill, management of patient services, teaching and research at the specialist's different occupational levels. CONCLUSIONS The specific functions and procedural skills required of intensive care and emergency medicine specialists were precisely identified by a scientific method. This product is key to improving the quality of teaching, research, administration and patient care in this specialty in Cuba. The specific functions and procedural skills identified are theoretical, practical, methodological and social contributions to inform future curricular reform and to help intensive care specialists enhance their performance in comprehensive patient care. KEYWORDS Intensive care, urgent care, emergency medicine, continuing medical education, curriculum, diagnostic techniques and procedures, medical residency, Cuba.

Modeling of a 3DTV service in the software-defined networking architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilczewski, Grzegorz

2014-11-01

In this article a newly developed concept towards modeling of a multimedia service offering stereoscopic motion imagery is presented. Proposed model is based on the approach of utilization of Software-defined Networking or Software Defined Networks architecture (SDN). The definition of 3D television service spanning SDN concept is identified, exposing basic characteristic of a 3DTV service in a modern networking organization layout. Furthermore, exemplary functionalities of the proposed 3DTV model are depicted. It is indicated that modeling of a 3DTV service in the Software-defined Networking architecture leads to multiplicity of improvements, especially towards flexibility of a service supporting heterogeneity of end user devices.

Sleep disturbances and reduced work functioning in depressive or anxiety disorders.

PubMed

van Mill, Josine G; Vogelzangs, Nicole; Hoogendijk, Witte J G; Penninx, Brenda W J H

2013-11-01

We aimed to examine the associations between sleep disturbances and work functioning in an epidemiologic cohort study in subjects with or without depressive or anxiety disorders. There were 707 subjects included in our analyses with depressive or anxiety disorders and 728 subjects without current depressive or anxiety disorders. Insomnia was defined as a score ≥9 using the Insomnia Rating Scale. Self-reported sleep duration was categorized in short, normal, and long (≤6, 7-9, and ≥10 h, respectively). Work absenteeism was defined as none, short (≤2 weeks), or long (>2 weeks). Work performance was defined as not impaired, reduced, or impaired. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of sleep disturbances with work functioning. In subjects with psychopathology, insomnia and short sleep duration were significantly associated with impaired work performance (odds ratio [OR] for insomnia, 2.20; [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.50-3.22]; OR for short sleep, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.66-3.88] compared to normal sleep duration). Insomnia (OR, 2.48 [95% CI, 1.67-3.69]) and short sleep duration (OR, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.23-2.78]) also were associated with long-term absenteeism. These findings remained the same after considering clinical characteristics including medication use and symptom severity. In subjects without psychopathology, no significant associations were found between insomnia and short sleep duration on work functioning after considering subthreshold depression symptoms. In subjects with psychopathology, sleep disturbances were negatively associated with work functioning, independent of disorder severity and use of psychotropic medication. Further research is needed to determine if treatment of sleep disturbances in subjects with psychopathology improves work functioning. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystal structure prediction supported by incomplete experimental data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsujimoto, Naoto; Adachi, Daiki; Akashi, Ryosuke; Todo, Synge; Tsuneyuki, Shinji

2018-05-01

We propose an efficient theoretical scheme for structure prediction on the basis of the idea of combining methods, which optimize theoretical calculation and experimental data simultaneously. In this scheme, we formulate a cost function based on a weighted sum of interatomic potential energies and a penalty function which is defined with partial experimental data totally insufficient for conventional structure analysis. In particular, we define the cost function using "crystallinity" formulated with only peak positions within the small range of the x-ray-diffraction pattern. We apply this method to well-known polymorphs of SiO2 and C with up to 108 atoms in the simulation cell and show that it reproduces the correct structures efficiently with very limited information of diffraction peaks. This scheme opens a new avenue for determining and predicting structures that are difficult to determine by conventional methods.

Human chimera-type galectin-3: defining the critical tail length for high-affinity glycoprotein/cell surface binding and functional competition with galectin-1 in neuroblastoma cell growth regulation.

PubMed

Kopitz, Jürgen; Vértesy, Sabine; André, Sabine; Fiedler, Sabine; Schnölzer, Martina; Gabius, Hans-Joachim

2014-09-01

Many human proteins have a modular design with receptor and structural domains. Using adhesion/growth-regulatory galectin-3 as model, we describe an interdisciplinary strategy to define the functional significance of its tail established by nine non-triple helical collagen-like repeats (I-IX) and the N-terminal peptide. Genetic engineering with sophisticated mass spectrometric product analysis provided the tools for biotesting, i.e. eight protein variants with different degrees of tail truncation. Evidently,various aspects of galectin-3 activity (cis binding and cell bridging) are affected by tail shortening in a different manner. Thus, this combined approach reveals an unsuspected complexity of structure-function relationship, encouraging further application beyond this chimera-type galectin. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

A development framework for distributed artificial intelligence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adler, Richard M.; Cottman, Bruce H.

1989-01-01

The authors describe distributed artificial intelligence (DAI) applications in which multiple organizations of agents solve multiple domain problems. They then describe work in progress on a DAI system development environment, called SOCIAL, which consists of three primary language-based components. The Knowledge Object Language defines models of knowledge representation and reasoning. The metaCourier language supplies the underlying functionality for interprocess communication and control access across heterogeneous computing environments. The metaAgents language defines models for agent organization coordination, control, and resource management. Application agents and agent organizations will be constructed by combining metaAgents and metaCourier building blocks with task-specific functionality such as diagnostic or planning reasoning. This architecture hides implementation details of communications, control, and integration in distributed processing environments, enabling application developers to concentrate on the design and functionality of the intelligent agents and agent networks themselves.

G-sequentially connectedness for topological groups with operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mucuk, Osman; Cakalli, Huseyin

2016-08-01

It is a well-known fact that for a Hausdorff topological group X, the limits of convergent sequences in X define a function denoted by lim from the set of all convergent sequences in X to X. This notion has been modified by Connor and Grosse-Erdmann for real functions by replacing lim with an arbitrary linear functional G defined on a linear subspace of the vector space of all real sequences. Recently some authors have extended the concept to the topological group setting and introduced the concepts of G-sequential continuity, G-sequential compactness and G-sequential connectedness. In this work, we present some results about G-sequentially closures, G-sequentially connectedness and fundamental system of G-sequentially open neighbourhoods for topological group with operations which include topological groups, topological rings without identity, R-modules, Lie algebras, Jordan algebras, and many others.

Technological advances and genomics in metazoan parasites.

PubMed

Knox, D P

2004-02-01

Molecular biology has provided the means to identify parasite proteins, to define their function, patterns of expression and the means to produce them in quantity for subsequent functional analyses. Whole genome and expressed sequence tag programmes, and the parallel development of powerful bioinformatics tools, allow the execution of genome-wide between stage or species comparisons and meaningful gene-expression profiling. The latter can be undertaken with several new technologies such as DNA microarray and serial analysis of gene expression. Proteome analysis has come to the fore in recent years providing a crucial link between the gene and its protein product. RNA interference and ballistic gene transfer are exciting developments which can provide the means to precisely define the function of individual genes and, of importance in devising novel parasite control strategies, the effect that gene knockdown will have on parasite survival.

Mapping Interactions between Myosin Relay and Converter Domains That Power Muscle Function*

PubMed Central

Kronert, William A.; Melkani, Girish C.; Melkani, Anju; Bernstein, Sanford I.

2014-01-01

Intramolecular communication within myosin is essential for its function as motor, but the specific amino acid residue interactions required are unexplored within muscle cells. Using Drosophila melanogaster skeletal muscle myosin, we performed a novel in vivo molecular suppression analysis to define the importance of three relay loop amino acid residues (Ile508, Asn509, and Asp511) in communicating with converter domain residue Arg759. We found that the N509K relay mutation suppressed defects in myosin ATPase, in vitro motility, myofibril stability, and muscle function associated with the R759E converter mutation. Through molecular modeling, we define a mechanism for this interaction and suggest why the I508K and D511K relay mutations fail to suppress R759E. Interestingly, I508K disabled motor function and myofibril assembly, suggesting that productive relay-converter interaction is essential for both processes. We conclude that the putative relay-converter interaction mediated by myosin residues 509 and 759 is critical for the biochemical and biophysical function of skeletal muscle myosin and the normal ultrastructural and mechanical properties of muscle. PMID:24627474

Evaluating gambles using dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, O.; Gell-Mann, M.

2016-02-01

Gambles are random variables that model possible changes in wealth. Classic decision theory transforms money into utility through a utility function and defines the value of a gamble as the expectation value of utility changes. Utility functions aim to capture individual psychological characteristics, but their generality limits predictive power. Expectation value maximizers are defined as rational in economics, but expectation values are only meaningful in the presence of ensembles or in systems with ergodic properties, whereas decision-makers have no access to ensembles, and the variables representing wealth in the usual growth models do not have the relevant ergodic properties. Simultaneously addressing the shortcomings of utility and those of expectations, we propose to evaluate gambles by averaging wealth growth over time. No utility function is needed, but a dynamic must be specified to compute time averages. Linear and logarithmic "utility functions" appear as transformations that generate ergodic observables for purely additive and purely multiplicative dynamics, respectively. We highlight inconsistencies throughout the development of decision theory, whose correction clarifies that our perspective is legitimate. These invalidate a commonly cited argument for bounded utility functions.

Experimental determination of the particle motions associated with the low order acoustic modes in enclosures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byrne, K. P.; Marshall, S. E.

1983-01-01

A procedure for experimentally determining, in terms of the particle motions, the shapes of the low order acoustic modes in enclosures is described. The procedure is based on finding differentiable functions which approximate the shape functions of the low order acoustic modes when these modes are defined in terms of the acoustic pressure. The differentiable approximating functions are formed from polynomials which are fitted by a least squares procedure to experimentally determined values which define the shapes of the low order acoustic modes in terms of the acoustic pressure. These experimentally determined values are found by a conventional technique in which the transfer functions, which relate the acoustic pressures at an array of points in the enclosure to the volume velocity of a fixed point source, are measured. The gradient of the function which approximates the shape of a particular mode in terms of the acoustic pressure is evaluated to give the mode shape in terms of the particle motion. The procedure was tested by using it to experimentally determine the shapes of the low order acoustic modes in a small rectangular enclosure.

Statistical Techniques Complement UML When Developing Domain Models of Complex Dynamical Biosystems.

