Overview of the Wheat Genetic Transformation and Breeding Status in China.

PubMed

Han, Jiapeng; Yu, Xiaofen; Chang, Junli; Yang, Guangxiao; He, Guangyuan

2017-01-01

In the past two decades, Chinese scientists have achieved significant progress on three aspects of wheat genetic transformation. First, the wheat transformation platform has been established and optimized to improve the transformation efficiency, shorten the time required from starting of transformation procedure to the fertile transgenic wheat plants obtained as well as to overcome the problem of genotype-dependent for wheat genetic transformation in wide range of wheat elite varieties. Second, with the help of many emerging techniques such as CRISPR/cas9 function of over 100 wheat genes has been investigated. Finally, modern technology has been combined with the traditional breeding technique such as crossing to accelerate the application of wheat transformation. Overall, the wheat end-use quality and the characteristics of wheat stress tolerance have been improved by wheat genetic engineering technique. So far, wheat transgenic lines integrated with quality-improved genes and stress tolerant genes have been on the way of Production Test stage in the field. The debates and the future studies on wheat transformation have been discussed, and the brief summary of Chinese wheat breeding research history has also been provided in this review.

CCD correlation techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hewes, C. R.; Bosshart, P. W.; Eversole, W. L.; Dewit, M.; Buss, D. D.

1976-01-01

Two CCD techniques were discussed for performing an N-point sampled data correlation between an input signal and an electronically programmable reference function. The design and experimental performance of an implementation of the direct time correlator utilizing two analog CCDs and MOS multipliers on a single IC were evaluated. The performance of a CCD implementation of the chirp z transform was described, and the design of a new CCD integrated circuit for performing correlation by multiplication in the frequency domain was presented. This chip provides a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) or inverse DFT, multipliers, and complete support circuitry for the CCD CZT. The two correlation techniques are compared.

Infrared and visible image fusion using discrete cosine transform and swarm intelligence for surveillance applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paramanandham, Nirmala; Rajendiran, Kishore

2018-01-01

A novel image fusion technique is presented for integrating infrared and visible images. Integration of images from the same or various sensing modalities can deliver the required information that cannot be delivered by viewing the sensor outputs individually and consecutively. In this paper, a swarm intelligence based image fusion technique using discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain is proposed for surveillance application which integrates the infrared image with the visible image for generating a single informative fused image. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used in the fusion process for obtaining the optimized weighting factor. These optimized weighting factors are used for fusing the DCT coefficients of visible and infrared images. Inverse DCT is applied for obtaining the initial fused image. An enhanced fused image is obtained through adaptive histogram equalization for a better visual understanding and target detection. The proposed framework is evaluated using quantitative metrics such as standard deviation, spatial frequency, entropy and mean gradient. The experimental results demonstrate the outperformance of the proposed algorithm over many other state- of- the- art techniques reported in literature.

The Making of a Government LSI - From Warfare Capability to Operational System

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-30

continues to evolve and implement Lead System Integrator (LSI) acquisition strategies, they have started to define numerous program initiatives that...employ more integrated engineering and management processes and techniques. These initiatives are developing varying acquisition approaches that define (1...government LSI transformation. Navy Systems Commands have begun adding a higher level of integration into their acquisition process with the

Display of travelling 3D scenes from single integral-imaging capture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez-Corral, Manuel; Dorado, Adrian; Hong, Seok-Min; Sola-Pikabea, Jorge; Saavedra, Genaro

2016-06-01

Integral imaging (InI) is a 3D auto-stereoscopic technique that captures and displays 3D images. We present a method for easily projecting the information recorded with this technique by transforming the integral image into a plenoptic image, as well as choosing, at will, the field of view (FOV) and the focused plane of the displayed plenoptic image. Furthermore, with this method we can generate a sequence of images that simulates a camera travelling through the scene from a single integral image. The application of this method permits to improve the quality of 3D display images and videos.

Terahertz bandwidth photonic Hilbert transformers based on synthesized planar Bragg grating fabrication.

PubMed

Sima, Chaotan; Gates, J C; Holmes, C; Mennea, P L; Zervas, M N; Smith, P G R

2013-09-01

Terahertz bandwidth photonic Hilbert transformers are proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The integrated device is fabricated via a direct UV grating writing technique in a silica-on-silicon platform. The photonic Hilbert transformer operates at bandwidths of up to 2 THz (~16 nm) in the telecom band, a 10-fold greater bandwidth than any previously reported experimental approaches. Achieving this performance requires detailed knowledge of the system transfer function of the direct UV grating writing technique; this allows improved linearity and yields terahertz bandwidth Bragg gratings with improved spectral quality. By incorporating a flat-top reflector and Hilbert grating with a waveguide coupler, an ultrawideband all-optical single-sideband filter is demonstrated.

Discovering Optimum Method to Extract Depth Information for Nearshore Coastal Waters from SENTINEL-2A - Case Study: Nayband Bay, Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabiri, K.

2017-09-01

The capabilities of Sentinel-2A imagery to determine bathymetric information in shallow coastal waters were examined. In this regard, two Sentinel-2A images (acquired on February and March 2016 in calm weather and relatively low turbidity) were selected from Nayband Bay, located in the northern Persian Gulf. In addition, a precise and accurate bathymetric map for the study area were obtained and used for both calibrating the models and validating the results. Traditional linear and ratio transform techniques, as well as a novel integrated method, were employed to determine depth values. All possible combinations of the three bands (Band 2: blue (458-523 nm), Band 3: green (543-578 nm), and Band 4: red (650-680 nm), spatial resolution: 10 m) have been considered (11 options) using the traditional linear and ratio transform techniques, together with 10 model options for the integrated method. The accuracy of each model was assessed by comparing the determined bathymetric information with field measured values. The correlation coefficients (R2), and root mean square errors (RMSE) for validation points were calculated for all models and for two satellite images. When compared with the linear transform method, the method employing ratio transformation with a combination of all three bands yielded more accurate results (R2Mac = 0.795, R2Feb = 0.777, RMSEMac = 1.889 m, and RMSEFeb =2.039 m). Although most of the integrated transform methods (specifically the method including all bands and band ratios) have yielded the highest accuracy, these increments were not significant, hence the ratio transformation has selected as optimum method.

Bounding solutions of geometrically nonlinear viscoelastic problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stubstad, J. M.; Simitses, G. J.

1985-01-01

Integral transform techniques, such as the Laplace transform, provide simple and direct methods for solving viscoelastic problems formulated within a context of linear material response and using linear measures for deformation. Application of the transform operator reduces the governing linear integro-differential equations to a set of algebraic relations between the transforms of the unknown functions, the viscoelastic operators, and the initial and boundary conditions. Inversion either directly or through the use of the appropriate convolution theorem, provides the time domain response once the unknown functions have been expressed in terms of sums, products or ratios of known transforms. When exact inversion is not possible approximate techniques may provide accurate results. The overall problem becomes substantially more complex when nonlinear effects must be included. Situations where a linear material constitutive law can still be productively employed but where the magnitude of the resulting time dependent deformations warrants the use of a nonlinear kinematic analysis are considered. The governing equations will be nonlinear integro-differential equations for this class of problems. Thus traditional as well as approximate techniques, such as cited above, cannot be employed since the transform of a nonlinear function is not explicitly expressible.

Bounding solutions of geometrically nonlinear viscoelastic problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stubstad, J. M.; Simitses, G. J.

1986-01-01

Integral transform techniques, such as the Laplace transform, provide simple and direct methods for solving viscoelastic problems formulated within a context of linear material response and using linear measures for deformation. Application of the transform operator reduces the governing linear integro-differential equations to a set of algebraic relations between the transforms of the unknown functions, the viscoelastic operators, and the initial and boundary conditions. Inversion either directly or through the use of the appropriate convolution theorem, provides the time domain response once the unknown functions have been expressed in terms of sums, products or ratios of known transforms. When exact inversion is not possible approximate techniques may provide accurate results. The overall problem becomes substantially more complex when nonlinear effects must be included. Situations where a linear material constitutive law can still be productively employed but where the magnitude of the resulting time dependent deformations warrants the use of a nonlinear kinematic analysis are considered. The governing equations will be nonlinear integro-differential equations for this class of problems. Thus traditional as well as approximate techniques, such as cited above, cannot be employed since the transform of a nonlinear function is not explicitly expressible.

Patterns of Viral DNA Integration in Cells Transformed by Wild Type or DNA-Binding Protein Mutants of Adenovirus Type 5 and Effect of Chemical Carcinogens on Integration

PubMed Central

Dorsch-Häsler, Karoline; Fisher, Paul B.; Weinstein, I. Bernard; Ginsberg, Harold S.

1980-01-01

The integration pattern of viral DNA was studied in a number of cell lines transformed by wild-type adenovirus type 5 (Ad5 WT) and two mutants of the DNA-binding protein gene, H5ts125 and H5ts107. The effect of chemical carcinogens on the integration of viral DNA was also investigated. Liquid hybridization (C0t) analyses showed that rat embryo cells transformed by Ad5 WT usually contained only the left-hand end of the viral genome, whereas cell lines transformed by H5ts125 or H5ts107 at either the semipermissive (36°C) or nonpermissive (39.5°C) temperature often contained one to five copies of all or most of the entire adenovirus genome. The arrangement of the integrated adenovirus DNA sequences was determined by cleavage of transformed cell DNA with restriction endonucleases XbaI, EcoRI, or HindIII followed by transfer of separated fragments to nitrocellulose paper and hybridization according to the technique of E. M. Southern (J. Mol. Biol. 98: 503-517, 1975). It was found that the adenovirus genome is integrated as a linear sequence covalently linked to host cell DNA; that the viral DNA is integrated into different host DNA sequences in each cell line studied; that in cell lines that contain multiple copies of the Ad5 genome the viral DNA sequences can be integrated in a single set of host cell DNA sequences and not as concatemers; and that chemical carcinogens do not alter the extent or pattern of viral DNA integration. Images PMID:6246266

The Compatibility of Action Learning with Inner Game Coaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aitkenhead, Andy

2009-01-01

Using "inner game" coaching techniques in the remediation of a challenged programme at a Global Investment Bank the environment was transformed into a delivery focused culture. The techniques included group sessions that would be familiar to anyone aware of action learning and were an integral part of the strategy to ensure sustainable…

Monotonic non-linear transformations as a tool to investigate age-related effects on brain white matter integrity: A Box-Cox investigation.

PubMed

Morozova, Maria; Koschutnig, Karl; Klein, Elise; Wood, Guilherme

2016-01-15

Non-linear effects of age on white matter integrity are ubiquitous in the brain and indicate that these effects are more pronounced in certain brain regions at specific ages. Box-Cox analysis is a technique to increase the log-likelihood of linear relationships between variables by means of monotonic non-linear transformations. Here we employ Box-Cox transformations to flexibly and parsimoniously determine the degree of non-linearity of age-related effects on white matter integrity by means of model comparisons using a voxel-wise approach. Analysis of white matter integrity in a sample of adults between 20 and 89years of age (n=88) revealed that considerable portions of the white matter in the corpus callosum, cerebellum, pallidum, brainstem, superior occipito-frontal fascicle and optic radiation show non-linear effects of age. Global analyses revealed an increase in the average non-linearity from fractional anisotropy to radial diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and mean diffusivity. These results suggest that Box-Cox transformations are a useful and flexible tool to investigate more complex non-linear effects of age on white matter integrity and extend the functionality of the Box-Cox analysis in neuroimaging. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Using multiple calibration sets to improve the quantitative accuracy of partial least squares (PLS) regression on open-path fourier transform infrared (OP/FT-IR) spectra of ammonia over wide concentration ranges

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A technique of using multiple calibration sets in partial least squares regression (PLS) was proposed to improve the quantitative determination of ammonia from open-path Fourier transform infrared spectra. The spectra were measured near animal farms, and the path-integrated concentration of ammonia...

Analytical solutions to time-fractional partial differential equations in a two-dimensional multilayer annulus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Shanzhen; Jiang, Xiaoyun

2012-08-01

In this paper, analytical solutions to time-fractional partial differential equations in a multi-layer annulus are presented. The final solutions are obtained in terms of Mittag-Leffler function by using the finite integral transform technique and Laplace transform technique. In addition, the classical diffusion equation (α=1), the Helmholtz equation (α→0) and the wave equation (α=2) are discussed as special cases. Finally, an illustrative example problem for the three-layer semi-circular annular region is solved and numerical results are presented graphically for various kind of order of fractional derivative.

Production of transgenic strawberries by temporary immersion bioreactor system and verification by TAIL-PCR

PubMed Central

Hanhineva, Kati J; Kärenlampi, Sirpa O

2007-01-01

Background Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is an economically important soft fruit crop with polyploid genome which complicates the breeding of new cultivars. For certain traits, genetic engineering offers a potential alternative to traditional breeding. However, many strawberry varieties are quite recalcitrant for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and a method allowing easy handling of large amounts of starting material is needed. Also the genotyping of putative transformants is challenging since the isolation of DNA for Southern analysis is difficult due to the high amount of phenolic compounds and polysaccharides that complicate efficient extraction of digestable DNA. There is thus a need to apply a screening method that is sensitive and unambiguous in identifying the different transformation events. Results Hygromycin-resistant strawberries were developed in temporary immersion bioreactors by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. Putative transformants were screened by TAIL-PCR to verify T-DNA integration and to distinguish between the individual transformation events. Several different types of border sequence arrangements were detected. Conclusion This study demonstrates that temporary immersion bioreactor system suits well for the regeneration of transgenic strawberry plants as a labour-efficient technique. Small amount of DNA required by TAIL-PCR is easily recovered even from a small transformant, which allows rapid verification of T-DNA integration and detection of separate gene transfer events. These techniques combined clearly facilitate the generation of transgenic strawberries but should be applicable to other plants as well. PMID:17309794

The path integral on the Poincaré upper half-plane with a magnetic field and for the Morse potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grosche, Christian

1988-10-01

Rigorous path integral treatments on the Poincaré upper half-plane with a magnetic field and for the Morse potential are presented. The calculation starts with the path integral on the Poincaré upper half-plane with a magnetic field. By a Fourier expansion and a non-linear transformation this problem is reformulated in terms of the path integral for the Morse potential. This latter problem can be reduced by an appropriate space-time transformation to the path integral for the harmonic oscillator with generalised angular momentum, a technique which has been developed in recent years. The well-known solution for the last problem enables one to give explicit expressions for the Feynman kernels for the Morse potential and for the Poincaré upper half-plane with magnetic field, respectively. The wavefunctions and the energy spectrum for the bound and scattering states are given, respectively.

Integrative approaches to computational biomedicine

PubMed Central

Coveney, Peter V.; Diaz-Zuccarini, Vanessa; Graf, Norbert; Hunter, Peter; Kohl, Peter; Tegner, Jesper; Viceconti, Marco

2013-01-01

The new discipline of computational biomedicine is concerned with the application of computer-based techniques and particularly modelling and simulation to human health. Since 2007, this discipline has been synonymous, in Europe, with the name given to the European Union's ambitious investment in integrating these techniques with the eventual aim of modelling the human body as a whole: the virtual physiological human. This programme and its successors are expected, over the next decades, to transform the study and practice of healthcare, moving it towards the priorities known as ‘4P's’: predictive, preventative, personalized and participatory medicine.

The fractional Fourier transform and applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bailey, David H.; Swarztrauber, Paul N.

1991-01-01

This paper describes the 'fractional Fourier transform', which admits computation by an algorithm that has complexity proportional to the fast Fourier transform algorithm. Whereas the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is based on integral roots of unity e exp -2(pi)i/n, the fractional Fourier transform is based on fractional roots of unity e exp -2(pi)i(alpha), where alpha is arbitrary. The fractional Fourier transform and the corresponding fast algorithm are useful for such applications as computing DFTs of sequences with prime lengths, computing DFTs of sparse sequences, analyzing sequences with noninteger periodicities, performing high-resolution trigonometric interpolation, detecting lines in noisy images, and detecting signals with linearly drifting frequencies. In many cases, the resulting algorithms are faster by arbitrarily large factors than conventional techniques.

Regularization with numerical extrapolation for finite and UV-divergent multi-loop integrals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Doncker, E.; Yuasa, F.; Kato, K.; Ishikawa, T.; Kapenga, J.; Olagbemi, O.

2018-03-01

We give numerical integration results for Feynman loop diagrams such as those covered by Laporta (2000) and by Baikov and Chetyrkin (2010), and which may give rise to loop integrals with UV singularities. We explore automatic adaptive integration using multivariate techniques from the PARINT package for multivariate integration, as well as iterated integration with programs from the QUADPACK package, and a trapezoidal method based on a double exponential transformation. PARINT is layered over MPI (Message Passing Interface), and incorporates advanced parallel/distributed techniques including load balancing among processes that may be distributed over a cluster or a network/grid of nodes. Results are included for 2-loop vertex and box diagrams and for sets of 2-, 3- and 4-loop self-energy diagrams with or without UV terms. Numerical regularization of integrals with singular terms is achieved by linear and non-linear extrapolation methods.

Characterization of Lubricants on Ball Bearings by FT-IR Using an Integrating Sphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Street, K. W.; Pepper, S. V.; Wright, A. A.; Grady, B.

2007-01-01

Fourier Transform-Infrared reflectance microspectroscopy has been used extensively for the examination of coatings on nonplanar surfaces such as ball bearings. While this technique offers considerable advantages, practical application has many drawbacks, some of which are easily overcome by the use of integrating sphere technology. This paper describes the use of an integrating sphere for the quantification of thin layers of lubricant on the surface of ball bearings and the parameters which require optimization in order to obtain reliable data. Several applications of the technique are discussed including determination of lubricant load on 12.7 mm steel ball bearings and the examination of degraded lubricant on post mortem specimens.

Range safety signal propagation through the SRM exhaust plume of the space shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boynton, F. P.; Davies, A. R.; Rajasekhar, P. S.; Thompson, J. A.

1977-01-01

Theoretical predictions of plume interference for the space shuttle range safety system by solid rocket booster exhaust plumes are reported. The signal propagation was calculated using a split operator technique based upon the Fresnel-Kirchoff integral, using fast Fourier transforms to evaluate the convolution and treating the plume as a series of absorbing and phase-changing screens. Talanov's lens transformation was applied to reduce aliasing problems caused by ray divergence.

Transformation of taxol-producing endophytic fungi by restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI).

PubMed

Wang, Yechun; Guo, Binhui; Miao, Zhiqi; Tang, Kexuan

2007-08-01

The REMI method was used to introduce the plasmid pV2 harboring the hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) gene controlled by the Aspergillus nidulans trpC promoter and the trpC terminator into a taxol-producing endophytic fungus BT2. REMI transformation yielded stable transformants capable of continuing to grow on PDA medium containing 125 mug mL(-1) hygromycin B. The transformation efficiency was about 5-6 transformants mug(-1) plasmid DNA. The presence of hph gene in transformants was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on the transformation of taxol-producing endophytic fungi by the REMI technique. This study provides an effective approach for improving taxol production of endophytic fungi by the genetic engineering of taxol biosynthetic pathway genes in the future.

A complete and partial integrability technique of the Lorenz system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bougoffa, Lazhar; Al-Awfi, Saud; Bougouffa, Smail

2018-06-01

In this paper we deal with the well-known nonlinear Lorenz system that describes the deterministic chaos phenomenon. We consider an interesting problem with time-varying phenomena in quantum optics. Then we establish from the motion equations the passage to the Lorenz system. Furthermore, we show that the reduction to the third order non linear equation can be performed. Therefore, the obtained differential equation can be analytically solved in some special cases and transformed to Abel, Dufing, Painlevé and generalized Emden-Fowler equations. So, a motivating technique that permitted a complete and partial integrability of the Lorenz system is presented.

Simple and Efficient Numerical Evaluation of Near-Hypersingular Integrals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fink, Patrick W.; Wilton, Donald R.; Khayat, Michael A.

2007-01-01

Recently, significant progress has been made in the handling of singular and nearly-singular potential integrals that commonly arise in the Boundary Element Method (BEM). To facilitate object-oriented programming and handling of higher order basis functions, cancellation techniques are favored over techniques involving singularity subtraction. However, gradients of the Newton-type potentials, which produce hypersingular kernels, are also frequently required in BEM formulations. As is the case with the potentials, treatment of the near-hypersingular integrals has proven more challenging than treating the limiting case in which the observation point approaches the surface. Historically, numerical evaluation of these near-hypersingularities has often involved a two-step procedure: a singularity subtraction to reduce the order of the singularity, followed by a boundary contour integral evaluation of the extracted part. Since this evaluation necessarily links basis function, Green s function, and the integration domain (element shape), the approach ill fits object-oriented programming concepts. Thus, there is a need for cancellation-type techniques for efficient numerical evaluation of the gradient of the potential. Progress in the development of efficient cancellation-type procedures for the gradient potentials was recently presented. To the extent possible, a change of variables is chosen such that the Jacobian of the transformation cancels the singularity. However, since the gradient kernel involves singularities of different orders, we also require that the transformation leaves remaining terms that are analytic. The terms "normal" and "tangential" are used herein with reference to the source element. Also, since computational formulations often involve the numerical evaluation of both potentials and their gradients, it is highly desirable that a single integration procedure efficiently handles both.

Preventive overhaul time for power transformers

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

Sarmadi, M.; Rouhi, J.; Fayyaz, A.

Power transformers are the major piece of equipment in high-voltage substations. A considerable number of these transformers exist in Iran`s integrated network. Due to the climate diversity and improper usage, many of these transformers age rapidly, suffer failure and are taken out of service before half their useful life. At the present time the utility companies have no specific time-frame and plan for preventive overhaul. Detection of preventive overhaul time will increase the remaining life of transformers and improve the reliability of substations. An exact check of the remaining lifetime of transformers is not yet possible by available diagnostic techniques.more » In this paper, the authors present a method of identifying the right time for preventive overhaul in 63 kV power transformers. This method is developed based on 25 year transformer performance records in Northern Iran (subtropical climate) and with the utilization of studies done by electrical engineering communities world-wide.« less

The Measurement of Residual Stresses by X-Ray Diffraction Techniques

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-09-26

Sutton, (1967)for an Al alloy , and in Volorinta, (1965)for a low carbon steel. In materials that undergo phase changes even more complex stre~s states may...extensive study of surface integrity in machining steels and Ti alloys , including the effects of induced phase transformations . It is interesting to rote...that phase transformations did 7 not occur in milling operations, and hence similar stress patterns were found in both alloys . Grinding has been examined

Boundary particle method for Laplace transformed time fractional diffusion equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Zhuo-Jia; Chen, Wen; Yang, Hai-Tian

2013-02-01

This paper develops a novel boundary meshless approach, Laplace transformed boundary particle method (LTBPM), for numerical modeling of time fractional diffusion equations. It implements Laplace transform technique to obtain the corresponding time-independent inhomogeneous equation in Laplace space and then employs a truly boundary-only meshless boundary particle method (BPM) to solve this Laplace-transformed problem. Unlike the other boundary discretization methods, the BPM does not require any inner nodes, since the recursive composite multiple reciprocity technique (RC-MRM) is used to convert the inhomogeneous problem into the higher-order homogeneous problem. Finally, the Stehfest numerical inverse Laplace transform (NILT) is implemented to retrieve the numerical solutions of time fractional diffusion equations from the corresponding BPM solutions. In comparison with finite difference discretization, the LTBPM introduces Laplace transform and Stehfest NILT algorithm to deal with time fractional derivative term, which evades costly convolution integral calculation in time fractional derivation approximation and avoids the effect of time step on numerical accuracy and stability. Consequently, it can effectively simulate long time-history fractional diffusion systems. Error analysis and numerical experiments demonstrate that the present LTBPM is highly accurate and computationally efficient for 2D and 3D time fractional diffusion equations.

Integration of Quartz Crystal Microbalance-Dissipation and Reflection-Mode Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors for Biomacromolecular Interaction Analysis.

PubMed

Ferhan, Abdul Rahim; Jackman, Joshua A; Cho, Nam-Joon

2016-12-20

The combination of label-free, surface-sensitive measurement techniques based on different physical principles enables detailed characterization of biomacromolecular interactions at solid-liquid interfaces. To date, most combined measurement systems have involved experimental techniques with similar probing volumes, whereas the potential of utilizing techniques with different surface sensitivities remains largely unexplored, especially for data interpretation. Herein, we report a combined measurement approach that integrates a conventional quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation (QCM-D) setup with a reflection-mode localized surface plasmon (LSPR) sensor. Using this platform, we investigate vesicle adsorption on a titanium oxide-coated sensing substrate along with the amphipathic, α-helical (AH) peptide-induced structural transformation of surface-adsorbed lipid vesicles into a supported lipid bilayer (SLB) as a model biomacromolecular interaction. While the QCM-D and LSPR signals both detected mass uptake arising from vesicle adsorption, tracking the AH peptide-induced structural transformation revealed more complex measurement responses based on the different surface sensitivities of the two techniques. In particular, the LSPR signal recorded an increase in optical mass near the sensor surface which indicated SLB formation, whereas the QCM-D signals detected a significant loss in net acoustic mass due to excess lipid and coupled solvent leaving the probing volume. Importantly, these measurement capabilities allowed us to temporally distinguish the process of SLB formation at the sensor surface from the overall structural transformation process. Looking forward, these label-free measurement capabilities to simultaneously probe adsorbates at multiple length scales will provide new insights into complex biomacromolecular interactions.

Recent advances in computational-analytical integral transforms for convection-diffusion problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cotta, R. M.; Naveira-Cotta, C. P.; Knupp, D. C.; Zotin, J. L. Z.; Pontes, P. C.; Almeida, A. P.

2017-10-01

An unifying overview of the Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT) as a computational-analytical approach for solving convection-diffusion problems is presented. This work is aimed at bringing together some of the most recent developments on both accuracy and convergence improvements on this well-established hybrid numerical-analytical methodology for partial differential equations. Special emphasis is given to novel algorithm implementations, all directly connected to enhancing the eigenfunction expansion basis, such as a single domain reformulation strategy for handling complex geometries, an integral balance scheme in dealing with multiscale problems, the adoption of convective eigenvalue problems in formulations with significant convection effects, and the direct integral transformation of nonlinear convection-diffusion problems based on nonlinear eigenvalue problems. Then, selected examples are presented that illustrate the improvement achieved in each class of extension, in terms of convergence acceleration and accuracy gain, which are related to conjugated heat transfer in complex or multiscale microchannel-substrate geometries, multidimensional Burgers equation model, and diffusive metal extraction through polymeric hollow fiber membranes. Numerical results are reported for each application and, where appropriate, critically compared against the traditional GITT scheme without convergence enhancement schemes and commercial or dedicated purely numerical approaches.

PAN AIR: A Computer Program for Predicting Subsonic or Supersonic Linear Potential Flows About Arbitrary Configurations Using a Higher Order Panel Method. Volume 1; Theory Document (Version 1.1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Magnus, Alfred E.; Epton, Michael A.

1981-01-01

An outline of the derivation of the differential equation governing linear subsonic and supersonic potential flow is given. The use of Green's Theorem to obtain an integral equation over the boundary surface is discussed. The engineering techniques incorporated in the PAN AIR (Panel Aerodynamics) program (a discretization method which solves the integral equation for arbitrary first order boundary conditions) are then discussed in detail. Items discussed include the construction of the compressibility transformations, splining techniques, imposition of the boundary conditions, influence coefficient computation (including the concept of the finite part of an integral), computation of pressure coefficients, and computation of forces and moments.

On the effect of response transformations in sequential parameter optimization.

PubMed

Wagner, Tobias; Wessing, Simon

2012-01-01

Parameter tuning of evolutionary algorithms (EAs) is attracting more and more interest. In particular, the sequential parameter optimization (SPO) framework for the model-assisted tuning of stochastic optimizers has resulted in established parameter tuning algorithms. In this paper, we enhance the SPO framework by introducing transformation steps before the response aggregation and before the actual modeling. Based on design-of-experiments techniques, we empirically analyze the effect of integrating different transformations. We show that in particular, a rank transformation of the responses provides significant improvements. A deeper analysis of the resulting models and additional experiments with adaptive procedures indicates that the rank and the Box-Cox transformation are able to improve the properties of the resultant distributions with respect to symmetry and normality of the residuals. Moreover, model-based effect plots document a higher discriminatory power obtained by the rank transformation.

An integrated native mass spectrometry and top-down proteomics method that connects sequence to structure and function of macromolecular complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Huilin; Nguyen, Hong Hanh; Ogorzalek Loo, Rachel R.; Campuzano, Iain D. G.; Loo, Joseph A.

2018-02-01

Mass spectrometry (MS) has become a crucial technique for the analysis of protein complexes. Native MS has traditionally examined protein subunit arrangements, while proteomics MS has focused on sequence identification. These two techniques are usually performed separately without taking advantage of the synergies between them. Here we describe the development of an integrated native MS and top-down proteomics method using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) to analyse macromolecular protein complexes in a single experiment. We address previous concerns of employing FTICR MS to measure large macromolecular complexes by demonstrating the detection of complexes up to 1.8 MDa, and we demonstrate the efficacy of this technique for direct acquirement of sequence to higher-order structural information with several large complexes. We then summarize the unique functionalities of different activation/dissociation techniques. The platform expands the ability of MS to integrate proteomics and structural biology to provide insights into protein structure, function and regulation.

Numerical evaluation of the radiation from unbaffled, finite plates using the FFT

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, E. G.

1983-01-01

An iteration technique is described which numerically evaluates the acoustic pressure and velocity on and near unbaffled, finite, thin plates vibrating in air. The technique is based on Rayleigh's integral formula and its inverse. These formulas are written in their angular spectrum form so that the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm may be used to evaluate them. As an example of the technique the pressure on the surface of a vibrating, unbaffled disk is computed and shown to be in excellent agreement with the exact solution using oblate spheroidal functions. Furthermore, the computed velocity field outside the disk shows the well-known singularity at the rim of the disk. The radiated fields from unbaffled flat sources of any geometry with prescribed surface velocity may be evaluated using this technique. The use of the FFT to perform the integrations in Rayleigh's formulas provides a great savings in computation time compared with standard integration algorithms, especially when an array processor can be used to implement the FFT.

Oscillation of a class of fractional differential equations with damping term.

PubMed

Qin, Huizeng; Zheng, Bin

2013-01-01

We investigate the oscillation of a class of fractional differential equations with damping term. Based on a certain variable transformation, the fractional differential equations are converted into another differential equations of integer order with respect to the new variable. Then, using Riccati transformation, inequality, and integration average technique, some new oscillatory criteria for the equations are established. As for applications, oscillation for two certain fractional differential equations with damping term is investigated by the use of the presented results.

Integrating Data across Digital Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DiCerbo, Kristen

2016-01-01

The volume of data that can be captured and stored from students' everyday interactions with digital environments allows for the creation of models of student knowledge, skills, and attributes unobtrusively. However, models and techniques for transforming these data into information that is useful for educators have not been established. This…

Analytical solution for the advection-dispersion transport equation in layered media

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The advection-dispersion transport equation with first-order decay was solved analytically for multi-layered media using the classic integral transform technique (CITT). The solution procedure used an associated non-self-adjoint advection-diffusion eigenvalue problem that had the same form and coef...

Efficient Privacy-Aware Record Integration.

PubMed

Kuzu, Mehmet; Kantarcioglu, Murat; Inan, Ali; Bertino, Elisa; Durham, Elizabeth; Malin, Bradley

2013-01-01

The integration of information dispersed among multiple repositories is a crucial step for accurate data analysis in various domains. In support of this goal, it is critical to devise procedures for identifying similar records across distinct data sources. At the same time, to adhere to privacy regulations and policies, such procedures should protect the confidentiality of the individuals to whom the information corresponds. Various private record linkage (PRL) protocols have been proposed to achieve this goal, involving secure multi-party computation (SMC) and similarity preserving data transformation techniques. SMC methods provide secure and accurate solutions to the PRL problem, but are prohibitively expensive in practice, mainly due to excessive computational requirements. Data transformation techniques offer more practical solutions, but incur the cost of information leakage and false matches. In this paper, we introduce a novel model for practical PRL, which 1) affords controlled and limited information leakage, 2) avoids false matches resulting from data transformation. Initially, we partition the data sources into blocks to eliminate comparisons for records that are unlikely to match. Then, to identify matches, we apply an efficient SMC technique between the candidate record pairs. To enable efficiency and privacy, our model leaks a controlled amount of obfuscated data prior to the secure computations. Applied obfuscation relies on differential privacy which provides strong privacy guarantees against adversaries with arbitrary background knowledge. In addition, we illustrate the practical nature of our approach through an empirical analysis with data derived from public voter records.

Camera Image Transformation and Registration for Safe Spacecraft Landing and Hazard Avoidance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Brandon M.

2005-01-01

Inherent geographical hazards of Martian terrain may impede a safe landing for science exploration spacecraft. Surface visualization software for hazard detection and avoidance may accordingly be applied in vehicles such as the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) to induce an autonomous and intelligent descent upon entering the planetary atmosphere. The focus of this project is to develop an image transformation algorithm for coordinate system matching between consecutive frames of terrain imagery taken throughout descent. The methodology involves integrating computer vision and graphics techniques, including affine transformation and projective geometry of an object, with the intrinsic parameters governing spacecraft dynamic motion and camera calibration.

An analytical approach for the calculation of stress-intensity factors in transformation-toughened ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller, W. H.

1990-12-01

Stress-induced transformation toughening in Zirconia-containing ceramics is described analytically by means of a quantitative model: A Griffith crack which interacts with a transformed, circular Zirconia inclusion. Due to its volume expansion, a ZrO2-particle compresses its flanks, whereas a particle in front of the crack opens the flanks such that the crack will be attracted and finally absorbed. Erdogan's integral equation technique is applied to calculate the dislocation functions and the stress-intensity-factors which correspond to these situations. In order to derive analytical expressions, the elastic constants of the inclusion and the matrix are assumed to be equal.

An Integrated Approach for Gear Health Prognostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

He, David; Bechhoefer, Eric; Dempsey, Paula; Ma, Jinghua

2012-01-01

In this paper, an integrated approach for gear health prognostics using particle filters is presented. The presented method effectively addresses the issues in applying particle filters to gear health prognostics by integrating several new components into a particle filter: (1) data mining based techniques to effectively define the degradation state transition and measurement functions using a one-dimensional health index obtained by whitening transform; (2) an unbiased l-step ahead RUL estimator updated with measurement errors. The feasibility of the presented prognostics method is validated using data from a spiral bevel gear case study.

Germline transformation of the butterfly Bicyclus anynana.

PubMed

Marcus, Jeffrey M; Ramos, Diane M; Monteiro, Antónia

2004-08-07

Ecological and evolutionary theory has frequently been inspired by the diversity of colour patterns on the wings of butterflies. More recently, these varied patterns have also become model systems for studying the evolution of developmental mechanisms. A technique that will facilitate our understanding of butterfly colour-pattern development is germline transformation. Germline transformation permits functional tests of candidate gene products and of cis-regulatory regions, and provides a means of generating new colour-pattern mutants by insertional mutagenesis. We report the successful transformation of the African satyrid butterfly Bicyclus anynana with two different transposable element vectors, Hermes and piggyBac, each carrying EGFP coding sequences driven by the 3XP3 synthetic enhancer that drives gene expression in the eyes. Candidate lines identified by screening for EGFP in adult eyes were later confirmed by PCR amplification of a fragment of the EGFP coding sequence from genomic DNA. Flanking DNA surrounding the insertions was amplified by inverse PCR and sequenced. Transformation rates were 5% for piggyBac and 10.2% for Hermes. Ultimately, the new data generated by these techniques may permit an integrated understanding of the developmental genetics of colour-pattern formation and of the ecological and evolutionary processes in which these patterns play a role.

Evaluation of Inversion Methods Applied to Ionospheric ro Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rios Caceres, Arq. Estela Alejandra; Rios, Victor Hugo; Guyot, Elia

The new technique of radio-occultation can be used to study the Earth's ionosphere. The retrieval processes of ionospheric profiling from radio occultation observations usually assume spherical symmetry of electron density distribution at the locality of occultation and use the Abel integral transform to invert the measured total electron content (TEC) values. This pa-per presents a set of ionospheric profiles obtained from SAC-C satellite with the Abel inversion technique. The effects of the ionosphere on the GPS signal during occultation, such as bending and scintillation, are examined. Electron density profiles are obtained using the Abel inversion technique. Ionospheric radio occultations are validated using vertical profiles of electron con-centration from inverted ionograms , obtained from ionosonde sounding in the vicinity of the occultation. Results indicate that the Abel transform works well in the mid-latitudes during the daytime, but is less accurate during the night-time.

Identification of auxotrophic mutants of the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus by non-homologous end joining-mediated integrative transformation with genes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Yarimizu, Tohru; Nonklang, Sanom; Nakamura, Junpei; Tokuda, Shuya; Nakagawa, Takaaki; Lorreungsil, Sasithorn; Sutthikhumpha, Surasit; Pukahuta, Charida; Kitagawa, Takao; Nakamura, Mikiko; Cha-Aim, Kamonchai; Limtong, Savitree; Hoshida, Hisashi; Akada, Rinji

2013-12-01

The isolation and application of auxotrophic mutants for gene manipulations, such as genetic transformation, mating selection and tetrad analysis, form the basis of yeast genetics. For the development of these genetic methods in the thermotolerant fermentative yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus, we isolated a series of auxotrophic mutants with defects in amino acid or nucleic acid metabolism. To identify the mutated genes, linear DNA fragments of nutrient biosynthetic pathway genes were amplified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomal DNA and used to directly transform the K. marxianus auxotrophic mutants by random integration into chromosomes through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). The appearance of transformant colonies indicated that the specific S. cerevisiae gene complemented the K. marxianus mutant. Using this interspecific complementation approach with linear PCR-amplified DNA, we identified auxotrophic mutations of ADE2, ADE5,7, ADE6, HIS2, HIS3, HIS4, HIS5, HIS6, HIS7, LYS1, LYS2, LYS4, LYS9, LEU1, LEU2, MET2, MET6, MET17, TRP3, TRP4 and TRP5 without the labour-intensive requirement of plasmid construction. Mating, sporulation and tetrad analysis techniques for K. marxianus were also established. With the identified auxotrophic mutant strains and S. cerevisiae genes as selective markers, NHEJ-mediated integrative transformation with PCR-amplified DNA is an attractive system for facilitating genetic analyses in the yeast K. marxianus. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A satellite digital controller or 'play that PID tune again, Sam'. [Position, Integral, Derivative feedback control algorithm for design strategy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seltzer, S. M.

1976-01-01

The problem discussed is to design a digital controller for a typical satellite. The controlled plant is considered to be a rigid body acting in a plane. The controller is assumed to be a digital computer which, when combined with the proposed control algorithm, can be represented as a sampled-data system. The objective is to present a design strategy and technique for selecting numerical values for the control gains (assuming position, integral, and derivative feedback) and the sample rate. The technique is based on the parameter plane method and requires that the system be amenable to z-transform analysis.

Management Education and Transformational Learning: The Integration of Mindfulness in an MBA Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuechler, William; Stedham, Yvonne

2018-01-01

Most management classes are taught by modified traditional techniques in which the acquisition of facts and rote skills is primary. However, traditional pedagogies fall short when the desired result is not inculcating knowledge about a subject, but rather constructively altering worldviews and behaviors. Leadership, ethics, strategic management,…

Dramatics in the Classroom: Making Lessons Come Alive. Fastback 70.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelly, Elizabeth Flory

The contents of this booklet focus on effective techniques for using dramatics in the classroom and are based on the premise that drama can integrate all skills and help to avoid fragmentation in learning. Chapters discuss motivating the dreamers in the classroom, curriculum dramatics--eclectic teaching, training the teacher, transforming the…

Developing semi-analytical solution for multiple-zone transient storage model with spatially non-uniform storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Baoqing; Si, Yinbing; Wang, Jia

2017-12-01

Transient storages may vary along the stream due to stream hydraulic conditions and the characteristics of storage. Analytical solutions of transient storage models in literature didn't cover the spatially non-uniform storage. A novel integral transform strategy is presented that simultaneously performs integral transforms to the concentrations in the stream and in storage zones by using the single set of eigenfunctions derived from the advection-diffusion equation of the stream. The semi-analytical solution of the multiple-zone transient storage model with the spatially non-uniform storage is obtained by applying the generalized integral transform technique to all partial differential equations in the multiple-zone transient storage model. The derived semi-analytical solution is validated against the field data in literature. Good agreement between the computed data and the field data is obtained. Some illustrative examples are formulated to demonstrate the applications of the present solution. It is shown that solute transport can be greatly affected by the variation of mass exchange coefficient and the ratio of cross-sectional areas. When the ratio of cross-sectional areas is big or the mass exchange coefficient is small, more reaches are recommended to calibrate the parameter.

An entropy-variables-based formulation of residual distribution schemes for non-equilibrium flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garicano-Mena, Jesús; Lani, Andrea; Degrez, Gérard

2018-06-01

In this paper we present an extension of Residual Distribution techniques for the simulation of compressible flows in non-equilibrium conditions. The latter are modeled by means of a state-of-the-art multi-species and two-temperature model. An entropy-based variable transformation that symmetrizes the projected advective Jacobian for such a thermophysical model is introduced. Moreover, the transformed advection Jacobian matrix presents a block diagonal structure, with mass-species and electronic-vibrational energy being completely decoupled from the momentum and total energy sub-system. The advantageous structure of the transformed advective Jacobian can be exploited by contour-integration-based Residual Distribution techniques: established schemes that operate on dense matrices can be substituted by the same scheme operating on the momentum-energy subsystem matrix and repeated application of scalar scheme to the mass-species and electronic-vibrational energy terms. Finally, the performance gain of the symmetrizing-variables formulation is quantified on a selection of representative testcases, ranging from subsonic to hypersonic, in inviscid or viscous conditions.

A laser tomographic investigation of liquid fuel sprays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yule, A. J.; Ahseng, C.; Felton, P.; Ungut, A.; Chigier, N. A.

1980-01-01

A light scattering technique is combined with a tomographic transformation to convert line of sight integrated data, measured in sprays, to measurements of droplet size and concentration in volume elements within the spray. The technique is developed and assessed by systematic experiments in axisymmetric sprays generated by twin-fluid atomisers. The good agreement found shows that, provided certain conditions are satisfied by the local spray structure, the technique provides information on spray structure, similar in detail and extent to that derived by photography, but with reduced experimental time. The technique is applied to an investigation of a kerosene spray vaporizing in a hot gas stream.

“Agrolistic” transformation of plant cells: Integration of T-strands generated in planta

PubMed Central

Hansen, Geneviève; Chilton, Mary-Dell

1996-01-01

We describe a novel plant transformation technique, termed “agrolistic,” that combines the advantages of the Agrobacterium transformation system with the high efficiency of biolistic DNA delivery. Agrolistic transformation allows integration of the gene of interest without undesired vector sequence. The virulence genes virD1 and virD2 from Agrobacterium tumefaciens that are required in bacteria for excision of T-strands from the tumor-inducing plasmid were placed under the control of the CaMV35S promoter and codelivered with a target plasmid containing border sequences flanking the gene of interest. Transient expression assays in tobacco and in maize cells indicated that vir gene products caused strand-specific nicking in planta at the right border sequence, similar to VirD1/VirD2-catalyzed T-strand excision observed in Agrobacterium. Agrolistically transformed tobacco calli were obtained after codelivery of virD1 and virD2 genes together with a selectable marker flanked by border sequences. Some inserts exhibited right junctions with plant DNA that corresponded precisely to the sequence expected for T-DNA (portion of the tumor-inducing plasmid that is transferred to plant cells) insertion events. We designate these as “agrolistic” inserts, as distinguished from “biolistic” inserts. Both types of inserts were found in some transformed lines. The frequency of agrolistic inserts was 20% that of biolistic inserts. PMID:8962167

Time-distance domain transformation for Acoustic Emission source localization in thin metallic plates.

PubMed

Grabowski, Krzysztof; Gawronski, Mateusz; Baran, Ireneusz; Spychalski, Wojciech; Staszewski, Wieslaw J; Uhl, Tadeusz; Kundu, Tribikram; Packo, Pawel

2016-05-01

Acoustic Emission used in Non-Destructive Testing is focused on analysis of elastic waves propagating in mechanical structures. Then any information carried by generated acoustic waves, further recorded by a set of transducers, allow to determine integrity of these structures. It is clear that material properties and geometry strongly impacts the result. In this paper a method for Acoustic Emission source localization in thin plates is presented. The approach is based on the Time-Distance Domain Transform, that is a wavenumber-frequency mapping technique for precise event localization. The major advantage of the technique is dispersion compensation through a phase-shifting of investigated waveforms in order to acquire the most accurate output, allowing for source-sensor distance estimation using a single transducer. The accuracy and robustness of the above process are also investigated. This includes the study of Young's modulus value and numerical parameters influence on damage detection. By merging the Time-Distance Domain Transform with an optimal distance selection technique, an identification-localization algorithm is achieved. The method is investigated analytically, numerically and experimentally. The latter involves both laboratory and large scale industrial tests. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Orchids (Cymbidium spp., Oncidium, and Phalaenopsis).

PubMed

Chan, Ming-Tsair; Chan, Yuan-Li; Sanjaya

2006-01-01

Recent advances in genetic engineering have made the transformation and regeneration of plants into a powerful tool for orchid improvement. This chapter presents a simple and reproducible Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation protocol and molecular screening technique of transgenics for two orchid species, Oncidium and Phalaenopsis. The target tissues for gene transfer were protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) derived from protocorms, into which constructed foreign genes were successfully introduced. To establish stable transformants, two stages of selection were applied on the PLBs co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens. About 10% transformation efficiency was achieved in Oncidium orchid, as 108 antibiotic resistant independent PLBs were proliferated from 1000 infected PLBs. In Phalaenopsis orchid about 11 to 12% of transformation efficiency was achieved by using the present protocol. Different molecular methods and GUS-staining used to screen putative transgenic plants to confirm the integration of foreign DNA into the orchid genome were also described in detail. The methods described would also be useful for transformation of desired genes into other orchid species.

Introducing the Improved Heaviside Approach to Partial Fraction Decomposition to Undergraduate Students: Results and Implications from a Pilot Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Man, Yiu-Kwong

2012-01-01

Partial fraction decomposition is a useful technique often taught at senior secondary or undergraduate levels to handle integrations, inverse Laplace transforms or linear ordinary differential equations, etc. In recent years, an improved Heaviside's approach to partial fraction decomposition was introduced and developed by the author. An important…

Integrating Role-Play with Case Study and Carbon Footprint Monitoring: A Transformative Approach to Enhancing Learners' Social Behavior for a More Sustainable Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oliver, Simon

2016-01-01

Learners were separated into groups representing the interests of parties that typically negotiate environmental affairs in real world scenarios (conservationists, scientists, politicians, NGOs, stakeholders), and tasked with preparing role-play simulations using a variety of flipped learning techniques. Learners' carbon footprints were monitored…

Multi-sensory integration in a small brain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gepner, Ruben; Wolk, Jason; Gershow, Marc

Understanding how fluctuating multi-sensory stimuli are integrated and transformed in neural circuits has proved a difficult task. To address this question, we study the sensori-motor transformations happening in the brain of the Drosophila larva, a tractable model system with about 10,000 neurons. Using genetic tools that allow us to manipulate the activity of individual brain cells through their transparent body, we observe the stochastic decisions made by freely-behaving animals as their visual and olfactory environments fluctuate independently. We then use simple linear-nonlinear models to correlate outputs with relevant features in the inputs, and adaptive filtering processes to track changes in these relevant parameters used by the larva's brain to make decisions. We show how these techniques allow us to probe how statistics of stimuli from different sensory modalities combine to affect behavior, and can potentially guide our understanding of how neural circuits are anatomically and functionally integrated. Supported by NIH Grant 1DP2EB022359 and NSF Grant PHY-1455015.

A combined finite element-boundary integral formulation for solution of two-dimensional scattering problems via CGFFT. [Conjugate Gradient Fast Fourier Transformation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, Jeffery D.; Volakis, John L.; Jin, Jian-Ming

1990-01-01

A new technique is presented for computing the scattering by 2-D structures of arbitrary composition. The proposed solution approach combines the usual finite element method with the boundary-integral equation to formulate a discrete system. This is subsequently solved via the conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm. A particular characteristic of the method is the use of rectangular boundaries to enclose the scatterer. Several of the resulting boundary integrals are therefore convolutions and may be evaluated via the fast Fourier transform (FFT) in the implementation of the CG algorithm. The solution approach offers the principal advantage of having O(N) memory demand and employs a 1-D FFT versus a 2-D FFT as required with a traditional implementation of the CGFFT algorithm. The speed of the proposed solution method is compared with that of the traditional CGFFT algorithm, and results for rectangular bodies are given and shown to be in excellent agreement with the moment method.

Low-rank factorization of electron integral tensors and its application in electronic structure theory

DOE PAGES

Peng, Bo; Kowalski, Karol

2017-01-25

In this paper, we apply reverse Cuthill-McKee (RCM) algorithm to transform two-electron integral tensors to their block diagonal forms. By further applying Cholesky decomposition (CD) on each of the diagonal blocks, we are able to represent the high-dimensional two-electron integral tensors in terms of permutation matrices and low-rank Cholesky vectors. This representation facilitates low-rank factorizations of high-dimensional tensor contractions in post-Hartree-Fock calculations. Finally, we discuss the second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) method and the linear coupled-cluster model with doubles (L-CCD) as examples to demonstrate the efficiency of this technique in representing the two-electron integrals in a compact form.

Low-rank factorization of electron integral tensors and its application in electronic structure theory

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

Peng, Bo; Kowalski, Karol

In this paper, we apply reverse Cuthill-McKee (RCM) algorithm to transform two-electron integral tensors to their block diagonal forms. By further applying Cholesky decomposition (CD) on each of the diagonal blocks, we are able to represent the high-dimensional two-electron integral tensors in terms of permutation matrices and low-rank Cholesky vectors. This representation facilitates low-rank factorizations of high-dimensional tensor contractions in post-Hartree-Fock calculations. Finally, we discuss the second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) method and the linear coupled-cluster model with doubles (L-CCD) as examples to demonstrate the efficiency of this technique in representing the two-electron integrals in a compact form.

Multipurpose image watermarking algorithm based on multistage vector quantization.

PubMed

Lu, Zhe-Ming; Xu, Dian-Guo; Sun, Sheng-He

2005-06-01

The rapid growth of digital multimedia and Internet technologies has made copyright protection, copy protection, and integrity verification three important issues in the digital world. To solve these problems, the digital watermarking technique has been presented and widely researched. Traditional watermarking algorithms are mostly based on discrete transform domains, such as the discrete cosine transform, discrete Fourier transform (DFT), and discrete wavelet transform (DWT). Most of these algorithms are good for only one purpose. Recently, some multipurpose digital watermarking methods have been presented, which can achieve the goal of content authentication and copyright protection simultaneously. However, they are based on DWT or DFT. Lately, several robust watermarking schemes based on vector quantization (VQ) have been presented, but they can only be used for copyright protection. In this paper, we present a novel multipurpose digital image watermarking method based on the multistage vector quantizer structure, which can be applied to image authentication and copyright protection. In the proposed method, the semi-fragile watermark and the robust watermark are embedded in different VQ stages using different techniques, and both of them can be extracted without the original image. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm in terms of robustness and fragility.

A novel method for calculating relative free energy of similar molecules in two environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farhi, Asaf; Singh, Bipin

2017-03-01

Calculating relative free energies is a topic of substantial interest and has many applications including solvation and binding free energies, which are used in computational drug discovery. However, there remain the challenges of accuracy, simple implementation, robustness and efficiency, which prevent the calculations from being automated and limit their use. Here we present an exact and complete decoupling analysis in which the partition functions of the compared systems decompose into the partition functions of the common and different subsystems. This decoupling analysis is applicable to submolecules with coupled degrees of freedom such as the methyl group and to any potential function (including the typical dihedral potentials), enabling to remove less terms in the transformation which results in a more efficient calculation. Then we show mathematically, in the context of partition function decoupling, that the two compared systems can be simulated separately, eliminating the need to design a composite system. We demonstrate the decoupling analysis and the separate transformations in a relative free energy calculation using MD simulations for a general force field and compare to another calculation and to experimental results. We present a unified soft-core technique that ensures the monotonicity of the numerically integrated function (analytical proof) which is important for the selection of intermediates. We show mathematically that in this soft-core technique the numerically integrated function can be non-steep only when we transform the systems separately, which can simplify the numerical integration. Finally, we show that when the systems have rugged energy landscape they can be equilibrated without introducing another sampling dimension which can also enable to use the simulation results for other free energy calculations.

Effect of proteins and their conformation change during brushite transformation to hydroxyapatite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Jing

2000-10-01

Hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca5(PO4)3OH) coatings on metallic orthopedic implant are being used to achieve implant integration. However, HA is stable in physiological solutions, other more reactive calcium phosphate ceramics (CPC) such as brushite (CaHPO4·2H 2O) have been found to release calcium and phosphate ions during their transformation to HA. The release of these ions may induce faster bone growth and enhance implant integration. This work examines the biocompatibility of the CPC phases that form during the transformation process. Since biocompatibility is associated with cellular response, which in turn is initiated by protein adsorption, this work focuses on the mutual effect between protein adsorption and CPC transformation. The first part of the study is focused on the influence of protein adsorption on transformation kinetics and chemistry. Brushite coated samples immersed in protein free and proteinaceous physiological solutions were retrieved after different exposures times. These were examined using XRD, EDS and FTIR/reflectance. Results show that the presence of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in physiological solution retards the transformation, but the presence of Fibronectin (FN) accelerates the transformation to HA. Interestingly, neither BSA nor FN alters the transformation chemistry. Due to the limitations of the techniques used, this part of the work does not monitor the effect of transformation on adsorbed proteins but only the effect of adsorbed protein on the transforming calcium phosphate coating. The second part of the work examines in situ conformational changes of adsorbed proteins during the CPC transformation using FTIR/ATR. Protein adsorbed on different surfaces such as germanium, CPC, zinc selenide and titanium shows different conformation indicated by the Amide I and II absorption bands in the infrared spectra. During the transformation of brushite to HA, both BSA and FN show a continuous change in conformation, which suggests that the transformation of CPC coating influences adsorbed protein structure.

Application of an integrated multi-criteria decision making AHP-TOPSIS methodology for ETL software selection.

PubMed

Hanine, Mohamed; Boutkhoum, Omar; Tikniouine, Abdessadek; Agouti, Tarik

2016-01-01

Actually, a set of ETL software (Extract, Transform and Load) is available to constitute a major investment market. Each ETL uses its own techniques for extracting, transforming and loading data into data warehouse, which makes the task of evaluating ETL software very difficult. However, choosing the right software of ETL is critical to the success or failure of any Business Intelligence project. As there are many impacting factors in the selection of ETL software, the same process is considered as a complex multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem. In this study, an application of decision-making methodology that employs the two well-known MCDM techniques, namely Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods is designed. In this respect, the aim of using AHP is to analyze the structure of the ETL software selection problem and obtain weights of the selected criteria. Then, TOPSIS technique is used to calculate the alternatives' ratings. An example is given to illustrate the proposed methodology. Finally, a software prototype for demonstrating both methods is implemented.

Tchebichef moment transform on image dithering for mobile applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ernawan, Ferda; Abu, Nur Azman; Rahmalan, Hidayah

2012-04-01

Currently, mobile image applications spend a lot of computing process to display images. A true color raw image contains billions of colors and it consumes high computational power in most mobile image applications. At the same time, mobile devices are only expected to be equipped with lower computing process and minimum storage space. Image dithering is a popular technique to reduce the numbers of bit per pixel at the expense of lower quality image displays. This paper proposes a novel approach on image dithering using 2x2 Tchebichef moment transform (TMT). TMT integrates a simple mathematical framework technique using matrices. TMT coefficients consist of real rational numbers. An image dithering based on TMT has the potential to provide better efficiency and simplicity. The preliminary experiment shows a promising result in term of error reconstructions and image visual textures.

Enhanced interfaces for web-based enterprise-wide image distribution.

PubMed

Jost, R Gilbert; Blaine, G James; Fritz, Kevin; Blume, Hartwig; Sadhra, Sarbjit

2002-01-01

Modern Web browsers support image distribution with two shortcomings: (1) image grayscale presentation at client workstations is often sub-optimal and generally inconsistent with the presentation state on diagnostic workstations and (2) an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) application usually cannot directly access images with an integrated viewer. We have modified our EPR and our Web-based image-distribution system to allow access to images from within the EPR. In addition, at the client workstation, a grayscale transformation is performed that consists of two components: a client-display-specific component based on the characteristic display function of the class of display system, and a modality-specific transformation that is downloaded with every image. The described techniques have been implemented in our institution and currently support enterprise-wide clinical image distribution. The effectiveness of the techniques is reviewed.

Modified n-level, n - 1-mode Tavis-Cummings model and algebraic Bethe ansatz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skrypnyk, T.

2018-01-01

Using the quantum group technique we construct a one-parametric family of integrable modifications of the n-level, n-1 mode Tavis-Cummings Hamiltonian possessing an additional Stark-type term. We show that in the ‘quasiclassical’ limit the constructed Hamiltonian transforms into the integrable Hamiltonian of the quantum n-level, n-1 mode Tavis-Cummings model with the equal interaction strengths considered in Skrypnyk (2008 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 41 475202, 2009 J. Math. Phys. 50 103523). We diagonalize the constructed ‘modified’ Tavis-Cummings Hamiltonian and its second order integrals of motion using the nested Bethe ansatz.

T-DNA transfer and T-DNA integration efficiencies upon Arabidopsis thaliana root explant cocultivation and floral dip transformation.

