Science Education in Primary Schools: Is an Animation Worth a Thousand Pictures?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barak, Miri; Dori, Yehudit J.

2011-01-01

Science teaching deals with abstract concepts and processes that very often cannot be seen or touched. The development of Java, Flash, and other web-based applications allow teachers and educators to present complex animations that attractively illustrate scientific phenomena. Our study evaluated the integration of web-based animated movies into…

[Ultrahigh dose-rate, "flash" irradiation minimizes the side-effects of radiotherapy].

PubMed

Favaudon, V; Fouillade, C; Vozenin, M-C

2015-10-01

Pencil beam scanning and filter free techniques may involve dose-rates considerably higher than those used in conventional external-beam radiotherapy. Our purpose was to investigate normal tissue and tumour responses in vivo to short pulses of radiation. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to bilateral thorax irradiation using pulsed (at least 40 Gy/s, flash) or conventional dose-rate irradiation (0.03 Gy/s or less) in single dose. Immunohistochemical and histological methods were used to compare early radio-induced apoptosis and the development of lung fibrosis in the two situations. The response of two human (HBCx-12A, HEp-2) tumour xenografts in nude mice and one syngeneic, orthotopic lung carcinoma in C57BL/6J mice (TC-1 Luc+), was monitored in both radiation modes. A 17 Gy conventional irradiation induced pulmonary fibrosis and activation of the TGF-beta cascade in 100% of the animals 24-36 weeks post-treatment, as expected, whereas no animal developed complications below 23 Gy flash irradiation, and a 30 Gy flash irradiation was required to induce the same extent of fibrosis as 17 Gy conventional irradiation. Cutaneous lesions were also reduced in severity. Flash irradiation protected vascular and bronchial smooth muscle cells as well as epithelial cells of bronchi against acute apoptosis as shown by analysis of caspase-3 activation and TUNEL staining. In contrast, the antitumour effectiveness of flash irradiation was maintained and not different from that of conventional irradiation. Flash irradiation shifted by a large factor the threshold dose required to initiate lung fibrosis without loss of the antitumour efficiency, suggesting that the method might be used to advantage to minimize the complications of radiotherapy. Copyright © 2015 Société française de radiothérapie oncologique (SFRO). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Graphics performance in rich Internet applications.

PubMed

Hoetzlein, Rama C

2012-01-01

Rendering performance for rich Internet applications (RIAs) has recently focused on the debate between using Flash and HTML5 for streaming video and gaming on mobile devices. A key area not widely explored, however, is the scalability of raw bitmap graphics performance for RIAs. Does Flash render animated sprites faster than HTML5? How much faster is WebGL than Flash? Answers to these questions are essential for developing large-scale data visualizations, online games, and truly dynamic websites. A new test methodology analyzes graphics performance across RIA frameworks and browsers, revealing specific performance outliers in existing frameworks. The results point toward a future in which all online experiences might be GPU accelerated.

An ocean gazetteer for education and research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delaney, R.; Staudigel, D.; Staudigel, H.

2003-04-01

Global travel, economy, and news coverage often challenge the student's and teacher's knowledge of the geography of the seas. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) has published a description of all the major seas making up earth's oceans, but there is currently no electronic tool that identifies them on a digital map. During an internship at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, we transferred the printed visual description of the seas from IHO publication 23 into a digital format. This digital map was turned into a (Flash) web application that allows a user to identify any of the IHO seas on a world map, simply by moving the computer cursor over it. In our presentation, we will describe the path taken to produce this web application and the learning process involved in this path during our internship at Scripps. The main steps in this process included the digitization of the official IHO maps, the transfer of this information onto a modern digital map by Smith and Sandwell. Adjustments were necessary due to the fact that many of the landmasses were placed incorrectly on a lat/long grid, off by as much as 100km. Boundaries between seas were often misrepresented by the IHO as straight lines on a Mercator projection. Once the digitization of the seas was completed we used the 2d animation environment Flash and we produced an interactive map environment that allows any teacher or student of ocean geography to identify an ocean by name and location. Aside from learning about the geography of the oceans, we were introduced to the use of digitizers, we learned to make maps using Generic Mapping Tools (GMT) and digital global bathymetry data sets, and we learned about map projections. We studied Flash to produce an interactive map of the oceans that displays bathymetry and topography, highlighting any particular sea the cursor moves across. The name of the selected sea in our Flash application appears in a textbox on the bottom of the map. The result of this project can be found at http://earthref.org/PACER/beta/IH023seas.

How does the blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata) flash its blue rings?

PubMed

Mäthger, Lydia M; Bell, George R R; Kuzirian, Alan M; Allen, Justine J; Hanlon, Roger T

2012-11-01

The blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata), one of the world's most venomous animals, has long captivated and endangered a large audience: children playing at the beach, divers turning over rocks, and biologists researching neurotoxins. These small animals spend much of their time in hiding, showing effective camouflage patterns. When disturbed, the octopus will flash around 60 iridescent blue rings and, when strongly harassed, bite and deliver a neurotoxin that can kill a human. Here, we describe the flashing mechanism and optical properties of these rings. The rings contain physiologically inert multilayer reflectors, arranged to reflect blue-green light in a broad viewing direction. Dark pigmented chromatophores are found beneath and around each ring to enhance contrast. No chromatophores are above the ring; this is unusual for cephalopods, which typically use chromatophores to cover or spectrally modify iridescence. The fast flashes are achieved using muscles under direct neural control. The ring is hidden by contraction of muscles above the iridophores; relaxation of these muscles and contraction of muscles outside the ring expose the iridescence. This mechanism of producing iridescent signals has not previously been reported in cephalopods and we suggest that it is an exceptionally effective way to create a fast and conspicuous warning display.

Using Adobe Flash animations of electron transport chain to teach and learn biochemistry.

PubMed

Teplá, Milada; Klímová, Helena

2015-01-01

Teaching the subject of the electron transport chain is one of the most challenging aspects of the chemistry curriculum at the high school level. This article presents an educational program called "Electron Transport Chain" which consists of 14 visual animations including a biochemistry quiz. The program was created in the Adobe Flash CS3 Professional animation program and is designed for high school chemistry students. Our goal is to develop educational materials that facilitate the comprehension of this complex subject through dynamic animations which show the course of the electron transport chain and simultaneously explain its nature. We record the process of the electron transport chain, including connections with oxidative phosphorylation, in such a way as to minimize the occurrence of discrepancies in interpretation. The educational program was evaluated in high schools through the administration of a questionnaire, which contained 12 opened-ended items and which required participants to evaluate the graphics of the animations, chemical content, student preferences, and its suitability for high school biochemistry teaching. © 2015 The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Increased Expression of CCN2 in the Red Flashing Light-Induced Myopia in Guinea Pigs

PubMed Central

Wang, Hong; Zhuang, Kang; Gao, Lei; Zhang, Linna; Yang, Hongling

2013-01-01

Visual environment plays an important role in the occurrence of myopia. We previously showed that the different flashing lights could result in distinct effects on the ocular growth and development of myopia. CCN2 has been reported to regulate various cellular functions and biological processes. However, whether CCN2 signaling was involved in the red flashing light-induced myopia still remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the red flashing lights exposure on the refraction and axial length of the eyes in vivo and then evaluated their effects on the expression of CCN2 and TGF-β in sclera tissues. Our data showed that the eyes exposed to the red flashing light became more myopic with a significant increase of the axial length and decrease of the refraction. Both CCN2 and TGF-β, as well as p38 MAPK and PI3K, were highly expressed in the sclera tissues exposed to the red flashing light. Both CCN2 and TGF-β were found to have the same gene expression profile in vivo. In conclusion, our findings found that CCN2 signaling pathway plays an important role in the red flashing light-induced myopia in vivo. Moreover, our study establishes a useful animal model for experimental myopia research. PMID:23936844

Characteristics of Lightning Within Electrified Snowfall Events Using Lightning Mapping Arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schultz, Christopher J.; Lang, Timothy J.; Bruning, Eric C.; Calhoun, Kristin M.; Harkema, Sebastian; Curtis, Nathan

2018-02-01

This study examined 34 lightning flashes within four separate thundersnow events derived from lightning mapping arrays (LMAs) in northern Alabama, central Oklahoma, and Washington DC. The goals were to characterize the in-cloud component of each lightning flash, as well as the correspondence between the LMA observations and lightning data taken from national lightning networks like the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Individual flashes were examined in detail to highlight several observations within the data set. The study results demonstrated that the structures of these flashes were primarily normal polarity. The mean area encompassed by this set of flashes is 375 km2, with a maximum flash extent of 2,300 km2, a minimum of 3 km2, and a median of 128 km2. An average of 2.29 NLDN flashes were recorded per LMA-derived lightning flash. A maximum of 11 NLDN flashes were recorded in association with a single LMA-derived flash on 10 January 2011. Additionally, seven of the 34 flashes in the study contain zero NLDN-identified flashes. Eleven of the 34 flashes initiated from tall human-made objects (e.g., communication towers). In at least six lightning flashes, the NLDN detected a return stroke from the cloud back to the tower and not the initial upward leader. This study also discusses lightning's interaction with the human-built environment and provides an example of lightning within heavy snowfall observed by Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-16's Geostationary Lightning Mapper.

Characteristics of Lightning within Electrified Snowfall Events using Lightning Mapping Arrays.

PubMed

Schultz, Christopher J; Lang, Timothy J; Bruning, Eric C; Calhoun, Kristin M; Harkema, Sebastian; Curtis, Nathan

2018-02-27

This study examined 34 lightning flashes within four separate thundersnow events derived from lightning mapping arrays (LMAs) in northern Alabama, central Oklahoma, and Washington DC. The goals were to characterize the in-cloud component of each lightning flash, as well as the correspondence between the LMA observations and lightning data taken from national lightning networks like the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Individual flashes were examined in detail to highlight several observations within the dataset. The study results demonstrated that the structures of these flashes were primarily normal polarity. The mean area encompassed by this set of flashes is 375 km 2 , with a maximum flash extent of 2300 km 2 , a minimum of 3 km 2 , and a median of 128 km 2 . An average of 2.29 NLDN flashes were recorded per LMA-derived lightning flash. A maximum of 11 NLDN flashes were recorded in association with a single LMA-derived flash on 10 January 2011. Additionally, seven of the 34 flashes in the study contain zero NLDN identified flashes. Eleven of the 34 flashes initiated from tall human-made objects (e.g., communication towers). In at least six lightning flashes, the NLDN detected a return stroke from the cloud back to the tower and not the initial upward leader. This study also discusses lightning's interaction with the human built environment and provides an example of lightning within heavy snowfall observed by GOES-16's Geostationary Lightning Mapper.

Can Animations Effectively Substitute for Traditional Teaching Methods? Part II: Potential for Differentiated Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gregorius, Roberto Ma.; Santos, Rhodora; Dano, Judith B.; Gutierrez, Jose J.

2010-01-01

Animations were prepared using Adobe Flash MX and tested on elementary (3rd-5th grade) and secondary chemistry students. A pre- and post-test study was used to compare the learning gains of students who received the animations with those who received textbook reading time and discussion in class. The control and experimental groups were further…

Physiologically assessed hot flashes and endothelial function among midlife women.

PubMed

Thurston, Rebecca C; Chang, Yuefang; Barinas-Mitchell, Emma; Jennings, J Richard; von Känel, Roland; Landsittel, Doug P; Matthews, Karen A

2017-08-01

Hot flashes are experienced by most midlife women. Emerging data indicate that they may be associated with endothelial dysfunction. No studies have tested whether hot flashes are associated with endothelial function using physiologic measures of hot flashes. We tested whether physiologically assessed hot flashes were associated with poorer endothelial function. We also considered whether age modified associations. Two hundred seventy-two nonsmoking women reporting either daily hot flashes or no hot flashes, aged 40 to 60 years, and free of clinical cardiovascular disease, underwent ambulatory physiologic hot flash and diary hot flash monitoring; a blood draw; and ultrasound measurement of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation to assess endothelial function. Associations between hot flashes and flow-mediated dilation were tested in linear regression models controlling for lumen diameter, demographics, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and estradiol. In multivariable models incorporating cardiovascular disease risk factors, significant interactions by age (P < 0.05) indicated that among the younger tertile of women in the sample (age 40-53 years), the presence of hot flashes (beta [standard error] = -2.07 [0.79], P = 0.01), and more frequent physiologic hot flashes (for each hot flash: beta [standard error] = -0.10 [0.05], P = 0.03, multivariable) were associated with lower flow-mediated dilation. Associations were not accounted for by estradiol. Associations were not observed among the older women (age 54-60 years) or for self-reported hot flash frequency, severity, or bother. Among the younger women, hot flashes explained more variance in flow-mediated dilation than standard cardiovascular disease risk factors or estradiol. Among younger midlife women, frequent hot flashes were associated with poorer endothelial function and may provide information about women's vascular status beyond cardiovascular disease risk factors and estradiol.

High-Fidelity Flash Lidar Model Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hines, Glenn D.; Pierrottet, Diego F.; Amzajerdian, Farzin

2014-01-01

NASA's Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technologies (ALHAT) project is currently developing the critical technologies to safely and precisely navigate and land crew, cargo and robotic spacecraft vehicles on and around planetary bodies. One key element of this project is a high-fidelity Flash Lidar sensor that can generate three-dimensional (3-D) images of the planetary surface. These images are processed with hazard detection and avoidance and hazard relative navigation algorithms, and then are subsequently used by the Guidance, Navigation and Control subsystem to generate an optimal navigation solution. A complex, high-fidelity model of the Flash Lidar was developed in order to evaluate the performance of the sensor and its interaction with the interfacing ALHAT components on vehicles with different configurations and under different flight trajectories. The model contains a parameterized, general approach to Flash Lidar detection and reflects physical attributes such as range and electronic noise sources, and laser pulse temporal and spatial profiles. It also provides the realistic interaction of the laser pulse with terrain features that include varying albedo, boulders, craters slopes and shadows. This paper gives a description of the Flash Lidar model and presents results from the Lidar operating under different scenarios.

Adiposity and Hot Flashes in Midlife Women: A Modifying Role of Age

PubMed Central

Santoro, Nanette; Matthews, Karen A.

2011-01-01

Background: The nature of the relationship between adiposity and hot flashes has been debated, but it has not been examined using physiological measures of hot flashes. We examined associations between body size/composition and physiologically assessed hot flashes among women with hot flashes. Methods: A subcohort of women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (n = 52; 25 African-American and 27 non-Hispanic Caucasian; ages, 54 to 63 yr) who reported hot flashes, had their uterus and ovaries, and were not taking medications impacting hot flashes were recruited in 2008–2009. Women completed anthropometric measures [bioimpedance analysis of total percentage of body fat, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference], a blood draw (estradiol, SHBG, FSH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), and 4 d of ambulatory sternal skin conductance monitoring with diary (physiological and reported hot flashes, respectively). Associations between anthropometrics and hot flashes were estimated with generalized estimating equations with covariates age, race, and anxiety. Results: Higher BMI (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.94–0.99; P < 0.05) and waist circumference (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.97–0.99; P < 0.01) were associated with fewer physiological hot flashes. Interactions by age (P < 0.05) indicated that inverse associations of body fat, BMI, and waist circumference with hot flashes were most apparent among the oldest women in the sample. Estradiol and SHBG reduced but did not eliminate age-related variations in relations between body size/composition and hot flashes. Conclusion: Higher adiposity was associated with fewer physiological hot flashes among older women with hot flashes. A modifying role of age must be considered in understanding the role of adiposity in hot flashes. PMID:21778220

Adiposity and hot flashes in midlife women: a modifying role of age.

PubMed

Thurston, Rebecca C; Santoro, Nanette; Matthews, Karen A

2011-10-01

The nature of the relationship between adiposity and hot flashes has been debated, but it has not been examined using physiological measures of hot flashes. We examined associations between body size/composition and physiologically assessed hot flashes among women with hot flashes. A subcohort of women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (n = 52; 25 African-American and 27 non-Hispanic Caucasian; ages, 54 to 63 yr) who reported hot flashes, had their uterus and ovaries, and were not taking medications impacting hot flashes were recruited in 2008-2009. Women completed anthropometric measures [bioimpedance analysis of total percentage of body fat, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference], a blood draw (estradiol, SHBG, FSH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), and 4 d of ambulatory sternal skin conductance monitoring with diary (physiological and reported hot flashes, respectively). Associations between anthropometrics and hot flashes were estimated with generalized estimating equations with covariates age, race, and anxiety. Higher BMI (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-0.99; P < 0.05) and waist circumference (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-0.99; P < 0.01) were associated with fewer physiological hot flashes. Interactions by age (P < 0.05) indicated that inverse associations of body fat, BMI, and waist circumference with hot flashes were most apparent among the oldest women in the sample. Estradiol and SHBG reduced but did not eliminate age-related variations in relations between body size/composition and hot flashes. Higher adiposity was associated with fewer physiological hot flashes among older women with hot flashes. A modifying role of age must be considered in understanding the role of adiposity in hot flashes.

Flash Radiographic Studies of Hypervelocity Projectile Interactions with Explosives

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-07-01

radiography . Explosive/metal target assemblies were designed to be representative of various aspects of explosive filled ordnance or components. The...with Explosives 1. Introduction Flash radiography (flash X-ray) is an effective instrumentation technique that can be used to record ultra high speed...firing chamber and provide a stable mount for the X-ray tubehead. i_ 11 611 Fmim A \\.\\\\ / \\,\\\\ // "-.. .•\\ /i--" " "’ ’i Xray source ColliatorBase X-ray

Landscape Visualisation on the Internet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imhof, M. P.; Cox, M. T.; Harvey, D. W.; Heemskerk, G. E.; Pettit, C. J.

2012-07-01

The Victorian Resources Online (VRO) website (http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/vro) is the principal means for accessing landscapebased information in Victoria. In this paper we introduce a range of online landscape visualisations that have been developed to enhance existing static web content around the nature and distribution of Victoria's landforms and soils as well as associated processes. Flash is used to develop online visualisations that include interactive landscape panoramas, animations of soil and landscape processes and videos of experts explaining features in the field as well as landscape "flyovers". The use of interactive visualisations adds rich information multimedia content to otherwise static pages and offers the potential to improve user's appreciation and understanding of soil and landscapes. Visualisation is becoming a key component of knowledge management activities associated with VRO - proving useful for both "knowledge capture" (from subject matter specialists) and "knowledge transfer" to a diverse user base. A range of useful visualisation products have been made available online, with varying degrees of interactivity and suited to a variety of users. The use of video files, animation and interactive visualisations is adding rich information content to otherwise static web pages. These information products offer new possibilities to enhance learning of landscapes and the effectiveness of these will be tested as the next phase of development.

Modeling experimental plasma diagnostics in the FLASH code: Thomson scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weide, Klaus; Flocke, Norbert; Feister, Scott; Tzeferacos, Petros; Lamb, Donald

2017-10-01

Spectral analysis of the Thomson scattering of laser light sent into a plasma provides an experimental method to quantify plasma properties in laser-driven plasma experiments. We have implemented such a synthetic Thomson scattering diagnostic unit in the FLASH code, to emulate the probe-laser propagation, scattering and spectral detection. User-defined laser rays propagate into the FLASH simulation region and experience scattering (change in direction and frequency) based on plasma parameters. After scattering, the rays propagate out of the interaction region and are spectrally characterized. The diagnostic unit can be used either during a physics simulation or in post-processing of simulation results. FLASH is publicly available at flash.uchicago.edu. U.S. DOE NNSA, U.S. DOE NNSA ASC, U.S. DOE Office of Science and NSF.

GATE: software for the analysis and visualization of high-dimensional time series expression data.

PubMed

MacArthur, Ben D; Lachmann, Alexander; Lemischka, Ihor R; Ma'ayan, Avi

2010-01-01

We present Grid Analysis of Time series Expression (GATE), an integrated computational software platform for the analysis and visualization of high-dimensional biomolecular time series. GATE uses a correlation-based clustering algorithm to arrange molecular time series on a two-dimensional hexagonal array and dynamically colors individual hexagons according to the expression level of the molecular component to which they are assigned, to create animated movies of systems-level molecular regulatory dynamics. In order to infer potential regulatory control mechanisms from patterns of correlation, GATE also allows interactive interroga-tion of movies against a wide variety of prior knowledge datasets. GATE movies can be paused and are interactive, allowing users to reconstruct networks and perform functional enrichment analyses. Movies created with GATE can be saved in Flash format and can be inserted directly into PDF manuscript files as interactive figures. GATE is available for download and is free for academic use from http://amp.pharm.mssm.edu/maayan-lab/gate.htm

Reducing the threat of wildlife-vehicle collisions during peak tourism periods using a Roadside Animal Detection System.

PubMed

Grace, Molly K; Smith, Daniel J; Noss, Reed F

2017-12-01

Roadside Animal Detection Systems (RADS) aim to reduce the frequency of wildlife-vehicle collisions. Unlike fencing and wildlife passages, RADS do not attempt to keep animals off the road; rather, they attempt to modify driver behavior by detecting animals near the road and warning drivers with flashing signs. A RADS was installed in Big Cypress National Park (Florida, USA) in 2012 in response to an increased number of Florida panther mortalities. To assess driver response, we measured the speed of individual cars on the road when the RADS was active (flashing) and inactive (not flashing) during the tourist season (November-March) and the off-season (April-October), which vary dramatically in traffic volume. We also used track beds and camera traps to assess whether roadside activity of large mammal species varied between seasons. In the tourist season, the activation of the RADS caused a significant reduction in vehicle speed. However, this effect was not observed in the off-season. Track and camera data showed that the tourist season coincided with peak periods of activity for several large mammals of conservation interest. Drivers in the tourist season generally drove faster than those in the off-season, so a reduction in speed in response to the RADS is more beneficial in the tourist season. Because traffic volume and roadside activity of several species of conservation interest both peak during the tourist season, our study indicates that the RADS has the potential to reduce the number of accidents during this period of heightened risk. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Flash signal evolution in Photinus fireflies: character displacement and signal exploitation in a visual communication system.

PubMed

Stanger-Hall, Kathrin F; Lloyd, James E

2015-03-01

Animal communication is an intriguing topic in evolutionary biology. In this comprehensive study of visual signal evolution, we used a phylogenetic approach to study the evolution of the flash communication system of North American fireflies. The North American firefly genus Photinus contains 35 described species with simple ON-OFF visual signals, and information on habitat types, sympatric congeners, and predators. This makes them an ideal study system to test hypotheses on the evolution of male and female visual signal traits. Our analysis of 34 Photinus species suggests two temporal pattern generators: one for flash duration and one for flash intervals. Reproductive character displacement was a main factor for signal divergence in male flash duration among sympatric Photinus species. Male flash pattern intervals (i.e., the duration of the dark periods between signals) were positively correlated with the number of sympatric Photuris fireflies, which include predators of Photinus. Females of different Photinus species differ in their response preferences to male traits. As in other communication systems, firefly male sexual signals seem to be a compromise between optimizing mating success (sexual selection) and minimizing predation risk (natural selection). An integrative model for Photinus signal evolution is proposed. © 2015 The Author(s).

'Flash-forwards' and suicidal ideation: A prospective investigation of mental imagery, entrapment and defeat in a cohort from the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey.

PubMed

Ng, Roger M K; Di Simplicio, Martina; McManus, Freda; Kennerley, Helen; Holmes, Emily A

2016-12-30

'Flash-forwards' - mental images of suicide - have been reported in selected Caucasian samples. Perceptions of defeat and entrapment are considered to be associated with suicidal ideation. We aimed to investigate (1) the presence of suicidal flash-forwards in people with recent suicidal ideation versus those without such ideation in an Asian sample, and (2) associations between suicidal flash-forwards, and perceptions of entrapment accounting for suicidal ideation. Eighty two suicidal and 80 non-suicidal participants from the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey completed questionnaires including suicidal ideation, presence of suicidal flash-forward images, defeat and entrapment, at baseline and seven weeks later. Suicidal 'flash-forwards' were present only in suicidal cases. People with recent suicidal ideation and suicidal flash-forwards had more severe suicidal ideation than those without flash-forwards. Compared to those without suicidal ideation, people with recent suicidal ideation reported higher entrapment and defeat levels. Resolution of suicidal ideation over time was associated with fewer suicidal flash-forwards and reduced entrapment perceptions. At baseline and seven weeks, suicidal ideation was predicted by an interaction between suicidal flash-forwards presence and perceptions of entrapment. Mental imagery of suicide appears to be associated with suicidal ideation, and may represent a novel target in suicidal risk assessment and prevention. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Hot Flashes and Carotid Intima Media Thickness among Midlife Women

PubMed Central

Thurston, Rebecca C.; Sutton-Tyrrell, Kim; Everson-Rose, Susan A.; Hess, Rachel; Powell, Lynda H.; Matthews, Karen A.

2010-01-01

Objective Emerging evidence suggests associations between menopausal hot flashes and cardiovascular risk. Whether hot flashes are associated with intima media thickness (IMT) or IMT changes over time is unknown. We hypothesized that reported hot flashes would be associated with greater IMT cross-sectionally and with greater IMT progression over two years. Methods Participants were 432 women ages 45-58 at baseline participating in SWAN Heart, an ancillary study to the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Measures at the SWAN Heart baseline and follow-up visit two years later included a carotid artery ultrasound, reported hot flashes (past two weeks: none, 1-5, ≥6 days), and a blood sample for measurement of estradiol. Results Women reporting hot flashes ≥6 days in the prior two weeks had significantly higher IMT than women without hot flashes at baseline (mean difference(SE), mm =0.02(0.01), p=0.03) and follow-up (mean difference(SE), mm =0.02(0.01), p=0.04) visits, controlling for demographic factors and cardiovascular risk factors. Reporting hot flashes at both study visits was associated with higher follow-up IMT relative to reporting hot flashes at neither visit (mean difference(SE), mm=0.03(0.01), p=0.03). Associations between hot flashes and IMT largely remained after adjusting for estradiol. An interaction between hot flashes and obesity status was observed (p=0.05) such that relations between hot flashes and IMT were observed principally among overweight/obese women. Hot flashes were not associated with IMT progression. Conclusions These findings provided some indication that women reporting hot flashes ≥6 days in the prior two weeks may have higher IMT than women without hot flashes, particularly for women who are overweight or obese. Further work should determine whether hot flashes mark adverse underlying vascular changes. PMID:21242820

How MLA Works

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-12-03

NASA Mercury Laser Altimeter MLA is shown ranging to Mercury surface from orbit. In this animation, yellow flashes represent near-infrared laser pulses that can reflect off terrain in shadow as well as in sunlight.

Using Adobe Flash Animations of Electron Transport Chain to Teach and Learn Biochemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Teplá, Milada; Klímová, Helena

2015-01-01

Teaching the subject of the electron transport chain is one of the most challenging aspects of the chemistry curriculum at the high school level. This article presents an educational program called "Electron Transport Chain" which consists of 14 visual animations including a biochemistry quiz. The program was created in the Adobe Flash…

Development and evaluation of a multimedia e-learning resource for electrolyte and acid-base disorders.

PubMed

Davids, Mogamat Razeen; Chikte, Usuf M E; Halperin, Mitchell L

2011-09-01

This article reports on the development and evaluation of a Web-based application that provides instruction and hands-on practice in managing electrolyte and acid-base disorders. Our teaching approach, which focuses on concepts rather than details, encourages quantitative analysis and a logical problem-solving approach. Identifying any dangers to the patient is a vital first step. Concepts such as an "appropriate response" to a given perturbation and the need for electroneutrality in body fluids are used repeatedly. Our Electrolyte Workshop was developed using Flash and followed an iterative design process. Two case-based tutorials were built in this first phase, with one tutorial including an interactive treatment simulation. Users select from a menu of therapies and see the impact of their choices on the patient. Appropriate text messages are displayed, and changes in body compartment sizes, brain size, and plasma sodium concentrations are illustrated via Flash animation. Challenges encountered included a shortage of skilled Flash developers, budgetary constraints, and challenges in communication between the authors and the developers. The application was evaluated via user testing by residents and specialists in internal medicine. Satisfaction was measured with a questionnaire based on the System Usability Scale. The mean System Usability Scale score was 78.4 ± 13.8, indicating a good level of usability. Participants rated the content as being scientifically sound; they liked the teaching approach and felt that concepts were conveyed clearly. They indicated that the application held their interest, that it increased their understanding of hyponatremia, and that they would recommend this learning resource to others.

The Effect of Animated Banner Advertisements on a Visual Search Task

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

experimental result calls into question previous advertising tips suggested by WebWeek, cited in [17]. In 1996, the online magazine recommended that site...prone in the presence of animated banners. Keywords Animation, visual search, banner advertisements , flashing INTRODUCTION As processor and Internet...is the best way to represent the selection tool in a toolbar, where each icon must fit in a small area? Photoshop and other popular painting programs

An alternative for presenting interactive dynamic data sets in electronic presentations: a scrollable flash movie loop.

PubMed

Yam, Chun-Shan

2007-11-01

The purpose of this article is to describe an alternative for creating scrollable movie loops for electronic presentations including PowerPoint. The alternative provided in this article enables academic radiologists to present scrollable movie loops in PowerPoint. The scrolling capability is created using Flash ActionScript. A Flash template with the required ActionScript code is provided. Users can simply download the template and follow the step-by-step demonstration to create scrollable movie loops. No previous ActionScript programming knowledge is necessary.

A Novel Animal Model to Study Hot Flashes: No Effect of GnRH

PubMed Central

Albertson, Asher J.; Skinner, Donal C.

2009-01-01

Menopausal hot flushes compromise the quality of life for the majority of women. The physiological mechanisms underlying hot flushes remain poorly understood and the absence of an animal model to investigate hot flushes hinders investigations in this field. We have developed the sheep as a model to study peripheral skin temperature changes. Subjecting sheep to fever-inducing treatments with lipopolysaccharide, a significant (P<0.01) change in ear skin temperature was observed. As a strong correlation between luteinizing hormone pulses and hot flushes has previously been reported, we then determined whether intravenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), at doses sufficient to elevate CSF GnRH concentrations, could modulate ear skin temperature. No effect was observed, suggesting that GnRH per se dose not play a role in the etiology of hot flashes. PMID:19512948

Computer Animation with Adobe Flash Professional Cs6 in Newton’s Law

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aji, S. D.; Hudha, M. N.; Huda, C.; Gufran, G.

2018-01-01

The purpose of this research is to develop computer-based physics learning media with Adobe Flash Professional CS6 on Newton’s Law of physics subject for senior high school (SMA / MA) class X. Type of research applied is Research and Development with ADDIE development model covering 5 stages: Analysis (Analysis), Design (Design), Development (Production), Implementation (Implementation) and Evaluation (Evaluation). The results of this study were tested toward media experts, media specialists, physics teachers, and students test results with media outcomes that are declared very feasible.

Parietal disruption alters audiovisual binding in the sound-induced flash illusion.

PubMed

Kamke, Marc R; Vieth, Harrison E; Cottrell, David; Mattingley, Jason B

2012-09-01

Selective attention and multisensory integration are fundamental to perception, but little is known about whether, or under what circumstances, these processes interact to shape conscious awareness. Here, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate the causal role of attention-related brain networks in multisensory integration between visual and auditory stimuli in the sound-induced flash illusion. The flash illusion is a widely studied multisensory phenomenon in which a single flash of light is falsely perceived as multiple flashes in the presence of irrelevant sounds. We investigated the hypothesis that extrastriate regions involved in selective attention, specifically within the right parietal cortex, exert an influence on the multisensory integrative processes that cause the flash illusion. We found that disruption of the right angular gyrus, but not of the adjacent supramarginal gyrus or of a sensory control site, enhanced participants' veridical perception of the multisensory events, thereby reducing their susceptibility to the illusion. Our findings suggest that the same parietal networks that normally act to enhance perception of attended events also play a role in the binding of auditory and visual stimuli in the sound-induced flash illusion. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of the Effects of SMART Board Technology and Flash Card Instruction on Sight Word Recognition and Observational Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mechling, Linda C.; Gast, David L.; Thompson, Kimberly L.

2009-01-01

This study compared the effectiveness of SMART Board, interactive whiteboard technology and traditional flash cards in teaching reading in a small-group instructional arrangement. Three students with moderate intellectual disabilities were taught to read grocery store aisle marker words under each condition. Observational learning (students…

Optimising Camera Traps for Monitoring Small Mammals

PubMed Central

Glen, Alistair S.; Cockburn, Stuart; Nichols, Margaret; Ekanayake, Jagath; Warburton, Bruce

2013-01-01

Practical techniques are required to monitor invasive animals, which are often cryptic and occur at low density. Camera traps have potential for this purpose, but may have problems detecting and identifying small species. A further challenge is how to standardise the size of each camera’s field of view so capture rates are comparable between different places and times. We investigated the optimal specifications for a low-cost camera trap for small mammals. The factors tested were 1) trigger speed, 2) passive infrared vs. microwave sensor, 3) white vs. infrared flash, and 4) still photographs vs. video. We also tested a new approach to standardise each camera’s field of view. We compared the success rates of four camera trap designs in detecting and taking recognisable photographs of captive stoats ( Mustela erminea ), feral cats (Felis catus) and hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus ). Trigger speeds of 0.2–2.1 s captured photographs of all three target species unless the animal was running at high speed. The camera with a microwave sensor was prone to false triggers, and often failed to trigger when an animal moved in front of it. A white flash produced photographs that were more readily identified to species than those obtained under infrared light. However, a white flash may be more likely to frighten target animals, potentially affecting detection probabilities. Video footage achieved similar success rates to still cameras but required more processing time and computer memory. Placing two camera traps side by side achieved a higher success rate than using a single camera. Camera traps show considerable promise for monitoring invasive mammal control operations. Further research should address how best to standardise the size of each camera’s field of view, maximise the probability that an animal encountering a camera trap will be detected, and eliminate visible or audible cues emitted by camera traps. PMID:23840790

Modeling the Colorado Front Range Flood of 2013 with Coupled WRF and WRF-Hydro System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Unal, E.; Ramirez, J. A.

2015-12-01

Abstract. Flash floods are one of the most damaging natural disasters producing large socio-economic losses. Projected impacts of climate change include increases in the magnitude and the frequency of flash floods all around the world. Therefore, it is important to understand the physical processes of flash flooding to enhance our capacity for prediction, prevention, risk management, and recovery. However, understanding these processes is ambitious because of small spatial scale and sudden nature of flash floods, interactions with complex topography and land use, difficulty in defining initial soil moisture conditions, non-linearity of catchment response, and high space-time variability of storm characteristics. Thus, detailed regional case studies are needed, especially with respect to the interactions between the land surface and the atmosphere. One such flash flood event occurred recently in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado during September 9-15, 2013 causing 10 fatalities and $3B cost in damages. An unexpected persistent and moist weather pattern located over the mountains and produced seven-day extreme rainfall fed by moisture input from the Gulf of Mexico. We used a coupled WRF-WRF-Hydro modeling system to simulate this event for better understanding of the physical process and of the sensitivity of the hydrologic response to storm characteristics, initial soil moisture conditions, and watershed characteristics.

Conformational detection of p53's oligomeric state by FlAsH Fluorescence.

PubMed

Webber, Tawnya M; Allen, Andrew C; Ma, Wai Kit; Molloy, Rhett G; Kettelkamp, Charisse N; Dow, Caitlin A; Gage, Matthew J

2009-06-19

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a critical checkpoint in prevention of tumor formation, and the function of p53 is dependent on proper formation of the active tetramer. In vitro studies have shown that p53 binds DNA most efficiently as a tetramer, though inactive p53 is predicted to be monomeric in vivo. We demonstrate that FlAsH binding can be used to distinguish between oligomeric states of p53, providing a potential tool to explore p53 oligomerization in vivo. The FlAsH tetra-cysteine binding motif has been incorporated along the dimer and tetramer interfaces in the p53 tetramerization domain to create reporters for the dimeric and tetrameric states of p53, though the geometry of the four cysteines is critical for efficient FlAsH binding. Furthermore, we demonstrate that FlAsH binding can be used to monitor tetramer formation in real-time. These results demonstrate the potential for using FlAsH fluorescence to monitor protein-protein interactions in vivo.

Conformational detection of p53's oligomeric state by FlAsH Fluorescence

PubMed Central

Webber, Tawnya M.; Allen, Andrew C.; Ma, Wai Kit; Molloy, Rhett G.; Kettelkamp, Charisse N.; Dow, Caitlin A.; Gage, Matthew J.

2009-01-01

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a critical checkpoint in prevention of tumor formation, and the function of p53 is dependent on proper formation of the active tetramer. In vitro studies have shown that p53 binds DNA most efficiently as a tetramer, though inactive p53 is predicted to be monomeric in vivo. We demonstrate that FlAsH binding can be used to distinguish between oligomeric states of p53, providing a potential tool to explore p53 oligomerization in vivo. The FlAsH tetra-cysteine binding motif has been incorporated along the dimer and tetramer interfaces in the p53 tetramerization domain to create reporters for the dimeric and tetrameric states of p53, though the geometry of the four cysteines is critical for efficient FlAsH binding. Furthermore, we demonstrate that FlAsH binding can be used to monitor tetramer formation in real-time. These results demonstrate the potential for using FlAsH fluorescence to monitor protein-protein interactions in vivo. PMID:19393630

Risk of long-term hot flashes after natural menopause: evidence from the Penn Ovarian Aging Study cohort.

PubMed

Freeman, Ellen W; Sammel, Mary D; Sanders, Richard J

2014-09-01

This study aims to estimate the risk of hot flashes relative to natural menopause and to evaluate the associations of hormone levels, behavioral variables, and demographic variables with the risk of hot flashes after menopause. We performed annual assessment of 255 women who were premenopausal at baseline and reached natural menopause within 16 years of follow-up. The prevalence of moderate/severe hot flashes increased in each premenopausal year, reaching a peak of 46% in the first 2 years after the final menstrual period (FMP). Hot flashes decreased slowly after menopause and did not return to premenopausal levels until 9 years after the FMP. The mean (SD) duration of moderate/severe hot flashes after the FMP was 4.6 (2.9) years (for any hot flashes, 4.9 [3.1] y). One third of women at 10 years or more after menopause continued to experience moderate/severe hot flashes. African-American women (obese and nonobese) and obese white women had significantly greater risks of hot flashes compared with nonobese white women (interaction, P = 0.01). In multivariable analysis, increasing follicle-stimulating hormone levels before the FMP (P < 0.001), decreasing estradiol (odds ratio, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.96; P = 0.008), and increasing anxiety (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.06; P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for hot flashes, whereas higher education levels were protective (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.47-0.91; P = 0.011). Moderate/severe hot flashes continue, on average, for nearly 5 years after menopause; more than one third of women observed for 10 years or more after menopause have moderate/severe hot flashes. Continuation of hot flashes for more than 5 years after menopause underscores the importance of determining individual risks/benefits when selecting hormone or nonhormone therapy for menopausal symptoms.

RISK OF LONG TERM HOT FLASHES AFTER NATURAL MENOPAUSE: EVIDENCE FROM THE PENN OVARIAN AGING COHORT

PubMed Central

Freeman, Ellen W.; Sammel, Mary D.; Sanders, Richard J.

2015-01-01

Objectives To estimate the risk of hot flashes relative to natural menopause and evaluate associations of hormone levels, behavioral and demographic variables with the risk of hot flashes following menopause. Methods Annual assessments of 255 women who were premenopausal at baseline and reached natural menopause during 16 years of follow-up. Results The prevalence of moderate/severe hot flashes increased in each premenopausal year, reaching a peak of 46% in the first two years after the final menstrual period (FMP). Hot flashes decreased slowly following menopause and did not return to premenopausal levels until 9 years after FMP. The mean duration of moderate/severe hot flashes after FMP was 4.6 (SD2.9) years (4.9, SD3.1 years for any hot flashes). One-third of women at 10 or more years following menopause continued to experience moderate/severe hot flashes. African American women (obese and non-obese) and obese white women had significantly greater risk of hot flashes compared to non-obese white women (interaction P=0.01). In multivariable analysis, increasing FSH levels before FMP (P<0.001), decreasing estradiol (OR 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78–0.96, P=0.008), and increasing anxiety (OR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03–1.06, P<0.001) were significant risk factors for hot flashes, while higher education levels were protective (OR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47–0.91, P=0.011). Conclusions Moderate/severe hot flashes continued on average for nearly 5 years following menopause; more than one- third of women observed for 10 or more years following menopause had moderate/severe hot flashes. Continuation of hot flashes for more than 5 years following menopause underscores the importance of determining individual risk/benefit when selecting hormone or non-hormonal therapy for menopausal symptoms. PMID:24473530

Mutational analysis of FLASH and PTPN13 genes in colorectal carcinomas.

PubMed

Jeong, Eun Goo; Lee, Sung Hak; Yoo, Nam Jin; Lee, Sug Hyung

2008-01-01

The Fas-Fas ligand system is considered a major pathway for induction of apoptosis in cells and tissues. FLASH was identified as a pro-apoptotic protein that transmits apoptosis signal during Fas-mediated apoptosis. PTPN13 interacts with Fas and functions as both suppressor and inducer of Fas-mediated apoptosis. There are polyadenine tracts in both FLASH (A8 and A9 in exon 8) and PTPN13 (A8 in exon 7) genes that could be frameshift mutation targets in colorectal carcinomas. Because genes encoding proteins in Fas-mediated apoptosis frequently harbor somatic mutations in cancers, we explored the possibility as to whether mutations of FLASH and PTPN13 are a feature of colorectal carcinomas. We analysed human FLASH in exon 8 and PTPN13 in exon 7 for the detection of somatic mutations in 103 colorectal carcinomas by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)- based single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). We detected two mutations in FLASH gene, but none in PTPN13 gene. However, the two mutations were not frameshift (deletion or insertion) mutations in the polyadenine tracts of FLASH. The two mutations consisted of a deletion mutation (c.3734-3737delAGAA) and a missense mutation (c.3703A>C). These data indicate that frameshift mutation in the polyadenine tracts in both FLASH and PTPN13 genes is rare in colorectal carcinomas. Also, the data suggest that both FLASH and PTPN13 mutations in the polyadenine tracts may not have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinomas.

Interactive learning media based on flash for basic electronic engineering development for SMK Negeri 1 Driyorejo - Gresik

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandigo Anggana Raras, Gustav

2018-04-01

This research aims to produce a product in the form of flash based interactive learning media on a basic electronic engineering subject that reliable to be used and to know students’ responses about the media. The target of this research is X-TEI 1 class at SMK Negeri 1 Driyorejo – Gresik. The method used in this study is R&D that has been limited into seven stages only (1) potential and problems, (2) data collection, (3) product design, (4) product validation, (5) product revision, (6) field test, and (7) analysis and writing. The obtained result is interactive learning media named MELDASH. Validation process used to produce a valid interactive learning media. The result of media validation state that the interactive learning media has a 90.83% rating. Students’ responses to this interactive learning media is really good with 88.89% rating.

Training of perceptual-cognitive skills in offside decision making.

PubMed

Catteeuw, Peter; Gilis, Bart; Jaspers, Arne; Wagemans, Johan; Helsen, Werner

2010-12-01

This study investigates the effect of two off-field training formats to improve offside decision making. One group trained with video simulations and another with computer animations. Feedback after every offside situation allowed assistant referees to compensate for the consequences of the flash-lag effect and to improve their decision-making accuracy. First, response accuracy improved and flag errors decreased for both training groups implying that training interventions with feedback taught assistant referees to better deal with the flash-lag effect. Second, the results demonstrated no effect of format, although assistant referees rated video simulations higher for fidelity than computer animations. This implies that a cognitive correction to a perceptual effect can be learned also when the format does not correspond closely with the original perceptual situation. Off-field offside decision-making training should be considered as part of training because it is a considerable help to gain more experience and to improve overall decision-making performance.