PubMed

Williams, Richard A; Timmis, Jon; Qwarnstrom, Eva E

2016-01-01

Computational modelling and simulation is increasingly being used to complement traditional wet-lab techniques when investigating the mechanistic behaviours of complex biological systems. In order to ensure computational models are fit for purpose, it is essential that the abstracted view of biology captured in the computational model, is clearly and unambiguously defined within a conceptual model of the biological domain (a domain model), that acts to accurately represent the biological system and to document the functional requirements for the resultant computational model. We present a domain model of the IL-1 stimulated NF-κB signalling pathway, which unambiguously defines the spatial, temporal and stochastic requirements for our future computational model. Through the development of this model, we observe that, in isolation, UML is not sufficient for the purpose of creating a domain model, and that a number of descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques provide complementary perspectives, in particular when modelling the heterogeneity of dynamics at the single-cell level. We believe this approach of using UML to define the structure and interactions within a complex system, along with statistics to define the stochastic and dynamic nature of complex systems, is crucial for ensuring that conceptual models of complex dynamical biosystems, which are developed using UML, are fit for purpose, and unambiguously define the functional requirements for the resultant computational model.

Statistical Techniques Complement UML When Developing Domain Models of Complex Dynamical Biosystems

PubMed Central

Timmis, Jon; Qwarnstrom, Eva E.

2016-01-01

Computational modelling and simulation is increasingly being used to complement traditional wet-lab techniques when investigating the mechanistic behaviours of complex biological systems. In order to ensure computational models are fit for purpose, it is essential that the abstracted view of biology captured in the computational model, is clearly and unambiguously defined within a conceptual model of the biological domain (a domain model), that acts to accurately represent the biological system and to document the functional requirements for the resultant computational model. We present a domain model of the IL-1 stimulated NF-κB signalling pathway, which unambiguously defines the spatial, temporal and stochastic requirements for our future computational model. Through the development of this model, we observe that, in isolation, UML is not sufficient for the purpose of creating a domain model, and that a number of descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques provide complementary perspectives, in particular when modelling the heterogeneity of dynamics at the single-cell level. We believe this approach of using UML to define the structure and interactions within a complex system, along with statistics to define the stochastic and dynamic nature of complex systems, is crucial for ensuring that conceptual models of complex dynamical biosystems, which are developed using UML, are fit for purpose, and unambiguously define the functional requirements for the resultant computational model. PMID:27571414

Using Perceptual Signatures to Define and Dissociate Condition-Specific Neural Etiology: Autism and Fragile X Syndrome as Model Conditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bertone, Armando; Hanck, Julie; Kogan, Cary; Chaudhuri, Avi; Cornish, Kim

2010-01-01

The functional link between genetic alteration and behavioral end-state is rarely straightforward and never linear. Cases where neurodevlopmental conditions defined by a distinct genetic etiology share behavioral phenotypes are exemplary, as is the case for autism and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). In this paper and its companion paper, we propose a…

What's at Stake in the Lives of People with Intellectual Disability? Part II: Recommendations for Naming, Defining, Diagnosing, Classifying, and Planning Supports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luckasson, Ruth; Schalock, Robert L.

2013-01-01

This article focuses on recommendations for naming, defining, diagnosing, classifying, and planning supports for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). The article provides an overview of the essential questions addressed by the respective functions and provides a series of specific recommendations that address the high stakes involved for…

Schools Funding in Georgia: Changes, Problems and Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maglakelidze, Shorena; Giorgobiani, Zurab; Shukakidze, Berika

2013-01-01

There is no fixed rule about how financial resources must be directed to the education sector. It is quite clear that the size of investment in the sector well defines the quality of education students are offered. It is highly important to define the amount of money, which is needed for effective functioning of schools and it is also important to…

Commentary on Simon and Lichten's "Defining Mental Retardation: A Matter of Life and Death"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bellini, James

2007-01-01

This article presents the author's comments on Simon and Lichten's "Defining Mental Retardation: A Matter of Life and Death." Lichten and Simon (2007) argued for the use of a Total Quotient (TQ) that combines existing IQ and adaptive functioning scores into a single index. They proposed that the TQ index will improve the accuracy of mental…

Delusions of Grandeur: The Search for a Vibrant Rural America. Staff Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freshwater, David

Rural development is rarely defined and there is no clear definition of what the development process intends to accomplish. The nature of the larger economy in which rural places must operate has changed in ways that reduce the relative advantage of most rural areas and have left them struggling to define new economic functions. The political…

Inducible in vivo DNA footprints define sequences necessary for UV light activation of the parsley chalcone synthase gene.

PubMed Central

Schulze-Lefert, P; Dangl, J L; Becker-André, M; Hahlbrock, K; Schulz, W

1989-01-01

We began characterization of the protein--DNA interactions necessary for UV light induced transcriptional activation of the gene encoding chalcone synthase (CHS), a key plant defense enzyme. Three light dependent in vivo footprints appear on a 90 bp stretch of the CHS promoter with a time course correlated with the onset of CHS transcription. We define a minimal light responsive promoter by functional analysis of truncated CHS promoter fusions with a reporter gene in transient expression experiments in parsley protoplasts. Two of the three footprinted sequence 'boxes' reside within the minimal promoter. Replacement of 10 bp within either of these 'boxes' leads to complete loss of light responsiveness. We conclude that these sequences define the necessary cis elements of the minimal CHS promoter's light responsive element. One of the functionally defined 'boxes' is homologous to an element implicated in regulation of genes involved in photosynthesis. These data represent the first example in a plant defense gene of an induced change in protein--DNA contacts necessary for transcriptional activation. Also, our data argue strongly that divergent light induced biosynthetic pathways share common regulatory units. Images PMID:2566481

Combined reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peripheral artery disease in sedentary elders with functional limitations.

PubMed

Vaz Fragoso, Carlos A; Hsu, Fang-Chi; Brinkley, Tina; Church, Timothy; Liu, Christine K; Manini, Todd; Newman, Anne B; Stafford, Randall S; McDermott, Mary M; Gill, Thomas M

2014-09-01

Because they are potentially modifiable and may coexist, we evaluated the combined occurrence of a reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), including its association with exertional symptoms, physical inactivity, and impaired mobility, in sedentary elders with functional limitations. Cross sectional. Lifestyle Interventions and Independence in Elder (LIFE) Study. A total of 1307 sedentary community-dwelling persons, mean age 78.9, with functional limitations (Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB] <10). A reduced FEV1 was defined by a z-score less than -1.64 (

[Correlations between functional activity of animal blood lymphocytes and change in solar activity].

PubMed

Karnaukhova, N A; Sergievich, L A

1999-01-01

It is shown that increase of Solar activity as measurement of the intensity of solar radio emissions at frequency of 2804 MHz leads to the reducing of the functional activity of immunocompetent cells in animal blood defining by parameter alpha.

Collaborative Undergraduate HBCU Student Summer Training Program Award

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

facultyTab The Wright Labo ratory is focuse d on defining the composition, activity, and overall cellul ar function of protein complexes in...overall cellul ar function of protein complexes in higher organisms. We utilize quantitative mass spectrometry as a platform to study protein

The epigenetic landscape of mammary gland development and functional differentiation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Most of the development and functional differentiation in the mammary gland occur after birth. Epigenetics is defined as the stable alterations in gene expression potential that arise during development and proliferation. Epigenetic changes are mediated at the biochemical level by the chromatin conf...

Instructional Applications of Hypermedia: Functional Features, Limitations, and Research Issues.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Ok-choon

1992-01-01

Defines hypermedia and describes the structure and functional requirements of a hypermedia program. Potentials of hypermedia for instructional delivery, idea generation and organization, file storage and organization, and development of computer-based instruction materials are discussed. Several research issues related to instructional…

Mutant mouse models and their contribution to our knowledge of corpus luteum development, function and regression.

PubMed

Henkes, Luiz E; Davis, John S; Rueda, Bo R

2003-11-10

The corpus luteum is a unique organ, which is transitory in nature. The development, maintenance and regression of the corpus luteum are regulated by endocrine, paracrine and autocrine signaling events. Defining the specific mediators of luteal development, maintenance and regression has been difficult and often perplexing due to the complexity that stems from the variety of cell types that make up the luteal tissue. Moreover, some regulators may serve dual functions as a luteotropic and luteolytic agent depending on the temporal and spatial environment in which they are expressed. As a result, some confusion is present in the interpretation of in vitro and in vivo studies. More recently investigators have utilized mutant mouse models to define the functional significance of specific gene products. The goal of this mini-review is to identify and discuss mutant mouse models that have luteal anomalies, which may provide some clues as to the significance of specific regulators of corpus luteum function.

Generation of Functional Human Retinal Ganglion Cells with Target Specificity from Pluripotent Stem Cells by Chemically Defined Recapitulation of Developmental Mechanism.

PubMed

Teotia, Pooja; Chopra, Divyan A; Dravid, Shashank Manohar; Van Hook, Matthew J; Qiu, Fang; Morrison, John; Rizzino, Angie; Ahmad, Iqbal

2017-03-01

Glaucoma is a complex group of diseases wherein a selective degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lead to irreversible loss of vision. A comprehensive approach to glaucomatous RGC degeneration may include stem cells to functionally replace dead neurons through transplantation and understand RGCs vulnerability using a disease in a dish stem cell model. Both approaches require the directed generation of stable, functional, and target-specific RGCs from renewable sources of cells, that is, the embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Here, we demonstrate a rapid and safe, stage-specific, chemically defined protocol that selectively generates RGCs across species, including human, by recapitulating the developmental mechanism. The de novo generated RGCs from pluripotent cells are similar to native RGCs at the molecular, biochemical, functional levels. They also express axon guidance molecules, and discriminate between specific and nonspecific targets, and are nontumorigenic. Stem Cells 2017;35:572-585. © 2016 AlphaMed Press.

Satellite services system analysis study. Volume 1, part 2: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

The early mission model was developed through a survey of the potential user market. Service functions were defined and a group of design reference missions were selected which represented needs for each of the service functions. Servicing concepts were developed through mission analysis and STS timeline constraint analysis. The hardware needs for accomplishing the service functions were identified with emphasis being placed on applying equipment in the current NASA inventory and that in advanced stages of planning. A more comprehensive service model was developed based on the NASA and DoD mission models segregated by mission class. The number of service events of each class were estimated based on average revisit and service assumptions. Service Kits were defined as collections of equipment applicable to performing one or more service functions. Preliminary design was carrid out on a selected set of hardware needed for early service missions. The organization and costing of the satellie service systems were addressed.

Incidence of cognitively defined late-onset Alzheimer's dementia subgroups from a prospective cohort study.