PubMed

Ghedira, Rim; De Buck, Sylvie; Van Ex, Frédéric; Angenon, Geert; Depicker, Ann

2013-12-01

T-DNA transfer and integration frequencies during Agrobacterium-mediated root explant cocultivation and floral dip transformations of Arabidopsis thaliana were analyzed with and without selection for transformation-competent cells. Based on the presence or absence of CRE recombinase activity without or with the CRE T-DNA being integrated, transient expression versus stable transformation was differentiated. During root explant cocultivation, continuous light enhanced the number of plant cells competent for interaction with Agrobacterium and thus the number of transient gene expression events. However, in transformation competent plant cells, continuous light did not further enhance cotransfer or cointegration frequencies. Upon selection for root transformants expressing a first T-DNA, 43-69 % of these transformants showed cotransfer of another non-selected T-DNA in two different light regimes. However, integration of the non-selected cotransferred T-DNA occurred only in 19-46 % of these transformants, indicating that T-DNA integration in regenerating root cells limits the transformation frequencies. After floral dip transformation, transient T-DNA expression without integration could not be detected, while stable T-DNA transformation occurred in 0.5-1.3 % of the T1 seedlings. Upon selection for floral dip transformants with a first T-DNA, 8-34 % of the transformants showed cotransfer of the other non-selected T-DNA and in 93-100 % of them, the T-DNA was also integrated. Therefore, a productive interaction between the agrobacteria and the female gametophyte, rather than the T-DNA integration process, restricts the floral dip transformation frequencies.

Flow-through Fourier transform infrared sensor for total hydrocarbons determination in water.

PubMed

Pérez-Palacios, David; Armenta, Sergio; Lendl, Bernhard

2009-09-01

A new flow-through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) sensor for oil in water analysis based on solid-phase spectroscopy on octadecyl (C18) silica particles has been developed. The C18 non-polar sorbent is placed inside the sensor and is able to retain hydrocarbons from water samples. The system does not require the use of chlorinated solvents, reducing the environmental impact, and the minimal sample handling stages serve to ensure sample integrity whilst reducing exposure of the analyst to any toxic hydrocarbons present within the samples. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were recorded by co-adding 32 scans at a resolution of 4 cm(-1) and the band located at 1462 cm(-1) due to the CH(2) bending was integrated from 1475 to 1450 cm(-1) using a baseline correction established between 1485 and 1440 cm(-1) using the areas as analytical signal. The technique, which provides a limit of detection (LOD) of 22 mg L(-1) and a precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 5%, is considerably rapid and allows for a high level of automation.

On-Orbit System Identification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mettler, E.; Milman, M. H.; Bayard, D.; Eldred, D. B.

1987-01-01

Information derived from accelerometer readings benefits important engineering and control functions. Report discusses methodology for detection, identification, and analysis of motions within space station. Techniques of vibration and rotation analyses, control theory, statistics, filter theory, and transform methods integrated to form system for generating models and model parameters that characterize total motion of complicated space station, with respect to both control-induced and random mechanical disturbances.

Image authentication by means of fragile CGH watermarking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schirripa Spagnolo, Giuseppe; Simonetti, Carla; Cozzella, Lorenzo

2005-09-01

In this paper we propose a fragile marking system based on Computer Generated Hologram coding techniques, which is able to detect malicious tampering while tolerating some incidental distortions. A fragile watermark is a mark that is readily altered or destroyed when the host image is modified through a linear or nonlinear transformation. A fragile watermark monitors the integrity of the content of the image but not its numerical representation. Therefore the watermark is designed so that the integrity is proven if the content of the image has not been tampered. Since digital images can be altered or manipulated with ease, the ability to detect changes to digital images is very important for many applications such as news reporting, medical archiving, or legal usages. The proposed technique could be applied to Color Images as well as to Gray Scale ones. Using Computer Generated Hologram watermarking, the embedded mark could be easily recovered by means of a Fourier Transform. Due to this fact host image can be tampered and watermarked with the same holographic pattern. To avoid this possibility we have introduced an encryption method using a asymmetric Cryptography. The proposed schema is based on the knowledge of original mark from the Authentication

Multiclass Bayes error estimation by a feature space sampling technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mobasseri, B. G.; Mcgillem, C. D.

1979-01-01

A general Gaussian M-class N-feature classification problem is defined. An algorithm is developed that requires the class statistics as its only input and computes the minimum probability of error through use of a combined analytical and numerical integration over a sequence simplifying transformations of the feature space. The results are compared with those obtained by conventional techniques applied to a 2-class 4-feature discrimination problem with results previously reported and 4-class 4-feature multispectral scanner Landsat data classified by training and testing of the available data.

Integrated geostatistics for modeling fluid contacts and shales in Prudhoe Bay

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

Perez, G.; Chopra, A.K.; Severson, C.D.

1997-12-01

Geostatistics techniques are being used increasingly to model reservoir heterogeneity at a wide range of scales. A variety of techniques is now available with differing underlying assumptions, complexity, and applications. This paper introduces a novel method of geostatistics to model dynamic gas-oil contacts and shales in the Prudhoe Bay reservoir. The method integrates reservoir description and surveillance data within the same geostatistical framework. Surveillance logs and shale data are transformed to indicator variables. These variables are used to evaluate vertical and horizontal spatial correlation and cross-correlation of gas and shale at different times and to develop variogram models. Conditional simulationmore » techniques are used to generate multiple three-dimensional (3D) descriptions of gas and shales that provide a measure of uncertainty. These techniques capture the complex 3D distribution of gas-oil contacts through time. The authors compare results of the geostatistical method with conventional techniques as well as with infill wells drilled after the study. Predicted gas-oil contacts and shale distributions are in close agreement with gas-oil contacts observed at infill wells.« less

Rainbow Fourier Transform

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alexandrov, Mikhail D.; Cairns, Brian; Mishchenko, Michael I.

2012-01-01

We present a novel technique for remote sensing of cloud droplet size distributions. Polarized reflectances in the scattering angle range between 135deg and 165deg exhibit a sharply defined rainbow structure, the shape of which is determined mostly by single scattering properties of cloud particles, and therefore, can be modeled using the Mie theory. Fitting the observed rainbow with such a model (computed for a parameterized family of particle size distributions) has been used for cloud droplet size retrievals. We discovered that the relationship between the rainbow structures and the corresponding particle size distributions is deeper than it had been commonly understood. In fact, the Mie theory-derived polarized reflectance as a function of reduced scattering angle (in the rainbow angular range) and the (monodisperse) particle radius appears to be a proxy to a kernel of an integral transform (similar to the sine Fourier transform on the positive semi-axis). This approach, called the rainbow Fourier transform (RFT), allows us to accurately retrieve the shape of the droplet size distribution by the application of the corresponding inverse transform to the observed polarized rainbow. While the basis functions of the proxy-transform are not exactly orthogonal in the finite angular range, this procedure needs to be complemented by a simple regression technique, which removes the retrieval artifacts. This non-parametric approach does not require any a priori knowledge of the droplet size distribution functional shape and is computationally fast (no look-up tables, no fitting, computations are the same as for the forward modeling).

Vector analogues of the Maggi-Rubinowicz theory of edge diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meneghini, R.; Shu, P.; Bay, J.

1980-10-01

The Maggi-Rubinowicz technique for scalar and electromagnetic fields is interpreted as a transformation of an integral over an open surface to a line integral around its rim. Maggi-Rubinowicz analogues are found for several vector physical optics representations. For diffraction from a circular aperture, a numerical comparison between these formulations shows the two methods are in agreement. To circumvent certain convergence difficulties in the Maggi-Rubinowicz integrals that occur as the observer approaches the shadow boundary, a variable mesh integration is used. For the examples considered, where the ratio of the aperture diameter to wavelength is about ten, the Maggi-Rubinowicz formulation yields an 8 to 10 fold decrease in computation time relative to the physical optics formulation.

Vector analogues of the Maggi-Rubinowicz theory of edge diffraction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meneghini, R.; Shu, P.; Bay, J.

1980-01-01

The Maggi-Rubinowicz technique for scalar and electromagnetic fields is interpreted as a transformation of an integral over an open surface to a line integral around its rim. Maggi-Rubinowicz analogues are found for several vector physical optics representations. For diffraction from a circular aperture, a numerical comparison between these formulations shows the two methods are in agreement. To circumvent certain convergence difficulties in the Maggi-Rubinowicz integrals that occur as the observer approaches the shadow boundary, a variable mesh integration is used. For the examples considered, where the ratio of the aperture diameter to wavelength is about ten, the Maggi-Rubinowicz formulation yields an 8 to 10 fold decrease in computation time relative to the physical optics formulation.

Development of a sufficient and effective procedure for transformation of an oleaginous yeast, Rhodosporidium toruloides DMKU3-TK16.

PubMed

Tsai, Yung-Yu; Ohashi, Takao; Kanazawa, Takenori; Polburee, Pirapan; Misaki, Ryo; Limtong, Savitree; Fujiyama, Kazuhito

2017-05-01

Rhodosporidium toruloides DMKU3-TK16 (TK16), a basidiomycetous yeast isolated in Thailand, can produce a large amount of oil corresponding to approximately 70 % of its dry cell weight. However, lack of a sufficient and efficient transformation method makes further genetic manipulation of this organism difficult. We here developed a new transformation system for R. toruloides using a lithium acetate method with the Sh ble gene as a selective marker under the control of the R. toruloides ATCC 10657 GPD1 promoter. A linear DNA fragment containing the Sh ble gene expression cassette was integrated into the genome, and its integration was confirmed by colony PCR and Southern blot. Then, we further optimized the parameters affecting the transformation efficiency, such as the amount of linear DNA, the growth phase, the incubation time in the transformation mixture, the heat shock treatment temperature, the addition of DMSO and carrier DNA, and the recovery incubation time. With the developed method, the transformation efficiency of approximately 25 transformants/μg DNA was achieved. Compared with the initial trial, transformation efficiency was enhanced 417-fold. We further demonstrated the heterologous production of EGFP in TK16 by microscopic observation and immunoblot analysis, and use the technique to disrupt the endogenous URA3 gene. The newly developed method is thus simple and time saving, making it useful for efficient introduction of an exogenous gene into R. toruloides strains. Accordingly, this new practical approach should facilitate the molecular manipulation, such as target gene introduction and deletion, of TK16 and other R. toruloides strains as a major source of biodiesel.

On-Line Monitoring and Diagnostics of the Integrity of Nuclear Plant Steam Generators and Heat Exchangers, Volumes 1, 2

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

Upadhyaya, Belle R.; Hines, J. Wesley; Lu, Baofu

2005-06-03

The overall purpose of this Nuclear Engineering Education Research (NEER) project was to integrate new, innovative, and existing technologies to develop a fault diagnostics and characterization system for nuclear plant steam generators (SG) and heat exchangers (HX). Issues related to system level degradation of SG and HX tubing, including tube fouling, performance under reduced heat transfer area, and the damage caused by stress corrosion cracking, are the important factors that influence overall plant operation, maintenance, and economic viability of nuclear power systems. The research at The University of Tennessee focused on the development of techniques for monitoring process and structuralmore » integrity of steam generators and heat exchangers. The objectives of the project were accomplished by the completion of the following tasks. All the objectives were accomplished during the project period. This report summarizes the research and development activities, results, and accomplishments during June 2001 September 2004. Development and testing of a high-fidelity nodal model of a U-tube steam generator (UTSG) to simulate the effects of fouling and to generate a database representing normal and degraded process conditions. Application of the group method of data handling (GMDH) method for process variable prediction. Development of a laboratory test module to simulate particulate fouling of HX tubes and its effect on overall thermal resistance. Application of the GMDH technique to predict HX fluid temperatures, and to compare with the calculated thermal resistance.Development of a hybrid modeling technique for process diagnosis and its evaluation using laboratory heat exchanger test data. Development and testing of a sensor suite using piezo-electric devices for monitoring structural integrity of both flat plates (beams) and tubing. Experiments were performed in air, and in water with and without bubbly flow. Development of advanced signal processing methods using wavelet transforms and image processing techniques for isolating flaw types. Development and implementation of a new nonlinear and non-stationary signal processing method, called the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT), for flaw detection and location. This is a more robust and adaptive approach compared to the wavelet transform.Implementation of a moving-window technique in the time domain for detecting and quantifying flaw types in tubular structures. A window zooming technique was also developed for flaw location in tubes. Theoretical study of elastic wave propagation (longitudinal and shear waves) in metallic flat plates and tubing with and without flaws. Simulation of the Lamb wave propagation using the finite-element code ABAQUS. This enabled the verification of the experimental results. The research tasks included both analytical research and experimental studies. The experimental results helped to enhance the robustness of fault monitoring methods and to provide a systematic verification of the analytical results. The results of this research were disseminated in scientific meetings. The journal manuscript titled, "Structural Integrity Monitoring of Steam generator Tubing Using Transient Acoustic Signal Analysis," was published in IEEE Trasactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. 52, No. 1, February 2005. The new findings of this research have potential applications in aerospace and civil structures. The report contains a complete bibliography that was developed during the course of the project.« less

From transitions to transformation - A study of pharmacists developing patient-centered communication skills.

PubMed

Luetsch, Karen; Burrows, Judith

2017-08-12

Pharmacists' communication with patients often focuses on technical aspects of advice giving, while limiting socio-emotional content. To develop pharmacists' patient-centered communication a learning and practice module integrating motivational interviewing (MI) was designed for an online postgraduate program, and its impact on their self-described practice evaluated. To investigate whether training in patient-centered communication changes pharmacists' perceptions of communicating with patients, and how any changes in their communication style influenced interactions and relationships with patients. A descriptive, qualitative study analyzing reflective journal entries detailing pharmacists' experiences of implementing patient-centered communication in practice was designed, evaluating reflections on initial patient interactions after training and 9-12 weeks later. Using the framework method of content and thematic analysis, an evaluation framework was devised that integrated communication, change and learning theories. Reflections were categorized within the framework as transitional (e.g. using good communication skills), transactional (e.g. using MI techniques, achieving reciprocity) or transformational (e.g. describing transformative learning, changing frames of reference in understanding of patient-centeredness). Differences between the first and last journal entries were evaluated and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Eighty-nine pharmacists provided two reflective journal entries for evaluation. Over 9-12 weeks, pharmacists described a change in their perspective of patient-centeredness, how they expanded the socio-emotional aspects of communication and succeeded in difficult conversations. When applying the thematic evaluation framework to initial journal entries, 38 (42%) of reflections fell within the transitional category, 51 (58%) were deemed transactional and none transformational. This changed to 10 (11%) transitional, 45 (51%) transactional and 34 (38%) transformational. Differences were observed between journal entries from pharmacists who studied completely online and those who also attended a workshop. Learning and practicing techniques of MI and person-focused communication changed many pharmacists' frames of reference in regards to patient-centeredness and their self-reported communication style with patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of a modularized two-step (M2S) chromosome integration technique for integration of multiple transcription units in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Li, Siwei; Ding, Wentao; Zhang, Xueli; Jiang, Huifeng; Bi, Changhao

2016-01-01

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has already been used for heterologous production of fuel chemicals and valuable natural products. The establishment of complicated heterologous biosynthetic pathways in S. cerevisiae became the research focus of Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering. Thus, simple and efficient genomic integration techniques of large number of transcription units are demanded urgently. An efficient DNA assembly and chromosomal integration method was created by combining homologous recombination (HR) in S. cerevisiae and Golden Gate DNA assembly method, designated as modularized two-step (M2S) technique. Two major assembly steps are performed consecutively to integrate multiple transcription units simultaneously. In Step 1, Modularized scaffold containing a head-to-head promoter module and a pair of terminators was assembled with two genes. Thus, two transcription units were assembled with Golden Gate method into one scaffold in one reaction. In Step 2, the two transcription units were mixed with modules of selective markers and integration sites and transformed into S. cerevisiae for assembly and integration. In both steps, universal primers were designed for identification of correct clones. Establishment of a functional β-carotene biosynthetic pathway in S. cerevisiae within 5 days demonstrated high efficiency of this method, and a 10-transcriptional-unit pathway integration illustrated the capacity of this method. Modular design of transcription units and integration elements simplified assembly and integration procedure, and eliminated frequent designing and synthesis of DNA fragments in previous methods. Also, by assembling most parts in Step 1 in vitro, the number of DNA cassettes for homologous integration in Step 2 was significantly reduced. Thus, high assembly efficiency, high integration capacity, and low error rate were achieved.

A new Watermarking System based on Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) in color biometric images.

PubMed

Dogan, Sengul; Tuncer, Turker; Avci, Engin; Gulten, Arif

2012-08-01

This paper recommend a biometric color images hiding approach An Watermarking System based on Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), which is used to protect the security and integrity of transmitted biometric color images. Watermarking is a very important hiding information (audio, video, color image, gray image) technique. It is commonly used on digital objects together with the developing technology in the last few years. One of the common methods used for hiding information on image files is DCT method which used in the frequency domain. In this study, DCT methods in order to embed watermark data into face images, without corrupting their features.

76 FR 17145 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Business Transformation-Automated Integrated Operating...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-28

... Collection Activities: Business Transformation--Automated Integrated Operating Environment (IOE), New... Transformation--Integrated Operating Environment (IOE); OMB Control No. 1615-NEW. SUMMARY: USCIS is developing an automated Integrated Operating Environment (IOE) to process benefit applications. The IOE will collect...

Maximum Correntropy Unscented Kalman Filter for Ballistic Missile Navigation System based on SINS/CNS Deeply Integrated Mode.

PubMed

Hou, Bowen; He, Zhangming; Li, Dong; Zhou, Haiyin; Wang, Jiongqi

2018-05-27

Strap-down inertial navigation system/celestial navigation system ( SINS/CNS) integrated navigation is a high precision navigation technique for ballistic missiles. The traditional navigation method has a divergence in the position error. A deeply integrated mode for SINS/CNS navigation system is proposed to improve the navigation accuracy of ballistic missile. The deeply integrated navigation principle is described and the observability of the navigation system is analyzed. The nonlinearity, as well as the large outliers and the Gaussian mixture noises, often exists during the actual navigation process, leading to the divergence phenomenon of the navigation filter. The new nonlinear Kalman filter on the basis of the maximum correntropy theory and unscented transformation, named the maximum correntropy unscented Kalman filter, is deduced, and the computational complexity is analyzed. The unscented transformation is used for restricting the nonlinearity of the system equation, and the maximum correntropy theory is used to deal with the non-Gaussian noises. Finally, numerical simulation illustrates the superiority of the proposed filter compared with the traditional unscented Kalman filter. The comparison results show that the large outliers and the influence of non-Gaussian noises for SINS/CNS deeply integrated navigation is significantly reduced through the proposed filter.

Computer-Aided Diagnosis System for Alzheimer's Disease Using Different Discrete Transform Techniques.

PubMed

Dessouky, Mohamed M; Elrashidy, Mohamed A; Taha, Taha E; Abdelkader, Hatem M

2016-05-01

The different discrete transform techniques such as discrete cosine transform (DCT), discrete sine transform (DST), discrete wavelet transform (DWT), and mel-scale frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) are powerful feature extraction techniques. This article presents a proposed computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for extracting the most effective and significant features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using these different discrete transform techniques and MFCC techniques. Linear support vector machine has been used as a classifier in this article. Experimental results conclude that the proposed CAD system using MFCC technique for AD recognition has a great improvement for the system performance with small number of significant extracted features, as compared with the CAD system based on DCT, DST, DWT, and the hybrid combination methods of the different transform techniques. © The Author(s) 2015.

Random variable transformation for generalized stochastic radiative transfer in finite participating slab media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Wakil, S. A.; Sallah, M.; El-Hanbaly, A. M.

2015-10-01

The stochastic radiative transfer problem is studied in a participating planar finite continuously fluctuating medium. The problem is considered for specular- and diffusly-reflecting boundaries with linear anisotropic scattering. Random variable transformation (RVT) technique is used to get the complete average for the solution functions, that are represented by the probability-density function (PDF) of the solution process. In the RVT algorithm, a simple integral transformation to the input stochastic process (the extinction function of the medium) is applied. This linear transformation enables us to rewrite the stochastic transport equations in terms of the optical random variable (x) and the optical random thickness (L). Then the transport equation is solved deterministically to get a closed form for the solution as a function of x and L. So, the solution is used to obtain the PDF of the solution functions applying the RVT technique among the input random variable (L) and the output process (the solution functions). The obtained averages of the solution functions are used to get the complete analytical averages for some interesting physical quantities, namely, reflectivity and transmissivity at the medium boundaries. In terms of the average reflectivity and transmissivity, the average of the partial heat fluxes for the generalized problem with internal source of radiation are obtained and represented graphically.

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

Savic, Vesna; Hector, Louis G.; Ezzat, Hesham

This paper presents an overview of a four-year project focused on development of an integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) toolset for third generation advanced high-strength steels (3GAHSS). Following a brief look at ICME as an emerging discipline within the Materials Genome Initiative, technical tasks in the ICME project will be discussed. Specific aims of the individual tasks are multi-scale, microstructure-based material model development using state-of-the-art computational and experimental techniques, forming, toolset assembly, design optimization, integration and technical cost modeling. The integrated approach is initially illustrated using a 980 grade transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel, subject to a two-step quenching andmore » partitioning (Q&P) heat treatment, as an example.« less

Integrability: mathematical methods for studying solitary waves theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wazwaz, Abdul-Majid

2014-03-01

In recent decades, substantial experimental research efforts have been devoted to linear and nonlinear physical phenomena. In particular, studies of integrable nonlinear equations in solitary waves theory have attracted intensive interest from mathematicians, with the principal goal of fostering the development of new methods, and physicists, who are seeking solutions that represent physical phenomena and to form a bridge between mathematical results and scientific structures. The aim for both groups is to build up our current understanding and facilitate future developments, develop more creative results and create new trends in the rapidly developing field of solitary waves. The notion of the integrability of certain partial differential equations occupies an important role in current and future trends, but a unified rigorous definition of the integrability of differential equations still does not exist. For example, an integrable model in the Painlevé sense may not be integrable in the Lax sense. The Painlevé sense indicates that the solution can be represented as a Laurent series in powers of some function that vanishes on an arbitrary surface with the possibility of truncating the Laurent series at finite powers of this function. The concept of Lax pairs introduces another meaning of the notion of integrability. The Lax pair formulates the integrability of nonlinear equation as the compatibility condition of two linear equations. However, it was shown by many researchers that the necessary integrability conditions are the existence of an infinite series of generalized symmetries or conservation laws for the given equation. The existence of multiple soliton solutions often indicates the integrability of the equation but other tests, such as the Painlevé test or the Lax pair, are necessary to confirm the integrability for any equation. In the context of completely integrable equations, studies are flourishing because these equations are able to describe the real features in a variety of vital areas in science, technology and engineering. In recognition of the importance of solitary waves theory and the underlying concept of integrable equations, a variety of powerful methods have been developed to carry out the required analysis. Examples of such methods which have been advanced are the inverse scattering method, the Hirota bilinear method, the simplified Hirota method, the Bäcklund transformation method, the Darboux transformation, the Pfaffian technique, the Painlevé analysis, the generalized symmetry method, the subsidiary ordinary differential equation method, the coupled amplitude-phase formulation, the sine-cosine method, the sech-tanh method, the mapping and deformation approach and many new other methods. The inverse scattering method, viewed as a nonlinear analogue of the Fourier transform method, is a powerful approach that demonstrates the existence of soliton solutions through intensive computations. At the center of the theory of integrable equations lies the bilinear forms and Hirota's direct method, which can be used to obtain soliton solutions by using exponentials. The Bäcklund transformation method is a useful invariant transformation that transforms one solution into another of a differential equation. The Darboux transformation method is a well known tool in the theory of integrable systems. It is believed that there is a connection between the Bäcklund transformation and the Darboux transformation, but it is as yet not known. Archetypes of integrable equations are the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation, the modified KdV equation, the sine-Gordon equation, the Schrödinger equation, the Vakhnenko equation, the KdV6 equation, the Burgers equation, the fifth-order Lax equation and many others. These equations yield soliton solutions, multiple soliton solutions, breather solutions, quasi-periodic solutions, kink solutions, homo-clinic solutions and other solutions as well. The couplings of linear and nonlinear equations were recently discovered and subsequently received considerable attention. The concept of couplings forms a new direction for developing innovative construction methods. The recently obtained results in solitary waves theory highlight new approaches for additional creative ideas, promising further achievements and increased progress in this field. We are grateful to all of the authors who accepted our invitation to contribute to this comment section.

A new time-adaptive discrete bionic wavelet transform for enhancing speech from adverse noise environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palaniswamy, Sumithra; Duraisamy, Prakash; Alam, Mohammad Showkat; Yuan, Xiaohui

2012-04-01

Automatic speech processing systems are widely used in everyday life such as mobile communication, speech and speaker recognition, and for assisting the hearing impaired. In speech communication systems, the quality and intelligibility of speech is of utmost importance for ease and accuracy of information exchange. To obtain an intelligible speech signal and one that is more pleasant to listen, noise reduction is essential. In this paper a new Time Adaptive Discrete Bionic Wavelet Thresholding (TADBWT) scheme is proposed. The proposed technique uses Daubechies mother wavelet to achieve better enhancement of speech from additive non- stationary noises which occur in real life such as street noise and factory noise. Due to the integration of human auditory system model into the wavelet transform, bionic wavelet transform (BWT) has great potential for speech enhancement which may lead to a new path in speech processing. In the proposed technique, at first, discrete BWT is applied to noisy speech to derive TADBWT coefficients. Then the adaptive nature of the BWT is captured by introducing a time varying linear factor which updates the coefficients at each scale over time. This approach has shown better performance than the existing algorithms at lower input SNR due to modified soft level dependent thresholding on time adaptive coefficients. The objective and subjective test results confirmed the competency of the TADBWT technique. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is also evaluated for speaker recognition task under noisy environment. The recognition results show that the TADWT technique yields better performance when compared to alternate methods specifically at lower input SNR.

Premethylation of Foreign DNA Improves Integrative Transformation Efficiency in Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803

PubMed Central

Wang, Bo; Yu, Jianping

2015-01-01

Restriction digestion of foreign DNA is one of the key biological barriers against genetic transformation in microorganisms. To establish a high-efficiency transformation protocol in the model cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 (Synechocystis 6803), we investigated the effects of premethylation of foreign DNA on the integrative transformation of this strain. In this study, two type II methyltransferase-encoding genes, i.e., sll0729 (gene M) and slr0214 (gene C), were cloned from the chromosome of Synechocystis 6803 and expressed in Escherichia coli harboring an integration plasmid. After premethylation treatment in E. coli, the integration plasmid was extracted and used for transformation of Synechocystis 6803. The results showed that although expression of methyltransferase M had little impact on the transformation of Synechocystis 6803, expression of methyltransferase C resulted in 11- to 161-fold-higher efficiency in the subsequent integrative transformation of Synechocystis 6803. Effective expression of methyltransferase C, which could be achieved by optimizing the 5′ untranslated region, was critical to efficient premethylation of the donor DNA and thus high transformation efficiency in Synechocystis 6803. Since premethylating foreign DNA prior to transforming Synechocystis avoids changing the host genetic background, the study thus provides an improved method for high-efficiency integrative transformation of Synechocystis 6803. PMID:26452551

Aircraft applications of fault detection and isolation techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcos Esteban, Andres

In this thesis the problems of fault detection & isolation and fault tolerant systems are studied from the perspective of LTI frequency-domain, model-based techniques. Emphasis is placed on the applicability of these LTI techniques to nonlinear models, especially to aerospace systems. Two applications of Hinfinity LTI fault diagnosis are given using an open-loop (no controller) design approach: one for the longitudinal motion of a Boeing 747-100/200 aircraft, the other for a turbofan jet engine. An algorithm formalizing a robust identification approach based on model validation ideas is also given and applied to the previous jet engine. A general linear fractional transformation formulation is given in terms of the Youla and Dual Youla parameterizations for the integrated (control and diagnosis filter) approach. This formulation provides better insight into the trade-off between the control and the diagnosis objectives. It also provides the basic groundwork towards the development of nested schemes for the integrated approach. These nested structures allow iterative improvements on the control/filter Youla parameters based on successive identification of the system uncertainty (as given by the Dual Youla parameter). The thesis concludes with an application of Hinfinity LTI techniques to the integrated design for the longitudinal motion of the previous Boeing 747-100/200 model.

An Alignment Method for the Integration of Underwater 3D Data Captured by a Stereovision System and an Acoustic Camera.

PubMed

Lagudi, Antonio; Bianco, Gianfranco; Muzzupappa, Maurizio; Bruno, Fabio

2016-04-14

The integration of underwater 3D data captured by acoustic and optical systems is a promising technique in various applications such as mapping or vehicle navigation. It allows for compensating the drawbacks of the low resolution of acoustic sensors and the limitations of optical sensors in bad visibility conditions. Aligning these data is a challenging problem, as it is hard to make a point-to-point correspondence. This paper presents a multi-sensor registration for the automatic integration of 3D data acquired from a stereovision system and a 3D acoustic camera in close-range acquisition. An appropriate rig has been used in the laboratory tests to determine the relative position between the two sensor frames. The experimental results show that our alignment approach, based on the acquisition of a rig in several poses, can be adopted to estimate the rigid transformation between the two heterogeneous sensors. A first estimation of the unknown geometric transformation is obtained by a registration of the two 3D point clouds, but it ends up to be strongly affected by noise and data dispersion. A robust and optimal estimation is obtained by a statistical processing of the transformations computed for each pose. The effectiveness of the method has been demonstrated in this first experimentation of the proposed 3D opto-acoustic camera.

An Alignment Method for the Integration of Underwater 3D Data Captured by a Stereovision System and an Acoustic Camera

PubMed Central

Lagudi, Antonio; Bianco, Gianfranco; Muzzupappa, Maurizio; Bruno, Fabio

2016-01-01

The integration of underwater 3D data captured by acoustic and optical systems is a promising technique in various applications such as mapping or vehicle navigation. It allows for compensating the drawbacks of the low resolution of acoustic sensors and the limitations of optical sensors in bad visibility conditions. Aligning these data is a challenging problem, as it is hard to make a point-to-point correspondence. This paper presents a multi-sensor registration for the automatic integration of 3D data acquired from a stereovision system and a 3D acoustic camera in close-range acquisition. An appropriate rig has been used in the laboratory tests to determine the relative position between the two sensor frames. The experimental results show that our alignment approach, based on the acquisition of a rig in several poses, can be adopted to estimate the rigid transformation between the two heterogeneous sensors. A first estimation of the unknown geometric transformation is obtained by a registration of the two 3D point clouds, but it ends up to be strongly affected by noise and data dispersion. A robust and optimal estimation is obtained by a statistical processing of the transformations computed for each pose. The effectiveness of the method has been demonstrated in this first experimentation of the proposed 3D opto-acoustic camera. PMID:27089344

On the VLSI design of a pipeline Reed-Solomon decoder using systolic arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shao, H. M.; Deutsch, L. J.; Reed, I. S.

1987-01-01

A new very large scale integration (VLSI) design of a pipeline Reed-Solomon decoder is presented. The transform decoding technique used in a previous article is replaced by a time domain algorithm through a detailed comparison of their VLSI implementations. A new architecture that implements the time domain algorithm permits efficient pipeline processing with reduced circuitry. Erasure correction capability is also incorporated with little additional complexity. By using a multiplexing technique, a new implementation of Euclid's algorithm maintains the throughput rate with less circuitry. Such improvements result in both enhanced capability and significant reduction in silicon area.

On the VLSI design of a pipeline Reed-Solomon decoder using systolic arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shao, Howard M.; Reed, Irving S.

1988-01-01

A new very large scale integration (VLSI) design of a pipeline Reed-Solomon decoder is presented. The transform decoding technique used in a previous article is replaced by a time domain algorithm through a detailed comparison of their VLSI implementations. A new architecture that implements the time domain algorithm permits efficient pipeline processing with reduced circuitry. Erasure correction capability is also incorporated with little additional complexity. By using multiplexing technique, a new implementation of Euclid's algorithm maintains the throughput rate with less circuitry. Such improvements result in both enhanced capability and significant reduction in silicon area.

Transient difference solutions of the inhomogeneous wave equation - Simulation of the Green's function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumeister, K. J.

1983-01-01

A time-dependent finite difference formulation to the inhomogeneous wave equation is derived for plane wave propagation with harmonic noise sources. The difference equation and boundary conditions are developed along with the techniques to simulate the Dirac delta function associated with a concentrated noise source. Example calculations are presented for the Green's function and distributed noise sources. For the example considered, the desired Fourier transformed acoustic pressures are determined from the transient pressures by use of a ramping function and an integration technique, both of which eliminates the nonharmonic pressure associated with the initial transient.

Transient difference solutions of the inhomogeneous wave equation: Simulation of the Green's function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumeiste, K. J.

1983-01-01

A time-dependent finite difference formulation to the inhomogeneous wave equation is derived for plane wave propagation with harmonic noise sources. The difference equation and boundary conditions are developed along with the techniques to simulate the Dirac delta function associated with a concentrated noise source. Example calculations are presented for the Green's function and distributed noise sources. For the example considered, the desired Fourier transformed acoustic pressures are determined from the transient pressures by use of a ramping function and an integration technique, both of which eliminates the nonharmonic pressure associated with the initial transient.

Spectrum transformation for divergent iterations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gupta, Murli M.

1991-01-01

Certain spectrum transformation techniques are described that can be used to transform a diverging iteration into a converging one. Two techniques are considered called spectrum scaling and spectrum enveloping and how to obtain the optimum values of the transformation parameters is discussed. Numerical examples are given to show how this technique can be used to transform diverging iterations into converging ones; this technique can also be used to accelerate the convergence of otherwise convergent iterations.

Establishment of a genetic transformation system for the marine pennate diatom Fistulifera sp. strain JPCC DA0580--a high triglyceride producer.

PubMed

Muto, Masaki; Fukuda, Yorikane; Nemoto, Michiko; Yoshino, Tomoko; Matsunaga, Tadashi; Tanaka, Tsuyoshi

2013-02-01

A genetic transformation system for the marine pennate diatom, Fistulifera sp. JPCC DA0580, was established using microparticle bombardment methods. Strain JPCC DA0580 has been recently identified as the highest triglyceride (60 % w/w) producer from a culture collection of 1,393 strains of marine microalgae, and it is expected to be a feasible source of biodiesel fuel. The transformation conditions for strain JPCC DA0580 were optimised using the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) and the gene encoding neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII). The most efficient rate of transformation was attained when tungsten particles (0.6 μm in diameter) were used for microparticle bombardment. The effect of endogenous and exogenous promoters on the expression of nptII was examined. Endogenous promoters were more efficient for obtaining transformants compared with exogenous promoters. Southern hybridisation analysis suggested that nptII integrated into the nuclear genome. This genetic manipulation technique should allow us to understand the mechanisms of high triglyceride accumulation in this strain, thereby contributing to improving BDF production.

Infrared and visible image fusion with spectral graph wavelet transform.

PubMed

Yan, Xiang; Qin, Hanlin; Li, Jia; Zhou, Huixin; Zong, Jing-guo

2015-09-01

Infrared and visible image fusion technique is a popular topic in image analysis because it can integrate complementary information and obtain reliable and accurate description of scenes. Multiscale transform theory as a signal representation method is widely used in image fusion. In this paper, a novel infrared and visible image fusion method is proposed based on spectral graph wavelet transform (SGWT) and bilateral filter. The main novelty of this study is that SGWT is used for image fusion. On the one hand, source images are decomposed by SGWT in its transform domain. The proposed approach not only effectively preserves the details of different source images, but also excellently represents the irregular areas of the source images. On the other hand, a novel weighted average method based on bilateral filter is proposed to fuse low- and high-frequency subbands by taking advantage of spatial consistency of natural images. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms seven recently proposed image fusion methods in terms of both visual effect and objective evaluation metrics.

Design and application of discrete wavelet packet transform based multiresolution controller for liquid level system.

PubMed

Paul, Rimi; Sengupta, Anindita

2017-11-01

A new controller based on discrete wavelet packet transform (DWPT) for liquid level system (LLS) has been presented here. This controller generates control signal using node coefficients of the error signal which interprets many implicit phenomena such as process dynamics, measurement noise and effect of external disturbances. Through simulation results on LLS problem, this controller is shown to perform faster than both the discrete wavelet transform based controller and conventional proportional integral controller. Also, it is more efficient in terms of its ability to provide better noise rejection. To overcome the wind up phenomenon by considering the saturation due to presence of actuator, anti-wind up technique is applied to the conventional PI controller and compared to the wavelet packet transform based controller. In this case also, packet controller is found better than the other ones. This similar work has been extended for analogous first order RC plant as well as second order plant also. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Refinement of Methods for Evaluation of Near-Hypersingular Integrals in BEM Formulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fink, Patricia W.; Khayat, Michael A.; Wilton, Donald R.

2006-01-01

In this paper, we present advances in singularity cancellation techniques applied to integrals in BEM formulations that are nearly hypersingular. Significant advances have been made recently in singularity cancellation techniques applied to 1 R type kernels [M. Khayat, D. Wilton, IEEE Trans. Antennas and Prop., 53, pp. 3180-3190, 2005], as well as to the gradients of these kernels [P. Fink, D. Wilton, and M. Khayat, Proc. ICEAA, pp. 861-864, Torino, Italy, 2005] on curved subdomains. In these approaches, the source triangle is divided into three tangent subtriangles with a common vertex at the normal projection of the observation point onto the source element or the extended surface containing it. The geometry of a typical tangent subtriangle and its local rectangular coordinate system with origin at the projected observation point is shown in Fig. 1. Whereas singularity cancellation techniques for 1 R type kernels are now nearing maturity, the efficient handling of near-hypersingular kernels still needs attention. For example, in the gradient reference above, techniques are presented for computing the normal component of the gradient relative to the plane containing the tangent subtriangle. These techniques, summarized in the transformations in Table 1, are applied at the sub-triangle level and correspond particularly to the case in which the normal projection of the observation point lies within the boundary of the source element. They are found to be highly efficient as z approaches zero. Here, we extend the approach to cover two instances not previously addressed. First, we consider the case in which the normal projection of the observation point lies external to the source element. For such cases, we find that simple modifications to the transformations of Table 1 permit significant savings in computational cost. Second, we present techniques that permit accurate computation of the tangential components of the gradient; i.e., tangent to the plane containing the source element.

Scattering and radiation analysis of three-dimensional cavity arrays via a hybrid finite element method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jin, Jian-Ming; Volakis, John L.

1992-01-01

A hybrid numerical technique is presented for a characterization of the scattering and radiation properties of three-dimensional cavity arrays recessed in a ground plane. The technique combines the finite element and boundary integral methods and invokes Floquet's representation to formulate a system of equations for the fields at the apertures and those inside the cavities. The system is solved via the conjugate gradient method in conjunction with the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) thus achieving an O(N) storage requirement. By virtue of the finite element method, the proposed technique is applicable to periodic arrays comprised of cavities having arbitrary shape and filled with inhomogeneous dielectrics. Several numerical results are presented, along with new measured data, which demonstrate the validity, efficiency, and capability of the technique.

Color image encryption using random transforms, phase retrieval, chaotic maps, and diffusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Annaby, M. H.; Rushdi, M. A.; Nehary, E. A.

2018-04-01

The recent tremendous proliferation of color imaging applications has been accompanied by growing research in data encryption to secure color images against adversary attacks. While recent color image encryption techniques perform reasonably well, they still exhibit vulnerabilities and deficiencies in terms of statistical security measures due to image data redundancy and inherent weaknesses. This paper proposes two encryption algorithms that largely treat these deficiencies and boost the security strength through novel integration of the random fractional Fourier transforms, phase retrieval algorithms, as well as chaotic scrambling and diffusion. We show through detailed experiments and statistical analysis that the proposed enhancements significantly improve security measures and immunity to attacks.

Transformational leadership in the consumer service workgroup: competing models of job satisfaction, change commitment, and cooperative conflict resolution.

PubMed

Yang, Yi-Feng

2014-02-01

This paper discusses the effects of transformational leadership on cooperative conflict resolution (management) by evaluating several alternative models related to the mediating role of job satisfaction and change commitment. Samples of data from customer service personnel in Taiwan were analyzed. Based on the bootstrap sample technique, an empirical study was carried out to yield the best fitting model. The procedure of hierarchical nested model analysis was used, incorporating the methods of bootstrapping mediation, PRODCLIN2, and structural equation modeling (SEM) comparison. The analysis suggests that leadership that promotes integration (change commitment) and provides inspiration and motivation (job satisfaction), in the proper order, creates the means for cooperative conflict resolution.

An open-chain imaginary-time path-integral sampling approach to the calculation of approximate symmetrized quantum time correlation functions.

PubMed

Cendagorta, Joseph R; Bačić, Zlatko; Tuckerman, Mark E

2018-03-14

We introduce a scheme for approximating quantum time correlation functions numerically within the Feynman path integral formulation. Starting with the symmetrized version of the correlation function expressed as a discretized path integral, we introduce a change of integration variables often used in the derivation of trajectory-based semiclassical methods. In particular, we transform to sum and difference variables between forward and backward complex-time propagation paths. Once the transformation is performed, the potential energy is expanded in powers of the difference variables, which allows us to perform the integrals over these variables analytically. The manner in which this procedure is carried out results in an open-chain path integral (in the remaining sum variables) with a modified potential that is evaluated using imaginary-time path-integral sampling rather than requiring the generation of a large ensemble of trajectories. Consequently, any number of path integral sampling schemes can be employed to compute the remaining path integral, including Monte Carlo, path-integral molecular dynamics, or enhanced path-integral molecular dynamics. We believe that this approach constitutes a different perspective in semiclassical-type approximations to quantum time correlation functions. Importantly, we argue that our approximation can be systematically improved within a cumulant expansion formalism. We test this approximation on a set of one-dimensional problems that are commonly used to benchmark approximate quantum dynamical schemes. We show that the method is at least as accurate as the popular ring-polymer molecular dynamics technique and linearized semiclassical initial value representation for correlation functions of linear operators in most of these examples and improves the accuracy of correlation functions of nonlinear operators.

An open-chain imaginary-time path-integral sampling approach to the calculation of approximate symmetrized quantum time correlation functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cendagorta, Joseph R.; Bačić, Zlatko; Tuckerman, Mark E.

2018-03-01

We introduce a scheme for approximating quantum time correlation functions numerically within the Feynman path integral formulation. Starting with the symmetrized version of the correlation function expressed as a discretized path integral, we introduce a change of integration variables often used in the derivation of trajectory-based semiclassical methods. In particular, we transform to sum and difference variables between forward and backward complex-time propagation paths. Once the transformation is performed, the potential energy is expanded in powers of the difference variables, which allows us to perform the integrals over these variables analytically. The manner in which this procedure is carried out results in an open-chain path integral (in the remaining sum variables) with a modified potential that is evaluated using imaginary-time path-integral sampling rather than requiring the generation of a large ensemble of trajectories. Consequently, any number of path integral sampling schemes can be employed to compute the remaining path integral, including Monte Carlo, path-integral molecular dynamics, or enhanced path-integral molecular dynamics. We believe that this approach constitutes a different perspective in semiclassical-type approximations to quantum time correlation functions. Importantly, we argue that our approximation can be systematically improved within a cumulant expansion formalism. We test this approximation on a set of one-dimensional problems that are commonly used to benchmark approximate quantum dynamical schemes. We show that the method is at least as accurate as the popular ring-polymer molecular dynamics technique and linearized semiclassical initial value representation for correlation functions of linear operators in most of these examples and improves the accuracy of correlation functions of nonlinear operators.

Integral transforms of the quantum mechanical path integral: Hit function and path-averaged potential.

PubMed

Edwards, James P; Gerber, Urs; Schubert, Christian; Trejo, Maria Anabel; Weber, Axel

2018-04-01

We introduce two integral transforms of the quantum mechanical transition kernel that represent physical information about the path integral. These transforms can be interpreted as probability distributions on particle trajectories measuring respectively the relative contribution to the path integral from paths crossing a given spatial point (the hit function) and the likelihood of values of the line integral of the potential along a path in the ensemble (the path-averaged potential).

Integral transforms of the quantum mechanical path integral: Hit function and path-averaged potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, James P.; Gerber, Urs; Schubert, Christian; Trejo, Maria Anabel; Weber, Axel

2018-04-01

We introduce two integral transforms of the quantum mechanical transition kernel that represent physical information about the path integral. These transforms can be interpreted as probability distributions on particle trajectories measuring respectively the relative contribution to the path integral from paths crossing a given spatial point (the hit function) and the likelihood of values of the line integral of the potential along a path in the ensemble (the path-averaged potential).

Practical protocols for fast histopathology by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keith, Frances N.; Reddy, Rohith K.; Bhargava, Rohit

2008-02-01

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging is an emerging technique that combines the molecular selectivity of spectroscopy with the spatial specificity of optical microscopy. We demonstrate a new concept in obtaining high fidelity data using commercial array detectors coupled to a microscope and Michelson interferometer. Next, we apply the developed technique to rapidly provide automated histopathologic information for breast cancer. Traditionally, disease diagnoses are based on optical examinations of stained tissue and involve a skilled recognition of morphological patterns of specific cell types (histopathology). Consequently, histopathologic determinations are a time consuming, subjective process with innate intra- and inter-operator variability. Utilizing endogenous molecular contrast inherent in vibrational spectra, specially designed tissue microarrays and pattern recognition of specific biochemical features, we report an integrated algorithm for automated classifications. The developed protocol is objective, statistically significant and, being compatible with current tissue processing procedures, holds potential for routine clinical diagnoses. We first demonstrate that the classification of tissue type (histology) can be accomplished in a manner that is robust and rigorous. Since data quality and classifier performance are linked, we quantify the relationship through our analysis model. Last, we demonstrate the application of the minimum noise fraction (MNF) transform to improve tissue segmentation.

A finite element-boundary integral method for scattering and radiation by two- and three-dimensional structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jin, Jian-Ming; Volakis, John L.; Collins, Jeffery D.

1991-01-01

A review of a hybrid finite element-boundary integral formulation for scattering and radiation by two- and three-composite structures is presented. In contrast to other hybrid techniques involving the finite element method, the proposed one is in principle exac, and can be implemented using a low O(N) storage. This is of particular importance for large scale applications and is a characteristic of the boundary chosen to terminate the finite-element mesh, usually as close to the structure as possible. A certain class of these boundaries lead to convolutional boundary integrals which can be evaluated via the fast Fourier transform (FFT) without a need to generate a matrix; thus, retaining the O(N) storage requirement.

Darboux transformation and solitons for an integrable nonautonomous nonlinear integro-differential Schrödinger equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yong, Xuelin; Fan, Yajing; Huang, Yehui; Ma, Wen-Xiu; Tian, Jing

2017-10-01

By modifying the scheme for an isospectral problem, the non-isospectral Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur (AKNS) hierarchy is constructed via allowing the time varying spectrum. In this paper, we consider an integrable nonautonomous nonlinear integro-differential Schrödinger equation discussed before in “Multi-soliton management by the integrable nonautonomous nonlinear integro-differential Schrödinger equation” [Y. J. Zhang, D. Zhao and H. G. Luo, Ann. Phys. 350 (2014) 112]. We first analyze the integrability conditions and identify the model. Second, we modify the existing Darboux transformation (DT) for such a non-isospectral problem. Third, the nonautonomous soliton solutions are obtained via the resulting DT and basic properties of these solutions in the inhomogeneous media are discussed graphically to illustrate the influences of the variable coefficients. In the process, a technique by selecting appropriate spectral parameters instead of the variable inhomogeneities is employed to realize a different type of one-soliton management. Several novel optical solitons are constructed and their features are shown by some specific figures. In addition, four kinds of the special localized two-soliton solutions are obtained. The solitonic excitations localized both in space and time, which exhibit the feature of the so-called rogue waves but with a zero background, are discussed.

Unsteady translational motion of a slip sphere in a viscous fluid using the fractional Navier-Stokes equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashmawy, E. A.

2017-03-01

In this paper, we investigate the translational motion of a slip sphere with time-dependent velocity in an incompressible viscous fluid. The modified Navier-Stokes equation with fractional order time derivative is used. The linear slip boundary condition is applied on the spherical boundary. The integral Laplace transform technique is employed to solve the problem. The solution in the physical domain is obtained analytically by inverting the Laplace transform using the complex inversion formula together with contour integration. An exact formula for the drag force exerted by the fluid on the spherical object is deduced. This formula is applied to some flows, namely damping oscillation, sine oscillation and sudden motion. The numerical results showed that the order of the fractional derivative contributes considerably to the drag force. The increase in this parameter resulted in an increase in the drag force. In addition, the values of the drag force increased with the increase in the slip parameter.

Phytoremediative urban design: transforming a derelict and polluted harbour area into a green and productive neighbourhood.

PubMed

Wilschut, M; Theuws, P A W; Duchhart, I

2013-12-01

Many urban areas are polluted by industrial activities and waste disposal in landfills. Since conventional soil remediation techniques are costly and unsustainable, phytoremediation might offer an alternative. In this article, we explore how phytoremediation can be integrated into the transformation of urban post-industrial areas, while improving public space. Buiksloterham, a polluted and deprived industrial area in Amsterdam, serves as case study. Buiksloterham is polluted with heavy metals, with Zinc (Zn) concentrations being the highest. A regression-model for Alpine Pennycress (Thlaspi caerulescens) is used to estimate the time needed to remediate the site. This reveals a conflict in time between remediation and urban development. A research by design experiment shows how to overcome this conflict by dealing with polluted soil innovatively while emphasizing spatial and aesthetic qualities of the phytoremediation plant species. The resulting landscape framework integrates phytoremediation with biomass production and gives new ecological, economic and social value to Buiksloterham. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A numerical technique for linear elliptic partial differential equations in polygonal domains.

PubMed

Hashemzadeh, P; Fokas, A S; Smitheman, S A

2015-03-08

Integral representations for the solution of linear elliptic partial differential equations (PDEs) can be obtained using Green's theorem. However, these representations involve both the Dirichlet and the Neumann values on the boundary, and for a well-posed boundary-value problem (BVPs) one of these functions is unknown. A new transform method for solving BVPs for linear and integrable nonlinear PDEs usually referred to as the unified transform ( or the Fokas transform ) was introduced by the second author in the late Nineties. For linear elliptic PDEs, this method can be considered as the analogue of Green's function approach but now it is formulated in the complex Fourier plane instead of the physical plane. It employs two global relations also formulated in the Fourier plane which couple the Dirichlet and the Neumann boundary values. These relations can be used to characterize the unknown boundary values in terms of the given boundary data, yielding an elegant approach for determining the Dirichlet to Neumann map . The numerical implementation of the unified transform can be considered as the counterpart in the Fourier plane of the well-known boundary integral method which is formulated in the physical plane. For this implementation, one must choose (i) a suitable basis for expanding the unknown functions and (ii) an appropriate set of complex values, which we refer to as collocation points, at which to evaluate the global relations. Here, by employing a variety of examples we present simple guidelines of how the above choices can be made. Furthermore, we provide concrete rules for choosing the collocation points so that the condition number of the matrix of the associated linear system remains low.

Solution of some types of differential equations: operational calculus and inverse differential operators.

PubMed

Zhukovsky, K

2014-01-01

We present a general method of operational nature to analyze and obtain solutions for a variety of equations of mathematical physics and related mathematical problems. We construct inverse differential operators and produce operational identities, involving inverse derivatives and families of generalised orthogonal polynomials, such as Hermite and Laguerre polynomial families. We develop the methodology of inverse and exponential operators, employing them for the study of partial differential equations. Advantages of the operational technique, combined with the use of integral transforms, generating functions with exponentials and their integrals, for solving a wide class of partial derivative equations, related to heat, wave, and transport problems, are demonstrated.

A Computer Program for the Computation of Running Gear Temperatures Using Green's Function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshigoe, S.; Murdock, J. W.; Akin, L. S.; Townsend, D. P.

1996-01-01

A new technique has been developed to study two dimensional heat transfer problems in gears. This technique consists of transforming the heat equation into a line integral equation with the use of Green's theorem. The equation is then expressed in terms of eigenfunctions that satisfy the Helmholtz equation, and their corresponding eigenvalues for an arbitrarily shaped region of interest. The eigenfunction are obtalned by solving an intergral equation. Once the eigenfunctions are found, the temperature is expanded in terms of the eigenfunctions with unknown time dependent coefficients that can be solved by using Runge Kutta methods. The time integration is extremely efficient. Therefore, any changes in the time dependent coefficients or source terms in the boundary conditions do not impose a great computational burden on the user. The method is demonstrated by applying it to a sample gear tooth. Temperature histories at representative surface locatons are given.

Ultraviolet-Induced Decrease in Integration of Haemophilus influenzae Transforming Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Sensitive and Resistant Cells

PubMed Central

Muhammed, Amir; Setlow, Jane K.

1970-01-01

The decrease in integration of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) caused by ultraviolet irradiation of the DNA was found to be independent of the presence or absence of excision repair in the recipient cell. Much of the ultraviolet-induced inhibition of integration resulted from the presence in the transforming DNA of pyrimidine dimers, as judged by the photoreactivability of the inhibition with yeast photoreactivating enzyme. The inhibition of integration made only a small contribution to the inactivation of transforming ability of the DNA by ultraviolet radiation. PMID:5308769

The Effect of Electroencephalogram (EEG) Reference Choice on Information-Theoretic Measures of the Complexity and Integration of EEG Signals

PubMed Central

Trujillo, Logan T.; Stanfield, Candice T.; Vela, Ruben D.

2017-01-01

Converging evidence suggests that human cognition and behavior emerge from functional brain networks interacting on local and global scales. We investigated two information-theoretic measures of functional brain segregation and integration—interaction complexity CI(X), and integration I(X)—as applied to electroencephalographic (EEG) signals and how these measures are affected by choice of EEG reference. CI(X) is a statistical measure of the system entropy accounted for by interactions among its elements, whereas I(X) indexes the overall deviation from statistical independence of the individual elements of a system. We recorded 72 channels of scalp EEG from human participants who sat in a wakeful resting state (interleaved counterbalanced eyes-open and eyes-closed blocks). CI(X) and I(X) of the EEG signals were computed using four different EEG references: linked-mastoids (LM) reference, average (AVG) reference, a Laplacian (LAP) “reference-free” transformation, and an infinity (INF) reference estimated via the Reference Electrode Standardization Technique (REST). Fourier-based power spectral density (PSD), a standard measure of resting state activity, was computed for comparison and as a check of data integrity and quality. We also performed dipole source modeling in order to assess the accuracy of neural source CI(X) and I(X) estimates obtained from scalp-level EEG signals. CI(X) was largest for the LAP transformation, smallest for the LM reference, and at intermediate values for the AVG and INF references. I(X) was smallest for the LAP transformation, largest for the LM reference, and at intermediate values for the AVG and INF references. Furthermore, across all references, CI(X) and I(X) reliably distinguished between resting-state conditions (larger values for eyes-open vs. eyes-closed). These findings occurred in the context of the overall expected pattern of resting state PSD. Dipole modeling showed that simulated scalp EEG-level CI(X) and I(X) reflected changes in underlying neural source dependencies, but only for higher levels of integration and with highest accuracy for the LAP transformation. Our observations suggest that the Laplacian-transformation should be preferred for the computation of scalp-level CI(X) and I(X) due to its positive impact on EEG signal quality and statistics, reduction of volume-conduction, and the higher accuracy this provides when estimating scalp-level EEG complexity and integration. PMID:28790884

The Benefits of Merging Leadership Research and Emotions Research

PubMed Central

Humphrey, Ronald H.; Burch, Gerald F.; Adams, Laural L.

2016-01-01

A closer merging of the literature on emotions with the research on leadership may prove advantageous to both fields. Leadership researchers will benefit by incorporating the research on emotional labor, emotional regulation, and happiness. Emotions researchers will be able to more fully consider how leadership demands influence emotional processes. In particular, researchers can better understand how the workplace context and leadership demands influence affective events. The leadership literature on charisma, transformational leadership, leader-member exchange, and other theories have the potential to shed light on how rhetorical techniques and other leadership techniques influence emotional labor, emotional contagion, moods, and overall morale. Conversely, the literature on emotional labor and emotional contagion stands to provide insights into what makes leaders charismatic, transformational, or capable of developing high quality leader–follower relationships. This review examines emotions and leadership at five levels: within person, between persons, interpersonal, groups and teams, and organizational wide and integrates research on emotions, emotional contagion, and leadership to identify opportunities for future research for both emotions researchers and leadership researchers. PMID:27458415

The Benefits of Merging Leadership Research and Emotions Research.

PubMed

Humphrey, Ronald H; Burch, Gerald F; Adams, Laural L

2016-01-01

A closer merging of the literature on emotions with the research on leadership may prove advantageous to both fields. Leadership researchers will benefit by incorporating the research on emotional labor, emotional regulation, and happiness. Emotions researchers will be able to more fully consider how leadership demands influence emotional processes. In particular, researchers can better understand how the workplace context and leadership demands influence affective events. The leadership literature on charisma, transformational leadership, leader-member exchange, and other theories have the potential to shed light on how rhetorical techniques and other leadership techniques influence emotional labor, emotional contagion, moods, and overall morale. Conversely, the literature on emotional labor and emotional contagion stands to provide insights into what makes leaders charismatic, transformational, or capable of developing high quality leader-follower relationships. This review examines emotions and leadership at five levels: within person, between persons, interpersonal, groups and teams, and organizational wide and integrates research on emotions, emotional contagion, and leadership to identify opportunities for future research for both emotions researchers and leadership researchers.

Highly efficient full-wave electromagnetic analysis of 3-D arbitrarily shaped waveguide microwave devices using an integral equation technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vidal, A.; San-Blas, A. A.; Quesada-Pereira, F. D.; Pérez-Soler, J.; Gil, J.; Vicente, C.; Gimeno, B.; Boria, V. E.

2015-07-01

A novel technique for the full-wave analysis of 3-D complex waveguide devices is presented. This new formulation, based on the Boundary Integral-Resonant Mode Expansion (BI-RME) method, allows the rigorous full-wave electromagnetic characterization of 3-D arbitrarily shaped metallic structures making use of extremely low CPU resources (both time and memory). The unknown electric current density on the surface of the metallic elements is represented by means of Rao-Wilton-Glisson basis functions, and an algebraic procedure based on a singular value decomposition is applied to transform such functions into the classical solenoidal and nonsolenoidal basis functions needed by the original BI-RME technique. The developed tool also provides an accurate computation of the electromagnetic fields at an arbitrary observation point of the considered device, so it can be used for predicting high-power breakdown phenomena. In order to validate the accuracy and efficiency of this novel approach, several new designs of band-pass waveguides filters are presented. The obtained results (S-parameters and electromagnetic fields) are successfully compared both to experimental data and to numerical simulations provided by a commercial software based on the finite element technique. The results obtained show that the new technique is specially suitable for the efficient full-wave analysis of complex waveguide devices considering an integrated coaxial excitation, where the coaxial probes may be in contact with the metallic insets of the component.