Can Animations Effectively Substitute for Traditional Teaching Methods? Part I: Preparation and Testing of Materials

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gregorius, Roberto Ma.; Santos, Rhodora; Dano, Judith B.; Gutierrez, Jose J.

2010-01-01

Two animations, one focused on the macroscopic phenomena and particulate conception of the three states of matter and the effects of heat on these states, and the other on solution formation and solubility were produced using Adobe Flash MX software. The first was designed for and tested on elementary school (3rd-5th grade) students. The second…

The framework of a UAS-aided flash flood modeling system for coastal regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, H.; Xu, H.

2016-02-01

Flash floods cause severe economic damage and are one of the leading causes of fatalities connected with natural disasters in the Gulf Coast region. Current flash flood modeling systems rely on empirical hydrological models driven by precipitation estimates only. Although precipitation is the driving factor for flash floods, soil moisture, urban drainage system and impervious surface have been recognized to have significant impacts on the development of flash floods. We propose a new flash flooding modeling system that integrates 3-D hydrological simulation with satellite and multi-UAS observations. It will have three advantages over existing modeling systems. First, it will incorporate 1-km soil moisture data through integrating satellite images from European SMOS mission and NASA's SMAP mission. The utilization of high-resolution satellite images will provide essential information to determine antecedent soil moisture condition, which is an essential control on flood generation. Second, this system is able to adjust flood forecasting based on real-time inundation information collected by multi-UAS. A group of UAS will be deployed during storm events to capture the changing extent of flooded areas and water depth at multiple critical locations simultaneously. Such information will be transmitted to a hydrological model to validate and improve flood simulation. Third, the backbone of this system is a state-of-the-art 3-D hydrological model that assimilates the hydrological information from satellites and multi-UAS. The model is able to address surface water-groundwater interactions and reflect the effects of various infrastructures. Using Web-GIS technologies, the modeling results will be available online as interactive flood maps accessible to the public. To support the development and verification of this modeling system, surface and subsurface hydrological observations will be conducted in a number of small watersheds in the Coastal Bend region. We envision this system will provide an innovative means to benefit the forecasting, evaluation and mitigation of flash floods in costal regions.

Role of nuclear stars in the light flashes observed on Skylab 4.

PubMed

McNulty, P J; Filz, R C; Rothwell, P L

1977-01-01

The astronauts on Skylab 4 observed bursts of intense visual light-flash activity when their spacecraft passed through the portion of the earth's inner trapped radiation belt known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA). Two experimental sessions were carried out on board Skylab 4 under the auspices of Pinsky et al. who compare the flash rates with the measured flux of Z > or = 1 particles that would pass through the astronaut's eyes. They concluded that the flash rates, which became as great as 20/min, were anomalously high. We explored a number of alternative explanations for the anomalous flash rates that would be consistent with the accepted SAA flux values and the laboratory data on particle induced visual sensations and found that when one includes the effect of nuclear interactions in and near the retina which result in star formation (the emission of slow protons, neutrons and alpha particles form the nucleus in an evaporation-like process) the apparent anomaly is removed.

Human visual response to nuclear particle exposures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tobias, C. A.; Budinger, T. F.; Lyman, J. T.

1972-01-01

Experiments with accelerated helium ions were performed in an effort to localize the site of initial radiation interactions in the eye that lead to light flash observations by astronauts during spaceflight. The character and efficiency of helium ion induction of visual sensations depended on the state of dark adaptation of the retina; also, the same events were seen with different efficiencies and details when particle flux density changed. It was concluded that fast particles cause interactions in the retina, particularly in the receptor layer, and thus give rise to the sensations of light flashes, streaks, and supernovae.

Accumulation and detoxication responses of the gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis to single and combined exposures to natural (cyanobacteria) and anthropogenic (the herbicide RoundUp(®) Flash) stressors.

PubMed

Lance, Emilie; Desprat, Julia; Holbech, Bente Frost; Gérard, Claudia; Bormans, Myriam; Lawton, Linda A; Edwards, Christine; Wiegand, Claudia

2016-08-01

Freshwater gastropods are increasingly exposed to multiple stressors in the field such as the herbicide glyphosate in Roundup formulations and cyanobacterial blooms either producing or not producing microcystins (MCs), potentially leading to interacting effects. Here, the responses of Lymnaea stagnalis to a 21-day exposure to non-MC or MC-producing (33μgL(-1)) Planktothrix agardhii alone or in combination with the commercial formulation RoundUp(®) Flash at a concentration of 1μgL(-1) glyphosate, followed by 14days of depuration, were studied via i) accumulation of free and bound MCs in tissues, and ii) activities of anti-oxidant (catalase CAT) and biotransformation (glutathione-S-transferase GST) enzymes. During the intoxication, the cyanobacterial exposure induced an early increase of CAT activity, independently of the MC content, probably related to the production of secondary cyanobacterial metabolites. The GST activity was induced by RoundUp(®) Flash alone or in combination with non MC-producing cyanobacteria, but was inhibited by MC-producing cyanobacteria with or without RoundUp(®) Flash. Moreover, MC accumulation in L. stagnalis was 3.2 times increased when snails were concomitantly exposed to MC-producing cyanobacteria with RoundUp(®), suggesting interacting effects of MCs on biotransformation processes. The potent inhibition of detoxication systems by MCs and RoundUp(®) Flash was reversible during the depuration, during which CAT and GST activities were significantly higher in snails previously exposed to MC-producing cyanobacteria with or without RoundUp(®) Flash than in other conditions, probably related to the oxidative stress caused by accumulated MCs remaining in tissues. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dealing with ADHD: What You Need to Know

MedlinePlus

... Blood & Biologics Animal & Veterinary Cosmetics Tobacco Products For Consumers Home For Consumers Consumer Updates Dealing with ADHD: ... Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, ADHD Resource Center Consumer Updates on Children’s Health Research Flash: FDA Scientists ...

An Artistic Exploration of Inattention Blindness†

PubMed Central

Levy, Ellen K.

2012-01-01

An experiment about inattention blindness was conducted within the context of an art exhibition as opposed to a laboratory context in order to investigate the potential of art as a vehicle to study attention and its disorders. The project utilized a flash animation, Stealing Attention, that was modeled after the movie by Simons and Chabris (1999) but with significant experimental differences, involving context and staging, the emotional salience of the objects depicted, and the prior art viewing experience of participants. The study involved two components: observing if viewers watching an animation in a gallery could be distracted from noticing the disappearance of stolen museum antiquities (the targets) by the overlaid flashing images of a card game (the distractors) and then observing whether repetition of the depicted targets throughout the gallery installation could facilitate a re-direction of attention that allowed viewers to perceive the targets not initially noted in the animation. My findings were that, after viewing the entire installation and then re-viewing the animation, 64% of the viewers who did not initially remark on the targets in the animation were then able to see them. The discussion elaborates on these findings and then considers ways in which the implications of inattention blindness paradigms might be more fully rendered by uniting insights from the two disciplines of art and neuroscience than by either alone. PMID:22232588

Motion streaks do not influence the perceived position of stationary flashed objects.

PubMed

Pavan, Andrea; Bellacosa Marotti, Rosilari

2012-01-01

In the present study, we investigated whether motion streaks, produced by fast moving dots Geisler 1999, distort the positional map of stationary flashed objects producing the well-known motion-induced position shift illusion (MIPS). The illusion relies on motion-processing mechanisms that induce local distortions in the positional map of the stimulus which is derived by shape-processing mechanisms. To measure the MIPS, two horizontally offset Gaussian blobs, placed above and below a central fixation point, were flashed over two fields of dots moving in opposite directions. Subjects judged the position of the top Gaussian blob relative to the bottom one. The results showed that neither fast (motion streaks) nor slow moving dots influenced the perceived spatial position of the stationary flashed objects, suggesting that background motion does not interact with the shape-processing mechanisms involved in MIPS.

Evaluation of Internet websites about floaters and light flashes in patient education.

PubMed

Barbosa, Andréa Lima; Martins, Elisabeth Nogueira

2007-01-01

Flashes of light and floaters are most commonly caused by posterior vitreous separation but may be associated with sight-threatening disorders. Prevention of severe sequelae requires prompt dilated eye examination. Thus, information dissemination is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of information about floaters and light flashes available for patients on the Internet. Cross-sectional study. In July 2005 we evaluated information available on the Internet regarding floaters and light flashes, using two search engines (MetaCrawler and MSN) and three key terms ("floaters", "dark spots eye", and "light flashes eye"). The quality of each website was evaluated using a score system. The sites were classified as academic, organizational or commercial. Readability, general quality of the website (based on: ownership, purpose, authorship, author qualification, attribution, interactivity, and currency) and quality of the specific content (definition, causes, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis) were analyzed. Of 145 websites evaluated, 49 were included. Four sites (8.2%) were academic, 9 (18.4%) organizational, and 36 (73.4%) commercial. In the majority of the sites (53.0%) information was poor and quality was not correlated with website classification. Information about floaters and light flashes available on the Internet is poor.

Statistical Patterns in Natural Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zoghzoghy, F. G.; Cohen, M.; Said, R.; Inan, U. S.

2011-12-01

Every day millions of lightning flashes occur around the globe but the understanding of this natural phenomenon is still lacking. Fundamentally, lightning is nature's way of destroying charge separation in clouds and restoring electric neutrality. Thus, statistical patterns of lightning activity indicate the scope of these electric discharges and offer a surrogate measure of timescales for charge buildup in thunderclouds. We present a statistical method to investigate spatio-temporal correlations among lightning flashes using National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) stroke data. By monitoring the distribution of lightning activity, we can observe the charging and discharging processes in a given thunderstorm. In particular, within a given storm, the flashes do not occur as a memoryless random process. We introduce the No Flash Zone (NFZ) which results from the suppressed probability of two consecutive neighboring flashes. This effect lasts for tens of seconds and can extend up to 15 km around the location of the initial flash, decaying with time. This suppression effect may be a function of variables such as storm location, storm phase, and stroke peak current. We develop a clustering algorithm, Storm-Locator, which groups strokes into flashes, storm cells, and thunderstorms, and enables us to study lightning and the NFZ in different geographical regions, and for different storms. The recursive algorithm also helps monitor the interaction among spatially displaced storm cells, and can provide more insight into the spatial and temporal impacts of lightning discharges.

Magnetic Field Effect: An Efficient Tool To Investigate The Mechanism Of Reactions Using Laser Flash Photolysis Technique

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

Basu, Samita; Bose, Adity; Dey, Debarati

2008-04-24

Magnetic field effect combined with laser flash photolysis technique have been used to study the mechanism of interactions between two drug-like quinone molecules, Menadione (1,4-naphthoquinone, MQ) and 9, 10 Anthraquinone (AQ) with one of the DNA bases, Adenine in homogeneous acetonitrile/water and heterogeneous micellar media. A switchover in reaction mode from electron transfer to hydrogen abstraction is observed with MQ on changing the solvent from acetonitrile/water to micelle; whereas, AQ retains its mode of interaction towards Adenine as electron transfer in both the media due to its bulky structure compared to MQ.

Gobe: an interactive, web-based tool for comparative genomic visualization.

PubMed

Pedersen, Brent S; Tang, Haibao; Freeling, Michael

2011-04-01

Gobe is a web-based tool for viewing comparative genomic data. It supports viewing multiple genomic regions simultaneously. Its simple text format and flash-based rendering make it an interactive, exploratory research tool. Gobe can be used without installation through our web service, or downloaded and customized with stylesheets and javascript callback functions. Gobe is a flash application that runs in all modern web-browsers. The full source-code, including that for the online web application is available under the MIT license at: http://github.com/brentp/gobe. Sample applications are hosted at http://try-gobe.appspot.com/ and http://synteny.cnr.berkeley.edu/gobe-app/.

Magnetic Field Effect: An Efficient Tool To Investigate The Mechanism Of Reactions Using Laser Flash Photolysis Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Samita; Bose, Adity; Dey, Debarati

2008-04-01

Magnetic field effect combined with laser flash photolysis technique have been used to study the mechanism of interactions between two drug-like quinone molecules, Menadione (1,4-naphthoquinone, MQ) and 9, 10 Anthraquinone (AQ) with one of the DNA bases, Adenine in homogeneous acetonitrile/water and heterogeneous micellar media. A switchover in reaction mode from electron transfer to hydrogen abstraction is observed with MQ on changing the solvent from acetonitrile/water to micelle; whereas, AQ retains its mode of interaction towards Adenine as electron transfer in both the media due to its bulky structure compared to MQ.

Hands-on Science. How Fireflies Communicate.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kepler, Lynne

1995-01-01

One creative way that elementary science educators can teach their students about animal communication is to give them glow sticks and a set of cards with descriptions of what different firefly flash signals mean. The paper describes such a project and presents related activities. (SM)

AstroBlend: Visualization package for use with Blender

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naiman, J. P.

2015-12-01

AstroBlend is a visualization package for use in the three dimensional animation and modeling software, Blender. It reads data in via a text file or can use pre-fab isosurface files stored as OBJ or Wavefront files. AstroBlend supports a variety of codes such as FLASH (ascl:1010.082), Enzo (ascl:1010.072), and Athena (ascl:1010.014), and combines artistic 3D models with computational astrophysics datasets to create models and animations.

Mitochondrial flashes: From indicator characterization to in vivo imaging.

PubMed

Wang, Wang; Zhang, Huiliang; Cheng, Heping

2016-10-15

Mitochondrion is an organelle critically responsible for energy production and intracellular signaling in eukaryotic cells and its dysfunction often accompanies and contributes to human disease. Superoxide is the primary reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in mitochondria. In vivo detection of superoxide has been a challenge in biomedical research. Here we describe the methods used to characterize a circularly permuted yellow fluorescent protein (cpYFP) as a biosensor for mitochondrial superoxide and pH dynamics. In vitro characterization reveals the high selectivity of cpYFP to superoxide over other ROS species and its dual sensitivity to pH. Confocal and two-photon imaging in conjunction with transgenic expression of the biosensor cpYFP targeted to the mitochondrial matrix detects mitochondrial flash events in living cells, perfused intact hearts, and live animals. The mitochondrial flashes are discrete and stochastic single mitochondrial events triggered by transient mitochondrial permeability transition (tMPT) and composed of a bursting superoxide signal and a transient alkalization signal. The real-time monitoring of single mitochondrial flashes provides a unique tool to study the integrated dynamism of mitochondrial respiration, ROS production, pH regulation and tMPT kinetics under diverse physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Diet enriched with the Amazon fruit açaí (Euterpe oleracea) prevents electrophysiological deficits and oxidative stress induced by methyl-mercury in the rat retina.

PubMed

Brasil, Alódia; Rocha, Fernando Allan de Farias; Gomes, Bruno Duarte; Oliveira, Karen Renata M; de Carvalho, Tayana Silva; Batista, Evander de Jesus O; Borges, Rosivaldo Dos Santos; Kremers, Jan; Herculano, Anderson Manoel

2017-06-01

The protective effect of a diet supplemented by the Amazonian fruit Euterpe oleracea (EO) against methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity in rat retina was studied using electroretinography (ERG) and biochemical evaluation of oxidative stress. Wistar rats were submitted to conventional diet or EO-enriched diet for 28 days. After that, each group received saline solution or 5 mg/kg/day of MeHg for 7 days. Full-field single flash, flash and flicker ERGs were evaluated in the following groups: control, EO, MeHg, and EO+MeHg. The amplitudes of the a-wave, b-wave, photopic negative response from rod and/or cone were measured by ERGs as well as the amplitudes and phases of the fundamental component of the sine-wave flicker ERG. Lipid peroxidation was determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive species. All ERG components had decreased amplitudes in the MeHg group when compared with controls. EO-enriched food had no effect on the non-intoxicated animals. The intoxicated animals and those that received the supplemented diet presented significant amplitude reductions of the cone b-wave and of the fundamental flicker component when compared with non-intoxicated control. The protective effect of the diet on scotopic conditions was only observed for bright flashes eliciting a mixed rod and cone response. There was a significant increase of lipid peroxidation in the retina from animals exposed to MeHg and EO-supplemented diet was able to prevent MeHg-induced oxidative stress in retinal tissue. These findings open up perspectives for the use of diets supplemented with EO as a protective strategy against visual damage induced by MeHg.

ANXIETY AS A RISK FACTOR FOR MENOPAUSAL HOT FLASHES: EVIDENCE FROM THE PENN OVARIAN AGING COHORT

PubMed Central

Freeman, Ellen W.; Sammel, Mary D.

2016-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to identify temporal associations of anxiety dimensions with menopausal hot flashes in women progressing through the menopause transition. We hypothesized that associations of both somatic and affective dimensions of anxiety with hot flashes increased in the menopause transition, and that somatic anxiety was an independent risk factor for menopausal hot flashes. Methods Hot flashes, anxiety symptoms, hormone levels and other psychosocial variables were assessed annually for 14 years of follow-up. The 233 women were premenopausal at baseline and continued through one year or more after the final menstrual period. Anxiety dimensions were assessed with the Zung Anxiety Scale (ZAS), a validated measure of affective anxiety and somatic anxiety. Summed item scores were divided by the number of items rated, so that ranges of the two dimensions were comparable. Results Seventy-two percent of the sample reported moderate/severe hot flashes during the 14-year interval. There was no significant interaction between anxiety dimensions and menopausal stages. However, when adjusted for menopausal stage, the magnitude of association between somatic anxiety and hot flashes dramatically increased (OR 3.03, 95% CI: 2.12, 4.32, P<0.001), while the association between affective anxiety and hot flashes increased to a lesser extent (OR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.57, P=0.024). Women with high levels of somatic anxiety (top third of the sample) had the greatest risk of hot flashes (P<0.001). When the anxiety dimensions were considered in combination, the additive effect of high affective anxiety symptoms was minimal, with no significant difference between the group with high affective/low somatic symptoms and the low symptom group in incident hot flashes at each menopausal stage (P=0.54). In multivariable analysis, somatic anxiety increased the risk of hot flashes more than 3 times (OR 3.13, 95% CI: 2.16, 4.53, P<0.001), but affective anxiety was not significantly associated with hot flashes after adjustment for other study variables (OR 1.19, 95% CI: 0.96, 1.48, P=0.117). Time-lagged somatic anxiety scores significantly predicted hot flashes, with a 71% increase in risk (OR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.41, P=0.002). Time-lagged affective anxiety scores did not predict hot flashes, (OR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.31, P=0.58). Conclusions This study showed a strong predictive association of somatic anxiety with the risk of menopausal hot flashes. The temporal associations suggest that somatic anxiety is not simply a redundant measure of hot flashes but predicts the risk of menopausal hot flashes and may be a potential target in clinical management of perimenopausal women. PMID:27433864

A Flash X-Ray Facility for the Naval Postgraduate School

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-06-01

ionizing radiation, *• NPS has had active programs with a Van de Graaff generator, a reactor, radioactive sources, X-ray machines and a linear electron ...interaction of radiation with matter and with coherent radiation. Currently the most active program is at the linear electron accelerator which over...twenty years has produced some 75 theses. The flash X-ray machine was obtained to expan-i and complement the capabilities of the linear electron

Innovative Technology for Teaching Introductory Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guidry, Mike

The application of state-of-the-art technology (primarily Java and Flash MX Actionscript on the client side and Java PHP PERL XML and SQL databasing on the server side) to the teaching of introductory astronomy will be discussed. A completely online syllabus in introductory astronomy built around more than 350 interactive animations called ""Online Journey through Astronomy"" and a new set of 20 online virtual laboratories in astronomy that we are currently developing will be used as illustration. In addition to demonstration of the technology our experience using these technologies to teach introductory astronomy to thousands of students in settings ranging from traditional classrooms to full distance learning will be summarized. Recent experiments using Java and vector graphics programming of handheld devices (Personal Digital Assistants and cell phones) with wireless wide-area connectivity for applications in astronomy education will also be described.

Firefly courtship as the basis of the synchronization-response principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramírez Ávila, G. M.; Deneubourg, J.-L.; Guisset, J.-L.; Wessel, N.; Kurths, J.

2011-06-01

Response to synchronization seems to be a widespread phenomenon specially in biological systems. We highlight this phenomenon studying the courtship of flashing fireflies in which a typical collective rhythm occurring only among the males arises and it is followed by a response of the females. Based on a model issued from electronic fireflies, we explain the synchronization of the males and the active responses of the females in the courtship of mingled (both sexes) populations of fireflies. The model also explains the courtship behavior of other species whose interactions follow the same logic even if their physical features are different. Moreover, the model can make predictions on the behavior of mingled and mixed (natural and artificial) groups of such animals. This finding could be considered as the basis of a new principle, namely the synchronization-response.

Interactions of Alumina-Based and Magnesia-Based Refractories with Iron Melts and Slags: A Review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, R.; Sohn, H. Y.

2018-06-01

A novel flash ironmaking technology (FIT) based on the direct reduction of iron ore concentrate with a reductant gas (such as hydrogen, natural gas, coal gas, or a combination thereof) in a flash furnace is being developed at the University of Utah. This technology which is undergoing large-scale laboratory testing aims at overcoming the limitations of blast furnace ironmaking by bypassing the problematic pelletization/sintering and cokemaking steps.[1-5] Refractory selection is expected to play an important step in the development of FIT and its proposed scale-up. For nominating an appropriate refractory for the FIT, understanding the interactions of candidate refractories with iron/iron oxide and slags under H2/CO/CO2/H2O environments is necessary. This work is undertaken to review the existing literature on the interactions of important refractories with iron melts and relevant slags with an emphasis on two of the most commonly used refractories in ironmaking and steelmaking applications: the alumina-based refractories (used widely in blast furnace operations) and the magnesia-based refractories (used extensively in primary as well as secondary steelmaking). First, a comprehensive review on the interactions of alumina-based refractories with iron melts and slags has been done. Next the existing literature on the interactions of magnesia-based refractories with iron melts and relevant slags has been reviewed. Summaries have been included after each section and sub-section along with comments and critical insights from the authors. Finally, in the concluding remarks the differences in operating conditions between existing iron and steelmaking practices and the novel FIT have been highlighted. On the basis of these differences, it has been argued that the results and conclusions available from previous studies on refractory-metal-slag interactions are of little significance to flash ironmaking. Thus, there exists a need to carry out laboratory experiments for evaluating refractory performance in flash ironmaking under conditions relevant to the current process (FIT).

Dissecting a Light Echo

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2008-01-01

[figure removed for brevity, see original site] Click on image for audio animation

This animation illustrates how a light echo works, and how an optical illusion of material moving outward is created.

A light echo occurs when a star explodes, acting like a cosmic flashbulb. The light from this explosion zips through nearby dust clumps, illuminating and heating them up slightly. This brief period of warming causes them to glow in infrared, like a chain of Christmas bulbs lighting up one by one.

The animation starts by showing the explosion of a star, which results in a flash of light that moves outward in all directions. The direction of our line of sight from Earth is indicated by the blue arrow.

When the light flash reaches surrounding dust, shown here as three dark clouds, the dust is heated up, creating infrared light that begins to travel toward Earth (indicated by the red arrows). Dust closest to the explosion lights up first, while the explosion's shock wave takes longer to reach more distant material. This results in light from different parts of the cloud reaching Earth at different times, creating the illusion of motion over time.

As the animation shows, the inclination of the cloud toward our line of sight can result in the material seeming to move both away from and toward the central star.

Hot flashes are not predictive for serum concentrations of tamoxifen and its metabolites

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Tamoxifen has dramatically reduced the recurrence and mortality rate of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. However, the efficacy of tamoxifen varies between individuals and 40% of patients will have a recurrence despite adjuvant tamoxifen treatment. Factors that predict tamoxifen efficacy would be helpful for optimizing treatment. Serum concentrations of the active metabolite, endoxifen, may be positively related to treatment outcome. In addition, hot flashes are suggested to be positively associated with tamoxifen treatment outcome. Methods We investigated in a series of 109 patients whether the frequency and severity of hot flashes were related to concentrations of tamoxifen and its metabolites. A serum sample of all patients was analyzed for the concentration of tamoxifen, N-desmethyltamoxifen, endoxifen and 4-hydroxytamoxifen, as well as for estradiol concentrations and several single nucleotide polymorphisms in CYP2D6. Additionally, these patients completed a questionnaire concerning biometric data and treatment side effects. Results We found no evidence supporting an association between concentrations of tamoxifen or metabolites and either the frequency or severity of hot flashes in the covariate unadjusted analyses. However, including interactions with menopausal status and pre-treatment hot flash (PTHF) history indicated that post-menopausal women with PTHF experienced an increasing frequency of hot flashes with increasing serum concentrations of tamoxifen and its metabolites. This finding was not altered when adjusting for potential confounding factors (duration of tamoxifen treatment, CYP2D6 phenotype, estradiol serum concentration, age and body mass index). In addition we observed a positive association between body mass index and both hot flash frequency (p = 0.04) and severity (p < 0.0001). We also observed that patients with lower estradiol levels reported more severe hot flashes (p = 0.02). Conclusions No univariate associations were observed between concentrations of active tamoxifen metabolites and either the frequency or severity of hot flashes during treatment. However, the frequency of hot flashes may be exacerbated by higher serum concentrations of tamoxifen and its metabolites in post-menopausal women with a history of hot flashes prior to tamoxifen treatment. PMID:24373320

Electronic Flash In Data Acquisition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, C. E.

1982-02-01

Photographic acquisition of data often may be simplified, or the data quality improved upon by employing electronic flash sources with traditional equipment or techniques. The relatively short flash duration compared to movie camera shutters, or to the long integration time of video camera provides improved spatial resolution through blur reduction, particularly important as image movement becomes a significant fraction of film format dimension. Greater accuracy typically is achieved in velocity and acceleration determinations by using a stroboscopic light source rather than a movie camera frame-rate control as a time standard. Electrical efficiency often is an important advantage of electronic flash sources since almost any necessary light level for exposure may be produced, yet the source typically is "off" most of the time. Various synchronization techniques greatly expand the precise control of exposure. Biomechanical and sports equipment studies may involve velocities up to 200 feet-per-second, and often will have associated very rapid actions of interest. The need for brief exposures increases H.s one "ZOOMS in on the action." In golf, for example, the swing may be examined using 100 microsecond (Us) flashes at rates of 60 or 120 flashes-per-second (FPS). Accurate determination of linear and rotational velocity of the ball requires 10 Us flashes at 500-1,000 FPS, while sub-Us flashes at 20,000-50,000 FPS are required to resolve the interaction of the ball and the club, head. Some seldom. used techniques involving streak photography are described, with enhanced results obtained by combining strobe with the usual continuous light source. The combination of strobe and a fast electro-mechanical shutter is considered for Us photography under daylight conditions.

Pattern-reversal electroretinograms in unilateral glaucoma.

PubMed

Wanger, P; Persson, H E

1983-06-01

Pattern-reversal and flash electroretinograms (ERG) and oscillatory potentials (OP) were recorded from 11 patients with unilateral glaucoma. All glaucomatous eyes had reduced amplitudes both compared to the opposite eye in the same patient and to reference values. In 10 of the 11 cases this reduction was below the level of normal variation. The difference in pattern-reversal ERG amplitude means from glaucomatous and opposite eyes was statistically significant. No differences were observed in flash ERGs or OPs. The histopathologic correlate to the visual field defects in glaucoma is retinal ganglion cell degeneration. The present electrophysiologic findings support the view, based on results from animal experiments, that the pattern-reversal ERG reflects ganglion cell activity.

Flash floods, hydro-geomorphic response and risk management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braud, Isabelle; Borga, Marco; Gourley, Jonathan; Hürlimann, Marcel; Zappa, Massimilano; Gallart, Francesc

2016-10-01

Each year, natural disasters are responsible for fatalities and economic losses worldwide with 101 billion USD in economic losses and 7000 fatalities reported for 2014 (SwissRE, 2015). Even if earthquakes are responsible for most of these fatalities, flash floods and landslides are recognized as a significant source of threat to human lives (SwissRE, 2015). Jonkman (2005), in a global assessment of flood-related casualties, showed that flash floods lead to the highest mortality (number of fatalities divided by the number of affected people). They are also often associated with shallow landslides and geomorphic processes that can increase threat to human lives. Analysis of a global data set of fatalities from non-seismically triggered landslides (Petley, 2012) shows that 2620 fatal landslides were recorded worldwide in the period 2004-2010, causing a total of 32,322 recorded fatalities. In addition, heavy precipitation events, at the origin of flash floods and shallow landsliding are expected to increase in the future (e.g. Scoccimarro et al., 2016 for a recent study in Europe). Progress in flash floods and landslides understanding, forecasting and warning is therefore still needed to disentangle the complex interactions between hazards, exposure and vulnerability and to increase resilience (Borga et al., 2014).

Semantic Categorization Precedes Affective Evaluation of Visual Scenes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nummenmaa, Lauri; Hyona, Jukka; Calvo, Manuel G.

2010-01-01

We compared the primacy of affective versus semantic categorization by using forced-choice saccadic and manual response tasks. Participants viewed paired emotional and neutral scenes involving humans or animals flashed rapidly in extrafoveal vision. Participants were instructed to categorize the targets by saccading toward the location occupied by…

40 CFR 63.2872 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... vegetable oil and crude meal products, such as animal feed. Corn germ dry milling means a source that processes corn germ that has been separated from the other corn components using a “dry” process of... to solvent recovery equipment such as extractors, desolventizer-toasters/dryer-coolers, flash...

40 CFR 63.2872 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... vegetable oil and crude meal products, such as animal feed. Corn germ dry milling means a source that processes corn germ that has been separated from the other corn components using a “dry” process of... to solvent recovery equipment such as extractors, desolventizer-toasters/dryer-coolers, flash...

40 CFR 63.2872 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... vegetable oil and crude meal products, such as animal feed. Corn germ dry milling means a source that processes corn germ that has been separated from the other corn components using a “dry” process of... to solvent recovery equipment such as extractors, desolventizer-toasters/dryer-coolers, flash...

Questions Students Ask: The Red-Eye Effect.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Physics Teacher, 1985

1985-01-01

Addresses the question of why a dog's eyes appear red and glow when a flash photograph is taken. Conditions for the red-eye effect, light paths involved, structure of the eye, and typical cameras and lenses are discussed. Also notes differences between the eyes of nocturnal animals and humans. (JN)

Neural Responses in Parietal and Occipital Areas in Response to Visual Events Are Modulated by Prior Multisensory Stimuli

PubMed Central

Innes-Brown, Hamish; Barutchu, Ayla; Crewther, David P.

2013-01-01

The effect of multi-modal vs uni-modal prior stimuli on the subsequent processing of a simple flash stimulus was studied in the context of the audio-visual ‘flash-beep’ illusion, in which the number of flashes a person sees is influenced by accompanying beep stimuli. EEG recordings were made while combinations of simple visual and audio-visual stimuli were presented. The experiments found that the electric field strength related to a flash stimulus was stronger when it was preceded by a multi-modal flash/beep stimulus, compared to when it was preceded by another uni-modal flash stimulus. This difference was found to be significant in two distinct timeframes – an early timeframe, from 130–160 ms, and a late timeframe, from 300–320 ms. Source localisation analysis found that the increased activity in the early interval was localised to an area centred on the inferior and superior parietal lobes, whereas the later increase was associated with stronger activity in an area centred on primary and secondary visual cortex, in the occipital lobe. The results suggest that processing of a visual stimulus can be affected by the presence of an immediately prior multisensory event. Relatively long-lasting interactions generated by the initial auditory and visual stimuli altered the processing of a subsequent visual stimulus. PMID:24391939

Efficacy of Crocus sativus (saffron) in treatment of major depressive disorder associated with post-menopausal hot flashes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Kashani, Ladan; Esalatmanesh, Sophia; Eftekhari, Farzaneh; Salimi, Samrand; Foroughifar, Tahereh; Etesam, Farnaz; Safiaghdam, Hamideh; Moazen-Zadeh, Ehsan; Akhondzadeh, Shahin

2018-03-01

Due to concerns regarding the side effects of hormone therapy, many studies have focused on the development of non-hormonal agents for treatment of hot flashes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of saffron (stigma of Crocus sativus) in treatment of major depressive disorder associated with post-menopausal hot flashes. Sixty women with post-menopausal hot flashes participated in this study. The patients randomly received either saffron (30 mg/day, 15 mg twice per day) or placebo for 6 weeks. The patients were assessed using the Hot Flash-Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the adverse event checklist at baseline and also at the second, fourth, and sixth weeks of the study. Fifty-six patients completed the trial. Baseline characteristics of the participants did not differ significantly between the two groups. General linear model repeated measures demonstrated significant effect for time × treatment interaction on the HFRDIS score [F (3, 162) = 10.41, p = 0.0001] and HDRS score [F (3, 162) = 5.48, p = 0.001]. Frequency of adverse events was not significantly different between the two groups. Results from this study revealed that saffron is a safe and effective treatment in improving hot flashes and depressive symptoms in post-menopausal healthy women. On the other hand, saffron, with fewer side effects, may provide a non-hormonal and alternative herbal medicine option in treatment of women with hot flashes.

Simultaneous shape repulsion and global assimilation in the perception of aspect ratio

PubMed Central

Sweeny, Timothy D.; Grabowecky, Marcia; Suzuki, Satoru

2012-01-01

Although local interactions involving orientation and spatial frequency are well understood, less is known about spatial interactions involving higher level pattern features. We examined interactive coding of aspect ratio, a prevalent two-dimensional feature. We measured perception of two simultaneously flashed ellipses by randomly post-cueing one of them and having observers indicate its aspect ratio. Aspect ratios interacted in two ways. One manifested as an aspect-ratio-repulsion effect. For example, when a slightly tall ellipse and a taller ellipse were simultaneously flashed, the less tall ellipse appeared flatter and the taller ellipse appeared even taller. This repulsive interaction was long range, occurring even when the ellipses were presented in different visual hemifields. The other interaction manifested as a global assimilation effect. An ellipse appeared taller when it was a part of a global vertical organization than when it was a part of a global horizontal organization. The repulsion and assimilation effects temporally dissociated as the former slightly strengthened, and the latter disappeared when the ellipse-to-mask stimulus onset asynchrony was increased from 40 to 140 ms. These results are consistent with the idea that shape perception emerges from rapid lateral and hierarchical neural interactions. PMID:21248223

Modulation of Neuronal Responses by Exogenous Attention in Macaque Primary Visual Cortex.

PubMed

Wang, Feng; Chen, Minggui; Yan, Yin; Zhaoping, Li; Li, Wu

2015-09-30

Visual perception is influenced by attention deployed voluntarily or triggered involuntarily by salient stimuli. Modulation of visual cortical processing by voluntary or endogenous attention has been extensively studied, but much less is known about how involuntary or exogenous attention affects responses of visual cortical neurons. Using implanted microelectrode arrays, we examined the effects of exogenous attention on neuronal responses in the primary visual cortex (V1) of awake monkeys. A bright annular cue was flashed either around the receptive fields of recorded neurons or in the opposite visual field to capture attention. A subsequent grating stimulus probed the cue-induced effects. In a fixation task, when the cue-to-probe stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) was <240 ms, the cue induced a transient increase of neuronal responses to the probe at the cued location during 40-100 ms after the onset of neuronal responses to the probe. This facilitation diminished and disappeared after repeated presentations of the same cue but recurred for a new cue of a different color. In another task to detect the probe, relative shortening of monkey's reaction times for the validly cued probe depended on the SOA in a way similar to the cue-induced V1 facilitation, and the behavioral and physiological cueing effects remained after repeated practice. Flashing two cues simultaneously in the two opposite visual fields weakened or diminished both the physiological and behavioral cueing effects. Our findings indicate that exogenous attention significantly modulates V1 responses and that the modulation strength depends on both novelty and task relevance of the stimulus. Significance statement: Visual attention can be involuntarily captured by a sudden appearance of a conspicuous object, allowing rapid reactions to unexpected events of significance. The current study discovered a correlate of this effect in monkey primary visual cortex. An abrupt, salient, flash enhanced neuronal responses, and shortened the animal's reaction time, to a subsequent visual probe stimulus at the same location. However, the enhancement of the neural responses diminished after repeated exposures to this flash if the animal was not required to react to the probe. Moreover, a second, simultaneous, flash at another location weakened the neuronal and behavioral effects of the first one. These findings revealed, beyond the observations reported so far, the effects of exogenous attention in the brain. Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/3513419-11$15.00/0.

Direct evidence for a position input to the smooth pursuit system.

PubMed

Blohm, Gunnar; Missal, Marcus; Lefèvre, Philippe

2005-07-01

When objects move in our environment, the orientation of the visual axis in space requires the coordination of two types of eye movements: saccades and smooth pursuit. The principal input to the saccadic system is position error, whereas it is velocity error for the smooth pursuit system. Recently, it has been shown that catch-up saccades to moving targets are triggered and programmed by using velocity error in addition to position error. Here, we show that, when a visual target is flashed during ongoing smooth pursuit, it evokes a smooth eye movement toward the flash. The velocity of this evoked smooth movement is proportional to the position error of the flash; it is neither influenced by the velocity of the ongoing smooth pursuit eye movement nor by the occurrence of a saccade, but the effect is absent if the flash is ignored by the subject. Furthermore, the response started around 85 ms after the flash presentation and decayed with an average time constant of 276 ms. Thus this is the first direct evidence of a position input to the smooth pursuit system. This study shows further evidence for a coupling between saccadic and smooth pursuit systems. It also suggests that there is an interaction between position and velocity error signals in the control of more complex movements.

Animating functional anatomy for the web.

PubMed

Guttmann, G D

2000-04-15

The instructor sometimes has a complex task in explaining the concepts of functional anatomy and embryology to health professional students. However, animations can easily illustrate functional anatomy, clinical procedures, or the developing embryo. Web animation increases the accessibility of this information and makes it much more useful for independent student learning. A modified version of the animation can also be used for patient education. This article defines animation, provides a brief history of animation, discusses the principles of animation, illustrates and evaluates some of the video-editing or movie-making computer software programs, and shows examples of two of the author's animations. These two animations are the inferior alveolar nerve block from the mandibular nerve anesthetics unit and normal temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function from the muscles of the mastication and the TMJ function unit. The software discussed are the industry leaders and have made the job of producing computer-based animations much easier. The programs are Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, Apple QuickTime and Macromedia Flash .

Flutter-by Interactive Butterfly Using interactivity to excite and educate children about butterflies and the National Museum of Play at The Strong's Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powers, Lydia

The National Museum of Play at The Strong's Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden is a tropical rainforest that allows visitors to step into the world of butterflies, but lacks a more comprehensive educational element to teach visitors additional information about butterflies. Flutter-by Interactive Butterfly is a thesis project designed to enhance younger visitors' experience of the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden with an interactive educational application that aligns with The Strong's mission of encouraging learning, creativity, and discovery. This was accomplished through a series of fun and educational games and animations, designed for use as a kiosk outside the garden and as a part of The Strong's website. Content, planning, and organization of this project has been completed through research and observation of the garden in the following areas: its visitors, butterflies, best usability practices for children, and game elements that educate and engage children. Flutter-by Interactive Butterfly teaches users about the butterfly's life cycle, anatomy, and characteristics as well as their life in the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden. Through the use of the design programs Adobe Illustrator, Flash, and After Effects; the programming language ActionScript3.0; a child-friendly user interface and design; audio elements and user takeaways, Flutter-by Interactive Butterfly appeals to children of all ages, interests, and learning styles. The project can be viewed at lydiapowers.com/Thesis/FlutterByButterfly.html

Magnetic field effect corroborated with docking study to explore photoinduced electron transfer in drug-protein interaction.

PubMed

Chakraborty, Brotati; Roy, Atanu Singha; Dasgupta, Swagata; Basu, Samita

2010-12-30

Conventional spectroscopic tools such as absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy used in the study of photoinduced drug-protein interactions can yield useful information about ground-state and excited-state phenomena. However, photoinduced electron transfer (PET) may be a possible phenomenon in the drug-protein interaction, which may go unnoticed if only conventional spectroscopic observations are taken into account. Laser flash photolysis coupled with an external magnetic field can be utilized to confirm the occurrence of PET and authenticate the spin states of the radicals/radical ions formed. In the study of interaction of the model protein human serum albumin (HSA) with acridine derivatives, acridine yellow (AY) and proflavin (PF(+)), conventional spectroscopic tools along with docking study have been used to decipher the binding mechanism, and laser flash photolysis technique with an associated magnetic field (MF) has been used to explore PET. The results of fluorescence study indicate that fluorescence resonance energy transfer takes place from the protein to the acridine-based drugs. Docking study unveils the crucial role of Ser 232 residue of HSA in explaining the differential behavior of the two drugs towards the model protein. Laser flash photolysis experiments help to identify the radicals/radical ions formed in the due course of PET (PF(•), AY(•-), TrpH(•+), Trp(•)), and the application of an external MF has been used to characterize their initial spin-state. Owing to its distance dependence, MF effect gives an idea about the proximity of the radicals/radical ions during interaction in the system and also helps to elucidate the reaction mechanisms. A prominent MF effect is observed in homogeneous buffer medium owing to the pseudoconfinement of the radicals/radical ions provided by the complex structure of the protein.

Relativistic runaway ionization fronts.

PubMed

Luque, A

2014-01-31

We investigate the first example of self-consistent impact ionization fronts propagating at relativistic speeds and involving interacting, high-energy electrons. These fronts, which we name relativistic runaway ionization fronts, show remarkable features such as a bulk speed within less than one percent of the speed of light and the stochastic selection of high-energy electrons for further acceleration, which leads to a power-law distribution of particle energies. A simplified model explains this selection in terms of the overrun of Coulomb-scattered electrons. Appearing as the electromagnetic interaction between electrons saturates the exponential growth of a relativistic runaway electron avalanche, relativistic runaway ionization fronts may occur in conjunction with terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and thus explain recent observations of long, power-law tails in the terrestrial gamma-ray flash energy spectrum.

Drawing at the Speed of Talk: doodling complex discussions in real-time to create animated ``Conversation Portraits''

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenberg, Flash

2012-02-01

What does your research look like as a drawing? Imagine the guy who delivered your pizza understanding the latest paper you delivered. Flash Rosenberg will describe how she ``live-draws'' discussions between prominent authors and scientists to create lucid animations. She will offer strategies for how to translate the impenetrable into the understandable, convert equations into sensations, and enable everyone to appreciate issues in physics as relevant, intriguing fun. View sample ``Conversation Portraits'' at http://vimeo.com/flashrosenberg/videos

Rapid Categorization of Foveal and Extrafoveal Natural Images: Associated ERPs and Effects of Lateralization

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fize, Denis; Fabre-Thorpe, Michele; Richard, Ghislaine; Doyon, Bernard; Thorpe, Simon J.

2005-01-01

Humans are fast and accurate at performing an animal categorization task with natural photographs briefly flashed centrally. Here, this central categorization task is compared to a three position task in which photographs could appear randomly either centrally, or at 3.6 [degrees] eccentricity (right or left) of the fixation point. A mild…

A Comprehensive Method To Quantify Adaptations by Male and Female Mice With Hot Flashes Induced by the Neurokinin B Receptor Agonist Senktide.

