Orthotic intervention incorporating the dart-thrower's motion as part of conservative management guidelines for treatment of scapholunate injury.

PubMed

Anderson, Hamish; Hoy, Greg

2016-01-01

Case series. This paper describes conservative guidelines for the management of scapho-lunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) injury including fabrication of an orthosis that restricts active wrist movement to the dart-throwers (DTM) plane. The dart throwers' orthosis (DTO) was designed as a response to biomechanical studies suggesting that restraining motion to the DTM would off-load a deficient SLIL. After six weeks of wearing the DTO, the 5 patients in this case series initiated an exercise program that incorporated wrist proprioceptive training and specific muscle strengthening. The DTO was designed to incorporate controlled movement in order to better integrate the secondary wrist stabilizers in wrists that had a deficient SLIL. The orthosis and the exercise program harnessed proprioceptive influences using active motion within the DTM plane, and stimulated mechanoreceptors so as to enhance stability. All patients demonstrated improvement in subjective and objective outcomes including self-reported pain and function. Orthotic intervention that controls motion within the DTM, combined with an appropriate proprioceptive rehabilitation program, may provide a viable conservative treatment option for patients with a similar clinical presentation. 4. Copyright © 2016 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of Tools and Techniques for Processing STORRM Flight Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robinson, Shane; D'Souza, Christopher

2011-01-01

While at JSC for the summer of 2011, I was assigned to work on the sensor test for Orion relative-navigation risk mitigation (STORRM) development test objective (DTO). The STORRM DTO was flown on-board Endeavor during STS-134. The objective of the STORRM DTO is to test the visual navigation system (VNS), which will be used as the primary relative navigation sensor for the Orion spacecraft. The VNS is a flash lidar system intended to provide both line of sight and range information during rendezvous and proximity operations. The STORRM DTO also serves as a testbed for the high-resolution docking camera. This docking camera will be used to provide piloting cues for the crew during proximity operations. These instruments were mounted next to the trajectory control sensor (TCS) in Endeavour s payload bay. My principle objective for the summer was to generate a best estimated trajectory (BET) for Endeavor using the flight data collected by the VNS during rendezvous and the unprecedented re-rendezvous with the ISS. I processed the raw images from the VNS to produce range and bearing measurements. I then aggregated these measurements and extracted the measurements corresponding to individual reflectors. I combined the information contained in these measurements with data from the Endeavour's inertial sensors using Kalman smoothing techniques to ultimately produce a BET. This work culminated with a final presentation of the result to division management. Development of this tool required that traditional linear smoothing techniques be modified in a novel fashion to permit for the inclusion of non-linear measurements. This internship has greatly helped me further my career by providing exposure to real engineering projects. I also have benefited immensely from the mentorship of the engineers working on these projects. Many of the lessons I learned and experiences I had are of particular value because then can only be found in a place like JSC.

STS-43 Commander Blaha conducts DTO 1208 using laptop on OV-104's flight deck

NASA Image and Video Library

1991-08-11

STS043-03-009 (5 Aug 1991) ---- Astronaut John E. Blaha is pictured executing development test objective (DTO) 1208, Space Station Cursor Control Device Evaluation II and advanced applications. The purpose of the Cursor Control Device Experiment is to evaluate human performance under space flight conditions of cursor control devices which are similar to the devices under consideration for use onboard Space Station computers. Here, the mission commander uses a thumbball/handgrip control device. Each crewmember evaluated the different types of cursor control devices during the nine-day STS-43 mission. Other methods of cursor control evaluated were the built-in trackball, a side mounted trackball with restraints and an optical pad with mouse.

STS-43 MS Adamson conducts DTO 1208 using laptop on OV-104's flight deck

NASA Image and Video Library

1991-08-11

STS043-14-034 (2-11 Aug 1991) --- Astronaut James C. Adamson is pictured executing Development Test Objective (DTO) 1208, Space Station Cursor Control Device Evaluation II and Advanced Applications. The purpose of the Cursor Control Device Experiment is to evaluate human performance under space flight conditions of cursor control devices which are similar to the devices under consideration for use onboard space station computers. Here, the mission specialists uses a thumbball/handgrip control device. Each crewmember evaluated the different types of cursor control devices during the nine-day STS-43 mission. Other methods of cursor control evaluated were the built-in trackball, a side mounted trackball with restraints and an optical pad with mouse.

Aerodynamic characteristics of several launch configurations utilizing the Titan 3 L booster and MMC DTO-7 Orbiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Michna, D. J.

1972-01-01

The .00429 scale model Titan 3 booster was mated with the DTO-7 space shuttle orbiter with drop tanks and tested for aerodynamic performance in a 14 x 14 inch trisonic wind tunnel. Six component aerodynamic force and moment data were measured on several variations of the above component in a launch configuration over a Mach number range from 0.6 to 3.48. Angle of attack ranged from -12 deg to 12 deg at 0 deg and -6 deg sideslip angle and sideslip angle ranged from -12 deg to 12 deg at 0 deg angle of attack. Date are presented in plotted form in both the stability and body axis system.

Flying high: a theoretical analysis of the factors limiting exercise performance in birds at altitude.

PubMed

Scott, Graham R; Milsom, William K

2006-11-01

The ability of some bird species to fly at extreme altitude has fascinated comparative respiratory physiologists for decades, yet there is still no consensus about what adaptations enable high altitude flight. Using a theoretical model of O(2) transport, we performed a sensitivity analysis of the factors that might limit exercise performance in birds. We found that the influence of individual physiological traits on oxygen consumption (Vo2) during exercise differed between sea level, moderate altitude, and extreme altitude. At extreme altitude, haemoglobin (Hb) O(2) affinity, total ventilation, and tissue diffusion capacity for O(2) (D(To2)) had the greatest influences on Vo2; increasing these variables should therefore have the greatest adaptive benefit for high altitude flight. There was a beneficial interaction between D(To2) and the P(50) of Hb, such that increasing D(To2) had a greater influence on Vo2 when P(50) was low. Increases in the temperature effect on P(50) could also be beneficial for high flying birds, provided that cold inspired air at extreme altitude causes a substantial difference in temperature between blood in the lungs and in the tissues. Changes in lung diffusion capacity for O(2), cardiac output, blood Hb concentration, the Bohr coefficient, or the Hill coefficient likely have less adaptive significance at high altitude. Our sensitivity analysis provides theoretical suggestions of the adaptations most likely to promote high altitude flight in birds and provides direction for future in vivo studies.

Combing Visible and Infrared Spectral Tests for Dust Identification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhou, Yaping; Levy, Robert; Kleidman, Richard; Remer, Lorraine; Mattoo, Shana

2016-01-01

The MODIS Dark Target aerosol algorithm over Ocean (DT-O) uses spectral reflectance in the visible, near-IR and SWIR wavelengths to determine aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom Exponent (AE). Even though DT-O does have "dust-like" models to choose from, dust is not identified a priori before inversion. The "dust-like" models are not true "dust models" as they are spherical and do not have enough absorption at short wavelengths, so retrieved AOD and AE for dusty regions tends to be biased. The inference of "dust" is based on postprocessing criteria for AOD and AE by users. Dust aerosol has known spectral signatures in the near-UV (Deep blue), visible, and thermal infrared (TIR) wavelength regions. Multiple dust detection algorithms have been developed over the years with varying detection capabilities. Here, we test a few of these dust detection algorithms, to determine whether they can be useful to help inform the choices made by the DT-O algorithm. We evaluate the following methods: The multichannel imager (MCI) algorithm uses spectral threshold tests in (0.47, 0.64, 0.86, 1.38, 2.26, 3.9, 11.0, 12.0 micrometer) channels and spatial uniformity test [Zhao et al., 2010]. The NOAA dust aerosol index (DAI) uses spectral contrast in the blue channels (412nm and 440nm) [Ciren and Kundragunta, 2014]. The MCI is already included as tests within the "Wisconsin" (MOD35) Cloud mask algorithm.

DTO 700-11, Kavandi conducts OSVS OPS

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-08-24

STS091-349-005 (2-12 June 1998) --- Astronaut Janet L. Kavandi, mission specialist, performs a check of the Orbiter Space Vision Systems (OSVS) on the flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery.

77 FR 72905 - Notice of Request for Information Collection Approval

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-06

... Counselor Checklist (DTO F 1050-1); ONE DOT Sharing Neutrals Program Mediation Intake (DOT F 1050-2); Agreement to Mediate (DOT F 1050-3); Exit Survey for Mediation Participants (DOT F 1050-4); Agreement to...

STS-41 Commander Richards uses DTO 1206 portable computer onboard OV-103

NASA Image and Video Library

1990-10-10

STS041-01-002 (6-10 Oct 1990) --- Astronaut Richard N. Richards, STS 41 mission commander, "borrows" the pilot's station to utilize a Shuttle portable onboard computer during the four-day flight. The photo was made with a 35mm camera.

The Sensor Test for Orion RelNav Risk Mitigation Development Test Objective

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Christian, John A.; Hinkel, Heather; Maguire, Sean

2011-01-01

The Sensor Test for Orion Relative-Navigation Risk Mitigation (STORRM) Development Test Objective (DTO) ew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-134, and was designed to characterize the performance of the ash LIDAR being developed for the Orion. This ash LIDAR, called the Vision Navigation Sensor (VNS), will be the primary navigation instrument used by the Orion vehicle during rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking. This paper provides an overview of the STORRM test objectives and the concept of operations. It continues with a description of the STORRM's major hardware compo nents, which include the VNS and the docking camera. Next, an overview of crew and analyst training activities will describe how the STORRM team prepared for flight. Then an overview of how insight data collection and analysis actually went is presented. Key ndings and results from this project are summarized, including a description of "truth" data. Finally, the paper concludes with lessons learned from the STORRM DTO.

Crewmember in the middeck exercising on the MK-1 rowing machine (DTO 653).

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-04-20

STS059-11-014 (9-20 April 1994) --- Astronaut Michael R. (Rich) Clifford, mission specialist, uses the rowing machine temporarily deployed on the Space Shuttle Endeavour's middeck. Many of the crew members put in time on the device during the week and a half mission.

GRAS notice 733 for Purified steviol glycosides part 2

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)

... d()..to. +.'LSl. ct ~ttJ!~~: D : \\ CH . EM32\\ l\\~ATA\\2 J l 6 ~ 09-~~;:1CG002;.o , 'r'\\CVV'I naa~~ .. L' t~ tw~ ~i. i..i./J(ti-. • "'t. c:i.tta.. P.«f pe4t. (J.~" ...

Defeating Mexico’s Drug Trafficking Organizations: The Range of Military Operations in Mexico

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-08

Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Baja California, and Sinaloa (see figure 2) with 60 percent of all killings in 2008 reported in three cities: Tijuana, Baja...California; Culiacan, Sinaloa ; and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.2 Ciudad Juarez had the highest rate of DTO related deaths; this is significant for the U.S...

The Sensor Test for Orion RelNav Risk Mitigation (STORRM) Development Test Objective

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Christian, John A.; Hinkel, Heather; D'Souza, Christopher N.; Maguire, Sean; Patangan, Mogi

2011-01-01

The Sensor Test for Orion Relative-Navigation Risk Mitigation (STORRM) Development Test Objective (DTO) flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-134 in May- June 2011, and was designed to characterize the performance of the flash LIDAR and docking camera being developed for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. The flash LIDAR, called the Vision Navigation Sensor (VNS), will be the primary navigation instrument used by the Orion vehicle during rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking. The DC will be used by the Orion crew for piloting cues during docking. This paper provides an overview of the STORRM test objectives and the concept of operations. It continues with a description of STORRM's major hardware components, which include the VNS, docking camera, and supporting avionics. Next, an overview of crew and analyst training activities will describe how the STORRM team prepared for flight. Then an overview of in-flight data collection and analysis is presented. Key findings and results from this project are summarized. Finally, the paper concludes with lessons learned from the STORRM DTO.

Perceptual Real-Time 2D-to-3D Conversion Using Cue Fusion.

PubMed

Leimkuhler, Thomas; Kellnhofer, Petr; Ritschel, Tobias; Myszkowski, Karol; Seidel, Hans-Peter

2018-06-01

We propose a system to infer binocular disparity from a monocular video stream in real-time. Different from classic reconstruction of physical depth in computer vision, we compute perceptually plausible disparity, that is numerically inaccurate, but results in a very similar overall depth impression with plausible overall layout, sharp edges, fine details and agreement between luminance and disparity. We use several simple monocular cues to estimate disparity maps and confidence maps of low spatial and temporal resolution in real-time. These are complemented by spatially-varying, appearance-dependent and class-specific disparity prior maps, learned from example stereo images. Scene classification selects this prior at runtime. Fusion of prior and cues is done by means of robust MAP inference on a dense spatio-temporal conditional random field with high spatial and temporal resolution. Using normal distributions allows this in constant-time, parallel per-pixel work. We compare our approach to previous 2D-to-3D conversion systems in terms of different metrics, as well as a user study and validate our notion of perceptually plausible disparity.

Student’s mental model, misconceptions, troublesome knowledge, and threshold concept on thermochemistry with DToM-POE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiji, W.; Mulyani, S.

2018-05-01

The purpose of this study is to obtain a profile of students' mental models, misconceptions, troublesome knowledge, and threshold concept on thermochemistry. The subjects in this study were 35 students. The method used in this research was descriptive method with instruments Diagnostic Test of Mental Model - Prediction, Observation, and Explanation (DToM-POE). The results showed that the students' ability to predict, observe, and explain ΔH of neutralization reaction of NaOH with HCl was still lacking. Most students tended to memorize chemical concepts related to symbolic level and they did not understand the meaning of the symbols used. Furthermore, most students were unable to connect the results of observations at the macroscopic level with the symbolic level to determine ΔH of neutralization reaction of NaOH with HCl. Then, most students tended to give an explanation by a net ionic equation or a chemical reaction equation at the symbolic level when explaining ΔH of neutralization reaction at the submicroscopic level. In addition, there are seven misconceptions, three troublesome knowledges, and three threshold concepts held by students on thermochemistry.

Automatic Intensity-based 3D-to-2D Registration of CT Volume and Dual-energy Digital Radiography for the Detection of Cardiac Calcification

PubMed Central

Chen, Xiang; Gilkeson, Robert; Fei, Baowei

2013-01-01

We are investigating three-dimensional (3D) to two-dimensional (2D) registration methods for computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy digital radiography (DR) for the detection of coronary artery calcification. CT is an established tool for the diagnosis of coronary artery diseases (CADs). Dual-energy digital radiography could be a cost-effective alternative for screening coronary artery calcification. In order to utilize CT as the “gold standard” to evaluate the ability of DR images for the detection and localization of calcium, we developed an automatic intensity-based 3D-to-2D registration method for 3D CT volumes and 2D DR images. To generate digital rendering radiographs (DRR) from the CT volumes, we developed three projection methods, i.e. Gaussian-weighted projection, threshold-based projection, and average-based projection. We tested normalized cross correlation (NCC) and normalized mutual information (NMI) as similarity measurement. We used the Downhill Simplex method as the search strategy. Simulated projection images from CT were fused with the corresponding DR images to evaluate the localization of cardiac calcification. The registration method was evaluated by digital phantoms, physical phantoms, and clinical data sets. The results from the digital phantoms show that the success rate is 100% with mean errors of less 0.8 mm and 0.2 degree for both NCC and NMI. The registration accuracy of the physical phantoms is 0.34 ± 0.27 mm. Color overlay and 3D visualization of the clinical data show that the two images are registered well. This is consistent with the improvement of the NMI values from 0.20 ± 0.03 to 0.25 ± 0.03 after registration. The automatic 3D-to-2D registration method is accurate and robust and may provide a useful tool to evaluate the dual-energy DR images for the detection of coronary artery calcification. PMID:24386527

Automatic Intensity-based 3D-to-2D Registration of CT Volume and Dual-energy Digital Radiography for the Detection of Cardiac Calcification.

PubMed

Chen, Xiang; Gilkeson, Robert; Fei, Baowei

2007-03-03

We are investigating three-dimensional (3D) to two-dimensional (2D) registration methods for computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy digital radiography (DR) for the detection of coronary artery calcification. CT is an established tool for the diagnosis of coronary artery diseases (CADs). Dual-energy digital radiography could be a cost-effective alternative for screening coronary artery calcification. In order to utilize CT as the "gold standard" to evaluate the ability of DR images for the detection and localization of calcium, we developed an automatic intensity-based 3D-to-2D registration method for 3D CT volumes and 2D DR images. To generate digital rendering radiographs (DRR) from the CT volumes, we developed three projection methods, i.e. Gaussian-weighted projection, threshold-based projection, and average-based projection. We tested normalized cross correlation (NCC) and normalized mutual information (NMI) as similarity measurement. We used the Downhill Simplex method as the search strategy. Simulated projection images from CT were fused with the corresponding DR images to evaluate the localization of cardiac calcification. The registration method was evaluated by digital phantoms, physical phantoms, and clinical data sets. The results from the digital phantoms show that the success rate is 100% with mean errors of less 0.8 mm and 0.2 degree for both NCC and NMI. The registration accuracy of the physical phantoms is 0.34 ± 0.27 mm. Color overlay and 3D visualization of the clinical data show that the two images are registered well. This is consistent with the improvement of the NMI values from 0.20 ± 0.03 to 0.25 ± 0.03 after registration. The automatic 3D-to-2D registration method is accurate and robust and may provide a useful tool to evaluate the dual-energy DR images for the detection of coronary artery calcification.

Automatic intensity-based 3D-to-2D registration of CT volume and dual-energy digital radiography for the detection of cardiac calcification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiang; Gilkeson, Robert; Fei, Baowei

2007-03-01

We are investigating three-dimensional (3D) to two-dimensional (2D) registration methods for computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy digital radiography (DR) for the detection of coronary artery calcification. CT is an established tool for the diagnosis of coronary artery diseases (CADs). Dual-energy digital radiography could be a cost-effective alternative for screening coronary artery calcification. In order to utilize CT as the "gold standard" to evaluate the ability of DR images for the detection and localization of calcium, we developed an automatic intensity-based 3D-to-2D registration method for 3D CT volumes and 2D DR images. To generate digital rendering radiographs (DRR) from the CT volumes, we developed three projection methods, i.e. Gaussian-weighted projection, threshold-based projection, and average-based projection. We tested normalized cross correlation (NCC) and normalized mutual information (NMI) as similarity measurement. We used the Downhill Simplex method as the search strategy. Simulated projection images from CT were fused with the corresponding DR images to evaluate the localization of cardiac calcification. The registration method was evaluated by digital phantoms, physical phantoms, and clinical data sets. The results from the digital phantoms show that the success rate is 100% with mean errors of less 0.8 mm and 0.2 degree for both NCC and NMI. The registration accuracy of the physical phantoms is 0.34 +/- 0.27 mm. Color overlay and 3D visualization of the clinical data show that the two images are registered well. This is consistent with the improvement of the NMI values from 0.20 +/- 0.03 to 0.25 +/- 0.03 after registration. The automatic 3D-to-2D registration method is accurate and robust and may provide a useful tool to evaluate the dual-energy DR images for the detection of coronary artery calcification.

Planning Economic Activities to Support Counterinsurgency Objectives. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

57 James Warden, “Agricultural Development Team Working to Boost Afghanistan’s Crop Yield .” Re- printed in Afghanistan...Province 109 Make Move Store Spend Agriculture (46%) How: Labor intensive, dirt farming via drip irrigation systems(e.g., wheat, maize , alfalfa...DTO altered its operations and resolved the gap in leadership. 157 Baram Chah is an Afghanistan

EFFECTS OF LASER RADIATION ON MATTER. LASER PLASMA: Measurements of laser-induced shock waves in aluminium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Werdiger, M.; Arad, B.; Moshe, E.; Eliezer, S.

1995-02-01

A simple optical method for measurements of high-irradiance (3×1013 W cm-2) laser-induced shock waves is described. The shock wave velocity (~13 km s-1) was measured with an error not exceeding 5%. The laser-induced one-to-two-dimensional (1D-to-2D) shock wave transition was studied.

Cyber indicators of compromise: a domain ontology for security information and event management

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

COMPROMISE: A DOMAIN ONTOLOGY FOR SECURITY INFORMATION AND EVENT MANAGEMENT by Marsha D. Rowell March 2017 Thesis Co-Advisors: J. D...to automate this work is Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). In short, SIEM technology works by aggregating log information , and then...Distribution is unlimited. CYBER INDICATORS OF COMPROMISE: A DOMAIN ONTOLOGY FOR SECURITY INFORMATION AND EVENT MANAGEMENT Marsha D. Rowell

Countering the Lingering Threat of the Abu Sayyaf Group

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

EXERCISES AND OPERATIONS FROM 2002-2003 ........................ 39 C. MALAYSIAN SPONSORED CEASEFIRE......................................... 42 D...to best deal with the remaining Abu Sayyaf threat, the U.S. must continue to assist in the Malaysian -sponsored peace talks between the Government of...stop here as yet more MILF members conducted another attack on a cinema in Iligan, Mindanao which resulted in the deaths of another 14 people.38

Short Duration Bioastronautics Investigation 1904: Human Factors Assessment of Vibration Effects on Visual Performance during Launch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, Shelby; Holden, Kritina; Ebert, Douglas; Root, Phillip; Adelstein, Bernard; Jones, Jeffery

2009-01-01

The primary objective of the Short Duration Bioastronautics Investigation (SDBI) 1904 was to determine visual performance limits during Shuttle operational vibration and g-loads, specifically through the determination of minimal usable font sizes using Orion-type display formats. Currently there is little to no data available to quantify human visual performance under the extreme g- and vibration conditions of launch. Existing data on shuttle vibration magnitude and frequency is incomplete and does not address human visual performance. There have been anecdotal reports of performance decrements from shuttle crews, but no structured data have been collected. Previous work by NASA on the effects of vibration and linear g-loads on human performance was conducted during the Gemini era, but these experiments were performed using displays and controls that are dramatically different than current concepts being considered by the Constellation Program. Recently, three investigations of visual performance under vibration have been completed at NASA Ames Research Center: the first examining whole-body vibration, the second employing whole-body vibration coupled with a sustained g-load, and a third examining the effects of peak versus extended duration vibration. However, all of these studies were conducted using only a single x-axis direction (eyeballs in/out). Estimates of thrust oscillations from the Constellation Ares-I first stage are driving the need for realistic human performance requirements. SDBI 1904 was an opportunity to address the need for requirements by conducting a highly focused and applied evaluation in a relevant spaceflight environment. The SDBI was a companion effort to Detailed Test Objective (DTO) 695, which measured shuttle seat accelerations (vibration) during ascent. Data from the SDBI will serve an important role in interpreting the DTO vibration data. Both SDBI 1904 and DTO 695 were low impact with respect to flight resources, and combined, they represent an efficient and focused problem solving approach. This project provided (a) immediate data for developing preliminary human performance vibration requirements; (b) flight validated inputs for ongoing and future ground-based research; and (c) preliminary information related to Orion display format design.