Processing grounded-wire TEM signal in time-frequency-pseudo-seismic domain: A new paradigm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, M. Y.; Xue, G. Q.; Chen, W.; Huasen, Z.

2017-12-01

Grounded-wire TEM has received great attention in mineral, hydrocarbon and hydrogeological investigations for the last several years. Conventionally, TEM soundings have been presented as apparent resistivity curves as function of time. With development of sophisticated computational algorithms, it became possible to extract more realistic geoelectric information by applying inversion programs to 1-D & 3-D problems. Here, we analyze grounded-wire TEM data by carrying out analysis in time, frequency and pseudo-seismic domain supported by borehole information. At first, H, K, A & Q type geoelectric models are processed using a proven inversion program (1-D Occam inversion). Second, time-to-frequency transformation is conducted from TEM ρa(t) curves to magneto telluric MT ρa(f) curves for the same models based on all-time apparent resistivity curves. Third, 1-D Bostick's algorithm was applied to the transformed resistivity. Finally, EM diffusion field is transformed into propagating wave field obeying the standard wave equation using wavelet transformation technique and constructed pseudo-seismic section. The transformed seismic-like wave indicates that some reflection and refraction phenomena appear when the EM wave field interacts with geoelectric interface at different depth intervals due to contrast in resistivity. The resolution of the transformed TEM data is significantly improved in comparison to apparent resistivity plots. A case study illustrates the successful hydrogeophysical application of proposed approach in recovering water-filled mined-out area in a coal field located in Ye county, Henan province, China. The results support the introduction of pseudo-seismic imaging technology in short-offset version of TEM which can also be an useful aid if integrated with seismic reflection technique to explore possibilities for high resolution EM imaging in future.

Application of the Sumudu Transform to Discrete Dynamic Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Asiru, Muniru Aderemi

2003-01-01

The Sumudu transform is an integral transform introduced to solve differential equations and control engineering problems. The transform possesses many interesting properties that make visualization easier and application has been demonstrated in the solution of partial differential equations, integral equations, integro-differential equations and…

Solution of fractional kinetic equation by a class of integral transform of pathway type

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Dilip

2013-04-01

Solutions of fractional kinetic equations are obtained through an integral transform named Pα-transform introduced in this paper. The Pα-transform is a binomial type transform containing many class of transforms including the well known Laplace transform. The paper is motivated by the idea of pathway model introduced by Mathai [Linear Algebra Appl. 396, 317-328 (2005), 10.1016/j.laa.2004.09.022]. The composition of the transform with differential and integral operators are proved along with convolution theorem. As an illustration of applications to the general theory of differential equations, a simple differential equation is solved by the new transform. Being a new transform, the Pα-transform of some elementary functions as well as some generalized special functions such as H-function, G-function, Wright generalized hypergeometric function, generalized hypergeometric function, and Mittag-Leffler function are also obtained. The results for the classical Laplace transform is retrieved by letting α → 1.

Constraint treatment techniques and parallel algorithms for multibody dynamic analysis. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chiou, Jin-Chern

1990-01-01

Computational procedures for kinematic and dynamic analysis of three-dimensional multibody dynamic (MBD) systems are developed from the differential-algebraic equations (DAE's) viewpoint. Constraint violations during the time integration process are minimized and penalty constraint stabilization techniques and partitioning schemes are developed. The governing equations of motion, a two-stage staggered explicit-implicit numerical algorithm, are treated which takes advantage of a partitioned solution procedure. A robust and parallelizable integration algorithm is developed. This algorithm uses a two-stage staggered central difference algorithm to integrate the translational coordinates and the angular velocities. The angular orientations of bodies in MBD systems are then obtained by using an implicit algorithm via the kinematic relationship between Euler parameters and angular velocities. It is shown that the combination of the present solution procedures yields a computationally more accurate solution. To speed up the computational procedures, parallel implementation of the present constraint treatment techniques, the two-stage staggered explicit-implicit numerical algorithm was efficiently carried out. The DAE's and the constraint treatment techniques were transformed into arrowhead matrices to which Schur complement form was derived. By fully exploiting the sparse matrix structural analysis techniques, a parallel preconditioned conjugate gradient numerical algorithm is used to solve the systems equations written in Schur complement form. A software testbed was designed and implemented in both sequential and parallel computers. This testbed was used to demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the constraint treatment techniques, the accuracy of the two-stage staggered explicit-implicit numerical algorithm, and the speed up of the Schur-complement-based parallel preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm on a parallel computer.

Quantitative Frequency-Domain Passive Cavitation Imaging

PubMed Central

Haworth, Kevin J.; Bader, Kenneth B.; Rich, Kyle T.; Holland, Christy K.; Mast, T. Douglas

2017-01-01

Passive cavitation detection has been an instrumental technique for measuring cavitation dynamics, elucidating concomitant bioeffects, and guiding ultrasound therapies. Recently, techniques have been developed to create images of cavitation activity to provide investigators with a more complete set of information. These techniques use arrays to record and subsequently beamform received cavitation emissions, rather than processing emissions received on a single-element transducer. In this paper, the methods for performing frequency-domain delay, sum, and integrate passive imaging are outlined. The method can be applied to any passively acquired acoustic scattering or emissions, including cavitation emissions. In order to compare data across different systems, techniques for normalizing Fourier transformed data and converting the data to the acoustic energy received by the array are described. A discussion of hardware requirements and alternative imaging approaches are additionally outlined. Examples are provided in MATLAB. PMID:27992331

Visual Modelling of Data Warehousing Flows with UML Profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pardillo, Jesús; Golfarelli, Matteo; Rizzi, Stefano; Trujillo, Juan

Data warehousing involves complex processes that transform source data through several stages to deliver suitable information ready to be analysed. Though many techniques for visual modelling of data warehouses from the static point of view have been devised, only few attempts have been made to model the data flows involved in a data warehousing process. Besides, each attempt was mainly aimed at a specific application, such as ETL, OLAP, what-if analysis, data mining. Data flows are typically very complex in this domain; for this reason, we argue, designers would greatly benefit from a technique for uniformly modelling data warehousing flows for all applications. In this paper, we propose an integrated visual modelling technique for data cubes and data flows. This technique is based on UML profiling; its feasibility is evaluated by means of a prototype implementation.

Improved digital filters for evaluating Fourier and Hankel transform integrals

USGS Publications Warehouse

Anderson, Walter L.

1975-01-01

New algorithms are described for evaluating Fourier (cosine, sine) and Hankel (J0,J1) transform integrals by means of digital filters. The filters have been designed with extended lengths so that a variable convolution operation can be applied to a large class of integral transforms having the same system transfer function. A f' lagged-convolution method is also presented to significantly decrease the computation time when computing a series of like-transforms over a parameter set spaced the same as the filters. Accuracy of the new filters is comparable to Gaussian integration, provided moderate parameter ranges and well-behaved kernel functions are used. A collection of Fortran IV subprograms is included for both real and complex functions for each filter type. The algorithms have been successfully used in geophysical applications containing a wide variety of integral transforms

Surface contamination analysis technology team overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, H. Dewitt

1995-01-01

A team was established which consisted of representatives from NASA (Marshall Space Flight Center and Langley Research Center), Thiokol Corporation, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, AC Engineering, SAIC, Martin Marietta, and Aerojet. The team's purpose was to bring together the appropriate personnel to determine what surface inspection techniques were applicable to multiprogram bonding surface cleanliness inspection. In order to identify appropriate techniques and their sensitivity to various contaminant families, calibration standards were developed. Producing standards included development of consistent low level contamination application techniques. Oxidation was also considered for effect on inspection equipment response. Ellipsometry was used for oxidation characterization. Verification testing was then accomplished to show that selected inspection techniques could detect subject contaminants at levels found to be detrimental to critical bond systems of interest. Once feasibility of identified techniques was shown, selected techniques and instrumentation could then be incorporated into a multipurpose inspection head and integrated with a robot for critical surface inspection. Inspection techniques currently being evaluated include optically stimulated electron emission (OSEE); near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy utilizing fiber optics; Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy; and ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence. Current plans are to demonstrate an integrated system in MSFC's Productivity Enhancement Complex within five years from initiation of this effort in 1992 assuming appropriate funding levels are maintained. This paper gives an overview of work accomplished by the team and future plans.

Design and fabrication of planar structures with graded electromagnetic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Good, Brandon Lowell

Successfully integrating electromagnetic properties in planar structures offers numerous benefits to the microwave and optical communities. This work aims at formulating new analytic and optimized design methods, creating new fabrication techniques for achieving those methods, and matching appropriate implementation of methods to fabrication techniques. The analytic method consists of modifying an approach that realizes perfect antireflective properties from graded profiles. This method is shown for all-dielectric and magneto-dielectric grading profiles. The optimized design methods are applied to transformer (discrete) or taper (continuous) designs. From these methods, a subtractive and an additive manufacturing technique were established and are described. The additive method, dry powder dot deposition, enables three dimensional varying electromagnetic properties in a structural composite. Combining the methods and fabrication is shown in two applied methodologies. The first uses dry powder dot deposition to design one dimensionally graded electromagnetic profiles in a planar fiberglass composite. The second method simultaneously applies antireflective properties and adjusts directivity through a slab through the use of subwavelength structures to achieve a flat antireflective lens. The end result of this work is a complete set of methods, formulations, and fabrication techniques to achieve integrated electromagnetic properties in planar structures.

Model-Driven Theme/UML

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carton, Andrew; Driver, Cormac; Jackson, Andrew; Clarke, Siobhán

Theme/UML is an existing approach to aspect-oriented modelling that supports the modularisation and composition of concerns, including crosscutting ones, in design. To date, its lack of integration with model-driven engineering (MDE) techniques has limited its benefits across the development lifecycle. Here, we describe our work on facilitating the use of Theme/UML as part of an MDE process. We have developed a transformation tool that adopts model-driven architecture (MDA) standards. It defines a concern composition mechanism, implemented as a model transformation, to support the enhanced modularisation features of Theme/UML. We evaluate our approach by applying it to the development of mobile, context-aware applications-an application area characterised by many non-functional requirements that manifest themselves as crosscutting concerns.

Algorithms for tensor network renormalization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evenbly, G.

2017-01-01

We discuss in detail algorithms for implementing tensor network renormalization (TNR) for the study of classical statistical and quantum many-body systems. First, we recall established techniques for how the partition function of a 2 D classical many-body system or the Euclidean path integral of a 1 D quantum system can be represented as a network of tensors, before describing how TNR can be implemented to efficiently contract the network via a sequence of coarse-graining transformations. The efficacy of the TNR approach is then benchmarked for the 2 D classical statistical and 1 D quantum Ising models; in particular the ability of TNR to maintain a high level of accuracy over sustained coarse-graining transformations, even at a critical point, is demonstrated.

Vibration suppression in flexible structures via the sliding-mode control approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drakunov, S.; Oezguener, Uemit

1994-01-01

Sliding mode control became very popular recently because it makes the closed loop system highly insensitive to external disturbances and parameter variations. Sliding algorithms for flexible structures have been used previously, but these were based on finite-dimensional models. An extension of this approach for differential-difference systems is obtained. That makes if possible to apply sliding-mode control algorithms to the variety of nondispersive flexible structures which can be described as differential-difference systems. The main idea of using this technique for dispersive structures is to reduce the order of the controlled part of the system by applying an integral transformation. We can say that transformation 'absorbs' the dispersive properties of the flexible structure as the controlled part becomes dispersive.

Plated lamination structures for integrated magnetic devices

DOEpatents

Webb, Bucknell C.

2014-06-17

Semiconductor integrated magnetic devices such as inductors, transformers, etc., having laminated magnetic-insulator stack structures are provided, wherein the laminated magnetic-insulator stack structures are formed using electroplating techniques. For example, an integrated laminated magnetic device includes a multilayer stack structure having alternating magnetic and insulating layers formed on a substrate, wherein each magnetic layer in the multilayer stack structure is separated from another magnetic layer in the multilayer stack structure by an insulating layer, and a local shorting structure to electrically connect each magnetic layer in the multilayer stack structure to an underlying magnetic layer in the multilayer stack structure to facilitate electroplating of the magnetic layers using an underlying conductive layer (magnetic or seed layer) in the stack as an electrical cathode/anode for each electroplated magnetic layer in the stack structure.

Integration of scheduling and discrete event simulation systems to improve production flow planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krenczyk, D.; Paprocka, I.; Kempa, W. M.; Grabowik, C.; Kalinowski, K.

2016-08-01

The increased availability of data and computer-aided technologies such as MRPI/II, ERP and MES system, allowing producers to be more adaptive to market dynamics and to improve production scheduling. Integration of production scheduling and computer modelling, simulation and visualization systems can be useful in the analysis of production system constraints related to the efficiency of manufacturing systems. A integration methodology based on semi-automatic model generation method for eliminating problems associated with complexity of the model and labour-intensive and time-consuming process of simulation model creation is proposed. Data mapping and data transformation techniques for the proposed method have been applied. This approach has been illustrated through examples of practical implementation of the proposed method using KbRS scheduling system and Enterprise Dynamics simulation system.

A technique to detect periodic and non-periodic ultra-rapid flux time variations with standard radio-astronomical data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borra, Ermanno F.; Romney, Jonathan D.; Trottier, Eric

2018-06-01

We demonstrate that extremely rapid and weak periodic and non-periodic signals can easily be detected by using the autocorrelation of intensity as a function of time. We use standard radio-astronomical observations that have artificial periodic and non-periodic signals generated by the electronics of terrestrial origin. The autocorrelation detects weak signals that have small amplitudes because it averages over long integration times. Another advantage is that it allows a direct visualization of the shape of the signals, while it is difficult to see the shape with a Fourier transform. Although Fourier transforms can also detect periodic signals, a novelty of this work is that we demonstrate another major advantage of the autocorrelation, that it can detect non-periodic signals while the Fourier transform cannot. Another major novelty of our work is that we use electric fields taken in a standard format with standard instrumentation at a radio observatory and therefore no specialized instrumentation is needed. Because the electric fields are sampled every 15.625 ns, they therefore allow detection of very rapid time variations. Notwithstanding the long integration times, the autocorrelation detects very rapid intensity variations as a function of time. The autocorrelation could also detect messages from Extraterrestrial Intelligence as non-periodic signals.

Thermodynamic Modelling of Phase Transformation in a Multi-Component System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vala, J.

2007-09-01

Diffusion in multi-component alloys can be characterized by the vacancy mechanism for substitutional components, by the existence of sources and sinks for vacancies and by the motion of atoms of interstitial components. The description of diffusive and massive phase transformation of a multi-component system is based on the thermodynamic extremal principle by Onsager; the finite thickness of the interface between both phases is respected. The resulting system of partial differential equations of evolution with integral terms for unknown mole fractions (and additional variables in case of non-ideal sources and sinks for vacancies), can be analyzed using the method of lines and the finite difference technique (or, alternatively, the finite element one) together with the semi-analytic and numerical integration formulae and with certain iteration procedure, making use of the spectral properties of linear operators. The original software code for the numerical evaluation of solutions of such systems, written in MATLAB, offers a chance to simulate various real processes of diffusional phase transformation. Some results for the (nearly) steady-state real processes in substitutional alloys have been published yet. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the same approach can handle both substitutional and interstitial components even in case of a general system of evolution.

Consistent Discretization and Canonical, Classical and Quantum Regge Calculus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gambini, Rodolfo; Pullin, Jorge

We apply the "consistent discretization" technique to the Regge action for (Euclidean and Lorentzian) general relativity in arbitrary number of dimensions. The result is a well-defined canonical theory that is free of constraints and where the dynamics is implemented as a canonical transformation. In the Lorentzian case, the framework appears to be naturally free of the "spikes" that plague traditional formulations. It also provides a well-defined recipe for determining the integration measure for quantum Regge calculus.

A Unified Method of Finding Laplace Transforms, Fourier Transforms, and Fourier Series. [and] An Inversion Method for Laplace Transforms, Fourier Transforms, and Fourier Series. Integral Transforms and Series Expansions. Modules and Monographs in Undergraduate Mathematics and Its Applications Project. UMAP Units 324 and 325.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grimm, C. A.

This document contains two units that examine integral transforms and series expansions. In the first module, the user is expected to learn how to use the unified method presented to obtain Laplace transforms, Fourier transforms, complex Fourier series, real Fourier series, and half-range sine series for given piecewise continuous functions. In…

Comparing Parameter Estimation Techniques for an Electrical Power Transformer Oil Temperature Prediction Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, A. Terry

1999-01-01

This paper examines various sources of error in MIT's improved top oil temperature rise over ambient temperature model and estimation process. The sources of error are the current parameter estimation technique, quantization noise, and post-processing of the transformer data. Results from this paper will show that an output error parameter estimation technique should be selected to replace the current least squares estimation technique. The output error technique obtained accurate predictions of transformer behavior, revealed the best error covariance, obtained consistent parameter estimates, and provided for valid and sensible parameters. This paper will also show that the output error technique should be used to minimize errors attributed to post-processing (decimation) of the transformer data. Models used in this paper are validated using data from a large transformer in service.

Duplications created by transformation in Sordaria macrospora are not inactivated during meiosis.

PubMed

Le Chevanton, L; Leblon, G; Lebilcot, S

1989-09-01

We present here the first report of a transformation system developed for the filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora. Protoplasts from a ura-5 strain were transformed using the cloned Sordaria gene at a frequency of 2 x 10(-5) transformants per viable protoplast (10 per microgram of DNA). Transformation occurred by integration of the donor sequences in the chromosomes of the recipient strain. In 71 cases out of 74, integration occurred outside the ura5 locus; frequently several (two to four) copies were found at a unique integration site. Using the advantage of the spore colour phenotype of the ura5-1 marker, we have shown that the transformed phenotype is stable through mitosis and meiosis in all transformants analysed. No methylation of the duplicated sequences could be observed during meiotic divisions in the transformants.

Miniaturized integration of a fluorescence microscope

PubMed Central

Ghosh, Kunal K.; Burns, Laurie D.; Cocker, Eric D.; Nimmerjahn, Axel; Ziv, Yaniv; Gamal, Abbas El; Schnitzer, Mark J.

2013-01-01

The light microscope is traditionally an instrument of substantial size and expense. Its miniaturized integration would enable many new applications based on mass-producible, tiny microscopes. Key prospective usages include brain imaging in behaving animals towards relating cellular dynamics to animal behavior. Here we introduce a miniature (1.9 g) integrated fluorescence microscope made from mass-producible parts, including semiconductor light source and sensor. This device enables high-speed cellular-level imaging across ∼0.5 mm2 areas in active mice. This capability allowed concurrent tracking of Ca2+ spiking in >200 Purkinje neurons across nine cerebellar microzones. During mouse locomotion, individual microzones exhibited large-scale, synchronized Ca2+ spiking. This is a mesoscopic neural dynamic missed by prior techniques for studying the brain at other length scales. Overall, the integrated microscope is a potentially transformative technology that permits distribution to many animals and enables diverse usages, such as portable diagnostics or microscope arrays for large-scale screens. PMID:21909102

Miniaturized integration of a fluorescence microscope.

PubMed

Ghosh, Kunal K; Burns, Laurie D; Cocker, Eric D; Nimmerjahn, Axel; Ziv, Yaniv; Gamal, Abbas El; Schnitzer, Mark J

2011-09-11

The light microscope is traditionally an instrument of substantial size and expense. Its miniaturized integration would enable many new applications based on mass-producible, tiny microscopes. Key prospective usages include brain imaging in behaving animals for relating cellular dynamics to animal behavior. Here we introduce a miniature (1.9 g) integrated fluorescence microscope made from mass-producible parts, including a semiconductor light source and sensor. This device enables high-speed cellular imaging across ∼0.5 mm2 areas in active mice. This capability allowed concurrent tracking of Ca2+ spiking in >200 Purkinje neurons across nine cerebellar microzones. During mouse locomotion, individual microzones exhibited large-scale, synchronized Ca2+ spiking. This is a mesoscopic neural dynamic missed by prior techniques for studying the brain at other length scales. Overall, the integrated microscope is a potentially transformative technology that permits distribution to many animals and enables diverse usages, such as portable diagnostics or microscope arrays for large-scale screens.

Low-rank factorization of electron integral tensors and its application in electronic structure theory

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

Peng, Bo; Kowalski, Karol

In this letter, we introduce the reverse Cuthill-McKee (RCM) algorithm, which is often used for the bandwidth reduction of sparse tensors, to transform the two-electron integral tensors to their block diagonal forms. By further applying the pivoted Cholesky decomposition (CD) on each of the diagonal blocks, we are able to represent the high-dimensional two-electron integral tensors in terms of permutation matrices and low-rank Cholesky vectors. This representation facilitates the low-rank factorization of the high-dimensional tensor contractions that are usually encountered in post-Hartree-Fock calculations. In this letter, we discuss the second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) method and linear coupled- cluster model with doublesmore » (L-CCD) as two simple examples to demonstrate the efficiency of the RCM-CD technique in representing two-electron integrals in a compact form.« less

Feature-extracted joint transform correlation.

PubMed

Alam, M S

1995-12-10

A new technique for real-time optical character recognition that uses a joint transform correlator is proposed. This technique employs feature-extracted patterns for the reference image to detect a wide range of characters in one step. The proposed technique significantly enhances the processing speed when compared with the presently available joint transform correlator architectures and shows feasibility for multichannel joint transform correlation.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the haploid liverwort Marchantia polymorpha L., an emerging model for plant biology.

PubMed

Ishizaki, Kimitsune; Chiyoda, Shota; Yamato, Katsuyuki T; Kohchi, Takayuki

2008-07-01

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation has not been practical in pteridophytes, bryophytes and algae to date, although it is commonly used in model plants including Arabidopsis and rice. Here we present a rapid Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for the haploid liverwort Marchantia polymorpha L. using immature thalli developed from spores. Hundreds of hygromycin-resistant plants per sporangium were obtained by co-cultivation of immature thalli with Agrobacterium carrying the binary vector that contains a reporter, the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene with an intron, and a selection marker, the hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt) gene. In this system, individual gemmae, which arise asexually from single initial cells, were analyzed as isogenic transformants. GUS activity staining showed that all hygromycin-resistant plants examined expressed the GUS transgene in planta. DNA analyses verified random integration of 1-5 copies of the intact T-DNA between the right and the left borders into the M. polymorpha genome. The efficient and rapid Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of M. polymorpha should provide molecular techniques to facilitate comparative genomics, taking advantage of this unique model plant that retains many features of the common ancestor of land plants.

The propagation of Lamb waves in multilayered plates: phase-velocity measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grondel, Sébastien; Assaad, Jamal; Delebarre, Christophe; Blanquet, Pierrick; Moulin, Emmanuel

1999-05-01

Owing to the dispersive nature and complexity of the Lamb waves generated in a composite plate, the measurement of the phase velocities by using classical methods is complicated. This paper describes a measurement method based upon the spectrum-analysis technique, which allows one to overcome these problems. The technique consists of using the fast Fourier transform to compute the spatial power-density spectrum. Additionally, weighted functions are used to increase the probability of detecting the various propagation modes. Experimental Lamb-wave dispersion curves of multilayered plates are successfully compared with the analytical ones. This technique is expected to be a useful way to design composite parts integrating ultrasonic transducers in the field of health monitoring. Indeed, Lamb waves and particularly their velocities are very sensitive to defects.

Incipient fault diagnosis of power transformers using optical spectro-photometric technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussain, K.; Karmakar, Subrata

2015-06-01

Power transformers are the vital equipment in the network of power generation, transmission and distribution. Mineral oil in oil-filled transformers plays very important role as far as electrical insulation for the winding and cooling of the transformer is concerned. As transformers are always under the influence of electrical and thermal stresses, incipient faults like partial discharge, sparking and arcing take place. As a result, mineral oil deteriorates there by premature failure of the transformer occurs causing huge losses in terms of revenue and assets. Therefore, the transformer health condition has to be monitored continuously. The Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is being extensively used for this purpose, but it has some drawbacks like it needs carrier gas, regular instrument calibration, etc. To overcome these drawbacks, Ultraviolet (UV) -Visible and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectro-photometric techniques are used as diagnostic tools for investigating the degraded transformer oil affected by electrical, mechanical and thermal stresses. The technique has several advantages over the conventional DGA technique.

New formulations for tsunami runup estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanoglu, U.; Aydin, B.; Ceylan, N.

2017-12-01

We evaluate shoreline motion and maximum runup in two folds: One, we use linear shallow water-wave equations over a sloping beach and solve as initial-boundary value problem similar to the nonlinear solution of Aydın and Kanoglu (2017, Pure Appl. Geophys., https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-017-1508-z). Methodology we present here is simple; it involves eigenfunction expansion and, hence, avoids integral transform techniques. We then use several different types of initial wave profiles with and without initial velocity, estimate shoreline properties and confirm classical runup invariance between linear and nonlinear theories. Two, we use the nonlinear shallow water-wave solution of Kanoglu (2004, J. Fluid Mech. 513, 363-372) to estimate maximum runup. Kanoglu (2004) presented a simple integral solution for the nonlinear shallow water-wave equations using the classical Carrier and Greenspan transformation, and further extended shoreline position and velocity to a simpler integral formulation. In addition, Tinti and Tonini (2005, J. Fluid Mech. 535, 33-64) defined initial condition in a very convenient form for near-shore events. We use Tinti and Tonini (2005) type initial condition in Kanoglu's (2004) shoreline integral solution, which leads further simplified estimates for shoreline position and velocity, i.e. algebraic relation. We then use this algebraic runup estimate to investigate effect of earthquake source parameters on maximum runup and present results similar to Sepulveda and Liu (2016, Coast. Eng. 112, 57-68).

A Solution of the System of Partial Differential Equations Which Describe the Propagation of Acoustic Pulses in Layered Fluid Media,

DTIC Science & Technology

transformed problem. Then using several changes of integration variables, the inverse transform is obtained by direct identification without recourse to the complex Laplace transform inversion integral. (Author)

Ninth Annual NASA/Contractors Conference on Quality and Productivity. World Class Excellence: The Journey Continues. Conference presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Templeton, Geoffrey B. (Editor); Stewart, Lynne M. (Editor)

1992-01-01

The topics covered include the following: The George M. Low Trophy; total quality assessment and measurement; using award criteria to improve organizational effectiveness; results--keeping an eye on the bottom line; capturing customer satisfaction; moving from management to leadership; leadership versus management; transforming the management team; leadership success stories; success stories in the quest for excellence; small business successes; education success stories; government success stories; tools and techniques for total quality management (TQM) integration; planning and organizing for TQM integration; successful stories for implementing system level TQM/CI tools; assessing TQM results; establishing an environment for continuous improvement at NASA; empowerment; synergism of partnering; and partnerships in education.

Improved FFT-based numerical inversion of Laplace transforms via fast Hartley transform algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hwang, Chyi; Lu, Ming-Jeng; Shieh, Leang S.

1991-01-01

The disadvantages of numerical inversion of the Laplace transform via the conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT) are identified and an improved method is presented to remedy them. The improved method is based on introducing a new integration step length Delta(omega) = pi/mT for trapezoidal-rule approximation of the Bromwich integral, in which a new parameter, m, is introduced for controlling the accuracy of the numerical integration. Naturally, this method leads to multiple sets of complex FFT computations. A new inversion formula is derived such that N equally spaced samples of the inverse Laplace transform function can be obtained by (m/2) + 1 sets of N-point complex FFT computations or by m sets of real fast Hartley transform (FHT) computations.

Direct linearizing transform for three-dimensional discrete integrable systems: the lattice AKP, BKP and CKP equations.

PubMed

Fu, Wei; Nijhoff, Frank W

2017-07-01

A unified framework is presented for the solution structure of three-dimensional discrete integrable systems, including the lattice AKP, BKP and CKP equations. This is done through the so-called direct linearizing transform, which establishes a general class of integral transforms between solutions. As a particular application, novel soliton-type solutions for the lattice CKP equation are obtained.

Chemical-warfare techniques for insect control: insect 'pests' in Germany before and after World War I.

PubMed

Jansen, S

2000-01-01

During World War I, chemical-warfare practices were introduced into economic entomology in Germany. Fritz Haber, 'the father of chemical warfare', realized that Germany could not win the war and thus looked for 'civilian' uses for his chemical arsenal. Before the war, there was a rhetoric of dangerous 'masses' of insects but the large-scale techniques needed to deal with them had not been developed. The gap between rhetoric and practices enabled entomology to integrate chemical weapons into its working methods. This article traces transformations in the ways of seeing insects and their control from the mid-nineteenth century to after World War I.

Insight, working through, and practice: the role of procedural knowledge.

PubMed

Rosenblatt, Allan

2004-01-01

A conception of insight is proposed, based on a systems and information-processing framework and using current neuroscience concepts, as an integration of information that results in a new symbolization of experience with a significant change in self-image and a transformation of non-declarative procedural knowledge into declarative knowledge. Since procedural memory and knowledge, seen to include emotional and relationship issues, is slow to change, durable emotional and behavioral change often requires repeated practice, a need not explicitly addressed in standard psychoanalytic technique. Working through is thus seen as also encompassing nondynamic factors. The application of these ideas to therapeutic technique suggests possible therapeutic interventions beyond interpretation. An illustrative clinical vignette is presented.

Big Data: transforming drug development and health policy decision making.

PubMed

Alemayehu, Demissie; Berger, Marc L

The explosion of data sources, accompanied by the evolution of technology and analytical techniques, has created considerable challenges and opportunities for drug development and healthcare resource utilization. We present a systematic overview these phenomena, and suggest measures to be taken for effective integration of the new developments in the traditional medical research paradigm and health policy decision making. Special attention is paid to pertinent issues in emerging areas, including rare disease drug development, personalized medicine, Comparative Effectiveness Research, and privacy and confidentiality concerns.

Time-Domain Computation Of Electromagnetic Fields In MMICs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lansing, Faiza S.; Rascoe, Daniel L.

1995-01-01

Maxwell's equations solved on three-dimensional, conformed orthogonal grids by finite-difference techniques. Method of computing frequency-dependent electrical parameters of monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) involves time-domain computation of propagation of electromagnetic field in response to excitation by single pulse at input terminal, followed by computation of Fourier transforms to obtain frequency-domain response from time-domain response. Parameters computed include electric and magnetic fields, voltages, currents, impedances, scattering parameters, and effective dielectric constants. Powerful and efficient means for analyzing performance of even complicated MMIC.

Factors affecting the efficient transformation of Colletotrichum species

USGS Publications Warehouse

Redman, Regina S.; Rodriguez, Rusty J.

1994-01-01

Factors affecting the efficient transformation of Colletotrichum species. Experimental Mycology, 18, 230-246. Twelve isolates representing four species of Colletotrichum were transformed either by enhanced protoplast, restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI), or electroporation-mediated protocols. The enhanced protoplast transformation protocol resulted in 100- and 50-fold increases in the transformation efficiencies of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and C. magna , respectively. REMI transformation involved the use of Hin dIII and vector DNA linearized with HindIII to increase the number of integration events and potential gene disruptions in the fungal genome. Combining the enhanced protoplast and the REMI protocols resulted in a 22-fold increase in the number of hygromycin/nystatin-resistant mutants in C. lindemuthianum . Electroporation-mediated transformation was performed on mycelial fragments and spores of four Colletotrichum species, resulting in efficiencies of up to 1000 transformants/μg DNA. The pHA1.3 vector which confers hygromycin resistance contains telomeric sequences from Fusarium oxysporum , transforms by autonomous replication and genomic integration, and was essential for elevated transformation efficiencies of 100 to 10,000 transformants/μg DNA. Modifications of pHA1.3 occurred during bacterial amplification and post fungal transformation resulting in plasmids capable of significantly elevated transformation efficiencies in C. lindemuthianum.

Detection of Hepatocyte Clones Containing Integrated Hepatitis B Virus DNA Using Inverse Nested PCR.

PubMed

Tu, Thomas; Jilbert, Allison R

2017-01-01

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), leading to ~600,000 deaths per year worldwide. Many of the steps that occur during progression from the normal liver to cirrhosis and/or HCC are unknown. Integration of HBV DNA into random sites in the host cell genome occurs as a by-product of the HBV replication cycle and forms a unique junction between virus and cellular DNA. Analyses of integrated HBV DNA have revealed that HCCs are clonal and imply that they develop from the transformation of hepatocytes, the only liver cell known to be infected by HBV. Integrated HBV DNA has also been shown, at least in some tumors, to cause insertional mutagenesis in cancer driver genes, which may facilitate the development of HCC. Studies of HBV DNA integration in the histologically normal liver have provided additional insight into HBV-associated liver disease, suggesting that hepatocytes with a survival or growth advantage undergo high levels of clonal expansion even in the absence of oncogenic transformation. Here we describe inverse nested PCR (invPCR), a highly sensitive method that allows detection, sequencing, and enumeration of virus-cell DNA junctions formed by the integration of HBV DNA. The invPCR protocol is composed of two major steps: inversion of the virus-cell DNA junction and single-molecule nested PCR. The invPCR method is highly specific and inexpensive and can be tailored to DNA extracted from large or small amounts of liver. This procedure also allows detection of genome-wide random integration of any known DNA sequence and is therefore a useful technique for molecular biology, virology, and genetic research.

Frictionless Contact of Multilayered Composite Half Planes Containing Layers With Complex Eigenvalues

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Wang; Binienda, Wieslaw K.; Pindera, Marek-Jerzy

1997-01-01

A previously developed local-global stiffness matrix methodology for the response of a composite half plane, arbitrarily layered with isotropic, orthotropic or monoclinic plies, to indentation by a rigid parabolic punch is further extended to accommodate the presence of layers with complex eigenvalues (e.g., honeycomb or piezoelectric layers). First, a generalized plane deformation solution for the displacement field in an orthotropic layer or half plane characterized by complex eigenvalues is obtained using Fourier transforms. A local stiffness matrix in the transform domain is subsequently constructed for this class of layers and half planes, which is then assembled into a global stiffness matrix for the entire multilayered half plane by enforcing continuity conditions along the interfaces. Application of the mixed boundary condition on the top surface of the half plane indented by a rigid punch results in an integral equation for the unknown pressure in the contact region. The integral possesses a divergent kernel which is decomposed into Cauchy-type and regular parts using the asymptotic properties of the local stiffness matrix and a relationship between Fourier and finite Hilbert transform of the contact pressure. The solution of the resulting singular integral equation is obtained using a collocation technique based on the properties of orthogonal polynomials developed by Erdogan and Gupta. Examples are presented that illustrate the important influence of low transverse properties of layers with complex eigenvalues, such as those exhibited by honeycomb, on the load versus contact length response and contact pressure distributions for half planes containing typical composite materials.

On-Line Monitoring and Diagnostics of the Integrity of Nuclear Plant Steam Generators and Heat Exchangers

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

Belle R. Upadhyaya; J. Wesley Hines

2004-09-27

Integrity monitoring and flaw diagnostics of flat beams and tubular structures was investigated in this research task using guided acoustic signals. A piezo-sensor suite was deployed to activate and collect Lamb wave signals that propagate along metallic specimens. The dispersion curves of Lamb waves along plate and tubular structures are generated through numerical analysis. Several advanced techniques were explored to extract representative features from acoustic time series. Among them, the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) is a recently developed technique for the analysis of non-linear and transient signals. A moving window method was introduced to generate the local peak characters from acousticmore » time series, and a zooming window technique was developed to localize the structural flaws. The time-frequency analysis and pattern recognition techniques were combined for classifying structural defects in brass tubes. Several types of flaws in brass tubes were tested, both in the air and in water. The techniques also proved to be effective under background/process noise. A detailed theoretical analysis of Lamb wave propagation was performed and simulations were carried out using the finite element software system ABAQUS. This analytical study confirmed the behavior of the acoustic signals acquired from the experimental studies. The report presents the background the analysis of acoustic signals acquired from piezo-electric transducers for structural defect monitoring. A comparison of the use of time-frequency techniques, including the Hilbert-Huang transform, is presented. The report presents the theoretical study of Lamb wave propagation in flat beams and tubular structures, and the need for mode separation in order to effectively perform defect diagnosis. The results of an extensive experimental study of detection, location, and isolation of structural defects in flat aluminum beams and brass tubes are presented. The results of this research show the feasibility of on-line monitoring of small structural flaws by the use of transient and nonlinear acoustic signal analysis, and its implementation by the proper design of a piezo-electric transducer suite.« less

The Cagniard Method in Complex Time Revisited

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-04-04

make the p-integral take the form of a forward Laplace transform, so that the cascade of the two integrals can be identified as a forward and inverse ... transform , thereby making the actual integration unnecessary. Typically, the method is applied to an integral that represents one body wave plus other

Adaptive multifocus image fusion using block compressed sensing with smoothed projected Landweber integration in the wavelet domain.

PubMed

V S, Unni; Mishra, Deepak; Subrahmanyam, G R K S

2016-12-01

The need for image fusion in current image processing systems is increasing mainly due to the increased number and variety of image acquisition techniques. Image fusion is the process of combining substantial information from several sensors using mathematical techniques in order to create a single composite image that will be more comprehensive and thus more useful for a human operator or other computer vision tasks. This paper presents a new approach to multifocus image fusion based on sparse signal representation. Block-based compressive sensing integrated with a projection-driven compressive sensing (CS) recovery that encourages sparsity in the wavelet domain is used as a method to get the focused image from a set of out-of-focus images. Compression is achieved during the image acquisition process using a block compressive sensing method. An adaptive thresholding technique within the smoothed projected Landweber recovery process reconstructs high-resolution focused images from low-dimensional CS measurements of out-of-focus images. Discrete wavelet transform and dual-tree complex wavelet transform are used as the sparsifying basis for the proposed fusion. The main finding lies in the fact that sparsification enables a better selection of the fusion coefficients and hence better fusion. A Laplacian mixture model fit is done in the wavelet domain and estimation of the probability density function (pdf) parameters by expectation maximization leads us to the proper selection of the coefficients of the fused image. Using the proposed method compared with the fusion scheme without employing the projected Landweber (PL) scheme and the other existing CS-based fusion approaches, it is observed that with fewer samples itself, the proposed method outperforms other approaches.

Integrated 3D printing and corona poling process of PVDF piezoelectric films for pressure sensor application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hoejin; Torres, Fernando; Wu, Yanyu; Villagran, Dino; Lin, Yirong; Tseng, Tzu-Liang(Bill

2017-08-01

This paper presents a novel process to fabricate piezoelectric films from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer using integrated fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing and corona poling technique. Corona poling is one of many effective poling processes that has received attention to activate PVDF as a piezoelectric responsive material. The corona poling process occurs when a PVDF polymer is exposed to a high electric field created and controlled through an electrically charged needle and a grid electrode under heating environment. FDM 3D printing has seen extensive progress in fabricating thermoplastic materials and structures, including PVDF. However, post processing techniques such as poling is needed to align the dipoles in order to gain piezoelectric properties. To further simplify the piezoelectric sensors and structures fabrication process, this paper proposes an integrated 3D printing process with corona poling to fabricate piezoelectric PVDF sensors without post poling process. This proposed process, named ‘Integrated 3D Printing and Corona poling process’ (IPC), uses the 3D printer’s nozzle and heating bed as anode and cathode, respectively, to create poling electric fields in a controlled heating environment. The nozzle travels along the programmed path with fixed distance between nozzle tip and sample’s top surface. Simultaneously, the electric field between the nozzle and bottom heating pad promotes the alignment of dipole moment of PVDF molecular chains. The crystalline phase transformation and output current generated by printed samples under different electric fields in this process were characterized by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and through fatigue load frame. It is demonstrated that piezoelectric PVDF films with enhanced β-phase percentage can be fabricated using the IPC process. In addition, mechanical properties of printed PVDF was investigated by tensile testing. It is expected to expand the use of additive manufacturing to fabricate piezoelectric PVDF-based devices for applications such as sensing and energy harvesting.

Transforming the Master's Degree in Human Development and Family Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Benson, Mark J.; Allen, Katherine R.; Few, April L.; Roberto, Karen A.; Blieszner, Rosemary; Meszaros, Peggy S.; Henderson, Tammy L.

2006-01-01

This study chronicles the transformation of a master's program from a traditional degree format to a more integrated, flexible, efficient, and relevant approach. The transformative strategies involve cohort learning, creative concentrations, portfolio documentation, and outreach presentation. Through integrating resources and goals, the new…

Application of fiber tapers in astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcel, Jaclyn; Haynes, Roger; Bland-Hawthorn, Joss

2006-06-01

Fiber tapers have the potential to significantly advance instrument technology into the realm of fully integrated optical systems. Our initial investigation was directed at the use of fiber tapers as f-ratio transformation devices. Using a technique developed for testing focal ratio degradation (FRD), a collimated light source was injected at different angles into various fiber taper samples and the far-field profile of the fiber output was observed. We compare the FRD present in the optical fiber tapers with conventional fibers and determine how effectively fiber tapers perform as image converters. We demonstrate that while silica fiber tapers may have slightly more intrinsic FRD than conventional fibers they still show promise as adiabatic mode transformers and are worth investigating further for their potential use in astronomical instruments. In this paper we present a brief review of the current status of fiber tapers with particular focus on the astronomical applications. We demonstrate the conservation of etendue in the taper transformation process and present the experimental results for a number of different taper profiles and manufacturers.

Crown gall transformation of tobacco callus cells by cocultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens

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

Muller, A.; Manzara, T.; Lurquin, P.F.

1984-09-17

Incubation of cells from squashed tobacco callus tissue with virulent Agrobacterium tumefaciens leads to the production of cells displaying a crown gall phenotype. In vitro crown gall transformation of dicotyledonous plant cells has been demonstrated after cocultivation of cell-wall regenerating mesophyll protoplasts with Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells. In addition, it has been shown that protoplasts freshly isolated from suspension cultures, when treated with A. tumefaciens spheroplasts and a fusogen, also generated cells displaying a typical crown gall phenotype, i.e., phytohormone-independent growth and opine synthesis. Subsequently, both techniques were used to transfer and express foreign genes in plant cells via A. tumefaciensmore » T-DNA integration. For practical purposes, it would be advantageous to be able to perform crown gall transformation of plant cells in tissue culture. The authors report here for the first time the production of Nicotiana tabacum crown gall cells after cocultivation of callus tissue with A. tumefaciens A136 cells. 11 references, 1 figure, 1 table.« less

Transformation of pecan and regeneration of transgenic plants.

PubMed

McGranahan, G H; Leslie, C A; Dandekar, A M; Uratsu, S L; Yates, I E

1993-09-01

A gene transfer system developed for walnut (Juglans regia L.) was successfully applied to pecan (Carya illinoensis [Wang] K. Koch). Repetitively embryogenic somatic embryos derived from open-pollinated seed of 'Elliott', 'Wichita', and 'Schley' were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium strain EHA 101/pCGN 7001, which contains marker genes for beta-glucuronidase activity and resistance to kanamycin. Several modifications of the standard walnut transformation techniques were tested, including a lower concentration of kanamycin and a modified induction medium, but these treatments had no measurable effect on efficiency of transformation. Nineteen of the 764 viable inoculated embryos produced transgenic subclones; 13 of these were from the line 'Elliott'6, 3 from 'Schley'5/3, and 3 from 'Wichita'9. Transgenic embryos of 'Wichita'9 germinated most readily and three subclones were successfully micropropagated. Three transgenic plants of one of these subclones were obtained by grafting the tissue cultured shoots to seedling pecan rootstock in the greenhouse. Gene insertion, initially detected by GUS activity, was confirmed by detection of integrated T-DNA sequences using Southern analysis.

Suppression law of quantum states in a 3D photonic fast Fourier transform chip

PubMed Central

Crespi, Andrea; Osellame, Roberto; Ramponi, Roberta; Bentivegna, Marco; Flamini, Fulvio; Spagnolo, Nicolò; Viggianiello, Niko; Innocenti, Luca; Mataloni, Paolo; Sciarrino, Fabio

2016-01-01

The identification of phenomena able to pinpoint quantum interference is attracting large interest. Indeed, a generalization of the Hong–Ou–Mandel effect valid for any number of photons and optical modes would represent an important leap ahead both from a fundamental perspective and for practical applications, such as certification of photonic quantum devices, whose computational speedup is expected to depend critically on multi-particle interference. Quantum distinctive features have been predicted for many particles injected into multimode interferometers implementing the Fourier transform over the optical modes. Here we develop a scalable approach for the implementation of the fast Fourier transform algorithm using three-dimensional photonic integrated interferometers, fabricated via femtosecond laser writing technique. We observe the suppression law for a large number of output states with four- and eight-mode optical circuits: the experimental results demonstrate genuine quantum interference between the injected photons, thus offering a powerful tool for diagnostic of photonic platforms. PMID:26843135

Transformer-Feedback Interstage Bandwidth Enhancement for MMIC Multistage Amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikandish, Gholamreza; Medi, Ali

2015-02-01

The transformer-feedback (TRFB) interstage bandwidth enhancement technique for broadband multistage amplifiers is presented. Theory of the TRFB bandwidth enhancement and the design conditions for maximum bandwidth, maximally flat gain, and maximally flat group delay are provided. It is shown that the TRFB bandwidth enhancement can provide higher bandwidth compared to the conventional techniques based on reactive impedance matching networks. A three-stage low-noise amplifier (LNA) monolithic microwave integrated circuit with the TRFB between its consecutive stages is designed and implemented in a 0.1- μm GaAs pHEMT process. The TRFB is realized by coupling between the drain bias lines of transistors. The reuse of bias lines leads to bandwidth enhancement without increasing the chip area and power consumption. The LNA features average gain of 23 dB and 3-dB bandwidth of 11-39 GHz. It provides a noise figure of 2.1-3.0 dB and an output 1-dB compression point of 8.6 dBm, while consuming 40 mA of current from a 2-V supply.

Generation of Escher Arts with Dual Perception.

PubMed

Lin, Shih-Syun; Morace, Charles C; Lin, Chao-Hung; Hsu, Li-Fong; Lee, Tong-Yee

2018-02-01

Escher transmutation is a graphic art that smoothly transforms one tile pattern into another tile pattern with dual perception. A classic example is the artwork called Sky and Water, in which a compelling figure-ground arrangement is applied to portray the transmutation of a bird in sky and a fish in water. The shape of a bird is progressively deformed and dissolves into the background while the background gradually reveals the shape of a fish. This paper introduces a system to create a variety of Escher-like transmutations, which includes the algorithms for initializing a tile pattern with dual figure-ground arrangement, for searching for the best matched shape of a user-specified motif from a database, and for transforming the content and shapes of tile patterns using a content-aware warping technique. The proposed system, integrating the graphic techniques of tile initialization, shape matching, and shape warping, allows users to create various Escher-like transmutations with minimal user interaction. Experimental results and conducted user studies demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of the proposed system in Escher art generation.

Measurement of tracer gas distributions using an open-path FTIR system coupled with computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drescher, Anushka C.; Yost, Michael G.; Park, Doo Y.; Levine, Steven P.; Gadgil, Ashok J.; Fischer, Marc L.; Nazaroff, William W.

1995-05-01

Optical remote sensing and iterative computed tomography (CT) can be combined to measure the spatial distribution of gaseous pollutant concentrations in a plane. We have conducted chamber experiments to test this combination of techniques using an Open Path Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (OP-FTIR) and a standard algebraic reconstruction technique (ART). ART was found to converge to solutions that showed excellent agreement with the ray integral concentrations measured by the FTIR but were inconsistent with simultaneously gathered point sample concentration measurements. A new CT method was developed based on (a) the superposition of bivariate Gaussians to model the concentration distribution and (b) a simulated annealing minimization routine to find the parameters of the Gaussians that resulted in the best fit to the ray integral concentration data. This new method, named smooth basis function minimization (SBFM) generated reconstructions that agreed well, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with the concentration profiles generated from point sampling. We present one set of illustrative experimental data to compare the performance of ART and SBFM.

Novel hybrid linear stochastic with non-linear extreme learning machine methods for forecasting monthly rainfall a tropical climate.

PubMed

Zeynoddin, Mohammad; Bonakdari, Hossein; Azari, Arash; Ebtehaj, Isa; Gharabaghi, Bahram; Riahi Madavar, Hossein

2018-09-15

A novel hybrid approach is presented that can more accurately predict monthly rainfall in a tropical climate by integrating a linear stochastic model with a powerful non-linear extreme learning machine method. This new hybrid method was then evaluated by considering four general scenarios. In the first scenario, the modeling process is initiated without preprocessing input data as a base case. While in other three scenarios, the one-step and two-step procedures are utilized to make the model predictions more precise. The mentioned scenarios are based on a combination of stationarization techniques (i.e., differencing, seasonal and non-seasonal standardization and spectral analysis), and normality transforms (i.e., Box-Cox, John and Draper, Yeo and Johnson, Johnson, Box-Cox-Mod, log, log standard, and Manly). In scenario 2, which is a one-step scenario, the stationarization methods are employed as preprocessing approaches. In scenario 3 and 4, different combinations of normality transform, and stationarization methods are considered as preprocessing techniques. In total, 61 sub-scenarios are evaluated resulting 11013 models (10785 linear methods, 4 nonlinear models, and 224 hybrid models are evaluated). The uncertainty of the linear, nonlinear and hybrid models are examined by Monte Carlo technique. The best preprocessing technique is the utilization of Johnson normality transform and seasonal standardization (respectively) (R 2  = 0.99; RMSE = 0.6; MAE = 0.38; RMSRE = 0.1, MARE = 0.06, UI = 0.03 &UII = 0.05). The results of uncertainty analysis indicated the good performance of proposed technique (d-factor = 0.27; 95PPU = 83.57). Moreover, the results of the proposed methodology in this study were compared with an evolutionary hybrid of adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with firefly algorithm (ANFIS-FFA) demonstrating that the new hybrid methods outperformed ANFIS-FFA method. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Integrals for IBS and beam cooling

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

Burov, A.; /Fermilab

Simulation of beam cooling usually requires performing certain integral transformations every time step or so, which is a significant burden on the CPU. Examples are the dispersion integrals (Hilbert transforms) in the stochastic cooling, wake fields and IBS integrals. An original method is suggested for fast and sufficiently accurate computation of the integrals. This method is applied for the dispersion integral. Some methodical aspects of the IBS analysis are discussed.

Integrals for IBS and Beam Cooling

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

Burov, A.

Simulation of beam cooling usually requires performing certain integral transformations every time step or so, which is a significant burden on the CPU. Examples are the dispersion integrals (Hilbert transforms) in the stochastic cooling, wake fields and IBS integrals. An original method is suggested for fast and sufficiently accurate computation of the integrals. This method is applied for the dispersion integral. Some methodical aspects of the IBS analysis are discussed.

Recent Advances in Techniques for Hyperspectral Image Processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plaza, Antonio; Benediktsson, Jon Atli; Boardman, Joseph W.; Brazile, Jason; Bruzzone, Lorenzo; Camps-Valls, Gustavo; Chanussot, Jocelyn; Fauvel, Mathieu; Gamba, Paolo; Gualtieri, Anthony;

Continuous statistical modelling for rapid detection of adulteration of extra virgin olive oil using mid infrared and Raman spectroscopic data.

PubMed

Georgouli, Konstantia; Martinez Del Rincon, Jesus; Koidis, Anastasios

2017-02-15

The main objective of this work was to develop a novel dimensionality reduction technique as a part of an integrated pattern recognition solution capable of identifying adulterants such as hazelnut oil in extra virgin olive oil at low percentages based on spectroscopic chemical fingerprints. A novel Continuous Locality Preserving Projections (CLPP) technique is proposed which allows the modelling of the continuous nature of the produced in-house admixtures as data series instead of discrete points. The maintenance of the continuous structure of the data manifold enables the better visualisation of this examined classification problem and facilitates the more accurate utilisation of the manifold for detecting the adulterants. The performance of the proposed technique is validated with two different spectroscopic techniques (Raman and Fourier transform infrared, FT-IR). In all cases studied, CLPP accompanied by k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN) algorithm was found to outperform any other state-of-the-art pattern recognition techniques. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quality assessment of integrated water vapour measurements at the St. Petersburg site, Russia: FTIR vs. MW and GPS techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Virolainen, Yana A.; Timofeyev, Yury M.; Kostsov, Vladimir S.; Ionov, Dmitry V.; Kalinnikov, Vladislav V.; Makarova, Maria V.; Poberovsky, Anatoly V.; Zaitsev, Nikita A.; Imhasin, Hamud H.; Polyakov, Alexander V.; Schneider, Matthias; Hase, Frank; Barthlott, Sabine; Blumenstock, Thomas

2017-11-01

The cross-comparison of different techniques for atmospheric integrated water vapour (IWV) measurements is the essential part of their quality assessment protocol. We inter-compare the synchronised data sets of IWV values measured by the Bruker 125 HR Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), RPG-HATPRO microwave radiometer (MW), and Novatel ProPak-V3 global navigation satellite system receiver (GPS) at the St. Petersburg site between August 2014 and October 2016. As the result of accurate spatial and temporal matching of different IWV measurements, all three techniques agree well with each other except for small IWV values. We show that GPS and MW data quality depends on the atmospheric conditions; in dry atmosphere (IWV smaller than 6 mm), these techniques are less reliable at the St. Petersburg site than the FTIR method. We evaluate the upper bound of statistical measurement errors for clear-sky conditions as 0.29 ± 0.02 mm (1.6 ± 0.3 %), 0.55 ± 0.02 mm (4.7 ± 0.4 %), and 0.76 ± 0.04 mm (6.3 ± 0.8 %) for FTIR, GPS, and MW methods, respectively. We propose the use of FTIR as a reference method under clear-sky conditions since it is reliable on all scales of IWV variability.

Implementation of an Integrated, Portable Transformer Condition Monitoring Instrument in the Classroom and On-Site

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chatterjee, B.; Dey, D.; Chakravorti, S.

2010-01-01

The development of integrated, portable, transformer condition monitoring (TCM) equipment for classroom demonstrations as well as for student exercises conducted in the field is discussed. Demonstrations include experimentation with real-world transformers to illustrate concepts such as polarization and depolarization current through oil-paper…

An integral transform approach for a mixed boundary problem involving a flowing partially penetrating well with infinitesimal well skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Chien-Chieh; Chen, Chia-Shyun

2002-06-01

A flowing partially penetrating well with infinitesimal well skin is a mixed boundary because a Cauchy condition is prescribed along the screen length and a Neumann condition of no flux is stipulated over the remaining unscreened part. An analytical approach based on the integral transform technique is developed to determine the Laplace domain solution for such a mixed boundary problem in a confined aquifer of finite thickness. First, the mixed boundary is changed into a homogeneous Neumann boundary by substituting the Cauchy condition with a Neumann condition in terms of well bore flux that varies along the screen length and is time dependent. Despite the well bore flux being unknown a priori, the modified model containing this homogeneous Neumann boundary can be solved with the Laplace and the finite Fourier cosine transforms. To determine well bore flux, screen length is discretized into a finite number of segments, to which the Cauchy condition is reinstated. This reinstatement also restores the relation between the original model and the solutions obtained. For a given time, the numerical inversion of the Laplace domain solution yields the drawdown distributions, well bore flux, and the well discharge. This analytical approach provides an alternative for dealing with the mixed boundary problems, especially when aquifer thickness is assumed to be finite.

Some operational tools for solving fractional and higher integer order differential equations: A survey on their mutual relations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiryakova, Virginia S.

2012-11-01

The Laplace Transform (LT) serves as a basis of the Operational Calculus (OC), widely explored by engineers and applied scientists in solving mathematical models for their practical needs. This transform is closely related to the exponential and trigonometric functions (exp, cos, sin) and to the classical differentiation and integration operators, reducing them to simple algebraic operations. Thus, the classical LT and the OC give useful tool to handle differential equations and systems with constant coefficients. Several generalizations of the LT have been introduced to allow solving, in a similar way, of differential equations with variable coefficients and of higher integer orders, as well as of fractional (arbitrary non-integer) orders. Note that fractional order mathematical models are recently widely used to describe better various systems and phenomena of the real world. This paper surveys briefly some of our results on classes of such integral transforms, that can be obtained from the LT by means of "transmutations" which are operators of the generalized fractional calculus (GFC). On the list of these Laplace-type integral transforms, we consider the Borel-Dzrbashjan, Meijer, Krätzel, Obrechkoff, generalized Obrechkoff (multi-index Borel-Dzrbashjan) transforms, etc. All of them are G- and H-integral transforms of convolutional type, having as kernels Meijer's G- or Fox's H-functions. Besides, some special functions (also being G- and H-functions), among them - the generalized Bessel-type and Mittag-Leffler (M-L) type functions, are generating Gel'fond-Leontiev (G-L) operators of generalized differentiation and integration, which happen to be also operators of GFC. Our integral transforms have operational properties analogous to those of the LT - they do algebrize the G-L generalized integrations and differentiations, and thus can serve for solving wide classes of differential equations with variable coefficients of arbitrary, including non-integer order. Throughout the survey, we illustrate the parallels in the relationships: Laplace type integral transforms - special functions as kernels - operators of generalized integration and differentiation generated by special functions - special functions as solutions of related differential equations. The role of the so-called Special Functions of Fractional Calculus is emphasized.

A Posteriori Restoration of Block Transform-Compressed Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, R.; Boden, A. F.

1995-01-01

The Galileo spacecraft will use lossy data compression for the transmission of its science imagery over the low-bandwidth communication system. The technique chosen for image compression is a block transform technique based on the Integer Cosine Transform, a derivative of the JPEG image compression standard. Considered here are two known a posteriori enhancement techniques, which are adapted.

PAN AIR: A computer program for predicting subsonic or supersonic linear potential flows about arbitrary configurations using a higher order panel method. Volume 1: Theory document (version 3.0)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Epton, Michael A.; Magnus, Alfred E.

1990-01-01

An outline of the derivation of the differential equation governing linear subsonic and supersonic potential flow is given. The use of Green's Theorem to obtain an integral equation over the boundary surface is discussed. The engineering techniques incorporated in the Panel Aerodynamics (PAN AIR) program (a discretization method which solves the integral equation for arbitrary first order boundary conditions) are then discussed in detail. Items discussed include the construction of the compressibility transformation, splining techniques, imposition of the boundary conditions, influence coefficient computation (including the concept of the finite part of an integral), computation of pressure coefficients, and computation of forces and moments. Principal revisions to version 3.0 are the following: (1) appendices H and K more fully describe the Aerodynamic Influence Coefficient (AIC) construction; (2) appendix L now provides a complete description of the AIC solution process; (3) appendix P is new and discusses the theory for the new FDP module (which calculates streamlines and offbody points); and (4) numerous small corrections and revisions reflecting the MAG module rewrite.

