Tailoring Programs for Better Fit. The Key to Coordination.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ferrero, Lee

1994-01-01

The most serious problem with the current work force preparation system is that many employment and training programs operate today to serve roughly the same people. Instead, these programs should be coordinated better to lower costs in the face of lowered funding. The General Accounting Office reports that about 125 federal programs do…

Motor Coordination and Health-Related Physical Fitness of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Three-Year Follow-up Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Yao-Chuen; Wu, Sheng K.; Cairney, John; Hsieh, Chiu-Yun

2011-01-01

Health-related physical fitness is an important risk factor of cardiovascular disease. While previous studies have identified children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) to be less physically fit than typically developing (TD) peers, there is limited longitudinal research in this area. This study was undertaken to evaluate concomitant…

Numerical modelling of the Black Sea eigen-oscillations on a curvilinear boundary fitted coordinate system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koychev Demirov, Encho

1994-12-01

The paper presents a numerical solution of barotropic and two-layer eigen-oscillation problems for the Black Sea on a boundary fitted coordinate system. This solution is compared with model and empirical data obtained by other workers. Frequencies of the eigen-oscillations found by the numerical solution of spectral problem are compared with the data obtained by spectral analysis of the sea-level oscillations measured near the town of Achtopol and Cape Irakli in stormy sea on 17-21 February 1979. Extreme oscillations of the sea-level result from resonant amplifications of three eigenmodes of the Black Sea of 68.3 -1, 36.6 -1 and 27.3 -1 cycles h -1 frequency.

Motor Coordination Difficulties and Physical Fitness of Extremely-Low-Birthweight Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burns, Yvonne R.; Danks, Marcella; O'Callaghan, Michael J.; Gray, Peter H.; Cooper, David; Poulsen, Leith; Watter, Pauline

2009-01-01

Motor coordination difficulties and poor fitness exist in the extremely low birthweight (ELBW) population. This study investigated the relative impact of motor coordination on the fitness of ELBW children aged 11 to 13 years. One hundred and nine children were recruited to the study: 54 ELBW participants (mean age at assessment 12y 6mo; 31 male,…

Up-to-date Geomagnetic Coordinate Transforms with AACGM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephens, G. K.; Morrison, D.; Barnes, R. J.; Potter, M.; Schaefer, R. K.

2017-12-01

Geomagnetic plasmas organize along magnetic field lines, thus, it is often appropriate to use magnetic field line conjunctions for comparisons between spacecraft observations. Due to the expense of tracing magnetic field lines, the Altitude-Adjusted Corrected GeoMagnetic (AACGM) coordinate system is used. The (AACGM) coordinates are defined by the best fit dipole of the Earth's magnetic field and have been a standard tool used by the SPA community for a long time. However, standard 5 year updated coefficients for this transform are no longer available after the 2010 set. A new version of AACGM (V2 - Shepard, 2014) has been defined. AACGM V2 is fit to a spherical harmonic expansion. A pitfall with this V2 coordinate system is that it is undefined near the magnetic equator, which is problematic for determining conjunctions for spacecraft that with ground stations that pass through these regions. We have derived a new set of coefficients valid for the current epoch that allow us to continue to use the original version of AACGM. We also explore the errors that are introduced by ignoring the magnetic field caused by magnetospheric electric currents. The derived coefficients are made available to the public along with Java software that can be used to evaluate the AACGM coordinates. Shepard, S., 2014, Altitude-Adjusted Corrected Geomagnetic Coordinates: Definition and Functional Approximations, Jour. Geophys. Res., 119, 020264, DOI:10.1002/2014JA020264

Variation in sport participation, fitness and motor coordination with socioeconomic status among Flemish children.

PubMed

Vandendriessche, Joric B; Vandorpe, Barbara F R; Vaeyens, Roel; Malina, Robert M; Lefevre, Johan; Lenoir, Matthieu; Philippaerts, Renaat M

2012-02-01

Socioeconomic status (SES) is often indicated as a factor that influences physical activity and associated health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between SES and sport participation, morphology, fitness and motor coordination in a sample of 1955 Flemish children 6-11 years of age. Gender, age and SES-specific values for morphologic dimensions, amount and type of sport participation and fitness and motor coordination tests were compared. SES was positively and significantly associated with sport participation and sports club membership in both sexes. Although differences were not consistently significant, morphologic dimensions and tests of fitness and motor coordination showed a trend in favor of children from higher SES. The results suggest that public and local authorities should consider providing equal opportunities for children in all social strata and especially those in the lower SES to experience the beneficial effects of sport participation through which they can enhance levels of physical fitness and motor coordination.

Quantum mechanical fragment methods based on partitioning atoms or partitioning coordinates.

PubMed

Wang, Bo; Yang, Ke R; Xu, Xuefei; Isegawa, Miho; Leverentz, Hannah R; Truhlar, Donald G

2014-09-16

Conspectus The development of more efficient and more accurate ways to represent reactive potential energy surfaces is a requirement for extending the simulation of large systems to more complex systems, longer-time dynamical processes, and more complete statistical mechanical sampling. One way to treat large systems is by direct dynamics fragment methods. Another way is by fitting system-specific analytic potential energy functions with methods adapted to large systems. Here we consider both approaches. First we consider three fragment methods that allow a given monomer to appear in more than one fragment. The first two approaches are the electrostatically embedded many-body (EE-MB) expansion and the electrostatically embedded many-body expansion of the correlation energy (EE-MB-CE), which we have shown to yield quite accurate results even when one restricts the calculations to include only electrostatically embedded dimers. The third fragment method is the electrostatically embedded molecular tailoring approach (EE-MTA), which is more flexible than EE-MB and EE-MB-CE. We show that electrostatic embedding greatly improves the accuracy of these approaches compared with the original unembedded approaches. Quantum mechanical fragment methods share with combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) methods the need to treat a quantum mechanical fragment in the presence of the rest of the system, which is especially challenging for those parts of the rest of the system that are close to the boundary of the quantum mechanical fragment. This is a delicate matter even for fragments that are not covalently bonded to the rest of the system, but it becomes even more difficult when the boundary of the quantum mechanical fragment cuts a bond. We have developed a suite of methods for more realistically treating interactions across such boundaries. These methods include redistributing and balancing the external partial atomic charges and the use of tuned fluorine atoms for capping dangling bonds, and we have shown that they can greatly improve the accuracy. Finally we present a new approach that goes beyond QM/MM by combining the convenience of molecular mechanics with the accuracy of fitting a potential function to electronic structure calculations on a specific system. To make the latter practical for systems with a large number of degrees of freedom, we developed a method to interpolate between local internal-coordinate fits to the potential energy. A key issue for the application to large systems is that rather than assigning the atoms or monomers to fragments, we assign the internal coordinates to reaction, secondary, and tertiary sets. Thus, we make a partition in coordinate space rather than atom space. Fits to the local dependence of the potential energy on tertiary coordinates are arrayed along a preselected reaction coordinate at a sequence of geometries called anchor points; the potential energy function is called an anchor points reactive potential. Electrostatically embedded fragment methods and the anchor points reactive potential, because they are based on treating an entire system by quantum mechanical electronic structure methods but are affordable for large and complex systems, have the potential to open new areas for accurate simulations where combined QM/MM methods are inadequate.

Micro practices of coordination based on complex adaptive systems: user needs and strategies for coordinating public health in Denmark.

PubMed

Terkildsen, Morten Deleuran; Wittrup, Inge; Burau, Viola

2015-01-01

Many highly formalised approaches to coordination poorly fit public health and recent studies call for coordination based on complex adaptive systems. Our contribution is two-fold. Empirically, we focus on public health, and theoretically we build on the patient perspective and treat coordination as a process of contingent, two-level negotiations of user needs. The paper draws on the concept of user needs-based coordination and sees coordination as a process, whereby needs emerging from the life world of the user are made amenable to the health system through negotiations. The analysis is based on an explorative case study of a health promotion initiative in Denmark. It adopts an anthropological qualitative approach and uses a range of qualitative data. The analysis identifies four strategies of coordination: the coordinator focusing on the individual user or on relations with other professionals; and the manager coaching the coordinator or providing structural support. Crucially, the coordination strategies by management remain weak as they do not directly relate to specific user needs. In process of bottom-up negotiations user needs become blurred and this is especially a challenge for management. The study therefore calls for an increased focus on the level nature of negotiations to bridge the gap that currently weakens coordination strategies by management.

Numerical solution of potential flow about arbitrary 2-dimensional multiple bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, J. F.; Thames, F. C.

1982-01-01

A procedure for the finite-difference numerical solution of the lifting potential flow about any number of arbitrarily shaped bodies is given. The solution is based on a technique of automatic numerical generation of a curvilinear coordinate system having coordinate lines coincident with the contours of all bodies in the field, regardless of their shapes and number. The effects of all numerical parameters involved are analyzed and appropriate values are recommended. Comparisons with analytic solutions for single Karman-Trefftz airfoils and a circular cylinder pair show excellent agreement. The technique of application of the boundary-fitted coordinate systems to the numerical solution of partial differential equations is illustrated.

Three-dimension reconstruction based on spatial light modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Xuejiao; Zhang, Nanyang; Zeng, Yanan; Yin, Shiliang; Wang, Weiyu

2011-02-01

Three-dimension reconstruction, known as an important research direction of computer graphics, is widely used in the related field such as industrial design and manufacture, construction, aerospace, biology and so on. Via such technology we can obtain three-dimension digital point cloud from a two-dimension image, and then simulate the three-dimensional structure of the physical object for further study. At present, the obtaining of three-dimension digital point cloud data is mainly based on the adaptive optics system with Shack-Hartmann sensor and phase-shifting digital holography. Referring to surface fitting, there are also many available methods such as iterated discrete fourier transform, convolution and image interpolation, linear phase retrieval. The main problems we came across in three-dimension reconstruction are the extraction of feature points and arithmetic of curve fitting. To solve such problems, we can, first of all, calculate the relevant surface normal vector information of each pixel in the light source coordinate system, then these vectors are to be converted to the coordinates of image through the coordinate conversion, so the expectant 3D point cloud get arise. Secondly, after the following procedures of de-noising, repairing, the feature points can later be selected and fitted to get the fitting function of the surface topography by means of Zernike polynomial, so as to reconstruct the determinand's three-dimensional topography. In this paper, a new kind of three-dimension reconstruction algorithm is proposed, with the assistance of which, the topography can be estimated from its grayscale at different sample points. Moreover, the previous stimulation and the experimental results prove that the new algorithm has a strong capability to fit, especially for large-scale objects .

Surface Fitting for Quasi Scattered Data from Coordinate Measuring Systems.

PubMed

Mao, Qing; Liu, Shugui; Wang, Sen; Ma, Xinhui

2018-01-13

Non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) surface fitting from data points is wildly used in the fields of computer aided design (CAD), medical imaging, cultural relic representation and object-shape detection. Usually, the measured data acquired from coordinate measuring systems is neither gridded nor completely scattered. The distribution of this kind of data is scattered in physical space, but the data points are stored in a way consistent with the order of measurement, so it is named quasi scattered data in this paper. Therefore they can be organized into rows easily but the number of points in each row is random. In order to overcome the difficulty of surface fitting from this kind of data, a new method based on resampling is proposed. It consists of three major steps: (1) NURBS curve fitting for each row, (2) resampling on the fitted curve and (3) surface fitting from the resampled data. Iterative projection optimization scheme is applied in the first and third step to yield advisable parameterization and reduce the time cost of projection. A resampling approach based on parameters, local peaks and contour curvature is proposed to overcome the problems of nodes redundancy and high time consumption in the fitting of this kind of scattered data. Numerical experiments are conducted with both simulation and practical data, and the results show that the proposed method is fast, effective and robust. What's more, by analyzing the fitting results acquired form data with different degrees of scatterness it can be demonstrated that the error introduced by resampling is negligible and therefore it is feasible.

Physical Fitness in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schott, Nadja; Alof, Verena; Hultsch, Daniela; Meermann, Dagmar

2007-01-01

The protective effects of physical activity and fitness on cardiovascular health have clearly been shown among normally developed children. However, data are currently lacking pertaining to children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The purpose of this study was to examine differences in fitness measures, body composition, and…

Free-form surface measuring method based on optical theodolite measuring system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Caili

2012-10-01

The measurement for single-point coordinate, length and large-dimension curved surface in industrial measurement can be achieved through forward intersection measurement by the theodolite measuring system composed of several optical theodolites and one computer. The measuring principle of flexible large-dimension three-coordinate measuring system made up of multiple (above two) optical theodolites and composition and functions of the system have been introduced in this paper. Especially for measurement of curved surface, 3D measured data of spatial free-form surface is acquired through the theodolite measuring system and the CAD model is formed through surface fitting to directly generate CAM processing data.

Subtyping children with developmental coordination disorder based on physical fitness outcomes.

PubMed

Aertssen, Wendy; Bonney, Emmanuel; Ferguson, Gillian; Smits-Engelsman, Bouwien

2018-05-28

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are known to have poor physical fitness. However, differentiating homogenous subgroups of DCD using fitness performance has not yet been established. Therefore the purpose of this study was to identify subtypes in children with and without DCD using measures of physical fitness. Children (aged 6-10 years, n = 217) constituted the sample for this study. They were assessed on 1) aerobic fitness (20m Shuttle Run test), 2) anaerobic fitness (Muscle Power Sprint Test), 3) isometric muscle strength (handheld dynamometry) 4) functional upper and lower body strength (Functional Strength Measurement) and 5) motor coordination [Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd edition (MABC-2) test]. The Ward method was used to identify the various clusters. Five subtypes emerged in the entire sample. In the typically developing (TD) children mainly 2 subtypes (number 5 and 2) were found containing 89% of the TD children (n = 55), with the largest group demonstrating above average performance on all measures (cluster 5). Children in subtype 2 had just above average motor coordination and good aerobic fitness but lower muscle strength. Subtypes 1, 3 and 4 were clearly "DCD" clusters, however they showed difference in fitness performance. Subtype 1 contained children with DCD who showed poor performance on all fitness outcomes (n = 45). Children with DCD in subtype 3 had poor aerobic but average strength and anaerobic fitness (n = 48). Subtype 4 contained children with DCD (n = 45) who had good muscle strength and anaerobic fitness. Of these, 36% were at risk of DCD while 24% had definite motor coordination problems. Our findings indicate that children with and without DCD demonstrate heterogeneous physical fitness profiles. The majority of the children (66%) with DCD belonged to subtypes with lower fitness performance. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in other samples of DCD children. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Principal component analysis of molecular dynamics: On the use of Cartesian vs. internal coordinates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sittel, Florian; Jain, Abhinav; Stock, Gerhard

2014-07-01

Principal component analysis of molecular dynamics simulations is a popular method to account for the essential dynamics of the system on a low-dimensional free energy landscape. Using Cartesian coordinates, first the translation and overall rotation need to be removed from the trajectory. Since the rotation depends via the moment of inertia on the molecule's structure, this separation is only straightforward for relatively rigid systems. Adopting millisecond molecular dynamics simulations of the folding of villin headpiece and the functional dynamics of BPTI provided by D. E. Shaw Research, it is demonstrated via a comparison of local and global rotational fitting that the structural dynamics of flexible molecules necessarily results in a mixing of overall and internal motion. Even for the small-amplitude functional motion of BPTI, the conformational distribution obtained from a Cartesian principal component analysis therefore reflects to some extend the dominant overall motion rather than the much smaller internal motion of the protein. Internal coordinates such as backbone dihedral angles, on the other hand, are found to yield correct and well-resolved energy landscapes for both examples. The virtues and shortcomings of the choice of various fitting schemes and coordinate sets as well as the generality of these results are discussed in some detail.

Principal component analysis of molecular dynamics: on the use of Cartesian vs. internal coordinates.

PubMed

Sittel, Florian; Jain, Abhinav; Stock, Gerhard

2014-07-07

Principal component analysis of molecular dynamics simulations is a popular method to account for the essential dynamics of the system on a low-dimensional free energy landscape. Using Cartesian coordinates, first the translation and overall rotation need to be removed from the trajectory. Since the rotation depends via the moment of inertia on the molecule's structure, this separation is only straightforward for relatively rigid systems. Adopting millisecond molecular dynamics simulations of the folding of villin headpiece and the functional dynamics of BPTI provided by D. E. Shaw Research, it is demonstrated via a comparison of local and global rotational fitting that the structural dynamics of flexible molecules necessarily results in a mixing of overall and internal motion. Even for the small-amplitude functional motion of BPTI, the conformational distribution obtained from a Cartesian principal component analysis therefore reflects to some extend the dominant overall motion rather than the much smaller internal motion of the protein. Internal coordinates such as backbone dihedral angles, on the other hand, are found to yield correct and well-resolved energy landscapes for both examples. The virtues and shortcomings of the choice of various fitting schemes and coordinate sets as well as the generality of these results are discussed in some detail.

Differences in physical fitness and gross motor coordination in boys aged 6-12 years specializing in one versus sampling more than one sport.

PubMed

Fransen, Job; Pion, Johan; Vandendriessche, Joric; Vandorpe, Barbara; Vaeyens, Roel; Lenoir, Matthieu; Philippaerts, Renaat M

2012-01-01

The Developmental Model of Sports Participation proposes two pathways towards expertise in sports between 6 and 12 years of age: early specialization and early diversification. This study investigated the effect of sampling various sports and of spending many or few hours in sports on fitness and gross motor coordination. Altogether, 735 boys in three age groups (6-8, 8-10, and 10-12 years) were profiled using a fitness test battery. A computerized physical activity questionnaire was used to obtain data on sports participation. In the eldest group, (M)ANCOVA showed a positive effect of sampling various sports on strength, speed, endurance, and gross motor coordination (P < 0.05). A positive effect of many hours per week spent in sports was apparent in every age group. These data suggest an acute positive effect of many hours in sports and a latent positive effect of early sampling on fitness and gross motor coordination. Multiple comparisons revealed that boys aged 10-12 years, who spent many hours in various sports, performed better on standing broad jump (P < 0.05) and gross motor coordination (P < 0.05) than boys specializing in a single sport. Therefore, our results highlight the importance of spending many hours in sports and sampling various sports in the development of fitness and gross motor coordination.

AST: World Coordinate Systems in Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berry, David S.; Warren-Smith, Rodney F.

2014-04-01

The AST library provides a comprehensive range of facilities for attaching world coordinate systems to astronomical data, for retrieving and interpreting that information in a variety of formats, including FITS-WCS, and for generating graphical output based on it. Core projection algorithms are provided by WCSLIB (ascl:1108.003) and astrometry is provided by the PAL (ascl:1606.002) and SOFA (ascl:1403.026) libraries. AST bindings are available in Python (pyast), Java (JNIAST) and Perl (Starlink::AST). AST is used as the plotting and astrometry library in DS9 and GAIA, and is distributed separately and as part of the Starlink software collection.

A Hierarchical Modeling for Reactive Power Optimization With Joint Transmission and Distribution Networks by Curve Fitting

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

Ding, Tao; Li, Cheng; Huang, Can

Here, in order to solve the reactive power optimization with joint transmission and distribution networks, a hierarchical modeling method is proposed in this paper. It allows the reactive power optimization of transmission and distribution networks to be performed separately, leading to a master–slave structure and improves traditional centralized modeling methods by alleviating the big data problem in a control center. Specifically, the transmission-distribution-network coordination issue of the hierarchical modeling method is investigated. First, a curve-fitting approach is developed to provide a cost function of the slave model for the master model, which reflects the impacts of each slave model. Second,more » the transmission and distribution networks are decoupled at feeder buses, and all the distribution networks are coordinated by the master reactive power optimization model to achieve the global optimality. Finally, numerical results on two test systems verify the effectiveness of the proposed hierarchical modeling and curve-fitting methods.« less

A Hierarchical Modeling for Reactive Power Optimization With Joint Transmission and Distribution Networks by Curve Fitting

DOE PAGES

Ding, Tao; Li, Cheng; Huang, Can; ...

2017-01-09

Here, in order to solve the reactive power optimization with joint transmission and distribution networks, a hierarchical modeling method is proposed in this paper. It allows the reactive power optimization of transmission and distribution networks to be performed separately, leading to a master–slave structure and improves traditional centralized modeling methods by alleviating the big data problem in a control center. Specifically, the transmission-distribution-network coordination issue of the hierarchical modeling method is investigated. First, a curve-fitting approach is developed to provide a cost function of the slave model for the master model, which reflects the impacts of each slave model. Second,more » the transmission and distribution networks are decoupled at feeder buses, and all the distribution networks are coordinated by the master reactive power optimization model to achieve the global optimality. Finally, numerical results on two test systems verify the effectiveness of the proposed hierarchical modeling and curve-fitting methods.« less

Employing the FITT framework to explore HIV case managers' perceptions of two electronic clinical data (ECD) summary systems.

PubMed

Schnall, Rebecca; Smith, Ann B; Sikka, Manik; Gordon, Peter; Camhi, Eli; Kanter, Timothy; Bakken, Suzanne

2012-10-01

Case managers facilitate continuity of care for persons living with HIV (PLWH) by coordination of resources and referrals to social services and medical care. The complexity of HIV care and associated comorbidities drives the need for medical and psychosocial care coordination, which may be achieved through health information exchange (HIE) systems. However, the use of HIE has not been well studied in the context of HIV services. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study is to explore factors influencing case managers' adoption of electronic clinical data (ECD) summaries as an HIE strategy in HIV care through application of the "fit between individuals, task and technology" (FITT) framework. Focus group methodology was used to gather perceptions from 48 participants who provided direct case management services for PLWH in New York City. Questions addressed current quality and efficiency challenges to HIE utilization in the context of case management of PLWH as well as barriers and enablers to use of an ECD summary. Analysis of the data was guided by the FITT framework. Major themes by interaction type were: (1) task-technology fit - resources, time and workflow; (2) individual-task fit - training and technical support; and 3) individual-technology fit - ECD summary functionality, technical difficulties and the need of a computer for each end-user. Our findings provide evidence for the applicability of the FITT framework to explore case managers' perceptions of factors influencing the adoption of ECD summary systems for HIV care prior to actual implementation. Assessment of fit among individual, task, and technology and addressing the concerns identified prior to implementation is critical to successful adoption of health information technology as a strategy to improve quality and efficiency in health care. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the US Army Fitting Program for the Integrated Helmet Unit of the Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-07-01

ederick, MD 21701-5012- M WPUM TPOSONINGOFFICE SYMBOL 9 PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ORGANTICIN(i soppkablo) &L. ADUSS (City umat . and W...distortion, improperly positioned helmet electronics, or damaged HDU receiver assembly, 9 and HDU optical axis misalignment due to a bent combiner or...internal damage to the HDU lens assembly. All components were contractoLr supplied. The scheduling of a fitting session required coordination between

Developmental and physical-fitness associations with gross motor coordination problems in Peruvian children.

PubMed

de Chaves, Raquel Nichele; Bustamante Valdívia, Alcibíades; Nevill, Alan; Freitas, Duarte; Tani, Go; Katzmarzyk, Peter T; Maia, José António Ribeiro

2016-01-01

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to examine the developmental characteristics (biological maturation and body size) associated with gross motor coordination problems in 5193 Peruvian children (2787 girls) aged 6-14 years from different geographical locations, and to investigate how the probability that children suffer with gross motor coordination problems varies with physical fitness. Children with gross motor coordination problems were more likely to have lower flexibility and explosive strength levels, having adjusted for age, sex, maturation and study site. Older children were more likely to suffer from gross motor coordination problems, as were those with greater body mass index. However, more mature children were less likely to have gross motor coordination problems, although children who live at sea level or at high altitude were more likely to suffer from gross motor coordination problems than children living in the jungle. Our results provide evidence that children and adolescents with lower physical fitness are more likely to have gross motor coordination difficulties. The identification of youths with gross motor coordination problems and providing them with effective intervention programs is an important priority in order to overcome such developmental problems, and help to improve their general health status. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Real-Time Adaptive Control of Mixing in a Plane Shear Layer

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-02-02

l’icoulement d’un fuide visqueux incompressible autour d’un cylinder fixe ou en rotation. Effet Magnus . J. Mdc. 14, 109-134. TANEDA, S. 1977 Visual study...Mokhtarian & Yokomizo 1990), and in lift enhancement schemes employing the Magnus effect (Swanson 1961). Rotation of all or part of a body may also have...coordinate system. In this work, the body-fitted grid is simply one of cylindrical polar coordinates and is time-independent, except for a = 3.25 where

VizieR Online Data Catalog: EBHIS spectra and HI column density maps (Winkel+, 2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winkel, B.; Kerp, J.; Floeer, L.; Kalberla, P. M. W.; Ben Bekhti, N.; Keller, R.; Lenz, D.

2015-11-01

The EBHIS 1st data release comprises 21-cm neutral atomic hydrogen data of the Milky Way (-600km/s

A conservative finite difference algorithm for the unsteady transonic potential equation in generalized coordinates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bridgeman, J. O.; Steger, J. L.; Caradonna, F. X.

1982-01-01

An implicit, approximate-factorization, finite-difference algorithm has been developed for the computation of unsteady, inviscid transonic flows in two and three dimensions. The computer program solves the full-potential equation in generalized coordinates in conservation-law form in order to properly capture shock-wave position and speed. A body-fitted coordinate system is employed for the simple and accurate treatment of boundary conditions on the body surface. The time-accurate algorithm is modified to a conventional ADI relaxation scheme for steady-state computations. Results from two- and three-dimensional steady and two-dimensional unsteady calculations are compared with existing methods.

The iRoCS Toolbox--3D analysis of the plant root apical meristem at cellular resolution.

PubMed

Schmidt, Thorsten; Pasternak, Taras; Liu, Kun; Blein, Thomas; Aubry-Hivet, Dorothée; Dovzhenko, Alexander; Duerr, Jasmin; Teale, William; Ditengou, Franck A; Burkhardt, Hans; Ronneberger, Olaf; Palme, Klaus

2014-03-01

To achieve a detailed understanding of processes in biological systems, cellular features must be quantified in the three-dimensional (3D) context of cells and organs. We described use of the intrinsic root coordinate system (iRoCS) as a reference model for the root apical meristem of plants. iRoCS enables direct and quantitative comparison between the root tips of plant populations at single-cell resolution. The iRoCS Toolbox automatically fits standardized coordinates to raw 3D image data. It detects nuclei or segments cells, automatically fits the coordinate system, and groups the nuclei/cells into the root's tissue layers. The division status of each nucleus may also be determined. The only manual step required is to mark the quiescent centre. All intermediate outputs may be refined if necessary. The ability to learn the visual appearance of nuclei by example allows the iRoCS Toolbox to be easily adapted to various phenotypes. The iRoCS Toolbox is provided as an open-source software package, licensed under the GNU General Public License, to make it accessible to a broad community. To demonstrate the power of the technique, we measured subtle changes in cell division patterns caused by modified auxin flux within the Arabidopsis thaliana root apical meristem. © 2014 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Research on Coordinate Transformation Method of Gb-Sar Image Supported by 3d Laser Scanning Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, P.; Xing, C.

2018-04-01

In the image plane of GB-SAR, identification of deformation distribution is usually carried out by artificial interpretation. This method requires analysts to have adequate experience of radar imaging and target recognition, otherwise it can easily cause false recognition of deformation target or region. Therefore, it is very meaningful to connect two-dimensional (2D) plane coordinate system with the common three-dimensional (3D) terrain coordinate system. To improve the global accuracy and reliability of the transformation from 2D coordinates of GB-SAR images to local 3D coordinates, and overcome the limitation of traditional similarity transformation parameter estimation method, 3D laser scanning data is used to assist the transformation of GB-SAR image coordinates. A straight line fitting method for calculating horizontal angle was proposed in this paper. After projection into a consistent imaging plane, we can calculate horizontal rotation angle by using the linear characteristics of the structure in radar image and the 3D coordinate system. Aided by external elevation information by 3D laser scanning technology, we completed the matching of point clouds and pixels on the projection plane according to the geometric projection principle of GB-SAR imaging realizing the transformation calculation of GB-SAR image coordinates to local 3D coordinates. Finally, the effectiveness of the method is verified by the GB-SAR deformation monitoring experiment on the high slope of Geheyan dam.

Structural resolution of inorganic nanotubes with complex stoichiometry.

PubMed

Monet, Geoffrey; Amara, Mohamed S; Rouzière, Stéphan; Paineau, Erwan; Chai, Ziwei; Elliott, Joshua D; Poli, Emiliano; Liu, Li-Min; Teobaldi, Gilberto; Launois, Pascale

2018-05-23

Determination of the atomic structure of inorganic single-walled nanotubes with complex stoichiometry remains elusive due to the too many atomic coordinates to be fitted with respect to X-ray diffractograms inherently exhibiting rather broad features. Here we introduce a methodology to reduce the number of fitted variables and enable resolution of the atomic structure for inorganic nanotubes with complex stoichiometry. We apply it to recently synthesized methylated aluminosilicate and aluminogermanate imogolite nanotubes of nominal composition (OH) 3 Al 2 O 3 Si(Ge)CH 3 . Fitting of X-ray scattering diagrams, supported by Density Functional Theory simulations, reveals an unexpected rolling mode for these systems. The transferability of the approach opens up for improved understanding of structure-property relationships of inorganic nanotubes to the benefit of fundamental and applicative research in these systems.

Numerically Integrated Orbits of the Major Saturnian Satellites fit to Earthbased Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobson, R. A.; Vaughan, R. M.

1993-01-01

We have fit numerically integrated orbits of the eight major satellites of Saturn to all available astrometric and meridian circle observations for the period of 1971 to 1992. The integration was carried out in cartesian coordinates in the J2000 system. The force model included the gravitational effects of the oblate primary, the mutual perturbations of the satellites, and perturbations due to Jupiter and the Sun. Values of the gravitational parameters of the Saturnian system, e.g. planet and satellite masses, were taken from Campbell, et. al., 1989, only the epoch state vectors of the satellites were adjusted to obtain orbits which fit the observations. All astrometric data was processed in the form of satellite relative positions which were weighted according to observer and opposition to reflect the varying data quality...

Physical Activity and Fitness in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rivilis, Irina; Hay, John; Cairney, John; Klentrou, Panagiota; Liu, Jian; Faught, Brent E.

2011-01-01

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by poor motor proficiency that interferes with a child's activities of daily living. Activities that most young children engage in such as running, walking, and jumping are important for the proper development of fitness and overall health. However, children…

BODYFIT-1FE: a computer code for three-dimensional steady-state/transient single-phase rod-bundle thermal-hydraulic analysis. Draft report

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

Chen, B.C.J.; Sha, W.T.; Doria, M.L.

1980-11-01

The governing equations, i.e., conservation equations for mass, momentum, and energy, are solved as a boundary-value problem in space and an initial-value problem in time. BODYFIT-1FE code uses the technique of boundary-fitted coordinate systems where all the physical boundaries are transformed to be coincident with constant coordinate lines in the transformed space. By using this technique, one can prescribe boundary conditions accurately without interpolation. The transformed governing equations in terms of the boundary-fitted coordinates are then solved by using implicit cell-by-cell procedure with a choice of either central or upwind convective derivatives. It is a true benchmark rod-bundle code withoutmore » invoking any assumptions in the case of laminar flow. However, for turbulent flow, some empiricism must be employed due to the closure problem of turbulence modeling. The detailed velocity and temperature distributions calculated from the code can be used to benchmark and calibrate empirical coefficients employed in subchannel codes and porous-medium analyses.« less

Agent-Based Scientific Workflow Composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barker, A.; Mann, B.

2006-07-01

Agents are active autonomous entities that interact with one another to achieve their objectives. This paper addresses how these active agents are a natural fit to consume the passive Service Oriented Architecture which is found in Internet and Grid Systems, in order to compose, coordinate and execute e-Science experiments. A framework is introduced which allows an e-Science experiment to be described as a MultiAgent System.

A Model-Based Approach for the Measurement of Eye Movements Using Image Processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sung, Kwangjae; Reschke, Millard F.

1997-01-01

This paper describes a video eye-tracking algorithm which searches for the best fit of the pupil modeled as a circular disk. The algorithm is robust to common image artifacts such as the droopy eyelids and light reflections while maintaining the measurement resolution available by the centroid algorithm. The presented algorithm is used to derive the pupil size and center coordinates, and can be combined with iris-tracking techniques to measure ocular torsion. A comparison search method of pupil candidates using pixel coordinate reference lookup tables optimizes the processing requirements for a least square fit of the circular disk model. This paper includes quantitative analyses and simulation results for the resolution and the robustness of the algorithm. The algorithm presented in this paper provides a platform for a noninvasive, multidimensional eye measurement system which can be used for clinical and research applications requiring the precise recording of eye movements in three-dimensional space.

Task-technology fit of video telehealth for nurses in an outpatient clinic setting.

PubMed

Cady, Rhonda G; Finkelstein, Stanley M

2014-07-01

Incorporating telehealth into outpatient care delivery supports management of consumer health between clinic visits. Task-technology fit is a framework for understanding how technology helps and/or hinders a person during work processes. Evaluating the task-technology fit of video telehealth for personnel working in a pediatric outpatient clinic and providing care between clinic visits ensures the information provided matches the information needed to support work processes. The workflow of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) care coordination provided via telephone and video telehealth was described and measured using a mixed-methods workflow analysis protocol that incorporated cognitive ethnography and time-motion study. Qualitative and quantitative results were merged and analyzed within the task-technology fit framework to determine the workflow fit of video telehealth for APRN care coordination. Incorporating video telehealth into APRN care coordination workflow provided visual information unavailable during telephone interactions. Despite additional tasks and interactions needed to obtain the visual information, APRN workflow efficiency, as measured by time, was not significantly changed. Analyzed within the task-technology fit framework, the increased visual information afforded by video telehealth supported the assessment and diagnostic information needs of the APRN. Telehealth must provide the right information to the right clinician at the right time. Evaluating task-technology fit using a mixed-methods protocol ensured rigorous analysis of fit within work processes and identified workflows that benefit most from the technology.

Sky-radiance gradient measurements at narrow bands in the visible.

PubMed

Winter, E M; Metcalf, T W; Stotts, L B

1995-07-01

Accurate calibrated measurements of the radiance of the daytime sky were made in narrow bands in the visible portion of the spectrum. These measurements were made over several months and were tabulated in a sun-referenced coordinate system. The radiance as a function of wavelength at angles ranging from 5 to 90 deg was plotted. A best-fit inverse power-law fit shows inversely linear behavior of the radiance versus wavelength near the Sun (5 deg) and a slope approaching inverse fourth power far from the Sun (60 deg). This behavior fits a Mie-scattering interpretation near the Sun and a Rayleigh-scattering interpretation away from the Sun. The results are also compared with LOWTRAN models.

Not only cardiovascular, but also coordinative exercise increases hippocampal volume in older adults

PubMed Central

Niemann, Claudia; Godde, Ben; Voelcker-Rehage, Claudia

2014-01-01

Cardiovascular activity has been shown to be positively associated with gray and white matter volume of, amongst others, frontal and temporal brain regions in older adults. This is particularly true for the hippocampus, a brain structure that plays an important role in learning and memory, and whose decline has been related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In the current study, we were interested in whether not only cardiovascular activity but also other types of physical activity, i.e., coordination training, were also positively associated with the volume of the hippocampus in older adults. For this purpose we first collected cross-sectional data on “metabolic fitness” (cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength) and “motor fitness” (e.g., balance, movement speed, fine coordination). Second, we performed a 12-month randomized controlled trial. Results revealed that motor fitness but not metabolic fitness was associated with hippocampal volume. After the 12-month intervention period, both, cardiovascular and coordination training led to increases in hippocampal volume. Our findings suggest that a high motor fitness level as well as different types of physical activity were beneficial to diminish age-related hippocampal volume shrinkage or even increase hippocampal volume. PMID:25165446

Efficient Evaluation Functions for Multi-Rover Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agogino, Adrian; Tumer, Kagan

2004-01-01

Evolutionary computation can be a powerful tool in cresting a control policy for a single agent receiving local continuous input. This paper extends single-agent evolutionary computation to multi-agent systems, where a collection of agents strives to maximize a global fitness evaluation function that rates the performance of the entire system. This problem is solved in a distributed manner, where each agent evolves its own population of neural networks that are used as the control policies for the agent. Each agent evolves its population using its own agent-specific fitness evaluation function. We propose to create these agent-specific evaluation functions using the theory of collectives to avoid the coordination problem where each agent evolves a population that maximizes its own fitness function, yet the system has a whole achieves low values of the global fitness function. Instead we will ensure that each fitness evaluation function is both "aligned" with the global evaluation function and is "learnable," i.e., the agents can readily see how their behavior affects their evaluation function. We then show how these agent-specific evaluation functions outperform global evaluation methods by up to 600% in a domain where a set of rovers attempt to maximize the amount of information observed while navigating through a simulated environment.

a Numerical Model for Flue Gas Desulfurization System.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sung Joon

The purpose of this work is to develop a reliable numerical model for spray dryer desulfurization systems. The shape of the spray dryer requires that a body fitted orthogonal coordinate system be used for the numerical model. The governing equations are developed in the general orthogonal coordinates and discretized to yield a system of algebraic equations. A turbulence model is also included in the numerical program. A new second order numerical scheme is developed and included in the numerical model. The trajectory approach is used to simulate the flow of the dispersed phase. Two-way coupling phenomena is modeled by this scheme. The absorption of sulfur dioxide into lime slurry droplets is simulated by a model based on gas -phase mass transfer. The program is applied to a typical spray dryer desulfurization system. The results show the capability of the program to predict the sensitivity of system performance to changes in operational parameters.

Surface fitting three-dimensional bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dejarnette, F. R.

1974-01-01

The geometry of general three-dimensional bodies is generated from coordinates of points in several cross sections. Since these points may not be smooth, they are divided into segments and general conic sections are curve fit in a least-squares sense to each segment of a cross section. The conic sections are then blended in the longitudinal direction by fitting parametric cubic-spline curves through coordinate points which define the conic sections in the cross-sectional planes. Both the cross-sectional and longitudinal curves may be modified by specifying particular segments as straight lines and slopes at selected points. Slopes may be continuous or discontinuous and finite or infinite. After a satisfactory surface fit has been obtained, cards may be punched with the data necessary to form a geometry subroutine package for use in other computer programs. At any position on the body, coordinates, slopes and second partial derivatives are calculated. The method is applied to a blunted 70 deg delta wing, and it was found to generate the geometry very well.

Fitting Handled Objects into Apertures by 17- to 36-Month-Old Children: The Dynamics of Spatial Coordination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jung, Wendy P.; Kahrs, Björn A.; Lockman, Jeffrey J.

2018-01-01

Handled artifacts are ubiquitous in human technology, but how young children engage in spatially coordinated behaviors with these artifacts is not well understood. To address this issue, children (N = 30) from 17-36 months were studied with motion tracking technology as they fit the distal segment of a handled artifact into a slot. The handle was…

Task–Technology Fit of Video Telehealth for Nurses in an Outpatient Clinic Setting

PubMed Central

Finkelstein, Stanley M.

2014-01-01

Abstract Background: Incorporating telehealth into outpatient care delivery supports management of consumer health between clinic visits. Task–technology fit is a framework for understanding how technology helps and/or hinders a person during work processes. Evaluating the task–technology fit of video telehealth for personnel working in a pediatric outpatient clinic and providing care between clinic visits ensures the information provided matches the information needed to support work processes. Materials and Methods: The workflow of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) care coordination provided via telephone and video telehealth was described and measured using a mixed-methods workflow analysis protocol that incorporated cognitive ethnography and time–motion study. Qualitative and quantitative results were merged and analyzed within the task–technology fit framework to determine the workflow fit of video telehealth for APRN care coordination. Results: Incorporating video telehealth into APRN care coordination workflow provided visual information unavailable during telephone interactions. Despite additional tasks and interactions needed to obtain the visual information, APRN workflow efficiency, as measured by time, was not significantly changed. Analyzed within the task–technology fit framework, the increased visual information afforded by video telehealth supported the assessment and diagnostic information needs of the APRN. Conclusions: Telehealth must provide the right information to the right clinician at the right time. Evaluating task–technology fit using a mixed-methods protocol ensured rigorous analysis of fit within work processes and identified workflows that benefit most from the technology. PMID:24841219

Movement and Coordination

MedlinePlus

... Stages Prenatal Baby Toddler Fitness Nutrition Toilet Training Preschool Gradeschool Teen Young Adult Healthy Children > Ages & Stages > Toddler > Movement and Coordination Ages & Stages Listen Español Text Size ...

REQUEST: A Recursive QUEST Algorithm for Sequential Attitude Determination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Itzhack, Itzhack Y.

1996-01-01

In order to find the attitude of a spacecraft with respect to a reference coordinate system, vector measurements are taken. The vectors are pairs of measurements of the same generalized vector, taken in the spacecraft body coordinates, as well as in the reference coordinate system. We are interested in finding the best estimate of the transformation between these coordinate system.s The algorithm called QUEST yields that estimate where attitude is expressed by a quarternion. Quest is an efficient algorithm which provides a least squares fit of the quaternion of rotation to the vector measurements. Quest however, is a single time point (single frame) batch algorithm, thus measurements that were taken at previous time points are discarded. The algorithm presented in this work provides a recursive routine which considers all past measurements. The algorithm is based on on the fact that the, so called, K matrix, one of whose eigenvectors is the sought quaternion, is linerly related to the measured pairs, and on the ability to propagate K. The extraction of the appropriate eigenvector is done according to the classical QUEST algorithm. This stage, however, can be eliminated, and the computation simplified, if a standard eigenvalue-eigenvector solver algorithm is used. The development of the recursive algorithm is presented and illustrated via a numerical example.

Managing clinical integration in integrated delivery systems: a framework for action.

PubMed

Young, D W; Barrett, D

1997-01-01

An integrated delivery system (IDS) in healthcare must coordinate patient care across multiple functions, activities, and operating units. To achieve this clinical integration, senior management confronts many challenges. This paper uses a cross-functional-process (CFP) framework to discuss these challenges. There are ten CFPs that fall into three categories: planning processes (strategy formulation, program adaptation, budget formulation), organizational processes (authority and influence, client management, conflict resolution, motivation, and cultural maintenance), and measurement and reporting processes (financial and programmatic). Each process typically spans several functional units. Senior management must consider how to improve both the functioning of each CFP, as well as its "fit" with the other nine. The result can be greater clinical integration, improved cost management, and more coordinated care for enrollees.

Practical applications of the geographic coordinate data base in Arkansas

Treesearch

Mickie Warwick; Don C. Bragg

2005-01-01

Though not intended for these applications, the General Land Office (GLO) survey notes are a primary source of historical, ecological, and cultural information, making it imperative that their spatial coordinates be as reliable as possible. The Geographic Coordinate Data Base (GCDB) is a statistically-based coordinate fitting program that uses the GLO notes and other...

Visual-motor recalibration in geographical slant perception

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhalla, M.; Proffitt, D. R.; Kaiser, M. K. (Principal Investigator)

1999-01-01

In 4 experiments, it was shown that hills appear steeper to people who are encumbered by wearing a heavy backpack (Experiment 1), are fatigued (Experiment 2), are of low physical fitness (Experiment 3), or are elderly and/or in declining health (Experiment 4). Visually guided actions are unaffected by these manipulations of physiological potential. Although dissociable, the awareness and action systems were also shown to be interconnected. Recalibration of the transformation relating awareness and actions was found to occur over long-term changes in physiological potential (fitness level, age, and health) but not with transitory changes (fatigue and load). Findings are discussed in terms of a time-dependent coordination between the separate systems that control explicit visual awareness and visually guided action.

Relationship between general and specific coordination in 8- to 17-year-old male basketball players.

PubMed

Kamandulis, Sigitas; Venckūnas, Tomas; Masiulis, Nerijus; Matulaitis, Kestutis; Balciūnas, Mindaugas; Peters, Derek; Skurvydas, Albertas

2013-12-01

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships between general coordination, sport-specific coordination, and sport-specific fitness of 8- to 17-year-old male basketball players. 312 males with training experience ranging from one year in the 8-year-old cohort up to 10 years for the 17-year-olds performed basketball-specific fitness (20 m sprint, Illinois, countermovement jump), general coordination (20 m run with three obstacles), semi-basketball-specific coordination (20 m sprint dribbling two balls, countermovement jump with arm swing) and basketball-specific coordination (Illinois ball dribbling) tests. There were moderate to large correlations between the results of both general and basketball-specific coordination with the results of most basketball-specific coordination tests in all age groups. Correlations between general and basketball-specific coordination were large in four age groups (11-14 yr., r = .52 to r = .76), moderate in five groups (8-10, 15 & 16 yr., r = .37 to r = .46), while not significant in the 17-year-olds. These results suggest that the importance of general coordination for sport-specific skills improvements during a sports-specific skill acquisition phase, remains high at the skill refinement phase, and decreases when sport-specific skills have been mastered to near-perfection.

Coordinating Multi-Rover Systems: Evaluation Functions for Dynamic and Noisy Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Kagan; Agogino, Adrian

2005-01-01

This paper addresses the evolution of control strategies for a collective: a set of entities that collectively strives to maximize a global evaluation function that rates the performance of the full system. Directly addressing such problems by having a population of collectives and applying the evolutionary algorithm to that population is appealing, but the search space is prohibitively large in most cases. Instead, we focus on evolving control policies for each member of the collective. The fundamental issue in this approach is how to create an evaluation function for each member of the collective that is both aligned with the global evaluation function and is sensitive to the fitness changes of the member, while relatively insensitive to the fitness changes of other members. We show how to construct evaluation functions in dynamic, noisy and communication-limited collective environments. On a rover coordination problem, a control policy evolved using aligned and member-sensitive evaluations outperfoms global evaluation methods by up to 400%. More notably, in the presence of a larger number of rovers or rovers with noisy and communication limited sensors, the proposed method outperforms global evaluation by a higher percentage than in noise-free conditions with a small number of rovers.

Reliability and validity in measurement of true humeral retroversion by a three-dimensional cylinder fitting method.

PubMed

Saka, Masayuki; Yamauchi, Hiroki; Hoshi, Kenji; Yoshioka, Toru; Hamada, Hidetoshi; Gamada, Kazuyoshi

2015-05-01

Humeral retroversion is defined as the orientation of the humeral head relative to the distal humerus. Because none of the previous methods used to measure humeral retroversion strictly follow this definition, values obtained by these techniques vary and may be biased by morphologic variations of the humerus. The purpose of this study was 2-fold: to validate a method to define the axis of the distal humerus with a virtual cylinder and to establish the reliability of 3-dimensional (3D) measurement of humeral retroversion by this cylinder fitting method. Humeral retroversion in 14 baseball players (28 humeri) was measured by the 3D cylinder fitting method. The root mean square error was calculated to compare values obtained by a single tester and by 2 different testers using the embedded coordinate system. To establish the reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and precision (standard error of measurement [SEM]) were calculated. The root mean square errors for the humeral coordinate system were <1.0 mm/1.0° for comparison of all translations/rotations obtained by a single tester and <1.0 mm/2.0° for comparison obtained by 2 different testers. Assessment of reliability and precision of the 3D measurement of retroversion yielded an intratester ICC of 0.99 (SEM, 1.0°) and intertester ICC of 0.96 (SEM, 2.8°). The error in measurements obtained by a distal humerus cylinder fitting method was small enough not to affect retroversion measurement. The 3D measurement of retroversion by this method provides excellent intratester and intertester reliability. Copyright © 2015 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Generating Mosaics of Astronomical Images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bergou, Attila; Berriman, Bruce; Good, John; Jacob, Joseph; Katz, Daniel; Laity, Anastasia; Prince, Thomas; Williams, Roy

2005-01-01

"Montage" is the name of a service of the National Virtual Observatory (NVO), and of software being developed to implement the service via the World Wide Web. Montage generates science-grade custom mosaics of astronomical images on demand from input files that comply with the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) standard and contain image data registered on projections that comply with the World Coordinate System (WCS) standards. "Science-grade" in this context signifies that terrestrial and instrumental features are removed from images in a way that can be described quantitatively. "Custom" refers to user-specified parameters of projection, coordinates, size, rotation, and spatial sampling. The greatest value of Montage is expected to lie in its ability to analyze images at multiple wavelengths, delivering them on a common projection, coordinate system, and spatial sampling, and thereby enabling further analysis as though they were part of a single, multi-wavelength image. Montage will be deployed as a computation-intensive service through existing astronomy portals and other Web sites. It will be integrated into the emerging NVO architecture and will be executed on the TeraGrid. The Montage software will also be portable and publicly available.

[Institutionalized elderly: functional capacity and physical fitness].

PubMed

Gonçalves, Lúcia Hisako Takase; Silva, Aline Huber da; Mazo, Giovana Zarpsellon; Benedetti, Tânia R Bertoldo; dos Santos, Silvia Maria Azevedo; Marques, Sueli; Rodrigues, Rosalina A Partezani; Portella, Marilene Rodrigues; Scortegagna, Helenice de Moura; Santos, Silvana Sidney C; Pelzer, Marlene Teda; Souza, Andrea dos Santos; Meira, Edmeia Campos; Sena, Edite Lago da Silva; Creutzberg, Marion; Resende, Thais de Lima; Rezende, Tais de Lima

2010-09-01

This study analyzed the relationship between physical fitness and functional capacity in 78 residents of long-stay institutions for low-income elderly located in five regions of Brazil. The majority of the sample consisted of women, and mean age was 77.4 years (SD = 7.9). Physical fitness was assessed with the AAHPERD test, adjusted for institutionalized elderly. The Katz scale was used for functional capacity. The five components of physical fitness rated fair for flexibility, coordination, agility, and aerobic endurance and good for strength. The mean general physical fitness (GPF) index was fair. According to the findings, the greater the degree of dependency in institutionalized elderly, the lesser their strength and GPF level; meanwhile, better coordination and agility are associated with greater independence for performing activities of daily living. The results can contribute to appropriate physical exercise programs for maintenance and/or recovery of functionality.

A Direct Method for Mapping the Center of Pressure Measured by an Insole Pressure Sensor System to the Shoe's Local Coordinate System.

PubMed

Weaver, Brian T; Braman, Jerrod E; Haut, Roger C

2016-06-01

A direct method to express the center of pressure (CoP) measured by an insole pressure sensor system (IPSS) into a known coordinate system measured by motion tracking equipment is presented. A custom probe was constructed with reflective markers to allow its tip to be precisely tracked with motion tracking equipment. This probe was utilized to activate individual sensors on an IPSS that was placed in a shoe fitted with reflective markers used to establish a local shoe coordinate system. When pressed onto the IPSS the location of the probe's tip was coincident with the CoP measured by the IPSS (IPSS-CoP). Two separate pushes (i.e., data points) were used to develop vectors in each respective coordinate system. Simple vector mathematics determined the rotational and translational components of the transformation matrix needed to express the IPSS-CoP into the local shoe coordinate system. Validation was performed by comparing IPSS-CoP with an embedded force plate measured CoP (FP-CoP) from data gathered during kinematic trials. Six male subjects stood on an embedded FP and performed anterior/posterior (AP) sway, internal rotation, and external rotation of the body relative to a firmly planted foot. The IPSS-CoP was highly correlated with the FP-CoP for all motions, root mean square errors (RMSRRs) were comparable to other research, and there were no statistical differences between the displacement of the IPSS-CoP and FP-CoP for both the AP and medial/lateral (ML) axes, respectively. The results demonstrated that this methodology could be utilized to determine the transformation variables need to express IPSS-CoP into a known coordinate system measured by motion tracking equipment and that these variables can be determined outside the laboratory anywhere motion tracking equipment is available.

Permutation invariant polynomial neural network approach to fitting potential energy surfaces. II. Four-atom systems

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

Li, Jun; Jiang, Bin; Guo, Hua, E-mail: hguo@unm.edu

2013-11-28

A rigorous, general, and simple method to fit global and permutation invariant potential energy surfaces (PESs) using neural networks (NNs) is discussed. This so-called permutation invariant polynomial neural network (PIP-NN) method imposes permutation symmetry by using in its input a set of symmetry functions based on PIPs. For systems with more than three atoms, it is shown that the number of symmetry functions in the input vector needs to be larger than the number of internal coordinates in order to include both the primary and secondary invariant polynomials. This PIP-NN method is successfully demonstrated in three atom-triatomic reactive systems, resultingmore » in full-dimensional global PESs with average errors on the order of meV. These PESs are used in full-dimensional quantum dynamical calculations.« less

VizieR Online Data Catalog: C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) and C/2012 S1 (ISON) maps (Cordiner+, 2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cordiner, M. A.; Remijan, A. J.; Boissier, J.; Milam, S. N.; Mumma, M. J.; Charnley, S. B.; Paganini, L.; Villanueva, G.; Bockelee-Morvan, D.; Kuan, Y.-J.; Chuang, Y.-L.; Lis, D. C.; Biver, N.; Crovisier, J.; Minniti, D.; Coulson, I. M.

2017-04-01

WCS-calibrated fits image files of the molecular flux maps shown in Figure 1 for HCN, HNC and H2CO observed in comets C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) and C/2012 S1 (ISON) using ALMA. The files are labeled with the corresponding comet and molecule names. The files are standard two-dimensional fits images, which can be opened in fits image viewers such as SAOimage DS9, CASA viewer, or Starlink Gaia. GIMP and Adobe Photoshop can also be used, provided the appropriate plugins are present. The images contain flux values (in units of Jansky km/s per beam), as a function of celestial coordinate in the J2000 equatorial system. Due to the cometary motions, the absolute coordinate systems are accurate only at the start of the observations (dates and times are given in Table 1). These images are the result of integrating the (3D) ALMA data cubes over the full widths of the observed spectral lines (equivalent to collapsing the data cubes along their respective spectral/velocity axes). The beam dimensions (BMAJ and BMIN), corresponding to the angular resolution of the images, are given in the image headers in units of degrees. object.dat : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Code Name Elem q e i H1 d AU deg mag -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C/2012 F6 Lemmon 2456375.5 0.7312461 0.9985125 82.607966 7.96 C/2012 S1 Ison 2456624.5 0.0124515 0.9998921 64.401571 6.11 (2 data files).

Unlocking information for coordination of care in Australia: a qualitative study of information continuity in four primary health care models.

PubMed

Banfield, Michelle; Gardner, Karen; McRae, Ian; Gillespie, James; Wells, Robert; Yen, Laurann

2013-03-13

Coordination of care is considered a key component of patient-centered health care systems, but is rarely defined or operationalised in health care policy. Continuity, an aspect of coordination, is the patient's experience of care over time, and is often described in terms of three dimensions: information, relational and management continuity. With the current health policy focus on both the use of information technology and care coordination, this study aimed to 1) explore how information continuity supports coordination and 2) investigate conditions required to support information continuity. Four diverse Australian primary health care initiatives were purposively selected for inclusion in the study. Each has improved coordination as an aim or fundamental principle. Each organization was asked to identify practitioners, managers and decision makers who could provide insight into the use of information for care coordination to participate in the study. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews, we explored four questions covering the scope and use of information, the influence of governance, data ownership and confidentiality and the influence of financial incentives and quality improvement on information continuity and coordination. Data were thematically analyzed using NVivo 8. The overall picture that emerged across all four cases was that whilst accessibility and continuity of information underpin effective care, they are not sufficient for coordination of care for complex conditions. Shared information reduced unnecessary repetition and provided health professionals with the opportunity to access records of care from other providers, but participants described their role in coordination in terms of the active involvement of a person in care rather than the passive availability of information. Complex issues regarding data ownership and confidentiality often hampered information sharing. Successful coordination in each case was associated with responsiveness to local rather than system level factors. The availability of information is not sufficient to ensure continuity for the patient or coordination from the systems perspective. Policy directed at information continuity must give consideration to the broader 'fit' with management and relational continuity and provide a broad base that allows for local responsiveness in order for coordination of care to be achieved.

Improving Kepler Pipeline Sensitivity with Pixel Response Function Photometry.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morris, Robert L.; Bryson, Steve; Jenkins, Jon Michael; Smith, Jeffrey C

2014-06-01

We present the results of our investigation into the feasibility and expected benefits of implementing PRF-fitting photometry in the Kepler Science Processing Pipeline. The Kepler Pixel Response Function (PRF) describes the expected system response to a point source at infinity and includes the effects of the optical point spread function, the CCD detector responsivity function, and spacecraft pointing jitter. Planet detection in the Kepler pipeline is currently based on simple aperture photometry (SAP), which is most effective when applied to uncrowded bright stars. Its effectiveness diminishes rapidly as target brightness decreases relative to the effects of noise sources such as detector electronics, background stars, and image motion. In contrast, PRF photometry is based on fitting an explicit model of image formation to the data and naturally accounts for image motion and contributions of background stars. The key to obtaining high-quality photometry from PRF fitting is a high-quality model of the system's PRF, while the key to efficiently processing the large number of Kepler targets is an accurate catalog and accurate mapping of celestial coordinates onto the focal plane. If the CCD coordinates of stellar centroids are known a priori then the problem of PRF fitting becomes linear. A model of the Kepler PRF was constructed at the time of spacecraft commissioning by fitting piecewise polynomial surfaces to data from dithered full frame images. While this model accurately captured the initial state of the system, the PRF has evolved dynamically since then and has been seen to deviate significantly from the initial (static) model. We construct a dynamic PRF model which is then used to recover photometry for all targets of interest. Both simulation tests and results from Kepler flight data demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. Kepler was selected as the 10th mission of the Discovery Program. Funding for this mission is provided by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.Kepler was selected as the 10th mission of the Discovery Program. Funding for this mission is provided by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.

Right Ventricular Strain, Torsion, and Dyssynchrony in Healthy Subjects using 3D Spiral Cine DENSE Magnetic Resonance Imaging

PubMed Central

Suever, Jonathan D; Wehner, Gregory J; Jing, Linyuan; Powell, David K; Hamlet, Sean M; Grabau, Jonathan D; Mojsejenko, Dimitri; Andres, Kristin N; Haggerty, Christopher M; Fornwalt, Brandon K

2017-01-01

Mechanics of the left ventricle (LV) are important indicators of cardiac function. The role of right ventricular (RV) mechanics is largely unknown due to the technical limitations of imaging its thin wall and complex geometry and motion. By combining 3D Displacement Encoding with Stimulated Echoes (DENSE) with a post-processing pipeline that includes a local coordinate system, it is possible to quantify RV strain, torsion, and synchrony. In this study, we sought to characterize RV mechanics in 50 healthy individuals and compare these values to their LV counterparts. For each cardiac frame, 3D displacements were fit to continuous and differentiable radial basis functions, allowing for the computation of the 3D Cartesian Lagrangian strain tensor at any myocardial point. The geometry of the RV was extracted via a surface fit to manually delineated endocardial contours. Throughout the RV, a local coordinate system was used to transform from a Cartesian strain tensor to a polar strain tensor. It was then possible to compute peak RV torsion as well as peak longitudinal and circumferential strain. A comparable analysis was performed for the LV. Dyssynchrony was computed from the standard deviation of regional activation times. Global circumferential strain was comparable between the RV and LV (−18.0% for both) while longitudinal strain was greater in the RV (−18.1% vs. −15.7%). RV torsion was comparable to LV torsion (6.2 vs. 7.1 degrees, respectively). Regional activation times indicated that the RV contracted later but more synchronously than the LV. 3D spiral cine DENSE combined with a post–processing pipeline that includes a local coordinate system can resolve both the complex geometry and 3D motion of the RV. PMID:28055859

Guide star catalogue data retrieval software 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smirnov, O. M.; Malkov, O. YU.

1992-01-01

The Guide Star Catalog (GSC), being the largest astronomical catalog to date, is widely used by the astronomical community for all sorts of applications, such as statistical studies of certain sky regions, searches for counterparts to observational phenomena, and generation of finder charts. It's format (2 CD-ROM's) requires minimum hardware and is ideally suited for all sorts of conditions, especially observations. Unfortunately, the actual GSC data is not easily accessible. It takes the form of FITS tables, and the coordinates of the objects are given in one coordinate system (equinox 2000). The included reading software is rudimentary at best. Thus, even generation of a simple finder chart is not a trivial undertaking. To solve this problem, at least for PC users, GUIDARES was created. GUIDARES is a user-friendly program that lets you look directly at the data in the GSC, either as a graphical sky map or as a text table. GUIDARES can read a sampling of GSC data from a given sky region, store this sampling in a text file, and display a graphical map of the sampled region in projected celestial coordinates (perfect for finder charts). GUIDARES supports rectangular and circular regions defined by coordinates in the equatorial, ecliptic (any equinox) or galactic systems.

Processing Coordinated Verb Phrases: The Relevance of Lexical-Semantic, Conceptual, and Contextual Information towards Establishing Verbal Parallelism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tutunjian, Damon A.

2010-01-01

This dissertation examines the influence of lexical-semantic representations, conceptual similarity, and contextual fit on the processing of coordinated verb phrases. The study integrates information gleaned from current linguistic theory with current psycholinguistic approaches to examining the processing of coordinated verb phrases. It has…

The good, the bad and the dubious: VHELIBS, a validation helper for ligands and binding sites

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Many Protein Data Bank (PDB) users assume that the deposited structural models are of high quality but forget that these models are derived from the interpretation of experimental data. The accuracy of atom coordinates is not homogeneous between models or throughout the same model. To avoid basing a research project on a flawed model, we present a tool for assessing the quality of ligands and binding sites in crystallographic models from the PDB. Results The Validation HElper for LIgands and Binding Sites (VHELIBS) is software that aims to ease the validation of binding site and ligand coordinates for non-crystallographers (i.e., users with little or no crystallography knowledge). Using a convenient graphical user interface, it allows one to check how ligand and binding site coordinates fit to the electron density map. VHELIBS can use models from either the PDB or the PDB_REDO databank of re-refined and re-built crystallographic models. The user can specify threshold values for a series of properties related to the fit of coordinates to electron density (Real Space R, Real Space Correlation Coefficient and average occupancy are used by default). VHELIBS will automatically classify residues and ligands as Good, Dubious or Bad based on the specified limits. The user is also able to visually check the quality of the fit of residues and ligands to the electron density map and reclassify them if needed. Conclusions VHELIBS allows inexperienced users to examine the binding site and the ligand coordinates in relation to the experimental data. This is an important step to evaluate models for their fitness for drug discovery purposes such as structure-based pharmacophore development and protein-ligand docking experiments. PMID:23895374

Parameter Estimation as a Problem in Statistical Thermodynamics.

PubMed

Earle, Keith A; Schneider, David J

2011-03-14

In this work, we explore the connections between parameter fitting and statistical thermodynamics using the maxent principle of Jaynes as a starting point. In particular, we show how signal averaging may be described by a suitable one particle partition function, modified for the case of a variable number of particles. These modifications lead to an entropy that is extensive in the number of measurements in the average. Systematic error may be interpreted as a departure from ideal gas behavior. In addition, we show how to combine measurements from different experiments in an unbiased way in order to maximize the entropy of simultaneous parameter fitting. We suggest that fit parameters may be interpreted as generalized coordinates and the forces conjugate to them may be derived from the system partition function. From this perspective, the parameter fitting problem may be interpreted as a process where the system (spectrum) does work against internal stresses (non-optimum model parameters) to achieve a state of minimum free energy/maximum entropy. Finally, we show how the distribution function allows us to define a geometry on parameter space, building on previous work[1, 2]. This geometry has implications for error estimation and we outline a program for incorporating these geometrical insights into an automated parameter fitting algorithm.

Models for the Immediate Environment of Ions in Aqueous Solutions of Neodymium Chloride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smirnov, P. R.; Grechin, O. V.

