Impact of an Extension Social Media Tool Kit on Audience Engagement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garcia, Aileen S.; Dev, Dipti; McGinnis, Colin M.; Thomas, Tyler

2018-01-01

Extension professionals can improve their use of social media as channels for extending programmatic efforts by maximizing target audience reach and engagement. We describe how implementation of a tool kit highlighting best practices for using social media improved Extension professionals' efforts to engage target audience members via social…

Optimized Temporal Monitors for SystemC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tabakov, Deian; Rozier, Kristin Y.; Vardi, Moshe Y.

2012-01-01

SystemC is a modeling language built as an extension of C++. Its growing popularity and the increasing complexity of designs have motivated research efforts aimed at the verification of SystemC models using assertion-based verification (ABV), where the designer asserts properties that capture the design intent in a formal language such as PSL or SVA. The model then can be verified against the properties using runtime or formal verification techniques. In this paper we focus on automated generation of runtime monitors from temporal properties. Our focus is on minimizing runtime overhead, rather than monitor size or monitor-generation time. We identify four issues in monitor generation: state minimization, alphabet representation, alphabet minimization, and monitor encoding. We conduct extensive experimentation and identify a combination of settings that offers the best performance in terms of runtime overhead.

Developing the Precision Magnetic Field for the E989 Muon g{2 Experiment

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

Smith, Matthias W.

The experimental value ofmore » $$(g\\hbox{--}2)_\\mu$$ historically has been and contemporarily remains an important probe into the Standard Model and proposed extensions. Previous measurements of $$(g\\hbox{--}2)_\\mu$$ exhibit a persistent statistical tension with calculations using the Standard Model implying that the theory may be incomplete and constraining possible extensions. The Fermilab Muon g-2 experiment, E989, endeavors to increase the precision over previous experiments by a factor of four and probe more deeply into the tension with the Standard Model. The $$(g\\hbox{--}2)_\\mu$$ experimental implementation measures two spin precession frequencies defined by the magnetic field, proton precession and muon precession. The value of $$(g\\hbox{--}2)_\\mu$$ is derived from a relationship between the two frequencies. The precision of magnetic field measurements and the overall magnetic field uniformity achieved over the muon storage volume are then two undeniably important aspects of the e xperiment in minimizing uncertainty. The current thesis details the methods employed to achieve magnetic field goals and results of the effort.« less

Adult mortality probability and nest predation rates explain parental effort in warming eggs with consequences for embryonic development time

USGS Publications Warehouse

Martin, Thomas E.; Oteyza, Juan C.; Boyce, Andy J.; Lloyd, Penn; Ton, Riccardo

2015-01-01

Parental behavior and effort vary extensively among species. Life-history theory suggests that age-specific mortality could cause this interspecific variation, but past tests have focused on fecundity as the measure of parental effort. Fecundity can cause costs of reproduction that confuse whether mortality is the cause or the consequence of parental effort. We focus on a trait, parental allocation of time and effort in warming embryos, that varies widely among species of diverse taxa and is not tied to fecundity. We conducted studies on songbirds of four continents and show that time spent warming eggs varies widely among species and latitudes and is not correlated with clutch size. Adult and offspring (nest) mortality explained most of the interspecific variation in time and effort that parents spend warming eggs, measured by average egg temperatures. Parental effort in warming eggs is important because embryonic temperature can influence embryonic development period and hence exposure time to predation risk. We show through correlative evidence and experimental swapping of embryos between species that parentally induced egg temperatures cause interspecific variation in embryonic development period. The strong association of age-specific mortality with parental effort in warming eggs and the subsequent effects on embryonic development time are unique results that can advance understanding of broad geographic patterns of life-history variation.

Micromechanics of composite laminate compression failures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guynn, E. Gail; Bradley, Walter L.

1988-01-01

The purpose of this annual progress report is to summarize the work effort and results accomplished from July 1987 through July 1988 on NASA Research Grant NAG1-659 entitled Micromechanics of Composite Laminate Compressive Failure. The report contains: (1) the objective of the proposed research, (2) the summary of accomplishments, (3) a more extensive review of compression literature, (4) the planned material (and corresponding properties) received to date, (5) the results for three possible specimen geometries, experimental procedures planned, and current status of the experiments, and (6) the work planned for the next contract year.

Radio detection of extensive air showers at the Pierre Auger Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berat, C.

2013-08-01

The Pierre Auger Observatory explores the potential of radio-detection techniques to measure extensive air showers (EAS) induced by ultra-high energy cosmic rays. To study in detail the mechanisms responsible for radio emission in the MHz range, the Auger Engineering Radio Array has been installed at the Observatory. Presently consisting of 24 radio-detection stations, this number will grow to 150 units covering an area of almost 20 km2. Novel detection techniques based on the GHz emission from the EAS are currently being studied. AMBER (Air-shower Microwave Bremsstrahlung Experimental Radiometer) and MIDAS (Microwave Detection of Air Showers) are prototypes for a large imaging dish antenna. In EASIER (Extensive Air Shower Identification using Electron Radiometer), the microwave emission is detected by antenna horns located on each surface detector. MIDAS is a self-triggering system while AMBER and EASIER use the trigger from the Auger detectors to record the emission. The status of these radio-detection R&D efforts at the Pierre Auger Observatory will be reported.

Validation Results for LEWICE 2.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, William B.; Rutkowski, Adam

1999-01-01

A research project is underway at NASA Lewis to produce a computer code which can accurately predict ice growth under any meteorological conditions for any aircraft surface. This report will present results from version 2.0 of this code, which is called LEWICE. This version differs from previous releases due to its robustness and its ability to reproduce results accurately for different spacing and time step criteria across computing platform. It also differs in the extensive amount of effort undertaken to compare the results in a quantified manner against the database of ice shapes which have been generated in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel (IRT). The results of the shape comparisons are analyzed to determine the range of meteorological conditions under which LEWICE 2.0 is within the experimental repeatability. This comparison shows that the average variation of LEWICE 2.0 from the experimental data is 7.2% while the overall variability of the experimental data is 2.5%.

Experimental studies of MOS inversion and accumulation layers: Quantum mechanical effects and mobility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chindalore, Gowrishankar L.

The development of fast, multi-functional, and energy efficient integrated circuits, is made possible by aggressively scaling the gate lengths of the MOS devices into the sub-quarter micron regime. However, with the increasing cost of fabrication, there is a strong need for the development of reliable and accurate device simulation capabilities. The development of the theoretical models for simulators is guided by extensive experimental data, which enable an experimental verification of the models, and lead to a better understanding of the underlying physics. This dissertation presents the methodology and the results for one such experimental effort, where two important physical effects in the inversion layer and the accumulation layer of a MOS device, namely, the quantum mechanical (QM) effects and the carrier mobility are investigated. Accordingly, this dissertation has been divided into two parts, with the first part discussing the increase in the threshold voltage and the accumulation electrical oxide thickness due to QM effects. The second part discusses the methodology and the experimental results for the extraction of the majority carrier mobilities in the accumulation layers of a MOSFET. The continued scaling of the MOS gate length requires decreased gate oxide thickness (tox) and increased channel doping (NB) in order to improve device performance while suppressing the short- channel effects. The combination of the two result in large enough transverse electric fields to cause significant quantization of the carriers in the potential well at the Si/SiO2 interface. Hence, compared to the classical calculations (where the QM effects are ignored), the QM effects are found to lead to an increase in the experimental threshold voltage by approximately 100mV, and an overestimation of the physical oxide thickness by approximately 3-4A, in MOSFET devices with a gate oxide thickness and the doping level anticipated for technologies with sub-quarter micron gate lengths. Thus, the experimental results indicate the need for using accurate QM models for simulating sub-quarter micron devices. Carrier mobility is a fundamental semiconductor device transport parameter that has been extensively characterized for both electrons and holes in the silicon bulk and MOS inversion layers. Accumulation layer mobility (μacc) has become increasingly important as the MOS devices have scaled to deep submicron gate lengths, and much effort has been required to achieve increased drive current. However, very little experimental data has been reported for carrier mobility in the MOS accumulation layers (Sun80, Man89). Hence, in this research work, the accumulation layer mobilities were extracted using buried-channel MOSFETs for both the electrons and holes, and for a wide range of doping levels at temperatures ranging from 25C to 150C. The experimental μacc is found to be greater than the corresponding bulk and the inversion layer mobilities, at low to moderate effective fields. However, at very high effective fields, where phonon and surface roughness scattering are dominant, the mobility behavior is found to be very similar to that of the inversion carriers. The extensive set of experimental data will enable the development of accurate local accumulation mobility models for inclusion in 2-D device simulators.

Electrochemical reverse engineering: A systems-level tool to probe the redox-based molecular communication of biology.

PubMed

Li, Jinyang; Liu, Yi; Kim, Eunkyoung; March, John C; Bentley, William E; Payne, Gregory F

2017-04-01

The intestine is the site of digestion and forms a critical interface between the host and the outside world. This interface is composed of host epithelium and a complex microbiota which is "connected" through an extensive web of chemical and biological interactions that determine the balance between health and disease for the host. This biology and the associated chemical dialogues occur within a context of a steep oxygen gradient that provides the driving force for a variety of reduction and oxidation (redox) reactions. While some redox couples (e.g., catecholics) can spontaneously exchange electrons, many others are kinetically "insulated" (e.g., biothiols) allowing the biology to set and control their redox states far from equilibrium. It is well known that within cells, such non-equilibrated redox couples are poised to transfer electrons to perform reactions essential to immune defense (e.g., transfer from NADH to O 2 for reactive oxygen species, ROS, generation) and protection from such oxidative stresses (e.g., glutathione-based reduction of ROS). More recently, it has been recognized that some of these redox-active species (e.g., H 2 O 2 ) cross membranes and diffuse into the extracellular environment including lumen to transmit redox information that is received by atomically-specific receptors (e.g., cysteine-based sulfur switches) that regulate biological functions. Thus, redox has emerged as an important modality in the chemical signaling that occurs in the intestine and there have been emerging efforts to develop the experimental tools needed to probe this modality. We suggest that electrochemistry provides a unique tool to experimentally probe redox interactions at a systems level. Importantly, electrochemistry offers the potential to enlist the extensive theories established in signal processing in an effort to "reverse engineer" the molecular communication occurring in this complex biological system. Here, we review our efforts to develop this electrochemical tool for in vitro redox-probing. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of Operating Conditions and Design on Afterburner Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fleming, W. A.; Gabriel, D. S.; Lundin, B. T.

1956-01-01

Afterburners for turbojet engines have, within the past decade, found increasing application in service aircraft. Practically all engines manufactured today are equipped with some form of afterburner, and its use has increased from what was originally a short-period thrust-augmentation application to an essential feature of the turbojet propulsion system for flight at supersonic speeds. The design of these afterburners has been based on extensive research and development effort in expanded laboratory facilities by both the NACA and the American engine industry. Most of the work of the engine industry, however, has either not been published or is not generally available owing to its proprietary nature. Consequently, the main bulk of research information available for summary and discussion is of NACA origin. However, because industrial afterburner development has closely followed NACA research, the omission is more one of technical detail than method or concept. One principal difficulty encountered in summarizing the work in this field is that sufficient knowledge does not yet exist to rationally or directly integrate the available background of basic combustion principles into combustor design. A further difficulty is that most of the experimental investigations that have been conducted were directed chiefly toward the development of specific afterburners for various engines rather than to the accumulation of systematic data. This work has, nonetheless, provided not only substantial improvements in the performance of afterburners but also a large fund of experimental data and an extensive background of experience in the field. Consequently, it is the purpose of the present chapter to summarize the many, and frequently unrelated, experimental investigations that have been conducted rather than to formulate a set of design rules. In the treatment of this material an effort has been made, however, to convey to the reader the "know how" acquired by research engineers in the course of afterburner studies.

On thermomechanical testing in support of constitutive equation development for high temperature alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robinson, D. N.

1985-01-01

Three major categories of testing are identified that are necessary to provide support for the development of constitutive equations for high temperature alloys. These are exploratory, charactrization and verification tests. Each category is addressed and specific examples of each are given. An extensive, but not exhaustive, set of references is provided concerning pertinent experimental results and their relationships to theoretical development. This guide to formulating a meaningful testing effort in support of consitutive equation development can also aid in defining the necessary testing equipment and instrumentation for the establishment of a deformation and structures testing laboratory.

Hormone purification by isoelectric focusing in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bier, M.

1982-01-01

The performance of a ground-prototype of an apparatus for recycling isoelectric focusing was evaluated in an effort to provide technology for large scale purification of peptide hormones, proteins, and other biologicals. Special emphasis was given to the effects of gravity on the function of the apparatus and to the determination of potential advantages deriveable from its use in a microgravity environment. A theoretical model of isoelectric focusing sing chemically defined buffer systems for the establishment of the pH gradients was developed. The model was transformed to a form suitable for computer simulations and was used extensively for the design of experimental buffers.

Designing Fault-Injection Experiments for the Reliability of Embedded Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

White, Allan L.

2012-01-01

This paper considers the long-standing problem of conducting fault-injections experiments to establish the ultra-reliability of embedded systems. There have been extensive efforts in fault injection, and this paper offers a partial summary of the efforts, but these previous efforts have focused on realism and efficiency. Fault injections have been used to examine diagnostics and to test algorithms, but the literature does not contain any framework that says how to conduct fault-injection experiments to establish ultra-reliability. A solution to this problem integrates field-data, arguments-from-design, and fault-injection into a seamless whole. The solution in this paper is to derive a model reduction theorem for a class of semi-Markov models suitable for describing ultra-reliable embedded systems. The derivation shows that a tight upper bound on the probability of system failure can be obtained using only the means of system-recovery times, thus reducing the experimental effort to estimating a reasonable number of easily-observed parameters. The paper includes an example of a system subject to both permanent and transient faults. There is a discussion of integrating fault-injection with field-data and arguments-from-design.

Robotics-Centered Outreach Activities: An Integrated Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruiz-del-Solar, Javier

2010-01-01

Nowadays, universities are making extensive efforts to attract prospective students to the fields of electrical, electronic, and computer engineering. Thus, outreach is becoming increasingly important, and activities with schoolchildren are being extensively carried out as part of this effort. In this context, robotics is a very attractive and…

Control research in the NASA high-alpha technology program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilbert, William P.; Nguyen, Luat T.; Gera, Joseph

1990-01-01

NASA is conducting a focused technology program, known as the High-Angle-of-Attack Technology Program, to accelerate the development of flight-validated technology applicable to the design of fighters with superior stall and post-stall characteristics and agility. A carefully integrated effort is underway combining wind tunnel testing, analytical predictions, piloted simulation, and full-scale flight research. A modified F-18 aircraft has been extensively instrumented for use as the NASA High-Angle-of-Attack Research Vehicle used for flight verification of new methods and concepts. This program stresses the importance of providing improved aircraft control capabilities both by powered control (such as thrust-vectoring) and by innovative aerodynamic control concepts. The program is accomplishing extensive coordinated ground and flight testing to assess and improve available experimental and analytical methods and to develop new concepts for enhanced aerodynamics and for effective control, guidance, and cockpit displays essential for effective pilot utilization of the increased agility provided.

Crystal Growth of ZnSe and Related Ternary Compound Semiconductors by Vapor Transport in Low Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua; Ramachandran, N.

2013-01-01

Crystals of ZnSe and related ternary compounds, such as ZnSeS and ZnSeTe, will be grown by physical vapor transport in the Material Science Research Rack (MSRR) on International Space Station (ISS). The objective of the project is to determine the relative contributions of gravity-driven fluid flows to the compositional distribution, incorporation of impurities and defects, and deviation from stoichiometry observed in the crystals grown by vapor transport as results of buoyance-driven convection and growth interface fluctuations caused by irregular fluid-flows on Earth. The investigation consists of extensive ground-based experimental and theoretical research efforts and concurrent flight experimentation. The objectives of the ground-based studies are (1) obtain the experimental data and conduct the analyses required to define the optimum growth parameters for the flight experiments, (2) perfect various characterization techniques to establish the standard procedure for material characterization, (3) quantitatively establish the characteristics of the crystals grown on Earth as a basis for subsequent comparative evaluations of the crystals grown in a low-gravity environment and (4) develop theoretical and analytical methods required for such evaluations. ZnSe and related ternary compounds have been grown by vapor transport technique with real time in-situ non-invasive monitoring techniques. The grown crystals have been characterized extensively by various techniques to correlate the grown crystal properties with the growth conditions.

The Paucity Problem: Where Have All the Space Reactor Experiments Gone?

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

Bess, John D.; Marshall, Margaret A.

2016-10-01

The Handbooks of the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP) and the International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) together contain a plethora of documented and evaluated experiments essential in the validation of nuclear data, neutronics codes, and modeling of various nuclear systems. Unfortunately, only a minute selection of handbook data (twelve evaluations) are of actual experimental facilities and mockups designed specifically for space nuclear research. There is a paucity problem, such that the multitude of space nuclear experimental activities performed in the past several decades have yet to be recovered and made available in such detail that themore » international community could benefit from these valuable historical research efforts. Those experiments represent extensive investments in infrastructure, expertise, and cost, as well as constitute significantly valuable resources of data supporting past, present, and future research activities. The ICSBEP and IRPhEP were established to identify and verify comprehensive sets of benchmark data; evaluate the data, including quantification of biases and uncertainties; compile the data and calculations in a standardized format; and formally document the effort into a single source of verified benchmark data. See full abstract in attached document.« less

Fretting Fatigue of Single Crystal/Polycrystalline Nickel Subjected to Blade/Disk Contact Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matlik, J. F.; Murthy, H.; Farris, T. N.

2002-01-01

Fretting fatigue describes the formation and growth of cracks at the edge-of-contact of nominally clamped components subjected to cyclic loading. Components that are known to be subject to fretting fatigue include riveted lap joints and blade/disk contacts in launch vehicle turbomachinery. Recent efforts have shown that conventional mechanics tools, both fatigue and fracture based, can be used to model fretting fatigue experiments leading to successful life predictions. In particular, experiments involving contact load configurations similar to those that occur in the blade/disk connection of gas turbine engines have been performed extensively. Predictions of fretting fatigue life have been compared favorably to experimental observations [1]. Recent efforts are aimed at performing experiments at higher temperatures as shown in the photograph below along with a sample fracture surface. The talk will describe the status of these experiments as will as model developments relevant to the single crystal material properties.

Air-water partition coefficients for a suite of polycyclic aromatic and other C10 through C20 unsaturated hydrocarbons.

PubMed

Rayne, Sierra; Forest, Kaya

2016-09-18

The air-water partition coefficients (Kaw) for 86 large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their unsaturated relatives were estimated using high-level G4(MP2) gas and aqueous phase calculations with the SMD, IEFPCM-UFF, and CPCM solvation models. An extensive method validation effort was undertaken which involved confirming that, via comparisons to experimental enthalpies of formation, gas-phase energies at the G4(MP2) level for the compounds of interest were at or near thermochemical accuracy. Investigations of the three solvation models using a range of neutral and ionic compounds suggested that while no clear preferential solvation model could be chosen in advance for accurate Kaw estimates of the target compounds, the employment of increasingly higher levels of theory would result in lower Kaw errors. Subsequent calculations on the polycyclic aromatic and unsaturated hydrocarbons at the G4(MP2) level revealed excellent agreement for the IEFPCM-UFF and CPCM models against limited available experimental data. The IEFPCM-UFF-G4(MP2) and CPCM-G4(MP2) solvation energy calculation approaches are anticipated to give Kaw estimates within typical experimental ranges, each having general Kaw errors of less than 0.5 log10 units. When applied to other large organic compounds, the method should allow development of a broad and reliable Kaw database for multimedia environmental modeling efforts on various contaminants.

Experimental studies of Micro- and Nano-grained UO 2: Grain Growth Behavior, Sufrace Morphology, and Fracture Toughness

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

Miao, Yinbin; Mo, Kun; Jamison, Laura M.

This activity is supported by the US Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Fuels Product Line (FPL) and aims at providing experimental data for the validation of the mesoscale simulation code MARMOT. MARMOT is a mesoscale multiphysics code that predicts the coevolution of microstructure and properties within reactor fuel during its lifetime in the reactor. It is an important component of the Moose-Bison-Marmot (MBM) code suite that has been developed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to enable next generation fuel performance modeling capability as part of the NEAMS Program FPL. In order to ensure the accuracy of the microstructure-basedmore » materials models being developed within the MARMOT code, extensive validation efforts must be carried out. In this report, we summarize the experimental efforts in FY16 including the following important experiments: (1) in-situ grain growth measurement of nano-grained UO 2; (2) investigation of surface morphology in micrograined UO 2; (3) Nano-indentation experiments on nano- and micro-grained UO 2. The highlight of this year is: we have successfully demonstrated our capability to in-situ measure grain size development while maintaining the stoichiometry of nano-grained UO 2 materials; the experiment is, for the first time, using synchrotron X-ray diffraction to in-situ measure grain growth behavior of UO 2.« less

PanDaTox: A tool for accelerated metabolic engineering

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

Amitai, Gil; Sorek, Rotem

2012-07-18

Metabolic engineering is often facilitated by cloning of genes encoding enzymes from various heterologous organisms into E. coli. Such engineering efforts are frequently hampered by foreign genes that are toxic to the E. coli host. We have developed PanDaTox (www.weizmann.ac.il/pandatox), a web-based resource that provides experimental toxicity information for more than 1.5 million genes from hundreds of different microbial genomes. The toxicity predictions, which were extensively experimentally verified, are based on serial cloning of genes into E. coli as part of the Sanger whole genome shotgun sequencing process. PanDaTox can accelerate metabolic engineering projects by allowing researchers to exclude toxicmore » genes from the engineering plan and verify the clonability of selected genes before the actual metabolic engineering experiments are conducted.« less

Aerothermal modeling program, phase 2. Element B: Flow interaction experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nikjooy, M.; Mongia, H. C.; Murthy, S. N. B.; Sullivan, J. P.

1986-01-01

The design process was improved and the efficiency, life, and maintenance costs of the turbine engine hot section was enhanced. Recently, there has been much emphasis on the need for improved numerical codes for the design of efficient combustors. For the development of improved computational codes, there is a need for an experimentally obtained data base to be used at test cases for the accuracy of the computations. The purpose of Element-B is to establish a benchmark quality velocity and scalar measurements of the flow interaction of circular jets with swirling flow typical of that in the dome region of annular combustor. In addition to the detailed experimental effort, extensive computations of the swirling flows are to be compared with the measurements for the purpose of assessing the accuracy of current and advanced turbulence and scalar transport models.

Experimental and computational investigation of lateral gauge response in polycarbonate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eliot, Jim; Harris, Ernst; Hazell, Paul; Appleby-Thomas, Gareth; Winter, Ronald; Wood, David; Owen, Gareth

2011-06-01

Polycarbonate's use in personal armour systems means its high strain-rate response has been extensively studied. Interestingly, embedded lateral manganin stress gauges in polycarbonate have shown gradients behind incident shocks, suggestive of increasing shear strength. However, such gauges need to be embedded in a central (typically) epoxy interlayer - an inherently invasive approach. Recently, research has suggested that in such metal systems interlayer/target impedance may contribute to observed gradients in lateral stress. Here, experimental T-gauge (Vishay Micro-Measurements® type J2M-SS-580SF-025) traces from polycarbonate targets are compared to computational simulations. This work extends previous efforts such that similar impedance exists between the interlayer and matrix (target) interface. Further, experiments and simulations are presented investigating the effects of a ``dry joint'' in polycarbonate, in which no encapsulating medium is employed.

Domain-based prediction of the human isoform interactome provides insights into the functional impact of alternative splicing.

PubMed

Ghadie, Mohamed Ali; Lambourne, Luke; Vidal, Marc; Xia, Yu

2017-08-01

Alternative splicing is known to remodel protein-protein interaction networks ("interactomes"), yet large-scale determination of isoform-specific interactions remains challenging. We present a domain-based method to predict the isoform interactome from the reference interactome. First, we construct the domain-resolved reference interactome by mapping known domain-domain interactions onto experimentally-determined interactions between reference proteins. Then, we construct the isoform interactome by predicting that an isoform loses an interaction if it loses the domain mediating the interaction. Our prediction framework is of high-quality when assessed by experimental data. The predicted human isoform interactome reveals extensive network remodeling by alternative splicing. Protein pairs interacting with different isoforms of the same gene tend to be more divergent in biological function, tissue expression, and disease phenotype than protein pairs interacting with the same isoforms. Our prediction method complements experimental efforts, and demonstrates that integrating structural domain information with interactomes provides insights into the functional impact of alternative splicing.

Domain-based prediction of the human isoform interactome provides insights into the functional impact of alternative splicing

PubMed Central

Lambourne, Luke; Vidal, Marc

2017-01-01

Alternative splicing is known to remodel protein-protein interaction networks (“interactomes”), yet large-scale determination of isoform-specific interactions remains challenging. We present a domain-based method to predict the isoform interactome from the reference interactome. First, we construct the domain-resolved reference interactome by mapping known domain-domain interactions onto experimentally-determined interactions between reference proteins. Then, we construct the isoform interactome by predicting that an isoform loses an interaction if it loses the domain mediating the interaction. Our prediction framework is of high-quality when assessed by experimental data. The predicted human isoform interactome reveals extensive network remodeling by alternative splicing. Protein pairs interacting with different isoforms of the same gene tend to be more divergent in biological function, tissue expression, and disease phenotype than protein pairs interacting with the same isoforms. Our prediction method complements experimental efforts, and demonstrates that integrating structural domain information with interactomes provides insights into the functional impact of alternative splicing. PMID:28846689

Precision experiments on mirror transitions at Notre Dame

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brodeur, Maxime; TwinSol Collaboration

2016-09-01

Thanks to extensive experimental efforts that led to a precise determination of important experimental quantities of superallowed pure Fermi transitions, we now have a very precise value for Vud that leads to a stringent test of the CKM matrix unitarity. Despite this achievement, measurements in other systems remain relevant as conflicting results could uncover unknown systematic effects or even new physics. One such system is the superallowed mixed transition, which can help refine theoretical corrections used for pure Fermi transitions and improve the accuracy of Vud. However, as a corrected Ft-value determination from these systems requires the more challenging determination of the Fermi Gamow-Teller mixing ratio, only five transitions, spreading from 19Ne to 37Ar, are currently fully characterized. To rectify the situation, an experimental program on precision experiment of mirror transitions that includes precision half-life measurements, and in the future, the determination of the Fermi Gamow-Teller mixing ratio, has started at the University of Notre Dame. This work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation.

Growth of Solid Solution Crystals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lehoczky, S. L.; Szofran, F. R.; Holland, L. R.

1985-01-01

The major objective of this program is to determine the conditions under which single crystals of solid solutions can be grown from the melt in a Bridgman configuration with a high degree of chemical homogeneity. The central aim is to assess the role of gravity in the growth process and to explore the possible advantages for growth in the absence of gravity. The alloy system being investigated is the solid solution semiconductor with x-values appropriate for infrared detector applications in Hg sub (1-x) Cd sub x Te the 8 to 14 micro m wavelength region. Both melt and Te-solvent growth are being considered. The study consists of an extensive ground-based experimental and theoretical research effort followed by flight experimentation where appropriate. Experimental facilities have been established for the purification, casting, and crystal growth of the alloy system. Facilities have been also established for the metallurgical, compositional, electric and optical characterization of the alloys. Crystals are being grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method and are analyzed by various experimental techniques to evaluate the effects of growth conditions on the longitudinal and radial compositional variations and defect densities in the crystals.

A comparative study of the constitutive models for silicon carbide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Jow-Lian; Dwivedi, Sunil; Gupta, Yogendra

2001-06-01

Most of the constitutive models for polycrystalline silicon carbide were developed and evaluated using data from either normal plate impact or Hopkinson bar experiments. At ISP, extensive efforts have been made to gain detailed insight into the shocked state of the silicon carbide (SiC) using innovative experimental methods, viz., lateral stress measurements, in-material unloading measurements, and combined compression shear experiments. The data obtained from these experiments provide some unique information for both developing and evaluating material models. In this study, these data for SiC were first used to evaluate some of the existing models to identify their strength and possible deficiencies. Motivated by both the results of this comparative study and the experimental observations, an improved phenomenological model was developed. The model incorporates pressure dependence of strength, rate sensitivity, damage evolution under both tension and compression, pressure confinement effect on damage evolution, stiffness degradation due to damage, and pressure dependence of stiffness. The model developments are able to capture most of the material features observed experimentally, but more work is needed to better match the experimental data quantitatively.

Extending Cognitive Load Theory to Incorporate Working Memory Resource Depletion: Evidence from the Spacing Effect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Ouhao; Castro-Alonso, Juan C.; Paas, Fred; Sweller, John

2018-01-01

Depletion of limited working memory resources may occur following extensive mental effort resulting in decreased performance compared to conditions requiring less extensive mental effort. This "depletion effect" can be incorporated into cognitive load theory that is concerned with using the properties of human cognitive architecture,…

Experimental measurement of flexion-extension movement in normal and corpse prosthetic elbow joint.

PubMed

TarniŢă, Daniela; TarniŢă, DănuŢ Nicolae

2016-01-01

This paper presents a comparative experimental study of flexion-extension movement in healthy elbow and in the prosthetic elbow joint fixed on an original experimental bench. Measurements were carried out in order to validate the functional morphology and a new elbow prosthesis type ball head. The three-dimensional (3D) model and the physical prototype of our experimental bench used to test elbow endoprosthesis at flexion-extension and pronation-supination movements is presented. The measurements were carried out on a group of nine healthy subjects and on the prosthetic corpse elbow, the experimental data being obtained for flexion-extension movement cycles. Experimental data for the two different flexion-extension tests for the nine subjects and for the corpse prosthetic elbow were acquired using SimiMotion video system. Experimental data were processed statistically. The corresponding graphs were obtained for all subjects in the experimental group, and for corpse prosthetic elbow for both flexion-extension tests. The statistical analysis has proved that the flexion angles of healthy elbows were significantly close to the values measured at the prosthetic elbow fixed on the experimental bench. The studied elbow prosthesis manages to re-establish the mobility for the elbow joint as close to the normal one.

Development and validation of a 10-year-old child ligamentous cervical spine finite element model.

PubMed

Dong, Liqiang; Li, Guangyao; Mao, Haojie; Marek, Stanley; Yang, King H

2013-12-01

Although a number of finite element (FE) adult cervical spine models have been developed to understand the injury mechanisms of the neck in automotive related crash scenarios, there have been fewer efforts to develop a child neck model. In this study, a 10-year-old ligamentous cervical spine FE model was developed for application in the improvement of pediatric safety related to motor vehicle crashes. The model geometry was obtained from medical scans and meshed using a multi-block approach. Appropriate properties based on review of literature in conjunction with scaling were assigned to different parts of the model. Child tensile force-deformation data in three segments, Occipital-C2 (C0-C2), C4-C5 and C6-C7, were used to validate the cervical spine model and predict failure forces and displacements. Design of computer experiments was performed to determine failure properties for intervertebral discs and ligaments needed to set up the FE model. The model-predicted ultimate displacements and forces were within the experimental range. The cervical spine FE model was validated in flexion and extension against the child experimental data in three segments, C0-C2, C4-C5 and C6-C7. Other model predictions were found to be consistent with the experimental responses scaled from adult data. The whole cervical spine model was also validated in tension, flexion and extension against the child experimental data. This study provided methods for developing a child ligamentous cervical spine FE model and to predict soft tissue failures in tension.

The forces generated at the human elbow joint in response to imposed sinusoidal movements of the forearm

PubMed Central

Joyce, G. C.; Rack, Peter M. H.; Ross, H. F.

1974-01-01

1. The mechanical resistance of the human forearm has been measured during imposed sinusoidal flexion-extension movements of the elbow joint. 2. The force required to move the limb can be divided into components required to move the mass, and components required to overcome the resistance offered by elastic and frictional properties of the muscles and other soft tissues. 3. When during a vigorous flexing effort the limb was subjected to a small amplitude sinusoidal movement each extension was followed by a considerable reflex contraction of the flexor muscles. At low frequencies of movement this reflex provided an added resistance to extension, but at 8-12 Hz the delay in the reflex pathway was such that the reflex response to extension occurred after the extension phase of the movement was over and during the subsequent flexion movement. The reflex activity then assisted the movement whereas at other frequencies it impeded it. 4. The reflex response to movement increased as the subject exerted a greater flexing force. 5. Small movements generated a relatively larger reflex response than big ones. 6. Even with large amplitudes of movement when the reflex activity was relatively small, the limb resisted extension with a high level of stiffness; this was comparable with the short range stiffness of muscles in experimental animals. 7. The fact that at some frequencies the reflex response assisted the movement implies that with appropriate loading the limb could undergo a self-sustaining oscillation at those frequencies. PMID:4420490

Strategy of arm movement control is determined by minimization of neural effort for joint coordination.

PubMed

Dounskaia, Natalia; Shimansky, Yury

2016-06-01

Optimality criteria underlying organization of arm movements are often validated by testing their ability to adequately predict hand trajectories. However, kinematic redundancy of the arm allows production of the same hand trajectory through different joint coordination patterns. We therefore consider movement optimality at the level of joint coordination patterns. A review of studies of multi-joint movement control suggests that a 'trailing' pattern of joint control is consistently observed during which a single ('leading') joint is rotated actively and interaction torque produced by this joint is the primary contributor to the motion of the other ('trailing') joints. A tendency to use the trailing pattern whenever the kinematic redundancy is sufficient and increased utilization of this pattern during skillful movements suggests optimality of the trailing pattern. The goal of this study is to determine the cost function minimization of which predicts the trailing pattern. We show that extensive experimental testing of many known cost functions cannot successfully explain optimality of the trailing pattern. We therefore propose a novel cost function that represents neural effort for joint coordination. That effort is quantified as the cost of neural information processing required for joint coordination. We show that a tendency to reduce this 'neurocomputational' cost predicts the trailing pattern and that the theoretically developed predictions fully agree with the experimental findings on control of multi-joint movements. Implications for future research of the suggested interpretation of the trailing joint control pattern and the theory of joint coordination underlying it are discussed.

An adapted yield criterion for the evolution of subsequent yield surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Küsters, N.; Brosius, A.

2017-09-01

In numerical analysis of sheet metal forming processes, the anisotropic material behaviour is often modelled with isotropic work hardening and an average Lankford coefficient. In contrast, experimental observations show an evolution of the Lankford coefficients, which can be associated with a yield surface change due to kinematic and distortional hardening. Commonly, extensive efforts are carried out to describe these phenomena. In this paper an isotropic material model based on the Yld2000-2d criterion is adapted with an evolving yield exponent in order to change the yield surface shape. The yield exponent is linked to the accumulative plastic strain. This change has the effect of a rotating yield surface normal. As the normal is directly related to the Lankford coefficient, the change can be used to model the evolution of the Lankford coefficient during yielding. The paper will focus on the numerical implementation of the adapted material model for the FE-code LS-Dyna, mpi-version R7.1.2-d. A recently introduced identification scheme [1] is used to obtain the parameters for the evolving yield surface and will be briefly described for the proposed model. The suitability for numerical analysis will be discussed for deep drawing processes in general. Efforts for material characterization and modelling will be compared to other common yield surface descriptions. Besides experimental efforts and achieved accuracy, the potential of flexibility in material models and the risk of ambiguity during identification are of major interest in this paper.

Agricultural Extension: Farm Extension Services in Australia, Britain and the United States.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Donald B.

By analyzing the scope and structure of agricultural extension services in Australia, Great Britain, and the United States, this work attempts to set guidelines for measuring progress and guiding extension efforts. Extension training, agricultural policy, and activities of national, international, state, and provincial bodies are examined. The…

Understanding THz spectra of aqueous solutions: glycine in light and heavy water.

PubMed

Sun, Jian; Niehues, Gudrun; Forbert, Harald; Decka, Dominique; Schwaab, Gerhard; Marx, Dominik; Havenith, Martina

2014-04-02

THz spectroscopy of aqueous solutions has been established as of recently to be a valuable and complementary experimental tool to provide direct insights into the solute-solvent coupling due to hydrogen-bond dynamics involving interfacial water. Despite much experimental progress, understanding THz spectra in terms of molecular motions, akin to mid-infrared spectra, still remains elusive. Here, using the osmoprotectant glycine as a showcase, we demonstrate how this can be achieved by combining THz absorption spectroscopy and ab initio molecular dynamics. The experimental THz spectrum is characterized by broad yet clearly discernible peaks. Based on substantial extensions of available mode-specific decomposition schemes, the experimental spectrum can be reproduced by theory and assigned on an essentially quantitative level. This joint effort reveals an unexpectedly clear picture of the individual contributions of molecular motion to the THz absorption spectrum in terms of distinct modes stemming from intramolecular vibrations, rigid-body-like hindered rotational and translational motion, and specific couplings to interfacial water molecules. The assignment is confirmed by the peak shifts observed in the THz spectrum of deuterated glycine in heavy water, which allow us to separate the distinct modes experimentally.

A survey of keystroke dynamics biometrics.

PubMed

Teh, Pin Shen; Teoh, Andrew Beng Jin; Yue, Shigang

2013-01-01

Research on keystroke dynamics biometrics has been increasing, especially in the last decade. The main motivation behind this effort is due to the fact that keystroke dynamics biometrics is economical and can be easily integrated into the existing computer security systems with minimal alteration and user intervention. Numerous studies have been conducted in terms of data acquisition devices, feature representations, classification methods, experimental protocols, and evaluations. However, an up-to-date extensive survey and evaluation is not yet available. The objective of this paper is to provide an insightful survey and comparison on keystroke dynamics biometrics research performed throughout the last three decades, as well as offering suggestions and possible future research directions.

Quantum image processing: A review of advances in its security technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Fei; Iliyasu, Abdullah M.; Le, Phuc Q.

In this review, we present an overview of the advances made in quantum image processing (QIP) comprising of the image representations, the operations realizable on them, and the likely protocols and algorithms for their applications. In particular, we focus on recent progresses on QIP-based security technologies including quantum watermarking, quantum image encryption, and quantum image steganography. This review is aimed at providing readers with a succinct, yet adequate compendium of the progresses made in the QIP sub-area. Hopefully, this effort will stimulate further interest aimed at the pursuit of more advanced algorithms and experimental validations for available technologies and extensions to other domains.

Kinetic modeling of plant metabolism and its predictive power: peppermint essential oil biosynthesis as an example.

PubMed

Lange, Bernd Markus; Rios-Estepa, Rigoberto

2014-01-01

The integration of mathematical modeling with analytical experimentation in an iterative fashion is a powerful approach to advance our understanding of the architecture and regulation of metabolic networks. Ultimately, such knowledge is highly valuable to support efforts aimed at modulating flux through target pathways by molecular breeding and/or metabolic engineering. In this article we describe a kinetic mathematical model of peppermint essential oil biosynthesis, a pathway that has been studied extensively for more than two decades. Modeling assumptions and approximations are described in detail. We provide step-by-step instructions on how to run simulations of dynamic changes in pathway metabolites concentrations.

Performance of a low data rate speech codec for land-mobile satellite communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gersho, Allen; Jedrey, Thomas C.

1990-01-01

In an effort to foster the development of new technologies for the emerging land mobile satellite communications services, JPL funded two development contracts in 1984: one to the Univ. of Calif., Santa Barbara and the other to the Georgia Inst. of Technology, to develop algorithms and real time hardware for near toll quality speech compression at 4800 bits per second. Both universities have developed and delivered speech codecs to JPL, and the UCSB codec was extensively tested by JPL in a variety of experimental setups. The basic UCSB speech codec algorithms and the test results of the various experiments performed with this codec are presented.

Three-Component Soliton States in Spinor F =1 Bose-Einstein Condensates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bersano, T. M.; Gokhroo, V.; Khamehchi, M. A.; D'Ambroise, J.; Frantzeskakis, D. J.; Engels, P.; Kevrekidis, P. G.

2018-02-01

Dilute-gas Bose-Einstein condensates are an exceptionally versatile test bed for the investigation of novel solitonic structures. While matter-wave solitons in one- and two-component systems have been the focus of intense research efforts, an extension to three components has never been attempted in experiments. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the existence of robust dark-bright-bright (DBB) and dark-dark-bright solitons in a multicomponent F =1 condensate. We observe lifetimes on the order of hundreds of milliseconds for these structures. Our theoretical analysis, based on a multiscale expansion method, shows that small-amplitude solitons of these types obey universal long-short wave resonant interaction models, namely, Yajima-Oikawa systems. Our experimental and analytical findings are corroborated by direct numerical simulations highlighting the persistence of, e.g., the DBB soliton states, as well as their robust oscillations in the trap.

Three-Component Soliton States in Spinor F=1 Bose-Einstein Condensates.

PubMed

Bersano, T M; Gokhroo, V; Khamehchi, M A; D'Ambroise, J; Frantzeskakis, D J; Engels, P; Kevrekidis, P G

2018-02-09

Dilute-gas Bose-Einstein condensates are an exceptionally versatile test bed for the investigation of novel solitonic structures. While matter-wave solitons in one- and two-component systems have been the focus of intense research efforts, an extension to three components has never been attempted in experiments. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the existence of robust dark-bright-bright (DBB) and dark-dark-bright solitons in a multicomponent F=1 condensate. We observe lifetimes on the order of hundreds of milliseconds for these structures. Our theoretical analysis, based on a multiscale expansion method, shows that small-amplitude solitons of these types obey universal long-short wave resonant interaction models, namely, Yajima-Oikawa systems. Our experimental and analytical findings are corroborated by direct numerical simulations highlighting the persistence of, e.g., the DBB soliton states, as well as their robust oscillations in the trap.

Carbothermic Synthesis of 820 m UN Kernels: Literature Review, Thermodynamics, Analysis, and Related Experiments

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

Lindemer, Terrence; Voit, Stewart L; Silva, Chinthaka M

2014-01-01

The U.S. Department of Energy is considering a new nuclear fuel that would be less susceptible to ruptures during a loss-of-coolant accident. The fuel would consist of tristructural isotropic coated particles with large, dense uranium nitride (UN) kernels. This effort explores many factors involved in using gel-derived uranium oxide-carbon microspheres to make large UN kernels. Analysis of recent studies with sufficient experimental details is provided. Extensive thermodynamic calculations are used to predict carbon monoxide and other pressures for several different reactions that may be involved in conversion of uranium oxides and carbides to UN. Experimentally, the method for making themore » gel-derived microspheres is described. These were used in a microbalance with an attached mass spectrometer to determine details of carbothermic conversion in argon, nitrogen, or vacuum. A quantitative model is derived from experiments for vacuum conversion to an uranium oxide-carbide kernel.« less

Urban upgrading and its impact on health: a "quasi-experimental" mixed-methods study protocol for the BH-Viva Project.

PubMed

Friche, Amélia Augusta de Lima; Dias, Maria Angélica de Salles; Reis, Priscila Brandão Dos; Dias, Cláudia Silva; Caiaffa, Waleska Teixeira

2015-11-01

There is little scientific evidence that urban upgrading helps improve health or reduce inequities. This article presents the design for the BH-Viva Project, a "quasi-experimental", multiphase, mixed-methods study with quantitative and qualitative components, proposing an analytical model for monitoring the effects that interventions in the urban environment can have on residents' health in slums in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A preliminary analysis revealed intra-urban differences in age-specific mortality when comparing areas with and without interventions; the mortality rate from 2002 to 2012 was stable in the "formal city", increased in slums without interventions, and decreased in slums with interventions. BH-Viva represents an effort at advancing methodological issues, providing learning and theoretical backing for urban health research and research methods, allowing their application and extension to other urban contexts.

Social and Contextual Constraints on Embodied Perception.

PubMed

Schnall, Simone

2017-03-01

A number of papers have challenged research on physiological and psychological influences on perception by claiming to show that such findings can be explained by nonperceptual factors such as demand characteristics. Relatedly, calls for separating perception from judgment have been issued. However, such efforts fail to consider key processes known to shape judgment processes: people's inability to report accurately on their judgments, conversational dynamics of experimental research contexts, and misattribution and discounting processes. Indeed, the fact that initially observed effects of embodied influences disappear is predicted by an extensive amount of literature on judgments studied within social psychology. Thus, findings from such studies suggest that the initially presumed underlying processes are at work-namely, functional considerations that are informative in the context of preparing the body for action. In this article, I provide suggestions on how to conduct research on perception within the social constraints of experimental contexts.

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

English, Shawn Allen; Nelson, Stacy Michelle; Briggs, Timothy

Presented is a model verification and validation effort using low - velocity impact (LVI) of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminate experiments. A flat cylindrical indenter impacts the laminate with enough energy to produce delamination, matrix cracks and fiber breaks. Included in the experimental efforts are ultrasonic scans of the damage for qualitative validation of the models. However, the primary quantitative metrics of validation are the force time history measured through the instrumented indenter and initial and final velocities. The simulations, whi ch are run on Sandia's Sierra finite element codes , consist of all physics and material parameters of importancemore » as determined by a sensitivity analysis conducted on the LVI simulation. A novel orthotropic damage and failure constitutive model that is cap able of predicting progressive composite damage and failure is described in detail and material properties are measured, estimated from micromechanics or optimized through calibration. A thorough verification and calibration to the accompanying experiment s are presented. Specia l emphasis is given to the four - point bend experiment. For all simulations of interest, the mesh and material behavior is verified through extensive convergence studies. An ensemble of simulations incorporating model parameter unc ertainties is used to predict a response distribution which is then compared to experimental output. The result is a quantifiable confidence in material characterization and model physics when simulating this phenomenon in structures of interest.« less

A National Perspective on the Current Evaluation Activities in Extension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lamm, Alexa J.; Israel, Glenn D.; Diehl, David

2013-01-01

In order to enhance Extension evaluation efforts it is important to understand current practices. The study reported here researched the evaluation behaviors of county-based Extension professionals. Extension professionals from eight states (n = 1,173) responded to a survey regarding their evaluation data collection, analysis, and reporting…

SCaN Testbed Software Development and Lessons Learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kacpura, Thomas J.; Varga, Denise M.

2012-01-01

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has developed an on-orbit, adaptable, Software Defined Radio (SDR)Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS)-based testbed facility to conduct a suite of experiments to advance technologies, reduce risk, and enable future mission capabilities on the International Space Station (ISS). The SCAN Testbed Project will provide NASA, industry, other Government agencies, and academic partners the opportunity to develop and field communications, navigation, and networking technologies in the laboratory and space environment based on reconfigurable, SDR platforms and the STRS Architecture.The SDRs are a new technology for NASA, and the support infrastructure they require is different from legacy, fixed function radios. SDRs offer the ability to reconfigure on-orbit communications by changing software for new waveforms and operating systems to enable new capabilities or fix any anomalies, which was not a previous option. They are not stand alone devices, but required a new approach to effectively control them and flow data. This requires extensive software to be developed to utilize the full potential of these reconfigurable platforms. The paper focuses on development, integration and testing as related to the avionics processor system, and the software required to command, control, monitor, and interact with the SDRs, as well as the other communication payload elements. An extensive effort was required to develop the flight software and meet the NASA requirements for software quality and safety. The flight avionics must be radiation tolerant, and these processors have limited capability in comparison to terrestrial counterparts. A big challenge was that there are three SDRs onboard, and interfacing with multiple SDRs simultaneously complicatesd the effort. The effort also includes ground software, which is a key element for both the command of the payload, and displaying data created by the payload. The verification of the software was an extensive effort. The challenges of specifying a suitable test matrix with reconfigurable systems that offer numerous configurations is highlighted. Since the flight system testing requires methodical, controlled testing that limits risk, a nearly identical ground system to the on-orbit flight system was required to develop the software and write verification procedures before it was installed and tested on the flight system. The development of the SCAN testbed was an accelerated effort to meet launch constraints, and this paper discusses tradeoffs made to balance needed software functionality and still maintain the schedule. Future upgrades are discussed that optimize the avionics and allow experimenters to utilize the SCAN testbed potential.

Quantum effects in the understanding of consciousness.

PubMed

Hameroff, Stuart R; Craddock, Travis J A; Tuszynski, Jack A

2014-06-01

This paper presents a historical perspective on the development and application of quantum physics methodology beyond physics, especially in biology and in the area of consciousness studies. Quantum physics provides a conceptual framework for the structural aspects of biological systems and processes via quantum chemistry. In recent years individual biological phenomena such as photosynthesis and bird navigation have been experimentally and theoretically analyzed using quantum methods building conceptual foundations for quantum biology. Since consciousness is attributed to human (and possibly animal) mind, quantum underpinnings of cognitive processes are a logical extension. Several proposals, especially the Orch OR hypothesis, have been put forth in an effort to introduce a scientific basis to the theory of consciousness. At the center of these approaches are microtubules as the substrate on which conscious processes in terms of quantum coherence and entanglement can be built. Additionally, Quantum Metabolism, quantum processes in ion channels and quantum effects in sensory stimulation are discussed in this connection. We discuss the challenges and merits related to quantum consciousness approaches as well as their potential extensions.

Automated clinical annotation of tissue bank specimens.

PubMed

Gilbertson, John R; Gupta, Rajnish; Nie, Yimin; Patel, Ashokkumar A; Becich, Michael J

2004-01-01

Modern, molecular bio-medicine is driving a growing demand for extensively annotated tissue bank specimens. With careful clinical, pathologic and outcomes annotation, samples can be better matched to the research question at hand and experimental results better understood and verified. However, the difficulty and expense of detailed specimen annotation is well beyond the capability of most banks and has made access to well documented tissue a major limitation in medical re-search. In this context, we have implemented automated annotation of banked tissue by integrating data from three clinical systems--the cancer registry, the pathology LIS and the tissue bank inventory system--through a classical data warehouse environment. The project required modification of clinical systems, development of methods to identify patients between and map data elements across systems and the creation of de-identified data in data marts for use by researchers. The result has been much more extensive and accurate initial tissue annotation with less effort in the tissue bank, as well as dynamic ongoing annotation as the cancer registry follows patients over time.

Atomistic simulation of solid-liquid coexistence for molecular systems: application to triazole and benzene.

PubMed

Eike, David M; Maginn, Edward J

2006-04-28

A method recently developed to rigorously determine solid-liquid equilibrium using a free-energy-based analysis has been extended to analyze multiatom molecular systems. This method is based on using a pseudosupercritical transformation path to reversibly transform between solid and liquid phases. Integration along this path yields the free energy difference at a single state point, which can then be used to determine the free energy difference as a function of temperature and therefore locate the coexistence temperature at a fixed pressure. The primary extension reported here is the introduction of an external potential field capable of inducing center of mass order along with secondary orientational order for molecules. The method is used to calculate the melting point of 1-H-1,2,4-triazole and benzene. Despite the fact that the triazole model gives accurate bulk densities for the liquid and crystal phases, it is found to do a poor job of reproducing the experimental crystal structure and heat of fusion. Consequently, it yields a melting point that is 100 K lower than the experimental value. On the other hand, the benzene model has been parametrized extensively to match a wide range of properties and yields a melting point that is only 20 K lower than the experimental value. Previous work in which a simple "direct heating" method was used actually found that the melting point of the benzene model was 50 K higher than the experimental value. This demonstrates the importance of using proper free energy methods to compute phase behavior. It also shows that the melting point is a very sensitive measure of force field quality that should be considered in parametrization efforts. The method described here provides a relatively simple approach for computing melting points of molecular systems.

Trying to Move Your Unseen Static Arm Modulates Visually-Evoked Kinesthetic Illusion

PubMed Central

Metral, Morgane; Blettery, Baptiste; Bresciani, Jean-Pierre; Luyat, Marion; Guerraz, Michel

2013-01-01

Although kinesthesia is known to largely depend on afferent inflow, recent data suggest that central signals originating from volitional control (efferent outflow) could also be involved and interact with the former to build up a coherent percept. Evidence derives from both clinical and experimental observations where vision, which is of primary importance in kinesthesia, was systematically precluded. The purpose of the present experiment was to assess the role of volitional effort in kinesthesia when visual information is available. Participants (n=20) produced isometric contraction (10-20% of maximal voluntary force) of their right arm while their left arm, which image was reflected in a mirror, either was passively moved into flexion/extension by a motorized manipulandum, or remained static. The contraction of the right arm was either congruent with or opposite to the passive displacements of the left arm. Results revealed that in most trials, kinesthetic illusions were visually driven, and their occurrence and intensity were modulated by whether volitional effort was congruent or not with visual signals. These results confirm the impact of volitional effort in kinesthesia and demonstrate for the first time that these signals interact with visual afferents to offer a coherent and unified percept. PMID:24348909

Task Prioritization in Dual-Tasking: Instructions versus Preferences

PubMed Central

Jansen, Reinier J.; van Egmond, René; de Ridder, Huib

2016-01-01

The role of task prioritization in performance tradeoffs during multi-tasking has received widespread attention. However, little is known on whether people have preferences regarding tasks, and if so, whether these preferences conflict with priority instructions. Three experiments were conducted with a high-speed driving game and an auditory memory task. In Experiment 1, participants did not receive priority instructions. Participants performed different sequences of single-task and dual-task conditions. Task performance was evaluated according to participants’ retrospective accounts on preferences. These preferences were reformulated as priority instructions in Experiments 2 and 3. The results showed that people differ in their preferences regarding task prioritization in an experimental setting, which can be overruled by priority instructions, but only after increased dual-task exposure. Additional measures of mental effort showed that performance tradeoffs had an impact on mental effort. The interpretation of these findings was used to explore an extension of Threaded Cognition Theory with Hockey’s Compensatory Control Model. PMID:27391779

Comparison of UWCC MOX fuel measurements to MCNP-REN calculations

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

Abhold, M.; Baker, M.; Jie, R.

1998-12-31

The development of neutron coincidence counting has greatly improved the accuracy and versatility of neutron-based techniques to assay fissile materials. Today, the shift register analyzer connected to either a passive or active neutron detector is widely used by both domestic and international safeguards organizations. The continued development of these techniques and detectors makes extensive use of the predictions of detector response through the use of Monte Carlo techniques in conjunction with the point reactor model. Unfortunately, the point reactor model, as it is currently used, fails to accurately predict detector response in highly multiplying mediums such as mixed-oxide (MOX) lightmore » water reactor fuel assemblies. For this reason, efforts have been made to modify the currently used Monte Carlo codes and to develop new analytical methods so that this model is not required to predict detector response. The authors describe their efforts to modify a widely used Monte Carlo code for this purpose and also compare calculational results with experimental measurements.« less

Evaluated cross-section libraries and kerma factors for neutrons up to 100 MeV on {sup 12}C

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

Chadwick, M.B.; Blann, M.; Cox, L.