Diffraction of Harmonic Flexural Waves in a Cracked Elastic Plate Carrying Electrical Current

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ambur, Damodar R.; Hasanyan, Davresh; Librescu, iviu; Qin, Zhanming

2005-01-01

The scattering effect of harmonic flexural waves at a through crack in an elastic plate carrying electrical current is investigated. In this context, the Kirchhoffean bending plate theory is extended as to include magnetoelastic interactions. An incident wave giving rise to bending moments symmetric about the longitudinal z-axis of the crack is applied. Fourier transform technique reduces the problem to dual integral equations, which are then cast to a system of two singular integral equations. Efficient numerical computation is implemented to get the bending moment intensity factor for arbitrary frequency of the incident wave and of arbitrary electrical current intensity. The asymptotic behaviour of the bending moment intensity factor is analysed and parametric studies are conducted.

Learning Visualization Strategies: A qualitative investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halpern, Daniel; Oh, Kyong Eun; Tremaine, Marilyn; Chiang, James; Bemis, Karen; Silver, Deborah

2015-12-01

The following study investigates the range of strategies individuals develop to infer and interpret cross-sections of three-dimensional objects. We focus on the identification of mental representations and problem-solving processes made by 11 individuals with the goal of building training applications that integrate the strategies developed by the participants in our study. Our results suggest that although spatial transformation and perspective-taking techniques are useful for visualizing cross-section problems, these visual processes are augmented by analytical thinking. Further, our study shows that participants employ general analytic strategies for extended periods which evolve through practice into a set of progressively more expert strategies. Theoretical implications are discussed and five main findings are recommended for integration into the design of education software that facilitates visual learning and comprehension.

Finite element area and line integral transforms for generalization of aperture function and geometry in Kirchhoff scalar diffraction theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraus, Hal G.

1993-02-01

Two finite element-based methods for calculating Fresnel region and near-field region intensities resulting from diffraction of light by two-dimensional apertures are presented. The first is derived using the Kirchhoff area diffraction integral and the second is derived using a displaced vector potential to achieve a line integral transformation. The specific form of each of these formulations is presented for incident spherical waves and for Gaussian laser beams. The geometry of the two-dimensional diffracting aperture(s) is based on biquadratic isoparametric elements, which are used to define apertures of complex geometry. These elements are also used to build complex amplitude and phase functions across the aperture(s), which may be of continuous or discontinuous form. The finite element transform integrals are accurately and efficiently integrated numerically using Gaussian quadrature. The power of these methods is illustrated in several examples which include secondary obstructions, secondary spider supports, multiple mirror arrays, synthetic aperture arrays, apertures covered by screens, apodization, phase plates, and off-axis apertures. Typically, the finite element line integral transform results in significant gains in computational efficiency over the finite element Kirchhoff transform method, but is also subject to some loss in generality.

From PCK to TPACK: Developing a Transformative Model for Pre-Service Science Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Syh-Jong; Chen, Kuan-Chung

2010-12-01

New science teachers should be equipped with the ability to integrate and design the curriculum and technology for innovative teaching. How to integrate technology into pre-service science teachers' pedagogical content knowledge is the important issue. This study examined the impact on a transformative model of integrating technology and peer coaching for developing technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) of pre-service science teachers. A transformative model and an online system were designed to restructure science teacher education courses. Participants of this study included an instructor and 12 pre-service teachers. The main sources of data included written assignments, online data, reflective journals, videotapes and interviews. This study expanded four views, namely, the comprehensive, imitative, transformative and integrative views to explore the impact of TPACK. The model could help pre-service teachers develop technological pedagogical methods and strategies of integrating subject-matter knowledge into science lessons, and further enhanced their TPACK.

Brain Network Analysis: Separating Cost from Topology Using Cost-Integration

PubMed Central

Ginestet, Cedric E.; Nichols, Thomas E.; Bullmore, Ed T.; Simmons, Andrew

2011-01-01

A statistically principled way of conducting brain network analysis is still lacking. Comparison of different populations of brain networks is hard because topology is inherently dependent on wiring cost, where cost is defined as the number of edges in an unweighted graph. In this paper, we evaluate the benefits and limitations associated with using cost-integrated topological metrics. Our focus is on comparing populations of weighted undirected graphs that differ in mean association weight, using global efficiency. Our key result shows that integrating over cost is equivalent to controlling for any monotonic transformation of the weight set of a weighted graph. That is, when integrating over cost, we eliminate the differences in topology that may be due to a monotonic transformation of the weight set. Our result holds for any unweighted topological measure, and for any choice of distribution over cost levels. Cost-integration is therefore helpful in disentangling differences in cost from differences in topology. By contrast, we show that the use of the weighted version of a topological metric is generally not a valid approach to this problem. Indeed, we prove that, under weak conditions, the use of the weighted version of global efficiency is equivalent to simply comparing weighted costs. Thus, we recommend the reporting of (i) differences in weighted costs and (ii) differences in cost-integrated topological measures with respect to different distributions over the cost domain. We demonstrate the application of these techniques in a re-analysis of an fMRI working memory task. We also provide a Monte Carlo method for approximating cost-integrated topological measures. Finally, we discuss the limitations of integrating topology over cost, which may pose problems when some weights are zero, when multiplicities exist in the ranks of the weights, and when one expects subtle cost-dependent topological differences, which could be masked by cost-integration. PMID:21829437

Fourier transform methods in local gravity modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harrison, J. C.; Dickinson, M.

1989-01-01

New algorithms were derived for computing terrain corrections, all components of the attraction of the topography at the topographic surface and the gradients of these attractions. These algoriithms utilize fast Fourier transforms, but, in contrast to methods currently in use, all divergences of the integrals are removed during the analysis. Sequential methods employing a smooth intermediate reference surface were developed to avoid the very large transforms necessary when making computations at high resolution over a wide area. A new method for the numerical solution of Molodensky's problem was developed to mitigate the convergence difficulties that occur at short wavelengths with methods based on a Taylor series expansion. A trial field on a level surface is continued analytically to the topographic surface, and compared with that predicted from gravity observations. The difference is used to compute a correction to the trial field and the process iterated. Special techniques are employed to speed convergence and prevent oscillations. Three different spectral methods for fitting a point-mass set to a gravity field given on a regular grid at constant elevation are described. Two of the methods differ in the way that the spectrum of the point-mass set, which extends to infinite wave number, is matched to that of the gravity field which is band-limited. The third method is essentially a space-domain technique in which Fourier methods are used to solve a set of simultaneous equations.

An Improved Transformation and Optimized Sampling Scheme for the Numerical Evaluation of Singular and Near-Singular Potentials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khayat, Michael A.; Wilton, Donald R.; Fink, Patrick W.

2007-01-01

Simple and efficient numerical procedures using singularity cancellation methods are presented for evaluating singular and near-singular potential integrals. Four different transformations are compared and the advantages of the Radial-angular transform are demonstrated. A method is then described for optimizing this integration scheme.

A New Approach to the Numerical Evaluation of the Inverse Radon Transform with Discrete, Noisy Data.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-01

spline form. The resulting analytic expression for the inner integral in the inverse transform is then readily evaluated, and the outer (periodic...integral is replaced by a sum. The work involved to obtain the inverse transform appears to be within the capability of existing computing equipment for

Lessons from the Desert: Integrating Managerial Expertise and Learning for Organizational Transformation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roth, George

2004-01-01

Reflection upon a field study of a corporate transformation provides insights into the application and integration of organizational learning theory and frameworks with local, corporate knowledge. In the corporate transformation studied this local knowledge came from consumer psychology, marketing campaigns and the use of media. When these ideas…

Image coding of SAR imagery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, C. Y.; Kwok, R.; Curlander, J. C.

1987-01-01

Five coding techniques in the spatial and transform domains have been evaluated for SAR image compression: linear three-point predictor (LTPP), block truncation coding (BTC), microadaptive picture sequencing (MAPS), adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT), and adaptive Hadamard transform (AHT). These techniques have been tested with Seasat data. Both LTPP and BTC spatial domain coding techniques provide very good performance at rates of 1-2 bits/pixel. The two transform techniques, ADCT and AHT, demonstrate the capability to compress the SAR imagery to less than 0.5 bits/pixel without visible artifacts. Tradeoffs such as the rate distortion performance, the computational complexity, the algorithm flexibility, and the controllability of compression ratios are also discussed.

Microsoft C#.NET program and electromagnetic depth sounding for large loop source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prabhakar Rao, K.; Ashok Babu, G.

2009-07-01

A program, in the C# (C Sharp) language with Microsoft.NET Framework, is developed to compute the normalized vertical magnetic field of a horizontal rectangular loop source placed on the surface of an n-layered earth. The field can be calculated either inside or outside the loop. Five C# classes with member functions in each class are, designed to compute the kernel, Hankel transform integral, coefficients for cubic spline interpolation between computed values and the normalized vertical magnetic field. The program computes the vertical magnetic field in the frequency domain using the integral expressions evaluated by a combination of straightforward numerical integration and the digital filter technique. The code utilizes different object-oriented programming (OOP) features. It finally computes the amplitude and phase of the normalized vertical magnetic field. The computed results are presented for geometric and parametric soundings. The code is developed in Microsoft.NET visual studio 2003 and uses various system class libraries.

The ODDI Odyssey: Developing and Integrating Operations for the International Space Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deal, Ryan W.

2002-01-01

International Space Station (ISS) comprise the deliverable products (OP-01 Reports) of the Boeing Operations Data Development and Integration (ODDI) Integrated Product Team (IPT) to the NASA customer. The ODDI IPT's mission is to exceed the customer's expectations by providing high-quality data and sound techniques for assembling and operating the ISS. strategies in order to streamline the generation of operations products that the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) utilizes for its crew and ground operations procedures development. Just as for other business practices, operations is a transformation process, converting inputs (resources) into outputs (products) based on a strategy that works best for the established competitive priorities of the operations organization. product reviews, and supporting other ISS operations duties (such as Mission Evaluation Room support) must be balanced with meeting schedules for delivery of the ODDI IPT's OP-01 Reports in accordance with the ISS assembly sequence timeline.

[On the relationship of psychosomatic and mind-body medicine: integrative, complementary or alternative disciplines within an evolutionary approach?].

PubMed

Brunnhuber, Stefan; Michalsen, Andreas

2012-01-01

The text outlines the relation between psychosomatic medicine as an established medical discipline and the emerging concept of mind-body medicine from a historical, clinical and epistemological perspective. Limitations and contributions of both disciplines are discussed and the opportunities within the concept of Integrative Medicine are outlined. Whereas psychosomatic medicine is perceived as a form of transformation through a primarily verbal discoursive relationship, mind-body medicine claims healing through increased traditional techniques of the relaxation response, increased awareness, mindfulness, increasing des-identification and health-promoting lifestyle modification. It becomes clear that mind-body medicine seems to be epistemologically the broader theoretical framework, whereas in a clinical context the combination of both disciplines appears to be complementary and synergistic. The connection between psychosomatic medicine and mind-body medicine can make an important and exemplary contribution to the concept of Integrative Medicine. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

A finite element-boundary integral method for scattering and radiation by two- and three-dimensional structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jin, Jian-Ming; Volakis, John L.; Collins, Jeffery D.

1991-01-01

A review of a hybrid finite element-boundary integral formulation for scattering and radiation by two- and three-dimensional composite structures is presented. In contrast to other hybrid techniques involving the finite element method, the proposed one is in principle exact and can be implemented using a low O(N) storage. This is of particular importance for large scale applications and is a characteristic of the boundary chosen to terminate the finite element mesh, usually as close to the structure as possible. A certain class of these boundaries lead to convolutional boundary integrals which can be evaluated via the fast Fourier transform (FFT) without a need to generate a matrix; thus, retaining the O(N) storage requirement. The paper begins with a general description of the method. A number of two- and three-dimensional applications are then given, including numerical computations which demonstrate the method's accuracy, efficiency, and capability.

The Energy-Water-Food Nexus.

PubMed

Keairns, D L; Darton, R C; Irabien, A

2016-06-07

As the global population grows in size and increasingly lives in cities, and with lifestyles based on greater material consumption, more attention is being given to the integrated system that supplies our energy, water, and food, the Nexus. There is also mounting concern about effects on the Nexus of climate change and damage to the natural environment that provides essential ecosystem services. Nexus analysis applies existing techniques, such as computational modelling and Life Cycle Assessment, but new frameworks and tools are needed, including those that will integrate societal and technical dimensions. Case studies show the vital role played by stakeholder involvement in clarifying issues, priorities, and values. They also demonstrate the importance of an integrated systems view of the complex interrelationships of the Nexus when planning effective remedies. Assessments conclude that transformative social and political change is needed to create new structures, markets, and governance to deal with the Nexus if we are to meet agreed-upon sustainable development goals.

Electromagnetic characterization of conformal antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Volakis, John L.; Kempel, Leo C.; Alexanian, Angelos; Jin, J. M.; Yu, C. L.; Woo, Alex C.

1992-01-01

The ultimate objective of this project is to develop a new technique which permits an accurate simulation of microstrip patch antennas or arrays with various feed, superstrate and/or substrate configurations residing in a recessed cavity whose aperture is planar, cylindrical or otherwise conformed to the substructure. The technique combines the finite element and boundary integral methods to formulate a system suitable for solution via the conjugate gradient method in conjunction with the fast Fourier transform. The final code is intended to compute both scattering and radiation patterns of the structure with an affordable memory demand. With upgraded capabilities, the four included papers examined the radar cross section (RCS), input impedance, gain, and resonant frequency of several rectangular configurations using different loading and substrate/superstrate configurations.

An efficient numerical method for the solution of the problem of elasticity for 3D-homogeneous elastic medium with cracks and inclusions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanaun, S.; Markov, A.

2017-06-01

An efficient numerical method for solution of static problems of elasticity for an infinite homogeneous medium containing inhomogeneities (cracks and inclusions) is developed. Finite number of heterogeneous inclusions and planar parallel cracks of arbitrary shapes is considered. The problem is reduced to a system of surface integral equations for crack opening vectors and volume integral equations for stress tensors inside the inclusions. For the numerical solution of these equations, a class of Gaussian approximating functions is used. The method based on these functions is mesh free. For such functions, the elements of the matrix of the discretized system are combinations of explicit analytical functions and five standard 1D-integrals that can be tabulated. Thus, the numerical integration is excluded from the construction of the matrix of the discretized problem. For regular node grids, the matrix of the discretized system has Toeplitz's properties, and Fast Fourier Transform technique can be used for calculation matrix-vector products of such matrices.

Cell transformation mediated by chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid of polyoma virus-transformed cells.

PubMed Central

Della Valle, G; Fenton, R G; Basilico, C

1981-01-01

To study the mechanism of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-mediated gene transfer, normal rat cells were transfected with total cellular DNA extracted from polyoma virus-transformed cells. This resulted in the appearance of the transformed phenotype in 1 X 10(-6) to 3 X 10(-6) of the transfected cells. Transformation was invariably associated with the acquisition of integrated viral DNA sequences characteristic of the donor DNA. This was caused not by the integration of free DNA molecules, but by the transfer of large DNA fragments (10 to 20 kilobases) containing linked cellular and viral sequences. Although Southern blot analysis showed that integration did not appear to occur in a homologous region of the recipient chromosome, the frequency of transformation was rather high when compared with that of purified polyoma DNA, perhaps due to "position" effects or to the high efficiency of recombination of large DNA fragments. Images PMID:6100965

On detection and visualization techniques for cyber security situation awareness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Wei; Wei, Shixiao; Shen, Dan; Blowers, Misty; Blasch, Erik P.; Pham, Khanh D.; Chen, Genshe; Zhang, Hanlin; Lu, Chao

2013-05-01

Networking technologies are exponentially increasing to meet worldwide communication requirements. The rapid growth of network technologies and perversity of communications pose serious security issues. In this paper, we aim to developing an integrated network defense system with situation awareness capabilities to present the useful information for human analysts. In particular, we implement a prototypical system that includes both the distributed passive and active network sensors and traffic visualization features, such as 1D, 2D and 3D based network traffic displays. To effectively detect attacks, we also implement algorithms to transform real-world data of IP addresses into images and study the pattern of attacks and use both the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based scheme and the statistical based scheme to detect attacks. Through an extensive simulation study, our data validate the effectiveness of our implemented defense system.

Path Integral Computation of Quantum Free Energy Differences Due to Alchemical Transformations Involving Mass and Potential.

PubMed

Pérez, Alejandro; von Lilienfeld, O Anatole

2011-08-09

Thermodynamic integration, perturbation theory, and λ-dynamics methods were applied to path integral molecular dynamics calculations to investigate free energy differences due to "alchemical" transformations. Several estimators were formulated to compute free energy differences in solvable model systems undergoing changes in mass and/or potential. Linear and nonlinear alchemical interpolations were used for the thermodynamic integration. We find improved convergence for the virial estimators, as well as for the thermodynamic integration over nonlinear interpolation paths. Numerical results for the perturbative treatment of changes in mass and electric field strength in model systems are presented. We used thermodynamic integration in ab initio path integral molecular dynamics to compute the quantum free energy difference of the isotope transformation in the Zundel cation. The performance of different free energy methods is discussed.

Stable transformation of Pleurotus ostreatus to hygromycin B resistance using Lentinus edodes GPD expression signals.

PubMed

Irie, T; Honda, Y; Hirano, T; Sato, T; Enei, H; Watanabe, T; Kuwahara, M

2001-09-01

It was reported that Pleurotus ostreatus was transformed unstably using recombinant plasmids containing a hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph) under the control of Aspergillus nidulans expression signals, and that the plasmids were maintained extrachromosomally in the transformants. Here we report a stable and integrative transformation of the fungus to hygromycin B resistance, using a recombinant hph fused with Lentinus edodes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase expression signals. Restriction-enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) was also tried and increased the transformation efficiency about ten-fold.

Application of Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization techniques for improved image steganography systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jude Hemanth, Duraisamy; Umamaheswari, Subramaniyan; Popescu, Daniela Elena; Naaji, Antoanela

2016-01-01

Image steganography is one of the ever growing computational approaches which has found its application in many fields. The frequency domain techniques are highly preferred for image steganography applications. However, there are significant drawbacks associated with these techniques. In transform based approaches, the secret data is embedded in random manner in the transform coefficients of the cover image. These transform coefficients may not be optimal in terms of the stego image quality and embedding capacity. In this work, the application of Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) have been explored in the context of determining the optimal coefficients in these transforms. Frequency domain transforms such as Bandelet Transform (BT) and Finite Ridgelet Transform (FRIT) are used in combination with GA and PSO to improve the efficiency of the image steganography system.

DNA transformations of Candida tropicalis with replicating and integrative vectors.

PubMed

Sanglard, D; Fiechter, A

1992-12-01

The alkane-assimilating yeast Candida tropicalis was used as a host for DNA transformations. A stable ade2 mutant (Ha900) obtained by UV-mutagenesis was used as a recipient for different vectors carrying selectable markers. A first vector, pMK16, that was developed for the transformation of C. albicans and carries an ADE2 gene marker and a Candida autonomously replicating sequence (CARS) element promoting autonomous replication, was compatible for transforming Ha900. Two transformant types were observed: (i) pink transformants which easily lose pMK16 under non-selective growth conditions; (ii) white transformants, in which the same plasmid exhibited a higher mitotic stability. In both cases pMK16 could be rescued from these cells in Escherichia coli. A second vector, pADE2, containing the isolated C. tropicalis ADE2, gene, was used to transform Ha900. This vector integrated in the yeast genome at homologous sites of the ade2 locus. Different integration types were observed at one or both ade2 alleles in single or in tandem repeats.

A Comparison of FTNMR and FTIR Techniques.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahn, Myong-Ku

1989-01-01

Nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared are two spectroscopic methods that commonly use the Fourier transform technique. Discussed are the similarities and differences in the use of the Fourier transform in these two spectroscopic techniques. (CW)

Elementary derivation of the quantum propagator for the harmonic oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Jiushu

2016-10-01

Operator algebra techniques are employed to derive the quantum evolution operator for the harmonic oscillator. The derivation begins with the construction of the annihilation and creation operators and the determination of the wave function for the coherent state as well as its time-dependent evolution, and ends with the transformation of the propagator in a mixed position-coherent-state representation to the desired one in configuration space. Throughout the entire procedure, besides elementary operator manipulations, it is only necessary to solve linear differential equations and to calculate Gaussian integrals.

Operational method of solution of linear non-integer ordinary and partial differential equations.

PubMed

Zhukovsky, K V

2016-01-01

We propose operational method with recourse to generalized forms of orthogonal polynomials for solution of a variety of differential equations of mathematical physics. Operational definitions of generalized families of orthogonal polynomials are used in this context. Integral transforms and the operational exponent together with some special functions are also employed in the solutions. The examples of solution of physical problems, related to such problems as the heat propagation in various models, evolutional processes, Black-Scholes-like equations etc. are demonstrated by the operational technique.

Double Density Dual Tree Discrete Wavelet Transform implementation for Degraded Image Enhancement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vimala, C.; Aruna Priya, P.

2018-04-01

Wavelet transform is a main tool for image processing applications in modern existence. A Double Density Dual Tree Discrete Wavelet Transform is used and investigated for image denoising. Images are considered for the analysis and the performance is compared with discrete wavelet transform and the Double Density DWT. Peak Signal to Noise Ratio values and Root Means Square error are calculated in all the three wavelet techniques for denoised images and the performance has evaluated. The proposed techniques give the better performance when comparing other two wavelet techniques.

A Transformative Approach to Work Integrated Learning in Legal Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Babacan, Alperhan; Babacan, Hurriyet

2015-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current context, scope and problems in the provision of work-integrated learning (WIL) in legal education and how the adoption transformative pedagogies in WIL which is offered in legal education can foster personal and social transformation in addition to enhancing lawyering skills. The paper…

Integration of planar transformer and/or planar inductor with power switches in power converter

DOEpatents

Chen, Kanghua; Ahmed, Sayeed; Zhu, Lizhi

2007-10-30

A power converter integrates at least one planar transformer comprising a multi-layer transformer substrate and/or at least one planar inductor comprising a multi-layer inductor substrate with a number of power semiconductor switches physically and thermally coupled to a heat sink via one or more multi-layer switch substrates.

A Primer of Fourier Transform NMR.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Macomber, Roger S.

1985-01-01

Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a new spectroscopic technique that is often omitted from undergraduate curricula because of lack of instructional materials. Therefore, information is provided to introduce students to the technique of data collection and transformation into the frequency domain. (JN)

An Improved Computational Technique for Calculating Electromagnetic Forces and Power Absorptions Generated in Spherical and Deformed Body in Levitation Melting Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zong, Jin-Ho; Szekely, Julian; Schwartz, Elliot

1992-01-01

An improved computational technique for calculating the electromagnetic force field, the power absorption and the deformation of an electromagnetically levitated metal sample is described. The technique is based on the volume integral method, but represents a substantial refinement; the coordinate transformation employed allows the efficient treatment of a broad class of rotationally symmetrical bodies. Computed results are presented to represent the behavior of levitation melted metal samples in a multi-coil, multi-frequency levitation unit to be used in microgravity experiments. The theoretical predictions are compared with both analytical solutions and with the results or previous computational efforts for the spherical samples and the agreement has been very good. The treatment of problems involving deformed surfaces and actually predicting the deformed shape of the specimens breaks new ground and should be the major usefulness of the proposed method.

Pipe leak diagnostic using high frequency piezoelectric pressure sensor and automatic selection of intrinsic mode function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusop, Hanafi M.; Ghazali, M. F.; Yusof, M. F. M.; Remli, M. A. Pi; Kamarulzaman, M. H.

2017-10-01

In a recent study, the analysis of pressure transient signals could be seen as an accurate and low-cost method for leak and feature detection in water distribution systems. Transient phenomena occurs due to sudden changes in the fluid’s propagation in pipelines system caused by rapid pressure and flow fluctuation due to events such as closing and opening valves rapidly or through pump failure. In this paper, the feasibility of the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) method/technique in analysing the pressure transient signals in presented and discussed. HHT is a way to decompose a signal into intrinsic mode functions (IMF). However, the advantage of HHT is its difficulty in selecting the suitable IMF for the next data postprocessing method which is Hilbert Transform (HT). This paper reveals that utilizing the application of an integrated kurtosis-based algorithm for a z-filter technique (I-Kaz) to kurtosis ratio (I-Kaz-Kurtosis) allows/contributes to/leads to automatic selection of the IMF that should be used. This technique is demonstrated on a 57.90-meter medium high-density polyethylene (MDPE) pipe installed with a single artificial leak. The analysis results using the I-Kaz-kurtosis ratio revealed/confirmed that the method can be used as an automatic selection of the IMF although the noise level ratio of the signal is low. Therefore, the I-Kaz-kurtosis ratio method is recommended as a means to implement an automatic selection technique of the IMF for HHT analysis.

Applying analog integrated circuits for HERO protection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willis, Kenneth E.; Blachowski, Thomas J.

1994-01-01

One of the most efficient methods for protecting electro-explosive devices (EED's) from HERO and ESD is to shield the EED in a conducting shell (Faraday cage). Electrical energy is transferred to the bridge by means of a magnetic coupling which passes through a portion of the conducting shell that is made from a magnetically permeable but electrically conducting material. This technique was perfected by ML Aviation, a U.K. company, in the early 80's, and was called a Radio Frequency Attenuation Connector (RFAC). It is now in wide use in the U.K. Previously, the disadvantage of RFAC over more conventional methods was its relatively high cost, largely driven by a thick film hybrid circuit used to switch the primary of the transformer. Recently, through a licensing agreement, this technology has been transferred to the U.S. and significant cost reductions and performance improvements have been achieved by the introduction of analog integrated circuits. An integrated circuit performs the following functions: (1) Chops the DC input to a signal suitable for driving the primary of the transformer; (2) Verifies the input voltage is above a threshold; (3) Verifies the input voltage is valid for a pre set time before enabling the device; (4) Provides thermal protection of the circuit; and (5) Provides an external input for independent logic level enabling of the power transfer mechanism. This paper describes the new RFAC product and its applications.

Fourier transform of the multicenter product of 1s hydrogenic orbitals and Coulomb or Yukawa potentials and the analytically reduced form for subsequent integrals that include plane waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Straton, Jack C.

1989-01-01

The Fourier transform of the multicenter product of N 1s hydrogenic orbitals and M Coulomb or Yukawa potentials is given as an (M+N-1)-dimensional Feynman integral with external momenta and shifted coordinates. This is accomplished through the introduction of an integral transformation, in addition to the standard Feynman transformation for the denominators of the momentum representation of the terms in the product, which moves the resulting denominator into an exponential. This allows the angular dependence of the denominator to be combined with the angular dependence in the plane waves.

Automation of energy demand forecasting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siddique, Sanzad

Automation of energy demand forecasting saves time and effort by searching automatically for an appropriate model in a candidate model space without manual intervention. This thesis introduces a search-based approach that improves the performance of the model searching process for econometrics models. Further improvements in the accuracy of the energy demand forecasting are achieved by integrating nonlinear transformations within the models. This thesis introduces machine learning techniques that are capable of modeling such nonlinearity. Algorithms for learning domain knowledge from time series data using the machine learning methods are also presented. The novel search based approach and the machine learning models are tested with synthetic data as well as with natural gas and electricity demand signals. Experimental results show that the model searching technique is capable of finding an appropriate forecasting model. Further experimental results demonstrate an improved forecasting accuracy achieved by using the novel machine learning techniques introduced in this thesis. This thesis presents an analysis of how the machine learning techniques learn domain knowledge. The learned domain knowledge is used to improve the forecast accuracy.

Design of time-pulse coded optoelectronic neuronal elements for nonlinear transformation and integration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasilenko, Vladimir G.; Nikolsky, Alexander I.; Lazarev, Alexander A.; Lazareva, Maria V.

2008-03-01

In the paper the actuality of neurophysiologically motivated neuron arrays with flexibly programmable functions and operations with possibility to select required accuracy and type of nonlinear transformation and learning are shown. We consider neurons design and simulation results of multichannel spatio-time algebraic accumulation - integration of optical signals. Advantages for nonlinear transformation and summation - integration are shown. The offered circuits are simple and can have intellectual properties such as learning and adaptation. The integrator-neuron is based on CMOS current mirrors and comparators. The performance: consumable power - 100...500 μW, signal period- 0.1...1ms, input optical signals power - 0.2...20 μW time delays - less 1μs, the number of optical signals - 2...10, integration time - 10...100 of signal periods, accuracy or integration error - about 1%. Various modifications of the neuron-integrators with improved performance and for different applications are considered in the paper.

From PCK to TPACK: Developing a Transformative Model for Pre-Service Science Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jang, Syh-Jong; Chen, Kuan-Chung

2010-01-01

New science teachers should be equipped with the ability to integrate and design the curriculum and technology for innovative teaching. How to integrate technology into pre-service science teachers' pedagogical content knowledge is the important issue. This study examined the impact on a transformative model of integrating technology and peer…

Transformation by complementation of an adenine auxotroph of the lignin-degrading basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium

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

Alic, M.; Kornegay, J.R.; Pribnow, D.

1989-02-01

Swollen basiodiospores of an adenine auxotroph of Phanerochaete chrysosporium were protoplasted with Novozyme 234 and transformed to prototrophy by using a plasmid containing the gene for an adenine biosynthetic enzyme from Schizophyllum commune. Transformation frequencies of 100 transformants per {mu}g of DNA were obtained. Southern blot analysis of DNA extracted from transformants demonstrated that plasmid DNA was integrated into the chromosomal DNA in multiple tandem copies. Analysis of conidia and basiodiospores from transformants demonstrated that the transforming character was mitotically and meiotically stable on both selective and nonselective media. Genetic crosses between double mutants transformed for adenine prototrophy and othermore » auxotrophic strains yielded Ade{sup {minus}} progeny, which indicated that integration occurred at a site(s) other than the resident adenine biosynthetic gene.« less

Transformation by Complementation of an Adenine Auxotroph of the Lignin-Degrading Basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium

PubMed Central

Alic, Margaret; Kornegay, Janet R.; Pribnow, David; Gold, Michael H.

1989-01-01

Swollen basidiospores of an adenine auxotroph of Phanerochaete chrysosporium were protoplasted with Novozyme 234 and transformed to prototrophy by using a plasmid containing the gene for an adenine biosynthetic enzyme from Schizophyllum commune. Transformation frequencies of 100 transformants per μg of DNA were obtained. Southern blot analysis of DNA extracted from transformants demonstrated that plasmid DNA was integrated into the chromosomal DNA in multiple tandem copies. Analysis of conidia and basidiospores from transformants demonstrated that the transforming character was mitotically and meiotically stable on both selective and nonselective media. Genetic crosses between double mutants transformed for adenine prototrophy and other auxotrophic strains yielded Ade− progeny, which indicated that integration occurred at a site(s) other than the resident adenine biosynthetic gene. Images PMID:16347848

[Development method of healthcare information system integration based on business collaboration model].

PubMed

Li, Shasha; Nie, Hongchao; Lu, Xudong; Duan, Huilong

2015-02-01

Integration of heterogeneous systems is the key to hospital information construction due to complexity of the healthcare environment. Currently, during the process of healthcare information system integration, people participating in integration project usually communicate by free-format document, which impairs the efficiency and adaptability of integration. A method utilizing business process model and notation (BPMN) to model integration requirement and automatically transforming it to executable integration configuration was proposed in this paper. Based on the method, a tool was developed to model integration requirement and transform it to integration configuration. In addition, an integration case in radiology scenario was used to verify the method.

Tracking control of a closed-chain five-bar robot with two degrees of freedom by integration of an approximation-based approach and mechanical design.

PubMed

Cheng, Long; Hou, Zeng-Guang; Tan, Min; Zhang, W J

2012-10-01

The trajectory tracking problem of a closed-chain five-bar robot is studied in this paper. Based on an error transformation function and the backstepping technique, an approximation-based tracking algorithm is proposed, which can guarantee the control performance of the robotic system in both the stable and transient phases. In particular, the overshoot, settling time, and final tracking error of the robotic system can be all adjusted by properly setting the parameters in the error transformation function. The radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is used to compensate the complicated nonlinear terms in the closed-loop dynamics of the robotic system. The approximation error of the RBFNN is only required to be bounded, which simplifies the initial "trail-and-error" configuration of the neural network. Illustrative examples are given to verify the theoretical analysis and illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Finally, it is also shown that the proposed approximation-based controller can be simplified by a smart mechanical design of the closed-chain robot, which demonstrates the promise of the integrated design and control philosophy.

An investigation on a two-dimensional problem of Mode-I crack in a thermoelastic medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kant, Shashi; Gupta, Manushi; Shivay, Om Namha; Mukhopadhyay, Santwana

2018-04-01

In this work, we consider a two-dimensional dynamical problem of an infinite space with finite linear Mode-I crack and employ a recently proposed heat conduction model: an exact heat conduction with a single delay term. The thermoelastic medium is taken to be homogeneous and isotropic. However, the boundary of the crack is subjected to a prescribed temperature and stress distributions. The Fourier and Laplace transform techniques are used to solve the problem. Mathematical modeling of the present problem reduces the solution of the problem into the solution of a system of four dual integral equations. The solution of these equations is equivalent to the solution of the Fredholm's integral equation of the first kind which has been solved by using the regularization method. Inverse Laplace transform is carried out by using the Bellman method, and we obtain the numerical solution for all the physical field variables in the physical domain. Results are shown graphically, and we highlight the effects of the presence of crack in the behavior of thermoelastic interactions inside the medium in the present context, and its results are compared with the results of the thermoelasticity of type-III.

Cyclic phase change in a cylindrical thermal energy storage capsule

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

Hasan, M.; Mujumdar, A.S.; Weber, M.E.

1983-12-01

This paper is concerned with a practical melting/freezing problem in conjunction with the more realistic case of a cyclic phase change thermal energy storage device. In this model the phase change medium is encapsulated in long cylindrical tubes, the surface temperature of which is allowed to vary sinusoidally with time about the discrete freezing temperature. Initial temperature of the medium is assumed to be constant at a temperature above or below the freezing/melting temperature. Natural convection in the melt is assumed to be negligible and the variations in the depth of freezing and/or melting in each half cycle is ignored.more » Depending on the half-cycle parameters the problem is simplified to either freezing or melting. The governing one-dimensional heat diffusion equations for both phases are solved by the Finite Integral Transform techniques. The kernels for the transformation are the time-dependent eigen functions separately defined for each phases. This extended transform method can accomodate any time-dependent surface temperature variation. The application of the transform generated a series of coupled, nonlinear first order differential equations, which are solved by Runge Kutta-Verner fifth and sixth order method. Dimensionless solutions of temperature variations in both phases, fusion front position and the fraction solidified (or melted) are displayed graphically to aid in practical calculations. For the special case of a constant surface temperature, comparisons are made between the present results and the existing integral and purely numerical results. The results are found to compare favourably. Results for fractional solidification (or melting and interface position are also compared with the simple Conduction Shape Factor method, after allowing for the time-dependent boundary conditions. Once again the results agree reasonably well.« less

Simulating first order optical systems—algorithms for and composition of discrete linear canonical transforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Healy, John J.

2018-01-01

The linear canonical transforms (LCTs) are a parameterised group of linear integral transforms. The LCTs encompass a number of well-known transformations as special cases, including the Fourier transform, fractional Fourier transform, and the Fresnel integral. They relate the scalar wave fields at the input and output of systems composed of thin lenses and free space, along with other quadratic phase systems. In this paper, we perform a systematic search of all algorithms based on up to five stages of magnification, chirp multiplication and Fourier transforms. Based on that search, we propose a novel algorithm, for which we present numerical results. We compare the sampling requirements of three algorithms. Finally, we discuss some issues surrounding the composition of discrete LCTs.

Algorithmic transformation of multi-loop master integrals to a canonical basis with CANONICA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, Christoph

2018-01-01

The integration of differential equations of Feynman integrals can be greatly facilitated by using a canonical basis. This paper presents the Mathematica package CANONICA, which implements a recently developed algorithm to automatize the transformation to a canonical basis. This represents the first publicly available implementation suitable for differential equations depending on multiple scales. In addition to the presentation of the package, this paper extends the description of some aspects of the algorithm, including a proof of the uniqueness of canonical forms up to constant transformations.

Electrotransformation of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis with Various Plasmids

PubMed Central

Serror, Pascale; Sasaki, Takashi; Ehrlich, S. Dusko; Maguin, Emmanuelle

2002-01-01

We describe, for the first time, a detailed electroporation procedure for Lactobacillus delbrueckii. Three L. delbrueckii strains were successfully transformed. Under optimal conditions, the transformation efficiency was 104 transformants per μg of DNA. Using this procedure, we identified several plasmids able to replicate in L. delbrueckii and integrated an integrative vector based on phage integrative elements into the L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus chromosome. These vectors provide a good basis for developing molecular tools for L. delbrueckii and open the field of genetic studies in L. delbrueckii. PMID:11772607

Identification, display, and use of symmetry elements in atomic and electronic structure models.

PubMed

Khosrovani, N; Kung, P W; Freeman, C M; Gorman, A M; Kölmel, C M; Levine, S M; Newsam, J M

1999-01-01

Crystallographic symmetry plays an important role in structure determination from diffraction or scattering data, in spectroscopy and in simulations. It is convenient and insightful to integrate the display and use of such symmetry data with data analysis and modeling methods. We outline the integration of a suite of crystallographic algorithms, closely coupled with interactive graphical displays. These include techniques for identifying the unit cell of a solid, for automatically determining space and point group symmetries, for generalized displays of symmetry elements overlaid on structural models, and for construction, editing, and transformation of models subject to symmetry constraints. In addition, electron densities derived from periodic density functional calculations can be symmetrized and displayed with the corresponding symmetry elements. Applications of these various capabilities in crystallographic research are illustrated by topical examples.

Ectopic Integration of Transforming DNA Is Rare among Neurospora Transformants Selected for Gene Replacement

PubMed Central

Miao, VPW.; Rountree, M. R.; Selker, E. U.

1995-01-01

In a variety of organisms, DNA-mediated transformation experiments commonly produce transformants with multiple copies of the transforming DNA, including both selected and unselected molecules. Such ``cotransformants'' are much more common than expected from the individual transformation frequencies, suggesting that subpopulations of cells, or nuclei, are particularly competent for transformation. We found that Neurospora crassa transformants selected for gene replacement at the am gene had not efficiently incorporated additional DNA, suggesting that nuclei that undergo transformation by homologous recombination are not highly competent at integration of DNA by illegitimate recombination. Spheroplasts were treated with DNA fragments homologous to am and with an Escherichia coli hph plasmid. Transformants were initially selected for hph (hygromycin(R)), allowed to conidiate to generate homokaryons and then selected for either Am(-) (gene replacements) or hph. Surprisingly, most am replacement strains were hygromycin(S) (124/140) and carried no extraneous DNA (116/140). Most transformants selected for hph also had ectopic copies of am DNA and/or multiple copies of hph sequences (32/35), generally at multiple sites, confirming that efficient cotransformation could occur. To test the implication that cotransformation involving gene replacement and ectopic integration is rare, we compared the yields of am replacement strains with or without prior selection for hph. The initial selection did not appreciably help (or hinder) recovery of strains with replacements. PMID:7789758

Barley Transformation Using Agrobacterium-Mediated Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harwood, Wendy A.; Bartlett, Joanne G.; Alves, Silvia C.; Perry, Matthew; Smedley, Mark A.; Leyland, Nicola; Snape, John W.

Methods for the transformation of barley using Agrobacterium-mediated techniques have been available for the past 10 years. Agrobacterium offers a number of advantages over biolistic-mediated techniques in terms of efficiency and the quality of the transformed plants produced. This chapter describes a simple system for the transformation of barley based on the infection of immature embryos with Agrobacterium tumefaciens followed by the selection of transgenic tissue on media containing the antibiotic hygromycin. The method can lead to the production of large numbers of fertile, independent transgenic lines. It is therefore ideal for studies of gene function in a cereal crop system.

Parallel object-oriented, denoising system using wavelet multiresolution analysis

DOEpatents

Kamath, Chandrika; Baldwin, Chuck H.; Fodor, Imola K.; Tang, Nu A.

2005-04-12

The present invention provides a data de-noising system utilizing processors and wavelet denoising techniques. Data is read and displayed in different formats. The data is partitioned into regions and the regions are distributed onto the processors. Communication requirements are determined among the processors according to the wavelet denoising technique and the partitioning of the data. The data is transforming onto different multiresolution levels with the wavelet transform according to the wavelet denoising technique, the communication requirements, and the transformed data containing wavelet coefficients. The denoised data is then transformed into its original reading and displaying data format.

High-Efficiency, Low-Weight Power Transformer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welsh, J. P.

1986-01-01

Technology for design and fabrication of radically new type of conductioncooled high-power (25 kVA) lightweight transformer having outstanding thermal and electrical characteristics. Fulfills longstanding need for conduction-cooled transformers and magnetics with low internal thermal resistances. Development techniques limited to conductive heat transfer, since other techniques such as liquid cooling, forced liquid cooling, and evaporative cooling of transformers impractical in zero-gravity space environment. Transformer uniquely designed: mechanical structure also serves as thermal paths for conduction cooling of magnetic core and windings.

Laplace-transformed atomic orbital-based Møller–Plesset perturbation theory for relativistic two-component Hamiltonians

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

Helmich-Paris, Benjamin, E-mail: b.helmichparis@vu.nl; Visscher, Lucas, E-mail: l.visscher@vu.nl; Repisky, Michal, E-mail: michal.repisky@uit.no

2016-07-07

We present a formulation of Laplace-transformed atomic orbital-based second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) energies for two-component Hamiltonians in the Kramers-restricted formalism. This low-order scaling technique can be used to enable correlated relativistic calculations for large molecular systems. We show that the working equations to compute the relativistic MP2 energy differ by merely a change of algebra (quaternion instead of real) from their non-relativistic counterparts. With a proof-of-principle implementation we study the effect of the nuclear charge on the magnitude of half-transformed integrals and show that for light elements spin-free and spin-orbit MP2 energies are almost identical. Furthermore, we investigate themore » effect of separation of charge distributions on the Coulomb and exchange energy contributions, which show the same long-range decay with the inter-electronic/atomic distance as for non-relativistic MP2. A linearly scaling implementation is possible if the proper distance behavior is introduced to the quaternion Schwarz-type estimates as for non-relativistic MP2.« less

piggybac- and PhiC31-Mediated Genetic Transformation of the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse)

PubMed Central

Labbé, Geneviève M. C.; Nimmo, Derric D.; Alphey, Luke

2010-01-01

Background The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), is a vector of several arboviruses including dengue and chikungunya. This highly invasive species originating from Southeast Asia has travelled the world in the last 30 years and is now established in Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. In the absence of vaccine or antiviral drugs, efficient mosquito control strategies are crucial. Conventional control methods have so far failed to control Ae. albopictus adequately. Methodology/Principal Findings Germline transformation of Aedes albopictus was achieved by micro-injection of embryos with a piggyBac-based transgene carrying a 3xP3-ECFP marker and an attP site, combined with piggyBac transposase mRNA and piggyBac helper plasmid. Five independent transgenic lines were established, corresponding to an estimated transformation efficiency of 2–3%. Three lines were re-injected with a second-phase plasmid carrying an attB site and a 3xP3-DsRed2 marker, combined with PhiC31 integrase mRNA. Successful site-specific integration was observed in all three lines with an estimated transformation efficiency of 2–6%. Conclusions/Significance Both piggybac- and site-specific PhiC31-mediated germline transformation of Aedes albopictus were successfully achieved. This is the first report of Ae. albopictus germline transformation and engineering, a key step towards studying and controlling this species using novel molecular techniques and genetic control strategies. PMID:20808959

Compact self-aligning assemblies with refractive microlens arrays made by contactless embossing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schulze, Jens; Ehrfeld, Wolfgang; Mueller, Holger; Picard, Antoni

1998-04-01

The hybrid integration of microlenses and arrays of microlenses in micro-optical systems is simplified using contactless embossing of microlenses (CEM) in combination with LIGA microfabrication. CEM is anew fabrication technique for the production of precise refractive microlens arrays. A high precision matrix of holes made by LIGA technique is used as a compression molding tool to form the microlenses. The tool is pressed onto a thermoplastic sample which is heated close to the glass transformation temperature of the material. The material bulges into the openings of the molding tool due to the applied pressure and forms lens-like spherical structures. The name refers to the fact that the surface of the microlens does not get in contact with the compression molding tool during the shaping process and optical quality of the surface is maintained. Microlenses and arrays of microlenses with lens diameters from 30 micrometers up to 700 micrometers and numerical aperture values of up to 0.25 have been fabricated in different materials. Cost-effectiveness in the production process, excellent optical performance and the feature of easy replication are the main advantages of this technique. The most promising feature of this method is the possibility to obtain self- aligned assemblies then can be further integrated into a micro-optical bench setup. The CEM fabrication method in combination with LIGA microfabrication considerably enhances the hybrid integration in micro-optical devices which results in a more cost-effective production of compact micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems.

Alternative Shapes and Shaping Techniques for Enhanced Transformer Ratios in Beam Driven Techniques

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

Lemery, F.; Piot, P.

The transformer ration of collinear beam-driven techniques can be significantly improved by shaping the current profile of the drive bunch. To date, several current shapes have been proposed to increase the transformer ratio and produce quasi-uniform energy loss within the drive bunch. Some of these tailoring techniques are possible as a results of recent beam-dynamics advances, e.g., transverse-to-longitudinal emittance exchanger. In ths paper, we propose an alternative class of longitudinal shapes that enable high transformer ratio and uniform energy loss across the drive bunch. We also suggest a simple method based on photocathode-laser shaping and passive shaping in wakefield structuremore » to realize shape close to the theoretically optimized current profiles.« less

Conidiogenesis-related DNA photolyase gene in Beauveria bassiana.

PubMed

Lee, Se Jin; Lee, Mi Rong; Kim, Sihyeon; Kim, Jong Cheol; Park, So Eun; Shin, Tae Young; Kim, Jae Su

2018-03-01

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungi used in environmentally mindful pest management. Its main active ingredient, conidia, is commercially available as a fungal biopesticide. Many studies of conidia production have focused on how to optimize culture conditions for maximum productivity and stability against unfavorable abiotic factors. However, understanding of how conidiogenesis-related genes provide improved conidial production remains unclear. In this study, we focus on identifying conidiogenesis-related genes in B. bassiana ERL1170 using a random mutagenesis technique. Transformation of ERL1170 using restriction enzyme-mediated integration generated one morphologically different transformant, ERL1170-pABeG #163. The transformant was confirmed to represent B. bassiana, and the binary vector was successfully integrated into the genome of ERL1170. Compared to the wild type, transformant #163 showed very slow hyphal growth and within 6 days only produced <1 × 10 6  conidia/0.28 cm 2 agar block (wild type: 6.2 × 10 7  conidia/agar block). Transformant #163 also exhibited different morphology than the wild type, including thicker hyphae with some club-shaped parts. In contrast, the typical morphology of wild type B. bassiana exhibits thread-like hyphae and conidiophore structures and circular conidia. To determine the location of the randomly inserted DNA, we conducted thermal asymmetric interlaced (TAIL) PCR and Escherichia coli cloning to clearly sequence the disrupted region. We identified one colony (colony No. 7) with an insertion site identified as DNA photolyase. This was confirmed through a gene knock-out study. It is possible the gene that encodes for DNA photolyase was disrupted during the insertion process and might be involved in fungal conidiogenesis. This work serves as a platform for exploring the function of a variety of B. bassiana genes involved in pest management and their downstream processing. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A method to measure the presampling MTF in digital radiography using Wiener deconvolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Zhongxing; Zhu, Qingzhen; Gao, Feng; Zhao, Huijuan; Zhang, Lixin; Li, Guohui

2013-03-01

We developed a novel method for determining the presampling modulation transfer function (MTF) of digital radiography systems from slanted edge images based on Wiener deconvolution. The degraded supersampled edge spread function (ESF) was obtained from simulated slanted edge images with known MTF in the presence of poisson noise, and its corresponding ideal ESF without degration was constructed according to its central edge position. To meet the requirements of the absolute integrable condition of Fourier transformation, the origianl ESFs were mirrored to construct the symmetric pattern of ESFs. Then based on Wiener deconvolution technique, the supersampled line spread function (LSF) could be acquired from the symmetric pattern of degraded supersampled ESFs in the presence of ideal symmetric ESFs and system noise. The MTF is then the normalized magnitude of the Fourier transform of the LSF. The determined MTF showed a strong agreement with the theoritical true MTF when appropriated Wiener parameter was chosen. The effects of Wiener parameter value and the width of square-like wave peak in symmetric ESFs were illustrated and discussed. In conclusion, an accurate and simple method to measure the presampling MTF was established using Wiener deconvolution technique according to slanted edge images.

A reprogrammable multifunctional chalcogenide guided-wave lens.

PubMed

Cao, Tun; Wei, Chen-Wei; Cen, Meng-Jia; Guo, Bao; Kim, Yong-June; Zhang, Shuang; Qiu, Cheng-Wei

2018-06-05

The transformation optics (TO) technique, which establishes an equivalence between a curved space and a spatial distribution of inhomogeneous constitutive parameters, has enabled an extraordinary paradigm for manipulating wave propagation. However, extreme constitutive parameters, as well as a static nature, inherently limit the simultaneous achievement of broadband performance, ultrafast reconfigurability and versatile reprogrammable functions. Here, we integrate the TO technique with an active phase-change chalcogenide to achieve a reconfigurable multi-mode guided-wave lens. The lens is made of a Rinehart-shaped curved waveguide with an effective refractive index gradient profile through partially crystallizing Ge2Sb2Te5. Upon changing the bias time of the external voltage imparted to the Ge2Sb2Te5 segments, the refractive index gradient profile can be tuned with a transformative platform for various functions for visible light. The electrically reprogrammable multi-mode guided-wave lens is capable of dynamically acquiring various functionalities with an ultrafast response time. Our findings may offer a significant step forward by providing a universal method to obtain ultrafast and highly versatile guided-wave manipulation, such as in Einstein rings, cloaking, Maxwell fish-eye lenses and Luneburg lenses.

Thin film characterization by laser interferometry combined with SIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kempf, J.; Nonnenmacher, M.; Wagner, H. H.

1988-10-01

Thin film properties of technologically important materials (Si, GaAs, SiO2, WSix) have been measured by using a novel technique that combines secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and laser interferometry. The simultaneous measurement of optical phase and reflectance as well as SIMS species during ion sputtering yielded optical constants, sputtering rates and composition of thin films with high depth resolution. A model based on the principle of multiple reflection within a multilayer structure, which considered also transformation of the film composition in depth and time during sputtering, was fitted to the reflectance and phase data. This model was applied to reveal the transformation of silicon by sputtering with O{2/+} ions. Special attention was paid to the preequilibrium phase of the sputter process (amorphization, oxidation, and volume expansion). To demonstrate the analytical potential of our method the multilayer system WSix/poly-Si/SiO2/Si was investigated. The physical parameters and the stoichiometry of tungsten suicide were determined for annealed as well as deposited films. A highly sensitive technique that makes use of a Fabry-Perot etalon integrated with a Michelson type interferometer is proposed. This two-stage interferometer has the potential to profile a sample surface with subangstroem resolution.

Stable transformation and expression of GhEXPA8 fiber expansin gene to improve fiber length and micronaire value in cotton

PubMed Central

Bajwa, Kamran S.; Shahid, Ahmad A.; Rao, Abdul Q.; Bashir, Aftab; Aftab, Asia; Husnain, Tayyab

2015-01-01

Cotton fiber is multigenic trait controlled by number of genes. Previous studies suggest that one of these genes may be responsible for switching cotton fiber growth on and off to influence the fiber quality produced from a cotton seed. In the present study, the Gossypium hirsutum GhEXPA8 fiber expansin gene was introduced into local cotton variety NIAB 846 by using an Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation. The neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) gene was used as a selection marker for screening of putative transgenic cotton plants. Integration and expression of the fiber expansin gene in cotton plants was confirmed with molecular techniques including Southern blot analyses, real-time PCR. Cellulose assay was used for measurement of cellulose contents of transgenic cotton fiber. The data collected from 3 years of field performance of the transgenic cotton plants expressing GhEXPA8 showed that significant improvement has been made in fiber lengths and micronaire values as compared to control G. hirsutum variety NIAB 846 cotton plants. Statistical techniques were also used for analysis of fiber and agronomic characteristics. The results of this study support improvement of cotton fiber through genetic modification. PMID:26583018

Effect of Plasmid Design and Type of Integration Event on Recombinant Protein Expression in Pichia pastoris.

PubMed

Vogl, Thomas; Gebbie, Leigh; Palfreyman, Robin W; Speight, Robert

2018-03-15

Pichia pastoris (syn. Komagataella phaffii ) is one of the most common eukaryotic expression systems for heterologous protein production. Expression cassettes are typically integrated in the genome to obtain stable expression strains. In contrast to Saccharomyces cerevisiae , where short overhangs are sufficient to target highly specific integration, long overhangs are more efficient in P. pastoris and ectopic integration of foreign DNA can occur. Here, we aimed to elucidate the influence of ectopic integration by high-throughput screening of >700 transformants and whole-genome sequencing of 27 transformants. Different vector designs and linearization approaches were used to mimic the most common integration events targeted in P. pastoris Fluorescence of an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) reporter protein was highly uniform among transformants when the expression cassettes were correctly integrated in the targeted locus. Surprisingly, most nonspecifically integrated transformants showed highly uniform expression that was comparable to specific integration, suggesting that nonspecific integration does not necessarily influence expression. However, a few clones (<10%) harboring ectopically integrated cassettes showed a greater variation spanning a 25-fold range, surpassing specifically integrated reference strains up to 6-fold. High-expression strains showed a correlation between increased gene copy numbers and high reporter protein fluorescence levels. Our results suggest that for comparing expression levels between strains, the integration locus can be neglected as long as a sufficient numbers of transformed strains are compared. For expression optimization of highly expressible proteins, increasing copy number appears to be the dominant positive influence rather than the integration locus, genomic rearrangements, deletions, or single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). IMPORTANCE Yeasts are commonly used as biotechnological production hosts for proteins and metabolites. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae , expression cassettes carrying foreign genes integrate highly specifically at the targeted sites in the genome. In contrast, cassettes often integrate at random genomic positions in nonconventional yeasts, such as Pichia pastoris (syn. Komagataella phaffii ). Hence, cells from the same transformation event often behave differently, with significant clonal variation necessitating the screening of large numbers of strains. The importance of this study is that we systematically investigated the influence of integration events in more than 700 strains. Our findings provide novel insight into clonal variation in P. pastoris and, thus, how to avoid pitfalls and obtain reliable results. The underlying mechanisms may also play a role in other yeasts and hence could be generally relevant for recombinant yeast protein production strains. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

A Note on ;New Hierarchies of Integrable Lattice Equations and Associated Properties: Darboux Transformation Conservation Laws and Integrable Coupling; [Rep. Math. Phys. 67 (2011), 259

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Xi-Xiang

2016-12-01

We prove that two new hierarchies of integrable lattice equations in [Rep. Math. Phys.67 (2011), 259] can be respectively changed into the famous relativistic Toda lattice hierarchies in the polynomial and the rational forms by means of a simple transformation.

Large-scale symmetry-adapted perturbation theory computations via density fitting and Laplace transformation techniques: investigating the fundamental forces of DNA-intercalator interactions.

PubMed

Hohenstein, Edward G; Parrish, Robert M; Sherrill, C David; Turney, Justin M; Schaefer, Henry F

2011-11-07

Symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) provides a means of probing the fundamental nature of intermolecular interactions. Low-orders of SAPT (here, SAPT0) are especially attractive since they provide qualitative (sometimes quantitative) results while remaining tractable for large systems. The application of density fitting and Laplace transformation techniques to SAPT0 can significantly reduce the expense associated with these computations and make even larger systems accessible. We present new factorizations of the SAPT0 equations with density-fitted two-electron integrals and the first application of Laplace transformations of energy denominators to SAPT. The improved scalability of the DF-SAPT0 implementation allows it to be applied to systems with more than 200 atoms and 2800 basis functions. The Laplace-transformed energy denominators are compared to analogous partial Cholesky decompositions of the energy denominator tensor. Application of our new DF-SAPT0 program to the intercalation of DNA by proflavine has allowed us to determine the nature of the proflavine-DNA interaction. Overall, the proflavine-DNA interaction contains important contributions from both electrostatics and dispersion. The energetics of the intercalator interaction are are dominated by the stacking interactions (two-thirds of the total), but contain important contributions from the intercalator-backbone interactions. It is hypothesized that the geometry of the complex will be determined by the interactions of the intercalator with the backbone, because by shifting toward one side of the backbone, the intercalator can form two long hydrogen-bonding type interactions. The long-range interactions between the intercalator and the next-nearest base pairs appear to be negligible, justifying the use of truncated DNA models in computational studies of intercalation interaction energies.

Large-scale symmetry-adapted perturbation theory computations via density fitting and Laplace transformation techniques: Investigating the fundamental forces of DNA-intercalator interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hohenstein, Edward G.; Parrish, Robert M.; Sherrill, C. David; Turney, Justin M.; Schaefer, Henry F.