PubMed

Crane, Paul K; Trittschuh, Emily; Mukherjee, Shubhabrata; Saykin, Andrew J; Sanders, R Elizabeth; Larson, Eric B; McCurry, Susan M; McCormick, Wayne; Bowen, James D; Grabowski, Thomas; Moore, Mackenzie; Bauman, Julianna; Gross, Alden L; Keene, C Dirk; Bird, Thomas D; Gibbons, Laura E; Mez, Jesse

2017-12-01

There may be biologically relevant heterogeneity within typical late-onset Alzheimer's dementia. We analyzed cognitive data from people with incident late-onset Alzheimer's dementia from a prospective cohort study. We determined individual averages across memory, visuospatial functioning, language, and executive functioning. We identified domains with substantial impairments relative to that average. We compared demographic, neuropathology, and genetic findings across groups defined by relative impairments. During 32,286 person-years of follow-up, 869 people developed Alzheimer's dementia. There were 393 (48%) with no domain with substantial relative impairments. Some participants had isolated relative impairments in memory (148, 18%), visuospatial functioning (117, 14%), language (71, 9%), and executive functioning (66, 8%). The group with isolated relative memory impairments had higher proportions with ≥ APOE ε4 allele, more extensive Alzheimer's-related neuropathology, and higher proportions with other Alzheimer's dementia genetic risk variants. A cognitive subgrouping strategy may identify biologically distinct subsets of people with Alzheimer's dementia. Copyright © 2017 the Alzheimer's Association. All rights reserved.

Crack propagation in functionally graded strip under thermal shock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, I. V.; Sadowski, T.; Pietras, D.

2013-09-01

The thermal shock problem in a strip made of functionally graded composite with an interpenetrating network micro-structure of Al2O3 and Al is analysed numerically. The material considered here could be used in brake disks or cylinder liners. In both applications it is subjected to thermal shock. The description of the position-dependent properties of the considered functionally graded material are based on experimental data. Continuous functions were constructed for the Young's modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity and implemented as user-defined material properties in user-defined subroutines of the commercial finite element software ABAQUS™. The thermal stress and the residual stress of the manufacturing process distributions inside the strip are considered. The solution of the transient heat conduction problem for thermal shock is used for crack propagation simulation using the XFEM method. The crack length developed during the thermal shock is the criterion for crack resistance of the different graduation profiles as a step towards optimization of the composition gradient with respect to thermal shock sensitivity.

The C. elegans Connectome Consists of Homogenous Circuits with Defined Functional Roles

PubMed Central

Azulay, Aharon; Zaslaver, Alon

2016-01-01

A major goal of systems neuroscience is to decipher the structure-function relationship in neural networks. Here we study network functionality in light of the common-neighbor-rule (CNR) in which a pair of neurons is more likely to be connected the more common neighbors it shares. Focusing on the fully-mapped neural network of C. elegans worms, we establish that the CNR is an emerging property in this connectome. Moreover, sets of common neighbors form homogenous structures that appear in defined layers of the network. Simulations of signal propagation reveal their potential functional roles: signal amplification and short-term memory at the sensory/inter-neuron layer, and synchronized activity at the motoneuron layer supporting coordinated movement. A coarse-grained view of the neural network based on homogenous connected sets alone reveals a simple modular network architecture that is intuitive to understand. These findings provide a novel framework for analyzing larger, more complex, connectomes once these become available. PMID:27606684

Non-Invasive Assessment of Liver Function

PubMed Central

Helmke, Steve; Colmenero, Jordi; Everson, Gregory T.

2015-01-01

Purpose of review It is our opinion that there is an unmet need in Hepatology for a minimally- or noninvasive test of liver function and physiology. Quantitative liver function tests (QLFTs) define the severity and prognosis of liver disease by measuring the clearance of substrates whose uptake or metabolism is dependent upon liver perfusion or hepatocyte function. Substrates with high affinity hepatic transporters exhibit high “first-pass” hepatic extraction and their clearance measures hepatic perfusion. In contrast, substrates metabolized by the liver have low first-pass extraction and their clearance measures specific drug metabolizing pathways. Recent Findings We highlight one QLFT, the dual cholate test, and introduce the concept of a disease severity index (DSI) linked to clinical outcome that quantifies the simultaneous processes of hepatocyte uptake, clearance from the systemic circulation, clearance from the portal circulation, and portal-systemic shunting. Summary It is our opinion that dual cholate is a relevant test for defining disease severity, monitoring the natural course of disease progression, and quantifying the response to therapy. PMID:25714706

Introducing new reactivity descriptors: "Bond reactivity indices." Comparison of the new definitions and atomic reactivity indices.

PubMed

Sánchez-Márquez, Jesús

2016-11-21

A new methodology to obtain reactivity indices has been defined. This is based on reactivity functions such as the Fukui function or the dual descriptor and makes it possible to project the information of reactivity functions over molecular orbitals instead of the atoms of the molecule (atomic reactivity indices). The methodology focuses on the molecule's natural bond orbitals (bond reactivity indices) because these orbitals (with physical meaning) have the advantage of being very localized, allowing the reaction site of an electrophile or nucleophile to be determined within a very precise molecular region. This methodology gives a reactivity index for every Natural Bond Orbital (NBO), and we have verified that they have equivalent information to the reactivity functions. A representative set of molecules has been used to test the new definitions. Also, the bond reactivity index has been related with the atomic reactivity one, and complementary information has been obtained from the comparison. Finally, a new atomic reactivity index has been defined and compared with previous definitions.

Dietary fiber type reflects physiological functionality: comparison of grain fiber, inulin, and polydextrose.

PubMed

Raninen, Kaisa; Lappi, Jenni; Mykkänen, Hannu; Poutanen, Kaisa

2011-01-01

Dietary fiber is a nutritional concept based not on physiological functions but on defined chemical and physical properties. Recent definitions of dietary fiber differentiate inherent plant cell wall-associated fiber from isolated or synthetic fiber. For the latter to be defined as fiber, beneficial physiological effects should be demonstrated, such as laxative effects, fermentability, attenuation of blood cholesterol levels, or postprandial glucose response. Grain fibers are a major natural source of dietary fiber worldwide, while inulin, a soluble indigestible fructose polymer isolated from chicory, and polydextrose, a synthetic indigestible glucose polymer, have more simple structures. Inulin and polydextrose show many of the same functionalities of grain fiber in the large intestine, in that they are fermentable, bifidogenic, and laxative. The reported effects on postprandial blood glucose and fasting cholesterol levels have been modest, but grain fibers also show variable effects. New biomarkers are needed to link the physiological functions of specific fibers with long-term health benefits. © 2011 International Life Sciences Institute.

New Insights on the White Dwarf Luminosity and Mass Functions from the LSS-GAC Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rebassa-Mansergas, Alberto; Liu, Xiaowei; Cojocaru, Ruxandra; Torres, Santiago; García–Berro, Enrique; Yuan, Haibo; Huang, Yang; Xiang, Maosheng

2015-06-01

The white dwarf (WD) population observed in magnitude-limited surveys can be used to derive the luminosity function (LF) and mass function (MF), once the corresponding volume corrections are employed. However, the WD samples from which the observational LFs and MFs are built are the result of complicated target selection algorithms. Thus, it is difficult to quantify the effects of the observational biases on the observed functions. The LAMOST (Large sky Area Multi-Object fiber Spectroscopic Telescope) spectroscopic survey of the Galactic anti-center (LSS-GAC) has well-defined selection criteria. This is a noticeable advantage over previous surveys. Here we derive the WD LF and MF of the LSS-GAC, and use a Monte Carlo code to simulate the WD population in the Galactic anti-center. We apply the well-defined LSS-GAC selection criteria to the simulated populations, taking into account all observational biases, and perform the first meaningful comparison between the simulated WD LFs and MFs and the observed ones.

Vector dissimilarity and clustering.

PubMed

Lefkovitch, L P

1991-04-01

Based on the description of objects by m attributes, an m-element vector dissimilarity function is defined that, unlike scalar functions, retains the distinction among attributes. This function, which satisfies the conditions for a metric, allows the definition of betweenness, which can then be used for clustering. Applications to the subset-generation phase of conditional clustering and to nearest-neighbor-type algorithms are described.

Prospective Teachers' Reactions to "Right-or-Wrong" Tasks: The Case of Derivatives of Absolute Value Functions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tsamir, Pessia; Rasslan, Shaker; Dreyfus, Tommy

2006-01-01

This paper illustrates the role of a "Thinking-about-Derivatives" task in identifying learners' derivative conceptions and for promoting their critical thinking about derivatives of absolute value functions. The task included three parts: "Define" the derivative of a function f(x) at x = x[subscript 0], "Solve-if-Possible" the derivative of f(x) =…

Aberrant Functional Activation in School Age Children At-Risk for Mathematical Disability: A Functional Imaging Study of Simple Arithmetic Skill

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Nicole; Cannistraci, Christopher J.; Rogers, Baxter P.; Gatenby, J. Christopher; Fuchs, Lynn S.; Anderson, Adam W.; Gore, John C.

2009-01-01

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the patterns of brain activation associated with different levels of performance in exact and approximate calculation tasks in well-defined cohorts of children with mathematical calculation difficulties (MD) and typically developing controls. Both groups of children activated the same…

The Metapedagogic Function of Language: Language for Language Teaching (Cases from the Nepalese Context)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poudel, Kamal Kumar

2017-01-01

The metalingual (also called "metalinguistic") function of language is a well-discussed concept in the literature of functional linguistics. It is often conceived as a purpose in which language is used to define or talk about language itself. Similarly, the purpose in which language is used for teaching in general is explained as the…

Mining approximate temporal functional dependencies with pure temporal grouping in clinical databases.

PubMed

Combi, Carlo; Mantovani, Matteo; Sabaini, Alberto; Sala, Pietro; Amaddeo, Francesco; Moretti, Ugo; Pozzi, Giuseppe

2015-07-01

Functional dependencies (FDs) typically represent associations over facts stored by a database, such as "patients with the same symptom get the same therapy." In more recent years, some extensions have been introduced to represent both temporal constraints (temporal functional dependencies - TFDs), as "for any given month, patients with the same symptom must have the same therapy, but their therapy may change from one month to the next one," and approximate properties (approximate functional dependencies - AFDs), as "patients with the same symptomgenerallyhave the same therapy." An AFD holds most of the facts stored by the database, enabling some data to deviate from the defined property: the percentage of data which violate the given property is user-defined. According to this scenario, in this paper we introduce approximate temporal functional dependencies (ATFDs) and use them to mine clinical data. Specifically, we considered the need for deriving new knowledge from psychiatric and pharmacovigilance data. ATFDs may be defined and measured either on temporal granules (e.g.grouping data by day, week, month, year) or on sliding windows (e.g.a fixed-length time interval which moves over the time axis): in this regard, we propose and discuss some specific and efficient data mining techniques for ATFDs. We also developed two running prototypes and showed the feasibility of our proposal by mining two real-world clinical data sets. The clinical interest of the dependencies derived considering the psychiatry and pharmacovigilance domains confirms the soundness and the usefulness of the proposed techniques. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Specialization and integration of functional thalamocortical connectivity in the human infant.