2018-01-01

Radial distribution functions of neodymium chloride aqueous solutions in a wide range of concentrations under ambient conditions are calculated from experimental data obtained earlier via X-ray diffraction analysis. Different models of the structural organization of the system are developed. The optimum versions are determined by calculating theoretical functions for each model and comparing their fit to the experimental functions. Such quantitative characteristics of the immediate environment of Nd3+ and Cl- ions as coordination numbers, interparticle distances, and varieties of ion pairs are determined. It is shown that the average number of water molecules in the first coordination sphere of the cation falls from 9 to 6.2 as the concentration rises. The structure of the systems over the whole range of concentrations is determined by ion associates of the noncontact type.

Spinoff 2011

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2012-01-01

Topics include: Bioreactors Drive Advances in Tissue Engineering; Tooling Techniques Enhance Medical Imaging; Ventilator Technologies Sustain Critically Injured Patients; Protein Innovations Advance Drug Treatments, Skin Care; Mass Analyzers Facilitate Research on Addiction; Frameworks Coordinate Scientific Data Management; Cameras Improve Navigation for Pilots, Drivers; Integrated Design Tools Reduce Risk, Cost; Advisory Systems Save Time, Fuel for Airlines; Modeling Programs Increase Aircraft Design Safety; Fly-by-Wire Systems Enable Safer, More Efficient Flight; Modified Fittings Enhance Industrial Safety; Simulation Tools Model Icing for Aircraft Design; Information Systems Coordinate Emergency Management; Imaging Systems Provide Maps for U.S. Soldiers; High-Pressure Systems Suppress Fires in Seconds; Alloy-Enhanced Fans Maintain Fresh Air in Tunnels; Control Algorithms Charge Batteries Faster; Software Programs Derive Measurements from Photographs; Retrofits Convert Gas Vehicles into Hybrids; NASA Missions Inspire Online Video Games; Monitors Track Vital Signs for Fitness and Safety; Thermal Components Boost Performance of HVAC Systems; World Wind Tools Reveal Environmental Change; Analyzers Measure Greenhouse Gasses, Airborne Pollutants; Remediation Technologies Eliminate Contaminants; Receivers Gather Data for Climate, Weather Prediction; Coating Processes Boost Performance of Solar Cells; Analyzers Provide Water Security in Space and on Earth; Catalyst Substrates Remove Contaminants, Produce Fuel; Rocket Engine Innovations Advance Clean Energy; Technologies Render Views of Earth for Virtual Navigation; Content Platforms Meet Data Storage, Retrieval Needs; Tools Ensure Reliability of Critical Software; Electronic Handbooks Simplify Process Management; Software Innovations Speed Scientific Computing; Controller Chips Preserve Microprocessor Function; Nanotube Production Devices Expand Research Capabilities; Custom Machines Advance Composite Manufacturing; Polyimide Foams Offer Superior Insulation; Beam Steering Devices Reduce Payload Weight; Models Support Energy-Saving Microwave Technologies; Materials Advance Chemical Propulsion Technology; and High-Temperature Coatings Offer Energy Savings.

An implicit solution of the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations for an airfoil spanning a wind tunnel. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moitra, A.

1982-01-01

An implicit finite-difference algorithm is developed for the numerical solution of the incompressible three dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in the non-conservative primitive-variable formulation. The flow field about an airfoil spanning a wind-tunnel is computed. The coordinate system is generated by an extension of the two dimensional body-fitted coordinate generation techniques of Thompson, as well as that of Sorenson, into three dimensions. Two dimensional grids are stacked along a spanwise coordinate defined by a simple analytical function. A Poisson pressure equation for advancing the pressure in time is arrived at by performing a divergence operation on the momentum equations. The pressure at each time-step is calculated on the assumption that continuity be unconditionally satisfied. An eddy viscosity coefficient, computed according to the algebraic turbulence formulation of Baldwin and Lomax, simulates the effects of turbulence.

Supercritical flow past a symmetrical bicircular arc airfoil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holt, Maurice; Yew, Khoy Chuah

1989-01-01

A numerical scheme is developed for computing steady supercritical flow about symmetrical airfoils, applying it to an ellipse for zero angle of attack. An algorithmic description of this new scheme is presented. Application to a symmetrical bicircular arc airfoil is also proposed. The flow field before the shock is region 1. For transonic flow, singularity can be avoided by integrating the resulting ordinary differential equations away from the body. Region 2 contains the shock which will be located by shock fitting techniques. The shock divides region 2 into supersonic and subsonic regions and there is no singularity problem in this case. The Method of Lines is used in this region and it is advantageous to integrate the resulting ordinary differential equation along the body for shock fitting. Coaxial coordinates have to be used for the bicircular arc airfoil so that boundary values on the airfoil body can be taken with one direction of the coaxial coordinates fixed. To avoid taking boundary values at + or - infinity in the coaxial co-ordinary system, approximate analytical representation of the flow field near the tips of the airfoil is proposed.

Evolutionary search for new high-k dielectric materials: methodology and applications to hafnia-based oxides.

PubMed

Zeng, Qingfeng; Oganov, Artem R; Lyakhov, Andriy O; Xie, Congwei; Zhang, Xiaodong; Zhang, Jin; Zhu, Qiang; Wei, Bingqing; Grigorenko, Ilya; Zhang, Litong; Cheng, Laifei

2014-02-01

High-k dielectric materials are important as gate oxides in microelectronics and as potential dielectrics for capacitors. In order to enable computational discovery of novel high-k dielectric materials, we propose a fitness model (energy storage density) that includes the dielectric constant, bandgap, and intrinsic breakdown field. This model, used as a fitness function in conjunction with first-principles calculations and the global optimization evolutionary algorithm USPEX, efficiently leads to practically important results. We found a number of high-fitness structures of SiO2 and HfO2, some of which correspond to known phases and some of which are new. The results allow us to propose characteristics (genes) common to high-fitness structures--these are the coordination polyhedra and their degree of distortion. Our variable-composition searches in the HfO2-SiO2 system uncovered several high-fitness states. This hybrid algorithm opens up a new avenue for discovering novel high-k dielectrics with both fixed and variable compositions, and will speed up the process of materials discovery.

Optical Testing Using Portable Laser Coordinate Measuring Instruments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khreishi, Manal; Ohl, Raymond G.; Mclean, Kyle F.; Hadjimichael, Theodore J.; Hayden, Joseph E.

2017-01-01

High precision, portable coordinate measuring instruments (CMI) such as laser radars (LR) and laser trackers (LT) have been used for optical system alignment and integration. The LR's ability to perform a non-contact scan of surfaces was previously utilized to characterize large spherical and aspheric mirrors. In this paper, we explore the use of a CMI as an accurate, fast, robust, and non-contact tool for prescription characterization of powered optical surfaces. Using Nikon's MV-224/350 LR and Leica's Absolute Tracker AT401/402 instruments, proof of concept measurements were performed to characterize a variety of optical components by measuring the actual and apparent, or equivalently the "direct and through" (D&T), coordinates of calibrated metrology targets. Custom macros in metrology software and other data reduction code were developed to compute surface-ray intercepts and surface slopes from the D&T shots. The calculated data is fit to an aspheric surface formula to obtain the optimum prescription. The results were compared to the nominal parameters and were crosschecked using LR scans or other approaches. We discuss potential applications across the fields of optical component fabrication and system alignment and testing.

Optical Testing Using Portable Laser Coordinate Measuring Instruments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khreishi, M.; Ohl, R.; Mclean, K.; Hadjimichael, T.; Hayden, J.

2017-01-01

High precision, portable coordinate measuring instruments (CMI) such as laser radars (LR) and laser trackers (LT) have been used for optical system alignment and integration. The LRs ability to perform a non-contact scan of surfaces was previously utilized to characterize large spherical and aspheric mirrors. In this paper, we explore the use of a CMI as an accurate, fast, robust, and non-contact tool for prescription characterization of powered optical surfaces. Using Nikons MV-224350 LR and Leicas Absolute Tracker AT401402 instruments, proof of concept measurements were performed to characterize a variety of optical components by measuring the actual and apparent, or equivalently the direct and through (DT), coordinates of calibrated metrology targets. Custom macros in metrology software and other data reduction code were developed to compute surface-ray intercepts and surface slopes from the DT shots. The calculated data is fit to an aspheric surface formula to obtain the optimum prescription. The results were compared to the nominal parameters and were crosschecked using LR scans or other approaches. We discuss potential applications across the fields of optical component fabrication and system alignment and testing.

Evolving Multi Rover Systems in Dynamic and Noisy Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tumer, Kagan; Agogino, Adrian

2005-01-01

In this chapter, we address how to evolve control strategies for a collective: a set of entities that collectively strives to maximize a global evaluation function that rates the performance of the full system. Addressing such problems by directly applying a global evolutionary algorithm to a population of collectives is unworkable because the search space is prohibitively large. Instead, we focus on evolving control policies for each member of the collective, where each member is trying to maximize the fitness of its own population. The main difficulty with this approach is creating fitness evaluation functions for the members of the collective that induce the collective to achieve high performance with respect to the system level goal. To overcome this difficulty, we derive member evaluation functions that are both aligned with the global evaluation function (ensuring that members trying to achieve high fitness results in a collective with high fitness) and sensitive to the fitness of each member (a member's fitness depends more on its own actions than on actions of other members). In a difficult rover coordination problem in dynamic and noisy environments, we show how to construct evaluation functions that lead to good collective behavior. The control policy evolved using aligned and member-sensitive evaluations outperforms global evaluation methods by up to a factor of four. in addition we show that the collective continues to perform well in the presence of high noise levels and when the environment is highly dynamic. More notably, in the presence of a larger number of rovers or rovers with noisy sensors, the improvements due to the proposed method become significantly more pronounced.

Optimal coordinated voltage control in active distribution networks using backtracking search algorithm

PubMed Central

Tengku Hashim, Tengku Juhana; Mohamed, Azah

2017-01-01

The growing interest in distributed generation (DG) in recent years has led to a number of generators connected to a distribution system. The integration of DGs in a distribution system has resulted in a network known as active distribution network due to the existence of bidirectional power flow in the system. Voltage rise issue is one of the predominantly important technical issues to be addressed when DGs exist in an active distribution network. This paper presents the application of the backtracking search algorithm (BSA), which is relatively new optimisation technique to determine the optimal settings of coordinated voltage control in a distribution system. The coordinated voltage control considers power factor, on-load tap-changer and generation curtailment control to manage voltage rise issue. A multi-objective function is formulated to minimise total losses and voltage deviation in a distribution system. The proposed BSA is compared with that of particle swarm optimisation (PSO) so as to evaluate its effectiveness in determining the optimal settings of power factor, tap-changer and percentage active power generation to be curtailed. The load flow algorithm from MATPOWER is integrated in the MATLAB environment to solve the multi-objective optimisation problem. Both the BSA and PSO optimisation techniques have been tested on a radial 13-bus distribution system and the results show that the BSA performs better than PSO by providing better fitness value and convergence rate. PMID:28991919

Optimal coordinated voltage control in active distribution networks using backtracking search algorithm.

PubMed

Tengku Hashim, Tengku Juhana; Mohamed, Azah

2017-01-01

The growing interest in distributed generation (DG) in recent years has led to a number of generators connected to a distribution system. The integration of DGs in a distribution system has resulted in a network known as active distribution network due to the existence of bidirectional power flow in the system. Voltage rise issue is one of the predominantly important technical issues to be addressed when DGs exist in an active distribution network. This paper presents the application of the backtracking search algorithm (BSA), which is relatively new optimisation technique to determine the optimal settings of coordinated voltage control in a distribution system. The coordinated voltage control considers power factor, on-load tap-changer and generation curtailment control to manage voltage rise issue. A multi-objective function is formulated to minimise total losses and voltage deviation in a distribution system. The proposed BSA is compared with that of particle swarm optimisation (PSO) so as to evaluate its effectiveness in determining the optimal settings of power factor, tap-changer and percentage active power generation to be curtailed. The load flow algorithm from MATPOWER is integrated in the MATLAB environment to solve the multi-objective optimisation problem. Both the BSA and PSO optimisation techniques have been tested on a radial 13-bus distribution system and the results show that the BSA performs better than PSO by providing better fitness value and convergence rate.

A Hybrid Neuromechanical Ambulatory Assist System

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

during swing on an uneven terrain. The exoskeleton is designed for easy fitting with adjustable uprights and hip abduction for donning for use in...activities of daily living for persons with paraplegia. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Exoskeleton , hydraulic, spinal cord injury, walking 16. SECURITY...15 Design of Exoskeleton ………………………………………………………………………………17 Task 3 Implement control system to coordinate electrical stimulation with exoskeleton in

On the Move with the Waukesha Walkers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gissal, Mary L.; Ray, Robert O.

1981-01-01

As part of a research study, a fitness trail was designed for older adults to increase their physical fitness and cardiovascular health. Exercise stations placed at quarter-mile intervals introduced exercises effective in improving flexibility, muscular strength, endurance, balance, and coordination. (JN)

Participation in Physical Activity, Fitness, and Risk for Obesity in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Cross-cultural Study.

PubMed

Cermak, S A; Katz, N; Weintraub, N; Steinhart, S; Raz-Silbiger, S; Munoz, M; Lifshitz, N

2015-12-01

Decreased physical activity has been linked to poor fitness and obesity, resulting in increased risk for health concerns. The objective is to study the relationships between children's motor coordination and their physical activity, sedentary behaviour, fitness and weight status in a cross-cultural study in the United States and Israel. Participants included 118 children 6-11 years of age: 53 children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and 65 typical children. The US sample included 31 DCD children and 44 typical children. The Israeli sample included 22 DCD children and 21 typical children. Participants were assessed on Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2, strength test of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency 2 and Six-minute Walk Test and wore an accelerometer. Parents completed physical activity questionnaires and demographic information. Body mass index was calculated based on height and weight. Testing took place in two sessions. Findings are that in both Israel and the United States, children with DCD demonstrated significantly reduced physical activity, increased sedentary behaviour, poorer fitness and increased overweight compared with typical children. No significant differences were found for country. With relevance to clinical practice, fitness and obesity are major concerns for children with DCD in both countries. Inclusion of occupational therapy in health promotion for this population is critical. Additional studies with testers blind to group, larger samples and other countries are recommended. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Development of a Superconducting Six-Axis Accelerometer

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-01

COW tH + R"( rkw rRk . (2.35) Recognizing that the components of the Levi - Civita tensor must remain the same in all Cartesian coordinate systems, this...Dynamics of a Rigid Body in a RuLating Accelerated Reference Frame ........ .................................. 10 2.2.3 Accelerometer Equations of Motion...in the Type-I region where currents are more stable. All the parts fit inside a 10.16 cm titanium cube. Two problems were encountered with this

Finite difference solutions of heat conduction problems in multi-layered bodies with complex geometries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Masiulaniec, K. C.; Keith, T. G., Jr.; Dewitt, K. J.

1984-01-01

A numerical procedure is presented for analyzing a wide variety of heat conduction problems in multilayered bodies having complex geometry. The method is based on a finite difference solution of the heat conduction equation using a body fitted coordinate system transformation. Solution techniques are described for steady and transient problems with and without internal energy generation. Results are found to compare favorably with several well known solutions.

Capturing Revolute Motion and Revolute Joint Parameters with Optical Tracking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonya, C.

2017-12-01

Optical tracking of users and various technical systems are becoming more and more popular. It consists of analysing sequence of recorded images using video capturing devices and image processing algorithms. The returned data contains mainly point-clouds, coordinates of markers or coordinates of point of interest. These data can be used for retrieving information related to the geometry of the objects, but also to extract parameters for the analytical model of the system useful in a variety of computer aided engineering simulations. The parameter identification of joints deals with extraction of physical parameters (mainly geometric parameters) for the purpose of constructing accurate kinematic and dynamic models. The input data are the time-series of the marker’s position. The least square method was used for fitting the data into different geometrical shapes (ellipse, circle, plane) and for obtaining the position and orientation of revolute joins.

Facilitators and Barriers of Implementing a Measurement Feedback System in Public Youth Mental Health.

PubMed

Kotte, Amelia; Hill, Kaitlin A; Mah, Albert C; Korathu-Larson, Priya A; Au, Janelle R; Izmirian, Sonia; Keir, Scott S; Nakamura, Brad J; Higa-McMillan, Charmaine K

2016-11-01

This study examines implementation facilitators and barriers of a statewide roll-out of a measurement feedback system (MFS) in a youth public mental health system. 76 % of all state care coordinators (N = 47) completed interviews, which were coded via content analysis until saturation. Facilitators (e.g., recognition of the MFS's clinical utility) and barriers (e.g., MFS's reliability and validity) emerged paralleling the Exploration, Adoption/Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment framework outlined by Aarons et al. (Adm Policy Mental Health Mental Health Serv Res, 38:4-23, 2011). Sustainment efforts may leverage innovation fit, individual adopter, and system related facilitators.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: QSOs narrow absorption line variability (Hacker+, 2013)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hacker, T. L.; Brunner, R. J.; Lundgren, B. F.; York, D. G.

2013-06-01

Catalogues of 2,522 QAL systems and 33 variable NAL systems detected in SDSS DR7 quasars with repeat observations. The object identifiers, position coordinates, and plate-MJD-fibre designations are taken from the SpecObjAll table in the SDSS Catalogue Archive Server (CAS) while the quasar redshifts (zqso) are from Hewett & Wild (2010, Cat. J/MNRAS/405/2302). The absorption system redshift (zabs), system grade, and detected lines are outputs of the York et al. (2013, in. prep.) QAL detection pipeline. Some absorption lines are flagged based on alternate identifications (a), proximity of masked pixels (b), or questionable continuum fits (c). (3 data files).

Implementation cost analysis of a community-based exercise program for seniors in South Florida.

PubMed

Page, Timothy F; Batra, Anamica; Ghouse, Muddasir M; Palmer, Richard C

2014-07-01

The objective of the study was to measure the costs of implementing the EnhanceFitness program to elderly residents of South Florida. The Health Foundation of South Florida's Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative implemented EnhanceFitness as part of their initiative to make evidence-based healthy aging programs available to South Florida seniors. Cost data were collected from agencies participating in the delivery of EnhanceFitness classes in South Florida. Cost questionnaires were e-mailed to program coordinators from agencies participating in the delivery of EnhanceFitness classes. Program coordinators worked with accounting staff to complete the questionnaires. Questionnaires were returned via e-mail. Costs were presented from the perspective of participating agencies. Total costs were divided by the number of classes being offered by each agency to determine cost per class per month. Average monthly costs per class were $1,713 during the first year of implementation and $873 during the second year of implementation. The cost measurements, combined with information from the literature on cost savings attributable to EnhanceFitness participation, suggest that EnhanceFitness has the potential to generate a net societal cost savings among program participants. The results are useful for community agencies considering implementing EnhanceFitness for their populations. © 2014 Society for Public Health Education.

Brain segmentation and the generation of cortical surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Joshi, M.; Cui, J.; Doolittle, K.; Joshi, S.; Van Essen, D.; Wang, L.; Miller, M. I.

1999-01-01

This paper describes methods for white matter segmentation in brain images and the generation of cortical surfaces from the segmentations. We have developed a system that allows a user to start with a brain volume, obtained by modalities such as MRI or cryosection, and constructs a complete digital representation of the cortical surface. The methodology consists of three basic components: local parametric modeling and Bayesian segmentation; surface generation and local quadratic coordinate fitting; and surface editing. Segmentations are computed by parametrically fitting known density functions to the histogram of the image using the expectation maximization algorithm [DLR77]. The parametric fits are obtained locally rather than globally over the whole volume to overcome local variations in gray levels. To represent the boundary of the gray and white matter we use triangulated meshes generated using isosurface generation algorithms [GH95]. A complete system of local parametric quadratic charts [JWM+95] is superimposed on the triangulated graph to facilitate smoothing and geodesic curve tracking. Algorithms for surface editing include extraction of the largest closed surface. Results for several macaque brains are presented comparing automated and hand surface generation. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Direct Mask Overlay Inspection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsia, Liang-Choo; Su, Lo-Soun

1983-11-01

In this paper, we present a mask inspection methodology and procedure that involves direct X-Y measurements. A group of dice is selected for overlay measurement; four measurement targets were laid out in the kerf of each die. The measured coordinates are then fit-ted to either a "historical" grid, which reflects the individual tool bias, or to an ideal grid squares fashion. Measurements are done using a Nikon X-Y laser interferometric measurement system, which provides a reference grid. The stability of the measurement system is essential. We then apply appropriate statistics to the residual after the fit to determine the overlay performance. Statistical methods play an important role in the product disposition. The acceptance criterion is, however, a compromise between the cost for mask making and the final device yield. In order to satisfy the demand on mask houses for quality of masks and high volume, mixing lithographic tools in mask making has become more popular, in particular, mixing optical and E-beam tools. In this paper, we also discuss the inspection procedure for mixing different lithographic tools.

A Women-Only Comparison of the U.S. Air Force Fitness Test and the Marine Combat Fitness Test

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

Air Force established the Fitness Assessment Cell to conduct fitness assessments for all Air Force members and to encourage standardization in...objective. “The MCFT was specifically designed to evaluate strength, stamina , agility and coordination as well as overall anaerobic capacity” (Department...1308.1, “Service members must possess stamina and strength to perform, successfully, any mission,” and that “…each service develops a quality 78

Motor coordination problems and psychological distress in young adults: A test of the Environmental Stress Hypothesis.

PubMed

Li, Yao-Chuen; Kwan, Matthew Y W; Cairney, John

2018-06-04

The Environmental Stress Hypothesis (ESH) has been used to examine how the relationship between poor motor coordination and psychological distress is affected by physical health and psychosocial factors. However, work applying the ESH is still limited, and no studies have used this framework with adults. The current investigation aims to examine the association between motor coordination and psychological distress among emerging adults, and examine potential mediators to this relationship based on the ESH. 225 young adults aged 17-23 years completed a survey of motor coordination, physical activity, secondary stressors (i.e., general stress and global relationships), perceived social support, self-concept, and psychological distress. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine mediating pathways and overall model fit. The final model of the ESH showed good model fit (x 2  = 83.24, p < .01; RMSEA=0.056; NNFI = 0.927; CFI = 0.954; GFI = 0.947), and indicated that the relationship between poor motor coordination and psychological distress was mediated by secondary stressors, perceived social support, and self-concept. This study highlights the effect of poor motor coordination on psychological distress in young adults, and suggests that interventions should target psychosocial well-being, in addition to motor coordination, to prevent psychological distress. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An anatomically oriented breast model for MRI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kutra, Dominik; Bergtholdt, Martin; Sabczynski, Jörg; Dössel, Olaf; Buelow, Thomas

2015-03-01

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the western world. In the breast cancer care-cycle, MRIis e.g. employed in lesion characterization and therapy assessment. Reading of a single three dimensional image or comparing a multitude of such images in a time series is a time consuming task. Radiological reporting is done manually by translating the spatial position of a finding in an image to a generic representation in the form of a breast diagram, outlining quadrants or clock positions. Currently, registration algorithms are employed to aid with the reading and interpretation of longitudinal studies by providing positional correspondence. To aid with the reporting of findings, knowledge about the breast anatomy has to be introduced to translate from patient specific positions to a generic representation. In our approach we fit a geometric primitive, the semi-super-ellipsoid to patient data. Anatomical knowledge is incorporated by fixing the tip of the super-ellipsoid to the mammilla position and constraining its center-point to a reference plane defined by landmarks on the sternum. A coordinate system is then constructed by linearly scaling the fitted super-ellipsoid, defining a unique set of parameters to each point in the image volume. By fitting such a coordinate system to a different image of the same patient, positional correspondence can be generated. We have validated our method on eight pairs of baseline and follow-up scans (16 breasts) that were acquired for the assessment of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. On average, the location predicted and the actual location of manually set landmarks are within a distance of 5.6 mm. Our proposed method allows for automatic reporting simply by uniformly dividing the super-ellipsoid around its main axis.

Adaptation of multijoint coordination during standing balance in healthy young and healthy old individuals

PubMed Central

Pasma, J. H.; Schouten, A. C.; Aarts, R. G. K. M.; Meskers, C. G. M.; Maier, A. B.; van der Kooij, H.

2015-01-01

Standing balance requires multijoint coordination between the ankles and hips. We investigated how humans adapt their multijoint coordination to adjust to various conditions and whether the adaptation differed between healthy young participants and healthy elderly. Balance was disturbed by push/pull rods, applying two continuous and independent force disturbances at the level of the hip and between the shoulder blades. In addition, external force fields were applied, represented by an external stiffness at the hip, either stabilizing or destabilizing the participants' balance. Multivariate closed-loop system-identification techniques were used to describe the neuromuscular control mechanisms by quantifying the corrective joint torques as a response to body sway, represented by frequency response functions (FRFs). Model fits on the FRFs resulted in an estimation of time delays, intrinsic stiffness, reflexive stiffness, and reflexive damping of both the ankle and hip joint. The elderly generated similar corrective joint torques but had reduced body sway compared with the young participants, corresponding to the increased FRF magnitude with age. When a stabilizing or destabilizing external force field was applied at the hip, both young and elderly participants adapted their multijoint coordination by lowering or respectively increasing their neuromuscular control actions around the ankles, expressed in a change of FRF magnitude. However, the elderly adapted less compared with the young participants. Model fits on the FRFs showed that elderly had higher intrinsic and reflexive stiffness of the ankle, together with higher time delays of the hip. Furthermore, the elderly adapted their reflexive stiffness around the ankle joint less compared with young participants. These results imply that elderly were stiffer and were less able to adapt to external force fields. PMID:26719084

Multistep modeling of protein structure: application towards refinement of tyr-tRNA synthetase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Srinivasan, S.; Shibata, M.; Roychoudhury, M.; Rein, R.

1987-01-01

The scope of multistep modeling (MSM) is expanding by adding a least-squares minimization step in the procedure to fit backbone reconstruction consistent with a set of C-alpha coordinates. The analytical solution of Phi and Psi angles, that fits a C-alpha x-ray coordinate is used for tyr-tRNA synthetase. Phi and Psi angles for the region where the above mentioned method fails, are obtained by minimizing the difference in C-alpha distances between the computed model and the crystal structure in a least-squares sense. We present a stepwise application of this part of MSM to the determination of the complete backbone geometry of the 321 N terminal residues of tyrosine tRNA synthetase to a root mean square deviation of 0.47 angstroms from the crystallographic C-alpha coordinates.

Evaluating a hybrid three-dimensional metrology system: merging data from optical and touch probe devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerde, Janice R.; Christens-Barry, William A.

2011-08-01

In a project to meet requirements for CBP Laboratory analysis of footwear under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), a hybrid metrology system comprising both optical and touch probe devices has been assembled. A unique requirement must be met: To identify the interface-typically obscured in samples of concern-of the "external surface area upper" (ESAU) and the sole without physically destroying the sample. The sample outer surface is determined by discrete point cloud coordinates obtained using laser scanner optical measurements. Measurements from the optically inaccessible insole region are obtained using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). That surface similarly is defined by point cloud data. Mathematically, the individual CMM and scanner data sets are transformed into a single, common reference frame. Custom software then fits a polynomial surface to the insole data and extends it to intersect the mesh fitted to the outer surface point cloud. This line of intersection defines the required ESAU boundary, thus permitting further fractional area calculations to determine the percentage of materials present. With a draft method in place, and first-level method validation underway, we examine the transformation of the two dissimilar data sets into the single, common reference frame. We also will consider the six previously-identified potential error factors versus the method process. This paper reports our on-going work and discusses our findings to date.

Review of Motor Development, Perceptual-Motor and Physical Fitness Testing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bundschuh, Ernest; And Others

Tests of motor development, perceptual-motor coordination, and physical fitness, for the retarded and non-retarded, are reviewed regarding their usage and administration. The tests reviewed are the: Denver Developmental Screening Test, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Dayton Sensory Motor Awareness Survey, Minnetonka Physical Performance…

Flexible binding simulation by a novel and improved version of virtual-system coupled adaptive umbrella sampling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dasgupta, Bhaskar; Nakamura, Haruki; Higo, Junichi

2016-10-01

Virtual-system coupled adaptive umbrella sampling (VAUS) enhances sampling along a reaction coordinate by using a virtual degree of freedom. However, VAUS and regular adaptive umbrella sampling (AUS) methods are yet computationally expensive. To decrease the computational burden further, improvements of VAUS for all-atom explicit solvent simulation are presented here. The improvements include probability distribution calculation by a Markov approximation; parameterization of biasing forces by iterative polynomial fitting; and force scaling. These when applied to study Ala-pentapeptide dimerization in explicit solvent showed advantage over regular AUS. By using improved VAUS larger biological systems are amenable.

Regularity estimates up to the boundary for elliptic systems of difference equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strikwerda, J. C.; Wade, B. A.; Bube, K. P.

1986-01-01

Regularity estimates up to the boundary for solutions of elliptic systems of finite difference equations were proved. The regularity estimates, obtained for boundary fitted coordinate systems on domains with smooth boundary, involve discrete Sobolev norms and are proved using pseudo-difference operators to treat systems with variable coefficients. The elliptic systems of difference equations and the boundary conditions which are considered are very general in form. The regularity of a regular elliptic system of difference equations was proved equivalent to the nonexistence of eigensolutions. The regularity estimates obtained are analogous to those in the theory of elliptic systems of partial differential equations, and to the results of Gustafsson, Kreiss, and Sundstrom (1972) and others for hyperbolic difference equations.

[Fitting of the reconstructed craniofacial hard and soft tissues based on 2-D digital radiographs].

PubMed

Feng, Yao-Pu; Qiao, Min; Zhou, Hong; Zhang, Yan-Ning; Si, Xin-Qin

2017-02-01

In this study, we reconstructed the craniofacial hard and soft tissues based on the data from digital cephalometric radiographs and laser scanning. The effective fitting of the craniofacial hard and soft tissues was performed in order to increase the level of orthognathic diagnosis and treatment, and promote the communication between doctors and patients. A small lead point was put on the face of a volunteer and frontal and lateral digital cephalometric radiographs were taken. 3-D reconstruction system of the craniofacial hard tissue based on 2-D digital radiograph was used to get the craniofacial hard tissue model by means of hard tissue deformation modeling. 3-D model of facial soft tissue was obtained by using laser scanning data. By matching the lead point coordinate, the hard tissue and soft tissue were fitted. The 3-D model of the craniofacial hard and soft tissues was rebuilt reflecting the real craniofacial tissue structure, and effective fitting of the craniofacial hard and soft tissues was realized. The effective reconstruction and fitting of the 3-D craniofacial structures have been realized, which lays a foundation for further orthognathic simulation and facial appearance prediction. The fitting result is reliable, and could be used in clinical practice.

Fitness trade-offs of group formation and movement by Thomson's gazelles in the Serengeti ecosystem.

PubMed

Fryxell, John M; Berdahl, Andrew M

2018-05-19

Collective behaviours contributing to patterns of group formation and coordinated movement are common across many ecosystems and taxa. Their ubiquity is presumably due to altering interactions between individuals and their predators, resources and physical environment in ways that enhance individual fitness. On the other hand, fitness costs are also often associated with group formation. Modifications to these interactions have the potential to dramatically impact population-level processes, such as trophic interactions or patterns of space use in relation to abiotic environmental variation. In a wide variety of empirical systems and models, collective behaviour has been shown to enhance access to ephemeral patches of resources, reduce the risk of predation and reduce vulnerability to environmental fluctuation. Evolution of collective behaviour should accordingly depend on the advantages of collective behaviour weighed against the costs experienced at the individual level. As an illustrative case study, we consider the potential trade-offs on Malthusian fitness associated with patterns of group formation and movement by migratory Thomson's gazelles in the Serengeti ecosystem.This article is part of the theme issue 'Collective movement ecology'. © 2018 The Authors.

Angles-centroids fitting calibration and the centroid algorithm applied to reverse Hartmann test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Zhu; Hui, Mei; Xia, Zhengzheng; Dong, Liquan; Liu, Ming; Liu, Xiaohua; Kong, Lingqin; Zhao, Yuejin

2017-02-01

In this paper, we develop an angles-centroids fitting (ACF) system and the centroid algorithm to calibrate the reverse Hartmann test (RHT) with sufficient precision. The essence of ACF calibration is to establish the relationship between ray angles and detector coordinates. Centroids computation is used to find correspondences between the rays of datum marks and detector pixels. Here, the point spread function of RHT is classified as circle of confusion (CoC), and the fitting of a CoC spot with 2D Gaussian profile to identify the centroid forms the basis of the centroid algorithm. Theoretical and experimental results of centroids computation demonstrate that the Gaussian fitting method has a less centroid shift or the shift grows at a slower pace when the quality of the image is reduced. In ACF tests, the optical instrumental alignments reach an overall accuracy of 0.1 pixel with the application of laser spot centroids tracking program. Locating the crystal at different positions, the feasibility and accuracy of ACF calibration are further validated to 10-6-10-4 rad root-mean-square error of the calibrations differences.

The vision guidance and image processing of AGV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Tongqing; Jiao, Bin

2017-08-01

Firstly, the principle of AGV vision guidance is introduced and the deviation and deflection angle are measured by image coordinate system. The visual guidance image processing platform is introduced. In view of the fact that the AGV guidance image contains more noise, the image has already been smoothed by a statistical sorting. By using AGV sampling way to obtain image guidance, because the image has the best and different threshold segmentation points. In view of this situation, the method of two-dimensional maximum entropy image segmentation is used to solve the problem. We extract the foreground image in the target band by calculating the contour area method and obtain the centre line with the least square fitting algorithm. With the help of image and physical coordinates, we can obtain the guidance information.

FRMAC Operations Manual

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

Frandsen, K.

In the event of a major radiological incident, the Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC) will coordinate the federal agencies that have various statutory responsibilities. The FRMAC is responsible for coordinating all environmental radiological monitoring, sampling, and assessment activities for the response. This manual describes the FRMAC’s response activities in a radiological incident. It also outlines how FRMAC fits in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) under the National Response Framework (NRF) and describes the federal assets and subsequent operational activities which provide federal radiological monitoring and assessment of the affected areas. In the event of a potential ormore » existing major radiological incident, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office (NNSA/NSO) is responsible for establishing and managing the FRMAC during the initial phases.« less

Integrating the hospital information system (HIS) into the Austrian electronic health record ("ELGA") using the example of the health care facility "Breitenstein".

PubMed

Bonstingl, Martina

2014-01-01

The health care facility "Breitenstein" makes use of a hospital information system to coordinate clinical processes and document medical health data. So as to comply with novel Austrian legislation and fit the "ELGA" architecture, the system has to be adapted. This paper is based on a literature research and gives answers to technical and legal aspects of "ELGA". The introduction of an IHE connector and a CDA manager are the main changes to the current hospital information system. The implementation of interfaces that allow an integration of further "ELGA" features possible are the next step of the project.

A method for cone fitting based on certain sampling strategy in CMM metrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Li; Guo, Chaopeng

2018-04-01

A method of cone fitting in engineering is explored and implemented to overcome shortcomings of current fitting method. In the current method, the calculations of the initial geometric parameters are imprecise which cause poor accuracy in surface fitting. A geometric distance function of cone is constructed firstly, then certain sampling strategy is defined to calculate the initial geometric parameters, afterwards nonlinear least-squares method is used to fit the surface. The experiment is designed to verify accuracy of the method. The experiment data prove that the proposed method can get initial geometric parameters simply and efficiently, also fit the surface precisely, and provide a new accurate way to cone fitting in the coordinate measurement.

Effect of Low-Impact Aerobic Dance on the Functional Fitness of Elderly Women.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hopkins, David R.; And Others

1990-01-01

Examined effect of low-impact aerobic dance on 53 sedentary older women. After 12 weeks of dance, subjects improved significantly on all functional fitness components except motor control/coordination, including cardiorespiratory endurance, strength/endurance, body agility, flexibility, body fat, and balance. (Author/NB)

Student Service Learning and Student Activities--A Perfect Fit.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Craig, Deborah

1990-01-01

The coordination and purpose of a student service learning program fits appropriately within the mission of a student activities center. Some national associations that focus on community volunteerism are identified and the volunteer program at East Tennessee State University is described. Volunteer experiences included campus blood drive,…

Sense of rhythm does not differentiate professional hurdlers from non-athletes.

PubMed

Skowronek, Tomasz; Słomka, Kajetan; Juras, Grzegorz; Szade, Bartlomiej

2013-08-01

The importance of rhythm and specific endurance capabilities were examined in the technical skill and performance of hurdle runners. Additionally, interaction effects among rhythm, anaerobic fitness, and body constitution were analyzed. Seven 18-year-old members of the Polish Junior National Team in 110 m hurdles and 8 age-matched controls who were non-athletes participated. Movement coordination tests (rhythm and differentiation tests) and an anaerobic fitness test were performed. There were no statistically significant differences between the athletes and the control group on the coordination or rhythm test variables. No support was found for the hypothesis that a hurdler's timing ability influences performance.

Ship Response Capability Models for Counter-Piracy Patrols in the Gulf of Aden

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

exhibit one of six possible readiness states that can fit into one of four categories 8: (a) All helicopters at high alert level ( HHH ) (b) Two...Coordinated 30 min Uncoordinated 30 min Coordinated Figure 16: Effect of helicopter readiness on response capabilities. configurations HHH , HHL and HLH

Left Ventricular Structure and Function in Children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chirico, Daniele; O'Leary, Deborah; Cairney, John; Klentrou, Panagiota; Haluka, Karen; Hay, John; Faught, Brent

2011-01-01

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease risk factors such as obesity and reduced cardio-respiratory fitness. However, there is limited data using laboratory measures for assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with DCD. The purpose of this study was to examine…

Baroreflex Sensitivity Is Reduced in Adolescents with Probable Developmental Coordination Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coverdale, Nicole S.; O'Leary, Deborah D.; Faught, Brent E.; Chirico, Daniele; Hay, John; Cairney, John

2012-01-01

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by poor motor skills leading to a significant impairment in activities of daily living. Compared to typically developing children, those with DCD are less fit and physically active, and have increased body fat. This is an important consequence as both…

Fast optimal wavefront reconstruction for multi-conjugate adaptive optics using the Fourier domain preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm.

PubMed

Vogel, Curtis R; Yang, Qiang

2006-08-21

We present two different implementations of the Fourier domain preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm (FD-PCG) to efficiently solve the large structured linear systems that arise in optimal volume turbulence estimation, or tomography, for multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO). We describe how to deal with several critical technical issues, including the cone coordinate transformation problem and sensor subaperture grid spacing. We also extend the FD-PCG approach to handle the deformable mirror fitting problem for MCAO.

Recent update of the RPLUS2D/3D codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsai, Y.-L. Peter

1991-01-01

The development of the RPLUS2D/3D codes is summarized. These codes utilize LU algorithms to solve chemical non-equilibrium flows in a body-fitted coordinate system. The motivation behind the development of these codes is the need to numerically predict chemical non-equilibrium flows for the National AeroSpace Plane Program. Recent improvements include vectorization method, blocking algorithms for geometric flexibility, out-of-core storage for large-size problems, and an LU-SW/UP combination for CPU-time efficiency and solution quality.

Development of the Wake Behind a Circular Cylinder Impulsively Started into Rotatory and Rectilinear Motion: Intermediate Rotation Rates

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

cylindre fixe ou en rotation. Effet Magnus . J. Mec. 14, 109-134. Taneda, S. 1977 Visual study of unsteady separated flows around bodies. Prog. Aero...enhancement schemes employing the Magnus effect (Swanson 1961). Rotating all or part of a body may also have applications in active or feedback control of...and yt into the governing equations in the generalized coordinate system. In this study, the body-fitted grid is simply one of cylindrical polar

Teaching and Learning Economic Creativity: How to Overcome Uncertainty in Realizing Creative New Concepts That Have a Value? How the CRAP System--Coordination & Registration of Action Points--and External Assessment Generates Possible Solutions to Create Value of New Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roelofs, Henk; Nieuwenhuis, Adriaan

2016-01-01

How do we identify tools that can overcome uncertainty in realizing value with students using their "idea creativity" in generating and developing ideas in new concepts? Tools that better fit in the mindset of the new generations. The major question of idea creativity, especially in an educational environment is: How to determine and…

Calibration method for video and radiation imagers

DOEpatents

Cunningham, Mark F [Oak Ridge, TN; Fabris, Lorenzo [Knoxville, TN; Gee, Timothy F [Oak Ridge, TN; Goddard, Jr., James S.; Karnowski, Thomas P [Knoxville, TN; Ziock, Klaus-peter [Clinton, TN

2011-07-05

The relationship between the high energy radiation imager pixel (HERIP) coordinate and real-world x-coordinate is determined by a least square fit between the HERIP x-coordinate and the measured real-world x-coordinates of calibration markers that emit high energy radiation imager and reflect visible light. Upon calibration, a high energy radiation imager pixel position may be determined based on a real-world coordinate of a moving vehicle. Further, a scale parameter for said high energy radiation imager may be determined based on the real-world coordinate. The scale parameter depends on the y-coordinate of the moving vehicle as provided by a visible light camera. The high energy radiation imager may be employed to detect radiation from moving vehicles in multiple lanes, which correspondingly have different distances to the high energy radiation imager.

The Study of Intelligent Vehicle Navigation Path Based on Behavior Coordination of Particle Swarm.

PubMed

Han, Gaining; Fu, Weiping; Wang, Wen

2016-01-01

In the behavior dynamics model, behavior competition leads to the shock problem of the intelligent vehicle navigation path, because of the simultaneous occurrence of the time-variant target behavior and obstacle avoidance behavior. Considering the safety and real-time of intelligent vehicle, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed to solve these problems for the optimization of weight coefficients of the heading angle and the path velocity. Firstly, according to the behavior dynamics model, the fitness function is defined concerning the intelligent vehicle driving characteristics, the distance between intelligent vehicle and obstacle, and distance of intelligent vehicle and target. Secondly, behavior coordination parameters that minimize the fitness function are obtained by particle swarm optimization algorithms. Finally, the simulation results show that the optimization method and its fitness function can improve the perturbations of the vehicle planning path and real-time and reliability.

The Study of Intelligent Vehicle Navigation Path Based on Behavior Coordination of Particle Swarm

PubMed Central

Han, Gaining; Fu, Weiping; Wang, Wen

2016-01-01

In the behavior dynamics model, behavior competition leads to the shock problem of the intelligent vehicle navigation path, because of the simultaneous occurrence of the time-variant target behavior and obstacle avoidance behavior. Considering the safety and real-time of intelligent vehicle, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed to solve these problems for the optimization of weight coefficients of the heading angle and the path velocity. Firstly, according to the behavior dynamics model, the fitness function is defined concerning the intelligent vehicle driving characteristics, the distance between intelligent vehicle and obstacle, and distance of intelligent vehicle and target. Secondly, behavior coordination parameters that minimize the fitness function are obtained by particle swarm optimization algorithms. Finally, the simulation results show that the optimization method and its fitness function can improve the perturbations of the vehicle planning path and real-time and reliability. PMID:26880881

Driving difficulties in Parkinson's disease

PubMed Central

Rizzo, Matthew; Uc, Ergun Y; Dawson, Jeffrey; Anderson, Steven; Rodnitzky, Robert

2011-01-01

Safe driving requires the coordination of attention, perception, memory, motor and executive functions (including decision-making) and self-awareness. PD and other disorders may impair these abilities. Because age or medical diagnosis alone is often an unreliable criterion for licensure, decisions on fitness to drive should be based on empirical observations of performance. Linkages between cognitive abilities measured by neuropsychological tasks, and driving behavior assessed using driving simulators, and natural and naturalistic observations in instrumented vehicles, can help standardize the assessment of fitness-to-drive. By understanding the patterns of driver safety errors that cause crashes, it may be possible to design interventions to reduce these errors and injuries and increase mobility. This includes driver performance monitoring devices, collision alerting and warning systems, road design, and graded licensure strategies. PMID:20187237

Fitting a Point Cloud to a 3d Polyhedral Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popov, E. V.; Rotkov, S. I.

2017-05-01

The ability to measure parameters of large-scale objects in a contactless fashion has a tremendous potential in a number of industrial applications. However, this problem is usually associated with an ambiguous task to compare two data sets specified in two different co-ordinate systems. This paper deals with the study of fitting a set of unorganized points to a polyhedral surface. The developed approach uses Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Stretched grid method (SGM) to substitute a non-linear problem solution with several linear steps. The squared distance (SD) is a general criterion to control the process of convergence of a set of points to a target surface. The described numerical experiment concerns the remote measurement of a large-scale aerial in the form of a frame with a parabolic shape. The experiment shows that the fitting process of a point cloud to a target surface converges in several linear steps. The method is applicable to the geometry remote measurement of large-scale objects in a contactless fashion.

An EXAFS study of zinc coordination in microbial cells.

PubMed

Webb, S M; Gaillard, J F; Jackson, B E; Stahl, D A

2001-03-01

Five microbes were isolated from metal amended enrichment cultures derived from the sediments of a lake contaminated by a zinc smelter. Each of these organisms was grown in pure culture in the presence of zinc. Quick Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (QEXAFS) spectroscopy was used to investigate the average coordination environment of the zinc associated with the microbial biomass. Fitting of the first coordination shell of zinc shows that significant differences exist for each microbial species examined. The coordination environment of zinc varies between sulfurs to six-fold nitrogen/oxygen. with two microbial strains showing mixed coordination shells. Further study is required in order to characterize these sites and their locations within the cell.

Longitudinal Assessment of Left Ventricular Structure and Function in Adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chirico, Daniele; O'Leary, Deborah; Cairney, John; Haluka, Karen; Coverdale, Nicole S.; Klentrou, Panagiota; Hay, John; Faught, Brent E.

2012-01-01

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as obesity and reduced cardio-respiratory fitness. It has also been shown that adolescents with probable DCD (p-DCD) have elevated cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) compared to typically developing (TD)…

Additively Manufactured Titanium and Cobalt-Chromium Implant Frameworks: Fit and Effect of Ceramic Veneering.

PubMed

Svanborg, Per; Eliasson, Alf; Stenport, Victoria

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fit of additively manufactured cobalt-chromium and titanium and CNC-milled titanium frameworks before and after ceramic veneering. Ten stone casts simulating an edentulous maxilla provided with six abutment analogs were produced. For each stone cast, one additively manufactured cobalt-chromium framework (AM CoCr) and one titanium framework (AM Ti) were fabricated. The fit was analyzed with a coordinate measuring machine in three dimensions (x, y, and z axes) using best-fit virtual matching of center point coordinates, before and after ceramic veneering. CNC-milled titanium frameworks (CNC Ti) and earlier results from CNC-milled cobalt-chromium frameworks (CNC CoCr) were used for comparison. All frameworks presented minor misfit before and after veneering in the horizontal plane (x- and y-axes) between 2.9 and 13.5 μm and in the vertical plane (z-axis) between 1.6 and 5.4 μm. Ceramic veneering affected the fit of all groups of frameworks. Both AM Ti and AM CoCr presented significantly smaller distortion in the vertical plane compared with the CNC-milled frameworks. Implant-supported frameworks can be produced in either Ti or CoCr using either CNC milling or additive manufacturing with a fit well within the range of 20 μm in the horizontal plane and 10 μm in the vertical plane. The fit of frameworks of both materials and production techniques are affected by the ceramic veneering procedure to a small extent.

Internal tectonic structure of the Central American Wadati-Benioff zone based on analysis of aftershock sequences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Å PičáK, Aleš; Hanuš, VáClav; VaněK, JiřÃ.­; BěHounková, Marie

2007-09-01

Relocated Engdahl et al. (1998) global seismological data for 10 aftershock sequences were used to analyze the internal tectonic structure of the Central American subduction zone; the main shocks of several of these were the most destructive and often referenced earthquakes in the region (e.g., the 1970 Chiapas, 1983 Osa, 1992 Nicaragua, 1999 Quepos, 2001 El Salvador earthquakes). The spatial analysis of aftershock foci distribution was performed in a rotated Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z) related to the Wadati-Benioff zone, and not in a standard coordinate system (ϕ, λ, h are latitude, longitude, focal depth, respectively). Available fault plane solutions were also transformed into the plane approximating the Wadati-Benioff zone. The spatial distribution of earthquakes in each aftershock sequence was modeled as either a plane fit using a least squares approximation or a volume fit with a minimum thickness rectangular box. The analysis points to a quasi-planar distribution of earthquake foci in all aftershock sequences, manifesting the appurtenance of aftershocks to fracture zones. Geometrical parameters of fracture zones (strike, dip, and dimensions) hosting individual sequences were calculated and compared with the seafloor morphology of the Cocos Plate. The smooth character of the seafloor correlates with the aftershock fracture zones oriented parallel to the trench and commonly subparallel to the subducting slab, whereas subduction of the Cocos Ridge and seamounts around the Quepos Plateau coincides with steeply dipping fracture zones. Transformed focal mechanisms are almost exclusively (>90%) of normal character.

Internal tectonic structure of the Central American Wadati-Benioff zone based on analysis of aftershock sequences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Špičák, Aleš; Hanuš, Václav; Vaněk, Jiří; Běhounková, Marie

2007-09-01

Relocated Engdahl et al. (1998) global seismological data for 10 aftershock sequences were used to analyze the internal tectonic structure of the Central American subduction zone; the main shocks of several of these were the most destructive and often referenced earthquakes in the region (e.g., the 1970 Chiapas, 1983 Osa, 1992 Nicaragua, 1999 Quepos, 2001 El Salvador earthquakes). The spatial analysis of aftershock foci distribution was performed in a rotated Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, z) related to the Wadati-Benioff zone, and not in a standard coordinate system ($\\varphi$, λ, h are latitude, longitude, focal depth, respectively). Available fault plane solutions were also transformed into the plane approximating the Wadati-Benioff zone. The spatial distribution of earthquakes in each aftershock sequence was modeled as either a plane fit using a least squares approximation or a volume fit with a minimum thickness rectangular box. The analysis points to a quasi-planar distribution of earthquake foci in all aftershock sequences, manifesting the appurtenance of aftershocks to fracture zones. Geometrical parameters of fracture zones (strike, dip, and dimensions) hosting individual sequences were calculated and compared with the seafloor morphology of the Cocos Plate. The smooth character of the seafloor correlates with the aftershock fracture zones oriented parallel to the trench and commonly subparallel to the subducting slab, whereas subduction of the Cocos Ridge and seamounts around the Quepos Plateau coincides with steeply dipping fracture zones. Transformed focal mechanisms are almost exclusively (>90%) of normal character.

A new concept: Epigenetic game theory. Comment on: ;Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition; by Qian Wang et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Xiu-Deng; Tao, Yi

2017-03-01

The evolutionary significance of the interaction between paternal and maternal genomes in fertilized zygotes is a very interesting and challenging question. Wang et al. developed the concept of epigenetic game theory, and they try to use this concept to explain the interaction between paternal and maternal genomes in fertilized zygotes [1]. They emphasize that the embryogenesis can be considered as an ecological system in which two highly distinct and specialized gametes coordinate through either cooperation or competition, or both, to maximize the fitness of embryos under Darwinian selection. More specifically, they integrate game theory to model the pattern of coordination of paternal genome and maternal genomes mediated by DNA methylation dynamics, and they called this epigenetic game theory.

Precision of Fit of Titanium and Cast Implant Frameworks Using a New Matching Formula

PubMed Central

Sierraalta, Marianella; Vivas, Jose L.; Razzoog, Michael E.; Wang, Rui-Feng

2012-01-01

Statement of the Problem. Fit of prosthodontic frameworks is linked to the lifetime survival of dental implants and maintenance of surrounding bone. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the precision of fit of milled one-piece Titanium fixed complete denture frameworks to that of conventional cast frameworks. Material and Methods. Fifteen casts fabricated from a single edentulous CAD/CAM surgical guide were separated in two groups and resin patterns simulating the framework for a fixed complete denture developed. Five casts were sent to dental laboratories to invest, cast in a Palladium-Gold alloy and fit the framework. Ten casts had the resin pattern scanned for fabrication of milled bars in Titanium. Using measuring software, positions of implant replicas in the definitive model were recorded. The three dimensional spatial orientation of each implant replica was matched to the implant replica. Results. Results demonstrated the mean vertical gap of the Cast framework was 0.021 (+0.004) mm and 0.012 (0.002) mm determined by fixed and unfixed best-fit matching coordinate system. For Titanium frameworks they were 0.0037 (+0.0028) mm and 0.0024 (+0.0005) mm, respectively. Conclusions. Milled one-piece Titanium fixed complete denture frameworks provided a more accurate precision of fit then traditional cast frameworks. PMID:22550486

Railway Tunnel Clearance Inspection Method Based on 3D Point Cloud from Mobile Laser Scanning

PubMed Central

Zhou, Yuhui; Wang, Shaohua; Mei, Xi; Yin, Wangling; Lin, Chunfeng; Mao, Qingzhou

2017-01-01

Railway tunnel clearance is directly related to the safe operation of trains and upgrading of freight capacity. As more and more railway are put into operation and the operation is continuously becoming faster, the railway tunnel clearance inspection should be more precise and efficient. In view of the problems existing in traditional tunnel clearance inspection methods, such as low density, slow speed and a lot of manual operations, this paper proposes a tunnel clearance inspection approach based on 3D point clouds obtained by a mobile laser scanning system (MLS). First, a dynamic coordinate system for railway tunnel clearance inspection has been proposed. A rail line extraction algorithm based on 3D linear fitting is implemented from the segmented point cloud to establish a dynamic clearance coordinate system. Second, a method to seamlessly connect all rail segments based on the railway clearance restrictions, and a seamless rail alignment is formed sequentially from the middle tunnel section to both ends. Finally, based on the rail alignment and the track clearance coordinate system, different types of clearance frames are introduced for intrusion operation with the tunnel section to realize the tunnel clearance inspection. By taking the Shuanghekou Tunnel of the Chengdu–Kunming Railway as an example, when the clearance inspection is carried out by the method mentioned herein, its precision can reach 0.03 m, and difference types of clearances can be effectively calculated. This method has a wide application prospects. PMID:28880232

Physical fitness in children with developmental coordination disorder.

PubMed

Schott, Nadja; Alof, Verena; Hultsch, Daniela; Meermann, Dagmar

2007-12-01

The protective effects of physical activity and fitness on cardiovascular health have clearly been shown among normally developed children. However data are currently lacking pertaining to children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The purpose of this study was to examine differences in fitness measures, body composition, and physical activity among children with and without DCD. A cross-sectional design was implemented examining 261 children (118 girls, 143 boys) ages 4-12 years (mean age 7.8 +/- 1.9 years). Children were categorized as having DCD if they scored less than or equal to the 5th percentile (n=71) or between the 6th and the 15th percentile (n=5) on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC; Henderson & Sugden, 1992). The typically developing children had scores between the 16th and the 50th percentile (n=16) or above the 50th percentile (n=3) on the MABC. The age-related body mass index was used to characterize body composition. Physical fitness was assessed with a 6-min run, 20-m sprint, jump-and-reach test, medicine ball throw, curl-ups, and sit-and-reach test. Physical activity was estimated with a questionnaire. The percentage of overweight and obese children ages 10-12 years were significantly higher in the DCD groups (severe: 50%, moderate: 23.1%) than in the typically developing groups (medium: 5.6%, high: 0%; p < .05). Significant interactions (MABC x Age Group) were found for the fitness tests (p values < .05), except flexibility; whereby specifically, compared to the children in the typically developing groups children in the DCD groups ages 4-6 years achieved significantly worse results for the 20-m sprint, and children of the DCD groups ages 10-12 years achieved significantly worse results for the 6-min run, jump-and-reach test, and medicine ball throw. The study demonstrates poorer performance in fitness tests with high demands on coordination in children with DCD compared to their typically developing peers. Furthermore, the differences in fitness increased with age between children in the DCD groups versus the typically developing groups.

The Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren (CATCH) study: rationale and design.

PubMed

Cairney, John; Missiuna, Cheryl; Timmons, Brian W; Rodriguez, Christine; Veldhuizen, Scott; King-Dowling, Sara; Wellman, Sarah; Le, Tuyen

2015-12-21

Past studies have found that children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) engage in less physical activity than typically developing children. This "activity deficit" may result in children with DCD being less physically fit and more likely to be overweight or obese, potentially increasing later risk for poor cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, the majority of DCD research has been limited to cross-sectional designs, leading to questions about the complex relationship among motor ability, inactivity and health-related fitness. Of the few longitudinal studies on the topic, determining precedence amongst these factors is difficult because study cohorts typically focus on mid to late childhood. By this age, both decreased physical fitness and obesity are often established. The Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren (CATCH) study will examine the pathways connecting DCD, physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition from early to middle childhood. The CATCH study is a prospective cohort study. We aim to recruit a cohort of 600 children aged 4 to 5 years (300 probable DCD [pDCD] and 300 controls) and test them once a year for 4 years. At Phase 1 of baseline testing, we assess motor skills, cognitive ability (IQ), basic anthropometry, flexibility and lower body muscle strength, while parents complete an interview and questionnaires regarding family demographics, their child's physical activity, and behavioural characteristics. Children who move on to Phase 2 (longitudinal cohort) have their body fat percentage, foot structure, aerobic and anaerobic fitness assessed. An accelerometer to measure physical activity is then given to the child and interested family members. The family also receives an accelerometer logbook and 3-day food dairy. At years 2 to 4, children in the longitudinal cohort will have all baseline assessments repeated (excluding the IQ test), and complete an additional measure of perceived self-efficacy. Parents will complete an ADHD index twice within the follow-up period. To assess the association between DCD, fitness and adiposity, our primary analysis will involve longitudinal growth models with fixed effects. The CATCH study will provide a clearer understanding of pathways between DCD and health-related fitness necessary to determine the types of interventions children with DCD require.

Age, Sex, and Body Composition as Predictors of Children's Performance on Basic Motor Abilities and Health-Related Fitness Items.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pissanos, Becky W.; And Others

1983-01-01

Step-wise linear regressions were used to relate children's age, sex, and body composition to performance on basic motor abilities including balance, speed, agility, power, coordination, and reaction time, and to health-related fitness items including flexibility, muscle strength and endurance and cardiovascular functions. Eighty subjects were in…

The JPL Neptune Radiation Model (NMOD)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garrett, Henry; Evans, Robin

2017-01-01

The objective of this study is the development of a comprehensive radiation model of the Neptunian environment for JPL mission planning. The ultimate goal is to provide a description of the high-energy electron and proton environments and the magnetic field at Neptune that can be used for engineering design. The JPL Neptune Radiation Model (NMOD) models the high-energy electrons and protons between 0.025 MeV and 5 MeV based on the California Institute of Technology's Cosmic Ray Subsystem and the Applied Physics Laboratory's Low Energy Charged Particle Detector on Voyager 2. As in previous JPL radiation models, the form of the Neptunian model is based on magnetic field coordinates and requires a conversion from spacecraft coordinates to Neptunian-centered magnetic "B-L" coordinates. Two types of magnetic field models have been developed for Neptune: 1) simple "offset, tilted dipoles" (OTD), and 2) a complex, multi-pole expansion model ("O8"). A review of the existing data on Neptune and a search of the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS) were completed to obtain the most current descriptions of the Neptunian high-energy particle environment. These data were fit in terms of the O8 B-L coordinates to develop the electron and proton flux models. The flux predictions of the new model were used to estimate the total ionizing dose (TID) rate along the Neptunian equator, meridional flux contours for the electrons and protons, and for flux and dose comparisons with the other radiation belts in the Solar System.

Anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and motor coordination of 9 to 11 year old children participating in a wide range of sports.

PubMed

Opstoel, Katrijn; Pion, Johan; Elferink-Gemser, Marije; Hartman, Esther; Willemse, Bas; Philippaerts, Renaat; Visscher, Chris; Lenoir, Matthieu

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent 9 to 11 year old children participating in a specific sport already exhibit a specific anthropometric, physical fitness and motor coordination profile, in line with the requirements of that particular sport. In addition, the profiles in children with a different training volume were compared and possible differences in training hours per week between children from a low, moderate, and high level of physical fitness and motor coordination were investigated. Data of 620 children, 347 boys and 273 girls, who participated in the Flemish Sports Compass were used. Only the primary sport of each child was considered and six groups of sports (Ball sports, Dance, Gymnastics, Martial arts, Racquet sports and Swimming) were formed based on common characteristics. Measurements consisted of 17 tests. Independent T-tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests revealed few differences between the groups of sports and the discriminant analyses with the moderate and low active group did not show any significant results (p > .05). However, when discriminating among the high active children, a 85.2 % correct classification between six groups of sports was found (Wilks' Λ = .137 and p < .001). Finally, children performing under average on the tests spent significantly fewer hours in sport per week (2.50 ± 1.84 hours) compared to the children performing best (3.25 ± 2.60 hours) (p = .016) and the children performing above average (2.90 ± 1.96 hours) (p = .029) on physical fitness and motor coordination. The study showed that in general, children at a young age do not exhibit sport-specific characteristics, except in children with a high training volume. It is possible that on the one hand, children have not spent enough time yet in their sport to develop sport-specific qualities. On the other hand, it could be possible that they do not take individual qualities into account when choosing a sport.

Oxytocin reactivity during intergroup conflict in wild chimpanzees.

PubMed

Samuni, Liran; Preis, Anna; Mundry, Roger; Deschner, Tobias; Crockford, Catherine; Wittig, Roman M

2017-01-10

Intergroup conflict is evident throughout the history of our species, ubiquitous across human societies, and considered crucial for the evolution of humans' large-scale cooperative nature. Like humans, chimpanzee societies exhibit intragroup coordination and coalitionary support during violent intergroup conflicts. In both species, cooperation among group members is essential for individuals to gain access to benefits from engaging in intergroup conflict. Studies suggest that a contributive mechanism regulating in-group cooperation during intergroup conflicts in humans involves the neuropeptide hormone oxytocin, known to influence trust, coordination, and social cognition, although evidence from natural settings is lacking. Here, applying a noninvasive method, we investigate oxytocinergic system involvement during natural intergroup conflicts in wild chimpanzees. We found that chimpanzees of both sexes had significantly higher urinary oxytocin levels immediately before and during intergroup conflict compared with controls. Also, elevated hormone levels were linked with greater cohesion during intergroup conflicts, rather than with the level of potential threat posed by rival groups, intragroup affiliative social interactions, or coordinated behavior alone. Thus, the oxytocinergic system, potentially engendering cohesion and cooperation when facing an out-group threat, may not be uniquely human but rather a mechanism with evolutionary roots shared by our last common ancestor with chimpanzees, likely expediting fitness gains during intergroup conflict.

Oxytocin reactivity during intergroup conflict in wild chimpanzees

PubMed Central

Samuni, Liran; Preis, Anna; Mundry, Roger; Deschner, Tobias; Crockford, Catherine; Wittig, Roman M.