2011-11-01

Symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) provides a means of probing the fundamental nature of intermolecular interactions. Low-orders of SAPT (here, SAPT0) are especially attractive since they provide qualitative (sometimes quantitative) results while remaining tractable for large systems. The application of density fitting and Laplace transformation techniques to SAPT0 can significantly reduce the expense associated with these computations and make even larger systems accessible. We present new factorizations of the SAPT0 equations with density-fitted two-electron integrals and the first application of Laplace transformations of energy denominators to SAPT. The improved scalability of the DF-SAPT0 implementation allows it to be applied to systems with more than 200 atoms and 2800 basis functions. The Laplace-transformed energy denominators are compared to analogous partial Cholesky decompositions of the energy denominator tensor. Application of our new DF-SAPT0 program to the intercalation of DNA by proflavine has allowed us to determine the nature of the proflavine-DNA interaction. Overall, the proflavine-DNA interaction contains important contributions from both electrostatics and dispersion. The energetics of the intercalator interaction are are dominated by the stacking interactions (two-thirds of the total), but contain important contributions from the intercalator-backbone interactions. It is hypothesized that the geometry of the complex will be determined by the interactions of the intercalator with the backbone, because by shifting toward one side of the backbone, the intercalator can form two long hydrogen-bonding type interactions. The long-range interactions between the intercalator and the next-nearest base pairs appear to be negligible, justifying the use of truncated DNA models in computational studies of intercalation interaction energies.

Recombinational inactivation of the gene encoding nitrate reductase in Aspergillus parasiticus.

PubMed Central

Wu, T S; Linz, J E

1993-01-01

Functional disruption of the gene encoding nitrate reductase (niaD) in Aspergillus parasiticus was conducted by two strategies, one-step gene replacement and the integrative disruption. Plasmid pPN-1, in which an internal DNA fragment of the niaD gene was replaced by a functional gene encoding orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase (pyrG), was constructed. Plasmid pPN-1 was introduced in linear form into A. parasiticus CS10 (ver-1 wh-1 pyrG) by transformation. Approximately 25% of the uridine prototrophic transformants (pyrG+) were chlorate resistant (Chlr), demonstrating their inability to utilize nitrate as a sole nitrogen source. The genetic block in nitrate utilization was confirmed to occur in the niaD gene by the absence of growth of the A. parasiticus CS10 transformants on medium containing nitrate as the sole nitrogen source and the ability to grow on several alternative nitrogen sources. Southern hybridization analysis of Chlr transformants demonstrated that the resident niaD locus was replaced by the nonfunctional allele in pPN-1. To generate an integrative disruption vector (pSKPYRG), an internal fragment of the niaD gene was subcloned into a plasmid containing the pyrG gene as a selectable marker. Circular pSKPYRG was transformed into A. parasiticus CS10. Chlr pyrG+ transformants were screened for nitrate utilization and by Southern hybridization analysis. Integrative disruption of the genomic niaD gene occurred in less than 2% of the transformants. Three gene replacement disruption transformants and two integrative disruption transformants were tested for mitotic stability after growth under nonselective conditions. All five transformants were found to stably retain the Chlr phenotype after growth on nonselective medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Images PMID:8215371

Random integration of SV40 in SV40-transformed, immortalized human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Hara, H; Kaji, H

1987-02-01

We have studied the relationship between immortalization of SV40-transformed human embryonic fibroblasts and their SV40 integration sites. From several independently transformed cell pools, we have isolated clones which do not harbor unintegrated SV40 DNA. We have analysed whole-cell DNA from these clones, using the Southern blot method. Our results suggest that no specific integration sites in the cellular genome exist which are a prerequisite for the immortalization process. Although some integration sites were found to be predominant in pre-crisis clones, they could not be detected in the post-crisis clones. This suggests that none of these predominating sites is selected for during the crisis period.

Fractional order implementation of Integral Resonant Control - A nanopositioning application.

PubMed

San-Millan, Andres; Feliu-Batlle, Vicente; Aphale, Sumeet S

2017-10-04

By exploiting the co-located sensor-actuator arrangement in typical flexure-based piezoelectric stack actuated nanopositioners, the polezero interlacing exhibited by their axial frequency response can be transformed to a zero-pole interlacing by adding a constant feed-through term. The Integral Resonant Control (IRC) utilizes this unique property to add substantial damping to the dominant resonant mode by the use of a simple integrator implemented in closed loop. IRC used in conjunction with an integral tracking scheme, effectively reduces positioning errors introduced by modelling inaccuracies or parameter uncertainties. Over the past few years, successful application of the IRC control technique to nanopositioning systems has demonstrated performance robustness, easy tunability and versatility. The main drawback has been the relatively small positioning bandwidth achievable. This paper proposes a fractional order implementation of the classical integral tracking scheme employed in tandem with the IRC scheme to deliver damping and tracking. The fractional order integrator introduces an additional design parameter which allows desired pole-placement, resulting in superior closed loop bandwidth. Simulations and experimental results are presented to validate the theory. A 250% improvement in the achievable positioning bandwidth is observed with proposed fractional order scheme. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Assessment of recent advances in measurement techniques for atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zellweger, Christoph; Emmenegger, Lukas; Firdaus, Mohd; Hatakka, Juha; Heimann, Martin; Kozlova, Elena; Spain, T. Gerard; Steinbacher, Martin; van der Schoot, Marcel V.; Buchmann, Brigitte

2016-09-01

Until recently, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) measurements were made almost exclusively using nondispersive infrared (NDIR) absorption and gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC/FID) techniques, respectively. Recently, commercially available instruments based on spectroscopic techniques such as cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS), off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy have become more widely available and affordable. This resulted in a widespread use of these techniques at many measurement stations. This paper is focused on the comparison between a CRDS "travelling instrument" that has been used during performance audits within the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) programme of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) with instruments incorporating other, more traditional techniques for measuring CO2 and CH4 (NDIR and GC/FID). We demonstrate that CRDS instruments and likely other spectroscopic techniques are suitable for WMO/GAW stations and allow a smooth continuation of historic CO2 and CH4 time series. Moreover, the analysis of the audit results indicates that the spectroscopic techniques have a number of advantages over the traditional methods which will lead to the improved accuracy of atmospheric CO2 and CH4 measurements.

Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Precise Transgene Copy Number in Wheat.

PubMed

Giancaspro, Angelica; Gadaleta, Agata; Blanco, Antonio

2017-01-01

Despite the unceasing advances in genetic transformation techniques, the success of common delivery methods still lies on the behavior of the integrated transgenes in the host genome. Stability and expression of the introduced genes are influenced by several factors such as chromosomal location, transgene copy number and interaction with the host genotype. Such factors are traditionally characterized by Southern blot analysis, which can be time-consuming, laborious, and often unable to detect the exact copy number of rearranged transgenes. Recent research in crop field suggests real-time PCR as an effective and reliable tool for the precise quantification and characterization of transgene loci. This technique overcomes most problems linked to phenotypic segregation analysis and can analyze hundreds of samples in a day, making it an efficient method for estimating a gene copy number integrated in a transgenic line. This protocol describes the use of real-time PCR for the detection of transgene copy number in durum wheat transgenic lines by means of two different chemistries (SYBR ® Green I dye and TaqMan ® probes).

Simulating the WFIRST coronagraph integral field spectrograph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rizzo, Maxime J.; Groff, Tyler D.; Zimmermann, Neil T.; Gong, Qian; Mandell, Avi M.; Saxena, Prabal; McElwain, Michael W.; Roberge, Aki; Krist, John; Riggs, A. J. Eldorado; Cady, Eric J.; Mejia Prada, Camilo; Brandt, Timothy; Douglas, Ewan; Cahoy, Kerri

2017-09-01

A primary goal of direct imaging techniques is to spectrally characterize the atmospheres of planets around other stars at extremely high contrast levels. To achieve this goal, coronagraphic instruments have favored integral field spectrographs (IFS) as the science cameras to disperse the entire search area at once and obtain spectra at each location, since the planet position is not known a priori. These spectrographs are useful against confusion from speckles and background objects, and can also help in the speckle subtraction and wavefront control stages of the coronagraphic observation. We present a software package, the Coronagraph and Rapid Imaging Spectrograph in Python (crispy) to simulate the IFS of the WFIRST Coronagraph Instrument (CGI). The software propagates input science cubes using spatially and spectrally resolved coronagraphic focal plane cubes, transforms them into IFS detector maps and ultimately reconstructs the spatio-spectral input scene as a 3D datacube. Simulated IFS cubes can be used to test data extraction techniques, refine sensitivity analyses and carry out design trade studies of the flight CGI-IFS instrument. crispy is a publicly available Python package and can be adapted to other IFS designs.

Streamlining recombination-mediated genetic engineering by validating three neutral integration sites in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002.

PubMed

Vogel, Anne Ilse Maria; Lale, Rahmi; Hohmann-Marriott, Martin Frank

2017-01-01

Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 (henceforth Synechococcus ) is developing into a powerful synthetic biology chassis. In order to streamline the integration of genes into the Synechococcus chromosome, validation of neutral integration sites with optimization of the DNA transformation protocol parameters is necessary. Availability of BioBrick-compatible integration modules is desirable to further simplifying chromosomal integrations. We designed three BioBrick-compatible genetic modules, each targeting a separate neutral integration site, A2842, A0935, and A0159, with varying length of homologous region, spanning from 100 to 800 nt. The performance of the different modules for achieving DNA integration were tested. Our results demonstrate that 100 nt homologous regions are sufficient for inserting a 1 kb DNA fragment into the Synechococcus chromosome. By adapting a transformation protocol from a related cyanobacterium, we shortened the transformation procedure for Synechococcus significantly. The optimized transformation protocol reported in this study provides an efficient way to perform genetic engineering in Synechococcus . We demonstrated that homologous regions of 100 nt are sufficient for inserting a 1 kb DNA fragment into the three tested neutral integration sites. Integration at A2842, A0935 and A0159 results in only a minimal fitness cost for the chassis. This study contributes to developing Synechococcus as the prominent chassis for future synthetic biology applications.

Unraveling the nature of electric field- and stress- induced structural transformations in soft PZT by a new powder poling technique.

PubMed

Kalyani, Ajay Kumar; V, Lalitha K; James, Ajit R; Fitch, Andy; Ranjan, Rajeev

2015-02-25

A 'powder-poling' technique was developed to study electric field induced structural transformations in ferroelectrics exhibiting a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). The technique was employed on soft PZT exhibiting a large longitudinal piezoelectric response (d(33) ∼ 650 pC N(-1)). It was found that electric poling brings about a considerable degree of irreversible tetragonal to monoclinic transformation. The same transformation was achieved after subjecting the specimen to mechanical stress, which suggests an equivalence of stress and electric field with regard to the structural mechanism in MPB compositions. The electric field induced structural transformation was also found to be accompanied by a decrease in the spatial coherence of polarization.

A New Continuous Cooling Transformation Diagram for AISI M4 High-Speed Tool Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briki, Jalel; Ben Slima, Souad

2008-12-01

The increasing evolution of dilatometric techniques now allows for the identification of structural transformations with very low signal. The use of dilatometric techniques coupled with more common techniques, such as metallographic, hardness testing, and x-ray diffraction allows to plot a new CCT diagram for AISI M4 high-speed tool steel. This diagram is useful for a better selection of alternate solutions, hardening, and tempering heat treatments. More accurate determination of the various fields of transformation of austenite during its cooling was made. The precipitation of carbides highlighted at high temperature is at the origin of the martrensitic transformation into two stages (splitting phenomena). For slow cooling rates, it was possible to highlight the ferritic, pearlitic, and bainitic transformation.

Open-loop frequency acquisition for suppressed-carrier biphase signals using one-pole arm filters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shah, B.; Holmes, J. K.

1991-01-01

Open loop frequency acquisition performance is discussed for suppressed carrier binary phase shift keyed signals in terms of the probability of detecting the carrier frequency offset when the arms of the Costas loop detector have one pole filters. The approach, which does not require symbol timing, uses fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) to detect the carrier frequency offset. The detection probability, which depends on both the 3 dB arm filter bandwidth and the received symbol signal to noise ratio, is derived and is shown to be independent of symbol timing. It is shown that the performance of this technique is slightly better that other open loop acquisition techniques which use integrators in the arms and whose detection performance varies with symbol timing.

4Pi microscopy deconvolution with a variable point-spread function.

PubMed

Baddeley, David; Carl, Christian; Cremer, Christoph

2006-09-20

To remove the axial sidelobes from 4Pi images, deconvolution forms an integral part of 4Pi microscopy. As a result of its high axial resolution, the 4Pi point spread function (PSF) is particularly susceptible to imperfect optical conditions within the sample. This is typically observed as a shift in the position of the maxima under the PSF envelope. A significantly varying phase shift renders deconvolution procedures based on a spatially invariant PSF essentially useless. We present a technique for computing the forward transformation in the case of a varying phase at a computational expense of the same order of magnitude as that of the shift invariant case, a method for the estimation of PSF phase from an acquired image, and a deconvolution procedure built on these techniques.

Transformation in fungi.

PubMed Central

Fincham, J R

1989-01-01

Transformation with exogenous deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) now appears to be possible with all fungal species, or at least all that can be grown in culture. This field of research is at present dominated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and two filamentous members of the class Ascomycetes, Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa, with substantial contributions also from fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) and another filamentous member of the class Ascomycetes, Podospora anserina. However, transformation has been demonstrated, and will no doubt be extensively used, in representatives of most of the main fungal classes, including Phycomycetes, Basidiomycetes (the order Agaricales and Ustilago species), and a number of the Fungi Imperfecti. The list includes a number of plant pathogens, and transformation is likely to become important in the analysis of the molecular basis of pathogenicity. Transformation may be maintained either by using an autonomously replicating plasmid as a vehicle for the transforming DNA or through integration of the DNA into the chromosomes. In S. cerevisiae and other yeasts, a variety of autonomously replicating plasmids have been used successfully, some of them designed for use as shuttle vectors for Escherichia coli as well as for yeast transformation. Suitable plasmids are not yet available for use in filamentous fungi, in which stable transformation is dependent on chromosomal integration. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, integration of transforming DNA is virtually always by homology; in filamentous fungi, in contrast, it occurs just as frequently at nonhomologous (ectopic) chromosomal sites. The main importance of transformation in fungi at present is in connection with gene cloning and the analysis of gene function. The most advanced work is being done with S. cerevisiae, in which the virtual restriction of stable DNA integration to homologous chromosome loci enables gene disruption and gene replacement to be carried out with greater precision and efficiency than is possible in other species that show a high proportion of DNA integration events at nonhomologous (ectopic) sites. With a little more trouble, however, the methodology pioneered for S. cerevisiae can be applied to other fungi too. Transformation of fungi with DNA constructs designed for high gene expression and efficient secretion of gene products appears to have great commercial potential. PMID:2651864

On a method computing transient wave propagation in ionospheric regions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gray, K. G.; Bowhill, S. A.

1978-01-01

A consequence of an exoatmospheric nuclear burst is an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) radiated from it. In a region far enough away from the burst, where nonlinear effects can be ignored, the EMP can be represented by a large-amplitude narrow-time-width plane-wave pulse. If the ionosphere intervenes the origin and destination of the EMP, frequency dispersion can cause significant changes in the original pulse upon reception. A method of computing these dispersive effects of transient wave propagation is summarized. The method described is different from the standard transform techniques and provides physical insight into the transient wave process. The method, although exact, can be used in approximating the early-time transient response of an ionospheric region by a simple integration with only explicit knowledge of the electron density, electron collision frequency, and electron gyrofrequency required. As an illustration of the method, it is applied to a simple example and contrasted with the corresponding transform solution.

Rarefied gas flow through two-dimensional nozzles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

De Witt, Kenneth J.; Jeng, Duen-Ren; Keith, Theo G., Jr.; Chung, Chan-Hong

1989-01-01

A kinetic theory analysis is made of the flow of a rarefied gas from one reservoir to another through two-dimensional nozzles with arbitrary curvature. The Boltzmann equation simplified by a model collision integral is solved by means of finite-difference approximations with the discrete ordinate method. The physical space is transformed by a general grid generation technique and the velocity space is transformed to a polar coordinate system. A numerical code is developed which can be applied to any two-dimensional passage of complicated geometry for the flow regimes from free-molecular to slip. Numerical values of flow quantities can be calculated for the entire physical space including both inside the nozzle and in the outside plume. Predictions are made for the case of parallel slots and compared with existing literature data. Also, results for the cases of convergent or divergent slots and two-dimensional nozzles with arbitrary curvature at arbitrary knudsen number are presented.

The effects of wavelet compression on Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Oimoen, M.J.

2004-01-01

This paper investigates the effects of lossy compression on floating-point digital elevation models using the discrete wavelet transform. The compression of elevation data poses a different set of problems and concerns than does the compression of images. Most notably, the usefulness of DEMs depends largely in the quality of their derivatives, such as slope and aspect. Three areas extracted from the U.S. Geological Survey's National Elevation Dataset were transformed to the wavelet domain using the third order filters of the Daubechies family (DAUB6), and were made sparse by setting 95 percent of the smallest wavelet coefficients to zero. The resulting raster is compressible to a corresponding degree. The effects of the nulled coefficients on the reconstructed DEM are noted as residuals in elevation, derived slope and aspect, and delineation of drainage basins and streamlines. A simple masking technique also is presented, that maintains the integrity and flatness of water bodies in the reconstructed DEM.

Pattern recognition of concrete surface cracks and defects using integrated image processing algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balbin, Jessie R.; Hortinela, Carlos C.; Garcia, Ramon G.; Baylon, Sunnycille; Ignacio, Alexander Joshua; Rivera, Marco Antonio; Sebastian, Jaimie

2017-06-01

Pattern recognition of concrete surface crack defects is very important in determining stability of structure like building, roads or bridges. Surface crack is one of the subjects in inspection, diagnosis, and maintenance as well as life prediction for the safety of the structures. Traditionally determining defects and cracks on concrete surfaces are done manually by inspection. Moreover, any internal defects on the concrete would require destructive testing for detection. The researchers created an automated surface crack detection for concrete using image processing techniques including Hough transform, LoG weighted, Dilation, Grayscale, Canny Edge Detection and Haar Wavelet Transform. An automatic surface crack detection robot is designed to capture the concrete surface by sectoring method. Surface crack classification was done with the use of Haar trained cascade object detector that uses both positive samples and negative samples which proved that it is possible to effectively identify the surface crack defects.

Fundamental Entangling Operators in Quantum Mechanics and Their Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dao-Ming, Lu

2016-07-01

For the first time, we introduce so-called fundamental entangling operators e^{iQ1 P2} and e^{iP1 Q2 } for composing bipartite entangled states of continuum variables, where Q i and P i ( i = 1, 2) are coordinate and momentum operator, respectively. We then analyze how these entangling operators naturally appear in the quantum image of classical quadratic coordinate transformation ( q 1, q 2) → ( A q 1 + B q 2, C q 1 + D q 2), where A D- B C = 1, which means even the basic coordinate transformation ( Q 1, Q 2) → ( A Q 1 + B Q 2, C Q 1 + D Q 2) involves entangling mechanism. We also analyse their Lie algebraic properties and use the integration technique within an ordered product of operators to show they are also one- and two- mode combinatorial squeezing operators.

A parallel 3-D discrete wavelet transform architecture using pipelined lifting scheme approach for video coding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hegde, Ganapathi; Vaya, Pukhraj

2013-10-01

This article presents a parallel architecture for 3-D discrete wavelet transform (3-DDWT). The proposed design is based on the 1-D pipelined lifting scheme. The architecture is fully scalable beyond the present coherent Daubechies filter bank (9, 7). This 3-DDWT architecture has advantages such as no group of pictures restriction and reduced memory referencing. It offers low power consumption, low latency and high throughput. The computing technique is based on the concept that lifting scheme minimises the storage requirement. The application specific integrated circuit implementation of the proposed architecture is done by synthesising it using 65 nm Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company standard cell library. It offers a speed of 486 MHz with a power consumption of 2.56 mW. This architecture is suitable for real-time video compression even with large frame dimensions.

A novel approach to transformed biometrics using successive projections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopi, E. S.

2010-02-01

Unlike user created password, number of biometrics is limited for creating account in different organizations. Transformed biometrics attempts to solve the problem by transforming the biometric into another form, which is unique to the particular organization. This makes the availability of different transformed biometrics in different organizations transformed from the same biometrics and helps in foolproof transactions. In this article a novel approach to transformed biometrics using successive projection technique is suggested .In the proposed technique, the user can register up to 5*4n-1 organizations if the length of the biometric password is 'n'.

Formulation of the rotational transformation of wave fields and their application to digital holography.

PubMed

Matsushima, Kyoji

2008-07-01

Rotational transformation based on coordinate rotation in Fourier space is a useful technique for simulating wave field propagation between nonparallel planes. This technique is characterized by fast computation because the transformation only requires executing a fast Fourier transform twice and a single interpolation. It is proved that the formula of the rotational transformation mathematically satisfies the Helmholtz equation. Moreover, to verify the formulation and its usefulness in wave optics, it is also demonstrated that the transformation makes it possible to reconstruct an image on arbitrarily tilted planes from a wave field captured experimentally by using digital holography.

A real time study on condition monitoring of distribution transformer using thermal imager

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mariprasath, T.; Kirubakaran, V.

2018-05-01

The transformer is one of the critical apparatus in the power system. At any cost, a few minutes of outages harshly influence the power system. Hence, prevention-based maintenance technique is very essential. The continuous conditioning and monitoring technology significantly increases the life span of the transformer, as well as reduces the maintenance cost. Hence, conditioning and monitoring of transformer's temperature are very essential. In this paper, a critical review has been made on various conditioning and monitoring techniques. Furthermore, a new method, hot spot indication technique, is discussed. Also, transformer's operating condition is monitored by using thermal imager. From the thermal analysis, it is inferred that major hotspot locations are appearing at connection lead out; also, the bushing of the transformer is the very hottest spot in transformer, so monitoring the level of oil is essential. Alongside, real time power quality analysis has been carried out using the power analyzer. It shows that industrial drives are injecting current harmonics to the distribution network, which causes the power quality problem on the grid. Moreover, the current harmonic limit has exceeded the IEEE standard limit. Hence, the adequate harmonics suppression technique is need an hour.

Identification of transformer fault based on dissolved gas analysis using hybrid support vector machine-modified evolutionary particle swarm optimisation

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Early detection of power transformer fault is important because it can reduce the maintenance cost of the transformer and it can ensure continuous electricity supply in power systems. Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) technique is commonly used to identify oil-filled power transformer fault type but utilisation of artificial intelligence method with optimisation methods has shown convincing results. In this work, a hybrid support vector machine (SVM) with modified evolutionary particle swarm optimisation (EPSO) algorithm was proposed to determine the transformer fault type. The superiority of the modified PSO technique with SVM was evaluated by comparing the results with the actual fault diagnosis, unoptimised SVM and previous reported works. Data reduction was also applied using stepwise regression prior to the training process of SVM to reduce the training time. It was found that the proposed hybrid SVM-Modified EPSO (MEPSO)-Time Varying Acceleration Coefficient (TVAC) technique results in the highest correct identification percentage of faults in a power transformer compared to other PSO algorithms. Thus, the proposed technique can be one of the potential solutions to identify the transformer fault type based on DGA data on site. PMID:29370230

Identification of transformer fault based on dissolved gas analysis using hybrid support vector machine-modified evolutionary particle swarm optimisation.

PubMed

Illias, Hazlee Azil; Zhao Liang, Wee

2018-01-01

Early detection of power transformer fault is important because it can reduce the maintenance cost of the transformer and it can ensure continuous electricity supply in power systems. Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) technique is commonly used to identify oil-filled power transformer fault type but utilisation of artificial intelligence method with optimisation methods has shown convincing results. In this work, a hybrid support vector machine (SVM) with modified evolutionary particle swarm optimisation (EPSO) algorithm was proposed to determine the transformer fault type. The superiority of the modified PSO technique with SVM was evaluated by comparing the results with the actual fault diagnosis, unoptimised SVM and previous reported works. Data reduction was also applied using stepwise regression prior to the training process of SVM to reduce the training time. It was found that the proposed hybrid SVM-Modified EPSO (MEPSO)-Time Varying Acceleration Coefficient (TVAC) technique results in the highest correct identification percentage of faults in a power transformer compared to other PSO algorithms. Thus, the proposed technique can be one of the potential solutions to identify the transformer fault type based on DGA data on site.

Modeling Cooperative Threads to Project GPU Performance for Adaptive Parallelism

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

Meng, Jiayuan; Uram, Thomas; Morozov, Vitali A.

Most accelerators, such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and vector processors, are particularly suitable for accelerating massively parallel workloads. On the other hand, conventional workloads are developed for multi-core parallelism, which often scale to only a few dozen OpenMP threads. When hardware threads significantly outnumber the degree of parallelism in the outer loop, programmers are challenged with efficient hardware utilization. A common solution is to further exploit the parallelism hidden deep in the code structure. Such parallelism is less structured: parallel and sequential loops may be imperfectly nested within each other, neigh boring inner loops may exhibit different concurrency patternsmore » (e.g. Reduction vs. Forall), yet have to be parallelized in the same parallel section. Many input-dependent transformations have to be explored. A programmer often employs a larger group of hardware threads to cooperatively walk through a smaller outer loop partition and adaptively exploit any encountered parallelism. This process is time-consuming and error-prone, yet the risk of gaining little or no performance remains high for such workloads. To reduce risk and guide implementation, we propose a technique to model workloads with limited parallelism that can automatically explore and evaluate transformations involving cooperative threads. Eventually, our framework projects the best achievable performance and the most promising transformations without implementing GPU code or using physical hardware. We envision our technique to be integrated into future compilers or optimization frameworks for autotuning.« less

Answering the right question - integration of InSAR with other datasets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holley, Rachel; McCormack, Harry; Burren, Richard

2014-05-01

The capabilities of satellite Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) are well known, and utilized across a wide range of academic and commercial applications. However there is a tendency, particularly in commercial applications, for users to ask 'What can we study with InSAR?'. When establishing a new technique this approach is important, but InSAR has been possible for 20 years now and, even accounting for new and innovative algorithms, this ground has been thoroughly explored. Too many studies conclude 'We show the ground is moving here, by this much', and mention the wider context as an afterthought. The focus needs to shift towards first asking the right questions - in fields as diverse as hazard awareness, resource optimization, financial considerations and pure scientific enquiry - and then working out how to achieve the best possible answers. Depending on the question, InSAR (and ground deformation more generally) may provide a large or small contribution to the overall solution, and there are usually benefits to integrating a number of techniques to capitalize on the complementary capabilities and provide the most useful measurements. However, there is still a gap between measurements and answers, and unlocking the value of the data relies heavily on appropriate visualization, integrated analysis, communication between technique and application experts, and appropriate use of modelling. We present a number of application examples, and demonstrate how their usefulness can be transformed by moving from a focus on data to answers - integrating complementary geodetic, geophysical and geological datasets and geophysical modeling with appropriate visualization, to enable comprehensive solution-focused interpretation. It will also discuss how forthcoming developments are likely to further advance realisation of the full potential satellite InSAR holds.

Numerical time-domain electromagnetics based on finite-difference and convolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yuanqu

Time-domain methods posses a number of advantages over their frequency-domain counterparts for the solution of wideband, nonlinear, and time varying electromagnetic scattering and radiation phenomenon. Time domain integral equation (TDIE)-based methods, which incorporate the beneficial properties of integral equation method, are thus well suited for solving broadband scattering problems for homogeneous scatterers. Widespread adoption of TDIE solvers has been retarded relative to other techniques by their inefficiency, inaccuracy and instability. Moreover, two-dimensional (2D) problems are especially problematic, because 2D Green's functions have infinite temporal support, exacerbating these difficulties. This thesis proposes a finite difference delay modeling (FDDM) scheme for the solution of the integral equations of 2D transient electromagnetic scattering problems. The method discretizes the integral equations temporally using first- and second-order finite differences to map Laplace-domain equations into the Z domain before transforming to the discrete time domain. The resulting procedure is unconditionally stable because of the nature of the Laplace- to Z-domain mapping. The first FDDM method developed in this thesis uses second-order Lagrange basis functions with Galerkin's method for spatial discretization. The second application of the FDDM method discretizes the space using a locally-corrected Nystrom method, which accelerates the precomputation phase and achieves high order accuracy. The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is applied to accelerate the marching-on-time process in both methods. While FDDM methods demonstrate impressive accuracy and stability in solving wideband scattering problems for homogeneous scatterers, they still have limitations in analyzing interactions between several inhomogenous scatterers. Therefore, this thesis devises a multi-region finite-difference time-domain (MR-FDTD) scheme based on domain-optimal Green's functions for solving sparsely-populated problems. The scheme uses a discrete Green's function (DGF) on the FDTD lattice to truncate the local subregions, and thus reduces reflection error on the local boundary. A continuous Green's function (CGF) is implemented to pass the influence of external fields into each FDTD region which mitigates the numerical dispersion and anisotropy of standard FDTD. Numerical results will illustrate the accuracy and stability of the proposed techniques.

Nanostructured plasmonic interferometers for ultrasensitive label-free biosensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yongkang

Optical biosensors that utilize surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique to analyze the biomolecular interactions have been extensively explored in the last two decades and have become the gold standard for label-free biosensing. These powerful sensing tools allow fast, highly-sensitive monitoring of the interaction between biomolecules in real time, without the need for laborious fluorescent labeling, and have found widely ranging applications from biomedical diagnostics and drug discovery, to environmental sensing and food safety monitoring. However, the prism-coupling SPR geometry is complex and bulky, and has severely limited the integration of this technique into low-cost portable biomedical devices for point-of-care diagnostics and personal healthcare applications. Also, the complex prism-coupling scheme prevents the use of high numerical aperture (NA) optics to increase the spatial resolution for multi-channel, high-throughput detection in SPR imaging mode. This dissertation is focused on the design and fabrication of a promising new class of nanopatterned interferometric SPR sensors that integrate the strengths of miniaturized nanoplasmonic architectures with sensitive optical interferometry techniques to achieve bold advances in SPR biosensing. The nanosensor chips developed provide superior sensing performance comparable to conventional SPR systems, but employing a far simpler collinear optical transmission geometry, which largely facilitates system integration, miniaturization, and low-cost production. Moreover, the fabricated nanostructure-based SPR sensors feature a very small sensor footprint, allowing massive multiplexing on a chip for high-throughput detection. The successful transformation of SPR technique from bulky prism-coupling setup into this low-cost compact plasmonic platform would have a far-reaching impact on point-of-care diagnostic tools and also lead to advances in high-throughput sensing applications in proteomics, immunology, drug discovery, and fundamental cell biology research.

Spiraling into Transformative Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cranton, Patricia

2010-01-01

This article explores how technical and vocational learning may spiral into transformative learning. Transformative learning theory is reviewed and the learning tasks of critical theory are used to integrate various approaches to transformative learning. With this as a foundation, the article explores how transformative learning can be fostered in…

Orbit determination based on meteor observations using numerical integration of equations of motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dmitriev, V.; Lupovka, V.; Gritsevich, M.

2014-07-01

We review the definitions and approaches to orbital-characteristics analysis applied to photographic or video ground-based observations of meteors. A number of camera networks dedicated to meteors registration were established all over the word, including USA, Canada, Central Europe, Australia, Spain, Finland and Poland. Many of these networks are currently operational. The meteor observations are conducted from different locations hosting the network stations. Each station is equipped with at least one camera for continuous monitoring of the firmament (except possible weather restrictions). For registered multi-station meteors, it is possible to accurately determine the direction and absolute value for the meteor velocity and thus obtain the topocentric radiant. Based on topocentric radiant one further determines the heliocentric meteor orbit. We aim to reduce total uncertainty in our orbit-determination technique, keeping it even less than the accuracy of observations. The additional corrections for the zenith attraction are widely in use and are implemented, for example, here [1]. We propose a technique for meteor-orbit determination with higher accuracy. We transform the topocentric radiant in inertial (J2000) coordinate system using the model recommended by IAU [2]. The main difference if compared to the existing orbit-determination techniques is integration of ordinary differential equations of motion instead of addition correction in visible velocity for zenith attraction. The attraction of the central body (the Sun), the perturbations by Earth, Moon and other planets of the Solar System, the Earth's flattening (important in the initial moment of integration, i.e. at the moment when a meteoroid enters the atmosphere), atmospheric drag may be optionally included in the equations. In addition, reverse integration of the same equations can be performed to analyze orbital evolution preceding to meteoroid's collision with Earth. To demonstrate the developed technique, we provide calculated orbits for several cases, including well-known meteorite-producing fireballs. A comparison of our estimates with previously published ones is also provided.

Canthaxanthin production with modified Mucor circinelloides strains.

PubMed

Papp, Tamás; Csernetics, Arpád; Nagy, Gábor; Bencsik, Ottó; Iturriaga, Enrique A; Eslava, Arturo P; Vágvölgyi, Csaba

2013-06-01

Canthaxanthin is a natural diketo derivative of β-carotene primarily used by the food and feed industries. Mucor circinelloides is a β-carotene-accumulating zygomycete fungus and one of the model organisms to study the carotenoid biosynthesis in fungi. In this study, the β-carotene ketolase gene (crtW) of the marine bacterium Paracoccus sp. N81106 fused with fungal promoter and terminator regions was integrated into the M. circinelloides genome to construct stable canthaxanthin-producing strains. Different transformation methods including polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation with linear DNA fragments, restriction enzyme-mediated integration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation were tested to integrate the crtW gene into the Mucor genome. Mitotic stability, site of integration and copy number of the transferred genes were analysed in the transformants, and several stable strains containing the crtW gene in high copy number were isolated. Carotenoid composition of selected transformants and effect of culturing conditions, such as temperature, carbon sources and application of certain additives in the culturing media, on their carotenoid content were analysed. Canthaxanthin-producing transformants were able to survive at higher growth temperature than the untransformed strain, maybe due to the effect of canthaxanthin on the membrane fluidity and integrity. With the application of glucose, trehalose, dihydroxyacetone and L-aspartic acid as sole carbon sources in minimal medium, the crtW-expressing M. circinelloides strain, MS12+pCA8lf/1, produced more than 200 μg/g (dry mass) of canthaxanthin.

Information Hiding In Digital Video Using DCT, DWT and CvT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abed Shukur, Wisam; Najah Abdullah, Wathiq; Kareem Qurban, Luheb

2018-05-01

The type of video that used in this proposed hiding a secret information technique is .AVI; the proposed technique of a data hiding to embed a secret information into video frames by using Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Curvelet Transform (CvT). An individual pixel consists of three color components (RGB), the secret information is embedded in Red (R) color channel. On the receiver side, the secret information is extracted from received video. After extracting secret information, robustness of proposed hiding a secret information technique is measured and obtained by computing the degradation of the extracted secret information by comparing it with the original secret information via calculating the Normalized cross Correlation (NC). The experiments shows the error ratio of the proposed technique is (8%) while accuracy ratio is (92%) when the Curvelet Transform (CvT) is used, but compared with Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), the error rates are 11% and 14% respectively, while the accuracy ratios are (89%) and (86%) respectively. So, the experiments shows the Poisson noise gives better results than other types of noises, while the speckle noise gives worst results compared with other types of noises. The proposed technique has been established by using MATLAB R2016a programming language.

Application of variational principles and adjoint integrating factors for constructing numerical GFD models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penenko, Vladimir; Tsvetova, Elena; Penenko, Alexey

2015-04-01

The proposed method is considered on an example of hydrothermodynamics and atmospheric chemistry models [1,2]. In the development of the existing methods for constructing numerical schemes possessing the properties of total approximation for operators of multiscale process models, we have developed a new variational technique, which uses the concept of adjoint integrating factors. The technique is as follows. First, a basic functional of the variational principle (the integral identity that unites the model equations, initial and boundary conditions) is transformed using Lagrange's identity and the second Green's formula. As a result, the action of the operators of main problem in the space of state functions is transferred to the adjoint operators defined in the space of sufficiently smooth adjoint functions. By the choice of adjoint functions the order of the derivatives becomes lower by one than those in the original equations. We obtain a set of new balance relationships that take into account the sources and boundary conditions. Next, we introduce the decomposition of the model domain into a set of finite volumes. For multi-dimensional non-stationary problems, this technique is applied in the framework of the variational principle and schemes of decomposition and splitting on the set of physical processes for each coordinate directions successively at each time step. For each direction within the finite volume, the analytical solutions of one-dimensional homogeneous adjoint equations are constructed. In this case, the solutions of adjoint equations serve as integrating factors. The results are the hybrid discrete-analytical schemes. They have the properties of stability, approximation and unconditional monotony for convection-diffusion operators. These schemes are discrete in time and analytic in the spatial variables. They are exact in case of piecewise-constant coefficients within the finite volume and along the coordinate lines of the grid area in each direction on a time step. In each direction, they have tridiagonal structure. They are solved by the sweep method. An important advantage of the discrete-analytical schemes is that the values of derivatives at the boundaries of finite volume are calculated together with the values of the unknown functions. This technique is particularly attractive for problems with dominant convection, as it does not require artificial monotonization and limiters. The same idea of integrating factors is applied in temporal dimension to the stiff systems of equations describing chemical transformation models [2]. The proposed method is applicable for the problems involving convection-diffusion-reaction operators. The work has been partially supported by the Presidium of RAS under Program 43, and by the RFBR grants 14-01-00125 and 14-01-31482. References: 1. V.V. Penenko, E.A. Tsvetova, A.V. Penenko. Variational approach and Euler's integrating factors for environmental studies// Computers and Mathematics with Applications, (2014) V.67, Issue 12, P. 2240-2256. 2. V.V.Penenko, E.A.Tsvetova. Variational methods of constructing monotone approximations for atmospheric chemistry models // Numerical analysis and applications, 2013, V. 6, Issue 3, pp 210-220.

CCD filter and transform techniques for interference excision

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borsuk, G. M.; Dewitt, R. N.

1976-01-01

The theoretical and some experimental results of a study aimed at applying CCD filter and transform techniques to the problem of interference excision within communications channels were presented. Adaptive noise (interference) suppression was achieved by the modification of received signals such that they were orthogonal to the recently measured noise field. CCD techniques were examined to develop real-time noise excision processing. They were recursive filters, circulating filter banks, transversal filter banks, an optical implementation of the chirp Z transform, and a CCD analog FFT.

Coalescence computations for large samples drawn from populations of time-varying sizes

PubMed Central

Polanski, Andrzej; Szczesna, Agnieszka; Garbulowski, Mateusz; Kimmel, Marek

2017-01-01

We present new results concerning probability distributions of times in the coalescence tree and expected allele frequencies for coalescent with large sample size. The obtained results are based on computational methodologies, which involve combining coalescence time scale changes with techniques of integral transformations and using analytical formulae for infinite products. We show applications of the proposed methodologies for computing probability distributions of times in the coalescence tree and their limits, for evaluation of accuracy of approximate expressions for times in the coalescence tree and expected allele frequencies, and for analysis of large human mitochondrial DNA dataset. PMID:28170404

Speeding up local correlation methods

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

Kats, Daniel

2014-12-28

We present two techniques that can substantially speed up the local correlation methods. The first one allows one to avoid the expensive transformation of the electron-repulsion integrals from atomic orbitals to virtual space. The second one introduces an algorithm for the residual equations in the local perturbative treatment that, in contrast to the standard scheme, does not require holding the amplitudes or residuals in memory. It is shown that even an interpreter-based implementation of the proposed algorithm in the context of local MP2 method is faster and requires less memory than the highly optimized variants of conventional algorithms.

Predictive display design for the vehicles with time delay in dynamic response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efremov, A. V.; Tiaglik, M. S.; Irgaleev, I. H.; Efremov, E. V.

2018-02-01

The two ways for the improvement of flying qualities are considered: the predictive display (PD) and the predictive display integrated with the flight control system (FCS). The both ways allow to transforming the controlled element dynamics in the crossover frequency range, to improve the accuracy of tracking and to suppress the effect of time delay in the vehicle response too. The technique for optimization of the predictive law is applied to the landing task. The results of the mathematical modeling and experimental investigations carried out for this task are considered in the paper.

Manufacturing with the Sun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, L. M.; Hauser, S. G.; Clyne, R. J.

1992-05-01

Concentrated solar radiation is now a viable alternative energy source for many advanced manufacturing processes. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have demonstrated the feasibility of processes such as solar-induced surface transformation of materials (SISTM), solar-based manufacturing, and solar-pumped lasers. Researchers are also using sunlight to decontaminate water and soils polluted with organic compounds; these techniques could provide manufacturers with innovative alternatives to traditional methods of waste management. The solar technology that is now being integrated into today's manufacturing processes offers even greater potential for tomorrow, especially as applied to the radiation-abundant environment available in space and on the lunar surface.

Manufacturing with the Sun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, Lawrence M.; Hauser, Steven G.; Clyne, Richard J.

1991-12-01

Concentrated solar radiation is now a viable alternative source for many advanced manufacturing processes. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have demonstrated the feasibility of processes such as solar induced surface transformation of materials (SISTM), solar based manufacturing, and solar pumped lasers. Researchers are also using sunlight to decontaminate water and soils polluted with organic compounds; these techniques could provide manufacturers with innovative alternatives to traditional methods of waste management. The solar technology that is now being integrated into today's manufacturing processes offer greater potential for tomorrow, especially as applied to the radiation abundant environment available in space and on the lunar surface.

Block-Module Electric Machines of Alternating Current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zabora, I.

2018-03-01

The paper deals with electric machines having active zone based on uniform elements. It presents data on disk-type asynchronous electric motors with short-circuited rotors, where active elements are made by integrated technique that forms modular elements. Photolithography, spraying, stamping of windings, pressing of core and combined methods are utilized as the basic technological approaches of production. The constructions and features of operation for new electric machine - compatible electric machines-transformers are considered. Induction motors are intended for operation in hermetic plants with extreme conditions surrounding gas, steam-to-gas and liquid environment at a high temperature (to several hundred of degrees).

Manufacturing with the Sun

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murphy, Lawrence M.; Hauser, Steven G.; Clyne, Richard J.

1991-01-01

Concentrated solar radiation is now a viable alternative source for many advanced manufacturing processes. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have demonstrated the feasibility of processes such as solar induced surface transformation of materials (SISTM), solar based manufacturing, and solar pumped lasers. Researchers are also using sunlight to decontaminate water and soils polluted with organic compounds; these techniques could provide manufacturers with innovative alternatives to traditional methods of waste management. The solar technology that is now being integrated into today's manufacturing processes offer greater potential for tomorrow, especially as applied to the radiation abundant environment available in space and on the lunar surface.

Polynomial approximation of Poincare maps for Hamiltonian system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Froeschle, Claude; Petit, Jean-Marc

1992-01-01

Different methods are proposed and tested for transforming a non-linear differential system, and more particularly a Hamiltonian one, into a map without integrating the whole orbit as in the well-known Poincare return map technique. We construct piecewise polynomial maps by coarse-graining the phase-space surface of section into parallelograms and using either only values of the Poincare maps at the vertices or also the gradient information at the nearest neighbors to define a polynomial approximation within each cell. The numerical experiments are in good agreement with both the real symplectic and Poincare maps.

High-efficiency transformation of Pichia stipitis based on its URA3 gene and a homologous autonomous replication sequence, ARS2.

PubMed Central

Yang, V W; Marks, J A; Davis, B P; Jeffries, T W

1994-01-01

This paper describes the first high-efficiency transformation system for the xylose-fermenting yeast Pichia stipitis. The system includes integrating and autonomously replicating plasmids based on the gene for orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase (URA3) and an autonomous replicating sequence (ARS) element (ARS2) isolated from P. stipitis CBS 6054. Ura- auxotrophs were obtained by selecting for resistance to 5-fluoroorotic acid and were identified as ura3 mutants by transformation with P. stipitis URA3. P. stipitis URA3 was cloned by its homology to Saccharomyces cerevisiae URA3, with which it is 69% identical in the coding region. P. stipitis ARS elements were cloned functionally through plasmid rescue. These sequences confer autonomous replication when cloned into vectors bearing the P. stipitis URA3 gene. P. stipitis ARS2 has features similar to those of the consensus ARS of S. cerevisiae and other ARS elements. Circular plasmids bearing the P. stipitis URA3 gene with various amounts of flanking sequences produced 600 to 8,600 Ura+ transformants per micrograms of DNA by electroporation. Most transformants obtained with circular vectors arose without integration of vector sequences. One vector yielded 5,200 to 12,500 Ura+ transformants per micrograms of DNA after it was linearized at various restriction enzyme sites within the P. stipitis URA3 insert. Transformants arising from linearized vectors produced stable integrants, and integration events were site specific for the genomic ura3 in 20% of the transformants examined. Plasmids bearing the P. stipitis URA3 gene and ARS2 element produced more than 30,000 transformants per micrograms of plasmid DNA. Autonomously replicating plasmids were stable for at least 50 generations in selection medium and were present at an average of 10 copies per nucleus. Images PMID:7811063

IACP (INTEGRATED AIR CANCER PROJECT) EMISSIONS: TRANSFORMATIONS AND FATE

EPA Science Inventory

As part of the Integrated Air Cancer Project (IACP), diluted emissions from wood stoves and automobiles were injected into a Teflon smog chamber and irradiated to simulate their photochemical transformation in the atmosphere. Changes in the chemical composition and physical prope...

76 FR 63941 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Business Transformation-Automated Integrated Operating...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-14

... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency Information Collection Activities: Business Transformation--Automated Integrated Operating Environment (IOE), New Information... Environment (IOE). The comment period expired May 27, 2011. USCIS is reviewing all comments received and will...

Use of glancing angle X-ray powder diffractometry to depth-profile phase transformations during dissolution of indomethacin and theophylline tablets.

PubMed

Debnath, Smita; Predecki, Paul; Suryanarayanan, Raj

2004-01-01

The purpose of this study was (i) to develop glancing angle x-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) as a method for profiling phase transformations as a function of tablet depth; and (ii) to apply this technique to (a) study indomethacin crystallization during dissolution of partially amorphous indomethacin tablets and to (b) profile anhydrate --> hydrate transformations during dissolution of theophylline tablets. The intrinsic dissolution rates of indomethacin and theophylline were determined after different pharmaceutical processing steps. Phase transformations during dissolution were evaluated by various techniques. Transformation in the bulk and on the tablet surface was characterized by conventional XRD and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Glancing angle XRD enabled us to profile these transformations as a function of depth from the tablet surface. Pharmaceutical processing resulted in a decrease in crystallinity of both indomethacin and theophylline. When placed in contact with the dissolution medium, while indomethacin recrystallized, theophylline anhydrate rapidly converted to theophylline monohydrate. Due to intimate contact with the dissolution medium, drug transformation occurred to a greater extent at or near the tablet surface. Glancing angle XRD enabled us to depth profile the extent of phase transformations as a function of the distance from the tablet surface. The processed sample (both indomethacin and theophylline) transformed more rapidly than did the corresponding unprocessed drug. Several challenges associated with the glancing angle technique, that is, the effects of sorbed water, phase transformations during the experimental timescale, and the influence of phase transformation on penetration depth, were addressed. Increased solubility, and consequently dissolution rate, is one of the potential advantages of metastable phases. This advantage is negated if, during dissolution, the metastable to stable transformation rate > dissolution rate. Glancing angle XRD enabled us to quantify and thereby profile phase transformations as a function of compact depth. The technique has potential utility in monitoring surface reactions, both chemical decomposition and physical transformations, in pharmaceutical systems.

Transformation of Sordaria macrospora to hygromycin B resistance: characterization of transformants by electrophoretic karyotyping and tetrad analysis.

PubMed

Walz, M; Kück, U

1995-12-01

The ascomycete Sordaria macrospora was transformed using different plasmid molecules containing the bacterial hygromycin B resistance gene (hph) under the control of different expression signals. The highest transformation frequency was obtained with vector pMW1. On this plasmid molecule, expression of the hph gene is directed by the upstream region of the isopenicillin N synthetase gene (pcbC) from the deuteromycete Acremonium chrysogenum. Southern analysis suggests that the vector copies are integrated as tandem repeats into the S. macrospora chromosomes and that duplicated sequences are most probably not inactivated by methylation during meiosis. Furthermore, the hygromycin B resistance (hygR) is not correlated with the number of integrated vector molecules. Electrophoretic karyotyping was used to further characterize S. macrospora transformants. Five chromosomal bands were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) representing seven chromosomes with a total genome size of 39.5Mb. Hybridization analysis revealed ectopic integration of vector DNA into different chromosomes. In a few transformants, major rearrangements were detected. Transformants were sexually propagated to analyze the fate of the heterologous vector DNA. Although the hygR phenotype is stably maintained during mitosis, about a third of all lines tested showed loss of the resistance marker gene after meiosis. However, as was concluded from electrophoretic karyotyping, the resistant spores showed a Mendelian segregation of the integrated vector molecules in at least three consecutive generations. Our data indicate that heterologous marker genes can be used for transformation tagging, or the molecular mapping of chromosomal loci in S. macrospora.

Generation of open biomedical datasets through ontology-driven transformation and integration processes.

PubMed

Carmen Legaz-García, María Del; Miñarro-Giménez, José Antonio; Menárguez-Tortosa, Marcos; Fernández-Breis, Jesualdo Tomás

2016-06-03

Biomedical research usually requires combining large volumes of data from multiple heterogeneous sources, which makes difficult the integrated exploitation of such data. The Semantic Web paradigm offers a natural technological space for data integration and exploitation by generating content readable by machines. Linked Open Data is a Semantic Web initiative that promotes the publication and sharing of data in machine readable semantic formats. We present an approach for the transformation and integration of heterogeneous biomedical data with the objective of generating open biomedical datasets in Semantic Web formats. The transformation of the data is based on the mappings between the entities of the data schema and the ontological infrastructure that provides the meaning to the content. Our approach permits different types of mappings and includes the possibility of defining complex transformation patterns. Once the mappings are defined, they can be automatically applied to datasets to generate logically consistent content and the mappings can be reused in further transformation processes. The results of our research are (1) a common transformation and integration process for heterogeneous biomedical data; (2) the application of Linked Open Data principles to generate interoperable, open, biomedical datasets; (3) a software tool, called SWIT, that implements the approach. In this paper we also describe how we have applied SWIT in different biomedical scenarios and some lessons learned. We have presented an approach that is able to generate open biomedical repositories in Semantic Web formats. SWIT is able to apply the Linked Open Data principles in the generation of the datasets, so allowing for linking their content to external repositories and creating linked open datasets. SWIT datasets may contain data from multiple sources and schemas, thus becoming integrated datasets.

An efficient computational method for solving nonlinear stochastic Itô integral equations: Application for stochastic problems in physics

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

Heydari, M.H., E-mail: heydari@stu.yazd.ac.ir; The Laboratory of Quantum Information Processing, Yazd University, Yazd; Hooshmandasl, M.R., E-mail: hooshmandasl@yazd.ac.ir

Because of the nonlinearity, closed-form solutions of many important stochastic functional equations are virtually impossible to obtain. Thus, numerical solutions are a viable alternative. In this paper, a new computational method based on the generalized hat basis functions together with their stochastic operational matrix of Itô-integration is proposed for solving nonlinear stochastic Itô integral equations in large intervals. In the proposed method, a new technique for computing nonlinear terms in such problems is presented. The main advantage of the proposed method is that it transforms problems under consideration into nonlinear systems of algebraic equations which can be simply solved. Errormore » analysis of the proposed method is investigated and also the efficiency of this method is shown on some concrete examples. The obtained results reveal that the proposed method is very accurate and efficient. As two useful applications, the proposed method is applied to obtain approximate solutions of the stochastic population growth models and stochastic pendulum problem.« less

On the inversion of geodetic integrals defined over the sphere using 1-D FFT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García, R. V.; Alejo, C. A.

2005-08-01

An iterative method is presented which performs inversion of integrals defined over the sphere. The method is based on one-dimensional fast Fourier transform (1-D FFT) inversion and is implemented with the projected Landweber technique, which is used to solve constrained least-squares problems reducing the associated 1-D cyclic-convolution error. The results obtained are as precise as the direct matrix inversion approach, but with better computational efficiency. A case study uses the inversion of Hotine’s integral to obtain gravity disturbances from geoid undulations. Numerical convergence is also analyzed and comparisons with respect to the direct matrix inversion method using conjugate gradient (CG) iteration are presented. Like the CG method, the number of iterations needed to get the optimum (i.e., small) error decreases as the measurement noise increases. Nevertheless, for discrete data given over a whole parallel band, the method can be applied directly without implementing the projected Landweber method, since no cyclic convolution error exists.

A combined finite element and boundary integral formulation for solution via CGFFT of 2-dimensional scattering problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, Jeffery D.; Volakis, John L.

1989-01-01

A new technique is presented for computing the scattering by 2-D structures of arbitrary composition. The proposed solution approach combines the usual finite element method with the boundary integral equation to formulate a discrete system. This is subsequently solved via the conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm. A particular characteristic of the method is the use of rectangular boundaries to enclose the scatterer. Several of the resulting boundary integrals are therefore convolutions and may be evaluated via the fast Fourier transform (FFT) in the implementation of the CG algorithm. The solution approach offers the principle advantage of having O(N) memory demand and employs a 1-D FFT versus a 2-D FFT as required with a traditional implementation of the CGFFT algorithm. The speed of the proposed solution method is compared with that of the traditional CGFFT algorithm, and results for rectangular bodies are given and shown to be in excellent agreement with the moment method.

Detection of Fast Moving and Accelerating Targets Compensating Range and Doppler Migration

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

Radon -Fourier transform has been introduced to realize long- term coherent integration of the moving targets with range migration [8, 9]. Radon ...2010) Long-time coherent integration for radar target detection base on Radon -Fourier transform, in Proceedings of the IEEE Radar Conference, pp...432–436. 9. Xu, J., Yu, J., Peng, Y. & Xia, X. (2011) Radon -Fourier transform for radar target detection, I: Generalized Doppler filter bank, IEEE

Bayesian Probability Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von der Linden, Wolfgang; Dose, Volker; von Toussaint, Udo

2014-06-01

Preface; Part I. Introduction: 1. The meaning of probability; 2. Basic definitions; 3. Bayesian inference; 4. Combinatrics; 5. Random walks; 6. Limit theorems; 7. Continuous distributions; 8. The central limit theorem; 9. Poisson processes and waiting times; Part II. Assigning Probabilities: 10. Transformation invariance; 11. Maximum entropy; 12. Qualified maximum entropy; 13. Global smoothness; Part III. Parameter Estimation: 14. Bayesian parameter estimation; 15. Frequentist parameter estimation; 16. The Cramer-Rao inequality; Part IV. Testing Hypotheses: 17. The Bayesian way; 18. The frequentist way; 19. Sampling distributions; 20. Bayesian vs frequentist hypothesis tests; Part V. Real World Applications: 21. Regression; 22. Inconsistent data; 23. Unrecognized signal contributions; 24. Change point problems; 25. Function estimation; 26. Integral equations; 27. Model selection; 28. Bayesian experimental design; Part VI. Probabilistic Numerical Techniques: 29. Numerical integration; 30. Monte Carlo methods; 31. Nested sampling; Appendixes; References; Index.

The faces of group practice. The transformation and progression of physician organizations.

PubMed

Harris, D G; Smith, P J; Benedetti, S A

1992-01-01

The future will bring an increase in the economic forces which drive the succession of organizational forms. Migrating to integrated models of medical practice will become a survival technique for more and more physicians. This is a frightening prospect for individuals trained to be independent and self reliant. Fortunately, there are a variety of organizational models through which physicians can progress to ease the transition from solo to larger integrated practice forms. Regardless of the evolutionary course, successful physician organizations of the future will be primary care-based, geographically distributed, meaningfully partnered with hospital entities, equipped to accept risk, and lead by strong, business-savvy physician leaders and administrators. This organization will have the ability to flourish within a radically changing climate and will result in the delivery of measurably superior health care to its community.

Enhancing security of fingerprints through contextual biometric watermarking.

PubMed

Noore, Afzel; Singh, Richa; Vatsa, Mayank; Houck, Max M

2007-07-04

This paper presents a novel digital watermarking technique using face and demographic text data as multiple watermarks for verifying the chain of custody and protecting the integrity of a fingerprint image. The watermarks are embedded in selected texture regions of a fingerprint image using discrete wavelet transform. Experimental results show that modifications in these locations are visually imperceptible and maintain the minutiae details. The integrity of the fingerprint image is verified through the high matching scores obtained from an automatic fingerprint identification system. There is also a high degree of visual correlation between the embedded images, and the extracted images from the watermarked fingerprint. The degree of similarity is computed using pixel-based metrics and human visual system metrics. The results also show that the proposed watermarked fingerprint and the extracted images are resilient to common attacks such as compression, filtering, and noise.

Multispectral scanner system parameter study and analysis software system description, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Landgrebe, D. A. (Principal Investigator); Mobasseri, B. G.; Wiersma, D. J.; Wiswell, E. R.; Mcgillem, C. D.; Anuta, P. E.

1978-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. The integration of the available methods provided the analyst with the unified scanner analysis package (USAP), the flexibility and versatility of which was superior to many previous integrated techniques. The USAP consisted of three main subsystems; (1) a spatial path, (2) a spectral path, and (3) a set of analytic classification accuracy estimators which evaluated the system performance. The spatial path consisted of satellite and/or aircraft data, data correlation analyzer, scanner IFOV, and random noise model. The output of the spatial path was fed into the analytic classification and accuracy predictor. The spectral path consisted of laboratory and/or field spectral data, EXOSYS data retrieval, optimum spectral function calculation, data transformation, and statistics calculation. The output of the spectral path was fended into the stratified posterior performance estimator.

Database Integrity Monitoring for Synthetic Vision Systems Using Machine Vision and SHADE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Eric G.; Young, Steven D.

2005-01-01

In an effort to increase situational awareness, the aviation industry is investigating technologies that allow pilots to visualize what is outside of the aircraft during periods of low-visibility. One of these technologies, referred to as Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS), provides the pilot with real-time computer-generated images of obstacles, terrain features, runways, and other aircraft regardless of weather conditions. To help ensure the integrity of such systems, methods of verifying the accuracy of synthetically-derived display elements using onboard remote sensing technologies are under investigation. One such method is based on a shadow detection and extraction (SHADE) algorithm that transforms computer-generated digital elevation data into a reference domain that enables direct comparison with radar measurements. This paper describes machine vision techniques for making this comparison and discusses preliminary results from application to actual flight data.