PubMed

Toulmin, Hilary; Beckmann, Christian F; O'Muircheartaigh, Jonathan; Ball, Gareth; Nongena, Pumza; Makropoulos, Antonios; Ederies, Ashraf; Counsell, Serena J; Kennea, Nigel; Arichi, Tomoki; Tusor, Nora; Rutherford, Mary A; Azzopardi, Denis; Gonzalez-Cinca, Nuria; Hajnal, Joseph V; Edwards, A David

2015-05-19

Connections between the thalamus and cortex develop rapidly before birth, and aberrant cerebral maturation during this period may underlie a number of neurodevelopmental disorders. To define functional thalamocortical connectivity at the normal time of birth, we used functional MRI (fMRI) to measure blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals in 66 infants, 47 of whom were at high risk of neurocognitive impairment because of birth before 33 wk of gestation and 19 of whom were term infants. We segmented the thalamus based on correlation with functionally defined cortical components using independent component analysis (ICA) and seed-based correlations. After parcellating the cortex using ICA and segmenting the thalamus based on dominant connections with cortical parcellations, we observed a near-facsimile of the adult functional parcellation. Additional analysis revealed that BOLD signal in heteromodal association cortex typically had more widespread and overlapping thalamic representations than primary sensory cortex. Notably, more extreme prematurity was associated with increased functional connectivity between thalamus and lateral primary sensory cortex but reduced connectivity between thalamus and cortex in the prefrontal, insular and anterior cingulate regions. This work suggests that, in early infancy, functional integration through thalamocortical connections depends on significant functional overlap in the topographic organization of the thalamus and that the experience of premature extrauterine life modulates network development, altering the maturation of networks thought to support salience, executive, integrative, and cognitive functions.

Specialization and integration of functional thalamocortical connectivity in the human infant

PubMed Central

Toulmin, Hilary; Beckmann, Christian F.; O'Muircheartaigh, Jonathan; Ball, Gareth; Nongena, Pumza; Makropoulos, Antonios; Ederies, Ashraf; Counsell, Serena J.; Kennea, Nigel; Arichi, Tomoki; Tusor, Nora; Rutherford, Mary A.; Azzopardi, Denis; Gonzalez-Cinca, Nuria; Hajnal, Joseph V.; Edwards, A. David

2015-01-01

Connections between the thalamus and cortex develop rapidly before birth, and aberrant cerebral maturation during this period may underlie a number of neurodevelopmental disorders. To define functional thalamocortical connectivity at the normal time of birth, we used functional MRI (fMRI) to measure blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals in 66 infants, 47 of whom were at high risk of neurocognitive impairment because of birth before 33 wk of gestation and 19 of whom were term infants. We segmented the thalamus based on correlation with functionally defined cortical components using independent component analysis (ICA) and seed-based correlations. After parcellating the cortex using ICA and segmenting the thalamus based on dominant connections with cortical parcellations, we observed a near-facsimile of the adult functional parcellation. Additional analysis revealed that BOLD signal in heteromodal association cortex typically had more widespread and overlapping thalamic representations than primary sensory cortex. Notably, more extreme prematurity was associated with increased functional connectivity between thalamus and lateral primary sensory cortex but reduced connectivity between thalamus and cortex in the prefrontal, insular and anterior cingulate regions. This work suggests that, in early infancy, functional integration through thalamocortical connections depends on significant functional overlap in the topographic organization of the thalamus and that the experience of premature extrauterine life modulates network development, altering the maturation of networks thought to support salience, executive, integrative, and cognitive functions. PMID:25941391

Integral definition of the logarithmic function and the derivative of the exponential function in calculus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaninsky, Alexander

2015-04-01

Defining the logarithmic function as a definite integral with a variable upper limit, an approach used by some popular calculus textbooks, is problematic. We discuss the disadvantages of such a definition and provide a way to fix the problem. We also consider a definition-based, rigorous derivation of the derivative of the exponential function that is easier, more intuitive, and complies with the standard definitions of the number e, the logarithmic, and the exponential functions.

Functional Bregman Divergence and Bayesian Estimation of Distributions (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

shows that if the set of possible minimizers A includes EPF [F ], then g∗ = EPF [F ] minimizes the expectation of any Bregman divergence. Note the theorem...probability distribution PF defined over the set M. Let A be a set of functions that includes EPF [F ] if it exists. Suppose the function g∗ minimizes...the expected Bregman divergence between the random function F and any function g ∈ A such that g∗ = arg inf g∈A EPF [dφ(F, g)]. Then, if g∗ exists

Segmentation Algorithms for Detection of Targets in IR Imagery (Algorithmes de Segmentation pour la Detection de Cibles sur Images IR),

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-01

This fact being established, leptokurtic and platykurtic density functions are defined in terms of deviations from the normal density function. Thus...the usual definitions (Ref. 6) are: Leptokurtic - A density function that is peaked, K > 0, [18] and Platykurtic - A density function that is flat, K...has long Deen accepted that a symmetrical platykurtic density function, with K<O, is characterized by a flatter top and more abrupt terminals than the

On a cost functional for H2/H(infinity) minimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macmartin, Douglas G.; Hall, Steven R.; Mustafa, Denis

1990-01-01

A cost functional is proposed and investigated which is motivated by minimizing the energy in a structure using only collocated feedback. Defined for an H(infinity)-norm bounded system, this cost functional also overbounds the H2 cost. Some properties of this cost functional are given, and preliminary results on the procedure for minimizing it are presented. The frequency domain cost functional is shown to have a time domain representation in terms of a Stackelberg non-zero sum differential game.

Goal-Function Tree Modeling for Systems Engineering and Fault Management

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patterson, Jonathan D.; Johnson, Stephen B.

2013-01-01

The draft NASA Fault Management (FM) Handbook (2012) states that Fault Management (FM) is a "part of systems engineering", and that it "demands a system-level perspective" (NASAHDBK- 1002, 7). What, exactly, is the relationship between systems engineering and FM? To NASA, systems engineering (SE) is "the art and science of developing an operable system capable of meeting requirements within often opposed constraints" (NASA/SP-2007-6105, 3). Systems engineering starts with the elucidation and development of requirements, which set the goals that the system is to achieve. To achieve these goals, the systems engineer typically defines functions, and the functions in turn are the basis for design trades to determine the best means to perform the functions. System Health Management (SHM), by contrast, defines "the capabilities of a system that preserve the system's ability to function as intended" (Johnson et al., 2011, 3). Fault Management, in turn, is the operational subset of SHM, which detects current or future failures, and takes operational measures to prevent or respond to these failures. Failure, in turn, is the "unacceptable performance of intended function." (Johnson 2011, 605) Thus the relationship of SE to FM is that SE defines the functions and the design to perform those functions to meet system goals and requirements, while FM detects the inability to perform those functions and takes action. SHM and FM are in essence "the dark side" of SE. For every function to be performed (SE), there is the possibility that it is not successfully performed (SHM); FM defines the means to operationally detect and respond to this lack of success. We can also describe this in terms of goals: for every goal to be achieved, there is the possibility that it is not achieved; FM defines the means to operationally detect and respond to this inability to achieve the goal. This brief description of relationships between SE, SHM, and FM provide hints to a modeling approach to provide formal connectivity between the nominal (SE), and off-nominal (SHM and FM) aspects of functions and designs. This paper describes a formal modeling approach to the initial phases of the development process that integrates the nominal and off-nominal perspectives in a model that unites SE goals and functions of with the failure to achieve goals and functions (SHM/FM). This methodology and corresponding model, known as a Goal-Function Tree (GFT), provides a means to represent, decompose, and elaborate system goals and functions in a rigorous manner that connects directly to design through use of state variables that translate natural language requirements and goals into logical-physical state language. The state variable-based approach also provides the means to directly connect FM to the design, by specifying the range in which state variables must be controlled to achieve goals, and conversely, the failures that exist if system behavior go out-of-range. This in turn allows for the systems engineers and SHM/FM engineers to determine which state variables to monitor, and what action(s) to take should the system fail to achieve that goal. In sum, the GFT representation provides a unified approach to early-phase SE and FM development. This representation and methodology has been successfully developed and implemented using Systems Modeling Language (SysML) on the NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Program. It enabled early design trade studies of failure detection coverage to ensure complete detection coverage of all crew-threatening failures. The representation maps directly both to FM algorithm designs, and to failure scenario definitions needed for design analysis and testing. The GFT representation provided the basis for mapping of abort triggers into scenarios, both needed for initial, and successful quantitative analyses of abort effectiveness (detection and response to crew-threatening events).

Baseline Architecture of ITER Control System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wallander, A.; Di Maio, F.; Journeaux, J.-Y.; Klotz, W.-D.; Makijarvi, P.; Yonekawa, I.

2011-08-01

The control system of ITER consists of thousands of computers processing hundreds of thousands of signals. The control system, being the primary tool for operating the machine, shall integrate, control and coordinate all these computers and signals and allow a limited number of staff to operate the machine from a central location with minimum human intervention. The primary functions of the ITER control system are plant control, supervision and coordination, both during experimental pulses and 24/7 continuous operation. The former can be split in three phases; preparation of the experiment by defining all parameters; executing the experiment including distributed feed-back control and finally collecting, archiving, analyzing and presenting all data produced by the experiment. We define the control system as a set of hardware and software components with well defined characteristics. The architecture addresses the organization of these components and their relationship to each other. We distinguish between physical and functional architecture, where the former defines the physical connections and the latter the data flow between components. In this paper, we identify the ITER control system based on the plant breakdown structure. Then, the control system is partitioned into a workable set of bounded subsystems. This partition considers at the same time the completeness and the integration of the subsystems. The components making up subsystems are identified and defined, a naming convention is introduced and the physical networks defined. Special attention is given to timing and real-time communication for distributed control. Finally we discuss baseline technologies for implementing the proposed architecture based on analysis, market surveys, prototyping and benchmarking carried out during the last year.

On s*g-continuous Functions on Topological Spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, M.; Hussain, Murad

2010-11-01

The aim of this paper is to introduce and study the concept of s*g-continuous and s*g-closed functions. We investigate their relation with already existing notions. We also introduce s*g-irresolute function and investigate its relation with s*g-continuous function. When the s*g-closed sets are preserved, is also studied. In the end, we define and study the notions of s*g-compactness and s*g-connectedness.

Wigner functions defined with Laplace transform kernels.