2017-01-01

Intergroup conflict is evident throughout the history of our species, ubiquitous across human societies, and considered crucial for the evolution of humans’ large-scale cooperative nature. Like humans, chimpanzee societies exhibit intragroup coordination and coalitionary support during violent intergroup conflicts. In both species, cooperation among group members is essential for individuals to gain access to benefits from engaging in intergroup conflict. Studies suggest that a contributive mechanism regulating in-group cooperation during intergroup conflicts in humans involves the neuropeptide hormone oxytocin, known to influence trust, coordination, and social cognition, although evidence from natural settings is lacking. Here, applying a noninvasive method, we investigate oxytocinergic system involvement during natural intergroup conflicts in wild chimpanzees. We found that chimpanzees of both sexes had significantly higher urinary oxytocin levels immediately before and during intergroup conflict compared with controls. Also, elevated hormone levels were linked with greater cohesion during intergroup conflicts, rather than with the level of potential threat posed by rival groups, intragroup affiliative social interactions, or coordinated behavior alone. Thus, the oxytocinergic system, potentially engendering cohesion and cooperation when facing an out-group threat, may not be uniquely human but rather a mechanism with evolutionary roots shared by our last common ancestor with chimpanzees, likely expediting fitness gains during intergroup conflict. PMID:28028227

A Prospective Cohort Study Comparing Workload in Children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rivilis, Irina; Liu, Jian; Cairney, John; Hay, John A.; Klentrou, Panagiota; Faught, Brent E.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to assess how cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of children with probable developmental coordination disorder (DCD) changes over a period of 4.7 years relative to a group of typically developing controls. A school-based sample of children in a large region of Ontario, Canada with 75 out of a possible…

High level continuity for coordinate generation with precise controls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eiseman, P. R.

1982-01-01

Coordinate generation techniques with precise local controls have been derived and analyzed for continuity requirements up to both the first and second derivatives, and have been projected to higher level continuity requirements from the established pattern. The desired local control precision was obtained when a family of coordinate surfaces could be uniformly distributed without a consequent creation of flat spots on the coordinate curves transverse to the family. Relative to the uniform distribution, the family could be redistributed from an a priori distribution function or from a solution adaptive approach, both without distortion from the underlying transformation which may be independently chosen to fit a nontrivial geometry and topology.

The rotational elements of Mars and its satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobson, R. A.; Konopliv, A. S.; Park, R. S.; Folkner, W. M.

2018-03-01

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) defines planet and satellite coordinate systems relative to their axis of rotation and the angle about that axis. The rotational elements of the bodies are the right ascension and declination of the rotation axis in the International Celestial Reference Frame and the rotation angle, W, measured easterly along the body's equator. The IAU specifies the location of the body's prime meridian by providing a value for W at epoch J2000. We provide new trigonometric series representations of the rotational elements of Mars and its satellites, Phobos and Deimos. The series for Mars are from a least squares fit to the rotation model used to orient the Martian gravity field. The series for the satellites are from a least squares fit to rotation models developed in accordance with IAU conventions from recent ephemerides.

Building proteins from C alpha coordinates using the dihedral probability grid Monte Carlo method.

PubMed Central

Mathiowetz, A. M.; Goddard, W. A.

1995-01-01

Dihedral probability grid Monte Carlo (DPG-MC) is a general-purpose method of conformational sampling that can be applied to many problems in peptide and protein modeling. Here we present the DPG-MC method and apply it to predicting complete protein structures from C alpha coordinates. This is useful in such endeavors as homology modeling, protein structure prediction from lattice simulations, or fitting protein structures to X-ray crystallographic data. It also serves as an example of how DPG-MC can be applied to systems with geometric constraints. The conformational propensities for individual residues are used to guide conformational searches as the protein is built from the amino-terminus to the carboxyl-terminus. Results for a number of proteins show that both the backbone and side chain can be accurately modeled using DPG-MC. Backbone atoms are generally predicted with RMS errors of about 0.5 A (compared to X-ray crystal structure coordinates) and all atoms are predicted to an RMS error of 1.7 A or better. PMID:7549885

Common Data Format (CDF) and Coordinated Data Analysis Web (CDAWeb)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Candey, Robert M.

2010-01-01

The Coordinated Data Analysis Web (CDAWeb) data browsing system provides plotting, listing and open access v ia FTP, HTTP, and web services (REST, SOAP, OPeNDAP) for data from mo st NASA Heliophysics missions and is heavily used by the community. C ombining data from many instruments and missions enables broad resear ch analysis and correlation and coordination with other experiments a nd missions. Crucial to its effectiveness is the use of a standard se lf-describing data format, in this case, the Common Data Format (CDF) , also developed at the Space Physics Data facility , and the use of metadata standa rds (easily edited with SKTeditor ). CDAweb is based on a set of IDL routines, CDAWlib . . The CDF project also maintains soft ware and services for translating between many standard formats (CDF. netCDF, HDF, FITS, XML) .

Error reduction in three-dimensional metrology combining optical and touch probe data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerde, Janice R.; Christens-Barry, William A.

2010-08-01

Analysis of footwear under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) is partly based on identifying the boundary ("parting line") between the "external surface area upper" (ESAU) and the sample's sole. Often, that boundary is obscured. We establish the parting line as the curved intersection between the sample outer surface and its insole surface. The outer surface is determined by discrete point cloud coordinates obtained using a laser scanner. The insole surface is defined by point cloud data, obtained using a touch probe device-a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). Because these point cloud data sets do not overlap spatially, a polynomial surface is fitted to the insole data and extended to intersect a mesh fitted to the outer surface point cloud. This line of intersection defines the ESAU boundary, permitting further fractional area calculations to proceed. The defined parting line location is sensitive to the polynomial used to fit experimental data. Extrapolation to the intersection with the ESAU can heighten this sensitivity. We discuss a methodology for transforming these data into a common reference frame. Three scenarios are considered: measurement error in point cloud coordinates, from fitting a polynomial surface to a point cloud then extrapolating beyond the data set, and error from reference frame transformation. These error sources can influence calculated surface areas. We describe experiments to assess error magnitude, the sensitivity of calculated results on these errors, and minimizing error impact on calculated quantities. Ultimately, we must ensure that statistical error from these procedures is minimized and within acceptance criteria.

Shwirl: Meaningful coloring of spectral cube data with volume rendering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vohl, Dany

2017-04-01

Shwirl visualizes spectral data cubes with meaningful coloring methods. The program has been developed to investigate transfer functions, which combines volumetric elements (or voxels) to set the color, and graphics shaders, functions used to compute several properties of the final image such as color, depth, and/or transparency, as enablers for scientific visualization of astronomical data. The program uses Astropy (ascl:1304.002) to handle FITS files and World Coordinate System, Qt (and PyQt) for the user interface, and VisPy, an object-oriented Python visualization library binding onto OpenGL.

Cooperation in two-person evolutionary games with complex personality profiles.

PubMed

Płatkowski, Tadeusz

2010-10-21

We propose a theory of evolution of social systems which generalizes the standard proportional fitness rule of the evolutionary game theory. The formalism is applied to describe the dynamics of two-person one-shot population games. In particular it predicts the non-zero level of cooperation in the long run for the Prisoner's Dilemma games, the increase of the fraction of cooperators for general classes of the Snow-Drift game, and stable nonzero cooperation level for coordination games. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

JASMINE -- Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for INfrared Exploration: Data Analysis and Accuracy Assessment with a Kalman Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamada, Y.; Shimokawa, T.; Shinomoto, S. Yano, T.; Gouda, N.

2009-09-01

For the purpose of determining the celestial coordinates of stellar positions, consecutive observational images are laid overlapping each other with clues of stars belonging to multiple plates. In the analysis, one has to estimate not only the coordinates of individual plates, but also the possible expansion and distortion of the frame. This problem reduces to a least-squares fit that can in principle be solved by a huge matrix inversion, which is, however, impracticable. Here, we propose using Kalman filtering to perform the least-squares fit and implement a practical iterative algorithm. We also estimate errors associated with this iterative method and suggest a design of overlapping plates to minimize the error.

Care Coordination for Children with Complex Special Health Care Needs: The Value of the Advanced Practice Nurse’s Enhanced Scope of Knowledge and Practice

PubMed Central

Looman, Wendy S.; Presler, Elizabeth; Erickson, Mary M.; Garwick, Ann E.; Cady, Rhonda G.; Kelly, Anne M.; Finkelstein, Stanley M.

2012-01-01

Efficiency and effectiveness of care coordination depends on a match between the needs of the population and the skills, scope of practice, and intensity of services provided by the care coordinator. There is limited existing literature that addresses the relevance of the APN role as a fit for coordination of care for children with SHCN. The objective of this paper is to describe the value of the advanced practice nurse’s (APN’s) enhanced scope of knowledge and practice for relationship-based care coordination in healthcare homes that serve children with complex special health care needs (SHCN). The TeleFamilies project is provided as an example of the integration of an APN care coordinator in a healthcare home for children with SHCN. PMID:22560803

Physical Fitness Differences in Children with and without Motor Learning Difficulties

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hands, Beth; Larkin, Dawne

2006-01-01

Children with motor learning difficulties (MLD) tend to be less physically active than their coordinated peers and one likely consequence is a reduced level of physical fitness. In this study, 52 children with MLD, aged 5 to 8 years, were compared to 52 age- and gender-matched control children across a range of health and skill related fitness…

Cardiopulmonary Fitness and Endurance in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wu, Sheng K.; Lin, Hsiao-Hui; Li, Yao-Chuen; Tsai, Chia-Liang; Cairney, John

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare cardiopulmonary fitness and endurance in 9-11-year-old children with DCD against a group of typically developing children in Taiwan. The Movement ABC test was used to evaluate the motor abilities of children. Forty-one participants (20 children with DCD and 21 children without DCD) were recruited for this…

Massive parallelization of serial inference algorithms for a complex generalized linear model

PubMed Central

Suchard, Marc A.; Simpson, Shawn E.; Zorych, Ivan; Ryan, Patrick; Madigan, David

2014-01-01

Following a series of high-profile drug safety disasters in recent years, many countries are redoubling their efforts to ensure the safety of licensed medical products. Large-scale observational databases such as claims databases or electronic health record systems are attracting particular attention in this regard, but present significant methodological and computational concerns. In this paper we show how high-performance statistical computation, including graphics processing units, relatively inexpensive highly parallel computing devices, can enable complex methods in large databases. We focus on optimization and massive parallelization of cyclic coordinate descent approaches to fit a conditioned generalized linear model involving tens of millions of observations and thousands of predictors in a Bayesian context. We find orders-of-magnitude improvement in overall run-time. Coordinate descent approaches are ubiquitous in high-dimensional statistics and the algorithms we propose open up exciting new methodological possibilities with the potential to significantly improve drug safety. PMID:25328363

Analysis of relativistic nucleus-nucleus interactions in emulsion chambers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcguire, Stephen C.

1987-01-01

The development of a computer-assisted method is reported for the determination of the angular distribution data for secondary particles produced in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions in emulsions. The method is applied to emulsion detectors that were placed in a constant, uniform magnetic field and exposed to beams of 60 and 200 GeV/nucleon O-16 ions at the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) of the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN). Linear regression analysis is used to determine the azimuthal and polar emission angles from measured track coordinate data. The software, written in BASIC, is designed to be machine independent, and adaptable to an automated system for acquiring the track coordinates. The fitting algorithm is deterministic, and takes into account the experimental uncertainty in the measured points. Further, a procedure for using the track data to estimate the linear momenta of the charged particles observed in the detectors is included.

AstroImageJ: Image Processing and Photometric Extraction for Ultra-precise Astronomical Light Curves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, Karen A.; Kielkopf, John F.; Stassun, Keivan G.; Hessman, Frederic V.

2017-02-01

ImageJ is a graphical user interface (GUI) driven, public domain, Java-based, software package for general image processing traditionally used mainly in life sciences fields. The image processing capabilities of ImageJ are useful and extendable to other scientific fields. Here we present AstroImageJ (AIJ), which provides an astronomy specific image display environment and tools for astronomy specific image calibration and data reduction. Although AIJ maintains the general purpose image processing capabilities of ImageJ, AIJ is streamlined for time-series differential photometry, light curve detrending and fitting, and light curve plotting, especially for applications requiring ultra-precise light curves (e.g., exoplanet transits). AIJ reads and writes standard Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) files, as well as other common image formats, provides FITS header viewing and editing, and is World Coordinate System aware, including an automated interface to the astrometry.net web portal for plate solving images. AIJ provides research grade image calibration and analysis tools with a GUI driven approach, and easily installed cross-platform compatibility. It enables new users, even at the level of undergraduate student, high school student, or amateur astronomer, to quickly start processing, modeling, and plotting astronomical image data with one tightly integrated software package.

An interactive user-friendly approach to surface-fitting three-dimensional geometries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheatwood, F. Mcneil; Dejarnette, Fred R.

1988-01-01

A surface-fitting technique has been developed which addresses two problems with existing geometry packages: computer storage requirements and the time required of the user for the initial setup of the geometry model. Coordinates of cross sections are fit using segments of general conic sections. The next step is to blend the cross-sectional curve-fits in the longitudinal direction using general conics to fit specific meridional half-planes. Provisions are made to allow the fitting of fuselages and wings so that entire wing-body combinations may be modeled. This report includes the development of the technique along with a User's Guide for the various menus within the program. Results for the modeling of the Space Shuttle and a proposed Aeroassist Flight Experiment geometry are presented.

Planning for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Christian, E.

2005-01-01

The Group on Earth Observations was established to promote comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Earth observations. Its mandate is to implement the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) in accord with the GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan and Reference Document. During the months over which the GEOSS Implementation Plan was developed, many issues surfaced and were addressed. This article discusses several of the more interesting or challenging of those issues-e.g. fitting in with existing organizations and securing stable funding - some of which have yet to be resolved fully as of this writing. Despite the relatively short period over which the Implementation Plan had to be developed, there is a good chance that the work undertaken will be influential for decades to come. ?? 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Leak Isolation in Pressurized Pipelines using an Interpolation Function to approximate the Fitting Losses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badillo-Olvera, A.; Begovich, O.; Peréz-González, A.

2017-01-01

The present paper is motivated by the purpose of detection and isolation of a single leak considering the Fault Model Approach (FMA) focused on pipelines with changes in their geometry. These changes generate a different pressure drop that those produced by the friction, this phenomenon is a common scenario in real pipeline systems. The problem arises, since the dynamical model of the fluid in a pipeline only considers straight geometries without fittings. In order to address this situation, several papers work with a virtual model of a pipeline that generates a equivalent straight length, thus, friction produced by the fittings is taking into account. However, when this method is applied, the leak is isolated in a virtual length, which for practical reasons does not represent a complete solution. This research proposes as a solution to the problem of leak isolation in a virtual length, the use of a polynomial interpolation function in order to approximate the conversion of the virtual position to a real-coordinates value. Experimental results in a real prototype are shown, concluding that the proposed methodology has a good performance.

Reducing childhood obesity through coordinated care: Development of a park prescription program

PubMed Central

Messiah, Sarah E; Jiang, Sandy; Kardys, Jack; Hansen, Eric; Nardi, Maria; Forster, Lourdes

2016-01-01

Major hindrances to controlling the current childhood obesity epidemic include access to prevention and/or treatment programs that are affordable, provide minimal barriers for participation, and are available to the general public. Moreover, successful childhood obesity prevention efforts will require coordinated partnerships in multiple sectors such as government, health care, school/afterschool, and the community but very few documented sustainable programs currently exist. Effective, community-based health and wellness programs with a focus on maintaining healthy weight via physical activity and healthy eating have the potential to be a powerful referral resource for pediatricians and other healthcare professionals who have young patients who are overweight/obese. The Miami Dade County Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces in partnership with the University of Miami UHealth Systems have created a “Park Prescription Program (Parks Rx 4HealthTM)” that formally coordinates pediatricians, families, parents, caregivers, and child/adolescents to provide daily obesity-prevention activities. This Parks Rx 4HealthTM program that we describe here allows UHealth pediatricians to seamlessly refer their overweight and obese patients to Fit2PlayTM, an evidence-based, park-based afterschool health and wellness program. Measurable outcomes that include body mass index, blood pressure, fitness, and nutrition knowledge are being collected at baseline and at 3-and 6-mo after referral to document patient progress. Results are then shared with the referring physician so they can follow up with the patient if necessary. Identifying successful models that integrate primary care, public health, and community-based efforts is important to accelerating progress in preventing childhood obesity. Effective, community-based health and wellness programs with a focus on physical activity and nutrition education could be a powerful referral resource for pediatricians who have obese patients. PMID:27610338

Enhancing the Physical Fitness in the Marine Corps

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-12-01

34 Coordination Technique: Harmonious combination or interaction of physical movements. " Psychological Factors: Pertaining to, dealing with, or affecting the mind...sports such as soccer , volleyball, wrestling, basketball, etc. While the soldier is trained in other tasks which contribute to his physical fitness...glycogen (the form in which carbohydrates are stored in human tissue) to lactic and pyruvic acid ( carbohydrate metabolism formed from either glucose

H2LIFT: global navigation simulation ship tracking and WMD detection in the maritime domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wyffels, Kevin

2007-04-01

This paper presents initial results for a tracking simulation of multiple maritime vehicles for use in a data fusion program detecting Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). This simulation supports a fusion algorithm (H2LIFT) for collecting and analyzing data providing a heuristic analysis tool for detecting weapons of mass destruction in the maritime domain. Tools required to develop a navigational simulation fitting a set of project objectives are introduced for integration into the H2LIFT algorithm. Emphasis is placed on the specific requirements of the H2LIFT project, however the basic equations, algorithms, and methodologies can be used as tools in a variety of scenario simulations. Discussion will be focused on track modeling (e.g. position tracking of ships), navigational techniques, WMD detection, and simulation of these models using Matlab and Simulink. Initial results provide absolute ship position data for a given multi-ship maritime scenario with random generation of a given ship containing a WMD. Required coordinate systems, conversions between coordinate systems, Earth modeling techniques, and navigational conventions and techniques are introduced for development of the simulations.

Numerical analysis of three-dimensional viscous internal flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chima, Rodrick V.; Yokota, Jeffrey W.

1988-01-01

A 3-D Navier-Stokes code has been developed for analysis of turbomachinery blade rows and other internal flows. The Navier-Stokes equations are written in a Cartesian coordinate system rotating about the x-axis, and then mapped to a general body-fitted coordinate system. Streamwise viscous terms are neglected using the thin-layer assumption, and turbulence effects are modeled using the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model. The equations are discretized using finite differences on stacked C-type grids and are solved using a multistage Runge-Kutta algorithm with a spatially-varying time step and implicit residual smoothing. Calculations have been made of a horseshoe vortex formed in front of a flat plate with a round leading edge standing in a turbulent endwall boundary layer. Comparisons are made with experimental data taken by Eckerle and Langston for a circular cylinder under similar conditions. Computer and measured results are compared in terms of endwall flow visualization pictures and total pressure loss contours and vector plots on the symmetry plane. Calculated details of the primary vortex show excellent agreement with the experimental data. The calculations also show a small secondary vortex not seen experimentally.

Method and apparatus for autonomous, in-receiver prediction of GNSS ephemerides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Sever, Yoaz E. (Inventor); Bertiger, William I. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

Methods and apparatus for autonomous in-receiver prediction of orbit and clock states of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are described. Only the GNSS broadcast message is used, without need for periodic externally-communicated information. Earth orientation information is extracted from the GNSS broadcast ephemeris. With the accurate estimation of the Earth orientation parameters it is possible to propagate the best-fit GNSS orbits forward in time in an inertial reference frame. Using the estimated Earth orientation parameters, the predicted orbits are then transformed into Earth-Centered-Earth-Fixed (ECEF) coordinates to be used to assist the GNSS receiver in the acquisition of the signals. GNSS satellite clock states are also extracted from the broadcast ephemeris and a parameterized model of clock behavior is fit to that data. The estimated modeled clocks are then propagated forward in time to enable, together with the predicted orbits, quicker GNSS signal acquisition.

The genetic code as a periodic table: algebraic aspects.

PubMed

Bashford, J D; Jarvis, P D

2000-01-01

The systematics of indices of physico-chemical properties of codons and amino acids across the genetic code are examined. Using a simple numerical labelling scheme for nucleic acid bases, A=(-1,0), C=(0,-1), G=(0,1), U=(1,0), data can be fitted as low order polynomials of the six coordinates in the 64-dimensional codon weight space. The work confirms and extends the recent studies by Siemion et al. (1995. BioSystems 36, 231-238) of the conformational parameters. Fundamental patterns in the data such as codon periodicities, and related harmonics and reflection symmetries, are here associated with the structure of the set of basis monomials chosen for fitting. Results are plotted using the Siemion one-step mutation ring scheme, and variants thereof. The connections between the present work, and recent studies of the genetic code structure using dynamical symmetry algebras, are pointed out.

Regularization Paths for Cox's Proportional Hazards Model via Coordinate Descent.

PubMed

Simon, Noah; Friedman, Jerome; Hastie, Trevor; Tibshirani, Rob

2011-03-01

We introduce a pathwise algorithm for the Cox proportional hazards model, regularized by convex combinations of ℓ 1 and ℓ 2 penalties (elastic net). Our algorithm fits via cyclical coordinate descent, and employs warm starts to find a solution along a regularization path. We demonstrate the efficacy of our algorithm on real and simulated data sets, and find considerable speedup between our algorithm and competing methods.

Comparison of VO[subscript 2] Maximum Obtained from 20 m Shuttle Run and Cycle Ergometer in Children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cairney, John; Hay, John; Veldhuizen, Scott; Faught, Brent

2010-01-01

Oxygen consumption at peak physical exertion (VO[subscript 2] maximum) is the most widely used indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness. The purpose of this study was to compare two protocols for its estimation, cycle ergometer testing and the 20 m shuttle run, among children with and without probable developmental coordination disorder (pDCD). The…

Correlations of psycho-physiological parameters influencing the physical fitness of aged women.

PubMed

Bretz, É; Kóbor-Nyakas, D É; Bretz, K J; Hrehuss, N; Radák, Z; Nyakas, Csaba

2014-12-01

Regular assessment of psycho-physiological parameters in aged subjects helps to clarify physical and mental conditions which are important in the prevention of health-endangering events to assure a healthy aging. Thirty older care female residents consented voluntarily to participate in the study. The somatic and psycho-physiological parameters recorded were handgrip force, disjunctive reaction time, balance control and whole body movement coordination, the electrocardiogram and heart rate variability. Significant correlations were found between (a) reaction time and balance control efficiency (r = -0.567, p < 0.009), (b) reaction time and movement coordination accuracy (r = -0.453, p < 0.045), (c) cardiac state and movement coordination accuracy (r = 0.545, p < 0.016), (d) cardiac stress and cardiac state (r = -0.495, p < 0.031), and (e) cardiac stress and force (r = -0.822, p < 0.045). In conclusion, for the aim of establishing basic battery tests for assessing psycho-physiological condition of physical fitness our results emphasize the importance of systematic physical activity, endurance and strength training supporting muscle force, balance control and whole-body movement coordination, in addition to improving the cardiac stress index level. The strong interrelation among these parameters allows the drawing of a more complete view regarding the health condition of aged individuals.

Study on verifying the angle measurement performance of the rotary-laser system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jin; Ren, Yongjie; Lin, Jiarui; Yin, Shibin; Zhu, Jigui

2018-04-01

An angle verification method to verify the angle measurement performance of the rotary-laser system was developed. Angle measurement performance has a great impact on measuring accuracy. Although there is some previous research on the verification of angle measuring uncertainty for the rotary-laser system, there are still some limitations. High-precision reference angles are used in the study of the method, and an integrated verification platform is set up to evaluate the performance of the system. This paper also probes the error that has biggest influence on the verification system. Some errors of the verification system are avoided via the experimental method, and some are compensated through the computational formula and curve fitting. Experimental results show that the angle measurement performance meets the requirement for coordinate measurement. The verification platform can evaluate the uncertainty of angle measurement for the rotary-laser system efficiently.

Improved genetic algorithm for the protein folding problem by use of a Cartesian combination operator.

PubMed Central

Rabow, A. A.; Scheraga, H. A.

1996-01-01

We have devised a Cartesian combination operator and coding scheme for improving the performance of genetic algorithms applied to the protein folding problem. The genetic coding consists of the C alpha Cartesian coordinates of the protein chain. The recombination of the genes of the parents is accomplished by: (1) a rigid superposition of one parent chain on the other, to make the relation of Cartesian coordinates meaningful, then, (2) the chains of the children are formed through a linear combination of the coordinates of their parents. The children produced with this Cartesian combination operator scheme have similar topology and retain the long-range contacts of their parents. The new scheme is significantly more efficient than the standard genetic algorithm methods for locating low-energy conformations of proteins. The considerable superiority of genetic algorithms over Monte Carlo optimization methods is also demonstrated. We have also devised a new dynamic programming lattice fitting procedure for use with the Cartesian combination operator method. The procedure finds excellent fits of real-space chains to the lattice while satisfying bond-length, bond-angle, and overlap constraints. PMID:8880904

Estimated landmark calibration of biomechanical models for inverse kinematics.

PubMed

Trinler, Ursula; Baker, Richard

2018-01-01

Inverse kinematics is emerging as the optimal method in movement analysis to fit a multi-segment biomechanical model to experimental marker positions. A key part of this process is calibrating the model to the dimensions of the individual being analysed which requires scaling of the model, pose estimation and localisation of tracking markers within the relevant segment coordinate systems. The aim of this study is to propose a generic technique for this process and test a specific application to the OpenSim model Gait2392. Kinematic data from 10 healthy adult participants were captured in static position and normal walking. Results showed good average static and dynamic fitting errors between virtual and experimental markers of 0.8 cm and 0.9 cm, respectively. Highest fitting errors were found on the epicondyle (static), feet (static, dynamic) and on the thigh (dynamic). These result from inconsistencies between the model geometry and degrees of freedom and the anatomy and movement pattern of the individual participants. A particular limitation is in estimating anatomical landmarks from the bone meshes supplied with Gait2392 which do not conform with the bone morphology of the participants studied. Soft tissue artefact will also affect fitting the model to walking trials. Copyright © 2017 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Comparison of Global Indexing Schemes to Facilitate Earth Science Data Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griessbaum, N.; Frew, J.; Rilee, M. L.; Kuo, K. S.

2017-12-01

Recent advances in database technology have led to systems optimized for managing petabyte-scale multidimensional arrays. These array databases are a good fit for subsets of the Earth's surface that can be projected into a rectangular coordinate system with acceptable geometric fidelity. However, for global analyses, array databases must address the same distortions and discontinuities that apply to map projections in general. The array database SciDB supports enormous databases spread across thousands of computing nodes. Additionally, the following SciDB characteristics are particularly germane to the coordinate system problem: SciDB efficiently stores and manipulates sparse (i.e. mostly empty) arrays. SciDB arrays have 64-bit indexes. SciDB supports user-defined data types, functions, and operators. We have implemented two geospatial indexing schemes in SciDB. The simplest uses two array dimensions to represent longitude and latitude. For representation as 64-bit integers, the coordinates are multiplied by a scale factor large enough to yield an appropriate Earth surface resolution (e.g., a scale factor of 100,000 yields a resolution of approximately 1m at the equator). Aside from the longitudinal discontinuity, the principal disadvantage of this scheme is its fixed scale factor. The second scheme uses a single array dimension to represent the bit-codes for locations in a hierarchical triangular mesh (HTM) coordinate system. A HTM maps the Earth's surface onto an octahedron, and then recursively subdivides each triangular face to the desired resolution. Earth surface locations are represented as the concatenation of an octahedron face code and a quadtree code within the face. Unlike our integerized lat-lon scheme, the HTM allow for objects of different size (e.g., pixels with differing resolutions) to be represented in the same indexing scheme. We present an evaluation of the relative utility of these two schemes for managing and analyzing MODIS swath data.

Anthropometric Characteristics, Physical Fitness and Motor Coordination of 9 to 11 Year Old Children Participating in a Wide Range of Sports

PubMed Central

Elferink-Gemser, Marije; Hartman, Esther; Willemse, Bas; Philippaerts, Renaat; Visscher, Chris; Lenoir, Matthieu

2015-01-01

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent 9 to 11 year old children participating in a specific sport already exhibit a specific anthropometric, physical fitness and motor coordination profile, in line with the requirements of that particular sport. In addition, the profiles in children with a different training volume were compared and possible differences in training hours per week between children from a low, moderate, and high level of physical fitness and motor coordination were investigated. Methods and Results Data of 620 children, 347 boys and 273 girls, who participated in the Flemish Sports Compass were used. Only the primary sport of each child was considered and six groups of sports (Ball sports, Dance, Gymnastics, Martial arts, Racquet sports and Swimming) were formed based on common characteristics. Measurements consisted of 17 tests. Independent T-tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests revealed few differences between the groups of sports and the discriminant analyses with the moderate and low active group did not show any significant results (p > .05). However, when discriminating among the high active children, a 85.2 % correct classification between six groups of sports was found (Wilks’ Λ = .137 and p < .001). Finally, children performing under average on the tests spent significantly fewer hours in sport per week (2.50 ± 1.84 hours) compared to the children performing best (3.25 ± 2.60 hours) (p = .016) and the children performing above average (2.90 ± 1.96 hours) (p = .029) on physical fitness and motor coordination. Discussion The study showed that in general, children at a young age do not exhibit sport-specific characteristics, except in children with a high training volume. It is possible that on the one hand, children have not spent enough time yet in their sport to develop sport-specific qualities. On the other hand, it could be possible that they do not take individual qualities into account when choosing a sport. PMID:25978313

venice: Mask utility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coupon, Jean

2018-02-01

venice reads a mask file (DS9 or fits type) and a catalogue of objects (ascii or fits type) to create a pixelized mask, find objects inside/outside a mask, or generate a random catalogue of objects inside/outside a mask. The program reads the mask file and checks if a point, giving its coordinates, is inside or outside the mask, i.e. inside or outside at least one polygon of the mask.

Effect on physical fitness of a 10-year physical activity intervention in primary health care settings.

PubMed

Nakamura, Priscila M; Papini, Camila B; Teixeira, Inaian P; Chiyoda, Alberto; Luciano, Eliete; Cordeira, Kelly Lynn; Kokubun, Eduardo

2015-01-01

Interventions in primary health care settings have been effective in increasing physical fitness. In 2001, the Programa de Exercício Físico em Unidades de Saúde (Physical Exercise in Health Primary Care Program-PEHPCP) was launched in Rio Claro City, Brazil. The intervention consisted of biweekly, 60-minute group sessions in all primary health care settings in the city. This study evaluated the effect of PEHPCP on physical fitness and on the aging process after a decade of ongoing implementation. There were 409 women (50 ± 26 y old) and 31 men (64 ± 10 y old) who were eligible for this study. Every 4 months, participants completed the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance standardized tests. Program participation was associated with a reduced effect, compared with baseline, of the natural decline of physical fitness caused by aging, as represented by changes in the following measures: coordination test time, -0.44 seconds; agility and dynamic balance test time; -1.81 seconds; aerobic capacity test time, 3.57 seconds; and muscle strength exercises, +0.60 repetitions. No significant effect on flexibility was found. The PEHPCP showed potential in improving muscle strength, coordination, aerobic capacity, and agility and dynamic balance in participants and in maintaining flexibility in participants.

Evaluation of a research circulation control airfoil using Navier-Stokes methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shrewsbury, George D.

1987-01-01

The compressible Reynolds time averaged Navier-Stokes equations were used to obtain solutions for flows about a two dimensional circulation control airfoil. The governing equations were written in conservation form for a body-fitted coordinate system and solved using an Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) procedure. A modified algebraic eddy viscosity model was used to define the turbulent characteristics of the flow, including the wall jet flow over the Coanda surface at the trailing edge. Numerical results are compared to experimental data obtained for a research circulation control airfoil geometry. Excellent agreement with the experimental results was obtained.

REDSPEC: NIRSPEC data reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, S.; Prato, L.; McLean, I.

2015-07-01

REDSPEC is an IDL based reduction package designed with NIRSPEC in mind though can be used to reduce data from other spectrographs as well. REDSPEC accomplishes spatial rectification by summing an A+B pair of a calibration star to produce an image with two spectra; the image is remapped on the basis of polynomial fits to the spectral traces and calculation of gaussian centroids to define their separation, producing straight spectral traces with respect to the detector rows. The raw images are remapped onto a coordinate system with uniform intervals in spatial extent along the slit and in wavelength along the dispersion axis.

Lunar rovers and local positioning system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avery, James; Su, Renjeng

1991-11-01

Telerobotic rovers equipped with adequate actuators and sensors are clearly necessary for extraterrestrial construction. They will be employed as substitutes for humans, to perform jobs like surveying, sensing, signaling, manipulating, and the handling of small materials. Important design criteria for these rovers include versatility and robustness. They must be easily programmed and reprogrammed to perform a wide variety of different functions, and they must be robust so that construction work will not be jeopardized by parts failures. The key qualities and functions necessary for these rovers to achieve the required versatility and robustness are modularity, redundancy, and coordination. Three robotic rovers are being built by CSC as a test bed to implement the concepts of modularity and coordination. The specific goal of the design and construction of these robots is to demonstrate the software modularity and multirobot control algorithms required for the physical manipulation of constructible elements. Each rover consists of a transporter platform, bus manager, simple manipulator, and positioning receivers. These robots will be controlled from a central control console via a radio-frequency local area network (LAN). To date, one prototype transporter platform frame was built with batteries, motors, a prototype single-motor controller, and two prototype internal LAN boards. Software modules were developed in C language for monitor functions, i/o, and parallel port usage in each computer board. Also completed are the fabrication of half of the required number of computer boards, the procurement of 19.2 Kbaud RF modems for inter-robot communications, and the simulation of processing requirements for positioning receivers. In addition to the robotic platform, the fabrication of a local positioning system based on infrared signals is nearly completed. This positioning system will make the rovers into a moving reference system capable of performing site surveys. In addition, a four degree mechanical manipulator especially suited for coordinated teleoperation was conceptually designed and is currently being analyzed. This manipulator will be integrated into the rovers as their end effector. Twenty internal LAN cards fabricated by a commercial firm are being used, a prototype manipulator and a range finder for a positioning system were built, a prototype two-motor controller was designed, and one of the robots is performing its first telerobotic motion. In addition, the robots' internal LAN's were coordinated and tested, hardware design upgrades based on fabrication and fit experience were completed, and the positioning system is running.

Lunar rovers and local positioning system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Avery, James; Su, Renjeng

1991-01-01

Telerobotic rovers equipped with adequate actuators and sensors are clearly necessary for extraterrestrial construction. They will be employed as substitutes for humans, to perform jobs like surveying, sensing, signaling, manipulating, and the handling of small materials. Important design criteria for these rovers include versatility and robustness. They must be easily programmed and reprogrammed to perform a wide variety of different functions, and they must be robust so that construction work will not be jeopardized by parts failures. The key qualities and functions necessary for these rovers to achieve the required versatility and robustness are modularity, redundancy, and coordination. Three robotic rovers are being built by CSC as a test bed to implement the concepts of modularity and coordination. The specific goal of the design and construction of these robots is to demonstrate the software modularity and multirobot control algorithms required for the physical manipulation of constructible elements. Each rover consists of a transporter platform, bus manager, simple manipulator, and positioning receivers. These robots will be controlled from a central control console via a radio-frequency local area network (LAN). To date, one prototype transporter platform frame was built with batteries, motors, a prototype single-motor controller, and two prototype internal LAN boards. Software modules were developed in C language for monitor functions, i/o, and parallel port usage in each computer board. Also completed are the fabrication of half of the required number of computer boards, the procurement of 19.2 Kbaud RF modems for inter-robot communications, and the simulation of processing requirements for positioning receivers. In addition to the robotic platform, the fabrication of a local positioning system based on infrared signals is nearly completed. This positioning system will make the rovers into a moving reference system capable of performing site surveys. In addition, a four degree mechanical manipulator especially suited for coordinated teleoperation was conceptually designed and is currently being analyzed. This manipulator will be integrated into the rovers as their end effector. Twenty internal LAN cards fabricated by a commercial firm are being used, a prototype manipulator and a range finder for a positioning system were built, a prototype two-motor controller was designed, and one of the robots is performing its first telerobotic motion. In addition, the robots' internal LAN's were coordinated and tested, hardware design upgrades based on fabrication and fit experience were completed, and the positioning system is running. The rover system is able to perform simple tasks such as sensing and signaling; coordination systems which allow construction tasks to begin were established, and soon coordinated teams of robots in the laboratory will be able to manipulate common objects.

Are Global In-Situ Ocean Observations Fit-for-purpose? Applying the Framework for Ocean Observing in the Atlantic.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Visbeck, M.; Fischer, A. S.; Le Traon, P. Y.; Mowlem, M. C.; Speich, S.; Larkin, K.

2015-12-01

There are an increasing number of global, regional and local processes that are in need of integrated ocean information. In the sciences ocean information is needed to support physical ocean and climate studies for example within the World Climate Research Programme and its CLIVAR project, biogeochemical issues as articulated by the GCP, IMBER and SOLAS projects of ICSU-SCOR and Future Earth. This knowledge gets assessed in the area of climate by the IPCC and biodiversity by the IPBES processes. The recently released first World Ocean Assessment focuses more on ecosystem services and there is an expectation that the Sustainable Development Goals and in particular Goal 14 on the Ocean and Seas will generate new demands for integrated ocean observing from Climate to Fish and from Ocean Resources to Safe Navigation and on a healthy, productive and enjoyable ocean in more general terms. In recognition of those increasing needs for integrated ocean information we have recently launched the Horizon 2020 AtlantOS project to promote the transition from a loosely-coordinated set of existing ocean observing activities to a more integrated, more efficient, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose Atlantic Ocean Observing System. AtlantOS takes advantage of the Framework for Ocean observing that provided strategic guidance for the design of the project and its outcome. AtlantOS will advance the requirements and systems design, improving the readiness of observing networks and data systems, and engaging stakeholders around the Atlantic. AtlantOS will bring Atlantic nations together to strengthen their complementary contributions to and benefits from the internationally coordinated Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Blue Planet Initiative of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). AtlantOS will fill gaps of the in-situ observing system networks and will ensure that their data are readily accessible and useable. AtlantOS will demonstrate the utility of integrating in-situ and remotely sensed Earth observations to produce information products supporting a wide range of sectors. AtlantOS will support activities to share best practice, integrate data streams and promote the standardization of in-situ observations. AtlantOS will promote network integration, optimization and new technologies.

A Festival Formula that Forestalls Flops.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vinje, Faye

1980-01-01

A successful community festival will be unique, will fit the character and interests of the community, and should be headed by a versatile coordinator who can administer fund raising, publicity, and recordkeeping. (RJG)

Personality factors in flight operations. Volume 1: Leader characteristics and crew performance in a full-mission air transport simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chidester, Thomas R.; Kanki, Barbara G.; Foushee, H. Clayton; Dickinson, Cortlandt L.; Bowles, Stephen V.

1990-01-01

Crew effectiveness is a joint product of the piloting skills, attitudes, and personality characteristics of team members. As obvious as this point might seem, both traditional approaches to optimizing crew performance and more recent training development highlighting crew coordination have emphasized only the skill and attitudinal dimensions. This volume is the first in a series of papers on this simulation. A subsequent volume will focus on patterns of communication within crews. The results of a full-mission simulation research study assessing the impact of individual personality on crew performance is reported. Using a selection algorithm described in previous research, captains were classified as fitting one of three profiles along a battery of personality assessment scales. The performances of 23 crews led by captains fitting each profile were contrasted over a one-and-one-half-day simulated trip. Crews led by captains fitting a positive Instrumental-Expressive profile (high achievement motivation and interpersonal skill) were consistently effective and made fewer errors. Crews led by captains fitting a Negative Expressive profile (below average achievement motivation, negative expressive style, such as complaining) were consistently less effective and made more errors. Crews led by captains fitting a Negative Instrumental profile (high levels of competitiveness, verbal aggressiveness, and impatience and irritability) were less effective on the first day but equal to the best on the second day. These results underscore the importance of stable personality variables as predictors of team coordination and performance.

Effect of living area and sports club participation on physical fitness in children: a 4 year longitudinal study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Cross-sectional studies detected associations between physical fitness, living area, and sports participation in children. Yet, their scientific value is limited because the identification of cause-and-effect relationships is not possible. In a longitudinal approach, we examined the effects of living area and sports club participation on physical fitness development in primary school children from classes 3 to 6. Methods One-hundred and seventy-two children (age: 9–12 years; sex: 69 girls, 103 boys) were tested for their physical fitness (i.e., endurance [9-min run], speed [50-m sprint], lower- [triple hop] and upper-extremity muscle strength [1-kg ball push], flexibility [stand-and-reach], and coordination [star coordination run]). Living area (i.e., urban or rural) and sports club participation were assessed using parent questionnaire. Results Over the 4 year study period, urban compared to rural children showed significantly better performance development for upper- (p = 0.009, ES = 0.16) and lower-extremity strength (p < 0.001, ES = 0.22). Further, significantly better performance development were found for endurance (p = 0.08, ES = 0.19) and lower-extremity strength (p = 0.024, ES = 0.23) for children continuously participating in sports clubs compared to their non-participating peers. Conclusions Our findings suggest that sport club programs with appealing arrangements appear to represent a good means to promote physical fitness in children living in rural areas. PMID:24886425

Effect of living area and sports club participation on physical fitness in children: a 4 year longitudinal study.

PubMed

Golle, Kathleen; Granacher, Urs; Hoffmann, Martin; Wick, Ditmar; Muehlbauer, Thomas

2014-05-23

Cross-sectional studies detected associations between physical fitness, living area, and sports participation in children. Yet, their scientific value is limited because the identification of cause-and-effect relationships is not possible. In a longitudinal approach, we examined the effects of living area and sports club participation on physical fitness development in primary school children from classes 3 to 6. One-hundred and seventy-two children (age: 9-12 years; sex: 69 girls, 103 boys) were tested for their physical fitness (i.e., endurance [9-min run], speed [50-m sprint], lower- [triple hop] and upper-extremity muscle strength [1-kg ball push], flexibility [stand-and-reach], and coordination [star coordination run]). Living area (i.e., urban or rural) and sports club participation were assessed using parent questionnaire. Over the 4 year study period, urban compared to rural children showed significantly better performance development for upper- (p = 0.009, ES = 0.16) and lower-extremity strength (p < 0.001, ES = 0.22). Further, significantly better performance development were found for endurance (p = 0.08, ES = 0.19) and lower-extremity strength (p = 0.024, ES = 0.23) for children continuously participating in sports clubs compared to their non-participating peers. Our findings suggest that sport club programs with appealing arrangements appear to represent a good means to promote physical fitness in children living in rural areas.

Ames Fitness Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pratt, Randy

1993-01-01

The Ames Fitness Program services 5,000 civil servants and contractors working at Ames Research Center. A 3,000 square foot fitness center, equipped with cardiovascular machines, weight training machines, and free weight equipment is on site. Thirty exercise classes are held each week at the Center. A weight loss program is offered, including individual exercise prescriptions, fitness testing, and organized monthly runs. The Fitness Center is staffed by one full-time program coordinator and 15 hours per week of part-time help. Membership is available to all employees at Ames at no charge, and there are no fees for participation in any of the program activities. Prior to using the Center, employees must obtain a physical examination and complete a membership package. Funding for the Ames Fitness Program was in jeopardy in December 1992; however, the employees circulated a petition in support of the program and collected more than 1500 signatures in only three days. Funding has been approved through October 1993.

Muscle Glycogen, Fiber Type, Aerobic Fitness, and Anaerobic Capacity of West Coast U.S. Navy Sea-Air-Land Personnel (SEALS).

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-07-01

traininig and nutritional intake histories for the 36-48 hours preceding the biopsy. Aerobic Fitness Test. Aerobic endurance performance was evaluated...running, cycling, soccer, volleyball, Versiclimber®, calisthenics, and weightlifting . These activities are consistent with the training habits of a...success of missions requiring time-dependent coordination of unit movements. Achieving a greater degree of nutritional homogeneity and physical/mission

Planetary geological studies. [MARS crater morphology and ejecta deposit topography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blasius, K. R.

1981-01-01

A global data base was assembled for the study of Mars crater ejecta morphology. The craters were classified as to morhology using individual photographic prints of Viking orbiter frames. Positional and scale information were derived by fitting digitized mosaic coordinates to lattitude-longitude coordinates of surface features from the Mars geodetic control net and feature coordinates from the U.S.G.S. series of 1:5,00,000 scale shaded relief maps. Crater morphology characteristics recorded are of two classes - attributes of each ejecta deposit and other crater charactersitics. Preliminary efforts to check the data base with findings of other workers are described.

XAFS Study of Molten ZrCl4 in LiCl-KCl Eutectic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okamoto, Yoshihiro; Motohashi, Haruhiko

2002-05-01

The local structure of motlen ZrCl4 in LiCl-KCl eutectic was investigated by using an X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) of the Zr K-absorption edge. The nearest Zr4+-Cl- distance and coordination number from the curve fitting analysis were (2.51±0.02) Å and 5.9±0.6, respectively. These suggest that a 6-fold coordination (ZrCl6)2- is predominant in the molten mixture.

Haemophilus influenzae OxyR: Characterization of Its Regulation, Regulon and Role in Fitness

PubMed Central

Whitby, Paul W.; Morton, Daniel J.; VanWagoner, Timothy M.; Seale, Thomas W.; Cole, Brett K.; Mussa, Huda J.; McGhee, Phillip A.; Bauer, Chee Yoon S.; Springer, Jennifer M.; Stull, Terrence L.

2012-01-01

To prevent damage by reactive oxygen species, many bacteria have evolved rapid detection and response systems, including the OxyR regulon. The OxyR system detects reactive oxygen and coordinates the expression of numerous defensive antioxidants. In many bacterial species the coordinated OxyR-regulated response is crucial for in vivo survival. Regulation of the OxyR regulon of Haemophilus influenzae was examined in vitro, and significant variation in the regulated genes of the OxyR regulon among strains of H. influenzae was observed. Quantitative PCR studies demonstrated a role for the OxyR-regulated peroxiredoxin/glutaredoxin as a mediator of the OxyR response, and also indicated OxyR self-regulation through a negative feedback loop. Analysis of transcript levels in H. influenzae samples derived from an animal model of otitis media demonstrated that the members of the OxyR regulon were actively upregulated within the chinchilla middle ear. H. influenzae mutants lacking the oxyR gene exhibited increased sensitivity to challenge with various peroxides. The impact of mutations in oxyR was assessed in various animal models of H. influenzae disease. In paired comparisons with the corresponding wild-type strains, the oxyR mutants were unaffected in both the chinchilla model of otitis media and an infant model of bacteremia. However, in weanling rats the oxyR mutant was significantly impaired compared to the wild-type strain. In contrast, in all three animal models when infected with a mixture of equal numbers of both wild-type and mutant strains the mutant strain was significantly out competed by the wild-type strain. These findings clearly establish a crucial role for OxyR in bacterial fitness. PMID:23226321

"Not just another Wii training": a graded Wii protocol to increase physical fitness in adolescent girls with probable developmental coordination disorder-a pilot study.

PubMed

Bonney, Emmanuel; Rameckers, Eugene; Ferguson, Gillian; Smits-Engelsman, Bouwien

2018-02-22

Adolescents with low motor competence participate less in physical activity and tend to exhibit decreased physical fitness compared to their peers with high motor competence. It is therefore essential to identify new methods of enhancing physical fitness in this population. Active video games (AVG) have been shown to improve motor performance, yet investigations of its impact on physical fitness are limited. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the graded Wii protocol in adolescent girls with probable Developmental Coordination Disorder (p-DCD). A single-group pre-post design was conducted to assess the impact of a newly developed Wii protocol in adolescent girls attending school in a low income community of Cape Town, South Africa. Sixteen participants (aged 13-16 years) with p-DCD (≤16th percentile on the MABC-2 test) were recruited. Participants received 45 min Wii training for 14 weeks. Outcome measures included the six-minute walk distance and repeated sprint ability. Information on heart rate, enjoyment and perceived exertion ratings were also collected. Significant improvements in aerobic and anaerobic fitness were observed. The participants reported high enjoyment scores and low perceived exertion ratings. The graded Wii protocol was easily adaptable and required little resources (space, equipment and expertise) to administer. The findings provide preliminary evidence to support the use of the graded Wii protocol for promoting physical fitness in adolescent girls with p-DCD. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to validate the clinical efficacy of the protocol in a larger sample with a more robust design.

Change in health care use after coordinated care planning: a quasi-experimental study.

PubMed

Bielska, Iwona A; Cimek, Kelly; Guenter, Dale; O'Halloran, Kelly; Nyitray, Chloe; Hunter, Linda; Wodchis, Walter P

2018-05-31

We sought to determine whether patients with a coordinated care plan developed using the Health Links model of care in the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network differed in their use of health care (no. of emergency department visits, inpatient admissions, length of inpatient stay) when compared with a matched control group of patients with no care plans. We performed a propensity score-matched study of 12 months pre- and 12 months post-health care use. Patients who had a coordinated care plan that started between 2013 and 2015 were propensity score matched to patients in a control group. Patient information was obtained from Client Health and Related Information System, National Ambulatory Care Reporting System and Discharge Abstract Database. Differences in health care use pre- and post-index date were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A negative binomial regression model was fit for each health care use outcome at 6 and 12 months post-index date. Six hundred coordinated care plan enrollees and 25 449 potential control patients were included in the matching algorithm, which resulted in 548 matched pairs (91.3%). Both groups showed decreases in health care use post-index date. Matched care plan enrollees had significantly fewer emergency department visits at 6 (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-0.91, p < 0.01) and 12 months post-index date (IRR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79-0.99, p < 0.05) compared with the matched controls. Other use parameters were not significantly different between care plan enrollees and the control group. Care plan enrollees show a decrease in the number of times they visit emergency departments, which may be attributed to integrated and coordinated care planning. This association should be examined to see whether these reductions persist for more than 1 year. Copyright 2018, Joule Inc. or its licensors.

Semiautomated analysis of optical coherence tomography crystalline lens images under simulated accommodation

PubMed Central

Kim, Eon; Ehrmann, Klaus; Uhlhorn, Stephen; Borja, David; Arrieta-Quintero, Esdras; Parel, Jean-Marie

2011-01-01

Presbyopia is an age related, gradual loss of accommodation, mainly due to changes in the crystalline lens. As part of research efforts to understand and cure this condition, ex vivo, cross-sectional optical coherence tomography images of crystalline lenses were obtained by using the Ex-Vivo Accommodation Simulator (EVAS II) instrument and analyzed to extract their physical and optical properties. Various filters and edge detection methods were applied to isolate the edge contour. An ellipse is fitted to the lens outline to obtain central reference point for transforming the pixel data into the analysis coordinate system. This allows for the fitting of a high order equation to obtain a mathematical description of the edge contour, which obeys constraints of continuity as well as zero to infinite surface slopes from apex to equator. Geometrical parameters of the lens were determined for the lens images captured at different accommodative states. Various curve fitting functions were developed to mathematically describe the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens. Their differences were evaluated and their suitability for extracting optical performance of the lens was assessed. The robustness of these algorithms was tested by analyzing the same images repeated times. PMID:21639571

Semiautomated analysis of optical coherence tomography crystalline lens images under simulated accommodation.

PubMed

Kim, Eon; Ehrmann, Klaus; Uhlhorn, Stephen; Borja, David; Arrieta-Quintero, Esdras; Parel, Jean-Marie

2011-05-01

Presbyopia is an age related, gradual loss of accommodation, mainly due to changes in the crystalline lens. As part of research efforts to understand and cure this condition, ex vivo, cross-sectional optical coherence tomography images of crystalline lenses were obtained by using the Ex-Vivo Accommodation Simulator (EVAS II) instrument and analyzed to extract their physical and optical properties. Various filters and edge detection methods were applied to isolate the edge contour. An ellipse is fitted to the lens outline to obtain central reference point for transforming the pixel data into the analysis coordinate system. This allows for the fitting of a high order equation to obtain a mathematical description of the edge contour, which obeys constraints of continuity as well as zero to infinite surface slopes from apex to equator. Geometrical parameters of the lens were determined for the lens images captured at different accommodative states. Various curve fitting functions were developed to mathematically describe the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens. Their differences were evaluated and their suitability for extracting optical performance of the lens was assessed. The robustness of these algorithms was tested by analyzing the same images repeated times.

Improve wildlife species tracking—Implementing an enhanced global positioning system data management system for California condors

USGS Publications Warehouse

Waltermire, Robert G.; Emmerich, Christopher U.; Mendenhall, Laura C.; Bohrer, Gil; Weinzierl, Rolf P.; McGann, Andrew J.; Lineback, Pat K.; Kern, Tim J.; Douglas, David C.

2016-05-03

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) staff in the Pacific Southwest Region and at the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex requested technical assistance to improve their global positioning system (GPS) data acquisition, management, and archive in support of the California Condor Recovery Program. The USFWS deployed and maintained GPS units on individual Gymnogyps californianus (California condor) in support of long-term research and daily operational monitoring and management of California condors. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) obtained funding through the Science Support Program to provide coordination among project participants, provide GPS Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) transmitters for testing, and compare GSM/GPS with existing Argos satellite GPS technology. The USFWS staff worked with private companies to design, develop, and fit condors with GSM/GPS transmitters. The Movebank organization, an online database of animal tracking data, coordinated with each of these companies to automatically stream their GPS data into Movebank servers and coordinated with USFWS to improve Movebank software for managing transmitter data, including proofing/error checking of incoming GPS data. The USGS arranged to pull raw GPS data from Movebank into the USGS California Condor Management and Analysis Portal (CCMAP) (https://my.usgs.gov/ccmap) for production and dissemination of a daily map of condor movements including various automated alerts. Further, the USGS developed an automatic archiving system for pulling raw and proofed Movebank data into USGS ScienceBase to comply with the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002. This improved data management system requires minimal manual intervention resulting in more efficient data flow from GPS data capture to archive status. As a result of the project’s success, Pinnacles National Park and the Ventana Wildlife Society California condor programs became partners and adopted the same workflow, tracking, and data archive system. This GPS tracking data management model and workflow should be applicable and beneficial to other wildlife tracking programs.

Higher order turbulence closure models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amano, Ryoichi S.; Chai, John C.; Chen, Jau-Der

1988-01-01

Theoretical models are developed and numerical studies conducted on various types of flows including both elliptic and parabolic. The purpose of this study is to find better higher order closure models for the computations of complex flows. This report summarizes three new achievements: (1) completion of the Reynolds-stress closure by developing a new pressure-strain correlation; (2) development of a parabolic code to compute jets and wakes; and, (3) application to a flow through a 180 deg turnaround duct by adopting a boundary fitted coordinate system. In the above mentioned models near-wall models are developed for pressure-strain correlation and third-moment, and incorporated into the transport equations. This addition improved the results considerably and is recommended for future computations. A new parabolic code to solve shear flows without coordinate tranformations is developed and incorporated in this study. This code uses the structure of the finite volume method to solve the governing equations implicitly. The code was validated with the experimental results available in the literature.

Construction of a 3-arcsecond digital elevation model for the Gulf of Maine

USGS Publications Warehouse

Twomey, Erin R.; Signell, Richard P.

2013-01-01

A system-wide description of the seafloor topography is a basic requirement for most coastal oceanographic studies. The necessary detail of the topography obviously varies with application, but for many uses, a nominal resolution of roughly 100 m is sufficient. Creating a digital bathymetric grid with this level of resolution can be a complex procedure due to a multiplicity of data sources, data coverages, datums and interpolation procedures. This report documents the procedures used to construct a 3-arcsecond (approximately 90-meter grid cell size) digital elevation model for the Gulf of Maine (71°30' to 63° W, 39°30' to 46° N). We obtained elevation and bathymetric data from a variety of American and Canadian sources, converted all data to the North American Datum of 1983 for horizontal coordinates and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 for vertical coordinates, used a combination of automatic and manual techniques for quality control, and interpolated gaps using a surface-fitting routine.

Three-dimensional boundary layer calculation by a characteristic method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houdeville, R.

1992-01-01

A numerical method for solving the three-dimensional boundary layer equations for bodies of arbitrary shape is presented. In laminar flows, the application domain extends from incompressible to hypersonic flows with the assumption of chemical equilibrium. For turbulent boundary layers, the application domain is limited by the validity of the mixing length model used. In order to respect the hyperbolic nature of the equations reduced to first order partial derivative terms, the momentum equations are discretized along the local streamlines using of the osculator tangent plane at each node of the body fitted coordinate system. With this original approach, it is possible to overcome the use of the generalized coordinates, and therefore, it is not necessary to impose an extra hypothesis about the regularity of the mesh in which the boundary conditions are given. By doing so, it is possible to limit, and sometimes to suppress, the pre-treatment of the data coming from an inviscid calculation. Although the proposed scheme is only semi-implicit, the method remains numerically very efficient.

The Z3 model of Saturns magnetic field and the Pioneer 11 vector helium magnetometer observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connerney, J. E. P.; Acuna, M. H.; Ness, N. F.

1984-01-01

Magnetic field observations obtained by the Pioneer 11 vector helium magnetometer are compared with the Z(sub 3) model magnetic field. These Pioneer 11 observations, obtained at close-in radial distances, constitute an important and independent test of the Z(sub 3) zonal harmonic model, which was derived from Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 fluxgate magnetometer observations. Differences between the Pioneer 11 magnetometer and the Z(sub 3) model field are found to be small (approximately 1%) and quantitatively consistent with the expected instrumental accuracy. A detailed examination of these differences in spacecraft payload coordinates shows that they are uniquely associated with the instrument frame of reference and operation. A much improved fit to the Pioneer 11 observations is obtained by rotation of the instrument coordinate system about the spacecraft spin axis by 1.4 degree. With this adjustment, possibly associated with an instrumental phase lag or roll attitude error, the Pioneer 11 vector helium magnetometer observations are fully consistent with the Voyager Z(sub 3) model.

Using the ALEGRA Code for Analysis of Quasi-Static Magnetization of Metals

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

covariant Levi - Civita skew-symmetric tensor. Using tensorial notation per- mits one to present all the equations in the universal covariant (i.e., coordinate...tensors numerically coincide with the corresponding values of the Kronnekker symbol δij, δij, δij. The Levi - Civita tensor z ijk has the main com...simulations: body -fitted (left) and regular (right). 6.1 Spatial Discretization Two mesh configurations were used: (1) a body -fitted irregular mesh

Estrogen-Related Receptor-α Coordinates Transcriptional Programs Essential for Exercise Tolerance and Muscle Fitness

PubMed Central

Perry, Marie-Claude; Dufour, Catherine R.; Tam, Ingrid S.; B'chir, Wafa

2014-01-01

Muscle fitness is an important determinant of health and disease. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the coordinate regulation of the metabolic and structural determinants of muscle endurance are still poorly characterized. Herein, we demonstrate that estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα, NR3B1) is essential for skeletal muscle fitness. Notably, we show that ERRα-null animals are hypoactive and that genetic or therapeutic disruption of ERRα in mice results in reduced exercise tolerance. Mice lacking ERRα also exhibited lactatemia at exhaustion. Gene expression profiling demonstrates that ERRα plays a key role in various metabolic processes important for muscle function including energy substrate transport and use (Ldhd, Slc16a1, Hk2, and Glul), the tricarboxylic acid cycle (Cycs, and Idh3g), and oxidative metabolism (Pdha1, and Uqcrq). Metabolomics studies revealed impairment in replenishment of several amino acids (eg, glutamine) during recovery to exercise. Moreover, loss of ERRα was found to alter the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress response (Hmox1), maintenance of muscle fiber integrity (Trim63, and Hspa1b), and muscle plasticity and neovascularization (Vegfa). Taken together, our study shows that ERRα plays a key role in directing transcriptional programs required for optimal mitochondrial oxidative potential and muscle fitness, suggesting that modulation of ERRα activity could be used to manage metabolic myopathies and/or promote the adaptive response to physical exercise. PMID:25361393

Estimates of the moon's geometry using lunar orbiter imagery and Apollo laser altimeter data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, R. L.

1973-01-01

Selenographic coordinates for about 6000 lunar points identified on the Lunar Orbiter photographs are tabulated and have been combined with those lunar radii derived from the Apollo 15 laser altimeter data. These coordinates were used to derive that triaxial ellipsoid which best fits the moon's irregular surface. Fits were obtaind for different constraints on both the axial orientations and the displacement of the center of the ellipsoid. The semiaxes for the unconstrained ellipsoid were a = 1737.6 km, b = 1735.6 km, and c = 1735.0 km which correspond to a mean radius of about 1736.1 km. These axes were found to be nearly parallel to the moon's principal axes of inertia, and the origin was displaced about 2.0 km from the moon's center of gravity in a direction away from the earth and to the south of the lunar equator.

Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qian; Gosik, Kirk; Xing, Sujuan; Jiang, Libo; Sun, Lidan; Chinchilli, Vernon M.; Wu, Rongling

2017-03-01

Epigenetic reprogramming is thought to play a critical role in maintaining the normal development of embryos. How the methylation state of paternal and maternal genomes regulates embryogenesis depends on the interaction and coordination of the gametes of two sexes. While there is abundant research in exploring the epigenetic interactions of sperms and oocytes, a knowledge gap exists in the mechanistic quantitation of these interactions and their impact on embryo development. This review aims at formulating a modeling framework to address this gap through the integration and synthesis of evolutionary game theory and the latest discoveries of the epigenetic control of embryo development by next-generation sequencing. This framework, named epigenetic game theory or epiGame, views embryogenesis as an ecological system in which two highly distinct and specialized gametes coordinate through either cooperation or competition, or both, to maximize the fitness of embryos under Darwinian selection. By implementing a system of ordinary differential equations, epiGame quantifies the pattern and relative magnitude of the methylation effects on embryogenesis by the mechanisms of cooperation and competition. epiGame may gain new insight into reproductive biology and can be potentially applied to design personalized medicines for genetic disorder intervention.

Evolving self-assembly in autonomous homogeneous robots: experiments with two physical robots.

PubMed

Ampatzis, Christos; Tuci, Elio; Trianni, Vito; Christensen, Anders Lyhne; Dorigo, Marco

2009-01-01

This research work illustrates an approach to the design of controllers for self-assembling robots in which the self-assembly is initiated and regulated by perceptual cues that are brought forth by the physical robots through their dynamical interactions. More specifically, we present a homogeneous control system that can achieve assembly between two modules (two fully autonomous robots) of a mobile self-reconfigurable system without a priori introduced behavioral or morphological heterogeneities. The controllers are dynamic neural networks evolved in simulation that directly control all the actuators of the two robots. The neurocontrollers cause the dynamic specialization of the robots by allocating roles between them based solely on their interaction. We show that the best evolved controller proves to be successful when tested on a real hardware platform, the swarm-bot. The performance achieved is similar to the one achieved by existing modular or behavior-based approaches, also due to the effect of an emergent recovery mechanism that was neither explicitly rewarded by the fitness function, nor observed during the evolutionary simulation. Our results suggest that direct access to the orientations or intentions of the other agents is not a necessary condition for robot coordination: Our robots coordinate without direct or explicit communication, contrary to what is assumed by most research works in collective robotics. This work also contributes to strengthening the evidence that evolutionary robotics is a design methodology that can tackle real-world tasks demanding fine sensory-motor coordination.

A system-approach to the elastohydrodynamic lubrication point-contact problem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lim, Sang Gyu; Brewe, David E.

1991-01-01

The classical EHL (elastohydrodynamic lubrication) point contact problem is solved using a new system-approach, similar to that introduced by Houpert and Hamrock for the line-contact problem. Introducing a body-fitted coordinate system, the troublesome free-boundary is transformed to a fixed domain. The Newton-Raphson method can then be used to determine the pressure distribution and the cavitation boundary subject to the Reynolds boundary condition. This method provides an efficient and rigorous way of solving the EHL point contact problem with the aid of a supercomputer and a promising method to deal with the transient EHL point contact problem. A typical pressure distribution and film thickness profile are presented and the minimum film thicknesses are compared with the solution of Hamrock and Dowson. The details of the cavitation boundaries for various operating parameters are discussed.