Partial discharge localization in power transformers based on the sequential quadratic programming-genetic algorithm adopting acoustic emission techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hua-Long; Liu, Hua-Dong

2014-10-01

Partial discharge (PD) in power transformers is one of the prime reasons resulting in insulation degradation and power faults. Hence, it is of great importance to study the techniques of the detection and localization of PD in theory and practice. The detection and localization of PD employing acoustic emission (AE) techniques, as a kind of non-destructive testing, plus due to the advantages of powerful capability of locating and high precision, have been paid more and more attention. The localization algorithm is the key factor to decide the localization accuracy in AE localization of PD. Many kinds of localization algorithms exist for the PD source localization adopting AE techniques including intelligent and non-intelligent algorithms. However, the existed algorithms possess some defects such as the premature convergence phenomenon, poor local optimization ability and unsuitability for the field applications. To overcome the poor local optimization ability and easily caused premature convergence phenomenon of the fundamental genetic algorithm (GA), a new kind of improved GA is proposed, namely the sequence quadratic programming-genetic algorithm (SQP-GA). For the hybrid optimization algorithm, SQP-GA, the sequence quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm which is used as a basic operator is integrated into the fundamental GA, so the local searching ability of the fundamental GA is improved effectively and the premature convergence phenomenon is overcome. Experimental results of the numerical simulations of benchmark functions show that the hybrid optimization algorithm, SQP-GA, is better than the fundamental GA in the convergence speed and optimization precision, and the proposed algorithm in this paper has outstanding optimization effect. At the same time, the presented SQP-GA in the paper is applied to solve the ultrasonic localization problem of PD in transformers, then the ultrasonic localization method of PD in transformers based on the SQP-GA is proposed. And localization results based on the SQP-GA are compared with some algorithms such as the GA, some other intelligent and non-intelligent algorithms. The results of calculating examples both stimulated and spot experiments demonstrate that the localization method based on the SQP-GA can effectively prevent the results from getting trapped into the local optimum values, and the localization method is of great feasibility and very suitable for the field applications, and the precision of localization is enhanced, and the effectiveness of localization is ideal and satisfactory.

Chemical Transformation System: Cloud Based Cheminformatic Services to Support Integrated Environmental Modeling

EPA Science Inventory

Integrated Environmental Modeling (IEM) systems that account for the fate/transport of organics frequently require physicochemical properties as well as transformation products. A myriad of chemical property databases exist but these can be difficult to access and often do not co...

Improving brain computer interface research through user involvement - The transformative potential of integrating civil society organisations in research projects

PubMed Central

Wakunuma, Kutoma; Rainey, Stephen; Hansen, Christian

2017-01-01

Research on Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) often aims to provide solutions for vulnerable populations, such as individuals with diseases, conditions or disabilities that keep them from using traditional interfaces. Such research thereby contributes to the public good. This contribution to the public good corresponds to a broader drive of research and funding policy that focuses on promoting beneficial societal impact. One way of achieving this is to engage with the public. In practical terms this can be done by integrating civil society organisations (CSOs) in research. The open question at the heart of this paper is whether and how such CSO integration can transform the research and contribute to the public good. To answer this question the paper describes five detailed qualitative case studies of research projects including CSOs. The paper finds that transformative impact of CSO integration is possible but by no means assured. It provides recommendations on how transformative impact can be promoted. PMID:28207882

Application of Lipschitz Regularity and Multiscale Techniques for the Automatic Detection of Oil Spills in Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ajadi, O. A.; Meyer, F. J.; Tello, M.

2015-12-01

This research presents a promising new method for the detection and tracking of oil spills from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. The method presented here combines a number of advanced image processing techniques in order to overcome some common performance limitations of SAR-based oil spill detection. Principal among these limitations are: (1) the radar cross section of the ocean surface strongly depends on wind and wave activities and is therefore highly variable; (2) the radar cross section of oil covered waters is often indistinguishable from other dark ocean features such as low wind areas or oil lookalikes, leading to ambiguities in oil spill detection. In this paper, we introduce two novel image analysis techniques to largely mitigate the aforementioned performance limitations, namely Lipschitz regularity (LR) and Wavelet transforms. We used LR, an image texture parameter akin to the slope of the local power spectrum, in our approach to mitigate these limitations. We show that the LR parameter is much less sensitive to variations of wind and waves than the original image amplitude, lending itself well for normalizing image content. Beyond its benefit for image normalization, we also show that the LR transform enhances the contrast between oil-covered and oil-free ocean surfaces and therefore improves overall spill detection performance. To calculate LR, the SAR images are decomposed using two-dimensional continuous wavelet transform (2D-CWT), which are furthermore transformed into Holder space to measure LR. Finally, we demonstrate that the implementation of wavelet transforms provide additional benefits related to the adaptive reduction of speckle noise. We show how LR and CWT are integrated into our image analysis workflow for application to oil spill detection. To describe the performance of this approach under controlled conditions, we applied our method to simulated SAR data of wind driven oceans containing oil spills of various properties. We also show applications to several real life oil spill scenarios using a series of L-band ALOS PALSAR images and X-band TerraSAR-X images acquired during the Deep Water Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. From our analysis, we concluded that the LR and CWT have distinct advantages in oil spill detection and lead to high performance spill mapping results.

Further distinctive investigations of the Sumudu transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belgacem, Fethi Bin Muhammad; Silambarasan, Rathinavel

2017-01-01

The Sumudu transform of time function f (t) is computed by making the transform variable u of Sumudu as factor of function f (t) and then integrated against exp(-t). Being a factor in the original function f (t), becomes f (ut) preserves units and dimension. This preservation property distinguishes Sumudu from other integral transforms. With obtained definition, the related complete set of properties were derived for the Sumudu transform. Framgment of Symbolic C++ program was given for Sumudu computation as series. Also procedure in Maple was given for Sumudu computation in closed form. The Method proposed herein not depends neither on any of homotopy methods such as HPM, HAM nor any of decomposition methods such as ADM.

A health analytics semantic ETL service for obesity surveillance.

PubMed

Poulymenopoulou, M; Papakonstantinou, D; Malamateniou, F; Vassilacopoulos, G

2015-01-01

The increasingly large amount of data produced in healthcare (e.g. collected through health information systems such as electronic medical records - EMRs or collected through novel data sources such as personal health records - PHRs, social media, web resources) enable the creation of detailed records about people's health, sentiments and activities (e.g. physical activity, diet, sleep quality) that can be used in the public health area among others. However, despite the transformative potential of big data in public health surveillance there are several challenges in integrating big data. In this paper, the interoperability challenge is tackled and a semantic Extract Transform Load (ETL) service is proposed that seeks to semantically annotate big data to result into valuable data for analysis. This service is considered as part of a health analytics engine on the cloud that interacts with existing healthcare information exchange networks, like the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE), PHRs, sensors, mobile applications, and other web resources to retrieve patient health, behavioral and daily activity data. The semantic ETL service aims at semantically integrating big data for use by analytic mechanisms. An illustrative implementation of the service on big data which is potentially relevant to human obesity, enables using appropriate analytic techniques (e.g. machine learning, text mining) that are expected to assist in identifying patterns and contributing factors (e.g. genetic background, social, environmental) for this social phenomenon and, hence, drive health policy changes and promote healthy behaviors where residents live, work, learn, shop and play.

Integrable discretisations for a class of nonlinear Schrödinger equations on Grassmann algebras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grahovski, Georgi G.; Mikhailov, Alexander V.

2013-12-01

Integrable discretisations for a class of coupled (super) nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) type of equations are presented. The class corresponds to a Lax operator with entries in a Grassmann algebra. Elementary Darboux transformations are constructed. As a result, Grassmann generalisations of the Toda lattice and the NLS dressing chain are obtained. The compatibility (Bianchi commutativity) of these Darboux transformations leads to integrable Grassmann generalisations of the difference Toda and NLS equations. The resulting systems will have discrete Lax representations provided by the set of two consistent elementary Darboux transformations. For the two discrete systems obtained, initial value and initial-boundary problems are formulated.

Classical integrable defects as quasi Bäcklund transformations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doikou, Anastasia

2016-10-01

We consider the algebraic setting of classical defects in discrete and continuous integrable theories. We derive the ;equations of motion; on the defect point via the space-like and time-like description. We then exploit the structural similarity of these equations with the discrete and continuous Bäcklund transformations. And although these equations are similar they are not exactly the same to the Bäcklund transformations. We also consider specific examples of integrable models to demonstrate our construction, i.e. the Toda chain and the sine-Gordon model. The equations of the time (space) evolution of the defect (discontinuity) degrees of freedom for these models are explicitly derived.

Analytical expressions for the correlation function of a hard sphere dimer fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Soonho; Chang, Jaeeon; Kim, Hwayong

A closed form expression is given for the correlation function of a hard sphere dimer fluid. A set of integral equations is obtained from Wertheim's multidensity Ornstein-Zernike integral equation theory with Percus-Yevick approximation. Applying the Laplace transformation method to the integral equations and then solving the resulting equations algebraically, the Laplace transforms of the individual correlation functions are obtained. By the inverse Laplace transformation, the radial distribution function (RDF) is obtained in closed form out to 3D (D is the segment diameter). The analytical expression for the RDF of the hard dimer should be useful in developing the perturbation theory of dimer fluids.

Analytical expression for the correlation function of a hard sphere chain fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Jaeeon; Kim, Hwayong

A closed form expression is given for the correlation function of flexible hard sphere chain fluid. A set of integral equations obtained from Wertheim's multidensity Ornstein-Zernike integral equation theory with the polymer Percus-Yevick ideal chain approximation is considered. Applying the Laplace transformation method to the integral equations and then solving the resulting equations algebraically, the Laplace transforms of individual correlation functions are obtained. By inverse Laplace transformation the inter- and intramolecular radial distribution functions (RDFs) are obtained in closed forms up to 3D(D is segment diameter). These analytical expressions for the RDFs would be useful in developing the perturbation theory of chain fluids.

A dynamic integrated fault diagnosis method for power transformers.

PubMed

Gao, Wensheng; Bai, Cuifen; Liu, Tong

2015-01-01

In order to diagnose transformer fault efficiently and accurately, a dynamic integrated fault diagnosis method based on Bayesian network is proposed in this paper. First, an integrated fault diagnosis model is established based on the causal relationship among abnormal working conditions, failure modes, and failure symptoms of transformers, aimed at obtaining the most possible failure mode. And then considering the evidence input into the diagnosis model is gradually acquired and the fault diagnosis process in reality is multistep, a dynamic fault diagnosis mechanism is proposed based on the integrated fault diagnosis model. Different from the existing one-step diagnosis mechanism, it includes a multistep evidence-selection process, which gives the most effective diagnostic test to be performed in next step. Therefore, it can reduce unnecessary diagnostic tests and improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis. Finally, the dynamic integrated fault diagnosis method is applied to actual cases, and the validity of this method is verified.

A Dynamic Integrated Fault Diagnosis Method for Power Transformers

PubMed Central

Gao, Wensheng; Liu, Tong

2015-01-01

In order to diagnose transformer fault efficiently and accurately, a dynamic integrated fault diagnosis method based on Bayesian network is proposed in this paper. First, an integrated fault diagnosis model is established based on the causal relationship among abnormal working conditions, failure modes, and failure symptoms of transformers, aimed at obtaining the most possible failure mode. And then considering the evidence input into the diagnosis model is gradually acquired and the fault diagnosis process in reality is multistep, a dynamic fault diagnosis mechanism is proposed based on the integrated fault diagnosis model. Different from the existing one-step diagnosis mechanism, it includes a multistep evidence-selection process, which gives the most effective diagnostic test to be performed in next step. Therefore, it can reduce unnecessary diagnostic tests and improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis. Finally, the dynamic integrated fault diagnosis method is applied to actual cases, and the validity of this method is verified. PMID:25685841

Chemical Transformation System: Cloud Based Cheminformatic Services to Support Integrated Environmental Modeling (proceedings)

EPA Science Inventory

Integrated Environmental Modeling (IEM) systems that account for the fate/transport of organics frequently require physicochemical properties as well as transformation products. A myriad of chemical property databases exist but these can be difficult to access and often do not co...

Abel inversion using fast Fourier transforms.

PubMed

Kalal, M; Nugent, K A

1988-05-15

A fast Fourier transform based Abel inversion technique is proposed. The method is faster than previously used techniques, potentially very accurate (even for a relatively small number of points), and capable of handling large data sets. The technique is discussed in the context of its use with 2-D digital interferogram analysis algorithms. Several examples are given.

Noise suppression in surface microseismic data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Forghani-Arani, Farnoush; Batzle, Mike; Behura, Jyoti; Willis, Mark; Haines, Seth S.; Davidson, Michael

2012-01-01

We introduce a passive noise suppression technique, based on the τ − p transform. In the τ − p domain, one can separate microseismic events from surface noise based on distinct characteristics that are not visible in the time-offset domain. By applying the inverse τ − p transform to the separated microseismic event, we suppress the surface noise in the data. Our technique significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratios of the microseismic events and is superior to existing techniques for passive noise suppression in the sense that it preserves the waveform. We introduce a passive noise suppression technique, based on the τ − p transform. In the τ − p domain, one can separate microseismic events from surface noise based on distinct characteristics that are not visible in the time-offset domain. By applying the inverse τ − p transform to the separated microseismic event, we suppress the surface noise in the data. Our technique significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratios of the microseismic events and is superior to existing techniques for passive noise suppression in the sense that it preserves the waveform.

Aspect-Oriented Model-Driven Software Product Line Engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groher, Iris; Voelter, Markus

Software product line engineering aims to reduce development time, effort, cost, and complexity by taking advantage of the commonality within a portfolio of similar products. The effectiveness of a software product line approach directly depends on how well feature variability within the portfolio is implemented and managed throughout the development lifecycle, from early analysis through maintenance and evolution. This article presents an approach that facilitates variability implementation, management, and tracing by integrating model-driven and aspect-oriented software development. Features are separated in models and composed of aspect-oriented composition techniques on model level. Model transformations support the transition from problem to solution space models. Aspect-oriented techniques enable the explicit expression and modularization of variability on model, template, and code level. The presented concepts are illustrated with a case study of a home automation system.

Use of an holistic approach for effective adoption of User-Centred-Design techniques in diabetes disease management: Experiences in user need elicitation.

PubMed

Fico, Giuseppe; Arredondo, Maria Teresa

2015-01-01

One of the most important challenges of designing eHealth tools for Chronic Disease Management is to understand how transforming cutting-edge innovations in something that can impact the current clinical practice and improve the performance of the health care systems. The adoption of User Centered Design techniques is fundamental in order to integrate these systems in an effective and successful way. The work presented in this paper describe the methodologies used in the context of two multidisciplinary research projects, METABO and MOSAIC. The adoption of the methodologies have been driven by the CeHRes Roamap, a holistic framework that support participatory development of eHealth. The work reported in this paper describes the results of the first two (out of the five) phases in eliciting user needs.

Digital techniques for ULF wave polarization analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arthur, C. W.

1979-01-01

Digital power spectral and wave polarization analysis are powerful techniques for studying ULF waves in the earth's magnetosphere. Four different techniques for using the spectral matrix to perform such an analysis have been presented in the literature. Three of these techniques are similar in that they require transformation of the spectral matrix to the principal axis system prior to performing the polarization analysis. The differences in the three techniques lie in the manner in which determine this transformation. A comparative study of these three techniques using both simulated and real data has shown them to be approximately equal in quality of performance. The fourth technique does not require transformation of the spectral matrix. Rather, it uses the measured spectral matrix and state vectors for a desired wave type to design a polarization detector function in the frequency domain. The design of various detector functions and their application to both simulated and real data will be presented.

Some inversion formulas for the cone transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terzioglu, Fatma

2015-11-01

Several novel imaging applications have lead recently to a variety of Radon type transforms, where integration is made over a family of conical surfaces. We call them cone transforms (in 2D they are also called V-line or broken ray transforms). Most prominently, they are present in the so called Compton camera imaging that arises in medical diagnostics, astronomy, and lately in homeland security applications. Several specific incarnations of the cone transform have been considered separately. In this paper, we address the most general (and overdetermined) cone transform, obtain integral relations between cone and Radon transforms in {{{R}}}n, and a variety of inversion formulas. In many applications (e.g., in homeland security), the signal to noise ratio is very low. So, if overdetermined data is collected (as in the case of Compton imaging), attempts to reduce the dimensionality might lead to essential elimination of the signal. Thus, our main concentration is on obtaining formulas involving overdetermined data.

Transforming Aggregate Object-Oriented Formal Specifications to Code

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-03-01

integration issues associated with a formal-based software transformation system, such as the source specification, the problem space architecture , design architecture ... design transforms, and target software transforms. Software is critical in today’s Air Force, yet its specification, design, and development

Direct shear mapping - a new weak lensing tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Burgh-Day, C. O.; Taylor, E. N.; Webster, R. L.; Hopkins, A. M.

2015-08-01

We have developed a new technique called direct shear mapping (DSM) to measure gravitational lensing shear directly from observations of a single background source. The technique assumes the velocity map of an unlensed, stably rotating galaxy will be rotationally symmetric. Lensing distorts the velocity map making it asymmetric. The degree of lensing can be inferred by determining the transformation required to restore axisymmetry. This technique is in contrast to traditional weak lensing methods, which require averaging an ensemble of background galaxy ellipticity measurements, to obtain a single shear measurement. We have tested the efficacy of our fitting algorithm with a suite of systematic tests on simulated data. We demonstrate that we are in principle able to measure shears as small as 0.01. In practice, we have fitted for the shear in very low redshift (and hence unlensed) velocity maps, and have obtained null result with an error of ±0.01. This high-sensitivity results from analysing spatially resolved spectroscopic images (i.e. 3D data cubes), including not just shape information (as in traditional weak lensing measurements) but velocity information as well. Spirals and rotating ellipticals are ideal targets for this new technique. Data from any large Integral Field Unit (IFU) or radio telescope is suitable, or indeed any instrument with spatially resolved spectroscopy such as the Sydney-Australian-Astronomical Observatory Multi-Object Integral Field Spectrograph (SAMI), the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) and the Square Kilometer Array (SKA).

Transforming traditional Tai Ji Quan techniques into integrative movement therapy-Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance.

PubMed

Li, Fuzhong

2014-03-01

Tai Ji Quan, developed as a martial art, has traditionally served multiple purposes, including self-defense, competition/performance, and health promotion. With respect to health, the benefits historically and anecdotally associated with Tai Ji Quan are now being supported by scientific and clinical research, with mounting evidence indicating its potential value in preventing and managing various diseases and improving well-being and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults. The research findings produced to date have both public health significance and clinical relevance. However, because of its roots in the martial arts, transforming traditional Tai Ji Quan movements and training approaches into contemporary therapeutic programs and functional applications is needed to maximize its ultimate utility. This paper addresses this issue by introducing Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance , a functional therapy that involves the use of Tai Ji Quan principles and Yang-style-based movements to form an innovative, contemporary therapeutic approach that integrates motor, sensory, and cognitive components to improve postural control, gait, and mobility for older adults and those who have neurodegenerative movement impairments. It provides a synergy of traditional and contemporary Tai Ji Quan practice with the ultimate goal of improving balance and gait, enhancing performance of daily functional tasks, and reducing incidence of falls among older adults.

Integration or transformation? Looking in the future of Information and Communication Technology in education in Vietnam.

PubMed

Peeraer, Jef; Van Petegem, Peter

2015-02-01

Over the last two decades, crucial factors for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education have improved significantly in Vietnam. Nevertheless, it is clear that, as in other countries, no educational revolution is taking place. We argue that there is a need for a broad dialogue on the future of ICT in education in Vietnam as discussion of ideas about future possibilities can be instrumental in rationalizing and generating educational change. We explore how a group of key players representing the public and private sector as well as development partners in the field look at the future of ICT in education in the country. Following the Delphi method, these key players assessed in different survey rounds the current situation of ICT in education, identified a series of targets and were asked to assess these targets in respect of their importance. The key players reached a consensus that the purpose of technology integration is to achieve learning goals and enhance learning. However, there is more controversy on targets that could potentially transform education practice in Vietnam. We discuss the value of the Delphi technique and argue for increased participation of all involved stakeholders in policy development on ICT in education. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A 16X16 Discrete Cosine Transform Chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, M. T.; Chen, T. C.; Gottlieb, A.; Wu, L.; Liou, M. L.

1987-10-01

Among various transform coding techniques for image compression the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) is considered to be the most effective method and has been widely used in the laboratory as well as in the market, place. DCT is computationally intensive. For video application at 14.3 MHz sample rate, a direct implementation of a 16x16 DCT requires a throughput, rate of approximately half a billion multiplications per second. In order to reduce the cost of hardware implementation, a single chip DCT implementation is highly desirable. In this paper, the implementation of a 16x16 DCT chip using a concurrent architecture will be presented. The chip is designed for real-time processing of 14.3 MHz sampled video data. It uses row-column decomposition to implement the two-dimensional transform. Distributed arithmetic combined with hit-serial and hit-parallel structures is used to implement the required vector inner products concurrently. Several schemes are utilized to reduce the size of required memory. The resultant circuit only uses memory, shift registers, and adders. No multipliers are required. It achieves high speed performance with a very regular and efficient integrated circuit realization. The chip accepts 0-bit input and produces 14-bit DCT coefficients. 12 bits are maintained after the first one-dimensional transform. The circuit has been laid out using a 2-μm CMOS technology with a symbolic design tool MULGA. The core contains approximately 73,000 transistors in an area of 7.2 x 7.0

Efficient Stochastic Rendering of Static and Animated Volumes Using Visibility Sweeps.

PubMed

von Radziewsky, Philipp; Kroes, Thomas; Eisemann, Martin; Eisemann, Elmar

2017-09-01

Stochastically solving the rendering integral (particularly visibility) is the de-facto standard for physically-based light transport but it is computationally expensive, especially when displaying heterogeneous volumetric data. In this work, we present efficient techniques to speed-up the rendering process via a novel visibility-estimation method in concert with an unbiased importance sampling (involving environmental lighting and visibility inside the volume), filtering, and update techniques for both static and animated scenes. Our major contributions include a progressive estimate of partial occlusions based on a fast sweeping-plane algorithm. These occlusions are stored in an octahedral representation, which can be conveniently transformed into a quadtree-based hierarchy suited for a joint importance sampling. Further, we propose sweep-space filtering, which suppresses the occurrence of fireflies and investigate different update schemes for animated scenes. Our technique is unbiased, requires little precomputation, is highly parallelizable, and is applicable to a various volume data sets, dynamic transfer functions, animated volumes and changing environmental lighting.

A Novel Image Steganography Technique for Secured Online Transaction Using DWT and Visual Cryptography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anitha Devi, M. D.; ShivaKumar, K. B.

2017-08-01

Online payment eco system is the main target especially for cyber frauds. Therefore end to end encryption is very much needed in order to maintain the integrity of secret information related to transactions carried online. With access to payment related sensitive information, which enables lot of money transactions every day, the payment infrastructure is a major target for hackers. The proposed system highlights, an ideal approach for secure online transaction for fund transfer with a unique combination of visual cryptography and Haar based discrete wavelet transform steganography technique. This combination of data hiding technique reduces the amount of information shared between consumer and online merchant needed for successful online transaction along with providing enhanced security to customer’s account details and thereby increasing customer’s confidence preventing “Identity theft” and “Phishing”. To evaluate the effectiveness of proposed algorithm Root mean square error, Peak signal to noise ratio have been used as evaluation parameters

The Integral University: Holistic Development of Individuals, Communities, Organisations and Societies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schieffer, Alexander; Lessem, Ronnie

2014-01-01

The article describes an approach towards a fully transformed university, coined Integral University. Linking Education (E), Research (R), Activation (A) and Catalysation (C), it can "CARE" for individual, organisation, communal and societal development. Within it, theory and practice, knowledge creation and transformative action go hand…

Transformative? Integrative? Troublesome? Undergraduate Honors Student Reflections on Information Literacy Threshold Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scott, Rachel E.

2017-01-01

In this exploratory study the authors ask students enrolled in a credit-bearing undergraduate research methods course to rank and evaluate the troublesome, transformative, and integrative nature of the six frames currently comprising the "Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education." The results indicate that students have…

The Effects of Integrated Transformational Leadership on Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boberg, John Eric; Bourgeois, Steven J.

2016-01-01

Purpose: Greater understanding about how variables mediate the relationship between leadership and achievement is essential to the success of reform efforts that hold leaders accountable for student learning. The purpose of this paper is to test a model of integrated transformational leadership including three important school mediators.…

Maintaining Stability During a Conducted-Ripple EMC Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vorperian, Vatche

2007-01-01

An improved technique, and electronic circuitry to implement the technique, have been developed for a military-standard electromagnetic-compatibility (EMC) test in which one analyzes susceptibility to low-frequency ripple conducted into the equipment under test via a DC power line. In the traditional technique for performing the particular test, the ripple is coupled onto the DC power line via a transformer. Depending upon some design details of the equipment under test, the inductance of the transformer can contribute a degree of instability that results in an oscillation of amplitude large enough to destroy the equipment. It is usually possible to suppress the oscillation by connecting a damping resistor to the primary terminals of the ripple-injection transformer. However, it is important to emphasize the usually in the preceding sentence: sometimes, the resistive damping becomes insufficient to suppress destructive oscillation. In addition, undesirably, the resistor contributes to power dissipation and power demand, and thereby also necessitates the use of a larger ripple voltage amplifier. Yet another disadvantage of the transformer-coupling technique is that the transformer introduces low-frequency distortion of the injected ripple voltage. The improved technique makes it possible to inject ripple with very low distortion at low frequency, without inducing oscillation. In this technique, a transformer is not used: Instead, power is fed to the equipment under test via series power field-effect transistors (FETs) controlled by a summing operational amplifier. One of the inputs to the amplifier controls the DC component of the power-line voltage; the other input, generated by an external oscillator, controls the ripple component. The circuitry for implementing this technique includes panel displays, an internal power supply for the operational amplifier and panel displays, and amplitude controls for the DC and ripple powerline voltage components.

Application of Tissue Culture and Transformation Techniques in Model Species Brachypodium distachyon.

PubMed

Sogutmaz Ozdemir, Bahar; Budak, Hikmet

2018-01-01

Brachypodium distachyon has recently emerged as a model plant species for the grass family (Poaceae) that includes major cereal crops and forage grasses. One of the important traits of a model species is its capacity to be transformed and ease of growing both in tissue culture and in greenhouse conditions. Hence, plant transformation technology is crucial for improvements in agricultural studies, both for the study of new genes and in the production of new transgenic plant species. In this chapter, we review an efficient tissue culture and two different transformation systems for Brachypodium using most commonly preferred gene transfer techniques in plant species, microprojectile bombardment method (biolistics) and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.In plant transformation studies, frequently used explant materials are immature embryos due to their higher transformation efficiencies and regeneration capacity. However, mature embryos are available throughout the year in contrast to immature embryos. We explain a tissue culture protocol for Brachypodium using mature embryos with the selected inbred lines from our collection. Embryogenic calluses obtained from mature embryos are used to transform Brachypodium with both plant transformation techniques that are revised according to previously studied protocols applied in the grasses, such as applying vacuum infiltration, different wounding effects, modification in inoculation and cocultivation steps or optimization of bombardment parameters.

Technique for the metrology calibration of a Fourier transform spectrometer

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

Spencer, Locke D.; Naylor, David A

2008-11-10

A method is presented for using a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) to calibrate the metrology of a second FTS. This technique is particularly useful when the second FTS is inside a cryostat or otherwise inaccessible.

Transformer Incipient Fault Prediction Using Combined Artificial Neural Network and Various Particle Swarm Optimisation Techniques.

PubMed

Illias, Hazlee Azil; Chai, Xin Rui; Abu Bakar, Ab Halim; Mokhlis, Hazlie

2015-01-01

It is important to predict the incipient fault in transformer oil accurately so that the maintenance of transformer oil can be performed correctly, reducing the cost of maintenance and minimise the error. Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) has been widely used to predict the incipient fault in power transformers. However, sometimes the existing DGA methods yield inaccurate prediction of the incipient fault in transformer oil because each method is only suitable for certain conditions. Many previous works have reported on the use of intelligence methods to predict the transformer faults. However, it is believed that the accuracy of the previously proposed methods can still be improved. Since artificial neural network (ANN) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO) techniques have never been used in the previously reported work, this work proposes a combination of ANN and various PSO techniques to predict the transformer incipient fault. The advantages of PSO are simplicity and easy implementation. The effectiveness of various PSO techniques in combination with ANN is validated by comparison with the results from the actual fault diagnosis, an existing diagnosis method and ANN alone. Comparison of the results from the proposed methods with the previously reported work was also performed to show the improvement of the proposed methods. It was found that the proposed ANN-Evolutionary PSO method yields the highest percentage of correct identification for transformer fault type than the existing diagnosis method and previously reported works.

Transformer Incipient Fault Prediction Using Combined Artificial Neural Network and Various Particle Swarm Optimisation Techniques

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

It is important to predict the incipient fault in transformer oil accurately so that the maintenance of transformer oil can be performed correctly, reducing the cost of maintenance and minimise the error. Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) has been widely used to predict the incipient fault in power transformers. However, sometimes the existing DGA methods yield inaccurate prediction of the incipient fault in transformer oil because each method is only suitable for certain conditions. Many previous works have reported on the use of intelligence methods to predict the transformer faults. However, it is believed that the accuracy of the previously proposed methods can still be improved. Since artificial neural network (ANN) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO) techniques have never been used in the previously reported work, this work proposes a combination of ANN and various PSO techniques to predict the transformer incipient fault. The advantages of PSO are simplicity and easy implementation. The effectiveness of various PSO techniques in combination with ANN is validated by comparison with the results from the actual fault diagnosis, an existing diagnosis method and ANN alone. Comparison of the results from the proposed methods with the previously reported work was also performed to show the improvement of the proposed methods. It was found that the proposed ANN-Evolutionary PSO method yields the highest percentage of correct identification for transformer fault type than the existing diagnosis method and previously reported works. PMID:26103634

Transformational leadership and team innovation: integrating team climate principles.

PubMed

Eisenbeiss, Silke A; van Knippenberg, Daan; Boerner, Sabine

2008-11-01

Fostering team innovation is increasingly an important leadership function. However, the empirical evidence for the role of transformational leadership in engendering team innovation is scarce and mixed. To address this issue, the authors link transformational leadership theory to principles of M. A. West's (1990) team climate theory and propose an integrated model for the relationship between transformational leadership and team innovation. This model involves support for innovation as a mediating process and climate for excellence as a moderator. Results from a study of 33 research and development teams confirmed that transformational leadership works through support for innovation, which in turn interacts with climate for excellence such that support for innovation enhances team innovation only when climate for excellence is high.

Numerical Algorithms for Precise and Efficient Orbit Propagation and Positioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bradley, Ben K.

Motivated by the growing space catalog and the demands for precise orbit determination with shorter latency for science and reconnaissance missions, this research improves the computational performance of orbit propagation through more efficient and precise numerical integration and frame transformation implementations. Propagation of satellite orbits is required for astrodynamics applications including mission design, orbit determination in support of operations and payload data analysis, and conjunction assessment. Each of these applications has somewhat different requirements in terms of accuracy, precision, latency, and computational load. This dissertation develops procedures to achieve various levels of accuracy while minimizing computational cost for diverse orbit determination applications. This is done by addressing two aspects of orbit determination: (1) numerical integration used for orbit propagation and (2) precise frame transformations necessary for force model evaluation and station coordinate rotations. This dissertation describes a recently developed method for numerical integration, dubbed Bandlimited Collocation Implicit Runge-Kutta (BLC-IRK), and compare its efficiency in propagating orbits to existing techniques commonly used in astrodynamics. The BLC-IRK scheme uses generalized Gaussian quadratures for bandlimited functions. It requires significantly fewer force function evaluations than explicit Runge-Kutta schemes and approaches the efficiency of the 8th-order Gauss-Jackson multistep method. Converting between the Geocentric Celestial Reference System (GCRS) and International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS) is necessary for many applications in astrodynamics, such as orbit propagation, orbit determination, and analyzing geoscience data from satellite missions. This dissertation provides simplifications to the Celestial Intermediate Origin (CIO) transformation scheme and Earth orientation parameter (EOP) storage for use in positioning and orbit propagation, yielding savings in computation time and memory. Orbit propagation and position transformation simulations are analyzed to generate a complete set of recommendations for performing the ITRS/GCRS transformation for a wide range of needs, encompassing real-time on-board satellite operations and precise post-processing applications. In addition, a complete derivation of the ITRS/GCRS frame transformation time-derivative is detailed for use in velocity transformations between the GCRS and ITRS and is applied to orbit propagation in the rotating ITRS. EOP interpolation methods and ocean tide corrections are shown to impact the ITRS/GCRS transformation accuracy at the level of 5 cm and 20 cm on the surface of the Earth and at the Global Positioning System (GPS) altitude, respectively. The precession-nutation and EOP simplifications yield maximum propagation errors of approximately 2 cm and 1 m after 15 minutes and 6 hours in low-Earth orbit (LEO), respectively, while reducing computation time and memory usage. Finally, for orbit propagation in the ITRS, a simplified scheme is demonstrated that yields propagation errors under 5 cm after 15 minutes in LEO. This approach is beneficial for orbit determination based on GPS measurements. We conclude with a summary of recommendations on EOP usage and bias-precession-nutation implementations for achieving a wide range of transformation and propagation accuracies at several altitudes. This comprehensive set of recommendations allows satellite operators, astrodynamicists, and scientists to make informed decisions when choosing the best implementation for their application, balancing accuracy and computational complexity.

Parseval-Type Relations for Laplace Transform and their Applications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herman, S.; Maceli, J.; Rogala, M.; Yurekli, O.

2008-01-01

In the present note, two Parseval-type relations involving the Laplace transform are given. The application of the relations is demonstrated in evaluating improper integrals and Laplace transforms of trigonometric functions.

Integration event induced changes in recombinant protein productivity in Pichia pastoris discovered by whole genome sequencing and derived vector optimization.

PubMed

Schwarzhans, Jan-Philipp; Wibberg, Daniel; Winkler, Anika; Luttermann, Tobias; Kalinowski, Jörn; Friehs, Karl

2016-05-20

The classic AOX1 replacement approach is still one of the most often used techniques for expression of recombinant proteins in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Although this approach is largely successful, it frequently delivers clones with unpredicted production characteristics and a work-intense screening process is required to find the strain with desired productivity. In this project 845 P. pastoris clones, transformed with a GFP expression cassette, were analyzed for their methanol-utilization (Mut)-phenotypes, GFP gene expression levels and gene copy numbers. Several groups of strains with irregular features were identified. Such features include GFP expression that is markedly higher or lower than expected based on gene copy number as well as strains that grew under selective conditions but where the GFP gene cassette and its expression could not be detected. From these classes of strains 31 characteristic clones were selected and their genomes sequenced. By correlating the assembled genome data with the experimental phenotypes novel insights were obtained. These comprise a clear connection between productivity and cassette-to-cassette orientation in the genome, the occurrence of false-positive clones due to a secondary recombination event, and lower total productivity due to the presence of untransformed cells within the isolates were discovered. To cope with some of these problems, the original vector was optimized by replacing the AOX1 terminator, preventing the occurrence of false-positive clones due to the secondary recombination event. Standard methods for transformation of P. pastoris led to a multitude of unintended and sometimes detrimental integration events, lowering total productivity. By documenting the connections between productivity and integration event we obtained a deeper understanding of the genetics of mutation in P. pastoris. These findings and the derived improved mutagenesis and transformation procedures and tools will help other scientists working on recombinant protein production in P. pastoris and similar non-conventional yeasts.

Stem cell derived endochondral cartilage stimulates bone healing by tissue transformation

PubMed Central

Bahney, Chelsea S; Hu, Diane P; Taylor, Aaron J; Ferro, Federico; Britz, Hayley M; Hallgrimsson, Benedikt; Johnstone, Brian; Miclau, Theodore; Marcucio, Ralph S

2016-01-01

Although bone has great capacity for repair, there are a number of clinical situations (fracture non-unions, spinal fusions, revision arthroplasty, segmental defects) in which auto- or allografts augment bone regeneration. Critical failures associated with current grafting treatments include osteonecrosis and limited integration between graft and host tissue. We speculated that the underlying problem with current bone grafting techniques is that they promote bone regeneration through direct osteogenesis. We hypothesized that using cartilage to promote endochondral bone regeneration would leverage normal developmental and repair sequences to produce a well-vascularized regenerate that integrates with the host tissue. In this study we use a translational murine model of a segmental tibia defect to test the clinical utility of bone regeneration from a cartilage graft. We further test the mechanism by which cartilage promotes bone regeneration using in vivo lineage tracing and in vitro culture experiments. Our data show that cartilage grafts support regeneration of a vascularized and integrated bone tissue in vivo, and subsequently propose a translational tissue engineering platform using chondrogenesis of MSCs. Interestingly, lineage tracing experiments show the regenerate was graft derived, suggesting transformation of the chondrocytes into bone. In vitro culture data shows that cartilage explants mineralize with the addition of BMP or by exposure to HUVEC conditioned medium, indicating that endothelial cells directly promote ossification. This study provides pre-clinical data for endochondral bone repair that has potential to significantly improve patient outcomes in a variety of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. Further, in contrast to the dogmatic view that hypertrophic chondrocytes undergo apoptosis prior to bone formation, our data suggest cartilage can transform into bone by activating the pluripotent transcription factor Oct4A. Together these data represent a paradigm shift describing the mechanism of endochondral bone repair and open the door for novel regenerative strategies based on improved biology. PMID:24259230

Biometric template transformation: a security analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagar, Abhishek; Nandakumar, Karthik; Jain, Anil K.

2010-01-01

One of the critical steps in designing a secure biometric system is protecting the templates of the users that are stored either in a central database or on smart cards. If a biometric template is compromised, it leads to serious security and privacy threats because unlike passwords, it is not possible for a legitimate user to revoke his biometric identifiers and switch to another set of uncompromised identifiers. One methodology for biometric template protection is the template transformation approach, where the template, consisting of the features extracted from the biometric trait, is transformed using parameters derived from a user specific password or key. Only the transformed template is stored and matching is performed directly in the transformed domain. In this paper, we formally investigate the security strength of template transformation techniques and define six metrics that facilitate a holistic security evaluation. Furthermore, we analyze the security of two wellknown template transformation techniques, namely, Biohashing and cancelable fingerprint templates based on the proposed metrics. Our analysis indicates that both these schemes are vulnerable to intrusion and linkage attacks because it is relatively easy to obtain either a close approximation of the original template (Biohashing) or a pre-image of the transformed template (cancelable fingerprints). We argue that the security strength of template transformation techniques must consider also consider the computational complexity of obtaining a complete pre-image of the transformed template in addition to the complexity of recovering the original biometric template.

[Agrobacterium-mediated sunflower transformation (Helianthus annuus L.) in vitro and in Planta using strain of LBA4404 harboring binary vector pBi2E with dsRNA-suppressor proline dehydrogenase gene].

PubMed

Tishchenko, E N; Komisarenko, A G; Mikhal'skaia, S I; Sergeeva, L E; Adamenko, N I; Morgun, B V; Kochetov, A V

2014-01-01

To estimate the efficiency of proline dehydrogenase gene suppression towards increasing of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) tolerance level to water deficit and salinity, we employed strain LBA4404 harboring pBi2E with double-stranded RNA-suppressor, which were prepared on basis arabidopsis ProDH1 gene. The techniques of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in vitro and in planta during fertilization sunflower have been proposed. There was shown the genotype-depended integration of T-DNA in sunflower genome. PCR-analysis showed that ProDH1 presents in genome of inbred lines transformed in planta, as well as in T1- and T2-generations. In trans-genic regenerants the essential accumulation of free L-proline during early stages of in vitro cultivation under normal conditions was shown. There was established the essential accumulation of free proline in transgenic regenerants during cultivation under lethal stress pressure (0.4 M mannitol and 2.0% sea water salts) and its decline upon the recovery period. These data are declared about effectiveness of suppression of sunflower ProDH and gene participation in processes connected with osmotolerance.

Contour-Based Corner Detection and Classification by Using Mean Projection Transform

PubMed Central

Kahaki, Seyed Mostafa Mousavi; Nordin, Md Jan; Ashtari, Amir Hossein

2014-01-01

Image corner detection is a fundamental task in computer vision. Many applications require reliable detectors to accurately detect corner points, commonly achieved by using image contour information. The curvature definition is sensitive to local variation and edge aliasing, and available smoothing methods are not sufficient to address these problems properly. Hence, we propose Mean Projection Transform (MPT) as a corner classifier and parabolic fit approximation to form a robust detector. The first step is to extract corner candidates using MPT based on the integral properties of the local contours in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Then, an approximation of the parabolic fit is calculated to localize the candidate corner points. The proposed method presents fewer false-positive (FP) and false-negative (FN) points compared with recent standard corner detection techniques, especially in comparison with curvature scale space (CSS) methods. Moreover, a new evaluation metric, called accuracy of repeatability (AR), is introduced. AR combines repeatability and the localization error (Le) for finding the probability of correct detection in the target image. The output results exhibit better repeatability, localization, and AR for the detected points compared with the criteria in original and transformed images. PMID:24590354

Contour-based corner detection and classification by using mean projection transform.

PubMed

Kahaki, Seyed Mostafa Mousavi; Nordin, Md Jan; Ashtari, Amir Hossein

2014-02-28

Image corner detection is a fundamental task in computer vision. Many applications require reliable detectors to accurately detect corner points, commonly achieved by using image contour information. The curvature definition is sensitive to local variation and edge aliasing, and available smoothing methods are not sufficient to address these problems properly. Hence, we propose Mean Projection Transform (MPT) as a corner classifier and parabolic fit approximation to form a robust detector. The first step is to extract corner candidates using MPT based on the integral properties of the local contours in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Then, an approximation of the parabolic fit is calculated to localize the candidate corner points. The proposed method presents fewer false-positive (FP) and false-negative (FN) points compared with recent standard corner detection techniques, especially in comparison with curvature scale space (CSS) methods. Moreover, a new evaluation metric, called accuracy of repeatability (AR), is introduced. AR combines repeatability and the localization error (Le) for finding the probability of correct detection in the target image. The output results exhibit better repeatability, localization, and AR for the detected points compared with the criteria in original and transformed images.

O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donnellan, Karen

My work is driven by the metaphysical and the potential for healing through the manipulation of energy. Points of research include the enso (the only symbol used in Zen Buddhism), which uses the circle as a symbol of wholeness, divinity, and enlightenment. The writings of Alex Grey, Eckhart Tolle and the work of Ann Hamilton will also be investigated. I plan to create work from turned wooden vortex forms, the shapes of which are based on the movement of energy within the body. These objects will be transformed from wood, through rubber, wax, plaster, iron, bronze to cast, and blown glass. This transformation through materials is becoming a metaphor for the continuous transformation of universal light and energy. As part of my material research, I will exploit various casting techniques including kiln casting, hot casting, and pate de verre. Photography, film, and projection also will be explored. Conceptually, the process will become an integral part of the work where involved, repetitive methods will be treated as a meditation or mantra and will, in turn, add a performative dimension to the work. It is through these meditative practices that I intend to imbue the work with healing energies.

Artifact-Based Transformation of IBM Global Financing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chao, Tian; Cohn, David; Flatgard, Adrian; Hahn, Sandy; Linehan, Mark; Nandi, Prabir; Nigam, Anil; Pinel, Florian; Vergo, John; Wu, Frederick Y.

IBM Global Financing (IGF) is transforming its business using the Business Artifact Method, an innovative business process modeling technique that identifies key business artifacts and traces their life cycles as they are processed by the business. IGF is a complex, global business operation with many business design challenges. The Business Artifact Method is a fundamental shift in how to conceptualize, design and implement business operations. The Business Artifact Method was extended to solve the problem of designing a global standard for a complex, end-to-end process while supporting local geographic variations. Prior to employing the Business Artifact method, process decomposition, Lean and Six Sigma methods were each employed on different parts of the financing operation. Although they provided critical input to the final operational model, they proved insufficient for designing a complete, integrated, standard operation. The artifact method resulted in a business operations model that was at the right level of granularity for the problem at hand. A fully functional rapid prototype was created early in the engagement, which facilitated an improved understanding of the redesigned operations model. The resulting business operations model is being used as the basis for all aspects of business transformation in IBM Global Financing.

Digital signal processing techniques for pitch shifting and time scaling of audio signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buś, Szymon; Jedrzejewski, Konrad

2016-09-01

In this paper, we present the techniques used for modifying the spectral content (pitch shifting) and for changing the time duration (time scaling) of an audio signal. A short introduction gives a necessary background for understanding the discussed issues and contains explanations of the terms used in the paper. In subsequent sections we present three different techniques appropriate both for pitch shifting and for time scaling. These techniques use three different time-frequency representations of a signal, namely short-time Fourier transform (STFT), continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and constant-Q transform (CQT). The results of simulation studies devoted to comparison of the properties of these methods are presented and discussed in the paper.

Local gray level S-curve transformation - A generalized contrast enhancement technique for medical images.

PubMed

Gandhamal, Akash; Talbar, Sanjay; Gajre, Suhas; Hani, Ahmad Fadzil M; Kumar, Dileep

2017-04-01

Most medical images suffer from inadequate contrast and brightness, which leads to blurred or weak edges (low contrast) between adjacent tissues resulting in poor segmentation and errors in classification of tissues. Thus, contrast enhancement to improve visual information is extremely important in the development of computational approaches for obtaining quantitative measurements from medical images. In this research, a contrast enhancement algorithm that applies gray-level S-curve transformation technique locally in medical images obtained from various modalities is investigated. The S-curve transformation is an extended gray level transformation technique that results into a curve similar to a sigmoid function through a pixel to pixel transformation. This curve essentially increases the difference between minimum and maximum gray values and the image gradient, locally thereby, strengthening edges between adjacent tissues. The performance of the proposed technique is determined by measuring several parameters namely, edge content (improvement in image gradient), enhancement measure (degree of contrast enhancement), absolute mean brightness error (luminance distortion caused by the enhancement), and feature similarity index measure (preservation of the original image features). Based on medical image datasets comprising 1937 images from various modalities such as ultrasound, mammograms, fluorescent images, fundus, X-ray radiographs and MR images, it is found that the local gray-level S-curve transformation outperforms existing techniques in terms of improved contrast and brightness, resulting in clear and strong edges between adjacent tissues. The proposed technique can be used as a preprocessing tool for effective segmentation and classification of tissue structures in medical images. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Helicity is the only integral invariant of volume-preserving transformations

PubMed Central

Enciso, Alberto; Peralta-Salas, Daniel; de Lizaur, Francisco Torres

2016-01-01

We prove that any regular integral invariant of volume-preserving transformations is equivalent to the helicity. Specifically, given a functional ℐ defined on exact divergence-free vector fields of class C1 on a compact 3-manifold that is associated with a well-behaved integral kernel, we prove that ℐ is invariant under arbitrary volume-preserving diffeomorphisms if and only if it is a function of the helicity. PMID:26864201

Diffracted wavefield by an arbitrary aperture from Maggi-Rubinowicz transformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganci, S.

2008-01-01

Fraunhofer diffraction patterns through apertures in opaque screens are the cases of most interest in optics. The major purpose of this paper is to establish a general and explicit formula for calculating diffracted wavefield from Maggi-Rubinowicz transformation. The 2-D integration (Rayleigh-Sommerfeld or Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral formulas) is reduced to a 1-D integration over the rim of the aperture. Some examples for elliptical and polygonal apertures are given.

The Application of Hilbert-Huang Transforms to Meteorological Datasets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duffy, Dean G.

2003-01-01

Recently a new spectral technique as been developed for the analysis of aperiodic and nonlinear signals - the Hilbert-Huang transform. This paper shows how these transforms can be used to discover synoptic and climatic features: For sea level data, the transforms capture the oceanic tides as well as large, aperiodic river outflows. In the case of solar radiation, we observe variations in the diurnal and seasonal cycles. Finally, from barographic data, the Hilbert-Huang transform reveals the passage of extratropical cyclones, fronts, and troughs. Thus, this technique can flag significant weather events such its a flood or the passage of a squall line.

Darboux theorems and Wronskian formulas for integrable systems I. Constrained KP flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oevel, W.

1993-05-01

Generalizations of the classical Darboux theorem are established for pseudo-differential scattering operators of the form L = limit∑i=0N u i∂ i + limitΣi=1m Φ i∂ -1limitΨi†i. Iteration of the Darboux transformations leads to a gauge transformed operator with coefficients given by Wronskian formulas involving a set of eigenfunctions of L. Nonlinear integrable partial differential equations are associated with the scattering operator L which arise as a symmetry reduction of the multicomponent KP hierarchy. With a suitable linear time evolution for the eigenfunctions the Darboux transformation is used to obtain solutions of the integrable equations in terms of Wronskian determinants.

Efficient evaluation of three-center Coulomb integrals

PubMed Central

Samu, Gyula

2017-01-01

In this study we pursue the most efficient paths for the evaluation of three-center electron repulsion integrals (ERIs) over solid harmonic Gaussian functions of various angular momenta. First, the adaptation of the well-established techniques developed for four-center ERIs, such as the Obara–Saika, McMurchie–Davidson, Gill–Head-Gordon–Pople, and Rys quadrature schemes, and the combinations thereof for three-center ERIs is discussed. Several algorithmic aspects, such as the order of the various operations and primitive loops as well as prescreening strategies, are analyzed. Second, the number of floating point operations (FLOPs) is estimated for the various algorithms derived, and based on these results the most promising ones are selected. We report the efficient implementation of the latter algorithms invoking automated programming techniques and also evaluate their practical performance. We conclude that the simplified Obara–Saika scheme of Ahlrichs is the most cost-effective one in the majority of cases, but the modified Gill–Head-Gordon–Pople and Rys algorithms proposed herein are preferred for particular shell triplets. Our numerical experiments also show that even though the solid harmonic transformation and the horizontal recurrence require significantly fewer FLOPs if performed at the contracted level, this approach does not improve the efficiency in practical cases. Instead, it is more advantageous to carry out these operations at the primitive level, which allows for more efficient integral prescreening and memory layout. PMID:28571354

Efficient evaluation of three-center Coulomb integrals.

PubMed

Samu, Gyula; Kállay, Mihály

2017-05-28

In this study we pursue the most efficient paths for the evaluation of three-center electron repulsion integrals (ERIs) over solid harmonic Gaussian functions of various angular momenta. First, the adaptation of the well-established techniques developed for four-center ERIs, such as the Obara-Saika, McMurchie-Davidson, Gill-Head-Gordon-Pople, and Rys quadrature schemes, and the combinations thereof for three-center ERIs is discussed. Several algorithmic aspects, such as the order of the various operations and primitive loops as well as prescreening strategies, are analyzed. Second, the number of floating point operations (FLOPs) is estimated for the various algorithms derived, and based on these results the most promising ones are selected. We report the efficient implementation of the latter algorithms invoking automated programming techniques and also evaluate their practical performance. We conclude that the simplified Obara-Saika scheme of Ahlrichs is the most cost-effective one in the majority of cases, but the modified Gill-Head-Gordon-Pople and Rys algorithms proposed herein are preferred for particular shell triplets. Our numerical experiments also show that even though the solid harmonic transformation and the horizontal recurrence require significantly fewer FLOPs if performed at the contracted level, this approach does not improve the efficiency in practical cases. Instead, it is more advantageous to carry out these operations at the primitive level, which allows for more efficient integral prescreening and memory layout.

Modeling of nitrogen transformation in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silfiana; Widowati; Putro, S. P.; Udjiani, T.

2018-03-01

The dynamic model of nitrogen transformation in IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) is purposed. IMTA is a polyculture with several biotas maintained in it to optimize waste recycling as a food source. The purpose of this paper is to predict nitrogen decrease and nitrogen transformation in IMTA consisting of ammonia (NH3), Nitrite (NO2) and Nitrate (NO3). Nitrogen transformation of several processes, nitrification, assimilation, and volatilization. Numerical simulations are performed by providing initial parameters and values based on a review of previous research. The numerical results show that the rate of change in nitrogen concentration in IMTA decrease and reaches stable at different times.

Genetic transformation of the fungal pathogen responsible for rice blast disease

PubMed Central

Parsons, Kenneth A.; Chumley, Forrest G.; Valent, Barbara

1987-01-01

The analysis of complex genetic determinants that control the ability of a fungus to colonize its host has been impaired by the lack of sophisticated genetic tools for characterizing important pathogens. We have developed a system for the genetic transformation of Magnaporthe grisea, the causal agent of rice blast disease, to overcome this limitation. A M. grisea arginine auxotroph was shown to contain a mutation (arg3-12) that abolishes ornithine carbamoyltransferase activity. M. grisea strains that contain arg3-12 were used as recipients in transformation experiments with plasmid pMA2, which carries the ArgB+ gene from Aspergillus nidulans. Stable prototrophic transformants arose at a frequency of about 35 per microgram of plasmid DNA. Integration of single or multiple plasmid copies occurred at a single site in the genome of each transformant; rearrangements were often created during integration. When M. grisea genomic segments were incorporated into pMA2, the presence of any one of five different M. grisea segments did not greatly affect the efficiency of transformation. Integration via homologous recombination occurred when the donor plasmid was linearized by cleaving at a unique restriction site within the M. grisea segment. Images PMID:16593854

What Does Leaders' Character Add to Transformational Leadership?

PubMed

Liborius, Patrick

2017-04-03

The influence of leaders' character (e.g., integrity, humility/forgiveness) has rarely been examined in leadership research. The current investigation focused on the impact of integrity and humility/forgiveness on both followers' perceptions of leaders' worthiness of being followed (WBF) and stress. Results from a scenario experiment (n = 347) and a field study (n = 110) indicated that these aspects incrementally predict WBF above and beyond the impact of transformational leadership. Similar results were found concerning followers' stress with the exception of leader integrity in the field study. According to relative importance analyses, integrity and transformational leadership predict WBF equally well. The results have conceivable implications for human resources (personnel selection and development). Future research should examine additional outcome variables that are affected by certain leader characteristics as well as potential negative effects of the examined character aspects.

B1 field-insensitive transformers for RF-safe transmission lines.

PubMed

Krafft, Axel; Müller, Sven; Umathum, Reiner; Semmler, Wolfhard; Bock, Michael

2006-11-01

Integration of transformers into transmission lines suppresses radiofrequency (RF)-induced heating. New figure-of-eight-shaped transformer coils are compared to conventional loop transformer coils to assess their signal transmission properties and safety profile. The transmission properties of figure-of-eight-shaped transformers were measured and compared to transformers with loop coils. Experiments to quantify the effect of decoupling from the B1 field of the MR system were conducted. Temperature measurements were performed to demonstrate the effective reduction of RF-induced heating. The transformers were investigated during active tracking experiments. Coupling to the B1 field was reduced by 18 dB over conventional loop-shaped transformer coils. MR images showed a significantly reduced artifact for the figure-of-eight- shaped coils generated by local flip-angle amplification. Comparable transmission properties were seen for both transformer types. Temperature measurements showed a maximal temperature increase of 30 K/3.5 K for an unsegmented/segmented cable. With a segmented transmission line a robotic assistance system could be successfully localized using active tracking. The figure-of-eight-shaped transformer design reduces both RF field coupling with the MR system and artifact sizes. Anatomical structure close to the figure-of-eight-shaped transformer may be less obscured as with loop-shaped transformers if these transformers are integrated into e.g. intravascular catheters.

Coherent time-stretch transformation for real-time capture of wideband signals.

PubMed

Buckley, Brandon W; Madni, Asad M; Jalali, Bahram

2013-09-09

Time stretch transformation of wideband waveforms boosts the performance of analog-to-digital converters and digital signal processors by slowing down analog electrical signals before digitization. The transform is based on dispersive Fourier transformation implemented in the optical domain. A coherent receiver would be ideal for capturing the time-stretched optical signal. Coherent receivers offer improved sensitivity, allow for digital cancellation of dispersion-induced impairments and optical nonlinearities, and enable decoding of phase-modulated optical data formats. Because time-stretch uses a chirped broadband (>1 THz) optical carrier, a new coherent detection technique is required. In this paper, we introduce and demonstrate coherent time stretch transformation; a technique that combines dispersive Fourier transform with optically broadband coherent detection.

High Accuracy Evaluation of the Finite Fourier Transform Using Sampled Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morelli, Eugene A.

1997-01-01

Many system identification and signal processing procedures can be done advantageously in the frequency domain. A required preliminary step for this approach is the transformation of sampled time domain data into the frequency domain. The analytical tool used for this transformation is the finite Fourier transform. Inaccuracy in the transformation can degrade system identification and signal processing results. This work presents a method for evaluating the finite Fourier transform using cubic interpolation of sampled time domain data for high accuracy, and the chirp Zeta-transform for arbitrary frequency resolution. The accuracy of the technique is demonstrated in example cases where the transformation can be evaluated analytically. Arbitrary frequency resolution is shown to be important for capturing details of the data in the frequency domain. The technique is demonstrated using flight test data from a longitudinal maneuver of the F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle.

Novel approach for tomographic reconstruction of gas concentration distributions in air: Use of smooth basis functions and simulated annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drescher, A. C.; Gadgil, A. J.; Price, P. N.; Nazaroff, W. W.

Optical remote sensing and iterative computed tomography (CT) can be applied to measure the spatial distribution of gaseous pollutant concentrations. We conducted chamber experiments to test this combination of techniques using an open path Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (OP-FTIR) and a standard algebraic reconstruction technique (ART). Although ART converged to solutions that showed excellent agreement with the measured ray-integral concentrations, the solutions were inconsistent with simultaneously gathered point-sample concentration measurements. A new CT method was developed that combines (1) the superposition of bivariate Gaussians to represent the concentration distribution and (2) a simulated annealing minimization routine to find the parameters of the Gaussian basis functions that result in the best fit to the ray-integral concentration data. This method, named smooth basis function minimization (SBFM), generated reconstructions that agreed well, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with the concentration profiles generated from point sampling. We present an analysis of two sets of experimental data that compares the performance of ART and SBFM. We conclude that SBFM is a superior CT reconstruction method for practical indoor and outdoor air monitoring applications.