PubMed

Oh, Se Baek; Petruccelli, Jonathan C; Tian, Lei; Barbastathis, George

2011-10-24

We propose a new Wigner-type phase-space function using Laplace transform kernels--Laplace kernel Wigner function. Whereas momentum variables are real in the traditional Wigner function, the Laplace kernel Wigner function may have complex momentum variables. Due to the property of the Laplace transform, a broader range of signals can be represented in complex phase-space. We show that the Laplace kernel Wigner function exhibits similar properties in the marginals as the traditional Wigner function. As an example, we use the Laplace kernel Wigner function to analyze evanescent waves supported by surface plasmon polariton. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Heterogeneity in ADHD: Neurocognitive predictors of peer, family, and academic functioning.

PubMed

Kofler, Michael J; Sarver, Dustin E; Spiegel, Jamie A; Day, Taylor N; Harmon, Sherelle L; Wells, Erica L

2017-08-01

Childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with impairments in peer, family, and academic functioning. Although impairment is required for diagnosis, children with ADHD vary significantly in the areas in which they demonstrate clinically significant impairment. However, relatively little is known about the mechanisms and processes underlying these individual differences. The current study examined neurocognitive predictors of heterogeneity in peer, family, and academic functioning in a well-defined sample of 44 children with ADHD aged 8-13 years (M = 10.31, SD = 1.42; 31 boys, 13 girls; 81% Caucasian). Reliable change analysis indicated that 98% of the sample demonstrated objectively-defined impairment on at least one assessed outcome measure; 65% were impaired in two or all three areas of functioning. ADHD children with quantifiable deficits in academic success and family functioning performed worse on tests of working memory (d = 0.68 to 1.09), whereas children with impaired parent-reported social functioning demonstrated slower processing speed (d = 0.53). Dimensional analyses identified additional predictors of peer, family, and academic functioning. Working memory abilities were associated with individual differences in all three functional domains, processing speed predicted social functioning, and inhibitory control predicted family functioning. These results add to a growing literature implicating neurocognitive abilities not only in explaining behavioral differences between ADHD and non-ADHD groups, but also in the substantial heterogeneity in ecologically-valid functional outcomes associated with the disorder.

Unsteady Solution of Non-Linear Differential Equations Using Walsh Function Series

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gnoffo, Peter A.

2015-01-01

Walsh functions form an orthonormal basis set consisting of square waves. The discontinuous nature of square waves make the system well suited for representing functions with discontinuities. The product of any two Walsh functions is another Walsh function - a feature that can radically change an algorithm for solving non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs). The solution algorithm of non-linear differential equations using Walsh function series is unique in that integrals and derivatives may be computed using simple matrix multiplication of series representations of functions. Solutions to PDEs are derived as functions of wave component amplitude. Three sample problems are presented to illustrate the Walsh function series approach to solving unsteady PDEs. These include an advection equation, a Burgers equation, and a Riemann problem. The sample problems demonstrate the use of the Walsh function solution algorithms, exploiting Fast Walsh Transforms in multi-dimensions (O(Nlog(N))). Details of a Fast Walsh Reciprocal, defined here for the first time, enable inversion of aWalsh Symmetric Matrix in O(Nlog(N)) operations. Walsh functions have been derived using a fractal recursion algorithm and these fractal patterns are observed in the progression of pairs of wave number amplitudes in the solutions. These patterns are most easily observed in a remapping defined as a fractal fingerprint (FFP). A prolongation of existing solutions to the next highest order exploits these patterns. The algorithms presented here are considered a work in progress that provide new alternatives and new insights into the solution of non-linear PDEs.

Functional Internet Literacy: Required Cognitive Skills with Implications for Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Genevieve Marie

2007-01-01

Patterns of typical Internet use provide the basis for defining "functional Internet literacy." Internet use commonly includes communication, information, recreation, and commercial activities. Technical competence with connectivity, security, and downloads is a prerequisite for using the Internet for such activities. Bloom's taxonomy of cognitive…

Space station automation study. Volume 2: Technical report. Autonomous systems and assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

The application of automation to space station functions is discussed. A summary is given of the evolutionary functions associated with long range missions and objectives. Mission tasks and requirements are defined. Space station sub-systems, mission models, assembly, and construction are discussed.

Parameters of Higher Education Quality Assessment System at Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Savickiene, Izabela

2005-01-01

The article analyses the system of institutional quality assessment at universities and lays foundation to its functional, morphological and processual parameters. It also presents the concept of the system and discusses the distribution of systems into groups, defines information, accountability, improvement and benchmarking functions of higher…

Simulating bimodal tall fescue growth with a degree-day-based process-oriented plant model

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Plant growth simulation models have a temperature response function driving development, with a base temperature and an optimum temperature defined. Such growth simulation models often function well when plant development rate shows a continuous change throughout the growing season. This approach ...

Preliminary Candidate Advanced Avionics System (PCAAS). [reduction in single pilot workload during instrument flight rules flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teper, G. L.; Hon, R. H.; Smyth, R. K.

1977-01-01

Specifications which define the system functional requirements, the subsystem and interface needs, and other requirements such as maintainability, modularity, and reliability are summarized. A design definition of all required avionics functions and a system risk analysis are presented.

The Protein Interactome of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Bacterial Meta-interactomes Improve Function Predictions

PubMed Central

Rajagopala, S. V.; Blazie, S. M.; Parrish, J. R.; Khuri, S.; Finley, R. L.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The functions of roughly a third of all proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae, a significant human-pathogenic bacterium, are unknown. Using a yeast two-hybrid approach, we have determined more than 2,000 novel protein interactions in this organism. We augmented this network with meta-interactome data that we defined as the pool of all interactions between evolutionarily conserved proteins in other bacteria. We found that such interactions significantly improved our ability to predict a protein’s function, allowing us to provide functional predictions for 299 S. pneumoniae proteins with previously unknown functions. IMPORTANCE Identification of protein interactions in bacterial species can help define the individual roles that proteins play in cellular pathways and pathogenesis. Very few protein interactions have been identified for the important human pathogen S. pneumoniae. We used an experimental approach to identify over 2,000 new protein interactions for S. pneumoniae, the most extensive interactome data for this bacterium to date. To predict protein function, we used our interactome data augmented with interactions from other closely related bacteria. The combination of the experimental data and meta-interactome data significantly improved the prediction results, allowing us to assign possible functions to a large number of poorly characterized proteins. PMID:28744484

How should spin-weighted spherical functions be defined?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyle, Michael

2016-09-01

Spin-weighted spherical functions provide a useful tool for analyzing tensor-valued functions on the sphere. A tensor field can be decomposed into complex-valued functions by taking contractions with tangent vectors on the sphere and the normal to the sphere. These component functions are usually presented as functions on the sphere itself, but this requires an implicit choice of distinguished tangent vectors with which to contract. Thus, we may more accurately say that spin-weighted spherical functions are functions of both a point on the sphere and a choice of frame in the tangent space at that point. The distinction becomes extremely important when transforming the coordinates in which these functions are expressed, because the implicit choice of frame will also transform. Here, it is proposed that spin-weighted spherical functions should be treated as functions on the spin or rotation groups, which simultaneously tracks the point on the sphere and the choice of tangent frame by rotating elements of an orthonormal basis. In practice, the functions simply take a quaternion argument and produce a complex value. This approach more cleanly reflects the geometry involved, and allows for a more elegant description of the behavior of spin-weighted functions. In this form, the spin-weighted spherical harmonics have simple expressions as elements of the Wigner 𝔇 representations, and transformations under rotation are simple. Two variants of the angular-momentum operator are defined directly in terms of the spin group; one is the standard angular-momentum operator L, while the other is shown to be related to the spin-raising operator ð.

One-loop gravitational wave spectrum in de Sitter spacetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fröb, Markus B.; Roura, Albert; Verdaguer, Enric

2012-08-01

The two-point function for tensor metric perturbations around de Sitter spacetime including one-loop corrections from massless conformally coupled scalar fields is calculated exactly. We work in the Poincaré patch (with spatially flat sections) and employ dimensional regularization for the renormalization process. Unlike previous studies we obtain the result for arbitrary time separations rather than just equal times. Moreover, in contrast to existing results for tensor perturbations, ours is manifestly invariant with respect to the subgroup of de Sitter isometries corresponding to a simultaneous time translation and rescaling of the spatial coordinates. Having selected the right initial state for the interacting theory via an appropriate iepsilon prescription is crucial for that. Finally, we show that although the two-point function is a well-defined spacetime distribution, the equal-time limit of its spatial Fourier transform is divergent. Therefore, contrary to the well-defined distribution for arbitrary time separations, the power spectrum is strictly speaking ill-defined when loop corrections are included.

Generalized spherical and simplicial coordinates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richter, Wolf-Dieter

2007-12-01

Elementary trigonometric quantities are defined in l2,p analogously to that in l2,2, the sine and cosine functions are generalized for each p>0 as functions sinp and cosp such that they satisfy the basic equation cosp([phi])p+sinp([phi])p=1. The p-generalized radius coordinate of a point [xi][set membership, variant]Rn is defined for each p>0 as . On combining these quantities, ln,p-spherical coordinates are defined. It is shown that these coordinates are nearly related to ln,p-simplicial coordinates. The Jacobians of these generalized coordinate transformations are derived. Applications and interpretations from analysis deal especially with the definition of a generalized surface content on ln,p-spheres which is nearly related to a modified co-area formula and an extension of Cavalieri's and Torricelli's indivisibeln method, and with differential equations. Applications from probability theory deal especially with a geometric interpretation of the uniform probability distribution on the ln,p-sphere and with the derivation of certain generalized statistical distributions.

Defining the cortical visual systems: "what", "where", and "how"

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Creem, S. H.; Proffitt, D. R.; Kaiser, M. K. (Principal Investigator)

2001-01-01

The visual system historically has been defined as consisting of at least two broad subsystems subserving object and spatial vision. These visual processing streams have been organized both structurally as two distinct pathways in the brain, and functionally for the types of tasks that they mediate. The classic definition by Ungerleider and Mishkin labeled a ventral "what" stream to process object information and a dorsal "where" stream to process spatial information. More recently, Goodale and Milner redefined the two visual systems with a focus on the different ways in which visual information is transformed for different goals. They relabeled the dorsal stream as a "how" system for transforming visual information using an egocentric frame of reference in preparation for direct action. This paper reviews recent research from psychophysics, neurophysiology, neuropsychology and neuroimaging to define the roles of the ventral and dorsal visual processing streams. We discuss a possible solution that allows for both "where" and "how" systems that are functionally and structurally organized within the posterior parietal lobe.

Mixed Emotions Across Adulthood: When, Where, and Why?

PubMed Central

Charles, Susan T.; Piazza, Jennifer R.; Urban, Emily J.