Quantum-interference transport through surface layers of indium-doped ZnO nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiu, Shao-Pin; Lu, Jia Grace; Lin, Juhn-Jong

2013-06-01

We have fabricated indium-doped ZnO (IZO) nanowires (NWs) and carried out four-probe electrical-transport measurements on two individual NWs with geometric diameters of ≈70 and ≈90 nm in a wide temperature T interval of 1-70 K. The NWs reveal overall charge conduction behavior characteristic of disordered metals. In addition to the T dependence of resistance R, we have measured the magnetoresistance (MR) in magnetic fields applied either perpendicular or parallel to the NW axis. Our R(T) and MR data in different T intervals are consistent with the theoretical predictions of the one- (1D), two- (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) weak-localization (WL) and the electron-electron interaction (EEI) effects. In particular, a few dimensionality crossovers in the two effects are observed. These crossover phenomena are consistent with the model of a ‘core-shell-like structure’ in individual IZO NWs, where an outer shell of thickness t (≃15-17 nm) is responsible for the quantum-interference transport. In the WL effect, as the electron dephasing length Lφ gradually decreases with increasing T from the lowest measurement temperatures, a 1D-to-2D dimensionality crossover takes place around a characteristic temperature where Lφ approximately equals d, an effective NW diameter which is slightly smaller than the geometric diameter. As T further increases, a 2D-to-3D dimensionality crossover occurs around another characteristic temperature where Lφ approximately equals t (

Quantum-interference transport through surface layers of indium-doped ZnO nanowires.

PubMed

Chiu, Shao-Pin; Lu, Jia Grace; Lin, Juhn-Jong

2013-06-21

We have fabricated indium-doped ZnO (IZO) nanowires (NWs) and carried out four-probe electrical-transport measurements on two individual NWs with geometric diameters of ≈70 and ≈90 nm in a wide temperature T interval of 1-70 K. The NWs reveal overall charge conduction behavior characteristic of disordered metals. In addition to the T dependence of resistance R, we have measured the magnetoresistance (MR) in magnetic fields applied either perpendicular or parallel to the NW axis. Our R(T) and MR data in different T intervals are consistent with the theoretical predictions of the one- (1D), two- (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) weak-localization (WL) and the electron-electron interaction (EEI) effects. In particular, a few dimensionality crossovers in the two effects are observed. These crossover phenomena are consistent with the model of a 'core-shell-like structure' in individual IZO NWs, where an outer shell of thickness t (~15-17 nm) is responsible for the quantum-interference transport. In the WL effect, as the electron dephasing length Lφ gradually decreases with increasing T from the lowest measurement temperatures, a 1D-to-2D dimensionality crossover takes place around a characteristic temperature where Lφ approximately equals d, an effective NW diameter which is slightly smaller than the geometric diameter. As T further increases, a 2D-to-3D dimensionality crossover occurs around another characteristic temperature where Lφ approximately equals t (

Blackjack

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-01

astar (C++) path finding algorithms.  bwaves (Fortran) simulation of blast waves in 3D transonic transient laminar viscous flow.  bzip2 (C) in...search based on Profile Hidden Markov Models.  lbm (C) implementation of Lattice Boltzman Method for simulation of incompressible fluids in 3D...to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE

STIC: Photonic Quantum Computation through Cavity Assisted Interaction

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-28

PRA ; available as quant-ph/06060791. Report for the grant “Photonic Quantum Computation through Cavity Assisted Interaction” from DTO Luming Duan...cavity •B. Wang, L.-M. Duan, PRA 72 (in press, 2005) Single-photon source Photonic Quantum Computation through Cavity-Assisted Interaction H. Jeff Kimble...interaction [Duan, Wang, Kimble, PRA 05] • “Investigate more efficient methods for combating noise in photonic quantum computation ” • Partial progress

DTO 1118 - Damaged Spektr solar array

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-03-04

S89-E-5190 (25 Jan 1998) --- This Electronic Still Camera (ESC) image shows the Russian Mir Space Station's damaged solar array panel. The solar array panel was damaged as a result of an impact with an unmanned Progress re-supply ship which collided with the Mir on June 25, 1997, causing the Spektr Module to depressurize. This ESC view was taken on January 25, 1998 at 16:56:30 GMT.

Efficient dense blur map estimation for automatic 2D-to-3D conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vosters, L. P. J.; de Haan, G.

2012-03-01

Focus is an important depth cue for 2D-to-3D conversion of low depth-of-field images and video. However, focus can be only reliably estimated on edges. Therefore, Bea et al. [1] first proposed an optimization based approach to propagate focus to non-edge image portions, for single image focus editing. While their approach produces accurate dense blur maps, the computational complexity and memory requirements for solving the resulting sparse linear system with standard multigrid or (multilevel) preconditioning techniques, are infeasible within the stringent requirements of the consumer electronics and broadcast industry. In this paper we propose fast, efficient, low latency, line scanning based focus propagation, which mitigates the need for complex multigrid or (multilevel) preconditioning techniques. In addition we propose facial blur compensation to compensate for false shading edges that cause incorrect blur estimates in people's faces. In general shading leads to incorrect focus estimates, which may lead to unnatural 3D and visual discomfort. Since visual attention mostly tends to faces, our solution solves the most distracting errors. A subjective assessment by paired comparison on a set of challenging low-depth-of-field images shows that the proposed approach achieves equal 3D image quality as optimization based approaches, and that facial blur compensation results in a significant improvement.

Orbiter BLT Flight Experiment Wind Tunnel Simulations: Nearfield Flowfield Imaging and Surface Thermography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danehy, Paul M.; Ivey, Christoper B.; Barthel, Brett F.; Inman, Jennifer A.; Jones, Stephen B.; Watkins, Anthony N.; Goodman, Kyle Z.; McCrea, Andrew C.; Leighty, Bradley D.; Lipford, William K.;

Relative Navigation Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Sensor Development Test Objective (DTO) Performance Verification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dennehy, Cornelius J.

2013-01-01

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) received a request from the NASA Associate Administrator (AA) for Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD), to quantitatively evaluate the individual performance of three light detection and ranging (LIDAR) rendezvous sensors flown as orbiter's development test objective on Space Transportation System (STS)-127, STS-133, STS-134, and STS-135. This document contains the outcome of the NESC assessment.

Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-17

Mexican tuna to the U.S. market. A longstanding dispute involving sugar and high fructose corn syrup was resolved in 2006.88 Trucking89 Since 1995...the “ambitious pace” of the Mexican government’s efforts to arrest high -level DTO leaders and root out corruption but finds that, despite government...President Obama remains committed to comprehensive immigration reform” and that immigration reform “is and will be a high priority for him and his

Techniques for Improving the Performance of Future EVA Maneuvering Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Trevor W.

1995-01-01

The Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) is a small propulsive backpack that was developed as an in-house effort at Johnson Space Center; it is a lightweight system which attaches to the underside of the Primary Life Support Subsystem (PLSS) backpack of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). SAFER provides full six-axis control, as well as Automatic Attitude Hold (AAH), by means of a set of cold-gas nitrogen thrusters and a rate sensor-based control system. For compactness, a single hand controller is used, together with mode switching, to command all six axes. SAFER was successfully test-flown on the STS-64 mission in September 1994 as a Development Test Objective (DTO); development of an operational version is now proceeding. This version will be available for EVA self-rescue on the International Space Station and Mir, starting with the STS-86/Mir-7 mission in September 1997. The DTO SAFER was heavily instrumented, and produced in-flight data that was stored in a 12 MB computer memory on-board. This has allowed post-flight analysis to yield good estimates for the actual mass properties (moments and products of inertia and center of mass location) encountered on-orbit. By contrast, Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) post-flight results were generated mainly from analysis of video images, and so were not very accurate. The main goal of the research reported here was to use the detailed SAFER on-orbit mass properties data to optimize the design of future EVA maneuvering systems, with the aim being to improve flying qualities and/or reduce propellant consumption. The Automation, Robotics and Simulation Division Virtual Reality (VR) Laboratory proved to be a valuable research tool for such studies. A second objective of the grant was to generate an accurate dynamics model in support of the reflight of the DTO SAFER on STS-76/Mir-3. One complicating factor was the fact that a hand controller stowage box was added to the underside of SAFER on this flight; the position of this box was such that two of the SAFER jets plume it. A second complication was that the EVA astronaut will sometimes be transporting a massive experiment package. This will not only alter the overall mass properties significantly, but can itself also be plumed.

Hypersonic Laminar Boundary Layer Velocimetry with Discrete Roughness on a Flat Plate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bathel, Brett; Danehy, Paul M.; Inman, Jennifer A.; Watkins, A. Neal; Jones, Stephen B.; Lipford, William E.; Goodman, Kyle Z.; Ivey, Christopher B.; Goyne, Christopher P.

2010-01-01

Laminar boundary layer velocity measurements are made on a 10-degree half-angle wedge in a Mach 10 flow. Two types of discrete boundary layer trips were used to perturb the boundary layer gas. The first was a 2-mm tall, 4-mm diameter cylindrical trip. The second was a scaled version of the Orbiter Boundary Layer Transition (BLT) Detailed Test Objective (DTO) trip. Both 1-mm and 2.5-mm tall BLT DTO trips were tested. Additionally, side-view and plan-view axial boundary layer velocity measurements were made in the absence of these tripping devices. The free-stream unit Reynolds numbers tested for the cylindrical trips were 1.7x10(exp 6)/m and 3.3x10(exp 6)/m. The free-stream unit Reynolds number tested for the BLT DTO trips was 1.7x10(exp 6)/m. The angle of attack was kept at approximately 5-degrees for most of the tests resulting in a Mach number of approximately 8.3. These combinations of unit Reynolds numbers and angle of attack resulted in laminar flowfields. To study the precision of the measurement technique, the angle of attack was varied during one run. Nitric-oxide (NO) molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) was used to obtain averaged axial velocity values and associated uncertainties. These uncertainties are as low as 20 m/s. An interline, progressive scan CCD camera was used to obtain separate images of the initial reference and shifted NO molecules that had been tagged by the laser. The CCD configuration allowed for sub-microsecond sequential acquisition of both images. The maximum planar spatial resolution achieved for the side-view velocity measurements was 0.07-mm in the wall-normal direction by 1.45-mm in the streamwise direction with a spatial depth of 0.5-mm. For the plan-view measurements, the maximum planar spatial resolution in the spanwise and streamwise directions was 0.69-mm by 1.28-mm, respectively, with a spatial depth of 0.5-mm. Temperature sensitive paint (TSP) measurements are provided to compliment the velocity data and to provide further insight into the behavior of the boundary layers. The experiments were performed at the NASA Langley Research Center 31-Inch Mach 10 Air tunnel.

STS-49 MS Hieb changes ESC batteries on the middeck of OV-105

NASA Image and Video Library

1992-05-08

STS049-S-218 (8 May 1992) --- Astronaut Richard J. Hieb, on Endeavour's middeck, changes batteries on the electronic still camera to begin a series of snapshots with the experiment, a detailed test objective. DTO 648 is making its fourth flight into space. At various times during the week-long mission, crewmembers will downlink images from the camera. The scene was recorded at 16:51:15:05 GMT, May 8, 1992.

DTO 1118 - Survey of the Mir Space Station

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-03-04

S89-E-5520 (22-31 Jan 1998) --- This Electronic Still Camera (ESC) image shows Russia?s Mir Space Station backdropped over clouds, not long after separation from the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Thus bringing to an end the eighth Shuttle/Mir docking mission activities. (Please note that this series of post-separation views is not posted here in chronological order because of the use of a second ESC. Note also that GMT times were not available for all images.)

A general framework for face reconstruction using single still image based on 2D-to-3D transformation kernel.

PubMed

Fooprateepsiri, Rerkchai; Kurutach, Werasak

2014-03-01

Face authentication is a biometric classification method that verifies the identity of a user based on image of their face. Accuracy of the authentication is reduced when the pose, illumination and expression of the training face images are different than the testing image. The methods in this paper are designed to improve the accuracy of a features-based face recognition system when the pose between the input images and training images are different. First, an efficient 2D-to-3D integrated face reconstruction approach is introduced to reconstruct a personalized 3D face model from a single frontal face image with neutral expression and normal illumination. Second, realistic virtual faces with different poses are synthesized based on the personalized 3D face to characterize the face subspace. Finally, face recognition is conducted based on these representative virtual faces. Compared with other related works, this framework has the following advantages: (1) only one single frontal face is required for face recognition, which avoids the burdensome enrollment work; and (2) the synthesized face samples provide the capability to conduct recognition under difficult conditions like complex pose, illumination and expression. From the experimental results, we conclude that the proposed method improves the accuracy of face recognition by varying the pose, illumination and expression. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

STS-35 MS Hoffman's height is recorded by MS Lounge on OV-102's middeck

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

STS-35 Mission Specialist (MS) Jeffrey A. Hoffman stretches out on the middeck floor while MS John M. Lounge records his height. The two crewmembers are in front of the forward lockers aboard Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102. Hoffman steadies himself using the stowed treadmill and the lockers. Above Hoffman's head is a plastic bag filled with Development Test Objective (DTO) 634, Trash Compaction and Retention System Demonstration, trash compactor charcoal filtered bag lids.

A Surface Panel Method for the Hydrodynamic Analysis of Ducted Propellers

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-01

Flow About Arbitrary Three-Dimensional Lifting Bodies," Technical Report MDC J5679-01, McDonnell Douglas Corp., Oct. 197. 32 Van Manen , J. D...to that developed by Van Houten (4] for use with his vortex of a control point is less than the radius of the true surface. lattice ducted propeller...Boswell, R. J. and Miller, M. L., "Unsteady Propeller Load- erlands, 1983. ing-Measurement, Correlation, with Theory and Parametric 4 Van Houten, R

Effects of SMEAT on the oral health of crewmen (DTO 71-2). [dental hygiene

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, L. R.; Wheatcroft, M. G.

1973-01-01

The oral health status of three astronauts was monitored before, during and after a 56-day simulation of the Skylab mission. Laboratory and clinical parameters which are considered to be ultimately related to dental impairments were evaluated. The most notable changes were observed in increased counts of mycoplasma and S. mutans, decreased counts of enteric bacilli, decreased saliva flow rates, increased secretory IgA and salivary lysozyme levels, and increased clinical scores of dental plaque, calculus and inflammation.

Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-28

peacetime engagement, see General Charles Wald , “The Phase Zero Campaign,” Joint Force Quarterly, Issue 43, 4th Quarter 2006, available at http...with Principal Deputy Under Secretary Henry From the Pentagon,” February 7, 2007. 18 See, for example, Lisa Schirch and Aaron Kishbaugh, “Leveraging ‘3D...to the possibility of significant climate change.” Testimony of General Charles Wald , Member, Military Advisory Board, at a hearing on Climate

Rethinking Merida’s Priorities: The Time is Now to Invest in Homeland Security

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-10-28

other provision of law , no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a...would constrain DTO operations by fortifying law enforcement institutions on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border while applying a progressive approach...the Bush-Calderón approach, termed the Mérida Initiative, in Public Law 110-252. This three-year economic assistance package appropriated $1.6

Increasing dimension of structures by 4D printing shape memory polymers via fused deposition modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, G. F.; Damanpack, A. R.; Bodaghi, M.; Liao, W. H.

2017-12-01

The main objective of this paper is to introduce a 4D printing method to program shape memory polymers (SMPs) during fabrication process. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) as a filament-based printing method is employed to program SMPs during depositing the material. This method is implemented to fabricate complicated polymeric structures by self-bending features without need of any post-programming. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate feasibility of one-dimensional (1D)-to 2D and 2D-to-3D self-bending. It is shown that 3D printed plate structures can transform into masonry-inspired 3D curved shell structures by simply heating. Good reliability of SMP programming during printing process is also demonstrated. A 3D macroscopic constitutive model is established to simulate thermo-mechanical features of the printed SMPs. Governing equations are also derived to simulate programming mechanism during printing process and shape change of self-bending structures. In this respect, a finite element formulation is developed considering von-Kármán geometric nonlinearity and solved by implementing iterative Newton-Raphson scheme. The accuracy of the computational approach is checked with experimental results. It is demonstrated that the theoretical model is able to replicate the main characteristics observed in the experiments. This research is likely to advance the state of the art FDM 4D printing, and provide pertinent results and computational tool that are instrumental in design of smart materials and structures with self-bending features.

Automatic 2D-to-3D image conversion using 3D examples from the internet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konrad, J.; Brown, G.; Wang, M.; Ishwar, P.; Wu, C.; Mukherjee, D.

2012-03-01

The availability of 3D hardware has so far outpaced the production of 3D content. Although to date many methods have been proposed to convert 2D images to 3D stereopairs, the most successful ones involve human operators and, therefore, are time-consuming and costly, while the fully-automatic ones have not yet achieved the same level of quality. This subpar performance is due to the fact that automatic methods usually rely on assumptions about the captured 3D scene that are often violated in practice. In this paper, we explore a radically different approach inspired by our work on saliency detection in images. Instead of relying on a deterministic scene model for the input 2D image, we propose to "learn" the model from a large dictionary of stereopairs, such as YouTube 3D. Our new approach is built upon a key observation and an assumption. The key observation is that among millions of stereopairs available on-line, there likely exist many stereopairs whose 3D content matches that of the 2D input (query). We assume that two stereopairs whose left images are photometrically similar are likely to have similar disparity fields. Our approach first finds a number of on-line stereopairs whose left image is a close photometric match to the 2D query and then extracts depth information from these stereopairs. Since disparities for the selected stereopairs differ due to differences in underlying image content, level of noise, distortions, etc., we combine them by using the median. We apply the resulting median disparity field to the 2D query to obtain the corresponding right image, while handling occlusions and newly-exposed areas in the usual way. We have applied our method in two scenarios. First, we used YouTube 3D videos in search of the most similar frames. Then, we repeated the experiments on a small, but carefully-selected, dictionary of stereopairs closely matching the query. This, to a degree, emulates the results one would expect from the use of an extremely large 3D repository. While far from perfect, the presented results demonstrate that on-line repositories of 3D content can be used for effective 2D-to-3D image conversion. With the continuously increasing amount of 3D data on-line and with the rapidly growing computing power in the cloud, the proposed framework seems a promising alternative to operator-assisted 2D-to-3D conversion.

A Preliminary Survey of Department of Energy Microelectronics Capabilities Related to Department of Defense Needs

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-09-01

Leader Brian S. Cohen Michael B. Marks mom m fanC QUALITY DJBPECTED 1 This work was conducted under IDA’S independent research program. The...addition to novel resonator structures. This DTO supports F-22 radar and EW, GBR, GEN -X, GPS, CEC, B-6 MILSTAR, Scamp, Longbow, BCIS, SADARM...generator set for use in the Gen II and Hunter Sensor Suite ATDs in FY98; and demonstrate liquid-fueled fuel cell in FY99. B.1.13 Power Control and

Crew microbiology (DTO 71-19). [Skylab altitude test effect on human microbiological burden

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wooley, B. C.; Mcqueen, J. L.; Graves, R. C.; Mieszkue, B. J.; Taylor, G. R.

1973-01-01

States of microbial imbalance as a result of human altitude chamber confinement occurred, for the most part, only in those genera and species of bacteria, yeast, and fungi which are classified as transients and are not part of the true indigenous flora of the crewmembers. Inasmuch as no crew illness events occurred and only subtle changes in the indigenous flora were noted, it appears that confinement of 56-days in a Skylab simulated environment does not mediate toward shifts in bacterial populations which have obvious clinical significance.

Laser-assisted isotope separation of tritium

DOEpatents

Herman, Irving P.; Marling, Jack B.

1983-01-01

Methods for laser-assisted isotope separation of tritium, using infrared multiple photon dissociation of tritium-bearing products in the gas phase. One such process involves the steps of (1) catalytic exchange of a deuterium-bearing molecule XYD with tritiated water DTO from sources such as a heavy water fission reactor, to produce the tritium-bearing working molecules XYT and (2) photoselective dissociation of XYT to form a tritium-rich product. By an analogous procedure, tritium is separated from tritium-bearing materials that contain predominately hydrogen such as a light water coolant from fission or fusion reactors.

STS-48 Pilot Reightler on OV-103's aft flight deck poses for ESC photo

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-48 Pilot Kenneth S. Reightler, Jr, positioned under overhead window W8, poses for an electronic still camera (ESC) photo on the aft flight deck of the earth-orbiting Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. Crewmembers were testing the ESC as part of Development Test Objective (DTO) 648, Electronic Still Photography. The digital image was stored on a removable hard disk or small optical disk, and could be converted to a format suitable for downlink transmission. The ESC is making its initial appearance on this Space Shuttle mission.

RME 1323 and DTO 671 during second EVA of STS-87

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-12-03

STS087-752-035 (19 November – 5 December 1997) --- This out-the-window view shows the Autonomous Extravehicular Activity Robotic Camera Sprint (AERCam Sprint) free-flying in the vicinity of the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Columbia. The AERCam Sprint is a prototype free-flying television camera that could be used for remote inspections of the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). This view, backdropped over southern Madagascar, was taken during this flight's second Extravehicular Activity (EVA), on December 3, 1997.

RME 1323 and DTO 671 during second EVA of STS-87

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-12-03

STS087-752-034 (19 November - 5 December 1997) --- This out-the-window view shows the Autonomous Extravehicular Activity Robotic Camera Sprint (AERCam Sprint) free-flying in the vicinity of the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Columbia. The AERCam Sprint is a prototype free-flying television camera that could be used for remote inspections of the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). This view, backdropped over southern Madagascar, was taken during this flight's second extravehicular activity (EVA), on December 3, 1997.

Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System Repair Flight Experiment Induced Contamination Impacts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Kendall A.; Soares, Carlos E.; Mikatarian, Ron; Schmidl, Danny; Campbell, Colin; Koontz, Steven; Engle, Michael; McCroskey, Doug; Garrett, Jeff

2006-01-01

NASA s activities to prepare for Flight LF1 (STS-114) included development of a method to repair the Thermal Protection System (TPS) of the Orbiter s leading edge should it be damaged during ascent by impacts from foam, ice, etc . Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) is used for the leading edge TPS. The repair material that was developed is named Non- Oxide Adhesive eXperimental (NOAX). NOAX is an uncured adhesive material that acts as an ablative repair material. NOAX completes curing during the Orbiter s descent. The Thermal Protection System (TPS) Detailed Test Objective 848 (DTO 848) performed on Flight LF1 (STS-114) characterized the working life, porosity void size in a micro-gravity environment, and the on-orbit performance of the repairs to pre-damaged samples. DTO 848 is also scheduled for Flight ULF1.1 (STS-121) for further characterization of NOAX on-orbit performance. Due to the high material outgassing rates of the NOAX material and concerns with contamination impacts to optically sensitive surfaces, ASTM E 1559 outgassing tests were performed to determine NOAX condensable outgassing rates as a function of time and temperature. Sensitive surfaces of concern include the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) visor, cameras, and other sensors in proximity to the experiment during the initial time after application. This paper discusses NOAX outgassing characteristics, how the amount of deposition on optically sensitive surfaces while the NOAX is being manipulated on the pre-damaged RCC samples was determined by analysis, and how flight rules were developed to protect those optically sensitive surfaces from excessive contamination where necessary.