PubMed

Krull, Ashley A; Larsen, Sarah A; Clifton, Donald K; Neal-Perry, Genevieve; Steiner, Robert A

2017-10-01

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS; or hot flashes) plague millions of reproductive-aged men and women who have natural or iatrogenic loss of sex steroid production. Many affected individuals are left without treatment options because of contraindications to hormone replacement therapy and the lack of equally effective nonhormonal alternatives. Moreover, development of safer, more effective therapies has been stymied by the lack of an animal model that recapitulates the hot-flash phenomenon and enables direct testing of hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology underlying hot flashes. To address these problems, we developed a murine model for hot flashes and a comprehensive method for measuring autonomic and behavioral thermoregulation in mice. We designed and constructed an instrument called a thermocline that produces a thermal gradient along which mice behaviorally adapt to a thermal challenge to their core body temperature set point while their thermal preference over time is tracked and recorded. We tested and validated this murine model for VMS by administration of a TRPV1 agonist and a neurokinin B receptor agonist, capsaicin and senktide, respectively, to unrestrained mice and observed their autonomic and behavioral responses. Following both treatments, the mice exhibited a VMS-like response characterized by a drop in core body temperature and cold-seeking behavior on the thermocline. Senktide also caused a rise in tail skin temperature and increased Fos expression in the median preoptic area, a hypothalamic temperature control center. This dynamic model may be used to fully explore the cellular and molecular bases for VMS and to develop and test new therapeutic options. Copyright © 2017 Endocrine Society.

A Temporal White Noise Analysis for Extracting the Impulse Response Function of the Human Electroretinogram

PubMed Central

Zele, Andrew J.; Kambhampati, Pradeep K.; Aher, Avinash; McKeefry, Declan; Parry, Neil; Maguire, John; Murray, Ian

2017-01-01

Purpose We introduce a method for determining the impulse response function (IRF) of the ERG derived from responses to temporal white noise (TWN) stimuli. Methods This white noise ERG (wnERG) was recorded in participants with normal trichromatic vision to full-field (Ganzfeld) and 39.3° diameter focal stimuli at mesopic and photopic mean luminances and at different TWN contrasts. The IRF was obtained by cross-correlating the TWN stimulus with the wnERG. Results We show that wnERG recordings are highly repeatable, with good signal-to-noise ratio, and do not lead to blink artifacts. The wnERG resembles a flash ERG waveform with an initial negativity (N1) followed by a positivity (P1), with amplitudes that are linearly related to stimulus contrast. These N1 and N1-P1 components showed commonalties in implicit times with the a- and b-waves of flash ERGs. There was a clear transition from rod- to cone-driven wnERGs at ∼1 photopic cd.m−2. We infer that oscillatory potentials found with the flash ERG, but not the wnERG, may reflect retinal nonlinearities due to the compression of energy into a short time period during a stimulus flash. Conclusion The wnERG provides a new approach to study the physiology of the retina using a stimulation method with adaptation and contrast conditions similar to natural scenes to allow for independent variation of stimulus strength and mean luminance, which is not possible with the conventional flash ERG. Translational Relevance The white noise ERG methodology will be of benefit for clinical studies and animal models in the evaluation of hypotheses related to cellular redundancy to understand the effects of disease on specific visual pathways. PMID:29109907

Investigation of Interactive Online Visual Tools for the Learning of Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacobs, K. L.

2005-01-01

For many years, educators have been discussing benefits of educational practices such as the use of real-world examples, visualisation, interactivity, constructivism, self-paced learning and self-paced testing. Macromedia Flash MX has been used to develop online modules for the course Differential Equations offered at the University of South…

Imposing a Lagrangian Particle Framework on an Eulerian Hydrodynamics Infrastructure in Flash

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dubey, A.; Daley, C.; ZuHone, J.; Ricker, P. M.; Weide, K.; Graziani, C.

2012-01-01

In many astrophysical simulations, both Eulerian and Lagrangian quantities are of interest. For example, in a galaxy cluster merger simulation, the intracluster gas can have Eulerian discretization, while dark matter can be modeled using particles. FLASH, a component-based scientific simulation code, superimposes a Lagrangian framework atop an adaptive mesh refinement Eulerian framework to enable such simulations. The discretization of the field variables is Eulerian, while the Lagrangian entities occur in many different forms including tracer particles, massive particles, charged particles in particle-in-cell mode, and Lagrangian markers to model fluid structure interactions. These widely varying roles for Lagrangian entities are possible because of the highly modular, flexible, and extensible architecture of the Lagrangian framework. In this paper, we describe the Lagrangian framework in FLASH in the context of two very different applications, Type Ia supernovae and galaxy cluster mergers, which use the Lagrangian entities in fundamentally different ways.

Imposing a Lagrangian Particle Framework on an Eulerian Hydrodynamics Infrastructure in FLASH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubey, A.; Daley, C.; ZuHone, J.; Ricker, P. M.; Weide, K.; Graziani, C.

2012-08-01

In many astrophysical simulations, both Eulerian and Lagrangian quantities are of interest. For example, in a galaxy cluster merger simulation, the intracluster gas can have Eulerian discretization, while dark matter can be modeled using particles. FLASH, a component-based scientific simulation code, superimposes a Lagrangian framework atop an adaptive mesh refinement Eulerian framework to enable such simulations. The discretization of the field variables is Eulerian, while the Lagrangian entities occur in many different forms including tracer particles, massive particles, charged particles in particle-in-cell mode, and Lagrangian markers to model fluid-structure interactions. These widely varying roles for Lagrangian entities are possible because of the highly modular, flexible, and extensible architecture of the Lagrangian framework. In this paper, we describe the Lagrangian framework in FLASH in the context of two very different applications, Type Ia supernovae and galaxy cluster mergers, which use the Lagrangian entities in fundamentally different ways.

Using Satellite Lightning Data as a Hands-On Activity for a Broad Audience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinclair, L.; Smith, T.; Smith, D. K.; Weigel, A. M.; Bugbee, K.; Leach, C.

2017-12-01

Satellite lightning data archived at the NASA Global Hydrology Resource Center Distributed Active Archive Center (GHRC DAAC) captures the number of lightning flashes occurring within four by four kilometer pixels around the world from January 1998 through October 2014. These data were measured by the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. As an outreach effort to educate other on the use lightning measurements, the GHRC DAAC developed an interactive color-by-number poster showing accumulated lightning flashes around the world. As participants color the poster it reveals regions of maximum lightning flash counts across the Earth, including Lake Maracaibo in Catatumbo, Venezuela and a region in Congo, Africa. This hands-on activity is a bright, colorful, and inviting way to bring lightning data to a broad audience and can be used for people of many ages, including elementary-aged audiences up to adults.

Simulations of Tidally Driven Formation of Binary Planet Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murray, R. Zachary P.; Guillochon, James

2018-01-01

In the last decade there have been hundreds of exoplanets discovered by the Kepler, CoRoT and many other initiatives. This wealth of data suggests the possibility of detecting exoplanets with large satellites. This project seeks to model the interactions between orbiting planets using the FLASH hydrodynamics code developed by The Flash Center for Computational Science at University of Chicago. We model the encounters in a wide variety of encounter scenarios and initial conditions including variations in encounter depth, mass ratio, and encounter velocity and attempt to constrain what sorts of binary planet configurations are possible and stable.

Detection of specific protein-protein interactions in nanocages by engineering bipartite FlAsH binding sites.

PubMed

Cornell, Thomas A; Fu, Jing; Newland, Stephanie H; Orner, Brendan P

2013-11-06

Proteins that form cage-like structures have been of much recent cross-disciplinary interest due to their application to bioconjugate and materials chemistry, their biological functions spanning multiple essential cellular processes, and their complex structure, often defined by highly symmetric protein–protein interactions. Thus, establishing the fundamentals of their formation, through detecting and quantifying important protein–protein interactions, could be crucial to understanding essential cellular machinery, and for further development of protein-based technologies. Herein we describe a method to monitor the assembly of protein cages by detecting specific, oligomerization state dependent, protein–protein interactions. Our strategy relies on engineering protein monomers to include cysteine pairs that are presented proximally if the cage state assembles. These assembled pairs of cysteines act as binding sites for the fluorescent reagent FlAsH, which, once bound, provides a readout for successful oligomerization. As a proof of principle, we applied this technique to the iron storage protein, DNA-binding protein from starved cells from E. coli. Several linker lengths and conformations for the presentation of the cysteine pairs were screened to optimize the engineered binding sites. We confirmed that our designs were successful in both lysates and with purified proteins, and that FlAsH binding was dependent upon cage assembly. Following successful characterization of the assay, its throughput was expanded. A two-dimension matrix of pH and denaturing buffer conditions was screened to optimize nanocage stability. We intend to use this method for the high throughput screening of protein cage libraries and of conditions for the generation of inorganic nanoparticles within the cavity of these and other cage proteins.

Using Technology to Teach Content in a Student Teaching Experience (and as a First Year Teacher)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemon, Cheryl

2005-01-01

This article describes how Cheryl Lemon, a biology teacher at Gateway Regional High School, integrated technology into appropriate curricular contexts during her field experiences as a preservice teacher. She used Web-based simulations, a projection screen, an interactive white board, and Flash-based interactivity in conjunction with direct…

Sounds can boost the awareness of visual events through attention without cross-modal integration.

PubMed

Pápai, Márta Szabina; Soto-Faraco, Salvador

2017-01-31

Cross-modal interactions can lead to enhancement of visual perception, even for visual events below awareness. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Can purely bottom-up cross-modal integration break through the threshold of awareness? We used a binocular rivalry paradigm to measure perceptual switches after brief flashes or sounds which, sometimes, co-occurred. When flashes at the suppressed eye coincided with sounds, perceptual switches occurred the earliest. Yet, contrary to the hypothesis of cross-modal integration, this facilitation never surpassed the assumption of probability summation of independent sensory signals. A follow-up experiment replicated the same pattern of results using silent gaps embedded in continuous noise, instead of sounds. This manipulation should weaken putative sound-flash integration, although keep them salient as bottom-up attention cues. Additional results showed that spatial congruency between flashes and sounds did not determine the effectiveness of cross-modal facilitation, which was again not better than probability summation. Thus, the present findings fail to fully support the hypothesis of bottom-up cross-modal integration, above and beyond the independent contribution of two transient signals, as an account for cross-modal enhancement of visual events below level of awareness.

Communication using eye roll reflective signalling

USGS Publications Warehouse

Flamarique, I.N.; Mueller, G.A.; Cheng, C.L.; Figiel, C.R.

2007-01-01

Body reflections in the ultraviolet (UV) are a common occurrence in nature. Despite the abundance of such signals and the presence of UV cones in the retinas of many vertebrates, the function of UV cones in the majority of taxa remains unclear. Here, we report on an unusual communication system in the razorback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus, that involves flash signals produced by quick eye rolls. Behavioural experiments and field observations indicate that this form of communication is used to signal territorial presence between males. The flash signal shows highest contrast in the UV region of fhe visual spectrum (??max???380 nm), corresponding to the maximum wavelength of absorption of the UV cone mechanism in suckers. Furthermore, these cones are restricted to the dorsal retina of the animal and the upwelling light background is such that their relative sensitivity would be enhanced by chromatic adaptation of the other cone mechanisms. Thus, the UV cones in the sucker have optimal characteristics (both in terms of absorbance and retinal topography) to constitute the main detectors of the flash signal. Our findings provide the first ecological evidence for restricted distribution of UV cones in the retina of a vertebrate. ?? 2007 The Royal Society.

LNOx Estimates Directly from LIS Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koshak, W. J.; Vant-hull, B.; McCaul, E.

2014-12-01

Nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) are known to indirectly influence climate since they affect the concentration of both atmospheric ozone (O3) and hydroxyl radicals (OH). In addition, lightning NOx (LNOx) is the most important source of NOx in the upper troposphere (particularly in the tropics). It is difficult to estimate LNOx because it is not easy to make measurements near the lightning channel, and the various NOx-producing mechanisms within a lightning flash are not fully understood. A variety of methods have been used to estimate LNOx production [e.g., in-situ observations, combined ground-based VHF lightning mapping and VLF/LF lightning locating observations, indirect retrievals using satellite Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) observations, theoretical considerations, laboratory spark measurements, and rocket triggered lightning measurements]. The present study introduces a new approach for estimating LNOx that employs Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) data. LIS optical measurements are used to directly estimate the total energy of a flash; the total flash energy is then converted to LNOx production (in moles) by multiplying by a thermo-chemical yield. Hence, LNOx estimates on a flash-by-flash basis are obtained. A Lightning NOx Indicator (LNI) is computed by summing up the LIS-derived LNOx contributions from a region over a particular analysis period. Larger flash optical areas are consistent with longer channel length and/or more energetic channels, and hence more NOx production. Brighter flashes are consistent with more energetic channels, and hence more NOx production. The location of the flash within the thundercloud and the optical scattering characteristics of the thundercloud are complicating factors. LIS data for the years 2003-2013 were analyzed, and geographical plots of the time-evolution of the LNI over the southern tier states (i.e. upto 38o N) of CONUS were determined. Overall, the LNI trends downward over the 11 yr analysis period. The LNI has been added to the list of indicators presently provided by a sustaining assessment tool developed at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) for monitoring lightning/climate interactions over the United States, as part of the National Climate Assessment (NCA) program.

Anatomy of a Flash Flood in the Amargosa Desert, U.S.A.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stonestrom, D. A.; Prudic, D. E.; Glancy, P. A.; Beck, D. A.

2004-12-01

In August 2004, intense convective rainstorms caused flash flooding throughout the Amargosa River drainage network, temporarily closing Death Valley National Park and causing two fatalities when runoff from Furnace Creek and other channels overtopped roadways in the Park. In 1998, we began installing streambed temperature loggers, pressure transducers, and scour chains in the normally dry channel and selected tributaries of the river in the Amargosa Desert and Oasis Valley. The primary objective of this work is to improve understanding of ground-water recharge from ephemeral streamflows under current climatic conditions. Two weeks after the flash flooding, we visited instrumented sites and estimated peak flows by surveying high-water marks and corresponding channel geometries. Time series of temperatures and stages, together with peak-flow estimates, reveal the routing and evolution of distinct flood pulses in the upper Amargosa River basin. The data also reveal previously undocumented details of individual flash-flood hydrographs, including initial and subsequent flood pulses at two sites. Arid environments are prone to flash flooding not only because vegetation is sparse, but also because the surface-water network is decoupled from underlying ground water by a thick unsaturated zone. Nonlinear interactions between runoff (with energy potentials on the order of a meter of head) and the unsaturated zone (with energy potentials on the order of negative hundreds of meters of head) keep advancing fronts of flood pulses sharp. Profiles of water content beneath the main channel before and after the passage of a flood pulse, together with down-channel attenuation of flow volume within individual pulses, show the leaky nature of dry alluvial channels and the efficiency at which flash floods become potential recharge.

The roles of the binodal curve and the spinodal curve in expansions from the supercritical state with flashing

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

Knuth, Eldon L.; Miller, David R.; Even, Uzi

2014-12-09

Data extracted from time-of-flight (TOF) measurements made on steady-state He free jets at Göttingen already in 1986 and for pulsed Ne free jets investigated recently at Tel Aviv have been added to an earlier plot of terminal condensed-phase mass fraction x{sub 2∞} as a function of the dimensionless scaling parameter Γ. Γ characterizes the source (fluid species, temperature, pressure and throat diameter); values of x{sub 2∞} are extracted from TOF measurements using conservation of energy in the free-jet expansion. For nozzles consisting of an orifice in a thin plate; the extracted data yield 22 data points which are correlated satisfactorilymore » by a single curve. The Ne free jets were expanded from a conical nozzle with a 20° half angle; the three extracted data points stand together but apart from the aforementioned curve, indicating that the presence of the conical wall influences significantly the expansion and hence the condensation. The 22 data points for the expansions via an orifice consist of 15 measurements with expansions from the gas-phase side of the binodal curve which crossed the binodal curve downstream from the sonic point and 7 measurements with expansions of the gas-phase product of the flashing which occurred after an expansion from the liquid-phase side of the binodal curve crossed the binodal curve upstream from the sonic point. The association of these 22 points with a single curve supports the alternating-phase model for flows with flashing upstream from the sonic point proposed earlier. In order to assess the role of the spinodal curve in such expansions, the spinodal curves for He and Ne were computed using general multi-parameter Helmholtz-free-energy equation-of-state formulations. Then, for the several sets of source-chamber conditions used in the free-jet measurements, thermodynamic states at key locations in the free-jet expansions (binodal curve, sonic point and spinodal curve) were evaluated, with the expansion presumed to be metastable from the binodal curve to the spinodal curve. TOF distributions with more than two peaks (interpreted earlier as superimposed alternating-state TOF distributions) indicated flashing of the metastable flow downstream from the binodal curve but upstream from the sonic point. This relatively early flashing is due apparently to destabilizing interactions with the walls of the source. If the expansion crosses the binodal curve downstream from the nozzle, the metastable fluid does not interact with surfaces and flashing might be delayed until the expansion reaches the spinodal curve. It is concluded that, if the expansion crosses the binodal curve before reaching the sonic point, the resulting metastable fluid downstream from the binodal curve interacts with the adjacent surfaces and flashes into liquid and vapor phases which expand alternately through the nozzle; the two associated alternating TOF distributions are superposed by the chopping process so that the result has the appearance of a single distribution with three peaks.« less

Analysis of induced effects in matter during pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding by flash radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pascal, G.; Noré, D.; Girard, K.; Perret, O.; Naudy, P.

2000-05-01

Tantalum and TA6V (titanium alloy) are respectively used in corrosive chemical product containers and in aircraft and aerospace industries. The objective of this study was to analyze the dynamic behavior of the matter during deep laser spot welding of these materials. The obtained images should allow a better understanding of laser-matter interaction and should validate a model developed for porosities formation. Because of the afterglow of detectors, classical video x-ray systems are not suitable for the analysis of short dynamic effects during and after the laser pulse. An experimental device, based on a flash x-ray generator EUROPULSE 600 kV and a QUANTEL pulsed Nd:YAG laser, has been used. The flash x-ray generator is triggered, after a programmed delay, by the laser shot. The x-ray pulse duration is 30 ns. Welding parameters (pulse duration and energy) yield molten zones of 2 mm depth. Both materials, tantalum and TA6V, have been tested. Radiological films BIOMAX coupled with radioluminescent screens and direct exposure film (DEF) were respectively used for tantalum and TA6V samples. A fine collimation was studied to avoid the scattering effect in the material and in the radioluminescent screen. Radiological test samples, made of tantalum and TA6V, were performed to estimate the images qualities obtained by flash radiography. About 270 laser/x-rays shots were performed. The radiographic images have been digitalized and processed. The results show a deep and narrow capillary hole called "keyhole" which appears a few milliseconds after the beginning of the interaction. The "keyhole" hollows until the end of the laser pulse. After the end of the laser pulse, the molten bath collapses in less than 1 ms, trapping cavities.

Mobile Interactive Training: Tablets, Readers, and Phones - Oh, My!

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

the interactive PDF, it was not possible to devise a one-size- fits -all solution. Instead, each type of interaction had to be addressed...determined they could automate this process by using Flash to export the individual frames of the slideshow and to produce a text file with the appropriate...now to create Web-enabled HUDs that can be integrated into eyeglasses and contact lenses. Only one thing remains constant with every new Web

TU-H-CAMPUS-TeP2-02: FLASH Irradiation Improves the Therapeutic Index Following GI Tract Irradiation

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

Schueler, E; Trovati, S; King, G

Purpose: To investigate and characterize the radiobiological effectiveness of very high dose rate radiotherapy (FLASH) compared to conventional irradiation in an in vivo model. Methods: The gastrointestinal (GI) tract of C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with doses ranging between 10 and 18 Gy using a custom stereotactic jig. A Varian Clinac 21EX was modified to allow dose rates ranging from 0.05 to 240 Gy/s at the position of the mirror. With the gantry at 180 degrees, the jig holding the individual animals was placed above the mirror to take advantage of the reduced source to target distance. Mice were irradiated withmore » 20MeV electrons. Following irradiation, the mice were monitored twice daily for morbidity and daily for weight changes. Results: Mice irradiated with FLASH irradiation had lower weight loss compared to the mice receiving conventional irradiation. Following FLASH irradiation, a maximum weight loss of ∼20% was observed at day 6 with subsequent recovery, while following conventional irradiation, higher weight losses was observed with fewer instances of recovery. Concerning survival, all mice in the conventionally irradiated groups had a 100% mortality in the range of 15.5–18 Gy, while the mice irradiated with FLASH irradiation had a 100% survival in the same range. Conclusion: These results have demonstrated proof of principle that FLASH irradiations have a dramatic impact on the overall survival of mice following GI tract irradiations. If the increase in the therapeutic window can be validated and understood, this would revolutionize the field of radiation oncology and lead to increased cure rates with reduced side effects following treatment, resulting in increased quality of life for cancer survivors. Funding: DoD, Award#:W81XWH-14-1-0014, Weston Havens Foundation, Bio-X (Stanford University), the Office of the Dean of the Medical School, the Office of the Provost (Stanford University), and the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation; BL and PM are founders of TibaRay,Inc.; BL and PM have received research grants from Varian and RaySearch Laboratory.« less

Interactive Physics: the role of interactive learning objects in teaching Physics in Engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benito, R. M.; Cámara, M. E.; Arranz, F. J.

2009-04-01

In this work we present the results of a Project in educational innovation entitled "Interactive Physics". We have developed resources for teaching Physics for students of Engineering, with an emphasis in conceptual reinforcement and addressing the shortcomings of students entering the University. The resources developed include hypertext, graphics, equations, quizzes and more elaborated problems that cover the customary syllabus in first-year Physics: kinematics and dynamics, Newton laws, electricity and magnetism, elementary circuits… The role of vector quantities is stressed and we also provide help for the most usual mathematical tools (calculus and trigonometric formulas). The structure and level of detail of the resources are fitted to the conceptual difficulties that most of the students find. Some of the most advanced resources we have developed are interactive simulations. These are real simulations of key physical situations, not only animations. They serve as learning objects, in the well known sense of small reusable digital objects that are self-contained and tagged with metadata. In this sense, we use them to link concepts and content through interaction with active engagement of the student. The development of an interactive simulation involves several steps. First, we identify common pitfalls in the conceptual framework of the students and the points in which they stumble frequently. Then we think of a way to make clear the physical concepts using a simulation. After that, we program the simulation (using Flash or Java) and finally the simulation is tested with the students, and we reelaborate some parts of it in terms of usability. In our communication, we discuss the usefulness of these interactive simulations in teaching Physics for engineers, and their integration in a more comprehensive b-learning system.

Regional Differences in Tropical Lightning Distributions.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boccippio, Dennis J.; Goodman, Steven J.; Heckman, Stan

2000-12-01

Observations from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Optical Transient Detector (OTD) and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)-based Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) are analyzed for variability between land and ocean, various geographic regions, and different (objectively defined) convective `regimes.' The bulk of the order-of-magnitude differences between land and ocean regional flash rates are accounted for by differences in storm spacing (density) and/or frequency of occurrence, rather than differences in storm instantaneous flash rates, which only vary by a factor of 2 on average. Regional variability in cell density and cell flash rates closely tracks differences in 85-GHz microwave brightness temperatures. Monotonic relationships are found with the gross moist stability of the tropical atmosphere, a large-scale `adjusted state' parameter. This result strongly suggests that it will be possible, using TRMM observations, to objectively test numerical or theoretical predictions of how mesoscale convective organization interacts with the larger-scale environment. Further parameters are suggested for a complete objective definition of tropical convective regimes.

Why Flash Type Matters: A Statistical Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mecikalski, Retha M.; Bitzer, Phillip M.; Carey, Lawrence D.

2017-09-01

While the majority of research only differentiates between intracloud (IC) and cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes, there exists a third flash type, known as hybrid flashes. These flashes have extensive IC components as well as return strokes to ground but are misclassified as CG flashes in current flash type analyses due to the presence of a return stroke. In an effort to show that IC, CG, and hybrid flashes should be separately classified, the two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test was applied to the flash sizes, flash initiation, and flash propagation altitudes for each of the three flash types. The KS test statistically showed that IC, CG, and hybrid flashes do not have the same parent distributions and thus should be separately classified. Separate classification of hybrid flashes will lead to improved lightning-related research, because unambiguously classified hybrid flashes occur on the same order of magnitude as CG flashes for multicellular storms.

Fires of Galactic Youth Artist Animation

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-12-22

This artist's animation shows a typical young galaxy, teeming with hot, newborn stars and exploding supernovas. The supernovas are seen as white flashes of light. NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer spotted three-dozen young galaxies like the one shown here in our corner of the universe. It was able to see them with the help of its highly sensitive ultraviolet detectors. Because newborn stars radiate ultraviolet light, young galaxies light up brilliantly when viewed in ultraviolet wavelengths. The findings came as a surprise, because astronomers had thought that the universe's "birth-rate" had declined, and that massive galaxies were no longer forming. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA07144

Element geochemical analysis of the contribution of aeolian sand to suspended sediment in desert stream flash floods.

PubMed

Jia, Xiaopeng; Wang, Haibing

2014-01-01

The interaction of wind and water in semiarid and arid areas usually leads to low-frequency flash flood events in desert rivers, which have adverse effects on river systems and ecology. In arid zones, many aeolian dune-fields terminate in stream channels and deliver aeolian sand to the channels. Although aeolian processes are common to many desert rivers, whether the aeolian processes contribute to fluvial sediment loss is still unknown. Here, we identified the aeolian-fluvial cycling process responsible for the high rate of suspended sediment transport in the Sudalaer desert stream in the Ordos plateau of China. On the basis of element geochemistry data analysis, we found that aeolian sand was similar to suspended sediment in element composition, which suggests that aeolian sand contributes to suspended sediment in flash floods. Scatter plots of some elements further confirm that aeolian sand is the major source of the suspended sediment. Factor analysis and the relation between some elements and suspended sediment concentration prove that the greater the aeolian process, the higher the suspended sediment concentration and the greater the contribution of aeolian sand to suspended sediment yield. We conclude that aeolian sand is the greatest contributor to flash floods in the Sudalaer desert stream.

Ultra-bright γ-ray flashes and dense attosecond positron bunches from two counter-propagating laser pulses irradiating a micro-wire target.

PubMed

Li, Han-Zhen; Yu, Tong-Pu; Hu, Li-Xiang; Yin, Yan; Zou, De-Bin; Liu, Jian-Xun; Wang, Wei-Quan; Hu, Shun; Shao, Fu-Qiu

2017-09-04

We propose a novel scheme to generate ultra-bright ultra-short γ-ray flashes and high-energy-density attosecond positron bunches by using multi-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations with quantum electrodynamics effects incorporated. By irradiating a 10 PW laser pulse with an intensity of 10 23 W/cm 2 onto a micro-wire target, surface electrons are dragged-out of the micro-wire and are effectively accelerated to several GeV energies by the laser ponderomotive force, forming relativistic attosecond electron bunches. When these electrons interact with the probe pulse from the other side, ultra-short γ-ray flashes are emitted with an ultra-high peak brightness of 1.8 × 10 24 photons s -1 mm -2 mrad -2 per 0.1%BW at 24 MeV. These photons propagate with a low divergence and collide with the probe pulse, triggering the Breit-Wheeler process. Dense attosecond e - e + pair bunches are produced with the positron energy density as high as 10 17 J/m 3 and number of 10 9 . Such ultra-bright ultra-short γ-ray flashes and secondary positron beams may have potential applications in fundamental physics, high-energy-density physics, applied science and laboratory astrophysics.

Element Geochemical Analysis of the Contribution of Aeolian Sand to Suspended Sediment in Desert Stream Flash Floods

PubMed Central

Wang, Haibing

2014-01-01

The interaction of wind and water in semiarid and arid areas usually leads to low-frequency flash flood events in desert rivers, which have adverse effects on river systems and ecology. In arid zones, many aeolian dune-fields terminate in stream channels and deliver aeolian sand to the channels. Although aeolian processes are common to many desert rivers, whether the aeolian processes contribute to fluvial sediment loss is still unknown. Here, we identified the aeolian-fluvial cycling process responsible for the high rate of suspended sediment transport in the Sudalaer desert stream in the Ordos plateau of China. On the basis of element geochemistry data analysis, we found that aeolian sand was similar to suspended sediment in element composition, which suggests that aeolian sand contributes to suspended sediment in flash floods. Scatter plots of some elements further confirm that aeolian sand is the major source of the suspended sediment. Factor analysis and the relation between some elements and suspended sediment concentration prove that the greater the aeolian process, the higher the suspended sediment concentration and the greater the contribution of aeolian sand to suspended sediment yield. We conclude that aeolian sand is the greatest contributor to flash floods in the Sudalaer desert stream. PMID:25089295

Comparative laser-tissue interaction effects at 1.96 and 2.01 um of Cr; Tm:YAG laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pankratov, Michail M.; Perrault, Donald F., Jr.; Shapshay, Stanley M.; Pinto, Joseph F.; Esterowitz, Dina; Aretz, H. Thomas

1992-08-01

A pulsed spiking and nonspiking Cr; thulium (Tm):YAG flash lamp pumped laser operating at 1.96 and 2.01 μm was investigated in vitro in the clinically relevant power range for its basic laser-tissue interaction with soft, cartilaginous, and bone tissues. Some explanations of the differences and possible medical applications are discussed.

The Use of Water Vapor for Detecting Environments that Lead to Convectively Produced Heavy Precipitation and Flash Floods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scofield, Rod; Vicente, Gilberto; Hodges, Mike

2000-01-01

This Tech Report summarizes years of study and experiences on using GOES Water vapor (6.7 micron and precipitable water) and Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/1) from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) derived Precipitable Water (PNAI) for detecting environments favorable for convectively produced flash floods. An emphasis is on the moisture. upper air flow, and equivalent potential temperature (Theta(sub e)) patterns that lead to devastating flood events. The 15 minute 6.7 micron water vapor imagery is essential for tracking middle to upper tropospheric disturbances that produce upward vertical motion and initiate flash flood producing systems. Water vapor imagery at 6.7 micron is also used to detect surges of upper level moisture (called tropical water vapor plumes) that have been associated with extremely heavy rainfall. Since the water vapor readily depicts lifting mechanisms and upper level moisture, water vapor imagery is often an excellent source of data for recognizing patterns of heavy precipitation and flash floods. In order to analyze the depth of the moisture, the PW aspects of the troposphere must be measured. The collocation (or nearby location) of high values ofP\\V and instability are antecedent conditions prior to the flash flood or heavy rainfall events. Knowledge of PW magnitudes have been used as thresholds for impending flash flood events, PW trends are essential in flash flood prediction. Conceptual models and water vapor products are used to study some of the characteristics of convective systems that occurred over the United States of America (USA) during the summer of 1997 and the 1997-1998 El Nino. P\\V plumes were associated with most of the \\vest coast heavy precipitation events examined during the winter season of 1997 - 1998, In another study, conducted during the summer season of 1997. results showed that the collocation of water vapor (6.7 micron) and P\\N' plumes possessed higher correlations with predicted rainfall amounts than when PW plumes occurred by themselves (i.e.. without the presence of 6.7 micron water vapor plumes). Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB) meteorologists use the 6.7 micron water and P\\V products for their QPE's (interactive Flash Flood Analyzer (IFFA) and Auto-Estimator precipitation estimates), Outlooks, and heavy precipitation briefings with the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center/National Center for Environmental Prediction.

Evaluation of new multimedia formats for cancer communications.

PubMed

Bader, Judith L; Strickman-Stein, Nancy

2003-01-01

Providing quality, current cancer information to cancer patients and their families is a key function of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Web site. This information is now provided in predominantly-text format, but could be provided in formats using multimedia, including animation and sound. Since users have many choices about where to get their information, it is important to provide the information in a format that is helpful and that they prefer. To pilot and evaluate multimedia strategies for future cancer-information program formats for lay users, the National Cancer Institute created new multimedia versions of existing text programs. We sought to evaluate user performance and preference on these 3 new formats and on the 2 existing text formats. The National Cancer Institute's "What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer" program was the test vehicle. There were 5 testing sessions, 1 dedicated to each format. Each session lasted about 1 hour, with 9 participants per session and 45 users overall. Users were exposed to the assigned cancer program from beginning to end in 1 of 5 formats: text paperback booklet, paperback booklet formatted in HTML on the Web, spoken audio alone, spoken audio synchronized with a text Web page, and Flash multimedia (animation, spoken audio, and text). Immediately thereafter, the features and design of the 4 alternative formats were demonstrated in detail. A multiple-choice pre-test and post-test quiz on the cancer content was used to assess user learning (performance) before and after experiencing the assigned program. The quiz was administered using an Authorware software interface writing to an Access database. Users were asked to rank from 1 to 5 their preference for the 5 program formats, and provide structured and open-ended comments about usability of the 5 formats. Significant improvement in scores from pre-test to post-test was seen for the total study population. Average scores for users in each of the 5 format groups improved significantly. Increments in improvement, however, were not statistically different between any of the format groups. Significant improvements in quiz scores were seen irrespective of age group or education level. Of the users, 71.1% ranked the Flash program first among the 5 formats, and 84.4% rated Flash as their first or second choice. Audio was the least-preferred format, ranking fifth among 46.7% of users and first among none. Flash was ranked first among users regardless of education level, age group, or format group to which the user was assigned. Under the pilot study conditions, users overwhelmingly preferred the Flash format to the other 4 formats. Learning occurred equally in all formats. Use of multimedia should be considered as communication strategies are developed for updating cancer content and attracting new users.

Evaluation of New Multimedia Formats for Cancer Communications

PubMed Central

Strickman-Stein, Nancy

2003-01-01

Background Providing quality, current cancer information to cancer patients and their families is a key function of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Web site. This information is now provided in predominantly-text format, but could be provided in formats using multimedia, including animation and sound. Since users have many choices about where to get their information, it is important to provide the information in a format that is helpful and that they prefer. Objective To pilot and evaluate multimedia strategies for future cancer-information program formats for lay users, the National Cancer Institute created new multimedia versions of existing text programs. We sought to evaluate user performance and preference on these 3 new formats and on the 2 existing text formats. Methods The National Cancer Institute's "What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer" program was the test vehicle. There were 5 testing sessions, 1 dedicated to each format. Each session lasted about 1 hour, with 9 participants per session and 45 users overall. Users were exposed to the assigned cancer program from beginning to end in 1 of 5 formats: text paperback booklet, paperback booklet formatted in HTML on the Web, spoken audio alone, spoken audio synchronized with a text Web page, and Flash multimedia (animation, spoken audio, and text). Immediately thereafter, the features and design of the 4 alternative formats were demonstrated in detail. A multiple-choice pre-test and post-test quiz on the cancer content was used to assess user learning (performance) before and after experiencing the assigned program. The quiz was administered using an Authorware software interface writing to an Access database. Users were asked to rank from 1 to 5 their preference for the 5 program formats, and provide structured and open-ended comments about usability of the 5 formats. Results Significant improvement in scores from pre-test to post-test was seen for the total study population. Average scores for users in each of the 5 format groups improved significantly. Increments in improvement, however, were not statistically different between any of the format groups. Significant improvements in quiz scores were seen irrespective of age group or education level. Of the users, 71.1% ranked the Flash program first among the 5 formats, and 84.4% rated Flash as their first or second choice. Audio was the least-preferred format, ranking fifth among 46.7% of users and first among none. Flash was ranked first among users regardless of education level, age group, or format group to which the user was assigned. Conclusions Under the pilot study conditions, users overwhelmingly preferred the Flash format to the other 4 formats. Learning occurred equally in all formats. Use of multimedia should be considered as communication strategies are developed for updating cancer content and attracting new users. PMID:14517107

DIMA 3.0: Domain Interaction Map.

PubMed

Luo, Qibin; Pagel, Philipp; Vilne, Baiba; Frishman, Dmitrij

2011-01-01

Domain Interaction MAp (DIMA, available at http://webclu.bio.wzw.tum.de/dima) is a database of predicted and known interactions between protein domains. It integrates 5807 structurally known interactions imported from the iPfam and 3did databases and 46,900 domain interactions predicted by four computational methods: domain phylogenetic profiling, domain pair exclusion algorithm correlated mutations and domain interaction prediction in a discriminative way. Additionally predictions are filtered to exclude those domain pairs that are reported as non-interacting by the Negatome database. The DIMA Web site allows to calculate domain interaction networks either for a domain of interest or for entire organisms, and to explore them interactively using the Flash-based Cytoscape Web software.

Development and performance characteristics of flash lamp pumped Yb:YAG, Cr:Tm:Ho:YAG, Er:Tm:Ho:YLF laser sources and investigation of their potential biological applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karadimitriou, N.; Klinkenberg, B.; Papadopoulos, D. N.; Serafetinides, A. A.

2007-07-01

Laser ablation for the formation of apodized patterns on intraocular lenses, as an alternative of the conventional injection molding, has been proved to be a very promising new technique. For the precise lenses ablation, the use of suitable laser wavelength and pulse duration, resulting in a small optical penetration depth in the lens and in confinement of the energy deposition in a small volume, as well as the reduced thermal damage to the surrounding tissue, is essential. Mid-infrared laser wavelengths, at which the organic biological simulators absorption coefficient is large, meet well the above conditions. Towards the complete understanding of the intraocular lens ablation procedure and therefore the choice of the optimum laser beam characteristics for the most accurate, efficient and safe surgical application, the comparative study of various mid-infrared laser sources is of great interest. In this work we investigate the potential of the development of three different mid-infrared laser sources, namely the Yb:YAG, the Cr:Tm:Ho:YAG and the Er:Tm:Ho:YLF laser, operating at 1029 nm, 2060 nm and 2080 nm respectively and their ability in forming patterns on biomaterials. Pumping was achieved with conventional Xe flash lamps in a double elliptical pump chamber. A properly designed Pulse-Forming- Network capable of delivering energy up to 800 J, in variable lamp illumination durations is used. Several hundreds of mJoules were achieved from the Yb:YAG laser oscillator and several Joules from the Ho:YAG and Ho:YLF laser oscillators. Free running and Q-switched laser operation studies and preliminary experiments on laser and biomaterials (biopolymers and animal tissues) interactions will be reported.

Measuring hot flash phenomenonology using ambulatory prospective digital diaries

PubMed Central

Fisher, William I.; Thurston, Rebecca C.

2016-01-01

Objective This study provides the description, protocol, and results from a novel prospective ambulatory digital hot flash phenomenon diary. Methods This study included 152 midlife women with daily hot flashes who completed an ambulatory electronic hot flash diary continuously for the waking hours of 3 consecutive days. In this diary, women recorded their hot flashes and accompanying characteristics and associations as the hot flashes occurred. Results Self-reported hot flash severity on the digital diaries indicated that the majority of hot flashes were rated as mild (41.3%) or moderate (43.7%). Severe (13.1%) and very severe (1.8%) hot flashes were less common. Hot flash bother ratings were rated as mild (43%), or moderate (33.5%), with fewer hot flashes reported bothersome (17.5%) or very bothersome (6%). The majority of hot flashes were reported as occurring on the on the face (78.9%), neck (74.7%), and chest (61.3%). Prickly skin was reported concurrently with 32% of hot flashes, 7% with anxiety and 5% with nausea. A novel finding, 38% of hot flashes were accompanied by a premonitory aura. Conclusion A prospective electronic digital hot flash diary allows for a more precise quantitation of hot flashes while overcoming many of the limitations of commonly employed retrospective questionnaires and paper diaries. Unique insights into the phenomenology, loci and associated characteristics of hot flashes were obtained using this device. The digital hot flash phenomenology diary is recommended for future ambulatory studies of hot flashes as a prospective measure of the hot flash experience. PMID:27404030

Measuring hot flash phenomenonology using ambulatory prospective digital diaries.

PubMed

Fisher, William I; Thurston, Rebecca C

2016-11-01

This study provides the description, protocol, and results from a novel prospective ambulatory digital hot flash phenomenon diary. This study included 152 midlife women with daily hot flashes who completed an ambulatory electronic hot flash diary continuously for the waking hours of three consecutive days. In this diary, women recorded their hot flashes and accompanying characteristics and associations as the hot flashes occurred. Self-reported hot flash severity on the digital diaries indicated that the majority of hot flashes were rated as mild (41.3%) or moderate (43.7%). Severe (13.1%) and very severe (1.8%) hot flashes were less common. Hot flash bother ratings were rated as mild (43%), or moderate (33.5%), with fewer hot flashes reported bothersome (17.5%) or very bothersome (6%). The majority of hot flashes were reported as occurring on the face (78.9%), neck (74.7%), and chest (61.3%). Of all reported hot flashes, 32% occurred concurrently with prickly skin, 7% with anxiety, and 5% with nausea. A novel finding from the study was that 38% of hot flashes were accompanied by a premonitory aura. A prospective electronic digital hot flash diary allows for a more precise quantitation of hot flashes while overcoming many of the limitations of commonly used retrospective questionnaires and paper diaries. Unique insights into the phenomenology, loci, and associated characteristics of hot flashes were obtained using this device. The digital hot flash phenomenology diary is recommended for future ambulatory studies of hot flashes as a prospective measure of the hot flash experience.

Laser flash photolysis and magnetic-field-effect studies on interaction of thymine and thymidine with menadione: role of sugar in controlling reaction pattern

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bose, Adity; Dey, Debarati; Basu, Samita

2008-04-01

The magnetic field effect (MFE) in conjunction with laser flash photolysis has been used for the study of the interaction of one of the small drug like quinone molecules, 2-methyl, 1,4-naphthoquinone, commonly known as menadione (MQ), with one of the DNA bases, thymine (THN), and its corresponding nucleoside, thymidine (THDN), in acetonitrile (ACN) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) micelles. It has been observed that THN undergoes electron transfer (ET) and hydrogen (H) abstraction with MQ, while THDN undergoes only H abstraction in both the media. However, our earlier studies showed that a purine base, adenine (ADN), and its nucleoside, 2'-deoxyadenosine (ADS), undergo ET in ACN and H abstraction in SDS. Here we have attempted to explain the differences in the reactions of these DNA bases with MQ. We also reveal the crucial role of a sugar unit in altering the behavior of purine and pyrimidine bases with respect to ET and H abstraction.

Hydrogen bonding effects on the reorganization energy for photoinduced charge separation reaction between porphyrin and quinone studied by nanosecond laser flash photolysis.

PubMed

Yago, Tomoaki; Gohdo, Masao; Wakasa, Masanobu

2010-02-25

Alcohol concentration dependences of photoinduced charge separation (CS) reaction of zinc tetraphenyl-porphyrin (ZnTPP) and duroquinone (DQ) were investigated in benzonitrile by a nanosecond laser flash photolysis technique. The photoinduced CS reaction was accelerated by the addition of alcohols, whereas the addition of acetonitrile caused little effect on the CS reactions. The simple theory was developed to calculate an increase in reorganization energies induced by the hydrogen bonding interactions between DQ and alcohols using the chemical equilibrium constants for the hydrogen bonding complexes through the concerted pathway and the stepwise one. The experimental results were analyzed by using the Marcus equation where we took into account the hydrogen bonding effects on the reorganization energy and the reaction free energy for the CS reaction. The observed alcohol concentration dependence of the CS reaction rates was well explained by the formation of the hydrogen bonding complexes through the concerted pathway, demonstrating the increase in the reorganization energy by the hydrogen bonding interactions.