2017-01-01

Psychologists often interpret mixed emotional experiences, defined as experiencing more than one emotion over a given period of time, as indicative of greater emotional complexity and more adaptive functioning. In the present paper, we briefly review studies that have examined these experiences across adulthood. We describe how mixed emotions have been defined in the lifespan literature, and how the various studies examining age differences in this phenomenon have yielded discrepant results. We then discuss future research directions that could clarify the nature of mixed emotions and their utility in adulthood, including the assessment of situational context, understanding when mixed emotions are adaptive in daily life, and determining how cognitive functioning is involved in these experiences. PMID:29085868

Synthetic lipids and their role in defining macromolecular assemblies.

PubMed

Parrill, Abby L

2015-10-01

Lipids have a variety of physiological roles, ranging from structural and biophysical contributions to membrane functions to signaling contributions in normal and abnormal physiology. This review highlights some of the contributions made by Robert Bittman to our understanding of lipid assemblies through the production of synthetic lipid analogs in the sterol, sphingolipid, and glycolipid classes. His contributions have included the development of a fluorescent cholesterol analog that shows strong functional analogies to cholesterol that has allowed live imaging of cholesterol distribution in living systems, to stereospecific synthetic approaches to both sphingolipid and glycolipid analogs crucial in defining the structure-activity relationships of lipid biological targets. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modelling safety of multistate systems with ageing components

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

Kołowrocki, Krzysztof; Soszyńska-Budny, Joanna

An innovative approach to safety analysis of multistate ageing systems is presented. Basic notions of the ageing multistate systems safety analysis are introduced. The system components and the system multistate safety functions are defined. The mean values and variances of the multistate systems lifetimes in the safety state subsets and the mean values of their lifetimes in the particular safety states are defined. The multi-state system risk function and the moment of exceeding by the system the critical safety state are introduced. Applications of the proposed multistate system safety models to the evaluation and prediction of the safty characteristics ofmore » the consecutive “m out of n: F” is presented as well.« less

Module Architecture for in Situ Space Laboratories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sherwood, Brent

2010-01-01

The paper analyzes internal outfitting architectures for space exploration laboratory modules. ISS laboratory architecture is examined as a baseline for comparison; applicable insights are derived. Laboratory functional programs are defined for seven planet-surface knowledge domains. Necessary and value-added departures from the ISS architecture standard are defined, and three sectional interior architecture options are assessed for practicality and potential performance. Contemporary guidelines for terrestrial analytical laboratory design are found to be applicable to the in-space functional program. Densepacked racks of system equipment, and high module volume packing ratios, should not be assumed as the default solution for exploration laboratories whose primary activities include un-scriptable investigations and experimentation on the system equipment itself.

Static shape control for flexible structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodriguez, G.; Scheid, R. E., Jr.

1986-01-01

An integrated methodology is described for defining static shape control laws for large flexible structures. The techniques include modeling, identifying and estimating the control laws of distributed systems characterized in terms of infinite dimensional state and parameter spaces. The models are expressed as interconnected elliptic partial differential equations governing a range of static loads, with the capability of analyzing electromagnetic fields around antenna systems. A second-order analysis is carried out for statistical errors, and model parameters are determined by maximizing an appropriate defined likelihood functional which adjusts the model to observational data. The parameter estimates are derived from the conditional mean of the observational data, resulting in a least squares superposition of shape functions obtained from the structural model.

Global Patterns of Guild Composition and Functional Diversity of Spiders

PubMed Central

Cardoso, Pedro; Pekár, Stano; Jocqué, Rudy; Coddington, Jonathan A.

2011-01-01

The objectives of this work are: (1) to define spider guilds for all extant families worldwide; (2) test if guilds defined at family level are good surrogates of species guilds; (3) compare the taxonomic and guild composition of spider assemblages from different parts of the world; (4) compare the taxonomic and functional diversity of spider assemblages and; (5) relate functional diversity with habitat structure. Data on foraging strategy, prey range, vertical stratification and circadian activity was collected for 108 families. Spider guilds were defined by hierarchical clustering. We searched for inconsistencies between family guild placement and the known guild of each species. Richness and abundance per guild before and after correcting guild placement were compared, as were the proportions of each guild and family between all possible pairs of sites. Functional diversity per site was calculated based on hierarchical clustering. Eight guilds were discriminated: (1) sensing, (2) sheet, (3) space, and (4) orb web weavers; (5) specialists; (6) ambush, (7) ground, and (8) other hunters. Sixteen percent of the species richness corresponding to 11% of all captured individuals was incorrectly attributed to a guild by family surrogacy; however, the correlation of uncorrected vs. corrected guilds was invariably high. The correlation of guild richness or abundances was generally higher than the correlation of family richness or abundances. Functional diversity was not always higher in the tropics than in temperate regions. Families may potentially serve as ecological surrogates for species. Different families may present similar roles in the ecosystems, with replacement of some taxa by other within the same guild. Spiders in tropical regions seem to have higher redundancy of functional roles and/or finer resource partitioning than in temperate regions. Although species and family diversity were higher in the tropics, functional diversity seems to be also influenced by altitude and habitat structure. PMID:21738772

Evaluation of Revascularization Subtypes in Octogenarians Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

PubMed Central

Aziz, Abdulhameed; Lee, Anson M.; Pasque, Michael K.; Lawton, Jennifer S.; Moazami, Nader; Damiano, Ralph J.; Moon, Marc R.

2009-01-01

Background Recent data suggest that octogenarians’ long-term survival after complete CABG revascularization is superior to incomplete revascularization. Discriminating between variable definitions of “complete” complicates interpretation of survival data. We aimed to clarify octogenarian long-term survival rates by stratifying revascularization subtypes. Methods and Results From 1986 to 2007, 580 patients 80 to 94 years of age underwent CABG. Functional complete revascularization was defined as at least one graft to all diseased coronary vessels with greater than 50% stenosis. Traditional complete revascularization was defined as one graft to each major arterial system with at least 50% stenosis. Incomplete revascularization was defined as leaving diseased, ungrafted regions. Revascularization was functional in 279 (48%), traditional in 181 (31%), and incomplete in 120 (21%). Long-term survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Of 537 operative survivors, there were 402 late deaths. Cumulative long-term survival totaled 2,890 patient-years. Late survival (Kaplan-Meier) was similar between functional (6.8 years, mean) and traditional (6.7 years) groups (p=0.51), but diminished with incomplete (4.2 years) revascularization (p=0.007). Survival by group at 5 years was: 59±3% functional, 57±4% traditional, and 45±5% incomplete. Survival at 8 years was: 40±3% functional, 37±4% traditional, and 26±5% incomplete. To minimize selection bias in patients with limited life expectancy, Kaplan-Meier analysis was repeated including only patients with survival greater than 12 months. Survival was again impaired with incomplete revascularization (p=0.04), and there was no difference between functional and traditional complete revascularization (p=0.73). Conclusions Bypassing all diseased arterial vessels after revascularization does not afford significant long-term survival advantage compared to a traditional approach. Incomplete revascularization, related to more extensive disease, is associated with an 18% decline in survival. These data suggest that it is important to avoid incomplete revascularization in octogenarians, but the supplementary endeavor required to perform functional complete revascularization does not improve survival. PMID:19752388

Photon antibunching from a single lithographically defined InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot.

PubMed

Verma, V B; Stevens, Martin J; Silverman, K L; Dias, N L; Garg, A; Coleman, J J; Mirin, R P

2011-02-28

We demonstrate photon antibunching from a single lithographically defined quantum dot fabricated by electron beam lithography, wet chemical etching, and overgrowth of the barrier layers by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Measurement of the second-order autocorrelation function indicates g(2)(0)=0.395±0.030, below the 0.5 limit necessary for classification as a single photon source.

Chandrasekhar equations for infinite dimensional systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ito, K.; Powers, R. K.

1985-01-01

Chandrasekhar equations are derived for linear time invariant systems defined on Hilbert spaces using a functional analytic technique. An important consequence of this is that the solution to the evolutional Riccati equation is strongly differentiable in time and one can define a strong solution of the Riccati differential equation. A detailed discussion on the linear quadratic optimal control problem for hereditary differential systems is also included.

Content-Addressable Memory Storage by Neural Networks: A General Model and Global Liapunov Method,

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

point ex- ists. Liapunov functions were also described for Volterra -Lotka systems whose off-diagonal terms are relatively small (Kilmer, 1972...field, bidirectional associative memory, Volterra -Lotka, Gilpin-Ayala, and Eigen- Schuster models. The Cohen-Grossberg model thus defines a general...masking field, bidirectional associative memory. Volterra -Lotka, Gilpin-Ayala. and Eigen-Schuster models. The Cohen-Grossberg model thus defines a

Path-integral invariants in abelian Chern-Simons theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guadagnini, E.; Thuillier, F.

2014-05-01

We consider the U(1) Chern-Simons gauge theory defined in a general closed oriented 3-manifold M; the functional integration is used to compute the normalized partition function and the expectation values of the link holonomies. The non-perturbative path-integral is defined in the space of the gauge orbits of the connections which belong to the various inequivalent U(1) principal bundles over M; the different sectors of configuration space are labelled by the elements of the first homology group of M and are characterized by appropriate background connections. The gauge orbits of flat connections, whose classification is also based on the homology group, control the non-perturbative contributions to the mean values. The functional integration is carried out in any 3-manifold M, and the corresponding path-integral invariants turn out to be strictly related with the abelian Reshetikhin-Turaev surgery invariants.

The Wavelet Element Method. Part 2; Realization and Additional Features in 2D and 3D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Canuto, Claudio; Tabacco, Anita; Urban, Karsten

1998-01-01

The Wavelet Element Method (WEM) provides a construction of multiresolution systems and biorthogonal wavelets on fairly general domains. These are split into subdomains that are mapped to a single reference hypercube. Tensor products of scaling functions and wavelets defined on the unit interval are used on the reference domain. By introducing appropriate matching conditions across the interelement boundaries, a globally continuous biorthogonal wavelet basis on the general domain is obtained. This construction does not uniquely define the basis functions but rather leaves some freedom for fulfilling additional features. In this paper we detail the general construction principle of the WEM to the 1D, 2D and 3D cases. We address additional features such as symmetry, vanishing moments and minimal support of the wavelet functions in each particular dimension. The construction is illustrated by using biorthogonal spline wavelets on the interval.

Innate spatial-temporal reasoning and the identification of genius.