1995-04-11

A program is being carried out at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to develop high-energy evaluated nuclear data libraries for use in Monte Carlo simulations of cancer radiation therapy. In this report we describe evaluated cross sections and kerma factors for neutrons with incident energies up to 100 MeV on {sup 12}C. The aim of this effort is to incorporate advanced nuclear physics modeling methods, with new experimental measurements, to generate cross section libraries needed for an accurate simulation of dose deposition in fast neutron therapy. The evaluated libraries are based mainly on nuclear model calculations, benchmarked to experimental measurements wheremore » they exist. We use the GNASH code system, which includes Hauser-Feshbach, preequilibrium, and direct reaction mechanisms. The libraries tabulate elastic and nonelastic cross sections, angle-energy correlated production spectra for light ejectiles with A{le}and kinetic energies given to light ejectiles and heavy recoil fragments. The major steps involved in this effort are: (1) development and validation of nuclear models for incident energies up to 100 MeV; (2) collation of experimental measurements, including new results from Louvain-la-Nueve and Los Alamos; (3) extension of the Livermore ENDL formats for representing high-energy data; (4) calculation and evaluation of nuclear data; and (5) validation of the libraries. We describe the evaluations in detail, with particular emphasis on our new high-energy modeling developments. Our evaluations agree well with experimental measurements of integrated and differential cross sections. We compare our results with the recent ENDF/B-VI evaluation which extends up to 32 MeV.« less

An Analysis of the Priority Needs of Cooperative Extension at the County Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harder, Amy; Lamm, Alexa; Strong, Robert

2009-01-01

Cooperative Extension's role as a relevant provider of nonformal education is dependent upon its ability to improve and adjust in response to internal and external pressures. Periodically conducting needs assessments focused on the Extension organization can aid in Extension's efforts to deliver quality educational programs by pinpointing priority…

Utilizing Evaluation To Develop a Marketing Strategy in the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coreil, Paul D.; Verma, Satish

Marketing has become a popular strategic initiative among state extension services to meet the growing demand for program accountability. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (LCES) began a formative evaluation of its marketing efforts as a step toward a comprehensive marketing plan. All extension faculty were surveyed to determine their…

A Survey of Keystroke Dynamics Biometrics

PubMed Central

Yue, Shigang

2013-01-01

Research on keystroke dynamics biometrics has been increasing, especially in the last decade. The main motivation behind this effort is due to the fact that keystroke dynamics biometrics is economical and can be easily integrated into the existing computer security systems with minimal alteration and user intervention. Numerous studies have been conducted in terms of data acquisition devices, feature representations, classification methods, experimental protocols, and evaluations. However, an up-to-date extensive survey and evaluation is not yet available. The objective of this paper is to provide an insightful survey and comparison on keystroke dynamics biometrics research performed throughout the last three decades, as well as offering suggestions and possible future research directions. PMID:24298216

Catalysis on Single Supported Atoms

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

DeBusk, Melanie Moses; Narula, Chaitanya Kumar

2015-01-01

The highly successful application of supported metals as heterogeneous catalysts in automotive catalysts, fuel cells, and other multitudes of industrial processes have led to extensive efforts to understand catalyst behavior at the nano-scale. Recent discovery of simple wet methods to prepare single supported atoms, the smallest nano-catalyst, has allowed for experimental validation of catalytic activity of a variety of catalysts and potential for large scale production for such catalysts for industrial processes. In this chapter, we summarize the synthetic and structural aspects of single supported atoms. We also present proposed mechanisms for the activity of single supported catalysts where conventionalmore » mechanisms cannot operate due to lack of M-M bonds in the catalysts.« less

The RAI DBS experiment with Olympus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castelli, Enzo

The Italian broadcasting network (RAI) has studied the development of a national DBS service in an effort to outline a proposal for a space segment configuration compatible with development of new services, including HDTV. Proposals so far considered feature the integration of RAI's channel on Olympus in a future operational system and after extensive experimental use. Contents of the experimental program are discussed, and need for a broadcasting standard which considers projected introduction of HDTV is noted. The debate between RAI and consumer electronic industries on the use of broadcasting standards is outlined. The position of RAI in the context of HDTV and DBS is defined and the issue of determining the most effective transmission standard during the experimental stage is raised. It is pointed out that, in the absence of new production facilities for HDTV, the maximum quality which MAC will yield will be that of PAL since programs must be produced in PAL and then converted into MAC. Two alternatives for strategy on the use of broadcasting standards for DBS are offered. Finally, technical experiments and a market survey are discussed.

Dynamic Electromechanical Characterization of the Ferroelectric Ceramic PZT 95/5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setchell, R. E.; Chhabildas, L. C.; Furnish, M. D.; Montgomery, S. T.; Holman, G. T.

1997-07-01

Shock-induced depoling of the ferroelectric ceramic PZT 95/5 has been utilized in a number of pulsed power applications. The dynamic behavior of the poled ceramic is complex, with nonlinear coupling between mechanical and electrical variables. Recent efforts to improve numerical simulations of this process have been limited by the scarcity of relevant experimental studies within the last twenty years. Consequently, we have initiated an extensive experimental study of the dynamic electromechanical behavior of this material. Samples of the poled ceramic are shocked to axial stresses from 0.5 to 5 GPa in planar impact experiments and observed with laser interferometry (VISAR) to obtain transmitted wave profiles. Current generation due to shock-induced depoling is observed using different external loads to vary electric field strengths within the samples. Experimental configurations either have the remanent polarization parallel to the direction of shock motion (axially poled) or perpendicular (normally poled). Initial experiments on unpoled samples utilized PVDF stress gauges as well as VISAR, and extended prior data on shock loading and release behavior. (Supported by the U. S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000). abstract.

Dynamic electromechanical characterization of the ferroelectric ceramic PZT 95/5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setchell, R. E.; Chhabildas, L. C.; Furnish, M. D.; Montgomery, S. T.; Holman, G. T.

1998-07-01

Shock-induced depoling of the ferroelectric ceramic PZT 95/5 has been utilized in pulsed power applications for many years. Recently, new design and certification requirements have generated a strong interest in numerically simulating the operation of pulsed power devices. Because of a scarcity of relevant experimental data obtained within the past twenty years, we have initiated an extensive experimental study of the dynamic behavior of this material in support of simulation efforts. The experiments performed to date have been limited to examining the behavior of unpoled material. Samples of PZT 95/5 have been shocked to axial stresses from 0.5 to 5.0 GPa in planar impact experiments. Impact face conditions have been recorded using PVDF stress gauges, and transmitted wave profiles have been recorded either at window interfaces or at a free surface using laser interferometry (VISAR). The results significantly extend the stresses examined in prior studies of unpoled material, and ensure that a comprehensive experimental characterization of the mechanical behavior under shock loading is available for continuing development of PZT 95/5 material models.

Toxicology of chemical mixtures: Experimental approaches, underlying concepts, and some results

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

Yang, R.S.; Long, H.L.; Boorman, G.A.

1990-07-01

The toxicology of chemical mixtures will be the toxicology of the 1990s and beyond. While this branch of toxicology most closely reflects the actual human exposure situation, as yet there is no standard protocol or consensus methodology for investigating the toxicology of mixtures. Thus, in this emerging science, experimentation is required just to develop a broadly applicable evaluation system. Several examples are discussed to illustrate the different experimental designs and the concepts behind each. These include the health effects studies of Love Canal soil samples, the Lake Ontario Coho salmon, the water samples repurified from secondary sewage in the citymore » of Denver Potable Water Reuse Demonstration Plant, and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) effort on a mixture of 25 frequently detected groundwater contaminants derived from hazardous waste disposal sites. In the last instance, an extensive research program has been ongoing for the last two years at the NTP, encompassing general toxicology, immunotoxicology, developmental and reproductive toxicology, biochemical toxicology, myelotoxicology, genetic toxicology, neurobehavioral toxicology, and hepato- and renal toxicology.« less

15 CFR 291.4 - National industry-specific pollution prevention and environmental compliance resource centers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP; ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS... information, NIST manufacturing extension efforts, EPA regulation and guidance, and state requirements. The... addition, consultants providing services to those businesses, the NIST Manufacturing Extension Centers, and...

15 CFR 291.4 - National industry-specific pollution prevention and environmental compliance resource centers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP; ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS... information, NIST manufacturing extension efforts, EPA regulation and guidance, and state requirements. The... addition, consultants providing services to those businesses, the NIST Manufacturing Extension Centers, and...

15 CFR 291.4 - National industry-specific pollution prevention and environmental compliance resource centers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... OF COMMERCE NIST EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP; ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS... information, NIST manufacturing extension efforts, EPA regulation and guidance, and state requirements. The... addition, consultants providing services to those businesses, the NIST Manufacturing Extension Centers, and...

Effects of Hot Streak and Phantom Cooling on Heat Transfer in a Cooled Turbine Stage Including Particulate Deposition

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

Bons, Jeffrey; Ameri, Ali

2016-01-08

The objective of this research effort was to develop a validated computational modeling capability for the characterization of the effects of hot streaks and particulate deposition on the heat load of modern gas turbines. This was accomplished with a multi-faceted approach including analytical, experimental, and computational components. A 1-year no cost extension request was approved for this effort, so the total duration was 4 years. The research effort succeeded in its ultimate objective by leveraging extensive experimental deposition studies complemented by computational modeling. Experiments were conducted with hot streaks, vane cooling, and combinations of hot streaks with vane cooling. Thesemore » studies contributed to a significant body of corporate knowledge of deposition, in combination with particle rebound and deposition studies funded by other agencies, to provide suitable conditions for the development of a new model. The model includes the following physical phenomena: elastic deformation, plastic deformation, adhesion, and shear removal. It also incorporates material property sensitivity to temperature and tangential-normal velocity rebound cross-dependencies observed in experiments. The model is well-suited for incorporation in CFD simulations of complex gas turbine flows due to its algebraic (explicit) formulation. This report contains model predictions compared to coefficient of restitution data available in the open literature as well as deposition results from two different high temperature turbine deposition facilities. While the model comparisons with experiments are in many cases promising, several key aspects of particle deposition remain elusive. The simple phenomenological nature of the model allows for parametric dependencies to be evaluated in a straightforward manner. This effort also included the first-ever full turbine stage deposition model published in the open literature. The simulations included hot streaks and simulated vane cooling. The new deposition model was implemented into the CFD model as a wall boundary condition, with various particle sizes investigated in the simulation. Simulations utilizing a steady mixing plane formulation and an unsteady sliding mesh were conducted and the flow solution of each was validated against experimental data. Results from each of these simulations, including impact and capture distributions and efficiencies, were compared and potential reasons for differences discussed in detail. The inclusion of a large range of particle sizes allowed investigation of trends with particle size, such as increased radial migration and reduced sticking efficiency at the larger particle sizes. The unsteady simulation predicted lower sticking efficiencies on the rotor blades than the mixing plane simulation for the majority of particle sizes. This is postulated to be due to the preservation of the hot streak and cool vane wake through the vane-rotor interface (which are smeared out circumferentially in the mixing-plane simulation). The results reported here represent the successful implementation of a novel deposition model into validated vane-rotor flow solutions that include a non-uniform inlet temperature profile and simulated vane cooling.« less

Use of Demonstration Gardens in Extension: Challenges and Benefits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glen, Charlotte D.; Moore, Gary E.; Jayaratne, K. S. U.; Bradley, Lucy K.

2014-01-01

Extension agents' use of demonstration gardens was studied to determine how gardens are employed in horticultural programming, perceived benefits and challenges of using gardens for Extension programming, and desired competencies. Gardens are primarily used to enhance educational efforts by providing hands-on learning experiences. Greatest…

Community Leadership Development: Implications for Extension.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, University Park, PA.

Designed for extension personnel who are involved in community leadership (CL) programs, this publication summarizes recent national efforts that could be useful in developing and conducting CL programs, and current leadership theory and literature. Part 1 reports the results of the national survey, initiated in April 1985, of extension staff…

Instrumentino: An Open-Source Software for Scientific Instruments.

PubMed

Koenka, Israel Joel; Sáiz, Jorge; Hauser, Peter C

2015-01-01

Scientists often need to build dedicated computer-controlled experimental systems. For this purpose, it is becoming common to employ open-source microcontroller platforms, such as the Arduino. These boards and associated integrated software development environments provide affordable yet powerful solutions for the implementation of hardware control of transducers and acquisition of signals from detectors and sensors. It is, however, a challenge to write programs that allow interactive use of such arrangements from a personal computer. This task is particularly complex if some of the included hardware components are connected directly to the computer and not via the microcontroller. A graphical user interface framework, Instrumentino, was therefore developed to allow the creation of control programs for complex systems with minimal programming effort. By writing a single code file, a powerful custom user interface is generated, which enables the automatic running of elaborate operation sequences and observation of acquired experimental data in real time. The framework, which is written in Python, allows extension by users, and is made available as an open source project.

A Summary of Validation Results for LEWICE 2.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, William B.

1998-01-01

A research project is underway at NASA Lewis to produce a computer code which can accurately predict ice growth under any meteorological conditions for any aircraft surface. This report will present results from version 2.0 of this code, which is called LEWICE. This version differs from previous releases due to its robustness and its ability to reproduce results accurately for different point spacing, and time step criteria across general computing platforms. It also differs in the extensive amount of effort undertaken to compare the results in a quantifiable manner against the database of ice shapes which have been generated in the NASA Lewis Icing, Research Tunnel (IRT), The complete set of data used for this comparison is available in a recent contractor report . The result of this comparison shows that the difference between the predicted ice shape from LEWICE 2.0 and the average of the experimental data is 7.2% while the variability of the experimental data is 2.5%.

Hydrogen migration modeling in a symmetric tilt boundary of the Iron-Chromium system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramunni, V. P.

2018-03-01

Previous experimental studies of H permeation in 9%Cr-Fe alloys have found a permeation coefficient 10 times lower and a diffusion coefficient 200 times lower than in pure annealed Fe. In an effort to shed some light on the microscopic origin of these findings, we perform an extensive study of Fe, Cr, and H migration in a high-angle symmetric tilt grain boundary in bcc Fe, both via vacancy and interstitial mechanism. This is undertaken in the framework of transition state theory with the relevant energies obtained from classical interatomic potentials, and partially from Density Functional Theory calculations, in order to check the consistency of structures. Trapping sites for H and possible migration paths are explored. We find that the presence of Cr and its migration via vacancy and interstitials creates the conditions in produce stable preferential trapping sites for H in the grain boundary, that delay the H migration, thereby explaining the experimental results.

Rydberg phases of Hydrogen and low energy nuclear reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olafsson, Sveinn; Holmlid, Leif

2016-03-01

For over the last 26 years the science of cold fusion/LENR has been researched around the world with slow pace of progress. Modest quantity of excess heat and signatures of nuclear transmutation and helium production have been confirmed in experiments and theoretical work has only resulted in a large flora of inadequate theoretical scenarios. Here we review current state of research in Rydberg matter of Hydrogen that is showing strong signature of nuclear processes. In the presentation experimental behavior of Rydberg matter of hydrogen is described. An extensive collaboration effort of surface physics, catalysis, atomic physics, solid state physics, nuclear physics and quantum information is need to tackle the surprising experimental results that have so far been obtained. Rydberg matter of Hydrogen is the only known state of matter that is able to bring huge collection of protons to so short distances and for so long time that tunneling becomes a reasonable process for making low energy nuclear reactions. Nuclear quantum entanglement can also become realistic process at theses conditions.

Continuum and discrete approach in modeling biofilm development and structure: a review.

PubMed

Mattei, M R; Frunzo, L; D'Acunto, B; Pechaud, Y; Pirozzi, F; Esposito, G

2018-03-01

The scientific community has recognized that almost 99% of the microbial life on earth is represented by biofilms. Considering the impacts of their sessile lifestyle on both natural and human activities, extensive experimental activity has been carried out to understand how biofilms grow and interact with the environment. Many mathematical models have also been developed to simulate and elucidate the main processes characterizing the biofilm growth. Two main mathematical approaches for biomass representation can be distinguished: continuum and discrete. This review is aimed at exploring the main characteristics of each approach. Continuum models can simulate the biofilm processes in a quantitative and deterministic way. However, they require a multidimensional formulation to take into account the biofilm spatial heterogeneity, which makes the models quite complicated, requiring significant computational effort. Discrete models are more recent and can represent the typical multidimensional structural heterogeneity of biofilm reflecting the experimental expectations, but they generate computational results including elements of randomness and introduce stochastic effects into the solutions.

Exploring parameter space effects on structure-property relationships of surfactants at liquid-liquid interfaces.

PubMed

Emborsky, Christopher P; Cox, Kenneth R; Chapman, Walter G

2011-08-28

The ubiquitous use of surfactants in commercial and industrial applications has led to many experimental, theoretical, and simulation based studies. These efforts seek to provide a molecular level understanding of the effects on structuring behavior and the corresponding impacts on observable properties (e.g., interfacial tension). With such physical detail, targeted system design can be improved over typical techniques of observational trends and phenomenological correlations by taking advantage of predictive system response. This research provides a systematic study of part of the broad parameter space effects on equilibrium microstructure and interfacial properties of amphiphiles at a liquid-liquid interface using the interfacial statistical associating fluid theory density functional theory as a molecular model for the system from the bulk to the interface. Insights into the molecular level physics and thermodynamics governing the system behavior are discussed as they relate to both predictions qualitatively consistent with experimental observations and extensions beyond currently available studies. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Review and assessment of the HOST turbine heat transfer program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gladden, Herbert J.

1988-01-01

The objectives of the HOST Turbine Heat Transfer subproject were to obtain a better understanding of the physics of the aerothermodynamic phenomena occurring in high-performance gas turbine engines and to assess and improve the analytical methods used to predict the fluid dynamics and heat transfer phenomena. At the time the HOST project was initiated, an across-the-board improvement in turbine design technology was needed. Therefore, a building-block approach was utilized, with research ranging from the study of fundamental phenomena and analytical modeling to experiments in simulated real-engine environments. Experimental research accounted for 75 percent of the project, and analytical efforts accounted for approximately 25 percent. Extensive experimental datasets were created depicting the three-dimensional flow field, high free-stream turbulence, boundary-layer transition, blade tip region heat transfer, film cooling effects in a simulated engine environment, rough-wall cooling enhancement in a rotating passage, and rotor-stator interaction effects. In addition, analytical modeling of these phenomena was initiated using boundary-layer assumptions as well as Navier-Stokes solutions.

Experimental validation of a new heterogeneous mechanical test design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aquino, J.; Campos, A. Andrade; Souto, N.; Thuillier, S.

2018-05-01

Standard material parameters identification strategies generally use an extensive number of classical tests for collecting the required experimental data. However, a great effort has been made recently by the scientific and industrial communities to support this experimental database on heterogeneous tests. These tests can provide richer information on the material behavior allowing the identification of a more complete set of material parameters. This is a result of the recent development of full-field measurements techniques, like digital image correlation (DIC), that can capture the heterogeneous deformation fields on the specimen surface during the test. Recently, new specimen geometries were designed to enhance the richness of the strain field and capture supplementary strain states. The butterfly specimen is an example of these new geometries, designed through a numerical optimization procedure where an indicator capable of evaluating the heterogeneity and the richness of strain information. However, no experimental validation was yet performed. The aim of this work is to experimentally validate the heterogeneous butterfly mechanical test in the parameter identification framework. For this aim, DIC technique and a Finite Element Model Up-date inverse strategy are used together for the parameter identification of a DC04 steel, as well as the calculation of the indicator. The experimental tests are carried out in a universal testing machine with the ARAMIS measuring system to provide the strain states on the specimen surface. The identification strategy is accomplished with the data obtained from the experimental tests and the results are compared to a reference numerical solution.

Computational databases, pathway and cheminformatics tools for tuberculosis drug discovery

PubMed Central

Ekins, Sean; Freundlich, Joel S.; Choi, Inhee; Sarker, Malabika; Talcott, Carolyn

2010-01-01

We are witnessing the growing menace of both increasing cases of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and the challenge to produce the first new tuberculosis (TB) drug in well over 40 years. The TB community, having invested in extensive high-throughput screening efforts, is faced with the question of how to optimally leverage this data in order to move from a hit to a lead to a clinical candidate and potentially a new drug. Complementing this approach, yet conducted on a much smaller scale, cheminformatic techniques have been leveraged and are herein reviewed. We suggest these computational approaches should be more optimally integrated in a workflow with experimental approaches to accelerate TB drug discovery. PMID:21129975

Design of indirectly heated thoriated tungsten cathode based strip electron gun

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

Maiti, Namita; Thakur, K.B.; Patil, D.S.

Design of indirectly heated solid cathode based electron gun (200 kW, 45 kV, 270 degree bent strip type electron gun) has been presented. The solid cathode is made of thoriated tungsten. The solid cathode design has been suitably done to achieve required electron beam cross section. The design approach consists of simulation followed by extensive experimentation. In the design, the effort has been put to reduce the non-uniformity of the heat flux from the filament to the solid cathode to obtain better uniformity of temperature on the solid cathode. Trial beam experiments shows that the modified design achieves one tomore » one correspondence of the solid cathode length and the electron beam length. (author)« less

Boolean Dynamic Modeling Approaches to Study Plant Gene Regulatory Networks: Integration, Validation, and Prediction.

PubMed

Velderraín, José Dávila; Martínez-García, Juan Carlos; Álvarez-Buylla, Elena R

2017-01-01

Mathematical models based on dynamical systems theory are well-suited tools for the integration of available molecular experimental data into coherent frameworks in order to propose hypotheses about the cooperative regulatory mechanisms driving developmental processes. Computational analysis of the proposed models using well-established methods enables testing the hypotheses by contrasting predictions with observations. Within such framework, Boolean gene regulatory network dynamical models have been extensively used in modeling plant development. Boolean models are simple and intuitively appealing, ideal tools for collaborative efforts between theorists and experimentalists. In this chapter we present protocols used in our group for the study of diverse plant developmental processes. We focus on conceptual clarity and practical implementation, providing directions to the corresponding technical literature.

The Kinetics of Selective Biological Transport

PubMed Central

Miller, D. M.

1968-01-01

The simplest biological transport system so far extensively investigated is that of monosaccharides in human erythrocytes. Despite its simplicity there is still considerable doubt and divergence of opinion concerning its mechanism. Some confusion may arise as a result of the comparison of diverse data obtained by different workers using a variety of experimental techniques. To minimize this problem, an attempt is made here to repeat, under standard conditions and with as much care as possible, five of the more definitive types of experiments previously performed on this system. It is hoped that the result of this effort is an internally consistent set of data with which the quantitative predictions of various proposed mechanisms may be compared as a primary criterion for their acceptability. PMID:5696215

Second order tensor finite element

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oden, J. Tinsley; Fly, J.; Berry, C.; Tworzydlo, W.; Vadaketh, S.; Bass, J.

1990-01-01

The results of a research and software development effort are presented for the finite element modeling of the static and dynamic behavior of anisotropic materials, with emphasis on single crystal alloys. Various versions of two dimensional and three dimensional hybrid finite elements were implemented and compared with displacement-based elements. Both static and dynamic cases are considered. The hybrid elements developed in the project were incorporated into the SPAR finite element code. In an extension of the first phase of the project, optimization of experimental tests for anisotropic materials was addressed. In particular, the problem of calculating material properties from tensile tests and of calculating stresses from strain measurements were considered. For both cases, numerical procedures and software for the optimization of strain gauge and material axes orientation were developed.

Computerized data reduction techniques for nadir viewing remote sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tiwari, S. N.; Gormsen, Barbara B.

1985-01-01

Computer resources have been developed for the analysis and reduction of MAPS experimental data from the OSTA-1 payload. The MAPS Research Project is concerned with the measurement of the global distribution of mid-tropospheric carbon monoxide. The measurement technique for the MAPS instrument is based on non-dispersive gas filter radiometer operating in the nadir viewing mode. The MAPS experiment has two passive remote sensing instruments, the prototype instrument which is used to measure tropospheric air pollution from aircraft platforms and the third generation (OSTA) instrument which is used to measure carbon monoxide in the mid and upper troposphere from space platforms. Extensive effort was also expended in support of the MAPS/OSTA-3 shuttle flight. Specific capabilities and resources developed are discussed.

Fatigue resistance criteria for fiber-reinforced composite structures. Final report, 1 Apr 1971-30 Sep 1974

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

Dvorak, G.J.

1974-10-01

The research effort was concentrated on metal matrix composites, such as the Al--B, Al--Be, Cu--W, and similar systems. It was found that in as- fabricated composites with soft matrices fatigue failure can be prevented if the composite shakes down during cyclic loading. The fatigue strength of heat- treated composites is affected by residual microstresses, but failure can be prevented if the total microstresses are kept within the respective fatigue limits (at 10 to the 7th power cycles) of the constituents. These criteria for prevention of fatigue failure in metal matrix composite systems were verified by extensive comparisons of theoretical predictionsmore » with available experimental results. (GRA)« less

Non-formal educator use of evaluation results.

PubMed

Baughman, Sarah; Boyd, Heather H; Franz, Nancy K

2012-08-01

Increasing demands for accountability in educational programming have resulted in increasing calls for program evaluation in educational organizations. Many organizations include conducting program evaluations as part of the job responsibilities of program staff. Cooperative Extension is a complex organization offering non-formal educational programs through land grant universities. Many Extension services require non-formal educational program evaluations be conducted by field-based Extension educators. Evaluation research has focused primarily on the efforts of professional, external evaluators. The work of program staff with many responsibilities including program evaluation has received little attention. This study examined how field based Extension educators (i.e. program staff) in four Extension services use the results of evaluations of programs that they have conducted themselves. Four types of evaluation use are measured and explored; instrumental use, conceptual use, persuasive use and process use. Results indicate that there are few programmatic changes as a result of evaluation findings among the non-formal educators surveyed in this study. Extension educators tend to use evaluation results to persuade others about the value of their programs and learn from the evaluation process. Evaluation use is driven by accountability measures with very little program improvement use as measured in this study. Practical implications include delineating accountability and program improvement tasks within complex organizations in order to align evaluation efforts and to improve the results of both. There is some evidence that evaluation capacity building efforts may be increasing instrumental use by educators evaluating their own programs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessing compartmentalized flux in lipid metabolism with isotopes

DOE PAGES

Allen, Doug K.

2016-03-18

Metabolism in plants takes place across multiple cell types and within distinct organelles. The distributions equate to spatial heterogeneity; though the limited means to experimentally assess metabolism frequently involve homogenizing tissues and mixing metabolites from different locations.Most current isotope investigations of metabolism therefore lack the ability to resolve spatially distinct events. Recognition of this limitation has resulted in inspired efforts to advance metabolic flux analysis and isotopic labeling techniques. Though a number of these efforts have been applied to studies in central metabolism; recent advances in instrumentation and techniques present an untapped opportunity to make similar progress in lipid metabolismmore » where the use of stable isotopes has been more limited. These efforts will benefit from sophisticated radiolabeling reports that continue to enrich our knowledge on lipid biosynthetic pathways and provide some direction for stable isotope experimental design and extension of MFA. Evidence for this assertion is presented through the review of several elegant stable isotope studies and by taking stock of what has been learned from radioisotope investigations when spatial aspects of metabolism were considered. The studies emphasize that glycerolipid production occurs across several locations with assembly of lipids in the ER or plastid, fatty acid biosynthesis occurring in the plastid, and the generation of acetyl-CoA and glycerol-3-phosphate taking place at multiple sites. Considering metabolism in this context underscores the cellular and subcellular organization that is important to enhanced production of glycerolipids in plants. An attempt is made to unify salient features from a number of reports into a diagrammatic model of lipid metabolism and propose where stable isotope labeling experiments and further flux analysis may help address questions in the field.« less

Assessing compartmentalized flux in lipid metabolism with isotopes

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

Allen, Doug K.

Metabolism in plants takes place across multiple cell types and within distinct organelles. The distributions equate to spatial heterogeneity; though the limited means to experimentally assess metabolism frequently involve homogenizing tissues and mixing metabolites from different locations.Most current isotope investigations of metabolism therefore lack the ability to resolve spatially distinct events. Recognition of this limitation has resulted in inspired efforts to advance metabolic flux analysis and isotopic labeling techniques. Though a number of these efforts have been applied to studies in central metabolism; recent advances in instrumentation and techniques present an untapped opportunity to make similar progress in lipid metabolismmore » where the use of stable isotopes has been more limited. These efforts will benefit from sophisticated radiolabeling reports that continue to enrich our knowledge on lipid biosynthetic pathways and provide some direction for stable isotope experimental design and extension of MFA. Evidence for this assertion is presented through the review of several elegant stable isotope studies and by taking stock of what has been learned from radioisotope investigations when spatial aspects of metabolism were considered. The studies emphasize that glycerolipid production occurs across several locations with assembly of lipids in the ER or plastid, fatty acid biosynthesis occurring in the plastid, and the generation of acetyl-CoA and glycerol-3-phosphate taking place at multiple sites. Considering metabolism in this context underscores the cellular and subcellular organization that is important to enhanced production of glycerolipids in plants. An attempt is made to unify salient features from a number of reports into a diagrammatic model of lipid metabolism and propose where stable isotope labeling experiments and further flux analysis may help address questions in the field.« less

A cross-laboratory preclinical study on the effectiveness of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in stroke

PubMed Central

Maysami, Samaneh; Wong, Raymond; Pradillo, Jesus M; Denes, Adam; Dhungana, Hiramani; Malm, Tarja; Koistinaho, Jari; Orset, Cyrille; Rahman, Mahbubur; Rubio, Marina; Schwaninger, Markus; Vivien, Denis; Bath, Philip M; Rothwell, Nancy J

2015-01-01

Stroke represents a global challenge and is a leading cause of permanent disability worldwide. Despite much effort, translation of research findings to clinical benefit has not yet been successful. Failure of neuroprotection trials is considered, in part, due to the low quality of preclinical studies, low level of reproducibility across different laboratories and that stroke co-morbidities have not been fully considered in experimental models. More rigorous testing of new drug candidates in different experimental models of stroke and initiation of preclinical cross-laboratory studies have been suggested as ways to improve translation. However, to our knowledge, no drugs currently in clinical stroke trials have been investigated in preclinical cross-laboratory studies. The cytokine interleukin 1 is a key mediator of neuronal injury, and the naturally occurring interleukin 1 receptor antagonist has been reported as beneficial in experimental studies of stroke. In the present paper, we report on a preclinical cross-laboratory stroke trial designed to investigate the efficacy of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist in different research laboratories across Europe. Our results strongly support the therapeutic potential of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist in experimental stroke and provide further evidence that interleukin 1 receptor antagonist should be evaluated in more extensive clinical stroke trials. PMID:26661169

1890 Institutions' Extension Program and Rural Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Adell, Jr.

The extension role of Tuskegee Institute and the 16 black land grant colleges established by the Morrill Act of 1890 has been to diffuse among the non-university citizens of America useful and practical information on agriculture, home economics, and related areas. Tuskegee's extension efforts began in 1880 and flourished under the leadership of…

Cooperative Extension Answers the Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brill, Michelle F.

2016-01-01

Extension has many opportunities to promote breastfeeding, one of the most highly effective preventive measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant and herself. This article describes how and why Cooperative Extension can and should partner with federal and state efforts to promote breastfeeding. Members of Rutgers' Family and…

Standardization in synthetic biology: an engineering discipline coming of age.

PubMed

Decoene, Thomas; De Paepe, Brecht; Maertens, Jo; Coussement, Pieter; Peters, Gert; De Maeseneire, Sofie L; De Mey, Marjan

2018-08-01

Leaping DNA read-and-write technologies, and extensive automation and miniaturization are radically transforming the field of biological experimentation by providing the tools that enable the cost-effective high-throughput required to address the enormous complexity of biological systems. However, standardization of the synthetic biology workflow has not kept abreast with dwindling technical and resource constraints, leading, for example, to the collection of multi-level and multi-omics large data sets that end up disconnected or remain under- or even unexploited. In this contribution, we critically evaluate the various efforts, and the (limited) success thereof, in order to introduce standards for defining, designing, assembling, characterizing, and sharing synthetic biology parts. The causes for this success or the lack thereof, as well as possible solutions to overcome these, are discussed. Akin to other engineering disciplines, extensive standardization will undoubtedly speed-up and reduce the cost of bioprocess development. In this respect, further implementation of synthetic biology standards will be crucial for the field in order to redeem its promise, i.e. to enable predictable forward engineering.

Biological Dynamics Markup Language (BDML): an open format for representing quantitative biological dynamics data

PubMed Central

Kyoda, Koji; Tohsato, Yukako; Ho, Kenneth H. L.; Onami, Shuichi

2015-01-01

Motivation: Recent progress in live-cell imaging and modeling techniques has resulted in generation of a large amount of quantitative data (from experimental measurements and computer simulations) on spatiotemporal dynamics of biological objects such as molecules, cells and organisms. Although many research groups have independently dedicated their efforts to developing software tools for visualizing and analyzing these data, these tools are often not compatible with each other because of different data formats. Results: We developed an open unified format, Biological Dynamics Markup Language (BDML; current version: 0.2), which provides a basic framework for representing quantitative biological dynamics data for objects ranging from molecules to cells to organisms. BDML is based on Extensible Markup Language (XML). Its advantages are machine and human readability and extensibility. BDML will improve the efficiency of development and evaluation of software tools for data visualization and analysis. Availability and implementation: A specification and a schema file for BDML are freely available online at http://ssbd.qbic.riken.jp/bdml/. Contact: sonami@riken.jp Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:25414366

Biological Dynamics Markup Language (BDML): an open format for representing quantitative biological dynamics data.

PubMed

Kyoda, Koji; Tohsato, Yukako; Ho, Kenneth H L; Onami, Shuichi

2015-04-01

Recent progress in live-cell imaging and modeling techniques has resulted in generation of a large amount of quantitative data (from experimental measurements and computer simulations) on spatiotemporal dynamics of biological objects such as molecules, cells and organisms. Although many research groups have independently dedicated their efforts to developing software tools for visualizing and analyzing these data, these tools are often not compatible with each other because of different data formats. We developed an open unified format, Biological Dynamics Markup Language (BDML; current version: 0.2), which provides a basic framework for representing quantitative biological dynamics data for objects ranging from molecules to cells to organisms. BDML is based on Extensible Markup Language (XML). Its advantages are machine and human readability and extensibility. BDML will improve the efficiency of development and evaluation of software tools for data visualization and analysis. A specification and a schema file for BDML are freely available online at http://ssbd.qbic.riken.jp/bdml/. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press.

Unusual behavior of uranium dioxide at high magnetic fields. Part I

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gofryk, K.; Jaime, M.; Zapf, V.; Harrison, N.; Saul, A.; Radtke, G.; Lashley, J. C.; Salamon, M.; Andersson, A. D.; Stanek, C.; Durakiewicz, T.; Smith, J. L.

UO2 is a Mott-Hubbard insulator with well-localized 5 f-electrons and its crystal structure is the face-centered-cubic fluorite. It experiences a first-order antiferromagnetic phase transition at 30.8 K to a non-collinear antiferromagnetic structure that remains a topic of debate. It is believed that the first order nature of the transition results from the competition between the exchange interaction and the Jahn-Teller distortion of oxygen atoms. Despite extensive experimental and theoretical efforts the nature of the competing degrees of freedom and their couplings (such as spin-phonon coupling) are still unclear. Here we present results of our extensive thermodynamic investigations, on well-characterized and oriented single crystals of UO2, focusing on magnetization M(T,H) measurements in DC and pulsed magnetic fields to up 65 T at the NHMFL. Work supported by the Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences, and Engineering Division. The NHMFL Pulsed Field Facility is supported by the NSF, the U.S. D.O.E., and the State of Florida through NSF cooperative Grant DMR.

Development and Testing of Carbon-Carbon Nozzle Extensions for Upper Stage Liquid Rocket Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Valentine, Peter G.; Gradl, Paul R.; Greene, Sandra E.

2017-01-01

Carbon-carbon (C-C) composite nozzle extensions are of interest for use on a variety of launch vehicle upper stage engines and in-space propulsion systems. The C-C nozzle extension technology and test capabilities being developed are intended to support National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Defense (DOD) requirements, as well as those of the broader Commercial Space industry. For NASA, C-C nozzle extension technology development primarily supports the NASA Space Launch System (SLS) and NASA's Commercial Space partners. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) efforts are aimed at both (a) further developing the technology and databases needed to enable the use of composite nozzle extensions on cryogenic upper stage engines, and (b) developing and demonstrating low-cost capabilities for testing and qualifying composite nozzle extensions. Recent, on-going, and potential future work supporting NASA, DOD, and Commercial Space needs will be discussed. Information to be presented will include (a) recent and on-going mechanical, thermal, and hot-fire testing, as well as (b) potential future efforts to further develop and qualify domestic C-C nozzle extension solutions for the various upper stage engines under development.

Adding kinetics and hydrodynamics to the CHEETAH thermochemical code

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

Fried, L.E., Howard, W.M., Souers, P.C.

1997-01-15

In FY96 we released CHEETAH 1.40, which made extensive improvements on the stability and user friendliness of the code. CHEETAH now has over 175 users in government, academia, and industry. Efforts have also been focused on adding new advanced features to CHEETAH 2.0, which is scheduled for release in FY97. We have added a new chemical kinetics capability to CHEETAH. In the past, CHEETAH assumed complete thermodynamic equilibrium and independence of time. The addition of a chemical kinetic framework will allow for modeling of time-dependent phenomena, such as partial combustion and detonation in composite explosives with large reaction zones. Wemore » have implemented a Wood-Kirkwood detonation framework in CHEETAH, which allows for the treatment of nonideal detonations and explosive failure. A second major effort in the project this year has been linking CHEETAH to hydrodynamic codes to yield an improved HE product equation of state. We have linked CHEETAH to 1- and 2-D hydrodynamic codes, and have compared the code to experimental data. 15 refs., 13 figs., 1 tab.« less

Property-driven functional verification technique for high-speed vision system-on-chip processor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nshunguyimfura, Victor; Yang, Jie; Liu, Liyuan; Wu, Nanjian

2017-04-01

The implementation of functional verification in a fast, reliable, and effective manner is a challenging task in a vision chip verification process. The main reason for this challenge is the stepwise nature of existing functional verification techniques. This vision chip verification complexity is also related to the fact that in most vision chip design cycles, extensive efforts are focused on how to optimize chip metrics such as performance, power, and area. Design functional verification is not explicitly considered at an earlier stage at which the most sound decisions are made. In this paper, we propose a semi-automatic property-driven verification technique. The implementation of all verification components is based on design properties. We introduce a low-dimension property space between the specification space and the implementation space. The aim of this technique is to speed up the verification process for high-performance parallel processing vision chips. Our experimentation results show that the proposed technique can effectively improve the verification effort up to 20% for the complex vision chip design while reducing the simulation and debugging overheads.

A unified framework for the evaluation of surrogate endpoints in mental-health clinical trials.

PubMed

Molenberghs, Geert; Burzykowski, Tomasz; Alonso, Ariel; Assam, Pryseley; Tilahun, Abel; Buyse, Marc

2010-06-01

For a number of reasons, surrogate endpoints are considered instead of the so-called true endpoint in clinical studies, especially when such endpoints can be measured earlier, and/or with less burden for patient and experimenter. Surrogate endpoints may occur more frequently than their standard counterparts. For these reasons, it is not surprising that the use of surrogate endpoints in clinical practice is increasing. Building on the seminal work of Prentice(1) and Freedman et al.,(2) Buyse et al. (3) framed the evaluation exercise within a meta-analytic setting, in an effort to overcome difficulties that necessarily surround evaluation efforts based on a single trial. In this article, we review the meta-analytic approach for continuous outcomes, discuss extensions to non-normal and longitudinal settings, as well as proposals to unify the somewhat disparate collection of validation measures currently on the market. Implications for design and for predicting the effect of treatment in a new trial, based on the surrogate, are discussed. A case study in schizophrenia is analysed.

Life Modeling and Design Analysis for Ceramic Matrix Composite Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

The primary research efforts focused on characterizing and modeling static failure, environmental durability, and creep-rupture behavior of two classes of ceramic matrix composites (CMC), silicon carbide fibers in a silicon carbide matrix (SiC/SiC) and carbon fibers in a silicon carbide matrix (C/SiC). An engineering life prediction model (Probabilistic Residual Strength model) has been developed specifically for CMCs. The model uses residual strength as the damage metric for evaluating remaining life and is posed probabilistically in order to account for the stochastic nature of the material s response. In support of the modeling effort, extensive testing of C/SiC in partial pressures of oxygen has been performed. This includes creep testing, tensile testing, half life and residual tensile strength testing. C/SiC is proposed for airframe and propulsion applications in advanced reusable launch vehicles. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the models predictive capabilities as well as the manner in which experimental tests are being selected in such a manner as to ensure sufficient data is available to aid in model validation.

NASA developments in solid state power amplifiers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leonard, Regis F.

1990-01-01

Over the last ten years, NASA has undertaken an extensive program aimed at development of solid state power amplifiers for space applications. Historically, the program may be divided into three phases. The first efforts were carried out in support of the advanced communications technology satellite (ACTS) program, which is developing an experimental version of a Ka-band commercial communications system. These first amplifiers attempted to use hybrid technology. The second phase was still targeted at ACTS frequencies, but concentrated on monolithic implementations, while the current, third phase, is a monolithic effort that focusses on frequencies appropriate for other NASA programs and stresses amplifier efficiency. The topics covered include: (1) 20 GHz hybrid amplifiers; (2) 20 GHz monolithic MESFET power amplifiers; (3) Texas Instruments' (TI) 20 GHz variable power amplifier; (4) TI 20 GHz high power amplifier; (5) high efficiency monolithic power amplifiers; (6) GHz high efficiency variable power amplifier; (7) TI 32 GHz monolithic power amplifier performance; (8) design goals for Hughes' 32 GHz variable power amplifier; and (9) performance goals for Hughes' pseudomorphic 60 GHz power amplifier.

Understanding the oriented-attachment growth of nanocrystals from an energy point of view: a review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Weiqiang; He, Weidong; Wang, Xiaoning; Niu, Yinghua; Cao, Huanqi; Dickerson, James H.; Wang, Zhiguo

2014-02-01

Since Penn et al. first discovered the oriented attachment growth of crystals, the oriented attachment mechanism has now become a major research focus in the crystal field, and extensive efforts have been carried out over the past decade to systematically investigate the growth mechanism and the statistical kinetic models. However, most of the work mainly focuses on the experimental results on the oriented attachment growth. In contrast to the previous reviews, our review provides an overview of the recent theoretical advances in oriented attachment kinetics combined with experimental evidences. After a brief introduction to the van der Waals interaction and Coulombic interaction in a colloidal system, the correlation between the kinetic models of oriented attachment growth and the interactions is then our focus. The impact of in situ experimental observation techniques on the study of oriented attachment growth is examined with insightful examples. In addition, the advances in theoretical simulations mainly investigating the thermodynamic origin of these interactions at the atomic level are reviewed. This review seeks to understand the oriented attachment crystal growth from a kinetic point of view and provide a quantitative methodology to rationally design an oriented attachment system with pre-evaluated crystal growth parameters.

Flight Experiments of Physical Vapor Transport of ZnSe: Growth of Crystals in Various Convective Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua

2015-01-01

A low gravity material experiment will be performed in the Material Science Research Rack (MSRR) on International Space Station (ISS). The flight experiment will conduct crystal growths of ZnSe and related ternary compounds, such as ZnSeS and ZnSeTe, by physical vapor transport (PVT). The main objective of the project is to determine the relative contributions of gravity-driven fluid flows to the compositional distribution, incorporation of impurities and defects, and deviation from stoichiometry observed in the grown crystals as results of buoyancy-driven convection and growth interface fluctuations caused by irregular fluid-flows on Earth. The investigation consists of extensive ground-based experimental and theoretical research efforts and concurrent flight experimentation. The objectives of the ground-based studies are (1) obtain the experimental data and conduct the analyses required to define the optimum growth parameters for the flight experiments, (2) perfect various characterization techniques to establish the standard procedure for material characterization, (3) quantitatively establish the characteristics of the crystals grown on Earth as a basis for subsequent comparative evaluations of the crystals grown in a low-gravity environment and (4) develop theoretical and analytical methods required for such evaluations. ZnSe and related ternary compounds have been grown by vapor transport technique with real time in-situ non-invasive monitoring techniques. The grown crystals have been characterized extensively by various techniques to correlate the grown crystal properties with the growth conditions. This talk will focus on the ground-based studies on the PVT crystal growth of ZnSe and related ternary compounds, especially the effects of different growth orientations related to gravity direction on the grown crystals.

Crystal Growth of Ternary Compound Semiconductors in Low Gravity Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua

2014-01-01

A low gravity material experiment will be performed in the Material Science Research Rack (MSRR) on International Space Station (ISS). There are two sections of the flight experiment: (I) crystal growth of ZnSe and related ternary compounds, such as ZnSeS and ZnSeTe, by physical vapor transport (PVT) and (II) melt growth of CdZnTe by directional solidification. The main objective of the project is to determine the relative contributions of gravity-driven fluid flows to the compositional distribution, incorporation of impurities and defects, and deviation from stoichiometry observed in the grown crystals as results of buoyancy-driven convection and growth interface fluctuations caused by irregular fluid-flows on Earth. The investigation consists of extensive ground-based experimental and theoretical research efforts and concurrent flight experimentation. This talk will focus on the ground-based studies on the PVT crystal growth of ZnSe and related ternary compounds. The objectives of the ground-based studies are (1) obtain the experimental data and conduct the analyses required to define the optimum growth parameters for the flight experiments, (2) perfect various characterization techniques to establish the standard procedure for material characterization, (3) quantitatively establish the characteristics of the crystals grown on Earth as a basis for subsequent comparative evaluations of the crystals grown in a low-gravity environment and (4) develop theoretical and analytical methods required for such evaluations. ZnSe and related ternary compounds have been grown by vapor transport technique with real time in-situ non-invasive monitoring techniques. The grown crystals have been characterized extensively by various techniques to correlate the grown crystal properties with the growth conditions.

Helping Hands; Giving Volunteer Leaders a Place in the Extension Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strow, Helen A.

The document is a guide for extension workers, to aid them in identifying and training local volunteer leaders, thereby adding a broader dimension to the extension worker's efforts and enabling him to increase by many times the number of families he is able to reach. Leadership is defined, the importance of leaders explained, and methods for…

The Role of Evaluation in Determining the Public Value of Extension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Franz, Nancy; Arnold, Mary; Baughman, Sarah

2014-01-01

Extension has developed a strong evaluation culture across the system for the last 15 years. Yet measures are still limited to the private value of programs, looking at problems in a linear way and at isolated efforts. Across the country, Extension evaluators and administrators need to step up to help answer the "so what?" question about…

Recent Efforts in Data Compilations for Nuclear Astrophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dillmann, Iris

2008-05-01

Some recent efforts in compiling data for astrophysical purposes are introduced, which were discussed during a JINA-CARINA Collaboration meeting on ``Nuclear Physics Data Compilation for Nucleosynthesis Modeling'' held at the ECT* in Trento/Italy from May 29th-June 3rd, 2007. The main goal of this collaboration is to develop an updated and unified nuclear reaction database for modeling a wide variety of stellar nucleosynthesis scenarios. Presently a large number of different reaction libraries (REACLIB) are used by the astrophysics community. The ``JINA Reaclib Database'' on http://www.nscl.msu.edu/~nero/db/ aims to merge and fit the latest experimental stellar cross sections and reaction rate data of various compilations, e.g. NACRE and its extension for Big Bang nucleosynthesis, Caughlan and Fowler, Iliadis et al., and KADoNiS. The KADoNiS (Karlsruhe Astrophysical Database of Nucleosynthesis in Stars, http://nuclear-astrophysics.fzk.de/kadonis) project is an online database for neutron capture cross sections relevant to the s process. The present version v0.2 is already included in a REACLIB file from Basel university (http://download.nucastro.org/astro/reaclib). The present status of experimental stellar (n,γ) cross sections in KADoNiS is shown. It contains recommended cross sections for 355 isotopes between 1H and 210Bi, over 80% of them deduced from experimental data. A ``high priority list'' for measurements and evaluations for light charged-particle reactions set up by the JINA-CARINA collaboration is presented. The central web access point to submit and evaluate new data is provided by the Oak Ridge group via the http://www.nucastrodata.org homepage. ``Workflow tools'' aim to make the evaluation process transparent and allow users to follow the progress.

Rating of Perceived Exertion During Circuit Weight Training: A Concurrent Validation Study.

PubMed

Aniceto, Rodrigo R; Ritti-Dias, Raphael M; Dos Prazeres, Thaliane M P; Farah, Breno Q; de Lima, Fábio F M; do Prado, Wagner L

2015-12-01

The aim of this study was to determine whether rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a valid method to control the effort during the circuit weight training (CWT) in trained men. Ten men (21.3 ± 3.3 years) with previous experience in resistance training (13.1 ± 6.3 months) performed 3 sessions: 1 orientation session and 2 experimental sessions. The subjects were randomly counterbalanced to 2 experimental sessions: CWT or multiple-set resistance training (control). In both sessions, 8 exercises (bench press, leg press 45°, seated row, leg curl, triceps pulley, leg extension, biceps curl, and adductor chair) were performed with the same work: 60% of 1 repetition maximum, 24 stations (3 circuits) or 24 sets (3 sets/exercise), 10 repetitions, 1 second in the concentric and eccentric phases, and rest intervals between sets and exercise of 60 seconds. Active muscle RPEs were measured after each 3 station/sets using the OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale (OMNI-RES). In this same time, blood lactate was collected. Compared with baseline, both levels of blood lactate and RPE increased during whole workout in both sessions, the RPE at third, 23rd, and 27th minute and the blood lactate at third, seventh, 11th, 15th, 27th, and 31st minute were higher in multiple set compared with CWT. Positive correlation between blood lactate and RPE was observed in both experimental sessions. The results indicated that the RPE is a valid method to control the effort during the CWT in trained men and can be used to manipulate the intensity without the need to perform invasive assessments.

76 FR 45621 - Employment and Training Administration

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-29

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Comment Request for Extension of... Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (Department), as part of its continuing effort..., the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning the extension of...

Literacy Education and Social Change Efforts in Pre-Communist China: The Mass Education Movement 1922-1949.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paulston, Rolland G.

Socioeconomic development in China between the two world wars included an extensive mass education effort by reform-minded young Chinese. Focusing on adult literacy and rural reconstruction, Chinese educators employed various strategies to stimulate and assist self-help efforts in Chinese villages. Paramount among these educational techniques were…

Variable viscosity and density biofilm simulations using an immersed boundary method, part II: Experimental validation and the heterogeneous rheology-IBM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stotsky, Jay A.; Hammond, Jason F.; Pavlovsky, Leonid; Stewart, Elizabeth J.; Younger, John G.; Solomon, Michael J.; Bortz, David M.

2016-07-01

The goal of this work is to develop a numerical simulation that accurately captures the biomechanical response of bacterial biofilms and their associated extracellular matrix (ECM). In this, the second of a two-part effort, the primary focus is on formally presenting the heterogeneous rheology Immersed Boundary Method (hrIBM) and validating our model by comparison to experimental results. With this extension of the Immersed Boundary Method (IBM), we use the techniques originally developed in Part I ([19]) to treat biofilms as viscoelastic fluids possessing variable rheological properties anchored to a set of moving locations (i.e., the bacteria locations). In particular, we incorporate spatially continuous variable viscosity and density fields into our model. Although in [14,15], variable viscosity is used in an IBM context to model discrete viscosity changes across interfaces, to our knowledge this work and Part I are the first to apply the IBM to model a continuously variable viscosity field. We validate our modeling approach from Part I by comparing dynamic moduli and compliance moduli computed from our model to data from mechanical characterization experiments on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. The experimental setup is described in [26] in which biofilms are grown and tested in a parallel plate rheometer. In order to initialize the positions of bacteria in the biofilm, experimentally obtained three dimensional coordinate data was used. One of the major conclusions of this effort is that treating the spring-like connections between bacteria as Maxwell or Zener elements provides good agreement with the mechanical characterization data. We also found that initializing the simulations with different coordinate data sets only led to small changes in the mechanical characterization results. Matlab code used to produce results in this paper will be available at https://github.com/MathBioCU/BiofilmSim.

Mutual benefits of research collaborations between zoos and academic institutions.

PubMed

Fernandez, Eduardo J; Timberlake, William

2008-11-01

Zoos focus on welfare, conservation, education, and research related to animals they keep. Academic institutions emphasize description, experimentation, modeling, and teaching of general and specific animal biology and behavior through work in both laboratory and field. The considerable overlap in concerns and methods has increased interest in collaborative projects, but there is ample room for closer and more extensive interactions. The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of potential research collaborations in three areas: (1) control and analysis of behavior, (2) conservation and propagation of species, and (3) education of students and the general public. In each area, we outline (a) research in zoos, (b) research in academics, and (c) potential collaborative efforts. Zoo Biol 27:470-487, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Overview: Parity Violation and Fundamental Symmetries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlini, Roger

2017-09-01

The fields of nuclear and particle physics have undertaken extensive programs of research to search for evidence of new phenomena via the precision measurement of observables that are well predicted within the standard model of electroweak interaction. It is already known that the standard model is incomplete as it does not include gravity and dark matter/energy and therefore likely the low energy approximation of a more complex theory. This talk will be an overview of the motivation, experimental methods and status of some of these efforts (past and future) related to precision in-direct searches that are complementary to the direct searches underway at the Large Hadron Collider. This abstract is for the invited talk associated with the Mini-symposium titled ``Electro-weak Physics and Fundamental Symmetries'' organized by Julie Roche.

EXTENSION EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM: reinventing extension as a resource--what does the future hold?

PubMed

Mirando, M A; Bewley, J M; Blue, J; Amaral-Phillips, D M; Corriher, V A; Whittet, K M; Arthur, N; Patterson, D J

2012-10-01

The mission of the Cooperative Extension Service, as a component of the land-grant university system, is to disseminate new knowledge and to foster its application and use. Opportunities and challenges facing animal agriculture in the United States have changed dramatically over the past few decades and require the use of new approaches and emerging technologies that are available to extension professionals. Increased federal competitive grant funding for extension, the creation of eXtension, the development of smartphone and related electronic technologies, and the rapidly increasing popularity of social media created new opportunities for extension educators to disseminate knowledge to a variety of audiences and engage these audiences in electronic discussions. Competitive grant funding opportunities for extension efforts to advance animal agriculture became available from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and have increased dramatically in recent years. The majority of NIFA funding opportunities require extension efforts to be integrated with research, and NIFA encourages the use of eXtension and other cutting-edge approaches to extend research to traditional clientele and nontraditional audiences. A case study is presented to illustrate how research and extension were integrated to improve the adoption of AI by beef producers. Those in agriculture are increasingly resorting to the use of social media venues such as Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter to access information required to support their enterprises. Use of these various approaches by extension educators requires appreciation of the technology and an understanding of how the target audiences access information available on social media. Technology to deliver information is changing rapidly, and Cooperative Extension Service professionals will need to continuously evaluate digital technology and social media tools to appropriately integrate them into learning and educational opportunities.

Effective Regional Community Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nesbitt, Rebecca; Merkowitz, Rose Fisher

2014-01-01

Times are changing, and so are Extension programs. These changes affect every aspect of the educational effort, including program development, project funding, educational delivery, partnership building, marketing, sharing impacts, and revenue generation. This article is not about how Extension is restructuring to adapt to changes; instead, it…

78 FR 70584 - Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-26

... establishes arrangements to protect the rights of affected transit employees. Federal law requires such... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of Labor-Management Standards Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to...

The Effort Paradox: Effort Is Both Costly and Valued.

PubMed

Inzlicht, Michael; Shenhav, Amitai; Olivola, Christopher Y

2018-04-01

According to prominent models in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and economics, effort (be it physical or mental) is costly: when given a choice, humans and non-human animals alike tend to avoid effort. Here, we suggest that the opposite is also true and review extensive evidence that effort can also add value. Not only can the same outcomes be more rewarding if we apply more (not less) effort, sometimes we select options precisely because they require effort. Given the increasing recognition of effort's role in motivation, cognitive control, and value-based decision-making, considering this neglected side of effort will not only improve formal computational models, but also provide clues about how to promote sustained mental effort across time. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

LOW INCOME FAMILY, TRAINING NEEDS OF HOME DEMONSTRATION EXTENSION AGENTS, HOME ECONOMICS CURRICULUM CONSTRUCTION, EDUCATION 685.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MANN, OPAL H.