The Neural Network In Coordinate Transformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urusan, Ahmet Yucel

2011-12-01

In international literature, Coordinate operations is divided into two categories. They are coordinate conversion and coordinate transformation. Coordinates converted from coordinate system A to coordinate system B in the same datum (mean origine, scale and axis directions are same) by coordinate conversion. There are two different datum in coordinate transformation. The basis of each datum to a different coordinate reference system. In Coordinate transformation, coordinates are transformed from coordinate reference system A to coordinate referance system B. Geodetic studies based on physical measurements. Coordinate transformation needs identical points which were measured in each coordinate reference system (A and B). However it is difficult (and need a big reserved budget) to measure in some places like as top of mountain, boundry of countries and seaside. In this study, this sample problem solution was researched. The method of learning which is one of the neural network methods, was used for solution of this problem.

Sixth-order wave aberration theory of ultrawide-angle optical systems.

PubMed

Lu, Lijun; Cao, Yiqing

2017-10-20

In this paper, we develop sixth-order wave aberration theory of ultrawide-angle optical systems like fisheye lenses. Based on the concept and approach to develop wave aberration theory of plane-symmetric optical systems, we first derive the sixth-order intrinsic wave aberrations and the fifth-order ray aberrations; second, we present a method to calculate the pupil aberration of such kind of optical systems to develop the extrinsic aberrations; third, the relation of aperture-ray coordinates between adjacent optical surfaces is fitted with the second-order polynomial to improve the calculation accuracy of the wave aberrations of a fisheye lens with a large acceptance aperture. Finally, the resultant aberration expressions are applied to calculate the aberrations of two design examples of fisheye lenses; the calculation results are compared with the ray-tracing ones with Zemax software to validate the aberration expressions.

Microscopic vision modeling method by direct mapping analysis for micro-gripping system with stereo light microscope.

PubMed

Wang, Yuezong; Zhao, Zhizhong; Wang, Junshuai

2016-04-01

We present a novel and high-precision microscopic vision modeling method, which can be used for 3D data reconstruction in micro-gripping system with stereo light microscope. This method consists of four parts: image distortion correction, disparity distortion correction, initial vision model and residual compensation model. First, the method of image distortion correction is proposed. Image data required by image distortion correction comes from stereo images of calibration sample. The geometric features of image distortions can be predicted though the shape deformation of lines constructed by grid points in stereo images. Linear and polynomial fitting methods are applied to correct image distortions. Second, shape deformation features of disparity distribution are discussed. The method of disparity distortion correction is proposed. Polynomial fitting method is applied to correct disparity distortion. Third, a microscopic vision model is derived, which consists of two models, i.e., initial vision model and residual compensation model. We derive initial vision model by the analysis of direct mapping relationship between object and image points. Residual compensation model is derived based on the residual analysis of initial vision model. The results show that with maximum reconstruction distance of 4.1mm in X direction, 2.9mm in Y direction and 2.25mm in Z direction, our model achieves a precision of 0.01mm in X and Y directions and 0.015mm in Z direction. Comparison of our model with traditional pinhole camera model shows that two kinds of models have a similar reconstruction precision of X coordinates. However, traditional pinhole camera model has a lower precision of Y and Z coordinates than our model. The method proposed in this paper is very helpful for the micro-gripping system based on SLM microscopic vision. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Communications systems and methods for subsea processors

DOEpatents

Gutierrez, Jose; Pereira, Luis

2016-04-26

A subsea processor may be located near the seabed of a drilling site and used to coordinate operations of underwater drilling components. The subsea processor may be enclosed in a single interchangeable unit that fits a receptor on an underwater drilling component, such as a blow-out preventer (BOP). The subsea processor may issue commands to control the BOP and receive measurements from sensors located throughout the BOP. A shared communications bus may interconnect the subsea processor and underwater components and the subsea processor and a surface or onshore network. The shared communications bus may be operated according to a time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme.

Automatic measurement of images on astrometric plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortiz Gil, A.; Lopez Garcia, A.; Martinez Gonzalez, J. M.; Yershov, V.

1994-04-01

We present some results on the process of automatic detection and measurement of objects in overlapped fields of astrometric plates. The main steps of our algorithm are the following: determination of the Scale and Tilt between charge coupled devices (CCD) and microscope coordinate systems and estimation of signal-to-noise ratio in each field;--image identification and improvement of its position and size;--image final centering;--image selection and storage. Several parameters allow the use of variable criteria for image identification, characterization and selection. Problems related with faint images and crowded fields will be approached by special techniques (morphological filters, histogram properties and fitting models).

Functional training reduces body fat and improves functional fitness and cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Neves, Lucas M; Fortaleza, Ana C; Rossi, Fabrício E; Diniz, Tiego A; Codogno, Jamile S; Gobbo, Luis A; Gobbi, Sebastião; Freitas, Ismael F

2017-04-01

This randomized clinical trial with concealed allocations, and blinding of the assessors and the data analyst, was aimed at determining the effects of 16 weeks of functional training on the body composition, functional fitness and lipid profiles in postmenopausal women. The study began with 64 subjects (N.=32 functional training and N.=32 control group) and ended with 50 subjects (N.=28 functional training and N.=22 control group). The exercise was conducted in circuit training format with 8 stations related to the development of muscular strength (using elastic bands for resistance) plus 3 stations focused on balance, coordination, and agility. The training session also incorporated an 18 to 30 minute walk. The control group did not participate in the exercise programs during the period of study. The participants were evaluated before and after the training period as regards their body composition (fat and lean mass), functional fitness, abdominal strength and blood chemistry variables. Significant reductions were observed in all body composition variables related to fat (FM= -3.4 and Android FM= -7.7%) (P<0.05). The functional fitness components had significant improvements in coordination (-33.3%), strength (66.5%), agility (-19.5%) and aerobic capacity (-7%), and significant improvement in abdominal strength (188.2%). We observed significant improvements in total cholesterol (-4.4%) and HDL (-9.9%). The observed data lead us to conclude that functional training utilizing with elastic bands and unstable bases causes significantly improved in body composition, functional fitness and lipid profiles.

If the skull fits: magnetic resonance imaging and microcomputed tomography for combined analysis of brain and skull phenotypes in the mouse

PubMed Central

Blank, Marissa C.; Roman, Brian B.; Henkelman, R. Mark; Millen, Kathleen J.

2012-01-01

The mammalian brain and skull develop concurrently in a coordinated manner, consistently producing a brain and skull that fit tightly together. It is common that abnormalities in one are associated with related abnormalities in the other. However, this is not always the case. A complete characterization of the relationship between brain and skull phenotypes is necessary to understand the mechanisms that cause them to be coordinated or divergent and to provide perspective on the potential diagnostic or prognostic significance of brain and skull phenotypes. We demonstrate the combined use of magnetic resonance imaging and microcomputed tomography for analysis of brain and skull phenotypes in the mouse. Co-registration of brain and skull images allows comparison of the relationship between phenotypes in the brain and those in the skull. We observe a close fit between the brain and skull of two genetic mouse models that both show abnormal brain and skull phenotypes. Application of these three-dimensional image analyses in a broader range of mouse mutants will provide a map of the relationships between brain and skull phenotypes generally and allow characterization of patterns of similarities and differences. PMID:22947655

Implementation challenges and successes of a population-based colorectal cancer screening program: a qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives.

PubMed

Liles, Elizabeth G; Schneider, Jennifer L; Feldstein, Adrianne C; Mosen, David M; Perrin, Nancy; Rosales, Ana Gabriela; Smith, David H

2015-03-29

Few studies describe system-level challenges or facilitators to implementing population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening outreach programs. Our qualitative study explored viewpoints of multilevel stakeholders before, during, and after implementation of a centralized outreach program. Program implementation was part of a broader quality-improvement initiative. During 2008-2010, we conducted semi-structured, open-ended individual interviews and focus groups at Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW), a not-for-profit group model health maintenance organization using the practical robust implementation and sustainability model to explore external and internal barriers to CRC screening. We interviewed 55 stakeholders: 8 health plan leaders, 20 primary care providers, 4 program managers, and 23 endoscopy specialists (15 gastroenterologists, 8 general surgeons), and analyzed interview transcripts to identify common as well as divergent opinions expressed by stakeholders. The majority of stakeholders at various levels consistently reported that an automated telephone-reminder system to contact patients and coordinate mailing fecal tests alleviated organizational constraints on staff's time and resources. Changing to a single-sample fecal immunochemical test (FIT) lessened patient and provider concerns about feasibility and accuracy of fecal testing. The centralized telephonic outreach program did, however, result in some screening duplication and overuse. Higher rates of FIT completion and a higher proportion of positive results with FIT required more colonoscopies. Addressing barriers at multiple levels of a health system by changing the delivery system design to add a centralized outreach program, switching to a more accurate and easier-to-use fecal test, and providing educational and electronic support had both benefits and problematic consequences. Other health care organizations can use our results to understand the complexities of implementing centralized screening programs.

Progress on a generalized coordinates tensor product finite element 3DPNS algorithm for subsonic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, A. J.; Orzechowski, J. A.

1983-01-01

A generalized coordinates form of the penalty finite element algorithm for the 3-dimensional parabolic Navier-Stokes equations for turbulent subsonic flows was derived. This algorithm formulation requires only three distinct hypermatrices and is applicable using any boundary fitted coordinate transformation procedure. The tensor matrix product approximation to the Jacobian of the Newton linear algebra matrix statement was also derived. Tne Newton algorithm was restructured to replace large sparse matrix solution procedures with grid sweeping using alpha-block tridiagonal matrices, where alpha equals the number of dependent variables. Numerical experiments were conducted and the resultant data gives guidance on potentially preferred tensor product constructions for the penalty finite element 3DPNS algorithm.

Design of a Reconfigurable Robotic System for Flexoextension Fitted to Hand Fingers Size

PubMed Central

Castillo-Castaneda, Eduardo

2016-01-01

Due to the growing demand for assistance in rehabilitation therapies for hand movements, a robotic system is proposed to mobilize the hand fingers in flexion and extension exercises. The robotic system is composed by four, type slider-crank, mechanisms that have the ability to fit the user fingers length from the index to the little finger, through the adjustment of only one link for each mechanism. The trajectory developed by each mechanism corresponds to the natural flexoextension path of each finger. The amplitude of the rotations for metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) varies from 0 to 90° and the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) varies from 0 to 60°; the joint rotations are coordinated naturally. The four R-RRT mechanisms orientation allows a 15° abduction movement for index, ring, and little fingers. The kinematic analysis of this mechanism was developed in order to assure that the displacement speed and smooth acceleration into the desired range of motion and the simulation results are presented. The reconfiguration of mechanisms covers about 95% of hand sizes of a group of Mexican adult population. Maximum trajectory tracking error is less than 3% in full range of movement and it can be compensated by the additional rotation of finger joints without injury to the user. PMID:27524880

Design of a Reconfigurable Robotic System for Flexoextension Fitted to Hand Fingers Size.

PubMed

Aguilar-Pereyra, J Felipe; Castillo-Castaneda, Eduardo

2016-01-01

Due to the growing demand for assistance in rehabilitation therapies for hand movements, a robotic system is proposed to mobilize the hand fingers in flexion and extension exercises. The robotic system is composed by four, type slider-crank, mechanisms that have the ability to fit the user fingers length from the index to the little finger, through the adjustment of only one link for each mechanism. The trajectory developed by each mechanism corresponds to the natural flexoextension path of each finger. The amplitude of the rotations for metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) varies from 0 to 90° and the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) varies from 0 to 60°; the joint rotations are coordinated naturally. The four R-RRT mechanisms orientation allows a 15° abduction movement for index, ring, and little fingers. The kinematic analysis of this mechanism was developed in order to assure that the displacement speed and smooth acceleration into the desired range of motion and the simulation results are presented. The reconfiguration of mechanisms covers about 95% of hand sizes of a group of Mexican adult population. Maximum trajectory tracking error is less than 3% in full range of movement and it can be compensated by the additional rotation of finger joints without injury to the user.

Three-dimensional, automated, real-time video system for tracking limb motion in brain-machine interface studies.

PubMed

Peikon, Ian D; Fitzsimmons, Nathan A; Lebedev, Mikhail A; Nicolelis, Miguel A L

2009-06-15

Collection and analysis of limb kinematic data are essential components of the study of biological motion, including research into biomechanics, kinesiology, neurophysiology and brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). In particular, BMI research requires advanced, real-time systems capable of sampling limb kinematics with minimal contact to the subject's body. To answer this demand, we have developed an automated video tracking system for real-time tracking of multiple body parts in freely behaving primates. The system employs high-contrast markers painted on the animal's joints to continuously track the three-dimensional positions of their limbs during activity. Two-dimensional coordinates captured by each video camera are combined and converted to three-dimensional coordinates using a quadratic fitting algorithm. Real-time operation of the system is accomplished using direct memory access (DMA). The system tracks the markers at a rate of 52 frames per second (fps) in real-time and up to 100fps if video recordings are captured to be later analyzed off-line. The system has been tested in several BMI primate experiments, in which limb position was sampled simultaneously with chronic recordings of the extracellular activity of hundreds of cortical cells. During these recordings, multiple computational models were employed to extract a series of kinematic parameters from neuronal ensemble activity in real-time. The system operated reliably under these experimental conditions and was able to compensate for marker occlusions that occurred during natural movements. We propose that this system could also be extended to applications that include other classes of biological motion.

Use of hyperbolic partial differential equations to generate body fitted coordinates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steger, J. L.; Sorenson, R. L.

1980-01-01

The hyperbolic scheme is used to efficiently generate smoothly varying grids with good step size control near the body. Although only two dimensional applications are presented, the basic concepts are shown to extend to three dimensions.

The Partial Molar Volume and Compressibility of the FeO Component in Model Basalts (Mixed CaAl2Si2O8-CaMgSi2O6-CaFeSi2O6 Liquids) at 0 GPa: evidence of Fe2+ in 6-fold coordination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, X.; Lange, R. A.; Ai, Y.

2010-12-01

FeO is an important component in magmatic liquids and yet its partial molar volume at one bar is not as well known as that for Fe2O3 because of the difficulty of performing double-bob density measurements under reducing conditions. Moreover, there is growing evidence from spectroscopic studies that Fe2+ occurs in 4, 5, and 6-fold coordination in silicate melts, and it is expected that the partial molar volume and compressibility of the FeO component will vary accordingly. We have conducted both density and relaxed sound speed measurements on four liquids in the An-Di-Hd (CaAl2Si2O8-CaMgSi2O6-CaFeSi2O6) system: (1) Di-Hd (50:50), (2) An-Hd (50:50), (3) An-Di-Hd (33:33:33) and (4) Hd (100). Densities were measured between 1573 and 1838 K at one bar with the double-bob Archimedean method using molybdenum bobs and crucibles in a reducing gas (1%CO-99%Ar) environment. The sound speeds were measured under similar conditions with a frequency-sweep acoustic interferometer, and used to calculate isothermal compressibility. All the density data for the three multi-component (model basalt) liquids were combined with density data on SiO2-Al2O3-CaO-MgO-K2O-Na2O liquids (Lange, 1997) in a fit to a linear volume equation; the results lead to a partial molar volume (±1σ) for FeO =11.7 ± 0.3(±1σ) cm3/mol at 1723 K. This value is similar to that for crystalline FeO at 298 K (halite structure; 12.06 cm3/mol), which suggests an average Fe2+ coordination of ~6 in these model basalt compositions. In contrast, the fitted partial molar volume of FeO in pure hedenbergite liquid is 14.6 ± 0.3 at 1723 K, which is consistent with an average Fe2+ coordination of 4.3 derived from EXAFS spectroscopy (Rossano, 2000). Similarly, all the compressibility data for the three multi-component liquids were combined with compressibility data on SiO2-Al2O3-CaO-MgO liquids (Ai and Lange, 2008) in a fit to an ideal mixing model for melt compressibility; the results lead to a partial molar compressibility (±1σ) for FeO = 2.4 (± 0.3) 10-2 GPa-1 at 1723 K. In contrast, the compressibility of FeO in pure hedenbergite liquid is more than twice as large: 6.3 (± 0.2) 10-2 GPa-1. When these results are combined with density and sound speed data on CaO-FeO-SiO2 liquids at one bar (Guo et al., 2009), a systematic and linear variation between the partial molar volume and compressibility of the FeO component is obtained, which appears to track changes in the average Fe2+ coordination in these liquids. Therefore, the three most important conclusions of this study are: (1) ideal mixing of volume and compressibility does not occur for all FeO-bearing magmatic liquids, owing to changes in Fe2+ coordination, (2) the partial molar volume and compressibility of FeO varies linearly and systematically with Fe2+ coordination, and (3) ideal mixing of volume and compressibility does occur among the three mixed An-Di-Hd liquids, presumably because of a common, average Fe2+ coordination of ~6.

Interrogation of Mammalian Protein Complex Structure, Function, and Membership Using Genome-Scale Fitness Screens. | Office of Cancer Genomics

Cancer.gov

Protein complexes are assemblies of subunits that have co-evolved to execute one or many coordinated functions in the cellular environment. Functional annotation of mammalian protein complexes is critical to understanding biological processes, as well as disease mechanisms. Here, we used genetic co-essentiality derived from genome-scale RNAi- and CRISPR-Cas9-based fitness screens performed across hundreds of human cancer cell lines to assign measures of functional similarity.

Scanning dimensional measurement using laser-trapped microsphere with optical standing-wave scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michihata, Masaki; Ueda, Shin-ichi; Takahashi, Satoru; Takamasu, Kiyoshi; Takaya, Yasuhiro

2017-06-01

We propose a laser trapping-based scanning dimensional measurement method for free-form surfaces. We previously developed a laser trapping-based microprobe for three-dimensional coordinate metrology. This probe performs two types of measurements: a tactile coordinate and a scanning measurement in the same coordinate system. The proposed scanning measurement exploits optical interference. A standing-wave field is generated between the laser-trapped microsphere and the measured surface because of the interference from the retroreflected light. The standing-wave field produces an effective length scale, and the trapped microsphere acts as a sensor to read this scale. A horizontal scan of the trapped microsphere produces a phase shift of the standing wave according to the surface topography. This shift can be measured from the change in the microsphere position. The dynamics of the trapped microsphere within the standing-wave field was estimated using a harmonic model, from which the measured surface can be reconstructed. A spherical lens was measured experimentally, yielding a radius of curvature of 2.59 mm, in agreement with the nominal specification (2.60 mm). The difference between the measured points and a spherical fitted curve was 96 nm, which demonstrates the scanning function of the laser trapping-based microprobe for free-form surfaces.

Framework for quantitative evaluation of 3D vessel segmentation approaches using vascular phantoms in conjunction with 3D landmark localization and registration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wörz, Stefan; Hoegen, Philipp; Liao, Wei; Müller-Eschner, Matthias; Kauczor, Hans-Ulrich; von Tengg-Kobligk, Hendrik; Rohr, Karl

2016-03-01

We introduce a framework for quantitative evaluation of 3D vessel segmentation approaches using vascular phantoms. Phantoms are designed using a CAD system and created with a 3D printer, and comprise realistic shapes including branches and pathologies such as abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). To transfer ground truth information to the 3D image coordinate system, we use a landmark-based registration scheme utilizing fiducial markers integrated in the phantom design. For accurate 3D localization of the markers we developed a novel 3D parametric intensity model that is directly fitted to the markers in the images. We also performed a quantitative evaluation of different vessel segmentation approaches for a phantom of an AAA.

Surface complexation and precipitate geometry for aqueous Zn(II) sorption on ferrihydrite I: X-ray absorption extended fine structure spectroscopy analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Waychunas, G.A.; Fuller, C.C.; Davis, J.A.

2002-01-01

"Two-line" ferrihydrite samples precipitated and then exposed to a range of aqueous Zn solutions (10-5 to 10-3 M), and also coprecipitated in similar Zn solutions (pH 6.5), have been examined by Zn and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Typical Zn complexes on the surface have Zn-O distances of 1.97(0.2) A?? and coordination numbers of about 4.0(0.5), consistent with tetrahedral oxygen coordination. This contrasts with Zn-O distances of 2.11(.02) A?? and coordination numbers of 6 to 7 in the aqueous Zn solutions used in sample preparation. X-ray absorption extended fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) fits to the second shell of cation neighbors indicate as many as 4 Zn-Fe neighbors at 3.44(.04) A?? in coprecipitated samples, and about two Zn-Fe neighbors at the same distance in adsorption samples. In both sets of samples, the fitted coordination number of second shell cations decreases as sorption density increases, indicating changes in the number and type of available complexing sites or the onset of competitive precipitation processes. Comparison of our results with the possible geometries for surface complexes and precipitates suggests that the Zn sorption complexes are inner sphere and at lowest adsorption densities are bidentate, sharing apical oxygens with adjacent edge-sharing Fe(O,OH)6 octahedra. Coprecipitation samples have complexes with similar geometry, but these are polydentate, sharing apices with more than two adjacent edge-sharing Fe(O,OH)6 polyhedra. The results are inconsistent with Zn entering the ferrihydrite structure (i.e., solid solution formation) or formation of other Zn-Fe precipitates. The fitted Zn-Fe coordination numbers drop with increasing Zn density with a minimum of about 0.8(.2) at Zn/(Zn + Fe) of 0.08 or more. This change appears to be attributable to the onset of precipitation of zinc hydroxide polymers with mainly tetrahedral Zn coordination. At the highest loadings studied, the nature of the complexes changes further, and a second type of precipitate forms. This has a structure based on a brucite layer topology, with mainly octahedral Zn coordination. Amorphous zinc hydroxide samples prepared for comparison had a closely similar local structure. Analysis of the Fe K-edge EXAFS is consistent with surface complexation reactions and surface precipitation at high Zn loadings with little or no Fe-Zn solid solution formation. The formation of Zn-containing precipitates at solution conditions two or more orders of magnitude below their solubility limit is compared with other sorption and spectroscopic studies that describe similar behavior. Copyright ?? 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Blood lead level and physical fitness of schoolchildren in the copper basin of south-western Poland: indirect effects through growth stunting.

PubMed

Ignasiak, Zosia; Sławinska, Teresa; Rozek, Krystyna; Malina, Robert; Little, B B

2007-01-01

The present study was set in the context of two questions. First, does blood lead level exert a direct effect on measures of physical fitness? And second, might blood lead influence physical fitness indirectly through growth stunting? Blood lead level is negatively associated with performances on a variety of fine motor tasks. Corresponding information on associations with measures of physical fitness and gross motor coordination are limited. Schoolchildren 7-15 years of age (463 males, 436 females) living in the vicinity of copper smelters and refineries were tested for blood lead. In addition to body size and blood lead, physical fitness was measured: right and left grip strength, timed sit-ups, flexed arm hang, plate tapping, shuttle run, standing long jump and medicine ball throw. Simple reaction time was also measured. The effect of blood lead level on physical fitness was indirect and small, and operated through anthropometric dimensions that more directly influenced the measures of fitness. Direct effects of blood lead level on indicators of physical fitness in school age youth are not evident. Blood lead level adversely affects physical fitness indirectly through growth stunting.

Boys with developmental coordination disorder: loneliness and team sports participation.

PubMed

Poulsen, Anne A; Ziviani, Jenny M; Cuskelly, Monica; Smith, Rachel

2007-01-01

This study investigated the mediational role of team sports and other leisure occupations for boys ages 10 to 13 years in the relationship between physical coordination ability and perceptions of loneliness. Sixty boys with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and 113 comparison boys without DCD completed a self-report measure of loneliness. Parents recorded information on leisure involvement over 7 days. Boys with DCD recorded significantly higher loneliness and lower participation rates in all group physical activities, whether structured (e.g., team sports) or unstructured (e.g., informal outdoor play) than boys without DCD. An inverse relationship between physical coordination ability and loneliness was mediated by participation in team sports. No other leisure pursuits were found to be significant mediators. Childhood physical coordination difficulties were significantly associated with loneliness. Participation in team sports acted as one potential mechanism mediating the inverse relationship between physical coordination ability and loneliness in boys. Occupational therapists can act as advocates to support boys with DCD who choose to participate in team sports. Further investigations are recommended to determine aspects of team sports environments that promote an optimal fit among child, activity, and environment.

Laplacian versus topography in the solution of the linear gravimetric boundary value problem by means of successive approximations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holota, Petr; Nesvadba, Otakar

2017-04-01

The aim of this paper is to discuss the solution of the linearized gravimetric boundary value problem by means of the method of successive approximations. We start with the relation between the geometry of the solution domain and the structure of Laplace's operator. Similarly as in other branches of engineering and mathematical physics a transformation of coordinates is used that offers a possibility to solve an alternative between the boundary complexity and the complexity of the coefficients of the partial differential equation governing the solution. Laplace's operator has a relatively simple structure in terms of ellipsoidal coordinates which are frequently used in geodesy. However, the physical surface of the Earth substantially differs from an oblate ellipsoid of revolution, even if it is optimally fitted. Therefore, an alternative is discussed. A system of general curvilinear coordinates such that the physical surface of the Earth is imbedded in the family of coordinate surfaces is used. Clearly, the structure of Laplace's operator is more complicated in this case. It was deduced by means of tensor calculus and in a sense it represents the topography of the physical surface of the Earth. Nevertheless, the construction of the respective Green's function is more simple, if the solution domain is transformed. This enables the use of the classical Green's function method together with the method of successive approximations for the solution of the linear gravimetric boundary value problem expressed in terms of new coordinates. The structure of iteration steps is analyzed and where useful also modified by means of the integration by parts. Comparison with other methods is discussed.

Effectiveness and safety of Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ training in children with migraine without aura: a preliminary study

PubMed Central

Esposito, Maria; Ruberto, Maria; Gimigliano, Francesca; Marotta, Rosa; Gallai, Beatrice; Parisi, Lucia; Lavano, Serena Marianna; Roccella, Michele; Carotenuto, Marco

2013-01-01

Background Migraine without aura (MoA) is a painful syndrome, particularly in childhood; it is often accompanied by severe impairments, including emotional dysfunction, absenteeism from school, and poor academic performance, as well as issues relating to poor cognitive function, sleep habits, and motor coordination. Materials and methods The study population consisted of 71 patients affected by MoA (32 females, 39 males) (mean age: 9.13±1.94 years); the control group consisted of 93 normally developing children (44 females, 49 males) (mean age: 8.97±2.03 years) recruited in the Campania school region. The entire population underwent a clinical evaluation to assess total intelligence quotient level, visual-motor integration (VMI) skills, and motor coordination performance, the later using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC). Children underwent training using the Wii-balance board and Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ software (Nintendo Co, Ltd, Kyoto, Japan); training lasted for 12 weeks and consisted of three 30-minute sessions per week at their home. Results The two starting populations (MoA and controls) were not significantly different for age (P=0.899) and sex (P=0.611). M-ABC and VMI performances at baseline (T0) were significantly different in dexterity, balance, and total score for M-ABC (P<0.001) and visual (P=0.003) and motor (P<0.001) tasks for VMI. After 3 months of Wii training (T1), MoA children showed a significant improvement in M-ABC global performance (P<0.001), M-ABC dexterity (P<0.001), M-ABC balance (P<0.001), and VMI motor task (P<0.001). Conclusion Our study reported the positive effects of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ system as a rehabilitative device for the visuomotor and balance skills impairments among children affected by MoA, even if further research and longer follow-up are needed. PMID:24453490

Effectiveness and safety of Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ training in children with migraine without aura: a preliminary study.

PubMed

Esposito, Maria; Ruberto, Maria; Gimigliano, Francesca; Marotta, Rosa; Gallai, Beatrice; Parisi, Lucia; Lavano, Serena Marianna; Roccella, Michele; Carotenuto, Marco

2013-01-01

Migraine without aura (MoA) is a painful syndrome, particularly in childhood; it is often accompanied by severe impairments, including emotional dysfunction, absenteeism from school, and poor academic performance, as well as issues relating to poor cognitive function, sleep habits, and motor coordination. The study population consisted of 71 patients affected by MoA (32 females, 39 males) (mean age: 9.13±1.94 years); the control group consisted of 93 normally developing children (44 females, 49 males) (mean age: 8.97±2.03 years) recruited in the Campania school region. The entire population underwent a clinical evaluation to assess total intelligence quotient level, visual-motor integration (VMI) skills, and motor coordination performance, the later using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC). Children underwent training using the Wii-balance board and Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ software (Nintendo Co, Ltd, Kyoto, Japan); training lasted for 12 weeks and consisted of three 30-minute sessions per week at their home. The two starting populations (MoA and controls) were not significantly different for age (P=0.899) and sex (P=0.611). M-ABC and VMI performances at baseline (T0) were significantly different in dexterity, balance, and total score for M-ABC (P<0.001) and visual (P=0.003) and motor (P<0.001) tasks for VMI. After 3 months of Wii training (T1), MoA children showed a significant improvement in M-ABC global performance (P<0.001), M-ABC dexterity (P<0.001), M-ABC balance (P<0.001), and VMI motor task (P<0.001). Our study reported the positive effects of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus™ system as a rehabilitative device for the visuomotor and balance skills impairments among children affected by MoA, even if further research and longer follow-up are needed.

N+6Li system with flexible cluster wave function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stubeda, D. J.; Fujiwara, Y.; Tang, Y. C.

1982-12-01

The n+6Li and p+6Li systems are studied with the single-channel resonating-group method. The 6Li internal wave function used is either a single translationally-invariant harmonic-oscillator shell-model function or a superposition of two such functions. The result shows that the main features of this system do not depend sensitively on which of these functions is employed, although significant differences in cross-section values do appear at backward angles. The fit to experimental data is only fair, indicating that the present calculation should be refined by including the N+6Li*(3+) inelastic channel, by taking into better account d+α clustering in 6Li, by carefully considering the effect of specific distortion, and by, perhaps, also adopting a noncentral nucleon-nucleon potential in the formulation. NUCLEAR REACTIONS 6Li(p, p), 6Li(n, n) calculated phase shifts and σ(θ). Resonating-group method with complex-generator-coordinate technique.

Accuracy of methods for calculating volumetric wear from coordinate measuring machine data of retrieved metal-on-metal hip joint implants.

PubMed

Lu, Zhen; McKellop, Harry A

2014-03-01

This study compared the accuracy and sensitivity of several numerical methods employing spherical or plane triangles for calculating the volumetric wear of retrieved metal-on-metal hip joint implants from coordinate measuring machine measurements. Five methods, one using spherical triangles and four using plane triangles to represent the bearing and the best-fit surfaces, were assessed and compared on a perfect hemisphere model and a hemi-ellipsoid model (i.e. unworn models), computer-generated wear models and wear-tested femoral balls, with point spacings of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mm. The results showed that the algorithm (Method 1) employing spherical triangles to represent the bearing surface and to scale the mesh to the best-fit surfaces produced adequate accuracy for the wear volume with point spacings of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mm. The algorithms (Methods 2-4) using plane triangles to represent the bearing surface and to scale the mesh to the best-fit surface also produced accuracies that were comparable to that with spherical triangles. In contrast, if the bearing surface was represented with a mesh of plane triangles and the best-fit surface was taken as a smooth surface without discretization (Method 5), the algorithm produced much lower accuracy with a point spacing of 0.5 mm than Methods 1-4 with a point spacing of 3 mm.

Quantitative model of transport-aperture coordination during reach-to-grasp movements.

PubMed

Rand, Miya K; Shimansky, Y P; Hossain, Abul B M I; Stelmach, George E

2008-06-01

It has been found in our previous studies that the initiation of aperture closure during reach-to-grasp movements occurs when the hand distance to target crosses a threshold that is a function of peak aperture amplitude, hand velocity, and hand acceleration. Thus, a stable relationship between those four movement parameters is observed at the moment of aperture closure initiation. Based on the concept of optimal control of movements (Naslin 1969) and its application for reach-to-grasp movement regulation (Hoff and Arbib 1993), it was hypothesized that the mathematical equation expressing that relationship can be generalized to describe coordination between hand transport and finger aperture during the entire reach-to-grasp movement by adding aperture velocity and acceleration to the above four movement parameters. The present study examines whether this hypothesis is supported by the data obtained in experiments in which young adults performed reach-to-grasp movements in eight combinations of two reach-amplitude conditions and four movement-speed conditions. It was found that linear approximation of the mathematical model described the relationship among the six movement parameters for the entire aperture-closure phase with very high precision for each condition, thus supporting the hypothesis for that phase. Testing whether one mathematical model could approximate the data across all the experimental conditions revealed that it was possible to achieve the same high level of data-fitting precision only by including in the model two additional, condition-encoding parameters and using a nonlinear, artificial neural network-based approximator with two hidden layers comprising three and two neurons, respectively. This result indicates that transport-aperture coordination, as a specific relationship between the parameters of hand transport and finger aperture, significantly depends on the condition-encoding variables. The data from the aperture-opening phase also fit a linear model, whose coefficients were substantially different from those identified for the aperture-closure phase. This result supports the above hypothesis for the aperture-opening phase, and consequently, for the entire reach-to-grasp movement. However, the fitting precision was considerably lower than that for the aperture-closure phase, indicating significant trial-to-trial variability of transport-aperture coordination during the aperture-opening phase. Implications for understanding the neural mechanisms employed by the CNS for controlling reach-to-grasp movements and utilization of the mathematical model of transport-aperture coordination for data analysis are discussed.

X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure And Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Analysis of Standards And Biological Samples Containing Mixed Oxidation States of Chromium(III) And Chromium(VI)

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

Parsons, J.G.; Dokken, K.; Peralta-Videa, J.R.

For the first time a method has been developed for the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data analyses of biological samples containing multiple oxidation states of chromium. In this study, the first shell coordination and interatomic distances based on the data analysis of known standards of potassium chromate (Cr(VI)) and chromium nitrate hexahydrate (Cr(III)) were investigated. The standards examined were mixtures of the following molar ratios of Cr(VI):Cr(III), 0:1, 0.25:0.75, 0.5:0.5, 0.75:0.25, and 1:0. It was determined from the calibration data that the fitting error associated with linear combination X-ray absorption near edge structure (LC-XANES) fittings was approximately {+-}10%more » of the total fitting. The peak height of the Cr(VI) pre-edge feature after normalization of the X-ray absorption (XAS) spectra was used to prepare a calibration curve. The EXAFS fittings of the standards were also investigated and fittings to lechuguilla biomass samples laden with different ratios of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were performed as well. An excellent agreement between the XANES data and the data presented in the EXAFS spectra was observed. The EXFAS data also presented mean coordination numbers directly related to the ratios of the different chromium oxidation states in the sample. The chromium oxygen interactions had two different bond lengths at approximately 1.68 and 1.98 {angstrom} for the Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in the sample, respectively.« less

Edge detection and mathematic fitting for corneal surface with Matlab software.

PubMed

Di, Yue; Li, Mei-Yan; Qiao, Tong; Lu, Na

2017-01-01

To select the optimal edge detection methods to identify the corneal surface, and compare three fitting curve equations with Matlab software. Fifteen subjects were recruited. The corneal images from optical coherence tomography (OCT) were imported into Matlab software. Five edge detection methods (Canny, Log, Prewitt, Roberts, Sobel) were used to identify the corneal surface. Then two manual identifying methods (ginput and getpts) were applied to identify the edge coordinates respectively. The differences among these methods were compared. Binomial curve (y=Ax 2 +Bx+C), Polynomial curve [p(x)=p1x n +p2x n-1 +....+pnx+pn+1] and Conic section (Ax 2 +Bxy+Cy 2 +Dx+Ey+F=0) were used for curve fitting the corneal surface respectively. The relative merits among three fitting curves were analyzed. Finally, the eccentricity (e) obtained by corneal topography and conic section were compared with paired t -test. Five edge detection algorithms all had continuous coordinates which indicated the edge of the corneal surface. The ordinates of manual identifying were close to the inside of the actual edges. Binomial curve was greatly affected by tilt angle. Polynomial curve was lack of geometrical properties and unstable. Conic section could calculate the tilted symmetry axis, eccentricity, circle center, etc . There were no significant differences between 'e' values by corneal topography and conic section ( t =0.9143, P =0.3760 >0.05). It is feasible to simulate the corneal surface with mathematical curve with Matlab software. Edge detection has better repeatability and higher efficiency. The manual identifying approach is an indispensable complement for detection. Polynomial and conic section are both the alternative methods for corneal curve fitting. Conic curve was the optimal choice based on the specific geometrical properties.

The circadian coordination of cell biology.

PubMed

Chaix, Amandine; Zarrinpar, Amir; Panda, Satchidananda

2016-10-10

Circadian clocks are cell-autonomous timing mechanisms that organize cell functions in a 24-h periodicity. In mammals, the main circadian oscillator consists of transcription-translation feedback loops composed of transcriptional regulators, enzymes, and scaffolds that generate and sustain daily oscillations of their own transcript and protein levels. The clock components and their targets impart rhythmic functions to many gene products through transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational, and posttranslational mechanisms. This, in turn, temporally coordinates many signaling pathways, metabolic activity, organelles' structure and functions, as well as the cell cycle and the tissue-specific functions of differentiated cells. When the functions of these circadian oscillators are disrupted by age, environment, or genetic mutation, the temporal coordination of cellular functions is lost, reducing organismal health and fitness. © 2016 Chaix et al.

Tracking cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in children with and without motor coordination problems.

PubMed

Cairney, John; Veldhuizen, Scott; King-Dowling, Sara; Faught, Brent E; Hay, John

2017-04-01

Previous research has shown children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) than typically developing (TD) children. This has been hypothesized to be due to an activity deficit, whereby poor motor functioning discourages children from participating in physical activities, but this hypothesis has not been directly tested. In this study, we use longitudinal data to measure the extent to which physical activity explains differences in CRF between children with and without motor coordination deficits. Longitudinal observational study. The study sample is an open cohort of children, numbering 2278 at baseline (age 9-10), that was followed for up to 5 years (to age 13-14). Motor skills were assessed once over the study period. Children scoring at or below the 5th percentile (n=103) on the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Short Form were considered to have possible DCD (pDCD). CRF (estimated peak VO 2 ) was estimated from performance on the Léger 20m shuttle run test, and physical activity was measured with the Participation Questionnaire. Both fitness and physical activity were measured up to 7 times over the study period. Children with pDCD had significantly lower CRF than their TD peers at each time point. CRF declined for both groups, but this decline was steeper for children with pDCD. Physical activity explained only a small part of the difference in CRF. The activity deficit did not contribute to the persistent and gradually widening gap in CRF between children with and without possible DCD. Possible reasons for this and future directions are discussed. Copyright © 2016 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cultural selection drives the evolution of human communication systems

PubMed Central

Tamariz, Monica; Ellison, T. Mark; Barr, Dale J.; Fay, Nicolas

2014-01-01

Human communication systems evolve culturally, but the evolutionary mechanisms that drive this evolution are not well understood. Against a baseline that communication variants spread in a population following neutral evolutionary dynamics (also known as drift models), we tested the role of two cultural selection models: coordination- and content-biased. We constructed a parametrized mixed probabilistic model of the spread of communicative variants in four 8-person laboratory micro-societies engaged in a simple communication game. We found that selectionist models, working in combination, explain the majority of the empirical data. The best-fitting parameter setting includes an egocentric bias and a content bias, suggesting that participants retained their own previously used communicative variants unless they encountered a superior (content-biased) variant, in which case it was adopted. This novel pattern of results suggests that (i) a theory of the cultural evolution of human communication systems must integrate selectionist models and (ii) human communication systems are functionally adaptive complex systems. PMID:24966310

Cultural selection drives the evolution of human communication systems.

PubMed

Tamariz, Monica; Ellison, T Mark; Barr, Dale J; Fay, Nicolas

2014-08-07

Human communication systems evolve culturally, but the evolutionary mechanisms that drive this evolution are not well understood. Against a baseline that communication variants spread in a population following neutral evolutionary dynamics (also known as drift models), we tested the role of two cultural selection models: coordination- and content-biased. We constructed a parametrized mixed probabilistic model of the spread of communicative variants in four 8-person laboratory micro-societies engaged in a simple communication game. We found that selectionist models, working in combination, explain the majority of the empirical data. The best-fitting parameter setting includes an egocentric bias and a content bias, suggesting that participants retained their own previously used communicative variants unless they encountered a superior (content-biased) variant, in which case it was adopted. This novel pattern of results suggests that (i) a theory of the cultural evolution of human communication systems must integrate selectionist models and (ii) human communication systems are functionally adaptive complex systems.

Linear terrestrial laser scanning using array avalanche photodiodes as detectors for rapid three-dimensional imaging.

PubMed

Cai, Yinqiao; Tong, Xiaohua; Tong, Peng; Bu, Hongyi; Shu, Rong

2010-12-01

As an active remote sensor technology, the terrestrial laser scanner is widely used for direct generation of a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object in the fields of geodesy, surveying, and photogrammetry. In this article, a new laser scanner using array avalanche photodiodes, as designed by the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is introduced for rapid collection of 3D data. The system structure of the new laser scanner is first presented, and a mathematical model is further derived to transform the original data to the 3D coordinates of the object in a user-defined coordinate system. The performance of the new laser scanner is tested through a comprehensive experiment. The result shows that the new laser scanner can scan a scene with a field view of 30° × 30° in 0.2 s and that, with respect to the point clouds obtained on the wall and ground floor surfaces, the root mean square errors for fitting the two planes are 0.21 and 0.01 cm, respectively. The primary advantages of the developed laser scanner include: (i) with a line scanning mode, the new scanner achieves simultaneously the 3D coordinates of 24 points per single laser pulse, which enables it to scan faster than traditional scanners with a point scanning mode and (ii) the new scanner makes use of two galvanometric mirrors to deflect the laser beam in both the horizontal and the vertical directions. This capability makes the instrument smaller and lighter, which is more acceptable for users.

Linear algebra of the permutation invariant Crow-Kimura model of prebiotic evolution.

PubMed

Bratus, Alexander S; Novozhilov, Artem S; Semenov, Yuri S

2014-10-01

A particular case of the famous quasispecies model - the Crow-Kimura model with a permutation invariant fitness landscape - is investigated. Using the fact that the mutation matrix in the case of a permutation invariant fitness landscape has a special tridiagonal form, a change of the basis is suggested such that in the new coordinates a number of analytical results can be obtained. In particular, using the eigenvectors of the mutation matrix as the new basis, we show that the quasispecies distribution approaches a binomial one and give simple estimates for the speed of convergence. Another consequence of the suggested approach is a parametric solution to the system of equations determining the quasispecies. Using this parametric solution we show that our approach leads to exact asymptotic results in some cases, which are not covered by the existing methods. In particular, we are able to present not only the limit behavior of the leading eigenvalue (mean population fitness), but also the exact formulas for the limit quasispecies eigenvector for special cases. For instance, this eigenvector has a geometric distribution in the case of the classical single peaked fitness landscape. On the biological side, we propose a mathematical definition, based on the closeness of the quasispecies to the binomial distribution, which can be used as an operational definition of the notorious error threshold. Using this definition, we suggest two approximate formulas to estimate the critical mutation rate after which the quasispecies delocalization occurs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multifarenes: new modular cavitands.

PubMed

Parvari, Galit; Annamalai, Senthilmurugan; Borovoi, Iris; Chechik, Helena; Botoshansky, Mark; Pappo, Doron; Keinan, Ehud

2014-03-07

Multifarenes, a new class of macrocycles, which are constructed of alternating building blocks, are conveniently accessible by three complementary syntheses that provide modularity and scalability. In addition to metal-ion coordination, these cavitands show increased flexibility with increasing ring size, offering opportunities for induced fit to guest molecules.

Damped-Dynamics Flexible Fitting

PubMed Central

Kovacs, Julio A.; Yeager, Mark; Abagyan, Ruben

2008-01-01

In fitting atomic structures into EM maps, it often happens that the map corresponds to a different conformation of the structure. We have developed a new methodology to handle these situations that preserves the covalent geometry of the structure and allows the modeling of large deformations. The first goal is achieved by working in generalized coordinates (positional and internal coordinates), and the second by avoiding harmonic potentials. Instead, we use dampers (shock absorbers) between every pair of atoms, combined with a force field that attracts the atomic structure toward incompletely occupied regions of the EM map. The trajectory obtained by integrating the resulting equations of motion converges to a conformation that, in our validation cases, was very close to the target atomic structure. Compared to current methods, our approach is more efficient and robust against wrong solutions and to overfitting, and does not require user intervention or subjective decisions. Applications to the computation of transition pathways between known conformers, homology and loop modeling, as well as protein docking, are also discussed. PMID:18586844

Damped-dynamics flexible fitting.

PubMed

Kovacs, Julio A; Yeager, Mark; Abagyan, Ruben

2008-10-01

In fitting atomic structures into EM maps, it often happens that the map corresponds to a different conformation of the structure. We have developed a new methodology to handle these situations that preserves the covalent geometry of the structure and allows the modeling of large deformations. The first goal is achieved by working in generalized coordinates (positional and internal coordinates), and the second by avoiding harmonic potentials. Instead, we use dampers (shock absorbers) between every pair of atoms, combined with a force field that attracts the atomic structure toward incompletely occupied regions of the EM map. The trajectory obtained by integrating the resulting equations of motion converges to a conformation that, in our validation cases, was very close to the target atomic structure. Compared to current methods, our approach is more efficient and robust against wrong solutions and to overfitting, and does not require user intervention or subjective decisions. Applications to the computation of transition pathways between known conformers, homology and loop modeling, as well as protein docking, are also discussed.

Regularization Paths for Conditional Logistic Regression: The clogitL1 Package.

PubMed

Reid, Stephen; Tibshirani, Rob

2014-07-01

We apply the cyclic coordinate descent algorithm of Friedman, Hastie, and Tibshirani (2010) to the fitting of a conditional logistic regression model with lasso [Formula: see text] and elastic net penalties. The sequential strong rules of Tibshirani, Bien, Hastie, Friedman, Taylor, Simon, and Tibshirani (2012) are also used in the algorithm and it is shown that these offer a considerable speed up over the standard coordinate descent algorithm with warm starts. Once implemented, the algorithm is used in simulation studies to compare the variable selection and prediction performance of the conditional logistic regression model against that of its unconditional (standard) counterpart. We find that the conditional model performs admirably on datasets drawn from a suitable conditional distribution, outperforming its unconditional counterpart at variable selection. The conditional model is also fit to a small real world dataset, demonstrating how we obtain regularization paths for the parameters of the model and how we apply cross validation for this method where natural unconditional prediction rules are hard to come by.

Regularization Paths for Conditional Logistic Regression: The clogitL1 Package

PubMed Central

Reid, Stephen; Tibshirani, Rob

2014-01-01

We apply the cyclic coordinate descent algorithm of Friedman, Hastie, and Tibshirani (2010) to the fitting of a conditional logistic regression model with lasso (ℓ1) and elastic net penalties. The sequential strong rules of Tibshirani, Bien, Hastie, Friedman, Taylor, Simon, and Tibshirani (2012) are also used in the algorithm and it is shown that these offer a considerable speed up over the standard coordinate descent algorithm with warm starts. Once implemented, the algorithm is used in simulation studies to compare the variable selection and prediction performance of the conditional logistic regression model against that of its unconditional (standard) counterpart. We find that the conditional model performs admirably on datasets drawn from a suitable conditional distribution, outperforming its unconditional counterpart at variable selection. The conditional model is also fit to a small real world dataset, demonstrating how we obtain regularization paths for the parameters of the model and how we apply cross validation for this method where natural unconditional prediction rules are hard to come by. PMID:26257587

iMODFIT: efficient and robust flexible fitting based on vibrational analysis in internal coordinates.

PubMed

Lopéz-Blanco, José Ramón; Chacón, Pablo

2013-11-01

Here, we employed the collective motions extracted from Normal Mode Analysis (NMA) in internal coordinates (torsional space) for the flexible fitting of atomic-resolution structures into electron microscopy (EM) density maps. The proposed methodology was validated using a benchmark of simulated cases, highlighting its robustness over the full range of EM resolutions and even over coarse-grained representations. A systematic comparison with other methods further showcased the advantages of this proposed methodology, especially at medium to lower resolutions. Using this method, computational costs and potential overfitting problems are naturally reduced by constraining the search in low-frequency NMA space, where covalent geometry is implicitly maintained. This method also effectively captures the macromolecular changes of a representative set of experimental test cases. We believe that this novel approach will extend the currently available EM hybrid methods to the atomic-level interpretation of large conformational changes and their functional implications. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multi Sensor Fusion Using Fitness Adaptive Differential Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giri, Ritwik; Ghosh, Arnob; Chowdhury, Aritra; Das, Swagatam

The rising popularity of multi-source, multi-sensor networks supports real-life applications calls for an efficient and intelligent approach to information fusion. Traditional optimization techniques often fail to meet the demands. The evolutionary approach provides a valuable alternative due to its inherent parallel nature and its ability to deal with difficult problems. We present a new evolutionary approach based on a modified version of Differential Evolution (DE), called Fitness Adaptive Differential Evolution (FiADE). FiADE treats sensors in the network as distributed intelligent agents with various degrees of autonomy. Existing approaches based on intelligent agents cannot completely answer the question of how their agents could coordinate their decisions in a complex environment. The proposed approach is formulated to produce good result for the problems that are high-dimensional, highly nonlinear, and random. The proposed approach gives better result in case of optimal allocation of sensors. The performance of the proposed approach is compared with an evolutionary algorithm coordination generalized particle model (C-GPM).

A comparative study of dynamically expanding force-free, constant-alpha magnetic configurations with applications to magnetic clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farrugia, C. J.; Burlaga, L. F.; Osherovich, V. A.; Lepping, R. P.

1992-01-01

We contrast two different solutions of the constant alpha, force-free MHD equation, both of which have been suggested as models for magnetic clouds: a solution in cylindrical coordinates and one in spherical coordinates. In line with the observation that magnetic clouds expand, we generalize these static models and construct their expanding counterparts. We find that expansion introduces in both cases a large asymmetry in the field strength signature which is in the same sense as that seen the the data, i.e. towards the leading edge of the cloud. We then do a least squares fit of the respective models to one-spacecraft data on a magnetic cloud. We find that the fitting routine converges in both cases. However, while purely formally we cannot distinguish between the two models using data from one spacecraft, the field components in the 'spherical' model have features not compatible with data on magnetic clouds.

Relativistic time transfer in the vicinity of the Earth and in the solar system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, Robert A.

2011-08-01

The algorithms for relativistic time transfer in the vicinity of the Earth and in the solar system are derived. The concepts of proper time and coordinate time are distinguished. The coordinate time elapsed during the transport of a clock and the propagation of an electromagnetic signal is analysed in three coordinate systems: an Earth-Centred Inertial (ECI) coordinate system, an Earth-Centred Earth-Fixed (ECEF) coordinate system and a barycentric coordinate system. The timescales of Geocentric Coordinate Time (TCG), Terrestrial Time (TT) and Barycentric Coordinate Time (TCB) are defined and their relationships are discussed. Some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the magnitudes of the effects.

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

Pasquale, David A.; Hansen, Richard G.

This paper discusses command and control issues relating to the operation of Incident Command Posts (ICPs) and Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in the surrounding area jurisdictions following the detonation of an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND). Although many aspects of command and control will be similar to what is considered to be normal operations using the Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the IND response will require many new procedures and associations in order to design and implement a successful response. The scope of this white paper is to address the following questions: • Would themore » current command and control framework change in the face of an IND incident? • What would the management of operations look like as the event unfolded? • How do neighboring and/or affected jurisdictions coordinate with the state? • If the target area’s command and control infrastructure is destroyed or disabled, how could neighboring jurisdictions assist with command and control of the targeted jurisdiction? • How would public health and medical services fit into the command and control structure? • How can pre-planning and common policies improve coordination and response effectiveness? • Where can public health officials get federal guidance on radiation, contamination and other health and safety issues for IND response planning and operations?« less

Modeling and validation of photometric characteristics of space targets oriented to space-based observation.

PubMed

Wang, Hongyuan; Zhang, Wei; Dong, Aotuo

2012-11-10

A modeling and validation method of photometric characteristics of the space target was presented in order to track and identify different satellites effectively. The background radiation characteristics models of the target were built based on blackbody radiation theory. The geometry characteristics of the target were illustrated by the surface equations based on its body coordinate system. The material characteristics of the target surface were described by a bidirectional reflectance distribution function model, which considers the character of surface Gauss statistics and microscale self-shadow and is obtained by measurement and modeling in advance. The contributing surfaces of the target to observation system were determined by coordinate transformation according to the relative position of the space-based target, the background radiation sources, and the observation platform. Then a mathematical model on photometric characteristics of the space target was built by summing reflection components of all the surfaces. Photometric characteristics simulation of the space-based target was achieved according to its given geometrical dimensions, physical parameters, and orbital parameters. Experimental validation was made based on the scale model of the satellite. The calculated results fit well with the measured results, which indicates the modeling method of photometric characteristics of the space target is correct.

Epigenetic game theory: How to compute the epigenetic control of maternal-to-zygotic transition.

PubMed

Wang, Qian; Gosik, Kirk; Xing, Sujuan; Jiang, Libo; Sun, Lidan; Chinchilli, Vernon M; Wu, Rongling

2017-03-01

Epigenetic reprogramming is thought to play a critical role in maintaining the normal development of embryos. How the methylation state of paternal and maternal genomes regulates embryogenesis depends on the interaction and coordination of the gametes of two sexes. While there is abundant research in exploring the epigenetic interactions of sperms and oocytes, a knowledge gap exists in the mechanistic quantitation of these interactions and their impact on embryo development. This review aims at formulating a modeling framework to address this gap through the integration and synthesis of evolutionary game theory and the latest discoveries of the epigenetic control of embryo development by next-generation sequencing. This framework, named epigenetic game theory or epiGame, views embryogenesis as an ecological system in which two highly distinct and specialized gametes coordinate through either cooperation or competition, or both, to maximize the fitness of embryos under Darwinian selection. By implementing a system of ordinary differential equations, epiGame quantifies the pattern and relative magnitude of the methylation effects on embryogenesis by the mechanisms of cooperation and competition. epiGame may gain new insight into reproductive biology and can be potentially applied to design personalized medicines for genetic disorder intervention. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Three-dimensional multigrid algorithms for the flux-split Euler equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, W. Kyle; Thomas, James L.; Whitfield, David L.

1988-01-01

The Full Approximation Scheme (FAS) multigrid method is applied to several implicit flux-split algorithms for solving the three-dimensional Euler equations in a body fitted coordinate system. Each of the splitting algorithms uses a variation of approximate factorization and is implemented in a finite volume formulation. The algorithms are all vectorizable with little or no scalar computation required. The flux vectors are split into upwind components using both the splittings of Steger-Warming and Van Leer. The stability and smoothing rate of each of the schemes are examined using a Fourier analysis of the complete system of equations. Results are presented for three-dimensional subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flows which demonstrate substantially improved convergence rates with the multigrid algorithm. The influence of using both a V-cycle and a W-cycle on the convergence is examined.

The Z3 model of Saturn's magnetic field and the Pioneer 11 vector helium magnetometer observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connerney, J. E. P.; Acuna, M. H.; Ness, N. F.

1984-01-01

Magnetic field observations obtained by the Pioneer 11 vector helium magnetometer are compared with the Z(sub 3) model magnetic field. These Pioneer 11 observations, obtained at close-in radial distances, constitute an important and independent test of the Z(sub 3) zonal harmonic model, which was derived from Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 fluxgate magnetometer observations. Differences between the Pioneer 11 magnetometer and the Z(sub 3) model field are found to be small (approximately 1 percent) and quantitatively consistent with the expected instrumental accuracy. A detailed examination of these differences in spacecraft payload coordinates shows that they are uniquely associated with the instrument frame of reference and operation. A much improved fit to the Pioneer 11 observations is obtained by rotation of the instrument coordinate system about the spacecraft spin axis by 1.4 degree. With this adjustment, possibly associated with an instrumental phase lag or roll attitude error, the Pioneer 11 vector helium magnetometer observations are fully consistent with the Voyager Z(sub 3) model.

PROTEUS two-dimensional Navier-Stokes computer code, version 1.0. Volume 3: Programmer's reference

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Towne, Charles E.; Schwab, John R.; Benson, Thomas J.; Suresh, Ambady

1990-01-01

A new computer code was developed to solve the 2-D or axisymmetric, Reynolds-averaged, unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations in strong conservation law form. The thin-layer or Euler equations may also be solved. Turbulence is modeled using an algebraic eddy viscosity model. The objective was to develop a code for aerospace applications that is easy to use and easy to modify. Code readability, modularity, and documentation were emphasized. The equations are written in nonorthogonal body-fitted coordinates, and solved by marching in time using a fully-coupled alternating-direction-implicit procedure with generalized first- or second-order time differencing. All terms are linearized using second-order Taylor series. The boundary conditions are treated implicitly, and may be steady, unsteady, or spatially periodic. Simple Cartesian or polar grids may be generated internally by the program. More complex geometries require an externally generated computational coordinate system. The documentation is divided into three volumes. Volume 3 is the Programmer's Reference, and describes the program structure, the FORTRAN variables stored in common blocks, and the details of each subprogram.

The extension of the parametrization of the radio source coordinates in geodetic VLBI and its impact on the time series analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karbon, Maria; Heinkelmann, Robert; Mora-Diaz, Julian; Xu, Minghui; Nilsson, Tobias; Schuh, Harald

2017-07-01

The radio sources within the most recent celestial reference frame (CRF) catalog ICRF2 are represented by a single, time-invariant coordinate pair. The datum sources were chosen mainly according to certain statistical properties of their position time series. Yet, such statistics are not applicable unconditionally, and also ambiguous. However, ignoring systematics in the source positions of the datum sources inevitably leads to a degradation of the quality of the frame and, therefore, also of the derived quantities such as the Earth orientation parameters. One possible approach to overcome these deficiencies is to extend the parametrization of the source positions, similarly to what is done for the station positions. We decided to use the multivariate adaptive regression splines algorithm to parametrize the source coordinates. It allows a great deal of automation, by combining recursive partitioning and spline fitting in an optimal way. The algorithm finds the ideal knot positions for the splines and, thus, the best number of polynomial pieces to fit the data autonomously. With that we can correct the ICRF2 a priori coordinates for our analysis and eliminate the systematics in the position estimates. This allows us to introduce also special handling sources into the datum definition, leading to on average 30 % more sources in the datum. We find that not only the CPO can be improved by more than 10 % due to the improved geometry, but also the station positions, especially in the early years of VLBI, can benefit greatly.

A novel method of robot location using RFID and stereo vision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Diansheng; Zhang, Guanxin; Li, Zhen

2012-04-01

This paper proposed a new global localization method for mobile robot based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Devices) and stereo vision, which makes the robot obtain global coordinates with good accuracy when quickly adapting to unfamiliar and new environment. This method uses RFID tags as artificial landmarks, the 3D coordinate of the tags under the global coordinate system is written in the IC memory. The robot can read it through RFID reader; meanwhile, using stereo vision, the 3D coordinate of the tags under the robot coordinate system is measured. Combined with the robot's attitude coordinate system transformation matrix from the pose measuring system, the translation of the robot coordinate system to the global coordinate system is obtained, which is also the coordinate of the robot's current location under the global coordinate system. The average error of our method is 0.11m in experience conducted in a 7m×7m lobby, the result is much more accurate than other location method.

Coordinates of Human Visual and Inertial Heading Perception.

PubMed

Crane, Benjamin Thomas

2015-01-01

Heading estimation involves both inertial and visual cues. Inertial motion is sensed by the labyrinth, somatic sensation by the body, and optic flow by the retina. Because the eye and head are mobile these stimuli are sensed relative to different reference frames and it remains unclear if a perception occurs in a common reference frame. Recent neurophysiologic evidence has suggested the reference frames remain separate even at higher levels of processing but has not addressed the resulting perception. Seven human subjects experienced a 2s, 16 cm/s translation and/or a visual stimulus corresponding with this translation. For each condition 72 stimuli (360° in 5° increments) were delivered in random order. After each stimulus the subject identified the perceived heading using a mechanical dial. Some trial blocks included interleaved conditions in which the influence of ±28° of gaze and/or head position were examined. The observations were fit using a two degree-of-freedom population vector decoder (PVD) model which considered the relative sensitivity to lateral motion and coordinate system offset. For visual stimuli gaze shifts caused shifts in perceived head estimates in the direction opposite the gaze shift in all subjects. These perceptual shifts averaged 13 ± 2° for eye only gaze shifts and 17 ± 2° for eye-head gaze shifts. This finding indicates visual headings are biased towards retina coordinates. Similar gaze and head direction shifts prior to inertial headings had no significant influence on heading direction. Thus inertial headings are perceived in body-centered coordinates. Combined visual and inertial stimuli yielded intermediate results.

Coordinates of Human Visual and Inertial Heading Perception

PubMed Central

Crane, Benjamin Thomas

2015-01-01

Heading estimation involves both inertial and visual cues. Inertial motion is sensed by the labyrinth, somatic sensation by the body, and optic flow by the retina. Because the eye and head are mobile these stimuli are sensed relative to different reference frames and it remains unclear if a perception occurs in a common reference frame. Recent neurophysiologic evidence has suggested the reference frames remain separate even at higher levels of processing but has not addressed the resulting perception. Seven human subjects experienced a 2s, 16 cm/s translation and/or a visual stimulus corresponding with this translation. For each condition 72 stimuli (360° in 5° increments) were delivered in random order. After each stimulus the subject identified the perceived heading using a mechanical dial. Some trial blocks included interleaved conditions in which the influence of ±28° of gaze and/or head position were examined. The observations were fit using a two degree-of-freedom population vector decoder (PVD) model which considered the relative sensitivity to lateral motion and coordinate system offset. For visual stimuli gaze shifts caused shifts in perceived head estimates in the direction opposite the gaze shift in all subjects. These perceptual shifts averaged 13 ± 2° for eye only gaze shifts and 17 ± 2° for eye-head gaze shifts. This finding indicates visual headings are biased towards retina coordinates. Similar gaze and head direction shifts prior to inertial headings had no significant influence on heading direction. Thus inertial headings are perceived in body-centered coordinates. Combined visual and inertial stimuli yielded intermediate results. PMID:26267865

Leader personality and crew effectiveness - A full-mission simulation experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chidester, Thomas R.; Foushee, H. Clayton

1989-01-01

A full-mission simulation research study was completed to assess the impact of individual personality on crew performance. Using a selection algorithm described by Chidester (1987), captains were classified as fitting one of three profiles along a battery of personality assessment scales. The performances of 23 crews led by captains fitting each profile were contrasted over a one and one-half day simulated trip. Crews led by captains fitting a positive Instrumental-Expressive profile (high achievement motivation and interpersonal skill) were consistently effective and made fewer errors. Crews led by captains fitting a Negative Expressive profile (below average achievement motivation, negative expressive style, such as complaining) were consistently less effective and made more errors. Crews led by captains fitting a Negative Instrumental profile (high levels of competitiveness, Verbal Aggressiveness, and Impatience and Irritability) were less effective on the first day but equal to the best on the second day. These results underscore the importance of stable personality variables as predictors of team coordination and performance.