PubMed

Peterson, Matthew R; Balzarini, Doreen; Bodner, Mark; Jones, Edward G; Phillips, Tiffany; Richardson, Debra; Shaw, Gordon L

2004-01-01

The teaching of mathematics is invariably language-based, but spatial-temporal (ST) reasoning (making a mental image and thinking ahead in space and time) is crucial to the understanding of math. Here we report that Big Seed, a demanding ST video game, based upon the mathematics of knot theory and previously applied to understanding DNA structure and function, can be used to reveal innate ST reasoning. Big Seed studies with middle and elementary school children provide strong evidence that ST reasoning ability is not only innate but far exceeds optimistic expectations based on age, the percentage of children achieving exceptional ST performance in less than 7 h of training, and retention of ability. A third grader has been identified as a genius (functionally defined) in ST performance. Big Seed may be used for training and assessing 'creativity' (functionally defined) and ST reasoning as well as discovering genius.

A Collaborative Knowledge Plane for Autonomic Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mbaye, Maïssa; Krief, Francine

Autonomic networking aims to give network components self-managing capabilities. Several autonomic architectures have been proposed. Each of these architectures includes sort of a knowledge plane which is very important to mimic an autonomic behavior. Knowledge plane has a central role for self-functions by providing suitable knowledge to equipment and needs to learn new strategies for more accuracy.However, defining knowledge plane's architecture is still a challenge for researchers. Specially, defining the way cognitive supports interact each other in knowledge plane and implementing them. Decision making process depends on these interactions between reasoning and learning parts of knowledge plane. In this paper we propose a knowledge plane's architecture based on machine learning (inductive logic programming) paradigm and situated view to deal with distributed environment. This architecture is focused on two self-functions that include all other self-functions: self-adaptation and self-organization. Study cases are given and implemented.

A new approach to global control of redundant manipulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seraji, Homayoun

1989-01-01

A new and simple approach to configuration control of redundant manipulators is presented. In this approach, the redundancy is utilized to control the manipulator configuration directly in task space, where the task will be performed. A number of kinematic functions are defined to reflect the desirable configuration that will be achieved for a given end-effector position. The user-defined kinematic functions and the end-effector Cartesian coordinates are combined to form a set of task-related configuration variables as generalized coordinates for the manipulator. An adaptive scheme is then utilized to globally control the configuration variables so as to achieve tracking of some desired reference trajectories. This accomplishes the basic task of desired end-effector motion, while utilizing the redundancy to achieve any additional task through the desired time variation of the kinematic functions. The control law is simple and computationally very fast, and does not require the complex manipulator dynamic model.

Multipronged CD4 T cell effector and memory responses cooperate to provide potent immunity against respiratory virus

PubMed Central

Strutt, Tara M.; McKinstry, K. Kai; Marshall, Nikki B.; Vong, Allen M.; Dutton, Richard W.; Swain, Susan L.

2014-01-01

Summary Over the last decade, the known spectrum of CD4 T cell effect or subsets has become much broader and it has become clear that there are multiple dimensions by which subsets with a particular cytokine commitment can be further defined, including their stage of differentiation, their location and most importantly, their ability to carryout discrete functions. Here we focus on our studies that highlight the synergy among discrete subsets, especially those defined by helper and cytotoxic function, in mediating viral protection and on distinctions between CD4 T cell effectors located in spleen, draining lymph node, and in tissue sites of infection. What emerges is a surprising multiplicity of CD4 T cell functions that indicate a large arsenal of mechanisms by which CD4 T cells act to combat viruses. PMID:23947353

Strategies and Challenges in Identifying Function for Thousands of sORF-Encoded Peptides in Meiosis.

PubMed

Hollerer, Ina; Higdon, Andrea; Brar, Gloria A

2017-09-20

Recent genomic analyses have revealed pervasive translation from formerly unrecognized short open reading frames (sORFs) during yeast meiosis. Despite their short length, which has caused these regions to be systematically overlooked by traditional gene annotation approaches, meiotic sORFs share many features with classical genes, implying the potential for similar types of cellular functions. We found that sORF expression accounts for approximately 10-20% of the cellular translation capacity in yeast during meiotic differentiation and occurs within well-defined time windows, suggesting the production of relatively abundant peptides with stage-specific meiotic roles from these regions. Here, we provide arguments supporting this hypothesis and discuss sORF similarities and differences, as a group, to traditional protein coding regions, as well as challenges in defining their specific functions. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A depictive neural model for the representation of motion verbs.

PubMed

Rao, Sunil; Aleksander, Igor

2011-11-01

In this paper, we present a depictive neural model for the representation of motion verb semantics in neural models of visual awareness. The problem of modelling motion verb representation is shown to be one of function application, mapping a set of given input variables defining the moving object and the path of motion to a defined output outcome in the motion recognition context. The particular function-applicative implementation and consequent recognition model design presented are seen as arising from a noun-adjective recognition model enabling the recognition of colour adjectives as applied to a set of shapes representing objects to be recognised. The presence of such a function application scheme and a separately implemented position identification and path labelling scheme are accordingly shown to be the primitives required to enable the design and construction of a composite depictive motion verb recognition scheme. Extensions to the presented design to enable the representation of transitive verbs are also discussed.

Functional groups of ecosystem engineers: a proposed classification with comments on current issues.

PubMed

Berke, Sarah K

2010-08-01

Ecologists have long known that certain organisms fundamentally modify, create, or define habitats by altering the habitat's physical properties. In the past 15 years, these processes have been formally defined as "ecosystem engineering", reflecting a growing consensus that environmental structuring by organisms represents a fundamental class of ecological interactions occurring in most, if not all, ecosystems. Yet, the precise definition and scope of ecosystem engineering remains debated, as one should expect given the complexity, enormity, and variability of ecological systems. Here I briefly comment on a few specific current points of contention in the ecosystem engineering concept. I then suggest that ecosystem engineering can be profitably subdivided into four narrower functional categories reflecting four broad mechanisms by which ecosystem engineering occurs: structural engineers, bioturbators, chemical engineers, and light engineers. Finally, I suggest some conceptual model frameworks that could apply broadly within these functional groups.

The long underestimated carbonyl function of carbohydrates – an organocatalyzed shot into carbohydrate chemistry.

PubMed

Mahrwald, R

2015-09-21

The aggressive and strong development of organocatalysis provides several protocols for the convenient utilization of the carbonyl function of unprotected carbohydrates in C-C-bond formation processes. These amine-catalyzed mechanisms enable multiple cascade-protocols for the synthesis of a wide range of carbohydrate-derived compound classes. Several, only slightly different protocols, have been developed for the application of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in the stereoselective chain-elongation of unprotected carbohydrates and the synthesis of highly functionalized C-glycosides of defined configuration. In addition, C-glycosides can also be accessed by amine-catalyzed reactions with methyl ketones. By a one-pot cascade reaction of isocyanides with unprotected aldoses and amino acids access to defined configured glycopeptide mimetics is achieved. Depending on the reaction conditions different origins to control the installation of configuration during the bond-formation process were observed.

Impact of the gut microbiota on enhancer accessibility in gut intraepithelial lymphocytes.

PubMed

Semenkovich, Nicholas P; Planer, Joseph D; Ahern, Philip P; Griffin, Nicholas W; Lin, Charles Y; Gordon, Jeffrey I

2016-12-20

The gut microbiota impacts many aspects of host biology including immune function. One hypothesis is that microbial communities induce epigenetic changes with accompanying alterations in chromatin accessibility, providing a mechanism that allows a community to have sustained host effects even in the face of its structural or functional variation. We used Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) to define chromatin accessibility in predicted enhancer regions of intestinal αβ + and γδ + intraepithelial lymphocytes purified from germ-free mice, their conventionally raised (CONV-R) counterparts, and mice reared germ free and then colonized with CONV-R gut microbiota at the end of the suckling-weaning transition. Characterizing genes adjacent to traditional enhancers and super-enhancers revealed signaling networks, metabolic pathways, and enhancer-associated transcription factors affected by the microbiota. Our results support the notion that epigenetic modifications help define microbial community-affiliated functional features of host immune cell lineages.

Atomically precise edge chlorination of nanographenes and its application in graphene nanoribbons

PubMed Central

Tan, Yuan-Zhi; Yang, Bo; Parvez, Khaled; Narita, Akimitsu; Osella, Silvio; Beljonne, David; Feng, Xinliang; Müllen, Klaus

2013-01-01

Chemical functionalization is one of the most powerful and widely used strategies to control the properties of nanomaterials, particularly in the field of graphene. However, the ill-defined structure of the present functionalized graphene inhibits atomically precise structural characterization and structure-correlated property modulation. Here we present a general edge chlorination protocol for atomically precise functionalization of nanographenes at different scales from 1.2 to 3.4 nm and its application in graphene nanoribbons. The well-defined edge chlorination is unambiguously confirmed by X-ray single-crystal analysis, which also discloses the characteristic non-planar molecular shape and detailed bond lengths of chlorinated nanographenes. Chlorinated nanographenes and graphene nanoribbons manifest enhanced solution processability associated with decreases in the optical band gap and frontier molecular orbital energy levels, exemplifying the structure-correlated property modulation by precise edge chlorination. PMID:24212200

Apoptosis-mediated endothelial toxicity but not direct calcification or functional changes in anti-calcification proteins defines pathogenic effects of calcium phosphate bions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kutikhin, Anton G.; Velikanova, Elena A.; Mukhamadiyarov, Rinat A.; Glushkova, Tatiana V.; Borisov, Vadim V.; Matveeva, Vera G.; Antonova, Larisa V.; Filip'Ev, Dmitriy E.; Golovkin, Alexey S.; Shishkova, Daria K.; Burago, Andrey Yu.; Frolov, Alexey V.; Dolgov, Viktor Yu.; Efimova, Olga S.; Popova, Anna N.; Malysheva, Valentina Yu.; Vladimirov, Alexandr A.; Sozinov, Sergey A.; Ismagilov, Zinfer R.; Russakov, Dmitriy M.; Lomzov, Alexander A.; Pyshnyi, Dmitriy V.; Gutakovsky, Anton K.; Zhivodkov, Yuriy A.; Demidov, Evgeniy A.; Peltek, Sergey E.; Dolganyuk, Viatcheslav F.; Babich, Olga O.; Grigoriev, Evgeniy V.; Brusina, Elena B.; Barbarash, Olga L.; Yuzhalin, Arseniy E.

2016-06-01

Calcium phosphate bions (CPB) are biomimetic mineralo-organic nanoparticles which represent a physiological mechanism regulating the function, transport and disposal of calcium and phosphorus in the human body. We hypothesised that CPB may be pathogenic entities and even a cause of cardiovascular calcification. Here we revealed that CPB isolated from calcified atherosclerotic plaques and artificially synthesised CPB are morphologically and chemically indistinguishable entities. Their formation is accelerated along with the increase in calcium salts-phosphates/serum concentration ratio. Experiments in vitro and in vivo showed that pathogenic effects of CPB are defined by apoptosis-mediated endothelial toxicity but not by direct tissue calcification or functional changes in anti-calcification proteins. Since the factors underlying the formation of CPB and their pathogenic mechanism closely resemble those responsible for atherosclerosis development, further research in this direction may help us to uncover triggers of this disease.