Ectopic expression of cone-specific G-protein-coupled receptor kinase GRK7 in zebrafish rods leads to lower photosensitivity and altered responses

PubMed Central

Vogalis, F; Shiraki, T; Kojima, D; Wada, Y; Nishiwaki, Y; Jarvinen, J L P; Sugiyama, J; Kawakami, K; Masai, I; Kawamura, S; Fukada, Y; Lamb, T D

2011-01-01

Abstract To investigate the roles of G-protein receptor kinases (GRKs) in the light responses of vertebrate photoreceptors, we generated transgenic zebrafish lines, the rods of which express either cone GRK (GRK7) or rod GRK (GRK1) in addition to the endogenous GRK1, and we then measured the electrophysiological characteristics of single-cell responses and the behavioural responses of intact animals. Our study establishes the zebrafish expression system as a convenient platform for the investigation of specific components of the phototransduction cascade. The addition of GRK1 led to minor changes in rod responses. However, exogenous GRK7 in GRK7-tg animals led to lowered rod sensitivity, as occurs in cones, but surprisingly to slower response kinetics. Examination of responses to long series of very dim flashes suggested the possibility that the GRK7-tg rods generated two classes of single-photon response, perhaps corresponding to the interaction of activated rhodopsin with GRK1 (giving a standard response) or with GRK7 (giving a very small response). Behavioural measurement of optokinetic responses (OKR) in intact GRK7-tg zebrafish larvae showed that the overall rod visual pathway was less sensitive, in accord with the lowered sensitivity of the rods. These results help provide an understanding for the molecular basis of the electrophysiological differences between cones and rods. PMID:21486791

The Animated Gamma-ray Sky Revealed by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

ScienceCinema

Isabelle Grenier

2018-04-17

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has been observing the sky in gamma-rays since August 2008.  In addition to breakthrough capabilities in energy coverage (20 MeV-300 GeV) and angular resolution, the wide field of view of the Large Area Telescope enables observations of 20% of the sky at any instant, and of the whole sky every three hours. It has revealed a very animated sky with bright gamma-ray bursts flashing and vanishing in minutes, powerful active galactic nuclei flaring over hours and days, many pulsars twinkling in the Milky Way, and X-ray binaries shimmering along their orbit. Most of these variable sources had not been seen by the Fermi predecessor, EGRET, and the wealth of new data already brings important clues to the origin of the high-energy emission and particles powered by the compact objects. The telescope also brings crisp images of the bright gamma-ray emission produced by cosmic-ray interactions in the interstellar medium, thus allowing to measure the cosmic nuclei and electron spectra across the Galaxy, to weigh interstellar clouds, in particular in the dark-gas phase. The telescope sensitivity at high energy will soon provide useful constraints on dark-matter annihilations in a variety of environments. I will review the current results and future prospects of the Fermi mission.

Cool but counterproductive: interactive, Web-based risk communications can backfire.

PubMed

Zikmund-Fisher, Brian J; Dickson, Mark; Witteman, Holly O

2011-08-25

Paper-based patient decision aids generally present risk information using numbers and/or static images. However, limited psychological research has suggested that when people interactively graph risk information, they process the statistics more actively, making the information more available for decision making. Such interactive tools could potentially be incorporated in a new generation of Web-based decision aids. The objective of our study was to investigate whether interactive graphics detailing the risk of side effects of two treatments improve knowledge and decision making over standard risk graphics. A total of 3371 members of a demographically diverse Internet panel viewed a hypothetical scenario about two hypothetical treatments for thyroid cancer. Each treatment had a chance of causing 1 of 2 side effects, but we randomly varied whether one treatment was better on both dimensions (strong dominance condition), slightly better on only one dimension (mild dominance condition), or better on one dimension but worse on the other (trade-off condition) than the other treatment. We also varied whether respondents passively viewed the risk information in static pictograph (icon array) images or actively manipulated the information by using interactive Flash-based animations of "fill-in-the-blank" pictographs. Our primary hypothesis was that active manipulation would increase respondents' ability to recognize dominance (when available) and choose the better treatment. The interactive risk graphic conditions had significantly worse survey completion rates (1110/1695, 65.5% vs 1316/1659, 79.3%, P < .001) than the static image conditions. In addition, respondents using interactive graphs were less likely to recognize and select the dominant treatment option (234/380, 61.6% vs 343/465, 73.8%, P < .001 in the strong dominance condition). Interactivity, however visually appealing, can both add to respondent burden and distract people from understanding relevant statistical information. Decision-aid developers need to be aware that interactive risk presentations may create worse outcomes than presentations of static risk graphic formats.

Cool but Counterproductive: Interactive, Web-Based Risk Communications Can Backfire

PubMed Central

Dickson, Mark; Witteman, Holly O

2011-01-01

Background Paper-based patient decision aids generally present risk information using numbers and/or static images. However, limited psychological research has suggested that when people interactively graph risk information, they process the statistics more actively, making the information more available for decision making. Such interactive tools could potentially be incorporated in a new generation of Web-based decision aids. Objective The objective of our study was to investigate whether interactive graphics detailing the risk of side effects of two treatments improve knowledge and decision making over standard risk graphics. Methods A total of 3371 members of a demographically diverse Internet panel viewed a hypothetical scenario about two hypothetical treatments for thyroid cancer. Each treatment had a chance of causing 1 of 2 side effects, but we randomly varied whether one treatment was better on both dimensions (strong dominance condition), slightly better on only one dimension (mild dominance condition), or better on one dimension but worse on the other (trade-off condition) than the other treatment. We also varied whether respondents passively viewed the risk information in static pictograph (icon array) images or actively manipulated the information by using interactive Flash-based animations of “fill-in-the-blank” pictographs. Our primary hypothesis was that active manipulation would increase respondents’ ability to recognize dominance (when available) and choose the better treatment. Results The interactive risk graphic conditions had significantly worse survey completion rates (1110/1695, 65.5% vs 1316/1659, 79.3%, P < .001) than the static image conditions. In addition, respondents using interactive graphs were less likely to recognize and select the dominant treatment option (234/380, 61.6% vs 343/465, 73.8%, P < .001 in the strong dominance condition). Conclusions Interactivity, however visually appealing, can both add to respondent burden and distract people from understanding relevant statistical information. Decision-aid developers need to be aware that interactive risk presentations may create worse outcomes than presentations of static risk graphic formats. PMID:21868349

Adaptive P300 based control system

PubMed Central

Jin, Jing; Allison, Brendan Z.; Sellers, Eric W.; Brunner, Clemens; Horki, Petar; Wang, Xingyu; Neuper, Christa

2015-01-01

An adaptive P300 brain-computer interface (BCI) using a 12 × 7 matrix explored new paradigms to improve bit rate and accuracy. During online use, the system adaptively selects the number of flashes to average. Five different flash patterns were tested. The 19-flash paradigm represents the typical row/column presentation (i.e., 12 columns and 7 rows). The 9- and 14-flash A & B paradigms present all items of the 12 × 7 matrix three times using either nine or 14 flashes (instead of 19), decreasing the amount of time to present stimuli. Compared to 9-flash A, 9-flash B decreased the likelihood that neighboring items would flash when the target was not flashing, thereby reducing interference from items adjacent to targets. 14-flash A also reduced adjacent item interference and 14-flash B additionally eliminated successive (double) flashes of the same item. Results showed that accuracy and bit rate of the adaptive system were higher than the non-adaptive system. In addition, 9- and 14-flash B produced significantly higher performance than their respective A conditions. The results also show the trend that the 14-flash B paradigm was better than the 19-flash pattern for naïve users. PMID:21474877

String flash-boiling in gasoline direct injection simulations with transient needle motion

DOE PAGES

Baldwin, Eli T.; Grover, Jr., Ronald O.; Parrish, Scott E.; ...

2016-09-06

A computational study was performed to investigate the influence of transient needle motion on gasoline direct injection (GDI) internal nozzle flow and near-field sprays. Simulations were conducted with a compressible Eulerian flow solver modeling liquid, vapor, and non-condensable gas phases with a diffuse interface. Variable rate generation and condensation of fuel vapor were captured using the homogeneous relaxation model (HRM). The non-flashing (spray G) and flashing (spray G2) conditions specified by the Engine Combustion Network were modeled using the nominal spray G nozzle geometry and transient needle lift and wobble were based upon ensemble averaged x-ray imaging preformed at Argonnemore » National Lab. The minimum needle lift simulated was 5 μm and dynamic mesh motion was achieved with Laplacian smoothing. The results were qualitatively validated against experimental imaging and the experimental rate of injection profile was captured accurately using pressure boundary conditions and needle motion to actu- ate the injection. Needle wobble was found to have no measurable effect on the flow. Low needle lift is shown to result in vapor generation as fuel rushes past the needle. In conclusion, the internal injector flow is shown to contain many transient and interacting vortices which cause perturbations in the spray angle, fluctuations in the mass flux, and frequently result in string flash-boiling.« less

String flash-boiling in gasoline direct injection simulations with transient needle motion

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

Baldwin, Eli T.; Grover, Jr., Ronald O.; Parrish, Scott E.

A computational study was performed to investigate the influence of transient needle motion on gasoline direct injection (GDI) internal nozzle flow and near-field sprays. Simulations were conducted with a compressible Eulerian flow solver modeling liquid, vapor, and non-condensable gas phases with a diffuse interface. Variable rate generation and condensation of fuel vapor were captured using the homogeneous relaxation model (HRM). The non-flashing (spray G) and flashing (spray G2) conditions specified by the Engine Combustion Network were modeled using the nominal spray G nozzle geometry and transient needle lift and wobble were based upon ensemble averaged x-ray imaging preformed at Argonnemore » National Lab. The minimum needle lift simulated was 5 μm and dynamic mesh motion was achieved with Laplacian smoothing. The results were qualitatively validated against experimental imaging and the experimental rate of injection profile was captured accurately using pressure boundary conditions and needle motion to actu- ate the injection. Needle wobble was found to have no measurable effect on the flow. Low needle lift is shown to result in vapor generation as fuel rushes past the needle. In conclusion, the internal injector flow is shown to contain many transient and interacting vortices which cause perturbations in the spray angle, fluctuations in the mass flux, and frequently result in string flash-boiling.« less

Adverse Effects of Induced Hot Flashes on Objectively Recorded and Subjectively Reported Sleep: Results of a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Experimental Protocol

PubMed Central

Joffe, Hadine; White, David P.; Crawford, Sybil L.; McCurnin, Kristin E.; Economou, Nicole; Connors, Stephanie; Hall, Janet E.

2013-01-01

Objectives The impact of hot flashes on sleep is of great clinical interest, but results are inconsistent, especially when both hot flashes and sleep are measured objectively. Using objective and subjective measurements, we examined the impact of hot flashes on sleep by inducing hot flashes with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). Methods The GnRHa leuprolide was administered to 20 healthy premenopausal volunteers without hot flashes or sleep disturbances. Induced hot flashes were assessed objectively (skin-conductance monitor) and subjectively (daily diary) during one-month follow-up. Changes from baseline in objective (actigraphy) and subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) were compared between women who did and did not develop objective hot flashes, and, in parallel analyses, subjective hot flashes. Results New-onset hot flashes were recorded in 14 (70%) and reported by 14 (70%) women (80% concordance). Estradiol was universally suppressed. Objective sleep efficiency worsened in women with objective hot flashes and improved in women without objective hot flashes (median decrease 2.6%, increase 4.2%, p=0.005). Subjective sleep quality worsened more in those with than without subjective hot flashes (median increase PSQI 2.5 vs. 1.0, p=0.03). Objective hot flashes were not associated with subjective sleep quality, nor were subjective symptoms linked to objective sleep measures. Conclusions This experimental model of induced hot flashes demonstrates a causal relationship between hot flashes and poor sleep quality. Objective hot flashes result in worse objective sleep efficiency, while subjective hot flashes worsen perceived sleep quality. PMID:23481119

Mechanisms of phosphene generation in ocular proton therapy as related to space radiation exposure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuard, D.; Anthonipillai, V.; Dendale, R.; Nauraye, C.; Khan, E.; Mabit, C.; De Marzi, L.; Narici, L.

2016-08-01

Particle therapy provides an opportunity to study the human response to space radiation in ground-based facilities. On this basis, a study of light flashes analogous to astronauts' phosphenes reported by patients undergoing ocular proton therapy has been undertaken. The influence of treatment parameters on phosphene generation was investigated for 430 patients treated for a choroidal melanoma at the proton therapy centre of the Institut Curie (ICPO) in Orsay, France, between 2008 and 2011. 60% of them report light flashes, which are predominantly (74%) blue. An analysis of variables describing the patient's physiology, properties of the tumour and dose distribution shows that two groups of tumour and beam variables are correlated with phosphene occurrence. Physiology is found to have no influence on flash triggering. Detailed correlation study eventually suggests a possible twofold mechanism of phosphene generation based on (i) indirect Cerenkov light in the bulk of the eye due to nuclear interactions and radioactive decay and (ii) direct excitation of the nerve fibres in the back of the eye and/or radical excess near the retina.

Light flash phenomena induced by HzE particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcnulty, P. J.; Pease, V. P.

1980-01-01

Astronauts and Apollo and Skylab missions have reported observing a variety of visual phenomena when their eyes are closed and adapted to darkness. These phenomena have been collectively labelled as light flashes. Visual phenomena which are similar in appearance to those observed in space have been demonstrated at the number of accelerator facilities by expressing the eyes of human subjects to beams of various types of radiation. In some laboratory experiments Cerenkov radiation was found to be the basis for the flashes observed while in other experiments Cerenkov radiation could apparently be ruled out. Experiments that differentiate between Cerenkov radiation and other possible mechanisms for inducing visual phenomena was then compared. The phenomena obtained in the presence and absence of Cerenkov radiation were designed and conducted. A new mechanism proposed to explain the visual phenomena observed by Skylab astronauts as they passed through the South Atlantic Anomaly, namely nuclear interactions in and near the sensitive layer of the retina, is covered. Also some studies to search for similar transient effects of space radiation on sensors and microcomputer memories are described.

Menopausal hot flashes: Randomness or rhythmicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kronenberg, Fredi

1991-10-01

Menopausal hot flashes are episodes of flushing, increased heart rate, skin blood flow and skin temperature, and a sensation of heat. The thermoregulatory and cardiovascular concomitants of hot flashes are associated with peaks in the levels of various hormones and neurotransmitters in the peripheral circulation. Although hot flashes affect about 75% of women, and are the primary reason that women at menopause seek medical attention, the mechanism of hot flashes is still not understood. Hot flashes vary in frequency and intensity both within and between individuals, and have been thought of as occurring randomly. Yet, some women report that their hot flashes are worse at a particular time of day or year. Initial examination of subjects' recordings of their hot flashes showed diurnal patterns of hot flash occurrence. There also seems to be a diurnal rhythm of hot flash intensity. Continuous physiological monitoring of hot flashes is facilitating the analysis of these patterns, which is revealing circadian and ultradian periodicities. The occurrence of hot flashes can be modulated by external and internal factors, including ambient temperature and fever. Rhythms of thermoregulatory and endocrine functions also may influence hot flash patterns. Examination of the interrelationships between the various systems of the body involved in hot flashes, and a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis of hot flash patterns, will aid our understanding of this complex phenomenon.

Differential Visual Processing of Animal Images, with and without Conscious Awareness

PubMed Central

Zhu, Weina; Drewes, Jan; Peatfield, Nicholas A.; Melcher, David

2016-01-01

The human visual system can quickly and efficiently extract categorical information from a complex natural scene. The rapid detection of animals in a scene is one compelling example of this phenomenon, and it suggests the automatic processing of at least some types of categories with little or no attentional requirements (Li et al., 2002, 2005). The aim of this study is to investigate whether the remarkable capability to categorize complex natural scenes exist in the absence of awareness, based on recent reports that “invisible” stimuli, which do not reach conscious awareness, can still be processed by the human visual system (Pasley et al., 2004; Williams et al., 2004; Fang and He, 2005; Jiang et al., 2006, 2007; Kaunitz et al., 2011a). In two experiments, we recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to animal and non-animal/vehicle stimuli in both aware and unaware conditions in a continuous flash suppression (CFS) paradigm. Our results indicate that even in the “unseen” condition, the brain responds differently to animal and non-animal/vehicle images, consistent with rapid activation of animal-selective feature detectors prior to, or outside of, suppression by the CFS mask. PMID:27790106

Differential Visual Processing of Animal Images, with and without Conscious Awareness.

PubMed

Zhu, Weina; Drewes, Jan; Peatfield, Nicholas A; Melcher, David

2016-01-01

The human visual system can quickly and efficiently extract categorical information from a complex natural scene. The rapid detection of animals in a scene is one compelling example of this phenomenon, and it suggests the automatic processing of at least some types of categories with little or no attentional requirements (Li et al., 2002, 2005). The aim of this study is to investigate whether the remarkable capability to categorize complex natural scenes exist in the absence of awareness, based on recent reports that "invisible" stimuli, which do not reach conscious awareness, can still be processed by the human visual system (Pasley et al., 2004; Williams et al., 2004; Fang and He, 2005; Jiang et al., 2006, 2007; Kaunitz et al., 2011a). In two experiments, we recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to animal and non-animal/vehicle stimuli in both aware and unaware conditions in a continuous flash suppression (CFS) paradigm. Our results indicate that even in the "unseen" condition, the brain responds differently to animal and non-animal/vehicle images, consistent with rapid activation of animal-selective feature detectors prior to, or outside of, suppression by the CFS mask.

Ventral and Dorsal Pathways Relate Differently to Visual Awareness of Body Postures under Continuous Flash Suppression

PubMed Central

Goebel, Rainer

2018-01-01

Abstract Visual perception includes ventral and dorsal stream processes. However, it is still unclear whether the former is predominantly related to conscious and the latter to nonconscious visual perception as argued in the literature. In this study upright and inverted body postures were rendered either visible or invisible under continuous flash suppression (CFS), while brain activity of human participants was measured with functional MRI (fMRI). Activity in the ventral body-sensitive areas was higher during visible conditions. In comparison, activity in the posterior part of the bilateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS) showed a significant interaction of stimulus orientation and visibility. Our results provide evidence that dorsal stream areas are less associated with visual awareness. PMID:29445766

Teaching Techniques for the ESL Literacy Classroom. [Videotape.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gati, Sally

This 71-minute videotape presents a three-part program of classroom teaching techniques for teachers of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy students. It shows students interacting with ESL literacy teachers, and focuses on: (1) essential teaching tools (chalkboard, easel, overhead projector, butcher paper, realia, pictures, flash cards,…

Developing Computer Model-Based Assessment of Chemical Reasoning: A Feasibility Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Xiufeng; Waight, Noemi; Gregorius, Roberto; Smith, Erica; Park, Mihwa

2012-01-01

This paper reports a feasibility study on developing computer model-based assessments of chemical reasoning at the high school level. Computer models are flash and NetLogo environments to make simultaneously available three domains in chemistry: macroscopic, submicroscopic, and symbolic. Students interact with computer models to answer assessment…

Effects of a fire alarm strobe light on fecal corticosterone metabolite concentrations in mice.

PubMed

Godfrey, Denice; Silverman, Jerald

2009-02-01

The type and location of fire alarms are important considerations in animal facility design. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends minimizing animal exposure to such alarms. Nevertheless, it is often necessary to maintain fire alarms within animal housing or procedural areas. The authors exposed male mice to the flashing strobe light component of a standard fire alarm and evaluated mouse fecal corticosterone concentration, which is known to be an indicator of stress. Mice were exposed to the strobe light for 5 min during either the light or the dark phase of the light:dark cycle. The authors collected fecal samples every 6 h for 24 h before exposing mice to the alarm and every 6 h for 24 h after exposure. Fecal samples taken before exposure (baseline samples) showed a normal circadian pattern of corticosterone metabolite excretion. In fecal samples taken after mice were exposed to the fire alarm, metabolite concentrations did not significantly differ from baseline concentrations over time.

An Analysis of Total Lightning Flash Rates Over Florida

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzetti, Thomas O.; Fuelberg, Henry E.

2017-12-01

Although Florida is known as the "Sunshine State", it also contains the greatest lightning flash densities in the United States. Flash density has received considerable attention in the literature, but lightning flash rate has received much less attention. We use data from the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) to produce a 5 year (2010-2014) set of statistics regarding total flash rates over Florida and adjacent regions. Instead of tracking individual storms, we superimpose a 0.2° × 0.2° grid over the study region and count both cloud-to-ground (CG) and in-cloud (IC) flashes over 5 min intervals. Results show that the distribution of total flash rates is highly skewed toward small values, whereas the greatest rate is 185 flashes min-1. Greatest average annual flash rates ( 3 flashes min-1) are located near Orlando. The southernmost peninsula, North Florida, and the Florida Panhandle exhibit smaller average annual flash rates ( 1.5 flashes min-1). Large flash rates > 100 flashes min-1 can occur during any season, at any time during the 24 h period, and at any location within the domain. However, they are most likely during the afternoon and early evening in East Central Florida during the spring and summer months.

The Severe Weather Outbreak of 10 November 2002: Lightning and Radar Analysis of Storms in the Deep South

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buechler, D. E.; McCaul, E. W., Jr.; Goodman, S. J.; Blakeslee, R. J.; Bailey, J. C.; Gatlin, P.

2004-01-01

On the afternoon and evening of 10 November 2002, the Midwest and Deep South were struck by a major outbreak of severe storms that produced some 80 tornadoes. In terms of number of tornadoes, this was the largest outbreak in the United States since November 1992. Some 32 of the tornadoes occurred in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, including several long-track killers. We use the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) and other data sources to perform a comprehensive analysis of the structure and evolution of the outbreak. Most of the Southern tornadoes occurred in isolated, fast-moving supercell storms that formed in warm, moist air ahead of a major cold front. Storms tended to form in lines parallel to storm cell motion, resulting in many communities being hit multiple times by severe storms that evening. Supercells in Tennessee produced numerous strong tornadoes with short to medium-length track paths, while the supercells further south produced several very long-track tornadoes. Radar data indicate that the Tennessee storms tended to split frequently, apparently limiting their ability to sustain long-lived tornadoes, while storms further south split at most one time. The differences between these storms appear to be related to the presence of stronger jetstream winds in Tennessee relative to those present in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. LMA-derived flash rates associated with most of the supercell storm cores were about 1-2 flashes per second. Rapid increases in lightning rates (or "jumps") occurred prior to tornado touchdown in many instances. Lightning "holes" (lightning-free regions associated with the echo-free vault) occurred in two of the Tennessee supercells. The complexity of the relationship between lightning and storm severity is revealed by the behavior of one Alabama supercell, which produced a peak flash rate of nearly 14 flashes per second, well after the end of its long-track tornado, while interacting and ultimately merging with a daughter supercell on its southwest flank. Close examination of this powerful storm indicates that its prodigious flash rate was the result of strong flash activity over an unusually large area, rather than a concentrated core of extremely high flash rate activity.

Behavioral weight loss for the management of menopausal hot flashes: a pilot study.

PubMed

Thurston, Rebecca C; Ewing, Linda J; Low, Carissa A; Christie, Aimee J; Levine, Michele D

2015-01-01

Although adiposity has been considered to be protective against hot flashes, newer data suggest positive relationships between hot flashes and adiposity. No studies have been specifically designed to test whether weight loss reduces hot flashes. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of behavioral weight loss in reducing hot flashes. Forty overweight or obese women with hot flashes (≥ 4 hot flashes/d) were randomized to either behavioral weight loss intervention or wait-list control. Hot flashes were assessed before and after intervention via physiologic monitoring, diary, and questionnaire. Comparisons of changes in hot flashes and anthropometrics between conditions were performed via Wilcoxon tests. Study retention (83%) and intervention satisfaction (93.8%) were high. Most women (74.1%) reported that hot flash reduction was a major motivator for losing weight. Women randomized to the weight loss intervention lost more weight (-8.86 kg) than did women randomized to control (+0.23 kg; P < 0.0001). Women randomized to weight loss also showed greater reductions in questionnaire-reported hot flashes (2-wk hot flashes, -63.0) than did women in the control group (-28.0; P = 0.03)-a difference not demonstrated in other hot flash measures. Reductions in weight and hot flashes were significantly correlated (eg, r = 0.47, P = 0.006). This pilot study shows a behavioral weight loss program that is feasible, acceptable, and effective in producing weight loss among overweight or obese women with hot flashes. Findings indicate the importance of a larger study designed to test behavioral weight loss for hot flash reduction. Hot flash management could motivate women to engage in this health-promoting behavior.

Enhanced retinal responses in Huntington's disease patients.

PubMed

Pearl, Jocelynn R; Heath, Laura M; Bergey, Dani E; Kelly, John P; Smith, Corrie; Laurino, Mercy Y; Weiss, Avery; Price, Nathan D; LaSpada, Albert; Bird, Thomas D; Jayadev, Suman

2017-01-01

Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by chorea, cognitive impairment and psychiatric symptoms. Retinal examination of HD patients as well as in HD animal models have shown evidence of retinal dysfunction. However, a detailed retinal study employing clinically available measurement tools has not been reported to date in HD. The goal of this study was to assess retinal responses measured by electroretinogram (ERG) between HD patients and controls and evaluate any correlation between ERG measurements and stage of disease. Eighteen patients and 10 controls with inclusion criteria of ages 18-70 years (average age HD subjects: 52.1 yrs and control subjects: 51.9 yrs) were recruited for the study. Subjects with previous history of retinal or ophthalmologic disease were excluded. Retinal function was examined by full-field ERG in both eyes of each subject. Amplitudes and latencies to increasing flash intensities in both light- and dark-adaptation were measured in all subjects. Statistical analyses employed generalized estimating equations, which account for repeated measures per subject. We analyzed the b-wave amplitudes of ERG response in all flash intensities and with 30 Hz flicker stimulation. We found statistically significant increased amplitudes in HD patients compared to controls at light-adapted (photopic) 24.2 and 60.9 cd.sec/m2 intensities, dark-adapted (scotopic, red flash) 0.22 cd.sec/m2 intensity, and a trend toward significance at light-adapted 30 Hz flicker. Furthermore, we found a significant increase in light-adapted ERG response from female compared to male HD patients, but no significant difference between gender amongst controls. We also noted a positive association between number of CAG repeats and ERG response at the smallest light adapted intensity (3.1 cd.sec/m2). ERG studies revealed significantly altered retinal responses at multiple flash intensities in subjects with an HD expansion allele compared to controls. Significant differences were observed with either light-adapted tests or the dark-adapted red flash which suggests that the enhanced responses in HD patients is specific to the cone photoreceptor pathway.

Time-Dependent Decline in Multifocal Electroretinogram Requires Faster Recording Procedures in Anesthetized Pigs

PubMed Central

Sørensen, Nina Buus; Christiansen, Anders Tolstrup; Kjær, Troels Wesenberg; Klemp, Kristian; la Cour, Morten; Kiilgaard, Jens Folke

2017-01-01

Purpose The time-dependent effect of anesthetics on the retinal function is debated. We hypothesize that in anesthetized animals there is a time-dependent decline that requires optimized multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) recording procedures. Methods Conventional and four-frame global-flash mfERG recordings were obtained approximately 15, 60, and 150 minutes after the induction of propofol anesthesia (20 pigs) and isoflurane anesthesia (nine pigs). In six of the propofol-anesthetized pigs, the mfERG recordings were split in 3-minute segments. Two to 4 weeks after initial recordings, an intraocular injection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) was given and the mfERG was rerecorded as described above. Data were analyzed using mixed models in SAS statistical software. Results Propofol significantly decreases the conventional and global-flash amplitudes over time. The only significant effect of isoflurane is a decrease in the global-flash amplitudes. At 15 minutes after TTX injection several of the mfERG amplitudes are significantly decreased. There is a linear correlation between the conventional P1 and the global-flash DR mfERG-amplitude (R2 = 0.82, slope = 0.72, P < 0.0001). There is no significant difference between the 3-minute and the prolonged mfERG recordings for conventional amplitudes and the global-flash direct response. The global flash–induced component significantly decreases with prolonged mfERG recordings. Conclusions A 3-minute mfERG recording and a single stimulation protocol is sufficient in anesthetized pigs. Recordings should be obtained immediately after the induction of anesthesia. The effect of TTX is significant 15 minutes after injection, but is contaminated by the effect of anesthesia 90 minutes after injection. Therefore, the quality of mfERG recordings can be further improved by determining the necessary time-of-delay from intraocular injection of a drug to full effect. Translational Relevance General anesthesia is a possible source of error in mfERG recordings. Therefore, it is important to investigate the translational relevance of the results to mfERG recordings in children in general anesthesia. PMID:28377845

Targeting an efficient target-to-target interval for P300 speller brain–computer interfaces

PubMed Central

Sellers, Eric W.; Wang, Xingyu

2013-01-01

Longer target-to-target intervals (TTI) produce greater P300 event-related potential amplitude, which can increase brain–computer interface (BCI) classification accuracy and decrease the number of flashes needed for accurate character classification. However, longer TTIs requires more time for each trial, which will decrease the information transfer rate of BCI. In this paper, a P300 BCI using a 7 × 12 matrix explored new flash patterns (16-, 18- and 21-flash pattern) with different TTIs to assess the effects of TTI on P300 BCI performance. The new flash patterns were designed to minimize TTI, decrease repetition blindness, and examine the temporal relationship between each flash of a given stimulus by placing a minimum of one (16-flash pattern), two (18-flash pattern), or three (21-flash pattern) non-target flashes between each target flashes. Online results showed that the 16-flash pattern yielded the lowest classification accuracy among the three patterns. The results also showed that the 18-flash pattern provides a significantly higher information transfer rate (ITR) than the 21-flash pattern; both patterns provide high ITR and high accuracy for all subjects. PMID:22350331

Natural sleep modifies the rat electroretinogram.

PubMed Central

Galambos, R; Juhász, G; Kékesi, A K; Nyitrai, G; Szilágyi, N

1994-01-01

We show here electroretinograms (ERGs) recorded from freely moving rats during sleep and wakefulness. Bilateral ERGs were evoked by flashes delivered through a light-emitting diode implanted under the skin above one eye and recorded through electrodes inside each orbit near the optic nerve. Additional electrodes over each visual cortex monitored the brain waves and collected flash-evoked cortical potentials to compare with the ERGs. Connections to the stimulating and recording instruments through a plug on the head made data collection possible at any time without physically disturbing the animal. The three major findings are (i) the ERG amplitude during slow-wave sleep can be 2 or more times that of the waking response; (ii) the ERG patterns in slow-wave and REM sleep are different; and (iii) the sleep-related ERG changes closely mimic those taking place at the same time in the responses evoked from the visual cortex. We conclude that the mechanisms that alter the visual cortical-evoked responses during sleep operate also and similarly at the retinal level. PMID:8197199

Spatial-temporal characteristics of lightning flash size in a supercell storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhixiao; Zheng, Dong; Zhang, Yijun; Lu, Gaopeng

2017-11-01

The flash sizes of a supercell storm, in New Mexico on October 5, 2004, are studied using the observations from the New Mexico Lightning Mapping Array and the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Doppler radar (KABX). First, during the temporal evolution of the supercell, the mean flash size is anti-correlated with the flash rate, following a unary power function, with a correlation coefficient of - 0.87. In addition, the mean flash size is linearly correlated with the area of reflectivity > 30 dBZ at 5 km normalized by the flash rate, with a correlation coefficient of 0.88. Second, in the horizontal, flash size increases along the direction from the region near the convection zone to the adjacent forward anvil. The region of minimum flash size usually corresponds to the region of maximum flash initiation and extent density. The horizontal correspondence between the mean flash size and the flash extent density can also be fitted by a unary power function, and the correlation coefficient is > 0.5 in 50% of the radar volume scans. Furthermore, the quality of fit is positively correlated to the convective intensity. Third, in the vertical direction, the height of the maximum flash initiation density is close to the height of maximum flash extent density, but corresponds to the height where the mean flash size is relatively small. In the discussion, the distribution of the small and dense charge regions when and where convection is vigorous in the storm, is deduced to be responsible for the relationship that flash size is temporally and spatially anti-correlated with flash rate and density, and the convective intensity.

Flash memory management system and method utilizing multiple block list windows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chow, James (Inventor); Gender, Thomas K. (Inventor)

2005-01-01

The present invention provides a flash memory management system and method with increased performance. The flash memory management system provides the ability to efficiently manage and allocate flash memory use in a way that improves reliability and longevity, while maintaining good performance levels. The flash memory management system includes a free block mechanism, a disk maintenance mechanism, and a bad block detection mechanism. The free block mechanism provides efficient sorting of free blocks to facilitate selecting low use blocks for writing. The disk maintenance mechanism provides for the ability to efficiently clean flash memory blocks during processor idle times. The bad block detection mechanism provides the ability to better detect when a block of flash memory is likely to go bad. The flash status mechanism stores information in fast access memory that describes the content and status of the data in the flash disk. The new bank detection mechanism provides the ability to automatically detect when new banks of flash memory are added to the system. Together, these mechanisms provide a flash memory management system that can improve the operational efficiency of systems that utilize flash memory.

Perceived control and hot flashes in treatment-seeking breast cancer survivors and menopausal women.

PubMed

Carpenter, Janet S; Wu, Jingwei; Burns, Debra S; Yu, Menggang

2012-01-01

Lower perceived control over hot flashes has been linked to fewer coping strategies, more catastrophizing, and greater hot flash severity and distress in midlife women, yet this important concept has not yet been studied in breast cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to explore perceived control over hot flashes and hot flashes in breast cancer survivors compared with midlife women without cancer. Ninety-nine survivors and 138 midlife women completed questionnaires and a prospective, electronic hot flash diary. All data were collected at a baseline assessment before randomization in a behavioral intervention study. Both groups had moderate perceived control over hot flashes. Control was not significantly related to hot flash frequency but was significantly related to hot flash severity, bother, and interference in both groups. A significantly stronger association between control and hot flash interference was found for survivors than for midlife women. Survivors using hot flash treatments perceived less control than did survivors not using hot flash treatments, whereas the opposite was true in midlife women. Findings extend our knowledge of perceived control over hot flashes in both survivors and midlife women. Findings emphasize the importance of continued menopausal symptom assessment and management, support the importance of continuing nursing care even for survivors who are already using hot flash treatment, and suggest that nursing interventions aimed at improving perceived control over hot flashes may be more helpful for survivors than for midlife women.

Tempo Rubato : Animacy Speeds Up Time in the Brain

PubMed Central

Carrozzo, Mauro; Moscatelli, Alessandro; Lacquaniti, Francesco

2010-01-01

Background How do we estimate time when watching an action? The idea that events are timed by a centralized clock has recently been called into question in favour of distributed, specialized mechanisms. Here we provide evidence for a critical specialization: animate and inanimate events are separately timed by humans. Methodology/Principal Findings In different experiments, observers were asked to intercept a moving target or to discriminate the duration of a stationary flash while viewing different scenes. Time estimates were systematically shorter in the sessions involving human characters moving in the scene than in those involving inanimate moving characters. Remarkably, the animate/inanimate context also affected randomly intermingled trials which always depicted the same still character. Conclusions/Significance The existence of distinct time bases for animate and inanimate events might be related to the partial segregation of the neural networks processing these two categories of objects, and could enhance our ability to predict critically timed actions. PMID:21206749

Synoptic-scale atmospheric conditions associated with flash flooding in watersheds of the Catskill Mountains, New York, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teale, N. G.; Quiring, S. M.

2015-12-01

Understanding flash flooding is important in unfiltered watersheds, such as portions of the New York City water supply system (NYCWSS), as water quality is degraded by turbidity associated with flooding. To further understand flash flooding in watersheds of the NYCWSS, synoptic-scale atmospheric conditions most frequently associated with flash flooding between 1987 and 2013 were examined. Flash floods were identified during this time period using USGS 15-minute discharge data at the Esopus Creek near Allaben, NY and Neversink River at Claryville, NY gauges. Overall, 25 flash floods were detected, occurring over 17 separate flash flood days. These flash flood days were compared to the days on which flash flood warnings encompassing the study area was issued by the National Weather Service. The success rate for which the flash flood warnings for Ulster County coincided with flash flood in the study watershed was 0.09, demonstrating the highly localized nature of flash flooding in the Catskill Mountain region. The synoptic-scale atmospheric patterns influencing the study area were characterized by a principal component analysis and k-means clustering of NCEP/NCAR 500 mb geopotential height reanalysis data. This procedure was executed in Spatial Synoptic Typer Tools 4.0. While 17 unique synoptic patterns were identified, only 3 types were strongly associated with flash flooding events. A strong southwesterly flow suggesting advection of moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico is shown in composites of these 3 types. This multiscalar study thereby links flash flooding in the NYCWSS with synoptic-scale atmospheric circulation.Understanding flash flooding is important in unfiltered watersheds, such as portions of the New York City water supply system (NYCWSS), as water quality is degraded by turbidity associated with flooding. To further understand flash flooding in watersheds of the NYCWSS, synoptic-scale atmospheric conditions most frequently associated with flash flooding between 1987 and 2013 were examined. Flash floods were identified during this time period using USGS 15-minute discharge data at the Esopus Creek near Allaben, NY and Neversink River at Claryville, NY gauges. Overall, 25 flash floods were detected, occurring over 17 separate flash flood days. These flash flood days were compared to the days on which flash flood warnings encompassing the study area was issued by the National Weather Service. The success rate for which the flash flood warnings for Ulster County coincided with flash flood in the study watershed was 0.09, demonstrating the highly localized nature of flash flooding in the Catskill Mountain region. The synoptic-scale atmospheric patterns influencing the study area were characterized by a principal component analysis and k-means clustering of NCEP/NCAR 500 mb geopotential height reanalysis data. This procedure was executed in Spatial Synoptic Typer Tools 4.0. While 17 unique synoptic patterns were identified, only 3 types were strongly associated with flash flooding events. A strong southwesterly flow suggesting advection of moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico is shown in composites of these 3 types. This multiscalar study thereby links flash flooding in the NYCWSS with synoptic-scale atmospheric circulation.

Hot Flashes and Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

hot flashes, 40.7% report at baseline, having used HRT and 26.8% used exercise to control hot flashes. The 12-month data indicates that 26.5% of the...entire sample who are experiencing hot flashes, tried or are using some form of HRT to control hot flashes with exercise still the most frequently...used approach to manage hot flashes with 44.2% of sample currently exercising . 15. SUBJECT TERMS Breast Cancer, Hot Flashes, Quality of Life

Menopausal Hot Flashes and Carotid Intima Media Thickness Among Midlife Women.

PubMed

Thurston, Rebecca C; Chang, Yuefang; Barinas-Mitchell, Emma; Jennings, J Richard; Landsittel, Doug P; Santoro, Nanette; von Känel, Roland; Matthews, Karen A

2016-12-01

There has been a longstanding interest in the role of menopause and its correlates in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Menopausal hot flashes are experienced by most midlife women; emerging data link hot flashes to CVD risk indicators. We tested whether hot flashes, measured via state-of-the-art physiologic methods, were associated with greater subclinical atherosclerosis as assessed by carotid ultrasound. We considered the role of CVD risk factors and estradiol concentrations in these associations. A total of 295 nonsmoking women free of clinical CVD underwent ambulatory physiologic hot flash assessments; a blood draw; and carotid ultrasound measurement of intima media thickness and plaque. Associations between hot flashes and subclinical atherosclerosis were tested in regression models controlling for CVD risk factors and estradiol. More frequent physiologic hot flashes were associated with higher carotid intima media thickness (for each additional hot flash: β [SE]=0.004 [0.001]; P=0.0001; reported hot flash: β [SE]=0.008 [0.002]; P=0.002, multivariable) and plaque (eg, for each additional hot flash, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] plaque index ≥2=1.07 [1.003-1.14]; P=0.04, relative to no plaque, multivariable] among women reporting daily hot flashes; associations were not accounted for by CVD risk factors or by estradiol. Among women reporting hot flashes, hot flashes accounted for more variance in intima media thickness than most CVD risk factors. Among women reporting daily hot flashes, frequent hot flashes may provide information about a woman's vascular status beyond standard CVD risk factors and estradiol. Frequent hot flashes may mark a vulnerable vascular phenotype among midlife women. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

Menopausal Hot Flashes and Carotid Intima Media Thickness among Midlife Women

PubMed Central

Thurston, Rebecca C.; Chang, Yuefang; Barinas-Mitchell, Emma; Jennings, J. Richard; Landsittel, Doug P.; Santoro, Nanette; von Känel, Roland; Matthews, Karen A.

2016-01-01

Background and Purpose There has been a longstanding interest in the role of menopause and its correlates in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Menopausal hot flashes are experienced by most midlife women; emerging data link hot flashes to CVD risk indicators. We tested whether hot flashes, measured via state-of-the-art physiologic methods, were associated with greater subclinical atherosclerosis as assessed by carotid ultrasound. We considered the role of CVD risk factors and estradiol concentrations in these associations. Methods 295 nonsmoking women free of clinical CVD underwent ambulatory physiologic hot flash assessments; a blood draw; and carotid ultrasound measurement of IMT and plaque. Associations between hot flashes and subclinical atherosclerosis were tested in regression models controlling for CVD risk factors and estradiol. Results More frequent physiologic hot flashes were associated with higher carotid intima media thickness [IMT; for each additional hot flash: beta (standard error)=.004(.001), p=.0001; reported hot flash: beta (standard error)=.008(.002), p=.002, multivariable] and plaque [e.g., for each additional hot flash, odds ratio (95% confidence interval) plaque index ≥2=1.07(1.003–1.14, p=.04), relative to no plaque, multivariable] among women reporting daily hot flashes; associations were not accounted for by CVD risk factors or by estradiol. Among women reporting hot flashes, hot flashes accounted for more variance in IMT than most CVD risk factors. Conclusions Among women reporting daily hot flashes, frequent hot flashes may provide information about a woman’s vascular status beyond standard CVD risk factors and estradiol. Frequent hot flashes may mark a vulnerable vascular phenotype among midlife women. PMID:27834746

Behavioral Weight Loss for the Management of Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Pilot Study

PubMed Central

Thurston, Rebecca C.; Ewing, Linda J.; Low, Carissa A.; Christie, Aimee J.; Levine, Michele D.

2014-01-01

Objective Although adiposity has been considered protective against hot flashes, newer data suggest positive relations between flashes and adiposity. No studies have been specifically designed to test whether weight loss reduces hot flashes. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of behavioral weight loss to reduce hot flashes. Methods Forty overweight/obese women with hot flashes (≥4/day) were randomized to a behavioral weight loss intervention or to wait list control. Hot flashes were assessed pre- and post-intervention via physiologic monitor, diary, and questionnaire. Comparisons of changes in hot flashes and anthropometrics between conditions were tested via Wilcoxon tests. Results Study retention (83%) and intervention satisfaction (93.8%) were high. Most women (74.1%) reported that hot flash reduction was a main motivator to lose weight. Women randomized to the weight loss intervention lost more weight (-8.86 kg) than did women randomized to control (+0.23 kg, p<.0001). Women randomized to weight loss also showed greater reductions in questionnaire-reported hot flashes (2-week hot flashes: −63.0) than did women in the control (−28.0, p=.03), a difference not demonstrated in other hot flash measures. Reductions in weight and hot flashes were significantly correlated (e.g., r=.47, p=.006). Conclusions This pilot study showed a behavioral weight loss program to be feasible, acceptable, and effective in producing weight loss among overweight/obese women with hot flashes. Findings indicate the importance of a larger study designed to test behavioral weight loss for hot flash reduction. Hot flash management could motivate women to engage in this health-promoting behavior. PMID:24977456

Karst flash floods: an example from the Dinaric karst (Croatia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonacci, O.; Ljubenkov, I.; Roje-Bonacci, T.