The dynamic pattern of PLIN3 in pig oocytes and cumulus cells during in vitro maturation.

PubMed

Xu, Mingzhu; Zeng, Yaqiong; Chi, Daming; Si, Linan; Qu, Xiao; Li, Juan

2018-02-01

Lipid droplets (LDs) are the main energy resource for porcine preimplantation embryonic development. PLIN3 has been implicated in LD formation and regulation. Therefore, this study aimed to detect the dynamic pattern of PLIN3 in pig oocytes and cumulus cells (CC) during in vitro maturation (IVM), and to determine the relationship between PLIN3 and LD content. IVM with cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEO), cumulus-denuded oocytes (DO) and the CCs denuded from the corresponding oocytes (DCC) was performed in porcine follicular fluid (PFF) or PFF-free optimized medium. DO and the DCC were cultured together under the same conditions as described above, while the DO was named DTO and the DCC was named DTCC in this group. Firstly, our results revealed LDs distributed widely in oocytes and CC, while the PLIN3 protein coated these LDs and spread out ubiquitously in the cytoplasm. Secondly, not only the mRNA level but also at protein level of PLIN3 in immature naked oocytes (IO) was higher than that in matured CEO, DO and DTO. Although PLIN3 was expressed at lower levels in CC from immature oocytes (ICC), the protein level of PLIN3 was comparably higher in the ECC and DCC groups. The triglyceride (TG) content in CEO and DO was significantly less abundant compared with that in IO. Therefore, our results indicated that co-culturing of oocytes and CC might affect PLIN3 expression levels in CC but not in oocytes. Lipid accumulation in pig oocytes during maturation might be affected by PLIN3 cross-talk between oocytes and CC.

Image-Based Localization Aided Indoor Pedestrian Trajectory Estimation Using Smartphones

PubMed Central

Zhou, Yan; Zheng, Xianwei; Chen, Ruizhi; Xiong, Hanjiang; Guo, Sheng

2018-01-01

Accurately determining pedestrian location in indoor environments using consumer smartphones is a significant step in the development of ubiquitous localization services. Many different map-matching methods have been combined with pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) to achieve low-cost and bias-free pedestrian tracking. However, this works only in areas with dense map constraints and the error accumulates in open areas. In order to achieve reliable localization without map constraints, an improved image-based localization aided pedestrian trajectory estimation method is proposed in this paper. The image-based localization recovers the pose of the camera from the 2D-3D correspondences between the 2D image positions and the 3D points of the scene model, previously reconstructed by a structure-from-motion (SfM) pipeline. This enables us to determine the initial location and eliminate the accumulative error of PDR when an image is successfully registered. However, the image is not always registered since the traditional 2D-to-3D matching rejects more and more correct matches when the scene becomes large. We thus adopt a robust image registration strategy that recovers initially unregistered images by integrating 3D-to-2D search. In the process, the visibility and co-visibility information is adopted to improve the efficiency when searching for the correspondences from both sides. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated through several experiments and the results demonstrate that it can offer highly acceptable pedestrian localization results in long-term tracking, with an error of only 0.56 m, without the need for dedicated infrastructures. PMID:29342123

STS-35 MS Hoffman's height is recorded by MS Lounge on OV-102's middeck

NASA Image and Video Library

1990-12-10

STS035-19-021 (December 1990) --- STS-35 Mission Specialist Jeffrey A. Hoffman stretches out on the middeck floor while MS John M. (Mike) Lounge records his height. The two crew members are in front of the forward lockers aboard Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102. Hoffman steadies himself using the stowed treadmill and the lockers. Above Hoffman's head is a plastic bag filled with Development Test Objective (DTO) 634, Trash Compaction and Retention System Demonstration, trash compactor charcoal filtered bag lids. This image was selected by the Public Affairs Office (PAO) for public release.

Mud Mountain Outlet Structure; Hydraulic Model Investigation

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-10-01

of the U.S. Army Engineer District, Seattle. The investigation was stopped by the Seattle District on 15 June 1987 and restarted on 15 December 1987 ...degrees (angle) 0.01745329 radians feet 0.3048 meters 0 feet of water (39.2 F) 2,968M8 Idlopascads Inches 2.54 vsnrttmerts miles (U.S. statute) 1.609347...0 5 WASINGTO N- SE~rr4 MUD SEATTE MONFAI LOCAIONIT MAP PUYALLU 10 5 0 𔃺v5IE FigureA 1. PrjetloDto 0 MOUNTAI 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 DAMer1Inrduto 7 165 5~~V 5I S m

STS-48 MS Buchli, eating crackers on OV-103's middeck, is captured by ESC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-48 Mission Specialist (MS) James F. Buchli 'catches' goldfish snack crackers as they float in the weightless environment of the earth-orbiting Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. Buchli's eating activity on the middeck was documented using the Electronic Still Camera (ESC). Crewmembers were testing the ESC as part of Development Test Objective (DTO) 648, Electronic Still Photography. The digital image was stored on a removable hard disk or small optical disk, and could be converted to a format suitable for downlink transmission. The ESC is making its initial appearance on this Space Shuttle mission.

Development of a Universal Waste Management System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stapleton, Thomas J.; Baccus, Shelley; Broyan, James L., Jr.

2013-01-01

NASA is working with a number of commercial companies to develop the next low Earth orbit spacecraft. The hardware volume and weight constraints are similar to or greater than those of the Apollo era. This, coupled with the equally demanding cost challenge of the proposed commercial vehicles, causes much of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) designs to be reconsidered. The Waste Collection System (WCS) is within this group of ECLSS hardware. The development to support this new initiative is discussed within. A WCS concept - intended to be common for all the vehicle platforms currently on the drawing board - is being developed. The new concept, referred to as the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), includes favorable features from previous designs while improving on other areas on previous Space Shuttle and the existing International Space Station (ISS) WCS hardware, as needed. The intent is to build a commode that requires less crew time, improved cleanliness, and a 75% reduction in volume and weight compared to the previous US ISS/Extended Duration Orbitor WCS developed in the 1990s. The UWMS is most similar to the ISS Development Test Objective (DTO) WCS design. It is understood that the most dramatic cost reduction opportunity occurs at the beginning of the design process. To realize this opportunity, the cost of each similar component between the UWMS and the DTO WCS was determined. The comparison outlined were the design changes that would result with the greatest impact. The changes resulted in simplifying the approach or eliminating components completely. This initial UWMS paper will describe the system layout approach and a few key features of major components. Future papers will describe the UWMS functionality, test results, and components as they are developed.

New York TRACON Demonstration of Program Recoding Software Translation and Verification Methodology Document.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-08-01

LC ) ID .1 .. . .-D 0C .E 6. --C) C)0 CD. C 4, "<-_ z,= D >o -0.-~ ’ 0 C . ’ 3 4 U- ’ 4 - - - CD) C a-J3) C:, cnCD = c:,.. C) ) -S 4. -) 3 j 0D...to a TRACON, a field trip to the FAA Technical Center in N.J., and/or an orientation lecture regarding FAA policies and procedures. 3.2 Analysis of...familiar with FAA policies and procedures, and could apply what was being done to the ’real world.’ All developers expressed appreciation to S the

STS-48 MS Brown on OV-103's aft flight deck poses for ESC photo

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-48 Mission Specialist (MS) Mark N. Brown looks away from the portable laptop computer screen to pose for an Electronic Still Camera (ESC) photo on the aft flight deck of the earth-orbiting Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. Brown was working at the payload station before the interruption. Crewmembers were testing the ESC as part of Development Test Objective (DTO) 648, Electronic Still Photography. The digital image was stored on a removable hard disk or small optical disk, and could be converted to a format suitable for downlink transmission. The ESC is making its initial appearance on this Space Shuttle mission.

STS-48 Commander Creighton on OV-103's aft flight deck poses for ESC photo

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-48 Commander John O. Creighton, positioned under overhead window W8, interrupts an out-the-window observation to display a pleasant countenance for an electronic still camera (ESC) photo on the aft flight deck of the earth-orbiting Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. Crewmembers were testing the ESC as part of Development Test Objective (DTO) 648, Electronic Still Photography. The digital image was stored on a removable hard disk or small optical disk, and could be converted to a format suitable for downlink transmission. The ESC is making its initial appearance on this Space Shuttle mission.

DTO 1118 - Survey of the Mir Space Station

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-01-29

STS089-714-072 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- A series of 70mm still shots was recorded of Russia's Mir Space Station from the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Endeavour following undocking of the two spacecraft. Onboard the Mir at this point were cosmonaut Anatoly Y. Solovyev, commander; Pavel V. Vinogradov, flight engineer; and Andrew S. W. Thomas, cosmonaut guest researcher. Onboard Endeavour were Terrence W. (Terry) Wilcutt, commander; Joe F. Edwards Jr., pilot; Bonnie J. Dunbar, payload commander; mission specialists David A. Wolf (former cosmonaut guest researcher), Michael P. Anderson, James F. Reilly, and Salizhan S. Sharipov, representing Russian Space Agency (RSA). Photo credit: NASA

STS-40 Spacelab Life Science 1 (SLS-1) module in OV-102's payload bay (PLB)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-40 Spacelab Life Science 1 (SLS-1) module is documented in the payload bay (PLB) of Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102. Included in the view are: the spacelab (SL) transfer tunnel joggle section and support struts; SLS-1 module forward end cone with the European Space Agency (ESA) SL insignia, SLS-1 payload insignia, and the upper feed through plate (center); the orbiter maneuvering system (OMS) pods; and the vertical stabilizer with the Detailed Test Objective (DTO) 901 Shuttle Infrared Leeside Temperature Sensing (SILTS) at the top 24 inches. The vertical stabilizer is parallel to the Earth's limb which is highlighted by the sunlight at sunrise/sunset.

STS-40 Spacelab Life Science 1 (SLS-1) module in OV-102's payload bay (PLB)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-40 Spacelab Life Science 1 (SLS-1) module is documented in the payload bay (PLB) of Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102. Included in the view are: the spacelab (SL) transfer tunnel joggle section and support struts; SLS-1 module forward end cone with the European Space Agency (ESA) SL insignia, SLS-1 payload insignia, and the upper feed through plate (center); the orbiter maneuvering system (OMS) pods; and the vertical stabilizer with the Detailed Test Objective (DTO) 901 Shuttle Infrared Leeside Temperature Sensing (SILTS) at the top 24 inches. The vertical stabilizer points to the Earth's limb and the cloud-covered surface of the Earth below.

Contracted or uncontracted polarization functions? Comment on Dunning's correlation-consistent basis sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashimoto, Tomohiro; Hirao, Kimihiko; Tatewaki, Hiroshi

1997-07-01

For the sake of computational economy, the polarization functions given by Dunning are contracted by multiconfigurational SCF calculations for H, B, C, N, O, F and Ne atoms. For the first-row atoms, B through Ne, the generated contracted polarization functions are ( 2 d/1 d) and ( 3 d/2 d) and for H they are ( 2 p/1 p), ( 3 p/1 p), and ( 3 p/2 p) where the numbers before and after the slash are the numbers of uncontracted and contracted polarization functions. Numerical examples on some diatomic molecules and benzene illustrate a large improvement in going from ( 1 d/1 dto ( 2 d/1 d) for various molecular properties.

STS-47 Payload Specialist Mohri tosses an apple during SLJ demonstration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

STS-47 Payload Specialist Mamoru Mohri tosses an apple in the weightless environment of the Spacelab Japan (SLJ) science module aboard the Earth-orbitng Endeavour, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 105. Mohri was handling the space end of a space-to-Earth youth Conference with students in his home country (Japan) in which he gave a brief demonstration on the specifics of his mission as well as general information on space travel and space physics. Mohri conducts his demonstration in front of the NASDA Material Sciences Rack 10. In the background is the SLJ end cone with Detailed Test Objective (DTO), Foot restraint evaluation, base plate, a banner from Auburn University, and portraits of the backup payload specialists. Mohri represents Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA).

DTO 1118 - Survey of the Mir Space Station

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-01-29

STS089-716-019 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- A series of 70mm still shots was recorded of Russia's Mir Space Station from the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Endeavour following undocking of the two spacecraft. Among the medium close-ups of Mir, this survey view was provided during a "fly-around" by Endeavour. Onboard the Mir at this point were cosmonaut Anatoly Y. Solovyev, commander; Pavel V. Vinogradov, flight engineer; and Andrew S. W. Thomas, cosmonaut guest researcher. Onboard Endeavour were Terrence W. (Terry) Wilcutt, commander; Joe F. Edwards Jr., pilot; Bonnie J. Dunbar, payload commander; mission specialists David A. Wolf (former cosmonaut guest researcher), Michael P. Anderson, James F. Reilly, and Salizhan S. Sharipov representing Russian Space Agency (RSA). Photo credit: NASA

DTO 1118 - Survey of the Mir Space Station

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-01-29

STS089-714-066 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- A series of 70mm still shots was recorded of Russia's Mir Space Station from the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Endeavour following undocking of the two spacecraft. A large blanket of white clouds cover thousands of square miles in this oblique panorama. Onboard the Mir at this point were cosmonaut Anatoly Y. Solovyev, commander; Pavel V. Vinogradov, flight engineer; and Andrew S. W. Thomas, cosmonaut guest researcher. Onboard Endeavour were Terrence W. (Terry) Wilcutt, commander; Joe F. Edwards Jr., pilot; Bonnie J. Dunbar, payload commander; mission specialists David A. Wolf (former cosmonaut guest researcher), Michael P. Anderson, James F. Reilly, and Salizhan S. Sharipov representing Russian Space Agency (RSA). Photo credit: NASA

Evaluation of Hydrogen Isotope Exchange Methodology on Adsorbents for Tritium Removal

DOE PAGES

Morgan, Gregg A.; Xiao, S. Xin

2015-03-06

The Savannah River National Laboratory has demonstrated a potential process that can be used to remove tritium from tritiated water using Pt-catalyzed molecular sieves. The process is an elemental isotope exchange process in which H 2 (when flowed through the molecular sieves) will exchange with the adsorbed water, D 2O, leaving H 2O adsorbed on the molecular sieves. Various formulations of catalyzed molecular sieve material were prepared using two different techniques, Pt-implantation and Pt-ion exchange. This technology has been demonstrated for a protium (H) and deuterium (D) system, but can also be used for the removal of tritium from contaminatedmore » water (T 2O, HTO, and DTO) using D 2 (or H 2)« less

Effects of tritium gas exposure on the dynamic mechanical properties of EPDM elastomer

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

Clark, E. A.; Staack, G. C.

2008-07-15

Samples of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) elastomer were exposed to tritium gas in closed containers at 101 kPa (1 atmosphere) pressure and ambient temperature for about one week. Tritium exposure effects on the samples were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and radiolysis products were characterized by measuring the total final pressure and composition in the exposure containers at the end of exposure period. There was no effect of one week tritium exposure on the glass transition temperature, Tg, of the samples tested. Impurity gases produced in the closed containers included HT and lesser amounts of H{sub 2}, DTO,more » and CT{sub 4}. The total pressure remained the same during exposure. (authors)« less

EFFECTS OF TRITIUM GAS EXPOSURE ON THE DYNAMIC MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF EPDM ELASTOMER

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

Clark, E; Gregory Staack, G

2007-08-13

Samples of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) elastomer were exposed to tritium gas in closed containers initially at 101 kPa (1 atmosphere) pressure and ambient temperature for about one week. Tritium exposure effects on the samples were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and radiolysis products were characterized by measuring the total final pressure and composition in the exposure containers at the end of exposure period. There was no effect of one week tritium exposure on the glass transition temperature, Tg, of the samples tested. Impurity gases produced in the closed containers included HT and lesser amounts of H{sub 2},more » DTO, and CT{sub 4}. The total pressure remained the same during exposure.« less

Evaluation of hydrogen isotope exchange methodology on adsorbents for tritium removal

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

Morgan, G.A.; Xin Xiao, S.

2015-03-15

The Savannah River National Laboratory has demonstrated a potential process that can be used to remove tritium from tritiated water using Pt-catalyzed molecular sieves. The process is an elemental isotope exchange process in which H{sub 2} (when flowed through the molecular sieves) will exchange with the adsorbed water, D{sub 2}O, leaving H{sub 2}O adsorbed on the molecular sieves. Various formulations of catalyzed molecular sieve material were prepared using two different techniques, Pt-implantation and Pt-ion exchange. This technology has been demonstrated for a protium (H) and deuterium (D) system, but can also be used for the removal of tritium from contaminatedmore » water (T{sub 2}O, HTO, and DTO) using D{sub 2} (or H{sub 2}). (authors)« less

Deformation potentials for band-to-band tunneling in silicon and germanium from first principles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vandenberghe, William G.; Fischetti, Massimo V.

2015-01-01

The deformation potentials for phonon-assisted band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) in silicon and germanium are calculated using a plane-wave density functional theory code. Using hybrid functionals, we obtain: DTA = 4.1 × 108 eV/cm, DTO = 1.2 × 109 eV/cm, and DLO = 2.2 × 109 eV/cm for BTBT in silicon and DTA = 7.8 × 108 eV/cm and DLO = 1.3 × 109 eV/cm for BTBT in germanium. These values agree with experimentally measured values and we explain why in diodes, the TA/TO phonon-assisted BTBT dominates over LO phonon-assisted BTBT despite the larger deformation potential for the latter. We also explain why LO phonon-assisted BTBT can nevertheless dominate in many practical applications.

One Dimensional(1D)-to-2D Crossover of Spin Correlations in the 3D Magnet ZnMn 2O 4

DOE PAGES

Disseler, S. M.; Chen, Y.; Yeo, S.; ...

2015-12-08

In this paper we report on the intriguing evolution of the dynamical spin correlations of the frustrated spinel ZnMn 2O 4. Inelastic neutron scattering and magnetization studies reveal that the dynamical correlations at high temperatures are 1D. At lower temperature, these dynamical correlations become 2D. Surprisingly, the dynamical correlations condense into a quasi 2D Ising-like ordered state, making this a rare observation of two dimensional order on the spinel lattice. Remarkably, 3D ordering is not observed down to temperatures as low as 300 mK. This unprecedented dimensional crossover stems from frustrated exchange couplings due to the huge Jahn-Teller distortions aroundmore » Mn 3+ ions on the spinel lattice.« less

Chemical forms of tritium on the release from aluminum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yokoyama, A.; Nakashima, M.; Tachikawa, E.

1981-10-01

The release-behavior of tritium from aluminum, where tritium has been injected into aluminum samples through 6Li(n,α)T transmutation reaction, has been investigated. When the aluminum samples were dissolved in NaOH/D 2O solutions, a majority of T has appeared as DT but a small fraction as HT, T 2 and DTO. It has been concluded that both HT and T 2 were formed inside of the aluminum. Their formations compete each other and their relative yields are correlated with the impurity content of protium in the sample. The time-profiles of the release rate of tritium on heating the sample have been compared with the results calculated with an appropriate assumption. A little difference between them can be reasonably ascribed to the presence of thin oxide film covering the sample surface.

Spiral-shaped piezoelectric sensors for Lamb waves direction of arrival (DoA) estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Marchi, L.; Testoni, N.; Marzani, A.

2018-04-01

A novel strategy to design piezoelectric sensors suited for direction of arrival (DoA) estimation of incoming Lamb waves is presented in this work. The designed sensor is composed by two piezoelectric patches (P1, P2) bonded on the structure to be inspected. In particular, by exploiting the Radon transform, the proposed procedure computes the shape of P2 given the shape of P1 so that the difference in time of arrival (DToA) of the Lamb waves at the two patches is linearly related to the DoA while being agnostic of the waveguide dispersion curves. With a dedicated processing procedure, the waveforms acquired from the two electrodes and digitized can be used to retrieve the DoA information. Numerical and experimental results show that DoA estimation performed by means of the proposed shaped transducers is extremely robust.

Attosecond sublevel beating and nonlinear dressing on the 3d-to-5p and 3p-to-5s core-transitions at 91.3 eV and 210.4 eV in krypton.

PubMed

Seres, Enikoe; Seres, Jozsef; Namba, Shinichi; Afa, John; Serrat, Carles

2017-12-11

Applying extreme ultraviolet (XUV) transient absorption spectroscopy, the dynamics of the two laser dressed transitions 3d 5/2 -to-5p 3/2 and 3p 3/2 -to-5s 1/2 at photon energies of 91.3 eV and 210.4 eV were examined with attosecond temporal resolution. The dressing process was modeled with density matrix equations which are found to describe very accurately both the experimentally observed transmission dynamics and the linear and nonlinear dressing oscillations at 0.75 PHz and 1.5 PHz frequencies. Furthermore, using Fourier transform XUV spectroscopy, quantum beats from the 3d 5/2 -3d 3/2 and 3p 3/2 -3p 1/2 sublevels at 0.3 PHz and 2.0 PHz were experimentally identified and resolved.

STS-48 ESC Earth observation of ice pack, Antarctic Ice Shelf

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-48 Earth observation taken aboard Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, is of the breakup of pack ice along the periphery of the Antarctic Ice Shelf. Strong offshore winds, probably associated with katabatic downdrafts from the interior of the continent, are seen peeling off the edges of the ice shelf into long filaments of sea ice, icebergs, bergy bits, and growlers to flow northward into the South Atlantic Ocean. These photos are used to study ocean wind, tide and current patterns. Similar views photographed during previous missions, when analyzed with these recent views may yield information about regional ice drift and breakup of ice packs. The image was captured using an electronic still camera (ESC), was stored on a removable hard disk or small optical disk, and was converted to a format suitable for downlink transmission. The ESC documentation was part of Development Test Objective (DTO) 648, Electronic Still Photography.

STS-35 Payload Specialist Parise sets up SAREX on OV-102's middeck

NASA Image and Video Library

1990-12-10

STS-35 Payload Specialist Ronald A. Parise enters data into the payload and general support computer (PGSC) in preparation for Earth communication via the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) aboard Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102. The SAREX equipment is secured to the middeck starboard sleep station. SAREX provided radio transmissions between ground based amateur radio operators around the world and Parise, a licensed amateur radio operator. The experiment enabled students to communicate with an astronaut in space, as Parise (call-sign WA4SIR) devoted some of his off-duty time to that purpose. Displayed on the forward lockers beside Parise is a AMSAT (Amateur Radio Satellite Corporation) / ARRL (American Radio Relay League) banner. Food items and checklists are attached to the lockers. In locker position MF43G, the Development Test Objective (DTO) Trash Compaction and Retention System Demonstration extended duration orbiter (EDO) compactor is visible.