Leader personality and crew effectiveness: Factors influencing performance in full-mission air transport simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chidester, Thomas R.; Foushee, H. Clayton

1989-01-01

A full mission simulation research study was completed to assess the potential for selection along dimensions of personality. Using a selection algorithm described by Chidester (1987), captains were classified as fitting one of three profiles using a battery of personality assessment scales, and the performances of 23 crews led by captains fitting each profile were contrasted over a one and one-half day simulated trip. Crews led by captains fitting a Positive Instrumental Expressive profile (high achievement motivation and interpersonal skill) were consistently effective and made fewer errors. Crews led by captains fitting a Negative Communion profile (below average achievement motivation, negative expressive style, such as complaining) were consistently less effective and made more errors. Crews led by captains fitting a Negative Instrumental profile (high levels of Competitiveness, Verbal Aggressiveness, and Impatience and Irritability) were less effective on the first day but equal to the best on the second day. These results underscore the importance of stable personality variables as predictors of team coordination and performance.

Image analysis and green tea color change kinetics during thin-layer drying.

PubMed

Shahabi, Mohammad; Rafiee, Shahin; Mohtasebi, Seyed Saeid; Hosseinpour, Soleiman

2014-09-01

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of air temperature and air flow velocity on kinetics of color parameter changes during hot-air drying of green tea, to obtain the best model for hot-air drying of green tea, to apply a computer vision system and to study the color changes during drying. In the proposed computer vision system system, at first RGB values of the images were converted into XYZ values and then to Commission International d'Eclairage L*a*b* color coordinates. The obtained color parameters of L*, a* and b* were calibrated with Hunter-Lab colorimeter. These values were also used for calculation of the color difference, chroma, hue angle and browning index. The values of L* and b* decreased, while the values of a* and color difference (ΔE*ab ) increased during hot-air drying. Drying data were fitted to three kinetic models. Zero, first-order and fractional conversion models were utilized to describe the color changes of green tea. The suitability of fitness was determined using the coefficient of determination (R (2)) and root-mean-square error. Results showed that the fraction conversion model had more acceptable fitness than the other two models in most of color parameters. © The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Effects of two physical education programmes on health- and skill-related physical fitness of Albanian children.

PubMed

Jarani, J; Grøntved, A; Muca, F; Spahi, A; Qefalia, D; Ushtelenca, K; Kasa, A; Caporossi, D; Gallotta, M C

2016-01-01

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two school-based physical education (PE) programmes (exercise-based and games-based) compared with traditional PE, on health- and skill-related physical fitness components in children in Tirana, Albania. Participants were 378 first-grade (6.8 years) and 389 fourth-grade (9.8 years) children attending four randomly selected schools in Tirana. Twenty-four school classes within these schools were randomly selected (stratified by school and school grade) to participate as exercise group (EG), games group (GG) and control group (CG). Both EG and GG intervention programmes were taught by professional PE teachers using station/circuit teaching framework while CG referred to traditional PE school lessons by a general teacher. All programmes ran in parallel and lasted 5 months, having the same frequency (twice weekly) and duration (45 min). Heart rate (HR) monitoring showed that intensity during PE lessons was significantly higher in the intervention groups compared with control (P < 0.001). Both PE exercise- and games programmes significantly improved several health- and skill-related fitness indicators compared with traditional PE lessons (e.g. gross motor skill summary score: 9.4 (95% CI 7.9; 10.9) for exercise vs. control and 6.5 (95% CI 5.1; 8.1) for games vs. control, cardiorespiratory fitness: 2.0 ml O2 · min(-1) · kg(-1) (95% CI 1.5; 2.4) for exercise vs. control and 1.4 ml O2 · min(-1) · kg(-1) (95% CI 1.0; 1.8) for games vs. control). Furthermore, compared to games-based PE, exercise-based PE showed more positive changes in some gross motor coordination skills outcomes, coordination skills outcomes and cardiorespiratory fitness. The results from this study show that exercise- and games-based PE represents a useful strategy for improving health- and skill-related physical fitness in Albanian elementary school children. In addition, the study shows that exercise-based PE was more effective than games-based PE in improving gross motor function and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Precision of fit between implant impression coping and implant replica pairs for three implant systems.

PubMed

Nicoll, Roxanna J; Sun, Albert; Haney, Stephan; Turkyilmaz, Ilser

2013-01-01

The fabrication of an accurately fitting implant-supported fixed prosthesis requires multiple steps, the first of which is assembling the impression coping on the implant. An imprecise fit of the impression coping on the implant will cause errors that will be magnified in subsequent steps of prosthesis fabrication. The purpose of this study was to characterize the 3-dimensional (3D) precision of fit between impression coping and implant replica pairs for 3 implant systems. The selected implant systems represent the 3 main joint types used in implant dentistry: external hexagonal, internal trilobe, and internal conical. Ten impression copings and 10 implant replicas from each of the 3 systems, B (Brånemark System), R (NobelReplace Select), and A (NobelActive) were paired. A standardized aluminum test body was luted to each impression coping, and the corresponding implant replica was embedded in a stone base. A coordinate measuring machine was used to quantify the maximum range of displacement in a vertical direction as a function of the tightening force applied to the guide pin. Maximum angular displacement in a horizontal plane was measured as a function of manual clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. Vertical and rotational positioning was analyzed by using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Fisher protected least significant difference (PLSD) multiple comparisons test of the means was applied when the F-test in the ANOVA was significant (α=.05). The mean and standard deviation for change in the vertical positioning of impression copings was 4.3 ±2.1 μm for implant system B, 2.8 ±4.2 μm for implant system R, and 20.6 ±8.8 μm for implant system A. The mean and standard deviation for rotational positioning was 3.21 ±0.98 degrees for system B, 2.58 ±1.03 degrees for system R, and 5.30 ±0.79 degrees for system A. The P-value for vertical positioning between groups A and B and between groups A and R was <.001. No significant differences were found for vertical positioning between groups B and R. The P-value for rotational positioning between groups A and B and between groups A and R was <.001. No significant differences were found for rotational positioning between groups B and R. The results of the study confirmed that implant systems differ in precision of fit. Vertical precision between paired implant components is a function of joint type and the tightening force applied to the guide pin. The magnitude of vertical displacement with applied torque is greater for conical connections than for butt joint connections. The rotational freedom between paired components is unique to the implant system and is presumably related to the machining tolerances specified by the manufacturer. Copyright © 2013 The Editorial Council of the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Enhancing communication by using the Coordinated Care Classification System.

PubMed

O'Neal, P V; Kozeny, D K; Garland, P P; Gaunt, S M; Gordon, S C

1998-07-01

Because of the changes in our healthcare system, some clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are having to expand their traditional roles of clinician, educator, consultant, leader, and researcher to include case management activities. The CNSs at Promina Gwinnett Health System in Lawrenceville, Georgia, have combined CNS and case manager activities and have adopted the title "CNS/Outcomes Coordinator." The CNS/Outcomes Coordinator is responsible for coordinating patient care, promoting team collaboration, and facilitating communication. To inform the healthcare team of the CNS/Outcomes Coordinator's patient responsibilities, the CNS/Outcomes Coordinators developed a Coordinated Care Classification System. This article describes how coordinating patient care, promoting team collaboration, and facilitating communication can be enhanced by the use of a classification system.

An Accurate Projector Calibration Method Based on Polynomial Distortion Representation

PubMed Central

Liu, Miao; Sun, Changku; Huang, Shujun; Zhang, Zonghua

2015-01-01

In structure light measurement systems or 3D printing systems, the errors caused by optical distortion of a digital projector always affect the precision performance and cannot be ignored. Existing methods to calibrate the projection distortion rely on calibration plate and photogrammetry, so the calibration performance is largely affected by the quality of the plate and the imaging system. This paper proposes a new projector calibration approach that makes use of photodiodes to directly detect the light emitted from a digital projector. By analyzing the output sequence of the photoelectric module, the pixel coordinates can be accurately obtained by the curve fitting method. A polynomial distortion representation is employed to reduce the residuals of the traditional distortion representation model. Experimental results and performance evaluation show that the proposed calibration method is able to avoid most of the disadvantages in traditional methods and achieves a higher accuracy. This proposed method is also practically applicable to evaluate the geometric optical performance of other optical projection system. PMID:26492247

Contributions to reference systems from Lunar Laser Ranging using the IfE analysis model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmann, Franz; Biskupek, Liliane; Müller, Jürgen

2018-01-01

Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) provides various quantities related to reference frames like Earth orientation parameters, coordinates and velocities of ground stations in the Earth-fixed frame and selenocentric coordinates of the lunar retro-reflectors. This paper presents the recent results from LLR data analysis at the Institut für Erdmessung, Leibniz Universität Hannover, based on all LLR data up to the end of 2016. The estimates of long-periodic nutation coefficients with periods between 13.6 days and 18.6 years are obtained with an accuracy in the order of 0.05-0.7 milliarcseconds (mas). Estimations of the Earth rotation phase Δ UT are accurate at the level of 0.032 ms if more than 14 normal points per night are included. The tie between the dynamical ephemeris frame to the kinematic celestial frame is estimated from pure LLR observations by two angles and their rates with an accuracy of 0.25 and 0.02 mas per year. The estimated station coordinates and velocities are compared to the ITRF2014 solution and the geometry of the retro-reflector network with the DE430 solution. The given accuracies represent 3 times formal errors of the parameter fit. The accuracy for Δ UT is based on the standard deviation of the estimates with respect to the reference C04 solution.

Conical-Domain Model for Estimating GPS Ionospheric Delays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sparks, Lawrence; Komjathy, Attila; Mannucci, Anthony

2009-01-01

The conical-domain model is a computational model, now undergoing development, for estimating ionospheric delays of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. Relative to the standard ionospheric delay model described below, the conical-domain model offers improved accuracy. In the absence of selective availability, the ionosphere is the largest source of error for single-frequency users of GPS. Because ionospheric signal delays contribute to errors in GPS position and time measurements, satellite-based augmentation systems (SBASs) have been designed to estimate these delays and broadcast corrections. Several national and international SBASs are currently in various stages of development to enhance the integrity and accuracy of GPS measurements for airline navigation. In the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) of the United States, slant ionospheric delay errors and confidence bounds are derived from estimates of vertical ionospheric delay modeled on a grid at regularly spaced intervals of latitude and longitude. The estimate of vertical delay at each ionospheric grid point (IGP) is calculated from a planar fit of neighboring slant delay measurements, projected to vertical using a standard, thin-shell model of the ionosphere. Interpolation on the WAAS grid enables estimation of the vertical delay at the ionospheric pierce point (IPP) corresponding to any arbitrary measurement of a user. (The IPP of a given user s measurement is the point where the GPS signal ray path intersects a reference ionospheric height.) The product of the interpolated value and the user s thin-shell obliquity factor provides an estimate of the user s ionospheric slant delay. Two types of error that restrict the accuracy of the thin-shell model are absent in the conical domain model: (1) error due to the implicit assumption that the electron density is independent of the azimuthal angle at the IPP and (2) error arising from the slant-to-vertical conversion. At low latitudes or at mid-latitudes under disturbed conditions, the accuracy of SBAS systems based upon the thin-shell model suffers due to the presence of complex ionospheric structure, high delay values, and large electron density gradients. Interpolation on the vertical delay grid serves as an additional source of delay error. The conical-domain model permits direct computation of the user s slant delay estimate without the intervening use of a vertical delay grid. The key is to restrict each fit of GPS measurements to a spatial domain encompassing signals from only one satellite. The conical domain model is so named because each fit involves a group of GPS receivers that all receive signals from the same GPS satellite (see figure); the receiver and satellite positions define a cone, the satellite position being the vertex. A user within a given cone evaluates the delay to the satellite directly, using (1) the IPP coordinates of the line of sight to the satellite and (2) broadcast fit parameters associated with the cone. The conical-domain model partly resembles the thin-shell model in that both models reduce an inherently four-dimensional problem to two dimensions. However, unlike the thin-shell model, the conical domain model does not involve any potentially erroneous simplifying assumptions about the structure of the ionosphere. In the conical domain model, the initially four-dimensional problem becomes truly two-dimensional in the sense that once a satellite location has been specified, any signal path emanating from a satellite can be identified by only two coordinates; for example, the IPP coordinates. As a consequence, a user s slant-delay estimate converges to the correct value in the limit that the receivers converge to the user s location (or, equivalently, in the limit that the measurement IPPs converge to the user s IPP).

Some new thoughts about long-term precession formula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vondrák, J.; Capitaine, N.; Wallace, P.

2011-10-01

In our preceding study (Vondrák et al. 2009) we formulated developments for the precessional contribution to the CIP X, Y coordinates suitable for use over long time intervals. They were fitted to IAU 2006 close to J2000.0 and to the numerical integration of the ecliptic (using the integrator package Mercury 6) and of the general precession and obliquity (using Laskar's solution LA93) for more distant epochs. Now we define the boundary between precession and nutation (both are periodic) to avoid their overlap. We use the IAU 2006 model (that is based on the Bretagnon's solution VSOP87 and the JPL planetary ephemerides DE406) to represent the precession of the ecliptic close to J2000.0, a new integration using Mercury 6 for more distant epochs, and Laskar's LA93 solution to represent general precession and obliquity. The goal is to obtain new developments for different sets of precession angles that would fit to modern observations near J2000.0, and at the same time to numerical integration of the translatory-rotatory motions of solar system bodies on scales of several thousand centuries.

Finding the Future That Fits.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Alison

In 2000, a government-supported foundation called Careers the Next Generation (CNG) in Alberta, Canada, began coordinating summer internships for high school students in information and computer technology (ICT). The participating firms represented a mix of large and small private and public organizations in high-tech and other industries in the…

Impact and Estimation of Balance Coordinate System Rotations and Translations in Wind-Tunnel Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toro, Kenneth G.; Parker, Peter A.

2017-01-01

Discrepancies between the model and balance coordinate systems lead to biases in the aerodynamic measurements during wind-tunnel testing. The reference coordinate system relative to the calibration coordinate system at which the forces and moments are resolved is crucial to the overall accuracy of force measurements. This paper discusses sources of discrepancies and estimates of coordinate system rotation and translation due to machining and assembly differences. A methodology for numerically estimating the coordinate system biases will be discussed and developed. Two case studies are presented using this methodology to estimate the model alignment. Examples span from angle measurement system shifts on the calibration system to discrepancies in actual wind-tunnel data. The results from these case-studies will help aerodynamic researchers and force balance engineers to better the understand and identify potential differences in calibration systems due to coordinate system rotation and translation.

Associations between state economic and health systems capacities and service use by children with special health care needs.

PubMed

Margolis, Lewis H; Mayer, Michelle; Clark, Kathryn A; Farel, Anita M

2011-08-01

To examine the relationship between measures of state economic, political, health services, and Title V capacity and individual level measures of the well-being of CSHCN. We selected five measures of Title V capacity from the Title V Information System and 13 state capacity measures from a variety of data sources, and eight indicators of intermediate health outcomes from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. To assess the associations between Title V capacity and health services outcomes, we used stepwise regression to identify significant capacity measures while accounting for the survey design and clustering of observations by state. To assess the associations between economic, political and health systems capacity and health outcomes we fit weighted logistic regression models for each outcome, using a stepwise procedure to reduce the models. Using statistically significant capacity measures from the stepwise models, we fit reduced random effects logistic regression models to account for clustering of observations by state. Few measures of Title V and state capacity were associated with health services outcomes. For health systems measures, a higher percentage of uninsured children was associated with decreased odds of receipt of early intervention services, decreased odds of receipt of professional care coordination, and increased odds of delayed or missed care. Parents in states with higher per capita Medicaid expenditures on children were more likely to report receipt of special education services. Only two state capacity measures were associated explicitly with Title V: states with higher generalist physician to population ratios were associated with a greater likelihood of parent report of having heard of Title V and states with higher per capita gross state product were less likely to be associated with a report of using Title V services, conditional on having heard of Title V. The state level measure of family participation in Title V governance was negatively associated with receipt of care coordination and having used Title V services. The measures of state economic, political, health systems, and Title V capacity that we have analyzed are only weakly associated with the well-being of children with special health care needs. If Congress and other policymakers increase the expectations of the states in assuring that the needs of CSHCN and their families are addressed, it is essential to be cognizant of the capacities of the states to undertake that role.

D Coordinate Transformation Using Artificial Neural Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konakoglu, B.; Cakır, L.; Gökalp, E.

2016-10-01

Two coordinate systems used in Turkey, namely the ED50 (European Datum 1950) and ITRF96 (International Terrestrial Reference Frame 1996) coordinate systems. In most cases, it is necessary to conduct transformation from one coordinate system to another. The artificial neural network (ANN) is a new method for coordinate transformation. One of the biggest advantages of the ANN is that it can determine the relationship between two coordinate systems without a mathematical model. The aim of this study was to investigate the performances of three different ANN models (Feed Forward Back Propagation (FFBP), Cascade Forward Back Propagation (CFBP) and Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN)) with regard to 2D coordinate transformation. To do this, three data sets were used for the same study area, the city of Trabzon. The coordinates of data sets were measured in the ED50 and ITRF96 coordinate systems by using RTK-GPS technique. Performance of each transformation method was investigated by using the coordinate differences between the known and estimated coordinates. The results showed that the ANN algorithms can be used for 2D coordinate transformation in cases where optimum model parameters are selected.

Determination of the lunar orbital and rotational parameters and of the ecliptic reference system orientation from LLR measurements and IERS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chapront, J.; Chapront-Touzé, M.; Francou, G.

1999-03-01

An analysis of Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) observations from January 1972 till March 1998 is performed using the lunar theory ELP 2000-96 and the completed Moons' theory of the lunar libration. The LLR station coordinates, polar motion and Universal Time are provided by the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS). In Solution 1 the precession-nutation transformation is given by recent analytical theories, while in Solution 2 it is derived from the IERS daily corrections. Orbital and free libration parameters of the Moon, and coordinates of the reflectors are obtained in both cases. The position of the inertial mean ecliptic of J2000.0 with respect to the equator of the mean Celestial Ephemeris Pole (CEP) of J2000.0 (in Solution 1) and to the International Celestial Reference System (ICRS), the IERS celestial reference system, (in Solution 2) are fit. The position of the mean CEP equator of J2000.0 and of several dynamical reference planes and origins, with respect to ICRS, are derived from these fits (Fig. 1). The leading results are the following: 0farcs057 60+/- 0farcs000 20 (in the equator) for the separation of the origin of right ascensions in ICRS from the ascending node of the inertial mean ecliptic of J2000.0 on the reference plane of ICRS, -0farcs0460 +/- 0farcs0008 (in the ecliptic) for the separation of the latter point from the inertial dynamical mean equinox of J2000.0, -0farcs015 19+/- 0farcs000 35 (in the equator) for the separation of the inertial dynamical mean equinox of J2000.0 from the J2000.0 right ascension origin derived from IERS polar motion and Universal Time and from precise theories of precession-nutation, and 23degr26 arcmin21 farcs405 22+/- 0farcs000 07 for the inertial obliquity of J2000.0. A correction of -0farcs3437 +/- 0farcs0040 /cy to the IAU 1976 value of the precession constant is also obtained (the errors quoted are formal errors).

Oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene inactivation find their sites of expression in the changes in time and space of the age-adjusted cancer incidence rate.

PubMed

Kodama, M; Kodama, T; Murakami, M

2000-01-01

The purpose of the present investigation is to elucidate the relation between the distribution pattern of the age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) changes in time and space of 15 tumors of bothe sexes and the locations of centers of centripetal-(oncogene type) and centrifugal-(tumoe suppressor gene type) forces. The fitness of the observed log AAIR data sets to the oncogene type- and the tumor suppressor gene type-equilibrium models and the locations of 2 force centers were calculated by applying the least square method of Gauss to log AAIR pair data series with and without topological data manipulations, which are so designed as to let log AAIR pair data series fit to 2 variant (x, y) frameworks, the Rect-coordinates and the Para-coordinates. The 2 variant (x, y) coordinates are defined each as an (x, y) framework with its X axis crossed at a right angle to the regression line of the original log AAIR data (the Rect-coordinates) and as another framework with its X axis run in parallel with the regression line of the original log AAIR pair data series (the Para-coordinates). The fitness test of log AAIR data series to either the oncogene activation type equilibrium model (r = -1.000) or the tumor suppressor gene inactivation type (r = 1.000) was conducted for each of the male-female type pair data and the female-male type data, for each of log AAIR changes in space and log AAIR changes in time, and for each of the 3 (x, y) frameworks in a given neoplasia of both sexes. The results obtained are given as follows: 1) The positivity rates of the fitness test to the oncogene type equilibrium model and the tumor suppressor gene type model were each 63.3% and 56.7% with the log AAIR changes in space, and 73.3% and 73.3% with log AAIR changes in time, as tested in 15 human neoplasias of both sexes. 2) Evidence was presented to indicate that the clearance of oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene inactivation is the sine qua non premise of carciniogenesis. 3) The r profile in which the correlation coefficient r, a measure of fitness to the 2 equilibrium models, is converted to either +(r > 0) or -(0 > r) for each of the original-, the Rect-, and the Para-coordinates was found to be informative in identifying a group of tumors with sex discrimination of cancer risk (log AAIR changes in space) or another group of environmental hormone-linked tumors (log AAIR changes in time and space)--a finding to indicate that the r-profile of a given tumor, when compared with other neoplasias, may provide a clue to investigating the biological behavior of the tumor. 4) The recent risk increase of skin cancer of both sexes, being classified as an example of environmental hormone-linked neoplasias, was found to commit its ascension of cancer risk along the direction of the centrifugal forces of the time- and space-linked tumor suppressor gene inactivation plotted in the 2-dimension diagram. In conclusion, the centripetal force of oncogene activation and centrifugal force of tumor suppressor gene inactivation found their sites of expression in the distribution pattern of a cancer risk parameter, log AAIR, of a given neoplasias of both sexes on the 2-dimension diagram. The application of the least square method of Gauss to the log AAIR changes in time and space, and also with and without topological modulations of the original sets, when presented in terms of the r-profile, was found to be informative in understanding behavioral characteristics of human neoplaisias.

Game-Theoretic Models for Usage-based Maintenance Contract

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Husniah, H.; Wangsaputra, R.; Cakravastia, A.; Iskandar, B. P.

2018-03-01

A usage-based maintenance contracts with coordination and non coordination between two parties is studied in this paper. The contract is applied to a dump truck operated in a mining industry. The situation under study is that an agent offers service contract to the owner of the truck after warranty ends. This contract has only a time limit but no usage limit. If the total usage per period exceeds the maximum usage allowed in the contract, then the owner will be charged an additional cost. In general, the agent (Original Equipment Manufacturer/OEM) provides a full coverage of maintenance, which includes PM and CM under the lease contract. The decision problem for the owner is to select the best option offered that fits to its requirement, and the decision problem for the agent is to find the optimal maintenance efforts for a given price of the service option offered. We first find the optimal decisions using coordination scheme and then with non coordination scheme for both parties.

Normal co-ordinate analysis of 1, 8-dibromooctane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Devinder; Jaggi, Neena; Singh, Nafa

2010-02-01

The organic compound 1,8-dibromooctane (1,8-DBO) exists in liquid phase at ambient temperatures and has versatile synthetic applications. In its liquid phase 1,8-DBO has been expected to exist in four most probable conformations, with all its carbon atoms in the same plane, having symmetries C 2h , C i , C 2 and C 1 . In the present study a detailed vibrational analysis in terms of assignment of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman bands of this molecule using normal co-ordinate calculations has been done. A systematic set of symmetry co-ordinates has been constructed for this molecule and normal co-ordinate analysis is carried out using the computer program MOLVIB. The force-field transferred from already studied lower chain bromo-alkanes is subjected to refinement so as to fit the observed infrared and Raman frequencies with those of calculated ones. The potential energy distribution (PED) has also been calculated for each mode of vibration of the molecule for the assumed conformations.

Ensuring continuing fitness to practice in the pharmacy workforce: Understanding the challenges of revalidation.

PubMed

Schafheutle, Ellen Ingrid; Hassell, Karen; Noyce, Peter R

2013-01-01

Revalidation is about assuring that health practitioners remain up to date and fit to practice, and demonstrating that they continue to meet the requirements of their professional regulator. To critically discuss issues that need to be considered when designing a system of revalidation for pharmacy professionals. Although providing international context, the article focuses in particular on Great Britain (GB), where both pharmacists (Phs) and pharmacy technicians (PTs) are regulated. Following a brief historical overview, the article draws on emerging evidence in context. Revalidation may involve discrete periodic assessment or a continuous process of assessment against clearly identified standards. The evolving scope of pharmacy practice involves increasingly clinical roles and also practitioners in nonpatient-facing roles. The potential risk to patients and the public may require consideration. Although revalidation, or systems for recertification/relicensure, exist in numerous jurisdictions, most center on the collection of continuing education credits; continuous professional development and reflective practice are increasingly found. Revalidation may involve assessment of other sources, such as appraisals or monitoring visits. Existing revalidation systems are coordinated centrally, but particularly in larger jurisdictions, like GB, where approximately 67,000 pharmacy professionals are regulated, some responsibility may need to be devolved. This would require engagement with employers and contracting organizations to ensure suitability and consistency. Existing systems, such as company appraisals, are unfit for the assessment of fitness to practice owing to a focus on organizational/business targets. Certain groups of pharmacy professionals may pose particular challenges, such as self-employed locums, pharmacy owners, those working in different sectors, or returning after a break. To ensure proportionality, it must be considered whether the same standards and/or sources of evidence should apply to all pharmacy professionals, either dependent on whether they are patient facing, their scope of practice, or whether Phs and PTs should be treated differently. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Securing food from field to table: what can we do?

PubMed

Li, Duo; Wahlqvist, Mark L

2011-01-01

Food security has emerged as one of the most pressing socio-economic and health issues of our time. While the formal processes of international and national governance are short-changing the need for action, an increasing number of professional science-based organisations are rallying to reduce the presence and risks of food insecurity. Examples are the Food in Health Security Network (FIHS) for the Asia Pacific region and the 'Healthy Agriculture, Healthy Nutrition, Healthy People’ initiative of the World Council on Genetics, Nutrition and Fitness for Health. The common denominator is the threat to ecosytems which are intrinsic to food and health systems. To increase their prospects for sustainability and health promotion, coordinated partnerships between agriculture and health as well as other sectors are imperative.

A compressible solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for turbulent flow about an airfoil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shamroth, S. J.; Gibeling, H. J.

1979-01-01

A compressible time dependent solution of the Navier-Stokes equations including a transition turbulence model is obtained for the isolated airfoil flow field problem. The equations are solved by a consistently split linearized block implicit scheme. A nonorthogonal body-fitted coordinate system is used which has maximum resolution near the airfoil surface and in the region of the airfoil leading edge. The transition turbulence model is based upon the turbulence kinetic energy equation and predicts regions of laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow. Mean flow field and turbulence field results are presented for an NACA 0012 airfoil at zero and nonzero incidence angles of Reynolds number up to one million and low subsonic Mach numbers.

Combining optimization methods with response spectra curve-fitting toward improved damping ratio estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brewick, Patrick T.; Smyth, Andrew W.

2016-12-01

The authors have previously shown that many traditional approaches to operational modal analysis (OMA) struggle to properly identify the modal damping ratios for bridges under traffic loading due to the interference caused by the driving frequencies of the traffic loads. This paper presents a novel methodology for modal parameter estimation in OMA that overcomes the problems presented by driving frequencies and significantly improves the damping estimates. This methodology is based on finding the power spectral density (PSD) of a given modal coordinate, and then dividing the modal PSD into separate regions, left- and right-side spectra. The modal coordinates were found using a blind source separation (BSS) algorithm and a curve-fitting technique was developed that uses optimization to find the modal parameters that best fit each side spectra of the PSD. Specifically, a pattern-search optimization method was combined with a clustering analysis algorithm and together they were employed in a series of stages in order to improve the estimates of the modal damping ratios. This method was used to estimate the damping ratios from a simulated bridge model subjected to moving traffic loads. The results of this method were compared to other established OMA methods, such as Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD) and BSS methods, and they were found to be more accurate and more reliable, even for modes that had their PSDs distorted or altered by driving frequencies.

Analytical interatomic potential for modeling nonequilibrium processes in the W-C-H system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juslin, N.; Erhart, P.; Träskelin, P.; Nord, J.; Henriksson, K. O. E.; Nordlund, K.; Salonen, E.; Albe, K.

2005-12-01

A reactive interatomic potential based on an analytical bond-order scheme is developed for the ternary system W-C-H. The model combines Brenner's hydrocarbon potential with parameter sets for W-W, W-C, and W-H interactions and is adjusted to materials properties of reference structures with different local atomic coordinations including tungsten carbide, W-H molecules, as well as H dissolved in bulk W. The potential has been tested in various scenarios, such as surface, defect, and melting properties, none of which were considered in the fitting. The intended area of application is simulations of hydrogen and hydrocarbon interactions with tungsten, which have a crucial role in fusion reactor plasma-wall interactions. Furthermore, this study shows that the angular-dependent bond-order scheme can be extended to second nearest-neighbor interactions, which are relevant in body-centered-cubic metals. Moreover, it provides a possibly general route for modeling metal carbides.

BOREAS HYD-1 Soil Hydraulic Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Forrest G. (Editor); Knapp, David E. (Editor); Kelly, Shaun F.; Stangel, David E.; Smith, David E. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

The Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) Hydrology (HYD)-1 team coordinated a program of data collection to measure and monitor soil properties in collaboration with other science team measurement needs. This data set contains soil hydraulic properties determined at the Northern Study Area (NSA) and Southern Study Area (SSA) flux tower sites based on analysis of in situ tension infiltrometer tests and laboratory-determined water retention from soil cores collected during the 1994-95 field campaigns. Results from this analysis are saturated hydraulic conductivity, and fitting parameters for the van Genuchten-Mualem soil hydraulic conductivity and water retention function at flux tower sites. The data are contained in tabular ASCII files. The HYD-01 soil hydraulic properties data are available from the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC). The data files are available on a CD-ROM (see document number 20010000884).

System analysis tools for an ELT at ESO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, Michael; Koch, Franz

2006-06-01

Engineering of complex, large scale systems like the ELT designs currently investigated and developed in Europe and Northern America require powerful and sophisticated tools within specific technical disciplines such as mechanics, optics and control engineering. However, even analyzing a certain component of the telescope like the telescope structure necessitates a system approach to evaluate the structural effects onto the optical performance. This paper shows several software tools developed by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) which focus onto the system approach in the analyses: Using modal results of a finite element analysis the SMI-toolbox allows an easy generation of structural models with different sizes and levels of accuracy for the control design and closed-loop simulations. The optical modeling code BeamWarrior was developed by ESO and Astrium GmbH, Germany) especially for integrated modeling and interfering with a structural model. Within BeamWarrior displacements and deformations can be applied in an arbitrary coordinate system, and hence also in the global coordinates of the FE model avoiding error prone transformations. In addition to this, a sparse state space model object was developed for Matlab to gain in computational efficiency and reduced memory requirements due to the sparsity pattern of both the structural models and the control architecture. As one result these tools allow building an integrated model in order to reliably simulate interactions, cross-coupling effects, system responses, and to evaluate global performance. In order to evaluate disturbance effects on the optical performance in openloop more efficiently, an optical evaluation toolbox was built in the FE software ANSYS which performs Zernike decomposition and best-fit computation of the deformations directly in the FE analysis.

Multipole Structure and Coordinate Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burko, Lior M.

2007-01-01

Multipole expansions depend on the coordinate system, so that coefficients of multipole moments can be set equal to zero by an appropriate choice of coordinates. Therefore, it is meaningless to say that a physical system has a nonvanishing quadrupole moment, say, without specifying which coordinate system is used. (Except if this moment is the…

Real-space post-processing correction of thermal drift and piezoelectric actuator nonlinearities in scanning tunneling microscope images.

PubMed

Yothers, Mitchell P; Browder, Aaron E; Bumm, Lloyd A

2017-01-01

We have developed a real-space method to correct distortion due to thermal drift and piezoelectric actuator nonlinearities on scanning tunneling microscope images using Matlab. The method uses the known structures typically present in high-resolution atomic and molecularly resolved images as an internal standard. Each image feature (atom or molecule) is first identified in the image. The locations of each feature's nearest neighbors are used to measure the local distortion at that location. The local distortion map across the image is simultaneously fit to our distortion model, which includes thermal drift in addition to piezoelectric actuator hysteresis and creep. The image coordinates of the features and image pixels are corrected using an inverse transform from the distortion model. We call this technique the thermal-drift, hysteresis, and creep transform. Performing the correction in real space allows defects, domain boundaries, and step edges to be excluded with a spatial mask. Additional real-space image analyses are now possible with these corrected images. Using graphite(0001) as a model system, we show lattice fitting to the corrected image, averaged unit cell images, and symmetry-averaged unit cell images. Statistical analysis of the distribution of the image features around their best-fit lattice sites measures the aggregate noise in the image, which can be expressed as feature confidence ellipsoids.

Real-space post-processing correction of thermal drift and piezoelectric actuator nonlinearities in scanning tunneling microscope images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yothers, Mitchell P.; Browder, Aaron E.; Bumm, Lloyd A.

2017-01-01

We have developed a real-space method to correct distortion due to thermal drift and piezoelectric actuator nonlinearities on scanning tunneling microscope images using Matlab. The method uses the known structures typically present in high-resolution atomic and molecularly resolved images as an internal standard. Each image feature (atom or molecule) is first identified in the image. The locations of each feature's nearest neighbors are used to measure the local distortion at that location. The local distortion map across the image is simultaneously fit to our distortion model, which includes thermal drift in addition to piezoelectric actuator hysteresis and creep. The image coordinates of the features and image pixels are corrected using an inverse transform from the distortion model. We call this technique the thermal-drift, hysteresis, and creep transform. Performing the correction in real space allows defects, domain boundaries, and step edges to be excluded with a spatial mask. Additional real-space image analyses are now possible with these corrected images. Using graphite(0001) as a model system, we show lattice fitting to the corrected image, averaged unit cell images, and symmetry-averaged unit cell images. Statistical analysis of the distribution of the image features around their best-fit lattice sites measures the aggregate noise in the image, which can be expressed as feature confidence ellipsoids.

Signaling pathways coordinating the alkaline pH response confer resistance to the hevein-type plant antimicrobial peptide Pn-AMP1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Kwon, Youngho; Chiang, Jennifer; Tran, Grant; Giaever, Guri; Nislow, Corey; Hahn, Bum-Soo; Kwak, Youn-Sig; Koo, Ja-Choon

2016-12-01

Genome-wide screening of Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed that signaling pathways related to the alkaline pH stress contribute to resistance to plant antimicrobial peptide, Pn-AMP1. Plant antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered to be promising candidates for controlling phytopathogens. Pn-AMP1 is a hevein-type plant AMP that shows potent and broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Genome-wide chemogenomic screening was performed using heterozygous and homozygous diploid deletion pools of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a chemogenetic model system to identify genes whose deletion conferred enhanced sensitivity to Pn-AMP1. This assay identified 44 deletion strains with fitness defects in the presence of Pn-AMP1. Strong fitness defects were observed in strains with deletions of genes encoding components of several pathways and complex known to participate in the adaptive response to alkaline pH stress, including the cell wall integrity (CWI), calcineurin/Crz1, Rim101, SNF1 pathways and endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT complex). Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of these genes revealed that the most highly overrepresented GO term was "cellular response to alkaline pH". We found that 32 of the 44 deletion strains tested (72 %) showed significant growth defects compared with their wild type at alkaline pH. Furthermore, 9 deletion strains (20 %) exhibited enhanced sensitivity to Pn-AMP1 at ambient pH compared to acidic pH. Although several hundred plant AMPs have been reported, their modes of action remain largely uncharacterized. This study demonstrates that the signaling pathways that coordinate the adaptive response to alkaline pH also confer resistance to a hevein-type plant AMP in S. cerevisiae. Our findings have broad implications for the design of novel and potent antifungal agents.

Precise Orbital and Geodetic Parameter Estimation using SLR Observations for ILRS AAC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Young-Rok; Park, Eunseo; Oh, Hyungjik Jay; Park, Sang-Young; Lim, Hyung-Chul; Park, Chandeok

2013-12-01

In this study, we present results of precise orbital geodetic parameter estimation using satellite laser ranging (SLR) observations for the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) associate analysis center (AAC). Using normal point observations of LAGEOS-1, LAGEOS-2, ETALON-1, and ETALON-2 in SLR consolidated laser ranging data format, the NASA/ GSFC GEODYN II and SOLVE software programs were utilized for precise orbit determination (POD) and finding solutions of a terrestrial reference frame (TRF) and Earth orientation parameters (EOPs). For POD, a weekly-based orbit determination strategy was employed to process SLR observations taken from 20 weeks in 2013. For solutions of TRF and EOPs, loosely constrained scheme was used to integrate POD results of four geodetic SLR satellites. The coordinates of 11 ILRS core sites were determined and daily polar motion and polar motion rates were estimated. The root mean square (RMS) value of post-fit residuals was used for orbit quality assessment, and both the stability of TRF and the precision of EOPs by external comparison were analyzed for verification of our solutions. Results of post-fit residuals show that the RMS of the orbits of LAGEOS-1 and LAGEOS-2 are 1.20 and 1.12 cm, and those of ETALON-1 and ETALON-2 are 1.02 and 1.11 cm, respectively. The stability analysis of TRF shows that the mean value of 3D stability of the coordinates of 11 ILRS core sites is 7.0 mm. An external comparison, with respect to International Earth rotation and Reference systems Service (IERS) 08 C04 results, shows that standard deviations of polar motion XP and YP are 0.754 milliarcseconds (mas) and 0.576 mas, respectively. Our results of precise orbital and geodetic parameter estimation are reasonable and help advance research at ILRS AAC.

Coordination of size-control, reproduction and generational memory in freshwater planarians

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Xingbo; Kaj, Kelson J.; Schwab, David J.; Collins, Eva-Maria S.

2017-06-01

Uncovering the mechanisms that control size, growth, and division rates of organisms reproducing through binary division means understanding basic principles of their life cycle. Recent work has focused on how division rates are regulated in bacteria and yeast, but this question has not yet been addressed in more complex, multicellular organisms. We have, over the course of several years, assembled a unique large-scale data set on the growth and asexual reproduction of two freshwater planarian species, Dugesia japonica and Girardia tigrina, which reproduce by transverse fission and succeeding regeneration of head and tail pieces into new planarians. We show that generation-dependent memory effects in planarian reproduction need to be taken into account to accurately capture the experimental data. To achieve this, we developed a new additive model that mixes multiple size control strategies based on planarian size, growth, and time between divisions. Our model quantifies the proportions of each strategy in the mixed dynamics, revealing the ability of the two planarian species to utilize different strategies in a coordinated manner for size control. Additionally, we found that head and tail offspring of both species employ different mechanisms to monitor and trigger their reproduction cycles. Thus, we find a diversity of strategies not only between species but between heads and tails within species. Our additive model provides two advantages over existing 2D models that fit a multivariable splitting rate function to the data for size control: firstly, it can be fit to relatively small data sets and can thus be applied to systems where available data is limited. Secondly, it enables new biological insights because it explicitly shows the contributions of different size control strategies for each offspring type.

Coordination of size-control, reproduction and generational memory in freshwater planarians.

PubMed

Yang, Xingbo; Kaj, Kelson J; Schwab, David J; Collins, Eva-Maria S

2017-05-23

Uncovering the mechanisms that control size, growth, and division rates of organisms reproducing through binary division means understanding basic principles of their life cycle. Recent work has focused on how division rates are regulated in bacteria and yeast, but this question has not yet been addressed in more complex, multicellular organisms. We have, over the course of several years, assembled a unique large-scale data set on the growth and asexual reproduction of two freshwater planarian species, Dugesia japonica and Girardia tigrina, which reproduce by transverse fission and succeeding regeneration of head and tail pieces into new planarians. We show that generation-dependent memory effects in planarian reproduction need to be taken into account to accurately capture the experimental data. To achieve this, we developed a new additive model that mixes multiple size control strategies based on planarian size, growth, and time between divisions. Our model quantifies the proportions of each strategy in the mixed dynamics, revealing the ability of the two planarian species to utilize different strategies in a coordinated manner for size control. Additionally, we found that head and tail offspring of both species employ different mechanisms to monitor and trigger their reproduction cycles. Thus, we find a diversity of strategies not only between species but between heads and tails within species. Our additive model provides two advantages over existing 2D models that fit a multivariable splitting rate function to the data for size control: firstly, it can be fit to relatively small data sets and can thus be applied to systems where available data is limited. Secondly, it enables new biological insights because it explicitly shows the contributions of different size control strategies for each offspring type.

ASB clinical biomechanics award winner 2016: Assessment of gaze stability within 24-48hours post-concussion.

PubMed

Murray, Nicholas G; D'Amico, Nathan R; Powell, Douglas; Mormile, Megan E; Grimes, Katelyn E; Munkasy, Barry A; Gore, Russell K; Reed-Jones, Rebecca J

2017-05-01

Approximately 90% of athletes with concussion experience a certain degree of visual system dysfunction immediately post-concussion. Of these abnormalities, gaze stability deficits are denoted as among the most common. Little research quantitatively explores these variables post-concussion. As such, the purpose of this study was to investigate and compare gaze stability between a control group of healthy non-injured athletes and a group of athletes with concussions 24-48hours post-injury. Ten collegiate NCAA Division I athletes with concussions and ten healthy control collegiate athletes completed two trials of a sport-like antisaccade postural control task, the Wii Fit Soccer Heading Game. During play all participants were instructed to minimize gaze deviations away from a central fixed area. Athletes with concussions were assessed within 24-48 post-concussion while healthy control data were collected during pre-season athletic screening. Raw ocular point of gaze coordinates were tracked with a monocular eye tracking device (240Hz) and motion capture during the postural task to determine the instantaneous gaze coordinates. This data was exported and analyzed using a custom algorithm. Independent t-tests analyzed gaze resultant distance, prosaccade errors, mean vertical velocity, and mean horizontal velocity. Athletes with concussions had significantly greater gaze resultant distance (p=0.006), prosaccade errors (p<0.001), and horizontal velocity (p=0.029) when compared to healthy controls. These data suggest that athletes with concussions had less control of gaze during play of the Wii Fit Soccer Heading Game. This could indicate a gaze stability deficit via potentially reduced cortical inhibition that is present within 24-48hours post-concussion. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhancing response coordination through the assessment of response network structural dynamics

PubMed Central

Jalili, Mahdi; Choi, Soo-Mi

2018-01-01

Preparing for intensifying threats of emergencies in unexpected, dangerous, and serious natural or man-made events, and consequent management of the situation, is highly demanding in terms of coordinating the personnel and resources to support human lives and the environment. This necessitates prompt action to manage the uncertainties and risks imposed by such extreme events, which requires collaborative operation among different stakeholders (i.e., the personnel from both the state and local communities). This research aims to find a way to enhance the coordination of multi-organizational response operations. To do so, this manuscript investigates the role of participants in the formed coordination response network and also the emergence and temporal dynamics of the network. By analyzing an inter-personal response coordination operation to an extreme bushfire event, the networks’ and participants’ structural change is evaluated during the evolution of the operation network over four time durations. The results reveal that the coordination response network becomes more decentralized over time due to the high volume of communication required to exchange information. New emerging communication structures often do not fit the developed plans, which stress the need for coordination by feedback in addition to by plan. In addition, we find that the participant’s brokering role in the response operation network identifies a formal and informal coordination role. This is useful for comparison of network structures to examine whether what really happens during response operations complies with the initial policy. PMID:29447192

Enhancing response coordination through the assessment of response network structural dynamics.

PubMed

Abbasi, Alireza; Sadeghi-Niaraki, Abolghasem; Jalili, Mahdi; Choi, Soo-Mi

2018-01-01

Preparing for intensifying threats of emergencies in unexpected, dangerous, and serious natural or man-made events, and consequent management of the situation, is highly demanding in terms of coordinating the personnel and resources to support human lives and the environment. This necessitates prompt action to manage the uncertainties and risks imposed by such extreme events, which requires collaborative operation among different stakeholders (i.e., the personnel from both the state and local communities). This research aims to find a way to enhance the coordination of multi-organizational response operations. To do so, this manuscript investigates the role of participants in the formed coordination response network and also the emergence and temporal dynamics of the network. By analyzing an inter-personal response coordination operation to an extreme bushfire event, the networks' and participants' structural change is evaluated during the evolution of the operation network over four time durations. The results reveal that the coordination response network becomes more decentralized over time due to the high volume of communication required to exchange information. New emerging communication structures often do not fit the developed plans, which stress the need for coordination by feedback in addition to by plan. In addition, we find that the participant's brokering role in the response operation network identifies a formal and informal coordination role. This is useful for comparison of network structures to examine whether what really happens during response operations complies with the initial policy.

40 CFR 267.57 - What must the emergency coordinator do after an emergency?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... OPERATING UNDER A STANDARDIZED PERMIT Contingency Plan and Emergency Procedures § 267.57 What must the..., or any other material that results from a release, fire, or explosion at the facility. (b) The... completed. (2) All emergency equipment listed in the contingency plan is cleaned and fit for its intended...

40 CFR 267.57 - What must the emergency coordinator do after an emergency?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... OPERATING UNDER A STANDARDIZED PERMIT Contingency Plan and Emergency Procedures § 267.57 What must the..., or any other material that results from a release, fire, or explosion at the facility. (b) The... completed. (2) All emergency equipment listed in the contingency plan is cleaned and fit for its intended...

40 CFR 267.57 - What must the emergency coordinator do after an emergency?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... OPERATING UNDER A STANDARDIZED PERMIT Contingency Plan and Emergency Procedures § 267.57 What must the..., or any other material that results from a release, fire, or explosion at the facility. (b) The... completed. (2) All emergency equipment listed in the contingency plan is cleaned and fit for its intended...

40 CFR 267.57 - What must the emergency coordinator do after an emergency?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... OPERATING UNDER A STANDARDIZED PERMIT Contingency Plan and Emergency Procedures § 267.57 What must the..., or any other material that results from a release, fire, or explosion at the facility. (b) The... completed. (2) All emergency equipment listed in the contingency plan is cleaned and fit for its intended...

Anthropometry, Physical Fitness and Coordination of Young Figure Skaters of Different Levels.

PubMed

Mostaert, M; Deconinck, F; Pion, J; Lenoir, M

2016-06-01

The aim of the present study was to identify anthropometric, physical, coordinative and ice-skating specific characteristics that discriminate young elite ice skaters from non-elite skaters and their non-skating peers. 32 skaters aged 9-12 years old (11 elites and 21 non-elites) voluntarily participated in the study. They were submitted to 5 anthropometric, 7 physical, 3 coordination and 5 ice-skating specific tests. Reference values of a representative healthy non-skating sample were taken from the Flemish Sports Compass dataset. Figure skaters appeared to be predominantly average mature (93.8%), were lighter and leaner than the reference sample, and demonstrated better physical characteristics and motor coordination. There was no difference between the elite and non-elite group regarding maturity status and anthropometric or physical parameters. Still, elite skaters scored better than non-elites on the coordination tests jumping sideways and tended to do so on the moving sideways test. Profiles of figure skaters differ clearly from a reference population, while non-sport-specific motor coordination tests allow discrimination between elite and non-elite skaters. The relevance of these findings with respect to talent detection and identification in young ice skaters are discussed. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Loneliness and life satisfaction of boys with developmental coordination disorder: the impact of leisure participation and perceived freedom in leisure.

PubMed

Poulsen, Anne A; Ziviani, Jenny M; Johnson, Helen; Cuskelly, Monica

2008-04-01

A theoretical model linking motor ability with perceived freedom in leisure, participation in team sports, loneliness, and global life satisfaction was tested using linear confirmatory path analysis. Participants were 173 boys aged 10-13 years who filled in self-report questionnaires about perceived freedom in leisure, loneliness, and global life satisfaction. Parents of boys completed 7-day diaries and 12-month retrospective recall questionnaires about their son's leisure-time activity participation. Results of path analyses confirmed that the fit of the hypothetical model was consistent with predictions. The inferred direct pathways of influence between both total loneliness and global life satisfaction on motor ability were in the expected directions (i.e., inverse and positive relationships, respectively). Perceived Freedom in Leisure (PFL) and participation in team sports were two intermediate variables indirectly influencing these relationships. Although PFL was identified as a motivational process influencing participation levels in team sports it was noted that other psychological and environmental factors must also be considered when evaluating child-activity-environment fit for boys with developmental coordination disorder.

Motor and cognitive performance of overweight preschool children.

PubMed

Krombholz, Heinz

2013-02-01

Gross and fine motor skills and cognitive performance in obese and overweight children were compared to healthy weight children. Participants were 1,543 children (797 boys and 746 girls) ages 43 to 84 months, attending childcare centers in Munich, Germany. According to German Body Mass Index (BMI) standards for age and sex, 4.6% of the children were classified as obese (percentile greater or equal 97), 6.8% as overweight (percentile greater or equal 90 and less than 97), 5.9% as underweight (percentile less than 10), and 83.1% as being of healthy weight. Dependent variables were physical characteristics (height, weight, skinfold thickness), physical fitness (standing broad jump, shuttle run, hanging), body coordination (balancing forward, balancing backward, lateral jump, hopping), manual dexterity (right and left hand), and cognitive performance (intelligence, verbal ability, concentration). Higher proportions of children from lower socioeconomic and immigrant backgrounds were overweight. There was no association between weight and sex. Overweight children showed lower performance on gross motor skills (coordination and fitness), manual dexterity, and intelligence compared to healthy weight children, even after controlling for the effects of social class and immigration status.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of visual object construction and shape discrimination : relations among task, hemispheric lateralization, and gender.

PubMed

Georgopoulos, A P; Whang, K; Georgopoulos, M A; Tagaris, G A; Amirikian, B; Richter, W; Kim, S G; Uğurbil, K

2001-01-01

We studied the brain activation patterns in two visual image processing tasks requiring judgements on object construction (FIT task) or object sameness (SAME task). Eight right-handed healthy human subjects (four women and four men) performed the two tasks in a randomized block design while 5-mm, multislice functional images of the whole brain were acquired using a 4-tesla system using blood oxygenation dependent (BOLD) activation. Pairs of objects were picked randomly from a set of 25 oriented fragments of a square and presented to the subjects approximately every 5 sec. In the FIT task, subjects had to indicate, by pushing one of two buttons, whether the two fragments could match to form a perfect square, whereas in the SAME task they had to decide whether they were the same or not. In a control task, preceding and following each of the two tasks above, a single square was presented at the same rate and subjects pushed any of the two keys at random. Functional activation maps were constructed based on a combination of conservative criteria. The areas with activated pixels were identified using Talairach coordinates and anatomical landmarks, and the number of activated pixels was determined for each area. Altogether, 379 pixels were activated. The counts of activated pixels did not differ significantly between the two tasks or between the two genders. However, there were significantly more activated pixels in the left (n = 218) than the right side of the brain (n = 161). Of the 379 activated pixels, 371 were located in the cerebral cortex. The Talairach coordinates of these pixels were analyzed with respect to their overall distribution in the two tasks. These distributions differed significantly between the two tasks. With respect to individual dimensions, the two tasks differed significantly in the anterior--posterior and superior--inferior distributions but not in the left--right (including mediolateral, within the left or right side) distribution. Specifically, the FIT distribution was, overall, more anterior and inferior than that of the SAME task. A detailed analysis of the counts and spatial distributions of activated pixels was carried out for 15 brain areas (all in the cerebral cortex) in which a consistent activation (in > or = 3 subjects) was observed (n = 323 activated pixels). We found the following. Except for the inferior temporal gyrus, which was activated exclusively in the FIT task, all other areas showed activation in both tasks but to different extents. Based on the extent of activation, areas fell within two distinct groups (FIT or SAME) depending on which pixel count (i.e., FIT or SAME) was greater. The FIT group consisted of the following areas, in decreasing FIT/SAME order (brackets indicate ties): GTi, GTs, GC, GFi, GFd, [GTm, GF], GO. The SAME group consisted of the following areas, in decreasing SAME/FIT order : GOi, LPs, Sca, GPrC, GPoC, [GFs, GFm]. These results indicate that there are distributed, graded, and partially overlapping patterns of activation during performance of the two tasks. We attribute these overlapping patterns of activation to the engagement of partially shared processes. Activated pixels clustered to three types of clusters : FIT-only (111 pixels), SAME-only (97 pixels), and FIT + SAME (115 pixels). Pixels contained in FIT-only and SAME-only clusters were distributed approximately equally between the left and right hemispheres, whereas pixels in the SAME + FIT clusters were located mostly in the left hemisphere. With respect to gender, the left-right distribution of activated pixels was very similar in women and men for the SAME-only and FIT + SAME clusters but differed for the FIT-only case in which there was a prominent left side preponderance for women, in contrast to a right side preponderance for men. We conclude that (a) cortical mechanisms common for processing visual object construction and discrimination involve mostly the left hemisphere, (b) cortical mechanisms specific for these tasks engage both hemispheres, and (c) in object construction only, men engage predominantly the right hemisphere whereas women show a left-hemisphere preponderance.

The relationship between general measures of fitness, passive range of motion and whole-body movement quality.

PubMed

Frost, David; Andersen, Jordan; Lam, Thomas; Finlay, Tim; Darby, Kevin; McGill, Stuart

2013-01-01

The goal of this study was to establish relationships between fitness (torso endurance, grip strength and pull-ups), hip range of motion (ROM) (extension, flexion, internal and external rotation) and movement quality in an occupational group with physical work demands. Fifty-three men from the emergency task force of a major city police force were investigated. The movement screen comprised standing and seated posture, gait, segmental spine motion and 14 tasks designed to challenge whole-body coordination. Relationships were established between each whole-body movement task, the measures of strength, endurance and ROM. In general, fitness and ROM were not strongly related to the movement quality of any task. This has implications for worker training, in that strategies developed to improve ROM or strength about a joint may not enhance movement quality. Worker-centered injury prevention can be described as fitting workers to tasks by improving fitness and modifying movement patterns; however, the current results show weak correlations between strength, endurance and ROM, and the way individuals move. Therefore, the development of occupation-specific injury prevention strategies may require both fitness and movement-oriented objectives.

Feasibility analysis on integration of luminous environment measuring and design based on exposure curve calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Yuan; Shen, Tianxing

2013-03-01

Besides illumination calculating during architecture and luminous environment design, to provide more varieties of photometric data, the paper presents combining relation between luminous environment design and SM light environment measuring system, which contains a set of experiment devices including light information collecting and processing modules, and can offer us various types of photometric data. During the research process, we introduced a simulation method for calibration, which mainly includes rebuilding experiment scenes in 3ds Max Design, calibrating this computer aid design software in simulated environment under conditions of various typical light sources, and fitting the exposure curves of rendered images. As analytical research went on, the operation sequence and points for attention during the simulated calibration were concluded, connections between Mental Ray renderer and SM light environment measuring system were established as well. From the paper, valuable reference conception for coordination between luminous environment design and SM light environment measuring system was pointed out.

Circulation Control in NASA's Vehicle Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rich, Paul; McKinley, Bob; Jones, Greg

2005-01-01

Specific to the application of any technology to a vehicle, such as circulation control, it is important to understand the process that NASA is using to set its direction in research and development. To see how circulation control fits into any given NASA program requires the reader to understand NASA's Vehicle Systems (VS) Program. The VS Program recently celebrated its first year of existence with an annual review - an opportunity to look back on accomplishments, solicit feedback, expand national advocacy and support for the program, and recognize key contributions. Since its formation last year, Vehicle Systems has coordinated seven existing entities in a streamlined aeronautics research effort. It invests in vehicle technologies to protect the environment, make air travel more accessible and affordable for Americans, enable exploration through new aerospace missions, and augment national security. This past year has seen a series of valuable partnerships with industry, academia, and government agencies to make crucial aeronautics advances and assure America s future in flight.

Implementation of a close range photogrammetric system for 3D reconstruction of a scoliotic torso

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Detchev, Ivan Denislavov

Scoliosis is a deformity of the human spine most commonly encountered with children. After being detected, periodic examinations via x-rays are traditionally used to measure its progression. However, due to the increased risk of cancer, a non-invasive and radiation-free scoliosis detection and progression monitoring methodology is needed. Quantifying the scoliotic deformity through the torso surface is a valid alternative, because of its high correlation with the internal spine curvature. This work proposes a low-cost multi-camera photogrammetric system for semi-automated 3D reconstruction of a torso surface with sub-millimetre level accuracy. The thesis describes the system design and calibration for optimal accuracy. It also covers the methodology behind the reconstruction and registration procedures. The experimental results include the complete reconstruction of a scoliotic torso mannequin. The final accuracy is evaluated through the goodness of fit between the reconstructed surface and a more accurate set of points measured by a coordinate measuring machine.

A method of indirect registration of the coordinates of condylar points with a six-degree-of-freedom jaw tracker.

PubMed

Huang, B Y; Durrant, C J; Johnson, C W L; Murray, G M

2002-06-30

Previous studies have indicated that the location of a condylar point can significantly influence its trajectory. The aim of this investigation was to develop a method of registering the location of radiographically defined condylar points in the coordinate system of a six-degree-of-freedom jaw-tracking device and to determine the accuracy of this method by using a perspex model in one experiment and a dry skull in another. A direct measurement ('the gold standard') of condylar point coordinates in the coordinate system of JAWS3D was done using a three-dimensional (3D) digitizer (MicroScribe-3DX). The indirect measurement used a distributed fiducial marker as the interface between the coordinate system of MicroScribe-3DX (which was used to register the fiducial marker and the JAWS3D coordinate system) and the coordinate system of the CT scans (used to define condyle anatomy and the relation with the fiducial marker). The coordinates of condylar points could then be calculated in the coordinate system of JAWS3D. The results showed that the indirect method could register condylar point coordinates on either side to an accuracy of approximately 0.5 mm.

AssignFit: a program for simultaneous assignment and structure refinement from solid-state NMR spectra

PubMed Central

Tian, Ye; Schwieters, Charles D.; Opella, Stanley J.; Marassi, Francesca M.

2011-01-01

AssignFit is a computer program developed within the XPLOR-NIH package for the assignment of dipolar coupling (DC) and chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) restraints derived from the solid-state NMR spectra of protein samples with uniaxial order. The method is based on minimizing the difference between experimentally observed solid-state NMR spectra and the frequencies back calculated from a structural model. Starting with a structural model and a set of DC and CSA restraints grouped only by amino acid type, as would be obtained by selective isotopic labeling, AssignFit generates all of the possible assignment permutations and calculates the corresponding atomic coordinates oriented in the alignment frame, together with the associated set of NMR frequencies, which are then compared with the experimental data for best fit. Incorporation of AssignFit in a simulated annealing refinement cycle provides an approach for simultaneous assignment and structure refinement (SASR) of proteins from solid-state NMR orientation restraints. The methods are demonstrated with data from two integral membrane proteins, one α-helical and one β-barrel, embedded in phospholipid bilayer membranes. PMID:22036904

Coordinate measuring system based on microchip lasers for reverse prototyping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iakovlev, Alexey; Grishkanich, Alexsandr S.; Redka, Dmitriy; Tsvetkov, Konstantin

2017-02-01

According to the current great interest concerning Large-Scale Metrology applications in many different fields of manufacturing industry, technologies and techniques for dimensional measurement have recently shown a substantial improvement. Ease-of-use, logistic and economic issues, as well as metrological performance, are assuming a more and more important role among system requirements. The project is planned to conduct experimental studies aimed at identifying the impact of the application of the basic laws of chip and microlasers as radiators on the linear-angular characteristics of existing measurement systems. The project is planned to conduct experimental studies aimed at identifying the impact of the application of the basic laws of microlasers as radiators on the linear-angular characteristics of existing measurement systems. The system consists of a distributed network-based layout, whose modularity allows to fit differently sized and shaped working volumes by adequately increasing the number of sensing units. Differently from existing spatially distributed metrological instruments, the remote sensor devices are intended to provide embedded data elaboration capabilities, in order to share the overall computational load.

Applications of laser ranging and VLBI observations for selenodetic control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fajemirokun, F. A.

1971-01-01

The observation equations necessary to utilize lunar laser ranging and very long baseline interferometry measurements were developed for the establishment of a primary control network on the moon. The network consists of coordinates of moon points in the selenodetic Cartesian coordinate system, which is fixed to the lunar body, oriented along the three principal axes of inertia of the moon, and centered at the lunar center of mass. The observation equations derived are based on a general model in which the unknown parameters included: the selenodetic Cartesian coordinates, the geocentric coordinates of earth stations, parameters of the orientation of the selenodetic coordinate system with respect to a fixed celestial system, the parameters of the orientation of the average terrestrial coordinate system with respect to a fixed celestial coordinate system, and the geocentric coordinates of the center of mass of the moon, given by a lunar ephemeris.

Recommended coordinate systems for thin spherocylindrical lenses.

PubMed

Deal, F C; Toop, J

1993-05-01

Because the set of thin spherocylindrical lenses forms a vector space, any such lens can be expressed in terms of its cartesian coordinates with respect to whatever set of basis lenses we may choose. Two types of cartesian coordinate systems have become prominent, those having coordinates associated with the lens power matrix and those having coordinates associated with the Humphrey Vision Analyzer. This paper emphasizes the value of a particular cartesian coordinate system of the latter type, and the cylindrical coordinate system related to it, by showing how it can simplify the trigonometry of adding lenses and how it preserves symmetry in depicting the sets of all spherical lenses, all Jackson crossed-cylinders, and all cylindrical lenses. It also discusses appropriate coordinates for keeping statistics on lenses and shows that an easy extension of the lens vector space to include general optical systems is not possible.

System integration and DICOM image creation for PET-MR fusion.

PubMed

Hsiao, Chia-Hung; Kao, Tsair; Fang, Yu-Hua; Wang, Jiunn-Kuen; Guo, Wan-Yuo; Chao, Liang-Hsiao; Yen, Sang-Hue

2005-03-01

This article demonstrates a gateway system for converting image fusion results to digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) objects. For the purpose of standardization and integration, we have followed the guidelines of the Integrated Healthcare Enterprise technical framework and developed a DICOM gateway. The gateway system combines data from hospital information system, image fusion results, and the information generated itself to constitute new DICOM objects. All the mandatory tags defined in standard DICOM object were generated in the gateway system. The gateway system will generate two series of SOP instances of each PET-MR fusion result; SOP (Service Object Pair) one for the reconstructed magnetic resonance (MR) images and the other for position emission tomography (PET) images. The size, resolution, spatial coordinates, and number of frames are the same in both series of SOP instances. Every new generated MR image exactly fits with one of the reconstructed PET images. Those DICOM images are stored to the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) server by means of standard DICOM protocols. When those images are retrieved and viewed by standard DICOM viewing systems, both images can be viewed at the same anatomy location. This system is useful for precise diagnosis and therapy.

On the application of photogrammetry to the fitting of jawbone-anchored bridges.

PubMed

Strid, K G

1985-01-01

Misfit between a jawbone-anchored bridge and the abutments in the patient's jaw may result in, for example, fixture fracture. To achieve improved alignment, the bridge base could be prepared in a numerically-controlled tooling machine using measured abutment coordinates as primary data. For each abutment, the measured values must comprise the coordinates of a reference surface as well as the spatial orientation of the fixture/abutment longitudinal axis. Stereophotogrammetry was assumed to be the measuring method of choice. To assess its potentials, a lower-jaw model with accurately positioned signals was stereophotographed and the films were measured in a stereocomparator. Model-space coordinates, computed from the image coordinates, were compared to the known signal coordinates. The root-mean-square error in position was determined to 0.03-0.08 mm, the maximum individual error amounting to 0.12 mm, whereas the r. m. s. error in axis direction was found to be 0.5-1.5 degrees with a maximum individual error of 1.8 degrees. These errors are of the same order as can be achieved by careful impression techniques. The method could be useful, but because of its complexity, stereophotogrammetry is not recommended as a standard procedure.