2006-03-01

Flash floods constitute one of the deadliest and costliest natural disasters worldwide. This paper explains the karst flash flood phenomenon, which represents a special kind of flash flood. As the majority of flash floods karst flash floods are caused by intensive short-term precipitation in an area whose surface rarely exceeds a few square kilometres. The characteristics of all flash floods are their short duration, small areal extent, high flood peaks and rapid flows, and heavy loss of life and property. Karst flash floods have specific characteristics due to special conditions for water circulation, which exist in karst terrains. During karst flash floods a sudden rise of groundwater levels occurs, which causes the appearance of numerous, unexpected, abundant and temporary karst springs. This paper presents in detail an example of a karst flash flood in the Marina bay (Dinaric karst region of Croatia), which occurred in December 2004.

A Comprehensive Study on Energy Efficiency and Performance of Flash-based SSD

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

Park, Seon-Yeon; Kim, Youngjae; Urgaonkar, Bhuvan

2011-01-01

Use of flash memory as a storage medium is becoming popular in diverse computing environments. However, because of differences in interface, flash memory requires a hard-disk-emulation layer, called FTL (flash translation layer). Although the FTL enables flash memory storages to replace conventional hard disks, it induces significant computational and space overhead. Despite the low power consumption of flash memory, this overhead leads to significant power consumption in an overall storage system. In this paper, we analyze the characteristics of flash-based storage devices from the viewpoint of power consumption and energy efficiency by using various methodologies. First, we utilize simulation tomore » investigate the interior operation of flash-based storage of flash-based storages. Subsequently, we measure the performance and energy efficiency of commodity flash-based SSDs by using microbenchmarks to identify the block-device level characteristics and macrobenchmarks to reveal their filesystem level characteristics.« less

Flash fire propensity of materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilado, C. J.; Cumming, H. J.

1977-01-01

Flash fire test results on 86 materials, evaluated using the USF flash fire screening test, are presented. The materials which appear least prone to flash fires are PVC, polyphenylene oxide and sulfide, and polyether and polyaryl sulfone; these did not produce flash fires under these particular test conditions. The principal value of these screening tests at the present time is in identifying materials which appear prone to flash fires, and in identifying which formulations of a generic material are more or less prone to flash fires.

Quantitative comparison of the application accuracy between NDI and IGT tracking systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Qinghang; Zamorano, Lucia J.; Jiang, Charlie Z. W.; Gong, JianXing; Diaz, Fernando

1999-07-01

The application accuracy is a crucial factor for the stereotactic surgical localization system in which space digitization system is one of the most important part of equipment. In this study we compared the application accuracy of using the OPTOTRAK space digitization system (OPTOTRAK 3020, Northern Digital, Waterloo, CAN) and FlashPoint Model 3000 and 5000 3-D digitizer systems (FlashPoint Model 3000 and 5000, Image Guided Surgery Technology Inc., Boulder, CO 80301, USA) for interactive localization of intracranial lesions. A phantom was mounted with the implantable frameless marker system (Fischer- Leibinger, Freiburg, Germany) which randomly distributed markers on the surface of the phantom. The target point was digitized and the coordinates were recorded and compared with reference points. The differences from the reference points were used as the deviation from the `true point'. The mean square root was calculated to show the sum of vectors. A paired t-test was used to analyze results. The results of the phantom showed that the mean square roots were 0.76 +/- 0.54 mm for the OPTOTRAK system and 1.23 +/- 0.53 mm for FlashPoint Model 3000 3-D digitizer system and 1.00 +/- 0.42 mm for FlashPoint Model 3000 3-D digitizer system in the 1 mm sections of CT scan. This preliminary results showed that there is no significant difference between two tracking systems. Both of them can be used for image guided surgery procedure.

In situ flash x-ray high-speed computed tomography for the quantitative analysis of highly dynamic processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moser, Stefan; Nau, Siegfried; Salk, Manfred; Thoma, Klaus

2014-02-01

The in situ investigation of dynamic events, ranging from car crash to ballistics, often is key to the understanding of dynamic material behavior. In many cases the important processes and interactions happen on the scale of milli- to microseconds at speeds of 1000 m s-1 or more. Often, 3D information is necessary to fully capture and analyze all relevant effects. High-speed 3D-visualization techniques are thus required for the in situ analysis. 3D-capable optical high-speed methods often are impaired by luminous effects and dust, while flash x-ray based methods usually deliver only 2D data. In this paper, a novel 3D-capable flash x-ray based method, in situ flash x-ray high-speed computed tomography is presented. The method is capable of producing 3D reconstructions of high-speed processes based on an undersampled dataset consisting of only a few (typically 3 to 6) x-ray projections. The major challenges are identified, discussed and the chosen solution outlined. The application is illustrated with an exemplary application of a 1000 m s-1 high-speed impact event on the scale of microseconds. A quantitative analysis of the in situ measurement of the material fragments with a 3D reconstruction with 1 mm voxel size is presented and the results are discussed. The results show that the HSCT method allows gaining valuable visual and quantitative mechanical information for the understanding and interpretation of high-speed events.

Hot flash report and measurement among Bangladeshi migrants, their London neighbors, and their community of origin.

PubMed

Sievert, L L; Begum, K; Sharmeen, T; Murphy, L; Whitcomb, B W; Chowdhury, O; Muttukrishna, S; Bentley, G R

2016-12-01

To examine hot flashes in relation to climate and activity patterns, and to compare subjective and objective hot flashes among Bangladeshi immigrants to London, their white London neighbors, and women still living in their community of origin, Sylhet, Bangladesh ("sedentees"). Ninety-five women, aged 40-55, wore the Biolog ambulatory hot flash monitor. Objective measurements and subjective hot flash reports were examined in relation to demographic, reproductive, anthropometric, and lifestyle variables; temperature and humidity at 12:00 and 18:00; and time spent on housework and cooking. Concordance of objective and subjective hot flashes was assessed by Kappa statistics and by sensitivity of hot flash classification. During the study period, Bangladeshi sedentees reported more subjective hot flashes (p < .05), but there was no difference in number of objective hot flashes. White Londoners were more likely to describe hot flashes on their face and neck compared to Bangladeshis (p < .05). Sedentees were more likely to describe hot flashes on their feet (p < .05). Postmenopausal status, increasing parity, and high levels of housework were significant determinants of subjective hot flashes, while ambient temperature and humidity were not. Measures of subjective/objective concordance were low but similar across groups (10-20%). The proportion of objective hot flashes that were also self-reported was lowest among immigrants. Hot flashes were not associated with warmer temperatures, but were associated with housework and with site-specific patterns of cooking. The number of objective hot flash measures did not differ, but differences in subjective experience suggest the influence of culture. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Phenomenology of the sound-induced flash illusion.

PubMed

Abadi, Richard V; Murphy, Jonathan S

2014-07-01

Past studies, using pairings of auditory tones and visual flashes, which were static and coincident in space but variable in time, demonstrated errors in judging the temporal patterning of the visual flashes-the sound-induced flash illusion. These errors took one of the two forms: under-reporting (sound-induced fusion) or over-reporting (sound-induced fission) of the flash numbers. Our study had three objectives: to examine the robustness of both illusions and to consider the effects of stimulus set and response bias. To this end, we used an extended range of fixed spatial location flash-tone pairings, examined stimuli that were variable in space and time and measured confidence in judging flash numbers. Our results indicated that the sound-induced flash illusion is a robust percept, a finding underpinned by the confidence measures. Sound-induced fusion was found to be more robust than sound-induced fission and a most likely outcome when high numbers of flashes were incorporated within an incongruent flash-tone pairing. Conversely, sound-induced fission was the most likely outcome for the flash-tone pairing which contained two flashes. Fission was also shown to be strongly driven by stimuli confounds such as categorical boundary conditions (e.g. flash-tone pairings with ≤2 flashes) and compressed response options. These findings suggest whilst both fission and fusion are associated with 'auditory driving', the differences in the occurrence and strength of the two illusions not only reflect the separate neuronal mechanisms underlying audio and visual signal processing, but also the test conditions that have been used to investigate the sound-induced flash illusion.

How self-reported hot flashes may relate to affect, cognitive performance and sleep.

PubMed

Regestein, Quentin; Friebely, Joan; Schiff, Isaac

2015-08-01

To explain the controversy about whether midlife women who self-report hot flashes have relatively increased affective symptoms, poor cognitive performance or worse sleep. Retrospective data from 88 women seeking relief from bothersome day and night hot flashes were submitted to mixed linear regression modeling to find if estimated hot flashes, as measured by Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ) items, or diary-documented hot flashes recorded daily, were associated with each other, or with affective, cognitive or sleep measures. Subjects averaged 6.3 daytime diary-documented hot flashes and 2.4 nighttime diary-documented hot flashes per 24h. Confounder-controlled diary-documented hot flashes but not estimated hot flashes were associated with increased Leeds anxiety scores (F=4.9; t=2.8; p=0.01) and Leeds depression scores (3.4; 2.5; 0.02), decreased Stroop Color-Word test performance (9.4; 3.5; 0.001), increased subjective sleep disturbance (effect size=0.83) and increased objective sleep disturbance (effect size=0.35). Hot flash effects were small to moderate in size. Univariate but not multivariate analyses revealed that all hot flash measures were associated with all affect measures. Different measures of hot flashes associated differently with affect, cognition and sleep. Only nighttime diary-document hot flash consistently correlated with any affect measures in multivariate analyses. The use of differing measures for hot flashes, affect, cognition and sleep may account for the continually reported inconsistencies in menopause study outcomes. This problem impedes forging a consensus on whether hot flashes correlate with neuropsychological symptoms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Susceptibility to the Flash-Beep Illusion Is Increased in Children Compared to Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Innes-Brown, Hamish; Barutchu, Ayla; Shivdasani, Mohit N.; Crewther, David P.; Grayden, David B.; Paolini, Antonio

2011-01-01

Audio-visual integration was studied in children aged 8-17 (N = 30) and adults (N = 22) using the "flash-beep illusion" paradigm, where the presentation of two beeps causes a single flash to be perceived as two flashes ("fission" illusion), and a single beep causes two flashes to be perceived as one flash ("fusion" illusion). Children reported…

Global Patterns of Lightning Properties Derived by OTD and LIS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beirle, Steffen; Koshak, W.; Blakeslee, R.; Wagner, T.

2014-01-01

The satellite instruments Optical Transient Detector (OTD) and Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) provide unique empirical data about the frequency of lightning flashes around the globe (OTD), and the tropics (LIS), which 5 has been used before to compile a well received global climatology of flash rate densities. Here we present a statistical analysis of various additional lightning properties derived from OTD/LIS, i.e. the number of so-called "events" and "groups" per flash, as well as 10 the mean flash duration, footprint and radiance. These normalized quantities, which can be associated with the flash "strength", show consistent spatial patterns; most strikingly, oceanic flashes show higher values than continental flashes for all properties. Over land, regions with high (Eastern US) 15 and low (India) flash strength can be clearly identified. We discuss possible causes and implications of the observed regional differences. Although a direct quantitative interpretation of the investigated flash properties is difficult, the observed spatial patterns provide valuable information for the 20 interpretation and application of climatological flash rates. Due to the systematic regional variations of physical flash characteristics, viewing conditions, and/or measurement sensitivities, parametrisations of lightning NOx based on total flash rate densities alone are probably affected by regional biases.

Web Delivery of Interactive Laboratories: Comparison of Three Authoring Tools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silbar, Richard R.

2002-04-01

It is well-known that the more a student interacts with a subject, the better he or she will learn it. This is particularly true in technical subjects. One way to do this is to have computer-based "laboratories" in which the student manipulates objects on the screen with keyboard or mouse and then sees the outcome of those actions. One example of such a laboratory we have built, using Macromedia's Authorware, deals with addition of two vectors in the geometric approach. The problem with Authorware, however, is that, if one wants to deliver the training over the Web, that requires the download and installation of a big plug-in. Therefore, as an experiment, I built clones of the Vector Addition Laboratory using Macromedia's Director or Flash, each of which have smaller plug-ins which are often already installed in the user's browser. The Director and Flash versions are similar to (but definitely not the same as) the Authorware version. This talk goes into these differences and demonstrates the techniques used. You can view the three examples on-line at http://www.whistlesoft.com/ silbar.

Temporal ventriloquism: crossmodal interaction on the time dimension. 1. Evidence from auditory-visual temporal order judgment.

PubMed

Bertelson, Paul; Aschersleben, Gisa

2003-10-01

In the well-known visual bias of auditory location (alias the ventriloquist effect), auditory and visual events presented in separate locations appear closer together, provided the presentations are synchronized. Here, we consider the possibility of the converse phenomenon: crossmodal attraction on the time dimension conditional on spatial proximity. Participants judged the order of occurrence of sound bursts and light flashes, respectively, separated in time by varying stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) and delivered either in the same or in different locations. Presentation was organized using randomly mixed psychophysical staircases, by which the SOA was reduced progressively until a point of uncertainty was reached. This point was reached at longer SOAs with the sounds in the same frontal location as the flashes than in different places, showing that apparent temporal separation is effectively longer in the first condition. Together with a similar one obtained recently in a case of tactile-visual discrepancy, this result supports a view in which timing and spatial layout of the inputs play to some extent inter-changeable roles in the pairing operation at the base of crossmodal interaction.

Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors: Frequency, severity and impact.

PubMed

Chang, Hao-Yuan; Jotwani, Aparna C; Lai, Yeur-Hur; Jensen, Mark P; Syrjala, Karen L; Fann, Jesse R; Gralow, Julie

2016-06-01

To (1) determine the frequency and severity of hot flashes, (2) examine the associations between hot flash frequency and severity and quality of life, and (3) identify the predictors of hot flash activity in breast cancer survivors. The study used a cross-sectional design and mailed survey of 253 breast cancer survivors recruited from a cancer wellness clinic. Participants provided information regarding cancer history, hot flashes, pain intensity, sleep problems, physical functioning, and psychological functioning. About half of the survivors reported at least one hot flash in the past 24 h (45%) or past week (52%). The average frequency of hot flashes was 1.9 in the past 24 h and 1.8 in the past week. Hot flash severity was usually mild or asymptomatic. However, participants with hot flashes reported significantly more sleep problems and higher pain severity than those reporting no hot flashes. Moreover, the severity of hot flashes was associated with more sleep problems, higher pain severity, and more psychological dysfunction. History of hormonal suppression therapy and younger age predicted hot flash activity in the study sample. In breast cancer survivors, hot flashes are common and are associated with unpleasant symptoms and poor quality of life. Research is needed to determine if treatments that reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors also result in improvements in symptoms such as sleep problems, pain, and psychological dysfunction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors: Frequency, severity and impact

PubMed Central

Chang, Hao-Yuan; Jotwani, Aparna C.; Lai, Yeur-Hur; Jensen, Mark P.; Syrjala, Karen L.; Fann, Jesse R.; Gralow, Julie

2018-01-01

Purposes To (1) determine the frequency and severity of hot flashes, (2) examine the associations be- tween hot flash frequency and severity and quality of life, and (3) identify the predictors of hot flash activity in breast cancer survivors. Methods The study used a cross-sectional design and mailed survey of 253 breast cancer survivors recruited from a cancer wellness clinic. Participants provided information regarding cancer history, hot flashes, pain intensity, sleep problems, physical functioning, and psychological functioning. Results About half of the survivors reported at least one hot flash in the past 24 h (45%) or past week (52%). The average frequency of hot flashes was 1.9 in the past 24 h and 1.8 in the past week. Hot flash severity was usually mild or asymptomatic. However, participants with hot flashes reported significantly more sleep problems and higher pain severity than those reporting no hot flashes. Moreover, the severity of hot flashes was associated with more sleep problems, higher pain severity, and more psychological dysfunction. History of hormonal suppression therapy and younger age predicted hot flash activity in the study sample. Conclusions In breast cancer survivors, hot flashes are common and are associated with unpleasant symptoms and poor quality of life. Research is needed to determine if treatments that reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors also result in improvements in symptoms such as sleep problems, pain, and psychological dysfunction. PMID:27065357

High-Resolution Mesoscale Simulations of the 6-7 May 2000 Missouri Flash Flood: Impact of Model Initialization and Land Surface Treatment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, R. David; Wang, Yansen; Tao, Wei-Kuo; Wetzel, Peter; Belcher, Larry R.

2004-01-01

High-resolution mesoscale model simulations of the 6-7 May 2000 Missouri flash flood event were performed to test the impact of model initialization and land surface treatment on timing, intensity, and location of extreme precipitation. In this flash flood event, a mesoscale convective system (MCS) produced over 340 mm of rain in roughly 9 hours in some locations. Two different types of model initialization were employed: 1) NCEP global reanalysis with 2.5-degree grid spacing and 12-hour temporal resolution, and 2) Eta reanalysis with 40- km grid spacing and $hour temporal resolution. In addition, two different land surface treatments were considered. A simple land scheme. (SLAB) keeps soil moisture fixed at initial values throughout the simulation, while a more sophisticated land model (PLACE) allows for r interactive feedback. Simulations with high-resolution Eta model initialization show considerable improvement in the intensity of precipitation due to the presence in the initialization of a residual mesoscale convective vortex (hlCV) from a previous MCS. Simulations with the PLACE land model show improved location of heavy precipitation. Since soil moisture can vary over time in the PLACE model, surface energy fluxes exhibit strong spatial gradients. These surface energy flux gradients help produce a strong low-level jet (LLJ) in the correct location. The LLJ then interacts with the cold outflow boundary of the MCS to produce new convective cells. The simulation with both high-resolution model initialization and time-varying soil moisture test reproduces the intensity and location of observed rainfall.

A hybrid type Ia supernova with an early flash triggered by helium-shell detonation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Ji-An; Doi, Mamoru; Maeda, Keiichi; Shigeyama, Toshikazu; Nomoto, Ken'Ichi; Yasuda, Naoki; Jha, Saurabh W.; Tanaka, Masaomi; Morokuma, Tomoki; Tominaga, Nozomu; Ivezić, Željko; Ruiz-Lapuente, Pilar; Stritzinger, Maximilian D.; Mazzali, Paolo A.; Ashall, Christopher; Mould, Jeremy; Baade, Dietrich; Suzuki, Nao; Connolly, Andrew J.; Patat, Ferdinando; Wang, Lifan; Yoachim, Peter; Jones, David; Furusawa, Hisanori; Miyazaki, Satoshi

2017-10-01

Type Ia supernovae arise from the thermonuclear explosion of white-dwarf stars that have cores of carbon and oxygen. The uniformity of their light curves makes these supernovae powerful cosmological distance indicators, but there have long been debates about exactly how their explosion is triggered and what kind of companion stars are involved. For example, the recent detection of the early ultraviolet pulse of a peculiar, subluminous type Ia supernova has been claimed as evidence for an interaction between a red-giant or a main-sequence companion and ejecta from a white-dwarf explosion. Here we report observations of a prominent but red optical flash that appears about half a day after the explosion of a type Ia supernova. This supernova shows hybrid features of different supernova subclasses, namely a light curve that is typical of normal-brightness supernovae, but with strong titanium absorption, which is commonly seen in the spectra of subluminous ones. We argue that this early flash does not occur through previously suggested mechanisms such as the companion-ejecta interaction. Instead, our simulations show that it could occur through detonation of a thin helium shell either on a near-Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf, or on a sub-Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf merging with a less-massive white dwarf. Our finding provides evidence that one branch of previously proposed explosion models—the helium-ignition branch—does exist in nature, and that such a model may account for the explosions of white dwarfs in a mass range wider than previously supposed.

A hybrid type Ia supernova with an early flash triggered by helium-shell detonation.

PubMed

Jiang, Ji-An; Doi, Mamoru; Maeda, Keiichi; Shigeyama, Toshikazu; Nomoto, Ken'ichi; Yasuda, Naoki; Jha, Saurabh W; Tanaka, Masaomi; Morokuma, Tomoki; Tominaga, Nozomu; Ivezić, Željko; Ruiz-Lapuente, Pilar; Stritzinger, Maximilian D; Mazzali, Paolo A; Ashall, Christopher; Mould, Jeremy; Baade, Dietrich; Suzuki, Nao; Connolly, Andrew J; Patat, Ferdinando; Wang, Lifan; Yoachim, Peter; Jones, David; Furusawa, Hisanori; Miyazaki, Satoshi

2017-10-04

Type Ia supernovae arise from the thermonuclear explosion of white-dwarf stars that have cores of carbon and oxygen. The uniformity of their light curves makes these supernovae powerful cosmological distance indicators, but there have long been debates about exactly how their explosion is triggered and what kind of companion stars are involved. For example, the recent detection of the early ultraviolet pulse of a peculiar, subluminous type Ia supernova has been claimed as evidence for an interaction between a red-giant or a main-sequence companion and ejecta from a white-dwarf explosion. Here we report observations of a prominent but red optical flash that appears about half a day after the explosion of a type Ia supernova. This supernova shows hybrid features of different supernova subclasses, namely a light curve that is typical of normal-brightness supernovae, but with strong titanium absorption, which is commonly seen in the spectra of subluminous ones. We argue that this early flash does not occur through previously suggested mechanisms such as the companion-ejecta interaction. Instead, our simulations show that it could occur through detonation of a thin helium shell either on a near-Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf, or on a sub-Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf merging with a less-massive white dwarf. Our finding provides evidence that one branch of previously proposed explosion models-the helium-ignition branch-does exist in nature, and that such a model may account for the explosions of white dwarfs in a mass range wider than previously supposed.

FLASH2: Operation, beamlines, and photon diagnostics

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

Plönjes, Elke, E-mail: elke.ploenjes@desy.de; Faatz, Bart; Kuhlmann, Marion

2016-07-27

FLASH2, a major extension of the soft X-ray free-electron laser FLASH at DESY, turns FLASH into a multi-user FEL facility. A new undulator line is located in a separate accelerator tunnel and driven additionally by the FLASH linear accelerator. First lasing of FLASH2 was achieved in August 2014 with simultaneous user operation at FLASH1. The new FLASH2 experimental hall offers space for up to six experimental end stations, some of which will be installed permanently. The wide wavelength range spans from 4-60 nm and 0.8 nm in the 5{sup th} harmonic and in the future deep into the water windowmore » in the fundamental. While this is of high interest to users, it is challenging from the beamline instrumentation point of view. Online diagnostics - which are mostly pulse resolved - for beam intensity, position, wavelength, wave front, and pulse length have been to a large extent developed at FLASH(1) and have now been optimized for FLASH2. Pump-probe facilities for XUV-XUV, XUV optical and XUV-THz experiments will complete the FLASH2 user facility.« less

Design of Grid Portal System Based on RIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Caifeng; Luo, Jianguo; Qiu, Zhixin

Grid portal is an important branch of grid research. In order to solve the weak expressive force, the poor interaction, the low operating efficiency and other insufficiencies of the first and second generation of grid portal system, RIA technology was introduced to it. A new portal architecture was designed based on RIA and Web service. The concrete realizing scheme of portal system was presented by using Adobe Flex/Flash technology, which formed a new design pattern. In system architecture, the design pattern has B/S and C/S superiorities, balances server and its client side, optimizes the system performance, realizes platform irrelevance. In system function, the design pattern realizes grid service call, provides client interface with rich user experience, integrates local resources by using FABridge, LCDS, Flash player and some other components.

Plasma-material interaction in electrothermal and electromagnetic launchers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourham, M. A.; Gilligan, J. G.; Hankins, O. E.

1993-07-01

Various material surfaces have been exposed to high heat fluxes from 2 to 80 GW/sq m over 100 microsec duration using the electrothermal launcher, SIRENS. The vapor shield is effective in reducing the heat to the ablating surface, and the energy transmission factor through the vapor shield decreases as the incident heat flux increases. Results show good agreement with code predictions. Visible light emission spectra have been observed both in-bore and from the muzzle flash of the barrel, and from the flash of the source. Measurements of visible emission from the source indicate time averaged temperatures of 1 to 3 eV, and about 1 to 2 eV along the axis of the device, which agree with the theory and experimental measurements of the average heat flux and plasma conductivity.

Magnitude of the impact of hot flashes on sleep in perimenopausal women

PubMed Central

de Zambotti, Massimiliano; Colrain, Ian M.; Javitz, Harold S.; Baker, Fiona C.

2014-01-01

Objective To quantify the impact of objectively-recorded hot flashes on objective sleep in perimenopausal women. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants underwent 1–5 laboratory-based polysomnographic recordings for a total of 63 nights, including sternal skin conductance measures, from which 222 hot flashes were identified according to established criteria. Data were analyzed with hierarchical mixed-effect models and Spearman correlations. Setting Sleep laboratory. Patients 34 perimenopausal women (Age±SD:50.4±2.7y). Intervention None. Main Outcome Measures Perceived and polysomnographic sleep measures (sleep quality, amount of wake after sleep onset and number of awakenings). Subjective (frequency and bother) and objective (frequency and amount of hot flash-associated wake time) hot flash measures. Results Women had an average of 3.5 (95%CI:2.8–4.2, range=1– 9) objective hot flashes per night. 69.4% of hot flashes were associated with an awakening. Hot flash-associated wake time per night was, on average, 16.6 min (95%CI:10.8–22.4), which accounted for 27.2% (SD 27.1) of total wakefulness per night. Hot flash-associated wake, but not frequency, was negatively associated with sleep efficiency and positively associated with wake after sleep onset. Also, self-reported wakefulness correlated with hot flash-associated wake, suggesting that women’s estimates of wakefulness are influenced by the amount of time spent awake in association with hot flashes during the night. More perceived and bothersome hot flashes correlated with more perceived wakefulness and awakenings and more objective hot flash-associated wake time and hot flash frequency. Conclusions The presence of physiological hot flashes accounts for a significant proportion of total objective wakefulness during the night in perimenopausal women. PMID:25256933

Initial Breakdown Pulse Amplitudes in Intracloud and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Flashes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, T. C.; Smith, E. M.; Stolzenburg, M.; Karunarathne, S.; Siedlecki, R. D., II

2017-12-01

This study analyzes the largest initial breakdown (IB) pulse in flashes from three storms in Florida. The study was motivated in part by the possibility that IB pulses of IC flashes may cause of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs). The range-normalized, zero-to-peak amplitude of the largest IB pulse within each flash was determined along with its altitude, duration, and occurrence time in the flash. Appropriate data were available for 40 intracloud (IC) and 32 cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes. Histograms of the magnitude of the largest IB pulse amplitude by flash type were similar, with mean (median) values of 1.49 (1.05) V/m for IC flashes and -1.35 (-0.87) V/m for CG flashes. The mean amplitude of the largest IC IB pulses are substantially smaller (roughly an order of magnitude smaller) than the few known pulse amplitudes of TGF events and TGF candidate events. The largest IB pulse in 30 IC flashes showed a weak inverse relation between pulse amplitude and altitude. Amplitude of the largest IB pulse for 25 CG flashes showed no altitude correlation. Duration of the largest IB pulse in ICs averaged twice as long as in CGs (96 μs versus 46 μs); all of the CG durations were <100 μs. Among the ICs, there is a positive relation between largest IB pulse duration and amplitude; the linear correlation coefficient is 0.385 with outliers excluded. The largest IB pulse in IC flashes typically occurred at a longer time after the first IB pulse (average 4.1 ms) than was the case in CG flashes (average 0.6 ms). In both flash types, the largest IB pulse was the first IB pulse in about 30% of the cases.

Ligand interaction scan: a general method for engineering ligand-sensitive protein alleles.

PubMed

Erster, Oran; Eisenstein, Miriam; Liscovitch, Mordechai

2007-05-01

The ligand interaction scan (LIScan) method is a general procedure for engineering small molecule ligand-regulated forms of a protein that is complementary to other 'reverse' genetic and chemical-genetic methods for drug-target validation. It involves insertional mutagenesis by a chemical-genetic 'switch', comprising a genetically encoded peptide module that binds with high affinity to a small-molecule ligand. We demonstrated the method with TEM-1 beta-lactamase, using a tetracysteine hexapeptide insert and a biarsenical fluorescein ligand (FlAsH).

SUMO regulates proteasome-dependent degradation of FLASH/Casp8AP2

PubMed Central

Vennemann, Astrid; Hofmann, Thomas G.

2013-01-01

FLASH/Casp8AP2 is a huge multifunctional protein involved in multiple cellular processes, reaching from death receptor signaling to regulation of histone gene transcription and histone mRNA processing. Previous work has shown that FLASH localizes to Cajal bodies and promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies. However, the function of its nuclear body association remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that murine FLASH is covalently modified by SUMO at Lys residue 1792. Interestingly, ectopic expression of SUMO results in proteasome-dependent degradation of FLASH. A point mutant of FLASH with a mutated SUMO acceptor lysine residue, FLASHK1792R, is resistant to SUMO-induced degradation. Finally, we show that arsenic trioxide, a drug known to potentiate SUMO modification and degradation of PML, triggers recruitment of FLASH to PML bodies and concomitant loss of FLASH protein. Our data suggest that SUMO targets FLASH for proteasome-dependent degradation, which is associated with recruitment of FLASH to PML bodies. PMID:23673342

The October 2014 United States Treasury bond flash crash and the contributory effect of mini flash crashes

PubMed Central

Levine, Zachary S.; Floridi, Luciano

2017-01-01

We investigate the causal uncertainty surrounding the flash crash in the U.S. Treasury bond market on October 15, 2014, and the unresolved concern that no clear link has been identified between the start of the flash crash at 9:33 and the opening of the U.S. equity market at 9:30. We consider the contributory effect of mini flash crashes in equity markets, and find that the number of equity mini flash crashes in the three-minute window between market open and the Treasury Flash Crash was 2.6 times larger than the number experienced in any other three-minute window in the prior ten weekdays. We argue that (a) this statistically significant finding suggests that mini flash crashes in equity markets both predicted and contributed to the October 2014 U.S. Treasury Bond Flash Crash, and (b) mini-flash crashes are important phenomena with negative externalities that deserve much greater scholarly attention. PMID:29091931

Studying the co-evolution of protein families with the Mirrortree web server.

PubMed

Ochoa, David; Pazos, Florencio

2010-05-15

The Mirrortree server allows to graphically and interactively study the co-evolution of two protein families, and investigate their possible interactions and functional relationships in a taxonomic context. The server includes the possibility of starting from single sequences and hence it can be used by non-expert users. The web server is freely available at http://csbg.cnb.csic.es/mtserver. It was tested in the main web browsers. Adobe Flash Player is required at the client side to perform the interactive assessment of co-evolution. pazos@cnb.csic.es Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Investigating the interaction of x-ray free electron laser radiation with grating structure.

PubMed

Gaudin, Jérôme; Ozkan, Cigdem; Chalupský, Jaromír; Bajt, Saša; Burian, Tomáš; Vyšín, Ludek; Coppola, Nicola; Farahani, Shafagh Dastjani; Chapman, Henry N; Galasso, Germano; Hájková, Vera; Harmand, Marion; Juha, Libor; Jurek, Marek; Loch, Rolf A; Möller, Stefan; Nagasono, Mitsuru; Störmer, Michael; Sinn, Harald; Saksl, Karel; Sobierajski, Ryszard; Schulz, Joachim; Sovak, Pavol; Toleikis, Sven; Tiedtke, Kai; Tschentscher, Thomas; Krzywinski, Jacek

2012-08-01

The interaction of free electron laser pulses with grating structure is investigated using 4.6±0.1 nm radiation at the FLASH facility in Hamburg. For fluences above 63.7±8.7 mJ/cm2, the interaction triggers a damage process starting at the edge of the grating structure as evidenced by optical and atomic force microscopy. Simulations based on solution of the Helmholtz equation demonstrate an enhancement of the electric field intensity distribution at the edge of the grating structure. A procedure is finally deduced to evaluate damage threshold.

"Know What to Do If You Encounter a Flash Flood": Mental Models Analysis for Improving Flash Flood Risk Communication and Public Decision Making.

PubMed

Lazrus, Heather; Morss, Rebecca E; Demuth, Julie L; Lazo, Jeffrey K; Bostrom, Ann

2016-02-01

Understanding how people view flash flood risks can help improve risk communication, ultimately improving outcomes. This article analyzes data from 26 mental models interviews about flash floods with members of the public in Boulder, Colorado, to understand their perspectives on flash flood risks and mitigation. The analysis includes a comparison between public and professional perspectives by referencing a companion mental models study of Boulder-area professionals. A mental models approach can help to diagnose what people already know about flash flood risks and responses, as well as any critical gaps in their knowledge that might be addressed through improved risk communication. A few public interviewees mentioned most of the key concepts discussed by professionals as important for flash flood warning decision making. However, most interviewees exhibited some incomplete understandings and misconceptions about aspects of flash flood development and exposure, effects, or mitigation that may lead to ineffective warning decisions when a flash flood threatens. These include important misunderstandings about the rapid evolution of flash floods, the speed of water in flash floods, the locations and times that pose the greatest flash flood risk in Boulder, the value of situational awareness and environmental cues, and the most appropriate responses when a flash flood threatens. The findings point to recommendations for ways to improve risk communication, over the long term and when an event threatens, to help people quickly recognize and understand threats, obtain needed information, and make informed decisions in complex, rapidly evolving extreme weather events such as flash floods. © 2015 Society for Risk Analysis.

Early/fast VLF events produced by the quiescent heating of the lower ionosphere by thunderstorms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabirzadeh, R.; Marshall, R. A.; Inan, U. S.

2017-06-01

Large and easily distinguishable perturbations of the VLF transmitter signals due to interactions with thundercloud-driven ionospheric modifications have been observed and studied for about three decades. These events are called "early/fast VLF" or "early VLF" events due to their immediate detection (˜20 ms) after the causative lightning flash on the ground and the fast rise time of the perturbed signal. Despite many years of study, the physical mechanisms responsible for these perturbations are still under investigation. Modifications of the sustained heating level of the ionosphere due to a lightning flash has been previously proposed as the causative mechanism of early/fast VLF events. The perturbations predicted by this mechanism, however, have been much smaller than experimental observations of 0.2-1 dB or higher. In this study, by using an improved 3-D thundercloud electrostatic upward coupling model which uses a realistic geomagnetic field, we find that the sustained heating model can predict perturbations that are consistent with reported experimental observations. Modifications in the quiescent heating of the lower ionosphere by thundercloud fields by individual lightning flashes may thus account for some observations of early/fast VLF events.

Reconstruction of Axial Energy Deposition in Magnetic Liner Inertial Fusion Based on PECOS Shadowgraph Unfolds Using the AMR Code FLASH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adams, Marissa; Jennings, Christopher; Slutz, Stephen; Peterson, Kyle; Gourdain, Pierre; U. Rochester-Sandia Collaboration

2017-10-01

Magnetic Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) experiments incorporate a laser to preheat a deuterium filled capsule before compression via a magnetically imploding liner. In this work, we focus on the blast wave formed in the fuel during the laser preheat component of MagLIF, where approximately 1kJ of energy is deposited in 3ns into the capsule axially before implosion. To model blast waves directly relevant to experiments such as MagLIF, we inferred deposited energy from shadowgraphy of laser-only experiments preformed at the PECOS target chamber using the Z-Beamlet laser. These energy profiles were used to initialize 2-dimensional simulations using by the adaptive mesh refinement code FLASH. Gradients or asymmetries in the energy deposition may seed instabilities that alter the fuel's distribution, or promote mix, as the blast wave interacts with the liner wall. The AMR capabilities of FLASH allow us to study the development and dynamics of these instabilities within the fuel and their effect on the liner before implosion. Sandia Natl Labs is managed by NTES of Sandia, LLC., a subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc, for the U.S. DOEs NNSA under contract DE-NA0003525.

A Closer Look at the Congo and the Lightning Maximum on Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blakeslee, R. J.; Buechler, D. E.; Lavreau, Johan; Goodman, Steven J.

2008-01-01

The global maps of maximum mean annual flash density derived from a decade of observations from the Lightning Imaging Sensor on the NASA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite show that a 0.5 degree x 0.5 degree pixel west of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (latitude 2S, longitude 28E) has the most frequent lightning activity anywhere on earth with an average value in excess of 157 fl/sq km/yr. This pixel has a flash density that is much greater than even its surrounding neighbors. By contrast the maximum mean annual flash rate for North America located in central Florida is only 33 fl/sq km/yr. Previous studies have shown that monthly-seasonal-annual lightning maxima on earth occur in regions dominated by coastal (land-sea breeze interactions) or topographic influences (elevated heat sources, enhanced convergence). Using TRMM, Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper, and Shuttle Imaging Radar imagery we further examine the unique features of this region situated in the deep tropics and dominated by a complex topography having numerous mountain ridges and valleys to better understand why this pixel, unlike any other, has the most active lightning on the planet.

50 CFR 600.730 - Facilitation of enforcement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... transmitted by flashing light directed at the vessel signaled. USCG units will normally use the flashing light... your vessel instantly.” (Period (.) means a short flash of light; dash (-) means a long flash of light... authorized officer using loudhailer, radiotelephone, flashing light signal, or other means constitutes prima...

50 CFR 600.730 - Facilitation of enforcement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... transmitted by flashing light directed at the vessel signaled. USCG units will normally use the flashing light... your vessel instantly.” (Period (.) means a short flash of light; dash (-) means a long flash of light... authorized officer using loudhailer, radiotelephone, flashing light signal, or other means constitutes prima...

49 CFR 234.217 - Flashing light units.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Flashing light units. 234.217 Section 234.217..., Inspection, and Testing Maintenance Standards § 234.217 Flashing light units. (a) Each flashing light unit.... (b) Each flashing light unit shall be maintained to prevent dust and moisture from entering the...

49 CFR 234.217 - Flashing light units.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Flashing light units. 234.217 Section 234.217..., Inspection, and Testing Maintenance Standards § 234.217 Flashing light units. (a) Each flashing light unit.... (b) Each flashing light unit shall be maintained to prevent dust and moisture from entering the...

Lunar Impact Flash Locations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moser, D. E.; Suggs, R. M.; Kupferschmidt, L.; Feldman, J.

2015-01-01

A bright impact flash detected by the NASA Lunar Impact Monitoring Program in March 2013 brought into focus the importance of determining the impact flash location. A process for locating the impact flash, and presumably its associated crater, was developed using commercially available software tools. The process was successfully applied to the March 2013 impact flash and put into production on an additional 300 impact flashes. The goal today: provide a description of the geolocation technique developed.

FLASH Interface; a GUI for managing runtime parameters in FLASH simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, Christopher; Tzeferacos, Petros; Weide, Klaus; Lamb, Donald; Flocke, Norbert; Feister, Scott

2017-10-01

We present FLASH Interface, a novel graphical user interface (GUI) for managing runtime parameters in simulations performed with the FLASH code. FLASH Interface supports full text search of available parameters; provides descriptions of each parameter's role and function; allows for the filtering of parameters based on categories; performs input validation; and maintains all comments and non-parameter information already present in existing parameter files. The GUI can be used to edit existing parameter files or generate new ones. FLASH Interface is open source and was implemented with the Electron framework, making it available on Mac OSX, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The new interface lowers the entry barrier for new FLASH users and provides an easy-to-use tool for experienced FLASH simulators. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), NNSA ASC/Alliances Center for Astrophysical Thermonuclear Flashes, U.S. DOE NNSA ASC through the Argonne Institute for Computing in Science, U.S. National Science Foundation.

OTD Observations of Continental US Ground and Cloud Flashes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshak, William

2007-01-01

Lightning optical flash parameters (e.g., radiance, area, duration, number of optical groups, and number of optical events) derived from almost five years of Optical Transient Detector (OTD) data are analyzed. Hundreds of thousands of OTD flashes occurring over the continental US are categorized according to flash type (ground or cloud flash) using US National Lightning Detection Network TM (NLDN) data. The statistics of the optical characteristics of the ground and cloud flashes are inter-compared on an overall basis, and as a function of ground flash polarity. A standard two-distribution hypothesis test is used to inter-compare the population means of a given lightning parameter for the two flash types. Given the differences in the statistics of the optical characteristics, it is suggested that statistical analyses (e.g., Bayesian Inference) of the space-based optical measurements might make it possible to successfully discriminate ground and cloud flashes a reasonable percentage of the time.

Menopausal Hot Flashes and White Matter Hyperintensities

PubMed Central

Thurston, Rebecca C.; Aizenstein, Howard J.; Derby, Carol A.; Sejdić, Ervin; Maki, Pauline M.

2015-01-01

Objective Hot flashes are the classic menopausal symptom. Emerging data links hot flashes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, yet how hot flashes are related to brain health is poorly understood. We examined the relationship between hot flashes - measured via physiologic monitor and self-report - and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) among midlife women. Methods Twenty midlife women ages 40-60 without clinical CVD, with their uterus and both ovaries, and not taking hormone therapy were recruited. Women underwent 24 hours of ambulatory physiologic and diary hot flash monitoring to quantify hot flashes; magnetic resonance imaging to assess WMH burden; 72 hours of actigraphy and questionnaires to quantify sleep; and a blood draw, questionnaires, and physical measures to quantify demographics and CVD risk factors. Test of a priori hypotheses regarding relations between physiologically-monitored and self-reported wake and sleep hot flashes and WMH were conducted in linear regression models. Results More physiologically-monitored hot flashes during sleep were associated with greater WMH, controlling for age, race, and body mass index [beta(standard error)=.0002 (.0001), p=.03]. Findings persisted controlling for sleep characteristics and additional CVD risk factors. No relations were observed for self-reported hot flashes. Conclusions More physiologically-monitored hot flashes during sleep were associated with greater WMH burden among midlife women free of clinical CVD. Results suggest that relations between hot flashes and CVD risk observed in the periphery may extend to the brain. Future work should consider the unique role of sleep hot flashes in brain health. PMID:26057822

Some properties of negative cloud-to-ground flashes from observations of a local thunderstorm based on accurate-stroke-count studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Baoyou; Ma, Ming; Xu, Weiwei; Ma, Dong

2015-12-01

Properties of negative cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flashes, in terms of number of strokes per flash, inter-stroke intervals and the relative intensity of subsequent and first strokes, were presented by accurate-stroke-count studies based on all 1085 negative flashes from a local thunderstorm. The percentage of single-stroke flashes and stroke multiplicity evolved significantly during the whole life cycle of the study thunderstorm. The occurrence probability of negative CG flashes decreased exponentially with the increasing number of strokes per flash. About 30.5% of negative CG flashes contained only one stroke and number of strokes per flash averaged 3.3. In a subset of 753 negative multiple-stroke flashes, about 41.4% contained at least one subsequent stroke stronger than the corresponding first stroke. Subsequent strokes tended to decrease in strength with their orders and the ratio of subsequent to first stroke peaks presented a geometric mean value of 0.52. Interestingly, negative CG flashes of higher multiplicity tended to have stronger initial strokes. 2525 inter-stroke intervals showed a more or less log-normal distribution and gave a geometric mean value of 62 ms. For CG flashes of particular multiplicity geometric mean inter-stroke intervals tended to decrease with the increasing number of strokes per flash, while those intervals associated with higher order strokes tended to be larger than those associated with low order strokes.

Effect of Escitalopram on Hot Flash Interference: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Carpenter, Janet S.; Guthrie, Katherine A.; Larson, Joseph C.; Freeman, Ellen W.; Joffe, Hadine; Reed, Susan D.; Ensrud, Kristine E.; LaCroix, Andrea Z.