Robust Online Hamiltonian Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granade, Christopher; Ferrie, Christopher; Wiebe, Nathan; Cory, David

2013-05-01

In this talk, we introduce a machine-learning algorithm for the problem of inferring the dynamical parameters of a quantum system, and discuss this algorithm in the example of estimating the precession frequency of a single qubit in a static field. Our algorithm is designed with practicality in mind by including parameters that control trade-offs between the requirements on computational and experimental resources. The algorithm can be implemented online, during experimental data collection, or can be used as a tool for post-processing. Most importantly, our algorithm is capable of learning Hamiltonian parameters even when the parameters change from experiment-to-experiment, and also when additional noise processes are present and unknown. Finally, we discuss the performance of the our algorithm by appeal to the Cramer-Rao bound. This work was financially supported by the Canadian government through NSERC and CERC and by the United States government through DARPA. NW would like to acknowledge funding from USARO-DTO.

STS-57 MS & PLC Low, in EMU and atop the RMS, is maneuvered in OV-105's PLB

NASA Image and Video Library

1993-06-25

The darkness of space forms the backdrop for this extravehicular activity (EVA) scene captured by one of the STS-57 crewmembers in Endeavour's, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 105's, crew cabin. Pictured near the recently "captured" European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA) at frame center is Mission Specialist (MS) and Payload Commander (PLC) G. David Low. Suited in an extravehicular mobility unit (EMU), Low, anchored to the remote manipulator system (RMS) via a portable foot restraint (PFR) (manipulator foot restraint (MFR)), is conducting Detailed Test Objective (DTO) 1210 procedures. Specifically, this activity will assist in refining several procedures being developed to service the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) on mission STS-61 in December 1993. The PFR is attached to the RMS end effector via a PFR attachment device (PAD). Partially visible in the foreground is the Superfluid Helium Onorbit Transfer (SHOOT) payload.

Comparison of Intrauterine Antibiotics versus Ozone Medical Use in Sheep with Retained Placenta and Following Obstetric Assistance.

PubMed

Đuričić, D; Valpotić, H; Žura Žaja, I; Samardžija, M

2016-08-01

This study outlines a new approach to reproductive tract treatment using ozone foam spray for certain ovine obstetrical problems, such as retained foetal membranes and possible uterine infections following obstetric assistance (OA), in comparison with classical antibiotics treatments. The study was conducted on 256 ewes from 11 sheep farms in north-western Croatia. A total of 139 ewes were diagnosed with dystocia (DT) and 49 with retention of placenta (RP). Ewes with RP were treated either with ozone foam spray (Riger spray G; Novagen(®) ) applied into the body of the uterus for 2-3 s (first or RPO group; n = 24) or with two foaming, intrauterine tablets of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (Geomycin(®) F) (second or RPA group; n = 25). The third and fourth groups consisted of ewes that received OA for dystocia (including ringwomb, foetal oversize and assistance of abnormal position and posture). The third group (DTO; n = 70) was treated with ozone foam spray, while ewes in fourth group (DTA; n = 69) were treated with antibiotics. The ewes in the control group (CTL) with physiological puerperium were randomly selected (n = 70) from all herds. Transrectal ultrasonography (transversal diameter of uterine horns) was used for the control of uterus regression on days 2 and 25 after parturition. There was a difference in transversal uterine horn diameter in the RP groups, that is RPO and RPA (5.40 ± 0.53 cm vs. 5.43 ± 0.40 cm), ewes with dystocia, that is DTO and DTA (5.37 ± 0.49 cm vs. 5.54 ± 0.60 cm) and ewes from the CTL group (4.98 ± 0.35 cm) one day after parturition. Average transversal uterine diameter of all groups at day 25 post-partum was 1.80 ± 0.15 cm. The intrauterine ozone treatment in ewes with RP and after manual obstetrics attained similar results to spontaneously delivered ewes (CTL group), showed as the physiological regression of the uterus with a similar transversal diameter without the presence of lochia in the uterine lumen, indicating that this could be a novel potential alternative therapy. © 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

STS-48 ESC image of the MODE-01 Fluid Test Article (FTA) on OV-103's middeck

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

An electronic still camera (ESC) closeup shows the STS-48 Middeck Zero ('0') Gravity Dynamics Experiment 01 (MODE-01) Fluid Test Article (FTA) attached to an experimental support module (ESM) located in a forward middeck locker onboard the earth-orbiting Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. The FTA is a 3.1-cm diameter cylindrical sealed Lexan tank. The FTA electromagnetic actuator has excited the test article sinusoidally, which causes the fluid inside the tank to slosh. These slosh forces, along with other data such as acceleration levels of the entire assembly, are measured by the force balance and recorded in digital form on an optical disk for later ground analysis. Crewmembers were testing the ESC as part of Development Test Objective (DTO) 648, Electronic Still Photography. The digital image was stored on a removable hard disk or small optical disk, and could be converted to a format suitable for downlink transmission. The ESC is making its initial appearance on this Space Shutt

s48-e-007

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-01-15

S48-E-007 (12 Sept 1991) --- Astronaut James F. Buchli, mission specialist, catches snack crackers as they float in the weightless environment of the earth-orbiting Discovery. This image was transmitted by the Electronic Still Camera, Development Test Objective (DTO) 648. The ESC is making its initial appearance on a Space Shuttle flight. Electronic still photography is a new technology that enables a camera to electronically capture and digitize an image with resolution approaching film quality. The digital image is stored on removable hard disks or small optical disks, and can be converted to a format suitable for downlink transmission or enhanced using image processing software. The Electronic Still Camera (ESC) was developed by the Man- Systems Division at the Johnson Space Center and is the first model in a planned evolutionary development leading to a family of high-resolution digital imaging devices. H. Don Yeates, JSC's Man-Systems Division, is program manager for the ESC. THIS IS A SECOND GENERATION PRINT MADE FROM AN ELECTRONICALLY PRODUCED NEGATIVE

3D Printing of Liquid Crystal Elastomeric Actuators with Spatially Programed Nematic Order.

PubMed

Kotikian, Arda; Truby, Ryan L; Boley, John William; White, Timothy J; Lewis, Jennifer A

2018-03-01

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are soft materials capable of large, reversible shape changes, which may find potential application as artificial muscles, soft robots, and dynamic functional architectures. Here, the design and additive manufacturing of LCE actuators (LCEAs) with spatially programed nematic order that exhibit large, reversible, and repeatable contraction with high specific work capacity are reported. First, a photopolymerizable, solvent-free, main-chain LCE ink is created via aza-Michael addition with the appropriate viscoelastic properties for 3D printing. Next, high operating temperature direct ink writing of LCE inks is used to align their mesogen domains along the direction of the print path. To demonstrate the power of this additive manufacturing approach, shape-morphing LCEA architectures are fabricated, which undergo reversible planar-to-3D and 3D-to-3D' transformations on demand, that can lift significantly more weight than other LCEAs reported to date. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Crystal-Chemical Analysis Martian Minerals in Gale Crater

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, S. M.; Downs, R. T.; Blake, D. F.; Bish, D. L.; Ming, D. W.; Morris, R. V.; Yen, A. S.; Chipera, S. J.; Treiman, A. H.; Vaniman, D. T.;

Navigation Aiding by a Hybrid Laser-Camera Motion Estimator for Micro Aerial Vehicles.

PubMed

Atman, Jamal; Popp, Manuel; Ruppelt, Jan; Trommer, Gert F

2016-09-16

Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) equipped with various sensors are able to carry out autonomous flights. However, the self-localization of autonomous agents is mostly dependent on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). In order to provide an accurate navigation solution in absence of GNSS signals, this article presents a hybrid sensor. The hybrid sensor is a deep integration of a monocular camera and a 2D laser rangefinder so that the motion of the MAV is estimated. This realization is expected to be more flexible in terms of environments compared to laser-scan-matching approaches. The estimated ego-motion is then integrated in the MAV's navigation system. However, first, the knowledge about the pose between both sensors is obtained by proposing an improved calibration method. For both calibration and ego-motion estimation, 3D-to-2D correspondences are used and the Perspective-3-Point (P3P) problem is solved. Moreover, the covariance estimation of the relative motion is presented. The experiments show very accurate calibration and navigation results.

Waxholm space: an image-based reference for coordinating mouse brain research.

PubMed

Johnson, G Allan; Badea, Alexandra; Brandenburg, Jeffrey; Cofer, Gary; Fubara, Boma; Liu, Song; Nissanov, Jonathan

2010-11-01

We describe an atlas of the C57BL/6 mouse brain based on MRI and conventional Nissl histology. Magnetic resonance microscopy was performed on a total of 14 specimens that were actively stained to enhance tissue contrast. Images were acquired with three different MR protocols yielding contrast dependent on spin lattice relaxation (T1), spin spin relaxation (T2), and magnetic susceptibility (T2*). Spatial resolution was 21.5 mum (isotropic). Conventional histology (Nissl) was performed on a limited set of these same specimens and the Nissl images were registered (3D-to-3D) to the MR data. Probabilistic atlases for 37 structures are provided, along with average atlases. The availability of three different MR protocols, the Nissl data, and the labels provides a rich set of options for registration of other atlases to the same coordinate system, thus facilitating data-sharing. All the data is available for download via the web. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

s48-e-013

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-08

S48-E-013 (15 Sept 1991) --- The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) in the payload bay of the earth- orbiting Discovery. UARS is scheduled for deploy on flight day three of the STS-48 mission. Data from UARS will enable scientists to study ozone depletion in the stratosphere, or upper atmosphere. This image was transmitted by the Electronic Still Camera (ESC), Development Test Objective (DTO) 648. The ESC is making its initial appearance on a Space Shuttle flight. Electronic still photography is a new technology that enables a camera to electronically capture and digitize an image with resolution approaching film quality. The digital image is stored on removable hard disks or small optical disks, and can be converted to a format suitable for downlink transmission or enhanced using image processing software. The Electronic Still Camera (ESC) was developed by the Man- Systems Division at the Johnson Space Center and is the first model in a planned evolutionary development leading to a family of high-resolution digital imaging devices. H. Don Yeates, JSC's Man-Systems Division, is program manager for the ESC. THIS IS A SECOND GENERATION PRINT MADE FROM AN ELECTRONICALLY PRODUCED NEGATIVE.

Understanding the Growth Mechanism of GaN Epitaxial Layers on Mechanically Exfoliated Graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tianbao; Liu, Chenyang; Zhang, Zhe; Yu, Bin; Dong, Hailiang; Jia, Wei; Jia, Zhigang; Yu, Chunyan; Gan, Lin; Xu, Bingshe; Jiang, Haiwei

2018-04-01

The growth mechanism of GaN epitaxial layers on mechanically exfoliated graphite is explained in detail based on classic nucleation theory. The number of defects on the graphite surface can be increased via O-plasma treatment, leading to increased nucleation density on the graphite surface. The addition of elemental Al can effectively improve the nucleation rate, which can promote the formation of dense nucleation layers and the lateral growth of GaN epitaxial layers. The surface morphologies of the nucleation layers, annealed layers and epitaxial layers were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, where the evolution of the surface morphology coincided with a 3D-to-2D growth mechanism. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the microstructure of GaN. Fast Fourier transform diffraction patterns showed that cubic phase (zinc-blend structure) GaN grains were obtained using conventional GaN nucleation layers, while the hexagonal phase (wurtzite structure) GaN films were formed using AlGaN nucleation layers. Our work opens new avenues for using highly oriented pyrolytic graphite as a substrate to fabricate transferable optoelectronic devices.

High-content profiling of cell responsiveness to graded substrates based on combinyatorially variant polymers.

PubMed

Liu, Er; Treiser, Matthew D; Patel, Hiral; Sung, Hak-Joon; Roskov, Kristen E; Kohn, Joachim; Becker, Matthew L; Moghe, Prabhas V

2009-08-01

We have developed a novel approach combining high information and high throughput analysis to characterize cell adhesive responses to biomaterial substrates possessing gradients in surface topography. These gradients were fabricated by subjecting thin film blends of tyrosine-derived polycarbonates, i.e. poly(DTE carbonate) and poly(DTO carbonate) to a gradient temperature annealing protocol. Saos-2 cells engineered with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter for farnesylation (GFP-f) were cultured on the gradient substrates to assess the effects of nanoscale surface topology and roughness that arise during the phase separation process on cell attachment and adhesion strength. The high throughput imaging approach allowed us to rapidly identify the "global" and "high content" structure-property relationships between cell adhesion and biomaterial properties such as polymer chemistry and topography. This study found that cell attachment and spreading increased monotonically with DTE content and were significantly elevated at the position with intermediate regions corresponding to the highest "gradient" of surface roughness, while GFP-f farnesylation intensity descriptors were sensitively altered by surface roughness, even in cells with comparable levels of spreading.

Understanding the Growth Mechanism of GaN Epitaxial Layers on Mechanically Exfoliated Graphite.

PubMed

Li, Tianbao; Liu, Chenyang; Zhang, Zhe; Yu, Bin; Dong, Hailiang; Jia, Wei; Jia, Zhigang; Yu, Chunyan; Gan, Lin; Xu, Bingshe; Jiang, Haiwei

2018-04-27

The growth mechanism of GaN epitaxial layers on mechanically exfoliated graphite is explained in detail based on classic nucleation theory. The number of defects on the graphite surface can be increased via O-plasma treatment, leading to increased nucleation density on the graphite surface. The addition of elemental Al can effectively improve the nucleation rate, which can promote the formation of dense nucleation layers and the lateral growth of GaN epitaxial layers. The surface morphologies of the nucleation layers, annealed layers and epitaxial layers were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, where the evolution of the surface morphology coincided with a 3D-to-2D growth mechanism. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the microstructure of GaN. Fast Fourier transform diffraction patterns showed that cubic phase (zinc-blend structure) GaN grains were obtained using conventional GaN nucleation layers, while the hexagonal phase (wurtzite structure) GaN films were formed using AlGaN nucleation layers. Our work opens new avenues for using highly oriented pyrolytic graphite as a substrate to fabricate transferable optoelectronic devices.

Navigation Aiding by a Hybrid Laser-Camera Motion Estimator for Micro Aerial Vehicles

PubMed Central

Atman, Jamal; Popp, Manuel; Ruppelt, Jan; Trommer, Gert F.

2016-01-01

Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) equipped with various sensors are able to carry out autonomous flights. However, the self-localization of autonomous agents is mostly dependent on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). In order to provide an accurate navigation solution in absence of GNSS signals, this article presents a hybrid sensor. The hybrid sensor is a deep integration of a monocular camera and a 2D laser rangefinder so that the motion of the MAV is estimated. This realization is expected to be more flexible in terms of environments compared to laser-scan-matching approaches. The estimated ego-motion is then integrated in the MAV’s navigation system. However, first, the knowledge about the pose between both sensors is obtained by proposing an improved calibration method. For both calibration and ego-motion estimation, 3D-to-2D correspondences are used and the Perspective-3-Point (P3P) problem is solved. Moreover, the covariance estimation of the relative motion is presented. The experiments show very accurate calibration and navigation results. PMID:27649203

Semi-automatic 2D-to-3D conversion of human-centered videos enhanced by age and gender estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fard, Mani B.; Bayazit, Ulug

2014-01-01

In this work, we propose a feasible 3D video generation method to enable high quality visual perception using a monocular uncalibrated camera. Anthropometric distances between face standard landmarks are approximated based on the person's age and gender. These measurements are used in a 2-stage approach to facilitate the construction of binocular stereo images. Specifically, one view of the background is registered in initial stage of video shooting. It is followed by an automatically guided displacement of the camera toward its secondary position. At the secondary position the real-time capturing is started and the foreground (viewed person) region is extracted for each frame. After an accurate parallax estimation the extracted foreground is placed in front of the background image that was captured at the initial position. So the constructed full view of the initial position combined with the view of the secondary (current) position, form the complete binocular pairs during real-time video shooting. The subjective evaluation results present a competent depth perception quality through the proposed system.

Impact of grazing on carbon balance of a Belgian grassland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jérôme, Elisabeth; Beckers, Yves; Bodson, Bernard; Moureaux, Christine; Dumortier, Pierre; Beekkerk van Ruth, Joran; Aubinet, Marc

2013-04-01

This work analyzes the impact of grazing on the carbon balance of a grassland grazed by the Belgian Blue breed of cattle. The research was run at the Dorinne terrestrial observatory (DTO). The experimental site is a permanent grassland of ca. 4.2 ha located in the Belgian Condroz (50° 18' 44" N; 4° 58' 07" E; 248 m asl.). Other studies are conducted at the DTO including measurements of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide fluxes (Dumortier et al., Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 15, EGU2013-2083-1, 2013; Beekkerk van Ruth et al., Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 15, EGU2013-3211, 2013, respectively). Grassland carbon budget (Net Biome Productivity, NBP) was calculated from Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) measured by eddy covariance by taking imports and exports of organic C and losses of carbon as CH4 into account. After 2 years of measurements (May 2010 - May 2012), the grassland behaved on average as a CO2 source (NEE = 73 ±31 g C m-2 y-1). After inclusion of all the C inputs and outputs the site was closed to equilibrium (NBP = 23 ±34 g C m-2 y-1). To analyze the impact of grazing on CO2 fluxes, we studied the temporal evolution of gross maximal photosynthetic capacity GPPmax and dark respiration Rd (deduced from the response of daytime fluxes to radiation over 5-day windows). We calculated GPPmax and Rd variation between the end and the beginning of grazing or non-grazing periods (ΔGPPmax and ΔRd, respectively). We observed a significant decrease of GPPmax during grazing periods and measured a ΔGPPmax dependence on the average stocking rate. This allows us to quantify the assimilation reduction due to grass consumption by cattle. On the contrary, no Rd decrease was observed during grazing periods. Moreover, we found that cumulated monthly NEE increased significantly with the average stocking rate. In addition, a confinement experiment was carried out in order to analyze livestock contribution to Total Ecosystem Respiration. Each experiment extended over two days: the first day, cattle was confined in the footprint of the eddy covariance set-up (1.76 ha, 27 LU ha-1) and the second day, it was removed from it. We compared filtered half-hourly data made at 24h intervals, in the presence or absence of cattle, considering that environmental conditions were equivalent (air temperature, wind speed, radiation and wind direction). Results showed that CO2 fluxes were significantly higher when cattle were on the plot. Livestock contribution estimation to CO2 fluxes was on average 6.6 μmol m-2 s-1. Key words: grassland, carbon budget, carbon dioxide exchange, impact of grazing.

Large ORU/ Crane evaluations conducted during first EVA of STS-87 (DTO 671)

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-11-25

STS087-718-069 (19 November ? 5 December 1997) --- On the Space Shuttle Columbia's first ever spacewalk (EVA), astronaut Takao Doi works with a 156-pound crane carried onboard for the first time this trip of Columbia. The crane's inclusion and the work with it are part of a continuing preparation effort for future work on the International Space Station (ISS). The ongoing project allows for evaluation of tools and operating methods to be applied to the construction of the Space Station. This crane device is designed to aid future spacewalkers in transporting Orbital Replacement Units (ORU), with a mass up to 600 pounds (like the simulated battery pictured here), from translating carts on the exterior of ISS to various worksites on the truss structure. Earlier Doi, an international mission specialist representing Japan, and astronaut Winston E. Scott had installed the crane in a socket along the middle port side of Columbia's cargo bay for the evaluation. The two began the crane operations, long ago manifest for this mission, after completing a contingency spacewalk to snag the free-flying Spartan 201 and berth it in the payload bay (visible in the background).

A Probabilistic Feature Map-Based Localization System Using a Monocular Camera.

PubMed

Kim, Hyungjin; Lee, Donghwa; Oh, Taekjun; Choi, Hyun-Taek; Myung, Hyun

2015-08-31

Image-based localization is one of the most widely researched localization techniques in the robotics and computer vision communities. As enormous image data sets are provided through the Internet, many studies on estimating a location with a pre-built image-based 3D map have been conducted. Most research groups use numerous image data sets that contain sufficient features. In contrast, this paper focuses on image-based localization in the case of insufficient images and features. A more accurate localization method is proposed based on a probabilistic map using 3D-to-2D matching correspondences between a map and a query image. The probabilistic feature map is generated in advance by probabilistic modeling of the sensor system as well as the uncertainties of camera poses. Using the conventional PnP algorithm, an initial camera pose is estimated on the probabilistic feature map. The proposed algorithm is optimized from the initial pose by minimizing Mahalanobis distance errors between features from the query image and the map to improve accuracy. To verify that the localization accuracy is improved, the proposed algorithm is compared with the conventional algorithm in a simulation and realenvironments.

A Probabilistic Feature Map-Based Localization System Using a Monocular Camera

PubMed Central

Kim, Hyungjin; Lee, Donghwa; Oh, Taekjun; Choi, Hyun-Taek; Myung, Hyun

2015-01-01

Image-based localization is one of the most widely researched localization techniques in the robotics and computer vision communities. As enormous image data sets are provided through the Internet, many studies on estimating a location with a pre-built image-based 3D map have been conducted. Most research groups use numerous image data sets that contain sufficient features. In contrast, this paper focuses on image-based localization in the case of insufficient images and features. A more accurate localization method is proposed based on a probabilistic map using 3D-to-2D matching correspondences between a map and a query image. The probabilistic feature map is generated in advance by probabilistic modeling of the sensor system as well as the uncertainties of camera poses. Using the conventional PnP algorithm, an initial camera pose is estimated on the probabilistic feature map. The proposed algorithm is optimized from the initial pose by minimizing Mahalanobis distance errors between features from the query image and the map to improve accuracy. To verify that the localization accuracy is improved, the proposed algorithm is compared with the conventional algorithm in a simulation and realenvironments. PMID:26404284

Wood-derived olefins by steam cracking of hydrodeoxygenated tall oils.