Development of a bio-magnetic measurement system and sensor configuration analysis for rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Ji-Eun; Kim, In-Seon; Kim, Kiwoong; Lim, Sanghyun; Kwon, Hyukchan; Kang, Chan Seok; Ahn, San; Yu, Kwon Kyu; Lee, Yong-Ho

2017-04-01

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) based on superconducting quantum interference devices enables the measurement of very weak magnetic fields (10-1000 fT) generated from the human or animal brain. In this article, we introduce a small MEG system that we developed specifically for use with rats. Our system has the following characteristics: (1) variable distance between the pick-up coil and outer Dewar bottom (˜5 mm), (2) small pick-up coil (4 mm) for high spatial resolution, (3) good field sensitivity (45 ˜ 80 fT /cm/√{Hz} ) , (4) the sensor interval satisfies the Nyquist spatial sampling theorem, and (5) small source localization error for the region to be investigated. To reduce source localization error, it is necessary to establish an optimal sensor layout. To this end, we simulated confidence volumes at each point on a grid on the surface of a virtual rat head. In this simulation, we used locally fitted spheres as model rat heads. This enabled us to consider more realistic volume currents. We constrained the model such that the dipoles could have only four possible orientations: the x- and y-axes from the original coordinates, and two tangentially layered dipoles (local x- and y-axes) in the locally fitted spheres. We considered the confidence volumes according to the sensor layout and dipole orientation and positions. We then conducted a preliminary test with a 4-channel MEG system prior to manufacturing the multi-channel system. Using the 4-channel MEG system, we measured rat magnetocardiograms. We obtained well defined P-, QRS-, and T-waves in rats with a maximum value of 15 pT/cm. Finally, we measured auditory evoked fields and steady state auditory evoked fields with maximum values 400 fT/cm and 250 fT/cm, respectively.

Analysis of Two-Component Systems in Group B Streptococcus Shows That RgfAC and the Novel FspSR Modulate Virulence and Bacterial Fitness

PubMed Central

Faralla, Cristina; Metruccio, Matteo M.; De Chiara, Matteo; Mu, Rong; Patras, Kathryn A.; Muzzi, Alessandro; Grandi, Guido; Margarit, Immaculada; Doran, Kelly S.

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT Group B Streptococcus (GBS), in the transition from commensal organisms to pathogens, will encounter diverse host environments and, thus, require coordinated control of the transcriptional responses to these changes. This work was aimed at better understanding the role of two-component signal transduction systems (TCS) in GBS pathophysiology through a systematic screening procedure. We first performed a complete inventory and sensory mechanism classification of all putative GBS TCS by genomic analysis. Five TCS were further investigated by the generation of knockout strains, and in vitro transcriptome analysis identified genes regulated by these systems, ranging from 0.1% to 3% of the genome. Interestingly, two sugar phosphotransferase systems appeared to be differentially regulated in the TCS-16 knockout strain (TCS loci were numbered in order of their appearance on the chromosome), suggesting an involvement in monitoring carbon source availability. High-throughput analysis of bacterial growth on different carbon sources showed that TCS-16 was necessary for the growth of GBS on fructose-6-phosphate. Additional transcriptional analysis provided further evidence for a stimulus-response circuit where extracellular fructose-6-phosphate leads to autoinduction of TCS-16, with concomitant dramatic upregulation of the adjacent operon, which encodes a phosphotransferase system. The TCS-16-deficient strain exhibited decreased persistence in a model of vaginal colonization. All mutant strains were also characterized in a murine model of systemic infection, and inactivation of TCS-17 (also known as RgfAC) resulted in hypervirulence. Our data suggest a role for the previously unknown TCS-16, here named FspSR, in bacterial fitness and carbon metabolism during host colonization, and the data also provide experimental evidence for TCS-17/RgfAC involvement in virulence. PMID:24846378

Reference coordinate systems: An update. Supplement 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mueller, Ivan I.

1988-01-01

A common requirement for all geodetic investigations is a well-defined coordinate system attached to the earth in some prescribed way, as well as a well-defined inertial coordinate system in which the motions of the terrestrial frame can be monitored. The paper deals with the problems encountered when establishing such coordinate systems and the transformations between them. In addition, problems related to the modeling of the deformable earth are discussed. This paper is an updated version of the earlier work, Reference Coordinate Systems for Earth Dynamics: A Preview, by the author.

Feature Orientation and Positional Accuracy Assessment of Digital Orthophoto and Line Map for Large Scale Mapping: the Case Study on Bahir Dar Town, Ethiopia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sisay, Z. G.; Besha, T.; Gessesse, B.

2017-05-01

This study used in-situ GPS data to validate the accuracy of horizontal coordinates and orientation of linear features of orthophoto and line map for Bahir Dar city. GPS data is processed using GAMIT/GLOBK and Lieca GeoOfice (LGO) in a least square sense with a tie to local and regional GPS reference stations to predict horizontal coordinates at five checkpoints. Real-Time-Kinematic GPS measurement technique is used to collect the coordinates of road centerline to test the accuracy associated with the orientation of the photogrammetric line map. The accuracy of orthophoto was evaluated by comparing with in-situ GPS coordinates and it is in a good agreement with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 12.45 cm in x- and 13.97 cm in y-coordinates, on the other hand, 6.06 cm with 95 % confidence level - GPS coordinates from GAMIT/GLOBK. Whereas, the horizontal coordinates of the orthophoto are in agreement with in-situ GPS coordinates at an accuracy of 16.71 cm and 18.98 cm in x and y-directions respectively and 11.07 cm with 95 % confidence level - GPS data is processed by LGO and a tie to local GPS network. Similarly, the accuracy of linear feature is in a good fit with in-situ GPS measurement. The GPS coordinates of the road centerline deviates from the corresponding coordinates of line map by a mean value of 9.18 cm in x- direction and -14.96 cm in y-direction. Therefore, it can be concluded that, the accuracy of the orthophoto and line map is within the national standard of error budget ( 25 cm).

Electronic palliative care coordination systems: Devising and testing a methodology for evaluating documentation

PubMed Central

Allsop, Matthew J; Kite, Suzanne; McDermott, Sarah; Penn, Naomi; Millares-Martin, Pablo; Bennett, Michael I

2016-01-01

Background: The need to improve coordination of care at end of life has driven electronic palliative care coordination systems implementation across the United Kingdom and internationally. No approaches for evaluating electronic palliative care coordination systems use in practice have been developed. Aim: This study outlines and applies an evaluation framework for examining how and when electronic documentation of advance care planning is occurring in end of life care services. Design: A pragmatic, formative process evaluation approach was adopted. The evaluation drew on the Project Review and Objective Evaluation methodology to guide the evaluation framework design, focusing on clinical processes. Setting/participants: Data were extracted from electronic palliative care coordination systems for 82 of 108 general practices across a large UK city. All deaths (n = 1229) recorded on electronic palliative care coordination systems between April 2014 and March 2015 were included to determine the proportion of all deaths recorded, median number of days prior to death that key information was recorded and observations about routine data use. Results: The evaluation identified 26.8% of all deaths recorded on electronic palliative care coordination systems. The median number of days to death was calculated for initiation of an electronic palliative care coordination systems record (31 days), recording a patient’s preferred place of death (8 days) and entry of Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation decisions (34 days). Where preferred and actual place of death was documented, these were matching for 75% of patients. Anomalies were identified in coding used during data entry on electronic palliative care coordination systems. Conclusion: This study reports the first methodology for evaluating how and when electronic palliative care coordination systems documentation is occurring. It raises questions about what can be drawn from routine data collected through electronic palliative care coordination systems and outlines considerations for future evaluation. Future evaluations should consider work processes of health professionals using electronic palliative care coordination systems. PMID:27507636

Electronic palliative care coordination systems: Devising and testing a methodology for evaluating documentation.

PubMed

Allsop, Matthew J; Kite, Suzanne; McDermott, Sarah; Penn, Naomi; Millares-Martin, Pablo; Bennett, Michael I

2017-05-01

The need to improve coordination of care at end of life has driven electronic palliative care coordination systems implementation across the United Kingdom and internationally. No approaches for evaluating electronic palliative care coordination systems use in practice have been developed. This study outlines and applies an evaluation framework for examining how and when electronic documentation of advance care planning is occurring in end of life care services. A pragmatic, formative process evaluation approach was adopted. The evaluation drew on the Project Review and Objective Evaluation methodology to guide the evaluation framework design, focusing on clinical processes. Data were extracted from electronic palliative care coordination systems for 82 of 108 general practices across a large UK city. All deaths ( n = 1229) recorded on electronic palliative care coordination systems between April 2014 and March 2015 were included to determine the proportion of all deaths recorded, median number of days prior to death that key information was recorded and observations about routine data use. The evaluation identified 26.8% of all deaths recorded on electronic palliative care coordination systems. The median number of days to death was calculated for initiation of an electronic palliative care coordination systems record (31 days), recording a patient's preferred place of death (8 days) and entry of Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation decisions (34 days). Where preferred and actual place of death was documented, these were matching for 75% of patients. Anomalies were identified in coding used during data entry on electronic palliative care coordination systems. This study reports the first methodology for evaluating how and when electronic palliative care coordination systems documentation is occurring. It raises questions about what can be drawn from routine data collected through electronic palliative care coordination systems and outlines considerations for future evaluation. Future evaluations should consider work processes of health professionals using electronic palliative care coordination systems.

[Coupling coordinated development of ecological-economic system in Loess Plateau].

PubMed

Zhang, Qing-Feng; Wu, Fa-Qi; Wang, Li; Wang, Jian

2011-06-01

Based on system theory, a coupling coordinated development model of ecological-economic system in Loess Plateau was established, and the evaluation criteria and basic types of the coordinated development of the ecological-economic system were proposed. The county-level coupling coordinated development of the ecological-economic system was also discussed, based on the local characteristics. The interactions between the ecological and economic systems in Loess Plateau could be divided into four stages, i.e., seriously disordered development stage, mild-disordered development stage, low-level coordinated development stage, and high level well-coordinated development stage. At each stage, there existed a cyclic process of profit and loss-antagonist-running-dominant-synchronous development. The coupling development degree of the ecological-economic system in Loess Plateau was overall at a lower level, being about 62.7% of the counties at serious disorder, 30.1% of the counties at mild disorder, and 7.1% of the counties at low but coordinated level. The coupling development degree based on the model established in this study could better reflect the current social-economic and ecological environment situations, especially the status of coordination. To fully understand the coupling of ecological-economic system and to adopt appropriate development mode would be of significance to promote the county-level coordinated development in Loess Plateau.

Changes in physical fitness and sports participation among children with different levels of motor competence: a 2-year longitudinal study.

PubMed

Fransen, Job; Deprez, Dieter; Pion, Johan; Tallir, Isabel B; D'Hondt, Eva; Vaeyens, Roel; Lenoir, Matthieu; Philippaerts, Renaat M

2014-02-01

The goal of this study was to investigate differences in physical fitness and sports participation over 2 years in children with relatively high, average, and low motor competence. Physical fitness and gross motor coordination of 501 children between 6-10 years were measured at baseline and baseline+2 years. The sample compromised 2 age cohorts: 6.00-7.99 and 8.00-9.99 years. An age and sex-specific motor quotient at baseline testing was used to subdivide these children into low (MQ < P33), average (P33 ≤ MQ < P66) and high (MQ ≥ P66) motor competence groups. Measures of sports participation were obtained through a physical activity questionnaire in 278 of the same children. Repeated Measures MANCOVA and two separate ANOVAs were used to analyze differences in changes in physical fitness and measures of sports participation respectively. Children with high motor competence scored better on physical fitness tests and participated in sports more often. Since physical fitness levels between groups changed similarly over time, low motor competent children might be at risk for being less physically fit throughout their life. Furthermore, since low motor competent children participate less in sports, they have fewer opportunities of developing motor abilities and physical fitness and this may further prevent them from catching up with their peers with an average or high motor competence.

On the fakeness of fake supergravity

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

Celi, Alessio; Proeyen, Antoine van; Ceresole, Anna

2005-02-15

We revisit and complete the study of curved BPS-domain walls in matter-coupled 5D, N=2 supergravity and carefully analyze the relation to gravitational theories known as ''fake supergravities.'' We first show that curved BPS-domain walls require the presence of nontrivial hypermultiplet scalars, whereas walls that are solely supported by vector multiplet scalars are necessarily flat, due to the constraints from very special geometry. We then recover fake supergravity as the effective description of true supergravity where one restricts the attention to the flowing scalar field of a given BPS-domain wall. In general, however, true supergravity can be simulated by fake supergravitymore » at most locally, based upon two choices: (i) a suitable adapted coordinate system on the scalar manifold, such that only one scalar field plays a dynamical role, and (ii) a gauge fixing of the SU(2) connection on the quaternionic-Kaehler manifold, as this connection does not fit the simple formalism of fake supergravity. Employing these gauge and coordinate choices, the BPS-equations for both vector and hypermultiplet scalars become identical to the fake supergravity equations, once the line of flow is determined by the full supergravity equations.« less

PROTEUS two-dimensional Navier-Stokes computer code, version 1.0. Volume 1: Analysis description

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Towne, Charles E.; Schwab, John R.; Benson, Thomas J.; Suresh, Ambady

1990-01-01

A new computer code was developed to solve the two-dimensional or axisymmetric, Reynolds averaged, unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations in strong conservation law form. The thin-layer or Euler equations may also be solved. Turbulence is modeled using an algebraic eddy viscosity model. The objective was to develop a code for aerospace applications that is easy to use and easy to modify. Code readability, modularity, and documentation were emphasized. The equations are written in nonorthogonal body-fitted coordinates, and solved by marching in time using a fully-coupled alternating direction-implicit procedure with generalized first- or second-order time differencing. All terms are linearized using second-order Taylor series. The boundary conditions are treated implicitly, and may be steady, unsteady, or spatially periodic. Simple Cartesian or polar grids may be generated internally by the program. More complex geometries require an externally generated computational coordinate system. The documentation is divided into three volumes. Volume 1 is the Analysis Description, and describes in detail the governing equations, the turbulence model, the linearization of the equations and boundary conditions, the time and space differencing formulas, the ADI solution procedure, and the artificial viscosity models.

A 3D-CFD code for accurate prediction of fluid flows and fluid forces in seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Athavale, M. M.; Przekwas, A. J.; Hendricks, R. C.

1994-01-01

Current and future turbomachinery requires advanced seal configurations to control leakage, inhibit mixing of incompatible fluids and to control the rotodynamic response. In recognition of a deficiency in the existing predictive methodology for seals, a seven year effort was established in 1990 by NASA's Office of Aeronautics Exploration and Technology, under the Earth-to-Orbit Propulsion program, to develop validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) concepts, codes and analyses for seals. The effort will provide NASA and the U.S. Aerospace Industry with advanced CFD scientific codes and industrial codes for analyzing and designing turbomachinery seals. An advanced 3D CFD cylindrical seal code has been developed, incorporating state-of-the-art computational methodology for flow analysis in straight, tapered and stepped seals. Relevant computational features of the code include: stationary/rotating coordinates, cylindrical and general Body Fitted Coordinates (BFC) systems, high order differencing schemes, colocated variable arrangement, advanced turbulence models, incompressible/compressible flows, and moving grids. This paper presents the current status of code development, code demonstration for predicting rotordynamic coefficients, numerical parametric study of entrance loss coefficients for generic annular seals, and plans for code extensions to labyrinth, damping, and other seal configurations.

Phase transition between quantum and classical regimes for the escape rate of dimeric molecular nanomagnets in a staggered magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Owerre, S. A.; Paranjape, M. B.

2014-04-01

We study the phase transition of the escape rate of exchange-coupled dimer of single-molecule magnets which are coupled either ferromagnetically or antiferromagnetically in a staggered magnetic field and an easy z-axis anisotropy. The Hamiltonian for this system has been used to study dimeric molecular nanomagnet [Mn4]2 which is comprised of two single molecule magnets coupled antiferromagnetically. We generalize the method of mapping a single-molecule magnetic spin problem onto a quantum-mechanical particle to dimeric molecular nanomagnets. The problem is mapped to a single particle quantum-mechanical Hamiltonian in terms of the relative coordinate and a coordinate dependent reduced mass. It is shown that the presence of the external staggered magnetic field creates a phase boundary separating the first- from the second-order transition. With the set of parameters used by R. Tiron et al. (2003) [25] and S. Hill et al. (2003) [20] to fit experimental data for [Mn4]2 dimer we find that the critical temperature at the phase boundary is T0(c)=0.29K. Therefore, thermally activated transitions should occur for temperatures greater than T0(c).

Interplay between reactive oxygen species and hormones in the control of plant development and stress tolerance.

PubMed

Xia, Xiao-Jian; Zhou, Yan-Hong; Shi, Kai; Zhou, Jie; Foyer, Christine H; Yu, Jing-Quan

2015-05-01

As a consequence of a sessile lifestyle, plants are continuously exposed to changing environmental conditions and often life-threatening stresses caused by exposure to excessive light, extremes of temperature, limiting nutrient or water availability, and pathogen/insect attack. The flexible coordination of plant growth and development is necessary to optimize vigour and fitness in a changing environment through rapid and appropriate responses to such stresses. The concept that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are versatile signalling molecules in plants that contribute to stress acclimation is well established. This review provides an overview of our current knowledge of how ROS production and signalling are integrated with the action of auxin, brassinosteroids, gibberellins, abscisic acid, ethylene, strigolactones, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid in the coordinate regulation of plant growth and stress tolerance. We consider the local and systemic crosstalk between ROS and hormonal signalling pathways and identify multiple points of reciprocal control, as well as providing insights into the integration nodes that involve Ca(2+)-dependent processes and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation cascades. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

PROTEUS two-dimensional Navier-Stokes computer code, version 1.0. Volume 2: User's guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Towne, Charles E.; Schwab, John R.; Benson, Thomas J.; Suresh, Ambady

1990-01-01

A new computer code was developed to solve the two-dimensional or axisymmetric, Reynolds averaged, unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations in strong conservation law form. The thin-layer or Euler equations may also be solved. Turbulence is modeled using an algebraic eddy viscosity model. The objective was to develop a code for aerospace applications that is easy to use and easy to modify. Code readability, modularity, and documentation were emphasized. The equations are written in nonorthogonal body-fitted coordinates, and solved by marching in time using a fully-coupled alternating direction-implicit procedure with generalized first- or second-order time differencing. All terms are linearized using second-order Taylor series. The boundary conditions are treated implicitly, and may be steady, unsteady, or spatially periodic. Simple Cartesian or polar grids may be generated internally by the program. More complex geometries require an externally generated computational coordinate system. The documentation is divided into three volumes. Volume 2 is the User's Guide, and describes the program's general features, the input and output, the procedure for setting up initial conditions, the computer resource requirements, the diagnostic messages that may be generated, the job control language used to run the program, and several test cases.

A Novel Pentadentate Coordination Mode for the Carbonato Bridge: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Behavior of (&mgr;(3)-CO(3))[Ni(3)(Medpt)(3)(NCS)(4)], a New Trinuclear Nickel(II) Carbonato-Bridged Complex with Strong Antiferromagnetic Coupling.

PubMed

Escuer, Albert; Vicente, Ramon; Kumar, Sujit B.; Solans, Xavier; Font-Bardía, Mercé; Caneschi, Andrea

1996-05-22

The trinuclear complex (&mgr;(3)-CO(3))[Ni(3)(Medpt)(3)(NCS)(4)] was obtained by reaction of basic solutions of nickel(II), Medpt (bis(3aminopropyl)methylamine) and thiocyanate ligand with atmospheric CO(2) or by simple reaction with carbonate anion. (&mgr;(3)-CO(3))[Ni(3)(Medpt)(3)(NCS)(4)] crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P&onemacr;, with a = 12.107(5) Å, b = 12.535(7) Å, c = 16.169(9) Å, alpha = 102.69(5) degrees, beta = 92.91(5) degrees, gamma = 118.01(4) degrees, Z = 2, and R = 0.043. The three nickel atoms are asymmetrically bridged by one pentadentate carbonato ligand, which shows a novel coordination mode. The (&mgr;(3)-CO(3))[Ni(3)(Medpt)(3)(NCS)(4)] compound shows a very strong antiferromagnetic coupling. Fit as irregular triangular arrangement gave J(1) = -88.4, J(2) = -57.7, and J(3) = -9.6 cm(-)(1), which is the strongest AF coupling observed to date for Ni(3) compounds. The magnetic behavior of the carbonato bridge is discussed.

Spectroscopic evidence for ternary surface complexes in the lead(II)-malonic acid-hematite system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lenhart, J.J.; Bargar, J.R.; Davis, J.A.

2001-01-01

Using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) measurements, we examined the sorption of Pb(II) to hematite in the presence of malonic acid. Pb LIII-edge EXAFS measurements performed in the presence of malonate indicate the presence of both Fe and C neighbors, suggesting that a major fraction of surface-bound malonate is bonded to adsorbed Pb(II). In the absence of Pb(II), ATR-FTIR measurements of sorbed malonate suggest the formation of more than one malonate surface complex. The dissimilarity of the IR spectrum of malonate sorbed on hematite to those for aqueous malonate suggest at least one of the sorbed malonate species is directly coordinated to surface Fe atoms in an inner-sphere mode. In the presence of Pb, little change is seen in the IR spectrum for sorbed malonate, indicating that geometry of malonate as it coordinates to sorbed Pb(II) adions is similar to the geometry of malonate as it coordinates to Fe in the hematite surface. Fits of the raw EXAFS spectra collected from pH 4 to pH 8 result in average Pb-C distances of 2.98 to 3.14 A??, suggesting the presence of both four- and six-membered Pb-malonate rings. The IR results are consistent with this interpretation. Thus, our results suggest that malonate binds to sorbed Pb(II) adions, forming ternary metal-bridging surface complexes. ?? 2001 Academic Press.

Application of x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) to local-order analysis in Fe-Cr maghemite-like materials

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

Montero-Cabrera, M. E., E-mail: elena.montero@cimav.edu.mx; Fuentes-Cobas, L. E.; Macías-Ríos, E.

2015-07-23

The maghemite-like oxide system γ-Fe{sub 2-x}Cr{sub x}O{sub 3} (x=0.75, 1 and 1.25) was studied by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (XRD). Measurements were performed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource at room temperature, at beamlines 2-1, 2-3 and 4-3. High-resolution XRD patterns were processed by means of the Rietveld method. In cases of atoms being neighbors in the Periodic Table, the order/disorder degree of the considered solutions is indiscernible by “normal” (absence of “anomalous scattering”) diffraction experiments. Thus, maghemite-like materials were investigated by XAFS in both Fe and Cr K-edges to clarify, via short-rangemore » structure characterization, the local ordering of the investigated system. Athena and Artemis graphic user interfaces for IFEFFIT and FEFF8.4 codes were employed for XAFS spectra interpretation. Pre-edge decomposition and theoretical modeling of X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) transitions were performed. By analysis of the Cr K-edge XANES, it has been confirmed that Cr is located in an octahedral environment. Fitting of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra was performed under the consideration that the central atom of Fe is allowed to occupy octa- and tetrahedral positions, while Cr occupies only octahedral ones. Coordination number of neighboring atoms, interatomic distances and their quadratic deviation average were determined for x=1, by fitting simultaneously the EXAFS spectra of both Fe and Cr K-edges. The results of fitting the experimental spectra with theoretical standards showed that the cation vacancies tend to follow a regular pattern within the structure of the iron-chromium maghemite (FeCrO{sub 3})« less

Method for the evaluation 3D noncontact inspection systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harding, Kevin

2011-08-01

Three dimensional, optical measurement systems are becoming more widely used in applications ranging from aerospace to automotive. These systems offer the potential for high speed, good accuracy, and more complete information than older contact based technology. However, the primary standards employed by many to evaluate these systems were specifically designed around touch probe based coordinate measurement machines (CMMs). These standards were designed to work with the limitations of touch probes, and in many cases cannot measure the types of features and errors associated with non-contact systems. This paper will discuss the deficiencies of employing contact based characterization tests to non-contact systems, and suggest a new set of tests specifically to cover the many aspects pertinent to non-contact, optical 3D measurement systems. Some of the performance aspects addressed in this characterization method include: sensitivity to surface reflectivity and roughness, the effect of angle of incidence of measurements, means to characterize volumetric variations that may fit complex functions, and considerations of both spatial and depth resolutions. Specific application areas will be discussed as well as the use of artifacts to provide practical functional data that can predict system performance on real world parts.

Conversion of the magnetic field measured in three components on the magnetic sensor body's random coordinate system into three components on geographical coordinate system through quaternion rotation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LIM, M.; PARK, Y.; Jung, H.; SHIN, Y.; Rim, H.; PARK, C.

2017-12-01

To measure all components of a physical property, for example the magnetic field, is more useful than to measure its magnitude only in interpretation and application thereafter. To convert the physical property measured in 3 components on a random coordinate system, for example on moving magnetic sensor body's coordinate system, into 3 components on a fixed coordinate system, for example on geographical coordinate system, by the rotations of coordinate system around Euler angles for example, we should have the attitude values of the sensor body in time series, which could be acquired by an INS-GNSS system of which the axes are installed coincident with those of the sensor body. But if we want to install some magnetic sensors in array at sea floor but without attitude acquisition facility of the magnetic sensors and to monitor the variation of magnetic fields in time, we should have also some way to estimate the relation between the geographical coordinate system and each sensor body's coordinate system by comparison of the vectors only measured on both coordinate systems on the assumption that the directions of the measured magnetic field on both coordinate systems are the same. For that estimation, we have at least 3 ways. The first one is to calculate 3 Euler angles phi, theta, psi from the equation Vgeograph = Rx(phi) Ry(theta) Rz(psi) Vrandom, where Vgeograph is the vector on geographical coordinate system etc. and Rx(phi) is the rotation matrix around the x axis by the angle phi etc. The second one is to calculate the difference of inclination and declination between the 2 vectors on spherical coordinate system. The third one, used by us for this study, is to calculate the angle of rotation along a great circle around the rotation axis, and the direction of the rotation axis. We installed no. 1 and no. 2 FVM-400 fluxgate magnetometers in array near Cheongyang Geomagnetic Observatory (IAGA code CYG) and acquired time series of magnetic fields for CYG and for the two magnetometers. Once the angle of rotation and the direction of the rotation axis for each couple of CYG and no. 1 and of CYG and no. 2 estimated, we rotated the measured time series of vectors using quaternion rotation to get 3 time series of magnetic fields all on geographical coordinate system, which were used for tracing the moving magnetic bodies along time in that area.

Building Student and Family-Centered Care Coordination Through Ongoing Delivery System Design.

PubMed

Baker, Dian; Anderson, Lori; Johnson, Jody

2017-01-01

In 2016 the National Association of School Nurses released an updated framework for school nurse practice. One highlight of the new framework is 21st century care coordination. That is, moving beyond basic case management to a systems-level approach for delivery of school health services. The framework broadly applies the term care coordination to include direct care and communication across systems. School nurses are often engaged in efforts to create school health care homes that serve as an axis of coordination for students and families between primary care offices and the schools. Effective care coordination requires that the school nurses not only know the principles of traditional case management but also understand complex systems that drive effective care coordination. The outcome of a system-level approach is enhanced access to services in an integrated health care delivery system that includes the school nurse as an integral member of the school's health care team. This article presents a comprehensive, system-level model of care coordination for school nurse leadership and practice.

Binary black holes in nuclei of extragalactic radio sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roland, J.; Britzen, S.

If we assume that nuclei of extragalactic radio sources contain a Binary Black Hole system, the 2 black holes can eject VLBI components and in that case 2 families of different VLBI trajectories will be observed. An important consequence of the presence of a Binary Black Hole system is the following: the VLBI core is associated with one black hole and if a VLBI component is ejected by the second black hole, one expects to be able to detect the offset of the origin of the VLBI component ejected by the black hole not associated with the VLBI core. The ejection of VLBI components is perturbed by the precession of the accretion disk and the motion of the black holes around the gravity center of the BBH system. We modeled the ejection of the component taking into account the 2 perturbations and we obtained a method to fit the coordinates of a VLBI component and to deduce the characteristics of the BBH system, i.e. the ratio Tp/Tb where Tp is the precession period of the accretion disk and Tb the orbital period of the BBH system, the mass ratio M1/M2, the radius of the BBH system Rbin. We applied the method to component S1 of 1823+568 and to component C5 of 3C 279 which presents a large offset of the space origin from the VLBI core. We found that 1823+568 contains a BBH system which size is Rbin ≈ 60 mu as and 3C 279 contains a BBH system which size is Rbin ≈ 378 mu as. We were able to deduce the separation of the 2 black holes and the coordinates of the second black hole from the VLBI core, this information will be important to make the link between the radio reference frame system deduced from VLBI observations and the optical reference frame system deduced from GAIA.

A topological coordinate system for the diamond cubic grid.

PubMed

Čomić, Lidija; Nagy, Benedek

2016-09-01

Topological coordinate systems are used to address all cells of abstract cell complexes. In this paper, a topological coordinate system for cells in the diamond cubic grid is presented and some of its properties are detailed. Four dependent coordinates are used to address the voxels (triakis truncated tetrahedra), their faces (hexagons and triangles), their edges and the points at their corners. Boundary and co-boundary relations, as well as adjacency relations between the cells, can easily be captured by the coordinate values. Thus, this coordinate system is apt for implementation in various applications, such as visualizations, morphological and topological operations and shape analysis.

Students' challenges with polar functions: covariational reasoning and plotting in the polar coordinate system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habre, Samer

2017-01-01

Covariational reasoning has been the focus of many studies but only a few looked into this reasoning in the polar coordinate system. In fact, research on student's familiarity with polar coordinates and graphing in the polar coordinate system is scarce. This paper examines the challenges that students face when plotting polar curves using the corresponding plot in the Cartesian plane. In particular, it examines how students coordinate the covariation in the polar coordinate system with the covariation in the Cartesian one. The research, which was conducted in a sophomore level Calculus class at an American university operating in Lebanon, investigates in addition the challenges when students synchronize the reasoning between the two coordinate systems. For this, the mental actions that students engage in when performing covariational tasks are examined. Results show that coordinating the value of one polar variable with changes in the other was well achieved. Coordinating the direction of change of one variable with changes in the other variable was more challenging for students especially when the radial distance r is negative.

Algorithm for transforming the coordinates of lunar objects while changing from various coordinate systems into the selenocentric one

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazurova, Elena; Mikhaylov, Aleksandr

2013-04-01

The selenocentric network of objects setting the coordinate system on the Moon, with the origin coinciding with the mass centre and axes directed along the inertia axes can become one of basic elements of the coordinate-time support for lunar navigation with use of cartographic materials and control objects. A powerful array of highly-precise and multiparameter information obtained by modern space vehicles allows one to establish Lunar Reference Frames (LRF) of an essentially another accuracy. Here, a special role is played by the results of scanning the lunar surface by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter(LRO) American mission. The coordinates of points calculated only from the results of laser scanning have high enough accuracy of position definition with respect to each other, but it is possible to check up the real accuracy of spatial tie and improve the coordinates only by a network of points whose coordinates are computed both from laser scanning and other methods too, for example, by terrestrial laser location, space photogrammetry methods, and so on. The paper presents the algorithm for transforming selenocentric coordinate systems and the accuracy estimation of changing from one lunar coordinate system to another one. Keywords: selenocentric coordinate system, coordinate-time support.

Exercise: Benefits for Body and Mind. Student Workbook. Health Promotion for Adult Literacy Students: An Empowering Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hudson River Center for Program Development, Glenmont, NY.

This workbook was developed to help adult literacy students learn about exercise and physical fitness. It contains information sheets and student worksheets, coordinated with an audiotape that is available. Some of the topics covered in the workbook are the following: benefits of exercise; stress; aerobic versus anaerobic exercise; exercise…

Procedures and Reasoning for Skill Proficiency Testing in Physical Education Teacher Education Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baghurst, Timothy; Richard, Kevin; Mwavita, Mwarumba; Ramos, Nilo

2015-01-01

This study sought to determine how the testing of skill proficiency is being conducted in physical education teacher education (PETE) programs in the USA and how fitness or skill proficiencies, as attributes of a physical educator, are perceived. Participants were 312 college PETE program coordinators who completed an online survey about skill…

A Study on How to Breathe Properly When Practicing Tai Chi Chuan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Hanchun

2011-01-01

When practicing Tai Chi Chuan, proper breath plays an important role in shaping Tai Chi Chuan's style and its fitness value. The paper aims to analyse the postures of Tai Chi Chuan and its breath characteristics. The paper also presents some new insights on how to co-ordinate breath with postures by case studies.

The Sensorimotor System Can Sculpt Behaviorally Relevant Representations for Motor Learning

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Abstract The coordinate system in which humans learn novel motor skills is controversial. The representation of sensorimotor skills has been extensively studied by examining generalization after learning perturbations specifically designed to be ambiguous as to their coordinate system. Recent studies have found that learning is not represented in any simple coordinate system and can potentially be accounted for by a mixed representation. Here, instead of probing generalization, which has led to conflicting results, we examine whether novel dynamics can be learned when explicitly and unambiguously presented in particular coordinate systems. Subjects performed center–out reaches to targets in the presence of a force field, while varying the orientation of their hand (i.e., the wrist angle) across trials. Different groups of subjects experienced force fields that were explicitly presented either in Cartesian coordinates (field independent of hand orientation), in object coordinates (field rotated with hand orientation), or in anti-object coordinates (field rotated counter to hand orientation). Subjects learned to represent the dynamics when presented in either Cartesian or object coordinates, learning these as well as an ambiguous force field. However, learning was slower for the object-based dynamics and substantially impaired for the anti-object presentation. Our results show that the motor system is able to tune its representation to at least two natural coordinate systems but is impaired when the representation of the task does not correspond to a behaviorally relevant coordinate system. Our results show that the motor system can sculpt its representation through experience to match those of natural tasks. PMID:27588304

Infrared Imaging of Capella with the IOTA Closure Phase Interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraus, S.; Schloerb, F. P.; Traub, W. A.; Carleton, N. P.; Lacasse, M.; Pearlman, M.; Monnier, J. D.; Millan-Gabet, R.; Berger, J.-P.; Haguenauer, P.; Perraut, K.; Kern, P.; Malbet, F.; Labeye, P.

2005-07-01

We present infrared aperture synthesis maps produced with the upgraded Infrared Optical Telescope Array interferometer. Michelson interferograms on the close binary system Capella (α Aur) were obtained in the H band between 2002 November 12 and 16 using the IONIC3 beam combiner. With baselines of 15m<=B<=38 m, we were able to determine the relative position of the binary components with milliarcsecond precision and to track their movement along the ~14° arc covered by our observation run. We briefly describe the algorithms used for visibility and closure phase estimation. Three different hybrid mapping and bispectrum fitting techniques were implemented within one software framework and used to reconstruct the source brightness distribution. By dividing our data into subsets, the system could be mapped at three epochs, revealing the motion of the stars. The precise position of the binary components was also determined with model fits, which in addition revealed IAa/IAb=1.49+/-0.10 and apparent stellar uniform-disk diameters of ΘAa=8.9+/-0.6 mas and ΘAb=5.8+/-0.8 mas. To improve the (u,v)-plane coverage, we compensated this orbital motion by applying a rotation-compensating coordinate transformation. The resulting model-independent map with a beam size of 5.4mas×2.6 mas allows the resolution of the stellar surfaces of the Capella giants themselves.

Cephalometric landmark detection in dental x-ray images using convolutional neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hansang; Park, Minseok; Kim, Junmo

2017-03-01

In dental X-ray images, an accurate detection of cephalometric landmarks plays an important role in clinical diagnosis, treatment and surgical decisions for dental problems. In this work, we propose an end-to-end deep learning system for cephalometric landmark detection in dental X-ray images, using convolutional neural networks (CNN). For detecting 19 cephalometric landmarks in dental X-ray images, we develop a detection system using CNN-based coordinate-wise regression systems. By viewing x- and y-coordinates of all landmarks as 38 independent variables, multiple CNN-based regression systems are constructed to predict the coordinate variables from input X-ray images. First, each coordinate variable is normalized by the length of either height or width of an image. For each normalized coordinate variable, a CNN-based regression system is trained on training images and corresponding coordinate variable, which is a variable to be regressed. We train 38 regression systems with the same CNN structure on coordinate variables, respectively. Finally, we compute 38 coordinate variables with these trained systems from unseen images and extract 19 landmarks by pairing the regressed coordinates. In experiments, the public database from the Grand Challenges in Dental X-ray Image Analysis in ISBI 2015 was used and the proposed system showed promising performance by successfully locating the cephalometric landmarks within considerable margins from the ground truths.

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa AlgZR two-component system coordinates multiple phenotypes

PubMed Central

Okkotsu, Yuta; Little, Alexander S.; Schurr, Michael J.

2014-01-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes a multitude of infections. These infections can occur at almost any site in the body and are usually associated with a breach of the innate immune system. One of the prominent sites where P. aeruginosa causes chronic infections is within the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. P. aeruginosa uses two-component systems that sense environmental changes to differentially express virulence factors that cause both acute and chronic infections. The P. aeruginosa AlgZR two component system is one of its global regulatory systems that affects the organism's fitness in a broad manner. This two-component system is absolutely required for two P. aeruginosa phenotypes: twitching motility and alginate production, indicating its importance in both chronic and acute infections. Additionally, global transcriptome analyses indicate that it regulates the expression of many different genes, including those associated with quorum sensing, type IV pili, type III secretion system, anaerobic metabolism, cyanide and rhamnolipid production. This review examines the complex AlgZR regulatory network, what is known about the structure and function of each protein, and how it relates to the organism's ability to cause infections. PMID:24999454

Time-Coordination Strategies and Control Laws for Multi-Agent Unmanned Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Puig-Navarro, Javier; Hovakimyan, Naira; Allen, B. Danette

2017-01-01

Time-critical coordination tools for unmanned systems can be employed to enforce the type of temporal constraints required in terminal control areas, ensure minimum distance requirements among vehicles are satisfied, and successfully perform coordinated missions. In comparison with previous literature, this paper presents an ampler spectrum of coordination and temporal specifications for unmanned systems, and proposes a general control law that can enforce this range of constraints. The constraint classification presented con- siders the nature of the desired arrival window and the permissible coordination errors to define six different types of time-coordination strategies. The resulting decentralized coordination control law allows the vehicles to negotiate their speeds along their paths in response to information exchanged over the communication network. This control law organizes the different members in the fleet hierarchically per their behavior and informational needs as reference agent, leaders, and followers. Examples and simulation results for all the coordination strategies presented demonstrate the applicability and efficacy of the coordination control law for multiple unmanned systems.

Assessment of Survivability against Laser Threats. The ASALT-I Computer Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

NUM4ER OF PAGES WHICH DO NOT REPRODUCE LEGIBLY. I - f ~ ~ ’ECUftITt CL.inWCATOM Or TII PAGEL Cu18.. De 3Sawe no"___VISA__________1""I REPORT...subsection. COORDINATE SYSTEMS The four coordinate systems used in the ASALT-I Model are de -I picted in Figure 2-1, where the subscripts on each axis identify...centroid in the Enc,’, inter Coordinate System 2i z-coordinate of the component centroid in the Encounter Coordinate System gy width of the component

The Adaptive Calibration Model of stress responsivity

PubMed Central

Ellis, Bruce J.; Shirtcliff, Elizabeth A.

2010-01-01

This paper presents the Adaptive Calibration Model (ACM), an evolutionary-developmental theory of individual differences in the functioning of the stress response system. The stress response system has three main biological functions: (1) to coordinate the organism’s allostatic response to physical and psychosocial challenges; (2) to encode and filter information about the organism’s social and physical environment, mediating the organism’s openness to environmental inputs; and (3) to regulate the organism’s physiology and behavior in a broad range of fitness-relevant areas including defensive behaviors, competitive risk-taking, learning, attachment, affiliation and reproductive functioning. The information encoded by the system during development feeds back on the long-term calibration of the system itself, resulting in adaptive patterns of responsivity and individual differences in behavior. Drawing on evolutionary life history theory, we build a model of the development of stress responsivity across life stages, describe four prototypical responsivity patterns, and discuss the emergence and meaning of sex differences. The ACM extends the theory of biological sensitivity to context (BSC) and provides an integrative framework for future research in the field. PMID:21145350

A two-scale scattering model with application to the JONSWAP '75 aircraft microwave scatterometer experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wentz, F. J.

1977-01-01

The general problem of bistatic scattering from a two scale surface was evaluated. The treatment was entirely two-dimensional and in a vector formulation independent of any particular coordinate system. The two scale scattering model was then applied to backscattering from the sea surface. In particular, the model was used in conjunction with the JONSWAP 1975 aircraft scatterometer measurements to determine the sea surface's two scale roughness distributions, namely the probability density of the large scale surface slope and the capillary wavenumber spectrum. Best fits yield, on the average, a 0.7 dB rms difference between the model computations and the vertical polarization measurements of the normalized radar cross section. Correlations between the distribution parameters and the wind speed were established from linear, least squares regressions.

Three-dimensional transonic potential flow about complex 3-dimensional configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reyhner, T. A.

1984-01-01

An analysis has been developed and a computer code written to predict three-dimensional subsonic or transonic potential flow fields about lifting or nonlifting configurations. Possible condfigurations include inlets, nacelles, nacelles with ground planes, S-ducts, turboprop nacelles, wings, and wing-pylon-nacelle combinations. The solution of the full partial differential equation for compressible potential flow written in terms of a velocity potential is obtained using finite differences, line relaxation, and multigrid. The analysis uses either a cylindrical or Cartesian coordinate system. The computational mesh is not body fitted. The analysis has been programmed in FORTRAN for both the CDC CYBER 203 and the CRAY-1 computers. Comparisons of computed results with experimental measurement are presented. Descriptions of the program input and output formats are included.

The Reproductive System.

PubMed

Pask, Andrew

2016-01-01

Correct sexual development is arguably the most important trait in an organism's life history since it is directly related to its genetic fitness. The developing gonad houses the germ cells, the only legacy we pass on to subsequent generations. Given the pivotal importance of correct reproductive function, it is confounding that disorders of sex development (DSDs) are among the most common congenital abnormalities in humans (Lee et al. J Pediatr Urol 8(6):611-615, 2012). Urogenital development is a highly complex process involving coordinated interactions between molecular and hormonal pathways in a tightly regulated order. The controls that regulate some of the key events in this process are beginning to be unraveled. This chapter provides an overview of our understanding of urogenital development from the gonads to the urogenital ducts and external genitalia.

SSME thrust chamber simulation using Navier-Stokes equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Przekwas, A. J.; Singhal, A. K.; Tam, L. T.

1984-01-01

The capability of the PHOENICS fluid dynamics code in predicting two-dimensional, compressible, and reacting flow in the combustion chamber and nozzle of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) was evaluated. A non-orthogonal body fitted coordinate system was used to represent the nozzle geometry. The Navier-Stokes equations were solved for the entire nozzle with a turbulence model. The wall boundary conditions were calculated based on the wall functions which account for pressure gradients. Results of the demonstration test case reveal all expected features of the transonic nozzle flows. Of particular interest are the locations of normal and barrel shocks, and regions of highest temperature gradients. Calculated performance (global) parameters such as thrust chamber flow rate, thrust, and specific impulse are also in good agreement with available data.

A calculation procedure for viscous flow in turbomachines, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khalil, J.; Tabakoff, W.

1980-01-01

Turbulent flow within turbomachines having arbitrary blade geometries is examined. Effects of turbulence are modeled using two equations, one expressing the development of the turbulence kinetic energy and the other its dissipation rate. To account for complicated blade geometries, the flow equations are formulated in terms of a nonorthogonal boundary fitted coordinate system. The analysis is applied to a radial inflow turbine. The solution obtained indicates the severity of the complex interaction mechanism that occurs between the different flow regimes (i.e., boundary layers, recirculating eddies, separation zones, etc.). Comparison with nonviscous flow solutions tend to justify strongly the inadequacy of using the latter with standard boundary layer techniques to obtain viscous flow details within turbomachine rotors. Capabilities and limitations of the present method of analysis are discussed.

Computational study of the rovibrational spectrum of CO₂-CS₂.

PubMed

Brown, James; Wang, Xiao-Gang; Carrington, Tucker; Grubbs, G S; Dawes, Richard

2014-03-21

A new intermolecular potential energy surface, rovibrational transition frequencies, and line strengths are computed for CO2-CS2. The potential is made by fitting energies obtained from explicitly correlated coupled-cluster calculations using an interpolating moving least squares method. The rovibrational Schrödinger equation is solved with a symmetry-adapted Lanczos algorithm and an uncoupled product basis set. All four intermolecular coordinates are included in the calculation. In agreement with previous experiments, the global minimum of the potential energy surface (PES) is cross shaped. The PES also has slipped-parallel minima. Rovibrational wavefunctions are localized in the cross minima and the slipped-parallel minima. Vibrational parent analysis was used to assign vibrational labels to rovibrational states. Tunneling occurs between the two cross minima. Because more than one symmetry operation interconverts the two wells, the symmetry (-oo) of the upper component of the tunneling doublet is different from the symmetry (-ee) of the tunneling coordinate. This unusual situation is due to the multidimensional nature of the double well tunneling. For the cross ground vibrational state, calculated rotational constants differ from their experimental counterparts by less than 0.0001 cm(-1). Most rovibrational states were found to be incompatible with the standard effective rotational Hamiltonian often used to fit spectra. This appears to be due to coupling between internal and overall rotation of the dimer. A simple 2D model accounting for internal rotation was used for two cross-shaped fundamentals to obtain good fits.

Advanced instrumentation for Solar System gravitational physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peron, Roberto; Bellettini, G.; Berardi, S.; Boni, A.; Cantone, C.; Coradini, A.; Currie, D. G.; Dell'Agnello, S.; Delle Monache, G. O.; Fiorenza, E.; Garattini, M.; Iafolla, V.; Intaglietta, N.; Lefevre, C.; Lops, C.; March, R.; Martini, M.; Nozzoli, S.; Patrizi, G.; Porcelli, L.; Reale, A.; Santoli, F.; Tauraso, R.; Vittori, R.

2010-05-01

The Solar System is a complex laboratory for testing gravitational physics. Indeed, its scale and hierarchical structure make possible a wide range of tests for gravitational theories, studying the motion of both natural and artificial objects. The usual methodology makes use of tracking information related to the bodies, fitted by a suitable dynamical model. Different equations of motion are provided by different theories, which can be therefore tested and compared. Future exploration scenarios show the possibility of placing deep-space probes near the Sun or in outer Solar System, thereby extending the available experimental data sets. In particular, the Earth-Moon is the most accurately known gravitational three-body laboratory, which is undergoing a new, strong wave of research and exploration (both robotic and manned). In addition, the benefits of a synergetic study of planetary science and gravitational physics are of the greatest importance (as shown by the success of the Apollo program), especially in the Earth-Moon, Mars-Phobos, Jovian and Saturnian sub-suystems. This scenarios open critical issues regarding the quality of the available dynamical models, i.e. their capability of fitting data without an excessive number of empirical hypotheses. A typical case is represented by the non-gravitational phenomena, which in general are difficult to model. More generally, gravitation tests with Lunar Laser Ranging, inner or outer Solar System probes and the appearance of the so-called 'anomalies'(like the one indicated by the Pioneers), whatever their real origin (either instrumental effects or due to new physics), show the necessity of a coordinated improvement of tracking and modelization techniques. A common research path will be discussed, employing the development and use of advanced instrumentation to cope with current limitations of Solar System gravitational tests. In particular, the use of high-sensitivity accelerometers, combined with microwave and laser tracking, will be discussed.

Structural Basis for the Recognition of Mycolic Acid Precursors by KasA, a Condensing Enzyme and Drug Target from Mycobacterium Tuberculosis *

PubMed Central

Schiebel, Johannes; Kapilashrami, Kanishk; Fekete, Agnes; Bommineni, Gopal R.; Schaefer, Christin M.; Mueller, Martin J.; Tonge, Peter J.; Kisker, Caroline

2013-01-01

The survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis depends on mycolic acids, very long α-alkyl-β-hydroxy fatty acids comprising 60–90 carbon atoms. However, despite considerable efforts, little is known about how enzymes involved in mycolic acid biosynthesis recognize and bind their hydrophobic fatty acyl substrates. The condensing enzyme KasA is pivotal for the synthesis of very long (C38–42) fatty acids, the precursors of mycolic acids. To probe the mechanism of substrate and inhibitor recognition by KasA, we determined the structure of this protein in complex with a mycobacterial phospholipid and with several thiolactomycin derivatives that were designed as substrate analogs. Our structures provide consecutive snapshots along the reaction coordinate for the enzyme-catalyzed reaction and support an induced fit mechanism in which a wide cavity is established through the concerted opening of three gatekeeping residues and several α-helices. The stepwise characterization of the binding process provides mechanistic insights into the induced fit recognition in this system and serves as an excellent foundation for the development of high affinity KasA inhibitors. PMID:24108128

Measuring and modelling the quality of 40 post-disaster mental health and psychosocial support programmes.

PubMed

Dückers, Michel L A; Thormar, Sigridur B; Juen, Barbara; Ajdukovic, Dean; Newlove-Eriksson, Lindy; Olff, Miranda

2018-01-01

Disasters can have an enormous impact on the health and well-being of those affected. Internationally, governments and service providers are often challenged to address complex psychosocial problems. Ideally, the potentially broad range of support activities include a coherent, high-quality mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programme. We present a theory-driven quantitative analysis of the quality of 40 MHPSS programmes, mostly implemented in European disaster settings. The objective is to measure quality domains recognized as relevant in the literature and to empirically test associations. During the EU project "Operationalizing Psychosocial Support in Crisis" (OPSIC) an evaluation survey was designed and developed for this purpose and completed by 40 MHPSS programme coordinators involved in different mass emergencies and disasters. We analysed the survey data in two steps. Firstly, we used the data to operationalize quality domains of a MHPSS programme, tested constructs and assessed their internal consistency reliability. A total of 26 out of 44 survey items clustered into three of the four domains identified within the theoretical framework: "planning and delivery system" (Cronbach's alpha 0.82); "general evaluation criteria" (Cronbach's alpha 0.82); and "essential psychosocial principles" (Cronbach's alpha 0.75). "Measures and interventions applied", theoretically a potential fourth domain, could not be confirmed to empirically cluster together. Secondly, several models with associations between domains and measures and interventions were tested and compared. The model with the best fit suggests that in MHPSS programmes with a higher planning and delivery systems score, a larger number of measures and interventions from evidence-informed guidelines are applied. In such programmes, coordinators are more positive about general evaluation criteria and the realization of essential psychosocial principles. Moreover, the analyses showed that some measures and interventions are more likely to be applied in programmes with more evolved planning and delivery systems, yet for most measures and interventions the likelihood of being applied is not linked to planning and delivery system status, nor to coordinator perceptions concerning psychosocial principles and evaluation criteria. Further research is necessary to validate and expand the findings and to learn more about success factors and obstacles for MHPSS programme implementation.

XANES evidence for sulphur speciation in Mn-, Ni- and W-bearing silicate melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, K. A.; O'Neill, H. St. C.; Mavrogenes, J. A.; Keller, N. S.; Jang, L.-Y.; Lee, J.-F.

2009-11-01

S K-edge XANES and Mn-, W- and Ni-XANES and EXAFS spectra of silicate glasses synthesised at 1400 °C and 1 bar with compositions in the CaO-MgO-Al 2O 3-SiO 2-S plus MnO, NiO, or WO 3 systems were used to investigate sulphur speciation in silicate glasses. S K-edge spectra comprised a composite peak with an edge between 2470 and 2471.4 eV, which was attributed to S 2-, and a peak of variable height with an edge at 2480.2-2480.8 eV, which is consistent with the presence of S 6+. The latter peak was attributed to sample oxidation during sample storage. W-rich samples produced an additional lower energy peak at 2469.8 eV that is tentatively attributed to the existence of S 3p orbitals hybridised with the W 5d states. Deconvolution of the composite peak reveals that the composite peak for Mn-bearing samples fits well to a model that combines three Lorentzians at 2473.1, 2474.9 and 2476.2 eV with an arctan edge step. The composite peak for W-bearing samples fits well to the same combination plus an additional Lorentzian at 2469.8 eV. The ratio of the proportions of the signal accounted for by peaks at 2473.1 and 2476.2 eV correlates with Mn:Ca molar ratios, but not with W:Ca ratios. Spectra from Ni-bearing samples were qualitatively similar but S levels were too low to allow robust quantification of peak components. Some part of the signal accounted for by the 2473.1 eV peak was therefore taken to record the formation of Mn-S melt species, while the 2469.8 peak is interpreted to record the formation of W-S melt species. The 2474.9 and 2476.2 eV peaks were taken to be dominated by Ca-S and Mg-S interactions. However, a 1:1 relationship between peak components and specific energy transitions is not proposed. This interpretation is consistent with known features of the lower parts of the conduction band in monosulphide minerals and indicates a similarity between sulphur species in the melts and the monosulphides. S-XANES spectra cannot be reproduced by a combination of the spectra of the component element monosulphides. Mn-, W- and Ni-XANES and EXAFS for synthetic glasses without sulphide exsolution did not show any sensitivity to the presence of sulphur, which is unsurprising as S:O ratios were sufficiently low that metals would be mostly co-ordinated by O. Mn EXAFS spectra were consistent with divalent Mn in 5 co-ordinated Mn-O melt species. W spectra were consistent with tetrahedrally co-ordinated hexavalent W, most likely in scheelite-like melt species, and Ni spectra were consistent with [4] co-ordinated divalent Ni. These results indicate lower co-ordinations for both W and Ni than those inferred by some previous workers. Cation co-ordination may reflect the proportion of non-bridging oxygens, which is lower in the Ca-rich and Al-poor samples investigated here than for previous studies.

Fitting C 2 Continuous Parametric Surfaces to Frontiers Delimiting Physiologic Structures

PubMed Central

Bayer, Jason D.

2014-01-01

We present a technique to fit C 2 continuous parametric surfaces to scattered geometric data points forming frontiers delimiting physiologic structures in segmented images. Such mathematical representation is interesting because it facilitates a large number of operations in modeling. While the fitting of C 2 continuous parametric curves to scattered geometric data points is quite trivial, the fitting of C 2 continuous parametric surfaces is not. The difficulty comes from the fact that each scattered data point should be assigned a unique parametric coordinate, and the fit is quite sensitive to their distribution on the parametric plane. We present a new approach where a polygonal (quadrilateral or triangular) surface is extracted from the segmented image. This surface is subsequently projected onto a parametric plane in a manner to ensure a one-to-one mapping. The resulting polygonal mesh is then regularized for area and edge length. Finally, from this point, surface fitting is relatively trivial. The novelty of our approach lies in the regularization of the polygonal mesh. Process performance is assessed with the reconstruction of a geometric model of mouse heart ventricles from a computerized tomography scan. Our results show an excellent reproduction of the geometric data with surfaces that are C 2 continuous. PMID:24782911

Computational Study of the Structure of a Sepiolite/Thioindigo Mayan Pigment

PubMed Central

Alvarado, Manuel; Chianelli, Russell C.; Arrowood, Roy M.

2012-01-01

The interaction of thioindigo and the phyllosilicate clay sepiolite is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular orbital theory (MO). The best fit to experimental UV/Vis spectra occurs when a single thioindigo molecule attaches via Van der Waals forces to a tetrahedrally coordinated Al3+ cation with an additional nearby tetrahedrally coordinated Al3+ also present. The thioindigo molecule distorts from its planar structure, a behavior consistent with a color change. Due to the weak interaction between thioindigo and sepiolite we conclude that the thioindigo molecule must be trapped in a channel, an observation consistent with previous experimental studies. Future computational studies will look at the interaction of indigo with sepiolite. PMID:23193386

Software for Processing of Digitized Astronegatives from Archives and Databases of Virtual Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Protsyuk, Yu. I.; Andruk, V. N.; Kazantseva, L. V.

The paper discusses and illustrates the steps of basic processing of digitized image of astro negatives. Software for obtaining of a rectangular coordinates and photometric values of objects on photographic plates was created in the environment LINUX / MIDAS / ROMAFOT. The program can automatically process the specified number of files in FITS format with sizes up to 20000 x 20000 pixels. Other programs were made in FORTRAN and PASCAL with the ability to work in an environment of LINUX or WINDOWS. They were used for: identification of stars, separation and exclusion of diffraction satellites and double and triple exposures, elimination of image defects, reduction to the equatorial coordinates and magnitudes of a reference catalogs.

Integrating Variable Renewable Energy in Electric Power Markets. Best Practices from International Experience

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

Cochran, Jaquelin; Bird, Lori; Heeter, Jenny

Many countries—reflecting very different geographies, markets, and power systems—are successfully managing high levels of variable renewable energy on the electric grid, including that from wind and solar energy. This document summarizes policy best practices that energy ministers and other stakeholders can pursue to ensure that electricity markets and power systems can effectively coevolve with increasing penetrations of variable renewable energy. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; each country studied has crafted its own combination of policies, market designs, and system operations to achieve the system reliability and flexibility needed to successfully integrate renewables. Notwithstanding this diversity, the approaches taken by themore » countries studied all coalesce around five strategic areas: lead public engagement, particularly for new transmission; coordinate and integrate planning; develop rules for market evolution that enable system flexibility; expand access to diverse resources and geographic footprint of operations; and improve system operations. This study also emphatically underscores the value of countries sharing their experiences. The more diverse and robust the experience base from which a country can draw, the more likely that it will be able to implement an appropriate, optimized, and system-wide approach.« less

Students' Challenges with Polar Functions: Covariational Reasoning and Plotting in the Polar Coordinate System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Habre, Samer

2017-01-01

Covariational reasoning has been the focus of many studies but only a few looked into this reasoning in the polar coordinate system. In fact, research on student's familiarity with polar coordinates and graphing in the polar coordinate system is scarce. This paper examines the challenges that students face when plotting polar curves using the…

Coordinate references for the indoor/outdoor seamless positioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruan, Ling; Zhang, Ling; Long, Yi; Cheng, Fei

2018-05-01

Indoor positioning technologies are being developed rapidly, and seamless positioning which connected indoor and outdoor space is a new trend. The indoor and outdoor positioning are not applying the same coordinate system and different indoor positioning scenes uses different indoor local coordinate reference systems. A specific and unified coordinate reference frame is needed as the space basis and premise in seamless positioning application. Trajectory analysis of indoor and outdoor integration also requires a uniform coordinate reference. However, the coordinate reference frame in seamless positioning which can applied to various complex scenarios is lacking of research for a long time. In this paper, we proposed a universal coordinate reference frame in indoor/outdoor seamless positioning. The research focus on analysis and classify the indoor positioning scenes and put forward the coordinate reference system establishment and coordinate transformation methods in each scene. And, through some experiments, the calibration method feasibility was verified.

[Primary care in Ireland].

PubMed

Sánchez-Sagrado, T

Spanish doctors are still leaving the country to look for quality work. Ireland is not a country with many Spanish professionals but it is interesting to know its particular Health care system. Ireland is one of the countries with a national health care system, although it has a mixture of private health care insurance schemes. People have a right to health care if they have been living in Ireland at least for a year. Access to the primary care health system depends on age and income: free of charge for Category 1 and co-payments for the rest. This division generates great inequalities among the population. Primary Care doctors are self-employed, and they work independently. However, since 2001 they have tended to work in multidisciplinary teams in order to strengthen the Primary Care practice. Salary is gained from a combination of public and private incomes which are not differentiated. The role of the General Practitioner consists in the treatment of acute and chronic diseases, minor surgery, child care, etc. There is no coordination between Primary and Secondary care. Access to specialised medicine is regulated by the price of consultation. Primary Care doctors are not gatekeepers. To be able to work here, doctors must have three years of training after medical school. After that, Continuing Medical Education is compulsory, and the college of general practitioners monitors it annually. The Irish health care system does not fit into the European model. Lack of a clear separation between public and private health care generates great inequalities. The non-existence of coordination between primary and specialised care leads to inefficiencies, which Ireland cannot allow itself after a decade of economic crisis. Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: PN and HII regions of West and East of NGC 3109 (Pena+, 2007)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pena, M.; Richer, M. G.; Stasińska, G.

2007-03-01

Six files (fits format, 16MB) containing images of the West (W) and East (E) zones of NGC 3109 are presented. The images are a combination of frames obtained with the ESO Very Large Telescope and the Focal Reducer Spectrograph FORS1. All the frames were obtained on 29 November and 1 December 2005, with air masses smaller than 1.16 and seeing better than 0.7 arcsec. They constitute the pre-imaging of the ESO program ID 076.B-0166(A). Central coordinates of images are: West side (images named NGC3109W-xxxx.fits) RA=10:02:54.5, DE=-26:09:22, equinox 2000. East side (images named NGC3109E-xxx.fits) RA=10:03:19.8, DE=-26:09:32, equinox 2000. The image size is 6.8x6.8arcmin2. (3 data files).

Chaotic coordinates for the Large Helical Device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hudson, Stuart; Suzuki, Yasuhiro

2014-10-01

The study of dynamical systems is facilitated by a coordinate framework with coordinate surfaces that coincide with invariant structures of the dynamical flow. For axisymmetric systems, a continuous family of invariant surfaces is guaranteed and straight-fieldline coordinates may be constructed. For non-integrable systems, e.g. stellarators, perturbed tokamaks, this continuous family is broken. Nevertheless, coordinates can still be constructed that simplify the description of the dynamics. The Poincare-Birkhoff theorem, the Aubry-Mather theorem, and the KAM theorem show that there are important structures that are invariant under the perturbed dynamics; namely the periodic orbits, the cantori, and the irrational flux surfaces. Coordinates adapted to these invariant sets, which we call chaotic coordinates, provide substantial advantages. The regular motion becomes straight, and the irregular motion is bounded by, and dissected by, coordinate surfaces that coincide with surfaces of locally-minimal magnetic-fieldline flux. The chaotic edge of the magnetic field, as calculated by HINT2 code, in the Large Helical Device (LHD) is examined, and a coordinate system is constructed so that the flux surfaces are ``straight'' and the islands become ``square.''

Official Website of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Science.gov Websites

Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Haley McMenamin May 22, 2018 - Fitness means more than just passing a test Australia's Chief of Defence Did You Know We're on Instagram? Check out our latest post! Check out our latest Instagram post! #GenDunford and #SecDef Mattis brief reporters on the U.S., French and UK coordinated

Physical Development and Health, Grades 3, 6, 8, 10, 12. State Goals for Learning and Sample Learning Objectives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Illinois State Board of Education, Springfield.

This document sets forth the state goals for learning in the area of physical development and health for elementary and secondary students in Illinois. The final objective of this schooling is to provide students with the knowledge and attitudes to achieve healthful living throughout their lives and to acquire physical fitness, coordination, and…

Ionotropic glutamate receptors made crystal clear.

PubMed

Bowie, Derek

2014-12-01

Two recent crystallographic studies of the full-length GluA2 AMPA receptor provide our first insights into how the modular domains of the tetrameric complex coordinate the process of activation. These findings herald a new era in the structure-function analyses of neurotransmitter receptors, a fitting achievement for the 'International Year of Crystallography'. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Generation of three-dimensional body-fitted coordinates using hyperbolic partial differential equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steger, J. L.; Rizk, Y. M.