A STUDY WAS MADE OF THE NEED FOR EXTENSION WORK WITH LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY (APPALACHIA) AND OF THE PROBLEMS AND TRAINING NEEDS OF HOME DEMONSTRATION EXTENSION AGENTS WHO WORK WITH THESE FAMILIES. THE AGENTS FELT THEY HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN BUDGETING TIME, EFFORT, AND RESOURCES TO MEET MINIMUM…

Problems Impacting Extension Program Quality at the County Level: Results from an Analysis of County Program Reviews Conducted in Florida

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harder, Amy; Moore, Austen; Mazurkewicz, Melissa; Benge, Matt

2013-01-01

Needs assessments are an important tool for informing organizational development efforts in Extension. The purpose of the study reported here was to identify problems faced by county units within UF/IFAS Extension during county program reviews. The findings were drawn from the reports created after five county units experienced program reviews in…

Maximizing Macromolecule Crystal Size for Neutron Diffraction Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Judge, R. A.; Kephart, R.; Leardi, R.; Myles, D. A.; Snell, E. H.; vanderWoerd, M.; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

A challenge in neutron diffraction experiments is growing large (greater than 1 cu mm) macromolecule crystals. In taking up this challenge we have used statistical experiment design techniques to quickly identify crystallization conditions under which the largest crystals grow. These techniques provide the maximum information for minimal experimental effort, allowing optimal screening of crystallization variables in a simple experimental matrix, using the minimum amount of sample. Analysis of the results quickly tells the investigator what conditions are the most important for the crystallization. These can then be used to maximize the crystallization results in terms of reducing crystal numbers and providing large crystals of suitable habit. We have used these techniques to grow large crystals of Glucose isomerase. Glucose isomerase is an industrial enzyme used extensively in the food industry for the conversion of glucose to fructose. The aim of this study is the elucidation of the enzymatic mechanism at the molecular level. The accurate determination of hydrogen positions, which is critical for this, is a requirement that neutron diffraction is uniquely suited for. Preliminary neutron diffraction experiments with these crystals conducted at the Institute Laue-Langevin (Grenoble, France) reveal diffraction to beyond 2.5 angstrom. Macromolecular crystal growth is a process involving many parameters, and statistical experimental design is naturally suited to this field. These techniques are sample independent and provide an experimental strategy to maximize crystal volume and habit for neutron diffraction studies.

A stochastic Iwan-type model for joint behavior variability modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mignolet, Marc P.; Song, Pengchao; Wang, X. Q.

2015-08-01

This paper focuses overall on the development and validation of a stochastic model to describe the dissipation and stiffness properties of a bolted joint for which experimental data is available and exhibits a large scatter. An extension of the deterministic parallel-series Iwan model for the characterization of the force-displacement behavior of joints is first carried out. This new model involves dynamic and static coefficients of friction differing from each other and a broadly defined distribution of Jenkins elements. Its applicability is next investigated using the experimental data, i.e. stiffness and dissipation measurements obtained in harmonic testing of 9 nominally identical bolted joints. The model is found to provide a very good fit of the experimental data for each bolted joint notwithstanding the significant variability of their behavior. This finding suggests that this variability can be simulated through the randomization of only the parameters of the proposed Iwan-type model. The distribution of these parameters is next selected based on maximum entropy concepts and their corresponding parameters, i.e. the hyperparameters of the model, are identified using a maximum likelihood strategy. Proceeding with a Monte Carlo simulation of this stochastic Iwan model demonstrates that the experimental data fits well within the uncertainty band corresponding to the 5th and 95th percentiles of the model predictions which well supports the adequacy of the modeling effort.

The Politics of Extension Water Programming: Determining if Affiliation Impacts Participation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Owens, Courtney T.; Lamm, Alexa J.

2017-01-01

Research has found levels of engagement in environmental behaviors and participation in Extension programming around environmental issues are directly associated with political affiliation. Democrat and Independent parties encourage members to vote for stricter environmental regulations, such as water conservation efforts, while Republicans…

Computational protein design and protein-ligand interaction studies for the improvement of organophosphorus degrading potential of Deinococcus radiodurans.

PubMed

Manoharan, Prabu; Sridhar, J

2018-05-01

The organophosphorus hydrolase enzyme is involved in the catalyzing reaction that involve hydrolysis of organophosphate toxic compounds. An enzyme from Deinococcus radiodurans reported as homologous to phosphotriesterase and show activity against organophosphate. In the past activity of this enzyme is low and efforts made to improve the activity by experimental mutation study. However only very few organophosphates tested against very few catalytic site mutations. In order to improve the catalytic power of the organophosphorus hydrolase enzyme, we carried out systematic functional hotspot based protein engineering strategy. The mutants tested against 46 know organophosphate compounds using molecular docking study. Finally, we carried out an extensive molecular docking study to predict the binding of 46 organophosphate compounds to wild-type protein and mutant organophosphorus hydrolase enzyme. At the end we are able to improve the degrading potential of organophosphorus hydrolase enzyme against organophosphate toxic compounds. This preliminary study and the outcome would be useful guide for the experimental scientist involved in the bioremediation of toxic organophosphate compounds. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An Improved BLE Indoor Localization with Kalman-Based Fusion: An Experimental Study

PubMed Central

Röbesaat, Jenny; Zhang, Peilin; Abdelaal, Mohamed; Theel, Oliver

2017-01-01

Indoor positioning has grasped great attention in recent years. A number of efforts have been exerted to achieve high positioning accuracy. However, there exists no technology that proves its efficacy in various situations. In this paper, we propose a novel positioning method based on fusing trilateration and dead reckoning. We employ Kalman filtering as a position fusion algorithm. Moreover, we adopt an Android device with Bluetooth Low Energy modules as the communication platform to avoid excessive energy consumption and to improve the stability of the received signal strength. To further improve the positioning accuracy, we take the environmental context information into account while generating the position fixes. Extensive experiments in a testbed are conducted to examine the performance of three approaches: trilateration, dead reckoning and the fusion method. Additionally, the influence of the knowledge of the environmental context is also examined. Finally, our proposed fusion method outperforms both trilateration and dead reckoning in terms of accuracy: experimental results show that the Kalman-based fusion, for our settings, achieves a positioning accuracy of less than one meter. PMID:28445421

Experimental investigation of nozzle/plume aerodynamics at hypersonic speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bogdanoff, David W.; Cambier, Jean-Luc; Papadopoulos, Perikles

1994-01-01

Much of the work involved the Ames 16-Inch Shock Tunnel facility. The facility was reactivated and upgraded, a data acquisition system was configured and upgraded several times, several facility calibrations were performed and test entries with a wedge model with hydrogen injection and a full scramjet combustor model, with hydrogen injection, were performed. Extensive CFD modeling of the flow in the facility was done. This includes modeling of the unsteady flow in the driver and driven tubes and steady flow modeling of the nozzle flow. Other modeling efforts include simulations of non-equilibrium flows and turbulence, plasmas, light gas guns and the use of non-ideal gas equations of state. New experimental techniques to improve the performance of gas guns, shock tubes and tunnels and scramjet combustors were conceived and studied computationally. Ways to improve scramjet engine performance using steady and pulsed detonation waves were also studied computationally. A number of studies were performed on the operation of the ram accelerator, including investigations of in-tube gasdynamic heating and the use of high explosives to raise the velocity capability of the device.

Toward a Public Toxicogenomics Capability for Supporting ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

A publicly available toxicogenomics capability for supporting predictive toxicology and meta-analysis depends on availability of gene expression data for chemical treatment scenarios, the ability to locate and aggregate such information by chemical, and broad data coverage within chemical, genomics, and toxicological information domains. This capability also depends on common genomics standards, protocol description, and functional linkages of diverse public Internet data resources. We present a survey of public genomics resources from these vantage points and conclude that, despite progress in many areas, the current state of the majority of public microarray databases is inadequate for supporting these objectives, particularly with regard to chemical indexing. To begin to address these inadequacies, we focus chemical annotation efforts on experimental content contained in the two primary public genomic resources: ArrayExpress and Gene Expression Omnibus. Automated scripts and extensive manual review were employed to transform free-text experiment descriptions into a standardized, chemically indexed inventory of experiments in both resources. These files, which include top-level summary annotations, allow for identification of current chemical-associated experimental content, as well as chemical-exposure–related (or

Statistical exchange-coupling errors and the practicality of scalable silicon donor qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yang; Das Sarma, S.

2016-12-01

Recent experimental efforts have led to considerable interest in donor-based localized electron spins in Si as viable qubits for a scalable silicon quantum computer. With the use of isotopically purified 28Si and the realization of extremely long spin coherence time in single-donor electrons, the recent experimental focus is on two-coupled donors with the eventual goal of a scaled-up quantum circuit. Motivated by this development, we simulate the statistical distribution of the exchange coupling J between a pair of donors under realistic donor placement straggles, and quantify the errors relative to the intended J value. With J values in a broad range of donor-pair separation ( 5 <|R |<60 nm), we work out various cases systematically, for a target donor separation R0 along the [001], [110] and [111] Si crystallographic directions, with |R0|=10 ,20 or 30 nm and standard deviation σR=1 ,2 ,5 or 10 nm. Our extensive theoretical results demonstrate the great challenge for a prescribed J gate even with just a donor pair, a first step for any scalable Si-donor-based quantum computer.

Orbital two-channel Kondo effect in epitaxial ferromagnetic L1 0-MnAl films

DOE PAGES

Zhu, L. J.; Nie, S. H.; Xiong, P.; ...

2016-02-24

The orbital two-channel Kondo effect displaying exotic non-Fermi liquid behaviour arises in the intricate scenario of two conduction electrons compensating a pseudo-spin-1/2 impurity of two-level system. Despite extensive efforts for several decades, no material system has been clearly identified to exhibit all three transport regimes characteristic of the two-channel Kondo effect in the same sample, leaving the interpretation of the experimental results a subject of debate. Here we present a transport study suggestive of a robust orbital two-channel Kondo effect in epitaxial ferromagnetic L1 0-MnAl films, as evidenced by a magnetic field-independent resistivity upturn with a clear transition from logarithmic-more » to square-root temperature dependence and deviation from it in three distinct temperature regimes. Lastly, our results also provide an experimental indication of the presence of two-channel Kondo physics in a ferromagnet, pointing to considerable robustness of the orbital two-channel Kondo effect even in the presence of spin polarization of the conduction electrons.« less

Parasitism and calfhood diseases.

PubMed

Herlich, H; Douvres, F W

1977-02-01

That animals can and do acquire an effective immunity against helminth parasites has been demonstrated extensively experimentally, and the fact that domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, and horses become adults while maintaining good health in spite of constant exposure to reinfection long has suggested that immunity must be important to such survival. Although our attempts to date to vaccinate calves against helminth parasites have either failed or been unsatisfactory because of the pathosis induced by the experimental vaccines, the results are not surprising or discouraging. In contrast to the long history of immunization research on bacterial and viral diseases, only within a relatively short time have serious efforts been directed at exploiting hostal immunity for prevention and control of helminthic diseases. Unlike the comparatively simple structures of viruses and bacteria, helminths are complex multicellular animals with vast arrays of antigens and complicated physiological and immunological interactions with their hosts. Much more fundamental information on helminth-bovine interactions, on helminth antigens, and on cattle antibody systems must be developed before progress on control of cattle helminths by vaccination can be meaningful.

Nonlinear Unsteady Aerodynamic Modeling Using Wind Tunnel and Computational Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murphy, Patrick C.; Klein, Vladislav; Frink, Neal T.

2016-01-01

Extensions to conventional aircraft aerodynamic models are required to adequately predict responses when nonlinear unsteady flight regimes are encountered, especially at high incidence angles and under maneuvering conditions. For a number of reasons, such as loss of control, both military and civilian aircraft may extend beyond normal and benign aerodynamic flight conditions. In addition, military applications may require controlled flight beyond the normal envelope, and civilian flight may require adequate recovery or prevention methods from these adverse conditions. These requirements have led to the development of more general aerodynamic modeling methods and provided impetus for researchers to improve both techniques and the degree of collaboration between analytical and experimental research efforts. In addition to more general mathematical model structures, dynamic test methods have been designed to provide sufficient information to allow model identification. This paper summarizes research to develop a modeling methodology appropriate for modeling aircraft aerodynamics that include nonlinear unsteady behaviors using both experimental and computational test methods. This work was done at Langley Research Center, primarily under the NASA Aviation Safety Program, to address aircraft loss of control, prevention, and recovery aerodynamics.

Orbital two-channel Kondo effect in epitaxial ferromagnetic L1 0-MnAl films

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

Zhu, L. J.; Nie, S. H.; Xiong, P.

The orbital two-channel Kondo effect displaying exotic non-Fermi liquid behaviour arises in the intricate scenario of two conduction electrons compensating a pseudo-spin-1/2 impurity of two-level system. Despite extensive efforts for several decades, no material system has been clearly identified to exhibit all three transport regimes characteristic of the two-channel Kondo effect in the same sample, leaving the interpretation of the experimental results a subject of debate. Here we present a transport study suggestive of a robust orbital two-channel Kondo effect in epitaxial ferromagnetic L1 0-MnAl films, as evidenced by a magnetic field-independent resistivity upturn with a clear transition from logarithmic-more » to square-root temperature dependence and deviation from it in three distinct temperature regimes. Lastly, our results also provide an experimental indication of the presence of two-channel Kondo physics in a ferromagnet, pointing to considerable robustness of the orbital two-channel Kondo effect even in the presence of spin polarization of the conduction electrons.« less

EXTENSION EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM: Getting the most out of your extension appointment and still having a life.

PubMed

Powers, W; Cockett, N; Lardy, G

2017-04-01

Managing the demands of an academic appointment in extension can be a challenging task. Demands from constituent groups, expectations of supervisors, and rigors of promotion and tenure processes can create pressures that young faculty did not expect. Throw in spousal and family duties and you have created a situation that many will find hard to navigate. However, there are ways to cope and, even better news, there are ways to excel in meeting the demands of an academic appointment and enjoying life. Because many new extension faculty members do not have prior experience in extension, best practices in documenting programs and extension scholarship over the pretenure period are provided in this paper. Appointments that include both research and extension are quite common at many land grant universities. The advantages of joint appointments are numerous and include the fact that more and more grant agencies are seeking integrated research, teaching, and/or extension projects. However, the time demands of joint appointments can be challenging. Joint appointments can be designed to help faculty members conduct important translational research and have it be applied in a production setting. By seeking commonalities in research and extension efforts, joint appointments can be very synergistic. Development of highly successful programs requires planning on the front end with an emphasis on an in-depth needs assessment to determine stakeholder needs for both research and extension. Impact assessment should be part of this planning effort. Performing as a successful extension faculty member while maintaining relationships outside of work is challenging and requires deliberate effort on the part of employees and supervisors to realize there is more to life than work. Some authors have referred to this as work-life balance, but it may be more helpful to think of it as work-life effectiveness. To do this, one needs to 1) define what success looks like, 2) set boundaries and maintain control including control of your schedule, and 3) find time to ensure your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are nurtured in addition to your professional development. In summary, extension careers can be challenging at times as demands and expectations of stakeholders, supervisors, and rigors of the tenure system create formidable obstacles. However, by keeping a focus on the priorities of the position and looking for synergy in research and extension work, they can actually be quite enjoyable and very rewarding.

Accommodating complexity and human behaviors in decision analysis.

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

Backus, George A.; Siirola, John Daniel; Schoenwald, David Alan

2007-11-01

This is the final report for a LDRD effort to address human behavior in decision support systems. One sister LDRD effort reports the extension of this work to include actual human choices and additional simulation analyses. Another provides the background for this effort and the programmatic directions for future work. This specific effort considered the feasibility of five aspects of model development required for analysis viability. To avoid the use of classified information, healthcare decisions and the system embedding them became the illustrative example for assessment.

Measurement Requirements for Improved Modeling of Arcjet Facility Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fletcher, Douglas G.

2000-01-01

Current efforts to develop new reusable launch vehicles and to pursue low-cost robotic planetary missions have led to a renewed interest in understanding arc-jet flows. Part of this renewed interest is concerned with improving the understanding of arc-jet test results and the potential use of available computational-fluid- dynamic (CFD) codes to aid in this effort. These CFD codes have been extensively developed and tested for application to nonequilibrium, hypersonic flow modeling. It is envisioned, perhaps naively, that the application of these CFD codes to the simulation of arc-jet flows would serve two purposes: first. the codes would help to characterize the nonequilibrium nature of the arc-jet flows; and second. arc-jet experiments could potentially be used to validate the flow models. These two objectives are, to some extent, mutually exclusive. However, the purpose of the present discussion is to address what role CFD codes can play in the current arc-jet flow characterization effort, and whether or not the simulation of arc-jet facility tests can be used to eva1uate some of the modeling that is used to formu1ate these codes. This presentation is organized into several sections. In the introductory section, the development of large-scale, constricted-arc test facilities within NASA is reviewed, and the current state of flow diagnostics using conventional instrumentation is summarized. The motivation for using CFD to simulate arc-jet flows is addressed in the next section, and the basic requirements for CFD models that would be used for these simulations are briefly discussed. This section is followed by a more detailed description of experimental measurements that are needed to initiate credible simulations and to evaluate their fidelity in the different flow regions of an arc-jet facility. Observations from a recent combined computational and experiment.al investigation of shock-layer flows in a large-scale arc-jet facility are then used to illustrate the current state of development of diagnostic instrumentation, CFD simulations, and general knowledge in the field of arc-jet characterization. Finally, the main points are summarized and recommendations for future efforts are given.

Shopping for Courses on the Mall.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gallagher, John C.

1980-01-01

Describes an extension program conducted by Suffolk County Community College, New York, at an area shopping mall. Discusses program offerings, including a series of general interest lectures, regular credit courses, and a set of noncredit minicourses for mall employees. Examines the public relations value of the extension efforts. (JP)

Assessing the stretch-blow moulding FE simulation of PET over a large process window

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nixon, J.; Menary, G. H.; Yan, S.

2017-10-01

Injection stretch blow moulding has been extensively researched for numerous years and is a well-established method of forming thin-walled containers. This paper is concerned with validating the finite element analysis of the stretch-blow-moulding (SBM) process in an effort to progress the development of injection stretch blow moulding of poly(ethylene terephthalate). Extensive data was obtained experimentally over a wide process window accounting for material temperature, air flow rate and stretch-rod speed while capturing cavity pressure, stretch-rod reaction force, in-mould contact timing and material thickness distribution. This data was then used to assess the accuracy of the correlating FE simulation constructed using ABAQUS/Explicit solver and an appropriate user-defined viscoelastic material subroutine. Results reveal that the simulation was able to pick up the general trends of how the pressure, reaction force and in-mould contact timings vary with the variation in preform temperature and air flow rate. Trends in material thickness were also accurately predicted over the length of the bottle relative to the process conditions. The knowledge gained from these analyses provides insight into the mechanisms of bottle formation, subsequently improving the blow moulding simulation and potentially providing a reduction in production costs.

Exact analytic solutions for a global equation of plant cell growth.

PubMed

Pietruszka, Mariusz

2010-05-21

A generalization of the Lockhart equation for plant cell expansion in isotropic case is presented. The goal is to account for the temporal variation in the wall mechanical properties--in this case by making the wall extensibility a time dependent parameter. We introduce a time-differential equation describing the plant growth process with some key biophysical aspects considered. The aim of this work was to improve prior modeling efforts by taking into account the dynamic character of the plant cell wall with characteristics reminiscent of damped (aperiodic) motion. The equations selected to encapsulate the time evolution of the wall extensibility offer a new insight into the control of cell wall expansion. We find that the solutions to the time dependent second order differential equation reproduce much of the known experimental data for long- and short-time scales. Additionally, in order to support the biomechanical approach, a new growth equation based on the action of expansin proteins is proposed. Remarkably, both methods independently converge to the same kind, sigmoid-shaped, growth description functional V(t) proportional, exp(-exp(-t)), properly describing the volumetric growth and, consequently, growth rate as its time derivative. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aberration hubs in protein interaction networks highlight actionable targets in cancer.

PubMed

Karimzadeh, Mehran; Jandaghi, Pouria; Papadakis, Andreas I; Trainor, Sebastian; Rung, Johan; Gonzàlez-Porta, Mar; Scelo, Ghislaine; Vasudev, Naveen S; Brazma, Alvis; Huang, Sidong; Banks, Rosamonde E; Lathrop, Mark; Najafabadi, Hamed S; Riazalhosseini, Yasser

2018-05-18

Despite efforts for extensive molecular characterization of cancer patients, such as the international cancer genome consortium (ICGC) and the cancer genome atlas (TCGA), the heterogeneous nature of cancer and our limited knowledge of the contextual function of proteins have complicated the identification of targetable genes. Here, we present Aberration Hub Analysis for Cancer (AbHAC) as a novel integrative approach to pinpoint aberration hubs, i.e. individual proteins that interact extensively with genes that show aberrant mutation or expression. Our analysis of the breast cancer data of the TCGA and the renal cancer data from the ICGC shows that aberration hubs are involved in relevant cancer pathways, including factors promoting cell cycle and DNA replication in basal-like breast tumors, and Src kinase and VEGF signaling in renal carcinoma. Moreover, our analysis uncovers novel functionally relevant and actionable targets, among which we have experimentally validated abnormal splicing of spleen tyrosine kinase as a key factor for cell proliferation in renal cancer. Thus, AbHAC provides an effective strategy to uncover novel disease factors that are only identifiable by examining mutational and expression data in the context of biological networks.

Heart rate variability reflects self-regulatory strength, effort, and fatigue.

PubMed

Segerstrom, Suzanne C; Nes, Lise Solberg

2007-03-01

Experimental research reliably demonstrates that self-regulatory deficits are a consequence of prior self-regulatory effort. However, in naturalistic settings, although people know that they are sometimes vulnerable to saying, eating, or doing the wrong thing, they cannot accurately gauge their capacity to self-regulate at any given time. Because self-regulation and autonomic regulation colocalize in the brain, an autonomic measure, heart rate variability (HRV), could provide an index of self-regulatory strength and activity. During an experimental manipulation of self-regulation (eating carrots or cookies), HRV was elevated during high self-regulatory effort (eat carrots, resist cookies) compared with low self-regulatory effort (eat cookies, resist carrots). The experimental manipulation and higher HRV at baseline independently predicted persistence at a subsequent anagram task. HRV appears to index self-regulatory strength and effort, making it possible to study these phenomena in the field as well as the lab.

Rocket Engine Turbine Blade Surface Pressure Distributions Experiment and Computations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hudson, Susan T.; Zoladz, Thomas F.; Dorney, Daniel J.; Turner, James (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Understanding the unsteady aspects of turbine rotor flow fields is critical to successful future turbine designs. A technology program was conducted at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to increase the understanding of unsteady environments for rocket engine turbines. The experimental program involved instrumenting turbine rotor blades with miniature surface mounted high frequency response pressure transducers. The turbine model was then tested to measure the unsteady pressures on the rotor blades. The data obtained from the experimental program is unique in two respects. First, much more unsteady data was obtained (several minutes per set point) than has been possible in the past. Also, an extensive steady performance database existed for the turbine model. This allowed an evaluation of the effect of the on-blade instrumentation on the turbine's performance. A three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes analysis was also used to blindly predict the unsteady flow field in the turbine at the design operating conditions and at +15 degrees relative incidence to the first-stage rotor. The predicted time-averaged and unsteady pressure distributions show good agreement with the experimental data. This unique data set, the lessons learned for acquiring this type of data, and the improvements made to the data analysis and prediction tools are contributing significantly to current Space Launch Initiative turbine airflow test and blade surface pressure prediction efforts.

Improving diffuse optical tomography with structural a priori from fluorescence diffuse optical tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Wenjuan; Gao, Feng; Duan, Linjing; Zhu, Qingzhen; Wang, Xin; Zhang, Wei; Wu, Linhui; Yi, Xi; Zhao, Huijuan

2012-03-01

We obtain absorption and scattering reconstructed images by incorporating a priori information of target location obtained from fluorescence diffuse optical tomography (FDOT) into the diffuse optical tomography (DOT). The main disadvantage of DOT lies in the low spatial resolution resulting from highly scattering nature of tissue in the near-infrared (NIR), but one can use it to monitor hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation simultaneously, as well as several other cheomphores such as water, lipids, and cytochrome-c-oxidase. Up to date, extensive effort has been made to integrate DOT with other imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, to obtain accurate optical property maps of the tissue. However, the experimental apparatus is intricate. In this study, DOT image reconstruction algorithm that incorporates a prior structural information provided by FDOT is investigated in an attempt to optimize recovery of a simulated optical property distribution. By use of a specifically designed multi-channel time-correlated single photon counting system, the proposed scheme in a transmission mode is experimentally validated to achieve simultaneous reconstruction of the fluorescent yield, lifetime, absorption and scattering coefficient. The experimental results demonstrate that the quantitative recovery of the tumor optical properties has doubled and the spatial resolution improves as well by applying the new improved method.

A Combustion Model for the TWA 800 Center-Wing Fuel Tank Explosion

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

Baer, M.R.; Gross, R.J.

1998-10-02

In support of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation of the TWA Flight 800 accident, a combined experimental/computational effort was conducted that focused on quarter-scale testing and simulation of the fuel-air explosion in the Boeing 747 center wing fuel tank. This report summarizes the modeling approach used at Sandia National Laboratories. In this approach approximations are introduced that capture the essential physics associated with turbulent flame propagation in multiple compartment fuel tanks. This model efficiently defines the pressure loading conditions during a jet-fuel air explosion in a fuel tank confinement. Modeling calculations compare favorably with a variety of experimental quarter-scalemore » tests conducted in rigid confinement. The modeling describes well the overpressure history in several geometry configurations. Upon demonstrating a reasonable comparison to experimental observations, a parametric study of eight possible ignition sources is then discussed. Model calculations demonstrate that different loading conditions arise as the location of the ignition event is varied. By comparing the inferred damage and calculated impulses to that seen in the recovered tank, it maybe possible to reduce the number of likely sources. A possible extension of this work to better define tank damage includes coupling the combustion model as a pressure loading routine for structural failure analysis.« less

A bioinformatics expert system linking functional data to anatomical outcomes in limb regeneration

PubMed Central

Lobo, Daniel; Feldman, Erica B.; Shah, Michelle; Malone, Taylor J.

2014-01-01

Abstract Amphibians and molting arthropods have the remarkable capacity to regenerate amputated limbs, as described by an extensive literature of experimental cuts, amputations, grafts, and molecular techniques. Despite a rich history of experimental effort, no comprehensive mechanistic model exists that can account for the pattern regulation observed in these experiments. While bioinformatics algorithms have revolutionized the study of signaling pathways, no such tools have heretofore been available to assist scientists in formulating testable models of large‐scale morphogenesis that match published data in the limb regeneration field. Major barriers to preventing an algorithmic approach are the lack of formal descriptions for experimental regenerative information and a repository to centralize storage and mining of functional data on limb regeneration. Establishing a new bioinformatics of shape would significantly accelerate the discovery of key insights into the mechanisms that implement complex regeneration. Here, we describe a novel mathematical ontology for limb regeneration to unambiguously encode phenotype, manipulation, and experiment data. Based on this formalism, we present the first centralized formal database of published limb regeneration experiments together with a user‐friendly expert system tool to facilitate its access and mining. These resources are freely available for the community and will assist both human biologists and artificial intelligence systems to discover testable, mechanistic models of limb regeneration. PMID:25729585

State-variable theories for nonelastic deformation

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

Li, C.Y.

The various concepts of mechanical equation of state for nonelastic deformation in crystalline solids, originally proposed for plastic deformation, have been recently extended to describe additional phenomena such as anelastic and microplastic deformation including the Bauschinger effect. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to predict, based on current state variables in a unified way, the mechanical response of a material under an arbitrary loading. Thus, if the evolution laws of the state variables are known, one can describe the behavior of a material for a thermal-mechanical path of interest, for example, during constant load (or stress) creep withoutmore » relying on specialized theories. Some of the existing theories of mechanical equation of state for nonelastic deformation are reviewed. The establishment of useful forms of mechanical equation of state has to depend on extensive experimentation in the same way as that involved in the development, for example, the ideal gas law. Recent experimental efforts are also reviewed. It has been possible to develop state-variable deformation models based on experimental findings and apply them to creep, cyclic deformation, and other time-dependent deformation. Attempts are being made to correlate the material parameters of the state-variable models with the microstructure of a material. 24 figures.« less

Tracking a Non-Cooperative Target Using Real-Time Stereovision-Based Control: An Experimental Study.

PubMed

Shtark, Tomer; Gurfil, Pini

2017-03-31

Tracking a non-cooperative target is a challenge, because in unfamiliar environments most targets are unknown and unspecified. Stereovision is suited to deal with this issue, because it allows to passively scan large areas and estimate the relative position, velocity and shape of objects. This research is an experimental effort aimed at developing, implementing and evaluating a real-time non-cooperative target tracking methods using stereovision measurements only. A computer-vision feature detection and matching algorithm was developed in order to identify and locate the target in the captured images. Three different filters were designed for estimating the relative position and velocity, and their performance was compared. A line-of-sight control algorithm was used for the purpose of keeping the target within the field-of-view. Extensive analytical and numerical investigations were conducted on the multi-view stereo projection equations and their solutions, which were used to initialize the different filters. This research shows, using an experimental and numerical evaluation, the benefits of using the unscented Kalman filter and the total least squares technique in the stereovision-based tracking problem. These findings offer a general and more accurate method for solving the static and dynamic stereovision triangulation problems and the concomitant line-of-sight control.

Tracking a Non-Cooperative Target Using Real-Time Stereovision-Based Control: An Experimental Study

PubMed Central

Shtark, Tomer; Gurfil, Pini

2017-01-01

Tracking a non-cooperative target is a challenge, because in unfamiliar environments most targets are unknown and unspecified. Stereovision is suited to deal with this issue, because it allows to passively scan large areas and estimate the relative position, velocity and shape of objects. This research is an experimental effort aimed at developing, implementing and evaluating a real-time non-cooperative target tracking methods using stereovision measurements only. A computer-vision feature detection and matching algorithm was developed in order to identify and locate the target in the captured images. Three different filters were designed for estimating the relative position and velocity, and their performance was compared. A line-of-sight control algorithm was used for the purpose of keeping the target within the field-of-view. Extensive analytical and numerical investigations were conducted on the multi-view stereo projection equations and their solutions, which were used to initialize the different filters. This research shows, using an experimental and numerical evaluation, the benefits of using the unscented Kalman filter and the total least squares technique in the stereovision-based tracking problem. These findings offer a general and more accurate method for solving the static and dynamic stereovision triangulation problems and the concomitant line-of-sight control. PMID:28362338

Feasibility study for a biomedical experimental facility based on LEIR at CERN.

PubMed

Abler, Daniel; Garonna, Adriano; Carli, Christian; Dosanjh, Manjit; Peach, Ken

2013-07-01

In light of the recent European developments in ion beam therapy, there is a strong interest from the biomedical research community to have more access to clinically relevant beams. Beamtime for pre-clinical studies is currently very limited and a new dedicated facility would allow extensive research into the radiobiological mechanisms of ion beam radiation and the development of more refined techniques of dosimetry and imaging. This basic research would support the current clinical efforts of the new treatment centres in Europe (for example HIT, CNAO and MedAustron). This paper presents first investigations on the feasibility of an experimental biomedical facility based on the CERN Low Energy Ion Ring LEIR accelerator. Such a new facility could provide beams of light ions (from protons to neon ions) in a collaborative and cost-effective way, since it would rely partly on CERN's competences and infrastructure. The main technical challenges linked to the implementation of a slow extraction scheme for LEIR and to the design of the experimental beamlines are described and first solutions presented. These include introducing new extraction septa into one of the straight sections of the synchrotron, changing the power supply configuration of the magnets, and designing a new horizontal beamline suitable for clinical beam energies, and a low-energy vertical beamline for particular radiobiological experiments.

Feasibility study for a biomedical experimental facility based on LEIR at CERN

PubMed Central

Abler, Daniel; Garonna, Adriano; Carli, Christian; Dosanjh, Manjit; Peach, Ken

2013-01-01

In light of the recent European developments in ion beam therapy, there is a strong interest from the biomedical research community to have more access to clinically relevant beams. Beamtime for pre-clinical studies is currently very limited and a new dedicated facility would allow extensive research into the radiobiological mechanisms of ion beam radiation and the development of more refined techniques of dosimetry and imaging. This basic research would support the current clinical efforts of the new treatment centres in Europe (for example HIT, CNAO and MedAustron). This paper presents first investigations on the feasibility of an experimental biomedical facility based on the CERN Low Energy Ion Ring LEIR accelerator. Such a new facility could provide beams of light ions (from protons to neon ions) in a collaborative and cost-effective way, since it would rely partly on CERN's competences and infrastructure. The main technical challenges linked to the implementation of a slow extraction scheme for LEIR and to the design of the experimental beamlines are described and first solutions presented. These include introducing new extraction septa into one of the straight sections of the synchrotron, changing the power supply configuration of the magnets, and designing a new horizontal beamline suitable for clinical beam energies, and a low-energy vertical beamline for particular radiobiological experiments. PMID:23824122

Often Difficult--But Worth It. Collaboration among Professionals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Joyce A.

1988-01-01

A joint effort between the Minnesota Extension Service and University of Minnesota School of Medicine produced a community-based research and educational program on stress, depression, and suicide prevention. The Teens in Distress program represents a successful collaborative effort and illustrates the potential problems when Extension…

Perception of Muscular Effort During Dynamic Elbow Extension in Multiple Sclerosis.

PubMed

Heller, Mario; Retzl, Irene; Kiselka, Anita; Greisberger, Andrea

2016-02-01

To investigate the perception of muscular effort in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls during dynamic contractions. Case-control study. MS day care center. Individuals with MS (n=28) and controls (n=28) (N=56). Not applicable. Perceived muscular effort during dynamic elbow extensions was rated at 9 different weight intensities (10%-90% of 1-repetition maximum) in a single-blind, randomized order using the OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale. Muscle activity of the triceps brachii muscle (lateral head) was measured via surface electromyography and normalized to maximal voluntary excitation. According to OMNI-level ratings, significant main effects were found for the diagnostic condition (F=27.33, P<.001, η(2)=.11), indicating 0.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-1.1) lower mean OMNI-level ratings for MS, and for the intensity level (F=46.81, P<.001, η(2)=.46), showing increased OMNI-level ratings for increased intensity levels for both groups. Furthermore, significant main effects were found for the diagnostic condition (F=16.52, P<.001, η(2)=.07), indicating 7.1% (95% CI, -8.6 to 22.8) higher maximal voluntary excitation values for MS, and for the intensity level (F=33.09, P<.001, η(2)=.36), showing higher relative muscle activities for increasing intensity levels in both groups. Similar to controls, individuals with MS were able to differentiate between different intensities of weight during dynamic elbow extensions when provided in a single-blind, randomized order. Therefore, perceived muscular effort might be considered to control resistance training intensities in individuals with MS. However, training intensity for individuals with MS should be chosen at approximately 1 OMNI level lower than recommended, at least for dynamic elbow extension exercises. Copyright © 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Behavioral Assessment of Listening Effort Using a Dual-Task Paradigm.

PubMed

Gagné, Jean-Pierre; Besser, Jana; Lemke, Ulrike

2017-01-01

Published investigations ( n = 29) in which a dual-task experimental paradigm was employed to measure listening effort during speech understanding in younger and older adults were reviewed. A summary of the main findings reported in the articles is provided with respect to the participants' age-group and hearing status. Effects of different signal characteristics, such as the test modality, on dual-task outcomes are evaluated, and associations with cognitive abilities and self-report measures of listening effort are described. Then, several procedural issues associated with the use of dual-task experiment paradigms are discussed. Finally, some issues that warrant future research are addressed. The review revealed large variability in the dual-task experimental paradigms that have been used to measure the listening effort expended during speech understanding. The differences in experimental procedures used across studies make it difficult to draw firm conclusions concerning the optimal choice of dual-task paradigm or the sensitivity of specific paradigms to different types of experimental manipulations. In general, the analysis confirmed that dual-task paradigms have been used successfully to measure differences in effort under different experimental conditions, in both younger and older adults. Several research questions that warrant further investigation in order to better understand and characterize the intricacies of dual-task paradigms were identified.

Behavioral Assessment of Listening Effort Using a Dual-Task Paradigm

PubMed Central

Besser, Jana; Lemke, Ulrike

2017-01-01

Published investigations (n = 29) in which a dual-task experimental paradigm was employed to measure listening effort during speech understanding in younger and older adults were reviewed. A summary of the main findings reported in the articles is provided with respect to the participants’ age-group and hearing status. Effects of different signal characteristics, such as the test modality, on dual-task outcomes are evaluated, and associations with cognitive abilities and self-report measures of listening effort are described. Then, several procedural issues associated with the use of dual-task experiment paradigms are discussed. Finally, some issues that warrant future research are addressed. The review revealed large variability in the dual-task experimental paradigms that have been used to measure the listening effort expended during speech understanding. The differences in experimental procedures used across studies make it difficult to draw firm conclusions concerning the optimal choice of dual-task paradigm or the sensitivity of specific paradigms to different types of experimental manipulations. In general, the analysis confirmed that dual-task paradigms have been used successfully to measure differences in effort under different experimental conditions, in both younger and older adults. Several research questions that warrant further investigation in order to better understand and characterize the intricacies of dual-task paradigms were identified. PMID:28091178

Validated Predictions of Metabolic Energy Consumption for Submaximal Effort Movement

PubMed Central

Tsianos, George A.; MacFadden, Lisa N.

2016-01-01

Physical performance emerges from complex interactions among many physiological systems that are largely driven by the metabolic energy demanded. Quantifying metabolic demand is an essential step for revealing the many mechanisms of physical performance decrement, but accurate predictive models do not exist. The goal of this study was to investigate if a recently developed model of muscle energetics and force could be extended to reproduce the kinematics, kinetics, and metabolic demand of submaximal effort movement. Upright dynamic knee extension against various levels of ergometer load was simulated. Task energetics were estimated by combining the model of muscle contraction with validated models of lower limb musculotendon paths and segment dynamics. A genetic algorithm was used to compute the muscle excitations that reproduced the movement with the lowest energetic cost, which was determined to be an appropriate criterion for this task. Model predictions of oxygen uptake rate (VO2) were well within experimental variability for the range over which the model parameters were confidently known. The model's accurate estimates of metabolic demand make it useful for assessing the likelihood and severity of physical performance decrement for a given task as well as investigating underlying physiologic mechanisms. PMID:27248429

Non-Gaussian Distribution of DNA Barcode Extension In Nanochannels Using High-throughput Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheats, Julian; Reinhart, Wesley; Reifenberger, Jeff; Gupta, Damini; Muralidhar, Abhiram; Cao, Han; Dorfman, Kevin

2015-03-01

We present experimental data for the extension of internal segments of highly confined DNA using a high-­throughput experimental setup. Barcode­-labeled E. coli genomic DNA molecules were imaged at a high areal density in square nanochannels with sizes ranging from 40 nm to 51 nm in width. Over 25,000 molecules were used to obtain more than 1,000,000 measurements for genomic distances between 2,500 bp and 100,000 bp. The distribution of extensions has positive excess kurtosis and is skew­ left due to weak backfolding in the channel. As a result, the two Odijk theories for the chain extension and variance bracket the experimental data. We compared to predictions of a harmonic approximation for the confinement free energy and show that it produces a substantial error in the variance. These results suggest an inherent error associated with any statistical analysis of barcoded DNA that relies on harmonic models for chain extension. Present address: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University.

75 FR 51487 - Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation; Proposed Extension of Information Collection...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-20

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of Workers' Compensation Programs Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation; Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a...

Informing Extension Program Development through Audience Segmentation: Targeting High Water Users

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Pei-wen; Lamm, Alexa J.; Dukes, Michael D.

2016-01-01

Human reliance on water has led to water issues globally. Although extension professionals have made efforts successfully to educate the general public about water conservation to enhance water resource sustainability, difficulty has been found in reaching high water users, defined as residents irrigating excessively to their landscape irrigation…

75 FR 32971 - Comment Request for Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension of a Currently Approved...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-10

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Comment Request for Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension of a..., Department of Labor. ACTION: 60-day notice of information collection under review: Form ETA- 9033...-0309. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and...

Emergency Food Programs: Untapped Opportunities for Extension?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mobley, Amy R.

2012-01-01

This article reports results from a questionnaire that assessed the frequency and type of nutrition questions asked at emergency food programs to determine if Extension professionals need to increase direct outreach efforts. Emergency food program workers (n = 460) were recruited via mail to complete a self-administered survey. More than one-third…

Untied Efforts: The Challenges for Improved Research, Extension and Education Linkages

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eneyew, Adugna

2013-01-01

Ethiopian agriculture is characterized by smallholders farming whose access to modern technology and basic education is very limited. Research, extension, education and farmers are the main pillars of agricultural knowledge systems and their effectiveness largely depends on strong linkage among each other. However, the existing…

Developing a Successful Asynchronous Online Extension Program for Forest Landowners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zobrist, Kevin W.

2014-01-01

Asynchronous online Extension classes can reach a wide audience, is convenient for the learner, and minimizes ongoing demands on instructor time. However, producing such classes takes significant effort up front. Advance planning and good communication with contributors are essential to success. Considerations include delivery platforms, content…

76 FR 33766 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Extension...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-09

... DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration on Aging Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Extension of Certification of Maintenance of Effort for the Title III and Minor Revisions to the Certification of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program...

Economic Concepts Guiding Minnesota Extension's New Regional and County Delivery Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morse, George W.; Klein, Thomas K.

2006-01-01

In response to a state budget deficit, the University of Minnesota Extension restructured its field staff, establishing a new regional and county delivery system, shifting all supervision of field staff to campus faculty, and encouraging greater field staff specialization, program focus, and entrepreneurial efforts. Nine economic concepts and…

Thermal-hydraulic posttest analysis for the ANL/MCTF 360/sup 0/ model heat-exchanger water test under mixed convection. [LMFBR

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

Yang, C.I.; Sha, W.T.; Kasza, K.E.

As a result of the uncertainties in the understanding of the influence of thermal-buoyancy effects on the flow and heat transfer in Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor heat exchangers and steam generators under off-normal operating conditions, an extensive experimental program is being conducted at Argonne National Laboratory to eliminate these uncertainties. Concurrently, a parallel analytical effort is also being pursued to develop a three-dimensional transient computer code (COMMIX-IHX) to study and predict heat exchanger performance under mixed, forced, and free convection conditions. This paper presents computational results from a heat exchanger simulation and compares them with the results from amore » test case exhibiting strong thermal buoyancy effects. Favorable agreement between experiment and code prediction is obtained.« less

Graphene Mechanics: Current Status and Perspectives.

PubMed

Galiotis, Costas; Frank, Otakar; Koukaras, Emmanuel N; Sfyris, Dimitris

2015-01-01

The mechanical properties of 2D materials such as monolayer graphene are of extreme importance for several potential applications. We summarize the experimental and theoretical results to date on mechanical loading of freely suspended or fully supported graphene. We assess the obtained axial properties of the material in tension and compression and comment on the methods used for deriving the various reported values. We also report on past and current efforts to define the elastic constants of graphene in a 3D representation. Current areas of research that are concerned with the effect of production method and/or the presence of defects upon the mechanical integrity of graphene are also covered. Finally, we examine extensively the work related to the effect of graphene deformation upon its electronic properties and the possibility of employing strained graphene in future electronic applications.

Novel Hybrid Adaptive Controller for Manipulation in Complex Perturbation Environments

PubMed Central

Smith, Alex M. C.; Yang, Chenguang; Ma, Hongbin; Culverhouse, Phil; Cangelosi, Angelo; Burdet, Etienne

2015-01-01

In this paper we present a hybrid control scheme, combining the advantages of task-space and joint-space control. The controller is based on a human-like adaptive design, which minimises both control effort and tracking error. Our novel hybrid adaptive controller has been tested in extensive simulations, in a scenario where a Baxter robot manipulator is affected by external disturbances in the form of interaction with the environment and tool-like end-effector perturbations. The results demonstrated improved performance in the hybrid controller over both of its component parts. In addition, we introduce a novel method for online adaptation of learning parameters, using the fuzzy control formalism to utilise expert knowledge from the experimenter. This mechanism of meta-learning induces further improvement in performance and avoids the need for tuning through trial testing. PMID:26029916

Computational Tools for Metabolic Engineering

PubMed Central

Copeland, Wilbert B.; Bartley, Bryan A.; Chandran, Deepak; Galdzicki, Michal; Kim, Kyung H.; Sleight, Sean C.; Maranas, Costas D.; Sauro, Herbert M.

2012-01-01

A great variety of software applications are now employed in the metabolic engineering field. These applications have been created to support a wide range of experimental and analysis techniques. Computational tools are utilized throughout the metabolic engineering workflow to extract and interpret relevant information from large data sets, to present complex models in a more manageable form, and to propose efficient network design strategies. In this review, we present a number of tools that can assist in modifying and understanding cellular metabolic networks. The review covers seven areas of relevance to metabolic engineers. These include metabolic reconstruction efforts, network visualization, nucleic acid and protein engineering, metabolic flux analysis, pathway prospecting, post-structural network analysis and culture optimization. The list of available tools is extensive and we can only highlight a small, representative portion of the tools from each area. PMID:22629572

A coactive interdisciplinary research program with NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rouse, J. W., Jr.

1972-01-01

The applications area of the Texas A&M University remote sensing program consists of a series of coactive projects with NASA/MSC personnel. In each case, the Remote Sensing Center has served to complement and enhance the research capability within the Manned Spacecraft Center. In addition to the applications study area, the Texas A&M University program includes coordinated projects in sensors and data analysis. Under the sensors area, an extensive experimental study of microwave radiometry for soil moisture determination established the effect of soil moisture on the measured brightness temperature for several different soil types. The data analysis area included a project which ERTS-A and Skylab data were simulated using aircraft multispectral scanner measurements at two altitudes. This effort resulted in development of a library of computer programs which provides an operational capability in classification analysis of multispectral data.

Tandem Cylinder Noise Predictions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lockard, David P.; Khorrami, Mehdi R.; CHoudhari, Meelan M.; Hutcheson, Florence V.; Brooks, Thomas F.; Stead, Daniel J.

2007-01-01

In an effort to better understand landing-gear noise sources, we have been examining a simplified configuration that still maintains some of the salient features of landing-gear flow fields. In particular, tandem cylinders have been studied because they model a variety of component level interactions. The present effort is directed at the case of two identical cylinders spatially separated in the streamwise direction by 3.7 diameters. Experimental measurements from the Basic Aerodynamic Research Tunnel (BART) and Quiet Flow Facility (QFF) at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) have provided steady surface pressures, detailed off-surface measurements of the flow field using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), hot-wire measurements in the wake of the rear cylinder, unsteady surface pressure data, and the radiated noise. The experiments were conducted at a Reynolds number of 166 105 based on the cylinder diameter. A trip was used on the upstream cylinder to insure a fully turbulent shedding process and simulate the effects of a high Reynolds number flow. The parallel computational effort uses the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver CFL3D with a hybrid, zonal turbulence model that turns off the turbulence production term everywhere except in a narrow ring surrounding solid surfaces. The current calculations further explore the influence of the grid resolution and spanwise extent on the flow and associated radiated noise. Extensive comparisons with the experimental data are used to assess the ability of the computations to simulate the details of the flow. The results show that the pressure fluctuations on the upstream cylinder, caused by vortex shedding, are smaller than those generated on the downstream cylinder by wake interaction. Consequently, the downstream cylinder dominates the noise radiation, producing an overall directivity pattern that is similar to that of an isolated cylinder. Only calculations based on the full length of the model span were able to capture the complete decay in the spanwise correlation, thereby producing reasonable noise radiation levels.

Pest management in traditional maize stores in West Africa: a farmer's perspective.

PubMed

Meikle, W G; Markham, R H; Nansen, C; Holst, N; Degbey, P; Azoma, K; Korie, S

2002-10-01

Farmers in the Republic of Benin have few resources to invest in protection of stored maize, and prophylactic pesticide application is often recommended by extension and development agencies. Neither the efficacy nor profitability of such an application in traditional maize storage facilities has been addressed quantitatively. In this study, existing management options for stored maize were evaluated monthly over 6 mo in central and southern Benin with respect to their effects on grain injury and on densities of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky. P. truncatus infested 54% of the experimental stores in the study even though Teretrius nigrescens (Lewis), a natural enemy introduced against P. truncatus, was well established in the region. S. zeamais was the most common pest, found in 85% of the experimental storage facilities. Prophylactically treated maize was, on average, worth more than untreated maize for month 1 through 5 in southern Benin, after taking into account market price, pesticide costs, percentage grain damage and weight loss, but maize storage was not profitable overall. No difference was observed between treatments in central Benin. After 6 mo treated storage facilities were not significantly different from untreated storage facilities in terms of either percentage damage or profit in either region. A rapid scouting plan intended to provide farmers with a means for identifying storage facilities at greatest risk of severe P. truncatus infestation was field validated. Given that unsafe pesticide use is prevalent in Benin, research and extension services should clearly state the limitations to prophylactic treatment and increase the effort to educate farmers on appropriate pesticide use, store monitoring and marketing.

Extensive Training Is Insufficient to Produce The Work-Ethic Effect In Pigeons

PubMed Central

Vasconcelos, Marco; Urcuioli, Peter J

2009-01-01

Zentall and Singer (2007a) hypothesized that our failure to replicate the work-ethic effect in pigeons (Vasconcelos, Urcuioli, & Lionello-DeNolf, 2007) was due to insufficient overtraining following acquisition of the high- and low-effort discriminations. We tested this hypothesis using the original work-ethic procedure (Experiment 1) and one similar to that used with starlings (Experiment 2) by providing at least 60 overtraining sessions. Despite this extensive overtraining, neither experiment revealed a significant preference for stimuli obtained after high effort. Together with other findings, these data support our contention that pigeons do not reliably show a work-ethic effect. PMID:19230517

Reconstruction and Validation of a Genome-Scale Metabolic Model for the Filamentous Fungus Neurospora crassa Using FARM

PubMed Central

Hood, Heather M.; Ocasio, Linda R.; Sachs, Matthew S.; Galagan, James E.

2013-01-01

The filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa played a central role in the development of twentieth-century genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology, and continues to serve as a model organism for eukaryotic biology. Here, we have reconstructed a genome-scale model of its metabolism. This model consists of 836 metabolic genes, 257 pathways, 6 cellular compartments, and is supported by extensive manual curation of 491 literature citations. To aid our reconstruction, we developed three optimization-based algorithms, which together comprise Fast Automated Reconstruction of Metabolism (FARM). These algorithms are: LInear MEtabolite Dilution Flux Balance Analysis (limed-FBA), which predicts flux while linearly accounting for metabolite dilution; One-step functional Pruning (OnePrune), which removes blocked reactions with a single compact linear program; and Consistent Reproduction Of growth/no-growth Phenotype (CROP), which reconciles differences between in silico and experimental gene essentiality faster than previous approaches. Against an independent test set of more than 300 essential/non-essential genes that were not used to train the model, the model displays 93% sensitivity and specificity. We also used the model to simulate the biochemical genetics experiments originally performed on Neurospora by comprehensively predicting nutrient rescue of essential genes and synthetic lethal interactions, and we provide detailed pathway-based mechanistic explanations of our predictions. Our model provides a reliable computational framework for the integration and interpretation of ongoing experimental efforts in Neurospora, and we anticipate that our methods will substantially reduce the manual effort required to develop high-quality genome-scale metabolic models for other organisms. PMID:23935467

Minimizing Dispersion in FDTD Methods with CFL Limit Extension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Chen

The CFL extension in FDTD methods is receiving considerable attention in order to reduce the computational effort and save the simulation time. One of the major issues in the CFL extension methods is the increased dispersion. We formulate a decomposition of FDTD equations to study the behaviour of the dispersion. A compensation scheme to reduce the dispersion in CFL extension is constructed and proposed. We further study the CFL extension in a FDTD subgridding case, where we improve the accuracy by acting only on the FDTD equations of the fine grid. Numerical results confirm the efficiency of the proposed method for minimising dispersion.

Reduced firing rates of high threshold motor units in response to eccentric overload.

PubMed

Balshaw, Tom G; Pahar, Madhu; Chesham, Ross; Macgregor, Lewis J; Hunter, Angus M

2017-01-01

Acute responses of motor units were investigated during submaximal voluntary isometric tasks following eccentric overload (EO) and constant load (CL) knee extension resistance exercise. Ten healthy resistance-trained participants performed four experimental test sessions separated by 5 days over a 20 day period. Two sessions involved constant load and the other two used eccentric overload. EO and CL used both sessions for different target knee eccentric extension phases; one at 2 sec and the other at 4 sec. Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and isometric trapezoid efforts for 10 sec at 70% MVC were completed before and after each intervention and decomposed electromyography was used to measure motor unit firing rate. The firing rate of later recruited, high-threshold motor units declined following the 2-sec EO but was maintained following 2sec CL (P < 0.05), whereas MUFR for all motor units were maintained for both loading types following 4-sec extension phases. MVC and rate of force development where maintained following both EO and CL and 2 and 4 sec phases. This study demonstrates a slower firing rate of high-threshold motor units following fast eccentric overload while MVC was maintained. This suggests that there was a neuromuscular stimulus without cost to the force-generating capacity of the knee extensors. © 2017 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.

Building Extension Partnerships with Government to Further Water Conservation Efforts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McKee, Brandon; Huang, Pei-wen; Lamm, Alexa

2017-01-01

Extension, being a local, state and federally funded program has a natural partnership with government agencies at all three levels, however these partnerships could be built upon and targeted at specific audiences for greater effect if more is known about how government influences public perception. The government has recognized the need for…

What Extension Professionals Say about Teaching Health Insurance: Results from a Nationwide Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Virginia; Koonce, Joan C.; Martin, Ken; Kiss, Elizabeth; Katras, Mary Jo; Wise, Dena

2017-01-01

The Extension Committees on Organization and Policy adopted a new Health and Wellness Framework with six priority areas. A health insurance literacy team was appointed to assess current system efforts and develop research, programs, and professional development opportunities. Survey results show that finance educators were the most likely…

Fundamental Dimensions and Essential Elements of Exemplary Local Extension Units

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Terry, Bryan D.; Osborne, Edward

2015-01-01

Collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local government agencies enable local Extension units to deliver a high level of educational opportunities to local citizens. These units represent land-grant institutions by delivering non-formal education that aim to address local, regional, and state concerns. The purpose of this study was to…

Enhancing Extension and Research Activities through the Use of Web GIS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Estwick, Noel M.; Griffin, Richard W.; James, Annette A.; Roberson, Samuel G.

2016-01-01

There have been numerous efforts aimed at improving geographic literacy in order to address societal challenges. Extension educators can use geographic information system (GIS) technology to help their clients cultivate spatial thinking skills and solve problems. Researchers can use it to model relationships and better answer questions. A program…

Dare To Be You: A Diversion Program for First Time Juvenile Offenders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vail, Ann; Nest, Judy

This document notes that community-based organizations such as the Cooperative Extension Service have joined the efforts to reduce juvenile delinquency through juvenile diversion programs. It then describes the "Dare to be You" program that was developed by the Colorado Cooperative Extension System. The six objectives of the program delineated in…

Extension Newsletters and Individual Counseling: Equally Effective in Changing Worksite Wellness Participants Dietary Intakes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chipman, Kristi; Litchfield, Ruth

2012-01-01

The Affordable Care Act provides impetus for Extension efforts in worksite wellness. The study reported here examined the influence of two worksite wellness interventions, newsletters and individual counseling. Surveys examined dietary and physical activity behaviors of participants pre- and post-intervention (N = 157). Descriptive statistics,…

Missouri Extension Provides Tax Assistance to Rural Families

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huston, Sandra J.; Procter, Brenda

2006-01-01

Financial education is one pathway to improving the human condition. Family financial educators in University Extension programs lead in their efforts to provide individuals and families with the skills they need to manage their financial resources effectively. Offering these opportunities at a time when families have money to manage is a key…

Applying Coaching Strategies to Support Youth- and Family-Focused Extension Programming

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olson, Jonathan R.; Hawkey, Kyle R.; Smith, Burgess; Perkins, Daniel F.; Borden, Lynne M.

2016-01-01

In this article, we describe how a peer-coaching model has been applied to support community-based Extension programming through the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) initiative. We describe the general approaches to coaching that have been used to help with CYFAR program implementation, evaluation, and sustainability efforts; we…

Reproducible model development in the cardiac electrophysiology Web Lab.