PubMed

Pyl, Steven P; Dijkmans, Thomas; Antonykutty, Jinto M; Reyniers, Marie-Françoise; Harlin, Ali; Van Geem, Kevin M; Marin, Guy B

2012-12-01

Tall oil fractions obtained from Norwegian spruce pulping were hydrodeoxygenated (HDO) at pilot scale using a commercial NiMo hydrotreating catalyst. Comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) showed that HDO of both tall oil fatty acids (TOFA) and distilled tall oil (DTO) produced highly paraffinic hydrocarbon liquids. The hydrotreated fractions also contained fatty acid methyl esters and norabietane and norabietatriene isomers. Steam cracking of HDO-TOFA in a pilot plant revealed that high light olefin yields can be obtained, with 35.4 wt.% of ethene and 18.2 wt.% of propene at a coil outlet pressure (COP) of 1.7 bara, a dilution of 0.45 kg(steam)/kg(HDO-TOFA) and a coil outlet temperature (COT) of 820 °C. A pilot plant coking experiment indicated that cracking of HDO-TOFA at a COT of 850 °C results in limited fouling in the reactor. Co-cracking of HDO tall oil fractions with a typical fossil-based naphtha showed improved selectivity to desired light olefins, further demonstrating the potential of large scale olefin production from hydrotreated tall oil fractions in conventional crackers. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantification of uncertainty in photon source spot size inference during laser-driven radiography experiments at TRIDENT

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

Tobias, Benjamin John; Palaniyappan, Sasikumar; Gautier, Donald Cort

Images of the R2DTO resolution target were obtained during laser-driven-radiography experiments performed at the TRIDENT laser facility, and analysis of these images using the Bayesian Inference Engine (BIE) determines a most probable full-width half maximum (FWHM) spot size of 78 μm. However, significant uncertainty prevails due to variation in the measured detector blur. Propagating this uncertainty in detector blur through the forward model results in an interval of probabilistic ambiguity spanning approximately 35-195 μm when the laser energy impinges on a thick (1 mm) tantalum target. In other phases of the experiment, laser energy is deposited on a thin (~100more » nm) aluminum target placed 250 μm ahead of the tantalum converter. When the energetic electron beam is generated in this manner, upstream from the bremsstrahlung converter, the inferred spot size shifts to a range of much larger values, approximately 270-600 μm FWHM. This report discusses methods applied to obtain these intervals as well as concepts necessary for interpreting the result within a context of probabilistic quantitative inference.« less

The Network Operations Control Center upgrade task: Lessons learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sherif, J. S.; Tran, T.-L.; Lee, S.

1994-01-01

This article synthesizes and describes the lessons learned from the Network Operations Control Center (NOCC) upgrade project, from the requirements phase through development and test and transfer. At the outset, the NOCC upgrade was being performed simultaneously with two other interfacing and dependent upgrades at the Signal Processing Center (SPC) and Ground Communications Facility (GCF), thereby adding a significant measure of complexity to the management and overall coordination of the development and transfer-to-operations (DTO) effort. Like other success stories, this project carried with it the traditional elements of top management support and exceptional dedication of cognizant personnel. Additionally, there were several NOCC-specific reasons for success, such as end-to-end system engineering, adoption of open-system architecture, thorough requirements management, and use of appropriate off-the-shelf technologies. On the other hand, there were several difficulties, such as ill-defined external interfaces, transition issues caused by new communications protocols, ambivalent use of two sets of policies and standards, and mistailoring of the new JPL management standard (due to the lack of practical guidelines). This article highlights the key lessons learned, as a means of constructive suggestions for the benefit of future projects.

A High Performance VLSI Computer Architecture For Computer Graphics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chin, Chi-Yuan; Lin, Wen-Tai

1988-10-01

A VLSI computer architecture, consisting of multiple processors, is presented in this paper to satisfy the modern computer graphics demands, e.g. high resolution, realistic animation, real-time display etc.. All processors share a global memory which are partitioned into multiple banks. Through a crossbar network, data from one memory bank can be broadcasted to many processors. Processors are physically interconnected through a hyper-crossbar network (a crossbar-like network). By programming the network, the topology of communication links among processors can be reconfigurated to satisfy specific dataflows of different applications. Each processor consists of a controller, arithmetic operators, local memory, a local crossbar network, and I/O ports to communicate with other processors, memory banks, and a system controller. Operations in each processor are characterized into two modes, i.e. object domain and space domain, to fully utilize the data-independency characteristics of graphics processing. Special graphics features such as 3D-to-2D conversion, shadow generation, texturing, and reflection, can be easily handled. With the current high density interconnection (MI) technology, it is feasible to implement a 64-processor system to achieve 2.5 billion operations per second, a performance needed in most advanced graphics applications.

Synthesis, structures and properties of a new series of platinum-diimine-dithiolate complexes.

PubMed

Adams, Christopher J; Fey, Natalie; Parfitt, Matthew; Pope, Simon J A; Weinstein, Julia A

2007-10-21

The new square-planar platinum-diimine-dithiolate compounds [Pt(mesBIAN)SS] have been synthesised {mesBIAN = bis(mesityl)biazanaphthenequinone; SS = 1,2-dithiooxalate (dto) , maleonitriledithiolate (mnt) , 1,2-benzenedithiolate (bdt) , 3,4-toluenedithiolate (tdt) and 1,3-dithia-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate (dmit) }, and the X-ray crystal structures of and determined. Cyclic voltammetry reveals that all the compounds form stable anions, and ESR spectroscopy of these anions shows that the SOMO is based upon the mesBIAN ligand; compounds also show a reversible oxidation wave in their CV. Computational studies reveal that charge-transfer processes from orbitals that are combinations of metal and dithiolate ligand to a mesBIAN pi-based LUMO are responsible for the low energy absorptions seen in the UV/visible spectra of these compounds, and that the reverse process is responsible for the observed room-temperature solution luminescence of [Pt(mesBIAN)Cl(2)] and , and . Compounds and , containing aromatic thiolates, were not found to luminesce under the same conditions. Resonance Raman experiments have shown the origin of band-broadening of the lowest-energy absorption band in the absorption spectra of to be due to vibronic structure within one electronic transition.

Preconcentration and separation of nickel, copper and cobalt using solid phase extraction and their determination in some real samples.

PubMed

Ghaedi, M; Ahmadi, F; Soylak, M

2007-08-17

A solid phase extraction method has been developed to separate and concentrate trace amounts of nickel, cobalt and copper ions from aqueous samples for the measurement by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. By the passage of aqueous samples through activated carbon modified by dithioxamide (rubeanic acid) (DTO), Ni2+, Cu2+ and Co2+ ions adsorb quantitatively. The recoveries of analytes at pH 5.5 with 500 mg solid phase were greater than 95% without interference from alkaline, earth alkaline and some metal ions. The enrichment factor was 330. The detection limits by three sigma were 0.50 microg L(-1) for copper, 0.75 microg L(-1) for nickel and 0.80 microg L(-1) for cobalt. The loading capacity was 0.56 mg g(-1) for Ni2+, 0.50 mg g(-1) for Cu2+ and 0.47 mg g(-1) for Co2+. The presented procedure was applied to the determination of analytes in tap, river and sea waters, vegetable, soil and blood samples with successfully results (recoveries greater than 95%, R.S.D. lower than 2% for n=3).

Rapid 2D-to-3D conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harman, Philip V.; Flack, Julien; Fox, Simon; Dowley, Mark

2002-05-01

The conversion of existing 2D images to 3D is proving commercially viable and fulfills the growing need for high quality stereoscopic images. This approach is particularly effective when creating content for the new generation of autostereoscopic displays that require multiple stereo images. The dominant technique for such content conversion is to develop a depth map for each frame of 2D material. The use of a depth map as part of the 2D to 3D conversion process has a number of desirable characteristics: 1. The resolution of the depth may be lower than that of the associated 2D image. 2. It can be highly compressed. 3. 2D compatibility is maintained. 4. Real time generation of stereo, or multiple stereo pairs, is possible. The main disadvantage has been the laborious nature of the manual conversion techniques used to create depth maps from existing 2D images, which results in a slow and costly process. An alternative, highly productive technique has been developed based upon the use of Machine Leaning Algorithm (MLAs). This paper describes the application of MLAs to the generation of depth maps and presents the results of the commercial application of this approach.

Community Noise Exposure Resulting from Aircraft Operations. Volume 5. Acoustic Data on Air Force Propeller Aircraft

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-02-01

6 .- 6 a . I a- S 0 I I C3 uI nm0 14 * N N 𔃾 nInA󈧒 C3 f6 - ~ S C3S00 0c h )4 a1 SnI S i LU 14 0 I0 w 1 .- 4 1- pejz I C SW4 - #N0Wa*% 0( IW -W~ x...m #a CAC3 * DtoKIDft4 lp 3 I f6 . lt-C3 lat *0- IL 0 19 9 9 999 **9 U% .49 9999 I (A o3 0-1.1 N N .80* us-Ia. , NF0In m UN O.4 " 0.2 4% 1 I 1 WI "i I4...G OPIA0 0* N.4C " DI 0.3, 0=6s (A 6 4 6 4 .4 *L 7 I I f6 1 0 CLx 2 W N M9 0% *ON 40 MNca.4t C3 GON 00’p.*!fU ON N I o x11 j eS .4 4 I 6& ILI’N I L5

Large ORU/ Crane evaluations conducted during first EVA of STS-87 (DTO 671)

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-11-25

STS087-718-073 (19 November ? 5 December 1997) --- On the Space Shuttle Columbia's first ever spacewalk (EVA), astronaut Winston E. Scott works with a simulated battery and 156-pound crane carried onboard for the first time this trip of Columbia. The crane's inclusion and the work with it are part of a continuing preparation effort for future work on the International Space Station (ISS). The ongoing project allows for evaluation of tools and operating methods to be applied to the construction of the ISS. This crane device is designed to aid future spacewalkers in transporting Orbital Replacement Units (ORU), with a mass up to 600 pounds (like the simulated battery pictured here), from translating carts on the exterior of ISS to various worksites on the truss structure. Earlier, astronauts Takao Doi (at the base of the crane, out of frame at right), an international mission specialist representing Japan, and Winston E. Scott had installed the crane in a socket along the middle port side of Columbia's cargo bay for the evaluation. The two began the crane operations, long ago manifest for this mission, after completing a contingency spacewalk to snag the free-flying Spartan 201 and berth it in the payload bay (visible in the background).

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

Wei, Hua; Du, Mao -Hua; Stand, Luis

Scintillators attract wide research interest for their distinct applications in radiation detection. Elpasolite halides are among the most promising scintillators due to their high structural symmetry and good scintillation performance. A better understanding of their underlying scintillation mechanism opens up possibilities in scintillator development. In this work, we employ a variety of experimental techniques to study the two mixed-anion elpasolites Cs 2Na RBr 3I 3 ( R = La, Y). The emission of intrinsic Cs 2Na RBr 3I 3 with a light yield ranging from 20 000 to 40 000 ph / MeV is dominant by self-trapped exciton emission. Partialmore » substitution of R with Ce introduces a competing emission, the Ce 3+ 5d-to-4f radiative transition. Ab initio calculations are performed to investigate the electronic structures as well as the binding energies of polarons in Cs 2Na RBr 6. The calculated large self-trapped exciton binding energies are consistent with the observed high light yield due to self-trapped exciton (STE) emission. The unique electronic structure of halide elpasolites as calculated enhances the STE stability and the STE emission. The highly tunable scintillation properties of mixed-anion elpasolites underscore the role of their complex scintillation mechanism. Furthermore, our study provides guidance for the design of elpasolite scintillators with exceptional energy resolution and light yield desirable for applications.« less

Algerian Immigrants to Spain: Study of Attitude to the Donation of Organs for Transplantation.

PubMed

Ríos, A; Carrillo, J; López-Navas, A I; Martínez-Alarcón, L; Ayala, M A; Garrido, G; Sebastián, M J; Ramis, G; Hernández, A M; Ramírez, P; Parrilla, P

2018-03-01

Many Africans are emigrating to the European Economic Community from countries with little knowledge of transplantation. This population has not yet been studied. Analyze the attitude toward donation among the Algerian population living in Spain. We studied the population born in Algeria and residing in Spain, over 15 years old, and stratified by age and sex. Attitude was surveyed using a questionnaire of organ donation for transplantation ("PCID-DTO Ríos"). Support from African immigration associations was needed to advise on the location of potential respondents. The completion was anonymous and self-administered. Verbal consent was obtained to assist in the study. Of the 441 respondents, 27% (n = 119) were in favor of donation after death, 43% (n = 191) were against, and 30% (n = 131) were undecided. The variables associated with the attitude toward the donation were sex (P = .033), having offspring (P = .027), having commented on the subject of organ transplantation at the family level (P < .001), attitude (P < .001), religion (P < .001), and partner's opinion on organ donation and transplantation (P < .001). Only 16% of the respondents have known a transplant recipient or donor, with this subgroup having the most favorable attitude (68% vs 19%, P < .001). The Algerian population emigrant to Spain has a very unfriendly attitude toward the donation of their own organs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

STS-31 Space Shuttle mission report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Camp, David W.; Germany, D. M.; Nicholson, Leonard S.

1990-01-01

The STS-31 Space Shuttle Program Mission Report contains a summary of the vehicle subsystem activities on this thirty-fifth flight of the Space Shuttle and the tenth flight of the Orbiter Vehicle Discovery (OV-103). In addition to the Discovery vehicle, the flight vehicle consisted of an External Tank (ET) (designated as ET-34/LWT-27), three Space Shuttle main engines (SSME's) (serial numbers 2011, 2031, and 2107), and two Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) (designated as BI-037). The primary objective of the mission was to place the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) into a 330 nmi. circular orbit having an inclination of 28.45 degrees. The secondary objectives were to perform all operations necessary to support the requirements of the Protein Crystal Growth (PCG), Investigations into Polymer Membrane Processing (IPMP), Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME), Ascent Particle Monitor (APM), IMAX Cargo Bay Camera (ICBC), Air Force Maui Optical Site Calibration Test (AMOS), IMAX Crew Compartment Camera, and Ion Arc payloads. In addition, 12 development test objectives (DTO's) and 10 detailed supplementary objectives (DSO's) were assigned to the flight. The sequence of events for this mission is shown. The significant problems that occurred in the Space Shuttle Orbiter subsystems during the mission are summarized, and the official problem tracking list is presented. In addition, each of the Space Shuttle Orbiter problems is cited in the subsystem discussion.

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: is robotic technology more accurate than conventional technique?

PubMed

Citak, Mustafa; Suero, Eduardo M; Citak, Musa; Dunbar, Nicholas J; Branch, Sharon H; Conditt, Michael A; Banks, Scott A; Pearle, Andrew D

2013-08-01

Robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) with rigid bone fixation "can significantly improve implant placement and leg alignment. The aim of this cadaveric study was to determine whether the use of robotic systems with dynamic bone tracking would provide more accurate UKA implant positioning compared to the conventional manual technique. Three-dimensional CT-based preoperative plans were created to determine the desired position and orientation for the tibial and femoral components. For each pair of cadaver knees, UKA was performed using traditional instrumentation on the left side and using a haptic robotic system on the right side. Postoperative CT scans were obtained and 3D-to-3D iterative closest point registration was performed. Implant position and orientation were compared to the preoperative plan. Surgical RMS errors for femoral component placement were within 1.9 mm and 3.7° in all directions of the planned implant position for the robotic group, while RMS errors for the manual group were within 5.4mm and 10.2°. Average RMS errors for tibial component placement were within 1.4mm and 5.0° in all directions for the robotic group; while, for the manual group, RMS errors were within 5.7 mm and 19.2°. UKA was more precise using a semiactive robotic system with dynamic bone tracking technology compared to the manual technique. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Does the Attitude Toward Organ Donation Change as a Function of the Country Where People Emigrate? Study Between Uruguayan Emigrants to the United States and Spain.

PubMed

Ríos, A; López-Navas, A I; Sánchez, Á; Ayala, M A; Garrido, G; Sebastián, M J; Martinez-Alarcón, L; Ramis, G; Hernández, A M; Ramírez, P; Parrilla, P

2018-03-01

The Uruguayan population is sensitized toward transplantation. However, it has not been studied how this awareness can change when emigrating to different countries. To analyze the attitude toward cadaveric organ donation and living organ donation between the Uruguayan population residing in Florida (United States) and the Uruguayan population residing in Spain. Adults born in Uruguay and residing in Florida and Spain were screened. The questionnaire "PCID-DTO Ríos" (donation of cadaveric organs) and "PCID-DVR Ríos" (living renal donation) were used. Subjects were randomly selected according to age and gender stratification. Support from Latin-American immigration associations in Spain and Florida was needed. The survey was anonymized and self-administered. Verbal consent was obtained to collaborate in the study. Because the emigrant population to Spain is far larger than the emigrant population to the United States, a 2:1 proportional sampling was performed (n = 132). Sixty-seven percent of residents in Spain were in favor of organ donation at the time of death compared with 50% among residents in Florida (P = .082), and 100% of residents in Spain were in favor of living renal donation compared with 50% of those living in Florida (P < .001). The attitude toward donation is more favorable among Uruguayan emigrants to Spain than emigrants to the United States, especially in related kidney donation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Factors That Affect the Attitudes of the Bolivian Population in Spain With Regard to Organ Donation for Transplant.

PubMed

Ríos, A; López-Navas, A I; Sánchez, Á; Ayala, M A; Garrido, G; Sebastián, M J; Martínez-Alarcó, L; Ramis, G; Hernández, A M; Ramírez, P; Parrilla, P

2018-03-01

The Bolivian population is an emerging Latin American immigrant group in Spain, several of whom have been transplanted or are awaiting transplant. We aimed to assess attitudes toward organ donation among Bolivians currently residing in Spain. The population screened was born in Bolivia but living in Spain, stratified by gender and age. The appraisal tool used was a questionnaire that assesses attitudes toward organ donation for transplant ("PCID-DTO Ríos"). Support from immigration associations in Spain was needed for advice on locations of potential respondents. Survey participation was anonymized and the questionnaire was self-administered. Verbal consent was obtained before participation. There were 206 respondents: 49% (n = 101) in favor of donating their organs after death; 21% (n = 44) against donation; and 30% (n = 61) undecided. Their attitudes were found to be associated with level of education (P = .008), previous experience with donation and transplant (P = .011), concern regarding mutilation after donation (P = .002), knowing the attitude of their religion toward transplant (P = .001), the opinion of their partner (P < .001), and the possibility of needing a future transplant (P = .050). In the multivariate study, the main factor was having a partner in favor of organ donation (odds ratio = 16.129; P = .003). Attitudes toward organ donation among Bolivians residing in Spain are far more negative compared with rest of the Spanish population, due to various factors. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Involvement of Religious Factors on the Attitude Toward Organs Donation Among the Ecuadorian Population Resident in Spain.

PubMed

Rios, A; Lopez-Navas, A; Iniesta, A; Mikla, M; Martinez-Alarcón, L; Ramis, G; Ramirez, P; Parrilla, P

2015-11-01

The attitude toward cadaveric organ donation is modulated by different factors, such as religious beliefs. This study sought to analyze the attitude of nationals of Ecuador resident in Spain regarding deceased organ donation depending on their religious beliefs. A sample of Ecuadorian population resident in Spain (n = 461) stratified by age and sex was selected. We used a validated questionnaire of psychosocial aspects (PCID-DTO Rios), which is self-administered and anonymous. The χ(2) test, Student t test, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data. Of the 461 survey respondents, 86% (n = 395) were Catholic, 7% (n = 31) were believers of other faiths, and 7% (n = 35) declared themselves agnostic or atheist. A significant association between the religious beliefs and attitude toward organ donation among those tested can be objectified: 61% of Catholics (n = 241), 42% of believers in non-Catholic doctrines (n = 13), and 49% of atheists/agnostics (n = 17) were in favor of donation (P = .05). Among religious people, 77% of respondents believed their religion was favorable toward donation and 35%, although in favor of organ cadaveric donation, consider their religion contrary to donation (P < .001). The attitude toward cadaveric organ donation among the Ecuadorian population resident in Spain is influenced by religious beliefs and considers what their religion says regarding organ donation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Knowledge of the Brain Death Concept Among the Population of Havana, Cuba.

PubMed

Ríos, A; López-Navas, A I; Sánchez, Á; Martinez-Alarcon, L; Ayala, M A; Garrido, G; Sebastián, M J; Ramis, G; Abdo-Cuza, A; Hernández, A; Ramírez, P; Parrilla, P

2018-03-01

One of the main reasons against organ donation is the fear of apparent death due to ignorance of the brain death concept. Our aim was to assess knowledge about and acceptance of the brain death concept among the population of Havana, Cuba. The population screened, stratified by gender and age, included those >15 years old and living in Havana, Cuba. The appraisal tool utilized was a questionnaire on attitude toward organ donation ("PCID-DTO Ríos"). A random selection of individuals were surveyed according to the stratification. Cuba's census data were used. The participation was anonymized and self-administered. The verbal consent of participants was provided. There were 920 respondents: 31% (n = 282) knew the concept of brain death and accepted it; 57% (n = 529) did not; and 12% (n = 109) had a misperception, or did not accept brain death as a person's death. Those who knew and accepted the concept had a more favorable attitude toward their own organ donation after death (85% vs 61%; P < .001). The psychosocial factors related to the knowledge of brain death concept were: the gender (P = .002), to make up for speaking at a family level about the organ transplant (P < .001), the couple's opinion about the organ donation (P < .001) and the religion (P < .001). The brain death concept is not well understood in the population of Havana, Cuba. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trajectory control sensor engineering model detailed test objective

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dekome, Kent; Barr, Joseph Martin

1991-01-01

The concept employed in an existing Trajectory Control Sensor (TCS) breadboard is being developed into an engineering model to be considered for flight on the Shuttle as a Detailed Test Objective (DTO). The sensor design addresses the needs of Shuttle/SSF docking/berthing by providing relative range and range rate to 1500 meters as well as the perceived needs of AR&C by relative attitude measurement over the last 100 meters. Range measurement is determined using a four-tone ranging technique. The Doppler shift on the highest frequency tone will be used to provide direct measurement of range rate. Bearing rate and attitude rates will be determined through back differencing of bearing and attitude, respectively. The target consists of an isosceles triangle configuration of three optical retroreflectors, roughly one meter and one-half meter in size. After target acquisition, the sensor continually updates the positions of the three retros at a rate of about one hertz. The engineering model is expected to weigh about 25 pounds, consume 25-30 watts, and have an envelope of about 1.25 cubic feet. The following concerns were addressed during the presentation: are there any concerns with differentiating attitude and bearing to get attitude and bearing rates? Since the docking scenario has low data bandwidth, back differencing is a sufficient approximation of a perfect differentiator for this application. Could range data be obtained if there were no retroreflectors on the target vehicle? Possibly, but only at close range. It would be dependent on target characteristics.

An MBSE Approach to Space Suit Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cordova, Lauren; Kovich, Christine; Sargusingh, Miriam

2012-01-01

The EVA/Space Suit Development Office (ESSD) Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) team has utilized MBSE in multiple programs. After developing operational and architectural models, the MBSE framework was expanded to link the requirements space to the system models through functional analysis and interfaces definitions. By documenting all the connections within the technical baseline, ESSD experienced significant efficiency improvements in analysis and identification of change impacts. One of the biggest challenges presented to the MBSE structure was a program transition and restructuring effort, which was completed successfully in 4 months culminating in the approval of a new EVA Technical Baseline. During this time three requirements sets spanning multiple DRMs were streamlined into one NASA-owned Systems Requirement Document (SRD) that successfully identified requirements relevant to the current hardware development effort while remaining extensible to support future hardware developments. A capability-based hierarchy was established to provide a more flexible framework for future space suit development that can support multiple programs with minimal rework of basic EVA/Space Suit requirements. This MBSE approach was most recently applied for generation of an EMU Demonstrator technical baseline being developed for an ISS DTO. The relatively quick turnaround of operational concepts, architecture definition, and requirements for this new suit development has allowed us to test and evolve the MBSE process and framework in an extremely different setting while still offering extensibility and traceability throughout ESSD projects. The ESSD MBSE framework continues to be evolved in order to support integration of all products associated with the SE&I engine.