1985-01-01

An efficient numerical mesh generation scheme capable of creating orthogonal or nearly orthogonal grids about moderately complex three dimensional configurations is described. The mesh is obtained by marching outward from a user specified grid on the body surface. Using spherical grid topology, grids have been generated about full span rectangular wings and a simplified space shuttle orbiter.

Comparing 9 to 10 Years Old Children's Performance in Tennis and Physical Fitness Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olcucu, Burcin

2013-01-01

The aim of the study is to determine the degree of performance-related physical coordination of elementary education children (male and female) that play tennis according to their age and gender and to investigate the relationship between their motor ability tests and performances. A total of 210 children tennis players (9 to 10 years; 105 males…

Small-angle neutron scattering study of specific interaction and coordination structure formed by mono-acetyl-substituted dibenzo-20-crown-6-ether and cesium ions

DOE PAGES

Motokawa, Ryuhei; Kobayashi, Tohru; Endo, Hitoshi; ...

2015-10-26

This study uses small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to elucidate the coordination structure of the complex of mono-acetyl-substituted dibenzo-20-crown-6-ether (ace-DB20C6) with cesium ions (Cs +). SANS profiles obtained for the complex of ace-DB20C6 and Cs + (ace-DB20C6/Cs) in deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide indicated that Cs + coordination resulted in a more compact structure than the free ace-DB20C6. The data were fitted well with SANS profiles calculated using Debye function for scattering on an absolute scattering intensity scale. For this theoretical calculation of the scattering profiles, the coordination structure proposed based on density functional theory calculation was used. Furthermore, we conclude that themore » SANS analysis experimentally supports the proposed coordination structure of ace-DB20C6/Cs and suggests the following: (1) the complex of ace-DB20C6 and Cs + is formed with an ace-DB20C6/Cs molar ratio of 1/1 and (2) the two benzene rings of ace-DB20C6 fold around Cs + above the center of the crown ether ring of ace-DB20C6.« less

Small-angle neutron scattering study of specific interaction and coordination structure formed by mono-acetyl-substituted dibenzo-20-crown-6-ether and cesium ions

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

Motokawa, Ryuhei; Kobayashi, Tohru; Endo, Hitoshi

This study uses small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to elucidate the coordination structure of the complex of mono-acetyl-substituted dibenzo-20-crown-6-ether (ace-DB20C6) with cesium ions (Cs +). SANS profiles obtained for the complex of ace-DB20C6 and Cs + (ace-DB20C6/Cs) in deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide indicated that Cs + coordination resulted in a more compact structure than the free ace-DB20C6. The data were fitted well with SANS profiles calculated using Debye function for scattering on an absolute scattering intensity scale. For this theoretical calculation of the scattering profiles, the coordination structure proposed based on density functional theory calculation was used. Furthermore, we conclude that themore » SANS analysis experimentally supports the proposed coordination structure of ace-DB20C6/Cs and suggests the following: (1) the complex of ace-DB20C6 and Cs + is formed with an ace-DB20C6/Cs molar ratio of 1/1 and (2) the two benzene rings of ace-DB20C6 fold around Cs + above the center of the crown ether ring of ace-DB20C6.« less

Correlation between three color coordinates of human teeth.

PubMed

Lee, Yong-Keun

2014-11-01

The objective was to determine whether there were significant correlations in the three color coordinates within each of two color coordinate systems, such as the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) L*a*b* system, and the lightness, chroma, and hue angle system, of human vital teeth. The color of six maxillary and six mandibular anterior teeth was measured by the Shade Vision System. Pearson correlations between each pair of the color coordinates were determined (α=0.01 ). The influence of two color coordinates on the other color coordinate was determined with a multiple regression analysis (α=0.01 ). Based on correlation analyses, all the color coordinate pairs showed significant correlations except for the chroma and hue angle pair. The CIE L* was negatively correlated with the CIE a*,b*, and chroma, but positively correlated with the hue angle. The CIE a* was positively correlated with the CIE b* and chroma. Tooth color coordinates were correlated each other. Lighter teeth were less chromatic both in the CIE a* and b* coordinates. Therefore, it was postulated that the three color coordinates of human teeth were harmonized within certain color attribute ranges, and a lack of correlations in these coordinates might indicate external/internal discolorations and/or anomalies of teeth.

Correlation between three color coordinates of human teeth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Yong-Keun

2014-11-01

The objective was to determine whether there were significant correlations in the three color coordinates within each of two color coordinate systems, such as the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) L*a*b* system, and the lightness, chroma, and hue angle system, of human vital teeth. The color of six maxillary and six mandibular anterior teeth was measured by the Shade Vision System. Pearson correlations between each pair of the color coordinates were determined (α=0.01). The influence of two color coordinates on the other color coordinate was determined with a multiple regression analysis (α=0.01). Based on correlation analyses, all the color coordinate pairs showed significant correlations except for the chroma and hue angle pair. The CIE L* was negatively correlated with the CIE a*, b*, and chroma, but positively correlated with the hue angle. The CIE a* was positively correlated with the CIE b* and chroma. Tooth color coordinates were correlated each other. Lighter teeth were less chromatic both in the CIE a* and b* coordinates. Therefore, it was postulated that the three color coordinates of human teeth were harmonized within certain color attribute ranges, and a lack of correlations in these coordinates might indicate external/internal discolorations and/or anomalies of teeth.

Variationally optimal selection of slow coordinates and reaction coordinates in macromolecular systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noe, Frank

To efficiently simulate and generate understanding from simulations of complex macromolecular systems, the concept of slow collective coordinates or reaction coordinates is of fundamental importance. Here we will introduce variational approaches to approximate the slow coordinates and the reaction coordinates between selected end-states given MD simulations of the macromolecular system and a (possibly large) basis set of candidate coordinates. We will then discuss how to select physically intuitive order paremeters that are good surrogates of this variationally optimal result. These result can be used in order to construct Markov state models or other models of the stationary and kinetics properties, in order to parametrize low-dimensional / coarse-grained model of the dynamics. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, European Research Council.

Research on the electro-optical assistant landing system based on the dual camera photogrammetry algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mi, Yuhe; Huang, Yifan; Li, Lin

2015-08-01

Based on the location technique of beacon photogrammetry, Dual Camera Photogrammetry (DCP) algorithm was used to assist helicopters landing on the ship. In this paper, ZEMAX was used to simulate the two Charge Coupled Device (CCD) cameras imaging four beacons on both sides of the helicopter and output the image to MATLAB. Target coordinate systems, image pixel coordinate systems, world coordinate systems and camera coordinate systems were established respectively. According to the ideal pin-hole imaging model, the rotation matrix and translation vector of the target coordinate systems and the camera coordinate systems could be obtained by using MATLAB to process the image information and calculate the linear equations. On the basis mentioned above, ambient temperature and the positions of the beacons and cameras were changed in ZEMAX to test the accuracy of the DCP algorithm in complex sea status. The numerical simulation shows that in complex sea status, the position measurement accuracy can meet the requirements of the project.

The Partial Molar Volume and Thermal Expansivity of Fe2O3 in Alkali Silicate Liquids: Evidence for the Average Coordination of Fe3+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Q.; Lange, R.

2003-12-01

Ferric iron is an important component in magmatic liquids, especially in those formed at subduction zones. Although it has long been known that Fe3+ occurs in four-, five- and six-fold coordination in crystalline compounds, only recently have all three Fe3+ coordination sites been confirmed in silicate glasses utilizing XANES spectroscopy at the Fe K-edge (Farges et al., 2003). Because the density of a magmatic liquid is largely determined by the geometrical packing of its network-forming cations (e.g., Si4+, Al3+, Ti4+, and Fe3+), the capacity of Fe3+ to undergo composition-induced coordination change affects the partial molar volume of the Fe2O3 component, which must be known to calculate how the ferric-ferrous ratio in magmatic liquids changes with pressure. Previous work has shown that the partial molar volume of Fe2O3 (VFe2O3) varies between calcic vs. sodic silicate melts (Mo et al., 1982; Dingwell and Brearley, 1988; Dingwell et al., 1988). The purpose of this study is to extend the data set in order to search for systematic variations in VFe2O3 with melt composition. High temperature (867-1534° C) density measurements were performed on eleven liquids in the Na2O-Fe2O3-FeO-SiO2 (NFS) system and five liquids in the K2O-Fe2O3-FeO-SiO2 (KFS) system using Pt double-bob Archimedean method. The ferric-ferrous ratio in the sodic and potassic liquids at each temperature of density measurement were calculated from the experimentally calibrated models of Lange and Carmichael (1989) and Tangeman et al. (2001) respectively. Compositions range (in mol%) from 4-18 Fe2O3, 0-3 FeO, 12-39 Na2O, 25-37 K2O, and 43-78 SiO2. Our density data are consistent with those of Dingwell et al. (1988) on similar sodic liquids. Our results indicate that for all five KFS liquids and for eight of eleven NFS liquids, the partial molar volume of the Fe2O3 component is a constant (41.57 ñ 0.14 cm3/mol) and exhibits zero thermal expansivity (similar to that for the SiO2 component). This value was obtained in a fit to a linear volume equation in which the other oxide components have the following fitted partial molar volumes (cm3/mol) at 1100° C: SiO2 = 26.85+/-0.04, Na2O = 26.57+/-0.07, K2O = 42.34+/-0.10, and FeO = 12.84+/-0.28, and the following fitted fitted partial molar thermal expansivities (10-3 cm3/mol-K): Na2O = 7.73+/-0.12, K2O = 11.99+/-0.24, and FeO = 2.88+/-1.22. For the three sodic liquids not included in this regression, the most iron-rich (18.2 mol% Fe2O3) has a value for VFe2O3 of 44.1 cm3/mole, whereas the most iron-poor (4.4 mol% Fe2O3) has a value for VFe2O3 of 37.0 cm3/mole. This trend may reflect a greater proportion of four-fold ferric iron in iron-rich liquids, which mirrors the trend of increasing ferric-ferrous ratios in sodic liquids as a function of total iron content (Lange and Carmichael, 1989). The most polymerized liquid in our data set was a sodic liquid that has a value for VFe2O3 of 45.0 cm3/mole. It thus appears that most (13 of 16) of our experimental liquids, which span a wide compositional range, lead to a VFe2O3 (41.6 cm3/mol) which is constant with composition and temperature. However, there are three important outliers that may have implications for the appropriate value to apply to magmatic liquids.

Coupling of online control and inhibitory systems in children with atypical motor development: A growth curve modelling study.

PubMed

Ruddock, Scott; Caeyenberghs, Karen; Piek, Jan; Sugden, David; Hyde, Christian; Morris, Sue; Rigoli, Daniela; Steenbergen, Bert; Wilson, Peter

2016-11-01

Previous research indicates that children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) show deficits performing online corrections, an issue exacerbated by adding inhibitory constraints; however, cross-sectional data suggests that these deficits may reduce with age. Using a longitudinal design, the aim of the study presented here was to model the coupling that occurs between inhibitory systems and (predictive) online control in typically developing children (TDC) and in those with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) over an extended period of time, using a framework of interactive specialization. We predicted that TDC would show a non-linear growth pattern, consistent with re-organisation in the coupling during the middle childhood period, while DCD would display a developmental lag. A group of 196 children (111 girls and 85 boys) aged between 6 and 12years participated in the study. Children were classified as DCD according to research criteria. Using a cohort sequential design, both TDC and DCD groups were divided into age cohorts. Predictive (online) control was defined operationally by performance on a Double-Jump Reaching Task (DJRT), which was assessed at 6-month intervals over two years (5 time points in total). Inhibitory control was examined using an anti-jump condition of the DJRT paradigm whereby children were instructed to touch a target location in the hemispace opposite a cued location. For the TDC group, model comparison using growth curve analysis revealed that a quadratic trend was the most appropriate fit with evidence of rapid improvement in anti-reach performance up until middle childhood (around 8-9years of age), followed by a more gradual rate of improvement into late childhood and early adolescence. This pattern was evident on both chronometric and kinematic measures. In contrast, for children with DCD, a linear function provided the best to fit on the key metrics, with a slower rate of improvement than controls. We conclude that children with DCD require a more extended period of development to effectively couple online motor control and executive systems when completing anti-reach movements, whereas TDC show rapid improvement in early and middle childhood. These group differences in growth curves are likely to reflect a maturational lag in the development of motor-cognitive networks in children with DCD. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome: from misunderstood illness to cause of job fitness management problem and of work total disability in a physiotherapist. Case report].

PubMed

Belotti, L; Bigoni, F; Pezzoli, F; Mosconi, G

2007-01-01

The aim of this paper is to report the case of a Physiotherapist working in a big hospital, affected by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). After the diagnosis, made in an High Specialized Center, the Occupational Health Physician, with the cooperation of the Nursing Managing Direction, the Chief of the Department of Rehabilitation and the Physiotherapists Coordinator, had to cope with the job fitness management. Afterwards the patient, in accordance with the Physician of a Trade Union Medical Office and the Occupational Health Physician, tried to obtain the disability pension, that at the end was given by the Medical Commission of the ASL.

Broadband Ftmw Spectroscopy of 2-METHYLIMIDAZOLE and Complexes with Water and Argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medcraft, Chris; Heitkämper, Juliane; Mullaney, John C.; Walker, Nick

2017-06-01

The rotational spectrum of 2-methylimidazole has been measured using laser ablation chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy from 2-18.5 GHz. 2-methylimidazole was laser vaporised then entrained within an argon buffer gas undergoing supersonic expansion allowing for efficient rotational cooling. Carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 isotopologues were measured in natural abundance and substitution coordinates have been determined. The barrier to internal rotation of the methyl group was found to be 122.697(20) cm^{-1}. Nuclear quadropole coupling constants for the two nitrogen nuclei were determined via a rigid rotor fit of the A internal rotor state. Complexes with water and argon were also observed and fit in a similar way.

Accuracy increase of the coordinate measurement based on the model production of geometrical parts specifications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zlatkina, O. Yu

2018-04-01

There is a relationship between the service properties of component parts and their geometry; therefore, to predict and control the operational characteristics of parts and machines, it is necessary to measure their geometrical specifications. In modern production, a coordinate measuring machine is the advanced measuring instrument of the products geometrical specifications. The analysis of publications has shown that during the coordinate measurements the problems of choosing locating chart of parts and coordination have not been sufficiently studied. A special role in the coordination of the part is played by the coordinate axes informational content. Informational content is the sum of the degrees of freedom limited by the elementary item of a part. The coordinate planes of a rectangular coordinate system have different informational content (three, two, and one). The coordinate axes have informational content of four, two and zero. The higher the informational content of the coordinate plane or axis, the higher its priority for reading angular and linear coordinates is. The geometrical model production of the coordinate measurements object taking into account the information content of coordinate planes and coordinate axes allows us to clearly reveal the interrelationship of the coordinates of the deviations in location, sizes and deviations of their surfaces shape. The geometrical model helps to select the optimal locating chart of parts for bringing the machine coordinate system to the part coordinate system. The article presents an algorithm the model production of geometrical specifications using the example of the piston rod of a compressor.

Deblurring for spatial and temporal varying motion with optical computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Xiao; Xue, Dongfeng; Hui, Zhao

2016-05-01

A way to estimate and remove spatially and temporally varying motion blur is proposed, which is based on an optical computing system. The translation and rotation motion can be independently estimated from the joint transform correlator (JTC) system without iterative optimization. The inspiration comes from the fact that the JTC system is immune to rotation motion in a Cartesian coordinate system. The work scheme of the JTC system is designed to keep switching between the Cartesian coordinate system and polar coordinate system in different time intervals with the ping-pang handover. In the ping interval, the JTC system works in the Cartesian coordinate system to obtain a translation motion vector with optical computing speed. In the pang interval, the JTC system works in the polar coordinate system. The rotation motion is transformed to the translation motion through coordinate transformation. Then the rotation motion vector can also be obtained from JTC instantaneously. To deal with continuous spatially variant motion blur, submotion vectors based on the projective motion path blur model are proposed. The submotion vectors model is more effective and accurate at modeling spatially variant motion blur than conventional methods. The simulation and real experiment results demonstrate its overall effectiveness.

Geometrical specifications accuracy influence on the quality of electromechanical devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glukhov, V. I.; Lakeenko, M. N.; Dolzhikov, S. N.

2017-06-01

To improve the quality of electromechanical products is possible due to the geometrical specifications optimization of values and tolerances. Electromechanical products longevity designates the rolling-contact bearings of the armature shaft. Longevity of the rolling-contact bearings is less than designed one, since assembly and fitting alter gaps, sizes and geometric tolerances for the working parts of the basic rolling bearing details. Geometrical models of the rolling-contact bearing details for the armature shaft and the end shield are developed on the basis of an electric locomotive traction motor in the present work. The basic elements of the details conjugating with the adjacent details and materializing the generalized and auxiliary coordinate systems are determined. Function, informativeness and the number of geometrical specifications for the elements location are specified. The recommendations on amending the design documentation due to geometrical models to improve the accuracy and the quality of the products are developed: the replacement of the common axis of the shaft’s technological datums by the common axis of the basic design datums; coaxiality tolerances for these design datums with respect to their common axis; the modifiers for these auxiliary datums and these datums location tolerances according to the principles of datums uniformity, inversion and the shortest dimension chains. The investigation demonstrated that the problem of enhancing the durability, longevity, and efficiency coefficient for electromechanical products can be solved with the systematic normalizations of geometrical specifications accuracy on the basis of the coordinate systems introduced in the standards on geometrical product specifications (GPS).

The display of spatial information and visually guided behavior

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bennett, C. Thomas

1991-01-01

The basic informational elements of spatial orientation are attitude and position within a coordinate system. The problem that faces aeronautical designers is that a pilot must deal with several coordinate systems, sometimes simultaneously. The display must depict unambiguously not only position and attitude, but also designate the relevant coordinate system. If this is not done accurately, spatial disorientation can occur. The different coordinate systems used in aeronautical tasks and the problems that occur in the display of spatial information are explained.

Coordinate transformations and gauges in the relativistic astronomical reference systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, J.-H.; Huang, T.-Y.; Han, C.-H.

2000-11-01

This paper applies a fully post-Newtonian theory (Damour et al. 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994) to the problem of gauge in relativistic reference systems. Gauge fixing is necessary when the precision of time measurement and application reaches 10-16 or better. We give a general procedure for fixing the gauges of gravitational potentials in both the global and local coordinate systems, and for determining the gauge functions in all the coordinate transformations. We demonstrate that gauge fixing in a gravitational N-body problem can be solved by fixing the gauge of the self-gravitational potential of each body and the gauge function in the coordinate transformation between the global and local coordinate systems. We also show that these gauge functions can be chosen to make all the coordinate systems harmonic or any as required, no matter what gauge is chosen for the self-gravitational potential of each body.

Transcriptome and proteome analysis of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium systemic infection of wild type and immune-deficient mice

PubMed Central

Oshota, Olusegun; Fookes, Maria; Schreiber, Fernanda; Chaudhuri, Roy R.; Yu, Lu; Clare, Simon; Choudhary, Jyoti; Thomson, Nicholas R.; Lio, Pietro

2017-01-01

Salmonella enterica are a threat to public health. Current vaccines are not fully effective. The ability to grow in infected tissues within phagocytes is required for S. enterica virulence in systemic disease. As the infection progresses the bacteria are exposed to a complex host immune response. Consequently, in order to continue growing in the tissues, S. enterica requires the coordinated regulation of fitness genes. Bacterial gene regulation has so far been investigated largely using exposure to artificial environmental conditions or to in vitro cultured cells, and little information is available on how S. enterica adapts in vivo to sustain cell division and survival. We have studied the transcriptome, proteome and metabolic flux of Salmonella, and the transcriptome of the host during infection of wild type C57BL/6 and immune-deficient gp91-/-phox mice. Our analyses advance the understanding of how S. enterica and the host behaves during infection to a more sophisticated level than has previously been reported. PMID:28796780

Social aggregation as a cooperative game

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilone, Daniele; Guazzini, Andrea

2011-07-01

A new approach for the description of phenomena of social aggregation is suggested. On the basis of psychological concepts (as for instance social norms and cultural coordinates), we deduce a general mechanism for social aggregation in which different clusters of individuals can merge according to cooperation among the agents. In their turn, the agents can cooperate or defect according to the clusters' distribution inside the system. The fitness of an individual increases with the size of its cluster, but decreases with the work the individual had to do in order to join it. In order to test the reliability of such a new approach, we introduce a couple of simple toy models with the features illustrated above. We see, from this preliminary study, how cooperation is the most convenient strategy only in the presence of very large clusters, while on the other hand it is not necessary to have one hundred percent of cooperators for reaching a totally ordered configuration with only one megacluster filling the whole system.

Nonlinear finite element formulation for the large displacement analysis in multibody system dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rismantab-Sany, J.; Chang, B.; Shabana, A. A.

1989-01-01

A total Lagrangian finite element formulation for the deformable bodies in multibody mechanical systems that undergo finite relative rotations is developed. The deformable bodies are discretized using finite element methods. The shape functions that are used to describe the displacement field are required to include the rigid body modes that describe only large translational displacements. This does not impose any limitations on the technique because most commonly used shape functions satisfy this requirement. The configuration of an element is defined using four sets of coordinate systems: Body, Element, Intermediate element, Global. The body coordinate system serves as a unique standard for the assembly of the elements forming the deformable body. The element coordinate system is rigidly attached to the element and therefore it translates and rotates with the element. The intermediate element coordinate system, whose axes are initially parallel to the element axes, has an origin which is rigidly attached to the origin of the body coordinate system and is used to conveniently describe the configuration of the element in undeformed state with respect to the body coordinate system.

An automated inner dimensional measurement system based on a laser displacement sensor for long-stepped pipes.

PubMed

Zhang, Fumin; Qu, Xinghua; Ouyang, Jianfei

2012-01-01

A novel measurement prototype based on a mobile vehicle that carries a laser scanning sensor is proposed. The prototype is intended for the automated measurement of the interior 3D geometry of large-diameter long-stepped pipes. The laser displacement sensor, which has a small measurement range, is mounted on an extended arm of known length. It is scanned to improve the measurement accuracy for large-sized pipes. A fixing mechanism based on two sections is designed to ensure that the stepped pipe is concentric with the axis of rotation of the system. Data are acquired in a cylindrical coordinate system and fitted in a circle to determine diameter. Systematic errors covering arm length, tilt, and offset errors are analyzed and calibrated. The proposed system is applied to sample parts and the results are discussed to verify its effectiveness. This technique measures a diameter of 600 mm with an uncertainty of 0.02 mm at a 95% confidence probability. A repeatability test is performed to examine precision, which is 1.1 μm. A laser tracker is used to verify the measurement accuracy of the system, which is evaluated as 9 μm within a diameter of 600 mm.

Fuzzy Performance between Surface Fitting and Energy Distribution in Turbulence Runner

PubMed Central

Liang, Zhongwei; Liu, Xiaochu; Ye, Bangyan; Brauwer, Richard Kars

2012-01-01

Because the application of surface fitting algorithms exerts a considerable fuzzy influence on the mathematical features of kinetic energy distribution, their relation mechanism in different external conditional parameters must be quantitatively analyzed. Through determining the kinetic energy value of each selected representative position coordinate point by calculating kinetic energy parameters, several typical algorithms of complicated surface fitting are applied for constructing microkinetic energy distribution surface models in the objective turbulence runner with those obtained kinetic energy values. On the base of calculating the newly proposed mathematical features, we construct fuzzy evaluation data sequence and present a new three-dimensional fuzzy quantitative evaluation method; then the value change tendencies of kinetic energy distribution surface features can be clearly quantified, and the fuzzy performance mechanism discipline between the performance results of surface fitting algorithms, the spatial features of turbulence kinetic energy distribution surface, and their respective environmental parameter conditions can be quantitatively analyzed in detail, which results in the acquirement of final conclusions concerning the inherent turbulence kinetic energy distribution performance mechanism and its mathematical relation. A further turbulence energy quantitative study can be ensured. PMID:23213287

QCD evolution of the Sivers function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aybat, S. M.; Collins, J. C.; Qiu, J. W.; Rogers, T. C.

2012-02-01

We extend the Collins-Soper-Sterman (CSS) formalism to apply it to the spin dependence governed by the Sivers function. We use it to give a correct numerical QCD evolution of existing fixed-scale fits of the Sivers function. With the aid of approximations useful for the nonperturbative region, we present the results as parametrizations of a Gaussian form in transverse-momentum space, rather than in the Fourier conjugate transverse coordinate space normally used in the CSS formalism. They are specifically valid at small transverse momentum. Since evolution has been applied, our results can be used to make predictions for Drell-Yan and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering at energies different from those where the original fits were made. Our evolved functions are of a form that they can be used in the same parton-model factorization formulas as used in the original fits, but now with a predicted scale dependence in the fit parameters. We also present a method by which our evolved functions can be corrected to allow for twist-3 contributions at large parton transverse momentum.

Collision-free motion planning for fiber positioner robots: discretization of velocity profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makarem, Laleh; Kneib, Jean-Paul; Gillet, Denis; Bleuler, Hannes; Bouri, Mohamed; Hörler, Philippe; Jenni, Laurent; Prada, Francisco; Sánchez, Justo

2014-07-01

The next generation of large-scale spectroscopic survey experiments such as DESI, will use thousands of fiber positioner robots packed on a focal plate. In order to maximize the observing time with this robotic system we need to move in parallel the fiber-ends of all positioners from the previous to the next target coordinates. Direct trajectories are not feasible due to collision risks that could undeniably damage the robots and impact the survey operation and performance. We have previously developed a motion planning method based on a novel decentralized navigation function for collision-free coordination of fiber positioners. The navigation function takes into account the configuration of positioners as well as their envelope constraints. The motion planning scheme has linear complexity and short motion duration (2.5 seconds with the maximum speed of 30 rpm for the positioner), which is independent of the number of positioners. These two key advantages of the decentralization designate the method as a promising solution for the collision-free motion-planning problem in the next-generation of fiber-fed spectrographs. In a framework where a centralized computer communicates with the positioner robots, communication overhead can be reduced significantly by using velocity profiles consisting of a few bits only. We present here the discretization of velocity profiles to ensure the feasibility of a real-time coordination for a large number of positioners. The modified motion planning method that generates piecewise linearized position profiles guarantees collision-free trajectories for all the robots. The velocity profiles fit few bits at the expense of higher computational costs.

Crew decision making under stress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orasanu, J.

1992-01-01

Flight crews must make decisions and take action when systems fail or emergencies arise during flight. These situations may involve high stress. Full-missiion flight simulation studies have shown that crews differ in how effectively they cope in these circumstances, judged by operational errors and crew coordination. The present study analyzed the problem solving and decision making strategies used by crews led by captains fitting three different personality profiles. Our goal was to identify more and less effective strategies that could serve as the basis for crew selection or training. Methods: Twelve 3-member B-727 crews flew a 5-leg mission simulated flight over 1 1/2 days. Two legs included 4 abnormal events that required decisions during high workload periods. Transcripts of videotapes were analyzed to describe decision making strategies. Crew performance (errors and coordination) was judged on-line and from videotapes by check airmen. Results: Based on a median split of crew performance errors, analyses to date indicate a difference in general strategy between crews who make more or less errors. Higher performance crews showed greater situational awareness - they responded quickly to cues and interpreted them appropriately. They requested more decision relevant information and took into account more constraints. Lower performing crews showed poorer situational awareness, planning, constraint sensitivity, and coordination. The major difference between higher and lower performing crews was that poorer crews made quick decisions and then collected information to confirm their decision. Conclusion: Differences in overall crew performance were associated with differences in situational awareness, information management, and decision strategy. Captain personality profiles were associated with these differences, a finding with implications for crew selection and training.

An emergence of coordinated communication in populations of agents.

PubMed

Kvasnicka, V; Pospichal, J

1999-01-01

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that coordinated communication spontaneously emerges in a population composed of agents that are capable of specific cognitive activities. Internal states of agents are characterized by meaning vectors. Simple neural networks composed of one layer of hidden neurons perform cognitive activities of agents. An elementary communication act consists of the following: (a) two agents are selected, where one of them is declared the speaker and the other the listener; (b) the speaker codes a selected meaning vector onto a sequence of symbols and sends it to the listener as a message; and finally, (c) the listener decodes this message into a meaning vector and adapts his or her neural network such that the differences between speaker and listener meaning vectors are decreased. A Darwinian evolution enlarged by ideas from the Baldwin effect and Dawkins' memes is simulated by a simple version of an evolutionary algorithm without crossover. The agent fitness is determined by success of the mutual pairwise communications. It is demonstrated that agents in the course of evolution gradually do a better job of decoding received messages (they are closer to meaning vectors of speakers) and all agents gradually start to use the same vocabulary for the common communication. Moreover, if agent meaning vectors contain regularities, then these regularities are manifested also in messages created by agent speakers, that is, similar parts of meaning vectors are coded by similar symbol substrings. This observation is considered a manifestation of the emergence of a grammar system in the common coordinated communication.

Intelligent multiagent coordination based on reinforcement hierarchical neuro-fuzzy models.

PubMed

Mendoza, Leonardo Forero; Vellasco, Marley; Figueiredo, Karla

2014-12-01

This paper presents the research and development of two hybrid neuro-fuzzy models for the hierarchical coordination of multiple intelligent agents. The main objective of the models is to have multiple agents interact intelligently with each other in complex systems. We developed two new models of coordination for intelligent multiagent systems, which integrates the Reinforcement Learning Hierarchical Neuro-Fuzzy model with two proposed coordination mechanisms: the MultiAgent Reinforcement Learning Hierarchical Neuro-Fuzzy with a market-driven coordination mechanism (MA-RL-HNFP-MD) and the MultiAgent Reinforcement Learning Hierarchical Neuro-Fuzzy with graph coordination (MA-RL-HNFP-CG). In order to evaluate the proposed models and verify the contribution of the proposed coordination mechanisms, two multiagent benchmark applications were developed: the pursuit game and the robot soccer simulation. The results obtained demonstrated that the proposed coordination mechanisms greatly improve the performance of the multiagent system when compared with other strategies.

Intelligent scheduling of execution for customized physical fitness and healthcare system.

PubMed

Huang, Chung-Chi; Liu, Hsiao-Man; Huang, Chung-Lin

2015-01-01

Physical fitness and health of white collar business person is getting worse and worse in recent years. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a system which can enhance physical fitness and health for people. Although the exercise prescription can be generated after diagnosing for customized physical fitness and healthcare. It is hard to meet individual execution needs for general scheduling of physical fitness and healthcare system. So the main purpose of this research is to develop an intelligent scheduling of execution for customized physical fitness and healthcare system. The results of diagnosis and prescription for customized physical fitness and healthcare system will be generated by fuzzy logic Inference. Then the results of diagnosis and prescription for customized physical fitness and healthcare system will be scheduled and executed by intelligent computing. The scheduling of execution is generated by using genetic algorithm method. It will improve traditional scheduling of exercise prescription for physical fitness and healthcare. Finally, we will demonstrate the advantages of the intelligent scheduling of execution for customized physical fitness and healthcare system.

Patient, Primary Care Provider, and Specialist Perspectives on Specialty Care Coordination in an Integrated Health Care System.

PubMed

Vimalananda, Varsha G; Dvorin, Kelly; Fincke, B Graeme; Tardiff, Nicole; Bokhour, Barbara G

Successful coordination of specialty care requires understanding the perspectives of patients, primary care providers, and specialists-that is, the specialty care "triad." This study used qualitative methods to compare these perspectives in an integrated health care system, using diabetes specialty care as an exemplar. Primary care providers and endocrinologists relied on interclinician relationships to coordinate care. Clinicians rarely included patients or other staff in their conceptualization of specialty care coordination. Patients often assumed responsibility for specialty care coordination but struggled to succeed. We identified several opportunities to improve coordination across the triad. In an integrated medical system, the shared organizational structure can facilitate these efforts.

Cadastral Database Positional Accuracy Improvement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashim, N. M.; Omar, A. H.; Ramli, S. N. M.; Omar, K. M.; Din, N.

2017-10-01

Positional Accuracy Improvement (PAI) is the refining process of the geometry feature in a geospatial dataset to improve its actual position. This actual position relates to the absolute position in specific coordinate system and the relation to the neighborhood features. With the growth of spatial based technology especially Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), the PAI campaign is inevitable especially to the legacy cadastral database. Integration of legacy dataset and higher accuracy dataset like GNSS observation is a potential solution for improving the legacy dataset. However, by merely integrating both datasets will lead to a distortion of the relative geometry. The improved dataset should be further treated to minimize inherent errors and fitting to the new accurate dataset. The main focus of this study is to describe a method of angular based Least Square Adjustment (LSA) for PAI process of legacy dataset. The existing high accuracy dataset known as National Digital Cadastral Database (NDCDB) is then used as bench mark to validate the results. It was found that the propose technique is highly possible for positional accuracy improvement of legacy spatial datasets.

Intelligent diagnosis and prescription for a customized physical fitness and healthcare system.

PubMed

Huang, Chung-Chi; Liu, Hsiao-Man; Huang, Chung-Lin

2015-01-01

With the advent of the era of global high-tech industry and commerce and its associated sedentary lifestyle, opportunities for physical activity are reduced. People's physical fitness and health is deteriorating. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a system that can enhance people's physical fitness and health. However, it is difficult for general physical fitness and healthcare systems to meet individualized needs. The main purpose of this research is to develop a method of intelligent diagnosis and prescription for a customized physical fitness and healthcare system. The proposed system records all processes of the physical fitness and healthcare system via a wireless sensor network and the results of the diagnosis and prescription will be generated by fuzzy logic inference. It will improve individualized physical fitness and healthcare. Finally, we demonstrate the advantages of intelligent diagnosis and prescription for a customized physical fitness and healthcare system.

Analysis of optimisation method for a two-stroke piston ring using the Finite Element Method and the Simulated Annealing Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaliszewski, M.; Mazuro, P.

2016-09-01

Simulated Annealing Method of optimisation for the sealing piston ring geometry is tested. The aim of optimisation is to develop ring geometry which would exert demanded pressure on a cylinder just while being bended to fit the cylinder. Method of FEM analysis of an arbitrary piston ring geometry is applied in an ANSYS software. The demanded pressure function (basing on formulae presented by A. Iskra) as well as objective function are introduced. Geometry definition constructed by polynomials in radial coordinate system is delivered and discussed. Possible application of Simulated Annealing Method in a piston ring optimisation task is proposed and visualised. Difficulties leading to possible lack of convergence of optimisation are presented. An example of an unsuccessful optimisation performed in APDL is discussed. Possible line of further optimisation improvement is proposed.

Global Temperature and Salinity Pilot Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Searle, Ben

1992-01-01

Data exchange and data management programs have been evolving over many years. Within the international community there are two main programs to support the exchange, management and processing of real time and delayed mode data. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) operate the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) program which coordinates the exchange of delayed mode data between national oceanographic data centers, World Data Centers and the user community. The Integrated Global Ocean Services System is a joint IOC/World Meteorological Organization (WMO) program for the exchange and management of real-time data. These two programs are complemented by mechanisms that have been established within scientific programs to exchange and manage project data sets. In particular TOGA and WOCE have identified a data management requirement and established the appropriate infrastructure to achieve this. Where GTSPP fits into this existing framework is discussed.

A calculation procedure for viscous flow in turbomachines, volume 3. [computer programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khalil, I.; Sheoran, Y.; Tabakoff, W.

1980-01-01

A method for analyzing the nonadiabatic viscous flow through turbomachine blade passages was developed. The field analysis is based upon the numerical integration of the full incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, together with the energy equation on the blade-to-blade surface. A FORTRAN IV computer program was written based on this method. The numerical code used to solve the governing equations employs a nonorthogonal boundary fitted coordinate system. The flow may be axial, radial or mixed and there may be a change in stream channel thickness in the through-flow direction. The inputs required for two FORTRAN IV programs are presented. The first program considers laminar flows and the second can handle turbulent flows. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the use of the program, and to show the results that are obtained.

Resident partnerships: an effective strategy for training in primary care.

PubMed

Adam, P; Williamson, H A; Zweig, S C; Delzell, J E

1997-06-01

To facilitate resident training in the ambulatory setting, a few family practice residency programs use a partnership system to train residents. Partnerships are pairs of residents from the same year that rotate together on inpatient services. We identified and characterized the advantages and disadvantages of partnership programs in family practice residencies. We conducted a national survey of family practice residencies, followed by phone interviews with residency directors of programs with partnerships. A total of 305 of 407 (75%) residencies responded; 10 programs fit our definition of partnership. Program directors were positive about resident partnerships. Benefits included improved outpatient continuity, enhanced medical communication skills, and emotional and intellectual support. Disadvantages were decreased inpatient exposure and difficulty coordinating residents' schedules. Directors were favorable about partnerships, which seem to be an underutilized technique to improve residency training.

Combustion chamber analysis code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Przekwas, A. J.; Lai, Y. G.; Krishnan, A.; Avva, R. K.; Giridharan, M. G.

1993-01-01

A three-dimensional, time dependent, Favre averaged, finite volume Navier-Stokes code has been developed to model compressible and incompressible flows (with and without chemical reactions) in liquid rocket engines. The code has a non-staggered formulation with generalized body-fitted-coordinates (BFC) capability. Higher order differencing methodologies such as MUSCL and Osher-Chakravarthy schemes are available. Turbulent flows can be modeled using any of the five turbulent models present in the code. A two-phase, two-liquid, Lagrangian spray model has been incorporated into the code. Chemical equilibrium and finite rate reaction models are available to model chemically reacting flows. The discrete ordinate method is used to model effects of thermal radiation. The code has been validated extensively against benchmark experimental data and has been applied to model flows in several propulsion system components of the SSME and the STME.

Biophysical characterization of a swimmer with a unilateral arm amputation: a case study.

PubMed

Figueiredo, Pedro; Willig, Renata; Alves, Francisco; Vilas-Boas, João Paulo; Fernandes, Ricardo J

2014-11-01

To examine the effect of swimming speed (v) on the biomechanical and physiological responses of a trained front-crawl swimmer with a unilateral arm amputation. A 13-y-old girl with a unilateral arm amputation (level of the elbow) was tested for stroke length (SL, horizontal displacement cover with each stroke cycle), stroke frequency (SF, inverse of the time to complete each stroke cycle), adapted index of coordination (IdCadapt, lag time between propulsive phases), intracycle velocity variation (IVV, coefficient of variation of the instantaneous velocity-time data), active drag (D, hydrodynamic resistance), and energy cost (C, ratio of metabolic power to speed) during trials of increasing v. Swimmer data showed a positive relationship between v and SF (R² = 1, P < .001), IVV (R² = .98, P = .002), D (R² = .98, P < .001), and C (R² = .95, P = .001) and a negative relationship with the SL (R² = .99, P = .001). No relation was found between v and IdCadapt (R² = .35, P = .22). A quadratic regression best fitted the relationship between v and general kinematical parameters (SL and SF); a cubic relationship fit the IVV best. The relationship between v and D was best expressed by a power regression, and the linear regression fit the C and IdCadapt best. The subject's adaptation to increased v was different from able-bodied swimmers, mainly on interarm coordination, maintaining the lag time between propulsive phases, which influence the magnitude of the other parameters. These results might be useful to develop specific training and enhance swimming performance in swimmers with amputations.

Free energy from molecular dynamics with multiple constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

den Otter, W. K.; Briels, W. J.

In molecular dynamics simulations of reacting systems, the key step to determining the equilibrium constant and the reaction rate is the calculation of the free energy as a function of the reaction coordinate. Intuitively the derivative of the free energy is equal to the average force needed to constrain the reaction coordinate to a constant value, but the metric tensor effect of the constraint on the sampled phase space distribution complicates this relation. The appropriately corrected expression for the potential of mean constraint force method (PMCF) for systems in which only the reaction coordinate is constrained was published recently. Here we will consider the general case of a system with multiple constraints. This situation arises when both the reaction coordinate and the 'hard' coordinates are constrained, and also in systems with several reaction coordinates. The obvious advantage of this method over the established thermodynamic integration and free energy perturbation methods is that it avoids the cumbersome introduction of a full set of generalized coordinates complementing the constrained coordinates. Simulations of n -butane and n -pentane in vacuum illustrate the method.

Adaptive Control Strategies for Interlimb Coordination in Legged Robots: A Review

PubMed Central

Aoi, Shinya; Manoonpong, Poramate; Ambe, Yuichi; Matsuno, Fumitoshi; Wörgötter, Florentin

2017-01-01

Walking animals produce adaptive interlimb coordination during locomotion in accordance with their situation. Interlimb coordination is generated through the dynamic interactions of the neural system, the musculoskeletal system, and the environment, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, investigations of the adaptation mechanisms of living beings have attracted attention, and bio-inspired control systems based on neurophysiological findings regarding sensorimotor interactions are being developed for legged robots. In this review, we introduce adaptive interlimb coordination for legged robots induced by various factors (locomotion speed, environmental situation, body properties, and task). In addition, we show characteristic properties of adaptive interlimb coordination, such as gait hysteresis and different time-scale adaptations. We also discuss the underlying mechanisms and control strategies to achieve adaptive interlimb coordination and the design principle for the control system of legged robots. PMID:28878645

The coordinating evaluation and spatial correlation analysis of CSGC: A case study of Henan province, China.

PubMed

Xie, Mingxia; Wang, Jiayao; Chen, Ke

2017-01-01

This study investigates the basic characteristics and proposes a concept for the complex system of geographical conditions (CSGC). By analyzing the DPSIR model and its correlation with the index system, we selected indexes for geographical conditions according to the resources, ecology, environment, economy and society parameters to build a system. This system consists of four hierarchies: index, classification, element and target levels. We evaluated the elements or indexes of the complex system using the TOPSIS method and a general model coordinating multiple complex systems. On this basis, the coordination analysis experiment of geographical conditions is applied to cities in the Henan province in China. The following conclusions were reached: ①According to the pressure, state and impact of geographical conditions, relatively consistent measures are taken around the city, but with conflicting results. ②The coordination degree of geographical conditions is small among regions showing large differences in classification index value. The degree of coordination of such regions is prone to extreme values; however, the smaller the difference the larger the coordination degree. ③The coordinated development of geographical conditions in the Henan province is at the stage of the point axis.

Interactive display of molecular models using a microcomputer system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Egan, J. T.; Macelroy, R. D.

1980-01-01

A simple, microcomputer-based, interactive graphics display system has been developed for the presentation of perspective views of wire frame molecular models. The display system is based on a TERAK 8510a graphics computer system with a display unit consisting of microprocessor, television display and keyboard subsystems. The operating system includes a screen editor, file manager, PASCAL and BASIC compilers and command options for linking and executing programs. The graphics program, written in USCD PASCAL, involves the centering of the coordinate system, the transformation of centered model coordinates into homogeneous coordinates, the construction of a viewing transformation matrix to operate on the coordinates, clipping invisible points, perspective transformation and scaling to screen coordinates; commands available include ZOOM, ROTATE, RESET, and CHANGEVIEW. Data file structure was chosen to minimize the amount of disk storage space. Despite the inherent slowness of the system, its low cost and flexibility suggests general applicability.

Sophie in the Snow: A Simple Approach to Datalogging and Modelling in Physics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oldknow, Adrian; Huyton, Pip; Galloway, Ian

2010-01-01

Most students now have access to devices such as digital cameras and mobile phones that are capable of taking short video clips outdoors. Such clips can be used with powerful ICT tools, such as Tracker, Excel and TI-Nspire, to extract time and coordinate data about a moving object, to produce scattergrams and to fit models. In this article we…

Geometric calibration of a coordinate measuring machine using a laser tracking system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umetsu, Kenta; Furutnani, Ryosyu; Osawa, Sonko; Takatsuji, Toshiyuki; Kurosawa, Tomizo

2005-12-01

This paper proposes a calibration method for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) using a laser tracking system. The laser tracking system can measure three-dimensional coordinates based on the principle of trilateration with high accuracy and is easy to set up. The accuracy of length measurement of a single laser tracking interferometer (laser tracker) is about 0.3 µm over a length of 600 mm. In this study, we first measured 3D coordinates using the laser tracking system. Secondly, 21 geometric errors, namely, parametric errors of the CMM, were estimated by the comparison of the coordinates obtained by the laser tracking system and those obtained by the CMM. As a result, the estimated parametric errors agreed with those estimated by a ball plate measurement, which demonstrates the validity of the proposed calibration system.

An Interactive Visual Analytics Framework for Multi-Field Data in a Geo-Spatial Context

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

Zhang, Zhiyuan; Tong, Xiaonan; McDonnell, Kevin T.

2013-04-01

Climate research produces a wealth of multivariate data. These data often have a geospatial reference and so it is of interest to show them within their geospatial context. One can consider this configuration as a multi field visualization problem, where the geospace provides the expanse of the field. However, there is a limit on the amount of multivariate information that can be fit within a certain spatial location, and the use of linked multivari ate information displays has previously been devised to bridge this gap. In this paper we focus on the interactions in the geographical display, present an implementationmore » that uses Google Earth, and demonstrate it within a tightly linked parallel coordinates display. Several other visual representations, such as pie and bar charts are integrated into the Google Earth display and can be interactively manipulated. Further, we also demonstrate new brushing and visualization techniques for parallel coordinates, such as fixedwindow brushing and correlationenhanced display. We conceived our system with a team of climate researchers, who already made a few important discov eries using it. This demonstrates our system’s great potential to enable scientific discoveries, possibly also in oth er domains where data have a geospatial reference.« less

A Kalman Filter Implementation for Precision Improvement in Low-Cost GPS Positioning of Tractors

PubMed Central

Gomez-Gil, Jaime; Ruiz-Gonzalez, Ruben; Alonso-Garcia, Sergio; Gomez-Gil, Francisco Javier

2013-01-01

Low-cost GPS receivers provide geodetic positioning information using the NMEA protocol, usually with eight digits for latitude and nine digits for longitude. When these geodetic coordinates are converted into Cartesian coordinates, the positions fit in a quantization grid of some decimeters in size, the dimensions of which vary depending on the point of the terrestrial surface. The aim of this study is to reduce the quantization errors of some low-cost GPS receivers by using a Kalman filter. Kinematic tractor model equations were employed to particularize the filter, which was tuned by applying Monte Carlo techniques to eighteen straight trajectories, to select the covariance matrices that produced the lowest Root Mean Square Error in these trajectories. Filter performance was tested by using straight tractor paths, which were either simulated or real trajectories acquired by a GPS receiver. The results show that the filter can reduce the quantization error in distance by around 43%. Moreover, it reduces the standard deviation of the heading by 75%. Data suggest that the proposed filter can satisfactorily preprocess the low-cost GPS receiver data when used in an assistance guidance GPS system for tractors. It could also be useful to smooth tractor GPS trajectories that are sharpened when the tractor moves over rough terrain. PMID:24217355

Videoconferencing for site initiations in clinical studies: Mixed methods evaluation of usability, acceptability, and impact on recruitment.

PubMed

Randell, Rebecca; Backhouse, Michael R; Nelson, E Andrea

2016-12-01

A critical issue for multicentre clinical studies is conducting site initiations, ensuring sites are trained in study procedures and comply with relevant governance requirements before they begin recruiting patients. How technology can support site initiations has not previously been explored. This study sought to evaluate use of off-the-shelf web-based videoconferencing to deliver site initiations for a large national multicentre study. Participants in the initiations, including podiatrists, diabetologists, trial coordinators, and research nurses, completed an online questionnaire based on the System Usability Scale (SUS) (N = 15). This was followed by semi-structured interviews, with a consultant diabetologist, a trial coordinator, and three research nurses, exploring perceived benefits and limitations of videoconferencing. The mean SUS score for the videoconferencing platform was 87.2 (SD = 13.7), suggesting a good level of usability. Interview participants perceived initiations delivered by videoconferencing as being more interactive and easier to follow than those delivered by teleconference. In comparison to face-to-face initiations, videoconferencing takes less time, easily fitting in with the work of staff at the local sites. Perceptions of impact on communication varied according to the hardware used. Off-the-shelf videoconferencing is a viable alternative to face-to-face site initiations and confers advantages over teleconferencing.

Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics of Uranium Incorporated in Goethite (α-FeOOH): Interpretation of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Trace Polyvalent Metals.

PubMed

Kerisit, Sebastien; Bylaska, Eric J; Massey, Michael S; McBriarty, Martin E; Ilton, Eugene S

2016-11-21

Incorporation of economically or environmentally consequential polyvalent metals into iron (oxyhydr)oxides has applications in environmental chemistry, remediation, and materials science. A primary tool for characterizing the local coordination environment of such metals, and therefore building models to predict their behavior, is extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). Accurate structural information can be lacking yet is required to constrain and inform data interpretation. In this regard, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) was used to calculate the local coordination environment of minor amounts of U incorporated in the structure of goethite (α-FeOOH). U oxidation states (VI, V, and IV) and charge compensation schemes were varied. Simulated trajectories were used to calculate the U L III -edge EXAFS function and fit experimental EXAFS data for U incorporated into goethite under reducing conditions. Calculations that closely matched the U EXAFS of the well-characterized mineral uraninite (UO 2 ), and constrained the S 0 2 parameter to be 0.909, validated the approach. The results for the U-goethite system indicated that U(V) substituted for structural Fe(III) in octahedral uranate coordination. Charge balance was achieved by the loss of one structural proton coupled to addition of one electron into the solid (-1 H + , +1 e - ). The ability of AIMD to model higher energy states thermally accessible at room temperature is particularly relevant for protonated systems such as goethite, where proton transfers between adjacent octahedra had a dramatic effect on the calculated EXAFS. Vibrational effects as a function of temperature were also estimated using AIMD, allowing separate quantification of thermal and configurational disorder. In summary, coupling AIMD structural modeling and EXAFS experiments enables modeling of the redox behavior of polyvalent metals that are incorporated in conductive materials such as iron (oxyhydr)oxides, with applications over a broad swath of chemistry and materials science.

Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics of Uranium Incorporated in Goethite (α-FeOOH): Interpretation of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Trace Polyvalent Metals

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

Kerisit, Sebastien; Bylaska, Eric J.; Massey, Michael S.

2016-11-21

Incorporation of economically or environmentally consequential polyvalent metals into iron (oxyhydr)oxides has applications in environmental chemistry, remediation, and materials science. A primary tool for characterizing the local coordination environment of such metals, and therefore building models to predict their behavior, is extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). Accurate structural information can be lacking, yet is required to constrain and inform data interpretation. In this regard, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) was used to calculate the local coordination environment of minor amounts of U incorporated in the structure of goethite (α-FeOOH). U oxidation state (VI, V, and IV) and chargemore » compensation scheme (CCS) were varied. Simulated trajectories were used to calculate the U LIII-edge EXAFS function and fit experimental EXAFS data for U incorporated into goethite under reducing conditions. Calculations that closely matched the U EXAFS of the well-characterized mineral uraninite (UO2), and constrained the S02 parameter to be 0.909, validated the approach. The results for the U-goethite system indicated that U(V) substituted for structural Fe(III) in octahedral uranate coordination. Charge balance was achieved by the loss of one structural proton coupled to injection of one electron into the solid (–1 H+, + 1 e-). The ability of AIMD to model higher-energy states thermally accessible at room temperature is particularly relevant for protonated systems such as goethite, where proton transfers between adjacent octahedra had a dramatic effect on the calculated EXAFS. Vibrational effects as a function of temperature were also estimated using AIMD, allowing separate quantification of thermal and configurational disorder. In summary, coupling AIMD structural modeling and EXAFS experiments enables modeling of the redox behavior of polyvalent metals that are incorporated in conductive materials such as iron (oxyhydr)oxides, with applications over a broad swath of chemistry and materials science.« less

Physical Fitness and Body Composition in 8-10-Year-Old Danish Children Are Associated With Sports Club Participation.

PubMed

Larsen, Malte N; Nielsen, Claus M; Ørntoft, Christina Ø; Randers, Morten B; Manniche, Vibeke; Hansen, Lone; Hansen, Peter R; Bangsbo, Jens; Krustrup, Peter

2017-12-01

Larsen, MN, Nielsen, CM, Ørntoft, CØ, Randers, M, Manniche, V, Hansen, L, Hansen, PR, Bangsbo, J, and Krustrup, P. Physical fitness and body composition in 8-10-year-old Danish children are associated with sports club participation. J Strength Cond Res 31(12): 3425-3434, 2017-We investigated whether physical fitness and body composition in 8-10-year-old Danish children are associated with sports club participation. The study included 423 schoolchildren, comprising 209 girls and 214 boys, of whom 67 and 74%, respectively, were active in sports clubs. Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 for children (YYIR1C), balance, jump and coordination tests, together with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, were used to determine exercise capacity and body composition. Children active in sports clubs had better (p < 0.05) YYIR1C (33%, 767 ± 26 vs. 575 ± 29 m), 20-m sprint (3%, 4.33 ± 0.03 vs. 4.48 ± 0.04 seconds), coordination (6%, 68 ± 1 vs. 72 ± 1 second), and balance test performances (9%, 19.3 ± 0.5 vs. 21.2 ± 0.7 falls·min) and lower fat mass index (16%, 3.8 ± 0.1 vs. 4.5 ± 0.2 kg[fat]·m) than children not active in sports clubs. Ball game players had better (p < 0.05) YYIR1C (38%, 925 ± 39 vs. 671 ± 28 m), 20-m sprint (4%, 4.25 ± 0.03 vs. 4.42 ± 0.04 seconds), and coordination test performances (5%, 65 ± 1 vs. 69 ± 1 second), along with higher (p < 0.05) lean body mass (5%, 24.00 ± 0.22 vs. 22.83 ± 0.25 kg) and whole-body BMD (2%, 0.90 ± < 0.01 vs. 0.88 ± <0.01 g·cm) compared with children active in other sports. The study showed that 8[FIGURE DASH]10-year-old Danish children engaged in sports-club activity, especially ball game players, have better exercise capacity and superior body composition compared with children not active in sports clubs.

NASA's Astrophysics Data Archives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasan, H.; Hanisch, R.; Bredekamp, J.

2000-09-01

The NASA Office of Space Science has established a series of archival centers where science data acquired through its space science missions is deposited. The availability of high quality data to the general public through these open archives enables the maximization of science return of the flight missions. The Astrophysics Data Centers Coordinating Council, an informal collaboration of archival centers, coordinates data from five archival centers distiguished primarily by the wavelength range of the data deposited there. Data are available in FITS format. An overview of NASA's data centers and services is presented in this paper. A standard front-end modifyer called `Astrowbrowse' is described. Other catalog browsers and tools include WISARD and AMASE supported by the National Space Scince Data Center, as well as ISAIA, a follow on to Astrobrowse.

Where was the Iron Synthesized in Cassiopeia A?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hwang, Una; Laming, J. Martin

2003-01-01

We investigate the properties of Fe-rich knots on the east limb of the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant observed with Chandra/AXAF CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS). Using analysis methods developed in a companion paper, we constrain the ejecta density profile and the Lagrangian mass coordinates of the knots from their fitted ionization age and electron temperature. Fe-rich knots which also have strong emission from Si, S, Ar, and Ca are clustered around mass coordinates q approx. equal to 0.35 - 0.4 in the shocked ejecta of 2 solar masses; this places them 0.7 - 0.8 solar masses out from the center (or 2 - 2.1 solar masses, allowing for the mass of a compact object). We also find an Fe clump that is evidently devoid of line emission from lower mass elements, as would be expected for a region that had undergone alpha-rich freeze out. This clump has a similar mass coordinate to the other Fe knots.

Pathway connectivity and signaling coordination in the yeast stress-activated signaling network

PubMed Central

Chasman, Deborah; Ho, Yi-Hsuan; Berry, David B; Nemec, Corey M; MacGilvray, Matthew E; Hose, James; Merrill, Anna E; Lee, M Violet; Will, Jessica L; Coon, Joshua J; Ansari, Aseem Z; Craven, Mark; Gasch, Audrey P

2014-01-01

Stressed cells coordinate a multi-faceted response spanning many levels of physiology. Yet knowledge of the complete stress-activated regulatory network as well as design principles for signal integration remains incomplete. We developed an experimental and computational approach to integrate available protein interaction data with gene fitness contributions, mutant transcriptome profiles, and phospho-proteome changes in cells responding to salt stress, to infer the salt-responsive signaling network in yeast. The inferred subnetwork presented many novel predictions by implicating new regulators, uncovering unrecognized crosstalk between known pathways, and pointing to previously unknown ‘hubs’ of signal integration. We exploited these predictions to show that Cdc14 phosphatase is a central hub in the network and that modification of RNA polymerase II coordinates induction of stress-defense genes with reduction of growth-related transcripts. We find that the orthologous human network is enriched for cancer-causing genes, underscoring the importance of the subnetwork's predictions in understanding stress biology. PMID:25411400

Application of coordinate transform on ball plate calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Hengzheng; Wang, Weinong; Ren, Guoying; Pei, Limei

2015-02-01

For the ball plate calibration method with coordinate measurement machine (CMM) equipped with laser interferometer, it is essential to adjust the ball plate parallel to the direction of laser beam. It is very time-consuming. To solve this problem, a method based on coordinate transformation between machine system and object system is presented. With the fixed points' coordinates of the ball plate measured in the object system and machine system, the transformation matrix between the coordinate systems is calculated. The laser interferometer measurement data error due to the placement of ball plate can be corrected with this transformation matrix. Experimental results indicate that this method is consistent with the handy adjustment method. It avoids the complexity of ball plate adjustment. It also can be applied to the ball beam calibration.

The Geolocation model for lunar-based Earth observation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Yixing; Liu, Guang; Ren, Yuanzhen; Ye, Hanlin; Guo, Huadong; Lv, Mingyang

2016-07-01

In recent years, people are more and more aware of that the earth need to treated as an entirety, and consequently to be observed in a holistic, systematic and multi-scale view. However, the interaction mechanism between the Earth's inner layers and outer layers is still unclear. Therefore, we propose to observe the Earth's inner layers and outer layers instantaneously on the Moon which may be helpful to the studies in climatology, meteorology, seismology, etc. At present, the Moon has been proved to be an irreplaceable platform for Earth's outer layers observation. Meanwhile, some discussions have been made in lunar-based observation of the Earth's inner layers, but the geolocation model of lunar-based observation has not been specified yet. In this paper, we present a geolocation model based on transformation matrix. The model includes six coordinate systems: The telescope coordinate system, the lunar local coordinate system, the lunar-reference coordinate system, the selenocentric inertial coordinate system, the geocentric inertial coordinate system and the geo-reference coordinate system. The parameters, lncluding the position of the Sun, the Earth, the Moon, the libration and the attitude of the Earth, can be acquired from the Ephemeris. By giving an elevation angle and an azimuth angle of the lunar-based telescope, this model links the image pixel to the ground point uniquely.

Synchrotron speciation data for zero-valent iron nanoparticles

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This data set encompasses a complete analysis of synchrotron speciation data for 5 iron nanoparticle samples (P1, P2, P3, S1, S2, and metallic iron) to include linear combination fitting results (Table 6 and Figure 9) and ab-initio extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy fitting (Figure 10 and Table 7).Table 6: Linear combination fitting of the XAS data for the 5 commercial nZVI/ZVI products tested. Species proportions are presented as percentages. Goodness of fit is indicated by the chi^2 value.Figure 9: Normalised Fe K-edge k3-weighted EXAFS of the 5 commercial nZVI/ZVIproducts tested. Dotted lines show the best 4-component linear combination fit ofreference spectra.Figure 10: Fourier transformed radial distribution functions (RDFs) of the five samplesand an iron metal foil. The black lines in Fig. 10 represent the sample data and the reddotted curves represent the non-linear fitting results of the EXAFS data.Table 7: Coordination parameters of Fe in the samples.This dataset is associated with the following publication:Chekli, L., B. Bayatsarmadi, R. Sekine, B. Sarkar, A. Maoz Shen, K. Scheckel , W. Skinner, R. Naidu, H. Shon, E. Lombi, and E. Donner. Analytical Characterisation of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron: A Methodological Review. Richard P. Baldwin ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, USA, 903: 13-35, (2016).

Adding signals to coordinated traffic signal systems.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1983-08-01

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of adding or : removing traffic signals within a coordinated, signal-controlled street network. : The report includes a discussion of coordinated signal systems; arterial street : network con...

La méthode des coordonnées curvilignes appliquée à la diffraction par des réseaux dont le profil est donné par des équations paramétriques: application à la diffraction par un réseau cycloïdal The method of curvilinear coordinates applied to the problem of scattering from surface-relief gratings defined by parametric equations: application to scattering from a cycloidal grating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granet, Gérard; Chandezon, Jean

1997-11-01

The method of curvilinear coordinates is formulated using the coordinate transformations given by parametric equations. As an illustration, a translation coordinate system and a relaxation coordinate system are used to calculate the reflectivities of various cycloidal profiles. We show, with this example, that parametric coordinate systems permit one to handle profiles that previously had been out of reach owing to their sharpness.

Photogrammetry Tool for Forensic Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lane, John

2012-01-01

A system allows crime scene and accident scene investigators the ability to acquire visual scene data using cameras for processing at a later time. This system uses a COTS digital camera, a photogrammetry calibration cube, and 3D photogrammetry processing software. In a previous instrument developed by NASA, the laser scaling device made use of parallel laser beams to provide a photogrammetry solution in 2D. This device and associated software work well under certain conditions. In order to make use of a full 3D photogrammetry system, a different approach was needed. When using multiple cubes, whose locations relative to each other are unknown, a procedure that would merge the data from each cube would be as follows: 1. One marks a reference point on cube 1, then marks points on cube 2 as unknowns. This locates cube 2 in cube 1 s coordinate system. 2. One marks reference points on cube 2, then marks points on cube 1 as unknowns. This locates cube 1 in cube 2 s coordinate system. 3. This procedure is continued for all combinations of cubes. 4. The coordinate of all of the found coordinate systems is then merged into a single global coordinate system. In order to achieve maximum accuracy, measurements are done in one of two ways, depending on scale: when measuring the size of objects, the coordinate system corresponding to the nearest cube is used, or when measuring the location of objects relative to a global coordinate system, a merged coordinate system is used. Presently, traffic accident analysis is time-consuming and not very accurate. Using cubes with differential GPS would give absolute positions of cubes in the accident area, so that individual cubes would provide local photogrammetry calibration to objects near a cube.

The JPL Uranian Radiation Model (UMOD)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garrett, Henry; Martinez-Sierra, Luz Maria; Evans, Robin

2015-01-01

The objective of this study is the development of a comprehensive radiation model (UMOD) of the Uranian environment for JPL mission planning. The ultimate goal is to provide a description of the high energy electron and proton environments and the magnetic field at Uranus that can be used for engineering design. Currently no model exists at JPL. A preliminary electron radiation model employing Voyager 2 data was developed by Selesnick and Stone in 1991. The JPL Uranian Radiation Model extends that analysis, which modeled electrons between 0.7 MeV and 2.5 MeV based on the Voyager Cosmic Ray Subsystem electron telescope, down to an energy of 0.022 MeV for electrons and from 0.028 MeV to 3.5 MeV for protons. These latter energy ranges are based on measurements by the Applied Physics Laboratory Low Energy Charged Particle Detector on Voyager 2. As in previous JPL radiation models, the form of the Uranian model is based on magnetic field coordinates and requires a conversion from spacecraft coordinates to Uranian-centered magnetic "B-L" coordinates. Two magnetic field models have been developed for Uranus: 1) a simple "offset, tilted dipole" (OTD), and 2) a complex, multi-pole expansion model ("Q3"). A review of the existing data on Uranus and a search of the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS) were completed to obtain the latest, up to date descriptions of the Uranian high energy particle environment. These data were fit in terms of the Q3 B-L coordinates to extend and update the original Selesnick and Stone electron model in energy and to develop the companion proton flux model. The flux predictions of the new model were used to estimate the total ionizing dose for the Voyager 2 flyby, and a movie illustrating the complex radiation belt variations was produced to document the uses of the model for planning purposes.