PubMed

Daly, Aidan C; Clerx, Michael; Beattie, Kylie A; Cooper, Jonathan; Gavaghan, David J; Mirams, Gary R

2018-05-26

The modelling of the electrophysiology of cardiac cells is one of the most mature areas of systems biology. This extended concentration of research effort brings with it new challenges, foremost among which is that of choosing which of these models is most suitable for addressing a particular scientific question. In a previous paper, we presented our initial work in developing an online resource for the characterisation and comparison of electrophysiological cell models in a wide range of experimental scenarios. In that work, we described how we had developed a novel protocol language that allowed us to separate the details of the mathematical model (the majority of cardiac cell models take the form of ordinary differential equations) from the experimental protocol being simulated. We developed a fully-open online repository (which we termed the Cardiac Electrophysiology Web Lab) which allows users to store and compare the results of applying the same experimental protocol to competing models. In the current paper we describe the most recent and planned extensions of this work, focused on supporting the process of model building from experimental data. We outline the necessary work to develop a machine-readable language to describe the process of inferring parameters from wet lab datasets, and illustrate our approach through a detailed example of fitting a model of the hERG channel using experimental data. We conclude by discussing the future challenges in making further progress in this domain towards our goal of facilitating a fully reproducible approach to the development of cardiac cell models. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

A survey to determine the impact of changes in specifications and construction practices on the performance of concrete in bridge decks.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1974-01-01

In response to its own research and observations in the early 1960's the Virginia Department of Highways mounted an intensive and extensive effort to improve the performance of concrete in bridge decks. Major elements of this effort included (1) a tr...

Derrida's Right to Philosophy, Then and Now

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Willinsky, John

2009-01-01

In this essay, a tribute to Jacques Derrida's educational efforts at expanding access to current work in philosophy, John Willinsky examines his efforts as both a public right and an element of academic freedom that bear on the open access movement today. Willinsky covers Derrida's extension and outreach work with the Groupe de Recherches pour…

Innovative and Coordinated Solutions for the Hardwood Industry: The Hardwood Utilization Consortium

Treesearch

Philip A. Araman; Cynthia West

1996-01-01

Many varied efforts have been underway to help the hardwood industry make more effective and efficient use of the hardwood resource while meeting market needs. The efforts range from training, extension, utilization and marketing research and development, to educational activities. The activities are disjointed and unorganized and individually struggling to maintain...

Collaborative Professional Learning through Lesson Study: Identifying the Challenges of Inquiry-Based Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gutierez, Sally Baricaua

2015-01-01

In the Philippines, inquiry-based teaching has been promoted and implemented together with recently instigated curriculum reforms. Serious teacher professional development efforts are being used extensively to properly orient and present the benefits of inquirybased teaching. Despite these efforts, there still exists a big gap in the effective…

Experimentally assessing molecular dynamics sampling of the protein native state conformational distribution

PubMed Central

Hernández, Griselda; Anderson, Janet S.; LeMaster, David M.

2012-01-01

The acute sensitivity to conformation exhibited by amide hydrogen exchange reactivity provides a valuable test for the physical accuracy of model ensembles developed to represent the Boltzmann distribution of the protein native state. A number of molecular dynamics studies of ubiquitin have predicted a well-populated transition in the tight turn immediately preceding the primary site of proteasome-directed polyubiquitylation Lys 48. Amide exchange reactivity analysis demonstrates that this transition is 103-fold rarer than these predictions. More strikingly, for the most populated novel conformational basin predicted from a recent 1 ms MD simulation of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (at 13% of total), experimental hydrogen exchange data indicates a population below 10−6. The most sophisticated efforts to directly incorporate experimental constraints into the derivation of model protein ensembles have been applied to ubiquitin, as illustrated by three recently deposited studies (PDB codes 2NR2, 2K39 and 2KOX). Utilizing the extensive set of experimental NOE constraints, each of these three ensembles yields a modestly more accurate prediction of the exchange rates for the highly exposed amides than does a standard unconstrained molecular simulation. However, for the less frequently exposed amide hydrogens, the 2NR2 ensemble offers no improvement in rate predictions as compared to the unconstrained MD ensemble. The other two NMR-constrained ensembles performed markedly worse, either underestimating (2KOX) or overestimating (2K39) the extent of conformational diversity. PMID:22425325

Computational/experimental studies of isolated, single component droplet combustion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dryer, Frederick L.

1993-01-01

Isolated droplet combustion processes have been the subject of extensive experimental and theoretical investigations for nearly 40 years. The gross features of droplet burning are qualitatively embodied by simple theories and are relatively well understood. However, there remain significant aspects of droplet burning, particularly its dynamics, for which additional basic knowledge is needed for thorough interpretations and quantitative explanations of transient phenomena. Spherically-symmetric droplet combustion, which can only be approximated under conditions of both low Reynolds and Grashof numbers, represents the simplest geometrical configuration in which to study the coupled chemical/transport processes inherent within non-premixed flames. The research summarized here, concerns recent results on isolated, single component, droplet combustion under microgravity conditions, a program pursued jointly with F.A. Williams of the University of California, San Diego. The overall program involves developing and applying experimental methods to study the burning of isolated, single component droplets, in various atmospheres, primarily at atmospheric pressure and below, in both drop towers and aboard space-based platforms such as the Space Shuttle or Space Station. Both computational methods and asymptotic methods, the latter pursued mainly at UCSD, are used in developing the experimental test matrix, in analyzing results, and for extending theoretical understanding. Methanol, and the normal alkanes, n-heptane, and n-decane, have been selected as test fuels to study time-dependent droplet burning phenomena. The following sections summarizes the Princeton efforts on this program, describe work in progress, and briefly delineate future research directions.

The Impact of Attention on Judgments of Frequency and Duration

PubMed Central

Winkler, Isabell; Glauer, Madlen; Betsch, Tilmann; Sedlmeier, Peter

2015-01-01

Previous studies that examined human judgments of frequency and duration found an asymmetrical relationship: While frequency judgments were quite accurate and independent of stimulus duration, duration judgments were highly dependent upon stimulus frequency. A potential explanation for these findings is that the asymmetry is moderated by the amount of attention directed to the stimuli. In the current experiment, participants' attention was manipulated in two ways: (a) intrinsically, by varying the type and arousal potential of the stimuli (names, low-arousal and high-arousal pictures), and (b) extrinsically, by varying the physical effort participants expended during the stimulus presentation (by lifting a dumbbell vs. relaxing the arm). Participants processed stimuli with varying presentation frequencies and durations and were subsequently asked to estimate the frequency and duration of each stimulus. Sensitivity to duration increased for pictures in general, especially when processed under physical effort. A large effect of stimulus frequency on duration judgments was obtained for all experimental conditions, but a similar large effect of presentation duration on frequency judgments emerged only in the conditions that could be expected to draw high amounts of attention to the stimuli: when pictures were judged under high physical effort. Almost no difference in the mutual impact of frequency and duration was obtained for low-arousal or high-arousal pictures. The mechanisms underlying the simultaneous processing of frequency and duration are discussed with respect to existing models derived from animal research. Options for the extension of such models to human processing of frequency and duration are suggested. PMID:26000712

The impact of attention on judgments of frequency and duration.

PubMed

Winkler, Isabell; Glauer, Madlen; Betsch, Tilmann; Sedlmeier, Peter

2015-01-01

Previous studies that examined human judgments of frequency and duration found an asymmetrical relationship: While frequency judgments were quite accurate and independent of stimulus duration, duration judgments were highly dependent upon stimulus frequency. A potential explanation for these findings is that the asymmetry is moderated by the amount of attention directed to the stimuli. In the current experiment, participants' attention was manipulated in two ways: (a) intrinsically, by varying the type and arousal potential of the stimuli (names, low-arousal and high-arousal pictures), and (b) extrinsically, by varying the physical effort participants expended during the stimulus presentation (by lifting a dumbbell vs. relaxing the arm). Participants processed stimuli with varying presentation frequencies and durations and were subsequently asked to estimate the frequency and duration of each stimulus. Sensitivity to duration increased for pictures in general, especially when processed under physical effort. A large effect of stimulus frequency on duration judgments was obtained for all experimental conditions, but a similar large effect of presentation duration on frequency judgments emerged only in the conditions that could be expected to draw high amounts of attention to the stimuli: when pictures were judged under high physical effort. Almost no difference in the mutual impact of frequency and duration was obtained for low-arousal or high-arousal pictures. The mechanisms underlying the simultaneous processing of frequency and duration are discussed with respect to existing models derived from animal research. Options for the extension of such models to human processing of frequency and duration are suggested.

POWER AND SAMPLE SIZE CALCULATIONS FOR LINEAR HYPOTHESES ASSOCIATED WITH MIXTURES OF MANY COMPONENTS USING FIXED-RATIO RAY DESIGNS

EPA Science Inventory

Response surface methodology, often supported by factorial designs, is the classical experimental approach that is widely accepted for detecting and characterizing interactions among chemicals in a mixture. In an effort to reduce the experimental effort as the number of compound...

A method for the modelling of porous and solid wind tunnel walls in computational fluid dynamics codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beutner, Thomas John

1993-01-01

Porous wall wind tunnels have been used for several decades and have proven effective in reducing wall interference effects in both low speed and transonic testing. They allow for testing through Mach 1, reduce blockage effects and reduce shock wave reflections in the test section. Their usefulness in developing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes has been limited, however, by the difficulties associated with modelling the effect of a porous wall in CFD codes. Previous approaches to modelling porous wall effects have depended either upon a simplified linear boundary condition, which has proven inadequate, or upon detailed measurements of the normal velocity near the wall, which require extensive wind tunnel time. The current work was initiated in an effort to find a simple, accurate method of modelling a porous wall boundary condition in CFD codes. The development of such a method would allow data from porous wall wind tunnels to be used more readily in validating CFD codes. This would be beneficial when transonic validations are desired, or when large models are used to achieve high Reynolds numbers in testing. A computational and experimental study was undertaken to investigate a new method of modelling solid and porous wall boundary conditions in CFD codes. The method utilized experimental measurements at the walls to develop a flow field solution based on the method of singularities. This flow field solution was then imposed as a pressure boundary condition in a CFD simulation of the internal flow field. The effectiveness of this method in describing the effect of porosity changes on the wall was investigated. Also, the effectiveness of this method when only sparse experimental measurements were available has been investigated. The current work demonstrated this approach for low speed flows and compared the results with experimental data obtained from a heavily instrumented variable porosity test section. The approach developed was simple, computationally inexpensive, and did not require extensive or intrusive measurements of the boundary conditions during the wind tunnel test. It may be applied to both solid and porous wall wind tunnel tests.

Muscle coordination, activation and kinematics of world-class and elite breaststroke swimmers during submaximal and maximal efforts.

PubMed

Olstad, Bjørn Harald; Vaz, João Rocha; Zinner, Christoph; Cabri, Jan M H; Kjendlie, Per-Ludvik

2017-06-01

The aims of this study were to describe muscular activation patterns and kinematic variables during the complete stroke cycle (SC) and the different phases of breaststroke swimming at submaximal and maximal efforts. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was collected from eight muscles in nine elite swimmers; five females (age 20.3 ± 5.4 years; Fédération Internationale de Natation [FINA] points 815 ± 160) and four males (27.7 ± 7.1 years; FINA points 879 ± 151). Underwater cameras were used for 3D kinematic analysis with automatic motion tracking. The participants swam 25 m of breaststroke at 60%, 80% and 100% effort and each SC was divided into three phases: knee extension, knee extended and knee flexion. With increasing effort, the swimmers decreased their SC distance and increased their velocity and stroke rate. A decrease during the different phases was found for duration during knee extended and knee flexion, distance during knee extended and knee angle at the beginning of knee extension with increasing effort. Velocity increased for all phases. The mean activation pattern remained similar across the different effort levels, but the muscles showed longer activation periods relative to the SC and increased integrated sEMG (except trapezius) with increasing effort. The muscle activation patterns, muscular participation and kinematics assessed in this study with elite breaststroke swimmers contribute to a better understanding of the stroke and what occurs at different effort levels. This could be used as a reference for optimising breaststroke training to improve performance.

Hypersonic Experimental and Computational Capability, Improvement and Validation. Volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Muylaert, Jean (Editor); Kumar, Ajay (Editor); Dujarric, Christian (Editor)

1998-01-01

The results of the phase 2 effort conducted under AGARD Working Group 18 on Hypersonic Experimental and Computational Capability, Improvement and Validation are presented in this report. The first volume, published in May 1996, mainly focused on the design methodology, plans and some initial results of experiments that had been conducted to serve as validation benchmarks. The current volume presents the detailed experimental and computational data base developed during this effort.

Experimental demonstration of OSPF-TE extensions in muiti-domain OBS networks connected by GMPLS network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Chunlei; Yin, Yawei; Wu, Jian; Lin, Jintong

2008-11-01

The interworking network of Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) and Optical Burst Switching (OBS) is attractive network architecture for the future IP/DWDM network nowadays. In this paper, OSPF-TE extensions for multi-domain Optical Burst Switching networks connected by GMPLS controlled WDM network are proposed, the corresponding experimental results such as the advertising latency are also presented by using an OBS network testbed. The experimental results show that it works effectively on the OBS/GMPLS networks.

EVALUATING THE UNIT APPROACH--FARM AND HOME DEVELOPMENT. (TITLE SUPPLIED).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MAYER, RALPH E.; RIECK, ROBERT E.

IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE DEBATE OF STAFF-TO-FAMILY VS STAFF-TO-MASS RELATIONSHIPS IN FARM EXTENSION WORK, THE 1954 FEDERAL EXTENSION APPROPRIATION BILL AUTHORIZED INCEPTION OF A PERSONAL CONTACT, FAMILY UNIT APPROACH CALLED FARM AND HOME DEVELOPMENT (FHD). THE FHD AGENT WORKED WITH THE FARMER AND HIS WIFE IN AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WHICH…

The Concept Approach to Programming in Adult Education--With Special Application to Extension Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collings, Mary L., Ed.

The document reports a 10-year seminar effort to consider a framework for a series of inquiries valuable to all institutions engaged in curriculum development or programing. The work reported includes the study of the professional role of the extension adult educator and identifies concepts, propositions, procedures, and a model for use in…

75 FR 17162 - Dipping and Coating Operations (Dip Tanks) Standard; Extension of the Office of Management and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-05

...] Dipping and Coating Operations (Dip Tanks) Standard; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's... Standard on Dipping and Coating Operations (Dip Tanks) (29 CFR 1910.126(g)(4)). DATES: Comments must be... of efforts in obtaining information (29 U.S.C. 657). The Standard on Dipping and Coating Operations...

75 FR 21662 - Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-26

...] Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB... Regulation on Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records (29 CFR 1910.1020). DATES: Comments must be... operating small businesses, and to reduce to the maximum extent feasible unnecessary duplication of efforts...

Local Foods in Maryland Schools and Implications for Extension: Findings from Schools and Farmers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oberholtzer, Lydia; Hanson, James C.; Brust, Gerald; Dimitri, Carolyn; Richman, Nessa

2012-01-01

This article describes results from a study examining the supply chain for local foods in Maryland school meals, the barriers and opportunities for increasing local foods in schools, and the development of Extension efforts to meet the needs identified. Interviews and surveys were administered with stakeholders, including farmers and food service…

A hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite dataset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Chiho; Huan, Tran Doan; Krishnan, Sridevi; Ramprasad, Rampi

2017-05-01

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) have been attracting a great deal of attention due to their versatility of electronic properties and fabrication methods. We prepare a dataset of 1,346 HOIPs, which features 16 organic cations, 3 group-IV cations and 4 halide anions. Using a combination of an atomic structure search method and density functional theory calculations, the optimized structures, the bandgap, the dielectric constant, and the relative energies of the HOIPs are uniformly prepared and validated by comparing with relevant experimental and/or theoretical data. We make the dataset available at Dryad Digital Repository, NoMaD Repository, and Khazana Repository (http://khazana.uconn.edu/), hoping that it could be useful for future data-mining efforts that can explore possible structure-property relationships and phenomenological models. Progressive extension of the dataset is expected as new organic cations become appropriate within the HOIP framework, and as additional properties are calculated for the new compounds found.

New forms of spin-orbit coupling in a strontium optical lattice clock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perlin, Michael; Safavi-Naini, Arghavan; Ozeri, Roee; Rey, Ana Maria

2017-04-01

Ultracold atomic systems allow for the simulation of a variety of condensed matter phenomena, including spin-orbit coupling (SOC), a key ingredient behind recently discovered topological insulators and a path for the realization of topological superfluids. While many experimental efforts have used alkali atoms to engineer SOC via Raman transitions, undesirable heating mechanisms have limited the observation of many-body phenomena manifest at long timescales. Alkaline earth atoms (AEA) have been recently shown to be a potentially better platform for the implementation of SOC due to their reduced sensitivity to spontaneous emission. While previous work has used electronic clock states as a pseudo-spin degree of freedom, we consider the effects of clock side-band transitions. We discuss the richer SOC dynamics which emerges as a result of this extension, and present methods to probe these dynamics in current AEA optical lattice clocks. AFOSR, NSF-PFC and DARPA.

Nitrogen-doped Carbon Derived from ZIF-8 as a High-performance Metal-free Catalyst for Acetylene Hydrochlorination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chao, Songlin; Zou, Fang; Wan, Fanfan; Dong, Xiaobin; Wang, Yanlin; Wang, Yuxuan; Guan, Qingxin; Wang, Guichang; Li, Wei

2017-01-01

Acetylene hydrochlorination is a major industrial technology for manufacturing vinyl chloride monomer in regions with abundant coal resources; however, it is plagued by the use of mercury(II) chloride catalyst. The development of a nonmercury catalyst has been extensively explored. Herein, we report a N-doped carbon catalyst derived from ZIF-8 with both high activity and quite good stability. The acetylene conversion reached 92% and decreased slightly during a 200 h test at 220 °C and atmospheric pressure. Experimental studies and theoretical calculations indicate that C atoms adjacent to the pyridinic N are the active sites, and coke deposition covering pyridinic N is the main reason for catalyst deactivation. The performance of those N-doped carbons makes it possible for practical applications with further effort. Furthermore, the result also provides guidance for designing metal-free catalysts for similar reactions.

Sulfur-induced structural motifs on copper and gold surfaces

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

Walen, Holly

The interaction of sulfur with copper and gold surfaces plays a fundamental role in important phenomena that include coarsening of surface nanostructures, and self-assembly of alkanethiols. Here, we identify and analyze unique sulfur-induced structural motifs observed on the low-index surfaces of these two metals. We seek out these structures in an effort to better understand the fundamental interactions between these metals and sulfur that lends to the stability and favorability of metal-sulfur complexes vs. chemisorbed atomic sulfur. The experimental observations presented here—made under identical conditions—together with extensive DFT analyses, allow comparisons and insights into factors that favor the existence ofmore » metal-sulfur complexes, vs. chemisorbed atomic sulfur, on metal terraces. We believe this data will be instrumental in better understanding the complex phenomena occurring between the surfaces of coinage metals and sulfur.« less

Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environmental Simulator (NTREES) Upgrade Activities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Emrich, William J. Jr.; Moran, Robert P.; Pearson, J. Boise

2012-01-01

To support the on-going nuclear thermal propulsion effort, a state-of-the-art non nuclear experimental test setup has been constructed to evaluate the performance characteristics of candidate fuel element materials and geometries in representative environments. The facility to perform this testing is referred to as the Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environment Simulator (NTREES). This device can simulate the environmental conditions (minus the radiation) to which nuclear rocket fuel components will be subjected during reactor operation. Test articles mounted in the simulator are inductively heated in such a manner so as to accurately reproduce the temperatures and heat fluxes which would normally occur as a result of nuclear fission and would be exposed to flowing hydrogen. Initial testing of a somewhat prototypical fuel element has been successfully performed in NTREES and the facility has now been shutdown to allow for an extensive reconfiguration of the facility which will result in a significant upgrade in its capabilities

Soliton wave-speed management: Slowing, stopping, or reversing a solitary wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baines, Luke W. S.; Van Gorder, Robert A.

2018-06-01

While dispersion management is a well-known tool to control soliton properties such as shape or amplitude, far less effort has been directed toward the theoretical control of the soliton wave speed. However, recent experiments concerning the stopping or slowing of light demonstrate that the control of the soliton wave speed is of experimental interest. Motivated by these and other studies, we propose a management approach for modifying the wave speed of a soliton (or of other nonlinear wave solutions, such as periodic cnoidal waves) under the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Making use of this approach, we are able to slow, stop, or even reverse a solitary wave, and we give several examples to bright solitons, dark solitons, and periodic wave trains, to demonstrate the method. An extension of the approach to spatially heterogeneous media, for which the wave may propagate differently at different spatial locations, is also discussed.

Synthetic Botany.

PubMed

Boehm, Christian R; Pollak, Bernardo; Purswani, Nuri; Patron, Nicola; Haseloff, Jim

2017-07-05

Plants are attractive platforms for synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. Plants' modular and plastic body plans, capacity for photosynthesis, extensive secondary metabolism, and agronomic systems for large-scale production make them ideal targets for genetic reprogramming. However, efforts in this area have been constrained by slow growth, long life cycles, the requirement for specialized facilities, a paucity of efficient tools for genetic manipulation, and the complexity of multicellularity. There is a need for better experimental and theoretical frameworks to understand the way genetic networks, cellular populations, and tissue-wide physical processes interact at different scales. We highlight new approaches to the DNA-based manipulation of plants and the use of advanced quantitative imaging techniques in simple plant models such as Marchantia polymorpha. These offer the prospects of improved understanding of plant dynamics and new approaches to rational engineering of plant traits. Copyright © 2017 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved.

De-Arabization of the Bedouin: A Study of an Inevitable Failure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yonah, Yossi; Abu-Saad, Ismael; Kaplan, Avi

2004-01-01

This paper offers an assessment of the efforts to de-Arabize the Bedouin Arab youth of the Negev. We show that despite the extensive efforts to achieve this goal, they have become pronouncedly alienated from the State of Israel, and are increasingly perceiving themselves as an integral part of Israel's Palestinian Arab national minority. The…

Program Standards and Expectations: Providing Clarity, Consistency, and Focus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diem, Keith G.

2016-01-01

The effort described in this article resulted from requests for clarity and consistency from new and existing Extension/4-H educators as well as from recommendations by university auditors. The primary purpose of the effort was to clarify standards for effective county-based 4-H youth development programs and to help focus the roles of 4-H…

Assessing the Long-Term Impacts of Water Quality Outreach and Education Efforts on Agricultural Landowners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson-Smith, Douglas B.; McEvoy, Jamie P.

2011-01-01

We assess the long-term effectiveness of outreach and education efforts associated with a water quality improvement project in a watershed located in northern Utah, USA. Conducted 15 years after the original project began, our research examines the lasting impacts of different extension activities on landowners' motivations to participate and…

How to Gather Information on Community Needs and Funding Sources. Resources for Rural Development Series: Handbook No. 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cohen, John M.; Marshall, Terry

One of a series designed to aid community leaders, cooperative extension agents, local government officials, and others in their efforts to gain external resources needed to support local efforts in rural development, this handbook addresses three basic problem areas: gathering information on rural development needs of a community; locating…

Introduction - regional monitoring programs

Treesearch

Richard L. Hutto; C. John Ralph

2005-01-01

There is increasing interest in the initiation of regional or statewide monitoring programs that are less extensive than national efforts such as the Breeding Bird Survey. A number of regional programs have been in existence for a decade or more, so the papers in this section represented an effort to bring together the collective experience of the people who had...

77 FR 6080 - Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-07

... area occurred from August 2, 2010 to August 1, 2011. Visual Surveys The majority of monitoring effort...) Operating Area (OPAREA), with an extension of survey effort off Cape Hatteras. These locations serve as the... of year-round multi- disciplinary monitoring through the use of shipboard and aerial visual surveys...

Drilling High Precision Holes in Ti6Al4V Using Rotary Ultrasonic Machining and Uncertainties Underlying Cutting Force, Tool Wear, and Production Inaccuracies.

PubMed

Chowdhury, M A K; Sharif Ullah, A M M; Anwar, Saqib

2017-09-12

Ti6Al4V alloys are difficult-to-cut materials that have extensive applications in the automotive and aerospace industry. A great deal of effort has been made to develop and improve the machining operations of Ti6Al4V alloys. This paper presents an experimental study that systematically analyzes the effects of the machining conditions (ultrasonic power, feed rate, spindle speed, and tool diameter) on the performance parameters (cutting force, tool wear, overcut error, and cylindricity error), while drilling high precision holes on the workpiece made of Ti6Al4V alloys using rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM). Numerical results were obtained by conducting experiments following the design of an experiment procedure. The effects of the machining conditions on each performance parameter have been determined by constructing a set of possibility distributions (i.e., trapezoidal fuzzy numbers) from the experimental data. A possibility distribution is a probability-distribution-neural representation of uncertainty, and is effective in quantifying the uncertainty underlying physical quantities when there is a limited number of data points which is the case here. Lastly, the optimal machining conditions have been identified using these possibility distributions.

Effect of counterface roughness on the friction of bionic wall-shaped microstructures for gecko-like attachments.

PubMed

Kasem, Haytam; Cohen, Yossi

2017-08-04

Hairy adhesive systems involved in gecko locomotion have drawn the interest of many researchers regarding the development of bionic solutions for fast and reversible adhesive technologies. To date, despite extensive efforts to design gecko-inspired adhesive surfaces, adhesion and friction capacities are often evaluated using smooth and rigid counterfaces, in general glass, whereas most natural and artificial surfaces inevitably have a certain level of roughness. For that reason, in this study experiments tested the effects of the substrate roughness on the friction of bionic wale-shaped microstructures for gecko-like attachments. To this end, 12 substrates with different isotropic roughness were prepared using the same Epoxy material. Friction force was measured under various normal loads. It was concluded that classical roughness parameters, considered separately, are not appropriate to explain roughness-related variations in friction force. This has led us to develop a new integrative roughness parameter that combines characteristics of the surface. The parameter is capable of classifying the obtained experimental results in a readable way. An analytical model based on the experimental results has been developed to predict the variation of the friction force as a function of counterface roughness and applied normal load.

Experimental evaluation of job provenance in ATLAS environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Křenek, A.; Sitera, J.; Chudoba, J.; Dvořák, F.; Filipovič, J.; Kmuníček, J.; Matyska, L.; Mulaš, M.; Ruda, M.; Šustr, Z.; Campana, S.; Molinari, E.; Rebatto, D.

2008-07-01

Grid middleware stacks, including gLite, matured into the state of being able to process up to millions of jobs per day. Logging and Bookkeeping, the gLite job-tracking service, keeps pace with this rate; however, it is not designed to provide a long-term archive of information on executed jobs. ATLAS — representative of a large user community — addresses this issue with its own job catalogue (ProdDB). Development of such a customized service, not easily reusable, took considerable effort which is not affordable by smaller communities. On the contrary, Job Provenance (JP), a generic gLite service designed for long-term archiving of information on executed jobs focusing on scalability, extensibility, uniform data view, and configurability, allows more specialized catalogues to be easily built. We present the first results of an experimental JP deployment for the ATLAS production infrastructure where a JP installation was fed with a part of ATLAS jobs, and also stress tested with real production data. The main outcome of this work is a demonstration that JP can complement large-scale application-specific job catalogue services, while serving a similar purpose where there are none available.

A computational model of in vitro angiogenesis based on extracellular matrix fibre orientation.

PubMed

Edgar, Lowell T; Sibole, Scott C; Underwood, Clayton J; Guilkey, James E; Weiss, Jeffrey A

2013-01-01

Recent interest in the process of vascularisation within the biomedical community has motivated numerous new research efforts focusing on the process of angiogenesis. Although the role of chemical factors during angiogenesis has been well documented, the role of mechanical factors, such as the interaction between angiogenic vessels and the extracellular matrix, remains poorly understood. In vitro methods for studying angiogenesis exist; however, measurements available using such techniques often suffer from limited spatial and temporal resolutions. For this reason, computational models have been extensively employed to investigate various aspects of angiogenesis. This paper outlines the formulation and validation of a simple and robust computational model developed to accurately simulate angiogenesis based on length, branching and orientation morphometrics collected from vascularised tissue constructs. Microvessels were represented as a series of connected line segments. The morphology of the vessels was determined by a linear combination of the collagen fibre orientation, the vessel density gradient and a random walk component. Excellent agreement was observed between computational and experimental morphometric data over time. Computational predictions of microvessel orientation within an anisotropic matrix correlated well with experimental data. The accuracy of this modelling approach makes it a valuable platform for investigating the role of mechanical interactions during angiogenesis.

Series and parallel arc-fault circuit interrupter tests.

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

Johnson, Jay Dean; Fresquez, Armando J.; Gudgel, Bob

2013-07-01

While the 2011 National Electrical Codeª (NEC) only requires series arc-fault protection, some arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) manufacturers are designing products to detect and mitigate both series and parallel arc-faults. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has extensively investigated the electrical differences of series and parallel arc-faults and has offered possible classification and mitigation solutions. As part of this effort, Sandia National Laboratories has collaborated with MidNite Solar to create and test a 24-string combiner box with an AFCI which detects, differentiates, and de-energizes series and parallel arc-faults. In the case of the MidNite AFCI prototype, series arc-faults are mitigated by openingmore » the PV strings, whereas parallel arc-faults are mitigated by shorting the array. A range of different experimental series and parallel arc-fault tests with the MidNite combiner box were performed at the Distributed Energy Technologies Laboratory (DETL) at SNL in Albuquerque, NM. In all the tests, the prototype de-energized the arc-faults in the time period required by the arc-fault circuit interrupt testing standard, UL 1699B. The experimental tests confirm series and parallel arc-faults can be successfully mitigated with a combiner box-integrated solution.« less

Molecular dynamics force-field refinement against quasi-elastic neutron scattering data

DOE PAGES

Borreguero Calvo, Jose M.; Lynch, Vickie E.

2015-11-23

Quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) is one of the experimental techniques of choice for probing the dynamics at length and time scales that are also in the realm of full-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. This overlap enables extension of current fitting methods that use time-independent equilibrium measurements to new methods fitting against dynamics data. We present an algorithm that fits simulation-derived incoherent dynamical structure factors against QENS data probing the diffusive dynamics of the system. We showcase the difficulties inherent to this type of fitting problem, namely, the disparity between simulation and experiment environment, as well as limitations in the simulationmore » due to incomplete sampling of phase space. We discuss a methodology to overcome these difficulties and apply it to a set of full-atom MD simulations for the purpose of refining the force-field parameter governing the activation energy of methyl rotation in the octa-methyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane molecule. Our optimal simulated activation energy agrees with the experimentally derived value up to a 5% difference, well within experimental error. We believe the method will find applicability to other types of diffusive motions and other representation of the systems such as coarse-grain models where empirical fitting is essential. In addition, the refinement method can be extended to the coherent dynamic structure factor with no additional effort.« less

Investigation of Solvation Effects on Optical Rotatory Dispersion Using the Polarizable Continuum Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aharon, Tal; Lemler, Paul M.; Vaccaro, Patrick; Caricato, Marco

2017-06-01

The Optical Rotatory Dispersion (ORD) of a chiral solute is heavily affected by solvation, but this effect does not follow the usual correlation with the solvent polarity, i.e., larger solvent polarity does not imply a larger change in the solute's property. Therefore, a great deal of experimental and theoretical effort has been directed towards correlating the solvation effect on the ORD and the solvent properties. This discovery followed from the development of cavity ring down polarimetry (CRPD), which allows measurements of gas-phase ORD. In order to investigate this phenomenon, we chose a set of five rigid molecules to limit the effect of molecular vibrations and isolate the role of solvation. The latter was investigated with the Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM), and compared to experimental results. We used Bondi radii to build the PCM cavity, and performed extensive calculations at multiple frequencies using density functional theory (DFT) with two functionals: B3LYP and CAM-B3LYP, together with the aug-cc-pVDZ basis set. We also performed coupled cluster singles and doubles (CCSD/aug-cc-pVDZ) calculations at the wavelengths where gas-phase data are available, all of which are augmented with zero point vibrational corrections. These results are compared to experimental data and seem to indicate that PCM does not entirely account for the environmental effects on the ORD.

Cutting the Wires: Modularization of Cellular Networks for Experimental Design

PubMed Central

Lang, Moritz; Summers, Sean; Stelling, Jörg

2014-01-01

Understanding naturally evolved cellular networks requires the consecutive identification and revision of the interactions between relevant molecular species. In this process, initially often simplified and incomplete networks are extended by integrating new reactions or whole subnetworks to increase consistency between model predictions and new measurement data. However, increased consistency with experimental data alone is not sufficient to show the existence of biomolecular interactions, because the interplay of different potential extensions might lead to overall similar dynamics. Here, we present a graph-based modularization approach to facilitate the design of experiments targeted at independently validating the existence of several potential network extensions. Our method is based on selecting the outputs to measure during an experiment, such that each potential network extension becomes virtually insulated from all others during data analysis. Each output defines a module that only depends on one hypothetical network extension, and all other outputs act as virtual inputs to achieve insulation. Given appropriate experimental time-series measurements of the outputs, our modules can be analyzed, simulated, and compared to the experimental data separately. Our approach exemplifies the close relationship between structural systems identification and modularization, an interplay that promises development of related approaches in the future. PMID:24411264

Weighted-density functionals for cavity formation and dispersion energies in continuum solvation models

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

Sundararaman, Ravishankar; Gunceler, Deniz; Arias, T. A.

2014-10-07

Continuum solvation models enable efficient first principles calculations of chemical reactions in solution, but require extensive parametrization and fitting for each solvent and class of solute systems. Here, we examine the assumptions of continuum solvation models in detail and replace empirical terms with physical models in order to construct a minimally-empirical solvation model. Specifically, we derive solvent radii from the nonlocal dielectric response of the solvent from ab initio calculations, construct a closed-form and parameter-free weighted-density approximation for the free energy of the cavity formation, and employ a pair-potential approximation for the dispersion energy. We show that the resulting modelmore » with a single solvent-independent parameter: the electron density threshold (n c), and a single solvent-dependent parameter: the dispersion scale factor (s 6), reproduces solvation energies of organic molecules in water, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride with RMS errors of 1.1, 0.6 and 0.5 kcal/mol, respectively. We additionally show that fitting the solvent-dependent s 6 parameter to the solvation energy of a single non-polar molecule does not substantially increase these errors. Parametrization of this model for other solvents, therefore, requires minimal effort and is possible without extensive databases of experimental solvation free energies.« less

Weighted-density functionals for cavity formation and dispersion energies in continuum solvation models

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

Sundararaman, Ravishankar; Gunceler, Deniz; Arias, T. A.

2014-10-07

Continuum solvation models enable efficient first principles calculations of chemical reactions in solution, but require extensive parametrization and fitting for each solvent and class of solute systems. Here, we examine the assumptions of continuum solvation models in detail and replace empirical terms with physical models in order to construct a minimally-empirical solvation model. Specifically, we derive solvent radii from the nonlocal dielectric response of the solvent from ab initio calculations, construct a closed-form and parameter-free weighted-density approximation for the free energy of the cavity formation, and employ a pair-potential approximation for the dispersion energy. We show that the resulting modelmore » with a single solvent-independent parameter: the electron density threshold (n{sub c}), and a single solvent-dependent parameter: the dispersion scale factor (s{sub 6}), reproduces solvation energies of organic molecules in water, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride with RMS errors of 1.1, 0.6 and 0.5 kcal/mol, respectively. We additionally show that fitting the solvent-dependent s{sub 6} parameter to the solvation energy of a single non-polar molecule does not substantially increase these errors. Parametrization of this model for other solvents, therefore, requires minimal effort and is possible without extensive databases of experimental solvation free energies.« less

Methane Adsorption in Zr-Based MOFs: Comparison and Critical Evaluation of Force Fields

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The search for nanoporous materials that are highly performing for gas storage and separation is one of the contemporary challenges in material design. The computational tools to aid these experimental efforts are widely available, and adsorption isotherms are routinely computed for huge sets of (hypothetical) frameworks. Clearly the computational results depend on the interactions between the adsorbed species and the adsorbent, which are commonly described using force fields. In this paper, an extensive comparison and in-depth investigation of several force fields from literature is reported for the case of methane adsorption in the Zr-based Metal–Organic Frameworks UiO-66, UiO-67, DUT-52, NU-1000, and MOF-808. Significant quantitative differences in the computed uptake are observed when comparing different force fields, but most qualitative features are common which suggests some predictive power of the simulations when it comes to these properties. More insight into the host–guest interactions is obtained by benchmarking the force fields with an extensive number of ab initio computed single molecule interaction energies. This analysis at the molecular level reveals that especially ab initio derived force fields perform well in reproducing the ab initio interaction energies. Finally, the high sensitivity of uptake predictions on the underlying potential energy surface is explored. PMID:29170687

REPORT OF RESEARCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUTURE GOALS HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS

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

Wise, Mark B.; Kapustin, Anton N.; Schwarz, John Henry

Caltech High Energy Physics (HEP) has a broad program in both experimental and theoretical physics. We are known for our creativity and leadership. The future is uncertain and we strive to be involved in all the major areas of experimental and theoretical HEP physics so no matter where the important discoveries occur we are well positioned to play an important role. An outstanding group of postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, staff scientists, and technical and administrative personnel support our efforts in experimental and theoretical physics. The PI’s on this grant are involved in the following program of experimental and theoretical activities:more » I) EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS Our CMS group, led by Harvey Newman and Maria Spiropulu, has played a key role in the discovery and interpretation of the Higgs boson and in searches for new physics. They have important hardware responsibilities in both ECAL and HCAL and are also involved in the upgrades needed for the High Luminosity LHC. Newman's group also develops and operates Grid-based computing, networking, and collaborative systems for CMS and the US HEP community. The charged lepton (Mu2e) and quark BaBar flavor physics group is led by David Hitlin and Frank Porter. On Mu2e they have been instrumental in the design of the calorimeter. Construction responsibilities include one third of the crystals and associated readout as well as the calibration system. They also will have responsibility for a major part of the online system software. Although data taking ceased in 2008 the Caltech BaBar group is active on several new forefront analyses. The neutrino group is led by Ryan Patterson. They are central to NOvA's core oscillation physics program, to calibration, and to detector readiness being responsible for the production and installation of 12,000 APD arrays. They have key roles in neutrino appearance and disappearance analysis in MINOS and MINOS+. Sunil Golwala leads the dark matter direct detection effort. Areas of activity include: CDMS II data analysis, contributions to SuperCDMS Soudan operations and analysis, R&D towards SuperCDMS SNOLAB, development of a novel screener for radiocontamination (the BetaCage), and development of new WIMP detector concepts. Ren-Yuan Zhu leads the HEP crystal laboratory for the advanced detector R&D effort. The crystal lab is involved in development of novel scintillating crystals and has proposed several crystal based detector concepts for future HEP experiments at the energy and intensity frontiers. Its current research effort is concentrated on development of fast crystal scintillators with good radiation hardness and low cost. II) THEORETICAL PHYSICS The main theme of Sergei Gukov's current research is the relation between the geometry of quantum group invariants and their categorification, on the one hand, and the physics of supersymmetric gauge theory and string theory, on the other. Anton Kapustin's research spans a variety of topics in non-perturbative Quantum Field Theory (QFT). His main areas of interest are supersymmetric gauge theories, non-perturbative dualities in QFT, disorder operators, Topological Quantum Field Theory, and non-relativistic QFT. He is also interested in the foundations and possible generalizations of Quantum Mechanics. Hirosi Ooguri's current research has two main components. One is to find exact results in Calabi-Yau compactification of string theory. Another is to explore applications of the AdS/CFT correspondence. He also plans to continue his project with Caltech postdoctoral fellows on BPS spectra of supersymmetric gauge theories in diverse dimensions. John Preskill works on quantum information science. This field may lead to important future technologies, and also lead to new understanding of issues in fundamental physics John Schwarz has been exploring a number of topics in superstring theory/M-theory, supersymmetric gauge theory, and their AdS/CFT relationships. Much of the motivation for these studies is the desire to gain a deeper understanding of superstring theory and M-theory. The research interests of Mark Wise span particle physics, cosmology and nuclear physics. His recent work has centered on extensions of the standard model where baryon number and lepton number are gauged and extensions of the standard model that have novel sources of baryon number violation and new sources of charged lepton flavor violation« less

A validation of LTRAN2 with high frequency extensions by comparisons with experimental measurements of unsteady transonic flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hessenius, K. A.; Goorjian, P. M.

1981-01-01

A high frequency extension of the unsteady, transonic code LTRAN2 was created and is evaluated by comparisons with experimental results. The experimental test case is a NACA 64A010 airfoil in pitching motion at a Mach number of 0.8 over a range of reduced frequencies. Comparisons indicate that the modified code is an improvement of the original LTRAN2 and provides closer agreement with experimental lift and moment coefficients. A discussion of the code modifications, which involve the addition of high frequency terms of the boundary conditions of the numerical algorithm, is included.

A Proposal for Public and Private Partnership in Extension.

PubMed

Krell, Rayda K; Fisher, Marc L; Steffey, Kevin L

2016-01-01

Public funding for Extension in the United States has been decreasing for many years, but farmers' need for robust information on which to make management decisions has not diminished. The current Extension funding challenges provide motivation to explore a different model for developing and delivering extension. The private sector has partnered with the public sector to fund and conduct agricultural research, but partnering on extension delivery has occurred far less frequently. The fundamental academic strength and established Extension network of the public sector combined with the ability of the private sector to encourage and deliver practical, implementable solutions has the potential to provide measurable benefits to farmers. This paper describes the current Extension climate, presents data from a survey about Extension and industry relationships, presents case studies of successful public- and private-sector extension partnerships, and proposes a framework for evaluating the state of effective partnerships. Synergistic public-private extension efforts could ensure that farmers receive the most current and balanced information available to help with their management decisions.

A Proposal for Public and Private Partnership in Extension

PubMed Central

Krell, Rayda K.; Fisher, Marc L.; Steffey, Kevin L.

2016-01-01

Public funding for Extension in the United States has been decreasing for many years, but farmers’ need for robust information on which to make management decisions has not diminished. The current Extension funding challenges provide motivation to explore a different model for developing and delivering extension. The private sector has partnered with the public sector to fund and conduct agricultural research, but partnering on extension delivery has occurred far less frequently. The fundamental academic strength and established Extension network of the public sector combined with the ability of the private sector to encourage and deliver practical, implementable solutions has the potential to provide measurable benefits to farmers. This paper describes the current Extension climate, presents data from a survey about Extension and industry relationships, presents case studies of successful public- and private-sector extension partnerships, and proposes a framework for evaluating the state of effective partnerships. Synergistic public–private extension efforts could ensure that farmers receive the most current and balanced information available to help with their management decisions. PMID:26949567

A Kernel for Open Source Drug Discovery in Tropical Diseases

PubMed Central

Ortí, Leticia; Carbajo, Rodrigo J.; Pieper, Ursula; Eswar, Narayanan; Maurer, Stephen M.; Rai, Arti K.; Taylor, Ginger; Todd, Matthew H.; Pineda-Lucena, Antonio; Sali, Andrej; Marti-Renom, Marc A.

2009-01-01

Background Conventional patent-based drug development incentives work badly for the developing world, where commercial markets are usually small to non-existent. For this reason, the past decade has seen extensive experimentation with alternative R&D institutions ranging from private–public partnerships to development prizes. Despite extensive discussion, however, one of the most promising avenues—open source drug discovery—has remained elusive. We argue that the stumbling block has been the absence of a critical mass of preexisting work that volunteers can improve through a series of granular contributions. Historically, open source software collaborations have almost never succeeded without such “kernels”. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we use a computational pipeline for: (i) comparative structure modeling of target proteins, (ii) predicting the localization of ligand binding sites on their surfaces, and (iii) assessing the similarity of the predicted ligands to known drugs. Our kernel currently contains 143 and 297 protein targets from ten pathogen genomes that are predicted to bind a known drug or a molecule similar to a known drug, respectively. The kernel provides a source of potential drug targets and drug candidates around which an online open source community can nucleate. Using NMR spectroscopy, we have experimentally tested our predictions for two of these targets, confirming one and invalidating the other. Conclusions/Significance The TDI kernel, which is being offered under the Creative Commons attribution share-alike license for free and unrestricted use, can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.tropicaldisease.org. We hope that the kernel will facilitate collaborative efforts towards the discovery of new drugs against parasites that cause tropical diseases. PMID:19381286

Upper Stage Engine Composite Nozzle Extensions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Valentine, Peter G.; Allen, Lee R.; Gradl, Paul R.; Greene, Sandra E.; Sullivan, Brian J.; Weller, Leslie J.; Koenig, John R.; Cuneo, Jacques C.; Thompson, James; Brown, Aaron;

Tool Support for Software Lookup Table Optimization

DOE PAGES

Wilcox, Chris; Strout, Michelle Mills; Bieman, James M.

2011-01-01

A number of scientific applications are performance-limited by expressions that repeatedly call costly elementary functions. Lookup table (LUT) optimization accelerates the evaluation of such functions by reusing previously computed results. LUT methods can speed up applications that tolerate an approximation of function results, thereby achieving a high level of fuzzy reuse. One problem with LUT optimization is the difficulty of controlling the tradeoff between performance and accuracy. The current practice of manual LUT optimization adds programming effort by requiring extensive experimentation to make this tradeoff, and such hand tuning can obfuscate algorithms. In this paper we describe a methodology andmore » tool implementation to improve the application of software LUT optimization. Our Mesa tool implements source-to-source transformations for C or C++ code to automate the tedious and error-prone aspects of LUT generation such as domain profiling, error analysis, and code generation. We evaluate Mesa with five scientific applications. Our results show a performance improvement of 3.0× and 6.9× for two molecular biology algorithms, 1.4× for a molecular dynamics program, 2.1× to 2.8× for a neural network application, and 4.6× for a hydrology calculation. We find that Mesa enables LUT optimization with more control over accuracy and less effort than manual approaches.« less

On the D*s and charmonia leptonic decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bailas, Gabriela; Blossier, Benoît; Heitger, Jochen; Morénas, Vincent; Post, Matthias

2018-03-01

Among the different scenarios of New Physics, those with an extended Higgs sector are examined with a lot of attention. Recent experimental observations of several anomalies in flavour physics with respect to expectations of the Standard Model further motivate the effort of phenomenologists. First, informations about the RDs ratio, a test of lepton flavour universality equivalent to RD, already measured, but with the s quark as spectator, are awaited in coming years to constrain the corner of an extended Higgs sector with charged doublets. On another side, leptonic widths of pseudoscalar quarkonia are particularly interesting to test an extended Higgs sector with a light CP-odd Higgs boson singlet, through the study of its mixing with quarkonia states. Hadronic parameters entering those processes have to be determined from lattice QCD with enough confidence on the control of systematic errors. We report on the very first step of a long-term program tackled with Nf = 2 Wilson-Clover fermions to put relevant constraints on extensions of the Higgs sector: extraction of decay constants of D*s, ƞc, ƞc (2S), J/Ψ and Ψ(2S) with lattice ensembles provided by the CLS effort, considering 2 lattice spacings and a large range of pion masses to estimate cut-off effects and extrapolate results to the chiral limit.

The Application of Commercial Advertising Methods to University Extension. Bulletin, 1919, No. 51

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Orvis, Mary Burchard

1919-01-01

For many years, colleges, universities, and State departments of education have become more and more conscious of the importance of extension education, and of the obligation resting upon them to promote it in every way practicable. This is especially true of the State university, which, in many States, is now making an honest effort to extend the…

Federal Cooperation in Agricultural Extension Work, Vocational Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation. Bulletin, 1933, No. 15

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blauch, Lloyd E.

1933-01-01

During the past quarter of a century there have been rather continuous and persistent efforts for Federal aid to education. Twenty-one years ago the Congress of the United States enacted the Smith-Lever Agricultural Extension Act, and 3 years later it passed the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act. Under the Smith-Lever Act and subsequent…

Measuring the Impact of Termite Prevention Curricula in Hawaii Public Schools in an Area-Wide Extension Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mason, Makena; Aihara-Sasaki, Maria; Grace, J. Kenneth

2013-01-01

The efficacy of Educate to Eradicate, a K-12 service-learning science curricula developed as part of a statewide, community-based Extension effort for termite prevention, was evaluated. The curricula use termite biology and control as the basis for science education and have been implemented in over 350 Hawaii public school classrooms with more…

1983 AFOSR/AFRPL Chemical Rocket Research Meeting, Abstracts and Agenda. Includes: Abstracts on Advanced Diagnostics of Reacting Flow, 28 February - 3 March 1983, Lancaster, California.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-02-01

blow-off stability and fractional conversion was evaluated for design of an experimental study of these phenomena. The apparatus designed will be...the development of an array of experimental methods and test strategies designed to unravel a complex process that is very difficult to observe directly...this effort of lead field theoretic analysis as a design basis has made that possible. The experimental phase of the effort has three major

Determination of the Minimum Use Level of Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII) in JP-8 That Will Provide Adquate Icing Inhibition and Biostatic Protection for Air Force Aircraft

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-01

experimental studies and analyses performed and the resulting recommendations. Results from the present effort indicated that a minimum use limit of... experimental studies performed and the resulting recommendations regarding the minimum on-board use limit of FSII while maintaining safe operability...sumping. A detailed summary of the experimental efforts and results are provided in a separate report (Balster et al., 2010). For the ATCC

Integrated modeling of protein-coding genes in the Manduca sexta genome using RNA-Seq data from the biochemical model insect

PubMed Central

Cao, Xiaolong; Jiang, Haobo

2015-01-01

The genome sequence of Manduca sexta was recently determined using 454 technology. Cufflinks and MAKER2 were used to establish gene models in the genome assembly based on the RNA-Seq data and other species' sequences. Aided by the extensive RNA-Seq data from 50 tissue samples at various life stages, annotators over the world (including the present authors) have manually confirmed and improved a small percentage of the models after spending months of effort. While such collaborative efforts are highly commendable, many of the predicted genes still have problems which may hamper future research on this insect species. As a biochemical model representing lepidopteran pests, M. sexta has been used extensively to study insect physiological processes for over five decades. In this work, we assembled Manduca datasets Cufflinks 3.0, Trinity 4.0, and Oases 4.0 to assist the manual annotation efforts and development of Official Gene Set (OGS) 2.0. To further improve annotation quality, we developed methods to evaluate gene models in the MAKER2, Cufflinks, Oases and Trinity assemblies and selected the best ones to constitute MCOT 1.0 after thorough crosschecking. MCOT 1.0 has 18,089 genes encoding 31,666 proteins: 32.8% match OGS 2.0 models perfectly or near perfectly, 11,747 differ considerably, and 29.5% are absent in OGS 2.0. Future automation of this process is anticipated to greatly reduce human efforts in generating comprehensive, reliable models of structural genes in other genome projects where extensive RNA-Seq data are available. PMID:25612938

Experimental landscape reduction of wild rodents increases movements in the invasive brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Christy, Michelle; Savidge, Julie A.; Yackel Adams, Amy A.; Gragg, James E.; Rodda, Gordon H.

2017-01-01

Experimental studies evaluating the effects of food availability on the movement of free-ranging animals generally involve food supplementation rather than suppression. Both approaches can yield similar insights, but we were interested in the potential for using food suppression for the management and control of invasive predators, in particular, the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) on Guam. However, understanding a species’ response to food resources is critical before employing such a strategy. We studied the movements of 24 radio-tagged B. irregularis initially caught within four 4-ha unfenced plots in rodent-abundant (control) and rodent-suppressed (treatment) grassland habitats over a 40-day period. Because monitoring duration differed among snakes, we also analyzed short-term (16-day) activity areas. Over the 16 days, snakes associated with rodent-suppressed plots had 86% larger activity areas (ha), 94% greater dispersal distances (m), and 43% greater movement rates (m/h) than snakes associated with control plots. Boiga irregularis moved extensively, but these movements were not always reflected in the size of the snake’s total activity area. Movement rates did not differ between sexes, but snakes in above-average body condition moved greater distances per hour than those in below-average condition irrespective of treatment. Our study indicates that a relatively small prey suppression effort can cause almost immediate and significant changes in B. irregularismovement. On Guam, prey suppression might enhance control efforts by either increasing trap capture success or discouraging snakes from entering areas of conservation or management concern. However, the outcome of using prey suppression as a control tool in areas threatened with the accidental introduction of the brown treesnake is more difficult to predict and might have negative consequences such as elevated dispersal rates.

Probing nuclear symmetry energy at high densities using pion, kaon, eta and photon productions in heavy-ion collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Zhi-Gang; Yong, Gao-Chan; Chen, Lie-Wen; Li, Bao-An; Zhang, Ming; Xiao, Guo-Qing; Xu, Nu

2014-02-01

The high-density behavior of nuclear symmetry energy is among the most uncertain properties of dense neutron-rich matter. Its accurate determination has significant ramifications in understanding not only the reaction dynamics of heavy-ion reactions, especially those induced by radioactive beams, but also many interesting phenomena in astrophysics, such as the explosion mechanism of supernova and the properties of neutron stars. The heavy-ion physics community has devoted much effort during the last few years to constrain the high-density symmetry using various probes. In particular, the / ratio has been most extensively studied both theoretically and experimentally. All models have consistently predicted qualitatively that the / ratio is a sensitive probe of the high-density symmetry energy especially with beam energies near the pion production threshold. However, the predicted values of the / ratio are still quite model dependent mostly because of the complexity of modeling pion production and reabsorption dynamics in heavy-ion collisions, leading to currently still controversial conclusions regarding the high-density behavior of nuclear symmetry energy from comparing various model calculations with available experimental data. As more / data become available and a deeper understanding about the pion dynamics in heavy-ion reactions is obtained, more penetrating probes, such as the K +/ K 0 ratio, meson and high-energy photons are also being investigated or planned at several facilities. Here, we review some of our recent contributions to the community effort of constraining the high-density behavior of nuclear symmetry energy in heavy-ion collisions. In addition, the status of some worldwide experiments for studying the high-density symmetry energy, including the HIRFL-CSR external target experiment (CEE) are briefly introduced.

Regulatory Technology Development Plan - Sodium Fast Reactor. Mechanistic Source Term - Metal Fuel Radionuclide Release

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

Grabaskas, David; Bucknor, Matthew; Jerden, James

2016-02-01

The development of an accurate and defensible mechanistic source term will be vital for the future licensing efforts of metal fuel, pool-type sodium fast reactors. To assist in the creation of a comprehensive mechanistic source term, the current effort sought to estimate the release fraction of radionuclides from metal fuel pins to the primary sodium coolant during fuel pin failures at a variety of temperature conditions. These release estimates were based on the findings of an extensive literature search, which reviewed past experimentation and reactor fuel damage accidents. Data sources for each radionuclide of interest were reviewed to establish releasemore » fractions, along with possible release dependencies, and the corresponding uncertainty levels. Although the current knowledge base is substantial, and radionuclide release fractions were established for the elements deemed important for the determination of offsite consequences following a reactor accident, gaps were found pertaining to several radionuclides. First, there is uncertainty regarding the transport behavior of several radionuclides (iodine, barium, strontium, tellurium, and europium) during metal fuel irradiation to high burnup levels. The migration of these radionuclides within the fuel matrix and bond sodium region can greatly affect their release during pin failure incidents. Post-irradiation examination of existing high burnup metal fuel can likely resolve this knowledge gap. Second, data regarding the radionuclide release from molten high burnup metal fuel in sodium is sparse, which makes the assessment of radionuclide release from fuel melting accidents at high fuel burnup levels difficult. This gap could be addressed through fuel melting experimentation with samples from the existing high burnup metal fuel inventory.« less

Rheology modification with ring polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vlassopoulos, Dimitris

It is now established that experimental unconcatenated ring polymers can be purified effectively by means of fractionation at the critical condition. For molecular weights well above the entanglement threshold, purified rings relax stress via power-law (with an exponent of about -0.4), sharply departing from their linear counterparts. Experimental results are in harmony with modeling predictions and simulations. Here, we present results from recent interdisciplinary efforts and discuss two challenges: (i) the nonlinear shear rheology of purified ring melts is also very different from that of unlinked chains. Whereas the latter exhibit features that can be explained, to a first approach, in the framework in the tube model, the former behave akin to unentangled chains with finite extensibility and exhibit much small deformation at steady state. (ii) blends of rings and linear polymers exhibit unique features in different regimes: The addition of minute amounts of linear chains drastically affects ring dynamics. This relates to ring purity and the ability of unlinked linear chains to thread rings. With the help of simulations, it is possible to rationalize the observed surprisingly slow viscoelastic relaxation, which is attributed to ring-linear and ring-ring penetrations. On the other hand, adding small amounts of rings to linear polymers of different molecular weights influences their linear and nonlinear rheology in an unprecedented way. The blend viscosity exceeds that of the slower component (linear) in this non-interacting mixture, and its dependencies on composition and molecular weight ratio are examined, whereas the role of molecular architecture is also addressed. Consequently, closing the ends of a linear chain can serve as a powerful means for molecular manipulation of its rheology. This presentation reflects collaborative efforts with S. Costanzo, Z-C. Yan, R. Pasquino, M. Kaliva, S. Kamble, Y. Jeong, P. Lutz, J. Allgaier, T. Chang, D. Talikis, V. Mavrantzas and M. Rubinstein.