2012-01-01

Objectives To estimate the effect of escitalopram 10–20 mg/day versus placebo for reducing hot flash interference in daily life and understand correlates and predictors of reductions in hot flash interference, a key measure of quality of life. Design Multi-site, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients 205 midlife women (46% African-American) who met criteria participated. Setting MsFLASH clinical sites in Boston, Indianapolis, Oakland, and Philadelphia. Intervention After baseline, women were randomized to 1 pill of escitalopram 10 mg/day (n=104) or placebo (n=101) with follow-up at 4- and 8-weeks. At week 4, those not achieving 50% fewer hot flashes were increased to 2 pills daily (20 mg/day or 2 placebo pills). Main outcome measures The Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale; Correlates were variables from hot flash diaries; Predictors were baseline demographics, clinical variables, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and hot flashes. Results Compared to placebo, escitalopram significantly reduced hot flash interference by 6.0 points at week 4 and 3.4 points at week 8 more than placebo (p=0.012). Reductions in hot flash interference correlated with changes in hot flash diary variables. However, baseline variables did not significantly predict reductions in hot flash interference. Conclusions Escitalopram 10–20mg/day for 8 weeks improves women’s quality of life and this benefit did not vary by demographic, clinical, mood, sleep, or hot flash variables. PMID:22480818

Cardiac autonomic function and hot flashes among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

PubMed

Gibson, Carolyn J; Mendes, Wendy Berry; Schembri, Michael; Grady, Deborah; Huang, Alison J

2017-07-01

Abnormalities in autonomic function are posited to play a pathophysiologic role in menopausal hot flashes. We examined relationships between resting cardiac autonomic activity and hot flashes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Autonomic function was assessed at baseline and 12 weeks among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (n = 121, mean age 53 years) in a randomized trial of slow-paced respiration for hot flashes. Pre-ejection period (PEP), a marker of sympathetic activation, was measured with impedance cardiography. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a marker of parasympathetic activation, was measured with electrocardiography. Participants self-reported hot flash frequency and severity in 7-day symptom diaries. Analysis of covariance models were used to relate autonomic function and hot flash frequency and severity at baseline, and to relate changes in autonomic function to changes in hot flash frequency and severity over 12 weeks, adjusting for age, body mass index, and intervention assignment. PEP was not associated with hot flash frequency or severity at baseline or over 12 weeks (P > 0.05 for all). In contrast, there was a trend toward greater frequency of moderate-to-severe hot flashes with higher RSA at baseline (β = 0.43, P = 0.06), and a positive association between change in RSA and change in frequency of moderate-to-severe hot flashes over 12 weeks (β = 0.63, P = 0.04). Among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with hot flashes, variations in hot flash frequency and severity were not explained by variations in resting sympathetic activation. Greater parasympathetic activation was associated with more frequent moderate-to-severe hot flashes, which may reflect increased sensitivity to perceiving hot flashes.

Pulsed photoacoustic detection of flash-induced oxygen evolution from intact leaves and its oscillations

PubMed Central

Canaani, Ora; Malkin, Shmuel; Mauzerall, David

1988-01-01

Photoacoustic signals from intact leaves, produced upon excitation with single-turnover flashes, were shown to be dependent on their position in the flash sequence. Compared to the signal obtained from the first flash, all the others were time-shifted and had increased amplitudes. The signal from the third flash had the largest deviation, whereas that from the second flash deviated only minimally. The amplitude difference of the signals relative to that from the first flash was measured at a convenient time point (5 ms) and showed oscillations of period 4, similar to the O2-evolution pattern from algae. These oscillations were strongly damped, tending to a steady state from about the seventh flash on. The extra photoacoustic signal (relative to the first flash) was shown to be inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, heat treatment, or water infiltration. Its change with flash number, its saturation with increasing flash energy, and the above inhibition criteria indicate that it originates in pulsed O2 evolution. The sound wave produced by the first flash, however, arose by a photothermal mechanism only, as shown by its linear dependence on the flash intensity and insensitivity to the above treatments. The above flash pattern demonstrates that the photocycle of the S states (i.e., positive charge accumulation before two water molecules can be oxidized in a concerted way to produce molecular oxygen) occurs in intact leaves. It proves the applicability of the photoacoustic method for mechanistic studies of O2 evolution in leaves under physiological conditions. Water content of leaves is readily measured by this method. Images PMID:16593952

Software Assurance of PLCs Training Course

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Threatt, Jamarr

2004-01-01

Being heavily visually-oriented, I am a firm believer in communication and conveying emotions through the art of color, motion, and transformation. A four-part online training course was created in PowerPoint and needed to be translated over into a Flash format. Issues with the Powerpoint were that the size of the files caused noticeable delays when placed online, there were compatibility issues, and from a composition and design perspective, color schemes and layout left much to be desired. High contrast, pixilated yellow text spiraling and flying on to a background of overly rich hues of blue with cheesy gradient patterns was just not appeasing to my eye, along with the menu directory buttons located at the top resembling blue pills of NyQuil on top of a stale gray border that had nothing to do with the background. The course itself is extremely broad and verbose, and will get monotonous very soon after starting. Moving about the course was very cumbersome as well. efficient by drastically reducing the size (The file size of all four parts of the actual course combined will ultimately not even be a fifth as big as one part of the original PowerPoint alone!); along with that, the course was made to be more interactive and user-friendly, as well as pleasing to the eye. Upon being viewed by fellow co-workers, nothing but positive feedback has been received. When beginning the presentation, onscreen comes a 3' 2" chubby, balding professor, who is a master in his knowledge of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). He introduces himself and presents all of his vast knowledge over PLCs in a fun and innovative manner, making it much easier to acquire the information presented. A Scene Selection feature has been added making it a lot easier to jump from part to part and the back and forth arrows are much easier to utilize, and they are both less obtrusive than its PowerPoint predecessor. The user can also go at their pace, as the presentation pauses after at the end of each statement. computer animation, it was.. .still. ..animation done on a computer. I was able to incorporate my artistic talent and intuitive creativity into it, one thing I am very proficient at doing when it comes to what I do and what I will do in my profession as an artist/computer animator. At first, I felt that there was no place for an artist within a faculty of scientists, engineers, chemists, mathematicians, and programmers, but I managed to fit in quite successfully. My task was to convert the course into a Flash format, which would make it much more My project surprisingly somewhat dealt with my field of interest-though it was not

Understanding the complex relationships underlying hot flashes: a Bayesian network approach.

PubMed

Smith, Rebecca L; Gallicchio, Lisa M; Flaws, Jodi A

2018-02-01

The mechanism underlying hot flashes is not well-understood, primarily because of complex relationships between and among hot flashes and their risk factors. We explored those relationships using a Bayesian network approach based on a 2006 to 2015 cohort study of hot flashes among 776 female residents, 45 to 54 years old, in the Baltimore area. Bayesian networks were fit for each outcome (current hot flashes, hot flashes before the end of the study, hot flash severity, hot flash frequency, and age at first hot flashes) separately and together with a list of risk factors (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, body mass index and obesity, race, income level, education level, smoking history, drinking history, and activity level). Each fitting was conducted separately on all women and only perimenopausal women, at enrollment and 4 years after enrollment. Hormone levels, almost always interrelated, were the most common variable linked to hot flashes; hormone levels were sometimes related to body mass index, but were not directly related to any other risk factors. Smoking was also frequently associated with increased likelihood of severe symptoms, but not through an antiestrogenic pathway. The age at first hot flashes was related only to race. All other factors were either not related to outcomes or were mediated entirely by race, hormone levels, or smoking. These models can serve as a guide for design of studies into the causal network underlying hot flashes.

A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial of Gabapentin 300mg versus 900mg versus Placebo for Anxiety Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors

PubMed Central

Lavigne, Jill E.; Mustian, Karen; Mathews, Jennifer L; Heckler, Charles; Palesh, Oxana; Amos, Eric; Morrow, Gary R

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND Gabapentin is used for the treatment of hot flashes and neuropathic pain in breast cancer survivors, and is commonly used off-label for the treatment of anxiety. Yet, clinical trial evidence to support the use of gabapentin for anxiety symptoms is lacking. METHODS In a randomized, double-blinded controlled trial we compared 300mg gabapentin versus 900mg gabapentin versus placebo. Subjects were 420 breast cancer patients who had completed all chemotherapy cycles. Anxiety traits and current (state) anxiety were measured using the Speilberger Strait-Trait Anxiety Inventory at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Pain was measured at baseline using a 10-point scale. Analyses included analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and ordinary least squares regression. RESULTS At 4 weeks, state anxiety change scores were significantly better for gabapentin 300mg and 900mg (p=0.005) compared to placebo. The magnitude of improvement was proportional to baseline state anxiety. At 8 weeks, the anxiolytic effects of gabapentin compared to placebo persisted (p < 0.005). We found no significant interactions. CONCLUSIONS Given its similar pharmacology, efficacy in the treatment of hot flashes, and low cost, gabapentin may provide a low cost and parsimonious alternative treatment choice for breast cancer survivors presenting in primary care practices with anxiety symptoms. Gabapentin is effective for hot flashes, and therefore may provide therapeutic benefit for both anxiety and hot flashes at a generic drug price. For patients reluctant to take a controlled substance, such as a benzodiazepine, gabapentin may offer an alternative therapy. Similarly, patients with a history of substance use may benefit from gabapentin without risk of addiction or abuse. For cancer survivors experiencing both hot flashes and anxiety, gabapentin may provide a single effective treatment for both and is an alternative therapy for anxiety for patients unwilling to take a benzodiazepine or those with a history of substance use. PMID:23053645

The Kinematic and Microphysical Control of Lightning Rate, Extent and NOX Production

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carey, Lawrence; Koshak, William; Peterson, Harold; Matthee, Retha; Bain, A. Lamont

2014-01-01

The Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) experiment seeks to quantify the relationship between storm physics, lightning characteristics and the production of nitrogen oxides via lightning (LNOx). The focus of this study is to investigate the kinematic and microphysical control of lightning properties, particularly those that may govern LNOx production, such as flash rate, type and extent across Alabama during DC3. Prior studies have demonstrated that lightning flash rate and type is correlated to kinematic and microphysical properties in the mixed-phase region of thunderstorms such as updraft volume and graupel mass. More study is required to generalize these relationships in a wide variety of storm modes and meteorological conditions. Less is known about the co-evolving relationship between storm physics, morphology and three-dimensional flash extent, despite its importance for LNOx production. To address this conceptual gap, the NASA Lightning Nitrogen Oxides Model (LNOM) is applied to North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (NALMA) and Vaisala National Lightning Detection Network(TM) (NLDN) observations following ordinary convective cells through their lifecycle. LNOM provides estimates of flash rate, flash type, channel length distributions, lightning segment altitude distributions (SADs) and lightning NOx production profiles. For this study, LNOM is applied in a Lagrangian sense to multicell thunderstorms over Northern Alabama on two days during DC3 (21 May and 11 June 2012) in which aircraft observations of NOx are available for comparison. The LNOM lightning characteristics and LNOX production estimates are compared to the evolution of updraft and precipitation properties inferred from dual-Doppler and polarimetric radar analyses applied to observations from a nearby radar network, including the UAH Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR). Given complex multicell evolution, particular attention is paid to storm morphology, cell mergers and possible dynamical, microphysical and electrical interaction of individual cells when testing various hypotheses.

An Investigation of the Kinematic and Microphysical Control of Lightning Rate, Extent and NOx Production using DC3 Observations and the NASA Lightning Nitrogen Oxides Model (LNOM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carey, Lawrence; Koshak, William; Peterson, Harold; Matthee, Retha; Bain, Lamont

2013-01-01

The Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) experiment seeks to quantify the relationship between storm physics, lightning characteristics and the production of nitrogen oxides via lightning (LNOx). The focus of this study is to investigate the kinematic and microphysical control of lightning properties, particularly those that may govern LNOx production, such as flash rate, type and extent across Alabama during DC3. Prior studies have demonstrated that lightning flash rate and type is correlated to kinematic and microphysical properties in the mixed-phase region of thunderstorms such as updraft volume and graupel mass. More study is required to generalize these relationships in a wide variety of storm modes and meteorological conditions. Less is known about the co-evolving relationship between storm physics, morphology and three-dimensional flash extent, despite its importance for LNOx production. To address this conceptual gap, the NASA Lightning Nitrogen Oxides Model (LNOM) is applied to North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (NALMA) and Vaisala National Lightning Detection Network(TM) (NLDN) observations following ordinary convective cells through their lifecycle. LNOM provides estimates of flash rate, flash type, channel length distributions, lightning segment altitude distributions (SADs) and lightning NOx production profiles. For this study, LNOM is applied in a Lagrangian sense to multicell thunderstorms over Northern Alabama on two days during DC3 (21 May and 11 June 2012) in which aircraft observations of NOx are available for comparison. The LNOM lightning characteristics and LNOX production estimates are compared to the evolution of updraft and precipitation properties inferred from dual-Doppler and polarimetric radar analyses applied to observations from a nearby radar network, including the UAH Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR). Given complex multicell evolution, particular attention is paid to storm morphology, cell mergers and possible dynamical, microphysical and electrical interaction of individual cells when testing various hypotheses.

An Investigation of the Kinematic and Microphysical Control of Lightning Rate, Extent and NOX Production using DC3 Observations and the NASA Lightning Nitrogen Oxides Model (LNOM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carey, Lawrence; Koshak, William; Peterson, Harold; Matthee, Retha; Bain, Lamont

2013-01-01

The Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) experiment seeks to quantify the relationship between storm physics, lightning characteristics and the production of nitrogen oxides via lightning (LNOx). The focus of this study is to investigate the kinematic and microphysical control of lightning properties, particularly those that may govern LNOx production, such as flash rate, type and extent across Alabama during DC3. Prior studies have demonstrated that lightning flash rate and type is correlated to kinematic and microphysical properties in the mixed-phase region of thunderstorms such as updraft volume and graupel mass. More study is required to generalize these relationships in a wide variety of storm modes and meteorological conditions. Less is known about the co-evolving relationship between storm physics, morphology and three-dimensional flash extent, despite its importance for LNOx production. To address this conceptual gap, the NASA Lightning Nitrogen Oxides Model (LNOM) is applied to North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (NALMA) and Vaisala National Lightning Detection NetworkTM (NLDN) observations following ordinary convective cells through their lifecycle. LNOM provides estimates of flash rate, flash type, channel length distributions, lightning segment altitude distributions (SADs) and lightning NOx production profiles. For this study, LNOM is applied in a Lagrangian sense to multicell thunderstorms over Northern Alabama on two days during DC3 (21 May and 11 June 2012) in which aircraft observations of NOx are available for comparison. The LNOM lightning characteristics and LNOX production estimates are compared to the evolution of updraft and precipitation properties inferred from dual-Doppler and polarimetric radar analyses applied to observations from a nearby radar network, including the UAH Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR). Given complex multicell evolution, particular attention is paid to storm morphology, cell mergers and possible dynamical, microphysical and electrical interaction of individual cells when testing various hypotheses.

Hot Flashes

MedlinePlus

... report menopausal hot flashes than do women of European descent. Hot flashes are less common in women of Japanese and Chinese descent than in white European women. Complications Nighttime hot flashes (night sweats) can ...

Helium shell flashes and evolution of accreting white dwarfs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujimoto, M. Y.; Sugimoto, D.

1982-06-01

The evolution of accreting white dwarfs is investigated from the onset of accretion through the helium shell flash. Properties of the helium shell flashes are studied by means of a generalized theory of shell flash and by numerical computations, and it is found that the shell flash grows up to the strength of a supernova explosion when the mass of the helium zone is large enough on a massive white dwarf. Although accretion onto a hot white dwarf causes a weaker shell flash than those onto cool ones, a strong tendency exists for the strength to be determined mainly by the accretion rate. For fast accretion, the shell flashes are weak and triggered recurrently, while for slow accretion the helium shell flash, once triggered, develops into a detonation supernova.

Circulating interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α are associated with hot flashes in healthy postmenopausal women.

PubMed

Huang, Wan-Yu; Hsin, I-Lun; Chen, Dar-Ren; Chang, Chia-Chu; Kor, Chew-Teng; Chen, Ting-Yu; Wu, Hung-Ming

2017-01-01

Hot flashes have been postulated to be linked to systemic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hot flashes, pro-inflammatory factors, and leukocytes in healthy, non-obese postmenopausal women. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 202 women aged 45-60 years were stratified into one of four groups according to their hot-flash status: never experienced hot flashes (Group N), mild hot flashes (Group m), moderate hot flashes (Group M), and severe hot flashes (Group S). Variables measured in this study included clinical parameters, hot flash experience, leukocytes, and fasting plasma levels of nine circulating cytokines/chemokines measured by using multiplex assays. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of hot flashes with these pro-inflammatory factors. The study was performed in a hospital medical center. The mean values of leukocyte number were not different between these four groups. The hot flash status had a positive tendency toward increased levels of circulating IL-6 (P-trend = 0.049), IL-8 (P-trend < 0.001), TNF-α (P-trend = 0.008), and MIP1β (P-trend = 0.04). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that hot-flash severity was significantly associated with IL-8 (P-trend < 0.001) and TNFα (P-trend = 0.007) among these nine cytokines/chemokines after adjustment for age, menopausal duration, BMI and FSH. Multivariate analysis further revealed that severe hot flashes were strongly associated with a higher IL-8 (% difference, 37.19%; 95% confidence interval, 14.98,63.69; P < 0.001) and TNFα (51.27%; 6.64,114.57; P < 0.05). The present study provides evidence that hot flashes are associated with circulating IL-8 and TNF-α in healthy postmenopausal women. It suggests that hot flashes might be related to low-grade systemic inflammation.

Expectancy after the first treatment and response to acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes.

PubMed

Ee, Carolyn C; Thuraisingam, Sharmala; Pirotta, Marie V; French, Simon D; Xue, Charlie C; Teede, Helena J

2017-01-01

Evidence on the impact of expectancy on acupuncture treatment response is conflicting. This secondary analysis of a randomized sham-controlled trial on acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes investigated whether treatment expectancy score was associated with hot flash score at end-of-treatment. Secondary analyses investigated whether there were associations between other pre-specified factors and hot flash score. Women experiencing moderately-severe hot flashes were randomized to receive 10 sessions of real or sham acupuncture over eight weeks. Hot flash score was collected using a seven-day hot flash diary, and expectancy using the modified Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire immediately after the first treatment. Linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts were used to identify associations between expectancy score and hot flash score at end-of-treatment. Regression was also used to identify associations between pre-specified factors of interest and hot flash score. Because there was no difference between real and sham acupuncture for the primary outcome of hot flash score, both arms were combined in the analysis. 285 women returned the Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire, and 283 women completed both expectancy measures. We found no evidence for an association between expectancy and hot flash score at end-of-treatment for individual cases in either acupuncture or sham group. Hot flash scores at end-of-treatment were 8.1 (95%CI, 3.0 to 13.2; P = 0.002) points lower in regular smokers compared to those who had never smoked, equivalent to four fewer moderate hot flashes a day. In our study of acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes, higher expectancy after the first treatment did not predict better treatment outcomes. Future research may focus on other determinants of outcomes in acupuncture such as therapist attention. The relationship between smoking and hot flashes is poorly understood and needs further exploration.

Circulating interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α are associated with hot flashes in healthy postmenopausal women

PubMed Central

Huang, Wan-Yu; Hsin, I-Lun; Chen, Dar-Ren; Chang, Chia-Chu; Kor, Chew-Teng; Chen, Ting-Yu

2017-01-01

Introduction Hot flashes have been postulated to be linked to systemic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hot flashes, pro-inflammatory factors, and leukocytes in healthy, non-obese postmenopausal women. Participants and design In this cross-sectional study, a total of 202 women aged 45–60 years were stratified into one of four groups according to their hot-flash status: never experienced hot flashes (Group N), mild hot flashes (Group m), moderate hot flashes (Group M), and severe hot flashes (Group S). Variables measured in this study included clinical parameters, hot flash experience, leukocytes, and fasting plasma levels of nine circulating cytokines/chemokines measured by using multiplex assays. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of hot flashes with these pro-inflammatory factors. Settings The study was performed in a hospital medical center. Results The mean values of leukocyte number were not different between these four groups. The hot flash status had a positive tendency toward increased levels of circulating IL-6 (P-trend = 0.049), IL-8 (P-trend < 0.001), TNF-α (P-trend = 0.008), and MIP1β (P-trend = 0.04). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that hot-flash severity was significantly associated with IL-8 (P-trend < 0.001) and TNFα (P-trend = 0.007) among these nine cytokines/chemokines after adjustment for age, menopausal duration, BMI and FSH. Multivariate analysis further revealed that severe hot flashes were strongly associated with a higher IL-8 (% difference, 37.19%; 95% confidence interval, 14.98,63.69; P < 0.001) and TNFα (51.27%; 6.64,114.57; P < 0.05). Conclusion The present study provides evidence that hot flashes are associated with circulating IL-8 and TNF-α in healthy postmenopausal women. It suggests that hot flashes might be related to low-grade systemic inflammation. PMID:28846735

A first look at global flash drought: long term change and short term predictability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Xing; Wang, Linying; Ji, Peng

2017-04-01

"Flash drought" became popular after the unexpected 2012 central USA drought, mainly due to its rapid development, low predictability and devastating impacts on water resources and crop yields. A pilot study by Mo and Lettenmaier (2015) found that flash drought, based on a definition of concurrent heat extreme, soil moisture deficit and evapotranspiration (ET) enhancement at pentad scale, were in decline over USA during recent 100 years. Meanwhile, a recent work indicated that the occurrence of flash drought in China was doubled during the past 30 years, where a severe flash drought in the summer of 2013 ravaged 13 provinces in southern China. As global warming increases the frequency of heat waves and accelerates the hydrological cycle, the flash drought is expected to increase in general, but its trend might also be affected by interannual to decadal climate oscillations. To consolidate the hotspots of flash drought and the effects of climate change on flash drought, a global inventory is being conducted by using multi-source observations (in-situ, satellite and reanalysis), CMIP5 historical simulations and future projections under different forcing scenarios, as well as global land surface hydrological modeling for key variables including surface air temperature, soil moisture and ET. In particular, a global picture of the flash drought distribution, the contribution of naturalized and anthropogenic forcings to global flash drought change, and the risk of global flash drought in the future, will be presented. Besides investigating the long-term change of flash drought, providing reliable early warning is also essential to developing adaptation strategies. While regional drought early warning systems have been emerging in recent decade, forecasting of flash drought is still at an exploratory stage due to limited understanding of flash drought predictability. Here, a set of sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) hindcast datasets are being used to assess the short term predictability of flash drought via a perfect model assumption.

Muzzle flash issues related to the Waco FLIR analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grant, Barbara G.; Hardy, David T.

2001-09-01

The controversy surrounding the origin of flashes on the Mt. Carmel FLIR videotape acquired on April 19, 1993, is introduced. The characteristics of muzzle flash are reviewed. A comparative weapons description is offered. The temporal, spatial, and radiance characteristics of thermal infrared muzzle flash are addressed. Data acquired from a field experiment are presented. The authors conclude that the spatial characteristics of muzzle flash enable its detection by equipment such as the FLIR in use at Mt. Carmel on April 19, 1993; that while flashes obtained in the field appear highly radiant, measurements are necessary to quantify their values; and that the temporal behavior of muzzle flash deserves further study.

Initial Breakdown Pulse Parameters in Intracloud and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Flashes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, E. M.; Marshall, T. C.; Karunarathne, S.; Siedlecki, R.; Stolzenburg, M.

2018-02-01

This study analyzes the largest initial breakdown (IB) pulse in flashes from four storms in Florida; data from three sensor arrays are used. The range-normalized, zero-to-peak amplitude of the largest IB pulse was determined along with its altitude, duration, and timing within each flash. Appropriate data were available for 40 intracloud (IC) and 32 cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes. Histograms of amplitude of the largest IB pulse by flash type were similar, with mean (median) values of 1.49 (1.05) V/m for IC flashes and -1.35 (-0.87) V/m for CG flashes. The largest IB pulse in 30 IC flashes showed a weak inverse relation between pulse amplitude and altitude. Amplitude of the largest IB pulse for 25 CG flashes showed no altitude correlation. Duration of the largest IB pulse in ICs averaged twice as long as in CGs (96 μs versus 46 μs), and all of the CG durations were <100 μs. Among the ICs, there is a positive relation between largest IB pulse duration and amplitude; the linear correlation coefficient is 0.385 with outliers excluded. The largest IB pulse in IC flashes typically occurred at a longer time after the first IB pulse (average 4.1 ms) than was the case in CG flashes (average 0.6 ms). In both flash types, the largest IB pulse was the first IB pulse in about 30% of the cases. In one storm all 42 IC flashes with triggered data had IB pulses.

Problem solving in magnetic field: Animation in mobile application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Najib, A. S. M.; Othman, A. P.; Ibarahim, Z.

2014-09-01

This paper is focused on the development of mobile application for smart phone, Android, tablet, iPhone, and iPad as a problem solving tool in magnetic field. Mobile application designs consist of animations that were created by using Flash8 software which could be imported and compiled to prezi.com software slide. The Prezi slide then had been duplicated in Power Point format and instead question bank with complete answer scheme was also additionally generated as a menu in the application. Results of the published mobile application can be viewed and downloaded at Infinite Monkey website or at Google Play Store from your gadgets. Statistics of the application from Google Play Developer Console shows the high impact of the application usage in all over the world.

Cloud-to-ground lightning and surface rainfall in warm-season Florida thunderstorms

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gungle, B.; Krider, E.P.

2006-01-01

Relationships between cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning and surface rainfall have been examined in nine isolated, warm-season thunderstorms on the east coast of central Florida. CG flashes and the associated rain volumes were measured as a function of time in storm-centered reference frames that followed each storm over a network of rain gauges. Values of the storm-average rain volume per CG flash ranged from 0.70 ?? 104 to 6.4 ?? 104 m3/CG flash, with a mean (and standard deviation) of 2.6 ?? 104 ?? 2.1 ?? 104 m3/CG flash. Values of the rain volume concurrent with CG flashes ranged from 0.11 ?? 104 to 4.9 ?? 104 m3/CG flash with a mean of 2.1 ?? 104 ?? 2.0 ?? 104 m3/CG flash. The lag-time between the peak CG flash rate and the peak rainfall rate (using 5 min bins), and the results of a lag correlation analysis, show that surface rainfall tends to follow the lightning (positive lag) by up to 20 min in six storms. In one storm the rainfall preceded the lightning by 5 min, and two storms had nonsignificant lags. Values of the lagged rain volume concurrent with CG flashes ranged from 0.43 ?? 104 to 4.9 ?? 104 m3/CG flash, and the mean was 1.9 ?? 104 ?? 1.7 ?? 104 m3/CG flash. For the five storms that produced 12 or more flashes and had significant lags, a plot of the optimum lag time versus the total number of CG flashes shows a linear trend (R2 = 0.56). The number of storms is limited, but the lag results do indicate that large storms tend to have longer lags. A linear fit to the lagged rain volume vs. the number of concurrent CG flashes has a slope of 1.9 ?? 104 m3/CG flash (R2 = 0.83). We conclude that warm-season Florida thunderstorms produce a roughly constant rain volume per CG flash and that CG lightning can be used to estimate the location and intensity of convective rainfall in that weather regime. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.

Toward a space-time scale framework for the study of everyday life activity's adaptation to hazardous hydro-meteorological conditions: Learning from the June 15th, 2010 flash flood event in Draguignan (France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruin, Isabelle; Boudevillain, Brice; Creutin, Jean-Dominique; Lutoff, Céline

2013-04-01

Western Mediterranean regions are favorable locations for heavy precipitating events. In recent years, many of them resulted in destructive flash floods with extended damage and loss of life: Nîmes 1988, Vaison-la-Romaine 1992, Aude 1999 and Gard 2002 and 2005. Because of the suddenness in the rise of water levels and the limited forecasting predictability, flash floods often surprise people in the midst of their daily activity and force them to react in a very limited amount of time. In such fast evolving events impacts depend not just on such compositional variables as the magnitude of the flood event and the vulnerability of those affected, but also on such contextual factors as its location and timing (night, rush hours, working hours...). Those contextual factors can alter the scale and social distribution of impacts and vulnerability to them. In the case of flooding fatalities, for instance, the elderly are often said to be the most vulnerable, but when fatalities are mapped against basin size and response time, it has been shown that in fact it is young adults who are most likely to be killed in flash flooding of small catchments, whereas the elderly are the most frequent victim of large scale fluvial flooding. Further investigations in the Gard region have shown that such tendency could be explained by a difference of attitude across ages with respect to mobility related to daily life routine and constraints. According to a survey of intentional behavior professionals appear to be less prone to adapting their daily activities and mobility to rapidly changing environmental conditions than non-professionals. Nevertheless, even if this appears as a tendency in both the analysis of limited data on death circumstances and intended behavior surveys, behavioral verification is very much needed. Understanding how many and why people decide to travel in hazardous weather conditions and how they adapt (or not) their activities and schedule in response to environmental perturbations requires an integrated approach, sensitive to the spatial and temporal dynamics of geophysical hazards and responses to them. Such integrated approaches of the Coupled Human and Natural System have been more common in the environmental change arena than in risk studies. Nevertheless, examining interactions between routine activity-travel patterns and hydro-meteorological dynamics in the context of flash flood event resulted in developing a space-time scale approach that brought new insights to vulnerability and risk studies. This scaling approach requires suitable data sets including information about the meteorological and local flooding dynamics, the perception of environmental cues, the changes in individuals' activity-travel patterns and the social interactions at the place and time where the actions were performed. Even if these types of data are commonly collected in various disciplinary research contexts, they are seldom collected all together and in the context of post-disaster studies. This paper describes the methodological developments of our approach and applies our data collection method to the case of the June 15th, 2010 flash flood events in the Draguignan area (Var, France). This flash flood event offers a typical example to study the relation between the flood dynamics and the social response in the context of a sudden degradation of the environment.

Flash flip book applications to measure the level of nationalism with quasi experiment on primary school students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asri, Yessy; Fitriani, Yessy

2017-08-01

Great nation is a nation that respects the the sacrifice of the heroes and the history of his people. This young generation is the root of a nation who need to know and respect the values of which has been laid the founding fathers. The history continues to be written by people, in all civilizations and in all times,History in writing or documentation becomes an important tool in studying the progress and setbacks of a nation that is contained in various events in the past. Indonesia is a pluralistic nation consisting of various tribes, culture and history are scattered throughout the country. Interactive flash flip book application built to pack the local stories and history of the nation which is widespread in the thirty-three provinces to to elementary school children through teachers, especially elementary school teachers Islam Bani Saleh 5 and SDN Setiadarma 04 Bekasi in the subjects of Citizenship Education (PKn). The main problem in this research is "Whether a flash flip book can give effect to increase the spirit of nationalism elementary school students ? ". The method used is the One group pretest posttest design. Population in this research is class student V SD Islam Bani Saleh and SDN Setiadarma 04 Bekasi. Results of this study was to measure the influence of media flash flip book to foster a sense of nationalism graders V SD in the subjects of Citizenship Education (PKn) in SD Islam Bani Saleh 5 and SDN Setiadarma 04 Bekasi Bekasi.

Presence of young children at home may moderate development of hot flashes during the menopausal transition.

PubMed

Lorenz, Tierney K; McGregor, Bonnie A; Vitzthum, Virginia J

2015-04-01

This work aims to determine the role of child care in hot flashes. Broad differences in vasomotor symptom experience are observed among perimenopausal women across cultures. Women in cultures where contact with young children is common report significantly fewer and less severe hot flashes than women in cultures where older women spend less time around children. Could these differences be related to the presence of young children? We surveyed 117 healthy women undergoing prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries to reduce the risk of gynecologic cancers). Participants provided demographic information, including pre-surgical operation menopause status and number of children (younger than 13 y, 13-17 y, and 18 y or older) living at home. They were surveyed for menopausal symptoms 2 weeks before surgical operation and at 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgical operation. Women who were premenopausal at the time of surgical operation experienced a significant increase in vasomotor symptoms. Within this group, participants with young children at home reported significantly fewer vasomotor symptoms across time than did women who did not live with young children. Women who were already menopausal at the time of surgical operation who had young children at home reported more vasomotor symptoms before surgical operation than did those without young children; however, this effect did not remain significant across follow-ups. These findings suggest that interactions with young children may mitigate hot flashes in women undergoing surgical menopause. These findings may be used to counsel women who are considering prophylactic oophorectomy about the likelihood of menopausal symptoms.

Brain blood flow and cardiovascular responses to hot flashes in postmenopausal women

PubMed Central

Lucas, Rebekah A. I.; Ganio, Matthew S.; Pearson, James; Crandall, Craig G.

2012-01-01

Objective This study tested two related hypotheses: 1) that brain blood flow is reduced during the postmenopausal hot flash; and, 2) the magnitude of this reduction in brain blood flow is greater during hot flashes where blood pressure is reduced. Methods Eleven healthy, normotensive, postmenopausal women rested in a temperature-controlled laboratory (~25°C) for approximately 120 minutes while waiting for a hot flash to occur. The onset of a hot flash was objectively identified by an abrupt increase in sternal sweat rate (capacitance hygrometry). Middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv, transcranial Doppler) and mean arterial pressure (Finometer®) were measured continuously. Each hot flash was divided into 8 equal segments and the segment with the largest reduction in MCAv and mean arterial pressure identified for each hot flash. Results Twenty-five hot flashes occurred during the experimental sessions (lasting 6.2 ± 2.8 min, 3 ± 1 hot flashes per participant). Seventy-six percent of hot flashes were accompanied by a clear reduction (greater than 5%) in brain blood flow. For all hot flashes, the average maximum decrease in MCAv was 12 ± 9% (7 ± 6 cm.s−1). This value did not correlate with corresponding changes in mean arterial pressure (R=0.36). Conclusion These findings demonstrate that hot flashes are often accompanied by clear reductions in brain blood flow that do not correspond with acute reductions in mean arterial blood pressure. PMID:23435027

Are menopausal hot flashes an evolutionary byproduct of postpartum warming?

PubMed

Sievert, Lynnette Leidy; Masley, Allison

2015-04-01

Hot flashes are commonly associated with menopause, and some researchers have questioned whether the widespread phenomenon may somehow be adaptive. It has been hypothesized that hot flashes were selected to occur during the hypoestrogenic postpartum period as a mechanism to warm infants. The purpose of this study was to test whether postpartum hot flashes are similar to hot flashes associated with menopause and whether postpartum hot flashes are concordant with breast-feeding episodes. Women who gave birth within the past year (n = 20) and a comparison group of women who had not given birth in the past 2 years (n = 14) participated in interviews and anthropometric measures. All wore ambulatory skin conductance monitors for a mean of 6.5 hours during afternoons and early evenings. New mothers also recorded breast-feeding episodes. Objectively measured and subjectively reported hot flashes were compared between groups and in relation to breast-feeding and other variables. Age of infants ranged from 4 days to 11 months. New mothers were more likely to report feeling warmer than the comparison group (100% vs 7%) but were not significantly more likely to demonstrate hot flashes (35% vs 50%) or to report hot flashes (30% vs 21%) during the study period. Of 75 breast-feeding episodes, only 4% were concurrent with an objective hot flash, and only 9% were concurrent with a subjective hot flash. This study does not support the hypothesis that menopausal-like hot flashes evolved to warm infants during the postpartum period.

Brilliant GeV gamma-ray flash from inverse Compton scattering in the QED regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Z.; Hu, R. H.; Lu, H. Y.; Yu, J. Q.; Wang, D. H.; Fu, E. G.; Chen, C. E.; He, X. T.; Yan, X. Q.

2018-04-01

An all-optical scheme is proposed for studying laser plasma based incoherent photon emission from inverse Compton scattering in the quantum electrodynamic regime. A theoretical model is presented to explain the coupling effects among radiation reaction trapping, the self-generated magnetic field and the spiral attractor in phase space, which guarantees the transfer of energy and angular momentum from electromagnetic fields to particles. Taking advantage of a prospective ˜ 1023 W cm-2 laser facility, 3D particle-in-cell simulations show a gamma-ray flash with unprecedented multi-petawatt power and brightness of 1.7 × 1023 photons s-1 mm-2 mrad-2/0.1% bandwidth (at 1 GeV). These results bode well for new research directions in particle physics and laboratory astrophysics exploring laser plasma interactions.

Ghirardi-Rimini-Weber model with massive flashes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tilloy, Antoine

2018-01-01

I introduce a modification of the Ghirardi-Rimini-Weber (GRW) model in which the flashes (or space-time collapse events) source a classical gravitational field. The resulting semiclassical theory of Newtonian gravity preserves the statistical interpretation of quantum states of matter in contrast with mean field approaches. It can be seen as a discrete version of recent proposals of consistent hybrid quantum classical theories. The model is in agreement with known experimental data and introduces new falsifiable predictions: (1) single particles do not self-interact, (2) the 1 /r gravitational potential of Newtonian gravity is cut off at short (≲10-7 m ) distances, and (3) gravity makes spatial superpositions decohere at a rate inversely proportional to that coming from the vanilla GRW model. Together, the last two predictions make the model experimentally falsifiable for all values of its parameters.

Post-Flash Validation of the new ACS/WFC Subarrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellini, A.; Grogin, N. A.; Lim, P. L.; Golimowski, D.

2017-05-01

We made use of the new ACS/WFC subarray images of CAL-14410, taken taken with a large range of flash exposure times (0.1-30 seconds), to probe the temporal stability of the reference flash file and to validate the current post-flash correction pipeline of CALACS and ACS DESTRIPE PLUS on the new subarray modes. No statistically-significant deviations are found between the new post-flashed subarray exposures and the flash reference file, indicating that the LED lamp used to post-flash ACS images has been stable over several years. The current calibration pipelines (both CALACS and ACS DESTRIPE PLUS can be successfully used with the new subarray modes.

Flash Platform Examination

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

than would be performed in software”[108]. Uro Tinic, one of the Flash player’s engineers, further clarifies exactly what Flash player 10 hardware...www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/features/ (Access date: 28 Sep 2009). [109] Uro , T. What Does GPU Acceleration Mean? (online), http...133] Shorten, A. (2009), Design to Development: Flash Catalyst to Flash Builder, In Proceedings of Adobe Max 2009, Los Angeles, CA. 142 DRDC

The Evolution and Structure of Extreme Optical Lightning Flashes.

PubMed

Peterson, Michael; Rudlosky, Scott; Deierling, Wiebke

2017-12-27

This study documents the composition, morphology, and motion of extreme optical lightning flashes observed by the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS). The furthest separation of LIS events (groups) in any flash is 135 km (89 km), the flash with the largest footprint had an illuminated area of 10,604 km 2 , and the most dendritic flash has 234 visible branches. The longest-duration convective LIS flash lasted 28 s and is overgrouped and not physical. The longest-duration convective-to-stratiform propagating flash lasted 7.4 s, while the longest-duration entirely stratiform flash lasted 4.3 s. The longest series of nearly consecutive groups in time lasted 242 ms. The most radiant recorded LIS group (i.e., "superbolt") is 735 times more radiant than the average group. Factors that impact these optical measures of flash morphology and evolution are discussed. While it is apparent that LIS can record the horizontal development of the lightning channel in some cases, radiative transfer within the cloud limits the flash extent and level of detail measured from orbit. These analyses nonetheless suggest that lightning imagers such as LIS and Geostationary Lightning Mapper can complement ground-based lightning locating systems for studying physical lightning phenomena across large geospatial domains.

Hold-up power supply for flash memory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ott, William E. (Inventor)

2004-01-01

A hold-up power supply for flash memory systems is provided. The hold-up power supply provides the flash memory with the power needed to temporarily operate when a power loss exists. This allows the flash memory system to complete any erasures and writes, and thus allows it to shut down gracefully. The hold-up power supply detects when a power loss on a power supply bus is occurring and supplies the power needed for the flash memory system to temporally operate. The hold-up power supply stores power in at least one capacitor. During normal operation, power from a high voltage supply bus is used to charge the storage capacitors. When a power supply loss is detected, the power supply bus is disconnected from the flash memory system. A hold-up controller controls the power flow from the storage capacitors to the flash memory system. The hold-up controller uses feedback to assure that the proper voltage is provided from the storage capacitors to the flash memory system. This power supplied by the storage capacitors allows the flash memory system to complete any erasures and writes, and thus allows the flash memory system to shut down gracefully.

Determination of flash point in air and pure oxygen using an equilibrium closed bomb apparatus.

PubMed

Kong, Dehong; am Ende, David J; Brenek, Steven J; Weston, Neil P

2003-08-29

The standard closed testers for flash point measurements may not be feasible for measuring flash point in special atmospheres like oxygen because the test atmosphere cannot be maintained due to leakage and the laboratory safety can be compromised. To address these limitations we developed a new "equilibrium closed bomb" (ECB). The ECB generally gives lower flash point values than standard closed cup testers as shown by the results of six flammable liquids. The present results are generally in good agreement with the values calculated from the reported lower flammability limits and the vapor pressures. Our measurements show that increased oxygen concentration had little effect on the flash points of the tested flammable liquids. While generally regarded as non-flammable because of the lack of observed flash point in standard closed cup flash point testers, dichloromethane is known to form flammable mixtures. The flash point of dichloromethane in oxygen measured in the ECB is -7.1 degrees C. The flash point of dichloromethane in air is dependent on the type and energy of the ignition source. Further research is being carried out to establish the relationship between the flash point of dichloromethane and the energy of the ignition source.

Risk Factors for Extended Duration and Timing of Peak Severity of Hot Flashes

PubMed Central

Gallicchio, Lisa; Miller, Susan R.; Zacur, Howard A.; Flaws, Jodi A.

2016-01-01

Objective To identify risk factors associated with the duration of hot flashes and the time of peak hot flash severity in mid-life women. Methods A cohort of 647 women reporting hot flashes were followed for 1–7 years, with survey data and hormone measurements. Survival analysis determined the association of risk factors with the duration of hot flashes. Linear regression determined the association of risk factors with the time of peak severity. Final models were determined through stepwise model selection. Results Average hot flash duration was 2.5 years (range: 1–33), with peak severity on average at 2.96 years (range: 1–20). Duration of hot flashes was associated with race, education, menopause status, smoking history, BMI, alcohol consumption, leisure activity levels, and levels of estradiol and progesterone. In the final model, only race, alcohol consumption, leisure activity, and menopause were retained. White women had significantly shorter hot flash durations than non-white women. Women consuming at least 12 alcoholic drinks in the previous year had a significantly shorter duration of hot flashes with a smaller effect of hot flash duration on increasing in time to peak severity compared to those who consumed less than 12 alcoholic drinks in that year. Higher serum progesterone levels were associated with later peak severity if the duration of the hot flashes was less than 2 years and an earlier peak severity otherwise. Conclusions These results suggest that some behaviors (such as moderate alcohol consumption) are associated with shorter durations of hot flashes, and that progesterone was associated with the dynamics of hot flash severity. PMID:27149066

Metabolic Activity in the Insular Cortex and Hypothalamus Predicts Hot Flashes: An FDG-PET Study

PubMed Central

Deckersbach, Thilo; Lin, Nancy U.; Makris, Nikos; Skaar, Todd C.; Rauch, Scott L.; Dougherty, Darin D.; Hall, Janet E.