Static Analysis of Large-Scale Multibody System Using Joint Coordinates and Spatial Algebra Operator

PubMed Central

Omar, Mohamed A.

2014-01-01

Initial transient oscillations inhibited in the dynamic simulations responses of multibody systems can lead to inaccurate results, unrealistic load prediction, or simulation failure. These transients could result from incompatible initial conditions, initial constraints violation, and inadequate kinematic assembly. Performing static equilibrium analysis before the dynamic simulation can eliminate these transients and lead to stable simulation. Most exiting multibody formulations determine the static equilibrium position by minimizing the system potential energy. This paper presents a new general purpose approach for solving the static equilibrium in large-scale articulated multibody. The proposed approach introduces an energy drainage mechanism based on Baumgarte constraint stabilization approach to determine the static equilibrium position. The spatial algebra operator is used to express the kinematic and dynamic equations of the closed-loop multibody system. The proposed multibody system formulation utilizes the joint coordinates and modal elastic coordinates as the system generalized coordinates. The recursive nonlinear equations of motion are formulated using the Cartesian coordinates and the joint coordinates to form an augmented set of differential algebraic equations. Then system connectivity matrix is derived from the system topological relations and used to project the Cartesian quantities into the joint subspace leading to minimum set of differential equations. PMID:25045732

Static analysis of large-scale multibody system using joint coordinates and spatial algebra operator.

PubMed

Omar, Mohamed A

2014-01-01

Initial transient oscillations inhibited in the dynamic simulations responses of multibody systems can lead to inaccurate results, unrealistic load prediction, or simulation failure. These transients could result from incompatible initial conditions, initial constraints violation, and inadequate kinematic assembly. Performing static equilibrium analysis before the dynamic simulation can eliminate these transients and lead to stable simulation. Most exiting multibody formulations determine the static equilibrium position by minimizing the system potential energy. This paper presents a new general purpose approach for solving the static equilibrium in large-scale articulated multibody. The proposed approach introduces an energy drainage mechanism based on Baumgarte constraint stabilization approach to determine the static equilibrium position. The spatial algebra operator is used to express the kinematic and dynamic equations of the closed-loop multibody system. The proposed multibody system formulation utilizes the joint coordinates and modal elastic coordinates as the system generalized coordinates. The recursive nonlinear equations of motion are formulated using the Cartesian coordinates and the joint coordinates to form an augmented set of differential algebraic equations. Then system connectivity matrix is derived from the system topological relations and used to project the Cartesian quantities into the joint subspace leading to minimum set of differential equations.

Survey Instruments to Assess Patient Experiences With Access and Coordination Across Health Care Settings: Available and Needed Measures.

PubMed

Quinn, Martha; Robinson, Claire; Forman, Jane; Krein, Sarah L; Rosland, Ann-Marie

2017-07-01

Improving access can increase the providers a patient sees, and cause coordination challenges. For initiatives that increase care across health care settings, measuring patient experiences with access and care coordination will be crucial. Map existing survey measures of patient experiences with access and care coordination expected to be relevant to patients accessing care across settings. Preliminarily examine whether aspects of access and care coordination important to patients are represented by existing measures. Structured literature review of domains and existing survey measures related to access and care coordination across settings. Survey measures, and preliminary themes from semistructured interviews of 10 patients offered VA-purchased Community Care, were mapped to identified domains. We identified 31 existing survey instruments with 279 items representing 6 access and 5 care coordination domains relevant to cross-system care. Domains frequently assessed by existing measures included follow-up coordination, primary care access, cross-setting coordination, and continuity. Preliminary issues identified in interviews, but not commonly assessed by existing measures included: (1) acceptability of distance to care site given patient's clinical situation; (2) burden on patients to access and coordinate care and billing; (3) provider familiarity with Veteran culture and VA processes. Existing survey instruments assess many aspects of patient experiences with access and care coordination in cross-system care. Systems assessing cross-system care should consider whether patient surveys accurately reflect the level of patients' concerns with burden to access and coordinate care, and adequately reflect the impact of clinical severity and cultural familiarity on patient preferences.

A space-time tensor formulation for continuum mechanics in general curvilinear, moving, and deforming coordinate systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Avis, L. M.

1976-01-01

Tensor methods are used to express the continuum equations of motion in general curvilinear, moving, and deforming coordinate systems. The space-time tensor formulation is applicable to situations in which, for example, the boundaries move and deform. Placing a coordinate surface on such a boundary simplifies the boundary condition treatment. The space-time tensor formulation is also applicable to coordinate systems with coordinate surfaces defined as surfaces of constant pressure, density, temperature, or any other scalar continuum field function. The vanishing of the function gradient components along the coordinate surfaces may simplify the set of governing equations. In numerical integration of the equations of motion, the freedom of motion of the coordinate surfaces provides a potential for enhanced resolution of the continuum field function. An example problem of an incompressible, inviscid fluid with a top free surface is considered, where the surfaces of constant pressure (including the top free surface) are coordinate surfaces.

Building Management Information Systems to Coordinate Citywide Afterschool Programs: A Toolkit for Cities. Executive Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kingsley, Chris

2012-01-01

This executive summary describes highlights from the report, "Building Management Information Systems to Coordinate Citywide Afterschool Programs: A Toolkit for Cities." City-led efforts to build coordinated systems of afterschool programming are an important strategy for improving the health, safety and academic preparedness of children…

Network Performance and Coordination in the Health, Education, Telecommunications System. Satellite Technology Demonstration, Technical Report No. 0422.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Braunstein, Jean; Janky, James M.

This paper describes the network coordination for the Health, Education, Telecommunications (HET) system. Specifically, it discusses HET network performance as a function of a specially-developed coordination system which was designed to link terrestrial equipment to satellite operations centers. Because all procedures and equipment developed for…

The orbit of asteroid (99942) Apophis as determined from optical and radar observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vinogradova, T. A.; Kochetova, O. M.; Chernetenko, Yu. A.; Shor, V. A.; Yagudina, E. I.

2008-08-01

The results of improving the orbit accuracy for the asteroid Apophis and the circumstances of its approach to Earth in 2029 are described. Gravitational perturbations from all of the major planets and Pluto, Ceres, Pallas, and Vesta are taken into account in the equations of motion of the asteroid. Relativistic perturbations from the Sun and perturbations due to the oblateness of the Sun and Earth and due to the light pressure are also included in the model. Perturbations from the Earth and Moon are considered separately. The coordinates of the perturbing bodies are calculated using DE405. The phase correction and the gravitational deflection of light are taken into account. The numerical integration of the equations of motion and equations in variations is performed by the 15th-order Everhart method. The error of the numerical integration over the 2005 2029 interval, estimated using forward and backward computations, is not more than 3 × 10-11 AU. Improved coordinates and velocities at epoch JD2454200.5 (April 10, 2007) were obtained applying the weighted leastsquares fit. For the period from March 15, 2004, to August 16, 2006, 989 optical and 7 radar observations were used. The resulting system represents the optical observations with an error of 0.37 (66 conditional equations were rejected). The residuals of the radar observations are an order, or more, smaller than their errors. The system of Apophis’ elements and the estimates of their precision obtained in this study are in perfect agreement with the results published by other authors. The minimum Apophis-Earth distance is about 38 200 km on April 13, 2029. This estimate agrees to within 20 km with those calculated based on other published systems of elements. The effect of some model components on the minimum distance is estimated.

Housing and Child Welfare: Emerging Evidence and Implications for Scaling up Services

PubMed Central

Farrell, Anne F.; Marcal, Katherine E.; Chung, Saras; Hovmand, Peter S.

2018-01-01

Inadequate housing threatens family stability in communities across the United States. This study reviews emerging evidence on housing interventions in the context of scale-up for the child welfare system. In child welfare, scale-up refers to the extent to which fully implemented interventions sustainably alleviate family separations associated with housing instability. It incorporates multiple aspects beyond traditional measures of effectiveness including costs, potential reach, local capacities for implementation, and fit within broader social services. The framework further encompasses everyday circumstances faced by service providers, program administrators, and policymakers who allocate resources under conditions of scarcity and uncertainty. The review of current housing interventions reveals a number of systemic constraints for scale-up in child welfare. Reliance on rental assistance programs limits capacity to address demand, while current practices that target the most vulnerable families may inadvertently diminish effectiveness of the intervention and increase overall demand. Alternative approaches that focus on homelessness prevention and early intervention must be tested in conjunction with community initiatives to increase accessibility of affordable housing. By examining system performance over time, the scalability framework provides an opportunity for more efficient coordination of housing services within and outside of the child welfare system. PMID:28815623

Structural study of Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 glasses from molecular simulations using a polarizable force field.

PubMed

Pacaud, Fabien; Delaye, Jean-Marc; Charpentier, Thibault; Cormier, Laurent; Salanne, Mathieu

2017-10-28

Sodium borosilicate glasses Na 2 O-B 2 O 3 -SiO 2 (NBS) are complex systems from a structural point of view. Three main building units are present: tetrahedral SiO 4 and BO 4 (B IV ) and triangular BO 3 (B III ). One of the salient features of these compounds is the change of the B III /B IV ratio with the alkali concentration, which is very difficult to capture in force fields-based molecular dynamics simulations. In this work, we develop a polarizable force field that is able to reproduce the boron coordination and more generally the structure of several NBS systems in the glass and in the melt. The parameters of the potential are fitted from density functional theory calculations only, in contrast with the existing empirical potentials for NBS systems. This ensures a strong improvement on the transferability of the parameters from one composition to another. Using this new force field, the structure of NBS systems is validated against neutron diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. A special focus is given to the distribution of B III /B IV with respect to the composition and the temperature.

Effect of test exercises and mask donning on measured respirator fit.

PubMed

Crutchfield, C D; Fairbank, E O; Greenstein, S L

1999-12-01

Quantitative respirator fit test protocols are typically defined by a series of fit test exercises. A rationale for the protocols that have been developed is generally not available. There also is little information available that describes the effect or effectiveness of the fit test exercises currently specified in respiratory protection standards. This study was designed to assess the relative impact of fit test exercises and mask donning on respirator fit as measured by a controlled negative pressure and an ambient aerosol fit test system. Multiple donnings of two different sizes of identical respirator models by each of 14 test subjects showed that donning affects respirator fit to a greater degree than fit test exercises. Currently specified fit test protocols emphasize test exercises, and the determination of fit is based on a single mask donning. A rationale for a modified fit test protocol based on fewer, more targeted test exercises and multiple mask donnings is presented. The modified protocol identified inadequately fitting respirators as effectively as the currently specified Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) quantitative fit test protocol. The controlled negative pressure system measured significantly (p < 0.0001) more respirator leakage than the ambient aerosol fit test system. The bend over fit test exercise was found to be predictive of poor respirator fit by both fit test systems. For the better fitting respirators, only the talking exercise generated aerosol fit factors that were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) than corresponding donning fit factors.

A Trade Study of Thermosphere Empirical Neutral Density Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

n,m = Degree and order, respectively ′ = Geocentric latitude Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 2 λ = Geocentric ...coordinate. The ECI coordinate system also known as the Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 3 geocentric equatorial system has...seconds for numerical integration. The EGM96 model specifies V in the Earth-Center, Earth-Fixed (ECEF) coordinate frame, a geocentric coordinate

Relation between coordinate systems describing the dynamics of a loaded Stewart platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrova, V. I.

2018-05-01

The paper puts forward formulae for transformation of coordinates in three coordinate frames used for the study of motion of a loaded Stewart platform, which is the central mechanism of the dynamic bench. A new method for finding the law of variation of coordinates is proposed. This method depends on solving the problem-specific system of differential equations.

30 CFR 250.905 - How do I get approval for the installation, modification, or repair of my platform?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... four copies. (b) Location plat Latitude and longitude coordinates, Universal Mercator grid-system coordinates, state plane coordinates in the Lambert or Transverse Mercator Projection System, and distances in...

Two-dimensional orthonormal trend surfaces for prospecting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarma, D. D.; Selvaraj, J. B.

Orthonormal polynomials have distinct advantages over conventional polynomials: the equations for evaluating trend coefficients are not ill-conditioned and the convergence power of this method is greater compared to the least-squares approximation and therefore the approach by orthonormal functions provides a powerful alternative to the least-squares method. In this paper, orthonormal polynomials in two dimensions are obtained using the Gram-Schmidt method for a polynomial series of the type: Z = 1 + x + y + x2 + xy + y2 + … + yn, where x and y are the locational coordinates and Z is the value of the variable under consideration. Trend-surface analysis, which has wide applications in prospecting, has been carried out using the orthonormal polynomial approach for two sample sets of data from India concerned with gold accumulation from the Kolar Gold Field, and gravity data. A comparison of the orthonormal polynomial trend surfaces with those obtained by the classical least-squares method has been made for the two data sets. In both the situations, the orthonormal polynomial surfaces gave an improved fit to the data. A flowchart and a FORTRAN-IV computer program for deriving orthonormal polynomials of any order and for using them to fit trend surfaces is included. The program has provision for logarithmic transformation of the Z variable. If log-transformation is performed the predicted Z values are reconverted to the original units and the trend-surface map generated for use. The illustration of gold assay data related to the Champion lode system of Kolar Gold Fields, for which a 9th-degree orthonormal trend surface was fit, could be used for further prospecting the area.

Hands-Off and Hands-On Casting Consistency of Amputee below Knee Sockets Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

PubMed Central

Rowe, Philip

2013-01-01

Residual limb shape capturing (Casting) consistency has a great influence on the quality of socket fit. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to establish a reliable reference grid for intercast and intracast shape and volume consistency of two common casting methods, Hands-off and Hands-on. Residual limbs were cast for twelve people with a unilateral below knee amputation and scanned twice for each casting concept. Subsequently, all four volume images of each amputee were semiautomatically segmented and registered to a common coordinate system using the tibia and then the shape and volume differences were calculated. The results show that both casting methods have intra cast volume consistency and there is no significant volume difference between the two methods. Inter- and intracast mean volume differences were not clinically significant based on the volume of one sock criteria. Neither the Hands-off nor the Hands-on method resulted in a consistent residual limb shape as the coefficient of variation of shape differences was high. The resultant shape of the residual limb in the Hands-off casting was variable but the differences were not clinically significant. For the Hands-on casting, shape differences were equal to the maximum acceptable limit for a poor socket fit. PMID:24348164

Hands-off and hands-on casting consistency of amputee below knee sockets using magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Safari, Mohammad Reza; Rowe, Philip; McFadyen, Angus; Buis, Arjan

2013-01-01

Residual limb shape capturing (Casting) consistency has a great influence on the quality of socket fit. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to establish a reliable reference grid for intercast and intracast shape and volume consistency of two common casting methods, Hands-off and Hands-on. Residual limbs were cast for twelve people with a unilateral below knee amputation and scanned twice for each casting concept. Subsequently, all four volume images of each amputee were semiautomatically segmented and registered to a common coordinate system using the tibia and then the shape and volume differences were calculated. The results show that both casting methods have intra cast volume consistency and there is no significant volume difference between the two methods. Inter- and intracast mean volume differences were not clinically significant based on the volume of one sock criteria. Neither the Hands-off nor the Hands-on method resulted in a consistent residual limb shape as the coefficient of variation of shape differences was high. The resultant shape of the residual limb in the Hands-off casting was variable but the differences were not clinically significant. For the Hands-on casting, shape differences were equal to the maximum acceptable limit for a poor socket fit.

Magnetic Coordinate Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laundal, K. M.; Richmond, A. D.

2017-03-01

Geospace phenomena such as the aurora, plasma motion, ionospheric currents and associated magnetic field disturbances are highly organized by Earth's main magnetic field. This is due to the fact that the charged particles that comprise space plasma can move almost freely along magnetic field lines, but not across them. For this reason it is sensible to present such phenomena relative to Earth's magnetic field. A large variety of magnetic coordinate systems exist, designed for different purposes and regions, ranging from the magnetopause to the ionosphere. In this paper we review the most common magnetic coordinate systems and describe how they are defined, where they are used, and how to convert between them. The definitions are presented based on the spherical harmonic expansion coefficients of the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) and, in some of the coordinate systems, the position of the Sun which we show how to calculate from the time and date. The most detailed coordinate systems take the full IGRF into account and define magnetic latitude and longitude such that they are constant along field lines. These coordinate systems, which are useful at ionospheric altitudes, are non-orthogonal. We show how to handle vectors and vector calculus in such coordinates, and discuss how systematic errors may appear if this is not done correctly.

48 CFR 1604.7001 - Coordination of benefits clause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Coordination of benefits clause. 1604.7001 Section 1604.7001 Federal Acquisition Regulations System OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Coordination of...

48 CFR 1604.7001 - Coordination of benefits clause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Coordination of benefits clause. 1604.7001 Section 1604.7001 Federal Acquisition Regulations System OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Coordination of...

48 CFR 1604.7001 - Coordination of benefits clause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Coordination of benefits clause. 1604.7001 Section 1604.7001 Federal Acquisition Regulations System OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Coordination of...

The effect of social interactions in the primary consumption life cycle of motion pictures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hidalgo R, César A.; Castro, Alejandra; Rodriguez-Sickert, Carlos

2006-04-01

We develop a 'basic principles' model which accounts for the primary life cycle consumption of films as a social coordination problem in which information transmission is governed by word of mouth. We fit the analytical solution of such a model to aggregated consumption data from the film industry and derive a quantitative estimator of its quality based on the structure of the life cycle.

Accumulation of Experience in a Vast Number of Cases: Enactivism as a Fit Framework for the Study of Spatial Reasoning in Mathematics Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khan, Steven; Francis, Krista; Davis, Brent

2015-01-01

As we witness a push toward studying spatial reasoning as a principal component of mathematical competency and instruction in the twenty first century, we argue that enactivism, with its strong and explicit foci on the coupling of organism and environment, action as cognition, and sensory motor coordination provides an inclusive, expansive, apt,…

National Intelligence University’s Role in Interagency Research: Recommendations from the Intelligence Community

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

outreach, and (4) social science and historical research/lessons learned . In some instances, the research entity fit into more than one category. We...Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) and the Analytic Outreach Initiative (AOI) at ODNI. Social science and historical research/lessons learned ...its coordination efforts, CSIR was interested in learning more about potential interagency research partners and how collaboration could be improved

Psychological Analyses of Courageous Performance in Military Personnel

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-08-01

British Columbia ARI Scientific Coordination Office, London Milton Katz, Chief Office of Basic Research Michael Kaplan , Director OTIC August1990 ELECTE...For NTIS Ri University of British Columbia DTic TAB Just fitIcat lo Technical review by Dy __Dttibut ton/ Michael Kaplan Avallability CodesDIst...22c. OFFICE SYMBOL Michael Kaplan (202) 274-8722 PERT-BR DD Form 1473, JUN 86 Previous editions are obsolete. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE

A holistic measurement model of movement competency in children.

PubMed

Rudd, J; Butson, M L; Barnett, L; Farrow, D; Berry, J; Borkoles, E; Polman, R

2016-01-01

Different countries have different methods for assessing movement competence in children; however, it is unclear whether the test batteries that are used measure the same aspects of movement competence. The aim of this paper was to (1) investigate whether the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) and Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder (KTK) measure the same aspects of children's movement competence and (2) examine the factorial structure of the TGMD-2 and KTK in a sample of Australian children. A total of 158 children participated (M age = 9.5; SD = 2.2). First, confirmatory factor analysis examined the independent factorial structure of the KTK and TGMD-2. Second, it was investigated whether locomotor, object control and body coordination loaded on the latent variable Movement Competency. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an adequate fit for both the KTK and TGMD-2. An adequate fit was also achieved for the final model. In this model, locomotor (r = .86), object control (r = .71) and body coordination (r = .52) loaded on movement competence. Findings support our hypothesis that the TGMD-2 and KTK measure discrete aspects of movement competence. Future researchers and practitioners should consider using a wider range of test batteries to assess movement competence.

Multivitamin and protein supplement use is associated with positive mood states and health behaviors in US Military and Coast Guard personnel.

PubMed

Austin, Krista G; McGraw, Susan M; Lieberman, Harris R

2014-10-01

Approximately 60% of Armed Forces personnel regularly consume dietary supplements (DSs). We investigated the association of mood and health behaviors with multiple classes of DSs in military and Coast Guard personnel (N = 5536). Participants completed a survey of DS use and the Quick Mood Scale to assess mood domains of wakeful-drowsiness, relaxed-anxious, cheerful-depressed, friendly-aggression, clearheaded-confused, and well coordinated-clumsy. Supplements were categorized as multivitamin/minerals (MVM), individual vitamin/minerals, protein/amino acid supplements (PS), combination products (C), herbals (H), purported steroid analogs, (S) and other (O). One-way analyses of covariance assessed associations of DSs and perceived health behavior with mood controlling for age. Logistic regression determined associations between DS use and health behavior. Users of MVM and PS reported feeling significantly (P < 0.05) more awake, relaxed, cheerful, clearheaded, and coordinated. Participants using PS and S reported feeling less friendly (more aggressive, P < 0.02). Users of MVM and PS were more likely to report their general health, eating habits, and fitness level as excellent/good (P < 0.05). Participants reporting health behaviors as excellent/good were more (P < 0.01) awake, relaxed, cheerful, friendly, clearheaded, and coordinated. As no known biological mechanisms can explain such diverse effects of MVM and PS use on multiple mood states, health, eating habits, and fitness, we hypothesize these associations are not causal, and DS intake does not alter these parameters per se. Preexisting differences in mood and other health-related behaviors and outcomes between users versus nonusers of DSs could be a confounding factor in studies of DSs.

Transformation formulas relating geodetic coordinates to a tangent to Earth, plane coordinate system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Credeur, L.

1981-01-01

Formulas and their approximation were developed to map geodetic position to an Earth tangent plane with an airport centered rectangular coordinate system. The transformations were developed for use in a terminal area air traffic model with deterministic aircraft traffic. The exact configured vehicle's approximation equations used in their precision microwave landing system navigation experiments.

Vectors, Change of Basis and Matrix Representation: Onto-Semiotic Approach in the Analysis of Creating Meaning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Montiel, Mariana; Wilhelmi, Miguel R.; Vidakovic, Draga; Elstak, Iwan

2012-01-01

In a previous study, the onto-semiotic approach was employed to analyse the mathematical notion of different coordinate systems, as well as some situations and university students' actions related to these coordinate systems in the context of multivariate calculus. This study approaches different coordinate systems through the process of change of…

Change of strategy is required for malaria elimination: a case study in Purworejo District, Central Java Province, Indonesia.

PubMed

Murhandarwati, E Elsa Herdiana; Fuad, Anis; Sulistyawati; Wijayanti, Mahardika Agus; Bia, Michael Badi; Widartono, Barandi Sapta; Kuswantoro; Lobo, Neil F; Supargiyono; Hawley, William A

2015-08-16

Malaria has been targeted for elimination from Indonesia by 2030, with varying timelines for specific geographical areas based on disease endemicity. The regional deadline for malaria elimination for Java island, given the steady decrease of malaria cases, was the end of 2015. Purworejo District, a malaria-endemic area in Java with an annual parasite incidence (API) of 0.05 per 1,000 population in 2009, aims to enter this elimination stage. This study documents factors that affect incidence and spatial distribution of malaria in Purworejo, such as geomorphology, topography, health system issues, and identifies potential constraints and challenges to achieve the elimination stage, such as inter-districts coordination, decentralization policy and allocation of financial resources for the programme. Historical malaria data from 2007 to 2011 were collected through secondary data, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions during study year (2010-2011). Malaria cases were mapped using the village-centroid shape file to visualize its distribution with geomorphologic characteristics overlay and spatial distribution of malaria. API in each village in Purworejo and its surrounding districts from 2007 to 2011 was stratified into high, middle or low case incidence to show the spatiotemporal mapping pattern. The spatiotemporal pattern of malaria cases in Purworejo and the adjacent districts demonstrate repeated concentrated occurrences of malaria in specific areas from 2007 to 2011. District health system issues, i.e., suboptimal coordination between primary care and referral systems, suboptimal inter-district collaboration for malaria surveillance, decentralization policy and the lack of resources, especially district budget allocations for the malaria programme, were major constraints for programme sustainability. A new malaria elimination approach that fits the local disease transmission, intervention and political system is required. These changes include timely measurements of malaria transmission, revision of the decentralized government system and optimizing the use of the district capitation fund followed by an effective technical implementation of the intervention strategy.

Detailed analysis of an optimized FPP-based 3D imaging system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tran, Dat; Thai, Anh; Duong, Kiet; Nguyen, Thanh; Nehmetallah, Georges

2016-05-01

In this paper, we present detail analysis and a step-by-step implementation of an optimized fringe projection profilometry (FPP) based 3D shape measurement system. First, we propose a multi-frequency and multi-phase shifting sinusoidal fringe pattern reconstruction approach to increase accuracy and sensitivity of the system. Second, phase error compensation caused by the nonlinear transfer function of the projector and camera is performed through polynomial approximation. Third, phase unwrapping is performed using spatial and temporal techniques and the tradeoff between processing speed and high accuracy is discussed in details. Fourth, generalized camera and system calibration are developed for phase to real world coordinate transformation. The calibration coefficients are estimated accurately using a reference plane and several gauge blocks with precisely known heights and by employing a nonlinear least square fitting method. Fifth, a texture will be attached to the height profile by registering a 2D real photo to the 3D height map. The last step is to perform 3D image fusion and registration using an iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm for a full field of view reconstruction. The system is experimentally constructed using compact, portable, and low cost off-the-shelf components. A MATLAB® based GUI is developed to control and synchronize the whole system.

77 FR 16569 - Privacy Act of 1974: Systems of Records

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-21

... ``Fitness Center Membership, Payment, and Fitness Records (SEC-48)'', last published in the Federal Register... existing systems of records, ``Administrative Audit System (SEC-14)'' and ``Fitness Center Membership, Payment, and Fitness Records (SEC- 48)''. As described in the last published notice, the Administrative...

Strong solutions and instability for the fitness gradient system in evolutionary games between two populations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Qiuju; Belmonte, Andrew; deForest, Russ; Liu, Chun; Tan, Zhong

2017-04-01

In this paper, we study a fitness gradient system for two populations interacting via a symmetric game. The population dynamics are governed by a conservation law, with a spatial migration flux determined by the fitness. By applying the Galerkin method, we establish the existence, regularity and uniqueness of global solutions to an approximate system, which retains most of the interesting mathematical properties of the original fitness gradient system. Furthermore, we show that a Turing instability occurs for equilibrium states of the fitness gradient system, and its approximations.

Data to Pictures to Data: Outreach Imaging Software and Metadata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levay, Z.

2011-07-01

A convergence between astronomy science and digital photography has enabled a steady stream of visually rich imagery from state-of-the-art data. The accessibility of hardware and software has facilitated an explosion of astronomical images for outreach, from space-based observatories, ground-based professional facilities and among the vibrant amateur astrophotography community. Producing imagery from science data involves a combination of custom software to understand FITS data (FITS Liberator), off-the-shelf, industry-standard software to composite multi-wavelength data and edit digital photographs (Adobe Photoshop), and application of photo/image-processing techniques. Some additional effort is needed to close the loop and enable this imagery to be conveniently available for various purposes beyond web and print publication. The metadata paradigms in digital photography are now complying with FITS and science software to carry information such as keyword tags and world coordinates, enabling these images to be usable in more sophisticated, imaginative ways exemplified by Sky in Google Earth and World Wide Telescope.

Measurement system for 3-D foot coordinates and parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Guozhong; Li, Yunhui; Wang, Boxiong; Shi, Hui; Luo, Xiuzhi

2008-12-01

The 3-D foot-shape measurement system based on laser-line-scanning principle and the model of the measurement system were presented. Errors caused by nonlinearity of CCD cameras and caused by installation can be eliminated by using the global calibration method for CCD cameras, which based on nonlinear coordinate mapping function and the optimized method. A local foot coordinate system is defined with the Pternion and the Acropodion extracted from the boundaries of foot projections. The characteristic points can thus be located and foot parameters be extracted automatically by the local foot coordinate system and the related sections. Foot measurements for about 200 participants were conducted and the measurement results for male and female participants were presented. 3-D foot coordinates and parameters measurement makes it possible to realize custom-made shoe-making and shows great prosperity in shoe design, foot orthopaedic treatment, shoe size standardization, and establishment of a feet database for consumers.

Review and Evaluation of Hand-Arm Coordinate Systems for Measuring Vibration Exposure, Biodynamic Responses, and Hand Forces.

PubMed

Dong, Ren G; Sinsel, Erik W; Welcome, Daniel E; Warren, Christopher; Xu, Xueyan S; McDowell, Thomas W; Wu, John Z

2015-09-01

The hand coordinate systems for measuring vibration exposures and biodynamic responses have been standardized, but they are not actually used in many studies. This contradicts the purpose of the standardization. The objectives of this study were to identify the major sources of this problem, and to help define or identify better coordinate systems for the standardization. This study systematically reviewed the principles and definition methods, and evaluated typical hand coordinate systems. This study confirms that, as accelerometers remain the major technology for vibration measurement, it is reasonable to standardize two types of coordinate systems: a tool-based basicentric (BC) system and an anatomically based biodynamic (BD) system. However, these coordinate systems are not well defined in the current standard. Definition of the standard BC system is confusing, and it can be interpreted differently; as a result, it has been inconsistently applied in various standards and studies. The standard hand BD system is defined using the orientation of the third metacarpal bone. It is neither convenient nor defined based on important biological or biodynamic features. This explains why it is rarely used in practice. To resolve these inconsistencies and deficiencies, we proposed a revised method for defining the realistic handle BC system and an alternative method for defining the hand BD system. A fingertip-based BD system for measuring the principal grip force is also proposed based on an important feature of the grip force confirmed in this study.

Review and Evaluation of Hand–Arm Coordinate Systems for Measuring Vibration Exposure, Biodynamic Responses, and Hand Forces

PubMed Central

Dong, Ren G.; Sinsel, Erik W.; Welcome, Daniel E.; Warren, Christopher; Xu, Xueyan S.; McDowell, Thomas W.; Wu, John Z.

2015-01-01

The hand coordinate systems for measuring vibration exposures and biodynamic responses have been standardized, but they are not actually used in many studies. This contradicts the purpose of the standardization. The objectives of this study were to identify the major sources of this problem, and to help define or identify better coordinate systems for the standardization. This study systematically reviewed the principles and definition methods, and evaluated typical hand coordinate systems. This study confirms that, as accelerometers remain the major technology for vibration measurement, it is reasonable to standardize two types of coordinate systems: a tool-based basicentric (BC) system and an anatomically based biodynamic (BD) system. However, these coordinate systems are not well defined in the current standard. Definition of the standard BC system is confusing, and it can be interpreted differently; as a result, it has been inconsistently applied in various standards and studies. The standard hand BD system is defined using the orientation of the third metacarpal bone. It is neither convenient nor defined based on important biological or biodynamic features. This explains why it is rarely used in practice. To resolve these inconsistencies and deficiencies, we proposed a revised method for defining the realistic handle BC system and an alternative method for defining the hand BD system. A fingertip-based BD system for measuring the principal grip force is also proposed based on an important feature of the grip force confirmed in this study. PMID:26929824

48 CFR 1604.7001 - Coordination of benefits clause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Coordination of Benefits 1604.7001 Coordination of benefits clause. OPM expects all FEHBP plans to coordinate benefits... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Coordination of benefits...

48 CFR 1604.7001 - Coordination of benefits clause.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Coordination of Benefits 1604.7001 Coordination of benefits clause. OPM expects all FEHBP plans to coordinate benefits... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Coordination of benefits...

Users manual for coordinate generation code CRDSRA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shamroth, S. J.

1985-01-01

Generation of a viable coordinate system represents an important component of an isolated airfoil Navier-Stokes calculation. The manual describes a computer code for generation of such a coordinate system. The coordinate system is a general nonorthogonal one in which high resolution normal to the airfoil is obtained in the vicinity of the airfoil surface, and high resolution along the airfoil surface is obtained in the vicinity of the airfoil leading edge. The method of generation is a constructive technique which leads to a C type coordinate grid. The method of construction as well as input and output definitions are contained herein. The computer code itself as well as a sample output is being submitted to COSMIC.

Leadership in multiteam systems.

PubMed

DeChurch, Leslie A; Marks, Michelle A

2006-03-01

This study examined 2 leader functions likely to be instrumental in synchronizing large systems of teams (i.e., multiteam systems [MTSs]). Leader strategizing and coordinating were manipulated through training, and effects on functional leadership, interteam coordination, and MTS performance were examined. Three hundred eighty-four undergraduate students participated in a laboratory simulation modeling a 3-team MTS performing an F-22 battle simulation task (N = 64 MTSs). Results indicate that both leader training manipulations improved functional leadership and interteam coordination and that functional leader behavior was positively related to MTS-level performance. Functional leadership mediated the effects of both types of training on interteam coordination, and interteam coordination fully mediated the effect of MTS leadership on MTS performance.

A Broker-based approach for GEOSS authentication/authorization services

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santoro, Mattia; Nativi, Stefano

2015-04-01

The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations coordinating efforts to build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). GEOSS aims to achieve societal benefits through voluntary contribution and sharing of resources to better understand the relationships between the society and the environment where we live. The GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) implements a digital infrastructure (e-infrastructure) that coordinates access to these systems, interconnecting and harmonizing their data, applications, models, and products. The GCI component implementing the needed interoperability arrangements to interconnect the data systems contributing to GEOSS is the GEO DAB (Discovery and Access Broker). This provides a unique entry point to which client applications (i.e. the portals and apps) can connect for exploiting (search, discover, and access) resources available through GCI. The GEO DAB implements the brokering approach (Nativi et al., 2013) to build a flexible and scalable System of Systems. GEOSS data providers ask for information about who accessed their resources and, in some cases, want to limit the data download. GEOSS users ask for a profiled interaction with the system based on their needs and expertise level. This raised the need for an enrichment of GEO DAB functionalities, i.e. user authentication/authorization. Besides, authentication and authorization is necessary for GEOSS to provide moderated social services - e.g. feedback messages, data "fit for use" comments, etc. In the development of this new functionality, the need to support existing and well-used users' credentials (e.g. Google, Twitter, etc.) stems from GEOSS principles to build on existing systems and lower entry-barriers for users. To cope with these requirements and face the heterogeneity of technologies used by the different data systems and client applications, a broker-based approach for the authentication/authorization was introduced as a new functionality of GEO DAB. This new capability was demonstrated at the last GEO XI Plenary (November 2014). This work will be presented and discussed. Refenrences Nativi, S.; Craglia, M.; Pearlman, J., "Earth Science Infrastructures Interoperability: The Brokering Approach," Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, IEEE Journal of , vol.6, no.3, pp.1118,1129, June 2013

The influence of pore structure parameters on the digital core recovery degree

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Huifen; Zhao, Ling; Sun, Yanyu; Yuan, Shi

2017-05-01

Constructing digital core in the research of water flooding or polymer flooding oil displacement efficiency has its unique advantage. Using mercury injection experiment measured pore throat size distribution frequency, coordination number measured by CT scanning method and imbibition displacement method is used to measure the wettability of the data, on the basis of considering pore throat ratio, wettability, using the principle of adaptive porosity, on the basis of fitting the permeability to complete the construction of digital core. The results show that the model of throat distribution is concentrated water flooding recovery degree is higher, and distribution is more decentralized model polymer flooding recovery degree is higher. Around the same number of PV in poly, coordination number model of water flooding and polymer flooding recovery degree is higher.

DFT calculations of the structures and vibrational spectra of the [Fe(bpy) 3] 2+ and [Ru(bpy) 3] 2+ complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander, Bruce D.; Dines, Trevor J.; Longhurst, Rayne W.

2008-09-01

Structures of the [M(bpy) 3] 2+ complexes (M = Fe and Ru) have been calculated at the B3-LYP/DZVP level. IR and Raman spectra were calculated using the optimised geometries, employing a scaled quantum chemical force field, and compared with an earlier normal coordinate analysis of [Ru(bpy) 3] 2+ which was based upon experimental data alone, and the use of a simplified model. The results of the calculations provide a highly satisfactory fit to the experimental data and the normal coordinate analyses, in terms of potential energy distributions, allow a detailed understanding of the vibrational spectra of both complexes. Evidence is presented for Jahn-Teller distortion in the 1E MLCT excited state.

Lattice modeling and calibration with turn-by-turn orbit data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xiaobiao; Sebek, Jim; Martin, Don

2010-11-01

A new method that explores turn-by-turn beam position monitor (BPM) data to calibrate lattice models of accelerators is proposed. The turn-by-turn phase space coordinates at one location of the ring are first established using data from two BPMs separated by a simple section with a known transfer matrix, such as a drift space. The phase space coordinates are then tracked with the model to predict positions at other BPMs, which can be compared to measurements. The model is adjusted to minimize the difference between the measured and predicted orbit data. BPM gains and rolls are included as fitting variables. This technique can be applied to either the entire or a section of the ring. We have tested the method experimentally on a part of the SPEAR3 ring.

How fit are children and adolescents with haemophilia in Germany? Results of a prospective study assessing the sport-specific motor performance by means of modern test procedures of sports science.

PubMed

Seuser, A; Boehm, P; Ochs, S; Trunz-Carlisi, E; Halimeh, S; Klamroth, R

2015-07-01

There are a lot of publications on the physical fitness of patients with haemophilia (PWH), however, most studies only reflect individual sport-specific motor capacities or focus on a single fitness ability. They involve small patient populations. In this respect principal objective of this study was to compare the physical fitness in all respects and the body composition of young PWH to healthy peers based on the most valid data we could get. Twenty-one German haemophilia treatment centres were visited from 2002 to 2009. PWH between 8 and 25 years were included. They performed a five-stage fitness test covering the sport-specific motor capacities for coordination, measured by one leg stand, strength, aerobic fitness and mobility as well as body composition. The patients' results were compared with age- and gender-specific reference values of healthy subjects. Two hundred and eighty-five PWH (mean age 13.2 ± 4.5 years, 164 PWH with severe disease) were included prospectively in the study. PWH are significantly below the reference values of healthy subjects in the one-leg stand test, the mobility of the lower extremity, the strength ratio of chest and back muscles and the endurance test. In body composition, the back strength and the mobility of the upper extremity PWH are significantly above the reference values. There are no significant differences in abdominal strength. In conclusion we found specific differences in different fitness abilities between PWH and healthy subjects. Knowing this, we are able to work out exercise programmes to compensate the diminished fitness abilities for our PWH. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Determination of the Interaction Position of Gamma Photons in Monolithic Scintillators Using Neural Network Fitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conde, P.; Iborra, A.; González, A. J.; Hernández, L.; Bellido, P.; Moliner, L.; Rigla, J. P.; Rodríguez-Álvarez, M. J.; Sánchez, F.; Seimetz, M.; Soriano, A.; Vidal, L. F.; Benlloch, J. M.

2016-02-01

In Positron Emission Tomography (PET) detectors based on monolithic scintillators, the photon interaction position needs to be estimated from the light distribution (LD) on the photodetector pixels. Due to the finite size of the scintillator volume, the symmetry of the LD is truncated everywhere except for the crystal center. This effect produces a poor estimation of the interaction positions towards the edges, an especially critical situation when linear algorithms, such as Center of Gravity (CoG), are used. When all the crystal faces are painted black, except the one in contact with the photodetector, the LD can be assumed to behave as the inverse square law, providing a simple theoretical model. Using this LD model, the interaction coordinates can be determined by means of fitting each event to a theoretical distribution. In that sense, the use of neural networks (NNs) has been shown to be an effective alternative to more traditional fitting techniques as nonlinear least squares (LS). The multilayer perceptron is one type of NN which can model non-linear functions well and can be trained to accurately generalize when presented with new data. In this work we have shown the capability of NNs to approximate the LD and provide the interaction coordinates of γ-photons with two different photodetector setups. One experimental setup was based on analog Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) and a charge division diode network, whereas the second setup was based on digital SiPMs (dSiPMs). In both experiments NNs minimized border effects. Average spatial resolutions of 1.9 ±0.2 mm and 1.7 ±0.2 mm for the entire crystal surface were obtained for the analog and dSiPMs approaches, respectively.

More flexibility in representing geometric distortion in astronomical images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shupe, David L.; Laher, Russ R.; Storrie-Lombardi, Lisa; Surace, Jason; Grillmair, Carl; Levitan, David; Sesar, Branimir

2012-09-01

A number of popular software tools in the public domain are used by astronomers, professional and amateur alike, but some of the tools that have similar purposes cannot be easily interchanged, owing to the lack of a common standard. For the case of image distortion, SCAMP and SExtractor, available from Astromatic.net, perform astrometric calibration and source-object extraction on image data, and image-data geometric distortion is computed in celestial coordinates with polynomial coefficients stored in the FITS header with the PV i_j keywords. Another widely-used astrometric-calibration service, Astrometry.net, solves for distortion in pixel coordinates using the SIP convention that was introduced by the Spitzer Science Center. Up until now, due to the complexity of these distortion representations, it was very difficult to use the output of one of these packages as input to the other. New Python software, along with faster-computing C-language translations, have been developed at the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC) to convert FITS-image headers from PV to SIP and vice versa. It is now possible to straightforwardly use Astrometry.net for astrometric calibration and then SExtractor for source-object extraction. The new software also enables astrometric calibration by SCAMP followed by image visualization with tools that support SIP distortion, but not PV . The software has been incorporated into the image-processing pipelines of the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF), which generate FITS images with headers containing both distortion representations. The software permits the conversion of archived images, such as from the Spitzer Heritage Archive and NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive, from SIP to PV or vice versa. This new capability renders unnecessary any new representation, such as the proposed TPV distortion convention.

Executive Summary From the National Strength and Conditioning Association's Second Blue Ribbon Panel on Military Physical Readiness: Military Physical Performance Testing.

PubMed

Nindl, Bradley C; Alvar, Brent A; R Dudley, Jason; Favre, Mike W; Martin, Gerard J; Sharp, Marilyn A; Warr, Brad J; Stephenson, Mark D; Kraemer, William J

2015-11-01

The National Strength and Conditioning Association's tactical strength and conditioning program sponsored the second Blue Ribbon Panel on military physical readiness: military physical performance testing, April 18-19, 2013, Norfolk, VA. This meeting brought together a total of 20 subject matter experts (SMEs) from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and academia representing practitioners, operators, researchers, and policy advisors to discuss the current state of physical performance testing across the Armed Services. The SME panel initially rated 9 common military tasks (jumping over obstacles, moving with agility, carrying heavy loads, dragging heavy loads, running long distances, moving quickly over short distances, climbing over obstacles, lifting heavy objects, loading equipment) by the degree to which health-related fitness components (e.g., aerobic fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition) and skill-related fitness components (e.g., muscular power, agility, balance, coordination, speed, and reaction time) were required to accomplish these tasks. A scale from 1 to 10 (10 being highest) was used. Muscular strength, power, and endurance received the highest rating scores. Panel consensus concluded that (a) selected fitness components (particularly for skill-related fitness components) are currently not being assessed by the military; (b) field-expedient options to measure both health-based and skill-based fitness components are currently available; and (c) 95% of the panel concurred that all services should consider a tier II test focused on both health-related and skill-related fitness components based on occupational, functional, and tactical military performance requirements.

Distributed approximating functional fit of the H{sub 3} {ital ab initio} potential-energy data of Liu and Siegbahn

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

Frishman, A.; Hoffman, D.K.; Kouri, D.J.

1997-07-01

We report a distributed approximating functional (DAF) fit of the {ital ab initio} potential-energy data of Liu [J. Chem. Phys. {bold 58}, 1925 (1973)] and Siegbahn and Liu [{ital ibid}. {bold 68}, 2457 (1978)]. The DAF-fit procedure is based on a variational principle, and is systematic and general. Only two adjustable parameters occur in the DAF leading to a fit which is both accurate (to the level inherent in the input data; RMS error of 0.2765 kcal/mol) and smooth ({open_quotes}well-tempered,{close_quotes} in DAF terminology). In addition, the LSTH surface of Truhlar and Horowitz based on this same data [J. Chem. Phys.more » {bold 68}, 2466 (1978)] is itself approximated using only the values of the LSTH surface on the same grid coordinate points as the {ital ab initio} data, and the same DAF parameters. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate that the DAF delivers a well-tempered approximation to a known function that closely mimics the true potential-energy surface. As is to be expected, since there is only roundoff error present in the LSTH input data, even more significant figures of fitting accuracy are obtained. The RMS error of the DAF fit, of the LSTH surface at the input points, is 0.0274 kcal/mol, and a smooth fit, accurate to better than 1cm{sup {minus}1}, can be obtained using more than 287 input data points. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Changes in motor skill and fitness measures among children with high and low motor competence: a five-year longitudinal study.

PubMed

Hands, Beth

2008-04-01

Children with low motor competence (LMC) are less able to participate fully in many sports and recreational activities typically enjoyed by their well-coordinated peers. Poor fitness outcomes have been reported for these children, although previous studies have not tracked these outcomes over time. In this study, 19 children (8 girls and 11 boys) with LMC aged between 5 and 7years were matched by age and gender with 19 children with high motor competence (HMC). Six fitness (body composition and cardiovascular endurance) and motor skill (sprint run, standing broad jump and balance) measures were repeated for each group once a year for five years. For each year of the study, the LMC groups performed less well on all measures than the HMC groups. Changes over time were significantly different between groups for cardiovascular endurance, 50-m run and balance, but not for body composition, overhand throw or standing broad jump. Between the two groups, performances were significantly different for all measures, except body composition. These findings confirm the impact of LMC on fitness measures and skill performances over time.

Independent and combined influence of the components of physical fitness on academic performance in youth.

PubMed

Esteban-Cornejo, Irene; Tejero-González, Carlos Ma; Martinez-Gomez, David; del-Campo, Juan; González-Galo, Ana; Padilla-Moledo, Carmen; Sallis, James F; Veiga, Oscar L

2014-08-01

To examine the independent and combined associations of the components of physical fitness with academic performance among youths. This cross-sectional study included a total of 2038 youths (989 girls) aged 6-18 years. Cardiorespiratory capacity was measured using the 20-m shuttle run test. Motor ability was assessed with the 4×10-m shuttle run test of speed of movement, agility, and coordination. A muscular strength z-score was computed based on handgrip strength and standing long jump distance. Academic performance was assessed through school records using 4 indicators: Mathematics, Language, an average of Mathematics and Language, and grade point average score. Cardiorespiratory capacity and motor ability were independently associated with all academic variables in youth, even after adjustment for fitness and fatness indicators (all P≤.001), whereas muscular strength was not associated with academic performance independent of the other 2 physical fitness components. In addition, the combined adverse effects of low cardiorespiratory capacity and motor ability on academic performance were observed across the risk groups (P for trend<.001). Cardiorespiratory capacity and motor ability, both independently and combined, may have a beneficial influence on academic performance in youth. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Approaches to automatic parameter fitting in a microscopy image segmentation pipeline: An exploratory parameter space analysis.

PubMed

Held, Christian; Nattkemper, Tim; Palmisano, Ralf; Wittenberg, Thomas

2013-01-01

Research and diagnosis in medicine and biology often require the assessment of a large amount of microscopy image data. Although on the one hand, digital pathology and new bioimaging technologies find their way into clinical practice and pharmaceutical research, some general methodological issues in automated image analysis are still open. In this study, we address the problem of fitting the parameters in a microscopy image segmentation pipeline. We propose to fit the parameters of the pipeline's modules with optimization algorithms, such as, genetic algorithms or coordinate descents, and show how visual exploration of the parameter space can help to identify sub-optimal parameter settings that need to be avoided. This is of significant help in the design of our automatic parameter fitting framework, which enables us to tune the pipeline for large sets of micrographs. The underlying parameter spaces pose a challenge for manual as well as automated parameter optimization, as the parameter spaces can show several local performance maxima. Hence, optimization strategies that are not able to jump out of local performance maxima, like the hill climbing algorithm, often result in a local maximum.

Approaches to automatic parameter fitting in a microscopy image segmentation pipeline: An exploratory parameter space analysis

PubMed Central

Held, Christian; Nattkemper, Tim; Palmisano, Ralf; Wittenberg, Thomas

2013-01-01

Introduction: Research and diagnosis in medicine and biology often require the assessment of a large amount of microscopy image data. Although on the one hand, digital pathology and new bioimaging technologies find their way into clinical practice and pharmaceutical research, some general methodological issues in automated image analysis are still open. Methods: In this study, we address the problem of fitting the parameters in a microscopy image segmentation pipeline. We propose to fit the parameters of the pipeline's modules with optimization algorithms, such as, genetic algorithms or coordinate descents, and show how visual exploration of the parameter space can help to identify sub-optimal parameter settings that need to be avoided. Results: This is of significant help in the design of our automatic parameter fitting framework, which enables us to tune the pipeline for large sets of micrographs. Conclusion: The underlying parameter spaces pose a challenge for manual as well as automated parameter optimization, as the parameter spaces can show several local performance maxima. Hence, optimization strategies that are not able to jump out of local performance maxima, like the hill climbing algorithm, often result in a local maximum. PMID:23766941

Potential energy function for CH3+CH3 ⇆ C2H6: Attributes of the minimum energy path

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robertson, S. H.; Wardlaw, D. M.; Hirst, D. M.

1993-11-01

The region of the potential energy surface for the title reaction in the vicinity of its minimum energy path has been predicted from the analysis of ab initio electronic energy calculations. The ab initio procedure employs a 6-31G** basis set and a configuration interaction calculation which uses the orbitals obtained in a generalized valence bond calculation. Calculated equilibrium properties of ethane and of isolated methyl radical are compared to existing theoretical and experimental results. The reaction coordinate is represented by the carbon-carbon interatomic distance. The following attributes are reported as a function of this distance and fit to functional forms which smoothly interpolate between reactant and product values of each attribute: the minimum energy path potential, the minimum energy path geometry, normal mode frequencies for vibrational motion orthogonal to the reaction coordinate, a torsional potential, and a fundamental anharmonic frequency for local mode, out-of-plane CH3 bending (umbrella motion). The best representation is provided by a three-parameter modified Morse function for the minimum energy path potential and a two-parameter hyperbolic tangent switching function for all other attributes. A poorer but simpler representation, which may be satisfactory for selected applications, is provided by a standard Morse function and a one-parameter exponential switching function. Previous applications of the exponential switching function to estimate the reaction coordinate dependence of the frequencies and geometry of this system have assumed the same value of the range parameter α for each property and have taken α to be less than or equal to the ``standard'' value of 1.0 Å-1. Based on the present analysis this is incorrect: The α values depend on the property and range from ˜1.2 to ˜1.8 Å-1.

Payments discourage coordination in ecosystem services provision: evidence from behavioral experiments in Southeast Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bell, Andrew; Zhang, Wei

2016-11-01

The contribution of synthetic pesticides to closing yield gaps around the world is undeniable; however, their use is also a classic double-edged sword. Beyond the well-recognized social costs (e.g., pollution to soil and water, and health effects both on consumers and other species) there are also private costs on farmers beyond the direct costs of inputs, associated with elevated risks of both acute and chronic damage to farmers’ health, and with the destruction of populations of beneficial organisms. Managing agricultural land use to enhance natural pest control services (also called mobile agent-based ecosystem services or MABES) holds promise to reduce this growing reliance on pesticides, though it too carries costs. In particular, uncertainty in crop yield due to pest damages, as well as the need to coordinate pesticide use with neighboring farms, can be important obstacles to establishing the longer-term public good of natural pest regulation. Current thinking on promoting ecosystem services suggests that payments or other economic incentives are a good fit for the promotion of public good ecosystem services such as MABES. We undertook a framed field experiment to examine the role of subsidies for non-crop habitat in improving insect-based ecosystem services in two separate samples in Southeast Asia—Cambodia and Vietnam. Our central finding is that these two contexts are not poised equally to benefit from incentives promoting MABES, and in fact may be left worse off by payments schemes. As the study and practice of payments for ecosystem services programs grows, this finding provides an important qualifier on recent theory supporting the use of payments to promote public good ecosystem services—where the nature of the coordination problem is complex and nonlinear, farm systems can be made worse off by being encouraged to attempt it.

SU-E-J-44: Design a Platform and Phantom Model for Photoacoustic Imaging in Combination with CT

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

Sick, J; Alsanea, F; Rancilio, N

2014-06-01

Purpose: Our (long-term) objective is to develop a US manipulator that will provide in situ radiation response and image-guided therapy for bladder cancer based on photoacoustic molecular imaging. Methods: A platform was devised to provide a reproducible positional frame of reference for targeting anatomic structure between MDCT and US scans, in lieu of CBCT, and to fuse photoacoustic molecular imaging. US and photoacoustic scans are taken of a patient while in the CT scanner and IRMT. Through co-registration, based on anatomical positions, we identified a common coordinate system to be used in Eclipse. A bladder phantom was constructed to validatemore » anatomical tracking via US and photoacoustic imaging. We tested the platform using phantom model to demonstrate validity once moved from the CT couch to the linear accelerator couch. Results: This platform interlocks with Varian exact couch index points for reproducibility of positioning. Construction from low Z material and sized appropriately to fit in CT/IMRT gantry. Error in conversion from cylindrical coordinates of the manipulator to X, Y, Z coordinates of the treatment couch was less than 1mm. We measured the bladder size in 3 different directions in both Eclipse from the CT and Acuson from US. The error was less than 2mm in all directions. CT and US images were co-registered in MATLAB. Co-registration of photoacoustic images is still being developed. Conclusion: For Linear Accelerators without on board imaging, MV portal images are not a viable option for the localization of soft tissue anatomy. We believe our manipulator provides an alternative using US imaging, which will be examined in an upcoming clinical trial. We plan to examine the value of hypoxia guided treatment through photoacoustic imaging during this trial.« less

Testing the anisotropy of cosmic acceleration from Pantheon supernovae sample

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Z. Q.; Wang, F. Y.

2018-05-01

In this paper, we study the anisotropy of cosmic acceleration the using Pantheon sample, which includes 1049 spectroscopically confirmed type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) covering the redshift range 0.01 < z < 2.3. In hemisphere comparison method, we find the dipole direction is (l = 110 ± 11°, b = 15 ± 19°) with the maximum anisotropy level of δ =0.105 {}^{+0.002}_{-0.005}. From the dipole fitting method, we find that the magnitude of anisotropy is A = (2.6 ± 2.6) × 10-4, and the direction of the dipole (l = 108.2°+43.0°-76.9°, b = 7.1°+41.2°-77.5°) in the galactic coordinate system. The result is weakly dependent on redshift from the redshift tomography analysis. The anisotropy is small and the isotropic cosmological model is an excellent approximation.

On the numerical solution of the dynamically loaded hydrodynamic lubrication of the point contact problem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lim, Sang G.; Brewe, David E.; Prahl, Joseph M.

1990-01-01

The transient analysis of hydrodynamic lubrication of a point-contact is presented. A body-fitted coordinate system is introduced to transform the physical domain to a rectangular computational domain, enabling the use of the Newton-Raphson method for determining pressures and locating the cavitation boundary, where the Reynolds boundary condition is specified. In order to obtain the transient solution, an explicit Euler method is used to effect a time march. The transient dynamic load is a sinusoidal function of time with frequency, fractional loading, and mean load as parameters. Results include the variation of the minimum film thickness and phase-lag with time as functions of excitation frequency. The results are compared with the analytic solution to the transient step bearing problem with the same dynamic loading function. The similarities of the results suggest an approximate model of the point contact minimum film thickness solution.

Static terrestrial laser scanning of juvenile understory trees for field phenotyping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Huanhuan; Lin, Yi

2014-11-01

This study was to attempt the cutting-edge 3D remote sensing technique of static terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) for parametric 3D reconstruction of juvenile understory trees. The data for test was collected with a Leica HDS6100 TLS system in a single-scan way. The geometrical structures of juvenile understory trees are extracted by model fitting. Cones are used to model trunks and branches. Principal component analysis (PCA) is adopted to calculate their major axes. Coordinate transformation and orthogonal projection are used to estimate the parameters of the cones. Then, AutoCAD is utilized to simulate the morphological characteristics of the understory trees, and to add secondary branches and leaves in a random way. Comparison of the reference values and the estimated values gives the regression equation and shows that the proposed algorithm of extracting parameters is credible. The results have basically verified the applicability of TLS for field phenotyping of juvenile understory trees.

Prioritizing urban sustainability solutions: coordinated approaches must incorporate scale-dependent built environment induced effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Georgescu, M.; Chow, W. T. L.; Wang, Z. H.; Brazel, A.; Trapido-Lurie, B.; Roth, M.; Benson-Lira, V.

2015-06-01

Because of a projected surge of several billion urban inhabitants by mid-century, a rising urgency exists to advance local and strategically deployed measures intended to ameliorate negative consequences on urban climate (e.g., heat stress, poor air quality, energy/water availability). Here we highlight the importance of incorporating scale-dependent built environment induced solutions within the broader umbrella of urban sustainability outcomes, thereby accounting for fundamental physical principles. Contemporary and future design of settlements demands cooperative participation between planners, architects, and relevant stakeholders, with the urban and global climate community, which recognizes the complexity of the physical systems involved and is ideally fit to quantitatively examine the viability of proposed solutions. Such participatory efforts can aid the development of locally sensible approaches by integrating across the socioeconomic and climatic continuum, therefore providing opportunities facilitating comprehensive solutions that maximize benefits and limit unintended consequences.

Accurate Semilocal Density Functional for Condensed-Matter Physics and Quantum Chemistry.

PubMed

Tao, Jianmin; Mo, Yuxiang

2016-08-12

Most density functionals have been developed by imposing the known exact constraints on the exchange-correlation energy, or by a fit to a set of properties of selected systems, or by both. However, accurate modeling of the conventional exchange hole presents a great challenge, due to the delocalization of the hole. Making use of the property that the hole can be made localized under a general coordinate transformation, here we derive an exchange hole from the density matrix expansion, while the correlation part is obtained by imposing the low-density limit constraint. From the hole, a semilocal exchange-correlation functional is calculated. Our comprehensive test shows that this functional can achieve remarkable accuracy for diverse properties of molecules, solids, and solid surfaces, substantially improving upon the nonempirical functionals proposed in recent years. Accurate semilocal functionals based on their associated holes are physically appealing and practically useful for developing nonlocal functionals.

Surface characteristics modeling and performance evaluation of urban building materials using LiDAR data.

PubMed

Li, Xiaolu; Liang, Yu

2015-05-20

Analysis of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) intensity data to extract surface features is of great interest in remote sensing research. One potential application of LiDAR intensity data is target classification. A new bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model is derived for target characterization of rough and smooth surfaces. Based on the geometry of our coaxial full-waveform LiDAR system, the integration method is improved through coordinate transformation to establish the relationship between the BRDF model and intensity data of LiDAR. A series of experiments using typical urban building materials are implemented to validate the proposed BRDF model and integration method. The fitting results show that three parameters extracted from the proposed BRDF model can distinguish the urban building materials from perspectives of roughness, specular reflectance, and diffuse reflectance. A comprehensive analysis of these parameters will help characterize surface features in a physically rigorous manner.

A generalized orthogonal coordinate system for describing families of axisymmetric and two-dimensional bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gnoffo, P. A.

1977-01-01

A generalized curvilinear orthogonal coordinate system is presented which can be used for approximating various axisymmetric and two-dimensional body shapes of interest to aerodynamicists. Such body shapes include spheres, ellipses, spherically capped cones, flat-faced cylinders with rounded corners, circular disks, and planetary probe vehicles. A set of transformation equations is also developed whereby a uniform velocity field approaching a body at any angle of attack can be resolved in the transformed coordinate system. The Navier-Stokes equations are written in terms of a generalized orthogonal coordinate system to show the resultant complexity of the governing equations.

Method of orthogonally splitting imaging pose measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Na; Sun, Changku; Wang, Peng; Yang, Qian; Liu, Xintong

2018-01-01

In order to meet the aviation's and machinery manufacturing's pose measurement need of high precision, fast speed and wide measurement range, and to resolve the contradiction between measurement range and resolution of vision sensor, this paper proposes an orthogonally splitting imaging pose measurement method. This paper designs and realizes an orthogonally splitting imaging vision sensor and establishes a pose measurement system. The vision sensor consists of one imaging lens, a beam splitter prism, cylindrical lenses and dual linear CCD. Dual linear CCD respectively acquire one dimensional image coordinate data of the target point, and two data can restore the two dimensional image coordinates of the target point. According to the characteristics of imaging system, this paper establishes the nonlinear distortion model to correct distortion. Based on cross ratio invariability, polynomial equation is established and solved by the least square fitting method. After completing distortion correction, this paper establishes the measurement mathematical model of vision sensor, and determines intrinsic parameters to calibrate. An array of feature points for calibration is built by placing a planar target in any different positions for a few times. An terative optimization method is presented to solve the parameters of model. The experimental results show that the field angle is 52 °, the focus distance is 27.40 mm, image resolution is 5185×5117 pixels, displacement measurement error is less than 0.1mm, and rotation angle measurement error is less than 0.15°. The method of orthogonally splitting imaging pose measurement can satisfy the pose measurement requirement of high precision, fast speed and wide measurement range.

Estimating the accuracy of the technique of reconstructing the rotational motion of a satellite based on the measurements of its angular velocity and the magnetic field of the Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belyaev, M. Yu.; Volkov, O. N.; Monakhov, M. I.; Sazonov, V. V.

2017-09-01

The paper has studied the accuracy of the technique that allows the rotational motion of the Earth artificial satellites (AES) to be reconstructed based on the data of onboard measurements of angular velocity vectors and the strength of the Earth magnetic field (EMF). The technique is based on kinematic equations of the rotational motion of a rigid body. Both types of measurement data collected over some time interval have been processed jointly. The angular velocity measurements have been approximated using convenient formulas, which are substituted into the kinematic differential equations for the quaternion that specifies the transition from the body-fixed coordinate system of a satellite to the inertial coordinate system. Thus obtained equations represent a kinematic model of the rotational motion of a satellite. The solution of these equations, which approximate real motion, has been found by the least-square method from the condition of best fitting between the data of measurements of the EMF strength vector and its calculated values. The accuracy of the technique has been estimated by processing the data obtained from the board of the service module of the International Space Station ( ISS). The reconstruction of station motion using the aforementioned technique has been compared with the telemetry data on the actual motion of the station. The technique has allowed us to reconstruct the station motion in the orbital orientation mode with a maximum error less than 0.6° and the turns with a maximal error of less than 1.2°.

Protection coordination of the Kennedy Space Center electric distribution network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

A computer technique is described for visualizing the coordination and protection of any existing system of devices and settings by plotting the tripping characteristics of the involved devices on a common basis. The program determines the optimum settings of a given set of protective devices and configuration in the sense of the best expected coordinated operation of these devices. Subroutines are given for simulating time versus current characteristics of the different relays, circuit breakers, and fuses in the system; coordination index computation; protection checks; plotting; and coordination optimation.