High-Fidelity Multi-Rotor Unmanned Aircraft System Simulation Development for Trajectory Prediction Under Off-Nominal Flight Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foster, John V.; Hartman, David C.

2017-01-01

The NASA Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) project is conducting research to enable civilian low-altitude airspace and UAS operations. A goal of this project is to develop probabilistic methods to quantify risk during failures and off nominal flight conditions. An important part of this effort is the reliable prediction of feasible trajectories during off-nominal events such as control failure, atmospheric upsets, or navigation anomalies that can cause large deviations from the intended flight path or extreme vehicle upsets beyond the normal flight envelope. Few examples of high-fidelity modeling and prediction of off-nominal behavior for small UAS (sUAS) vehicles exist, and modeling requirements for accurately predicting flight dynamics for out-of-envelope or failure conditions are essentially undefined. In addition, the broad range of sUAS aircraft configurations already being fielded presents a significant modeling challenge, as these vehicles are often very different from one another and are likely to possess dramatically different flight dynamics and resultant trajectories and may require different modeling approaches to capture off-nominal behavior. NASA has undertaken an extensive research effort to define sUAS flight dynamics modeling requirements and develop preliminary high fidelity six degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) simulations capable of more closely predicting off-nominal flight dynamics and trajectories. This research has included a literature review of existing sUAS modeling and simulation work as well as development of experimental testing methods to measure and model key components of propulsion, airframe and control characteristics. The ultimate objective of these efforts is to develop tools to support UTM risk analyses and for the real-time prediction of off-nominal trajectories for use in the UTM Risk Assessment Framework (URAF). This paper focuses on modeling and simulation efforts for a generic quad-rotor configuration typical of many commercial vehicles in use today. An overview of relevant off-nominal multi-rotor behaviors will be presented to define modeling goals and to identify the prediction capability lacking in simplified models of multi-rotor performance. A description of recent NASA wind tunnel testing of multi-rotor propulsion and airframe components will be presented illustrating important experimental and data acquisition methods, and a description of preliminary propulsion and airframe models will be presented. Lastly, examples of predicted off-nominal flight dynamics and trajectories from the simulation will be presented.

A Longitudinal Study of the Social Development of Three-and Four-Year-Old Children in a Preschool Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boger, Robert P.; Cunningham, Jo Lynn

An extensive longitudinal research effort conducted through the Early Childhood Research Center at Michigan State University focused on understanding the forces leading to positive social and emotional development during the preschool years. Because of the rather limited base which was available from other studies for launching such an effort,…

Effects of a Stretching Development and Maintenance Program on Hamstring Extensibility in Schoolchildren: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Mayorga-Vega, Daniel; Merino-Marban, Rafael; Manzano-Lagunas, Jorge; Blanco, Humberto; Viciana, Jesús

2016-01-01

The main purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a physical education-based stretching development and maintenance program on hamstring extensibility in schoolchildren. A sample of 150 schoolchildren aged 7-10 years old from a primary school participated in the present study (140 participants were finally included). The six classes balanced by grade were cluster randomly assigned to the experimental group 1 (n = 51), experimental group 2 (n = 51) or control group (n = 49) (i.e., a cluster randomized controlled trial design was used). During the physical education classes, the students from the experimental groups 1 and 2 performed a four-minute stretching program twice a week for nine weeks (first semester). Then, after a five-week period of detraining coinciding with the Christmas holidays, the students from the experimental groups 1 and 2 completed another stretching program twice a week for eleven weeks (second semester). The students from the experimental group 1 continued performing the stretching program for four minutes while those from the experimental group 2 completed a flexibility maintenance program for only one minute. The results of the two-way analysis of variance showed that the physical education-based stretching development program significantly improved the students’ hamstring extensibility (p < 0.001), as well as that these gains obtained remained after the stretching maintenance program (p < 0.001). Additionally, statistically significant differences between the two experimental groups were not found (p > 0.05). After a short-term stretching development program, a physical education-based stretching maintenance program of only one-minute sessions twice a week is effective in maintaining hamstring extensibility among schoolchildren. This knowledge could help and guide teachers to design programs that allow a feasible and effective development and maintenance of students’ flexibility in the physical education setting. Key points A physical education-based stretching maintenance program of only one-minute sessions twice a week is effective in maintaining hamstring extensibility among schoolchildren. A four-minute maintenance program shows similar effects that the one-minute maintenance program on hamstring extensibility among schoolchildren. Physical education teachers and other practitioners could carry out one-minute programs for a feasible and effective maintenance of students’ flexibility. PMID:26957928

Feasibility and Emotional Impact of Experimentally Extending Sleep in Short-Sleeping Adolescents.

PubMed

Van Dyk, Tori R; Zhang, Nanhua; Catlin, Perry A; Cornist, Kaylin; McAlister, Shealan; Whitacre, Catharine; Beebe, Dean W

2017-09-01

Published experimental sleep manipulation protocols for adolescents have been limited to the summer, limiting causal conclusions about how short sleep affects them on school nights, when they are most likely to restrict their sleep. This study assesses the feasibility and emotional impact of a school-night sleep manipulation protocol to test the effects of lengthening sleep in habitually short-sleeping adolescents. High school students aged 14-18 years who habitually slept 5-7 hours on school nights participated in a 5-week experimental sleep manipulation protocol. Participants completed a baseline week followed in randomized counterbalanced order by two experimental conditions lasting 2 weeks each: prescribed habitual sleep (HAB; sleep time set to match baseline) and sleep extension (EXT; 1.5-hour increase in time in bed from HAB). All sleep was obtained at home, monitored with actigraphy. Data on adherence, protocol acceptability, mood and behavior were collected at the end of each condition. Seventy-six adolescents enrolled in the study, with 54 retained through all 5 weeks. Compared to HAB, during EXT, participants averaged an additional 72.6 minutes/night of sleep (p < .001) and had reduced symptoms of sleepiness, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion (p < .05). The large majority of parents (98%) and adolescents (100%) said they would "maybe" or "definitely" recommend the study to another family. An experimental, school-night sleep manipulation protocol can be feasibly implemented which directly tests the potential protective effects of lengthening sleep. Many short-sleeping adolescents would benefit emotionally from sleeping longer, supporting public health efforts to promote adolescent sleep on school nights. © Sleep Research Society 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

NovelFam3000 – Uncharacterized human protein domains conserved across model organisms

PubMed Central

Kemmer, Danielle; Podowski, Raf M; Arenillas, David; Lim, Jonathan; Hodges, Emily; Roth, Peggy; Sonnhammer, Erik LL; Höög, Christer; Wasserman, Wyeth W

2006-01-01

Background Despite significant efforts from the research community, an extensive portion of the proteins encoded by human genes lack an assigned cellular function. Most metazoan proteins are composed of structural and/or functional domains, of which many appear in multiple proteins. Once a domain is characterized in one protein, the presence of a similar sequence in an uncharacterized protein serves as a basis for inference of function. Thus knowledge of a domain's function, or the protein within which it arises, can facilitate the analysis of an entire set of proteins. Description From the Pfam domain database, we extracted uncharacterized protein domains represented in proteins from humans, worms, and flies. A data centre was created to facilitate the analysis of the uncharacterized domain-containing proteins. The centre both provides researchers with links to dispersed internet resources containing gene-specific experimental data and enables them to post relevant experimental results or comments. For each human gene in the system, a characterization score is posted, allowing users to track the progress of characterization over time or to identify for study uncharacterized domains in well-characterized genes. As a test of the system, a subset of 39 domains was selected for analysis and the experimental results posted to the NovelFam3000 system. For 25 human protein members of these 39 domain families, detailed sub-cellular localizations were determined. Specific observations are presented based on the analysis of the integrated information provided through the online NovelFam3000 system. Conclusion Consistent experimental results between multiple members of a domain family allow for inferences of the domain's functional role. We unite bioinformatics resources and experimental data in order to accelerate the functional characterization of scarcely annotated domain families. PMID:16533400

Modeling and Evaluating Pilot Performance in NextGen: Review of and Recommendations Regarding Pilot Modeling Efforts, Architectures, and Validation Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wickens, Christopher; Sebok, Angelia; Keller, John; Peters, Steve; Small, Ronald; Hutchins, Shaun; Algarin, Liana; Gore, Brian Francis; Hooey, Becky Lee; Foyle, David C.

2013-01-01

NextGen operations are associated with a variety of changes to the national airspace system (NAS) including changes to the allocation of roles and responsibilities among operators and automation, the use of new technologies and automation, additional information presented on the flight deck, and the entire concept of operations (ConOps). In the transition to NextGen airspace, aviation and air operations designers need to consider the implications of design or system changes on human performance and the potential for error. To ensure continued safety of the NAS, it will be necessary for researchers to evaluate design concepts and potential NextGen scenarios well before implementation. One approach for such evaluations is through human performance modeling. Human performance models (HPMs) provide effective tools for predicting and evaluating operator performance in systems. HPMs offer significant advantages over empirical, human-in-the-loop testing in that (1) they allow detailed analyses of systems that have not yet been built, (2) they offer great flexibility for extensive data collection, (3) they do not require experimental participants, and thus can offer cost and time savings. HPMs differ in their ability to predict performance and safety with NextGen procedures, equipment and ConOps. Models also vary in terms of how they approach human performance (e.g., some focus on cognitive processing, others focus on discrete tasks performed by a human, while others consider perceptual processes), and in terms of their associated validation efforts. The objectives of this research effort were to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in identifying HPMs that are appropriate for predicting pilot performance in NextGen operations, to provide guidance on how to evaluate the quality of different models, and to identify gaps in pilot performance modeling research, that could guide future research opportunities. This research effort is intended to help the FAA evaluate pilot modeling efforts and select the appropriate tools for future modeling efforts to predict pilot performance in NextGen operations.

GPS-MBA: Computational Analysis of MHC Class II Epitopes in Type 1 Diabetes

PubMed Central

Ren, Jian; Ma, Chuang; Gao, Tianshun; Zhou, Yanhong; Yang, Qing; Xue, Yu

2012-01-01

As a severe chronic metabolic disease and autoimmune disorder, type 1 diabetes (T1D) affects millions of people world-wide. Recent advances in antigen-based immunotherapy have provided a great opportunity for further treating T1D with a high degree of selectivity. It is reported that MHC class II I-Ag7 in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse and human HLA-DQ8 are strongly linked to susceptibility to T1D. Thus, the identification of new I-Ag7 and HLA-DQ8 epitopes would be of great help to further experimental and biomedical manipulation efforts. In this study, a novel GPS-MBA (MHC Binding Analyzer) software package was developed for the prediction of I-Ag7 and HLA-DQ8 epitopes. Using experimentally identified epitopes as the training data sets, a previously developed GPS (Group-based Prediction System) algorithm was adopted and improved. By extensive evaluation and comparison, the GPS-MBA performance was found to be much better than other tools of this type. With this powerful tool, we predicted a number of potentially new I-Ag7 and HLA-DQ8 epitopes. Furthermore, we designed a T1D epitope database (TEDB) for all of the experimentally identified and predicted T1D-associated epitopes. Taken together, this computational prediction result and analysis provides a starting point for further experimental considerations, and GPS-MBA is demonstrated to be a useful tool for generating starting information for experimentalists. The GPS-MBA is freely accessible for academic researchers at: http://mba.biocuckoo.org. PMID:22479466

NEDE: an open-source scripting suite for developing experiments in 3D virtual environments.

PubMed

Jangraw, David C; Johri, Ansh; Gribetz, Meron; Sajda, Paul

2014-09-30

As neuroscientists endeavor to understand the brain's response to ecologically valid scenarios, many are leaving behind hyper-controlled paradigms in favor of more realistic ones. This movement has made the use of 3D rendering software an increasingly compelling option. However, mastering such software and scripting rigorous experiments requires a daunting amount of time and effort. To reduce these startup costs and make virtual environment studies more accessible to researchers, we demonstrate a naturalistic experimental design environment (NEDE) that allows experimenters to present realistic virtual stimuli while still providing tight control over the subject's experience. NEDE is a suite of open-source scripts built on the widely used Unity3D game development software, giving experimenters access to powerful rendering tools while interfacing with eye tracking and EEG, randomizing stimuli, and providing custom task prompts. Researchers using NEDE can present a dynamic 3D virtual environment in which randomized stimulus objects can be placed, allowing subjects to explore in search of these objects. NEDE interfaces with a research-grade eye tracker in real-time to maintain precise timing records and sync with EEG or other recording modalities. Python offers an alternative for experienced programmers who feel comfortable mastering and integrating the various toolboxes available. NEDE combines many of these capabilities with an easy-to-use interface and, through Unity's extensive user base, a much more substantial body of assets and tutorials. Our flexible, open-source experimental design system lowers the barrier to entry for neuroscientists interested in developing experiments in realistic virtual environments. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An Extension and Test of Sutherland's Concept of Differential Social Organization: The Geographic Clustering of Japanese Suicide and Homicide Rates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baller, Robert D.; Shin, Dong-Joon; Richardson, Kelly K.

2005-01-01

In an effort to explain the spatial patterning of violence, we expanded Sutherland's (1947) concept of differential social organization to include the level of deviance exhibited by neighboring areas. To test the value of this extension, the geographic clustering of Japanese suicide and homicide rates is assessed using 1985 and 1995 data for…

Cutting the wires: modularization of cellular networks for experimental design.

PubMed

Lang, Moritz; Summers, Sean; Stelling, Jörg

2014-01-07

Understanding naturally evolved cellular networks requires the consecutive identification and revision of the interactions between relevant molecular species. In this process, initially often simplified and incomplete networks are extended by integrating new reactions or whole subnetworks to increase consistency between model predictions and new measurement data. However, increased consistency with experimental data alone is not sufficient to show the existence of biomolecular interactions, because the interplay of different potential extensions might lead to overall similar dynamics. Here, we present a graph-based modularization approach to facilitate the design of experiments targeted at independently validating the existence of several potential network extensions. Our method is based on selecting the outputs to measure during an experiment, such that each potential network extension becomes virtually insulated from all others during data analysis. Each output defines a module that only depends on one hypothetical network extension, and all other outputs act as virtual inputs to achieve insulation. Given appropriate experimental time-series measurements of the outputs, our modules can be analyzed, simulated, and compared to the experimental data separately. Our approach exemplifies the close relationship between structural systems identification and modularization, an interplay that promises development of related approaches in the future. Copyright © 2014 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Note: The full function test explosive generator.

PubMed

Reisman, D B; Javedani, J B; Griffith, L V; Ellsworth, G F; Kuklo, R M; Goerz, D A; White, A D; Tallerico, L J; Gidding, D A; Murphy, M J; Chase, J B

2010-03-01

We have conducted three tests of a new pulsed power device called the full function test. These tests represented the culmination of an effort to establish a high energy pulsed power capability based on high explosive pulsed power (HEPP) technology. This involved an extensive computational modeling, engineering, fabrication, and fielding effort. The experiments were highly successful and a new U.S. record for magnetic energy was obtained.

Contrast and the justification of effort.

PubMed

Klein, Emily D; Bhatt, Ramesh S; Zentall, Thomas R

2005-04-01

When humans are asked to evaluate rewards or outcomes that follow unpleasant (e.g., high-effort) events, they often assign higher value to that reward. This phenomenon has been referred to as cognitive dissonance or justification of effort. There is now evidence that a similar phenomenon can be found in nonhuman animals. When demonstrated in animals, however, it has been attributed to contrast between the unpleasant high effort and the conditioned stimulus for food. In the present experiment, we asked whether an analogous effect could be found in humans under conditions similar to those found in animals. Adult humans were trained to discriminate between shapes that followed a high-effort versus a low-effort response. In test, participants were found to prefer shapes that followed the high-effort response in training. These results suggest the possibility that contrast effects of the sort extensively studied in animals may play a role in cognitive dissonance and other related phenomena in humans.

Analytical and experimental study of control effort associated with model reference adaptive control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Messer, R. S.; Haftka, R. T.; Cudney, H. H.

1992-01-01

Numerical simulation results presently obtained for the performance of model reference adaptive control (MRAC) are experimentally verified, with a view to accounting for differences between the plant and the reference model after the control function has been brought to bear. MRAC is both experimentally and analytically applied to a single-degree-of-freedom system, as well as analytically to a MIMO system having controlled differences between the reference model and the plant. The control effort is noted to be sensitive to differences between the plant and the reference model.

The Computational Infrastructure for Geodynamics as a Community of Practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, L.; Kellogg, L. H.

2016-12-01

Computational Infrastructure for Geodynamics (CIG), geodynamics.org, originated in 2005 out of community recognition that the efforts of individual or small groups of researchers to develop scientifically-sound software is impossible to sustain, duplicates effort, and makes it difficult for scientists to adopt state-of-the art computational methods that promote new discovery. As a community of practice, participants in CIG share an interest in computational modeling in geodynamics and work together on open source software to build the capacity to support complex, extensible, scalable, interoperable, reliable, and reusable software in an effort to increase the return on investment in scientific software development and increase the quality of the resulting software. The group interacts regularly to learn from each other and better their practices formally through webinar series, workshops, and tutorials and informally through listservs and hackathons. Over the past decade, we have learned that successful scientific software development requires at a minimum: collaboration between domain-expert researchers, software developers and computational scientists; clearly identified and committed lead developer(s); well-defined scientific and computational goals that are regularly evaluated and updated; well-defined benchmarks and testing throughout development; attention throughout development to usability and extensibility; understanding and evaluation of the complexity of dependent libraries; and managed user expectations through education, training, and support. CIG's code donation standards provide the basis for recently formalized best practices in software development (geodynamics.org/cig/dev/best-practices/). Best practices include use of version control; widely used, open source software libraries; extensive test suites; portable configuration and build systems; extensive documentation internal and external to the code; and structured, human readable input formats.

Fulfilling the promise of the materials genome initiative with high-throughput experimental methodologies

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

Green, Martin L.; Choi, C. L.; Hattrick-Simpers, J. R.

The Materials Genome Initiative, a national effort to introduce new materials into the market faster and at lower cost, has made significant progress in computational simulation and modeling of materials. To build on this progress, a large amount of experimental data for validating these models, and informing more sophisticated ones, will be required. High-throughput experimentation generates large volumes of experimental data using combinatorial materials synthesis and rapid measurement techniques, making it an ideal experimental complement to bring the Materials Genome Initiative vision to fruition. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art results, opportunities, and challenges in high-throughput experimentation for materials design. Asmore » a result, a major conclusion is that an effort to deploy a federated network of high-throughput experimental (synthesis and characterization) tools, which are integrated with a modern materials data infrastructure, is needed.« less

Fulfilling the promise of the materials genome initiative with high-throughput experimental methodologies

DOE PAGES

Green, Martin L.; Choi, C. L.; Hattrick-Simpers, J. R.; ...

2017-03-28

The Materials Genome Initiative, a national effort to introduce new materials into the market faster and at lower cost, has made significant progress in computational simulation and modeling of materials. To build on this progress, a large amount of experimental data for validating these models, and informing more sophisticated ones, will be required. High-throughput experimentation generates large volumes of experimental data using combinatorial materials synthesis and rapid measurement techniques, making it an ideal experimental complement to bring the Materials Genome Initiative vision to fruition. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art results, opportunities, and challenges in high-throughput experimentation for materials design. Asmore » a result, a major conclusion is that an effort to deploy a federated network of high-throughput experimental (synthesis and characterization) tools, which are integrated with a modern materials data infrastructure, is needed.« less

Integrated modeling of protein-coding genes in the Manduca sexta genome using RNA-Seq data from the biochemical model insect.

PubMed

Cao, Xiaolong; Jiang, Haobo

2015-07-01

The genome sequence of Manduca sexta was recently determined using 454 technology. Cufflinks and MAKER2 were used to establish gene models in the genome assembly based on the RNA-Seq data and other species' sequences. Aided by the extensive RNA-Seq data from 50 tissue samples at various life stages, annotators over the world (including the present authors) have manually confirmed and improved a small percentage of the models after spending months of effort. While such collaborative efforts are highly commendable, many of the predicted genes still have problems which may hamper future research on this insect species. As a biochemical model representing lepidopteran pests, M. sexta has been used extensively to study insect physiological processes for over five decades. In this work, we assembled Manduca datasets Cufflinks 3.0, Trinity 4.0, and Oases 4.0 to assist the manual annotation efforts and development of Official Gene Set (OGS) 2.0. To further improve annotation quality, we developed methods to evaluate gene models in the MAKER2, Cufflinks, Oases and Trinity assemblies and selected the best ones to constitute MCOT 1.0 after thorough crosschecking. MCOT 1.0 has 18,089 genes encoding 31,666 proteins: 32.8% match OGS 2.0 models perfectly or near perfectly, 11,747 differ considerably, and 29.5% are absent in OGS 2.0. Future automation of this process is anticipated to greatly reduce human efforts in generating comprehensive, reliable models of structural genes in other genome projects where extensive RNA-Seq data are available. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The JPEG XT suite of standards: status and future plans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richter, Thomas; Bruylants, Tim; Schelkens, Peter; Ebrahimi, Touradj

2015-09-01

The JPEG standard has known an enormous market adoption. Daily, billions of pictures are created, stored and exchanged in this format. The JPEG committee acknowledges this success and spends continued efforts in maintaining and expanding the standard specifications. JPEG XT is a standardization effort targeting the extension of the JPEG features by enabling support for high dynamic range imaging, lossless and near-lossless coding, and alpha channel coding, while also guaranteeing backward and forward compatibility with the JPEG legacy format. This paper gives an overview of the current status of the JPEG XT standards suite. It discusses the JPEG legacy specification, and details how higher dynamic range support is facilitated both for integer and floating-point color representations. The paper shows how JPEG XT's support for lossless and near-lossless coding of low and high dynamic range images is achieved in combination with backward compatibility to JPEG legacy. In addition, the extensible boxed-based JPEG XT file format on which all following and future extensions of JPEG will be based is introduced. This paper also details how the lossy and lossless representations of alpha channels are supported to allow coding transparency information and arbitrarily shaped images. Finally, we conclude by giving prospects on upcoming JPEG standardization initiative JPEG Privacy & Security, and a number of other possible extensions in JPEG XT.

Twitter Chats: Connect, Foster, and Engage Internal Extension Networks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seger, Jamie; Hill, Paul; Stafne, Eric; Swadley, Emy

2017-01-01

The eXtension Educational Technology Learning Network (EdTechLN) has found Twitter to be an effective form of informal communication for routinely engaging network members. Twitter chats provide Extension professionals an opportunity to reach and engage one other. As the EdTechLN's experimentation with Twitter chats has demonstrated, the use of…

Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Its purpose is to help states, communities, and consumers in efforts to prevent and control bed bug infestations. Currently includes only reviewed material from federal/state/local government agencies, extension services, and universities.

A model for growth of a single fungal hypha based on well-mixed tanks in series: simulation of nutrient and vesicle transport in aerial reproductive hyphae.

PubMed

Balmant, Wellington; Sugai-Guérios, Maura Harumi; Coradin, Juliana Hey; Krieger, Nadia; Furigo Junior, Agenor; Mitchell, David Alexander

2015-01-01

Current models that describe the extension of fungal hyphae and development of a mycelium either do not describe the role of vesicles in hyphal extension or do not correctly describe the experimentally observed profile for distribution of vesicles along the hypha. The present work uses the n-tanks-in-series approach to develop a model for hyphal extension that describes the intracellular transport of nutrient to a sub-apical zone where vesicles are formed and then transported to the tip, where tip extension occurs. The model was calibrated using experimental data from the literature for the extension of reproductive aerial hyphae of three different fungi, and was able to describe different profiles involving acceleration and deceleration of the extension rate. A sensitivity analysis showed that the supply of nutrient to the sub-apical vesicle-producing zone is a key factor influencing the rate of extension of the hypha. Although this model was used to describe the extension of a single reproductive aerial hypha, the use of the n-tanks-in-series approach to representing the hypha means that the model has the flexibility to be extended to describe the growth of other types of hyphae and the branching of hyphae to form a complete mycelium.

Taking Innovation To Scale In Primary Care Practices: The Functions Of Health Care Extension.

PubMed

Ono, Sarah S; Crabtree, Benjamin F; Hemler, Jennifer R; Balasubramanian, Bijal A; Edwards, Samuel T; Green, Larry A; Kaufman, Arthur; Solberg, Leif I; Miller, William L; Woodson, Tanisha Tate; Sweeney, Shannon M; Cohen, Deborah J

2018-02-01

Health care extension is an approach to providing external support to primary care practices with the aim of diffusing innovation. EvidenceNOW was launched to rapidly disseminate and implement evidence-based guidelines for cardiovascular preventive care in the primary care setting. Seven regional grantee cooperatives provided the foundational elements of health care extension-technological and quality improvement support, practice capacity building, and linking with community resources-to more than two hundred primary care practices in each region. This article describes how the cooperatives varied in their approaches to extension and provides early empirical evidence that health care extension is a feasible and potentially useful approach for providing quality improvement support to primary care practices. With investment, health care extension may be an effective platform for federal and state quality improvement efforts to create economies of scale and provide practices with more robust and coordinated support services.

Inferences about population dynamics from count data using multi-state models: A comparison to capture-recapture approaches

USGS Publications Warehouse

Grant, Evan H. Campbell; Zipkin, Elise; Scott, Sillett T.; Chandler, Richard; Royle, J. Andrew

2014-01-01

Wildlife populations consist of individuals that contribute disproportionately to growth and viability. Understanding a population's spatial and temporal dynamics requires estimates of abundance and demographic rates that account for this heterogeneity. Estimating these quantities can be difficult, requiring years of intensive data collection. Often, this is accomplished through the capture and recapture of individual animals, which is generally only feasible at a limited number of locations. In contrast, N-mixture models allow for the estimation of abundance, and spatial variation in abundance, from count data alone. We extend recently developed multistate, open population N-mixture models, which can additionally estimate demographic rates based on an organism's life history characteristics. In our extension, we develop an approach to account for the case where not all individuals can be assigned to a state during sampling. Using only state-specific count data, we show how our model can be used to estimate local population abundance, as well as density-dependent recruitment rates and state-specific survival. We apply our model to a population of black-throated blue warblers (Setophaga caerulescens) that have been surveyed for 25 years on their breeding grounds at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, USA. The intensive data collection efforts allow us to compare our estimates to estimates derived from capture–recapture data. Our model performed well in estimating population abundance and density-dependent rates of annual recruitment/immigration. Estimates of local carrying capacity and per capita recruitment of yearlings were consistent with those published in other studies. However, our model moderately underestimated annual survival probability of yearling and adult females and severely underestimates survival probabilities for both of these male stages. The most accurate and precise estimates will necessarily require some amount of intensive data collection efforts (such as capture–recapture). Integrated population models that combine data from both intensive and extensive sources are likely to be the most efficient approach for estimating demographic rates at large spatial and temporal scales.

Lewis Research Center earth resources program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mark, H.

1972-01-01

The Lewis Research Center earth resources program efforts are in the areas of: (1) monitoring and rapid evaluation of water quality; (2) determining ice-type and ice coverage distribution to aid operations in a possible extension of the Great Lakes ice navigation and shipping season; (3) monitoring spread of crop viruses; and (4) extent of damage to strip mined areas as well as success of efforts to rehabilitate such areas for agriculture.

ChIP-PIT: Enhancing the Analysis of ChIP-Seq Data Using Convex-Relaxed Pair-Wise Interaction Tensor Decomposition.

PubMed

Zhu, Lin; Guo, Wei-Li; Deng, Su-Ping; Huang, De-Shuang

2016-01-01

In recent years, thanks to the efforts of individual scientists and research consortiums, a huge amount of chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) experimental data have been accumulated. Instead of investigating them independently, several recent studies have convincingly demonstrated that a wealth of scientific insights can be gained by integrative analysis of these ChIP-seq data. However, when used for the purpose of integrative analysis, a serious drawback of current ChIP-seq technique is that it is still expensive and time-consuming to generate ChIP-seq datasets of high standard. Most researchers are therefore unable to obtain complete ChIP-seq data for several TFs in a wide variety of cell lines, which considerably limits the understanding of transcriptional regulation pattern. In this paper, we propose a novel method called ChIP-PIT to overcome the aforementioned limitation. In ChIP-PIT, ChIP-seq data corresponding to a diverse collection of cell types, TFs and genes are fused together using the three-mode pair-wise interaction tensor (PIT) model, and the prediction of unperformed ChIP-seq experimental results is formulated as a tensor completion problem. Computationally, we propose efficient first-order method based on extensions of coordinate descent method to learn the optimal solution of ChIP-PIT, which makes it particularly suitable for the analysis of massive scale ChIP-seq data. Experimental evaluation the ENCODE data illustrate the usefulness of the proposed model.

A Benchmark and Comparative Study of Video-Based Face Recognition on COX Face Database.

PubMed

Huang, Zhiwu; Shan, Shiguang; Wang, Ruiping; Zhang, Haihong; Lao, Shihong; Kuerban, Alifu; Chen, Xilin

2015-12-01

Face recognition with still face images has been widely studied, while the research on video-based face recognition is inadequate relatively, especially in terms of benchmark datasets and comparisons. Real-world video-based face recognition applications require techniques for three distinct scenarios: 1) Videoto-Still (V2S); 2) Still-to-Video (S2V); and 3) Video-to-Video (V2V), respectively, taking video or still image as query or target. To the best of our knowledge, few datasets and evaluation protocols have benchmarked for all the three scenarios. In order to facilitate the study of this specific topic, this paper contributes a benchmarking and comparative study based on a newly collected still/video face database, named COX(1) Face DB. Specifically, we make three contributions. First, we collect and release a largescale still/video face database to simulate video surveillance with three different video-based face recognition scenarios (i.e., V2S, S2V, and V2V). Second, for benchmarking the three scenarios designed on our database, we review and experimentally compare a number of existing set-based methods. Third, we further propose a novel Point-to-Set Correlation Learning (PSCL) method, and experimentally show that it can be used as a promising baseline method for V2S/S2V face recognition on COX Face DB. Extensive experimental results clearly demonstrate that video-based face recognition needs more efforts, and our COX Face DB is a good benchmark database for evaluation.

Crystal growth of ZnSe and related ternary compound semiconductors by physical vapor transport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua

1993-01-01

The materials to be investigated are ZnSe and related ternary semiconducting alloys (e.g., ZnS(x)Se(1-x), ZnTe(x)Se(1-x), and Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se). These materials are useful for opto-electronic applications such as high efficient light emitting diodes and low power threshold and high temperature lasers in the blue-green region of the visible spectrum. The recent demonstration of its optical bistable properties also makes ZnSe a possible candidate material for digital optical computers. The investigation consists of an extensive ground-based study followed by flight experimentation, and involves both experimental and theoretical work. The objectives of the ground-based work are to establish the characteristics of the crystals grown on Earth as a basis for subsequent comparative evaluations of the crystals grown in a low gravity environment and to obtain the experimental data and perform the analyses required to define the optimum parameters for the flight experiments. During the six months of the Preliminary Definition Phase, the research efforts were concentrated on the binary compound ZnSe - the purification of starting materials of Se by zone refining, the synthesis of ZnSe starting materials, the heat treatments of the starting materials, the vapor transport rate measurements, the vapor partial pressure measurements of ZnSe, the crystal growth of ZnSe by physical vapor transport, and various characterization on the grown ZnSe crystals.

Dose potential of sludge contaminated and/or TRU contaminated waste in B-25s for tornado and straight wind events

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

Aponte, C.I.

F and H Tank Farms generate supernate and sludge contaminated Low-Level Waste. The waste is collected, characterized, and packaged for disposal. Before the waste can be disposed of, however, it must be properly characterized. Since the radionuclide distribution in typical supernate is well known, its characterization is relatively straight forward and requires minimal effort. Non-routine waste, including potentially sludge contaminated, requires much more effort to effectively characterize. The radionuclide distribution must be determined. In some cases the waste can be contaminated by various sludge transfers with unique radionuclide distributions. In these cases, the characterization can require an extensive effort. Evenmore » after an extensive characterization effort, the container must still be prepared for shipping. Therefore a significant amount of time may elapse from the time the waste is generated until the time of disposal. During the time it is possible for a tornado or high wind scenario to occur. The purpose of this report is to determine the effect of a tornado on potential sludge contaminated waste, or Transuranic (TRU) waste in B-25s [large storage containers], to evaluate the potential impact on F and H Tank Farms, and to help establish a B-25 control program for tornado events.« less

Sub-half-micron contact window design with 3D photolithography simulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brainerd, Steve K.; Bernard, Douglas A.; Rey, Juan C.; Li, Jiangwei; Granik, Yuri; Boksha, Victor V.

1997-07-01

In state of the art IC design and manufacturing certain lithography layers have unique requirements. Latitudes and tolerances that apply to contacts and polysilicon gates are tight for such critical layers. Industry experts are discussing the most cost effective ways to use feature- oriented equipment and materials already developed for these layers. Such requirements introduce new dimensions into the traditionally challenging task for the photolithography engineer when considering various combinations of multiple factors to optimize and control the process. In addition, he/she faces a rapidly increasing cost of experiments, limited time and scarce access to equipment to conduct them. All the reasons presented above support simulation as an ideal method to satisfy these demands. However lithography engineers may be easily dissatisfied with a simulation tool when discovering disagreement between the simulation and experimental data. The problem is that several parameters used in photolithography simulation are very process specific. Calibration, i.e. matching experimental and simulation data using a specific set of procedures allows one to effectively use the simulation tool. We present results of a simulation based approach to optimize photolithography processes for sub-0.5 micron contact windows. Our approach consists of: (1) 3D simulation to explore different lithographic options, (2) calibration to a range of process conditions with extensive use of specifically developed optimization techniques. The choice of a 3D simulator is essential because of 3D nature of the problem of contact window design. We use DEPICT 4.1. This program performs fast aerial image simulation as presented before. For 3D exposure the program uses an extension to three-dimensions of the high numerical aperture model combined with Fast Fourier Transforms for maximum performance and accuracy. We use Kim (U.C. Berkeley) model and the fast marching Level Set method respectively for the calculation of resist development rates and resist surface movement during development process. Calibration efforts were aimed at matching experimental results on contact windows obtained after exposure of a binary mask. Additionally, simulation was applied to conduct quantitative analysis of PSM design capabilities, optical proximity correction, and stepper parameter optimization. Extensive experiments covered exposure (ASML 5500/100D stepper), pre- and post-exposure bake and development (2.38% TMAH, puddle process) of JSR IX725D2G and TOK iP3500 photoresists films on 200 mm test wafers. `Aquatar' was used as top antireflective coating, SEM pictures of developed patterns were analyzed and compared with simulation results for different values of defocus, exposure energies, numerical aperture and partial coherence.

The Canadian effort to prevent and control hypertension: can other countries adopt Canadian strategies?

PubMed

Campbell, Norm R C; Sheldon, Tobe

2010-07-01

To indicate the key elements of current Canadian programs to treat and control hypertension. In the early 1990s Canada had a hypertension treatment and control rate of 13%. A Canadian strategy to prevent and control hypertension was developed and a coalition of national organizations and volunteers formed to develop increasingly extensive programs. The Canadian effort was largely based on annually updated hypertension management recommendations, an integrated and extensive hypertension knowledge translation program and an increasingly comprehensive outcomes assessment program. After the start of the annual process in 1999, there were very large increases in diagnosis and hypertension treatment coupled with dropping rates of cardiovascular disease. More recent initiatives include an extensive education program for the public and people with hypertension, a program to reduce dietary salt and a funded leadership position. The treatment and control rate increased to 66% when last assessed (2007-2009). The study describes important aspects of the Canadian hypertension management programs to aid those wishing to develop similar programs. Many of the programs could be fully or partially implemented by other countries.

Benefits of extensive recruitment effort persist during follow-ups and are consistent across age group and survey method. The TRAILS study

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Extensive recruitment effort at baseline increases representativeness of study populations by decreasing non-response and associated bias. First, it is not known to what extent increased attrition occurs during subsequent measurement waves among subjects who were hard-to-recruit at baseline and what characteristics the hard-to-recruit dropouts have compared to the hard-to-recruit retainers. Second, it is unknown whether characteristics of hard-to-recruit responders in a prospective population based cohort study are similar across age group and survey method. Methods First, we compared first wave (T1) easy-to-recruit with hard-to-recruit responders of the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS), a prospective population based cohort study of Dutch (pre)adolescents (at first wave: n = 2230, mean age = 11.09 (SD 0.56), 50.8% girls), with regard to response rates at subsequent measurement waves. Second, easy-to-recruit and hard-to-recruit participants at the fourth TRAILS measurement wave (n = 1881, mean age = 19.1 (SD 0.60), 52.3% girls) were compared with fourth wave non-responders and earlier stage drop-outs on family composition, socioeconomic position (SEP), intelligence (IQ), education, sociometric status, substance use, and psychopathology. Results First, over 60% of the hard-to-recruit responders at the first wave were retained in the sample eight years later at the fourth measurement wave. Hard-to-recruit dropouts did not differ from hard-to-recruit retainers. Second, extensive recruitment efforts for the web based survey convinced a population of nineteen year olds with similar characteristics as the hard-to-recruit eleven year olds that were persuaded to participate in a school-based survey. Some characteristics associated with being hard-to-recruit (as compared to being easy-to-recruit) were more pronounced among non-responders, resembling the baseline situation (De Winter et al.2005). Conclusions First, extensive recruitment effort at the first assessment wave of a prospective population based cohort study has long lasting positive effects. Second, characteristics of hard-to-recruit responders are largely consistent across age groups and survey methods. PMID:22747967

How fish swim: flexible fin thrusters as an EAP platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lauder, George V.

2007-04-01

Fish are capable of remarkable locomotor performance and use their fins extensively for both propulsion and maneuvering. Recent interest in using fishes as inspiration for the design of a new generation of autonomous underwater vehicles has prompted both new experimental studies of fish locomotor function and efforts to use electroactive polymers (EAP) as actuators in fish-inspired propulsive devices. The fins of fishes allow precise control over body position and vectoring of thrust during propulsion and maneuvering. Recent experimental studies of fish locomotion have revealed that fins exhibit much greater flexibility than previously suspected and that there is considerable deformation of the fin surface during locomotion. The fins of the large group known as ray-finned fishes are supported by fin rays, which have a bilaminar structure that allows active curvature control of the ray and fin surface by the fin musculature. Fish have up to seven different fins, and these fins may interact with each other hydrodynamically during locomotion. Fish fins provide an excellent test platform for the use of electroactive polymer actuators as the frequency of movement is typically less than 5 Hz, and fin muscle strains typically range from 2 to 10%. Recent developments of biorobotic fish pectoral fins actuated with EAP are reviewed.

Systems biology driven software design for the research enterprise.

PubMed

Boyle, John; Cavnor, Christopher; Killcoyne, Sarah; Shmulevich, Ilya

2008-06-25

In systems biology, and many other areas of research, there is a need for the interoperability of tools and data sources that were not originally designed to be integrated. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of systems biology, and its association with high throughput experimental platforms, there is an additional need to continually integrate new technologies. As scientists work in isolated groups, integration with other groups is rarely a consideration when building the required software tools. We illustrate an approach, through the discussion of a purpose built software architecture, which allows disparate groups to reuse tools and access data sources in a common manner. The architecture allows for: the rapid development of distributed applications; interoperability, so it can be used by a wide variety of developers and computational biologists; development using standard tools, so that it is easy to maintain and does not require a large development effort; extensibility, so that new technologies and data types can be incorporated; and non intrusive development, insofar as researchers need not to adhere to a pre-existing object model. By using a relatively simple integration strategy, based upon a common identity system and dynamically discovered interoperable services, a light-weight software architecture can become the focal point through which scientists can both get access to and analyse the plethora of experimentally derived data.

A new code for Galileo

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dolinar, S.

1988-01-01

Over the past six to eight years, an extensive research effort was conducted to investigate advanced coding techniques which promised to yield more coding gain than is available with current NASA standard codes. The delay in Galileo's launch due to the temporary suspension of the shuttle program provided the Galileo project with an opportunity to evaluate the possibility of including some version of the advanced codes as a mission enhancement option. A study was initiated last summer to determine if substantial coding gain was feasible for Galileo and, is so, to recommend a suitable experimental code for use as a switchable alternative to the current NASA-standard code. The Galileo experimental code study resulted in the selection of a code with constant length 15 and rate 1/4. The code parameters were chosen to optimize performance within cost and risk constraints consistent with retrofitting the new code into the existing Galileo system design and launch schedule. The particular code was recommended after a very limited search among good codes with the chosen parameters. It will theoretically yield about 1.5 dB enhancement under idealizing assumptions relative to the current NASA-standard code at Galileo's desired bit error rates. This ideal predicted gain includes enough cushion to meet the project's target of at least 1 dB enhancement under real, non-ideal conditions.

Mimicking the magnetic properties of rare earth elements using superatoms.

PubMed

Cheng, Shi-Bo; Berkdemir, Cuneyt; Castleman, A W

2015-04-21

Rare earth elements (REs) consist of a very important group in the periodic table that is vital to many modern technologies. The mining process, however, is extremely damaging to the environment, making them low yield and very expensive. Therefore, mimicking the properties of REs in a superatom framework is especially valuable but at the same time, technically challenging and requiring advanced concepts about manipulating properties of atom/molecular complexes. Herein, by using photoelectron imaging spectroscopy, we provide original idea and direct experimental evidence that chosen boron-doped clusters could mimic the magnetic characteristics of REs. Specifically, the neutral LaB and NdB clusters are found to have similar unpaired electrons and magnetic moments as their isovalent REs (namely Nd and Eu, respectively), opening up the great possibility in accomplishing rare earth mimicry. Extension of the superatom concept into the rare earth group not only further shows the power and advance of this concept but also, will stimulate more efforts to explore new superatomic clusters to mimic the chemistry of these heavy atoms, which will be of great importance in designing novel building blocks in the application of cluster-assembled nanomaterials. Additionally, based on these experimental findings, a novel "magic boron" counting rule is proposed to estimate the numbers of unpaired electrons in diatomic LnB clusters.

Alterations to the orientation of the ground reaction force vector affect sprint acceleration performance in team sports athletes.

PubMed

Bezodis, Neil E; North, Jamie S; Razavet, Jane L

2017-09-01

A more horizontally oriented ground reaction force vector is related to higher levels of sprint acceleration performance across a range of athletes. However, the effects of acute experimental alterations to the force vector orientation within athletes are unknown. Fifteen male team sports athletes completed maximal effort 10-m accelerations in three conditions following different verbal instructions intended to manipulate the force vector orientation. Ground reaction forces (GRFs) were collected from the step nearest 5-m and stance leg kinematics at touchdown were also analysed to understand specific kinematic features of touchdown technique which may influence the consequent force vector orientation. Magnitude-based inferences were used to compare findings between conditions. There was a likely more horizontally oriented ground reaction force vector and a likely lower peak vertical force in the control condition compared with the experimental conditions. 10-m sprint time was very likely quickest in the control condition which confirmed the importance of force vector orientation for acceleration performance on a within-athlete basis. The stance leg kinematics revealed that a more horizontally oriented force vector during stance was preceded at touchdown by a likely more dorsiflexed ankle, a likely more flexed knee, and a possibly or likely greater hip extension velocity.

Synchrotron characterization of nanograined UO 2 grain growth

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

Mo, Kun; Miao, Yinbin; Yun, Di

2015-09-30

This activity is supported by the US Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Fuels Product Line (FPL) and aims at providing experimental data for the validation of the mesoscale simulation code MARMOT. MARMOT is a mesoscale multiphysics code that predicts the coevolution of microstructure and properties within reactor fuel during its lifetime in the reactor. It is an important component of the Moose-Bison-Marmot (MBM) code suite that has been developed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to enable next generation fuel performance modeling capability as part of the NEAMS Program FPL. In order to ensure the accuracy of the microstructuremore » based materials models being developed within the MARMOT code, extensive validation efforts must be carried out. In this report, we summarize our preliminary synchrotron radiation experiments at APS to determine the grain size of nanograin UO 2. The methodology and experimental setup developed in this experiment can directly apply to the proposed in-situ grain growth measurements. The investigation of the grain growth kinetics was conducted based on isothermal annealing and grain growth characterization as functions of duration and temperature. The kinetic parameters such as activation energy for grain growth for UO 2 with different stoichiometry are obtained and compared with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.« less

Supplying materials needed for grain growth characterizations of nano-grained UO 2

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

Mo, Kun; Miao, Yinbin; Yun, Di

2015-09-30

This activity is supported by the US Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Fuels Product Line (FPL) and aims at providing experimental data for the validation of the mesoscale simulation code MARMOT. MARMOT is a mesoscale multiphysics code that predicts the coevolution of microstructure and properties within reactor fuel during its lifetime in the reactor. It is an important component of the Moose-Bison-Marmot (MBM) code suite that has been developed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to enable next generation fuel performance modeling capability as part of the NEAMS Program FPL. In order to ensure the accuracy of the microstructuremore » based materials models being developed within the MARMOT code, extensive validation efforts must be carried out. In this report, we summarize our preliminary synchrotron radiation experiments at APS to determine the grain size of nanograin UO 2. The methodology and experimental setup developed in this experiment can directly apply to the proposed in-situ grain growth measurements. The investigation of the grain growth kinetics was conducted based on isothermal annealing and grain growth characterization as functions of duration and temperature. The kinetic parameters such as activation energy for grain growth for UO 2 with different stoichiometry are obtained and compared with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.« less

Patterns of shading tolerance determined from experimental light reduction studies of seagrasses

EPA Science Inventory

An extensive review of the experimental literature on seagrass shading evaluated the relationship between experimental light reductions, duration of experiment and seagrass response metrics to determine whether there were consistent statistical patterns. There were highly signif...

Reduction of provisioning effort in response to experimental manipulation of chick nutritional status in the Horned Puffin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harding, A.M.A.; van Pelt, Thomas I.; Piatt, John F.; Kitaysky, A.S.

2002-01-01

Using a supplemental feeding experiment, we investigated the ability of adult Horned Puffins to decrease provisioning effort in response to reduced nutritional requirements of chicks. We found no difference between experimental and control groups in parental provisioning before supplementary feeding was initiated. After receiving supplemental food for seven days, experimental chicks grew faster, gained more mass and received 87% less food from their parents than did control chicks. These results demonstrate that Horned Puffin parents can decrease food provisioning in response to a decrease in their chick nutritional requirements. ?? The Cooper Ornithological Society 2002.

RANS Based Methodology for Predicting the Influence of Leading Edge Erosion on Airfoil Performance

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

Langel, Christopher M.; Chow, Raymond C.; van Dam, C. P.

The impact of surface roughness on flows over aerodynamically designed surfaces is of interested in a number of different fields. It has long been known the surface roughness will likely accelerate the laminar- turbulent transition process by creating additional disturbances in the boundary layer. However, there are very few tools available to predict the effects surface roughness will have on boundary layer flow. There are numerous implications of the premature appearance of a turbulent boundary layer. Increases in local skin friction, boundary layer thickness, and turbulent mixing can impact global flow properties compounding the effects of surface roughness. With thismore » motivation, an investigation into the effects of surface roughness on boundary layer transition has been conducted. The effort involved both an extensive experimental campaign, and the development of a high fidelity roughness model implemented in a R ANS solver. Vast a mounts of experimental data was generated at the Texas A&M Oran W. Nicks Low Speed Wind Tunnel for the calibration and validation of the roughness model described in this work, as well as future efforts. The present work focuses on the development of the computational model including a description of the calibration process. The primary methodology presented introduces a scalar field variable and associated transport equation that interacts with a correlation based transition model. The additional equation allows for non-local effects of surface roughness to be accounted for downstream of rough wall sections while maintaining a "local" formulation. The scalar field is determined through a boundary condition function that has been calibrated to flat plate cases with sand grain roughness. The model was initially tested on a NACA 0012 airfoil with roughness strips applied to the leading edge. Further calibration of the roughness model was performed using results from the companion experimental study on a NACA 63 3 -418 airfoil. The refined model demonstrates favorable agreement predicting changes to the transition location, as well as drag, for a number of different leading edge roughness configurations on the NACA 63 3-418 airfoil. Additional tests were conducted on a thicker S814 airfoil, with similar roughness configurations to the NACA 63 3-418. Simulations run with the roughness model compare favorably with the results obtained in the experimental study for both airfoils.« less

FuGEFlow: data model and markup language for flow cytometry.

PubMed

Qian, Yu; Tchuvatkina, Olga; Spidlen, Josef; Wilkinson, Peter; Gasparetto, Maura; Jones, Andrew R; Manion, Frank J; Scheuermann, Richard H; Sekaly, Rafick-Pierre; Brinkman, Ryan R

2009-06-16

Flow cytometry technology is widely used in both health care and research. The rapid expansion of flow cytometry applications has outpaced the development of data storage and analysis tools. Collaborative efforts being taken to eliminate this gap include building common vocabularies and ontologies, designing generic data models, and defining data exchange formats. The Minimum Information about a Flow Cytometry Experiment (MIFlowCyt) standard was recently adopted by the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry. This standard guides researchers on the information that should be included in peer reviewed publications, but it is insufficient for data exchange and integration between computational systems. The Functional Genomics Experiment (FuGE) formalizes common aspects of comprehensive and high throughput experiments across different biological technologies. We have extended FuGE object model to accommodate flow cytometry data and metadata. We used the MagicDraw modelling tool to design a UML model (Flow-OM) according to the FuGE extension guidelines and the AndroMDA toolkit to transform the model to a markup language (Flow-ML). We mapped each MIFlowCyt term to either an existing FuGE class or to a new FuGEFlow class. The development environment was validated by comparing the official FuGE XSD to the schema we generated from the FuGE object model using our configuration. After the Flow-OM model was completed, the final version of the Flow-ML was generated and validated against an example MIFlowCyt compliant experiment description. The extension of FuGE for flow cytometry has resulted in a generic FuGE-compliant data model (FuGEFlow), which accommodates and links together all information required by MIFlowCyt. The FuGEFlow model can be used to build software and databases using FuGE software toolkits to facilitate automated exchange and manipulation of potentially large flow cytometry experimental data sets. Additional project documentation, including reusable design patterns and a guide for setting up a development environment, was contributed back to the FuGE project. We have shown that an extension of FuGE can be used to transform minimum information requirements in natural language to markup language in XML. Extending FuGE required significant effort, but in our experiences the benefits outweighed the costs. The FuGEFlow is expected to play a central role in describing flow cytometry experiments and ultimately facilitating data exchange including public flow cytometry repositories currently under development.

Hints for an extension of the early exercise premium formula for American options

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bermin, Hans-Peter; Kohatsu-Higa, Arturo; Perelló, Josep

2005-09-01

There exists a non-closed formula for the American put option price and non-trivial computations are required to solve it. Strong efforts have been made to propose efficient numerical techniques but few have strong mathematical reasoning to ascertain why they work well. We present an extension of the American put price aiming to catch weaknesses of the numerical methods based on their non-fulfillment of the smooth pasting condition.

FY 2000 Saltcake Dissolution and Feed Stability Workshop

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

Hunt, R.D.; McGinnis, C.P.; Weber, C.F.

2000-07-31

The Tanks Focus Area (TFA) continues to work closely with the Office of River Protection (ORP) to better understand the chemistry involved with the retrieval, transport, and pretreatment of nuclear wastes at Hanford. Since a private contractor is currently responsible for the pretreatment and immobilization activities in this remediation effort, the TFA has concentrated on saltcake dissolution and waste transport at the request of the ORP. Researchers at Hanford have performed a series of dissolution experiments on actual saltcake samples. Staff members at Mississippi State University (MSU) continue to model the dissolution results with the Environmental Simulation Program (ESP), whichmore » is used extensively by ORP personnel. Several ways to improve the predictive capabilities of the ESP were identified. Since several transfer lines at Hanford have become plugged, TFA tasks at AEA Technologies, Florida International University (FIU), MSU, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are investigating the behavior of the supernatants and slurries during transport. A combination of experimental and theoretical techniques is used to study the transport chemistry. This effort is expected to develop process control tools for waste transfer. The results from these TFA tasks were presented to ORP personnel during the FY 2000 Saltcake Dissolution and Feed Stability Workshop, which was held on May 16-17 in Richland, Washington. The minutes from this workshop are provided in this report.« less

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

Hurst, Aaron M.

A data structure based on an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) hierarchy according to experimental nuclear structure data in the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) is presented. A Python-coded translator has been developed to interpret the standard one-card records of the ENSDF datasets, together with their associated quantities defined according to field position, and generate corresponding representative XML output. The quantities belonging to this mixed-record format are described in the ENSDF manual. Of the 16 ENSDF records in total, XML output has been successfully generated for 15 records. An XML-translation for the Comment Record is yet to be implemented; thismore » will be considered in a separate phase of the overall translation effort. Continuation records, not yet implemented, will also be treated in a future phase of this work. Several examples are presented in this document to illustrate the XML schema and methods for handling the various ENSDF data types. However, the proposed nomenclature for the XML elements and attributes need not necessarily be considered as a fixed set of constructs. Indeed, better conventions may be suggested and a consensus can be achieved amongst the various groups of people interested in this project. The main purpose here is to present an initial phase of the translation effort to demonstrate the feasibility of interpreting ENSDF datasets and creating a representative XML-structured hierarchy for data storage.« less

Acute electromyographic responses of deep thoracic paraspinal muscles to spinal manual therapy interventions. An experimental, randomized cross-over study.