2012-01-01

Context: Hot flashes are a common side effect of adjuvant endocrine therapies (AET; leuprolide, tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors) that reduce quality of life and treatment adherence in breast cancer patients. Because hot flashes affect only some women, preexisting neurobiological traits might predispose to their development. Previous studies have implicated the insula during the perception of hot flashes and the hypothalamus in thermoregulatory dysfunction. Objective: The aim of the study was to understand whether neurobiological factors predict hot flashes. Design: [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans coregistered with structural magnetic resonance imaging were used to determine whether metabolic activity in the insula and hypothalamic thermoregulatory and estrogen-feedback regions measured before and in response to AET predict hot flashes. Findings were correlated with CYP2D6 genotype because of CYP2D6 polymorphism associations with tamoxifen-induced hot flashes. Outcome Measures: We measured regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose uptake (rCMRglu) in the insula and hypothalamus on FDG-PET. Results: Of 18 women without hot flashes who began AET, new-onset hot flashes were reported by 10 (55.6%) and were detected objectively in nine (50%) participants. Prior to the use of all AET, rCMRglu in the insula (P ≤ 0.01) and hypothalamic thermoregulatory (P = 0.045) and estrogen-feedback (P = 0.007) regions was lower in women who reported developing hot flashes. In response to AET, rCMRglu was further reduced in the insula in women developing hot flashes (P ≤ 0.02). Insular and hypothalamic rCMRglu levels were lower in intermediate than extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers. Conclusions: Trait neurobiological characteristics predict hot flashes. Genetic variability in CYP2D6 may underlie the neurobiological predisposition to hot flashes induced by AET. PMID:22723326

Sex hormone concentrations and the risk of breast cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women without hot flashes.

PubMed

Emond, Jennifer A; Patterson, Ruth E; Natarajan, Loki; Laughlin, Gail A; Gold, Ellen B; Pierce, John P

2011-05-01

We examined if the reduced risk of breast cancer events seen among women without baseline hot flash symptoms in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) dietary intervention trial was related to changes in sex hormone concentrations. Baseline and year one concentrations of total and bioavailable estradiol, and testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were compared by intervention arm among 447 postmenopausal women without hot flashes. Cox proportional hazard models tested interaction terms between study arm and baseline hormone concentrations adjusted for study site, antiestrogen use, positive nodes, tumor size, oophorectomy status, and hormone replacement therapy use. Sex hormone concentrations did not differ by study arm at baseline nor at year one. Twenty-two (9.8%) events occurred in the intervention arm versus 42 (18.9%) in the comparison arm (P = 0.009). Baseline bioavailable testosterone was significantly, positively associated with additional events (HR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.00-2.84; P = 0.049). There were significant interactions between the intervention and total (P = 0.015), and bioavailable (P = 0.050) testosterone: the intervention was more protective among participants with higher baseline total (HR 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7) or bioavailable (HR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7) testosterone than for participants with lower baseline total (HR 0.8, 95% CI: 0.4-1.5) or bioavailable (HR 0.8, 95% CI: 0.4-1.5) testosterone. No significant effects were seen for estradiol or SHBG. The WHEL dietary intervention may have modified other risk factors of recurrence correlated with testosterone. Sex hormones should be considered as part of a larger biological system related to the risk of breast cancer recurrence. ©2011 AACR.

Science Education in Primary Schools: Is an Animation Worth a Thousand Pictures?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barak, Miri; Dori, Yehudit J.

2011-10-01

Science teaching deals with abstract concepts and processes that very often cannot be seen or touched. The development of Java, Flash, and other web-based applications allow teachers and educators to present complex animations that attractively illustrate scientific phenomena. Our study evaluated the integration of web-based animated movies into primary schools science curriculum. Our goal was to examine teachers' methods for integrating animated movies and their views about the role of animations in enhancing young students' thinking skills. We also aimed at investigating the effect of animated movies on students' learning outcomes. Applying qualitative and quantitative tools, we conducted informal discussions with science teachers (N = 15) and administered pre- and post-questionnaires to 4th (N = 641) and 5th (N = 694) grade students who were divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group students studied science while using animated movies and supplementary activities at least once a week. The control group students used only textbooks and still-pictures for learning science. Findings indicated that animated movies support the use of diverse teaching strategies and learning methods, and can promote various thinking skills among students. Findings also indicated that animations can enhance scientific curiosity, the acquisition of scientific language, and fostering scientific thinking. These encouraging results can be explained by the fact that the students made use of both visual-pictorial and auditory-verbal capabilities while exploring animated movies in diverse learning styles and teaching strategies.

An unusual characteristic “flower-like” pattern: flash suppressor burns

PubMed Central

Gurcan, Altun

2012-01-01

The case on contact shots from firearms with a flash suppressor is rare. When a rifle fitted with a flash suppressor is fired, the emerging soot-laden gas in the barrel escapes from the slits of the flash suppressor. If the shot is contact or near contact, the flash suppressor will produce a characteristic “flower-like” pattern of seared, blackened zones around the entrance. This paper presents the injury pattern of the flash suppressor in a 29-year-old man who committed suicide with a G3 automatic infantry rifle. PMID:23935280

An unusual characteristic "flower-like" pattern: flash suppressor burns.

PubMed

Gurcan, Altun

2012-04-01

The case on contact shots from firearms with a flash suppressor is rare. When a rifle fitted with a flash suppressor is fired, the emerging soot-laden gas in the barrel escapes from the slits of the flash suppressor. If the shot is contact or near contact, the flash suppressor will produce a characteristic "flower-like" pattern of seared, blackened zones around the entrance. This paper presents the injury pattern of the flash suppressor in a 29-year-old man who committed suicide with a G3 automatic infantry rifle.

Circulating leptin and adiponectin are associated with insulin resistance in healthy postmenopausal women with hot flashes.

PubMed

Huang, Wan-Yu; Chang, Chia-Chu; Chen, Dar-Ren; Kor, Chew-Teng; Chen, Ting-Yu; Wu, Hung-Ming

2017-01-01

Hot flashes have been postulated to be linked to the development of metabolic disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between hot flashes, adipocyte-derived hormones, and insulin resistance in healthy, non-obese postmenopausal women. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 151 women aged 45-60 years were stratified into one of three groups according to hot-flash status over the past three months: never experienced hot flashes (Group N), mild-to-moderate hot flashes (Group M), and severe hot flashes (Group S). Variables measured in this study included clinical parameters, hot flash experience, fasting levels of circulating glucose, lipid profiles, plasma insulin, and adipocyte-derived hormones. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of hot flashes with adipocyte-derived hormones, and with insulin resistance. The study was performed in a hospital medical center. The mean (standard deviation) of body-mass index was 22.8(2.7) for Group N, 22.6(2.6) for Group M, and 23.5(2.4) for Group S, respectively. Women in Group S displayed statistically significantly higher levels of leptin, fasting glucose, and insulin, and lower levels of adiponectin than those in Groups M and N. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that hot-flash severity was significantly associated with higher leptin levels, lower adiponectin levels, and higher leptin-to-adiponectin ratio. Univariate linear regression analysis revealed that hot-flash severity was strongly associated with a higher HOMA-IR index (% difference, 58.03%; 95% confidence interval, 31.00-90.64; p < 0.001). The association between hot flashes and HOMA-IR index was attenuated after adjusting for leptin or adiponectin and was no longer significant after simultaneously adjusting for leptin and adiponectin. The present study provides evidence that hot flashes are associated with insulin resistance in postmenopausal women. It further suggests that hot flash association with insulin resistance is dependent on the combination of leptin and adiponectin variables.

Optimal flash rate and duty cycle for flashing visual indicators.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Markowitz, J.

1971-01-01

This experiment examined the ability of observers to determine, as quickly as possible, whether a visual indicator was steadily on or flashing. Six flash rates (periods) were combined factorially with three duty cycles (on-off ratios) to define 18 ?types' of intermittent signals. Experimental sessions were divided into six runs of 100 trials, each run utilizing one of the six flash rates. On any given trial in a run, the probability of a steady signal occurring was 0.5 and the probability of a flashing signal occurring was 0.5. A different duty cycle was employed daily for each experimental session. In all, 400 trials were devoted to each of the flash rates at each duty cycle. Accuracy and latency of response were the dependent variables of interest. The results show that the observers view the light for an interval of time appropriate to the expected flash rate and duty cycle; whether they judge the light to be steady or intermittent depends upon whether the light is extinguished during the predetermined waiting period. Adoption of this temporal criterion delays responding in comparison to those tasks involving responses to light onset. The decision or response criteria held by the observers are also sensitive to the parameters of the flashing light: observers become increasingly willing to call a flashing light ?steady' as flash duration increases.

Synchronized Electronic Shutter System (SESS) for Thermal Nondestructive Evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zalameda, Joseph N.

2001-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to describe a new method for thermal nondestructive evaluation. This method uses a synchronized electronic shutter system (SESS) to remove the heat lamp's influence on the thermal data during and after flash heating. There are two main concerns when using flash heating. The first concern is during the flash when the photons are reflected back into the camera. This tends to saturate the detectors and potentially introduces unknown and uncorrectable errors when curve fitting the data to a model. To address this, an electronically controlled shutter was placed over the infrared camera lens. Before firing the flash lamps, the shutter is opened to acquire the necessary background data for offset calibration. During flash heating, the shutter is closed to prevent the photons from the high intensity flash from saturating the camera's detectors. The second concern is after the flash heating where the lamps radiate heat after firing. This residual cooling introduces an unwanted transient thermal response into the data. To remove this residual effect, a shutter was placed over the flash lamps to block the infrared heat radiating from the flash head after heating. This helped to remove the transient contribution of the flash. The flash lamp shutters were synchronized electronically with the camera shutter. Results are given comparing the use of the thermal inspection with and without the shutter system.

Acupuncture as treatment of hot flashes and the possible role of calcitonin gene-related Peptide.

PubMed

Spetz Holm, Anna-Clara E; Frisk, Jessica; Hammar, Mats L

2012-01-01

The mechanisms behind hot flashes in menopausal women are not fully understood. The flashes in women are probably preceded by and actually initiated by a sudden downward shift in the set point for the core body temperature in the thermoregulatory center that is affected by sex steroids, β-endorphins, and other central neurotransmitters. Treatments that influence these factors may be expected to reduce hot flashes. Since therapy with sex steroids for hot flashes has appeared to cause a number of side effects and risks and women with hot flashes and breast cancer as well as men with prostate cancer and hot flashes are prevented from sex steroid therapy there is a great need for alternative therapies. Acupuncture affecting the opioid system has been suggested as an alternative treatment option for hot flashes in menopausal women and castrated men. The heat loss during hot flashes may be mediated by the potent vasodilator and sweat gland activator calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) the concentration of which increases in plasma during flashes in menopausal women and, according to one study, in castrated men with flushes. There is also evidence for connections between the opioid system and the release of CGRP. In this paper we discuss acupuncture as a treatment alternative for hot flashes and the role of CGRP in this context.

Torsion Induced Traumatic Optic Neuropathy (TITON): Animal Model for Diagnostics, Drugs Delivery, and Therapeutics for Injuries to the Cental Nervous System

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

neck and the eye coils are actively decoupled. The following parameters will be used: slice thickness = 1 mm, TR = 4 s, TE = 13 ms, label duration... Eyes were removed with 3-5 mm of optic nerve intact taking care not to stretch or otherwise injure the nerve. Eyes were flash frozen in liquid...nitrogen, then stored at -80°C. The eyes were then sectioned through the optic nerve using a cryostat, then transferred to indium titanium oxide-coated

Application of adobe flash media to optimize jigsaw learning model on geometry material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imam, P.; Imam, S.; Ikrar, P.

2018-05-01

This study aims to determine and describe the effectiveness of the application of adobe flash media for jigsaw learning model on geometry material. In this study, the modified jigsaw learning with adobe flash media is called jigsaw-flash model. This research was conducted in Surakarta. The research method used is mix method research with exploratory sequential strategy. The results of this study indicate that students feel more comfortable and interested in studying geometry material taught by jigsaw-flash model. In addition, students taught using the jigsaw-flash model are more active and motivated than the students who were taught using ordinary jigsaw models. This shows that the use of the jigsaw-flash model can increase student participation and motivation. It can be concluded that the adobe flash media can be used as a solution to reduce the level of student abstraction in learning mathematics.

Leveraging Conceptual Frameworks to Improve Students' Mental Organization of Astronomy Understanding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slater, Timothy F.; Lee, K. M.

2006-06-01

Many different types of schematic diagrams are useful in helping students organize and internalize their developing understanding in introductory astronomy courses. These include Venn Diagrams, Flowcharts, Concept Maps, among others, which illustrate the relationships between astronomical objects and dynamic concepts. These conceptual framework diagrams have been incorporated into the NSF-funded ClassAction project. ClassAction is a collection of electronic materials designed to enhance the metacognitive skills of college and university introductory astronomy survey students by promoting interactive engagement and providing rapid feedback in a highly visual setting. The main effort is targeted at creating dynamic think-pair-share questions supported by simulations, animations, and visualizations to be projected in the lecture classroom. The infrastructure allows instructors to recast these questions into alternative forms based on their own pedagogical preferences and feedback from the class. The recourses can be easily selected from a FLASH computer database and are accompanied by outlines, graphics, and numerous simulations which the instructor can use to provide student feedback and, when necessary, remediation. ClassAction materials are publicly available online at URL: http://astro.unl.edu and is funded by NSF Grant #0404988.

Rocket Science 101 Interactive Educational Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Armstrong, Dennis; Funkhouse, Deborah; DiMarzio, Donald

2007-01-01

To better educate the public on the basic design of NASA s current mission rockets, Rocket Science 101 software has been developed as an interactive program designed to retain a user s attention and to teach about basic rocket parts. This program also has helped to expand NASA's presence on the Web regarding educating the public about the Agency s goals and accomplishments. The software was designed using Macromedia s Flash 8. It allows the user to select which type of rocket they want to learn about, interact with the basic parts, assemble the parts to create the whole rocket, and then review the basic flight profile of the rocket they have built.

46 CFR 35.20-30 - Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light-T/ALL.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... VESSELS OPERATIONS Navigation § 35.20-30 Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light—T/ALL. No person shall flash, or cause to be flashed, the rays of a search light or other blinding light... 46 Shipping 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding...

46 CFR 35.20-30 - Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light-T/ALL.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... VESSELS OPERATIONS Navigation § 35.20-30 Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light—T/ALL. No person shall flash, or cause to be flashed, the rays of a search light or other blinding light... 46 Shipping 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding...

46 CFR 35.20-30 - Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light-T/ALL.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... VESSELS OPERATIONS Navigation § 35.20-30 Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light—T/ALL. No person shall flash, or cause to be flashed, the rays of a search light or other blinding light... 46 Shipping 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding...

46 CFR 35.20-30 - Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light-T/ALL.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... VESSELS OPERATIONS Navigation § 35.20-30 Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light—T/ALL. No person shall flash, or cause to be flashed, the rays of a search light or other blinding light... 46 Shipping 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding...

46 CFR 35.20-30 - Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light-T/ALL.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... VESSELS OPERATIONS Navigation § 35.20-30 Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light—T/ALL. No person shall flash, or cause to be flashed, the rays of a search light or other blinding light... 46 Shipping 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Flashing the rays of a searchlight or other blinding...

Characteristics of flash initiations in a supercell cluster with tornadoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Dong; MacGorman, Donald R.

2016-01-01

Flash initiations within a supercell cluster during 10-11 May 2010 in Oklahoma were investigated based on observations from the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array and the Norman, Oklahoma, polarimetric radar (KOUN). The flash initiations at positions dominated by graupel, dry snow, small hail and crystals accounted for 44.3%, 44.1%, 8.0% and 3.0% of the total flashes, respectively. During the tornadic stage of the southern supercell in the cluster, flash initiations associated with graupel occupied the main body, the right flank and the forward flank of the supercell, while those associated with dry snow dominated the outskirts of the adjacent forward anvil, right anvil and rear anvil. The flash initiations associated with small hail were concentrated around the main updraft, particularly toward its front side. Highly dense flash initiations were located in the regions overlying the differential reflectivity (ZDR) arc and right anvil. The average initial height of the flashes decreased gradually from the rear to the front and from the right to the left flanks, while the height range over which initiations occurred reached a maximum at the front of the updraft. The flashes that were initiated in the adjacent forward anvils were largest on average, followed by those in the regions ahead of the updraft and near the ZDR arc. This study supports the concept of charge pockets and further deduces that the pockets in the right anvil are the most abundant and compact due to the frequent flash initiations, small-sized flashes and thin layers including flash initiations.

Phase II evaluation of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) for the treatment of hot flashes.

PubMed

Kadakia, Kunal C; Loprinzi, Charles L; Atherton, Pamela J; Fee-Schroeder, Kelliann C; Sood, Amit; Barton, Debra L

2016-03-01

Hot flashes are a significant source of symptom burden that negatively impacts quality of life (QOL). For women who have contraindications to, or are unwilling to consider, estrogens or antidepressants for bothersome hot flashes, there are limited effective pharmacologic or complementary and alternative medicines. This single-arm phase II trial studied the efficacy of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) for the treatment of hot flashes. Eligible women were required to have reported ≥14 hot flashes per week for ≥1 month. The patients were treated with SAMe at a dose of 400 mg twice daily to evaluate whether a reduction in hot flash score appeared to be better than the historical placebo response of approximately 25%. The women kept a daily hot flash diary during a baseline week and then daily during weeks 2-7. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to week 7 in hot flash score and hot flash frequency. Secondary endpoints included toxicity analyses and the effect of SAMe on QOL. From October 28, 2010 to January 30, 2012, 43 women were treated with SAMe. The decrease in mean percent of baseline hot flash score and frequency was 35.4 and 32.6%, respectively. When compared to the historical placebo response of 25%, the effect of SAMe on hot flash score was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). Treatment was well tolerated with expected grade 1/2 gastrointestinal toxicity and no negative effect on QOL. The use of SAMe does not appear to significantly reduce hot flashes more than would be expected with a placebo.

Two types of flash drought over China and their connections with sub-seasonal to seasonal soil moisture drought

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, L.; Yuan, X.; Xie, Z.

2017-12-01

Flash drought has been receiving attention recently due to its rapid development and vast damage on crops in the growing season. Accompanied with heatwave and rainfall deficit, the soil moisture decreased rapidly in a short time and may lead to the failure of root water uptake and large-scale crops wither. There are two types of flash droughts according to the causes (Mo and Lettenmaier, 2016), i.e., heat wave flash drought and rainfall deficit flash drought. Here, based on pentad-mean surface air temperature and precipitation observations from over two thousand meteorological stations as well as soil moisture and ET estimations from three global reanalysis products, the characteristics and evolution of the two types of flash droughts over China are being explored. Heat wave flash drought is more likely to occur in humid and semi-humid areas, such as southern China, while rainfall deficit flash drought is more likely to occur in northern China. Unlike the traditional drought that persists for a few months to decades, the mean durations of both types of flash droughts are very short. We use monthly mean soil moisture to calculate sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) soil moisture drought, and compare its characteristics and preferred conditions such as the large-scale atmospheric circulation and oceanic anomaly for both types of flash droughts. The percentages of flash drought in different periods of S2S drought are also being explored to see the potential relationship between flash drought and S2S drought over different regions.

Temporal Binding Window of the Sound-Induced Flash Illusion in Amblyopia.

PubMed

Narinesingh, Cindy; Goltz, Herbert C; Wong, Agnes M F

2017-03-01

Amblyopia is a neurodevelopmental visual disorder caused by abnormal visual experience in childhood. In addition to known visual deficits, there is evidence for changes in audiovisual integration in amblyopia using explicit tasks. We examined audiovisual integration in amblyopia using an implicit task that is more relevant in a real-world context. A total of 11 participants with amblyopia and 16 controls were tested binocularly and monocularly on the sound-induced flash illusion, in which flashes and beeps are presented concurrently and the perceived number of flashes is influenced by the number of beeps. The task used 1 to 2 rapid peripheral flashes presented with 0 to 2 beeps, at 5 stimulus onset asynchronies, that is, beep (-200 milliseconds, -100 milliseconds) or flash leading (100 milliseconds, 200 milliseconds) or simultaneous (0 milliseconds). Participants reported the number of perceived flashes. Susceptibility was indicated by a "2 flashes" response to "fission" (1 flash, 2 beeps) or "1 flash" to "fusion" (2 flashes, 1 beep). For fission with the beep leading during binocular viewing, controls showed an expected decrease in illusion strength as stimulus onset asynchronies increased, whereas the illusion strength remained constant in participants with amblyopia, indicating a wider temporal binding window in amblyopia (P = 0.007). For fusion, participants with amblyopia showed reduced illusion strength during amblyopic eye viewing (P = 0.044) with the flash leading. Amblyopia is associated with the widening of the temporal binding window, specifically for fission when viewing binocularly with the beep leading. This suggests a developmental adaptation to delayed amblyopic eye visual processing to optimize audiovisual integration.

Onset conditions for flash sintering of UO 2

DOE PAGES

Raftery, Alicia M.; Pereira da Silva, João Gustavo; Byler, Darrin D.; ...

2017-06-22

In this paper, flash sintering was demonstrated on stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric uranium dioxide pellets at temperatures ranging from room temperature (26°C) up to 600°C. The onset conditions for flash sintering were determined for three stoichiometries (UO 2.00, UO 2.08, and UO 2.16) and analyzed against an established thermal runaway model. The presence of excess oxygen was found to enhance the flash sintering onset behavior of uranium dioxide, lowering the field required to flash and shortening the time required for a flash to occur. Finally, the results from this study highlight the effect of stoichiometry on the flash sintering behavior ofmore » uranium dioxide and will serve as the foundation for future studies on this material.« less

Onset conditions for flash sintering of UO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raftery, Alicia M.; Pereira da Silva, João Gustavo; Byler, Darrin D.; Andersson, David A.; Uberuaga, Blas P.; Stanek, Christopher R.; McClellan, Kenneth J.

2017-09-01

In this work, flash sintering was demonstrated on stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric uranium dioxide pellets at temperatures ranging from room temperature (26 °C) up to 600 °C . The onset conditions for flash sintering were determined for three stoichiometries (UO2.00, UO2.08, and UO2.16) and analyzed against an established thermal runaway model. The presence of excess oxygen was found to enhance the flash sintering onset behavior of uranium dioxide, lowering the field required to flash and shortening the time required for a flash to occur. The results from this study highlight the effect of stoichiometry on the flash sintering behavior of uranium dioxide and will serve as the foundation for future studies on this material.

Differences in the Optical Characteristics of Continental US Ground and Cloud Flashes as Observed from Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshak, William

2007-01-01

Continental US lightning flashes observed by the Optical Transient Detector (OTD) are categorized according to flash type (ground or cloud flash) using US National Lightning Detection Network (TM) (NLDN) data. The statistics of the ground and cloud flash optical parameters (e.g., radiance, area, duration, number of optical groups, and number of optical events) are inter-compared. On average, the ground flash cloud-top emissions are more radiant, illuminate a larger area, are longer lasting, and have more optical groups and optical events than those cloud-top emissions associated with cloud flashes. Given these differences, it is suggested that the methods of Bayesian Inference could be used to help discriminate between ground and cloud flashes. The ability to discriminate flash type on-orbit is highly desired since such information would help researchers and operational decision makers better assess the intensification, evolutionary state, and severe weather potential of thunderstorms. This work supports risk reduction activities presently underway for the future launch of the GOES-R Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM).

Algorithms for Lunar Flash Video Search, Measurement, and Archiving

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swift, Wesley; Suggs, Robert; Cooke, Bill

2007-01-01

Lunar meteoroid impact flashes provide a method to estimate the flux of the large meteoroid flux and thus their hazard to spacecraft. Although meteoroid impacts on the Moon have been detected using video methods for over a decade, the difficulty of manually searching hours of video for the rare, extremely brief impact flashes has discouraged the technique's systematic implementation. A prototype has been developed for the purpose of automatically searching lunar video records for impact flashes, eliminating false detections, editing the returned possible flashes, Z and archiving and documenting the results. The theory and organization of the program is discussed with emphasis on the filtering out of several classes of false detections and retaining the brief portions of the raw video necessary for in depth analysis of the flashes detected. Several utilities for measurement, analysis, and location of the flashes on the moon included in the program are demonstrated. Application of the program to a year's worth of lunar observations is discussed along with examples of impact flashes as well as several classes of false impact flashes.

Algorithms for Lunar Flash Video Search, Measurement, and Archiving

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swift, Wesley; Suggs, Robert; Cooke, William

2007-01-01

Lunar meteoroid impact flashes provide a method to estimate the flux of the large meteoroid flux and thus their hazard to spacecraft. Although meteoroid impacts on the Moon have been detected using video methods for over a decade, the difficulty of manually searching hours of video for the rare, extremely brief impact flashes has discouraged the technique's systematic implementation. A prototype has been developed for the purpose of automatically searching Lunar video records for impact flashes, eliminating false detections, editing the returned possible flashes, and archiving and documenting the results. The theory and organization of the program is discussed with emphasis on the filtering out of several classes of false detections and retaining the brief portions of the raw video necessary for in depth analysis of the flashes detected. Several utilities for measurement, analysis, and location of the flashes on the moon included in the program are demonstrated. Application of the program to a year's worth of Lunar observations is discussed along with examples of impact flashes as well as several classes of false impact flashes.

Lightning Channels of Cloud-to-Ground Flashes Neutralizing Multiple Charge Regions Inside Winter Thunderclouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akita, Manabu; Yoshida, Satoru; Nakamura, Yoshitaka; Morimoto, Takeshi; Ushio, Tomoo; Kawasaki, Zen-Ichiro; Wang, Daohong

Lightning Research Group of Osaka University (LRG-OU) has been developing and improving the VHF broadband digital interferometer (DITF) for thunderstorm observations. It enables us to locate the impulsive VHF radiation sources caused by lightning discharges with extremely high resolutions. As a result of the VHF observations during the 2007-2008 winter season in the Japan Sea coastal area, cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes that neutralize multiple charge regions inside thunderclouds are visualized by the VHF broadband DITF. The first flash is the positive CG flash that neutralizes multiple positive charge regions in a flash. The second flash is the bipolar lightning flash that neutralizes both positive and negative charge inside thunderclouds. In the case of bipolar lightning flashes, some tens millisecond after the return strokes, the subsequent negative breakdowns initiate from the proximities of the initiation points of the preceding negative stepped leaders. It was also found that the altitudes of negative charge regions are lower than 2km. The bipolar lightning flashes observed in this campaign neutralize positive charge after lowering the negative charge to the ground.

Improving Quality in Teaching Statistics Concepts Using Modern Visualization: The Design and Use of the Flash Application on Pocket PCs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vaughn, Brandon K.; Wang, Pei-Yu

2009-01-01

The emergence of technology has led to numerous changes in mathematical and statistical teaching and learning which has improved the quality of instruction and teacher/student interactions. The teaching of statistics, for example, has shifted from mathematical calculations to higher level cognitive abilities such as reasoning, interpretation, and…

Effect of Speed on Tire-Soil Interaction and Development of Towed Pneumatic Tire-Soil Model

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-10-01

rigid wheels were per- formed by several researchers under laboratory conditions (Refs. 20 through 22) using the flash X -ray technique. These experiments...Towed Tire-Soil Model ................................... 90 IX Conclusions and Recommendations .............. 95 X References...Velocity Fields ................................. A-1 x Section Page Appendix B - Computer Program Chart for Computation 3- of Tire Performance with

Web Delivery of Interactive Laboratories: Comparison of Three Authoring Tools.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silbar, Richard R.

2001-11-01

It is well-known that the more the end user (e.g., a student) interacts with a subject, the better he or she will learn it. This is particularly so in technical subjects. One way to do this is to have "laboratories" in which the student manipulates objects on the screen with keyboard or mouse and then sees the outcome of those actions. An example of such a laboratory can be seen at http://www.whistlesoft.com/ silbar/demo/vecadd, which deals with addition of two vectors in the geometric approach. This laboratory was built using Macromedia's Authorware. The problem with Authorware for this purpose is that, if one wants to deliver the training over the Web, that requires the download and installation of a big plug-in. As an experiment I recently tried to build clones of the Vector Addition Laboratory using Macromedia's Director or Flash, each of which have smaller plug-ins which are often already installed in the user's browser. I was able to come up with Director and Flash versions that are similar to (but definitely not the same as) the Authorware version. This talk goes into these differences and demonstrates the techniques used.

Two-flash thresholds as a function of flash luminance and area.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1968-09-01

The recent use of strobe lights in aviation suggests the possibility of using temporal patterns of short duration flashes as information-carrying signals. Under night flight conditions, two-flash thresholds were obtained using a two-interval, tempora...

Floods - Multiple Languages

MedlinePlus

... Arabic (العربية) Expand Section Floods and Flash Flooding - English PDF Floods and Flash Flooding - العربية (Arabic) PDF ... Bosnian (bosanski) Expand Section Floods and Flash Flooding - English PDF Floods and Flash Flooding - bosanski (Bosnian) PDF ...

Flashes and Floaters.

PubMed

Sharma, Priya; Sridhar, Jayanth; Mehta, Sonia

2015-09-01

Flashes and floaters are common ocular complaints. Flashes refer to aberrations of light that are seen in a patient's field of gaze. The flashes can be of varying sizes, colors, frequency, and durations, depending on the cause. Floaters are another common visual phenomenon caused by particles or debris in the vitreous gel of the eye that cause shadows and thus visual changes, especially against bright backgrounds and in brightly lit environments. Flashes and floaters can occur individually or together. This article discusses common causes of flashes and floaters to help with the triaging and management of these patients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Evolution and Structure of Extreme Optical Lightning Flashes

PubMed Central

Peterson, Michael; Rudlosky, Scott; Deierling, Wiebke

2018-01-01

This study documents the composition, morphology, and motion of extreme optical lightning flashes observed by the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS). The furthest separation of LIS events (groups) in any flash is 135 km (89 km), the flash with the largest footprint had an illuminated area of 10,604 km2, and the most dendritic flash has 234 visible branches. The longest-duration convective LIS flash lasted 28 s and is overgrouped and not physical. The longest-duration convective-to-stratiform propagating flash lasted 7.4 s, while the longest-duration entirely stratiform flash lasted 4.3 s. The longest series of nearly consecutive groups in time lasted 242 ms. The most radiant recorded LIS group (i.e., “superbolt”) is 735 times more radiant than the average group. Factors that impact these optical measures of flash morphology and evolution are discussed. While it is apparent that LIS can record the horizontal development of the lightning channel in some cases, radiative transfer within the cloud limits the flash extent and level of detail measured from orbit. These analyses nonetheless suggest that lightning imagers such as LIS and Geostationary Lightning Mapper can complement ground-based lightning locating systems for studying physical lightning phenomena across large geospatial domains. PMID:29527425

Performance Assessment of the Optical Transient Detector and Lightning Imaging Sensor. Part 2; Clustering Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mach, Douglas M.; Christian, Hugh J.; Blakeslee, Richard; Boccippio, Dennis J.; Goodman, Steve J.; Boeck, William

2006-01-01

We describe the clustering algorithm used by the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) and the Optical Transient Detector (OTD) for combining the lightning pulse data into events, groups, flashes, and areas. Events are single pixels that exceed the LIS/OTD background level during a single frame (2 ms). Groups are clusters of events that occur within the same frame and in adjacent pixels. Flashes are clusters of groups that occur within 330 ms and either 5.5 km (for LIS) or 16.5 km (for OTD) of each other. Areas are clusters of flashes that occur within 16.5 km of each other. Many investigators are utilizing the LIS/OTD flash data; therefore, we test how variations in the algorithms for the event group and group-flash clustering affect the flash count for a subset of the LIS data. We divided the subset into areas with low (1-3), medium (4-15), high (16-63), and very high (64+) flashes to see how changes in the clustering parameters affect the flash rates in these different sizes of areas. We found that as long as the cluster parameters are within about a factor of two of the current values, the flash counts do not change by more than about 20%. Therefore, the flash clustering algorithm used by the LIS and OTD sensors create flash rates that are relatively insensitive to reasonable variations in the clustering algorithms.

How do people perceive, understand, and anticipate responding to flash flood risks and warnings? Results from a public survey in Boulder, Colorado, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morss, Rebecca E.; Mulder, Kelsey J.; Lazo, Jeffrey K.; Demuth, Julie L.

2016-10-01

This study investigates flash flood forecast and warning communication, interpretation, and decision making, using data from a survey of 418 members of the public in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Respondents to the public survey varied in their perceptions and understandings of flash flood risks in Boulder, and some had misconceptions about flash flood risks, such as the safety of crossing fast-flowing water. About 6% of respondents indicated consistent reversals of US watch-warning alert terminology. However, more in-depth analysis illustrates the multi-dimensional, situationally dependent meanings of flash flood alerts, as well as the importance of evaluating interpretation and use of warning information along with alert terminology. Some public respondents estimated low likelihoods of flash flooding given a flash flood warning; these were associated with lower anticipated likelihood of taking protective action given a warning. Protective action intentions were also lower among respondents who had less trust in flash flood warnings, those who had not made prior preparations for flash flooding, and those who believed themselves to be safer from flash flooding. Additional analysis, using open-ended survey questions about responses to warnings, elucidates the complex, contextual nature of protective decision making during flash flood threats. These findings suggest that warnings can play an important role not only by notifying people that there is a threat and helping motivate people to take protective action, but also by helping people evaluate what actions to take given their situation.

Teachers and Students' Conceptions of Computer-Based Models in the Context of High School Chemistry: Elicitations at the Pre-intervention Stage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waight, Noemi; Gillmeister, Kristina

2014-04-01

This study examined teachers' and students' initial conceptions of computer-based models—Flash and NetLogo models—and documented how teachers and students reconciled notions of multiple representations featuring macroscopic, submicroscopic and symbolic representations prior to actual intervention in eight high school chemistry classrooms. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 32 students and 6 teachers. Findings revealed an interplay of complex factors that functioned as opportunities and obstacles in the implementation of technologies in science classrooms. Students revealed preferences for the Flash models as opposed to the open-ended NetLogo models. Altogether, due to lack of content and modeling background knowledge, students experienced difficulties articulating coherent and blended understandings of multiple representations. Concurrently, while the aesthetic and interactive features of the models were of great value, they did not sustain students' initial curiosity and opportunities to improve understandings about chemistry phenomena. Most teachers recognized direct alignment of the Flash model with their existing curriculum; however, the benefits were relegated to existing procedural and passive classroom practices. The findings have implications for pedagogical approaches that address the implementation of computer-based models, function of models, models as multiple representations and the role of background knowledge and cognitive load, and the role of teacher vision and classroom practices.

Subretinal electrical stimulation preserves inner retinal function in RCS rat retina.

PubMed

Ciavatta, Vincent T; Mocko, Julie A; Kim, Moon K; Pardue, Machelle T

2013-01-01

Previously, studies showed that subretinal electrical stimulation (SES) from a microphotodiode array (MPA) preserves electroretinography (ERG) b-wave amplitude and regional retinal structure in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat and simultaneously upregulates Fgf2 expression. This preservation appears to be associated with the increased current produced when the MPA is exposed to ERG test flashes, as weekly ERG testing produces greater neuroprotection than biweekly or no testing. Using an infrared source to stimulate the MPA while avoiding potential confounding effects from exposing the RCS retina to high luminance white light, this study examined whether neuroprotective effects from SES increased with subretinal current in a dose-dependent manner. RCS rats (n=49) underwent subretinal implantation surgery at P21 with MPA devices in one randomly selected eye, and the other eye served as the control. Naïve RCS rats (n=25) were also studied. To increase SES current levels, implanted eyes were exposed to 15 min per session of flashing infrared light (IR) of defined intensity, frequency, and duty cycle. Rats were divided into four SES groups that received ERG testing only (MPA only), about 450 µA/cm2 once per week (Low 1X), about 450 µA/cm2 three times per week (Low 3X), and about 1350 µA/cm2 once per week (High 1X). One eye of the control animals was randomly chosen for IR exposure. All animals were followed for 4 weeks with weekly binocular ERGs. A subset of the eyes was used to measure retina Fgf2 expression with real-time reverse-transcription PCR. Eyes receiving SES showed significant preservation of b-wave amplitude, a- and b-wave implicit times, oscillatory potential amplitudes, and post-receptoral parameters (Vmax and log σ) compared to untreated eyes. All SES-treated eyes had similar preservation, regardless of increased SES from IR light exposure. SES-treated eyes tended to have greater retinal Fgf2 expression than untreated eyes, but Fgf2 expression did not increase with IR light. The larger post-receptoral responses (Vmax), greater post-receptoral sensitivity (logσ), and larger oscillatory potentials suggest SES-treated eyes maintained better inner retinal function than the opposite, untreated eyes. This suggests that in addition to preserving photoreceptors in RCS rats, SES may also promote more robust signal transmission through the retinal network compared to the control eyes. These studies suggest that the protective effects of SES on RCS retinal function cannot be improved with additional subretinal current induction from the MPA, or the charge injection provided by ERG Ganzfeld flashes was not adequately mimicked by the flashing IR light used in this study.

NAND FLASH Radiation Tolerant Intelligent Memory Stack (RTIMS FLASH)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sellier, Charles; Wang, Pierre

2014-08-01

The NAND Flash Radiation Tolerant and Intelligent Memory Stack (RTIMS FLASH) is a User's Friendly, Plug-and- Play and Radiation Protected high density NAND Flash Memory. It provides a very high density, radiation hardened by design and non-volatile memory module suitable for all space applications such as commercial or scientific geo-stationary missions, earth observation, navigation, manned space vehicles and deep space scientific exploration. The Intelligent Memory Module embeds a very high density of non-volatile NAND Flash memory and one Intelligent Flash Memory Controller (FMC). The FMC provides the module with a full protection against the radiation effects such as SEL, SEFI and SEU. It's also granting the module with bad block immunity as well as high level service functions that will benefit to the user's applications.

Characteristic pulse trains of preliminary breakdown in four isolated small thunderstorms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Dong

2017-03-01

Using a low-frequency six-station local network, preliminary breakdown (PB) pulses not followed or followed by negative return stroke (RS), which are defined as PB-type and PB cloud-to-ground (PBCG)-type flashes, are analyzed based on four isolated small thunderstorms for the first time. On the basis of 22 PB-type flashes out of totally 2155 flashes, it indicates that the number of PB-type flashes is very small. At the early stage, PB-type flashes are observed in all four thunderstorms. At the active stage, PB-type flashes still can occur; meanwhile, there are few or no negative cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes. However, at the final stage no PB-type flashes occur. At the stage of distinct cell merging or splitting, PB-type flashes are also observed. Based on the 123 PBCG-type flashes, we discuss the percentage of PBCG-type flashes and also analyze the relationship between the electric field (E-field) amplitude of the largest pulse in the PB pulse train normalized to 100 km (PBA), the E-field amplitude of the first return stroke normalized to 100 km (RSA), the time interval between PBA and RSA (PB-RS interval), and the ratio between PBA and RSA (PB-RS ratio). We find that the percentage of PBCG-type flashes is not always dependent on PBA or PB-RS ratio; the type of thunderstorms may also have an impact on this percentage. None of the PB-RS intervals is less than 20 ms; we speculate that such long PB-RS interval is the feature of isolated small thunderstorms, but more observations are needed to further investigate this question.

Anxiogenic CO2 Stimulus Elicits Exacerbated Hot Flash-like Responses in a Rat Menopause Model and Hot Flashes in Menopausal Women

PubMed Central

Federici, Lauren M.; Roth, Sarah Dorsey; Krier, Connie; Fitz, Stephanie D.; Skaar, Todd; Shekhar, Anantha; Carpenter, Janet S.; Johnson, Philip L.

2016-01-01

Objective Since longitudinal studies determined that anxiety is a strong risk factor for hot flashes, we hypothesized that an anxiogenic stimulus that signals air hunger (hypercapnic, normoxic gas) would trigger an exacerbated hot flash-associated increase in tail skin temperature (TST) in a rat ovariectomy (OVEX) model of surgical menopause and hot flashes in symptomatic menopausal women. We also assessed TST responses in OVEX serotonin transporter (SERT)+/− rats that models a common polymorphism that is associated with increased climacteric symptoms in menopausal women and increases in anxiety traits. Methods OVEX and sham-OVEX rats (initial experiment) and wildtype and SERT+/− OVEX rats (subsequent experiment) were exposed to a 5 min infusion of 20%CO2 normoxic gas while measuring TST. Menopausal women were given brief 20% and 35%CO2 challenges, and hot flashes were self-reported and objectively verified. Results Compared to controls, OVEX rats had exacerbated increases in TST, and SERT+/− OVEX rats had prolonged TST increases following CO2. Most women reported mild/moderate hot flashes after CO2 challenges, and the hot flash severity to CO2 was positively correlated with daily hot flash frequency. Conclusions The studies demonstrate that this anxiogenic stimulus is capable of inducing cutaneous vasomotor responses in OVEX rats, and eliciting hot flashes in menopausal women. In rats, the severity of the response was mediated by loss of ovarian function and increased anxiety traits (SERT+/−), and, in women, by daily hot flash frequency. These findings may provide insights into anxiety related triggers and genetic risk factors for hot flashes in thermoneutral environments. PMID:27465717

Continuous transdermal nitroglycerin therapy for menopausal hot flashes: a single-arm, dose-escalation trial.

PubMed

Huang, Alison J; Cummings, Steven R; Schembri, Michael; Vittinghoff, Eric; Ganz, Peter; Grady, Deborah

2016-03-01

To describe the efficacy and tolerability of continuous nitroglycerin for treatment of hot flashes. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women reporting at least seven hot flashes per day were recruited into a single-arm, dose-escalation trial of continuous transdermal nitroglycerin. Participants were started on a generic 0.1 mg/hour nitroglycerin patch applied daily without patch-free periods. During 4 weeks, participants escalated dosage weekly to 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 mg/hour as tolerated, then discontinued nitroglycerin during the final week. Changes in hot flash frequency and severity were assessed using symptom diaries. Paired t tests examined change in outcomes between baseline and maximal-dose therapy and after discontinuation of nitroglycerin. Of the 19 participants, mean age was 51.4 (±4.3) years. Women reported an average 10.6 (±3.0) hot flashes and 7.1 (±3.8) moderate-to-severe hot flashes per day at baseline. Eleven women escalated to 0.6 mg/hour, three to 0.4 mg/hour, two to 0.2 mg/hour, and one remained on 0.1 mg/hour nitroglycerin. Two discontinued nitroglycerin before the first outcomes assessment. Among the remaining 17 women, the average daily frequency of hot flashes decreased by 54% and the average frequency of moderate-to-severe hot flashes decreased by 69% from baseline to maximum-dose therapy (P < 0.001 for both). After discontinuing nitroglycerin, participants reported an average 23% increase in frequency of any hot flashes (P = 0.041) and 96% increase in moderate-to-severe hot flashes (P < 0.001). Continuous nitroglycerin may substantially and reversibly decrease hot flash frequency and severity. If confirmed in a randomized blinded trial, it may offer a novel nonhormonal hot flash treatment.