Simulation and Implementation of a Morphology-Tuned Gold Nano-Islands Integrated Plasmonic Sensor

PubMed Central

Ozhikandathil, Jayan; Packirisamy, Muthukumaran

2014-01-01

This work presents simulation, analysis and implementation of morphology tuning of gold nano-island structures deposited by a novel convective assembly technique. The gold nano-islands were simulated using 3D Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) techniques to investigate the effect of morphological changes and adsorption of protein layers on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties. Gold nano-island structures were deposited on glass substrates by a novel and low-cost convective assembly process. The structure formed by an uncontrolled deposition method resulted in a nano-cluster morphology, which was annealed at various temperatures to tune the optical absorbance properties by transforming the nano-clusters to a nano-island morphology by modifying the structural shape and interparticle separation distances. The dependence of the size and the interparticle separation distance of the nano-islands on the LSPR properties were analyzed in the simulation. The effect of adsorption of protein layer on the nano-island structures was simulated and a relation between the thickness and the refractive index of the protein layer on the LSPR peak was presented. Further, the sensitivity of the gold nano-island integrated sensor against refractive index was computed and compared with the experimental results. PMID:24932868

Electrically driven monolithic subwavelength plasmonic interconnect circuits

PubMed Central

Liu, Yang; Zhang, Jiasen; Liu, Huaping; Wang, Sheng; Peng, Lian-Mao

2017-01-01

In the post-Moore era, an electrically driven monolithic optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC) fabricated from a single material is pursued globally to enable the construction of wafer-scale compact computing systems with powerful processing capabilities and low-power consumption. We report a monolithic plasmonic interconnect circuit (PIC) consisting of a photovoltaic (PV) cascading detector, Au-strip waveguides, and electrically driven surface plasmon polariton (SPP) sources. These components are fabricated from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor)–compatible doping-free technique in the same feature size, which can be reduced to deep-subwavelength scale (~λ/7 to λ/95, λ = 1340 nm) compared with the 14-nm technique node. An OEIC could potentially be configured as a repeater for data transport because of its “photovoltaic” operation mode to transform SPP energy directly into electricity to drive subsequent electronic circuits. Moreover, chip-scale throughput capability has also been demonstrated by fabricating a 20 × 20 PIC array on a 10 mm × 10 mm wafer. Tailoring photonics for monolithic integration with electronics beyond the diffraction limit opens a new era of chip-level nanoscale electronic-photonic systems, introducing a new path to innovate toward much faster, smaller, and cheaper computing frameworks. PMID:29062890

Transforming the Economics Curriculum by Integrating Threshold Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karunaratne, Prashan Shayanka Mendis; Breyer, Yvonne A.; Wood, Leigh N.

2016-01-01

Purpose: Economics is catering to a diverse student cohort. This cohort needs to be equipped with transformative concepts that students can integrate beyond university. When a curriculum is content-driven, threshold concepts are a useful tool in guiding curriculum re-design. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/Methodology/Approach: The…

Transforming Power Systems Through Global Collaboration

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

2017-06-01

Ambitious and integrated policy and regulatory frameworks are crucial to achieve power system transformation. The 21st Century Power Partnership -- a multilateral initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial -- serves as a platform for public-private collaboration to advance integrated solutions for the large-scale deployment of renewable energy in combination with energy efficiency and grid modernization.

PLANE-INTEGRATED OPEN-PATH FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROMETRY METHODOLOGY FOR ANAEROBIC SWINE LAGOON EMISSION MEASUREMENTS

EPA Science Inventory

Emissions of ammonia and methane from an anaerobic lagoon at a swine animal feeding operation were evaluated five times over a period of two years. The plane-integrated (PI) open-path Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (OP-FTIR) methodology was used to transect the plume at ...

Exploring Conditions for Transformative Learning in Work-Integrated Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McRae, Norah

2015-01-01

A qualitative study was undertaken that explored the conditions for transformative learning in cooperative education as a form of work-integrated learning (WIL), towards the development of a theoretical model. Four case studies were analyzed based on interviews with WIL students, supervisors and their co-op coordinator. The findings revealed that…

Modelling skin penetration using the Laplace transform technique.

PubMed

Anissimov, Y G; Watkinson, A

2013-01-01

The Laplace transform is a convenient mathematical tool for solving ordinary and partial differential equations. The application of this technique to problems arising in drug penetration through the skin is reviewed in this paper. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Real Variable Inversion of Laplace Transforms: An Application in Plasma Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bohn, C. L.; Flynn, R. W.

1978-01-01

Discusses the nature of Laplace transform techniques and explains an alternative to them: the Widder's real inversion. To illustrate the power of this new technique, it is applied to a difficult inversion: the problem of Landau damping. (GA)

Transformation of apple (Malus × domestica) using mutants of apple acetolactate synthase as a selectable marker and analysis of the T-DNA integration sites.

PubMed

Yao, Jia-Long; Tomes, Sumathi; Gleave, Andrew P

2013-05-01

Apple acetolactate synthase mutants were generated by site-specific mutagenesis and successfully used as selection marker in tobacco and apple transformation. T-DNA/Apple genome junctions were analysed using genome-walking PCR and sequencing. An Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system was developed for apple (Malus × domestica), using mutants of apple acetolactate synthase (ALS) as a selectable marker. Four apple ALS mutants were generated by site-specific mutagenesis and subsequently cloned under the transcriptional control of the CaMV 35S promoter and ocs 3' terminator, in a pART27-derived plant transformation vector. Three of the four mutations were found to confer resistance to the herbicide Glean(®), containing the active agent chlorsulfuron, in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) transformation. In apple transformation, leaf explants infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 containing one of the three ALS mutants resulted in the production of shoots on medium containing 2-8 μg L(-1) Glean(®), whilst uninfected wild-type explants failed to regenerate shoots or survive on medium containing 1 and 3 μg L(-1) Glean(®), respectively. Glean(®)-resistant, regenerated shoots were further multiplied and rooted on medium containing 10 μg L(-1) Glean(®). The T-DNA and apple genome-DNA junctions from eight rooted transgenic apple plants were analysed using genome-walking PCR amplification and sequencing. This analysis confirmed T-DNA integration into the apple genome, identified the genome integration sites and revealed the extent of any vector backbone integration, T-DNA rearrangements and deletions of apple genome DNA at the sites of integration.

Transforming consumer health informatics through a patient work framework: connecting patients to context

PubMed Central

Valdez, Rupa S; Holden, Richard J; Novak, Laurie L; Veinot, Tiffany C

2015-01-01

Designing patient-centered consumer health informatics (CHI) applications requires understanding and creating alignment with patients’ and their family members’ health-related activities, referred to here as ‘patient work’. A patient work approach to CHI draws on medical social science and human factors engineering models and simultaneously attends to patients, their family members, activities, and context. A patient work approach extends existing approaches to CHI design that are responsive to patients’ biomedical realities and personal skills and behaviors. It focuses on the embeddedness of patients’ health management in larger processes and contexts and prioritizes patients’ perspectives on illness management. Future research is required to advance (1) theories of patient work, (2) methods for assessing patient work, and (3) techniques for translating knowledge of patient work into CHI application design. Advancing a patient work approach within CHI is integral to developing and deploying consumer-facing technologies that are integrated with patients’ everyday lives. PMID:25125685

Determination of Lubricants on Ball Bearings by FT-IR using an Integrating Sphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Street, K. W.; Pepper, S. V.; Wright, A.

2003-01-01

The lifetime determination of space lubricants is done at our facility by accelerated testing. Several micrograms of lubricant are deposited on the surface of a ball by syringing tens of micro liters of dilute lubricant solution. The solvent evaporates and the mass of lubricant is determined by twenty weighings near the balance reliability limit. This process is timely but does not produce a good correlation between the mass of lubricant and the volume of solution applied, as would be expected. The amount of lubricant deposited on a ball can be determined directly by Fourier Transform - Infrared Spectroscopy using an integrating sphere. In this paper, we discuss reasons for choosing this methodology, optimization of quantification conditions and potential applications for the technique. The volume of lubricant solution applied to the ball gives better correlation to the IR intensity than does the weight.

Analysis to develop a program for energy-integrated farm systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eakin, D. E.; Clark, M. A.; Inaba, L. K.; Johnson, K. I.

1981-09-01

A program to use renewable energy resources and possibly develop decentralization of energy systems for agriculture is discussed. The program's objective is determined by: (1) an analysis of the technologies that could be utilized to transform renewable farm resources to energy by the year 2000, (2) the quantity of renewable farm resources that are available, and (3) current energy-use patterns. Individual research, development, and demonstration projects are fit into a national program of energy-integrated farm systems on the basis of market need, conversion potential, technological opportunities, and acceptability. Quantification of these factors for the purpose of establishing program guidelines is conducted using the following four precepts: (1) market need is identified by current use of energy for agricultural production; (2) conversion potential is determined by the availability of renewable resources; and (3) technological opportunities are determined by the state-of-the-art methods, techniques, and processes that can convert renewable resources into farm energy.

Multiscale solvers and systematic upscaling in computational physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, A.

2005-07-01

Multiscale algorithms can overcome the scale-born bottlenecks that plague most computations in physics. These algorithms employ separate processing at each scale of the physical space, combined with interscale iterative interactions, in ways which use finer scales very sparingly. Having been developed first and well known as multigrid solvers for partial differential equations, highly efficient multiscale techniques have more recently been developed for many other types of computational tasks, including: inverse PDE problems; highly indefinite (e.g., standing wave) equations; Dirac equations in disordered gauge fields; fast computation and updating of large determinants (as needed in QCD); fast integral transforms; integral equations; astrophysics; molecular dynamics of macromolecules and fluids; many-atom electronic structures; global and discrete-state optimization; practical graph problems; image segmentation and recognition; tomography (medical imaging); fast Monte-Carlo sampling in statistical physics; and general, systematic methods of upscaling (accurate numerical derivation of large-scale equations from microscopic laws).

Toward an integrated software platform for systems pharmacology

PubMed Central

Ghosh, Samik; Matsuoka, Yukiko; Asai, Yoshiyuki; Hsin, Kun-Yi; Kitano, Hiroaki

2013-01-01

Understanding complex biological systems requires the extensive support of computational tools. This is particularly true for systems pharmacology, which aims to understand the action of drugs and their interactions in a systems context. Computational models play an important role as they can be viewed as an explicit representation of biological hypotheses to be tested. A series of software and data resources are used for model development, verification and exploration of the possible behaviors of biological systems using the model that may not be possible or not cost effective by experiments. Software platforms play a dominant role in creativity and productivity support and have transformed many industries, techniques that can be applied to biology as well. Establishing an integrated software platform will be the next important step in the field. © 2013 The Authors. Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PMID:24150748

Glutenite bodies sequence division of the upper Es4 in northern Minfeng zone of Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Xupeng

2017-04-01

Glutenite bodies are widely developed in northern Minfeng zone of Dongying Sag. Their litho-electric relationship is not clear. In addition, as the conventional sequence stratigraphic research method drawbacks of involving too many subjective human factors, it has limited deepening of the regional sequence stratigraphic research. The wavelet transform technique based on logging data and the time-frequency analysis technique based on seismic data have advantages of dividing sequence stratigraphy quantitatively comparing with the conventional methods. Under the basis of the conventional sequence research method, this paper used the above techniques to divide the fourth-order sequence of the upper Es4 in northern Minfeng zone of Dongying Sag. The research shows that the wavelet transform technique based on logging data and the time-frequency analysis technique based on seismic data are essentially consistent, both of which divide sequence stratigraphy quantitatively in the frequency domain; wavelet transform technique has high resolutions. It is suitable for areas with wells. The seismic time-frequency analysis technique has wide applicability, but a low resolution. Both of the techniques should be combined; the upper Es4 in northern Minfeng zone of Dongying Sag is a complete set of third-order sequence, which can be further subdivided into 5 fourth-order sequences that has the depositional characteristics of fine-upward sequence in granularity. Key words: Dongying sag, northern Minfeng zone, wavelet transform technique, time-frequency analysis technique ,the upper Es4, sequence stratigraphy

Dynamics of the DNA damage response: insights from live-cell imaging

PubMed Central

Karanam, Ketki; Loewer, Alexander

2013-01-01

All organisms have to safeguard the integrity of their genome to prevent malfunctioning and oncogenic transformation. Sophisticated DNA damage response mechanisms have evolved to detect and repair genomic lesions. With the emergence of live-cell microscopy of individual cells, we now begin to appreciate the complex spatiotemporal kinetics of the DNA damage response and can address the causes and consequences of the heterogeneity in the responses of genetically identical cells. Here, we highlight key discoveries where live-cell imaging has provided unprecedented insights into how cells respond to DNA double-strand breaks and discuss the main challenges and promises in using this technique. PMID:23292635

Vortex Airy beams directly generated via liquid crystal q-Airy-plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Bing-Yan; Liu, Sheng; Chen, Peng; Qi, Shu-Xia; Zhang, Yi; Hu, Wei; Lu, Yan-Qing; Zhao, Jian-Lin

2018-03-01

Liquid crystal q-Airy-plates with director distributions integrated by q-plates and polarization Airy masks are proposed and demonstrated via the photoalignment technique. Single/dual vortex Airy beams of opposite topological charges and orthogonal circular polarizations are directly generated with polarization-controllable characteristic. The singular phase of the vortex part is verified by both astigmatic transformation and digital holography. The trajectory of vortex Airy beams is investigated, manifesting separate propagation dynamics of optical vortices and Airy beams. Meanwhile, Airy beams still keep their intrinsic transverse acceleration, self-healing, and nondiffraction features. This work provides a versatile candidate for generating high-quality vortex Airy beams.

Three Dimensional Imaging of the Nucleon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

More, Jai; Mukherjee, Asmita; Nair, Sreeraj

2018-05-01

We study the Wigner distributions of quarks and gluons in light-front dressed quark model using the overlap of light front wave functions (LFWFs). We take the target to be a dressed quark, this is a composite spin -1/2 state of quark dressed with a gluon. This state allows us to calculate the quark and gluon Wigner distributions analytically in terms of LFWFs using Hamiltonian perturbation theory. We analyze numerically the Wigner distributions of quark and gluon and report their nature in the contour plots. We use an improved numerical technique to remove the cutoff dependence of the Fourier transformed integral over \\varvec{Δ}_\\perp.

Transformation of Clostridium acetobutylicum Protoplasts with Bacteriophage DNA

PubMed Central

Reid, Sharon J.; Allcock, Errol R.; Jones, David T.; Woods, David R.

1983-01-01

Techniques for the transformation of Clostridium acetobutylicum protoplasts with bacteriophage DNA are described. Transformation required regeneration of protoplasts and a 2-h eclipse period. PMID:16346174

Topological charge quantization via path integration: An application of the Kustaanheimo-Stiefel transformation

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

Inomata, A.; Junker, G.; Wilson, R.

1993-08-01

The unified treatment of the Dirac monopole, the Schwinger monopole, and the Aharonov-Bahn problem by Barut and Wilson is revisited via a path integral approach. The Kustaanheimo-Stiefel transformation of space and time is utilized to calculate the path integral for a charged particle in the singular vector potential. In the process of dimensional reduction, a topological charge quantization rule is derived, which contains Dirac's quantization condition as a special case. 32 refs.

Transformational Leadership, Integrity, and Power

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrison, Laura M.

2011-01-01

Transformational leadership enjoys widespread appeal among student affairs professionals. National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and American College Personnel Association (ACPA) conferences frequently feature speakers who promote transformational leadership's two primary tenets: (1) change is the central purpose of…

Chemomics-based marker compounds mining and mimetic processing for exploring chemical mechanisms in traditional processing of herbal medicines, a continuous study on Rehmanniae Radix.

PubMed

Zhou, Li; Xu, Jin-Di; Zhou, Shan-Shan; Shen, Hong; Mao, Qian; Kong, Ming; Zou, Ye-Ting; Xu, Ya-Yun; Xu, Jun; Li, Song-Lin

2017-12-29

Exploring processing chemistry, in particular the chemical transformation mechanisms involved, is a key step to elucidate the scientific basis in traditional processing of herbal medicines. Previously, taking Rehmanniae Radix (RR) as a case study, the holistic chemome (secondary metabolome and glycome) difference between raw and processed RR was revealed by integrating hyphenated chromatographic techniques-based targeted glycomics and untargeted metabolomics. Nevertheless, the complex chemical transformation mechanisms underpinning the holistic chemome variation in RR processing remain to be extensively clarified. As a continuous study, here a novel strategy by combining chemomics-based marker compounds mining and mimetic processing is proposed for further exploring the chemical mechanisms involved in herbal processing. First, the differential marker compounds between raw and processed herbs were rapidly discovered by untargeted chemomics-based mining approach through multivariate statistical analysis of the chemome data obtained by integrated metabolomics and glycomics analysis. Second, the marker compounds were mimetically processed under the simulated physicochemical conditions as in the herb processing, and the final reaction products were chemically characterized by targeted chemomics-based mining approach. Third, the main chemical transformation mechanisms involved were clarified by linking up the original marker compounds and their mimetic processing products. Using this strategy, a set of differential marker compounds including saccharides, glycosides and furfurals in raw and processed RR was rapidly found, and the major chemical mechanisms involved in RR processing were elucidated as stepwise transformations of saccharides (polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and monosaccharides) and glycosides (iridoid glycosides and phenethylalcohol glycosides) into furfurals (glycosylated/non-glycosylated hydroxymethylfurfurals) by deglycosylation and/or dehydration. The research deliverables indicated that the proposed strategy could advance the understanding of RR processing chemistry, and therefore may be considered a promising approach for delving into the scientific basis in traditional processing of herbal medicines. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection and volume estimation of embolic air in the middle cerebral artery using transcranial Doppler sonography.

PubMed

Bunegin, L; Wahl, D; Albin, M S

1994-03-01

Cerebral embolism has been implicated in the development of cognitive and neurological deficits following bypass surgery. This study proposes methodology for estimating cerebral air embolus volume using transcranial Doppler sonography. Transcranial Doppler audio signals of air bubbles in the middle cerebral artery obtained from in vivo experiments were subjected to a fast-Fourier transform analysis. Audio segments when no air was present as well as artifact resulting from electrocautery and sensor movement were also subjected to fast-Fourier transform analysis. Spectra were compared, and frequency and power differences were noted and used for development of audio band-pass filters for isolation of frequencies associated with air emboli. In a bench model of the middle cerebral artery circulation, repetitive injections of various air volumes between 0.5 and 500 microL were made. Transcranial Doppler audio output was band-pass filtered, acquired digitally, then subjected to a fast-Fourier transform power spectrum analysis and power spectrum integration. A linear least-squares correlation was performed on the data. Fast-Fourier transform analysis of audio segments indicated that frequencies between 250 and 500 Hz are consistently dominant in the spectrum when air emboli are present. Background frequencies appear to be below 240 Hz, and artifact resulting from sensor movement and electrocautery appears to be below 300 Hz. Data from the middle cerebral artery model filtered through a 307- to 450-Hz band-pass filter yielded a linear relation between emboli volume and the integrated value of the power spectrum near 40 microL. Detection of emboli less than 0.5 microL was inconsistent, and embolus volumes greater than 40 microL were indistinguishable from one another. The preliminary technique described in this study may represent a starting point from which automated detection and volume estimation of cerebral emboli might be approached.

Immittance Data Validation by Kramers‐Kronig Relations – Derivation and Implications

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Abstract Explicitly based on causality, linearity (superposition) and stability (time invariance) and implicit on continuity (consistency), finiteness (convergence) and uniqueness (single valuedness) in the time domain, Kramers‐Kronig (KK) integral transform (KKT) relations for immittances are derived as pure mathematical constructs in the complex frequency domain using the two‐sided (bilateral) Laplace integral transform (LT) reduced to the Fourier domain for sufficiently rapid exponential decaying, bounded immittances. Novel anti KK relations are also derived to distinguish LTI (linear, time invariant) systems from non‐linear, unstable and acausal systems. All relations can be used to test KK transformability on the LTI principles of linearity, stability and causality of measured and model data by Fourier transform (FT) in immittance spectroscopy (IS). Also, integral transform relations are provided to estimate (conjugate) immittances at zero and infinite frequency particularly useful to normalise data and compare data. Also, important implications for IS are presented and suggestions for consistent data analysis are made which generally apply likewise to complex valued quantities in many fields of engineering and natural sciences. PMID:29577007

Chemical fingerprinting of Arabidopsis using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic approaches.

PubMed

Gorzsás, András; Sundberg, Björn

2014-01-01

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is a fast, sensitive, inexpensive, and nondestructive technique for chemical profiling of plant materials. In this chapter we discuss the instrumental setup, the basic principles of analysis, and the possibilities for and limitations of obtaining qualitative and semiquantitative information by FT-IR spectroscopy. We provide detailed protocols for four fully customizable techniques: (1) Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS): a sensitive and high-throughput technique for powders; (2) attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy: a technique that requires no sample preparation and can be used for solid samples as well as for cell cultures; (3) microspectroscopy using a single element (SE) detector: a technique used for analyzing sections at low spatial resolution; and (4) microspectroscopy using a focal plane array (FPA) detector: a technique for rapid chemical profiling of plant sections at cellular resolution. Sample preparation, measurement, and data analysis steps are listed for each of the techniques to help the user collect the best quality spectra and prepare them for subsequent multivariate analysis.

A finite element: Boundary integral method for electromagnetic scattering. Ph.D. Thesis Technical Report, Feb. - Sep. 1992

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, J. D.; Volakis, John L.

1992-01-01

A method that combines the finite element and boundary integral techniques for the numerical solution of electromagnetic scattering problems is presented. The finite element method is well known for requiring a low order storage and for its capability to model inhomogeneous structures. Of particular emphasis in this work is the reduction of the storage requirement by terminating the finite element mesh on a boundary in a fashion which renders the boundary integrals in convolutional form. The fast Fourier transform is then used to evaluate these integrals in a conjugate gradient solver, without a need to generate the actual matrix. This method has a marked advantage over traditional integral equation approaches with respect to the storage requirement of highly inhomogeneous structures. Rectangular, circular, and ogival mesh termination boundaries are examined for two-dimensional scattering. In the case of axially symmetric structures, the boundary integral matrix storage is reduced by exploiting matrix symmetries and solving the resulting system via the conjugate gradient method. In each case several results are presented for various scatterers aimed at validating the method and providing an assessment of its capabilities. Important in methods incorporating boundary integral equations is the issue of internal resonance. A method is implemented for their removal, and is shown to be effective in the two-dimensional and three-dimensional applications.

Search Radar Track-Before-Detect Using the Hough Transform.

DTIC Science & Technology

1995-03-01

before - detect processing method which allows previous data to help in target detection. The technique provides many advantages compared to...improved target detection scheme, applicable to search radars, using the Hough transform image processing technique. The system concept involves a track

Invariance algorithms for processing NDE signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandayam, Shreekanth; Udpa, Lalita; Udpa, Satish S.; Lord, William

1996-11-01

Signals that are obtained in a variety of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) processes capture information not only about the characteristics of the flaw, but also reflect variations in the specimen's material properties. Such signal changes may be viewed as anomalies that could obscure defect related information. An example of this situation occurs during in-line inspection of gas transmission pipelines. The magnetic flux leakage (MFL) method is used to conduct noninvasive measurements of the integrity of the pipe-wall. The MFL signals contain information both about the permeability of the pipe-wall and the dimensions of the flaw. Similar operational effects can be found in other NDE processes. This paper presents algorithms to render NDE signals invariant to selected test parameters, while retaining defect related information. Wavelet transform based neural network techniques are employed to develop the invariance algorithms. The invariance transformation is shown to be a necessary pre-processing step for subsequent defect characterization and visualization schemes. Results demonstrating the successful application of the method are presented.

Parallel Fortran-MPI software for numerical inversion of the Laplace transform and its application to oscillatory water levels in groundwater environments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zhan, X.

2005-01-01

A parallel Fortran-MPI (Message Passing Interface) software for numerical inversion of the Laplace transform based on a Fourier series method is developed to meet the need of solving intensive computational problems involving oscillatory water level's response to hydraulic tests in a groundwater environment. The software is a parallel version of ACM (The Association for Computing Machinery) Transactions on Mathematical Software (TOMS) Algorithm 796. Running 38 test examples indicated that implementation of MPI techniques with distributed memory architecture speedups the processing and improves the efficiency. Applications to oscillatory water levels in a well during aquifer tests are presented to illustrate how this package can be applied to solve complicated environmental problems involved in differential and integral equations. The package is free and is easy to use for people with little or no previous experience in using MPI but who wish to get off to a quick start in parallel computing. ?? 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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

Rittman, Dylan R.; Turner, Katlyn M.; Park, Sulgiye

Strain engineering is a promising method for next-generation materials processing techniques. Here, we use mechanical milling and annealing followed by compression in diamond anvil cell to tailor the intrinsic and extrinsic strain in pyrochlore, Dy 2Ti 2O 7 and Dy 2Zr 2O 7. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray pair distribution function analysis, and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize atomic order over short-, medium-, and long-range spatial scales, respectively, under ambient conditions. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were further employed to interrogate the material in situ at high pressure. High-pressure behavior is found to depend on the species and concentration of defectsmore » in the sample at ambient conditions. Overall, we show that defects can be engineered to lower the phase transformation onset pressure by ~50% in the ordered pyrochlore Dy 2Ti 2O 7, and lower the phase transformation completion pressure by ~20% in the disordered pyrochlore Dy 2Zr 2O 7. Lastly, these improvements are achieved without significantly sacrificing mechanical integrity, as characterized by bulk modulus.« less

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

Rittman, Dylan R.; Turner, Katlyn M.; Park, Sulgiye

Strain engineering is a promising method for next-generation materials processing techniques. Here, we use mechanical milling and annealing followed by compression in diamond anvil cell to tailor the intrinsic and extrinsic strain in pyrochlore, Dy 2Ti 2O 7 and Dy 2Zr 2O 7. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray pair distribution function analysis, and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize atomic order over short-, medium-, and long-range spatial scales, respectively, under ambient conditions. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were further employed to interrogate the material in situ at high pressure. High-pressure behavior is found to depend on the species and concentration of defectsmore » in the sample at ambient conditions. Overall, we show that defects can be engineered to lower the phase transformation onset pressure by ~50% in the ordered pyrochlore Dy 2Zr 2O 7, and lower the phase transformation completion pressure by ~20% in the disordered pyrochlore Dy 2Zr 2O 7. These improvements are achieved without significantly sacrificing mechanical integrity, as characterized by bulk modulus.« less

Optimal reorientation of asymmetric underactuated spacecraft using differential flatness and receding horizon control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Wei-wei; Yang, Le-ping; Zhu, Yan-wei

2015-01-01

This paper presents a novel method integrating nominal trajectory optimization and tracking for the reorientation control of an underactuated spacecraft with only two available control torque inputs. By employing a pseudo input along the uncontrolled axis, the flatness property of a general underactuated spacecraft is extended explicitly, by which the reorientation trajectory optimization problem is formulated into the flat output space with all the differential constraints eliminated. Ultimately, the flat output optimization problem is transformed into a nonlinear programming problem via the Chebyshev pseudospectral method, which is improved by the conformal map and barycentric rational interpolation techniques to overcome the side effects of the differential matrix's ill-conditions on numerical accuracy. Treating the trajectory tracking control as a state regulation problem, we develop a robust closed-loop tracking control law using the receding-horizon control method, and compute the feedback control at each control cycle rapidly via the differential transformation method. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed control scheme is feasible and effective for the reorientation maneuver.

Investigation on the effects of temperature dependency of material parameters on a thermoelastic loading problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Anil; Mukhopadhyay, Santwana

2017-08-01

The present work is concerned with the investigation of thermoelastic interactions inside a spherical shell with temperature-dependent material parameters. We employ the heat conduction model with a single delay term. The problem is studied by considering three different kinds of time-dependent temperature and stress distributions applied at the inner and outer surfaces of the shell. The problem is formulated by considering that the thermal properties vary as linear function of temperature that yield nonlinear governing equations. The problem is solved by applying Kirchhoff transformation along with integral transform technique. The numerical results of the field variables are shown in the different graphs to study the influence of temperature-dependent thermal parameters in various cases. It has been shown that the temperature-dependent effect is more prominent in case of stress distribution as compared to other fields and also the effect is significant in case of thermal shock applied at the two boundary surfaces of the spherical shell.

A Higher-Order Neural Network Design for Improving Segmentation Performance in Medical Image Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Selvi, Eşref; Selver, M. Alper; Güzeliş, Cüneyt; Dicle, Oǧuz

2014-03-01

Segmentation of anatomical structures from medical image series is an ongoing field of research. Although, organs of interest are three-dimensional in nature, slice-by-slice approaches are widely used in clinical applications because of their ease of integration with the current manual segmentation scheme. To be able to use slice-by-slice techniques effectively, adjacent slice information, which represents likelihood of a region to be the structure of interest, plays critical role. Recent studies focus on using distance transform directly as a feature or to increase the feature values at the vicinity of the search area. This study presents a novel approach by constructing a higher order neural network, the input layer of which receives features together with their multiplications with the distance transform. This allows higher-order interactions between features through the non-linearity introduced by the multiplication. The application of the proposed method to 9 CT datasets for segmentation of the liver shows higher performance than well-known higher order classification neural networks.

LANDSAT data preprocessing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Austin, W. W.

1983-01-01

The effect on LANDSAT data of a Sun angle correction, an intersatellite LANDSAT-2 and LANDSAT-3 data range adjustment, and the atmospheric correction algorithm was evaluated. Fourteen 1978 crop year LACIE sites were used as the site data set. The preprocessing techniques were applied to multispectral scanner channel data and transformed data were plotted and used to analyze the effectiveness of the preprocessing techniques. Ratio transformations effectively reduce the need for preprocessing techniques to be applied directly to the data. Subtractive transformations are more sensitive to Sun angle and atmospheric corrections than ratios. Preprocessing techniques, other than those applied at the Goddard Space Flight Center, should only be applied as an option of the user. While performed on LANDSAT data the study results are also applicable to meteorological satellite data.

Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy for the analysis of the biochemical composition of C. elegans worms.

PubMed

Sheng, Ming; Gorzsás, András; Tuck, Simon

2016-01-01

Changes in intermediary metabolism have profound effects on many aspects of C. elegans biology including growth, development and behavior. However, many traditional biochemical techniques for analyzing chemical composition require relatively large amounts of starting material precluding the analysis of mutants that cannot be grown in large amounts as homozygotes. Here we describe a technique for detecting changes in the chemical compositions of C. elegans worms by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. We demonstrate that the technique can be used to detect changes in the relative levels of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in one and the same worm. We suggest that Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy represents a useful addition to the arsenal of techniques for metabolic studies of C. elegans worms.

Phase retrieval in digital speckle pattern interferometry by use of a smoothed space-frequency distribution.

PubMed

Federico, Alejandro; Kaufmann, Guillermo H

2003-12-10

We evaluate the use of a smoothed space-frequency distribution (SSFD) to retrieve optical phase maps in digital speckle pattern interferometry (DSPI). The performance of this method is tested by use of computer-simulated DSPI fringes. Phase gradients are found along a pixel path from a single DSPI image, and the phase map is finally determined by integration. This technique does not need the application of a phase unwrapping algorithm or the introduction of carrier fringes in the interferometer. It is shown that a Wigner-Ville distribution with a smoothing Gaussian kernel gives more-accurate results than methods based on the continuous wavelet transform. We also discuss the influence of filtering on smoothing of the DSPI fringes and some additional limitations that emerge when this technique is applied. The performance of the SSFD method for processing experimental data is then illustrated.

Wavelet regression model in forecasting crude oil price

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamid, Mohd Helmie; Shabri, Ani

2017-05-01

This study presents the performance of wavelet multiple linear regression (WMLR) technique in daily crude oil forecasting. WMLR model was developed by integrating the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and multiple linear regression (MLR) model. The original time series was decomposed to sub-time series with different scales by wavelet theory. Correlation analysis was conducted to assist in the selection of optimal decomposed components as inputs for the WMLR model. The daily WTI crude oil price series has been used in this study to test the prediction capability of the proposed model. The forecasting performance of WMLR model were also compared with regular multiple linear regression (MLR), Autoregressive Moving Average (ARIMA) and Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) using root mean square errors (RMSE) and mean absolute errors (MAE). Based on the experimental results, it appears that the WMLR model performs better than the other forecasting technique tested in this study.

Guided Wave Propagation Study on Laminated Composites by Frequency-Wavenumber Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tian, Zhenhua; Yu, Lingyu; Leckey, Cara A. C.

2014-01-01

Toward the goal of delamination detection and quantification in laminated composites, this paper examines guided wave propagation and wave interaction with delamination damage in laminated carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites using frequency-wavenumber (f-kappa) analysis. Three-dimensional elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT) is used to acquire simulated time-space wavefields for a CFRP composite. The time-space wavefields show trapped waves in the delamination region. To unveil the wave propagation physics, the time-space wavefields are further analyzed by using two-dimensional (2D) Fourier transforms (FT). In the analysis results, new f-k components are observed when the incident guided waves interact with the delamination damage. These new f-kappa components in the simulations are experimentally verified through data obtained from scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) tests. By filtering the new f-kappa components, delamination damage is detected and quantified.

The Impact of New Technologic and Molecular Advances in the Daily Practice of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Pathology.

PubMed

Xue, Yue; Farris, Alton Brad; Quigley, Brian; Krasinskas, Alyssa

2017-04-01

The practice of anatomic pathology, and of gastrointestinal pathology in particular, has been dramatically transformed in the past decade. In addition to the multitude of diseases, syndromes, and clinical entities encountered in daily clinical practice, the increasing integration of new technologic and molecular advances into the field of gastroenterology is occurring at a fast pace. Application of these advances has challenged pathologists to correlate newer methodologies with existing morphologic criteria, which in many instances still provide the gold standard for diagnosis. This review describes the impact of new technologic and molecular advances on the daily practice of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary pathology. We discuss new drugs that can affect the gastrointestinal tract and liver, new endoluminal techniques, new molecular tests that are often performed reflexively, new imaging techniques for evaluating hepatocellular carcinoma, and modified approaches to the gross and histologic assessment of tissues that have been exposed to neoadjuvant therapies.

Laser-based three-dimensional multiscale micropatterning of biocompatible hydrogels for customized tissue engineering scaffolds

PubMed Central

Applegate, Matthew B.; Coburn, Jeannine; Partlow, Benjamin P.; Moreau, Jodie E.; Mondia, Jessica P.; Marelli, Benedetto; Kaplan, David L.; Omenetto, Fiorenzo G.

2015-01-01

Light-induced material phase transitions enable the formation of shapes and patterns from the nano- to the macroscale. From lithographic techniques that enable high-density silicon circuit integration, to laser cutting and welding, light–matter interactions are pervasive in everyday materials fabrication and transformation. These noncontact patterning techniques are ideally suited to reshape soft materials of biological relevance. We present here the use of relatively low-energy (< 2 nJ) ultrafast laser pulses to generate 2D and 3D multiscale patterns in soft silk protein hydrogels without exogenous or chemical cross-linkers. We find that high-resolution features can be generated within bulk hydrogels through nearly 1 cm of material, which is 1.5 orders of magnitude deeper than other biocompatible materials. Examples illustrating the materials, results, and the performance of the machined geometries in vitro and in vivo are presented to demonstrate the versatility of the approach. PMID:26374842

"NONLINEAR DYNAMIC SYSTEMS RESPONSE TO NON-STATIONARY EXCITATION USING THE WAVELET TRANSFORM"

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

SPANOS, POL D.

2006-01-15

The objective of this research project has been the development of techniques for estimating the power spectra of stochastic processes using wavelet transform, and the development of related techniques for determining the response of linear/nonlinear systems to excitations which are described via the wavelet transform. Both of the objectives have been achieved, and the research findings have been disseminated in papers in archival journals and technical conferences.

Improved medical image fusion based on cascaded PCA and shift invariant wavelet transforms.

PubMed

Reena Benjamin, J; Jayasree, T

2018-02-01

In the medical field, radiologists need more informative and high-quality medical images to diagnose diseases. Image fusion plays a vital role in the field of biomedical image analysis. It aims to integrate the complementary information from multimodal images, producing a new composite image which is expected to be more informative for visual perception than any of the individual input images. The main objective of this paper is to improve the information, to preserve the edges and to enhance the quality of the fused image using cascaded principal component analysis (PCA) and shift invariant wavelet transforms. A novel image fusion technique based on cascaded PCA and shift invariant wavelet transforms is proposed in this paper. PCA in spatial domain extracts relevant information from the large dataset based on eigenvalue decomposition, and the wavelet transform operating in the complex domain with shift invariant properties brings out more directional and phase details of the image. The significance of maximum fusion rule applied in dual-tree complex wavelet transform domain enhances the average information and morphological details. The input images of the human brain of two different modalities (MRI and CT) are collected from whole brain atlas data distributed by Harvard University. Both MRI and CT images are fused using cascaded PCA and shift invariant wavelet transform method. The proposed method is evaluated based on three main key factors, namely structure preservation, edge preservation, contrast preservation. The experimental results and comparison with other existing fusion methods show the superior performance of the proposed image fusion framework in terms of visual and quantitative evaluations. In this paper, a complex wavelet-based image fusion has been discussed. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method enhances the directional features as well as fine edge details. Also, it reduces the redundant details, artifacts, distortions.

Fellowship Program in Health System Improvement: A novel approach integrating leadership development and patient-centred health system transformation.

PubMed

Philippon, Donald J; Montesanti, Stephanie; Stafinski, Tania

2018-03-01

This article highlights a novel approach to professional development, integrating leadership, development and patient-centred health system transformation in the new Fellowship Program in Health System Improvement offered by the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. Early assessment of the program is also provided.

Tilling the Soil while Sowing the Seeds: Combining Resident Education with Medical Home Transformation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Muench, John; Jarvis, Kelly; Boverman, Josh; Hardman, Joseph; Hayes, Meg; Winkle, Jim

2012-01-01

In order to successfully integrate screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) into primary care, education of clinicians must be paired with sustainable transformation of the clinical settings in which they practice. The SBIRT Oregon project adopted this strategy in an effort to fully integrate SBIRT into 7 primary care…

Site-specific recombination for precise and clean transgene integration in plant genome. In: Touraev, A., Citovsky, V., Tzfira, T., Editors of book. Plant Transformation Technologies.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Plant Transformation Technologies is a comprehensive, authoritative book focusing on cutting-edge plant biotechnologies, offering in-depth, forward-looking information on methods for controlled and accurate genetic engineering. In response to ever-increasing pressure for precise and efficient integr...

Professional Development for Transformational Technology Integration: An Experimental Study of In-Service Teachers' Self-Perceptions of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tachau, Elena M.

2017-01-01

Professional Development for Transformational Technology Integration: An Experimental Study of In-Service Teachers' Self-Perceptions of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge Elena M. Tachau Drexel University Chairperson: Brian K. Smith, Ph.D. The rapid advancement of technology tasks K-12 schools with providing professional development…

Defense Business Transformation: A Comprehensive Plan, Integrated Efforts, and Sustained Leadership are Needed to Assure Success

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-16

most of DOD’s major business operations. DOD’s failure to effectively resolve these high-risk areas has resulted in billions of dollars of waste each...integrated, enterprise-wide business transformation plan and its related leadership approach, and (2) comply with legislation that addresses business systems

Tilling the soil while sowing the seeds: combining resident education with medical home transformation.

PubMed

Muench, John; Jarvis, Kelly; Boverman, Josh; Hardman, Joseph; Hayes, Meg; Winkle, Jim

2012-01-01

In order to successfully integrate screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) into primary care, education of clinicians must be paired with sustainable transformation of the clinical settings in which they practice. The SBIRT Oregon project adopted this strategy in an effort to fully integrate SBIRT into 7 primary care residency clinics. Residents were trained to assess and intervene in their patients' unhealthy substance use, whereas clinic staff personnel were trained to carry out a multistep screening process. Electronic medical record tools were created to further integrate and track SBIRT processes. This article describes how a resident training curriculum complemented and was informed by the transformation of workflow processes within the residents' home clinics.

Ontology for Transforming Geo-Spatial Data for Discovery and Integration of Scientific Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, L.; Chee, T.; Minnis, P.

2013-12-01

Discovery and access to geo-spatial scientific data across heterogeneous repositories and multi-discipline datasets can present challenges for scientist. We propose to build a workflow for transforming geo-spatial datasets into semantic environment by using relationships to describe the resource using OWL Web Ontology, RDF, and a proposed geo-spatial vocabulary. We will present methods for transforming traditional scientific dataset, use of a semantic repository, and querying using SPARQL to integrate and access datasets. This unique repository will enable discovery of scientific data by geospatial bound or other criteria.

Fractional Fourier transform of truncated elliptical Gaussian beams.

PubMed

Du, Xinyue; Zhao, Daomu

2006-12-20

Based on the fact that a hard-edged elliptical aperture can be expanded approximately as a finite sum of complex Gaussian functions in tensor form, an analytical expression for an elliptical Gaussian beam (EGB) truncated by an elliptical aperture and passing through a fractional Fourier transform system is derived by use of vector integration. The approximate analytical results provide more convenience for studying the propagation and transformation of truncated EGBs than the usual way by using the integral formula directly, and the efficiency of numerical calculation is significantly improved.

Privacy Preserving Technique for Euclidean Distance Based Mining Algorithms Using a Wavelet Related Transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kadampur, Mohammad Ali; D. v. L. N., Somayajulu

Privacy preserving data mining is an art of knowledge discovery without revealing the sensitive data of the data set. In this paper a data transformation technique using wavelets is presented for privacy preserving data mining. Wavelets use well known energy compaction approach during data transformation and only the high energy coefficients are published to the public domain instead of the actual data proper. It is found that the transformed data preserves the Eucleadian distances and the method can be used in privacy preserving clustering. Wavelets offer the inherent improved time complexity.

PARAGON: A Systematic, Integrated Approach to Aerosol Observation and Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Diner, David J.; Kahn, Ralph A.; Braverman, Amy J.; Davies, Roger; Martonchik, John V.; Menzies, Robert T.; Ackerman, Thomas P.; Seinfeld, John H.; Anderson, Theodore L.; Charlson, Robert J.;

Combining the bi-Yang-Baxter deformation, the Wess-Zumino term and TsT transformations in one integrable σ-model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delduc, F.; Hoare, B.; Kameyama, T.; Magro, M.

2017-10-01

A multi-parameter integrable deformation of the principal chiral model is presented. The Yang-Baxter and bi-Yang-Baxter σ-models, the principal chiral model plus a Wess-Zumino term and the TsT transformation of the principal chiral model are all recovered when the appropriate deformation parameters vanish. When the Lie group is SU(2), we show that this four-parameter integrable deformation of the SU(2) principal chiral model corresponds to the Lukyanov model.

Symbolic programming language in molecular multicenter integral problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safouhi, Hassan; Bouferguene, Ahmed

It is well known that in any ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculation, the major task involves the computation of molecular integrals, among which the computation of three-center nuclear attraction and Coulomb integrals is the most frequently encountered. As the molecular system becomes larger, computation of these integrals becomes one of the most laborious and time-consuming steps in molecular systems calculation. Improvement of the computational methods of molecular integrals would be indispensable to further development in computational studies of large molecular systems. To develop fast and accurate algorithms for the numerical evaluation of these integrals over B functions, we used nonlinear transformations for improving convergence of highly oscillatory integrals. These methods form the basis of new methods for solving various problems that were unsolvable otherwise and have many applications as well. To apply these nonlinear transformations, the integrands should satisfy linear differential equations with coefficients having asymptotic power series in the sense of Poincaré, which in their turn should satisfy some limit conditions. These differential equations are very difficult to obtain explicitly. In the case of molecular integrals, we used a symbolic programming language (MAPLE) to demonstrate that all the conditions required to apply these nonlinear transformation methods are satisfied. Differential equations are obtained explicitly, allowing us to demonstrate that the limit conditions are also satisfied.

The Cognitive Spectrum of Transformative Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dix, Michael

2016-01-01

Although different transformative learning theories have been described in the literature, a detailed integrative theory is yet to emerge. I argue that unduly intellectualist assumptions regarding cognition have hampered current understandings and have obscured transformative learning's cognitive and metacognitive essence. Firstly, Mezirow's…

Expression of hygromycin B resistance in oyster culinary-medicinal mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.:Fr.)P. Kumm. (higher Basidiomycetes) using three gene expression systems.

PubMed

Dong, Xiaoya; Zhang, Ke; Gao, Yuqian; Qi, Yuancheng; Shen, Jinwen; Qiu, Liyou

2012-01-01

Three hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) gene expression systems for culinary-medicinal Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, plasmid pSHC, pAN7-1, and pBHt1 were evaluated through PEG/CaCl(2)-mediated protoplast transformation. Plasmid pSHC is a newly constructed hph gene expression system, composed of Escherichia coli hph gene, the P. ostreatus sdi promoter, and the CaMV35S terminator. The vector pAN7-1 was commonly used for integrative transformation in filamentous fungi. Plasmid pBHtl is a T-DNA binary vector, usually introduced into fungi by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The results showed that plasmids pSHC, pAN7-1, and pBHt1 were all integrated into the host chromosomes and expressed hygromycin B resistance in P. ostreatus. pAN7-1 had the highest transformation efficiency and hph gene expression level, pSHC the second, and pBHt1 the lowest. Growth rates of the transformants on plates containing hygromycin B were in correspondence with their hph gene expression levels. To our knowledge, this is the first report on integrated transformation of plasmid pAN7-1 and pBHt1 in P. ostreatus.

Integrated In Silico-In Vitro Identification and Characterization of the SH3-Mediated Interaction between Human PTTG and its Cognate Partners in Medulloblastoma.

PubMed

Liu, Jiangang; Wang, Dapeng; Li, Yanyan; Yao, Hui; Zhang, Nan; Zhang, Xuewen; Zhong, Fangping; Huang, Yulun

2018-06-01

The human pituitary tumor-transforming gene is an oncogenic protein which serves as a central hub in the cellular signaling network of medulloblastoma. The protein contains two vicinal PxxP motifs at its C terminus that are potential binding sites of peptide-recognition SH3 domains. Here, a synthetic protocol that integrated in silico analysis and in vitro assay was described to identify the SH3-binding partners of pituitary tumor-transforming gene in the gene expression profile of medulloblastoma. In the procedure, a variety of structurally diverse, non-redundant SH3 domains with high gene expression in medulloblastoma were compiled, and their three-dimensional structures were either manually retrieved from the protein data bank database or computationally modeled through bioinformatics technique. The binding capability of these domains towards the two PxxP-containing peptides m1p: 161 LGPPSPVK 168 and m2p: 168 KMPSPPWE 175 of pituitary tumor-transforming gene were ranked by structure-based scoring and fluorescence-based assay. Consequently, a number of SH3 domains, including MAP3K and PI3K, were found to have moderate or high affinity for m1p and/or m2p. Interestingly, the two overlapping peptides exhibits a distinct binding profile to these identified domain partners, suggesting that the binding selectivity of m1p and m2p is optimized across the medulloblastoma expression spectrum by competing for domain candidates. In addition, two redesigned versions of m1p peptide ware obtained via a structure-based rational mutation approach, which exhibited an increased affinity for the domain as compared to native peptide.

Introducing keytagging, a novel technique for the protection of medical image-based tests.

PubMed

Rubio, Óscar J; Alesanco, Álvaro; García, José

2015-08-01

This paper introduces keytagging, a novel technique to protect medical image-based tests by implementing image authentication, integrity control and location of tampered areas, private captioning with role-based access control, traceability and copyright protection. It relies on the association of tags (binary data strings) to stable, semistable or volatile features of the image, whose access keys (called keytags) depend on both the image and the tag content. Unlike watermarking, this technique can associate information to the most stable features of the image without distortion. Thus, this method preserves the clinical content of the image without the need for assessment, prevents eavesdropping and collusion attacks, and obtains a substantial capacity-robustness tradeoff with simple operations. The evaluation of this technique, involving images of different sizes from various acquisition modalities and image modifications that are typical in the medical context, demonstrates that all the aforementioned security measures can be implemented simultaneously and that the algorithm presents good scalability. In addition to this, keytags can be protected with standard Cryptographic Message Syntax and the keytagging process can be easily combined with JPEG2000 compression since both share the same wavelet transform. This reduces the delays for associating keytags and retrieving the corresponding tags to implement the aforementioned measures to only ≃30 and ≃90ms respectively. As a result, keytags can be seamlessly integrated within DICOM, reducing delays and bandwidth when the image test is updated and shared in secure architectures where different users cooperate, e.g. physicians who interpret the test, clinicians caring for the patient and researchers. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Wavelet filtered shifted phase-encoded joint transform correlation for face recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moniruzzaman, Md.; Alam, Mohammad S.

2017-05-01

A new wavelet-filtered-based Shifted- phase-encoded Joint Transform Correlation (WPJTC) technique has been proposed for efficient face recognition. The proposed technique uses discrete wavelet decomposition for preprocessing and can effectively accommodate various 3D facial distortions, effects of noise, and illumination variations. After analyzing different forms of wavelet basis functions, an optimal method has been proposed by considering the discrimination capability and processing speed as performance trade-offs. The proposed technique yields better correlation discrimination compared to alternate pattern recognition techniques such as phase-shifted phase-encoded fringe-adjusted joint transform correlator. The performance of the proposed WPJTC has been tested using the Yale facial database and extended Yale facial database under different environments such as illumination variation, noise, and 3D changes in facial expressions. Test results show that the proposed WPJTC yields better performance compared to alternate JTC based face recognition techniques.

Suppression of Adverse Effects of GIC Using Controlled Variable Grounding Resistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abuhussein, A.; Ali, M. H.

2016-12-01

Geomagnetically induced current (GIC) has a harmful impact on power systems, with a large footprint. Mitigation strategies for the GIC are required to protect the integrity of the power system. To date, the adverse effects of GIC are being mitigated by either operational procedures or grounding fixed capacitors (GFCs). The operational procedures are uncertain, reduce systems' reliability, and increase energy losses. On the other hand, GFCs, incur voltage spikes, increase the transformer cost substantially, and require protection circuitry. This study investigates new possible approaches to cope with GIC, by using a controlled variable grounding resistor (CVGR), without interfering with the system's normal operation. In addition, the new techniques help suppress unsymmetrical faults in the power network. The controllability of the grounding resistor is applied using three different techniques: (1) a Parallel switch that is controlled by PI regulated duty cycle, (2) a Parallel switch that is triggered by a preset values in a look-up-table (LUT), and (3) a Mechanical resistor varied by a Fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The experimental results were obtained and validated using the MATLAB/SIMULINK software. A hypothetical power system that consists of a generator, a 765kv, 500 km long transmission lines connecting between a step-up, Δ-Yn, transformer, and a step-down, Yn-Δ, transformer, is considered. The performance of the CVGR is compared with that of the GFC under the cases of GIC event and unsymmetrical faults. From the simulation results, the following points are concluded: The CVGR effectively suppresses the GIC flowing in the system. Consequently, it protects the transformers from saturation and the rest of the system from collapsing. The CVGR also reduces the voltage and power swings associated with unsymmetrical faults and blocks the zero sequence current flowing through the neutral of the transformer. The performance of the CVGR surpasses that of the GFC in terms of GIC/fault current magnitude and decay time reduction. The GFC violates the IEEE standards C57.32/ C57.12 of transformers insulation level, while the CVGR maintain the neutral to ground voltage within acceptable levels. The CVGR, as opposed to the GFC, does not require a discharge circuit (spark gap), thus it reduces the cost and complexity.

Innovative use of the integrative review to evaluate evidence of technology transformation in healthcare.

PubMed

Phillips, Andrew B; Merrill, Jacqueline A

2015-12-01

Healthcare is in a period significant transformational activity through the accelerated adoption of healthcare technologies, new reimbursement systems that emphasize shared savings and care coordination, and the common place use of mobile technologies by patients, providers, and others. The complexity of healthcare creates barriers to transformational activity and has the potential to inhibit the desired paths toward change envisioned by policymakers. Methods for understanding how change is occurring within this complex environment are important to the evaluation of delivery system reform and the role of technology in healthcare transformation. This study examines the use on an integrative review methodology to evaluate the healthcare literature for evidence of technology transformation in healthcare. The methodology integrates the evaluation of a broad set of literature with an established evaluative framework to develop a more complete understanding of a particular topic. We applied this methodology and the framework of punctuated equilibrium (PEq) to the analysis of the healthcare literature from 2004 to 2012 for evidence of technology transformation, a time during which technology was at the forefront of healthcare policy. The analysis demonstrated that the established PEq framework applied to the literature showed considerable potential for evaluating the progress of policies that encourage healthcare transformation. Significant inhibitors to change were identified through the integrative review and categorized into ten themes that describe the resistant structure of healthcare delivery: variations in the environment; market complexity; regulations; flawed risks and rewards; change theories; barriers; ethical considerations; competition and sustainability; environmental elements, and internal elements. We hypothesize that the resistant nature of the healthcare system described by this study creates barriers to the direct consumer involvement and engagement necessary for transformational change. Future policies should be directed at removing these barriers by demanding and emphasizing open technologies and unrestricted access to data versus as currently prescribed by technology vendors, practitioners, and policies that perpetuate market equilibrium. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Examination of Spectral Transformations on Spectral Mixture Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Y.; Wu, C.

2018-04-01

While many spectral transformation techniques have been applied on spectral mixture analysis (SMA), few study examined their necessity and applicability. This paper focused on exploring the difference between spectrally transformed schemes and untransformed scheme to find out which transformed scheme performed better in SMA. In particular, nine spectrally transformed schemes as well as untransformed scheme were examined in two study areas. Each transformed scheme was tested 100 times using different endmember classes' spectra under the endmember model of vegetation- high albedo impervious surface area-low albedo impervious surface area-soil (V-ISAh-ISAl-S). Performance of each scheme was assessed based on mean absolute error (MAE). Statistical analysis technique, Paired-Samples T test, was applied to test the significance of mean MAEs' difference between transformed and untransformed schemes. Results demonstrated that only NSMA could exceed the untransformed scheme in all study areas. Some transformed schemes showed unstable performance since they outperformed the untransformed scheme in one area but weakened the SMA result in another region.

Efficient and stable transformation of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) var. Eroica by particle bombardment.

PubMed

Batista, Dora; Fonseca, Sandra; Serrazina, Susana; Figueiredo, Andreia; Pais, Maria Salomé

2008-07-01

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first accurate and reliable protocol for hop (Humulus lupulus L.) genetic transformation using particle bombardment. Based on the highly productive regeneration system previously developed by us for hop var. Eroica, two efficient transformation protocols were established using petioles and green organogenic nodular clusters (GONCs) bombarded with gusA reporter and hpt selectable genes. A total of 36 hygromycin B-resistant (hyg(r)) plants obtained upon continuous selection were successfully transferred to the greenhouse, and a first generation group of transplanted plants was followed after spending a complete vegetative cycle. PCR analysis showed the presence of one of both transgenes in 25 plants, corresponding to an integration frequency of 69.4% and an overall transformation efficiency of 7.5%. Although all final transformants were GUS negative, the integration frequency of gusA gene was higher than that of hpt gene. Petiole-derived transgenic plants showed a higher co-integration rate of 76.9%. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed co-integration in 86% of the plants tested and its stability until the first generation, and identified positive plants amongst those previously assessed as hpt (+) only by conventional PCR. Our results suggest that the integration frequencies presented here, as well as those of others, may have been underestimated, and that PCR results should be taken with precaution not only for false positives, but also for false negatives. The protocols here described could be very useful for future introduction of metabolic or resistance traits in hop cultivars even if slight modifications for other genotypes are needed.

Adhesive contact between a rigid spherical indenter and an elastic multi-layer coated substrate

PubMed Central

Stan, Gheorghe; Adams, George G.

2016-01-01

In this work the frictionless, adhesive contact between a rigid spherical indenter and an elastic multi-layer coated half-space was investigated by means of an integral transform formulation. The indented multi-layer coats were considered as made of isotropic layers that are perfectly bonded to each other and to an isotropic substrate. The adhesive interaction between indenter and contacting surface was treated as Maugis-type adhesion to provide general applicability within the entire range of adhesive interactions. By using a transfer matrix method, the stress-strain equations of the system were reduced to two coupled integral equations for the stress distribution under the indenter and the ratio between the adhesion radius and the contact radius, respectively. These resulting integral equations were solved through a numerical collocation technique, with solutions for the load dependencies of the contact radius and indentation depth for various values of the adhesion parameter and layer composition. The method developed here can be used to calculate the force-distance response of adhesive contacts on various inhomogeneous half-spaces that can be modeled as multi-layer coated half-spaces. PMID:27574338

Leading Education Reform Initiatives: How SWIFT (Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation) Coordinates and Enhances Impact. Issue Brief #2

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kingston, Mary; Richards, Curtis; Blank, Rolf; Stonemeier, Jennifer; Trader, Barbara; East, Bill

2014-01-01

In this Issue Brief we discuss the impact that the Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT) has on improving the outcomes of several current federal, state, district, and school education reform initiatives. Federal initiatives include Race to the Top, School Improvement Grants, and Campaign for Grade-Level Reading; Common Core…

The Toda lattice as a forced integrable system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, P. J.; Kaup, D. J.

1985-01-01

The analytic properties of the Jost functions for the inverse scattering transform associated with the forced Toda lattice are shown to determine the time evolution of this particular boundary value problem. It is suggested that inverse scattering methods may be used generally to analyze forced integrable systems. Thus an extension of the applicability of the inverse scattering transform is indicated.

Transforming Service Employees and Climate: A Multilevel, Multisource Examination of Transformational Leadership in Building Long-Term Service Relationships

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liao, Hui; Chuang, Aichia

2007-01-01

This longitudinal field study integrates the theories of transformational leadership (TFL) and relationship marketing to examine how TFL influences employee service performance and customer relationship outcomes by transforming both (at the micro level) the service employees' attitudes and (at the macro level) the work unit's service climate.…

Genetic transformation of the yeast Dekkera/Brettanomyces bruxellensis with non-homologous DNA.

PubMed

Miklenić, Marina; Štafa, Anamarija; Bajić, Ana; Žunar, Bojan; Lisnić, Berislav; Svetec, Ivan-Krešimir

2013-05-01

Yeast Dekkera/Brettanomyces bruxellensis is probably the most common contaminant in wineries and ethanol production processes. The considerable economic losses caused by this yeast, but also its ability to produce and tolerate high ethanol concentrations, make it an attractive subject for research with potential for industrial applications. Unfortunately, efforts to understand the biology of D. bruxellensis and facilitate its broader use in industry are hampered by the lack of adequate procedures for delivery of exogenous DNA into this organism. Here we describe the development of transformation protocols (spheroplast transformation, LiAc/PEG method, and electroporation) and report the first genetic transformation of yeast D. bruxellensis. A linear heterologous DNA fragment carrying the kanMX4 sequence was used for transformation, which allowed transformants to be selected on plates containing geneticin. We found the spheroplast transformation method using 1M sorbitol as osmotic stabilizer to be inappropriate because sorbitol strikingly decreases the plating efficiency of both D. bruxellensis spheroplast and intact cells. However, we managed to modify the LiAc/ PEG transformation method and electroporation to accommodate D. bruxellensis transformation, achieving efficiencies of 0.6-16 and 10-20 transformants/microg DNA, respectively. The stability of the transformants ranged from 93.6% to 100%. All putative transformants were analyzed by Southern blot using the kanMX4 sequence as a hybridization probe, which confirmed that the transforming DNA fragment had integrated into the genome. The results of the molecular analysis were consistent with the expected illegitimate integration of a heterologous transforming fragment.