PubMed

Fryer, Gary; Bird, Michael; Robbins, Barry; Johnson, Jane C

2017-07-01

This single group, randomized, cross-over study explored whether manual therapy alters motor tone of deep thoracic back muscles by examining resting electromyographic activity (EMG) after 2 types of manual therapy and a sham control intervention. Twenty-two participants with thoracic spinal pain (15 females, 7 males, mean age 28.1 ± 6.4 years) had dual fine-wire, intramuscular electrodes inserted into deep transversospinalis muscles at a thoracic level where tissues appeared abnormal to palpation (AbP) and at 2 sites above and below normal and non-tender to palpation (NT). A surface electrode was on the contralateral paraspinal mass at the level of AbP. EMG signals were recorded for resting prone, two 3-s free neck extension efforts, two 3-s resisted maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC), and resting prone before the intervention. Randomized spinal manipulation, counterstrain, or sham manipulation was delivered and EMG re-measured. Participants returned 1 and 2 weeks later for the remaining 2 treatments. Reductions in resting EMG followed counterstrain in AbP (median decrease 3.3%, P = 0.01) and NT sites (median decrease 1.0%, P = 0.05) and for the surface electrode site (median decrease 2.0%, P = 0.009). Reduction in EMG following counterstrain during free neck extension was found for the surface electrode site (median decrease 2.7%, P < 0.01). Spinal manipulation produced no change in EMG, whereas counterstrain technique produced small significant reductions in paraspinal muscle activity during prone resting and free neck extension conditions. The clinical relevance of these changes is unclear. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental Investigation – Magnetic Assisted Electro Discharge Machining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kesava Reddy, Chirra; Manzoor Hussain, M.; Satyanarayana, S.; Krishna, M. V. S. Murali

2018-04-01

Emerging technology needs advanced machined parts with high strength and temperature resistance, high fatigue life at low production cost with good surface quality to fit into various industrial applications. Electro discharge machine is one of the extensively used machines to manufacture advanced machined parts which cannot be machined by other traditional machine with high precision and accuracy. Machining of DIN 17350-1.2080 (High Carbon High Chromium steel), using electro discharge machining has been discussed in this paper. In the present investigation an effort is made to use permanent magnet at various positions near the spark zone to improve surface quality of the machined surface. Taguchi methodology is used to obtain optimal choice for each machining parameter such as peak current, pulse duration, gap voltage and Servo reference voltage etc. Process parameters have significant influence on machining characteristics and surface finish. Improvement in surface finish is observed when process parameters are set at optimum condition under the influence of magnetic field at various positions.

Investigation of a novel approach to scoring Giemsa-stained malaria-infected thin blood films.

PubMed

Proudfoot, Owen; Drew, Nathan; Scholzen, Anja; Xiang, Sue; Plebanski, Magdalena

2008-04-21

Daily assessment of the percentage of erythrocytes that are infected ('percent-parasitaemia') across a time-course is a necessary step in many experimental studies of malaria, but represents a time-consuming and unpopular task among researchers. The most common method is extensive microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained thin blood-films. This study explored a method for the assessment of percent-parasitaemia that does not require extended periods of microscopy and results in a descriptive and permanent record of parasitaemia data that is highly amenable to subsequent 'data-mining'. Digital photography was utilized in conjunction with a basic purpose-written computer programme to test the viability of the concept. Partial automation of the determination of percent parasitaemia was then explored, resulting in the successful customization of commercially available broad-spectrum image analysis software towards this aim. Lastly, automated discrimination between infected and uninfected RBCs based on analysis of digital parameters of individual cell images was explored in an effort to completely automate the calculation of an accurate percent-parasitaemia.

AIDA: an adaptive image deconvolution algorithm with application to multi-frame and three-dimensional data

PubMed Central

Hom, Erik F. Y.; Marchis, Franck; Lee, Timothy K.; Haase, Sebastian; Agard, David A.; Sedat, John W.

2011-01-01

We describe an adaptive image deconvolution algorithm (AIDA) for myopic deconvolution of multi-frame and three-dimensional data acquired through astronomical and microscopic imaging. AIDA is a reimplementation and extension of the MISTRAL method developed by Mugnier and co-workers and shown to yield object reconstructions with excellent edge preservation and photometric precision [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 21, 1841 (2004)]. Written in Numerical Python with calls to a robust constrained conjugate gradient method, AIDA has significantly improved run times over the original MISTRAL implementation. Included in AIDA is a scheme to automatically balance maximum-likelihood estimation and object regularization, which significantly decreases the amount of time and effort needed to generate satisfactory reconstructions. We validated AIDA using synthetic data spanning a broad range of signal-to-noise ratios and image types and demonstrated the algorithm to be effective for experimental data from adaptive optics–equipped telescope systems and wide-field microscopy. PMID:17491626

Manipulation of domain-wall solitons in bi- and trilayer graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Lili; Wang, Sheng; Shi, Zhiwen; Jin, Chenhao; Utama, M. Iqbal Bakti; Zhao, Sihan; Shen, Yuen-Ron; Gao, Hong-Jun; Zhang, Guangyu; Wang, Feng

2018-01-01

Topological dislocations and stacking faults greatly affect the performance of functional crystalline materials1-3. Layer-stacking domain walls (DWs) in graphene alter its electronic properties and give rise to fascinating new physics such as quantum valley Hall edge states4-10. Extensive efforts have been dedicated to the engineering of dislocations to obtain materials with advanced properties. However, the manipulation of individual dislocations to precisely control the local structure and local properties of bulk material remains an outstanding challenge. Here we report the manipulation of individual layer-stacking DWs in bi- and trilayer graphene by means of a local mechanical force exerted by an atomic force microscope tip. We demonstrate experimentally the capability to move, erase and split individual DWs as well as annihilate or create closed-loop DWs. We further show that the DW motion is highly anisotropic, offering a simple approach to create solitons with designed atomic structures. Most artificially created DW structures are found to be stable at room temperature.

Use of mathematics to guide target selection in systems pharmacology; application to receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathways.

PubMed

Benson, Neil; van der Graaf, Piet H; Peletier, Lambertus A

2017-11-15

A key element of the drug discovery process is target selection. Although the topic is subject to much discussion and experimental effort, there are no defined quantitative rules around optimal selection. Often 'rules of thumb', that have not been subject to rigorous exploration, are used. In this paper we explore the 'rule of thumb' notion that the molecule that initiates a pathway signal is the optimal target. Given the multi-factorial and complex nature of this question, we have simplified an example pathway to its logical minimum of two steps and used a mathematical model of this to explore the different options in the context of typical small and large molecule drugs. In this paper, we report the conclusions of our analysis and describe the analysis tool and methods used. These provide a platform to enable a more extensive enquiry into this important topic. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Nanomedicine in otorhinolaryngology--future prospects].

PubMed

Dürr, S; Tietze, R; Lyer, S; Alexiou, C

2012-01-01

Nanotechnology becomes more and more important in the world of today. Equally, it does generally in medicine and of course specifically in otorhinolaryngology. Essentially, there are the following fields: Diagnostics, new therapies and agents, drug delivery and medical implants. An extensive literature research on nanomedicine in otorhinolaryngology was carried out in the standard online medical reference databases “PubMed/Medline” and “Web of Science”. Furthermore, we are giving an overview of the work of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), University Hospital Erlangen. A lot of new and innovative studies on nanotechnology in diagnostics and therapy were recovered. Depending on the variety in otorhinolaryngology, there are numerous versatile approaches, according to the different areas. The main part is engaged in drug delivery. The efforts to exploit the potential of nanotechnology in otorhinolaryngology are multifaceted, innovative and seminal. The best perspective of success is attributed to nanoparticulate drug delivery systems. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Peripheral nerve regeneration with conduits: use of vein tubes

PubMed Central

Sabongi, Rodrigo Guerra; Fernandes, Marcela; dos Santos, João Baptista Gomes

2015-01-01

Treatment of peripheral nerve injuries remains a challenge to modern medicine due to the complexity of the neurobiological nerve regenerating process. There is a greater challenge when the transected nerve ends are not amenable to primary end-to-end tensionless neurorraphy. When facing a segmental nerve defect, great effort has been made to develop an alternative to the autologous nerve graft in order to circumvent morbidity at donor site, such as neuroma formation, scarring and permanent loss of function. Tubolization techniques have been developed to bridge nerve gaps and have been extensively studied in numerous experimental and clinical trials. The use of a conduit intends to act as a vehicle for moderation and modulation of the cellular and molecular ambience for nerve regeneration. Among several conduits, vein tubes were validated for clinical application with improving outcomes over the years. This article aims to address the investigation and treatment of segmental nerve injury and draw the current panorama on the use of vein tubes as an autogenous nerve conduit. PMID:26170802

Peripheral nerve regeneration with conduits: use of vein tubes.

PubMed

Sabongi, Rodrigo Guerra; Fernandes, Marcela; Dos Santos, João Baptista Gomes

2015-04-01

Treatment of peripheral nerve injuries remains a challenge to modern medicine due to the complexity of the neurobiological nerve regenerating process. There is a greater challenge when the transected nerve ends are not amenable to primary end-to-end tensionless neurorraphy. When facing a segmental nerve defect, great effort has been made to develop an alternative to the autologous nerve graft in order to circumvent morbidity at donor site, such as neuroma formation, scarring and permanent loss of function. Tubolization techniques have been developed to bridge nerve gaps and have been extensively studied in numerous experimental and clinical trials. The use of a conduit intends to act as a vehicle for moderation and modulation of the cellular and molecular ambience for nerve regeneration. Among several conduits, vein tubes were validated for clinical application with improving outcomes over the years. This article aims to address the investigation and treatment of segmental nerve injury and draw the current panorama on the use of vein tubes as an autogenous nerve conduit.

Note: design and development of improved indirectly heated cathode based strip electron gun.

PubMed

Maiti, Namita; Bade, Abhijeet; Tembhare, G U; Patil, D S; Dasgupta, K

2015-02-01

An improved design of indirectly heated solid cathode based electron gun (200 kW, 45 kV, 270° bent strip type electron gun) has been presented. The solid cathode is made of thoriated tungsten, which acts as an improved source of electron at lower temperature. So, high power operation is possible without affecting structural integrity of the electron gun. The design issues are addressed based on the uniformity of temperature on the solid cathode and the single long filament based design. The design approach consists of simulation followed by extensive experimentation. In the design, the effort has been put to tailor the non-uniformity of the heat flux from the filament to the solid cathode to obtain better uniformity of temperature on the solid cathode. Trial beam experiments have been carried out and it is seen that the modified design achieves one to one correspondence of the solid cathode length and the electron beam length.

Simple and reliable identification of the human round spermatid by inverted phase-contrast microscopy.

PubMed

Verheyen, G; Crabbé, E; Joris, H; Van Steirteghem, A

1998-06-01

Based on the results of animal studies, round spermatid injection (ROSI) has been introduced into the clinical practice of several in-vitro fertilization (IVF) centres. The efficiency of this procedure in terms of fertilization rates and pregnancy rates, however, remains very poor. An essential aspect which does not receive enough attention is the correct identification of this type of round cell within a heterogeneous population of testicular cells. A Nikon inverted microscope equipped with phase-contrast optics (DLL) provided a clear image which allowed reliable recognition of round spermatids in cell suspensions smeared at the glass bottom of the dish. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization confirmed the haploid status of the selected cells. However, exploration of several biopsies from patients with non-obstructive azoospermia showing no spermatozoa after extensive search did not reveal any round spermatids. This observation questions whether enough effort is spent on searching for mature spermatozoa or late spermatids. Experimental investigations should precede the introduction of ROSI into the clinical practice of any IVF centre.

Strain buildup and release, earthquake prediction and selection of VBL sites for margins of the north Pacific

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scholz, C. H.; Bilham, R.; Johnson, T. L.

1981-01-01

During the past year, the grant supported research on several aspects of crustal deformation. The relation between earthquake displacements and fault dimensions was studied in an effort to find scaling laws that relate static parameters such as slip and stress drop to the dimensions of the rupture. Several implications of the static relations for the dynamic properties of earthquakes such as rupture velocity and dynamic stress drop were proposed. A theoretical basis for earthquake related phenomena associated with slow rupture growth or propagation, such as delayed multiple events, was developed using the stress intensity factor defined in fracture mechanics and experimental evidence from studies of crack growth by stress corrosion. Finally, extensive studies by Japanese geologists have established the offset across numerous faults in Japan over the last one hundred thousand years. These observations of intraplate faulting are being used to establish the spatial variations of the average strain rate of subregions in southern Japan.

Note: Design and development of improved indirectly heated cathode based strip electron gun

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

Maiti, Namita; Patil, D. S.; Dasgupta, K.

An improved design of indirectly heated solid cathode based electron gun (200 kW, 45 kV, 270° bent strip type electron gun) has been presented. The solid cathode is made of thoriated tungsten, which acts as an improved source of electron at lower temperature. So, high power operation is possible without affecting structural integrity of the electron gun. The design issues are addressed based on the uniformity of temperature on the solid cathode and the single long filament based design. The design approach consists of simulation followed by extensive experimentation. In the design, the effort has been put to tailor themore » non-uniformity of the heat flux from the filament to the solid cathode to obtain better uniformity of temperature on the solid cathode. Trial beam experiments have been carried out and it is seen that the modified design achieves one to one correspondence of the solid cathode length and the electron beam length.« less

Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environmental Simulator (NTREES) Phase II Upgrade Activities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Emrich, William J.; Moran, Robert P.; Pearson, J. Bose

2013-01-01

To support the on-going nuclear thermal propulsion effort, a state-of-the-art non nuclear experimental test setup has been constructed to evaluate the performance characteristics of candidate fuel element materials and geometries in representative environments. The facility to perform this testing is referred to as the Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environment Simulator (NTREES). This device can simulate the environmental conditions (minus the radiation) to which nuclear rocket fuel components will be subjected during reactor operation. Test articles mounted in the simulator are inductively heated in such a manner so as to accurately reproduce the temperatures and heat fluxes which would normally occur as a result of nuclear fission and would be exposed to flowing hydrogen. Initial testing of a somewhat prototypical fuel element has been successfully performed in NTREES and the facility has now been shutdown to allow for an extensive reconfiguration of the facility which will result in a significant upgrade in its capabilities. Keywords: Nuclear Thermal Propulsion, Simulator

Using an Educational Multimedia Application to Prepare Children for Outpatient Surgeries.

PubMed

Fernandes, Sara; Arriaga, Patrícia; Esteves, Francisco

2015-01-01

Surgery is a highly stressful event for children and caregivers. Extensive effort has been made to improve preoperative care in order to alleviate worry about the surgical procedure itself. This study tested the impact of an educational multimedia intervention on the cognitive, emotional, and physiological responses of children undergoing surgery, as well as on parental state anxiety. Children (n = 90) were assigned to three different groups: an educational multimedia intervention (experimental group), an entertainment video game intervention (comparison group), and a control group (no intervention). Children who received the educational multimedia intervention reported lower level of worries about hospitalization, medical procedures, illness, and negative consequences than those in the control and in the comparison groups. Parental state anxiety was also lower in the both the educational and the entertainment video game interventions compared to the control group. These findings suggest that providing information to children regarding medical procedures and hospital rules and routines is important to reduce their preoperative worries, and also relevant for parental anxiety.

Surface-Accelerated Decomposition of δ-HMX.

PubMed

Sharia, Onise; Tsyshevsky, Roman; Kuklja, Maija M

2013-03-07

Despite extensive efforts to study the explosive decomposition of HMX, a cyclic nitramine widely used as a solid fuel, explosive, and propellant, an understanding of the physicochemical processes, governing the sensitivity of condensed HMX to detonation initiation is not yet achieved. Experimental and theoretical explorations of the initiation of chemistry are equally challenging because of many complex parallel processes, including the β-δ phase transition and the decomposition from both phases. Among four known polymorphs, HMX is produced in the most stable β-phase, which transforms into the most reactive δ-phase under heat or pressure. In this study, the homolytic NO2 loss and HONO elimination precursor reactions of the gas-phase, ideal crystal, and the (100) surface of δ-HMX are explored by first principles modeling. Our calculations revealed that the high sensitivity of δ-HMX is attributed to interactions of surfaces and molecular dipole moments. While both decomposition reactions coexist, the exothermic HONO-isomer formation catalyzes the N-NO2 homolysis, leading to fast violent explosions.

Semantic Support for Complex Ecosystem Research Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klawonn, M.; McGuinness, D. L.; Pinheiro, P.; Santos, H. O.; Chastain, K.

2015-12-01

As ecosystems come under increasing stresses from diverse sources, there is growing interest in research efforts aimed at monitoring, modeling, and improving understanding of ecosystems and protection options. We aimed to provide a semantic infrastructure capable of representing data initially related to one large aquatic ecosystem research effort - the Jefferson project at Lake George. This effort includes significant historical observational data, extensive sensor-based monitoring data, experimental data, as well as model and simulation data covering topics including lake circulation, watershed runoff, lake biome food webs, etc. The initial measurement representation has been centered on monitoring data and related provenance. We developed a human-aware sensor network ontology (HASNetO) that leverages existing ontologies (PROV-O, OBOE, VSTO*) in support of measurement annotations. We explicitly support the human-aware aspects of human sensor deployment and collection activity to help capture key provenance that often is lacking. Our foundational ontology has since been generalized into a family of ontologies and used to create our human-aware data collection infrastructure that now supports the integration of measurement data along with simulation data. Interestingly, we have also utilized the same infrastructure to work with partners who have some more specific needs for specifying the environmental conditions where measurements occur, for example, knowing that an air temperature is not an external air temperature, but of the air temperature when windows are shut and curtains are open. We have also leveraged the same infrastructure to work with partners more interested in modeling smart cities with data feeds more related to people, mobility, environment, and living. We will introduce our human-aware data collection infrastructure, and demonstrate how it uses HASNetO and its supporting SOLR-based search platform to support data integration and semantic browsing. Further we will present learnings from its use in three relatively diverse large ecosystem research efforts and highlight some benefits and challenges related to our semantically-enhanced foundation.

Nuclear physics research at the University of Richmond. Progress report, November 1, 1994--October 31, 1995

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

Vineyard, M.F.; Gilfoyle, G.P.; Major, R.W.

Summarized in this report is the progress achieved during the period from November 1, 1994 to October 31, 1995. The experimental work described in this report is in electromagnetic and heavy-ion nuclear physics. The effort in electromagnetic nuclear physics is in preparation for the research program at the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) and is focused on the construction and use of the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). The heavy-ion experiments were performed at the Argonne National Laboratory ATLAS facility and SUNY, Stony Brook. The physics interests driving these efforts at CEBAF are in the study of the structure,more » interactions, and nuclear-medium modifications of mesons and baryons. This year, an extension of the experiment to measure the magnetic form factor of the neutron was approved by the CEBAF Program Advisory Committee Nine (PAC9) for beam at 6 GeV. The authors also submitted updates to PAC9 on the experiments to measure inclusive {eta} photoproduction in nuclei and electroproduction of the {Lambda}, {Lambda}*(1520), and f{sub 0}(975). In addition to these experiments, the authors collaborated on a proposal to measure rare radiative decays of the {phi} meson which was also approved by PAC9. Their contributions to the construction of the CLAS include the development of the drift-chamber gas system, drift-chamber software, and controls software. Major has been leading the effort in the construction of the gas system. In the last year, the Hall B gas shed was constructed and the installation of the gas system components built at the University of Richmond has begun. Over the last six years, the efforts in low-energy heavy-ion physics have decreased due to the change in focus to electromagnetic nuclear physics at CEBAF. Most of the heavy-ion work is completed and there are now new experiments planned. Included in this report are two papers resulting from collaborations on heavy-ion experiments.« less

Vaccine delivery management.

PubMed

Cheyne, J

1989-01-01

During the typical 12- to 18-month voyage of a vaccine from manufacturer to immunization site, many situations arise in which the cold chain may be interrupted. Extensive efforts have been made in the 1980s to ensure an uninterrupted cold chain through the use of improved equipment and better training of personnel. One important advance is the vaccine cold-chain monitor, which identifies weak spots in the cold chain and prevents the use of heat-damaged vaccine. Further improvements will require efforts by the recipient countries (e.g., better use of the private sector for transport and equipment management), by donor agencies (e.g., greater consideration of the operational and maintenance costs of the equipment selected and resolution of fuel shortages), and by industry (e.g., more appropriate packaging and pricing of vaccine, extension of the expiration period, and increased heat stability.

Liquids and homemade explosive detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ellenbogen, Michael; Bijjani, Richard

2009-05-01

Excerpt from the US Transportation Security Agency website: "The ban on liquids, aerosols and gels was implemented on August 10 after a terrorist plot was foiled. Since then, experts from around the government, including the FBI and our national labs have analyzed the information we now have and have conducted extensive explosives testing to get a better understanding of this specific threat." In order to lift the ban and ease the burden on the flying public, Reveal began an extensive effort in close collaboration with the US and several other governments to help identify these threats. This effort resulted in the successful development and testing of an automated explosive detection system capable of resolving these threats with a high probability of detection and a low false alarm rate. We will present here some of the methodology and approach we took to address this problem.

Development and Demonstration of a Magnesium-Intensive Vehicle Front-End Substructure

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

Logan, Stephen D.; Forsmark, Joy H.; Osborne, Richard

2016-07-01

This project is the final phase (designated Phase III) of an extensive, nine-year effort with the objectives of developing a knowledge base and enabling technologies for the design, fabrication and performance evaluation of magnesium-intensive automotive front-end substructures intended to partially or completely replace all-steel comparators, providing a weight savings approaching 50% of the baseline. Benefits of extensive vehicle weight reduction in terms of fuel economy increase, extended vehicle range, vehicle performance and commensurate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are well known. An exemplary vehicle substructure considered by the project is illustrated in Figure 1, along with the exterior vehicle appearance.more » This unibody front-end “substructure” is one physical objective of the ultimate design and engineering aspects established at the outset of the larger collective effort.« less

Instructional Efficiency of Changing Cognitive Load in an Out-of-School Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scharfenberg, Franz-Josef; Bogner, Franz X.

2010-04-01

Our research objective focused on monitoring students' mental effort and cognitive achievement to unveil potential effects of an instructional change in an out-of-school laboratory offering gene technology modules. Altogether, 231 students (12th graders) attended our day-long hands-on module. Within a quasi-experimental design, a treatment group followed the newly developed two-step approach derived from cognitive load theory while a control group applied experimentation in a conventional one-step mode. The difference consisted of additional focused discussions combined with noting students' ideas (Step 1) prior to starting any experimental procedure (Step 2). We monitored mental effort (nine times during the teaching unit) and cognitive achievement (in a pre-post-design with follow-up test). The treatment demonstrated a change in instructional efficiency (by combining mental effort and cognitive achievement data), especially for intrinsically high-loaded students. Conclusions for optimizing individual cognitive load in science teaching were drawn.

Applying a Service-Oriented Architecture to Operational Flight Program Development

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

using two Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) Web servers. The weapon models were accessed using a SUN Microsystems Java Web Services Development Pack...Oriented Architectures 22 CROSSTALK The Journal of Defense Software Engineering September 2007 tion, and Spring/ Hibernate to provide the data access...tion since a major coding effort was avoided. The majority of the effort was tweaking pre-existing Java source code and editing of eXtensible Markup

The pKa Cooperative: A Collaborative Effort to Advance Structure-Based Calculations of pKa values and Electrostatic Effects in Proteins

PubMed Central

Nielsen, Jens E.; Gunner, M. R.; Bertrand García-Moreno, E.

2012-01-01

The pKa Cooperative http://www.pkacoop.org was organized to advance development of accurate and useful computational methods for structure-based calculation of pKa values and electrostatic energy in proteins. The Cooperative brings together laboratories with expertise and interest in theoretical, computational and experimental studies of protein electrostatics. To improve structure-based energy calculations it is necessary to better understand the physical character and molecular determinants of electrostatic effects. The Cooperative thus intends to foment experimental research into fundamental aspects of proteins that depend on electrostatic interactions. It will maintain a depository for experimental data useful for critical assessment of methods for structure-based electrostatics calculations. To help guide the development of computational methods the Cooperative will organize blind prediction exercises. As a first step, computational laboratories were invited to reproduce an unpublished set of experimental pKa values of acidic and basic residues introduced in the interior of staphylococcal nuclease by site-directed mutagenesis. The pKa values of these groups are unique and challenging to simulate owing to the large magnitude of their shifts relative to normal pKa values in water. Many computational methods were tested in this 1st Blind Prediction Challenge and critical assessment exercise. A workshop was organized in the Telluride Science Research Center to assess objectively the performance of many computational methods tested on this one extensive dataset. This volume of PROTEINS: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics introduces the pKa Cooperative, presents reports submitted by participants in the blind prediction challenge, and highlights some of the problems in structure-based calculations identified during this exercise. PMID:22002877

Mental Effort in Binary Categorization Aided by Binary Cues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Botzer, Assaf; Meyer, Joachim; Parmet, Yisrael

2013-01-01

Binary cueing systems assist in many tasks, often alerting people about potential hazards (such as alarms and alerts). We investigate whether cues, besides possibly improving decision accuracy, also affect the effort users invest in tasks and whether the required effort in tasks affects the responses to cues. We developed a novel experimental tool…

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

Thayer, K.J.

The past year has seen several of the Physics Division`s new research projects reach major milestones with first successful experiments and results: the atomic physics station in the Basic Energy Sciences Research Center at the Argonne Advanced Photon Source was used in first high-energy, high-brilliance x-ray studies in atomic and molecular physics; the Short Orbit Spectrometer in Hall C at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator (TJNAF) Facility that the Argonne medium energy nuclear physics group was responsible for, was used extensively in the first round of experiments at TJNAF; at ATLAS, several new beams of radioactive isotopes were developed andmore » used in studies of nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics; the new ECR ion source at ATLAS was completed and first commissioning tests indicate excellent performance characteristics; Quantum Monte Carlo calculations of mass-8 nuclei were performed for the first time with realistic nucleon-nucleon interactions using state-of-the-art computers, including Argonne`s massively parallel IBM SP. At the same time other future projects are well under way: preparations for the move of Gammasphere to ATLAS in September 1997 have progressed as planned. These new efforts are imbedded in, or flowing from, the vibrant ongoing research program described in some detail in this report: nuclear structure and reactions with heavy ions; measurements of reactions of astrophysical interest; studies of nucleon and sub-nucleon structures using leptonic probes at intermediate and high energies; atomic and molecular structure with high-energy x-rays. The experimental efforts are being complemented with efforts in theory, from QCD to nucleon-meson systems to structure and reactions of nuclei. Finally, the operation of ATLAS as a national users facility has achieved a new milestone, with 5,800 hours beam on target for experiments during the past fiscal year.« less

A Model for Growth of a Single Fungal Hypha Based on Well-Mixed Tanks in Series: Simulation of Nutrient and Vesicle Transport in Aerial Reproductive Hyphae

PubMed Central

Balmant, Wellington; Sugai-Guérios, Maura Harumi; Coradin, Juliana Hey; Krieger, Nadia; Furigo Junior, Agenor; Mitchell, David Alexander

2015-01-01

Current models that describe the extension of fungal hyphae and development of a mycelium either do not describe the role of vesicles in hyphal extension or do not correctly describe the experimentally observed profile for distribution of vesicles along the hypha. The present work uses the n-tanks-in-series approach to develop a model for hyphal extension that describes the intracellular transport of nutrient to a sub-apical zone where vesicles are formed and then transported to the tip, where tip extension occurs. The model was calibrated using experimental data from the literature for the extension of reproductive aerial hyphae of three different fungi, and was able to describe different profiles involving acceleration and deceleration of the extension rate. A sensitivity analysis showed that the supply of nutrient to the sub-apical vesicle-producing zone is a key factor influencing the rate of extension of the hypha. Although this model was used to describe the extension of a single reproductive aerial hypha, the use of the n-tanks-in-series approach to representing the hypha means that the model has the flexibility to be extended to describe the growth of other types of hyphae and the branching of hyphae to form a complete mycelium. PMID:25785863

Voluntary enhanced cocontraction of hamstring muscles during open kinetic chain leg extension exercise: its potential unloading effect on the anterior cruciate ligament.

PubMed

Biscarini, Andrea; Benvenuti, Paolo; Botti, Fabio M; Brunetti, Antonella; Brunetti, Orazio; Pettorossi, Vito E

2014-09-01

A number of research studies provide evidence that hamstring cocontraction during open kinetic chain knee extension exercises enhances tibiofemoral (TF) stability and reduces the strain on the anterior cruciate ligament. To determine the possible increase in hamstring muscle coactivation caused by a voluntary cocontraction effort during open kinetic chain leg-extension exercises, and to assess whether an intentional hamstring cocontraction can completely suppress the anterior TF shear force during these exercises. Descriptive laboratory study. Knee kinematics as well as electromyographic activity in the semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus (SM), biceps femoris (BF), and quadriceps femoris muscles were measured in 20 healthy men during isotonic leg extension exercises with resistance (R) ranging from 10% to 80% of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM). The same exercises were also performed while the participants attempted to enhance hamstring coactivation through a voluntary cocontraction effort. The data served as input parameters for a model to calculate the shear and compressive TF forces in leg extension exercises for any set of coactivation patterns of the different hamstring muscles. For R≤ 40% 1RM, the peak coactivation levels obtained with intentional cocontraction (l) were significantly higher (P < 10(-3)) than those obtained without intentional cocontraction (l 0). For each hamstring muscle, maximum level l was reached at R = 30% 1RM, corresponding to 9.2%, 10.5%, and 24.5% maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) for the BF, ST, and SM, respectively, whereas the ratio l/l 0 reached its maximum at R = 20% 1RM and was approximately 2, 3, and 4 for the BF, SM, and ST, respectively. The voluntary enhanced coactivation level l obtained for R≤ 30% 1RM completely suppressed the anterior TF shear force developed by the quadriceps during the exercise. In leg extension exercises with resistance R≤ 40% 1RM, coactivation of the BF, SM, and ST can be significantly enhanced (up to 2, 3, and 4 times, respectively) by a voluntary hamstring cocontraction effort. The enhanced coactivation levels obtained for R≤ 30% 1RM can completely suppress the anterior TF shear force developed by the quadriceps during the exercise. This laboratory study suggests that leg extension exercise with intentional hamstring cocontraction may have the potential to be a safe and effective quadriceps-strengthening intervention in the early stages of rehabilitation programs for anterior cruciate ligament injury or reconstruction recovery. Further studies, including clinical trials, are needed to investigate the relevance of this therapeutic exercise in clinical practice. © 2014 The Author(s).

Application of Circulation Control Technology to Airframe Noise Reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahuja, K. K.; Sankar, L. N.; Englar, R. J.; Munro, Scott E.; Li, Yi; Gaeta, R. J.

2003-01-01

This report is a summary of the work performed by Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) under NASA Langley Grant NAG-1-2146, which was awarded as a part of NASA's Breakthrough Innovative Technologies (BIT) initiative. This was a three-year program, with a one-year no-cost extension. Each year's study has been an integrated effort consisting of computational fluid dynamics, experimental aerodynamics, and detailed noise and flow measurements. Year I effort examined the feasibility of reducing airframe noise by replacing the conventional wing systems with a Circulation Control Wing (CCW), where steady blowing was used through the trailing edge of the wing over a Coanda surface. It was shown that the wing lift increases with CCW blowing and indeed for the same lift, a CCW wing was shown to produce less noise. Year 2 effort dealt with a similar study on the role of pulsed blowing on airframe noise. The main objective of this portion of the study was to assess whether pulse blowing from the trailing edge of a CCW resulted in more, less, or the same amount of radiated noise to the farfield. Results show that a reduction in farfield noise of up to 5 dB is measured when pulse flow is compared with steady flow for an equivalent lift configuration. This reduction is in the spectral region associated with the trailing edge jet noise. This result is due to the unique advantage that pulsed flow has over steady flow. For a range of frequencies, more lift is experienced with the same mass flow as the steady case. Thus, for an equivalent lift and slot height, the pulsed system can operate at lower jet velocities, and hence lower jet noise. The computational analysis showed that for a given time-averaged mass flow rate, pulsed jets give a higher value of C(sub l) and a higher L/D than equivalent steady jets. This benefit is attributable to higher instantaneous jet velocities, and higher instantaneous C(sub mu) values for the pulsed jet. Pulsed jet benefits increase at higher frequencies. However, these advantages are somewhat offset by the unsteadiness in the loads, which will cause structural vibrations and fatigue. Additional studies must be done, perhaps with multiple jets on the upper and lower surfaces, to smooth out the fluctuations in lift while retaining the benefits. The rest of the effort was devoted to examining ways of reducing flap edge noise by blowing air through a Coanda nozzle over a rounded tip of the flap. In this case, we were successful in moving the tip vortex away from the tip, but the device producing the blowing was noisy and we were unable to examine the noise benefits, although we believe that the movement of the tip vortex far from the tip should provide noise benefits. It should be noted that in an effort to understand the fluid dynamics and the aeroacoustics of a jet blowing over a Coanda surface, we also carried out a very extensive study of the high aspect ratio slot jets. A first-ever set of far-field noise spectra were measured for jets exhausting from slots with aspect ratios in the range 100 to 3000. Parallel measurements of velocity profiles, length scales and convection velocities were measured to understand the noise generation of high aspect ratio jets. Attempts were also made to develop jet noise prediction schemes for such jets. Much of the work done under this effort has been described in five conference papers and two doctoral theses. The first year s work on the use of steady blowing was described in two AIAA papers presented at the 2001 AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting in Reno. Subsequent work was presented at the 9th AIMCEAS Aeroacoustics Conference and Exhibit held at Hilton Head May 12-13. Another paper is to be presented at the 2004 AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting in Reno in January 2004. All six papers are included with this report as Appendices. The bulk of the experimental work done in an effort to produce a pulsed flow that is free of upstream noise is also attached as an Appendix.

Challenges to the Lake

EPA Science Inventory

During the past decade we have extensively studied coastal ecosystems in the Great Lakes. Some research efforts have linked coastal receiving systems to conditions in their contributing watersheds; others have focused on developing invasive species detection and monitoring strat...

Description of Data Acquisition Efforts

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-09-01

As part of the overall strategy of refining and improving the existing transportation and air-quality modeling framework, the current project focuses extensively on acquiring disaggregate and reliable data for analysis. In this report, we discuss the...

Sex Trafficking, Violence Victimization, and Condom Non-Use Among Prostituted Women in Nicaragua

PubMed Central

Decker, Michele R.; Mack, Katelyn P.; Barrows, Jeffery J.; Silverman, Jay G.

2013-01-01

Synopsis Prostituted women report disempowerment-related barriers to condom use, extensive violence victimization and trafficking experiences; findings indicate that disempowerment must be addressed within STI/HIV prevention efforts. PMID:19577234

Analysis of VASCAR

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1991-05-01

This study is part of an effort by the National Highway Traffic Safety : Administration (NHTSA) to determine the accuracy of the VASCAR-plus speed measurement device. VASCAR-plus is used extensively for speed law enforcement by state and local police...

Bridging the PSI Knowledge Gap: A Multi-Scale Approach

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

Wirth, Brian D.

2015-01-08

Plasma-surface interactions (PSI) pose an immense scientific hurdle in magnetic confinement fusion and our present understanding of PSI in confinement environments is highly inadequate; indeed, a recent Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee report found that 4 out of the 5 top five fusion knowledge gaps were related to PSI. The time is appropriate to develop a concentrated and synergistic science effort that would expand, exploit and integrate the wealth of laboratory ion-beam and plasma research, as well as exciting new computational tools, towards the goal of bridging the PSI knowledge gap. This effort would broadly advance plasma and material sciences,more » while providing critical knowledge towards progress in fusion PSI. This project involves the development of a Science Center focused on a new approach to PSI science; an approach that both exploits access to state-of-the-art PSI experiments and modeling, as well as confinement devices. The organizing principle is to develop synergistic experimental and modeling tools that treat the truly coupled multi-scale aspect of the PSI issues in confinement devices. This is motivated by the simple observation that while typical lab experiments and models allow independent manipulation of controlling variables, the confinement PSI environment is essentially self-determined with few outside controls. This means that processes that may be treated independently in laboratory experiments, because they involve vastly different physical and time scales, will now affect one another in the confinement environment. Also, lab experiments cannot simultaneously match all exposure conditions found in confinement devices typically forcing a linear extrapolation of lab results. At the same time programmatic limitations prevent confinement experiments alone from answering many key PSI questions. The resolution to this problem is to usefully exploit access to PSI science in lab devices, while retooling our thinking from a linear and de-coupled extrapolation to a multi-scale, coupled approach. The PSI Plasma Center consisted of three equal co-centers; one located at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, one at UC San Diego Center for Energy Research and one at the UC Berkeley Department of Nuclear Engineering, which moved to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) with Professor Brian Wirth in July 2010. The Center had three co-directors: Prof. Dennis Whyte led the MIT co-center, the UCSD co-center was led by Dr. Russell Doerner, and Prof. Brian Wirth led the UCB/UTK center. The directors have extensive experience in PSI and material research, and have been internationally recognized in the magnetic fusion, materials and plasma research fields. The co-centers feature keystone PSI experimental and modeling facilities dedicated to PSI science: the DIONISOS/CLASS facility at MIT, the PISCES facility at UCSD, and the state-of-the-art numerical modeling capabilities at UCB/UTK. A collaborative partner in the center is Sandia National Laboratory at Livermore (SNL/CA), which has extensive capabilities with low energy ion beams and surface diagnostics, as well as supporting plasma facilities, including the Tritium Plasma Experiment, all of which significantly augment the Center. Interpretive, continuum material models are available through SNL/CA, UCSD and MIT. The participating institutions of MIT, UCSD, UCB/UTK, SNL/CA and LLNL brought a formidable array of experimental tools and personnel abilities into the PSI Plasma Center. Our work has focused on modeling activities associated with plasma surface interactions that are involved in effects of He and H plasma bombardment on tungsten surfaces. This involved performing computational material modeling of the surface evolution during plasma bombardment using molecular dynamics modeling. The principal outcomes of the research efforts within the combined experimental – modeling PSI center are to provide a knowledgebase of the mechanisms of surface degradation, and the influence of the surface on plasma conditions.« less

Nano Electronics on Atomically Controlled van der Waals Quantum Heterostructures

DTIC Science & Technology

2018-02-19

the group V2-VI3 TI family. However, experimental efforts on Bi2Se3 have been frequently resulted in the bulk conduction being dominant over TSSs in...group V2-VI3 TI family. However, experimental efforts on Bi2Se3 have been frequently resulted in the bulk conduction being dominant over TSSs in...research interest of creating and manipulating unique quasi particles with topologically exceptional properties, such as Majorana particles, has added

Magnetohydrodynamic Particle Acceleration Processes: SSX Experiments, Theory, and Astrophysical Applications

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

Brown, Michael R.

2006-11-16

Project Title: Magnetohydrodynamic Particle Acceleration Processes: SSX Experiments, Theory, and Astrophysical Applications PI: Michael R. Brown, Swarthmore College The purpose of the project was to provide theoretical and modeling support to the Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment (SSX). Accordingly, the theoretical effort was tightly integrated into the SSX experimental effort. During the grant period, Michael Brown and his experimental collaborators at Swarthmore, with assistance from W. Matthaeus as appropriate, made substantial progress in understanding the physics SSX plasmas.

Carbon-Carbon Nozzle Extension Development in Support of In-Space and Upper-Stage Liquid Rocket Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gradl, Paul R.; Valentine, Peter G.

2017-01-01

Upper stage and in-space liquid rocket engines are optimized for performance through the use of high area ratio nozzles to fully expand combustion gases to low exit pressures, increasing exhaust velocities. Due to the large size of such nozzles, and the related engine performance requirements, carbon-carbon (C-C) composite nozzle extensions are being considered to reduce weight impacts. Currently, the state-of-the-art is represented by the metallic and foreign composite nozzle extensions limited to approximately 2000 degrees F. used on the Atlas V, Delta IV, Falcon 9, and Ariane 5 launch vehicles. NASA and industry partners are working towards advancing the domestic supply chain for C-C composite nozzle extensions. These development efforts are primarily being conducted through the NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program in addition to other low level internal research efforts. This has allowed for the initial material development and characterization, subscale hardware fabrication, and completion of hot-fire testing in relevant environments. NASA and industry partners have designed, fabricated and hot-fire tested several subscale domestically produced C-C extensions to advance the material and coatings fabrication technology for use with a variety of liquid rocket and scramjet engines. Testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) evaluated heritage and state-of-the-art C-C materials and coatings, demonstrating the initial capabilities of the high temperature materials and their fabrication methods. This paper discusses the initial material development, design and fabrication of the subscale carbon-carbon nozzle extensions, provides an overview of the test campaign, presents results of the hot fire testing, and discusses potential follow-on development work. The follow on work includes the fabrication of ultra-high temperature materials, larger C-C nozzle extensions, material characterization, sub-element testing and hot-fire testing at larger scale.

Taking Innovation To Scale In Primary Care Practices: The Functions Of Health Care Extension

PubMed Central

Ono, Sarah S.; Crabtree, Benjamin F.; Hemler, Jennifer R.; Balasubramanian, Bijal A.; Edwards, Samuel T.; Green, Larry A.; Kaufman, Arthur; Solberg, Leif I.; Miller, William L.; Woodson, Tanisha Tate; Sweeney, Shannon M.; Cohen, Deborah J.

2018-01-01

Health care extension is an approach to providing external support to primary care practices with the aim of diffusing innovation. EvidenceNOW was launched to rapidly disseminate and implement evidence-based guidelines for cardiovascular preventive care in the primary care setting. Seven regional grantee cooperatives provided the foundational elements of health care extension—technological and quality improvement support, practice capacity building, and linking with community resources—to more than two hundred primary care practices in each region. This article describes how the cooperatives varied in their approaches to extension and provides early empirical evidence that health care extension is a feasible and potentially useful approach for providing quality improvement support to primary care practices. With investment, health care extension may be an effective platform for federal and state quality improvement efforts to create economies of scale and provide practices with more robust and coordinated support services. PMID:29401016

Students' Epistemologies about Experimental Physics: Validating the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey for Experimental Physics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilcox, Bethany R.; Lewandowski, H. J.

2016-01-01

Student learning in instructional physics labs represents a growing area of research that includes investigations of students' beliefs and expectations about the nature of experimental physics. To directly probe students' epistemologies about experimental physics and support broader lab transformation efforts at the University of Colorado Boulder…

Changes over Time in the Secondary School Experiences of Students with Disabilities. A Report of Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) and the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wagner, Mary; Newman, Lynn; Cameto, Renee

2004-01-01

Background: Since the early 1980s there have been extensive federal, state, and local efforts to improve schools for all students, including broad policy initiatives intended to change the school experiences of students with disabilities. These efforts have had significant impacts on policy and practice at all levels of the education system,…

Reduction of Tunnel Dynamics at the National Transonic Facility (Invited)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kilgore, W. A.; Balakrishna, S.; Butler, D. H.

2001-01-01

This paper describes the results of recent efforts to reduce the tunnel dynamics at the National Transonic Facility. The results presented describe the findings of an extensive data analysis, the proposed solutions to reduce dynamics and the results of implementing these solutions. These results show a 90% reduction in the dynamics around the model support structure and a small impact on reducing model dynamics. Also presented are several continuing efforts to further reduce dynamics.

Domain Wall Evolution in Phase Transforming Oxides

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-14

configumtions under driving forces (e.g. changes in temperature and electric fields) in an effort to: 1) understand the underlying linkage between -1...configurations under driving forces (e.g. changes in temperature and electric fields) in an effort to: 1) understand the underlying linkage between...Extensive domain wall motion and deaging resistance in morphotropic 0.55Bi(Ni1/2Ti1/2)O3–0.45PbTiO3 polycrystalline ferroelectrics, Applied Physics Letters

[Sincerity of effort: isokinetic evaluation of knee extension].

PubMed

Colombo, R; Demaiti, G; Sartorio, F; Orlandini, D; Vercelli, S; Ferriero, G

2008-01-01

The aim of this study was to find a reliable method to evaluate the sincerity of the muscular maximal effort performed in a dynamometric isokinetic test of knee flexion-extension. The coefficient of variation of the peak torque (CV) and 3 new indices were analysed: (1) the average coefficient of variation calculated on the complete peak torque curve (CVM); (2) the slope of the regression line in an endurance test (PRR); (3) the correlation coefficient of the peak torques in the same endurance test (CCR). Twenty healthy subjects underwent assessment in two different trials, maximal (MX) and 50% submaximal (SMX), with 20 minutes of rest between trials. Each trial consisted of 4 tests, each of 3 repetitions, at angular speed of 30, 180, 30, and 180 degrees/s, respectively, and 1 test of 15 repetitions at 240 degrees/s. Our findings confirmed the ability of CV to detect a high percentage of sincere efforts: at 30 degrees/s Sensibility (Sns)=100% and Specificity (Spc)=70%; at 180 degrees/s Sns=75%, Spc=95%. The 3 new indices here proposed showed high characteristics of Sns and Spc, generally better than those of CV. CVM showed at 180 degrees/s Sns=90% and Spc=100%, while at 30 degrees/s Sns=90%, Spc=75%. PRR was the best index identifying all the efforts, except one (Sns=100%, Spc=95%). The CCR coefficient showed Sns and Spc values both of 90%.

Major advances in extension education programs in dairy production.

PubMed

Chase, L E; Ely, L O; Hutjens, M F

2006-04-01

The dairy industry has seen structural changes in the last 25 yr that have an impact on extension programming. The number of cows in the United States has decreased by 17%, whereas the number of dairy farms has decreased by 74%. The average milk production per cow has increased from 5,394 to 8,599 kg/lactation. Even though there are fewer farms, dairy farm managers are asking for more specific and targeted information. The extension resources available have also decreased during this period. Because of these changes, shifts have taken place in extension programming and staffing. A key change has been a shift to subject matter-targeted programs and workshops. Extension has also incorporated and expanded use of the Internet. Discussion groups, subject matter courses, and searchable databases are examples of Internet use. There will be continuing shifts in the demographics of the US dairy industry that will influence future extension efforts. It is also probable that fewer extension professionals will be available to provide programming due to changes in funding sources at national, state, and local levels. Future shifts in extension programming will be needed to provide the information needs of the industry with a smaller number of extension workers.

NREL Opens Large Database of Inorganic Thin-Film Materials | News | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Inorganic Thin-Film Materials April 3, 2018 An extensive experimental database of inorganic thin-film Energy Laboratory (NREL) is now publicly available. The High Throughput Experimental Materials (HTEM Schroeder / NREL) "All existing experimental databases either contain many entries or have all this

Manipulation of parental effort affects plumage bacterial load in a wild passerine.

PubMed

Alt, Grete; Saag, Pauli; Mägi, Marko; Kisand, Veljo; Mänd, Raivo

2015-06-01

It has been suggested that plumage microorganisms play an important role in shaping the life histories of wild birds. Some bacteria may act as pathogens or cause damage to feathers, and thereby reduce individual fitness. Intense parental care in birds can result in a reduction of self-maintenance and preening behavior in parents and therefore might affect the dynamics of microbiota living on their feathers. However, experimental evidence of this relationship is virtually absent. We manipulated the parental effort of wild breeding pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) females by modifying their brood size or temporarily removing male partners. We expected that experimentally decreasing or increasing parental effort would affect feather sanitation in females and therefore also bacterial density on their plumage. In accordance with this hypothesis, manipulation affected the density of free-living bacteria: females with reduced broods had the lowest number of free-living bacteria on their feathers, while females left without male partners had the highest. However, manipulation did not have a significant effect on the densities of attached bacteria. Our results provide experimental evidence that a trade-off between self-maintenance and parental effort affects plumage bacterial densities in birds.

Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels: Database Extension Task 3.0 and Impact Damage Effects Control Task 8.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beeson, Harold D.; Davis, Dennis D.; Ross, William L., Sr.; Tapphorn, Ralph M.

2002-01-01

This document represents efforts accomplished at the NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) in support of the Enhanced Technology for Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPV) Program, a joint research and technology effort among the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the Aerospace Corporation. WSTF performed testing for several facets of the program. Testing that contributed to the Task 3.0 COPV database extension objective included baseline structural strength, failure mode and safe-life, impact damage tolerance, sustained load/impact effect, and materials compatibility. WSTF was also responsible for establishing impact protection and control requirements under Task 8.0 of the program. This included developing a methodology for establishing an impact control plan. Seven test reports detail the work done at WSTF. As such, this document contributes to the database of information regarding COPV behavior that will ensure performance benefits and safety are maintained throughout vessel service life.

Policy Implications of Air Quality Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheinbaum, C.

2004-12-01

While an integrated assessment approach will be required to achieve and sustain improvements in the air quality of Mexico City Metropolitan Area's (MCMA), policy strategies must be based on a solid understanding of the pollutant emissions and atmospheric processes that lead to unacceptable levels of air pollution. The required level of understanding can only be achieved by comprehensive atmospheric measurements followed by a coordinated atmospheric modeling program. The innovative, two-phase atmospheric measurement program, which was a collaborative effort between Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Mexican Metropolitan Environmental Commission, with exploratory measurements in February 2002 and extensive measurements from late March through early May of 2003, was an important step towards meeting these requirements. Although the extensive data sets from the two measurement programs are still being analyzed by the investigators, their preliminary analysis efforts have yielded important insights into the nature and extent of air pollution problem in the MCMA, which in turn will have important policy implications.

Flexible Rover Architecture for Science Instrument Integration and Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bualat, Maria G.; Kobayashi, Linda; Lee, Susan Y.; Park, Eric

2006-01-01

At NASA Ames Research Center, the Intelligent Robotics Group (IRG) fields the K9 and K10 class rovers. Both use a mobile robot hardware architecture designed for extensibility and reconfigurability that allows for rapid changes in instrumentation and provides a high degree of modularity. Over the past ssveral years, we have worked with instrument developers at NASA centers, universities, and national laboratories to integrate or partially integrate their instruments onboard the K9 and K10 rovers. Early efforts required considerable interaction to work through integration issues such as power, data protocol and mechanical mounting. These interactions informed the design of our current avionics architecture, and have simplified more recent integration projects. In this paper, we will describe the IRG extensible avionics and software architecture and the effect it has had on our recent instrument integration efforts, including integration of four Mars Instrument Development Program devices.

Hydraulic fracture orientation and production/injection induced reservoir stress changes in diatomite waterfloods

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

Wright, C.A.; Conant, R.A.; Golich, G.M.

1995-12-31

This paper summarizes the (preliminary) findings from extensive field studies of hydraulic fracture orientation in diatomite waterfloods and related efforts to monitor the induced surface subsidence. Included are case studies from the Belridge and Lost Hills diatomite reservoirs. The primary purpose of the paper is to document a large volume of tiltmeter hydraulic fracture orientation data that demonstrates waterflood-induced fracture reorientation--a phenomenon not previously considered in waterflood development planning. Also included is a brief overview of three possible mechanisms for the observed waterflood fracture reorientation. A discussion section details efforts to isolate the operative mechanism(s) from the most extensive casemore » study, as well as suggesting a possible strategy for detecting and possibly mitigating some of the adverse effects of production/injection induced reservoir stress changes--reservoir compaction and surface subsidence as well as fracture reorientation.« less

Status of commercial fuel cell powerplant system development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Warshay, Marvin

1987-01-01

The primary focus is on the development of commercial Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) powerplant systems because the PAFC, which has undergone extensive development, is currently the closest fuel cell system to commercialization. Shorter discussions are included on the high temperature fuel cell systems which are not as mature in their development, such as the Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) and the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The alkaline and the Solid Polymer Electrolyte (SPE) fuel cell systems, are also included, but their discussions are limited to their prospects for commercial development. Currently, although the alkaline fuel cell continues to be used for important space applications there are no commercial development programs of significant size in the USA and only small efforts outside. The market place for fuel cells and the status of fuel cell programs in the USA receive extensive treatment. The fuel cell efforts outside the USA, especially the large Japanese programs, are also discussed.

Assumed--stress hybrid elements with drilling degrees of freedom for nonlinear analysis of composite structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knight, Norman F., Jr. (Principal Investigator)

1996-01-01

The goal of this research project is to develop assumed-stress hybrid elements with rotational degrees of freedom for analyzing composite structures. During the first year of the three-year activity, the effort was directed to further assess the AQ4 shell element and its extensions to buckling and free vibration problems. In addition, the development of a compatible 2-node beam element was to be accomplished. The extensions and new developments were implemented in the Computational Structural Mechanics Testbed COMET. An assessment was performed to verify the implementation and to assess the performance of these elements in terms of accuracy. During the second and third years, extensions to geometrically nonlinear problems were developed and tested. This effort involved working with the nonlinear solution strategy as well as the nonlinear formulation for the elements. This research has resulted in the development and implementation of two additional element processors (ES22 for the beam element and ES24 for the shell elements) in COMET. The software was developed using a SUN workstation and has been ported to the NASA Langley Convex named blackbird. Both element processors are now part of the baseline version of COMET.

The application of SMA spring actuators to a lightweight modular compliant surface bioinspired robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stone, David L.; Cranney, John; Liang, Robert; Taya, Minoru

2004-07-01

The DARPA Sponsored Compliant Surface Robotics (CSR) program pursues development of a high mobility, lightweight, modular, morph-able robot for military forces in the field and for other industrial uses. The USTLAB and University of Washington Center for Intelligent Materials and Systems (CIMS) effort builds on USTLAB proof of concept feasibility studies and demonstration of a 4, 6, or 8 wheeled modular vehicle with articulated leg-wheel assemblies. A collaborative effort between USTLAB and UW-CIMS explored the application of Shape Memory Alloy Nickel Titanium Alloy springs to a leg extension actuator capable of actuating with 4.5 Newton force over a 50 mm stroke. At the completion of Phase II, we have completed mechanical and electronics engineering design and achieved conventional actuation which currently enable active articulation, enabling autonomous reconfiguration for a wide variety of terrains, including upside down operations (in case of flip over), have developed a leg extension actuator demonstration model, and we have positioned our team to pursue a small vehicle with leg extension actuators in follow on work. The CSR vehicle's modular spider-like configuration facilitates adaptation to many uses and compliance over rugged terrain. The developmental process, actuator and vehicle characteristics will be discussed.

[Effort-reward imbalance at work and depression: current research evidence].

PubMed

Siegrist, J

2013-01-01

In view of highly prevalent stressful conditions in modern working life, in particular increasing work pressure and job insecurity, it is of interest to know whether specific constellations of an adverse psychosocial work environment increase the risk of depressive disorder among employed people. This contribution gives a short overview of current research evidence based on an internationally established work stress model of effort-reward imbalance. Taken together, results from seven prospective epidemiological investigations demonstrate a two-fold elevated relative risk of incident depressive disorder over a mean observation period of 2.7 years among exposed versus non-exposed employees. Additional findings from experimental and quasi-experimental studies point to robust associations of effort-reward imbalance at work with proinflammatory cytokines and markers of reduced immune competence. These latter markers may indicate potential psychobiological pathways. In conclusion, incorporating this new knowledge into medical treatment and preventive efforts seems well justified.

On the relation between economic bubbles and effort gaps between sellers and buyers: An experimental study

PubMed Central

Kauffmann, Amitay; Ashby, Nathaniel J. S.; Zahavi, Gal

2017-01-01

Economic bubbles are an empirical puzzle because they do not readily fit the notion of an efficient market. We argue that bubbles are associated with a conflict and a gap in the allocation of effort during negotiation by sellers and buyers. We examined 21 experimental asset markets where in one condition players could buy and sell and in the other they could either buy or sell. The results indicated that when making concurrent buying and selling decisions the mean number of asks for sellers was 71% higher than the number of bids for buyers. Similar findings emerge in a re-analysis of data from Lei et al. (2001). Importantly, bubbles only emerged in markets where the number of asks was larger than that of bids. These findings indicate that bubbles are associated with increased negotiation effort when acting as a seller and diminished effort when acting as a buyer. PMID:29228034

Adaptation and Study of AIDS Viruses in Animal and Cell Culture Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-28

Cancer Res 1985;44,69-120. 23. Armstrong D, and Walzer P: Experimental infections in the nude mouse. In: The Nude Mouse in Experimental and Clinical...3558-3564. 42. Reka S, Borcich A, Cronin W, Kotler DP: Intestinal HIV infection in AIDS and ARC: correlation with tissue content of p24 and...Assistant II (28 Aug 1989-20 Feb 1990) 100% effort Otho (Sonny) Armstrong , B.S., Research Assistant III (16April 1990-6April 1991) 100% effort Ada

TREX13: Mid-Frequency Measurements and Modeling of Scattering by Fish

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-11-13

Another key element to the fish effort is the UW- led (Home) high frequency surveys of fish in the area. The WHOI-led ( tanton) effort focussed on...lik J from fi h with gas-filled swimbladd r . b. Presenc o[fish at experimental ile. There w •r lhr f fi h that dominated the C. numb r in the fixed...34) _., •..,, . . . ... . - ,. • ~ > (a) (b) (c) Figure 3. The dominant species of fish present at experimental site. All have swim bladders which

Dynamic FLIR Target Acquisition. Phase I.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-08-02

The execution of the experimental plan developed and outlined in this report will make up the bulk of our second year effort. The third year will be...outlined in this report will make up the bulk of our second year effort. The third year will be devoted to further experimentation and analysis of...established. 2.1 TARGET SELECTION In an analysis of the success or failure of past air strike campaigns from WW II through the Six Day War (see Figure 2

Controlled Ecological Life Support System. Design, Development, and Use of a Ground-Based Plant Growth Module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macelroy, Robert D.; Smernoff, David T.; Rummel, John D.