Novel sterol metabolic network of Trypanosoma brucei procyclic and bloodstream forms

PubMed Central

Nes, Craigen R.; Singha, Ujjal K.; Liu, Jialin; Ganapathy, Kulothungan; Villalta, Fernando; Waterman, Michael R.; Lepesheva, Galina I.; Chaudhuri, Minu; Nes, W. David

2012-01-01

Trypanosoma brucei is the protozoan parasite that causes African trypanosomiasis, a neglected disease of people and animals. Co-metabolite analysis, labelling studies using [methyl-2H3]-methionine and substrate/product specificities of the cloned 24-SMT (sterol C24-methyltransferase) and 14-SDM (sterol C14-demethylase) from T. brucei afforded an uncommon sterol metabolic network that proceeds from lanosterol and 31-norlanosterol to ETO [ergosta-5,7,25(27)-trien-3β-ol], 24-DTO [dimethyl ergosta-5,7,25(27)-trienol] and ergosterol [ergosta-5,7,22(23)-trienol]. To assess the possible carbon sources of ergosterol biosynthesis, specifically 13C-labelled specimens of lanosterol, acetate, leucine and glucose were administered to T. brucei and the 13C distributions found were in accord with the operation of the acetate–mevalonate pathway, with leucine as an alternative precursor, to ergostenols in either the insect or bloodstream form. In searching for metabolic signatures of procyclic cells, we observed that the 13C-labelling treatments induce fluctuations between the acetyl-CoA (mitochondrial) and sterol (cytosolic) synthetic pathways detected by the progressive increase in 13C-ergosterol production (control <[2-13C]leucine<[2-13C]acetate<[1-13C]glucose) and corresponding depletion of cholesta-5,7,24-trienol. We conclude that anabolic fluxes originating in mitochondrial metabolism constitute a flexible part of sterol synthesis that is further fluctuated in the cytosol, yielding distinct sterol profiles in relation to cell demands on growth. PMID:22176028

Scintillation properties and electronic structure of the intrinsic and extrinsic mixed elpasolites Cs 2 Na RBr 3I 3 ( R = La, Y)

DOE PAGES

Wei, Hua; Du, Mao -Hua; Stand, Luis; ...

2016-02-19

Scintillators attract wide research interest for their distinct applications in radiation detection. Elpasolite halides are among the most promising scintillators due to their high structural symmetry and good scintillation performance. A better understanding of their underlying scintillation mechanism opens up possibilities in scintillator development. In this work, we employ a variety of experimental techniques to study the two mixed-anion elpasolites Cs 2Na RBr 3I 3 ( R = La, Y). The emission of intrinsic Cs 2Na RBr 3I 3 with a light yield ranging from 20 000 to 40 000 ph / MeV is dominant by self-trapped exciton emission. Partialmore » substitution of R with Ce introduces a competing emission, the Ce 3+ 5d-to-4f radiative transition. Ab initio calculations are performed to investigate the electronic structures as well as the binding energies of polarons in Cs 2Na RBr 6. The calculated large self-trapped exciton binding energies are consistent with the observed high light yield due to self-trapped exciton (STE) emission. The unique electronic structure of halide elpasolites as calculated enhances the STE stability and the STE emission. The highly tunable scintillation properties of mixed-anion elpasolites underscore the role of their complex scintillation mechanism. Furthermore, our study provides guidance for the design of elpasolite scintillators with exceptional energy resolution and light yield desirable for applications.« less

High transport and excellent optical property of a two-dimensional single-layered hybrid perovskite (C4H9NH3)2PbBr4: a theoretical study.

PubMed

Lei, Jun-Hui; Zhao, Yu-Qing; Tang, Qiong; Lin, Jian-Guo; Cai, Meng-Qiu

2018-05-16

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites are developed to pursue high charge carrier mobility and light absorption coefficient. In this study, we present a detailed comparative research of the atomic and electronic structures of single-layered perovskites (C4H9NH3)2PbBr4 with two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) spatial arrangement to predict the in plane charge carrier mobility along with the charge effective mass, elastic constant, and deformation potential. The calculated results reveal that the intrinsic in plane carrier mobilities of 2D single-layered hybrid perovskite (C4H9NH3)2PbBr4 along the 100 and 010 directions are superior to those of the 3D structure. Furthermore, the optical properties are calculated from the electronic structure; it is found that the light absorption spectrum of 2D single-layered perovskite (C4H9NH3)2PbBr4 with a high absorption coefficient is wider than that of the 3D phase. We speculate that the superior mobility and wider absorption spectrum of the 2D mono-layered perovskite are due to high charge density and ferroelectricity originating from structure distortion upon 3D-to-2D structure transformation. These results indicate that the 2D single-layered hybrid perovskite (C4H9NH3)2PbBr4 is a potential candidate for application in the optoelectronic and photovoltaic fields.

Determinants of conflict detection: a model of risk judgments in air traffic control.

PubMed

Stankovic, Stéphanie; Raufaste, Eric; Averty, Philippe

2008-02-01

A model of conflict judgments in air traffic control (ATC) is proposed. Three horizontal distances determine risk judgments about conflict between two aircraft: (a) Dt(o) is the distance between the crossing of the aircraft trajectories and the first aircraft to reach that point; (b) Dt(h) is the distance between the two aircraft when they are horizontally closest; and (c) Dt(v) is the horizontal distance between the two aircraft when their growing vertical distance reaches 1000 feet. Two experiments tested whether the variables in the model reflect what controllers do. In Experiment 1, 125 certified controllers provided risk judgments about situations in which the model variables were manipulated. Experiment 2 investigated the relationship between the model and expertise by comparing a population of certified controllers with a population of ATC students. Across both experiments, the model accounted for 44% to 50% of the variance in risk judgments by certified controllers (N=161) but only 20% in judgments by ATC students (N=88). There were major individual differences in the predictive power of the model as well as in the contributions of the three variables. In Experiment 2, the model described experts better than novices. The model provided a satisfying account of the data, albeit with substantial individual differences. It is argued that an individual-differences approach is required when investigating the strategies involved in conflict judgment in ATC. These findings should have implications for developing user-friendly interfaces with conflict detection devices and for devising ATC training programs.

In vivo kinematics of the salto total ankle prosthesis.

PubMed

Leszko, Filip; Komistek, Richard D; Mahfouz, Mohamed R; Ratron, Yves-Alain; Judet, Thierry; Bonnin, Michel; Colombier, Jean-Alain; Lin, Sheldon S

2008-11-01

Recent technological advancements in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) have included the introduction of the mobile bearing concept. This bearing has several advantages, but researchers have questioned whether or not increased mobility sacrifices joint stability or durability of the implant. The present study evaluated the kinematics of this type of prosthesis implanted in patients. Fluoroscopy and 3D-to-2D registration techniques were used to determine the in vivo kinematics for 20 TAA subjects performing two activities: gait and step-up. The motion of the prostheses was described in terms of clinical rotations and as rotation about the helical (screw) axis. Then, the anterior-posterior translation and axial rotation of the mobile bearing insert were determined. Among the clinical rotations, the dorsi-/plantarflexion was the most dominant, revealing the greatest pattern change and the largest magnitude. During gait, the orientation of the prosthetic components changed smoothly from plantarflexion to dorsiflexion. The average range of this motion was 9.2 degrees. For step-up activity, the range was 8.0 degrees. However, between 33% and 66% of stance phase, the talar component's orientation changed from dorsiflexion to plantarflexion. The average absolute range of anterior-posterior translation of the mobile bearing insert was 1.5 mm and 2.3 mm for gait and step-up, respectively. These measured translations were relatively small and may suggest that the rotational portion of the motion was more dominant than translational and provided sufficient mobility.

Development of an Exploration-Class Cascade Distillation System: Flight Like Prototype Preliminary Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Callahan, Michael R.; Sargusingh, Miriam J.

2015-01-01

The ability to recover and purify water through physiochemical processes is crucial for realizing long-term human space missions, including both planetary habitation and space travel. Because of their robust nature, distillation systems have been actively pursued as one of the technologies for water recovery. One such technology is the Cascade Distillation System (CDS) a multi-stage vacuum rotary distiller system designed to recover water in a microgravity environment. Its rotating cascading distiller operates similarly to the state of the art (SOA) vapor compressor distiller (VCD), but its control scheme and ancillary components are judged to be straightforward and simpler to implement into a successful design. Through the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Life Support Systems (LSS) Project, the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in collaboration with Honeywell International is developing a second generation flight forward prototype (CDS 2.0). The key objectives for the CDS 2.0 design task is to provide a flight forward ground prototype that demonstrates improvements over the SOA system in the areas of increased reliability and robustness, and reduced mass, power and volume. It will also incorporate exploration-class automation. The products of this task are a preliminary flight system design and a high fidelity prototype of an exploration class CDS. These products will inform the design and development of the third generation CDS which is targeted for on-orbit DTO. This paper details the preliminary design of the CDS 2.0.

Interaction of magnetized electrons with a boundary sheath: investigation of a specular reflection model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krüger, Dennis; Brinkmann, Ralf Peter

2017-11-01

This publication reports analytical and numerical results concerning the interaction of gyrating electrons with a plasma boundary sheath, with focus on partially magnetized technological plasmas. It is assumed that the electron Debye length {λ }{{D}} is much smaller than the electron gyroradius {r}{{L}}, and {r}{{L}} in turn much smaller than the mean free path λ and the gradient length L of the fields. Focusing on the scale of the gyroradius, the sheath is assumed as infinitesimally thin ({λ }{{D}}\\to 0), collisions are neglected (λ \\to ∞ ), the magnetic field is taken as homogeneous, and electric fields (=potential gradients) in the bulk are neglected (L\\to ∞ ). The interaction of an electron with the electric field of the plasma boundary sheath is represented by a specular reflection {v}\\to {v}-2{v}\\cdot {{e}}z {{e}}z of the velocity {v} at the plane z = 0 of a naturally oriented Cartesian coordinate system (x,y,z). The electron trajectory is then given as sequences of helical sections, with the kinetic energy ɛ and the canonical momenta p x and p y conserved, but not the position of the axis (base point {{R}}0), the slope (pitch angle χ), and the phase (gyrophase φ). A ‘virtual interaction’ which directly maps the incoming electrons to the outgoing ones is introduced and studied in dependence of the angle γ between the field and the sheath normal {{e}}z. The corresponding scattering operator is constructed, mathematically characterized, and given as an infinite matrix. An equivalent boundary condition for a transformed kinetic model is derived.

Guinean Population Emigrant to Spain Has Very Little Awareness of the Donation and Transplantation of Organs.

PubMed

Ríos, A; Carrillo, J; López-Navas, A I; Martínez-Alarcón, L; Ayala, M A; Garrido, G; Ramis, G; Hernández, A M; Ramírez, P; Parrilla, P

2018-03-01

The Guinean population is an emerging group in Europe, but the group's awareness of organ donation and transplantation has not been studied. To analyze the attitude toward organ donation among the population born in Guinea living in Spain. The population older than 15 years, born in Guinea, and resident in Spain was studied, stratified by age and sex, according to census data and immigrant assistance associations. The valuation tool used was the attitude questionnaire toward organ donation PCID-DTO RIOS (questionnaire on "Donor International Collaborative Project" on organ donation and transplantation developed by Dr Ríos). A random selection of people to survey was based on stratification. Support from African immigration support associations was needed to advise on the location of potential respondents. The completion was anonymous and self-administered. A descriptive statistic was performed, and Student t, χ 2 , and Fisher tests and a logistic regression analysis were applied. In all, 181 Guineans were surveyed, of whom 32% (n = 58) were in favor of the donation of their own organs after death, 32% (n = 57) were against, and 36% (n = 66) were undecided. The variables that are associated with attitude toward donation are separated mainly into 4 large groups (P < .001): (1) knowledge about the process of donation and organ transplantation; (2) attitude toward the manipulation of the body; (3) religious variables; and (4) sociofamily variables, especially in relation to the couple. The Guinean population emigrant to Spain has an unfriendly attitude toward organ donation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficient feature-based 2D/3D registration of transesophageal echocardiography to x-ray fluoroscopy for cardiac interventions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatt, Charles R.; Speidel, Michael A.; Raval, Amish N.

2014-03-01

We present a novel 2D/ 3D registration algorithm for fusion between transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and X-ray fluoroscopy (XRF). The TEE probe is modeled as a subset of 3D gradient and intensity point features, which facilitates efficient 3D-to-2D perspective projection. A novel cost-function, based on a combination of intensity and edge features, evaluates the registration cost value without the need for time-consuming generation of digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs). Validation experiments were performed with simulations and phantom data. For simulations, in silica XRF images of a TEE probe were generated in a number of different pose configurations using a previously acquired CT image. Random misregistrations were applied and our method was used to recover the TEE probe pose and compare the result to the ground truth. Phantom experiments were performed by attaching fiducial markers externally to a TEE probe, imaging the probe with an interventional cardiac angiographic x-ray system, and comparing the pose estimated from the external markers to that estimated from the TEE probe using our algorithm. Simulations found a 3D target registration error of 1.08(1.92) mm for biplane (monoplane) geometries, while the phantom experiment found a 2D target registration error of 0.69mm. For phantom experiments, we demonstrated a monoplane tracking frame-rate of 1.38 fps. The proposed feature-based registration method is computationally efficient, resulting in near real-time, accurate image based registration between TEE and XRF.

Small-angle neutron scattering study of micropore collapse in amorphous solid water.

PubMed

Mitterdorfer, Christian; Bauer, Marion; Youngs, Tristan G A; Bowron, Daniel T; Hill, Catherine R; Fraser, Helen J; Finney, John L; Loerting, Thomas

2014-08-14

Vapor-deposited amorphous solid water (ASW) is the most abundant solid molecular material in space, where it plays a direct role in both the formation of more complex chemical species and the aggregation of icy materials in the earliest stages of planet formation. Nevertheless, some of its low temperature physics such as the collapse of the micropore network upon heating are still far from being understood. Here we characterize the nature of the micropores and their collapse using neutron scattering of gram-quantities of D2O-ASW of internal surface areas up to 230 ± 10 m(2) g(-1) prepared at 77 K. The model-free interpretation of the small-angle scattering data suggests micropores, which remain stable up to 120-140 K and then experience a sudden collapse. The exact onset temperature to pore collapse depends on the type of flow conditions employed in the preparation of ASW and, thus, the specific surface area of the initial deposit, whereas the onset of crystallization to cubic ice is unaffected by the flow conditions. Analysis of the small-angle neutron scattering signal using the Guinier-Porod model suggests that a sudden transition from three-dimensional cylindrical pores with 15 Å radius of gyration to two-dimensional lamellae is the mechanism underlying the pore collapse. The rather high temperature of about 120-140 K of micropore collapse and the 3D-to-2D type of the transition unraveled in this study have implications for our understanding of the processing and evolution of ices in various astrophysical environments.

Genome-wide comparative chromosome maps of Arvicola amphibius, Dicrostonyx torquatus, and Myodes rutilus.

PubMed

Romanenko, Svetlana A; Lemskaya, Natalya A; Trifonov, Vladimir A; Serdyukova, Natalya A; O'Brien, Patricia C M; Bulatova, Nina Sh; Golenishchev, Feodor N; Ferguson-Smith, Malcolm A; Yang, Fengtang; Graphodatsky, Alexander S

2016-05-01

The subfamily Arvicolinae consists of a great number of species with highly diversified karyotypes. In spite of the wide use of arvicolines in biological and medicine studies, the data on their karyotype structures are limited. Here, we made a set of painting probes from flow-sorted chromosomes of a male Palearctic collared lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus, DTO). Together with the sets of painting probes made previously from the field vole (Microtus agrestis, MAG) and golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, MAU), we carried out a reciprocal chromosome painting between these three species. The three sets of probes were further hybridized onto the chromosomes of the Eurasian water vole (Arvicola amphibius) and northern red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus). We defined the diploid chromosome number in D. torquatus karyotype as 2n = 45 + Bs and showed that the system of sex chromosomes is X1X2Y1. The probes developed here provide a genomic tool-kit, which will help to investigate the evolutionary biology of the Arvicolinae rodents. Our results show that the syntenic association MAG1/17 is present not only in Arvicolinae but also in some species of Cricetinae; and thus, should not be considered as a cytogenetic signature for Arvicolinae. Although cytogenetic signature markers for the genera have not yet been found, our data provides insight into the likely ancestral karyotype of Arvicolinae. We conclude that the karyotypes of modern voles could have evolved from a common ancestral arvicoline karyotype (AAK) with 2n = 56 mainly by centric fusions and fissions.

Dosimetric quality control of Eclipse treatment planning system using pelvic digital test object

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benhdech, Yassine; Beaumont, Stéphane; Guédon, Jeanpierre; Crespin, Sylvain

2011-03-01

Last year, we demonstrated the feasibility of a new method to perform dosimetric quality control of Treatment Planning Systems in radiotherapy, this method is based on Monte-Carlo simulations and uses anatomical Digital Test Objects (DTOs). The pelvic DTO was used in order to assess this new method on an ECLIPSE VARIAN Treatment Planning System. Large dose variations were observed particularly in air and bone equivalent material. In this current work, we discuss the results of the previous paper and provide an explanation for observed dose differences, the VARIAN Eclipse (Anisotropic Analytical) algorithm was investigated. Monte Carlo simulations (MC) were performed with a PENELOPE code version 2003. To increase efficiency of MC simulations, we have used our parallelized version based on the standard MPI (Message Passing Interface). The parallel code has been run on a 32- processor SGI cluster. The study was carried out using pelvic DTOs and was performed for low- and high-energy photon beams (6 and 18MV) on 2100CD VARIAN linear accelerator. A square field (10x10 cm2) was used. Assuming the MC data as reference, χ index analyze was carried out. For this study, a distance to agreement (DTA) was set to 7mm while the dose difference was set to 5% as recommended in the TRS-430 and TG-53 (on the beam axis in 3-D inhomogeneities). When using Monte Carlo PENELOPE, the absorbed dose is computed to the medium, however the TPS computes dose to water. We have used the method described by Siebers et al. based on Bragg-Gray cavity theory to convert MC simulated dose to medium to dose to water. Results show a strong consistency between ECLIPSE and MC calculations on the beam axis.

Brain Death: Is It a Misunderstood Concept Among Nursing Students in the South of Poland?

PubMed

Mikla, M; Ríos, A; López-Navas, A; Kasper, M; Brzostek, T; Martínez-Alarcón, L; Ramis, G; Ramírez, P; López-Montesinos, M J

2015-11-01

The objective of the present study was to analyze the knowledge and acceptance of the brain death (BD) concept among nursing students. The study was undertaken in the academic year of 2011 to 2012 in nursing students from the University of the South of Poland. The sample was carried out in compulsory sessions, in the 5 years of the nursing degree study, with a completion rate of 80%. The questionnaire was validated (PCID-DTO Ríos), self-administered, and completed anonymously. The completion rate was 93% (492 of 530). Of the students surveyed, 75% (n = 369) knew the concept of BD and considered it to mean a person's death. Of the rest, 19% (n = 93) did not know it, and the remaining 6% (n = 30) believed that it did not mean that a person was dead. The following variables were significantly related with the correct knowledge of the BD concept: 1) age (22 ± 2 years; P ≤ .001); 2) academic year (P ≤ .001); 3) discussion with friends about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) (P = .035); 4) partner's favorable attitude toward donation and transplantation (P = .009); and 5) being Catholic (P = .031). In the multivariate analysis, the following variables persisted as independent variables related to the BD concept: a) age [OR = 1.468 (1.247-1.697); P ≤ .001] and b) partner's opinion of ODT [OR = 2.248 (1.255-4.025); P = .006]. No association was found with attitude toward ODT. More than 25% of the students from the Jagiellonian University of Kraków did not know or accept the concept of brain death. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Emigration From Puerto Rico to Florida: Multivariate Analysis of Factors That Condition Attitudes of the Puerto Rican Population Toward Organ Donation for Transplant.

PubMed

Ríos, A; López-Navas, A I; Sánchez, Á; Martínez-Alarcón, L; Ayala, M A; Garrido, G; Sebastián, M J; Ramis, G; Hernández, A M; Ramírez, P; Parrilla, P

2018-03-01

The Puerto Rican population represents one of the largest immigration groups in Florida, and this has an impact on the organ transplant donation process. Our aim was to analyze attitudes toward organ donation among Puerto Ricans who currently reside in the state of Florida (USA). The population screened consisted of individuals >15 years old, who were born in Puerto Rico, living in Florida, and awaiting organs for transplant. All participants completed the "PCID-DTO Rios" questionnaire. Random selection was done according to stratification. Support from immigration associations in Spain was needed for advice on the locations of potential respondents. Study participation was anonymized and self-administered. There were 259 respondents, 37% (n = 95) were in favor of donation, 36% (n = 93) were against donation, and 27% (n = 71) were undecided. The variables associated with these attitudes were: age (P = .017); civil status (P = .021); level of education (P < .001); previous experience with donation and transplant (P < .001); attitude toward organ donation of a relative (P < .001); carrying out pro-social activities (P < .001); discussing the issue of transplant with the family (P < .001) or couple (P < .001); attitude toward incineration (P < .001), burial (P < .001), and autopsy (P < .001); fear of mutilation after donation (P < .001); and religious beliefs (P < .001). In the multivariate study, it remained an independent variable to have discussed the issue at the family level (odds ratio = 11.627; P = .009). The Puerto Rican study population residing in Florida has an unfavorable attitude toward organ donation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of mathematical algorithms for automatic patient alignment in radiosurgery.

PubMed

Williams, Kenneth M; Schulte, Reinhard W; Schubert, Keith E; Wroe, Andrew J

2015-06-01

Image registration techniques based on anatomical features can serve to automate patient alignment for intracranial radiosurgery procedures in an effort to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the alignment process as well as potentially eliminate the need for implanted fiducial markers. To explore this option, four two-dimensional (2D) image registration algorithms were analyzed: the phase correlation technique, mutual information (MI) maximization, enhanced correlation coefficient (ECC) maximization, and the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. Digitally reconstructed radiographs from the treatment planning computed tomography scan of a human skull were used as the reference images, while orthogonal digital x-ray images taken in the treatment room were used as the captured images to be aligned. The accuracy of aligning the skull with each algorithm was compared to the alignment of the currently practiced procedure, which is based on a manual process of selecting common landmarks, including implanted fiducials and anatomical skull features. Of the four algorithms, three (phase correlation, MI maximization, and ECC maximization) demonstrated clinically adequate (ie, comparable to the standard alignment technique) translational accuracy and improvements in speed compared to the interactive, user-guided technique; however, the ICP algorithm failed to give clinically acceptable results. The results of this work suggest that a combination of different algorithms may provide the best registration results. This research serves as the initial groundwork for the translation of automated, anatomy-based 2D algorithms into a real-world system for 2D-to-2D image registration and alignment for intracranial radiosurgery. This may obviate the need for invasive implantation of fiducial markers into the skull and may improve treatment room efficiency and accuracy. © The Author(s) 2014.