Impedance Matching of Tapered Slot Antenna using a Dielectric Transformer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simons, R. N.; Lee, R. Q.

1998-01-01

A new impedance matching technique for tapered slot antennas using a dielectric transformer is presented. The technique is demonstrated by measuring the input impedance, Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) and the gain of a Vivaldi antenna (VA). Measured results at Ka-Band frequencies are presented and discussed.

Global Interior Robot Localisation by a Colour Content Image Retrieval System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaari, A.; Lelandais, S.; Montagne, C.; Ahmed, M. Ben

2007-12-01

We propose a new global localisation approach to determine a coarse position of a mobile robot in structured indoor space using colour-based image retrieval techniques. We use an original method of colour quantisation based on the baker's transformation to extract a two-dimensional colour pallet combining as well space and vicinity-related information as colourimetric aspect of the original image. We conceive several retrieving approaches bringing to a specific similarity measure [InlineEquation not available: see fulltext.] integrating the space organisation of colours in the pallet. The baker's transformation provides a quantisation of the image into a space where colours that are nearby in the original space are also nearby in the output space, thereby providing dimensionality reduction and invariance to minor changes in the image. Whereas the distance [InlineEquation not available: see fulltext.] provides for partial invariance to translation, sight point small changes, and scale factor. In addition to this study, we developed a hierarchical search module based on the logic classification of images following rooms. This hierarchical module reduces the searching indoor space and ensures an improvement of our system performances. Results are then compared with those brought by colour histograms provided with several similarity measures. In this paper, we focus on colour-based features to describe indoor images. A finalised system must obviously integrate other type of signature like shape and texture.

Delineating chalk sand distribution of Ekofisk formation using probabilistic neural network (PNN) and stepwise regression (SWR): Case study Danish North Sea field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haris, A.; Nafian, M.; Riyanto, A.

2017-07-01

Danish North Sea Fields consist of several formations (Ekofisk, Tor, and Cromer Knoll) that was started from the age of Paleocene to Miocene. In this study, the integration of seismic and well log data set is carried out to determine the chalk sand distribution in the Danish North Sea field. The integration of seismic and well log data set is performed by using the seismic inversion analysis and seismic multi-attribute. The seismic inversion algorithm, which is used to derive acoustic impedance (AI), is model-based technique. The derived AI is then used as external attributes for the input of multi-attribute analysis. Moreover, the multi-attribute analysis is used to generate the linear and non-linear transformation of among well log properties. In the case of the linear model, selected transformation is conducted by weighting step-wise linear regression (SWR), while for the non-linear model is performed by using probabilistic neural networks (PNN). The estimated porosity, which is resulted by PNN shows better suited to the well log data compared with the results of SWR. This result can be understood since PNN perform non-linear regression so that the relationship between the attribute data and predicted log data can be optimized. The distribution of chalk sand has been successfully identified and characterized by porosity value ranging from 23% up to 30%.

Mining and Integration of Environmental Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tran, V.; Hluchy, L.; Habala, O.; Ciglan, M.

2009-04-01

The project ADMIRE (Advanced Data Mining and Integration Research for Europe) is a 7th FP EU ICT project aims to deliver a consistent and easy-to-use technology for extracting information and knowledge. The project is motivated by the difficulty of extracting meaningful information by data mining combinations of data from multiple heterogeneous and distributed resources. It will also provide an abstract view of data mining and integration, which will give users and developers the power to cope with complexity and heterogeneity of services, data and processes. The data sets describing phenomena from domains like business, society, and environment often contain spatial and temporal dimensions. Integration of spatio-temporal data from different sources is a challenging task due to those dimensions. Different spatio-temporal data sets contain data at different resolutions (e.g. size of the spatial grid) and frequencies. This heterogeneity is the principal challenge of geo-spatial and temporal data sets integration - the integrated data set should hold homogeneous data of the same resolution and frequency. Thus, to integrate heterogeneous spatio-temporal data from distinct source, transformation of one or more data sets is necessary. Following transformation operation are required: • transformation to common spatial and temporal representation - (e.g. transformation to common coordinate system), • spatial and/or temporal aggregation - data from detailed data source are aggregated to match the resolution of other resources involved in the integration process, • spatial and/or temporal record decomposition - records from source with lower resolution data are decomposed to match the granularity of the other data source. This operation decreases data quality (e.g. transformation of data from 50km grid to 10 km grid) - data from lower resolution data set in the integrated schema are imprecise, but it allows us to preserve higher resolution data. We can decompose the spatio-temporal data integration to following phases: • pre-integration data processing - different data set can be physically stored in different formats (e.g. relational databases, text files); it might be necessary to pre-process the data sets to be integrated, • identification of transformation operations necessary to integrate data in spatio-temporal dimensions, • identification of transformation operations to be performed on non-spatio-temporal attributes and • output data schema and set generation - given prepared data and the set of transformation, operations, the final integrated schema is produces. Spatio-temporal dimension brings its specifics also to the problem of mining spatio-temporal data sets. Spatio-temporal relationships exist among records in (s-t) data sets and those relationships should be considered in mining operation. This means that when analyzing a record in spatio-temporal data set, the records in its spatial and/or temporal proximity should be taken into account. In addition, the relationships discovered in spatio-temporal data can be different when mining the same data on different scales (e.g. mining the same data sets on 50 km grid with daily data vs. 10 km grid with hourly data). To be able to do effective data mining, we first needed to gather a sufficient amount of environmental data covering similar area and time span. For this purpose we have engaged in cooperation with several organizations working in the environmental domain in Slovakia, some of which are also our partners from previous research efforts. The organizations which volunteered some of their data are the Slovak Hydro-meteorological Institute (SHMU), the Slovak Water Enterprise (SVP), the Soil Science and Conservation Institute (VUPOP), and the Institute of Hydrology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (UHSAV). We have prepared scenarios from general meteorology, as well as specialized in hydrology and soil protection.

Influence of ultrasound speckle tracking strategies for motion and strain estimation.

PubMed

Curiale, Ariel H; Vegas-Sánchez-Ferrero, Gonzalo; Aja-Fernández, Santiago

2016-08-01

Speckle Tracking is one of the most prominent techniques used to estimate the regional movement of the heart based on ultrasound acquisitions. Many different approaches have been proposed, proving their suitability to obtain quantitative and qualitative information regarding myocardial deformation, motion and function assessment. New proposals to improve the basic algorithm usually focus on one of these three steps: (1) the similarity measure between images and the speckle model; (2) the transformation model, i.e. the type of motion considered between images; (3) the optimization strategies, such as the use of different optimization techniques in the transformation step or the inclusion of structural information. While many contributions have shown their good performance independently, it is not always clear how they perform when integrated in a whole pipeline. Every step will have a degree of influence over the following and hence over the final result. Thus, a Speckle Tracking pipeline must be analyzed as a whole when developing novel methods, since improvements in a particular step might be undermined by the choices taken in further steps. This work presents two main contributions: (1) We provide a complete analysis of the influence of the different steps in a Speckle Tracking pipeline over the motion and strain estimation accuracy. (2) The study proposes a methodology for the analysis of Speckle Tracking systems specifically designed to provide an easy and systematic way to include other strategies. We close the analysis with some conclusions and recommendations that can be used as an orientation of the degree of influence of the models for speckle, the transformation models, interpolation schemes and optimization strategies over the estimation of motion features. They can be further use to evaluate and design new strategy into a Speckle Tracking system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of the windowed-Fourier-transform-based fringe analysis technique for investigating temperature and concentration fields in fluids.

PubMed

Mohanan, Sharika; Srivastava, Atul

2014-04-10

The present work is concerned with the development and application of a novel fringe analysis technique based on the principles of the windowed-Fourier-transform (WFT) for the determination of temperature and concentration fields from interferometric images for a range of heat and mass transfer applications. Based on the extent of the noise level associated with the experimental data, the technique has been coupled with two different phase unwrapping methods: the Itoh algorithm and the quality guided phase unwrapping technique for phase extraction. In order to generate the experimental data, a range of experiments have been carried out which include cooling of a vertical flat plate in free convection conditions, combustion of mono-propellant flames, and growth of organic as well as inorganic crystals from their aqueous solutions. The flat plate and combustion experiments are modeled as heat transfer applications wherein the interest is to determine the whole-field temperature distribution. Aqueous-solution-based crystal growth experiments are performed to simulate the mass transfer phenomena and the interest is to determine the two-dimensional solute concentration field around the growing crystal. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer has been employed to record the path-integrated quantity of interest (temperature and/or concentration) in the form of interferometric images in the experiments. The potential of the WFT method has also been demonstrated on numerically simulated phase data for varying noise levels, and the accuracy in phase extraction have been quantified in terms of the root mean square errors. Three levels of noise, i.e., 0%, 10%, and 20% have been considered. Results of the present study show that the WFT technique allows an accurate extraction of phase values that can subsequently be converted into two-dimensional temperature and/or concentration distribution fields. Moreover, since WFT is a local processing technique, speckle patterns and the inherent noise in the interferometric data do not affect the resultant phase values. Brief comparisons of the accuracy of the WFT with other standard techniques such as conventional Fourier-filtering methods are also presented.

Integrated Personal Health Records: Transformative Tools for Consumer-Centric Care

PubMed Central

Detmer, Don; Bloomrosen, Meryl; Raymond, Brian; Tang, Paul

2008-01-01

Background Integrated personal health records (PHRs) offer significant potential to stimulate transformational changes in health care delivery and self-care by patients. In 2006, an invitational roundtable sponsored by Kaiser Permanente Institute, the American Medical Informatics Association, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was held to identify the transformative potential of PHRs, as well as barriers to realizing this potential and a framework for action to move them closer to the health care mainstream. This paper highlights and builds on the insights shared during the roundtable. Discussion While there is a spectrum of dominant PHR models, (standalone, tethered, integrated), the authors state that only the integrated model has true transformative potential to strengthen consumers' ability to manage their own health care. Integrated PHRs improve the quality, completeness, depth, and accessibility of health information provided by patients; enable facile communication between patients and providers; provide access to health knowledge for patients; ensure portability of medical records and other personal health information; and incorporate auto-population of content. Numerous factors impede widespread adoption of integrated PHRs: obstacles in the health care system/culture; issues of consumer confidence and trust; lack of technical standards for interoperability; lack of HIT infrastructure; the digital divide; uncertain value realization/ROI; and uncertain market demand. Recent efforts have led to progress on standards for integrated PHRs, and government agencies and private companies are offering different models to consumers, but substantial obstacles remain to be addressed. Immediate steps to advance integrated PHRs should include sharing existing knowledge and expanding knowledge about them, building on existing efforts, and continuing dialogue among public and private sector stakeholders. Summary Integrated PHRs promote active, ongoing patient collaboration in care delivery and decision making. With some exceptions, however, the integrated PHR model is still a theoretical framework for consumer-centric health care. The authors pose questions that need to be answered so that the field can move forward to realize the potential of integrated PHRs. How can integrated PHRs be moved from concept to practical application? Would a coordinating body expedite this progress? How can existing initiatives and policy levers serve as catalysts to advance integrated PHRs? PMID:18837999

Comparison of time-frequency distribution techniques for analysis of spinal somatosensory evoked potential.

PubMed

Hu, Y; Luk, K D; Lu, W W; Holmes, A; Leong, J C

2001-05-01

Spinal somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) has been employed to monitor the integrity of the spinal cord during surgery. To detect both temporal and spectral changes in SSEP waveforms, an investigation of the application of time-frequency analysis (TFA) techniques was conducted. SSEP signals from 30 scoliosis patients were analysed using different techniques; short time Fourier transform (STFT), Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD), Choi-Williams distribution (CWD), cone-shaped distribution (CSD) and adaptive spectrogram (ADS). The time-frequency distributions (TFD) computed using these methods were assessed and compared with each other. WVD, ADS, CSD and CWD showed better resolution than STFT. Comparing normalised peak widths, CSD showed the sharpest peak width (0.13+/-0.1) in the frequency dimension, and a mean peak width of 0.70+/-0.12 in the time dimension. Both WVD and CWD produced cross-term interference, distorting the TFA distribution, but this was not seen with CSD and ADS. CSD appeared to give a lower mean peak power bias (10.3%+/-6.2%) than ADS (41.8%+/-19.6%). Application of the CSD algorithm showed both good resolution and accurate spectrograms, and is therefore recommended as the most appropriate TFA technique for the analysis of SSEP signals.

Visualization of conserved structures by fusing highly variable datasets.

PubMed

Silverstein, Jonathan C; Chhadia, Ankur; Dech, Fred

2002-01-01

Skill, effort, and time are required to identify and visualize anatomic structures in three-dimensions from radiological data. Fundamentally, automating these processes requires a technique that uses symbolic information not in the dynamic range of the voxel data. We were developing such a technique based on mutual information for automatic multi-modality image fusion (MIAMI Fuse, University of Michigan). This system previously demonstrated facility at fusing one voxel dataset with integrated symbolic structure information to a CT dataset (different scale and resolution) from the same person. The next step of development of our technique was aimed at accommodating the variability of anatomy from patient to patient by using warping to fuse our standard dataset to arbitrary patient CT datasets. A standard symbolic information dataset was created from the full color Visible Human Female by segmenting the liver parenchyma, portal veins, and hepatic veins and overwriting each set of voxels with a fixed color. Two arbitrarily selected patient CT scans of the abdomen were used for reference datasets. We used the warping functions in MIAMI Fuse to align the standard structure data to each patient scan. The key to successful fusion was the focused use of multiple warping control points that place themselves around the structure of interest automatically. The user assigns only a few initial control points to align the scans. Fusion 1 and 2 transformed the atlas with 27 points around the liver to CT1 and CT2 respectively. Fusion 3 transformed the atlas with 45 control points around the liver to CT1 and Fusion 4 transformed the atlas with 5 control points around the portal vein. The CT dataset is augmented with the transformed standard structure dataset, such that the warped structure masks are visualized in combination with the original patient dataset. This combined volume visualization is then rendered interactively in stereo on the ImmersaDesk in an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) environment. The accuracy of the fusions was determined qualitatively by comparing the transformed atlas overlaid on the appropriate CT. It was examined for where the transformed structure atlas was incorrectly overlaid (false positive) and where it was incorrectly not overlaid (false negative). According to this method, fusions 1 and 2 were correct roughly 50-75% of the time, while fusions 3 and 4 were correct roughly 75-100%. The CT dataset augmented with transformed dataset was viewed arbitrarily in user-centered perspective stereo taking advantage of features such as scaling, windowing and volumetric region of interest selection. This process of auto-coloring conserved structures in variable datasets is a step toward the goal of a broader, standardized automatic structure visualization method for radiological data. If successful it would permit identification, visualization or deletion of structures in radiological data by semi-automatically applying canonical structure information to the radiological data (not just processing and visualization of the data's intrinsic dynamic range). More sophisticated selection of control points and patterns of warping may allow for more accurate transforms, and thus advances in visualization, simulation, education, diagnostics, and treatment planning.

A laboratory demonstration of high-resolution hard X-ray and gamma-ray imaging using Fourier-transform techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palmer, David; Prince, Thomas A.

1987-01-01

A laboratory imaging system has been developed to study the use of Fourier-transform techniques in high-resolution hard X-ray and gamma-ray imaging, with particular emphasis on possible applications to high-energy astronomy. Considerations for the design of a Fourier-transform imager and the instrumentation used in the laboratory studies is described. Several analysis methods for image reconstruction are discussed including the CLEAN algorithm and maximum entropy methods. Images obtained using these methods are presented.

Site-specific integration of Streptomyces PhiC31 integrase-based vectors in the chromosome of Rhodococcus equi.

PubMed

Hong, Yang; Hondalus, Mary K

2008-10-01

Streptomyces PhiC31-based site-specific integration was used to transform the facultative intracellular pathogen Rhodococcus equi. The transformation efficiency of vectors incorporating the PhiC31 integrase and attP sites was comparable to that of replication plasmids using the same electroporation procedure. A single attB integration site was identified within an ORF encoding a pirin-like protein, which deviates slightly from the consensus sequence of Streptomyces attB sites. Vector integration was stably maintained in the R. equi chromosome for as many as 100 generations during unselected passage in vitro. In addition, integration does not appear to affect the replication of bacteria inside macrophages. Finally, this integration system was also used to successfully complement an R. equi mutant.

Sparsity prediction and application to a new steganographic technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, David; Noonan, Joseph

2004-10-01

Steganography is a technique of embedding information in innocuous data such that only the innocent data is visible. The wavelet transform lends itself to image steganography because it generates a large number of coefficients representing the information in the image. Altering a small set of these coefficients allows embedding of information (payload) into an image (cover) without noticeably altering the original image. We propose a novel, dual-wavelet steganographic technique, using transforms selected such that the transform of the cover image has low sparsity, while the payload transform has high sparsity. Maximizing the sparsity of the payload transform reduces the amount of information embedded in the cover, and minimizing the sparsity of the cover increases the locations that can be altered without significantly altering the image. Making this system effective on any given image pair requires a metric to indicate the best (maximum sparsity) and worst (minimum sparsity) wavelet transforms to use. This paper develops the first stage of this metric, which can predict, averaged across many wavelet families, which of two images will have a higher sparsity. A prototype implementation of the dual-wavelet system as a proof of concept is also developed.

Integrability and Linearizability of the Lotka-Volterra System with a Saddle Point with Rational Hyperbolicity Ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gravel, Simon; Thibault, Pierre

In this paper, we consider normalizability, integrability and linearizability properties of the Lotka-Volterra system in the neighborhood of a singular point with eigenvalues 1 and - λ. The results are obtained by generalizing and expanding two methods already known: the power expansion of the first integral or of the linearizing transformation and the transformation of the saddle into a node. With these methods we find conditions that are valid for λ∈ R+ or λ∈ Q. These conditions will allow us to find all the integrable and linearizable systems for λ= {p}/{2} and {2}/{p} with p∈ N+.

Optimizing the Four-Index Integral Transform Using Data Movement Lower Bounds Analysis

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

Rajbhandari, Samyam; Rastello, Fabrice; Kowalski, Karol

The four-index integral transform is a fundamental and computationally demanding calculation used in many computational chemistry suites such as NWChem. It transforms a four-dimensional tensor from an atomic basis to a molecular basis. This transformation is most efficiently implemented as a sequence of four tensor contractions that each contract a four-dimensional tensor with a two-dimensional transformation matrix. Differing degrees of permutation symmetry in the intermediate and final tensors in the sequence of contractions cause intermediate tensors to be much larger than the final tensor and limit the number of electronic states in the modeled systems. Loop fusion, in conjunction withmore » tiling, can be very effective in reducing the total space requirement, as well as data movement. However, the large number of possible choices for loop fusion and tiling, and data/computation distribution across a parallel system, make it challenging to develop an optimized parallel implementation for the four-index integral transform. We develop a novel approach to address this problem, using lower bounds modeling of data movement complexity. We establish relationships between available aggregate physical memory in a parallel computer system and ineffective fusion configurations, enabling their pruning and consequent identification of effective choices and a characterization of optimality criteria. This work has resulted in the development of a significantly improved implementation of the four-index transform that enables higher performance and the ability to model larger electronic systems than the current implementation in the NWChem quantum chemistry software suite.« less

Study on sampling of continuous linear system based on generalized Fourier transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Huiguang

2003-09-01

In the research of signal and system, the signal's spectrum and the system's frequency characteristic can be discussed through Fourier Transform (FT) and Laplace Transform (LT). However, some singular signals such as impulse function and signum signal don't satisfy Riemann integration and Lebesgue integration. They are called generalized functions in Maths. This paper will introduce a new definition -- Generalized Fourier Transform (GFT) and will discuss generalized function, Fourier Transform and Laplace Transform under a unified frame. When the continuous linear system is sampled, this paper will propose a new method to judge whether the spectrum will overlap after generalized Fourier transform (GFT). Causal and non-causal systems are studied, and sampling method to maintain system's dynamic performance is presented. The results can be used on ordinary sampling and non-Nyquist sampling. The results also have practical meaning on research of "discretization of continuous linear system" and "non-Nyquist sampling of signal and system." Particularly, condition for ensuring controllability and observability of MIMO continuous systems in references 13 and 14 is just an applicable example of this paper.

Polymer electro-optic waveguide devices: Low-loss etchless fabrication techniques and passive-to-active integration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geary, Kevin

The development of high-frequency polymer electro-optic modulators has seen steady and significant progress in recent years, yet applications of these promising materials to more complicated integrated optic structures and arrays of devices have been limited primarily due to high optical waveguide loss characteristics. This is unfortunate since a major advantage of polymers as photonic materials is their compatibility with photolithographic processing of large components. In this Dissertation, etchless waveguide writing techniques are presented in order to improve the overall optical insertion loss of electro-optic polymer waveguide devices. These techniques include poling-induced writing, stress-induced waveguide writing, and photobleaching. Using these waveguide writing mechanisms, we have demonstrated straight waveguides, phase modulators, Mach-Zehnder intensity modulators, variable optical attenuators, and multimode interference (MMI) power splitters, all with improved loss characteristics over their etched rib waveguide counterparts. Ultimately, the insertion loss of an integrated optic device is limited by the actual material loss of the core waveguide material. In this Dissertation, passive-to-active polymer waveguide transitions are proposed to circumvent this problem. These transitions are compact, in-plane, self-aligned, and require no tapering of any physical dimensions of the waveguides. By utilizing both the time-dependent and intensity-dependent photobleaching characteristics of electro-optic polymer materials, adiabatic refractive index tapers can be seamlessly coupled to in-plane butt couple transitions, resulting in losses as low as 0.1 dB per interface. By integrating passive polymer planar lightwave circuits with the high-speed phase shifting capability of electro-optic polymers, active wideband photonic devices of increased size and complexity can be realized. Optical fiber-to-device coupling can also result in significant contributions to the overall insertion loss of an integrated electro-optic polymer device. In this Dissertation, we leverage the photobleached refractive index taper component of our proposed passive-to-active polymer waveguide transitions in order to realize a two-dimensional optical mode transformer for improved overall fiber-to-device coupling of electro-optic polymer waveguide devices.

Comparative performance evaluation of transform coding in image pre-processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menon, Vignesh V.; NB, Harikrishnan; Narayanan, Gayathri; CK, Niveditha

2017-07-01

We are in the midst of a communication transmute which drives the development as largely as dissemination of pioneering communication systems with ever-increasing fidelity and resolution. Distinguishable researches have been appreciative in image processing techniques crazed by a growing thirst for faster and easier encoding, storage and transmission of visual information. In this paper, the researchers intend to throw light on many techniques which could be worn at the transmitter-end in order to ease the transmission and reconstruction of the images. The researchers investigate the performance of different image transform coding schemes used in pre-processing, their comparison, and effectiveness, the necessary and sufficient conditions, properties and complexity in implementation. Whimsical by prior advancements in image processing techniques, the researchers compare various contemporary image pre-processing frameworks- Compressed Sensing, Singular Value Decomposition, Integer Wavelet Transform on performance. The paper exposes the potential of Integer Wavelet transform to be an efficient pre-processing scheme.

Speckle noise reduction in quantitative optical metrology techniques by application of the discrete wavelet transformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furlong, Cosme; Pryputniewicz, Ryszard J.

2002-06-01

Effective suppression of speckle noise content in interferometric data images can help in improving accuracy and resolution of the results obtained with interferometric optical metrology techniques. In this paper, novel speckle noise reduction algorithms based on the discrete wavelet transformation are presented. The algorithms proceed by: (a) estimating the noise level contained in the interferograms of interest, (b) selecting wavelet families, (c) applying the wavelet transformation using the selected families, (d) wavelet thresholding, and (e) applying the inverse wavelet transformation, producing denoised interferograms. The algorithms are applied to the different stages of the processing procedures utilized for generation of quantitative speckle correlation interferometry data of fiber-optic based opto-electronic holography (FOBOEH) techniques, allowing identification of optimal processing conditions. It is shown that wavelet algorithms are effective for speckle noise reduction while preserving image features otherwise faded with other algorithms.

A Review of Transformer Aging and Control Strategies

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

Gourisetti, Sri Nikhil Gup; Kirkham, Harold; Sivaraman, Deepak

Transformer aging is an important challenge in power system. Distribution transformers themselves are minimally controllable, but smart meters provide excellent, new insights into electrical loads, which insights can be used to understand and mitigate transformer aging. The nature of transformer loads is changing with the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) and electric vehicles (EVs). This paper first reviews factors that influence the aging of distribution transformers, including root causes of transformer failure. Existing and proposed load control methods are then discussed. A distribution model is introduced to help evaluate potential control methods.

Agrobacterium-transformed rice plants expressing synthetic cryIA(b) and cryIA(c) genes are highly toxic to striped stem borer and yellow stem borer.

PubMed

Cheng, X; Sardana, R; Kaplan, H; Altosaar, I

1998-03-17

Over 2,600 transgenic rice plants in nine strains were regenerated from >500 independently selected hygromycin-resistant calli after Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The plants were transformed with fully modified (plant codon optimized) versions of two synthetic cryIA(b) and cryIA(c) coding sequences from Bacillus thuringiensis as well as the hph and gus genes, coding for hygromycin phosphotransferase and beta-glucuronidase, respectively. These sequences were placed under control of the maize ubiquitin promoter, the CaMV35S promoter, and the Brassica Bp10 gene promoter to achieve high and tissue-specific expression of the lepidopteran-specific delta-endotoxins. The integration, expression, and inheritance of these genes were demonstrated in R0 and R1 generations by Southern, Northern, and Western analyses and by other techniques. Accumulation of high levels (up to 3% of soluble proteins) of CryIA(b) and CryIA(c) proteins was detected in R0 plants. Bioassays with R1 transgenic plants indicated that the transgenic plants were highly toxic to two major rice insect pests, striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis) and yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas), with mortalities of 97-100% within 5 days after infestation, thus offering a potential for effective insect resistance in transgenic rice plants.

Spectral Topography Generation for Arbitrary Grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, T. J.

2015-12-01

A new topography generation tool utilizing spectral transformation technique for both structured and unstructured grids is presented. For the source global digital elevation data, the NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 15 arc-second dataset (gap-filling by Jonathan de Ferranti) is used and for land/water mask source, the NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 30 arc-second land water mask dataset v5 is used. The original source data is coarsened to a intermediate global 2 minute lat-lon mesh. Then, spectral transformation to the wave space and inverse transformation with wavenumber truncation is performed for isotropic topography smoothness control. Target grid topography mapping is done by bivariate cubic spline interpolation from the truncated 2 minute lat-lon topography. Gibbs phenomenon in the water region can be removed by overwriting ocean masked target coordinate grids with interpolated values from the intermediate 2 minute grid. Finally, a weak smoothing operator is applied on the target grid to minimize the land/water surface height discontinuity that might have been introduced by the Gibbs oscillation removal procedure. Overall, the new topography generation approach provides spectrally-derived, smooth topography with isotropic resolution and minimum damping, enabling realistic topography forcing in the numerical model. Topography is generated for the cubed-sphere grid and tested on the KIAPS Integrated Model (KIM).

Camera flash heating of a three-layer solid composite: An approximate solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jibrin, Sani; Moksin, Mohd Maarof; Husin, Mohd Shahril; Zakaria, Azmi; Hassan, Jumiah; Talib, Zainal Abidin

2014-03-01

Camera flash heating and the subsequent thermal wave propagation in a solid composite material is studied using the Laplace transform technique. Full-field rear surface temperature for a single-layer, two-layer and three-layer solid composites are obtained directly from the Laplace transform conversion tables as opposed to the tedious inversion process by integral transform method. This is achieved by first expressing the hyperbolic-transcendental equation in terms of negative exponentials of square root of s/α and expanded same in a series by the binomial theorem. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and dip coating processes were used to prepare three-layer solid composites consisting ZnO/Cu/ZnO and starch/Al/starch respectively. About 0.5ml of deionized water enclosed within an air-tight aluminium container serves as the third three layer sample (AL/water/AL). Thermal diffusivity experiments were carried out on all the three samples prepared. Using Scaled Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, the approximate temperature curve for the three-layer solid composite is fitted with the corresponding experimental result. The agreement between the theoretical curve and the experimental data as well as that between the obtained thermal diffusivity values for the ZnO, aluminium and deionized water in this work and similar ones found in literature is found to be very good.

Development of a precision multimodal surgical navigation system for lung robotic segmentectomy

PubMed Central

Soldea, Valentin; Lachkar, Samy; Rinieri, Philippe; Sarsam, Mathieu; Bottet, Benjamin; Peillon, Christophe

2018-01-01

Minimally invasive sublobar anatomical resection is becoming more and more popular to manage early lung lesions. Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is unique in comparison with other minimally invasive techniques. Indeed, RATS is able to better integrate multiple streams of information including advanced imaging techniques, in an immersive experience at the level of the robotic console. Our aim was to describe three-dimensional (3D) imaging throughout the surgical procedure from preoperative planning to intraoperative assistance and complementary investigations such as radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) and virtual bronchoscopy for pleural dye marking. All cases were operated using the DaVinci SystemTM. Modelisation was provided by Visible Patient™ (Strasbourg, France). Image integration in the operative field was achieved using the Tile Pro multi display input of the DaVinci console. Our experience was based on 114 robotic segmentectomies performed between January 2012 and October 2017. The clinical value of 3D imaging integration was evaluated in 2014 in a pilot study. Progressively, we have reached the conclusion that the use of such an anatomic model improves the safety and reliability of procedures. The multimodal system including 3D imaging has been used in more than 40 patients so far and demonstrated a perfect operative anatomic accuracy. Currently, we are developing an original virtual reality experience by exploring 3D imaging models at the robotic console level. The act of operating is being transformed and the surgeon now oversees a complex system that improves decision making. PMID:29785294

Development of a precision multimodal surgical navigation system for lung robotic segmentectomy.

PubMed

Baste, Jean Marc; Soldea, Valentin; Lachkar, Samy; Rinieri, Philippe; Sarsam, Mathieu; Bottet, Benjamin; Peillon, Christophe

2018-04-01

Minimally invasive sublobar anatomical resection is becoming more and more popular to manage early lung lesions. Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is unique in comparison with other minimally invasive techniques. Indeed, RATS is able to better integrate multiple streams of information including advanced imaging techniques, in an immersive experience at the level of the robotic console. Our aim was to describe three-dimensional (3D) imaging throughout the surgical procedure from preoperative planning to intraoperative assistance and complementary investigations such as radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) and virtual bronchoscopy for pleural dye marking. All cases were operated using the DaVinci System TM . Modelisation was provided by Visible Patient™ (Strasbourg, France). Image integration in the operative field was achieved using the Tile Pro multi display input of the DaVinci console. Our experience was based on 114 robotic segmentectomies performed between January 2012 and October 2017. The clinical value of 3D imaging integration was evaluated in 2014 in a pilot study. Progressively, we have reached the conclusion that the use of such an anatomic model improves the safety and reliability of procedures. The multimodal system including 3D imaging has been used in more than 40 patients so far and demonstrated a perfect operative anatomic accuracy. Currently, we are developing an original virtual reality experience by exploring 3D imaging models at the robotic console level. The act of operating is being transformed and the surgeon now oversees a complex system that improves decision making.

Automated Identification and Shape Analysis of Chorus Elements in the Van Allen Radiation Belts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sen Gupta, Ananya; Kletzing, Craig; Howk, Robin; Kurth, William; Matheny, Morgan

2017-12-01

An important goal of the Van Allen Probes mission is to understand wave-particle interaction by chorus emissions in terrestrial Van Allen radiation belts. To test models, statistical characterization of chorus properties, such as amplitude variation and sweep rates, is an important scientific goal. The Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) instrumentation suite provides measurements of wave electric and magnetic fields as well as DC magnetic fields for the Van Allen Probes mission. However, manual inspection across terabytes of EMFISIS data is not feasible and as such introduces human confirmation bias. We present signal processing techniques for automated identification, shape analysis, and sweep rate characterization of high-amplitude whistler-mode chorus elements in the Van Allen radiation belts. Specifically, we develop signal processing techniques based on the radon transform that disambiguate chorus elements with a dominant sweep rate against hiss-like chorus. We present representative results validating our techniques and also provide statistical characterization of detected chorus elements across a case study of a 6 s epoch.

Modeling the temperature-dependent peptide vibrational spectra based on implicit-solvent model and enhance sampling technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tianmin, Wu; Tianjun, Wang; Xian, Chen; Bin, Fang; Ruiting, Zhang; Wei, Zhuang

2016-01-01

We herein review our studies on simulating the thermal unfolding Fourier transform infrared and two-dimensional infrared spectra of peptides. The peptide-water configuration ensembles, required forspectrum modeling, aregenerated at a series of temperatures using the GBOBC implicit solvent model and the integrated tempering sampling technique. The fluctuating vibrational Hamiltonians of the amide I vibrational band are constructed using the Frenkel exciton model. The signals are calculated using nonlinear exciton propagation. The simulated spectral features such as the intensity and ellipticity are consistent with the experimental observations. Comparing the signals for two beta-hairpin polypeptides with similar structures suggests that this technique is sensitive to peptide folding landscapes. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21203178), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21373201), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21433014), the Science and Technological Ministry of China (Grant No. 2011YQ09000505), and “Strategic Priority Research Program” of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant Nos. XDB10040304 and XDB100202002).

Using deep learning for content-based medical image retrieval

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Qinpei; Yang, Yuanyuan; Sun, Jianyong; Yang, Zhiming; Zhang, Jianguo

2017-03-01

Content-Based medical image retrieval (CBMIR) is been highly active research area from past few years. The retrieval performance of a CBMIR system crucially depends on the feature representation, which have been extensively studied by researchers for decades. Although a variety of techniques have been proposed, it remains one of the most challenging problems in current CBMIR research, which is mainly due to the well-known "semantic gap" issue that exists between low-level image pixels captured by machines and high-level semantic concepts perceived by human[1]. Recent years have witnessed some important advances of new techniques in machine learning. One important breakthrough technique is known as "deep learning". Unlike conventional machine learning methods that are often using "shallow" architectures, deep learning mimics the human brain that is organized in a deep architecture and processes information through multiple stages of transformation and representation. This means that we do not need to spend enormous energy to extract features manually. In this presentation, we propose a novel framework which uses deep learning to retrieval the medical image to improve the accuracy and speed of a CBIR in integrated RIS/PACS.

A new adaptive algorithm for automated feature extraction in exponentially damped signals for health monitoring of smart structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qarib, Hossein; Adeli, Hojjat

2015-12-01

In this paper authors introduce a new adaptive signal processing technique for feature extraction and parameter estimation in noisy exponentially damped signals. The iterative 3-stage method is based on the adroit integration of the strengths of parametric and nonparametric methods such as multiple signal categorization, matrix pencil, and empirical mode decomposition algorithms. The first stage is a new adaptive filtration or noise removal scheme. The second stage is a hybrid parametric-nonparametric signal parameter estimation technique based on an output-only system identification technique. The third stage is optimization of estimated parameters using a combination of the primal-dual path-following interior point algorithm and genetic algorithm. The methodology is evaluated using a synthetic signal and a signal obtained experimentally from transverse vibrations of a steel cantilever beam. The method is successful in estimating the frequencies accurately. Further, it estimates the damping exponents. The proposed adaptive filtration method does not include any frequency domain manipulation. Consequently, the time domain signal is not affected as a result of frequency domain and inverse transformations.

Crack Detection with Lamb Wave Wavenumber Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tian, Zhenhua; Leckey, Cara; Rogge, Matt; Yu, Lingyu

2013-01-01

In this work, we present our study of Lamb wave crack detection using wavenumber analysis. The aim is to demonstrate the application of wavenumber analysis to 3D Lamb wave data to enable damage detection. The 3D wavefields (including vx, vy and vz components) in time-space domain contain a wealth of information regarding the propagating waves in a damaged plate. For crack detection, three wavenumber analysis techniques are used: (i) two dimensional Fourier transform (2D-FT) which can transform the time-space wavefield into frequency-wavenumber representation while losing the spatial information; (ii) short space 2D-FT which can obtain the frequency-wavenumber spectra at various spatial locations, resulting in a space-frequency-wavenumber representation; (iii) local wavenumber analysis which can provide the distribution of the effective wavenumbers at different locations. All of these concepts are demonstrated through a numerical simulation example of an aluminum plate with a crack. The 3D elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT) was used to obtain the 3D wavefields, of which the vz (out-of-plane) wave component is compared with the experimental measurement obtained from a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) for verification purposes. The experimental and simulated results are found to be in close agreement. The application of wavenumber analysis on 3D EFIT simulation data shows the effectiveness of the analysis for crack detection. Keywords: : Lamb wave, crack detection, wavenumber analysis, EFIT modeling

Application of wavelet filtering and Barker-coded pulse compression hybrid method to air-coupled ultrasonic testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Zhenggan; Ma, Baoquan; Jiang, Jingtao; Yu, Guang; Liu, Kui; Zhang, Dongmei; Liu, Weiping

2014-10-01

Air-coupled ultrasonic testing (ACUT) technique has been viewed as a viable solution in defect detection of advanced composites used in aerospace and aviation industries. However, the giant mismatch of acoustic impedance in air-solid interface makes the transmission efficiency of ultrasound low, and leads to poor signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of received signal. The utilisation of signal-processing techniques in non-destructive testing is highly appreciated. This paper presents a wavelet filtering and phase-coded pulse compression hybrid method to improve the SNR and output power of received signal. The wavelet transform is utilised to filter insignificant components from noisy ultrasonic signal, and pulse compression process is used to improve the power of correlated signal based on cross-correction algorithm. For the purpose of reasonable parameter selection, different families of wavelets (Daubechies, Symlet and Coiflet) and decomposition level in discrete wavelet transform are analysed, different Barker codes (5-13 bits) are also analysed to acquire higher main-to-side lobe ratio. The performance of the hybrid method was verified in a honeycomb composite sample. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method is very efficient in improving the SNR and signal strength. The applicability of the proposed method seems to be a very promising tool to evaluate the integrity of high ultrasound attenuation composite materials using the ACUT.

How Change Occurred at the Stoughton Area School District: Lessons from a SWIFT (Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation) Knowledge Development Site. Issue Brief #3

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stonemeier, Jennifer; Trader, Barbara; Kingston, Mary; Richards, Curtis; Blank, Rolf; East, Bill

2014-01-01

The SWIFT Center (Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation) is an initiative to bring about educational equity district by district until all students excel, including students with the most profound needs. As the national technical assistance center to build schoolwide inclusive practices to improve academic and behavioral outcomes for…

A DNase encoded by integrated element CJIE1 inhibits natural transformation of Campylobacter jejuni.

PubMed

Gaasbeek, Esther J; Wagenaar, Jaap A; Guilhabert, Magalie R; Wösten, Marc M S M; van Putten, Jos P M; van der Graaf-van Bloois, Linda; Parker, Craig T; van der Wal, Fimme J

2009-04-01

The species Campylobacter jejuni is considered naturally competent for DNA uptake and displays strong genetic diversity. Nevertheless, nonnaturally transformable strains and several relatively stable clonal lineages exist. In the present study, the molecular mechanism responsible for the nonnatural transformability of a subset of C. jejuni strains was investigated. Comparative genome hybridization indicated that C. jejuni Mu-like prophage integrated element 1 (CJIE1) was more abundant in nonnaturally transformable C. jejuni strains than in naturally transformable strains. Analysis of CJIE1 indicated the presence of dns (CJE0256), which is annotated as a gene encoding an extracellular DNase. DNase assays using a defined dns mutant and a dns-negative strain expressing Dns from a plasmid indicated that Dns is an endogenous DNase. The DNA-hydrolyzing activity directly correlated with the natural transformability of the knockout mutant and the dns-negative strain expressing Dns from a plasmid. Analysis of a broader set of strains indicated that the majority of nonnaturally transformable strains expressed DNase activity, while all naturally competent strains lacked this activity. The inhibition of natural transformation in C. jejuni via endogenous DNase activity may contribute to the formation of stable lineages in the C. jejuni population.

Speeding Up the Bilateral Filter: A Joint Acceleration Way.

PubMed

Dai, Longquan; Yuan, Mengke; Zhang, Xiaopeng

2016-06-01

Computational complexity of the brute-force implementation of the bilateral filter (BF) depends on its filter kernel size. To achieve the constant-time BF whose complexity is irrelevant to the kernel size, many techniques have been proposed, such as 2D box filtering, dimension promotion, and shiftability property. Although each of the above techniques suffers from accuracy and efficiency problems, previous algorithm designers were used to take only one of them to assemble fast implementations due to the hardness of combining them together. Hence, no joint exploitation of these techniques has been proposed to construct a new cutting edge implementation that solves these problems. Jointly employing five techniques: kernel truncation, best N-term approximation as well as previous 2D box filtering, dimension promotion, and shiftability property, we propose a unified framework to transform BF with arbitrary spatial and range kernels into a set of 3D box filters that can be computed in linear time. To the best of our knowledge, our algorithm is the first method that can integrate all these acceleration techniques and, therefore, can draw upon one another's strong point to overcome deficiencies. The strength of our method has been corroborated by several carefully designed experiments. In particular, the filtering accuracy is significantly improved without sacrificing the efficiency at running time.

Double image encryption in Fresnel domain using wavelet transform, gyrator transform and spiral phase masks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Ravi; Bhaduri, Basanta

2017-06-01

In this paper, we propose a new technique for double image encryption in the Fresnel domain using wavelet transform (WT), gyrator transform (GT) and spiral phase masks (SPMs). The two input mages are first phase encoded and each of them are then multiplied with SPMs and Fresnel propagated with distances d1 and d2, respectively. The single-level discrete WT is applied to Fresnel propagated complex images to decompose each into sub-band matrices i.e. LL, HL, LH and HH. Further, the sub-band matrices of two complex images are interchanged after modulation with random phase masks (RPMs) and subjected to inverse discrete WT. The resulting images are then both added and subtracted to get intermediate images which are further Fresnel propagated with distances d3 and d4, respectively. These outputs are finally gyrator transformed with the same angle α to get the encrypted images. The proposed technique provides enhanced security in terms of a large set of security keys. The sensitivity of security keys such as SPM parameters, GT angle α, Fresnel propagation distances are investigated. The robustness of the proposed techniques against noise and occlusion attacks are also analysed. The numerical simulation results are shown in support of the validity and effectiveness of the proposed technique.

Multispectral image sharpening using wavelet transform techniques and spatial correlation of edges

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lemeshewsky, George P.; Schowengerdt, Robert A.

2000-01-01

Several reported image fusion or sharpening techniques are based on the discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The technique described here uses a pixel-based maximum selection rule to combine respective transform coefficients of lower spatial resolution near-infrared (NIR) and higher spatial resolution panchromatic (pan) imagery to produce a sharpened NIR image. Sharpening assumes a radiometric correlation between the spectral band images. However, there can be poor correlation, including edge contrast reversals (e.g., at soil-vegetation boundaries), between the fused images and, consequently, degraded performance. To improve sharpening, a local area-based correlation technique originally reported for edge comparison with image pyramid fusion is modified for application with the DWT process. Further improvements are obtained by using redundant, shift-invariant implementation of the DWT. Example images demonstrate the improvements in NIR image sharpening with higher resolution pan imagery.

Applications of Laplace transform methods to airfoil motion and stability calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edwards, J. W.

1979-01-01

This paper reviews the development of generalized unsteady aerodynamic theory and presents a derivation of the generalized Possio integral equation. Numerical calculations resolve questions concerning subsonic indicial lift functions and demonstrate the generation of Kutta waves at high values of reduced frequency, subsonic Mach number, or both. The use of rational function approximations of unsteady aerodynamic loads in aeroelastic stability calculations is reviewed, and a reformulation of the matrix Pade approximation technique is given. Numerical examples of flutter boundary calculations for a wing which is to be flight tested are given. Finally, a simplified aerodynamic model of transonic flow is used to study the stability of an airfoil exposed to supersonic and subsonic flow regions.

A preliminary comparison of scanning vs nonscanning radiometer data from Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, X.; Smith, W. L.; Herman, L. D.

1986-01-01

A cross validation technique is used to simulate the radiation flux detected by the nonscanning wide FOV (WFOV) and medium FOV (MFOV) radiometers on the ERBS by integrating the top of atmosphere spectral radiance recorded with narrow FOV (NFOV) sensors. Consideration is given to both bidirectional and isotropic radiance contributions, including all shortwave and longwave components. A weighting procedure is defined to adjust for missing or inaccurate data records and a coordinate transformation is devised to account for angular discrepancies among the views of the WFOV, MFOV and NFOV sensors. Student t-test values were calculated for values generated for whole orbit average, morning, noon, evening and night subsatellite views.

TOMML: A Rule Language for Structured Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cirstea, Horatiu; Moreau, Pierre-Etienne; Reilles, Antoine

We present the TOM language that extends JAVA with the purpose of providing high level constructs inspired by the rewriting community. TOM bridges thus the gap between a general purpose language and high level specifications based on rewriting. This approach was motivated by the promotion of rule based techniques and their integration in large scale applications. Powerful matching capabilities along with a rich strategy language are among TOM's strong features that make it easy to use and competitive with respect to other rule based languages. TOM is thus a natural choice for querying and transforming structured data and in particular XML documents [1]. We present here its main XML oriented features and illustrate its use on several examples.

Pattern recognition and feature extraction with an optical Hough transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández, Ariel

2016-09-01

Pattern recognition and localization along with feature extraction are image processing applications of great interest in defect inspection and robot vision among others. In comparison to purely digital methods, the attractiveness of optical processors for pattern recognition lies in their highly parallel operation and real-time processing capability. This work presents an optical implementation of the generalized Hough transform (GHT), a well-established technique for the recognition of geometrical features in binary images. Detection of a geometric feature under the GHT is accomplished by mapping the original image to an accumulator space; the large computational requirements for this mapping make the optical implementation an attractive alternative to digital- only methods. Starting from the integral representation of the GHT, it is possible to device an optical setup where the transformation is obtained, and the size and orientation parameters can be controlled, allowing for dynamic scale and orientation-variant pattern recognition. A compact system for the above purposes results from the use of an electrically tunable lens for scale control and a rotating pupil mask for orientation variation, implemented on a high-contrast spatial light modulator (SLM). Real-time (as limited by the frame rate of the device used to capture the GHT) can also be achieved, allowing for the processing of video sequences. Besides, by thresholding of the GHT (with the aid of another SLM) and inverse transforming (which is optically achieved in the incoherent system under appropriate focusing setting), the previously detected features of interest can be extracted.

An efficient depth map preprocessing method based on structure-aided domain transform smoothing for 3D view generation

PubMed Central

Ma, Liyan; Qiu, Bo; Cui, Mingyue; Ding, Jianwei

2017-01-01

Depth image-based rendering (DIBR), which is used to render virtual views with a color image and the corresponding depth map, is one of the key techniques in the 2D to 3D conversion process. Due to the absence of knowledge about the 3D structure of a scene and its corresponding texture, DIBR in the 2D to 3D conversion process, inevitably leads to holes in the resulting 3D image as a result of newly-exposed areas. In this paper, we proposed a structure-aided depth map preprocessing framework in the transformed domain, which is inspired by recently proposed domain transform for its low complexity and high efficiency. Firstly, our framework integrates hybrid constraints including scene structure, edge consistency and visual saliency information in the transformed domain to improve the performance of depth map preprocess in an implicit way. Then, adaptive smooth localization is cooperated and realized in the proposed framework to further reduce over-smoothness and enhance optimization in the non-hole regions. Different from the other similar methods, the proposed method can simultaneously achieve the effects of hole filling, edge correction and local smoothing for typical depth maps in a united framework. Thanks to these advantages, it can yield visually satisfactory results with less computational complexity for high quality 2D to 3D conversion. Numerical experimental results demonstrate the excellent performances of the proposed method. PMID:28407027

Precise and fast spatial-frequency analysis using the iterative local Fourier transform.

PubMed

Lee, Sukmock; Choi, Heejoo; Kim, Dae Wook

2016-09-19

The use of the discrete Fourier transform has decreased since the introduction of the fast Fourier transform (fFT), which is a numerically efficient computing process. This paper presents the iterative local Fourier transform (ilFT), a set of new processing algorithms that iteratively apply the discrete Fourier transform within a local and optimal frequency domain. The new technique achieves 2¹⁰ times higher frequency resolution than the fFT within a comparable computation time. The method's superb computing efficiency, high resolution, spectrum zoom-in capability, and overall performance are evaluated and compared to other advanced high-resolution Fourier transform techniques, such as the fFT combined with several fitting methods. The effectiveness of the ilFT is demonstrated through the data analysis of a set of Talbot self-images (1280 × 1024 pixels) obtained with an experimental setup using grating in a diverging beam produced by a coherent point source.

Structural Order-Disorder Transformations Monitored by X-Ray Diffraction and Photoluminescence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lima, R. C.; Paris, E. C.; Leite, E. R.; Espinosa, J. W. M.; Souza, A. G.; Longo, E.

2007-01-01

A study was conducted to examine the structural order-disorder transformation promoted by controlled heat treatment using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques as tools to monitor the degree of structural order. The experiment was observed to be versatile and easily achieved with low cost which allowed producing…

Application of neural network technique to determine a corrector surface for global geopotential model using GPS/levelling measurements in Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elshambaky, Hossam Talaat

2018-01-01

Owing to the appearance of many global geopotential models, it is necessary to determine the most appropriate model for use in Egyptian territory. In this study, we aim to investigate three global models, namely EGM2008, EIGEN-6c4, and GECO. We use five mathematical transformation techniques, i.e., polynomial expression, exponential regression, least-squares collocation, multilayer feed forward neural network, and radial basis neural networks to make the conversion from regional geometrical geoid to global geoid models and vice versa. From a statistical comparison study based on quality indexes between previous transformation techniques, we confirm that the multilayer feed forward neural network with two neurons is the most accurate of the examined transformation technique, and based on the mean tide condition, EGM2008 represents the most suitable global geopotential model for use in Egyptian territory to date. The final product gained from this study was the corrector surface that was used to facilitate the transformation process between regional geometrical geoid model and the global geoid model.

Non-linear analysis of wave progagation using transform methods and plates and shells using integral equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pipkins, Daniel Scott

Two diverse topics of relevance in modern computational mechanics are treated. The first involves the modeling of linear and non-linear wave propagation in flexible, lattice structures. The technique used combines the Laplace Transform with the Finite Element Method (FEM). The procedure is to transform the governing differential equations and boundary conditions into the transform domain where the FEM formulation is carried out. For linear problems, the transformed differential equations can be solved exactly, hence the method is exact. As a result, each member of the lattice structure is modeled using only one element. In the non-linear problem, the method is no longer exact. The approximation introduced is a spatial discretization of the transformed non-linear terms. The non-linear terms are represented in the transform domain by making use of the complex convolution theorem. A weak formulation of the resulting transformed non-linear equations yields a set of element level matrix equations. The trial and test functions used in the weak formulation correspond to the exact solution of the linear part of the transformed governing differential equation. Numerical results are presented for both linear and non-linear systems. The linear systems modeled are longitudinal and torsional rods and Bernoulli-Euler and Timoshenko beams. For non-linear systems, a viscoelastic rod and Von Karman type beam are modeled. The second topic is the analysis of plates and shallow shells under-going finite deflections by the Field/Boundary Element Method. Numerical results are presented for two plate problems. The first is the bifurcation problem associated with a square plate having free boundaries which is loaded by four, self equilibrating corner forces. The results are compared to two existing numerical solutions of the problem which differ substantially.

Transforming guided waves with metamaterial waveguide cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viaene, S.; Ginis, V.; Danckaert, J.; Tassin, P.

2016-04-01

Metamaterials make use of subwavelength building blocks to enhance our control on the propagation of light. To determine the required material properties for a given functionality, i.e., a set of desired light flows inside a metamaterial device, metamaterial designs often rely on a geometrical design tool known as transformation optics. In recent years, applications in integrated photonics motivated several research groups to develop two-dimensional versions of transformation optics capable of routing surface waves along graphene-dielectric and metal-dielectric interfaces. Although guided electromagnetic waves are highly relevant to applications in integrated optics, no consistent transformation-optical framework has so far been developed for slab waveguides. Indeed, the conventional application of transformation optics to dielectric slab waveguides leads to bulky three-dimensional devices with metamaterial implementations both inside and outside of the waveguide's core. In this contribution, we develop a transformationoptical framework that still results in thin metamaterial waveguide devices consisting of a nonmagnetic metamaterial core of varying thickness [Phys. Rev. B 93.8, 085429 (2016)]. We numerically demonstrate the effectiveness and versatility of our equivalence relations with three crucial functionalities: a beam bender, a beam splitter and a conformal lens. Our devices perform well on a qualitative (comparison of fields) and quantitative (comparison of transmitted power) level compared to their bulky counterparts. As a result, the geometrical toolbox of transformation optics may lead to a plethora of integrated metamaterial devices to route guided waves along optical chips.

Resolving the neural dynamics of visual and auditory scene processing in the human brain: a methodological approach

PubMed Central

Teng, Santani

2017-01-01

In natural environments, visual and auditory stimulation elicit responses across a large set of brain regions in a fraction of a second, yielding representations of the multimodal scene and its properties. The rapid and complex neural dynamics underlying visual and auditory information processing pose major challenges to human cognitive neuroscience. Brain signals measured non-invasively are inherently noisy, the format of neural representations is unknown, and transformations between representations are complex and often nonlinear. Further, no single non-invasive brain measurement technique provides a spatio-temporally integrated view. In this opinion piece, we argue that progress can be made by a concerted effort based on three pillars of recent methodological development: (i) sensitive analysis techniques such as decoding and cross-classification, (ii) complex computational modelling using models such as deep neural networks, and (iii) integration across imaging methods (magnetoencephalography/electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging) and models, e.g. using representational similarity analysis. We showcase two recent efforts that have been undertaken in this spirit and provide novel results about visual and auditory scene analysis. Finally, we discuss the limits of this perspective and sketch a concrete roadmap for future research. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Auditory and visual scene analysis’. PMID:28044019

Resolving the neural dynamics of visual and auditory scene processing in the human brain: a methodological approach.

PubMed

Cichy, Radoslaw Martin; Teng, Santani

2017-02-19

In natural environments, visual and auditory stimulation elicit responses across a large set of brain regions in a fraction of a second, yielding representations of the multimodal scene and its properties. The rapid and complex neural dynamics underlying visual and auditory information processing pose major challenges to human cognitive neuroscience. Brain signals measured non-invasively are inherently noisy, the format of neural representations is unknown, and transformations between representations are complex and often nonlinear. Further, no single non-invasive brain measurement technique provides a spatio-temporally integrated view. In this opinion piece, we argue that progress can be made by a concerted effort based on three pillars of recent methodological development: (i) sensitive analysis techniques such as decoding and cross-classification, (ii) complex computational modelling using models such as deep neural networks, and (iii) integration across imaging methods (magnetoencephalography/electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging) and models, e.g. using representational similarity analysis. We showcase two recent efforts that have been undertaken in this spirit and provide novel results about visual and auditory scene analysis. Finally, we discuss the limits of this perspective and sketch a concrete roadmap for future research.This article is part of the themed issue 'Auditory and visual scene analysis'. © 2017 The Authors.

An Integrated Approach for Aircraft Engine Performance Estimation and Fault Diagnostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

imon, Donald L.; Armstrong, Jeffrey B.

2012-01-01

A Kalman filter-based approach for integrated on-line aircraft engine performance estimation and gas path fault diagnostics is presented. This technique is specifically designed for underdetermined estimation problems where there are more unknown system parameters representing deterioration and faults than available sensor measurements. A previously developed methodology is applied to optimally design a Kalman filter to estimate a vector of tuning parameters, appropriately sized to enable estimation. The estimated tuning parameters can then be transformed into a larger vector of health parameters representing system performance deterioration and fault effects. The results of this study show that basing fault isolation decisions solely on the estimated health parameter vector does not provide ideal results. Furthermore, expanding the number of the health parameters to address additional gas path faults causes a decrease in the estimation accuracy of those health parameters representative of turbomachinery performance deterioration. However, improved fault isolation performance is demonstrated through direct analysis of the estimated tuning parameters produced by the Kalman filter. This was found to provide equivalent or superior accuracy compared to the conventional fault isolation approach based on the analysis of sensed engine outputs, while simplifying online implementation requirements. Results from the application of these techniques to an aircraft engine simulation are presented and discussed.

Standardization of Schwarz-Christoffel transformation for engineering design of semiconductor and hybrid integrated-circuit elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yashin, A. A.

1985-04-01

A semiconductor or hybrid structure into a calculable two-dimensional region mapped by the Schwarz-Christoffel transformation and a universal algorithm can be constructed on the basis of Maxwell's electro-magnetic-thermal similarity principle for engineering design of integrated-circuit elements. The design procedure involves conformal mapping of the original region into a polygon and then the latter into a rectangle with uniform field distribution, where conductances and capacitances are calculated, using tabulated standard mapping functions. Subsequent synthesis of a device requires inverse conformal mapping. Devices adaptable as integrated-circuit elements are high-resistance film resistors with periodic serration, distributed-resistance film attenuators with high transformation ratio, coplanar microstrip lines, bipolar transistors, directional couplers with distributed coupling to microstrip lines for microwave bulk devices, and quasirregular smooth matching transitions from asymmetric to coplanar microstrip lines.

Nucleases Encoded by Integrated Elements CJIE2 and CJIE4 Inhibit Natural Transformation of Campylobacter jejuni

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The species Campylobacter jejuni displays huge genetic diversity, and is naturally competent for DNA uptake. Nevertheless, not every strain is able to acquire foreign DNA since nonnaturally transformable strains do exist. Previously we showed that many nonnaturally transformable C. jejuni strains ex...