1987-01-01

Problems of food production by higher plants are addressed. Experimentation requirements and necessary equipment for designing an experimental Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Plant Growth Module are defined. A framework is provided for the design of laboratory sized plant growth chambers. The rationale for the development of an informal collaborative effort between investigators from universities and industry and those at Ames is evaluated. Specific research problems appropriate for collaborative efforts are identified.

X-ray natural widths, level widths and Coster-Kronig transition probabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papp, T.; Campbell, J. L.; Varga, D.

1997-01-01

A critical review is given for the K-N7 atomic level widths. The experimental level widths were collected from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), x-ray spectra fluoresced by synchrotron radiation, and photoelectrons from x-ray absorption (PAX). There are only limited atomic number ranges for a few atomic levels where data are available from more than one source. Generally the experimental level widths have large scatter compared to the reported error bars. The experimental data are compared with the recent tabulation of Perkins et al. and of Ohno et al. Ohno et al. performed a many body approach calculation for limited atomic number ranges and have obtained reasonable agreement with the experimental data. Perkins et al. presented a tabulation covering the K-Q1 shells of all atoms, based on extensions of the Scofield calculations for radiative rates and extensions of the Chen calculations for non-radiative rates. The experimental data are in disagreement with this tabulation, in excess of a factor of two in some cases. A short introduction to the experimental Coster-Kronig transition probabilities is presented. It is our opinion that the different experimental approaches result in systematically different experimental data.

An iterative and targeted sampling design informed by habitat suitability models for detecting focal plant species over extensive areas.

PubMed

Wang, Ophelia; Zachmann, Luke J; Sesnie, Steven E; Olsson, Aaryn D; Dickson, Brett G

2014-01-01

Prioritizing areas for management of non-native invasive plants is critical, as invasive plants can negatively impact plant community structure. Extensive and multi-jurisdictional inventories are essential to prioritize actions aimed at mitigating the impact of invasions and changes in disturbance regimes. However, previous work devoted little effort to devising sampling methods sufficient to assess the scope of multi-jurisdictional invasion over extensive areas. Here we describe a large-scale sampling design that used species occurrence data, habitat suitability models, and iterative and targeted sampling efforts to sample five species and satisfy two key management objectives: 1) detecting non-native invasive plants across previously unsampled gradients, and 2) characterizing the distribution of non-native invasive plants at landscape to regional scales. Habitat suitability models of five species were based on occurrence records and predictor variables derived from topography, precipitation, and remotely sensed data. We stratified and established field sampling locations according to predicted habitat suitability and phenological, substrate, and logistical constraints. Across previously unvisited areas, we detected at least one of our focal species on 77% of plots. In turn, we used detections from 2011 to improve habitat suitability models and sampling efforts in 2012, as well as additional spatial constraints to increase detections. These modifications resulted in a 96% detection rate at plots. The range of habitat suitability values that identified highly and less suitable habitats and their environmental conditions corresponded to field detections with mixed levels of agreement. Our study demonstrated that an iterative and targeted sampling framework can address sampling bias, reduce time costs, and increase detections. Other studies can extend the sampling framework to develop methods in other ecosystems to provide detection data. The sampling methods implemented here provide a meaningful tool when understanding the potential distribution and habitat of species over multi-jurisdictional and extensive areas is needed for achieving management objectives.

An Iterative and Targeted Sampling Design Informed by Habitat Suitability Models for Detecting Focal Plant Species over Extensive Areas

PubMed Central

Wang, Ophelia; Zachmann, Luke J.; Sesnie, Steven E.; Olsson, Aaryn D.; Dickson, Brett G.

2014-01-01

Prioritizing areas for management of non-native invasive plants is critical, as invasive plants can negatively impact plant community structure. Extensive and multi-jurisdictional inventories are essential to prioritize actions aimed at mitigating the impact of invasions and changes in disturbance regimes. However, previous work devoted little effort to devising sampling methods sufficient to assess the scope of multi-jurisdictional invasion over extensive areas. Here we describe a large-scale sampling design that used species occurrence data, habitat suitability models, and iterative and targeted sampling efforts to sample five species and satisfy two key management objectives: 1) detecting non-native invasive plants across previously unsampled gradients, and 2) characterizing the distribution of non-native invasive plants at landscape to regional scales. Habitat suitability models of five species were based on occurrence records and predictor variables derived from topography, precipitation, and remotely sensed data. We stratified and established field sampling locations according to predicted habitat suitability and phenological, substrate, and logistical constraints. Across previously unvisited areas, we detected at least one of our focal species on 77% of plots. In turn, we used detections from 2011 to improve habitat suitability models and sampling efforts in 2012, as well as additional spatial constraints to increase detections. These modifications resulted in a 96% detection rate at plots. The range of habitat suitability values that identified highly and less suitable habitats and their environmental conditions corresponded to field detections with mixed levels of agreement. Our study demonstrated that an iterative and targeted sampling framework can address sampling bias, reduce time costs, and increase detections. Other studies can extend the sampling framework to develop methods in other ecosystems to provide detection data. The sampling methods implemented here provide a meaningful tool when understanding the potential distribution and habitat of species over multi-jurisdictional and extensive areas is needed for achieving management objectives. PMID:25019621

Availability of Neutronics Benchmarks in the ICSBEP and IRPhEP Handbooks for Computational Tools Testing

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

Bess, John D.; Briggs, J. Blair; Ivanova, Tatiana

2017-02-01

In the past several decades, numerous experiments have been performed worldwide to support reactor operations, measurements, design, and nuclear safety. Those experiments represent an extensive international investment in infrastructure, expertise, and cost, representing significantly valuable resources of data supporting past, current, and future research activities. Those valuable assets represent the basis for recording, development, and validation of our nuclear methods and integral nuclear data [1]. The loss of these experimental data, which has occurred all too much in the recent years, is tragic. The high cost to repeat many of these measurements can be prohibitive, if not impossible, to surmount.more » Two international projects were developed, and are under the direction of the Organisation for Co-operation and Development Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD NEA) to address the challenges of not just data preservation, but evaluation of the data to determine its merit for modern and future use. The International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP) was established to identify and verify comprehensive critical benchmark data sets; evaluate the data, including quantification of biases and uncertainties; compile the data and calculations in a standardized format; and formally document the effort into a single source of verified benchmark data [2]. Similarly, the International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) was established to preserve integral reactor physics experimental data, including separate or special effects data for nuclear energy and technology applications [3]. Annually, contributors from around the world continue to collaborate in the evaluation and review of select benchmark experiments for preservation and dissemination. The extensively peer-reviewed integral benchmark data can then be utilized to support nuclear design and safety analysts to validate the analytical tools, methods, and data needed for next-generation reactor design, safety analysis requirements, and all other front- and back-end activities contributing to the overall nuclear fuel cycle where quality neutronics calculations are paramount.« less

Capitalizing on Community: the Small College Environment and the Development of Researchers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoneking, M. R.

2014-03-01

Liberal arts colleges constitute an important source of and training ground for future scientists. At Lawrence University, we take advantage of our small college environment to prepare physics students for research careers by complementing content acquisition with skill development and project experience distributed throughout the curriculum and with co-curricular elements that are tied to our close-knit supportive physics community. Small classes and frequent contact between physics majors and faculty members offer opportunities for regular and detailed feedback on the development of research relevant skills such as laboratory record-keeping, data analysis, electronic circuit design, computational programming, experimental design and modification, and scientific communication. Part of our approach is to balance collaborative group work on small projects (such as Arduino-based electronics projects and optical design challenges) with independent work (on, for example, advanced laboratory experimental extensions and senior capstone projects). Communal spaces and specialized facilities (experimental and computational) and active on-campus research programs attract eager students to the program, establish a community-based atmosphere, provide unique opportunities for the development of research aptitude, and offer opportunities for genuine contribution to a research program. Recently, we have also been encouraging innovativetendencies in physics majors through intentional efforts to develop personal characteristics, encouraging students to become more tolerant of ambiguity, risk-taking, initiative-seeking, and articulate. Indicators of the success of our approach include the roughly ten physics majors who graduate each year and our program's high ranking among institutions whose graduates go on to receive the Ph.D. in physics. Work supported in part by the National Science Foundation.

Structural impact response for assessing railway vibration induced on buildings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kouroussis, Georges; Mouzakis, Harris P.; Vogiatzis, Konstantinos E.

2018-03-01

Over the syears, the rapid growth in railway infrastructure has led to numerous environmental challenges. One such significant issue, particularly in urban areas, is ground-borne vibration. A common source of ground-borne vibration is caused by local defects (e.g. rail joints, switches, turnouts, etc.) that generate large amplitude excitations at isolated locations. Modelling these excitation sources is particularly challenging and requires the use of complex and extensive computational efforts. For some situations, the use of experiments and measured data offers a rapid way to estimate the effect of such defects and to evaluate the railway vibration levels using a scoping approach. In this paper, the problem of railway-induced ground vibrations is presented along with experimental studies to assess the ground vibration and ground borne noise levels, with a particular focus on the structural response of sensitive buildings. The behaviour of particular building foundations is evaluated through experimental data collected in Brussels Region, by presenting the expected frequency responses for various types of buildings, taking into account both the soil-structure interaction and the tramway track response. A second study is dedicated to the Athens metro, where transmissibility functions are used to analyse the effect of various Athenian building face to metro network trough comprehensive measurement campaigns. This allows the verification of appropriate vibration mitigation measures. These benchmark applications based on experimental results have been proved to be efficient to treat a complex problem encountered in practice in urban areas, where the urban rail network interacts with important local defects and where the rise of railway ground vibration problems has clearly been identified.

Energy Efficient Engine (E3) combustion system component technology performance report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burrus, D. L.; Chahrour, C. A.; Foltz, H. L.; Sabla, P. E.; Seto, S. P.; Taylor, J. R.

1984-01-01

The Energy Efficient Engine (E3) combustor effort was conducted as part of the overall NASA/GE E3 Program. This effort included the selection of an advanced double-annular combustion system design. The primary intent of this effort was to evolve a design that meets the stringent emissions and life goals of the E3, as well as all of the usual performance requirements of combustion systems for modern turbofan engines. Numerous detailed design studies were conducted to define the features of the combustion system design. Development test hardware was fabricated, and an extensive testing effort was undertaken to evaluate the combustion system subcomponents in order to verify and refine the design. Technology derived from this effort was incorporated into the engine combustion hardware design. The advanced engine combustion system was then evaluated in component testing to verify the design intent. What evolved from this effort was an advanced combustion system capable of satisfying all of the combustion system design objectives and requirements of the E3.

simulation of the DNA force-extension curve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shinaberry, Gregory; Mikhaylov, Ivan; Balaeff, Alexander

A molecular dynamics simulation study of the force-extension curve of double-stranded DNA is presented. Extended simulations of the DNA at multiple points along the force-extension curve are conducted with DNA end-to-end length constrained at each point. The calculated force-extension curve qualitatively reproduces the experimental one. The DNA conformational ensemble at each extension shows that the famous plateau of the force-extension curve results from B-DNA melting, whereas the formation of the earlier-predicted novel DNA conformation called 'zip-DNA' takes place at extensions past the plateau. An extensive analysis of the DNA conformational ensemble in terms of base configuration, backbone configuration, solvent interaction energy, etc., is conducted in order to elucidate the physical origin of DNA elasticity and the main interactions responsible for the shape of the force-extension curve.

Type Safe Extensible Programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chae, Wonseok

2009-10-01

Software products evolve over time. Sometimes they evolve by adding new features, and sometimes by either fixing bugs or replacing outdated implementations with new ones. When software engineers fail to anticipate such evolution during development, they will eventually be forced to re-architect or re-build from scratch. Therefore, it has been common practice to prepare for changes so that software products are extensible over their lifetimes. However, making software extensible is challenging because it is difficult to anticipate successive changes and to provide adequate abstraction mechanisms over potential changes. Such extensibility mechanisms, furthermore, should not compromise any existing functionality during extension. Software engineers would benefit from a tool that provides a way to add extensions in a reliable way. It is natural to expect programming languages to serve this role. Extensible programming is one effort to address these issues. In this thesis, we present type safe extensible programming using the MLPolyR language. MLPolyR is an ML-like functional language whose type system provides type-safe extensibility mechanisms at several levels. After presenting the language, we will show how these extensibility mechanisms can be put to good use in the context of product line engineering. Product line engineering is an emerging software engineering paradigm that aims to manage variations, which originate from successive changes in software.

Determination of Foraging Thresholds and Effects of Application on Energetic Carrying Capacity for Waterfowl

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Energetic carrying capacity of habitats for wildlife is a fundamental concept used to better understand population ecology and prioritize conservation efforts. However, carrying capacity can be difficult to estimate accurately and simplified models often depend on many assumptions and few estimated parameters. We demonstrate the complex nature of parameterizing energetic carrying capacity models and use an experimental approach to describe a necessary parameter, a foraging threshold (i.e., density of food at which animals no longer can efficiently forage and acquire energy), for a guild of migratory birds. We created foraging patches with different fixed prey densities and monitored the numerical and behavioral responses of waterfowl (Anatidae) and depletion of foods during winter. Dabbling ducks (Anatini) fed extensively in plots and all initial densities of supplemented seed were rapidly reduced to 10 kg/ha and other natural seeds and tubers combined to 170 kg/ha, despite different starting densities. However, ducks did not abandon or stop foraging in wetlands when seed reduction ceased approximately two weeks into the winter-long experiment nor did they consistently distribute according to ideal-free predictions during this period. Dabbling duck use of experimental plots was not related to initial seed density, and residual seed and tuber densities varied among plant taxa and wetlands but not plots. Herein, we reached several conclusions: 1) foraging effort and numerical responses of dabbling ducks in winter were likely influenced by factors other than total food densities (e.g., predation risk, opportunity costs, forager condition), 2) foraging thresholds may vary among foraging locations, and 3) the numerical response of dabbling ducks may be an inconsistent predictor of habitat quality relative to seed and tuber density. We describe implications on habitat conservation objectives of using different foraging thresholds in energetic carrying capacity models and suggest scientists reevaluate assumptions of these models used to guide habitat conservation. PMID:25790255

Aeroacoustic Simulations of Tandem Cylinders with Subcritical Spacing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lockard, David P.; Choudhari, Meelan M.; Khorrami, Mehdi R.; Neuhart, Dan H.; Hutcheson, Florence V.; Brooks, Thomas F.; Stead, Daniel J.

2008-01-01

Tandem cylinders are being studied because they model a variety of component level interactions of landing gear. The present effort is directed at the case of two identical cylinders with their centroids separated in the streamwise direction by 1.435 diameters. Experiments in the Basic Aerodynamic Research Tunnel and Quiet Flow Facility at NASA Langley Research Center have provided an extensive experimental database of the nearfield flow and radiated noise. The measurements were conducted at a Mach number of 0.1285 and Reynolds number of 1.66x10(exp 5) based on the cylinder diameter. A trip was used on the upstream cylinder to insure a fully turbulent flow separation and, hence, to simulate a major aspect of high Reynolds number flow. The parallel computational effort uses the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver CFL3D with a hybrid, zonal turbulence model that turns off the turbulence production term everywhere except in a narrow ring surrounding solid surfaces. The experiments exhibited an asymmetry in the surface pressure that was persistent despite attempts to eliminate it through small changes in the configuration. To model the asymmetry, the simulations were run with the cylinder configuration at a nonzero but small angle of attack. The computed results and experiments are in general agreement that vortex shedding for the spacing studied herein is weak relative to that observed at supercritical spacings. Although the shedding was subdued in the simulations, it was still more prominent than in the experiments. Overall, the simulation comparisons with measured near-field data and the radiated acoustics are reasonable, especially if one is concerned with capturing the trends relative to larger cylinder spacings. However, the flow details of the 1.435 diameter spacing have not been captured in full even though very fine grid computations have been performed. Some of the discrepancy may be associated with the simulation s inexact representation of the experimental configuration, but numerical and flow modeling errors are also likely contributors to the observed differences.

AFWAL FY80 Technical Accomplishments Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

through cooperative effort of the Materials and Certain compositions in the titanium aluminide Propulsion Laboratories. In addition to an extensive system...Bonded Structures Technology Transitioned .................................................. 43 Superplastically Formed and Diffusion Bonded Titanium ...Technology ................................................................................................. 75 First RSR Radial Wafer Blade Engine Test

DECISION-SUPPORT TOOLS FOR MANAGING WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS

EPA Science Inventory

Wastewater collection systems are an extensive part of the nation's infrastructure. As these systems become older, more preventative maintenance and renewal are required. For municipalities to cost-effectively plan, organize, and implement this effort, they require improved inf...

US 93 preconstruction wildlife monitoring field methods handbook : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-11-01

The US 93 reconstruction project on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana represents one of the most extensive wildlife-sensitive highway design efforts to occur in the continental United States. The reconstruction will include install...

Inquiry, Investigation, and Communication in the Student-Directed Laboratory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Janners, Martha Y.

1988-01-01

Describes how to organize a student-directed laboratory investigation which is based on amphibian metamorphosis, lasts for nearly a term, and involves extensive group effort. Explains the assignment, student response and opinion, formal paper, and instructor responsibilities. (RT)

Characterization of Stress Corrosion Cracking Using Laser Ultrasonics

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-08-31

In-service inspection of gas and oil pipelines is a subject of great current interest. Issues of safety and fitness for service have driven extensive efforts to develop effective monitoring and inspection techniques. A number of effective NDT techniq...

Design considerations for bridge deck joint-sealing systems : summary report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1992-07-01

This is a report summary which summarizes a three year research effort related to the study of bridge deck expansion joint movements. Bridge deck expansion joint systems often develop serious problems requiring extensive and expensive maintenance. Th...

Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window (CVIEW) Roadside Enforcement/Compliance Project

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-09-04

An extensive effort was undertaken by Clough Harbour & Associates on behalf of, and with assistance from, the New : York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in order to research and design a prototype roadside commercial : vehicle electronic ...

Comparison of numerical model simulations and SFO wake vortex windline measurements

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-06-23

To provide quantitative support for the Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approach (SOIA) procedure, an extensive data collection effort was undertaken at San Francisco International Airport by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, U.S. Dept. of Tra...

76 FR 71066 - HUD Draft Environmental Justice Strategy, Extension of Public Comment Period

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-16

... may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339... step in a larger Administration-wide effort to ensure strong protection from environmental and health...

The conception, birth, and growth of a missile umbilical system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nordman, G. W.

1977-01-01

The design development was traced for the sprint 2 and improved sprint 2 missile system (ISMS) umbilical system. The unique system requirements, umbilical designs considered to meet the requirements, and the problems encountered and solutions derived during the design, and development testing of the selected systems are described. The sprint 2 development effort consisted of design, analysis, and testing activities. The ISMS effort involved the performance of an extensive trade study to determine the optimum design to meet the ISMS conditions.

Digital processing of the Mariner 10 images of Venus and Mercury

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soha, J. M.; Lynn, D. J.; Mosher, J. A.; Elliot, D. A.

1977-01-01

An extensive effort was devoted to the digital processing of the Mariner 10 images of Venus and Mercury at the Image Processing Laboratory of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This effort was designed to optimize the display of the considerable quantity of information contained in the images. Several image restoration, enhancement, and transformation procedures were applied; examples of these techniques are included. A particular task was the construction of large mosaics which characterize the surface of Mercury and the atmospheric structure of Venus.

Remote detection of riverine traffic using an ad hoc wireless sensor network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Athan, Stephan P.

2005-05-01

Trafficking of illegal drugs on riverine and inland waterways continues to proliferate in South America. While there has been a successful joint effort to cut off overland and air trafficking routes, there exists a vast river network and Amazon region consisting of over 13,000 water miles that remains difficult to adequately monitor, increasing the likelihood of narcotics moving along this extensive river system. Hence, an effort is underway to provide remote unattended riverine detection in lieu of manned or attended detection measures.

The Effect of Failing to Recapitalize the B-52H Defensive Avionics System on Future Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

reactive jamming, compensation for wing flexing to prevent wire chaffing and ensuring the necessary degree of cooling is available to extend LRU life ...repair parts. Parts of this system including the 6-gun CRT, referenced earlier, were replaced with a commercial off-the- shelf item built by Condor...This effort will provide a small extension to the service life of the existing BWOs. There is also an effort underway to replace the BWOs with

The cost of model reference adaptive control - Analysis, experiments, and optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Messer, R. S.; Haftka, R. T.; Cudney, H. H.

1993-01-01

In this paper the performance of Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) is studied in numerical simulations and verified experimentally with the objective of understanding how differences between the plant and the reference model affect the control effort. MRAC is applied analytically and experimentally to a single degree of freedom system and analytically to a MIMO system with controlled differences between the model and the plant. It is shown that the control effort is sensitive to differences between the plant and the reference model. The effects of increased damping in the reference model are considered, and it is shown that requiring the controller to provide increased damping actually decreases the required control effort when differences between the plant and reference model exist. This result is useful because one of the first attempts to counteract the increased control effort due to differences between the plant and reference model might be to require less damping, however, this would actually increase the control effort. Optimization of weighting matrices is shown to help reduce the increase in required control effort. However, it was found that eventually the optimization resulted in a design that required an extremely high sampling rate for successful realization.

You can go your own way: Effectiveness of participant-driven versus experimenter-driven processing strategies in memory training and transfer

PubMed Central

Flegal, Kristin E.; Lustig, Cindy

2016-01-01

Cognitive training programs that instruct specific strategies frequently show limited transfer. Open-ended approaches can achieve greater transfer, but may fail to benefit many older adults due to age deficits in self-initiated processing. We examined whether a compromise that encourages effort at encoding without an experimenter-prescribed strategy might yield better results. Older adults completed memory training under conditions that either 1) mandated a specific strategy to increase deep, associative encoding, 2) attempted to suppress such encoding by mandating rote rehearsal, or 3) encouraged time and effort towards encoding but allowed for strategy choice. The experimenter-enforced associative encoding strategy succeeded in creating integrated representations of studied items, but training-task progress was related to pre-existing ability. Independent of condition assignment, self-reported deep encoding was associated with positive training and transfer effects, suggesting that the most beneficial outcomes occur when environmental support guiding effort is provided but participants generate their own strategies. PMID:26549616

You can go your own way: effectiveness of participant-driven versus experimenter-driven processing strategies in memory training and transfer.

PubMed

Flegal, Kristin E; Lustig, Cindy

2016-07-01

Cognitive training programs that instruct specific strategies frequently show limited transfer. Open-ended approaches can achieve greater transfer, but may fail to benefit many older adults due to age deficits in self-initiated processing. We examined whether a compromise that encourages effort at encoding without an experimenter-prescribed strategy might yield better results. Older adults completed memory training under conditions that either (1) mandated a specific strategy to increase deep, associative encoding, (2) attempted to suppress such encoding by mandating rote rehearsal, or (3) encouraged time and effort toward encoding but allowed for strategy choice. The experimenter-enforced associative encoding strategy succeeded in creating integrated representations of studied items, but training-task progress was related to pre-existing ability. Independent of condition assignment, self-reported deep encoding was associated with positive training and transfer effects, suggesting that the most beneficial outcomes occur when environmental support guiding effort is provided but participants generate their own strategies.

Current and Future Research in Active Control of Lightweight, Flexible Structures Using the X-56 Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, John J.; Bosworth, John T.; Burken, John J.; Suh, Peter M.

2014-01-01

The X-56 Multi-Utility Technology Testbed aircraft system is a versatile experimental research flight platform. The system was primarily designed to investigate active control of lightweight flexible structures, but is reconfigurable and capable of hosting a wide breadth of research. Current research includes flight experimentation of a Lockheed Martin designed active control flutter suppression system. Future research plans continue experimentation with alternative control systems, explore the use of novel sensor systems, and experiments with the use of novel control effectors. This paper describes the aircraft system, current research efforts designed around the system, and future planned research efforts that will be hosted on the aircraft system.

Extension of nanoconfined DNA: Quantitative comparison between experiment and theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iarko, V.; Werner, E.; Nyberg, L. K.; Müller, V.; Fritzsche, J.; Ambjörnsson, T.; Beech, J. P.; Tegenfeldt, J. O.; Mehlig, K.; Westerlund, F.; Mehlig, B.

2015-12-01

The extension of DNA confined to nanochannels has been studied intensively and in detail. However, quantitative comparisons between experiments and model calculations are difficult because most theoretical predictions involve undetermined prefactors, and because the model parameters (contour length, Kuhn length, effective width) are difficult to compute reliably, leading to substantial uncertainties. Here we use a recent asymptotically exact theory for the DNA extension in the "extended de Gennes regime" that allows us to compare experimental results with theory. For this purpose, we performed experiments measuring the mean DNA extension and its standard deviation while varying the channel geometry, dye intercalation ratio, and ionic strength of the buffer. The experimental results agree very well with theory at high ionic strengths, indicating that the model parameters are reliable. At low ionic strengths, the agreement is less good. We discuss possible reasons. In principle, our approach allows us to measure the Kuhn length and the effective width of a single DNA molecule and more generally of semiflexible polymers in solution.

75 FR 71699 - Pesticide Experimental Use Permits; Receipt of Amendment and Extension Applications; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-24

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0926; FRL-8853-7] Pesticide Experimental Use... and 264-EUP-143 from Bayer CropScience LP requesting to amend and extend the existing experimental use... fair treatment and meaningful involvement of any group, including minority and/or low income...

Summary of shuttle data processing and aerodynamic performance comparisons for the first 11 flights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Findlay, J. T.; Kelly, G. M.; Heck, M. L.; Mcconnell, J. G.

1984-01-01

NASA Space Shuttle aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic research is but one part of the most comprehensive end-to-end flight test program ever undertaken considering: the extensive pre-flight experimental data base development; the multitude of spacecraft and remote measurements taken during entry flight; the complexity of the Orbiter aerodynamic configuration; the variety of flight conditions available across the entire speed regime; and the efforts devoted to flight data reduction throughout the aerospace community. Shuttle entry flights provide a wealth of research quality data, in essence a veritable flying wind tunnel, for use by researchers to verify and improve the operational capability of the Orbiter and provide data for evaluations of experimental facilities as well as computational methods. This final report merely summarizes the major activities conducted by the AMA, Inc. under NASA Contract NAS1-16087 as part of that interesting research. Investigators desiring more detailed information can refer to the glossary of AMA publications attached herein as Appendix A. Section I provides background discussion of software and methodology development to enable Best Estimate Trajectory (BET) generation. Actual products generated are summarized in Section II as tables which completely describe the post-flight products available from the first three-year Shuttle flight history. Summary results are presented in Section III, with longitudinal performance comparisons included as Appendices for each of the flights.

Extra dimensions: 3D in PDF documentation

DOE PAGES

Graf, Norman A.

2011-01-11

Experimental science is replete with multi-dimensional information which is often poorly represented by the two dimensions of presentation slides and print media. Past efforts to disseminate such information to a wider audience have failed for a number of reasons, including a lack of standards which are easy to implement and have broad support. Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) has in recent years become the de facto standard for secure, dependable electronic information exchange. It has done so by creating an open format, providing support for multiple platforms and being reliable and extensible. By providing support for the ECMA standard Universalmore » 3D (U3D) file format in its free Adobe Reader software, Adobe has made it easy to distribute and interact with 3D content. By providing support for scripting and animation, temporal data can also be easily distributed to a wide, non-technical audience. We discuss how the field of radiation imaging could benefit from incorporating full 3D information about not only the detectors, but also the results of the experimental analyses, in its electronic publications. In this article, we present examples drawn from high-energy physics, mathematics and molecular biology which take advantage of this functionality. Furthermore, we demonstrate how 3D detector elements can be documented, using either CAD drawings or other sources such as GEANT visualizations as input.« less

Extra dimensions: 3D and time in PDF documentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graf, N. A.

2011-01-01

Experimental science is replete with multi-dimensional information which is often poorly represented by the two dimensions of presentation slides and print media. Past efforts to disseminate such information to a wider audience have failed for a number of reasons, including a lack of standards which are easy to implement and have broad support. Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) has in recent years become the de facto standard for secure, dependable electronic information exchange. It has done so by creating an open format, providing support for multiple platforms and being reliable and extensible. By providing support for the ECMA standard Universal 3D (U3D) file format in its free Adobe Reader software, Adobe has made it easy to distribute and interact with 3D content. By providing support for scripting and animation, temporal data can also be easily distributed to a wide, non-technical audience. We discuss how the field of radiation imaging could benefit from incorporating full 3D information about not only the detectors, but also the results of the experimental analyses, in its electronic publications. In this article, we present examples drawn from high-energy physics, mathematics and molecular biology which take advantage of this functionality. We demonstrate how 3D detector elements can be documented, using either CAD drawings or other sources such as GEANT visualizations as input.

Extra Dimensions: 3D and Time in PDF Documentation

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

Graf, N.A.; /SLAC

2012-04-11

Experimental science is replete with multi-dimensional information which is often poorly represented by the two dimensions of presentation slides and print media. Past efforts to disseminate such information to a wider audience have failed for a number of reasons, including a lack of standards which are easy to implement and have broad support. Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) has in recent years become the de facto standard for secure, dependable electronic information exchange. It has done so by creating an open format, providing support for multiple platforms and being reliable and extensible. By providing support for the ECMA standard Universalmore » 3D (U3D) file format in its free Adobe Reader software, Adobe has made it easy to distribute and interact with 3D content. By providing support for scripting and animation, temporal data can also be easily distributed to a wide, non-technical audience. We discuss how the field of radiation imaging could benefit from incorporating full 3D information about not only the detectors, but also the results of the experimental analyses, in its electronic publications. In this article, we present examples drawn from high-energy physics, mathematics and molecular biology which take advantage of this functionality. We demonstrate how 3D detector elements can be documented, using either CAD drawings or other sources such as GEANT visualizations as input.« less

Systems biology driven software design for the research enterprise

PubMed Central

Boyle, John; Cavnor, Christopher; Killcoyne, Sarah; Shmulevich, Ilya

2008-01-01

Background In systems biology, and many other areas of research, there is a need for the interoperability of tools and data sources that were not originally designed to be integrated. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of systems biology, and its association with high throughput experimental platforms, there is an additional need to continually integrate new technologies. As scientists work in isolated groups, integration with other groups is rarely a consideration when building the required software tools. Results We illustrate an approach, through the discussion of a purpose built software architecture, which allows disparate groups to reuse tools and access data sources in a common manner. The architecture allows for: the rapid development of distributed applications; interoperability, so it can be used by a wide variety of developers and computational biologists; development using standard tools, so that it is easy to maintain and does not require a large development effort; extensibility, so that new technologies and data types can be incorporated; and non intrusive development, insofar as researchers need not to adhere to a pre-existing object model. Conclusion By using a relatively simple integration strategy, based upon a common identity system and dynamically discovered interoperable services, a light-weight software architecture can become the focal point through which scientists can both get access to and analyse the plethora of experimentally derived data. PMID:18578887

Model of separation performance of bilinear gradients in scanning format counter-flow gradient electrofocusing techniques.

PubMed

Shameli, Seyed Mostafa; Glawdel, Tomasz; Ren, Carolyn L

2015-03-01

Counter-flow gradient electrofocusing allows the simultaneous concentration and separation of analytes by generating a gradient in the total velocity of each analyte that is the sum of its electrophoretic velocity and the bulk counter-flow velocity. In the scanning format, the bulk counter-flow velocity is varying with time so that a number of analytes with large differences in electrophoretic mobility can be sequentially focused and passed by a single detection point. Studies have shown that nonlinear (such as a bilinear) velocity gradients along the separation channel can improve both peak capacity and separation resolution simultaneously, which cannot be realized by using a single linear gradient. Developing an effective separation system based on the scanning counter-flow nonlinear gradient electrofocusing technique usually requires extensive experimental and numerical efforts, which can be reduced significantly with the help of analytical models for design optimization and guiding experimental studies. Therefore, this study focuses on developing an analytical model to evaluate the separation performance of scanning counter-flow bilinear gradient electrofocusing methods. In particular, this model allows a bilinear gradient and a scanning rate to be optimized for the desired separation performance. The results based on this model indicate that any bilinear gradient provides a higher separation resolution (up to 100%) compared to the linear case. This model is validated by numerical studies. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Scattering of phonons by dislocations

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

Anderson, A. C.

1979-01-01

By 1950, an explicit effort had been launched to use lattice thermal conductivity measurements in the investigation of defect structures in solids. This technique has been highly successful, especially when combined with the measurements of other properties such as optical absorption. One exception has been the study of dislocations. Although dislocations have a profound effect on the phonon thermal conductivity, the mechanisms of the phonon-dislocation interaction are poorly understood. The most basic questions are still debated in the literature. It therefore is pointless to attempt a quantitative comparison between an extensive accumulation of experimental data on the one hand, andmore » the numerous theoretical models on the other. Instead, this chapter will attempt to glean a few qualitative conclusions from the existing experimental data. These results will then be compared with two general models which incorporate, in a qualitative manner, most of the proposed theories of the phonon-dislocation interaction. Until very recently, measurement of thermal conductivity was the only means available to probe the interaction between phonons and defects at phonon frequencies above the standard ultrasonic range of approx. = 10/sup 9/ Hz. The introductory paragraphs provide a brief review of the thermal-conductivity technique and the problems which are encountered in practice. There is also a brief presentation of the theoretical models and the complications that may occur in more realistic situations.« less

Muon Catalyzed Fusion in Solid Hydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, Glen

1998-04-01

The mass, lifetime, and leptonic nature of the negative muon allow it to induce repeated fusion reactions between nuclei of hydrogen isotopes. The processes by which this takes place encompass nuclear as well as atomic and molecular interactions, both normal and exotic, with energy scales from meV to MeV. It has taken several decades to disentangle the important aspects and understand quantitatively what limitations exist on efficient catalysis of fusion. The two major limitations are the rates at which muonic molecular ions can be formed, and the small but critical probability that the muon becomes attached to a charged fusion product in the process known as sticking. Extensive theoretical work has resulted in a detailed understanding of both, and experimental efforts have contributed significant insight. There are unique experimental advantages to using solid hydrogen in the form of inhomogeneous layered targets. Non-thermalized muonic hydrogen atoms allow us to explore resonant molecular ion formation processes near eV kinetic energies. Isotopically specific layers make it possible to separate competing and confusing interactions. Unambiguous charged fusion product detection is simplified and complements the more conventional detection of fusion neutrons. Experiments with negative muons in solid hydrogen can help to understand the limitations of both the molecular ion formation rate and the sticking probability. The processes of importance will be described, followed by a discussion of recent results and possibilities for the future.

Gravitational Biology Facility on Space Station: Meeting the needs of space biology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Katherine; Wade, Charles

1992-01-01

The Gravitational Biology Facility (GBF) is a set of generic laboratory equipment needed to conduct research on Space Station Freedom (SSF), focusing on Space Biology Program science (Cell and Developmental Biology and Plant Biology). The GBF will be functional from the earliest utilization flights through the permanent manned phase. Gravitational biology research will also make use of other Life Sciences equipment on the space station as well as existing equipment developed for the space shuttle. The facility equipment will be developed based on requirements derived from experiments proposed by the scientific community to address critical questions in the Space Biology Program. This requires that the facility have the ability to house a wide variety of species, various methods of observation, and numerous methods of sample collection, preservation, and storage. The selection of the equipment will be done by the members of a scientific working group (5 members representing cell biology, 6 developmental biology, and 6 plant biology) who also provide requirements to design engineers to ensure that the equipment will meet scientific needs. All equipment will undergo extensive ground based experimental validation studies by various investigators addressing a variety of experimental questions. Equipment will be designed to be adaptable to other space platforms. The theme of the Gravitational Biology Facility effort is to provide optimal and reliable equipment to answer the critical questions in Space Biology as to the effects of gravity on living systems.

Aerothermal modeling, phase 1. Volume 2: Experimental data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kenworthy, M. J.; Correa, S. M.; Burrus, D. L.

1983-01-01

The experimental test effort is discussed. The test data are presented. The compilation is divided into sets representing each of the 18 experimental configurations tested. A detailed description of each configuration, and plots of the temperature difference ratio parameter or pattern factor parameter calculated from the test data are also provided.

78 FR 26308 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Threatened Status for Coral Pink Sand...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-06

... appropriate habitat is found, the area will be considered for experimental introduction. The conservation committee will increase research efforts in experimental translocations in Conservation Area B and evaluate... conduct experimental vegetation treatments within existing conservation areas to determine if this...

Structural Benchmark Creep Testing for the Advanced Stirling Convertor Heater Head

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krause, David L.; Kalluri, Sreeramesh; Bowman, Randy R.; Shah, Ashwin R.

2008-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has identified the high efficiency Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) as a candidate power source for use on long duration Science missions such as lunar applications, Mars rovers, and deep space missions. For the inherent long life times required, a structurally significant design limit for the heater head component of the ASRG Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) is creep deformation induced at low stress levels and high temperatures. Demonstrating proof of adequate margins on creep deformation and rupture for the operating conditions and the MarM-247 material of construction is a challenge that the NASA Glenn Research Center is addressing. The combined analytical and experimental program ensures integrity and high reliability of the heater head for its 17-year design life. The life assessment approach starts with an extensive series of uniaxial creep tests on thin MarM-247 specimens that comprise the same chemistry, microstructure, and heat treatment processing as the heater head itself. This effort addresses a scarcity of openly available creep properties for the material as well as for the virtual absence of understanding of the effect on creep properties due to very thin walls, fine grains, low stress levels, and high-temperature fabrication steps. The approach continues with a considerable analytical effort, both deterministically to evaluate the median creep life using nonlinear finite element analysis, and probabilistically to calculate the heater head s reliability to a higher degree. Finally, the approach includes a substantial structural benchmark creep testing activity to calibrate and validate the analytical work. This last element provides high fidelity testing of prototypical heater head test articles; the testing includes the relevant material issues and the essential multiaxial stress state, and applies prototypical and accelerated temperature profiles for timely results in a highly controlled laboratory environment. This paper focuses on the last element and presents a preliminary methodology for creep rate prediction, the experimental methods, test challenges, and results from benchmark testing of a trial MarM-247 heater head test article. The results compare favorably with the analytical strain predictions. A description of other test findings is provided, and recommendations for future test procedures are suggested. The manuscript concludes with describing the potential impact of the heater head creep life assessment and benchmark testing effort on the ASC program.

Development of a Neutron Diffraction Based Experiemental Capability for Investigating Hydraulic Fracturing for EGS-like Conditions

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

Polsky, Yarom; Anovitz, Lawrence; An, Ke

2013-01-01

Hydraulic fracturing to enhance formation permeability is an established practice in the Oil & Gas (O&G) industry and is expected to be an enabler for EGS. However, it is rarely employed in conventional geothermal systems and there are significant questions regarding the translation of practice from O&G to both conventional geothermal and EGS applications. Lithological differences(sedimentary versus crystalline rocks, significantly greater formation temperatures and different desired fracture characteristics are among a number of factors that are likely to result in a gap of understanding of how to manage hydraulic fracturing practice for geothermal. Whereas the O&G community has had bothmore » the capital and the opportunity to develop its understanding of hydraulic fracturing operations empirically in the field as well through extensive R&D efforts, field testing opportunities for EGS are likely to be minimal due to the high expense of hydraulic fracturing field trials. A significant portion of the knowledge needed to guide the management of geothermal/EGS hydraulic fracturing operations will therefore likely have to come from experimental efforts and simulation. This paper describes ongoing efforts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to develop an experimental capability to map the internal stresses/strains in core samples subjected to triaxial stress states and temperatures representative of EGS-like conditions using neutron diffraction based strain mapping techniques. This capability is being developed at ORNL\\'s Spallation Neutron Source, the world\\'s most powerful pulsed neutron source and is still in a proof of concept phase. A specialized pressure cell has been developed that permits independent radial and axial fluid pressurization of core samples, with axial flow through capability and a temperature rating up to 300 degrees C. This cell will ultimately be used to hydraulically pressurize EGS-representative core samples to conditions of imminent fracture and map the associated internal strain states of the sample. This will hopefully enable a more precise mapping of the rock material failure envelope, facilitate a more refined understanding of the mechanism of hydraulically induced rock fracture, particularly in crystalline rocks, and serve as a platform for validating and improving fracture simulation codes. The elements of the research program and preliminary strain mapping results of a Sierra White granite sample subjected only to compressive loading will be discussed in this paper.« less

Core cooling under accident conditions at the high flux beam reactor (HFBR)

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

Tichler, P.; Cheng, L.; Fauske, H.

In certain accident scenarios, e.g. loss of coolant accidents (LOCA) all forced flow cooling is lost. Decay heating causes a temperature increase in the core coolant and the resulting thermal buoyancy causes a reversal of the flow direction to a natural circulation mode. Although there was experimental evidence during the reactor design period (1958--1963) that the heat removal capacity in the fully developed natural circulation cooling mode was relatively high, it was not possible to make a confident prediction of the heat removal capacity during the transition from downflow to natural circulation. In a LOCA scenario where even limited fuelmore » damage occurs and natural circulation is established, fission product gases could be carried from the damaged fuel by steam into areas where operator access is required to maintain the core in a coolable configuration. This would force evacuation of the building and lead to extensive core damage. As a result the HFBR was shut down by the Department of Energy (DOE) and an extensive review of the HFBR was initiated. In an effort to address this issue BNL developed a model designed to predict the heat removal limit during flow reversal that was found to be in good agreement with the test results. Currently a thermal-hydraulic test program is being developed to provide a more realistic and defensible estimate of the flow reversal heat removal limit so that the reactor power level can be increased.« less

Structural optimization of mangiferin binding to cancer molecular targets: a guide for synthetic derivatization.

PubMed

Taiwo, Bamigboye J; Olubiyi, Olujide O; van Heerden, Fanie R

2018-03-20

Nigerian medicinal plants have been demonstrated to be veritable source of lead compounds for drug discovery efforts. One such example is mangiferin. Mangiferin was originally isolated from the Nigerian plant Ceiba pentandra (Mombacaceae), after which its structure was elucidated with the aid of spectroscopy. Mangiferin, a xanthone glycoside, has also been reported in certain other plant families including Gentianaceae and Anacardiaceae. In certain other climes and different parts of the world, folkloric and traditional medicine has extensively employed Mangifera indica (another source of mangiferin) in treating different diseases. For many of such cultural uses carefully designed experimental investigations have been conducted confirming mangiferin's efficacies in those different pathologies which have included but not limited to cytotoxic as well as chemopreventive properties in selected cancer cell lines. In this study, computational techniques were employed to profile the interaction of the xanthone glycoside at the atomistic level against nine selected molecular targets with clinical relevance in tumorigenesis. In attempt to investigate the potential of the mangiferin structure as a viable starting point for synthetic exploration of mangiferin-based analogs, extensive structural modifications were performed. By analyzing the resulting structure-energetic pattern, critical points capable of improving mangiferin interaction with the profiled targets were identified. The outcome of this study provides both direction and impetus for synthetic derivitization of the mangiferin molecule into novel optimized inhibitors for anticancer lead development. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

A soft wearable robot for the shoulder: Design, characterization, and preliminary testing.

PubMed

O'Neill, Ciaran T; Phipps, Nathan S; Cappello, Leonardo; Paganoni, Sabrina; Walsh, Conor J

2017-07-01

In this paper, we present a soft wearable robot for the shoulder which has the potential to assist individuals suffering from a range of neuromuscular conditions affecting the shoulder to perform activities of daily living. This wearable robot combines two types of soft textile pneumatic actuators which were custom developed for this particular application to support the upper arm through shoulder abduction and horizontal flexion/extension. The advantage of a textile-based approach is that the robot can be lightweight, low-profile, comfortable and non-restrictive to the wearer, and easy to don like an item of clothing. The actuator's ability to fold flat when not in use allows the robot to be almost invisible under clothing, potentially allowing the user to avoid any stigma associated with using assistive devices in public. To abduct the arm, a textilebased pneumatic actuator was developed to fit within the axilla to push the arm upwards, while a pair of smaller actuators pivot the abduction actuator to allow for horizontal extension and flexion. The individual textile actuators were experimentally evaluated before being integrated into a wearable garment. Human subject testing was performed to evaluate the ability of the robot to assist the arm by monitoring changes in biological muscle activity when comparing the robot powered on and off. Preliminary results show large reductions in muscular effort in targeted muscles, demonstrating the feasibility and promise of such a soft wearable robot for the shoulder.

Guidelines for development of the Iowa statewide transportation improvement program (STIP). Revised.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-01-01

The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) continues the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991's requirement for an extensive, ongoing cooperative planning effort for programming federal funding. Iowa's STIP is dev...

Comprehensive Transit Plan for the Virgin Islands - Technical Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1989-01-01

This report contains a description of the elements and recommendations of a transportation study of the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Island archipelago. An extensive data collection effort, including traffic volum...

THE NEUROTOXICANT TRIMETHYLTIN STIMULATES APOPTOSIS VIA OXIDATIVE STRESS, CASPASE ACTIVATION AND P38 PROTEIN KINASE.

EPA Science Inventory

Acute exposure to the tri-substituted organotin trimethyltin (TMT) causes neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus, amygdala, pyriform cortex, and neocortex. Developmental exposure to TMT impairs later learning and memory. Despite extensive efforts elucidating neuropathological...

Mulptiple Sclerosis, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Latest NIH Research | NIH MedlinePlus the Magazine

MedlinePlus

... Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Latest NIH Research Past Issues / Spring 2012 Table of Contents Symptoms ... my MS will ever go away? Latest NIH Research Scientists continue their extensive efforts to create new ...

TIMSS 2007 Assessment Frameworks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mullis, Ina V. S.; Martin, Michael O.; Ruddock, Graham J.; O'Sullivan, Christine Y.; Arora, Alka; Erberber, Ebru

2005-01-01

Developing the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007 Assessment Frameworks represents an extensive collaborative effort involving individuals and expert groups from more than 60 countries around the world. The document contains three frameworks for implementing TIMSS 2007--the Mathematics Framework, the Science…

Curating and sharing structures and spectra for the environmental community

EPA Science Inventory

The increasing popularity of high mass accuracy non-target mass spectrometry methods has yielded extensive identification efforts based on spectral and chemical compound databases in the environmental community and beyond. Increasingly, new methods are relying on open data resour...

77 FR 11625 - Child Restraint Systems

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-27

...),'' Stammen; Vehicle Research and Test Center, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (September 2004... exceeded. However, during extensive post-NPRM booster seat testing, inconsistencies in the test protocol... substantial rulemaking and research efforts to try to address test variability. NHTSA investigated the ATD's...

Cooperative Extension as a Framework for Health Extension: The Michigan State University Model.

PubMed

Dwyer, Jeffrey W; Contreras, Dawn; Eschbach, Cheryl L; Tiret, Holly; Newkirk, Cathy; Carter, Erin; Cronk, Linda

2017-10-01

The Affordable Care Act charged the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to create the Primary Care Extension Program, but did not fund this effort. The idea to work through health extension agents to support health care delivery systems was based on the nationally known Cooperative Extension System (CES). Instead of creating new infrastructure in health care, the CES is an ideal vehicle for increasing health-related research and primary care delivery. The CES, a long-standing component of the land-grant university system, features a sustained infrastructure for providing education to communities. The Michigan State University (MSU) Model of Health Extension offers another means of developing a National Primary Care Extension Program that is replicable in part because of the presence of the CES throughout the United States. A partnership between the MSU College of Human Medicine and MSU Extension formed in 2014, emphasizing the promotion and support of human health research. The MSU Model of Health Extension includes the following strategies: building partnerships, preparing MSU Extension educators for participation in research, increasing primary care patient referrals and enrollment in health programs, and exploring innovative funding. Since the formation of the MSU Model of Health Extension, researchers and extension professionals have made 200+ connections, and grants have afforded savings in salary costs. The MSU College of Human Medicine and MSU Extension partnership can serve as a model to promote health partnerships nationwide between CES services within land-grant universities and academic health centers or community-based medical schools.

14 CFR 1274.905 - Rights in data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... research, experimental, developmental, engineering, demonstration, or design activities are to be carried... the agreement. If cost sharing is unequal or no extensive research, experimental, developmental, engineering, demonstration, or design activities are likely, a different set of provisions may be appropriate...

14 CFR 1274.905 - Rights in data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... research, experimental, developmental, engineering, demonstration, or design activities are to be carried... the agreement. If cost sharing is unequal or no extensive research, experimental, developmental, engineering, demonstration, or design activities are likely, a different set of provisions may be appropriate...

UIUC concrete tie and fastener field testing at TTC.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-07-01

In July 2012, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) began an extensive : experimental program at the Transportation : Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, CO. The : field experimentation program was part of a : larger research program f...

Mechanical effort predicts the selection of ankle over hip strategies in nonstepping postural responses

PubMed Central

Jonkers, Ilse; De Schutter, Joris; De Groote, Friedl

2016-01-01

Experimental studies have shown that a continuum of ankle and hip strategies is used to restore posture following an external perturbation. Postural responses can be modeled by feedback control with feedback gains that optimize a specific objective. On the one hand, feedback gains that minimize effort have been used to predict muscle activity during perturbed standing. On the other hand, hip and ankle strategies have been predicted by minimizing postural instability and deviation from upright posture. It remains unclear, however, whether and how effort minimization influences the selection of a specific postural response. We hypothesize that the relative importance of minimizing mechanical work vs. postural instability influences the strategy used to restore upright posture. This hypothesis was investigated based on experiments and predictive simulations of the postural response following a backward support surface translation. Peak hip flexion angle was significantly correlated with three experimentally determined measures of effort, i.e., mechanical work, mean muscle activity and metabolic energy. Furthermore, a continuum of ankle and hip strategies was predicted in simulation when changing the relative importance of minimizing mechanical work and postural instability, with increased weighting of mechanical work resulting in an ankle strategy. In conclusion, the combination of experimental measurements and predictive simulations of the postural response to a backward support surface translation showed that the trade-off between effort and postural instability minimization can explain the selection of a specific postural response in the continuum of potential ankle and hip strategies. PMID:27489362

Operational Influence on Thermal Behavior of High-Speed Helical Gear Trains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Handschuh, Robert F.; Kilmain, Charles J.

2006-01-01

An experimental effort has been conducted on an aerospace-quality helical gear train to investigate the thermal behavior of the gear system as many important operational conditions were varied. Drive system performance measurements were made at varying speeds and loads (to 5,000 hp and 15,000 rpm). Also, an analytical effort was undertaken for comparison to the measured results. The influence of the various loss mechanisms from the analysis for this high speed helical gear train gearbox will be presented and compared to the experimental results.

Experimental optimization of the FireFly 600 photovoltaic off-grid system.

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

Boyson, William Earl; Orozco, Ron; Ralph, Mark E.

2003-10-01

A comprehensive evaluation and experimental optimization of the FireFly{trademark} 600 off-grid photovoltaic system manufactured by Energia Total, Ltd. was conducted at Sandia National Laboratories in May and June of 2001. This evaluation was conducted at the request of the manufacturer and addressed performance of individual system components, overall system functionality and performance, safety concerns, and compliance with applicable codes and standards. A primary goal of the effort was to identify areas for improvement in performance, reliability, and safety. New system test procedures were developed during the effort.

Progress of Stirling cycle analysis and loss mechanism characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tew, R. C., Jr.

1986-01-01

An assessment of Stirling engine thermodynamic modeling and design codes shows a general deficiency; this deficiency is due to poor understanding of the fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena that occur in the oscillating flow and pressure level environment within the engines. Stirling engine thermodynamic loss mechanisms are listed. Several experimental and computational research efforts now underway to characterize various loss mechanisms are reviewed. The need for additional experimental rigs and rig upgrades is discussed. Recent developments and current efforts in Stirling engine thermodynamic modeling are also reviewed.

Outer planet Grand Tour missions photometry/polarimetry experiment critical components study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellicori, S. F.; Russell, E. E.; Watts, L. A.

1972-01-01

Work performed during this effort was limited to two primary areas of technical concern: optical design optimization, and sensor selection. An optical system concept was established, and various system components were evaluated through experimental test sequences. Photodetectors were investigated for the applicability in meeting OPGT requirements as constrained by the photometry/polarimetry team directives. The most promising (gallium arsenide PMT) was further experimentally tested to ascertain its behavior with respect to anticipated environmental conditions. Results of testing and summary of the preceding tradeoff study effort are presented.

Study of lubricant circulation in HVAC systems. Volume 1: Description of technical effort and results; Final technical report, March 1995--April 1996

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

Biancardi, F.R.; Michels, H.H.; Sienel, T.H.

1996-10-01

The purpose of this program was to conduct experimental and analytical efforts to determine lubricant circulation characteristics of new HFC/POE pairs and HFC/mineral oil pairs in a representative central residential HVAC system and to compare their behavior with the traditional HCFC-22/mineral oil (refrigerant/lubricant) pair. A dynamic test facility was designed and built to conduct the experimental efforts. This facility provided a unique capability to visually and physically measure oil circulation rates, on-line, in operating systems. A unique on-line ultraviolet-based measurement device was used to obtain detailed data on the rate and level of lubricant oil circulated within the operating heatmore » pump system. The experimental and analytical data developed during the program are presented as a function of vapor velocity, refrigerant/lubricant viscosity, system features and equipment. Both visual observations and instrumentation were used to understand ``worst case`` oil circulation situations. This report is presented in two volumes. Volume 1 contains a complete description of the program scope, objective, test results summary, conclusions, description of test facility and recommendations for future effort. Volume 2 contains all of the program test data essentially as taken from the laboratory dynamic test facility during the sequence of runs.« less

Enhancing Extensive Reading with Data-Driven Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadley, Gregory; Charles, Maggie

2017-01-01

This paper investigates using data-driven learning (DDL) as a means of stimulating greater lexicogrammatical knowledge and reading speed among lower proficiency learners in an extensive reading program. For 16 weekly 90-minute sessions, an experimental group (12 students) used DDL materials created from a corpus developed from the Oxford Bookworms…

Review and assessment of turbulence models for hypersonic flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Christopher J.; Blottner, Frederick G.