Knowledge of the Concept of Encephalic Death: Is This an Obstacle in the Acceptance of Donation and Transplantation of Organs Among Students of Nursing at the Medical University of Warsaw in Poland?

PubMed

Mikla, M; Rios, A; Lopez-Navas, A; Gotlib, J; Kilanska, D; Martinez-Alarcón, L; Ramis, G; Ramirez, P; Lopez Montesinos, M J

2016-09-01

The knowledge and acceptance of the concept of brain death among future health professionals is essential. The objective of this study was to analyze the knowledge of the concept of brain death among nursing students at the Medical University of Warsaw and determine the factors that affect it. Academic year 2011-2012, nursing students of the University of Poland. Sampling points in 5 compulsory-attendance nursing courses with a completion rate >80%. Validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO Rios), anonymous and self-administered. The completion rate was 96% (793/828); 71% (n = 561) knew the concept of brain death, 22% (n = 178) did not know it, and 7% (n = 54) did not know that it implies the death of the patient. Variables related to the correct knowledge: 1) to be studying in 4th year compared with 1st year (85% vs 60%; P ≤ .001); 2) discuss the subject with family (76% vs 61%; P ≤ .001); 3) discuss with friends (73% vs 63%; P = .009); and 4) having a favorable attitude toward organ donation (74% vs 65%; P = .011). In the multivariate analysis, the variables that remained independent were studying in 4th year (odds ratio [OR], 3.809; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.006-5.823; P ≤ .001) and discussed with family concerning donation and transplantation (OR, 1.718; 95% CI, 1.241-2.381; P ≤ .001). One-third of the nursing students were unfamiliar with the concept of brain death. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Extrinsic Factors as Component Positions to Bone and Intrinsic Factors Affecting Postoperative Rotational Limb Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

PubMed

Mochizuki, Tomoharu; Sato, Takashi; Tanifuji, Osamu; Watanabe, Satoshi; Kobayashi, Koichi; Endo, Naoto

2018-02-13

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting postoperative rotational limb alignment of the tibia relative to the femur. We hypothesized that not only component positions but also several intrinsic factors were associated with postoperative rotational limb alignment. This study included 99 knees (90 women and 9 men) with a mean age of 77 ± 6 years. A three-dimensional (3D) assessment system was applied under weight-bearing conditions to biplanar long-leg radiographs using 3D-to-2D image registration technique. The evaluation parameters were (1) component position; (2) preoperative and postoperative coronal, sagittal, and rotational limb alignment; (3) preoperative bony deformity, including femoral torsion, condylar twist angle, and tibial torsion; and (4) preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM). In multiple linear regression analysis using a stepwise procedure, postoperative rotational limb alignment was associated with the following: (1) rotation of the component position (tibia: β = 0.371, P < .0001; femur: β = -0.327, P < .0001), (2) preoperative rotational limb alignment (β = 0.253, P = .001), (3) postoperative flexion angle (β = 0.195, P = .007), and (4) tibial torsion (β = 0.193, P = .010). In addition to component positions, the intrinsic factors, such as preoperative rotational limb alignment, ROM, and tibial torsion, affected postoperative rotational limb alignment. On a premise of correct component positions, the intrinsic factors that can be controlled by surgeons should be taken care. In particular, ROM is necessary to be improved within the possible range to acquire better postoperative rotational limb alignment. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

STS-45 Space Shuttle mission report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fricke, Robert W.

1992-01-01

The STS-45 Space Shuttle Program Mission Report contains a summary of the vehicle subsystem operations during the forty-sixth flight of the Space Shuttle Program and the eleventh flight of the Orbiter Vehicle Atlantis (OV-104). In addition to the Atlantis vehicle, the flight vehicle consisted of the following: an External Tank (ET) designated as ET-44 (LWT-37); three Space Shuttle main engines (SSME's), which were serial numbers 2024, 2012, and 2028 in positions 1, 2, and 3, respectively; and two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB's) designated as BI-049. The lightweight redesigned Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM's) installed in each of the SRB's were designated as 360L021A for the left SRM and 360W021B for the right SRM. The primary objective of this mission was to successfully perform the planned operations of the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-1 (ATLAS-1) and the Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Instrument (SSBUV) payloads. The secondary objectives were to successfully perform all operations necessary to support the requirements of the following: the Space Tissue Loss-01 (STL-01) experiment; the Radiation Monitoring Equipment-3 (RME-3) experiment; the Visual Function Tester-2 (VFT-2) experiment; the Cloud Logic to Optimize use of Defense System (CLOUDS-1A) experiment; the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment 2 (SAREX-2) Configuration B; the Investigation into Polymer Membranes Processing experiment; and the Get-Away Special (GAS) payload G-229. The Ultraviolet Plume Instrument (UVPI) was a payload of opportunity that required no special maneuvers. In addition to the primary and secondary objectives, the crew was tasked to perform as many as 10 Development Test Objectives (DTO'S) and 14 Detailed Supplementary Objectives (DSO's).

Attitude Toward Organ Donation and Transplantation in Veterinary Students: A Multicenter and Stratified Study in Spain.

PubMed

Martínez-Alarcón, L; Ríos, A; Ramis, G; Gómez-Laguna, J; Moll, X; Falceto, V; San Román-Acaso, F; San Román-Llorens, F; Quereda, J J; Herrero-Medrano, J M; Mendonça, L; Martin-Barrasa, J L; Fernández, O M; López-Navas, A I; Hernández, A M; Muñoz, A; Ramírez, P; Parrilla, P

2018-03-01

Veterinarians often hold decision-making positions in the public health care system and can therefore influence public opinion about organ donation and transplantation (ODT). The aim of this work was to analyze the attitude of Spanish veterinary students toward ODT, because they may influence public opinion in the future, and to determine the factors that condition it. This was a sociologic, interdisciplinary, multicenter, observational study in Spain. The study population was students studying for a veterinary degree in Spain (n = 9000), and a sample of 2815 students (confidence of 99% and precision of ±1%) was stratified by geographic area and academic year. A validated questionnaire of attitude toward ODT (PCID-DTO-Ríos) was self-administered and anonymous. Of the 2815 selected students (2790 plus the 0.9% per type of sample), 2650 completed the questionnaire (response rate, 94.14%): 83% (n = 2207) of the respondents were in favor of donation and 17% against. The following main variables were related to a favorable attitude: being female (odds ratio [OR], 0.752; P = .034); knowing a donor (OR, 1.834; P = .003); having discussed the matter with one's family (OR, 1.587; P = .002); having spoken about the subject in social circles with friends (OR, 1.633; P < .001), and being in favor of donating a deceased family member's organs (OR, 2.403; P < .001). Seventeen percent of Spanish veterinary students were not in favor of ODT. It is important to know the factors that determine their attitude, because this will make it possible to optimize the resources invested in campaigns to promote ODT and to take more specific action. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Multicentre and stratified study of the attitude of medical students towards organ donation in Spain.

PubMed

Ríos, A; López-Navas, A; López-López, A; Gómez, F J; Iriarte, J; Herruzo, R; Blanco, G; Llorca, F J; Asunsolo, A; Sánchez, P; Gutiérrez, P R; Fernández, A; de Jesús, M T; Martínez Alarcón, L; Lana, A; Fuentes, L; Hernández, J R; Virseda, J; Yelamos, J; Bondía, J A; Hernández, A M; Ayala, M A; Ramírez, P; Parrilla, P

2017-06-30

Medical students represent a new generation of medical thought, and if they have a favourable attitude towards organ donation this will greatly encourage its promotion. To analyse the attitude of medical students in Spanish universities towards the donation of their own organs and to determine the factors affecting this attitude. Type of study: A sociological, interdisciplinary, multicentre, and observational study in Spain. Students studying a degree in medicine enrolled in Spain (n = 34,000). A sample of 9598 students (confidence of 99% and precision of ±1%), stratified by geographical area and academic year. Instrument of measurement: A validated questionnaire of attitude towards organ donation and transplantation (PCID-DTO RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. The questionnaire completion rate was 95.7% (n = 9.275). 80% were in favour of donation, 2% against and 18% were undecided. The following main variables were related to a favourable attitude: being of the female sex (Odds Ratio = 1.739); being in the sixth year of the degree (OR = 2.506); knowing a donor (OR = 1.346); having spoken about the subject with one's family (OR = 2.132) and friends (OR = 1.333); having a family circle that is in favour, more specifically, having a father (OR = 1.841), mother (OR = 2.538) or partner in favour (OR = 2.192); being a blood donor (OR = 2.824); acceptance of the mutilation of the body if it were necessary (OR = 2.958); and being an atheist or an agnostic (OR = 1.766). Spanish medical students generally have a favourable attitude towards organ donation, although 20% are not in favour.

Scattering of magnetized electrons at the boundary of low temperature plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krüger, Dennis; Trieschmann, Jan; Brinkmann, Ralf Peter

2018-02-01

Magnetized technological plasmas with magnetic fields of 10-200 mT, plasma densities of 1017-1019 m-3, gas pressures of less than 1 Pa, and electron energies from a few to (at most) a few hundred electron volts are characterized by electron Larmor radii r L, that are small compared to all other length scales of the system, including the spatial scale L of the magnetic field and the collisional mean free path λ. In this regime, the classical drift approximation applies. In the boundary sheath of these discharges, however, that approximation breaks down: The sheath penetration depth of electrons (a few to some ten Debye length λ D; depending on the kinetic energy; typically much smaller than the sheath thickness of tens/hundreds of λ D) is even smaller than r L. For a model description of the electron dynamics, an appropriate boundary condition for the plasma/sheath interface is required. To develop such, the interaction of magnetized electrons with the boundary sheath is investigated using a 3D kinetic single electron model that sets the larger scales L and λ to infinity, i.e. neglects magnetic field gradients, the electric field in the bulk, and collisions. A detailed comparison of the interaction for a Bohm sheath (which assumes a finite Debye length) and a hard wall model (representing the limit {λ }{{D}}\\to 0; also called the specular reflection model) is conducted. Both models are found to be in remarkable agreement with respect to the sheath-induced drift. It is concluded that the assumption of specular reflection can be used as a valid boundary condition for more realistic kinetic models of magnetized technological plasmas.

Altered spinal motion in low back pain associated with lumbar strain and spondylosis.

PubMed

Cheng, Joseph S; Carr, Christopher B; Wong, Cyrus; Sharma, Adrija; Mahfouz, Mohamed R; Komistek, Richard D

2013-04-01

Study Design We present a patient-specific computer model created to translate two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic motion data into three-dimensional (3D) in vivo biomechanical motion data. Objective The aim of this study is to determine the in vivo biomechanical differences in patients with and without acute low back pain. Current dynamic imaging of the lumbar spine consists of flexion-extension static radiographs, which lack sensitivity to out-of-plane motion and provide incomplete information on the overall spinal motion. Using a novel technique, in-plane and coupled out-of-plane rotational motions are quantified in the lumbar spine. Methods A total of 30 participants-10 healthy asymptomatic subjects, 10 patients with low back pain without spondylosis radiologically, and 10 patients with low back pain with radiological spondylosis-underwent dynamic fluoroscopy with a 3D-to-2D image registration technique to create a 3D, patient-specific bone model to analyze in vivo kinematics using the maximal absolute rotational magnitude and the path of rotation. Results Average overall in-plane rotations (L1-L5) in patients with low back pain were less than those asymptomatic, with the dominant loss of motion during extension. Those with low back pain also had significantly greater out-of-plane rotations, with 5.5 degrees (without spondylosis) and 7.1 degrees (with spondylosis) more out-of-plane rotational motion per level compared with asymptomatic subjects. Conclusions Subjects with low back pain exhibited greater out-of-plane intersegmental motion in their lumbar spine than healthy asymptomatic subjects. Conventional flexion-extension radiographs are inadequate for evaluating motion patterns of lumbar strain, and assessment of 3D in vivo spinal motion may elucidate the association of abnormal vertebral motions and clinically significant low back pain.

Factors Affecting Attitude Toward Organ Donation Among Nursing Students in Warsaw, Poland.

PubMed

Mikla, M; Rios, A; Lopez-Navas, A; Gotlib, J; Kilanska, D; Martinez-Alarcón, L; Ramis, G; Ramirez, P; Lopez Montesinos, M J

2015-11-01

The opinion of future nursing professionals can influence the number of transplants. The objective of this study was to analyze the attitude of nursing students at the Medical University of Warsaw in the center of Poland toward organ donation and determine the factors that affect this attitude. The study was conducted in the 2011 to 2012 academic year. The study population consisted of nursing students. Type of sampling consisted of sampling in points of compulsory attendance, in the 5 nursing courses with the higher degree of fulfillment of 80%. Measuring instrument used was the validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO Rios). The questionnaire was completed anonymously and was self-administered. The completion rate was 96% (793 of 828). Of the students surveyed (n = 793), 69% (n = 547) were in favor of organ donation and transplantation, 25% (n = 201) were undecided, and 6% (n = 45) were against. This attitude was related to being in favor of donating the organs of a relative (OR = 3.174; P < .001); discussion of the subject with the family (OR = 2.188; P < .001); positive attitude toward donation and transplantation of the father (OR = 3.039; P = .001); considered to having good information on the subject (OR = 8.695; P < .001); being a regular donor blood (OR = 3.597; P = .001); not worried by the possible mutilation of the body after donation (OR = 6.802; P < .001); and accepting other treatment options of the body such as the burial (OR = 1.683; P = .015). More than 30% of the nursing students are not in favor of organ donation, but this attitude is conditioned by several psychosocial factors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Robotic Platform for Corn Seedling Morphological Traits Characterization

PubMed Central

Lu, Hang; Tang, Lie; Whitham, Steven A.; Mei, Yu

2017-01-01

Crop breeding plays an important role in modern agriculture, improving plant performance, and increasing yield. Identifying the genes that are responsible for beneficial traits greatly facilitates plant breeding efforts for increasing crop production. However, associating genes and their functions with agronomic traits requires researchers to observe, measure, record, and analyze phenotypes of large numbers of plants, a repetitive and error-prone job if performed manually. An automated seedling phenotyping system aimed at replacing manual measurement, reducing sampling time, and increasing the allowable work time is thus highly valuable. Toward this goal, we developed an automated corn seedling phenotyping platform based on a time-of-flight of light (ToF) camera and an industrial robot arm. A ToF camera is mounted on the end effector of the robot arm. The arm positions the ToF camera at different viewpoints for acquiring 3D point cloud data. A camera-to-arm transformation matrix was calculated using a hand-eye calibration procedure and applied to transfer different viewpoints into an arm-based coordinate frame. Point cloud data filters were developed to remove the noise in the background and in the merged seedling point clouds. A 3D-to-2D projection and an x-axis pixel density distribution method were used to segment the stem and leaves. Finally, separated leaves were fitted with 3D curves for morphological traits characterization. This platform was tested on a sample of 60 corn plants at their early growth stages with between two to five leaves. The error ratios of the stem height and leave length measurements are 13.7% and 13.1%, respectively, demonstrating the feasibility of this robotic system for automated corn seedling phenotyping. PMID:28895892

A Robotic Platform for Corn Seedling Morphological Traits Characterization.

PubMed

Lu, Hang; Tang, Lie; Whitham, Steven A; Mei, Yu

2017-09-12

Crop breeding plays an important role in modern agriculture, improving plant performance, and increasing yield. Identifying the genes that are responsible for beneficial traits greatly facilitates plant breeding efforts for increasing crop production. However, associating genes and their functions with agronomic traits requires researchers to observe, measure, record, and analyze phenotypes of large numbers of plants, a repetitive and error-prone job if performed manually. An automated seedling phenotyping system aimed at replacing manual measurement, reducing sampling time, and increasing the allowable work time is thus highly valuable. Toward this goal, we developed an automated corn seedling phenotyping platform based on a time-of-flight of light (ToF) camera and an industrial robot arm. A ToF camera is mounted on the end effector of the robot arm. The arm positions the ToF camera at different viewpoints for acquiring 3D point cloud data. A camera-to-arm transformation matrix was calculated using a hand-eye calibration procedure and applied to transfer different viewpoints into an arm-based coordinate frame. Point cloud data filters were developed to remove the noise in the background and in the merged seedling point clouds. A 3D-to-2D projection and an x -axis pixel density distribution method were used to segment the stem and leaves. Finally, separated leaves were fitted with 3D curves for morphological traits characterization. This platform was tested on a sample of 60 corn plants at their early growth stages with between two to five leaves. The error ratios of the stem height and leave length measurements are 13.7% and 13.1%, respectively, demonstrating the feasibility of this robotic system for automated corn seedling phenotyping.

STS-45 Space Shuttle mission report

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fricke, Robert W.

1992-05-01

The STS-45 Space Shuttle Program Mission Report contains a summary of the vehicle subsystem operations during the forty-sixth flight of the Space Shuttle Program and the eleventh flight of the Orbiter Vehicle Atlantis (OV-104). In addition to the Atlantis vehicle, the flight vehicle consisted of the following: an External Tank (ET) designated as ET-44 (LWT-37); three Space Shuttle main engines (SSME's), which were serial numbers 2024, 2012, and 2028 in positions 1, 2, and 3, respectively; and two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB's) designated as BI-049. The lightweight redesigned Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM's) installed in each of the SRB's were designated as 360L021A for the left SRM and 360W021B for the right SRM. The primary objective of this mission was to successfully perform the planned operations of the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-1 (ATLAS-1) and the Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Instrument (SSBUV) payloads. The secondary objectives were to successfully perform all operations necessary to support the requirements of the following: the Space Tissue Loss-01 (STL-01) experiment; the Radiation Monitoring Equipment-3 (RME-3) experiment; the Visual Function Tester-2 (VFT-2) experiment; the Cloud Logic to Optimize use of Defense System (CLOUDS-1A) experiment; the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment 2 (SAREX-2) Configuration B; the Investigation into Polymer Membranes Processing experiment; and the Get-Away Special (GAS) payload G-229. The Ultraviolet Plume Instrument (UVPI) was a payload of opportunity that required no special maneuvers. In addition to the primary and secondary objectives, the crew was tasked to perform as many as 10 Development Test Objectives (DTO'S) and 14 Detailed Supplementary Objectives (DSO's).

A method and apparatus for monitoring the level of tritiated water vapor in air using a solid scintillator.

PubMed

Campi, F; Edwards, R A; Ossiri, A; Pacenti, P; Terrani, S

1998-08-01

Tritium is presently used in large quantities in laboratories for technological studies, as fuel for the process of nuclear fusion, and in the manufacture of radio-luminescent items. It is also produced in fission nuclear plants (with a yield of 10(-4) if the fuel is 235U and twice as much if the fuel is 239Pu), particularly in those which use D2O as moderator. The weak energy of beta particles (Emean=5.7 keV) produced by tritium implies that it is only harmful if internalized. In nature tritium in air is mainly present under two different chemical forms: elementary (HT, DT, T2) and oxidized (HTO, DTO, T2O). The latter is extremely more dangerous than the former as far as radioprotection is concerned; for this reason the derived air concentration limit (8 x 10(5) Bq m(-3)) for the gaseous form is 25,000 times higher than the value for the oxidized one. The purpose of the work presented here is to realize an area monitor that is able to discriminate in real time between the two chemical forms. Using the properties of zeolite as an absorber and scintillator, it was possible to construct such a detector. In 1 h the instrument can reveal HTO concentrations 40 times below the derived air concentration. A concentration equal to the derived air concentration can be revealed within the first minute of counting and the performance may be further improved. Moreover, the prototype realized is able to work automatically and continuously for 5 h. The capability of discriminating the oxidized chemical form, the sensitivity, and the possibility of obtaining real time information make this instrument a good monitor in those cases where there is a real risk of tritium air contamination.

Dominicans Resident in Spain and the United States Faced With Deceased Organ Donation.

PubMed

Ríos, A; López-Navas, A; Ros-Martínez, A; Mikla, M; Martínez-Alarcón, L; Navalón, J C; Ramis, G; Ramírez, P; Parrilla, P

2015-11-01

Investigating the attitude of subgroups of populations living in different countries is useful for establishing whether there are differences in opinion in terms of place of residence. The objective of the study was to analyze attitudes toward deceased organ donation in the population from the Dominican Republic who are residing in the southeast of the United States and Spain. A sample was taken of residents of the population from the Dominican Republic residing in Florida (the United States) (n = 63) and in Spain (n = 80), which was stratified by age and sex. A validated questionnaire about psychosocial aspects (PCID-DTO Rios) was self-administered and completed anonymously: the χ(2) test, Student t test, and logistic regression analysis were used. The completion rate was 86% (123 respondents of the 143 selected). Of those surveyed, 54% were in favor, 23% were against, and 23% were undecided. Of the residents in Spain (n = 57) 63% (n = 36) were in favor, 12% (n = 7) were against, and 25% (n = 14) were undecided. Of the residents in the United States (n = 66) 46% (n = 30) were in favor, 33% (n = 22) were against, and 21% (n = 14) were undecided (P < .001). The following factors were found to be associated with attitude: 1) level of education [OR = 12.195 (52.631-2.808); P = .001]; 2) concern about the possible mutilation of the body after donation [OR = 11.363 (47.619-2.695; P = .001]; and 3) rejection of cremation or burial of the body after death [OR = 6.134 (21.276-1.763); P = .004]. Attitude toward the donation of the respondent's own deceased organs after death was more favorable among Dominican residents in Spain compared with those living in the United States. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rapid Karyotype Evolution in Lasiopodomys Involved at Least Two Autosome – Sex Chromosome Translocations

PubMed Central

Lemskaya, Natalya A.; Serdyukova, Natalya A.; O’Brien, Patricia C. M.; Kovalskaya, Julia M.; Smorkatcheva, Antonina V.; Golenishchev, Feodor N.; Perelman, Polina L.; Trifonov, Vladimir A.; Ferguson-Smith, Malcolm A.; Yang, Fengtang; Graphodatsky, Alexander S.