Sparse EEG/MEG source estimation via a group lasso

PubMed Central

Lim, Michael; Ales, Justin M.; Cottereau, Benoit R.; Hastie, Trevor

2017-01-01

Non-invasive recordings of human brain activity through electroencephalography (EEG) or magnetoencelphalography (MEG) are of value for both basic science and clinical applications in sensory, cognitive, and affective neuroscience. Here we introduce a new approach to estimating the intra-cranial sources of EEG/MEG activity measured from extra-cranial sensors. The approach is based on the group lasso, a sparse-prior inverse that has been adapted to take advantage of functionally-defined regions of interest for the definition of physiologically meaningful groups within a functionally-based common space. Detailed simulations using realistic source-geometries and data from a human Visual Evoked Potential experiment demonstrate that the group-lasso method has improved performance over traditional ℓ2 minimum-norm methods. In addition, we show that pooling source estimates across subjects over functionally defined regions of interest results in improvements in the accuracy of source estimates for both the group-lasso and minimum-norm approaches. PMID:28604790

[Effects of Square-Stepping Exercise inducing activation of the brain's cognitive function in community-dwelling older Japanese females--Focus on the baseline cognitive function level and age].

PubMed

Abe, Takumi; Tsuji, Taishi; Kitano, Naruki; Muraki, Toshiaki; Hotta, Kazushi; Okura, Tomohiro

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the degree of improvement in cognitive function achieved with an exercise intervention in community-dwelling older Japanese women is affected by the participant's baseline cognitive function and age. Eighty-eight women (mean age: 70.5±4.2 years) participated in a prevention program for long-term care. They completed the Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) program once a week, 120 minutes/session, for 11 weeks. We assessed participants' cognitive function using 5 cognitive tests (5-Cog) before and after the intervention. We defined cognitive function as the 5-Cog total score and defined the change in cognitive function as the 5-cog post-score minus the pre-score. We divided participants into four groups based on age (≤69 years or ≥70 years) and baseline cognitive function level (above vs. below the median cognitive function level). We conducted two-way analysis of variance. All 4 groups improved significantly in cognitive function after the intervention. There were no baseline cognitive function level×age interactions and no significant main effects of age, although significant main effects of baseline cognitive function level (P=0.004, η(2)=0.09) were observed. Square-Stepping Exercise is an effective exercise for improving cognitive function. These results suggest that older adults with cognitive decline are more likely to improve their cognitive function with exercise than if they start the intervention with high cognitive function. Furthermore, during an exercise intervention, baseline cognitive function level may have more of an effect than a participant's age on the degree of cognitive improvement.

Use of the rVV10 Nonlocal Correlation Functional in the B97M-V Density Functional: Defining B97M-rV and Related Functionals [On the Use of the rVV10 Nonlocal Correlation Functional in the B97M-V Density Functional: Defining B97M-rV and Related Functionals

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

Mardirossian, Narbe; Ruiz Pestana, Luis; Womack, James C.

The VV10 and rVV10 nonlocal correlation functionals are consistently implemented and assessed, with the goal of determining if the rVV10 nonlocal correlation functional can replace the VV10 nonlocal correlation functional in the recently developed B97M-V density functional, to give the B97M-rV density functional. Along the way, four density functionals are simultaneously tested: VV10, rVV10, B97M-V, and B97M-rV. An initial assessment is carried out across the S22 data set, and the short-range damping variable, b, is varied for all four density functionals in order to determine the sensitivity of the functionals to the empirical parameter. The results of this test indicatemore » that a value of b = 6 (fortuitously the same as that in B97M-V) is suitable for B97M-rV. The functionals are then compared across an extensive database of interaction energies, and it is demonstrated that B97M-rV either matches or outperforms B97M-V for all of the tests considered. Finally, the optimization of b across the S22 data set is extended to two range-separated hybrid density functionals, ωB97X-V and ωB97M-V, and a value of b = 6.2 is recommended for both ωB97X-rV and ωB97M-rV.« less

Use of the rVV10 Nonlocal Correlation Functional in the B97M-V Density Functional: Defining B97M-rV and Related Functionals [On the Use of the rVV10 Nonlocal Correlation Functional in the B97M-V Density Functional: Defining B97M-rV and Related Functionals

DOE PAGES

Mardirossian, Narbe; Ruiz Pestana, Luis; Womack, James C.; ...

2016-12-06

The VV10 and rVV10 nonlocal correlation functionals are consistently implemented and assessed, with the goal of determining if the rVV10 nonlocal correlation functional can replace the VV10 nonlocal correlation functional in the recently developed B97M-V density functional, to give the B97M-rV density functional. Along the way, four density functionals are simultaneously tested: VV10, rVV10, B97M-V, and B97M-rV. An initial assessment is carried out across the S22 data set, and the short-range damping variable, b, is varied for all four density functionals in order to determine the sensitivity of the functionals to the empirical parameter. The results of this test indicatemore » that a value of b = 6 (fortuitously the same as that in B97M-V) is suitable for B97M-rV. The functionals are then compared across an extensive database of interaction energies, and it is demonstrated that B97M-rV either matches or outperforms B97M-V for all of the tests considered. Finally, the optimization of b across the S22 data set is extended to two range-separated hybrid density functionals, ωB97X-V and ωB97M-V, and a value of b = 6.2 is recommended for both ωB97X-rV and ωB97M-rV.« less

An object oriented extension to CLIPS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sobkowicz, Clifford

1990-01-01

A presentation of software sub-system developed to augment C Language Production Systems (CLIPS) with facilities for object oriented Knowledge representation. Functions are provided to define classes, instantiate objects, access attributes, and assert object related facts. This extension is implemented via the CLIPS user function interface and does not require modification of any CLIPS code. It does rely on internal CLIPS functions for memory management and symbol representation.

An Affine Invariant Bivariate Version of the Sign Test.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-06-01

words: affine invariance, bivariate quantile, bivariate symmetry, model,. generalized median, influence function , permutation test, normal efficiency...calculate a bivariate version of the influence function , and the resulting form is bounded, as is the case for the univartate sign test, and shows the...terms of a blvariate analogue of IHmpel’s (1974) influence function . The latter, though usually defined as a von-Mises derivative of certain

RATE OF APPROXIMATION OF PIECEWISE-ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS BY RATIONAL FRACTIONS IN THE L_p-METRICS, 0 < p\\leq\\infty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vjačeslavov, N. S.

1980-02-01

In this paper estimates are found for L_pR_n(f) - the least deviation in the L_p-metric, 0 < p\\leq\\infty, of a piecewise analytic function f from the rational functions of degree at most n. It is shown that these estimates are sharp in a well-defined sense.Bibliography: 12 titles.

Assessment of postural balance function.

PubMed

Kostiukow, Anna; Rostkowska, Elzbieta; Samborski, Włodzimierz

2009-01-01

Postural balance is defined as the ability to stand unassisted without falling. Examination of the patient's postural balance function is a difficult diagnostic task. Most of the balance tests used in medicine provide incomplete information on this coordination ability of the human body. The aim of this study was to review methods of assessment of the patient's postural balance function, including various tests used in medical diagnostics centers.

Optically Defined Multifunctional Patterning of Photosensitive Thin-Film Silica Mesophases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doshi, Dhaval A.; Huesing, Nicola K.; Lu, Mengcheng; Fan, Hongyou; Lu, Yunfeng; Simmons-Potter, Kelly; Potter, B. G.; Hurd, Alan J.; Brinker, C. Jeffrey

2000-10-01

Photosensitive films incorporating molecular photoacid generators compartmentalized within a silica-surfactant mesophase were prepared by an evaporation-induced self-assembly process. Ultraviolet exposure promoted localized acid-catalyzed siloxane condensation, which can be used for selective etching of unexposed regions; for ``gray-scale'' patterning of refractive index, pore size, surface area, and wetting behavior; and for optically defining a mesophase transformation (from hexagonal to tetragonal) within the film. The ability to optically define and continuously control both structure and function on the macro- and mesoscales is of interest for sensor arrays, nanoreactors, photonic and fluidic devices, and low-dielectric-constant films.

New DICOM extensions for softcopy and hardcopy display consistency.

PubMed

Eichelberg, M; Riesmeier, J; Kleber, K; Grönemeyer, D H; Oosterwijk, H; Jensch, P

2000-01-01

The DICOM standard defines in detail how medical images can be communicated. However, the rules on how to interpret the parameters contained in a DICOM image which deal with the image presentation were either lacking or not well defined. As a result, the same image frequently looks different when displayed on different workstations or printed on a film from various printers. Three new DICOM extensions attempt to close this gap by defining a comprehensive model for the display of images on softcopy and hardcopy devices: Grayscale Standard Display Function, Grayscale Softcopy Presentation State and Presentation Look Up Table.

Defining 'nutraceuticals': neither nutritious nor pharmaceutical.

PubMed

Aronson, Jeffrey K

2017-01-01

There are widespread inconsistencies and contradictions in the many published definitions of 'nutraceuticals' and 'functional foods', demonstrating wholesale uncertainty about what they actually are. Furthermore, in a 2014 lecture, the inventor of the term 'nutraceutical', confessing that nutraceuticals do not work, said that 'the quest to demonstrate whether … long-term supplementation [with nutraceuticals] can prevent serious diseases … has come to an end'. Definitions of 'nutraceuticals' and related terms, still widely used, should therefore be explored systematically. There are no internationally agreed definitions of 'nutraceuticals' and 'functional foods', or of similar terms, such as 'health foods', or of terms related to herbal products, which are sometimes referred to as 'nutraceuticals', compounding the confusion. 'Nutraceuticals' and 'functional foods' are vague, nondiscriminatory, unhelpful terms; the evidence suggests that they should be abandoned in favour of more precise terms. The term 'dietary supplement' is widely used to designate formulations that are also called 'nutraceuticals' but it would be better restricted to individual compounds used to treat or prevent deficiencies. 'Fortified foods', sometimes called 'designer foods', are foods to which compounds of proven therapeutic or preventive efficacy (e.g. folic acid) have been added. Other terms, such as 'food', 'foodstuffs', 'eat', 'drink', and 'nutrition', are well defined, as are 'medicinal products' and 'pharmaceutical formulations'. Dietary regimens, such as Mediterranean or nitrate-rich diets or vegetarianism, can affect health. A dietary regimen of this kind can be defined as a programme of food, of a defined kind and/or quantity, prescribed or adopted for the restoration or preservation of health. © 2016 The British Pharmacological Society.