2006-10-01

Accurate aerodynamic prediction is critical for the design and optimization of hypersonic vehicles. Turbulence modeling remains a major source of uncertainty in the computational prediction of aerodynamic forces and heating for these systems. The first goal of this article is to update the previous comprehensive review of hypersonic shock/turbulent boundary-layer interaction experiments published in 1991 by Settles and Dodson (Hypersonic shock/boundary-layer interaction database. NASA CR 177577, 1991). In their review, Settles and Dodson developed a methodology for assessing experiments appropriate for turbulence model validation and critically surveyed the existing hypersonic experiments. We limit the scope of our current effort by considering only two-dimensional (2D)/axisymmetric flows in the hypersonic flow regime where calorically perfect gas models are appropriate. We extend the prior database of recommended hypersonic experiments (on four 2D and two 3D shock-interaction geometries) by adding three new geometries. The first two geometries, the flat plate/cylinder and the sharp cone, are canonical, zero-pressure gradient flows which are amenable to theory-based correlations, and these correlations are discussed in detail. The third geometry added is the 2D shock impinging on a turbulent flat plate boundary layer. The current 2D hypersonic database for shock-interaction flows thus consists of nine experiments on five different geometries. The second goal of this study is to review and assess the validation usage of various turbulence models on the existing experimental database. Here we limit the scope to one- and two-equation turbulence models where integration to the wall is used (i.e., we omit studies involving wall functions). A methodology for validating turbulence models is given, followed by an extensive evaluation of the turbulence models on the current hypersonic experimental database. A total of 18 one- and two-equation turbulence models are reviewed, and results of turbulence model assessments for the six models that have been extensively applied to the hypersonic validation database are compiled and presented in graphical form. While some of the turbulence models do provide reasonable predictions for the surface pressure, the predictions for surface heat flux are generally poor, and often in error by a factor of four or more. In the vast majority of the turbulence model validation studies we review, the authors fail to adequately address the numerical accuracy of the simulations (i.e., discretization and iterative error) and the sensitivities of the model predictions to freestream turbulence quantities or near-wall y+ mesh spacing. We recommend new hypersonic experiments be conducted which (1) measure not only surface quantities but also mean and fluctuating quantities in the interaction region and (2) provide careful estimates of both random experimental uncertainties and correlated bias errors for the measured quantities and freestream conditions. For the turbulence models, we recommend that a wide-range of turbulence models (including newer models) be re-examined on the current hypersonic experimental database, including the more recent experiments. Any future turbulence model validation efforts should carefully assess the numerical accuracy and model sensitivities. In addition, model corrections (e.g., compressibility corrections) should be carefully examined for their effects on a standard, low-speed validation database. Finally, as new experiments or direct numerical simulation data become available with information on mean and fluctuating quantities, they should be used to improve the turbulence models and thus increase their predictive capability.

A Systematic Method for Verification and Validation of Gyrokinetic Microstability Codes

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

Bravenec, Ronald

My original proposal for the period Feb. 15, 2014 through Feb. 14, 2017 called for an integrated validation and verification effort carried out by myself with collaborators. The validation component would require experimental profile and power-balance analysis. In addition, it would require running the gyrokinetic codes varying the input profiles within experimental uncertainties to seek agreement with experiment before discounting a code as invalidated. Therefore, validation would require a major increase of effort over my previous grant periods which covered only code verification (code benchmarking). Consequently, I had requested full-time funding. Instead, I am being funded at somewhat less thanmore » half time (5 calendar months per year). As a consequence, I decided to forego the validation component and to only continue the verification efforts.« less

The Perils of Prototyping.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lowry, Christina; Little, Robert

1985-01-01

The benefits of prototyping as a basis for system design include better specifications, earlier discovery of omissions and extensions, and the likelihood of salvaging much of the effort expended on the prototype. Risks and methods of prototyping during rapid systems development are also noted. (Author/MLW)

MANUAL: BIOVENTING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE VOLUME II. BIOVENTING DESIGN

EPA Science Inventory

The results from bioventing research and development efforts and from the pilot-scale bioventing systems have been used to produce this two-volume manual. Although this design manual has been written based on extensive experience with petroleum hydrocarbons (and thus, many exampl...

Regional Sustainability: The San Luis Basin Metrics Project

EPA Science Inventory

There are a number of established, scientifically supported metrics of sustainability. Many of the metrics are data intensive and require extensive effort to collect data and compute. Moreover, individual metrics may not capture all aspects of a system that are relevant to sust...

The Valley without Birds.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Breslin, Patrick

1988-01-01

Describes cooperative campaign by central Chilean farmers to reduce use of dangerous chemicals. Describes cooperative's rural extension program targeting misuse of pesticides. Describes concern of chemical danger to local and foreign consumers. Cooperative's effort described as balancing short-term economic gains with long-term health and…

Masters Program at Claremont and Other University Extension Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carroll, Ann-Marie, Ed.

1971-01-01

Descriptions of a liberal studies program at Claremont College, California; the University of British Columbia local government project; recent Syracuse University publications in continuing education; Kansas State University teleteaching efforts; the interinstitutional University without Walls" consortium; and the University of Washington…

Development of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Access Sustainability

EPA Science Inventory

There are a number of established, scientifically supported metrics of sustainability. Many of the metrics are data intensive and require extensive effort to collect data and compute the metrics. Moreover, individual metrics do not capture all aspects of a system that are relevan...

Social Network Structures among Groundnut Farmers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thuo, Mary; Bell, Alexandra A.; Bravo-Ureta, Boris E.; Okello, David K.; Okoko, Evelyn Nasambu; Kidula, Nelson L.; Deom, C. Michael; Puppala, Naveen

2013-01-01

Purpose: Groundnut farmers in East Africa have experienced declines in production despite research and extension efforts to increase productivity. This study examined how social network structures related to acquisition of information about new seed varieties and productivity among groundnut farmers in Uganda and Kenya.…

Negotiating Diversity: Fostering Collaborative Interpretations of Case Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guo, Shujie; Cockburn-Wootten, Cheryl; Munshi, Debashish

2014-01-01

The intercultural divides in values, perceptions, and interpretations of concepts have been studied extensively by international business and intercultural communication scholars. Consequentially, much effort in university classrooms is spent on focusing on the differences between groups and on finding ways to "manage" cultural…

14 CFR § 1274.905 - Rights in data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... collaborative research, experimental, developmental, engineering, demonstration, or design activities are to be... under the agreement. If cost sharing is unequal or no extensive research, experimental, developmental, engineering, demonstration, or design activities are likely, a different set of provisions may be appropriate...

FuGEFlow: data model and markup language for flow cytometry

PubMed Central

Qian, Yu; Tchuvatkina, Olga; Spidlen, Josef; Wilkinson, Peter; Gasparetto, Maura; Jones, Andrew R; Manion, Frank J; Scheuermann, Richard H; Sekaly, Rafick-Pierre; Brinkman, Ryan R

2009-01-01

Background Flow cytometry technology is widely used in both health care and research. The rapid expansion of flow cytometry applications has outpaced the development of data storage and analysis tools. Collaborative efforts being taken to eliminate this gap include building common vocabularies and ontologies, designing generic data models, and defining data exchange formats. The Minimum Information about a Flow Cytometry Experiment (MIFlowCyt) standard was recently adopted by the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry. This standard guides researchers on the information that should be included in peer reviewed publications, but it is insufficient for data exchange and integration between computational systems. The Functional Genomics Experiment (FuGE) formalizes common aspects of comprehensive and high throughput experiments across different biological technologies. We have extended FuGE object model to accommodate flow cytometry data and metadata. Methods We used the MagicDraw modelling tool to design a UML model (Flow-OM) according to the FuGE extension guidelines and the AndroMDA toolkit to transform the model to a markup language (Flow-ML). We mapped each MIFlowCyt term to either an existing FuGE class or to a new FuGEFlow class. The development environment was validated by comparing the official FuGE XSD to the schema we generated from the FuGE object model using our configuration. After the Flow-OM model was completed, the final version of the Flow-ML was generated and validated against an example MIFlowCyt compliant experiment description. Results The extension of FuGE for flow cytometry has resulted in a generic FuGE-compliant data model (FuGEFlow), which accommodates and links together all information required by MIFlowCyt. The FuGEFlow model can be used to build software and databases using FuGE software toolkits to facilitate automated exchange and manipulation of potentially large flow cytometry experimental data sets. Additional project documentation, including reusable design patterns and a guide for setting up a development environment, was contributed back to the FuGE project. Conclusion We have shown that an extension of FuGE can be used to transform minimum information requirements in natural language to markup language in XML. Extending FuGE required significant effort, but in our experiences the benefits outweighed the costs. The FuGEFlow is expected to play a central role in describing flow cytometry experiments and ultimately facilitating data exchange including public flow cytometry repositories currently under development. PMID:19531228

Automotive Fuel Economy and Emissions Experimental Data

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-02-01

The purpose of this effort was to generate experimental data to support an assessment of the relationship between automobile fuel economy and emission control systems. Tests were made at both the engine and vehicle levels. Detailed investigations wer...

Recycling Old PCC Pavement - Performance Evaluation of FAI 57 Inlays

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-02-01

This report details the construction and performance monitoring efforts of two demonstration projects proposed in an experimental features work plan entitled Recycling Old PCC Pavement". The objectives of this experimental feature were to evaluate th...

From Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox to quantum nonlocality: experimental investigation of quantum correlations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jin-Shi; Li, Chuan-Feng; Guo, Guang-Can

2016-11-01

In 1935, Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen published their influential paper proposing a now famous paradox (the EPR paradox) that threw doubt on the completeness of quantum mechanics. Two fundamental concepts: entanglement and steering, were given in the response to the EPR paper by Schrodinger, which both reflect the nonlocal nature of quantum mechanics. In 1964, John Bell obtained an experimentally testable inequality, in which its violation contradicts the prediction of local hidden variable models and agrees with that of quantum mechanics. Since then, great efforts have been made to experimentally investigate the nonlocal feature of quantum mechanics and many distinguished quantum properties were observed. In this work, along with the discussion of the development of quantum nonlocality, we would focus on our recent experimental efforts in investigating quantum correlations and their applications with optical systems, including the study of entanglement-assisted entropic uncertainty principle, Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering and the dynamics of quantum correlations.

An Update on Experimental Climate Prediction and Analysis Products Being Developed at NASA's Global Modeling and Assimilation Office

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schubert, Siegfried

2011-01-01

The Global Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is developing a number of experimental prediction and analysis products suitable for research and applications. The prediction products include a large suite of subseasonal and seasonal hindcasts and forecasts (as a contribution to the US National MME), a suite of decadal (10-year) hindcasts (as a contribution to the IPCC decadal prediction project), and a series of large ensemble and high resolution simulations of selected extreme events, including the 2010 Russian and 2011 US heat waves. The analysis products include an experimental atlas of climate (in particular drought) and weather extremes. This talk will provide an update on those activities, and discuss recent efforts by WCRP to leverage off these and similar efforts at other institutions throughout the world to develop an experimental global drought early warning system.

Development of resources and tools for mapping genetic sources of phenotypic variation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Commercial and experimental genetic resources were established and investigated for a range of reproductive and disease susceptibility phenotypes. The phenotyping efforts were accompanied with RNA and whole genome sequencing and novel assemblies of the swine genome. The efforts were complemented wit...

Test-retest reliability of cardinal plane isokinetic hip torque and EMG.

PubMed

Claiborne, Tina L; Timmons, Mark K; Pincivero, Danny M

2009-10-01

The objective of the present study was to establish test-retest reliability of isokinetic hip torque and prime mover electromyogram (EMG) through the three cardinal planes of motion. Thirteen healthy young adults participated in two experimental sessions, separated by approximately one week. During each session, isokinetic hip torque was evaluated on the Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer at a velocity of 60 deg/s. Subjects performed three maximal-effort concentric and eccentric contractions, separately, for right and left hip abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, and internal/external rotation. Surface EMGs were sampled from the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, adductor, medial and lateral hamstring, and rectus femoris muscles during all contractions. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC - 2,1) and standard errors of measurement (SEM) were calculated for peak torque for each movement direction and contraction mode, while ICCs were only computed for the EMG data. Motions that demonstrated high torque reliability included concentric hip abduction (right and left), flexion (right and left), extension (right) and internal rotation (right and left), and eccentric hip abduction (left), adduction (left), flexion (right), and extension (right and left) (ICC range=0.81-0.91). Motions with moderate torque reliability included concentric hip adduction (right), extension (left), internal rotation (left), and external rotation (right), and eccentric hip abduction and adduction (right), flexion (left), internal rotation (right and left), and external rotation (right and left) (ICC range=0.49-0.79). The majority of the EMG sampled muscles (n=12 and n=11 for concentric and eccentric contractions, respectively) demonstrated high reliability (ICC=0.81-0.95). Instances of low, or unacceptable, EMG reliability values occurred for the medial hamstring muscle of the left leg (both contraction modes) and the adductor muscle of the right leg during eccentric internal rotation. The major finding revealed high and moderate levels of between-day reliability of isokinetic hip peak torque and prime mover EMG. It is recommended that the day-to-day variability estimates concomitant with acceptable levels of reliability be considered when attempting to objectify intervention effects on hip muscle performance.

Transitioning Lessons Learned and Assets of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to Global and Regional Measles and Rubella Elimination.

PubMed

Kretsinger, Katrina; Strebel, Peter; Kezaala, Robert; Goodson, James L

2017-07-01

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative has built an extensive infrastructure with capabilities and resources that should be transitioned to measles and rubella elimination efforts. Measles continues to be a major cause of child mortality globally, and rubella continues to be the leading infectious cause of birth defects. Measles and rubella eradication is feasible and cost saving. The obvious similarities in strategies between polio elimination and measles and rubella elimination include the use of an extensive surveillance and laboratory network, outbreak preparedness and response, extensive communications and social mobilization networks, and the need for periodic supplementary immunization activities. Polio staff and resources are already connected with those of measles and rubella, and transitioning existing capabilities to measles and rubella elimination efforts allows for optimized use of resources and the best opportunity to incorporate important lessons learned from polio eradication, and polio resources are concentrated in the countries with the highest burden of measles and rubella. Measles and rubella elimination strategies rely heavily on achieving and maintaining high vaccination coverage through the routine immunization activity infrastructure, thus creating synergies with immunization systems approaches, in what is termed a "diagonal approach." © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Inferences about population dynamics from count data using multistate models: a comparison to capture–recapture approaches

PubMed Central

Zipkin, Elise F; Sillett, T Scott; Grant, Evan H Campbell; Chandler, Richard B; Royle, J Andrew

2014-01-01

Wildlife populations consist of individuals that contribute disproportionately to growth and viability. Understanding a population's spatial and temporal dynamics requires estimates of abundance and demographic rates that account for this heterogeneity. Estimating these quantities can be difficult, requiring years of intensive data collection. Often, this is accomplished through the capture and recapture of individual animals, which is generally only feasible at a limited number of locations. In contrast, N-mixture models allow for the estimation of abundance, and spatial variation in abundance, from count data alone. We extend recently developed multistate, open population N-mixture models, which can additionally estimate demographic rates based on an organism's life history characteristics. In our extension, we develop an approach to account for the case where not all individuals can be assigned to a state during sampling. Using only state-specific count data, we show how our model can be used to estimate local population abundance, as well as density-dependent recruitment rates and state-specific survival. We apply our model to a population of black-throated blue warblers (Setophaga caerulescens) that have been surveyed for 25 years on their breeding grounds at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, USA. The intensive data collection efforts allow us to compare our estimates to estimates derived from capture–recapture data. Our model performed well in estimating population abundance and density-dependent rates of annual recruitment/immigration. Estimates of local carrying capacity and per capita recruitment of yearlings were consistent with those published in other studies. However, our model moderately underestimated annual survival probability of yearling and adult females and severely underestimates survival probabilities for both of these male stages. The most accurate and precise estimates will necessarily require some amount of intensive data collection efforts (such as capture–recapture). Integrated population models that combine data from both intensive and extensive sources are likely to be the most efficient approach for estimating demographic rates at large spatial and temporal scales. PMID:24634726

Mathematical models of cytotoxic effects in endpoint tumor cell line assays: critical assessment of the application of a single parametric value as a standard criterion to quantify the dose-response effects and new unexplored proposal formats.

PubMed

Calhelha, Ricardo C; Martínez, Mireia A; Prieto, M A; Ferreira, Isabel C F R

2017-10-23

The development of convenient tools for describing and quantifying the effects of standard and novel therapeutic agents is essential for the research community, to perform more precise evaluations. Although mathematical models and quantification criteria have been exchanged in the last decade between different fields of study, there are relevant methodologies that lack proper mathematical descriptions and standard criteria to quantify their responses. Therefore, part of the relevant information that can be drawn from the experimental results obtained and the quantification of its statistical reliability are lost. Despite its relevance, there is not a standard form for the in vitro endpoint tumor cell lines' assays (TCLA) that enables the evaluation of the cytotoxic dose-response effects of anti-tumor drugs. The analysis of all the specific problems associated with the diverse nature of the available TCLA used is unfeasible. However, since most TCLA share the main objectives and similar operative requirements, we have chosen the sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assay for cytotoxicity screening of tumor cell lines as an experimental case study. In this work, the common biological and practical non-linear dose-response mathematical models are tested against experimental data and, following several statistical analyses, the model based on the Weibull distribution was confirmed as the convenient approximation to test the cytotoxic effectiveness of anti-tumor compounds. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of all the different parametric criteria derived from the model, which enable the quantification of the dose-response drug-effects, are extensively discussed. Therefore, model and standard criteria for easily performing the comparisons between different compounds are established. The advantages include a simple application, provision of parametric estimations that characterize the response as standard criteria, economization of experimental effort and enabling rigorous comparisons among the effects of different compounds and experimental approaches. In all experimental data fitted, the calculated parameters were always statistically significant, the equations proved to be consistent and the correlation coefficient of determination was, in most of the cases, higher than 0.98.

Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation Techniques Applied to the Quantitative Characterization of Textile Composite Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, James G.

1997-01-01

In this Progress Report, we describe our recent developments of advanced ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation methods applied to the characterization of anisotropic materials. We present images obtained from experimental measurements of ultrasonic diffraction patterns for a thin woven composite in an immersion setup. In addition, we compare apparent signal loss measurements of the thin woven composite for phase-sensitive and phase-insensitive detection methods. All images of diffraction patterns have been included on the accompanying CD-ROM in the Adobe(Trademark) Portable Document Format (PDF). Due to the extensive amount of data, however, hardcopies of only a small representative selection of the images are included within the printed report. This Progress Report presents experimental results that support successful implementation of single element as well as one and two-dimensional ultrasonic array technologies for the inspection of textile composite structures. In our previous reports, we have addressed issues regarding beam profiles of ultrasonic pressure fields transmitted through a water reference path and transmitted through a thin woven composite sample path. Furthermore, we presented experimental results of the effect of a thin woven composite on the magnitude of an insonifying ultrasonic pressure field. In addition to the study of ultrasonic beam profiles, we consider issues relevant to the application of single-element, one-dimensional, and two-dimensional array technologies towards probing the mechanical properties of advanced engineering composites and structures. We provide comparisons between phase-sensitive and phase-insensitive detection methods for determination of textile composite structure parameters. We also compare phase-sensitive and phase-insensitive - - ---- ----- apparent signal loss measurements in an effort to study the phenomenon of phase cancellation at the face of a finite-aperture single-element receiver. Furthermore, in this Progress Report we extend our work on ultrasonic beam profile issues through investigation of the phase fronts of the pressure field. In Section H of this Progress Report we briefly describe the experimental arrangement and methods for data acquisition of the ultrasonic diffraction patterns upon transmission through a thin woven composite. Section III details the analysis of the experimental data followed by the experimental results in Section IV. Finally, a discussion of the observations and conclusions is found in Section V.

Fabrication and Characterization of SMA Hybrid Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Travis L.; Lach, Cynthia L.; Cano, Robert J.

2001-01-01

Results from an effort to fabrication shape memory alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) test specimens and characterize the material system are presented in this study. The SMAHC specimens are conventional composite structures with an embedded SMA constituent. The fabrication and characterization work was undertaken to better understand the mechanics of the material system, address fabrication issues cited in the literature, and provide specimens for experimental validation of a recently developed thermomechanical model for SMAHC structures. Processes and hardware developed for fabrication of the SMAHC specimens are described. Fabrication of a SMA14C laminate with quasi-isotropic lamination and ribbon-type Nitinol actuators embedded in the 0' layers is presented. Beam specimens are machined from the laminate and are the focus of recent work, but the processes and hardware are readily extensible to more practical structures. Results of thermomechanical property testing on the composite matrix and Nitinol ribbon are presented. Test results from the Nitinol include stress-strain behavior, modulus versus temperature. and constrained recovery stress versus temperature and thermal cycle. Complex thermomechanical behaviors of the Nitinol and composite matrix are demonstrated, which have significant implications for modeling of SMAHC structures.

Structural modeling of G-protein coupled receptors: An overview on automatic web-servers.

PubMed

Busato, Mirko; Giorgetti, Alejandro

2016-08-01

Despite the significant efforts and discoveries during the last few years in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expression and crystallization, the receptors with known structures to date are limited only to a small fraction of human GPCRs. The lack of experimental three-dimensional structures of the receptors represents a strong limitation that hampers a deep understanding of their function. Computational techniques are thus a valid alternative strategy to model three-dimensional structures. Indeed, recent advances in the field, together with extraordinary developments in crystallography, in particular due to its ability to capture GPCRs in different activation states, have led to encouraging results in the generation of accurate models. This, prompted the community of modelers to render their methods publicly available through dedicated databases and web-servers. Here, we present an extensive overview on these services, focusing on their advantages, drawbacks and their role in successful applications. Future challenges in the field of GPCR modeling, such as the predictions of long loop regions and the modeling of receptor activation states are presented as well. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Raman spectra and DFT calculations for botryococcene and methylsqualene hydrocarbons from the B race of the green microalga Botryococcus braunii

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tatli, Mehmet; Chun, Hye Jin; Camp, Charles H.; Li, Jingting; Cicerone, Marcus T.; Shih, Wei-Chuan; Laane, Jaan; Devarenne, Timothy P.

2017-11-01

Botryococcus braunii, a green colonial microalga, is a prodigious producer of liquid hydrocarbon oils that can be used as renewable feedstocks for producing combustion engine fuels. The B race of B. braunii mainly produces the triterpene hydrocarbons known as botryococcenes, which have over twenty known structures. Minor hydrocarbons in the B race include the triterpene methylsqualenes. Here we report an examination of the molecular structure for ten botryococcenes and five methylsqualenes using Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations in an effort to distinguish between these structurally similar molecules by spectroscopic approaches. The DFT calculations show that these molecules have between 243 and 271 vibrational frequencies. A comparison of the experimental Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations indicates several spectral regions such as those for ν(Cdbnd C) stretching, CH2/CH3 bending, and ring bending can be used to distinguish between these molecules. In an extension of this analysis, a broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (BCARS) analysis was used to clearly distinguish between several botryococcenes isomers.

A Critical Assessment of Combined Ligand-based and Structure-based Approaches to hERG Channel Blocker Modeling

PubMed Central

Du-Cuny, Lei; Chen, Lu; Zhang, Shuxing

2014-01-01

Blockade of hERG channel prolongs the duration of the cardiac action potential and is a common reason for drug failure in preclinical safety trials. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop robust in silico tools to predict potential hERG blockers in the early stages of drug discovery and development. Herein we described comprehensive approaches to assess the discrimination of hERG-active and -inactive compounds by combining QSAR modeling, pharmacophore analysis, and molecular docking. Our consensus models demonstrated high predictive capacity and improved enrichment, and they could correctly classify 91.8% of 147 hERG blockers from 351 inactives. To further enhance our modeling effort, hERG homology models were constructed and molecular docking studies were conducted, resulting in high correlations (R2=0.81) between predicted and experimental binding affinities. We expect our unique models can be applied to efficient screening for hERG blockades, and our extensive understanding of the hERG-inhibitor interactions will facilitate the rational design of drugs devoid of hERG channel activity and hence with reduced cardiac toxicities. PMID:21902220

Dynamic stresses in a Francis model turbine at deep part load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, Wilhelm; von Locquenghien, Florian; Conrad, Philipp; Koutnik, Jiri

2017-04-01

A comparison between numerically obtained dynamic stresses in a Francis model turbine at deep part load with experimental ones is presented. Due to the change in the electrical power mix to more content of new renewable energy sources, Francis turbines are forced to operate at deep part load in order to compensate stochastic nature of wind and solar power and to ensure grid stability. For the extension of the operating range towards deep part load improved understanding of the harsh flow conditions and their impact on material fatigue of hydraulic components is required in order to ensure long life time of the power unit. In this paper pressure loads on a model turbine runner from unsteady two-phase computational fluid dynamics simulation at deep part load are used for calculation of mechanical stresses by finite element analysis. Therewith, stress distribution over time is determined. Since only few runner rotations are simulated due to enormous numerical cost, more effort has to be spent to evaluation procedure in order to obtain objective results. By comparing the numerical results with measured strains accuracy of the whole simulation procedure is verified.

First-principles modeling of laser-matter interaction and plasma dynamics in nanosecond pulsed laser shock processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhongyang; Nian, Qiong; Doumanidis, Charalabos C.; Liao, Yiliang

2018-02-01

Nanosecond pulsed laser shock processing (LSP) techniques, including laser shock peening, laser peen forming, and laser shock imprinting, have been employed for widespread industrial applications. In these processes, the main beneficial characteristic is the laser-induced shockwave with a high pressure (in the order of GPa), which leads to the plastic deformation with an ultrahigh strain rate (105-106/s) on the surface of target materials. Although LSP processes have been extensively studied by experiments, few efforts have been put on elucidating underlying process mechanisms through developing a physics-based process model. In particular, development of a first-principles model is critical for process optimization and novel process design. This work aims at introducing such a theoretical model for a fundamental understanding of process mechanisms in LSP. Emphasis is placed on the laser-matter interaction and plasma dynamics. This model is found to offer capabilities in predicting key parameters including electron and ion temperatures, plasma state variables (temperature, density, and pressure), and the propagation of the laser shockwave. The modeling results were validated by experimental data.

Quantum technologies with hybrid systems

PubMed Central

Kurizki, Gershon; Bertet, Patrice; Kubo, Yuimaru; Mølmer, Klaus; Petrosyan, David; Rabl, Peter; Schmiedmayer, Jörg

2015-01-01

An extensively pursued current direction of research in physics aims at the development of practical technologies that exploit the effects of quantum mechanics. As part of this ongoing effort, devices for quantum information processing, secure communication, and high-precision sensing are being implemented with diverse systems, ranging from photons, atoms, and spins to mesoscopic superconducting and nanomechanical structures. Their physical properties make some of these systems better suited than others for specific tasks; thus, photons are well suited for transmitting quantum information, weakly interacting spins can serve as long-lived quantum memories, and superconducting elements can rapidly process information encoded in their quantum states. A central goal of the envisaged quantum technologies is to develop devices that can simultaneously perform several of these tasks, namely, reliably store, process, and transmit quantum information. Hybrid quantum systems composed of different physical components with complementary functionalities may provide precisely such multitasking capabilities. This article reviews some of the driving theoretical ideas and first experimental realizations of hybrid quantum systems and the opportunities and challenges they present and offers a glance at the near- and long-term perspectives of this fascinating and rapidly expanding field. PMID:25737558

Quantum technologies with hybrid systems.

PubMed

Kurizki, Gershon; Bertet, Patrice; Kubo, Yuimaru; Mølmer, Klaus; Petrosyan, David; Rabl, Peter; Schmiedmayer, Jörg

2015-03-31

An extensively pursued current direction of research in physics aims at the development of practical technologies that exploit the effects of quantum mechanics. As part of this ongoing effort, devices for quantum information processing, secure communication, and high-precision sensing are being implemented with diverse systems, ranging from photons, atoms, and spins to mesoscopic superconducting and nanomechanical structures. Their physical properties make some of these systems better suited than others for specific tasks; thus, photons are well suited for transmitting quantum information, weakly interacting spins can serve as long-lived quantum memories, and superconducting elements can rapidly process information encoded in their quantum states. A central goal of the envisaged quantum technologies is to develop devices that can simultaneously perform several of these tasks, namely, reliably store, process, and transmit quantum information. Hybrid quantum systems composed of different physical components with complementary functionalities may provide precisely such multitasking capabilities. This article reviews some of the driving theoretical ideas and first experimental realizations of hybrid quantum systems and the opportunities and challenges they present and offers a glance at the near- and long-term perspectives of this fascinating and rapidly expanding field.

Technical activities of the configuration aeroelasticity branch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cole, Stanley R. (Editor)

1991-01-01

A number of recent technical activities of the Configuration Aeroelasticity Branch of the NASA Langley Research Center are discussed in detail. The information on the research branch is compiled in twelve separate papers. The first of these topics is a summary of the purpose of the branch, including a full description of the branch and its associated projects and program efforts. The next ten papers cover specific projects and are as follows: Experimental transonic flutter characteristics of supersonic cruise configurations; Aeroelastic effects of spoiler surfaces mounted on a low aspect ratio rectangular wing; Planform curvature effects on flutter of 56 degree swept wing determined in Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT); An introduction to rotorcraft testing in TDT; Rotorcraft vibration reduction research at the TDT; A preliminary study to determine the effects of tip geometry on the flutter of aft swept wings; Aeroelastic models program; NACA 0012 pressure model and test plan; Investigation of the use of extension twist coupling in composite rotor blades; and Improved finite element methods for rotorcraft structures. The final paper describes the primary facility operation by the branch, the Langley TDT.

Quantum technologies with hybrid systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurizki, Gershon; Bertet, Patrice; Kubo, Yuimaru; Mølmer, Klaus; Petrosyan, David; Rabl, Peter; Schmiedmayer, Jörg

2015-03-01

An extensively pursued current direction of research in physics aims at the development of practical technologies that exploit the effects of quantum mechanics. As part of this ongoing effort, devices for quantum information processing, secure communication, and high-precision sensing are being implemented with diverse systems, ranging from photons, atoms, and spins to mesoscopic superconducting and nanomechanical structures. Their physical properties make some of these systems better suited than others for specific tasks; thus, photons are well suited for transmitting quantum information, weakly interacting spins can serve as long-lived quantum memories, and superconducting elements can rapidly process information encoded in their quantum states. A central goal of the envisaged quantum technologies is to develop devices that can simultaneously perform several of these tasks, namely, reliably store, process, and transmit quantum information. Hybrid quantum systems composed of different physical components with complementary functionalities may provide precisely such multitasking capabilities. This article reviews some of the driving theoretical ideas and first experimental realizations of hybrid quantum systems and the opportunities and challenges they present and offers a glance at the near- and long-term perspectives of this fascinating and rapidly expanding field.

Stability of Shapes Held by Surface Tension and Subjected to Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Yi-Ju; Robinson, Nathaniel D.; Steen, Paul H.

1999-01-01

Results of three problems are summarized in this contribution. Each involves the fundamental capillary instability of an interfacial bridge and is an extension of previous work. The first two problems concern equilibrium shapes of liquid bridges near the stability boundary corresponding to maximum length (Plateau-Rayleigh limit). For the first problem, a previously formulated nonlinear theory to account for imposed gravity and interfacial shear disturbances in an isothermal environment is quantitatively tested in experiment. For the second problem, the liquid bridge is subjected to a shear that models the effect of a thermocapillary flow generated by a ring heater in a liquid encapsulated float-zone configuration. In the absence of gravity, this symmetric perturbation can stabilize the bridge to lengths on the order of 30 percent beyond the Plateau-Rayleigh limit, which is on the order of heretofore unexplained Shuttle observations. The third problem considers the dynamics of collapse and pinchoff of a film bridge (no gravity), which happens in the absence of stabilization. Here, we summarize experimental efforts to measure the self-similar cone-and-crater structure predicted by a previous theory.

Results from testing and analysis of solar cells flown on LDEF

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dursch, Harry

1992-01-01

A brief discussion of the solar cell experiments flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) is provided. The information presented is a collation of results published by the various experimenters. This process of collation and documentation is an ongoing Systems Special Investigation Group (SIG) effort. There are four LEO environments, operating individually and/or synergistically, that cause performance loss in solar cells: meteoroid and space debris, atomic oxygen, ultraviolet radiation, and charged particle radiation. In addition, the effects of contamination caused by outgassing of materials used on the specific spacecraft play a role in decreasing the light being transmitted through the coverglass and adhesive to the solar cell. From the results presented on the solar cells aboard LDEF, the most extensive degradation of the solar cells came from impacts and the resulting cratering. The extent of the damage to the solar cells was largely dependent upon the size and energy of the meteoroids or space debris. The other cause of degradation was reduced light reaching the solar cell. This was caused by contamination, UV degradation of coverglass adhesive, and/or atomic oxygen/UV degradation of antireflection coatings.

Viral to metazoan marine plankton nucleotide sequences from the Tara Oceans expedition

PubMed Central

Alberti, Adriana; Poulain, Julie; Engelen, Stefan; Labadie, Karine; Romac, Sarah; Ferrera, Isabel; Albini, Guillaume; Aury, Jean-Marc; Belser, Caroline; Bertrand, Alexis; Cruaud, Corinne; Da Silva, Corinne; Dossat, Carole; Gavory, Frédérick; Gas, Shahinaz; Guy, Julie; Haquelle, Maud; Jacoby, E'krame; Jaillon, Olivier; Lemainque, Arnaud; Pelletier, Eric; Samson, Gaëlle; Wessner, Mark; Bazire, Pascal; Beluche, Odette; Bertrand, Laurie; Besnard-Gonnet, Marielle; Bordelais, Isabelle; Boutard, Magali; Dubois, Maria; Dumont, Corinne; Ettedgui, Evelyne; Fernandez, Patricia; Garcia, Espérance; Aiach, Nathalie Giordanenco; Guerin, Thomas; Hamon, Chadia; Brun, Elodie; Lebled, Sandrine; Lenoble, Patricia; Louesse, Claudine; Mahieu, Eric; Mairey, Barbara; Martins, Nathalie; Megret, Catherine; Milani, Claire; Muanga, Jacqueline; Orvain, Céline; Payen, Emilie; Perroud, Peggy; Petit, Emmanuelle; Robert, Dominique; Ronsin, Murielle; Vacherie, Benoit; Acinas, Silvia G.; Royo-Llonch, Marta; Cornejo-Castillo, Francisco M.; Logares, Ramiro; Fernández-Gómez, Beatriz; Bowler, Chris; Cochrane, Guy; Amid, Clara; Hoopen, Petra Ten; De Vargas, Colomban; Grimsley, Nigel; Desgranges, Elodie; Kandels-Lewis, Stefanie; Ogata, Hiroyuki; Poulton, Nicole; Sieracki, Michael E.; Stepanauskas, Ramunas; Sullivan, Matthew B.; Brum, Jennifer R.; Duhaime, Melissa B.; Poulos, Bonnie T.; Hurwitz, Bonnie L.; Acinas, Silvia G.; Bork, Peer; Boss, Emmanuel; Bowler, Chris; De Vargas, Colomban; Follows, Michael; Gorsky, Gabriel; Grimsley, Nigel; Hingamp, Pascal; Iudicone, Daniele; Jaillon, Olivier; Kandels-Lewis, Stefanie; Karp-Boss, Lee; Karsenti, Eric; Not, Fabrice; Ogata, Hiroyuki; Pesant, Stéphane; Raes, Jeroen; Sardet, Christian; Sieracki, Michael E.; Speich, Sabrina; Stemmann, Lars; Sullivan, Matthew B.; Sunagawa, Shinichi; Wincker, Patrick; Pesant, Stéphane; Karsenti, Eric; Wincker, Patrick

2017-01-01

A unique collection of oceanic samples was gathered by the Tara Oceans expeditions (2009–2013), targeting plankton organisms ranging from viruses to metazoans, and providing rich environmental context measurements. Thanks to recent advances in the field of genomics, extensive sequencing has been performed for a deep genomic analysis of this huge collection of samples. A strategy based on different approaches, such as metabarcoding, metagenomics, single-cell genomics and metatranscriptomics, has been chosen for analysis of size-fractionated plankton communities. Here, we provide detailed procedures applied for genomic data generation, from nucleic acids extraction to sequence production, and we describe registries of genomics datasets available at the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA, www.ebi.ac.uk/ena). The association of these metadata to the experimental procedures applied for their generation will help the scientific community to access these data and facilitate their analysis. This paper complements other efforts to provide a full description of experiments and open science resources generated from the Tara Oceans project, further extending their value for the study of the world’s planktonic ecosystems. PMID:28763055

Mechanics of the brain: perspectives, challenges, and opportunities.

PubMed

Goriely, Alain; Geers, Marc G D; Holzapfel, Gerhard A; Jayamohan, Jayaratnam; Jérusalem, Antoine; Sivaloganathan, Sivabal; Squier, Waney; van Dommelen, Johannes A W; Waters, Sarah; Kuhl, Ellen

2015-10-01

The human brain is the continuous subject of extensive investigation aimed at understanding its behavior and function. Despite a clear evidence that mechanical factors play an important role in regulating brain activity, current research efforts focus mainly on the biochemical or electrophysiological activity of the brain. Here, we show that classical mechanical concepts including deformations, stretch, strain, strain rate, pressure, and stress play a crucial role in modulating both brain form and brain function. This opinion piece synthesizes expertise in applied mathematics, solid and fluid mechanics, biomechanics, experimentation, material sciences, neuropathology, and neurosurgery to address today's open questions at the forefront of neuromechanics. We critically review the current literature and discuss challenges related to neurodevelopment, cerebral edema, lissencephaly, polymicrogyria, hydrocephaly, craniectomy, spinal cord injury, tumor growth, traumatic brain injury, and shaken baby syndrome. The multi-disciplinary analysis of these various phenomena and pathologies presents new opportunities and suggests that mechanical modeling is a central tool to bridge the scales by synthesizing information from the molecular via the cellular and tissue all the way to the organ level.

High resolution electrolyte for thinning InP by anodic dissolution and its applications to EC-V profiling, defect revealing and surface passivation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Faur, Maria; Faur, Mircea; Weinberg, Irving; Goradia, Manju; Vargas, Carlos

1991-01-01

An extensive experimental study was conducted using various electrolytes in an effort to find an appropriate electrolyte for anodic dissolution of InP. From the analysis of electrochemical characteristics in the dark and under different illumination levels, x ray photoelectron spectroscopy and SEM/Nomarski inspection of the surfaces, it was determined that the anodic dissolution of InP front surface layers by FAP electrolyte is a very good choice for rendering smooth surfaces, free of oxides and contaminants and with good electrical characteristics. The FAP electrolyte, based on HF, CH3COOH, and H2O2 appears to be inherently superior to previously reported electrolytes for performing accurate EC-V profiling of InP at current densities of up to 0.3 mA/sq cm. It can also be used for accurate electrochemical revealing of either precipitates or dislocation density with application to EPD mapping as a function of depth, and for defect revealing of multilayer InP structures at any depth and/or at the interfaces.

External heating of electrical cables and auto-ignition investigation.

PubMed

Courty, L; Garo, J P

2017-01-05

Electric cables are now extensively used for both residential and industrial applications. During more than twenty years, multi-scale approaches have been developed to study fire behavior of such cables that represents a serious challenge. Cables are rather complicated materials because they consist of an insulated part and jacket of polymeric materials. These polymeric materials can have various chemical structures, thicknesses and additives and generally have a char-forming tendency when exposed to heat source. In this work, two test methods are used for the characterization of cable pyrolysis and flammability. The first one permits the investigation of cable pyrolysis. A description of the cable mass loss is obtained, coupling an Arrhenius expression with a 1D thermal model of cables heating. Numerical results are successfully compared with experimental data obtained for two types of cable commonly used in French nuclear power plants. The second one is devoted to ignition investigations (spontaneous or piloted) of these cables. All these basic observations, measurements and modelling efforts are of major interest for a more comprehensive fire resistance evaluation of electric cables. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determining noise temperatures in beam waveguide systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Imbriale, W.; Veruttipong, W.; Otoshi, T.; Franco, M.

1994-01-01

A new 34-m research and development antenna was fabricated and tested as a precursor to introducing beam waveguide (BWG) antennas and Ka-band (32 GHz) frequencies into the NASA/JPL Deep Space Network. For deep space use, system noise temperature is a critical parameter. There are thought to be two major contributors to noise temperature in a BWG system: the spillover past the mirrors, and the conductivity loss in the walls. However, to date, there are no generally accepted methods for computing noise temperatures in a beam waveguide system. An extensive measurement program was undertaken to determine noise temperatures in such a system along with a correspondent effort in analytic prediction. Utilizing a very sensitive radiometer, noise temperature measurements were made at the Cassegrain focus, an intermediate focal point, and the focal point in the basement pedestal room. Several different horn diameters were used to simulate different amounts of spillover past the mirrors. Two analytic procedures were developed for computing noise temperature, one utilizing circular waveguide modes and the other a semiempirical approach. The results of both prediction methods are compared to the experimental data.

Viral to metazoan marine plankton nucleotide sequences from the Tara Oceans expedition.

PubMed

Alberti, Adriana; Poulain, Julie; Engelen, Stefan; Labadie, Karine; Romac, Sarah; Ferrera, Isabel; Albini, Guillaume; Aury, Jean-Marc; Belser, Caroline; Bertrand, Alexis; Cruaud, Corinne; Da Silva, Corinne; Dossat, Carole; Gavory, Frédérick; Gas, Shahinaz; Guy, Julie; Haquelle, Maud; Jacoby, E'krame; Jaillon, Olivier; Lemainque, Arnaud; Pelletier, Eric; Samson, Gaëlle; Wessner, Mark; Acinas, Silvia G; Royo-Llonch, Marta; Cornejo-Castillo, Francisco M; Logares, Ramiro; Fernández-Gómez, Beatriz; Bowler, Chris; Cochrane, Guy; Amid, Clara; Hoopen, Petra Ten; De Vargas, Colomban; Grimsley, Nigel; Desgranges, Elodie; Kandels-Lewis, Stefanie; Ogata, Hiroyuki; Poulton, Nicole; Sieracki, Michael E; Stepanauskas, Ramunas; Sullivan, Matthew B; Brum, Jennifer R; Duhaime, Melissa B; Poulos, Bonnie T; Hurwitz, Bonnie L; Pesant, Stéphane; Karsenti, Eric; Wincker, Patrick

2017-08-01

A unique collection of oceanic samples was gathered by the Tara Oceans expeditions (2009-2013), targeting plankton organisms ranging from viruses to metazoans, and providing rich environmental context measurements. Thanks to recent advances in the field of genomics, extensive sequencing has been performed for a deep genomic analysis of this huge collection of samples. A strategy based on different approaches, such as metabarcoding, metagenomics, single-cell genomics and metatranscriptomics, has been chosen for analysis of size-fractionated plankton communities. Here, we provide detailed procedures applied for genomic data generation, from nucleic acids extraction to sequence production, and we describe registries of genomics datasets available at the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA, www.ebi.ac.uk/ena). The association of these metadata to the experimental procedures applied for their generation will help the scientific community to access these data and facilitate their analysis. This paper complements other efforts to provide a full description of experiments and open science resources generated from the Tara Oceans project, further extending their value for the study of the world's planktonic ecosystems.

Two gaps make a high-temperature superconductor?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hüfner, S.; Hossain, M. A.; Damascelli, A.; Sawatzky, G. A.

2008-06-01

One of the keys to the high-temperature superconductivity puzzle is the identification of the energy scales associated with the emergence of a coherent condensate of superconducting electron pairs. These might provide a measure of the pairing strength and of the coherence of the superfluid, and ultimately reveal the nature of the elusive pairing mechanism in the superconducting cuprates. To this end, a great deal of effort has been devoted to investigating the connection between the superconducting transition temperature Tc and the normal-state pseudogap crossover temperature T*. Here we present a review of a large body of experimental data which suggests a coexisting two-gap scenario, i.e. superconducting gap and pseudogap, over the whole superconducting dome. We focus on spectroscopic data from cuprate systems characterized by T_c^max\\sim 95\\,K , such as Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ, YBa2Cu3O7-δ, Tl2Ba2CuO6+δ and HgBa2CuO4+δ, with particular emphasis on the Bi-compound which has been the most extensively studied with single-particle spectroscopies.

QuakeML - An XML Schema for Seismology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wyss, A.; Schorlemmer, D.; Maraini, S.; Baer, M.; Wiemer, S.

2004-12-01

We propose an extensible format-definition for seismic data (QuakeML). Sharing data and seismic information efficiently is one of the most important issues for research and observational seismology in the future. The eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is playing an increasingly important role in the exchange of a variety of data. Due to its extensible definition capabilities, its wide acceptance and the existing large number of utilities and libraries for XML, a structured representation of various types of seismological data should in our opinion be developed by defining a 'QuakeML' standard. Here we present the QuakeML definitions for parameter databases and further efforts, e.g. a central QuakeML catalog database and a web portal for exchanging codes and stylesheets.

Creep and Oxidation of Hafnium Diboride Based Ultra High Temperature Ceramics at 1500C

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

through experimentation. Although the Literature Review showed that some theories and models have been developed based on extensive experimental results...of Some Refractory Metals & Ceramics [Fahrenholtz] ........... 14 Figure 4: Creep Strain vs Time Based on Burgers Model ...

75 FR 20874 - Agency Information Collection Activity Seeking OMB Approval

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-21

... to issue Experimental Permits for reusable suborbital rockets to authorize launches for the purpose... Suborbital Rockets. Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. OMB Control... FAA's new authority to issue Experimental Permits for reusable [[Page 20875

47 CFR 74.102 - Uses of experimental broadcast stations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Section 74.102 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) BROADCAST RADIO SERVICES... station will be issued for the purposes of carrying on research and experimentation for the development and advancement of new broadcast technology, equipment, systems or services which are more extensive...

47 CFR 74.102 - Uses of experimental broadcast stations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Section 74.102 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) BROADCAST RADIO SERVICES... station will be issued for the purposes of carrying on research and experimentation for the development and advancement of new broadcast technology, equipment, systems or services which are more extensive...

47 CFR 74.102 - Uses of experimental broadcast stations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Section 74.102 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) BROADCAST RADIO SERVICES... station will be issued for the purposes of carrying on research and experimentation for the development and advancement of new broadcast technology, equipment, systems or services which are more extensive...

A study of FM threshold extension techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arndt, G. D.; Loch, F. J.

1972-01-01

The characteristics of three postdetection threshold extension techniques are evaluated with respect to the ability of such techniques to improve the performance of a phase lock loop demodulator. These techniques include impulse-noise elimination, signal correlation for the detection of impulse noise, and delta modulation signal processing. Experimental results from signal to noise ratio data and bit error rate data indicate that a 2- to 3-decibel threshold extension is readily achievable by using the various techniques. This threshold improvement is in addition to the threshold extension that is usually achieved through the use of a phase lock loop demodulator.

National Ignition Facility: Experimental plan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1994-05-01

As part of the Conceptual Design Report (CDR) for the National Ignition Facility (NIF), scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics (UR/LLE), and EG&G formed an NIF Target Diagnostics Working Group. The purpose of the Target Diagnostics Working Group is to prepare conceptual designs of target diagnostics for inclusion in the facility CDR and to determine how these specifications impact the CDR. To accomplish this, a subgroup has directed its efforts at constructing an approximate experimental plan for the ignition campaign of the NIF CDR. The results of this effort are contained in this document, the Experimental Plan for achieving fusion ignition in the NIF. This group initially concentrated on the flow-down requirements of the experimental campaign leading to ignition, which will dominate the initial efforts of the NIF. It is envisaged, however, that before ignition, there will be parallel campaigns supporting weapons physics, weapons effects, and other research. This plan was developed by analyzing the sequence of activities required to finally fire the laser at the level of power and precision necessary to achieve the conditions of an ignition hohlraum target, and to then use our experience in activating and running Nova experiments to estimate the rate of completing these activities.

75 FR 12239 - Notice of Public Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-15

... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Notice of Public Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission for Extension Under Delegated Authority, Comments Requested March 5, 2010. SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce...

A REVIEW OF NICKEL PLATING BATH LIFE EXTENSION, NICKEL RECOVERY & COPPER RECOVERY FROM NICKEL BATHS

EPA Science Inventory

For metal finishing operations to remain competitive and in compliance with environmental requirements, companies must focus their efforts on pollution prevention to reduce waste generation and disposal costs, limit liability and restore maximum profits. By applying the pollutio...

A Bridge to the Future: Observations on Building a Digital Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gaunt, Marianne I.

2002-01-01

The experience of Rutgers University Libraries illustrates the extensive planning, work effort, possibilities, and investment required to develop the digital library. Examines these key areas: organizational structure; staff development needs; facilities and the new digital infrastructure; metadata standards/interoperability; digital collection…

Challenges and opportunities with standardized monitoring for management decison-making

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The importance of monitoring for adaptive management of rangelands has been well established. However, the actual use of monitoring data in rangeland management decisions has been modest despite extensive efforts to develop and implement monitoring programs from local to national scales. More effect...

20180318 - Curating and sharing structures and spectra for the environmental community (ACS Spring)

EPA Science Inventory

The increasing popularity of high mass accuracy non-target mass spectrometry methods has yielded extensive identification efforts based on spectral and chemical compound databases in the environmental community and beyond. Increasingly, new methods are relying on open data resour...

Regional sustainable environmental management: sustainability metrics research for decision makers

EPA Science Inventory

There are a number of established, scientifically supported metrics of sustainability. Many of the metrics are data intensive and require extensive effort to collect data and compute. Moreover, individual metrics may not capture all aspects of a system that are relevant to sust...

Development of a multidisciplinary approach to assess regional sustainability

EPA Science Inventory

There are a number of established, scientifically supported metrics of sustainability. Many of the metrics are data intensive and require extensive effort to collect data and compute the metrics. Moreover, individual metrics do not capture all aspects of a system that are relev...

Year of the Family.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

California Agriculture, 1994

1994-01-01

This special issue focuses on problems and challenges confronting the California family and on research and extension efforts to provide at least partial answers. Research briefs by staff include "Challenges Confront the California Family" (state trends in poverty, divorce, single-parent families, child abuse, delinquency, teen births,…

Aggregate freeze-thaw testing and d-cracking field performance : 30 years later : [summary].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-09-01

Premature deterioration of concrete pavement due to D-cracking has been a problem in : Kansas since the 1930s. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has made : significant efforts, including five extensive studies into the phenomenon of D-Cr...

EFFECTS OF CONAZOLE FUNGICIDES ON DEVELOPMENT AND PARTURITION IN THE RAT

EPA Science Inventory

Conazoles are fungicides used extensively in agriculture and as pharmaceuticals. As part of an effort to evaluate the changes in gene expression corresponding to reproductive toxicity, we examined the effects of three conazoles on pregnancy and neonates. Wistar Han rats were expo...

7 CFR 3403.4 - Three-phase program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., AND EXTENSION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM Program Description § 3403.4 Three-phase program. The Small Business Innovation Research Grants Program is... technical merit and feasibility of the proposed effort and the quality of performance of the small business...

Accessing Electronic Theses: Progress?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tennant, Roy

2000-01-01

Describes various ways by which universities provide access to their electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs), discussing UMI (University Microfilms International), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), and other formats. Discusses key leaders--national and international--in the ETD effort. Outlines the two main methods for locating ETDs. Presents a…

76 FR 51364 - Notification of a Public Teleconference of the Science Advisory Board Panel for the Review of the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-18

... extensive scientific studies, conferences and workshops. To guide the efforts of the GLRI, EPA and its... Web site at http://www.epa.gov/sab in advance of the meeting. Procedures for Providing Public Input...

78 FR 46594 - Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Aviation Security Customer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-01

... Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Aviation Security Customer Satisfaction Performance... surveying travelers to measure customer satisfaction of aviation security in an effort to more efficiently... Title: Aviation Security Customer Satisfaction Performance Measurement Passenger Survey. Type of Request...

75 FR 29567 - Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Aviation Security Customer...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-26

... Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Aviation Security Customer Satisfaction Performance... surveying travelers to measure customer satisfaction of aviation security in an effort to more efficiently.... Information Collection Requirement OMB Control Number 1652-0013; Aviation Security Customer Satisfaction...

Sediment characteristics and microbial communities associated with methane production in a eutrophic reservoir

EPA Science Inventory

Methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, is known to be produced and emitted from freshwater systems. Recently, extensive efforts have been directed toward quantifyingmethane emissions fromthese ecosystems, while additional research has focused on factors that may influence emissi...

Estimating carbon fluxes on small rotationally grazed pastures

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Satellite-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data have been extensively used for estimating gross primary productivity (GPP) and yield of grazing lands throughout the world. Large-scale estimates of GPP are a necessary component of efforts to monitor the soil carbon balance of grazi...

Towards Cooperative Learning in Elementary School Physical Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirchner, Glenn

2005-01-01

The extensive amount of research evidence, at all levels of education and with all subject areas, consistently indicates that cooperative learning results in higher achievement, increased positive interpersonal relationships, and higher self-esteem than competitive or individualistic efforts. In physical education, individualistic learning is an…

Landmarks in the historical development of twenty first century food processing technologies.

PubMed

Misra, N N; Koubaa, Mohamed; Roohinejad, Shahin; Juliano, Pablo; Alpas, Hami; Inácio, Rita S; Saraiva, Jorge A; Barba, Francisco J

2017-07-01

Over a course of centuries, various food processing technologies have been explored and implemented to provide safe, fresher-tasting and nutritive food products. Among these technologies, application of emerging food processes (e.g., cold plasma, pressurized fluids, pulsed electric fields, ohmic heating, radiofrequency electric fields, ultrasonics and megasonics, high hydrostatic pressure, high pressure homogenization, hyperbaric storage, and negative pressure cavitation extraction) have attracted much attention in the past decades. This is because, compared to their conventional counterparts, novel food processes allow a significant reduction in the overall processing times with savings in energy consumption, while ensuring food safety, and ample benefits for the industry. Noteworthily, industry and university teams have made extensive efforts for the development of novel technologies, with sound scientific knowledge of their effects on different food materials. The main objective of this review is to provide a historical account of the extensive efforts and inventions in the field of emerging food processing technologies since their inception to present day. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Heat transfer with hockey-stick steam generator. [LMFBR

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

Moody, E; Gabler, M J

1977-11-01

The hockey-stick modular design concept is a good answer to future needs for reliable, economic LMFBR steam generators. The concept was successfully demonstrated in the 30 Mwt MSG test unit; scaled up versions are currently in fabrication for CRBRP usage, and further scaling has been accomplished for PLBR applications. Design and performance characteristics are presented for the three generations of hockey-stick steam generators. The key features of the design are presented based on extensive analytical effort backed up by extensive ancillary test data. The bases for and actual performance evaluations are presented with emphasis on the CRBRP design. The designmore » effort on these units has resulted in the development of analytical techniques that are directly applicable to steam generators for any LMFBR application. In conclusion, the hockey-stick steam generator concept has been proven to perform both thermally and hydraulically as predicted. The heat transfer characteristics are well defined, and proven analytical techniques are available as are personnel experienced in their use.« less

Japanese Encephalitis—A Pathological and Clinical Perspective

PubMed Central

Ghosh, Debapriya; Basu, Anirban

2009-01-01

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is the leading form of viral encephalitis in Asia. It is caused by the JE virus (JEV), which belongs to the family Flaviviridae. JEV is endemic to many parts of Asia, where periodic outbreaks take hundreds of lives. Despite the catastrophes it causes, JE has remained a tropical disease uncommon in the West. With rapid globalization and climatic shift, JEV has started to emerge in areas where the threat was previously unknown. Scientific evidence predicts that JEV will soon become a global pathogen and cause of worldwide pandemics. Although some research documents JEV pathogenesis and drug discovery, worldwide awareness of the need for extensive research to deal with JE is still lacking. This review focuses on the exigency of developing a worldwide effort to acknowledge the prime importance of performing an extensive study of this thus far neglected tropical viral disease. This review also outlines the pathogenesis, the scientific efforts channeled into develop a therapy, and the outlook for a possible future breakthrough addressing this killer disease. PMID:19787040

Development Roadmap of an Evolvable and Extensible Multi-Mission Telecom Planning and Analysis Framework

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheung, Kar-Ming; Tung, Ramona H.; Lee, Charles H.

2003-01-01

In this paper, we describe the development roadmap and discuss the various challenges of an evolvable and extensible multi-mission telecom planning and analysis framework. Our long-term goal is to develop a set of powerful flexible telecommunications analysis tools that can be easily adapted to different missions while maintain the common Deep Space Communication requirements. The ability of re-using the DSN ground models and the common software utilities in our adaptations has contributed significantly to our development efforts measured in terms of consistency, accuracy, and minimal effort redundancy, which can translate into shorter development time and major cost savings for the individual missions. In our roadmap, we will address the design principles, technical achievements and the associated challenges for following telecom analysis tools (i) Telecom Forecaster Predictor - TFP (ii) Unified Telecom Predictor - UTP (iii) Generalized Telecom Predictor - GTP (iv) Generic TFP (v) Web-based TFP (vi) Application Program Interface - API (vii) Mars Relay Network Planning Tool - MRNPT.