2016-01-01

The generic status of Lasiopodomys and its division into subgenera Lasiopodomys (L. mandarinus, L. brandtii) and Stenocranius (L. gregalis, L. raddei) are not generally accepted because of contradictions between the morphological and molecular data. To obtain cytogenetic evidence for the Lasiopodomys genus and its subgenera and to test the autosome to sex chromosome translocation hypothesis of sex chromosome complex origin in L. mandarinus proposed previously, we hybridized chromosome painting probes from the field vole (Microtus agrestis, MAG) and the Arctic lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus, DTO) onto the metaphases of a female Mandarin vole (L. mandarinus, 2n = 47) and a male Brandt's vole (L. brandtii, 2n = 34). In addition, we hybridized Arctic lemming painting probes onto chromosomes of a female narrow-headed vole (L. gregalis, 2n = 36). Cross-species painting revealed three cytogenetic signatures (MAG12/18, 17a/19, and 22/24) that could validate the genus Lasiopodomys and indicate the evolutionary affinity of L. gregalis to the genus. Moreover, all three species retained the associations MAG1bc/17b and 2/8a detected previously in karyotypes of all arvicolins studied. The associations MAG2a/8a/19b, 8b/21, 9b/23, 11/13b, 12b/18, 17a/19a, and 5 fissions of ancestral segments appear to be characteristic for the subgenus Lasiopodomys. We also validated the autosome to sex chromosome translocation hypothesis on the origin of complex sex chromosomes in L. mandarinus. Two translocations of autosomes onto the ancestral X chromosome in L. mandarinus led to a complex of neo-X1, neo-X2, and neo-X3 elements. Our results demonstrate that genus Lasiopodomys represents a striking example of rapid chromosome evolution involving both autosomes and sex chromosomes. Multiple reshuffling events including Robertsonian fusions, chromosomal fissions, inversions and heterochromatin expansion have led to the formation of modern species karyotypes in a very short time, about 2.4 MY. PMID:27936177

Carbon balance of an intensively grazed permanent grassland in southern Belgium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gourlez de la Motte, Louis; Jérôme, Elisabeth; Mamadou, Ossénatou; Beckers, Yves; Bodson, Bernard; Heineisch, Bernard; Aubinet, Marc

2016-04-01

Grasslands are an important component of the global carbon balance but their carbon storage potential is still highly uncertain. Especially, the impact of weather variability and management practices on grassland carbon budgets need to be assessed. This study investigates the carbon balance of an intensively managed permanent grassland (Dorinne Terrestrial Observatory (DTO)) and its uncertainties by combining 5-years of eddy covariance measurements and other organic carbon exchanges estimates. The specificities of this study lie in: (i) the age of the pasture, which has probably been established since more than one century; (ii) the intensive character of the management with a mean grazing pressure larger than 2 livestock unit ha-1 and stocking cycle including stocking and rest periods, (iii) the livestock production system, typical of Wallonia, farming intensively Belgian Blue breed of cattle in order to produce meat. The results showed that, despite the high stocking rate and the old age of the pasture and the high stocking rate, the site acted as a relatively stable carbon sink from year to year with a 5-year average Net Biome Productivity of ‒173 [‒128 ‒203] g C m-2 yr-1. The carbon sink behavior of the pasture was directly increased by management practices through food complementation and organic fertilization and indirectly by mineral fertilization. The relatively low carbon budget inter-annual variability could be explained both by: (i) grazing management of the farmer that regulated Growth Primary Productivity by adapting the stocking rate to the Leaf Area Index which itself depends on weather conditions, (ii) carbon imports through food complements only when grass regrowth was not sufficient to feed the cattle. The results suggest that management practices that tend to optimize forage availability for meat production could contribute to maintaining a carbon sink. Keywords : grassland, carbon budget, carbon dioxide flux, management, eddy covariance

Design, Implementation and Applications of 3d Web-Services in DB4GEO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breunig, M.; Kuper, P. V.; Dittrich, A.; Wild, P.; Butwilowski, E.; Al-Doori, M.

2013-09-01

The object-oriented database architecture DB4GeO was originally designed to support sub-surface applications in the geo-sciences. This is reflected in DB4GeO's geometric data model as well as in its import and export functions. Initially, these functions were designed for communication with 3D geological modeling and visualization tools such as GOCAD or MeshLab. However, it soon became clear that DB4GeO was suitable for a much wider range of applications. Therefore it is natural to move away from a standalone solution and to open the access to DB4GeO data by standardized OGC web-services. Though REST and OGC services seem incompatible at first sight, the implementation in DB4GeO shows that OGC-based implementation of web-services may use parts of the DB4GeO-REST implementation. Starting with initial solutions in the history of DB4GeO, this paper will introduce the design, adaptation (i.e. model transformation), and first steps in the implementation of OGC Web Feature (WFS) and Web Processing Services (WPS), as new interfaces to DB4GeO data and operations. Among its capabilities, DB4GeO can provide data in different data formats like GML, GOCAD, or DB3D XML through a WFS, as well as its ability to run operations like a 3D-to-2D service, or mesh-simplification (Progressive Meshes) through a WPS. We then demonstrate, an Android-based mobile 3D augmented reality viewer for DB4GeO that uses the Web Feature Service to visualize 3D geo-database query results. Finally, we explore future research work considering DB4GeO in the framework of the research group "Computer-Aided Collaborative Subway Track Planning in Multi-Scale 3D City and Building Models".

Cell shape characterization and classification with discrete Fourier transforms and self-organizing maps.

PubMed

Kriegel, Fabian L; Köhler, Ralf; Bayat-Sarmadi, Jannike; Bayerl, Simon; Hauser, Anja E; Niesner, Raluca; Luch, Andreas; Cseresnyes, Zoltan

2018-03-01

Cells in their natural environment often exhibit complex kinetic behavior and radical adjustments of their shapes. This enables them to accommodate to short- and long-term changes in their surroundings under physiological and pathological conditions. Intravital multi-photon microscopy is a powerful tool to record this complex behavior. Traditionally, cell behavior is characterized by tracking the cells' movements, which yields numerous parameters describing the spatiotemporal characteristics of cells. Cells can be classified according to their tracking behavior using all or a subset of these kinetic parameters. This categorization can be supported by the a priori knowledge of experts. While such an approach provides an excellent starting point for analyzing complex intravital imaging data, faster methods are required for automated and unbiased characterization. In addition to their kinetic behavior, the 3D shape of these cells also provide essential clues about the cells' status and functionality. New approaches that include the study of cell shapes as well may also allow the discovery of correlations amongst the track- and shape-describing parameters. In the current study, we examine the applicability of a set of Fourier components produced by Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) as a tool for more efficient and less biased classification of complex cell shapes. By carrying out a number of 3D-to-2D projections of surface-rendered cells, the applied method reduces the more complex 3D shape characterization to a series of 2D DFTs. The resulting shape factors are used to train a Self-Organizing Map (SOM), which provides an unbiased estimate for the best clustering of the data, thereby characterizing groups of cells according to their shape. We propose and demonstrate that such shape characterization is a powerful addition to, or a replacement for kinetic analysis. This would make it especially useful in situations where live kinetic imaging is less practical or not possible at all. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

The attitude of Latin American immigrants in Florida (USA) towards deceased organ donation - a cross section cohort study.

PubMed

Ríos, Antonio; López-Navas, Ana Isabel; García, José Antonio; Garrido, Gregorio; Ayala-García, Marco Antonio; Sebastián, María José; Hernandez, Antonio Miguel; Ramírez, Pablo; Parrilla, Pascual

2017-10-01

The Latin American (LA) population resident in the USA is a growing subgroup of the population. To find out the structure of attitude towards organ donation in the LA population resident in Florida (USA). A sample was taken of LA residents in Florida, randomized and stratified by nationality, age and sex (n = 1524). Attitude was assessed using a validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO Rios) that was self-completed anonymously. The survey completion rate was 95% (n = 1450). Attitude was favourable in 33% of respondents (n = 485), against in 40% (n = 575) and undecided in 27% (n = 390). The following variables were associated with a favourable attitude: country of origin (Dominican Republic; P = 0.038); sex (female; P < 0.001); marital status (married; P < 0.001); level of education (university; P < 0.001); previous experience of the subject (P < 0.001); considering the need for a transplant in the future (P < 0.001); understanding the concept of brain death (P = 0.003); attitude towards donating a family member's organs (P < 0.001); having discussed organ donation and transplantation with one's family (P < 0.001) or with one's partner (P < 0.001); participation in pro-social type activities (P < 0.001); the respondent's religion (atheist-agnostic; P < 0.001); a respondent's knowledge of the attitude of his or her religion towards organ donation (P < 0.001); no concern about mutilation after donation (P < 0.001); acceptance of cremation (P < 0.001); burial (P < 0.001); and an autopsy if one were needed (P < 0.001). The attitude towards donation of LA in Florida is worse than that reported in the native population and is associated with certain psychosocial factors. © 2017 Steunstichting ESOT.

Creating the Deep Space Environment for Testing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) at NASA Johnson Space Center's Chamber A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Homan, Jonathan L.; Cerimele, Mary P.; Montz, Michael E.; Bachtel, Russell; Speed, John; O'Rear, Patrick

2013-01-01

Chamber A is the largest thermal vacuum chamber at the Johnson Space Center and is one of the largest space environment chambers in the world. The chamber is 19.8 m (65 ft) in diameter and 36.6 m (120 ft) tall and is equipped with cryogenic liquid nitrogen panels (shrouds) and gaseous helium shrouds to create a simulated space environment. It was originally designed and built in the mid 1960 s to test the Apollo Command and Service Module and several manned tests were conducted on that spacecraft, contributing to the success of the program. The chamber has been used since that time to test spacecraft active thermal control systems, Shuttle DTO, DOD, and ESA hardware in simulated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) conditions. NASA is now moving from LEO towards exploration of locations with environments approaching those of deep space. Therefore, Chamber A has undergone major modifications to enable it to simulate these deeper space environments. Environmental requirements were driven, and modifications were funded by the James Webb Space Telescope program, and this telescope which will orbit Solar/Earth L2, will be the first test article to benefit from the chamber s new capabilities. To accommodate JWST, the Chamber A high vacuum system has been modernized, additional LN2 shrouds have been installed, the liquid nitrogen system has been modified to remove dependency on electrical power and increase its reliability, a new helium shroud/refrigeration system has been installed to create a colder more stable and uniform heat sink, and the controls have been updated to increase the level of automation and improve operator interfaces. Testing of these major modifications was conducted in August of 2012 and this initial test was very successful, with all major systems exceeding their performance requirements. This paper will outline the changes in overall environmental requirements, discuss the technical design data that was used in the decisions leading to the extensive modifications, and describe the new capabilities of the chamber.

Creating the Deep Space Environment for Testing the James Webb Space Telescope at NASA Johnson Space Center's Chamber A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Homan, Jonathan L.; Cerimele, Mary P.; Montz, Michael E.; Bachtel, Russell; Speed, John; O'Rear, Patrick

2013-01-01

Chamber A is the largest thermal vacuum chamber at the Johnson Space Center and is one of the largest space environment chambers in the world. The chamber is 19.8 m (65 ft.) in diameter and 36.6 m (120 ft.) tall and is equipped with cryogenic liquid nitrogen panels (shrouds) and gaseous helium shrouds to create a simulated space environment. It was originally designed and built in the mid 1960 s to test the Apollo Command and Service Module and several manned tests were conducted on that spacecraft, contributing to the success of the program. The chamber has been used since that time to test spacecraft active thermal control systems, Shuttle DTO, DOD, and ESA hardware in simulated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) conditions. NASA is now moving from LEO towards exploration of locations with environments approaching those of deep space. Therefore, Chamber A has undergone major modifications to enable it to simulate these deeper space environments. Environmental requirements were driven, and modifications were funded by the James Webb Space Telescope program, and this telescope, which will orbit Solar/Earth L2, will be the first test article to benefit from the chamber s new capabilities. To accommodate JWST, the Chamber A high vacuum system has been modernized, additional LN2 shrouds have been installed, the liquid nitrogen system has been modified to minimize dependency on electrical power and increase its reliability, a new helium shroud/refrigeration system has been installed to create a colder more stable and uniform heat sink, and the controls have been updated to increase the level of automation and improve operator interfaces. Testing of these major modifications was conducted in August of 2012 and this initial test was very successful, with all major systems exceeding their performance requirements. This paper will outline the changes in overall environmental requirements, discuss the technical design data that was used in the decisions leading to the extensive modifications, and describe the new capabilities of the chamber.

Stochastic Analysis and Design of Heterogeneous Microstructural Materials System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Hongyi

Advanced materials system refers to new materials that are comprised of multiple traditional constituents but complex microstructure morphologies, which lead to superior properties over the conventional materials. To accelerate the development of new advanced materials system, the objective of this dissertation is to develop a computational design framework and the associated techniques for design automation of microstructure materials systems, with an emphasis on addressing the uncertainties associated with the heterogeneity of microstructural materials. Five key research tasks are identified: design representation, design evaluation, design synthesis, material informatics and uncertainty quantification. Design representation of microstructure includes statistical characterization and stochastic reconstruction. This dissertation develops a new descriptor-based methodology, which characterizes 2D microstructures using descriptors of composition, dispersion and geometry. Statistics of 3D descriptors are predicted based on 2D information to enable 2D-to-3D reconstruction. An efficient sequential reconstruction algorithm is developed to reconstruct statistically equivalent random 3D digital microstructures. In design evaluation, a stochastic decomposition and reassembly strategy is developed to deal with the high computational costs and uncertainties induced by material heterogeneity. The properties of Representative Volume Elements (RVE) are predicted by stochastically reassembling SVE elements with stochastic properties into a coarse representation of the RVE. In design synthesis, a new descriptor-based design framework is developed, which integrates computational methods of microstructure characterization and reconstruction, sensitivity analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), metamodeling and optimization the enable parametric optimization of the microstructure for achieving the desired material properties. Material informatics is studied to efficiently reduce the dimension of microstructure design space. This dissertation develops a machine learning-based methodology to identify the key microstructure descriptors that highly impact properties of interest. In uncertainty quantification, a comparative study on data-driven random process models is conducted to provide guidance for choosing the most accurate model in statistical uncertainty quantification. Two new goodness-of-fit metrics are developed to provide quantitative measurements of random process models' accuracy. The benefits of the proposed methods are demonstrated by the example of designing the microstructure of polymer nanocomposites. This dissertation provides material-generic, intelligent modeling/design methodologies and techniques to accelerate the process of analyzing and designing new microstructural materials system.

Creating the Deep Space Environment for Testing the James Webb Space Telescope at the Johnson Space Center's Chamber A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Homan, Jonathan L.; Cerimele, Mary P.; Montz, Michael E.

2012-01-01

Chamber A is the largest thermal vacuum chamber at the Johnson Space Center and is one of the largest space environment chambers in the world. The chamber is 19.8 m (65 ft) in diameter and 36.6 m (120 ft) tall and is equipped with cryogenic liquid nitrogen panels (shrouds) and gaseous helium shrouds to create a simulated space environment. It was originally designed and built in the mid 1960's to test the Apollo Command and Service Module and several manned tests were conducted on that spacecraft, contributing to the success of the program. The chamber has been used since that time to test spacecraft active thermal control systems, Shuttle DTO, DOD, and ESA hardware in simulated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) conditions. NASA is now moving from LEO towards exploration of locations with environments approaching those of deep space. Therefore, Chamber A has undergone major modifications to enable it to simulate these deeper space environments. Environmental requirements were driven, and the modifications were funded, by the James Webb Space Telescope program, and this telescope which will orbit Solar/Earth L2, will be the first test article to benefit from the chamber s new capabilities. To accommodate JWST, the Chamber A high vacuum system has been modernized, additional LN2 shrouds have been installed, the liquid nitrogen system has been modified to remove dependency on electrical power and increase its reliability, a new helium shroud/refrigeration system has been installed to create a colder more stable and uniform heat sink and, the controls have been updated to increase the level of automation and improve operator interfaces. Testing of these major modifications was conducted in August 2012 and this initial test was very successful, with all major systems exceeding their performance requirements. This paper will outline the changes in the overall environmental requirements, discuss the technical design data that was used in the decisions leading to the extensive modifications, and describe the new capabilities of the chamber.

The Latin American population in Spain and organ donation. Attitude toward deceased organ donation and organ donation rates.

PubMed

Ríos, Antonio; López-Navas, Ana I; Navalón, Juan C; Martínez-Alarcón, Laura; Ayala-García, Marco A; Sebastián-Ruiz, María J; Moya-Faz, Francisco; Garrido, Gregorio; Ramirez, Pablo; Parrilla, Pascual

2015-04-01

The Latin American (LA) population has similarities with the Spanish population which makes its integration into Spanish society easier. to analyze the attitude toward organ donation among Latin American citizens residing in Spain, to determine the psychosocial variables which affect this attitude, and to examine the correlation between donation rates of LA citizens in Spain and in their countries of origin. A random sample of LA residents in Spain was taken and stratified according to the respondent's nationality (n = 1.314), in the year 2010. Attitude was assessed using a validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO Dr Rios). The survey was self-administered and completed anonymously. Student's t-test, the χ(2) test, and logistic regression analysis. There was a 94% completion rate (n = 1.237). Attitude toward donation was favorable in 60% of cases (n = 745), 12% (n = 145) were against, and 28% (n = 347) were undecided. The following variables were associated with attitude toward donation: sex (P = 0.038), level of formal education (P < 0.001), country of origin (P = 0.002), attitude toward the donation of a family member's organs (P < 0.001), having discussed donation with the family (P < 0.001), carrying out prosocial activities (P = 0.025), attitude toward cremation of the body (P < 0.001), attitude toward burial of the body (P < 0.001), attitude toward having an autopsy carried out (P < 0.001), previous experience of the organ donation and transplantation process (P < 0.001), fear of mutilation after donation (P < 0.001), knowledge that the Church has a positive attitude toward organ donation and transplantation (P < 0.001), knowledge of one's partner's attitude toward organ donation (P < 0.001), and a belief that one might need a transplant in the future (P < 0.001). The donation rates in this population group in Spain are higher than those recorded in their countries of origin (55.76 vs. <10 pmp; P < 0.001). The attitude toward organ donation among LA citizens residing in Spain is slightly worse than that reported in the native Spanish population and is determined by many psychosocial factors. The donation rates of LA citizens in Spain are higher than those in their countries of origin. © 2015 Steunstichting ESOT.

In vivo kinematic analysis of the glenohumeral joint during dynamic full axial rotation and scapular plane full abduction in healthy shoulders.

PubMed

Kozono, Naoya; Okada, Takamitsu; Takeuchi, Naohide; Hamai, Satoshi; Higaki, Hidehiko; Ikebe, Satoru; Shimoto, Takeshi; Miake, Go; Nakanishi, Yoshitaka; Iwamoto, Yukihide

2017-07-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the kinematics of healthy shoulders during dynamic full axial rotation and scapular plane full abduction using three-dimensional (3D)-to-two-dimensional (2D) model-to-image registration techniques. Dynamic glenohumeral kinematics during axial rotation and scapular plane abduction were analysed in 10 healthy participants. Continuous radiographic images of axial rotation and scapular plane abduction were taken using a flat panel radiographic detector. The participants received a computed tomography scan to generate virtual digitally reconstructed radiographs. The density-based digitally reconstructed radiographs were then compared with the serial radiographic images acquired using image correlations. These 3D-to-2D model-to-image registration techniques determined the 3D positions and orientations of the humerus and scapula during dynamic full axial rotation and scapular plane full abduction. The humeral head centre translated an average of 2.5 ± 3.1 mm posteriorly, and 1.4 ± 1.0 mm superiorly in the early phase, then an average of 2.0 ± 0.8 mm inferiorly in the late phase during external rotation motion. The glenohumeral external rotation angle had a significant effect on the anterior/posterior (A/P) and superior/inferior (S/I) translation of the humeral head centre (both p < 0.05). 33.6 ± 15.6° of glenohumeral external rotation occurred during scapular plane abduction. The humeral head centre translated an average of 0.6 ± 0.9 mm superiorly in the early phase, then 1.7 ± 2.6 mm inferiorly in the late phase, and translated an average of 0.4 ± 0.5 mm medially in the early phase, then 1.6 ± 1.0 mm laterally in the late phase during scapular plane abduction. The humeral abduction angle had a significant effect on the S/I and lateral/medial (L/M) translation of the humeral head centre (both p < 0.05). This study investigated 3D translations of the humerus relative to the scapula: during scapular plane full abduction, the humerus rotated 33.6° externally relative to the scapula, and during external rotation motion in the adducted position, the humeral head centre translated an average of 2.5 mm posteriorly. Kinematic data will provide important insights into evaluating the kinematics of pathological shoulders. For clinical relevance, quantitative assessment of dynamic healthy shoulder kinematics might be a physiological indicator for the assessment of pathological shoulders.

Urine Pretreat Injection System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

A new method of introducing the OXONE (Registered Trademark) Monopersulfate Compound for urine pretreat into a two-phase urine/air flow stream has been successfully tested and evaluated. The feasibility of this innovative method has been established for purposes of providing a simple, convenient, and safe method of handling a chemical pretreat required for urine processing in a microgravity space environment. Also, the Oxone portion of the urine pretreat has demonstrated the following advantages during real time collection of 750 pounds of urine in a Space Station design two-phase urine Fan/Separator: Eliminated urine precipitate buildup on internal hardware and plumbing; Minimized odor from collected urine; and Virtually eliminated airborne bacteria. The urine pretreat, as presently defined for the Space Station program for proper downstream processing of urine, is a two-part chemical treatment of 5.0 grams of Oxone and 2.3 ml of H2SO4 per liter of urine. This study program and test demonstrated only the addition of the proper ratio of Oxone into the urine collection system upstream of the Fan/Separator. This program was divided into the following three major tasks: (1) A trade study, to define and recommend the type of Oxone injection method to pursue further; (2) The design and fabrication of the selected method; and (3) A test program using high fidelity hardware and fresh urine to demonstrate the method feasibility. The trade study was conducted which included defining several methods for injecting Oxone in different forms into a urine system. Oxone was considered in a liquid, solid, paste and powered form. The trade study and the resulting recommendation were presented at a trade study review held at Hamilton Standard on 24-25 October 94. An agreement was reached at the meeting to continue the solid tablet in a bag concept which included a series of tablets suspended in the urine/air flow stream. These Oxone tablets would slowly dissolve at a controlled rate providing the proper concentration in the collected urine. To implement the solid tablet in a bag approach, a design concept was completed with prototype drawings of the complete urine pretreat prefilter assembly. A successful fabrication technique was developed for retaining the Oxone tablets in a fabric casing attached to the end of the existing Space Station Waste Collection System urine prefilter assembly. The final pretreat prefilter configuration held sufficient Oxone in a tablet form to allow normal scheduled daily (or twice daily) change out of the urine filter depending on the use rate of the Space Station urine collection system. The actual tests to prove the concept were conducted using the Urine Fan/Separator assembly that was originally used in the STS-52 Design Test Objective (DTO) urinal assembly. Other related tests were conducted to demonstrate the actual minimum ratio of Oxone to urine that will control microbial growth.