Continuous Transdermal Nitroglycerin Therapy for Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Single-Arm Dose-Escalation Trial

PubMed Central

Huang, Alison J.; Cummings, Steven R.; Schembri, Michael; Vittinghoff, Eric; Ganz, Peter; Grady, Deborah

2015-01-01

Objective To describe the efficacy and tolerability of continuous nitroglycerin for treatment of hot flashes. Methods Peri- and postmenopausal women reporting at least 7 hot flashes per day were recruited into a single-arm, dose-escalation trial of continuous transdermal nitroglycerin. Participants were started on a generic 0.1 mg/hr nitroglycerin patch applied daily without patch-free periods. Over four weeks, participants escalated dosage weekly to 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 mg/hr as tolerated, then discontinued nitroglycerin during the final week. Changes in hot flash frequency and severity were assessed using symptom diaries. Paired t-tests examined change in outcomes between baseline and maximal-dose therapy as well as after discontinuation of nitroglycerin. Results Of the 19 participants, mean age was 51.4 (±4.3) years. Women reported an average 10.6 (±3.0) hot flashes and 7.1 (±3.8) moderate-to-severe hot flashes per day at baseline. Eleven women escalated to 0.6 mg/hr, three to 0.4 mg/hr, two to 0.2 mg/hr, and one remained on 0.1 mg/hr nitroglycerin. Two discontinued nitroglycerin before the first outcomes assessment. Among the remaining 17 women, the average daily frequency of hot flashes decreased by 54% and the average frequency of moderate-to-severe hot flashes decreased by 69% from baseline to maximum-dose therapy (P<0.001 for both). After discontinuing nitroglycerin, participants reported an average 23% increase in frequency of any hot flashes (P=0.041) and 96% increase in moderate-to-severe hot flashes (P<0.001). Conclusions Continuous nitroglycerin may substantially and reversibly decrease hot flash frequency and severity. If confirmed in a randomized blinded trial, it may offer a novel non-hormonal hot flash treatment. PMID:26263283

FLASH is essential during early embryogenesis and cooperates with p73 to regulate histone gene transcription.

PubMed

De Cola, A; Bongiorno-Borbone, L; Bianchi, E; Barcaroli, D; Carletti, E; Knight, R A; Di Ilio, C; Melino, G; Sette, C; De Laurenzi, V

2012-02-02

Replication-dependent histone gene expression is a fundamental process occurring in S-phase under the control of the cyclin-E/CDK2 complex. This process is regulated by a number of proteins, including Flice-Associated Huge Protein (FLASH) (CASP8AP2), concentrated in specific nuclear organelles known as HLBs. FLASH regulates both histone gene transcription and mRNA maturation, and its downregulation in vitro results in the depletion of the histone pull and cell-cycle arrest in S-phase. Here we show that the transcription factor p73 binds to FLASH and is part of the complex that regulates histone gene transcription. Moreover, we created a novel gene trap to disrupt FLASH in mice, and we show that homozygous deletion of FLASH results in early embryonic lethality, owing to arrest of FLASH(-/-) embryos at the morula stage. These results indicate that FLASH is an essential, non-redundant regulator of histone transcription and cell cycle during embryogenesis.

A pilot study of magnetic therapy for hot flashes after breast cancer.

PubMed

Carpenter, Janet S; Wells, Nancy; Lambert, Beth; Watson, Peggy; Slayton, Tami; Chak, Bapsi; Hepworth, Joseph T; Worthington, W Bradley

2002-04-01

The purpose of this randomized placebo-controlled crossover pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of magnetic therapy for hot flashes among breast cancer survivors. Participants completed a 24-hour baseline hot-flash monitoring session, wore the magnetic devices or placebo for 3 days, completed an after-treatment hot-flash monitoring session, experienced a 10-day washout period, and then crossed over to the opposite study arm. Magnetic devices and placebos were placed on 6 acupressure sites corresponding to hot-flash relief. Complete data were available from 11 survivors of breast cancer. Results indicated magnetic therapy was no more effective than placebo in decreasing hot-flash severity, and contrary to expectations, placebo was significantly more effective than magnets in decreasing hot-flash frequency, bother, interference with daily activities, and overall quality of life. Implications for clinical practice and future research include the need to explore alternative interventions aimed at alleviating hot flashes in this population.

Obtaining the Grobner Initialization for the Ground Flash Fraction Retrieval Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Solakiewicz, R.; Attele, R.; Koshak, W.

2011-01-01

At optical wavelengths and from the vantage point of space, the multiple scattering cloud medium obscures one's view and prevents one from easily determining what flashes strike the ground. However, recent investigations have made some progress examining the (easier, but still difficult) problem of estimating the ground flash fraction in a set of N flashes observed from space In the study by Koshak, a Bayesian inversion method was introduced for retrieving the fraction of ground flashes in a set of flashes observed from a (low earth orbiting or geostationary) satellite lightning imager. The method employed a constrained mixed exponential distribution model to describe the lightning optical measurements. To obtain the optimum model parameters, a scalar function of three variables (one of which is the ground flash fraction) was minimized by a numerical method. This method has formed the basis of a Ground Flash Fraction Retrieval Algorithm (GoFFRA) that is being tested as part of GOES-R GLM risk reduction.

Fast repetition rate (FRR) flasher

DOEpatents

Kolber, Zbigniew; Falkowski, Paul

1997-02-11

A fast repetition rate (FRR) flasher suitable for high flash photolysis including kinetic chemical and biological analysis. The flasher includes a power supply, a discharge capacitor operably connected to be charged by the power supply, and a flash lamp for producing a series of flashes in response to discharge of the discharge capacitor. A triggering circuit operably connected to the flash lamp initially ionizes the flash lamp. A current switch is operably connected between the flash lamp and the discharge capacitor. The current switch has at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor for switching current that is operable to initiate a controllable discharge of the discharge capacitor through the flash lamp. Control means connected to the current switch for controlling the rate of discharge of the discharge capacitor thereby to effectively keep the flash lamp in an ionized state between Successive discharges of the discharge capacitor. Advantageously, the control means is operable to discharge the discharge capacitor at a rate greater than 10,000 Hz and even up to a rate greater than about 250,000 Hz.

Statistical Evolution of the Lightning Flash

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zoghzoghy, F. G.; Cohen, M.; Said, R.; Inan, U. S.

2012-12-01

Natural lightning is one of the most fascinating and powerful electrical processes on Earth. To date, the physics behind this natural phenomenon are not fully understood, due primarily to the difficulty of obtaining measurements inside thunderstorms and to the wide range of timescales involved (from nanoseconds to seconds). Our aim is to use accurate lightning geo-location data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) to study statistical patterns in lightning, taking advantage of the fact that millions of lightning flashes occur around the globe every day. We present two sets of results, one involving the patterns of flashes in a storm, and a second involving the patterns of strokes in a flash. These patterns can provide a surrogate measure of the timescales and the spatial extents of the underlying physical processes. First, we study the timescales of charge buildup inside thunderstorms. We find that, following a lightning flash, the probability of another neighboring flash decreases and takes tens of seconds to recover. We find that this suppression effect is a function of flash type, stroke peak current, cloud-to-ground (CG) stroke multiplicity, and other lightning and geographical parameters. We find that the probabilities of subsequent flashes are more suppressed following oceanic lightning, or following flashes with higher peak currents and/or higher multiplicities (for CG flashes). Second, we use NLDN data to study the evolution of the strokes within a CG flash. A CG flash typically includes multiple return strokes, which can occur in the same channel or in multiple channels within a few kilometers. We cluster NLDN stroke data into flashes and produce the probability density function of subsequent strokes as a function of distance and time-delays relative to the previous stroke. Using this technique, we investigate processes which occur during the CG lightning flash with nanosecond to millisecond timescales. For instance, our results suggest that subsequent strokes that occur in a newly formed channel follow a pattern that propagates at a speed of ~200 km/s. We present our statistical techniques and discuss more thoroughly our work and results.

Circulating leptin and adiponectin are associated with insulin resistance in healthy postmenopausal women with hot flashes

PubMed Central

Huang, Wan-Yu; Chang, Chia-Chu; Chen, Dar-Ren; Kor, Chew-Teng; Chen, Ting-Yu; Wu, Hung-Ming

2017-01-01

Introduction Hot flashes have been postulated to be linked to the development of metabolic disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between hot flashes, adipocyte-derived hormones, and insulin resistance in healthy, non-obese postmenopausal women. Participants and design In this cross-sectional study, a total of 151 women aged 45–60 years were stratified into one of three groups according to hot-flash status over the past three months: never experienced hot flashes (Group N), mild-to-moderate hot flashes (Group M), and severe hot flashes (Group S). Variables measured in this study included clinical parameters, hot flash experience, fasting levels of circulating glucose, lipid profiles, plasma insulin, and adipocyte-derived hormones. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of hot flashes with adipocyte-derived hormones, and with insulin resistance. Settings The study was performed in a hospital medical center. Results The mean (standard deviation) of body-mass index was 22.8(2.7) for Group N, 22.6(2.6) for Group M, and 23.5(2.4) for Group S, respectively. Women in Group S displayed statistically significantly higher levels of leptin, fasting glucose, and insulin, and lower levels of adiponectin than those in Groups M and N. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that hot-flash severity was significantly associated with higher leptin levels, lower adiponectin levels, and higher leptin-to-adiponectin ratio. Univariate linear regression analysis revealed that hot-flash severity was strongly associated with a higher HOMA-IR index (% difference, 58.03%; 95% confidence interval, 31.00–90.64; p < 0.001). The association between hot flashes and HOMA-IR index was attenuated after adjusting for leptin or adiponectin and was no longer significant after simultaneously adjusting for leptin and adiponectin. Conclusion The present study provides evidence that hot flashes are associated with insulin resistance in postmenopausal women. It further suggests that hot flash association with insulin resistance is dependent on the combination of leptin and adiponectin variables. PMID:28448547

Pilot evaluation of hypnosis for the treatment of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors.

PubMed

Elkins, Gary; Marcus, Joel; Stearns, Vered; Hasan Rajab, M

2007-05-01

This single arm, pilot study investigated the use of hypnosis to reduce hot flashes in 16 breast cancer survivors. Each patient provided baseline data and received 4 weekly sessions of hypnosis that followed a standardized transcript. Patients were also instructed in self-hypnosis. Throughout the clinical care, patients completed daily diaries of the frequency and severity of their hot flashes. Patients also completed baseline and post-treatment ratings of the degree to which hot flashes interfered with daily activities and quality of life. Results indicated a 59% decrease in total daily hot flashes and a 70% decrease in weekly hot flash scores from their baselines. There was also a significant decrease in the degree to which hot flashes interfered with daily activities for all measures including work, social activities, leisure activities, sleep, mood, concentration, relations with others, sexuality, enjoyment of life, and overall quality of life. This pilot study suggests that clinical hypnosis may be an effective non-hormonal and non-pharmacological treatment for hot flashes. A randomized, controlled clinical trial is planned to more definitively elucidate the efficacy and applicability of hypnosis for reducing hot flashes.

Management of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: Current treatment options, challenges and future directions

PubMed Central

Pachman, Deirdre R; Jones, Jason M; Loprinzi, Charles L

2010-01-01

Hot flashes are one of the most common and distressing symptoms associated with menopause, occurring in more than 75% of postmenopausal women. They are especially problematic in breast cancer patients since some breast cancer therapies can induce hot flashes. For mild hot flashes, it is proposed that behavioral modifications are the first step in management. Hormonal therapies, including estrogens and progestogens, are the most well known effective agents in relieving hot flashes; however, the safety of these agents is controversial. There is an increasing amount of literature on nonhormonal agents for the treatment of hot flashes. The most promising data regard newer antidepressant agents such as venlafaxine, which reduces hot flashes by about 60%. Gabapentin is another nonhormonal agent that is effective in reducing hot flashes. While many complimentary therapies, including phytoestrogens, black cohosh, and dehydroepiandrosterone, have been explored for the treatment of hot flashes; none can be recommended at this time. Furthermore, there is a lack of strong evidence to support exercise, yoga, or relaxation for the treatment of hot flashes. Paced respirations and hypnosis appear to be promising enough to warrant further investigation. Another promising nonpharmacological therapy, currently under investigation, involves a stellate ganglion block. PMID:21072305

GLM Validation Studies in Colorado

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rutledge, S. A.; Reimel, K.; Fuchs, B.; Xu, W.

2017-12-01

On 8 May 2017 the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) calibration/validation field campaign completed a mission over the domain of the Colorado Lightning Mapping Array (LMA). This "gold mine day" produced a mixture of normal polarity and anomalous storms of varying intensity. A case study analysis has been completed for a portion of three individual storms from this day. By utilizing a cell tracking algorithm and lightning flash attribution program, individual lightning flashes detected by the GLM, LMA, the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), and Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) are attributed to individual storm cells. The focus of this analysis is the detection efficiency of GLM. We will discuss how the GLM detection efficiency changes as a result of storm morphology and lightning flash characteristics. Lightning flash size, flash height, and the amount of ice present between the lightning flash altitude and the top of the cloud all appear to play a role in how well GLM detects lightning flashes. Since GLM shares the same concept as its predecessor TRMM LIS (optically-based lightning detection), the evaluation of TRMM LIS against LMA network-detected lightning provides insights into the GLM detection efficiency. We have collected observations by LIS and LMA coincident in time and space during 2008-2014. The sample includes 400 LIS overpasses with both LIS and LMA detecting flashes within 150 km radius of the center of the LMA array during the 120 second LIS observing time period (analysis presently confined to the Alabama LMA network). The overall LIS detection efficiency (DE, defined as the ratio of flash rates between LIS and LMA) is 0.45, with higher DE for lower flash rate cases. LIS showed a DE of nearly 100% for cases with flash rates < 10 fl/min, but had a DE of only 20-30% for high flash rates within intense storms (> 300 fl/min). We further separated the dataset into day and night, and found that the night-time DE (0.6) increased by 20% compared to day-time DE (0.5). LIS DE also increased as a function of LMA-derived flash size, possibly due to stronger radiance from larger flashes. LIS DE was the lowest ( 40%) for flashes with sizes smaller than a single LIS pixel (< 16 km2). These results may be applicable to GLM as well.

Clinical Hypnosis in the Treatment of Post-Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Elkins, Gary R.; Fisher, William I.; Johnson, Aimee K.; Carpenter, Janet S.; Keith, Timothy Z.

2012-01-01

Objective The use of estrogen and progesterone to manage vasomotor symptoms (i.e., hot flashes, night sweats) has declined due to concerns over their risks and there is an increased interest in alternate, effective, and low-risk treatments. This study reports the results of a randomized, controlled trial of clinical hypnosis in treating vasomotor symptoms among post-menopausal women. Methods Randomized, single-blind, controlled, clinical trial involving 187 post-menopausal women reporting a minimum of seven hot flashes per day, or at least 50 hot flashes a week at baseline between December 2008 and April 2012. Eligible participants received five weekly sessions of either clinical hypnosis or structured-attention control. Primary outcomes were hot flash frequency (subjectively and physiologically recorded) and hot flash score assessed by daily diaries at weeks 2–6, and 12. Secondary outcomes included measures of hot flash related daily interference, sleep quality and treatment satisfaction. Results In a modified intent-to-treat analysis that included all randomized participants that provided data, reported subjective hot flash frequency from baseline to week 12 showed a mean reduction of 55.82 hot flashes for the clinical hypnosis intervention (74.16%), versus a 12.89 hot flash reduction (17.13%) for the control (p<.001, 95% CI, 36.15–49.67). Mean reduction in hot flash score was 18.83 (80.32%) for the clinical hypnosis intervention as compared to 3.53 (15.38%) for the control (p<.001, 95% CI, 12.60–17.54). At 12 week follow-up, the mean reduction in physiologically monitored hot flashes was 5.92 (56.86%) for clinical hypnosis and .88 (9.94%) for the control (p<.001, 95% CI, 2.00–5.46). Secondary outcomes were significantly improved compared to control at 12 week follow-up in hot flash related interference (p<.001, 95% CI, 2.74–4.02), sleep quality (p<.001, 95% CI, 3.65–5.84), and treatment satisfaction (p<.001, 95% CI, 7.79–8.59). Conclusion Compared to a structured attention control, clinical hypnosis resulted in significant reductions in self-reported and physiologically measured hot flashes as well as hot flash scores in post-menopausal women. PMID:23435026

A non-invasive online photoionization spectrometer for FLASH2.

PubMed

Braune, Markus; Brenner, Günter; Dziarzhytski, Siarhei; Juranić, Pavle; Sorokin, Andrey; Tiedtke, Kai

2016-01-01

The stochastic nature of the self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) process of free-electron lasers (FELs) effects pulse-to-pulse fluctuations of the radiation properties, such as the photon energy, which are determinative for processes of photon-matter interactions. Hence, SASE FEL sources pose a great challenge for scientific investigations, since experimenters need to obtain precise real-time feedback of these properties for each individual photon bunch for interpretation of the experimental data. Furthermore, any device developed to deliver the according information should not significantly interfere with or degrade the FEL beam. Regarding the spectral properties, a device for online monitoring of FEL wavelengths has been developed for FLASH2, which is based on photoionization of gaseous targets and the measurements of the corresponding electron and ion time-of-flight spectra. This paper presents experimental studies and cross-calibration measurements demonstrating the viability of this online photoionization spectrometer.

A non-invasive online photoionization spectrometer for FLASH2

PubMed Central

Braune, Markus; Brenner, Günter; Dziarzhytski, Siarhei; Juranić, Pavle; Sorokin, Andrey; Tiedtke, Kai

2016-01-01

The stochastic nature of the self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) process of free-electron lasers (FELs) effects pulse-to-pulse fluctuations of the radiation properties, such as the photon energy, which are determinative for processes of photon–matter interactions. Hence, SASE FEL sources pose a great challenge for scientific investigations, since experimenters need to obtain precise real-time feedback of these properties for each individual photon bunch for interpretation of the experimental data. Furthermore, any device developed to deliver the according information should not significantly interfere with or degrade the FEL beam. Regarding the spectral properties, a device for online monitoring of FEL wavelengths has been developed for FLASH2, which is based on photoionization of gaseous targets and the measurements of the corresponding electron and ion time-of-flight spectra. This paper presents experimental studies and cross-calibration measurements demonstrating the viability of this online photoionization spectrometer. PMID:26698040

A Computational Fluid Dynamic Model for a Novel Flash Ironmaking Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez-Fontes, Silvia E.; Sohn, Hong Yong; Olivas-Martinez, Miguel

A computational fluid dynamic model for a novel flash ironmaking process based on the direct gaseous reduction of iron oxide concentrates is presented. The model solves the three-dimensional governing equations including both gas-phase and gas-solid reaction kinetics. The turbulence-chemistry interaction in the gas-phase is modeled by the eddy dissipation concept incorporating chemical kinetics. The particle cloud model is used to track the particle phase in a Lagrangian framework. A nucleation and growth kinetics rate expression is adopted to calculate the reduction rate of magnetite concentrate particles. Benchmark experiments reported in the literature for a nonreacting swirling gas jet and a nonpremixed hydrogen jet flame were simulated for validation. The model predictions showed good agreement with measurements in terms of gas velocity, gas temperature and species concentrations. The relevance of the computational model for the analysis of a bench reactor operation and the design of an industrial-pilot plant is discussed.

Numerical design of a magnetized turbulence experiment at the National Ignition Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feister, Scott; Tzeferacos, Petros; Meinecke, Jena; Bott, Archie; Caprioli, Damiano; Laune, Jt; Bell, Tony; Casner, Alexis; Koenig, Michel; Li, Chikang; Miniati, Francesco; Petrasso, Richard; Remington, Bruce; Reville, Brian; Ross, J. Steven; Ryu, Dongsu; Ryutov, Dmitri; Sio, Hong; Turnbull, David; Zylstra, Alex; Schekochihin, Alexander; Froula, Dustin; Park, Hye-Sook; Lamb, Don; Gregori, Gianluca

2017-10-01

The origin and amplification of magnetic fields remains an active astrophysical research topic. We discuss design (using three-dimensional FLASH simulations) of a magnetized turbulence experiment at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). NIF lasers drive together two counter-propagating plasma flows to form a hot, turbulent plasma at the center. In the simulations, plasma temperatures are high enough to reach super-critical values of magnetic Reynolds number (Rm). Biermann battery seed magnetic fields (generated during laser-target interaction) are advected into the turbulent region and amplified by fluctuation dynamo in the above-unity Prandtl number regime. Plasma diagnostics are modeled with FLASH for planning and direct comparison with NIF experimental data. This work was supported in part at the University of Chicago by the DOE NNSA, the DOE Office of Science, and the NSF. The numerical simulations were conducted at ALCF's Mira under the auspices of the DOE Office of Science ALCC program.

Interpretation of STS-3/plasma diagnostics package results in terms of large space structure plasma interactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kurth, W. S.

1984-01-01

The Plasma Diagnostics Package, which was flown aboard STS-3 recorded various chemical releases from the Orbiter. Changes in the plasma environment were observed to occur during Flash Evaporator System (FES) releases, water dumps and maneuvering thruster operations. During flash evaporator operations, broadband Orbiter-generated electro-static noise is enhanced and plasma density irregularity (delta n/N) is observed to increase by as much as 4 times and is strongly peaked below 6 Hz. In the case of water dumps, background electrostatic noise is enhanced or suppressed depending on frequency and Delta N/N is also seen to increase by as much as 4 times. Various changes in the plasma environment are effected by primary and vernier thruster operations. In addition, thruster activity stimulates electrostatic noise with a spectrum which is most intense at frequencies below 10 kHz.

Safety Evaluation of Discontinuing Late-Night Flash Operations at Signalized Intersections : Summary Report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-08-01

During late-night flash (LNF) mode (from late night to early morning hours), traffic signals flash yellow for one road (typically, the major road), requiring caution but no stopping, and flash red for the other road (typically, the minor road), requi...

Flash flood disasters analysis and evaluation: a case study of Yiyang County in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Haichen; Zhang, Xiaolei; Li, Qing; Qin, Tao; Lei, Xiaohui

2018-03-01

Global climate change leads to the more extreme precipitation and more flash flood disasters, which is a serious threat to the mountain inhabitants. To prevent flash flood disasters, China started flash flood disaster control planning and other projects from 2006. Among those measures, non-engineering measures are effective and economical. This paper introduced the framework of flash flood disaster analysis and evaluation in China, followed by a case study of Yiyang County.

Hot flashes and midlife symptoms in relation to levels of salivary cortisol.

PubMed

Gerber, Linda M; Sievert, Lynnette L; Schwartz, Joseph E

2017-02-01

This study examined the relationship between salivary cortisol levels and hot flashes during midlife. Previous studies have shown that cortisol levels increase with hot flashes in the laboratory, and higher cortisol levels have been associated with more severe hot flashes. Salivary cortisol levels were also examined in relation to total number of midlife symptoms. Women aged 40-60 years (n=109) reported the presence or absence of 23 symptoms, including hot flashes, during the previous 2 weeks. Salivary samples were collected at waking, 30min after waking, 1h before bedtime, and at bedtime. The cortisol awakening response (CAR), cortisol daily decline (CDD), log transformed salivary cortisol levels at each time point, and mean cortisol levels were compared by hot flash report using t-tests. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between each cortisol measure and the presence or absence of hot flashes, after controlling for potential covariates. Salivary cortisol levels were not significantly associated with hot flashes or sum of symptoms. Hot flash report did not differentiate women who had a positive CAR from those who did not, or women who showed strong CDD from those who did not. Symptomatic women - defined by hot flash report or symptom total - were not found to have higher salivary cortisol levels. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A parametric multivariate drought index and its application in the attribution and projection of flash drought change in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, X.; Wang, L.; Zhang, M.

2017-12-01

Rainfall deficit in the crop growing seasons is usually accompanied by heat waves. Abnormally high temperature increases evapotranspiration and decreases soil moisture rapidly, and ultimately results in a type of drought with a rapid onset, short duration but devastating impact, which is called "Flash drought". With the increase in global temperature, flash drought is expected to occur more frequently. However, there is no consensus on the definition of flash drought so far. Moreover, large uncertainty exists in the estimation of the flash drought and its trend, and the underlying mechanism for its long-term change is not clear. In this presentation, a parametric multivariate drought index that characterizes the joint probability distribution of key variables of flash drought will be developed, and the historical changes in flash drought over China will be analyzed. In addition, a set of land surface model simulations driven by IPCC CMIP5 models with different forcings and future scenarios, will be used for the detection and attribution of flash drought change. This study is targeted at quantifying the influences of natural and anthropogenic climate change on the flash drought change, projecting its future change as well as the corresponding uncertainty, and improving our understanding of the variation of flash drought and its underlying mechanism in a changing climate.

Positive cloud-to-ground lightning flashes in severe storms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rust, W. D.; Macgorman, D. R.; Arnold, R. T.

1981-01-01

The occurrence of cloud-to-ground flashes that effectively lower positive charge to earth (+CG flash) over flat terrain has been documented in the mature stage of severe thunderstorms. Of the 31 documented +CG flashes, most had only one return stroke. Zero-to-peak rise times for the strokes averaged 7 microsec. The +CG flashes averaged 520 ms in duration, with 25 percent lasting more than 800 ms. Many of these had field changes suggestive of continuing current. Positive flashes have been observed to emanate from several regions of severe storms: high on the back of the main storm tower, through the wall cloud, and from the downshear anvil. Visually most of these positive flashes have emanated from high in the storm, and acoustic mapping of two shows thunder sources to a height of about 15 km.

Gun muzzle flash detection using a CMOS single photon avalanche diode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merhav, Tomer; Savuskan, Vitali; Nemirovsky, Yael

2013-10-01

Si based sensors, in particular CMOS Image sensors, have revolutionized low cost imaging systems but to date have hardly been considered as possible candidates for gun muzzle flash detection, due to performance limitations, and low SNR in the visible spectrum. In this study, a CMOS Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) module is used to record and sample muzzle flash events in the visible spectrum, from representative weapons, common on the modern battlefield. SPADs possess two crucial properties for muzzle flash imaging - Namely, very high photon detection sensitivity, coupled with a unique ability to convert the optical signal to a digital signal at the source pixel, thus practically eliminating readout noise. This enables high sampling frequencies in the kilohertz range without SNR degradation, in contrast to regular CMOS image sensors. To date, the SPAD has not been utilized for flash detection in an uncontrolled environment, such as gun muzzle flash detection. Gun propellant manufacturers use alkali salts to suppress secondary flashes ignited during the muzzle flash event. Common alkali salts are compounds based on Potassium or Sodium, with spectral emission lines around 769nm and 589nm, respectively. A narrow band filter around the Potassium emission doublet is used in this study to favor the muzzle flash signal over solar radiation. This research will demonstrate the SPAD's ability to accurately sample and reconstruct the temporal behavior of the muzzle flash in the visible wavelength under the specified imaging conditions. The reconstructed signal is clearly distinguishable from background clutter, through exploitation of flash temporal characteristics.

Informing hot flash treatment decisions for breast cancer survivors: a systematic review of randomized trials comparing active interventions.

PubMed

Johns, Claire; Seav, Susan M; Dominick, Sally A; Gorman, Jessica R; Li, Hongying; Natarajan, Loki; Mao, Jun James; Irene Su, H

2016-04-01

Patient-centered decision making about hot flash treatments often incorporates a balance of efficacy and side effects in addition to patient preference. This systematic review examines randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing at least two non-hormonal hot flash treatments in breast cancer survivors. In July 2015, PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched for RCTs comparing active, non-hormonal hot flash treatments in female breast cancer survivors. Thirteen trials were included after identifying 906 potential studies. Four trials were dose comparison studies of pharmacologic treatments citalopram, venlafaxine, gabapentin, and paroxetine. Hot flash reduction did not differ by tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor use. Citalopram 10, 20, and 30 mg daily had comparable outcomes. Venlafaxine 75 mg daily improved hot flashes without additional side effects from higher dosing. Gabapentin 900 mg daily improved hot flashes more than 300 mg. Paroxetine 10 mg daily had fewer side effects than 20 mg. Among four trials comparing different pharmacologic treatments, venlafaxine alleviated hot flash symptoms faster than clonidine; participants preferred venlafaxine over gabapentin. Five trials compared pharmacologic to non-pharmacologic treatments. Acupuncture had similar efficacy to venlafaxine and gabapentin but may have longer durability after completing treatment and fewer side effects. We could not perform a pooled meta-analysis because outcomes were not reported in comparable formats. Clinical trial data on non-hormonal hot flash treatments provide comparisons of hot flash efficacy and other patient important outcomes to guide clinical management. Clinicians can use the information to help patients select hot flash interventions.

Abdominal adiposity and hot flashes among midlife women.

PubMed

Thurston, Rebecca C; Sowers, MaryFran R; Sutton-Tyrrell, Kim; Everson-Rose, Susan A; Lewis, Tené T; Edmundowicz, Daniel; Matthews, Karen A

2008-01-01

Two competing hypotheses suggest how adiposity may affect menopausal hot flashes. The "thin hypothesis" asserts that aromatization of androgens to estrogens in body fat should be associated with decreased hot flashes. Conversely, thermoregulatory models argue that body fat should be associated with increased hot flashes. The study objective was to examine associations between abdominal adiposity and hot flashes, including the role of reproductive hormones in these associations. The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Heart Study (2001-2003) is an ancillary study to the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, a community-based cohort study. Participants were 461 women (35% African American, 65% white) ages 45 to 58 years with an intact uterus and at least one ovary. Measures included a computed tomography scan to assess abdominal adiposity; reported hot flashes over the previous 2 weeks; and a blood sample for measurement of follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin-adjusted estradiol (free estradiol index). Associations were evaluated within multivariable logistic and linear regression models. Every 1-SD increase in total (odds ratio [OR]=1.28; 95% CI: 1.06-1.55) and subcutaneous (OR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.07-1.58) abdominal adiposity was associated with increased odds of hot flashes in age- and site-adjusted models. Visceral adiposity was not associated with hot flashes. Associations were not reduced when models included reproductive hormone concentrations. Increased abdominal adiposity, particularly subcutaneous adiposity, is associated with increased odds of hot flashes, favoring thermoregulatory models of hot flashes. Body fat may not protect women from hot flashes as once thought.

50 CFR 300.5 - Facilitation of enforcement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... transmitted by flashing light directed at the vessel signaled. USCG units will normally use the flashing light..., flashing light, flags, whistle, horn or other means constitutes prima facie evidence of the offense of... International Code of Signals, may be sent by flashing light by an enforcement unit when conditions do not allow...

50 CFR 300.5 - Facilitation of enforcement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... transmitted by flashing light directed at the vessel signaled. USCG units will normally use the flashing light..., flashing light, flags, whistle, horn or other means constitutes prima facie evidence of the offense of... International Code of Signals, may be sent by flashing light by an enforcement unit when conditions do not allow...

33 CFR 117.1007 - Elizabeth River-Eastern Branch.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... closing the draw, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red, the horn... down to vessels, the channel traffic lights will continue to flash red. (6) When the rail traffic has... opening to vessel traffic. During the opening swing movement, the channel traffic lights will flash red...

33 CFR 117.1007 - Elizabeth River-Eastern Branch.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... closing the draw, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red, the horn... down to vessels, the channel traffic lights will continue to flash red. (6) When the rail traffic has... opening to vessel traffic. During the opening swing movement, the channel traffic lights will flash red...

33 CFR 117.1007 - Elizabeth River-Eastern Branch.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... closing the draw, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red, the horn... down to vessels, the channel traffic lights will continue to flash red. (6) When the rail traffic has... opening to vessel traffic. During the opening swing movement, the channel traffic lights will flash red...

33 CFR 117.1007 - Elizabeth River-Eastern Branch.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... closing the draw, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red, the horn... down to vessels, the channel traffic lights will continue to flash red. (6) When the rail traffic has... opening to vessel traffic. During the opening swing movement, the channel traffic lights will flash red...

Decision support system for road closures in flash flood emergencies.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-06-01

Among all the natural hazards, flash flood ranks as the No. 1 weather-related killer in U.S. More : than half of the deaths in flash flood are due to drowning victims in a traffic environment. So road : closure is critical to save lives from flash fl...

49 CFR 234.253 - Flashing light units and lamp voltage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Flashing light units and lamp voltage. 234.253....253 Flashing light units and lamp voltage. (a) Each flashing light unit shall be inspected when... with installation specifications. (b) Lamp voltage shall be tested when installed and at least once...

49 CFR 234.253 - Flashing light units and lamp voltage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Flashing light units and lamp voltage. 234.253....253 Flashing light units and lamp voltage. (a) Each flashing light unit shall be inspected when... with installation specifications. (b) Lamp voltage shall be tested when installed and at least once...

49 CFR 234.253 - Flashing light units and lamp voltage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Flashing light units and lamp voltage. 234.253... Maintenance, Inspection, and Testing Inspections and Tests § 234.253 Flashing light units and lamp voltage. (a... proper alignment and frequency of flashes in accordance with installation specifications. (b) Lamp...

49 CFR 234.253 - Flashing light units and lamp voltage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Flashing light units and lamp voltage. 234.253... Maintenance, Inspection, and Testing Inspections and Tests § 234.253 Flashing light units and lamp voltage. (a... proper alignment and frequency of flashes in accordance with installation specifications. (b) Lamp...

49 CFR 234.253 - Flashing light units and lamp voltage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Flashing light units and lamp voltage. 234.253....253 Flashing light units and lamp voltage. (a) Each flashing light unit shall be inspected when... with installation specifications. (b) Lamp voltage shall be tested when installed and at least once...

33 CFR 117.903 - Darby Creek.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., nine inches high to indicate the vertical clearance under the closed draw at all stages of the tide... change from flashing green to flashing red anytime the bridge is not in the full open position. (10) During downward span movement, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red...

33 CFR 117.903 - Darby Creek.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., nine inches high to indicate the vertical clearance under the closed draw at all stages of the tide... change from flashing green to flashing red anytime the bridge is not in the full open position. (10) During downward span movement, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red...

33 CFR 117.903 - Darby Creek.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., nine inches high to indicate the vertical clearance under the closed draw at all stages of the tide... change from flashing green to flashing red anytime the bridge is not in the full open position. (10) During downward span movement, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red...

78 FR 48188 - Certain Flash Memory Chips and Products Containing the Same Notice of Receipt of Complaint...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-07

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Docket No. 2971] Certain Flash Memory Chips and Products.... International Trade Commission has received a complaint entitled Certain Flash Memory Chips and Products... sale within the United States after importation of certain flash memory chips and products containing...

78 FR 55095 - Certain Flash Memory Chips and Products Containing Same; Institution of Investigation

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-09

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 337-TA-893] Certain Flash Memory Chips and... States after importation of certain flash memory chips and products containing the same by reason of... sale within the United States after importation of certain flash memory chips and products containing...

49 CFR 234.217 - Flashing light units.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Flashing light units. 234.217 Section 234.217... light units. (a) Each flashing light unit shall be properly positioned and aligned and shall be visible to a highway user approaching the crossing. (b) Each flashing light unit shall be maintained to...

Flash protection controller

DOEpatents

Galbraith, L.K.

1979-12-07

A controller provides a high voltage to maintain an electro-optic shutter in a transparent condition until a flash of light which would be harmful to personnel is sensed by a phototransistor. The controller then shorts the shutter to ground to minimize light transmission to the user and maintains light transmission at the pre-flash level for a predetermined time to allow the flash to subside. A log converter and differential trigger circuit keep the controller from being triggered by other light flashes which are not dangerous.

Flash protection controller

DOEpatents

Galbraith, Lee K.

1981-01-01

A controller provides a high voltage to maintain an electro-optic shutter in a transparent condition until a flash of light which would be harmful to personnel is sensed by a phototransistor. The controller then shorts the shutter to ground to minimize light transmission to the user and maintains light transmission at the pre-flash level for a predetermined time to allow the flash to subside. A log converter and differential trigger circuit keep the controller from being triggered by other light flashes which are not dangerous.

Vibrational Energy in Molecules and Nanoparticles: Applications to Energetic Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-30

of vibrational energy in a polyatomic molecule, nitromethane . Work on water and amino acids partially supported by AFOSR are developmental in nature...have characterized the surface vibrations of HMX explosive and their interaction with polymer binders. We have introduced a major improvement in SFG...Vibrational energy in nitromethane and benzene E. Time resolved spectroscopy of chemistry in flash-heated nanoenergetic materials F. Complete

Global optical lightning flash rates determined with the Forte satellite

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

Light, T.; Davis, S. M.; Boeck, W. L.

2003-01-01

Using FORTE photodiode detector (PDD) observations of lightning, we have determined the geographic distribution of nighttime flash rate density. We estimate the PDD flash detection efficiency to be 62% for total lightning through comparison to lightning observations by the TRMM satellite's Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS), using cases in which FORTE and TRMM viewed the same storm. We present here both seasonal and l,ot,al flash rate maps. We examine some characteristics of the optical emissions of lightning in both high and low flash rate environments, and find that while lightning occurs less frequently over ocean, oceanic lightning flashes are somewhat moremore » powerful, on average, than those over land.« less

The prediction of the flash point for binary aqueous-organic solutions.

PubMed

Liaw, Horng-Jang; Chiu, Yi-Yu

2003-07-18

A mathematical model, which may be used for predicting the flash point of aqueous-organic solutions, has been proposed and subsequently verified by experimentally-derived data. The results reveal that this model is able to precisely predict the flash point over the entire composition range of binary aqueous-organic solutions by way of utilizing the flash point data pertaining to the flammable component. The derivative of flash point with respect to composition (solution composition effect upon flash point) can be applied to process safety design/operation in order to identify as to whether the dilution of a flammable liquid solution with water is effective in reducing the fire and explosion hazard of the solution at a specified composition. Such a derivative equation was thus derived based upon the flash point prediction model referred to above and then verified by the application of experimentally-derived data.

Support Vector Machines to improve physiologic hot flash measures: application to the ambulatory setting.

PubMed

Thurston, Rebecca C; Hernandez, Javier; Del Rio, Jose M; De La Torre, Fernando

2011-07-01

Most midlife women have hot flashes. The conventional criterion (≥2 μmho rise/30 s) for classifying hot flashes physiologically has shown poor performance. We improved this performance in the laboratory with Support Vector Machines (SVMs), a pattern classification method. We aimed to compare conventional to SVM methods to classify hot flashes in the ambulatory setting. Thirty-one women with hot flashes underwent 24 h of ambulatory sternal skin conductance monitoring. Hot flashes were quantified with conventional (≥2 μmho/30 s) and SVM methods. Conventional methods had low sensitivity (sensitivity=.57, specificity=.98, positive predictive value (PPV)=.91, negative predictive value (NPV)=.90, F1=.60), with performance lower with higher body mass index (BMI). SVMs improved this performance (sensitivity=.87, specificity=.97, PPV=.90, NPV=.96, F1=.88) and reduced BMI variation. SVMs can improve ambulatory physiologic hot flash measures. Copyright © 2010 Society for Psychophysiological Research.

Hot Flashes and Panic Attacks: A Comparison of Symptomatology, Neurobiology, Treatment, and a Role for Cognition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hanisch, Laura J.; Hantsoo, Liisa; Freeman, Ellen W.; Sullivan, Gregory M.; Coyne, James C.

2008-01-01

Despite decades of research, the causal mechanisms of hot flashes are not adequately understood, and a biopsychosocial perspective on hot flashes remains underdeveloped. This article explores overlooked parallels between hot flashes and panic attacks within 5 areas: course and symptomatology, physiological indicators, neurocircuitry and…

Phthalate metabolite levels and menopausal hot flashes in midlife women.

PubMed

Ziv-Gal, Ayelet; Gallicchio, Lisa; Chiang, Catheryne; Ther, Sara N; Miller, Susan R; Zacur, Howard A; Dills, Russell L; Flaws, Jodi A

2016-04-01

During the menopausal transition, a woman's reproductive capacity declines, her hormone milieu changes, and her risk of hot flashes increases. Exposure to phthalates, which can be found in personal care products, can also result in altered reproductive function. Here, we investigated the associations between phthalate metabolite levels and midlife hot flashes. Eligible women (45-54 years of age) provided detailed information on hot flashes history and donated urine samples (n=195). Urinary phthalate metabolite levels were measured by HPLC-MS/MS. A higher total sum of phthalate metabolites commonly found in personal care products was associated with an increased risk of ever experiencing hot flashes (odds ratio (OR)=1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.07-1.96), hot flashes in the past 30days (OR=1.43; 95%CI=1.04-1.96), and more frequent hot flashes (OR=1.47; 95%CI=1.06-2.05). These data suggest that some phthalate exposures from personal care products are associated with menopausal hot flashes in women. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analytic Perturbation Method for Estimating Ground Flash Fraction from Satellite Lightning Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshak, William; Solakiewicz, Richard

2013-01-01

An analytic perturbation method is introduced for estimating the lightning ground flash fraction in a set of N lightning flashes observed by a satellite lightning mapper. The value of N is large, typically in the thousands, and the observations consist of the maximum optical group area produced by each flash. The method is tested using simulated observations that are based on Optical Transient Detector (OTD) and Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) data. National Lightning Detection NetworkTM (NLDN) data is used to determine the flash-type (ground or cloud) of the satellite-observed flashes, and provides the ground flash fraction truth for the simulation runs. It is found that the mean ground flash fraction retrieval errors are below 0.04 across the full range 0-1 under certain simulation conditions. In general, it is demonstrated that the retrieval errors depend on many factors (i.e., the number, N, of satellite observations, the magnitude of random and systematic measurement errors, and the number of samples used to form certain climate distributions employed in the model).

Phthalate metabolite levels and menopausal hot flashes in midlife women

PubMed Central

Ziv-Gal, Ayelet; Gallicchio, Lisa; Chiang, Catheryne; Ther, Sara N.; Miller, Susan R.; Zacur, Howard A.; Dills, Russell L.; Flaws, Jodi A.

2016-01-01

During the menopausal transition, a woman’s reproductive capacity declines, her hormone milieu changes, and her risk of hot flashes increases. Exposure to phthalates, which can be found in personal-care products, can also result in altered reproductive function. Here, we investigated the associations between phthalate metabolite levels and midlife hot flashes. Eligible women (45–54 years of age) provided detailed information on hot flashes history and donated urine samples (n=195). Urinary phthalate metabolite levels were measured by HPLC-MS/MS. A higher total sum of phthalate metabolites commonly found in personal-care products was associated with an increased risk of ever experiencing hot flashes (odds ratio (OR)=1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI)= 1.07–1.96), hot flashes in the past 30 days (OR=1.43; 95%CI=1.04–1.96), and more frequent hot flashes (OR=1.47; 95%CI=1.06–2.05). These data suggest that some phthalate exposures from personal care products are associated with menopausal hot flashes in women. PMID:26867866

Fast repetition rate (FRR) flasher

DOEpatents

Kolber, Z.; Falkowski, P.

1997-02-11

A fast repetition rate (FRR) flasher is described suitable for high flash photolysis including kinetic chemical and biological analysis. The flasher includes a power supply, a discharge capacitor operably connected to be charged by the power supply, and a flash lamp for producing a series of flashes in response to discharge of the discharge capacitor. A triggering circuit operably connected to the flash lamp initially ionizes the flash lamp. A current switch is operably connected between the flash lamp and the discharge capacitor. The current switch has at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor for switching current that is operable to initiate a controllable discharge of the discharge capacitor through the flash lamp. Control means connected to the current switch for controlling the rate of discharge of the discharge capacitor thereby to effectively keep the flash lamp in an ionized state between successive discharges of the discharge capacitor. Advantageously, the control means is operable to discharge the discharge capacitor at a rate greater than 10,000 Hz and even up to a rate greater than about 250,000 Hz. 14 figs.

Assessment of Vulnerability to Extreme Flash Floods in Design Storms

PubMed Central

Kim, Eung Seok; Choi, Hyun Il

2011-01-01

There has been an increase in the occurrence of sudden local flooding of great volume and short duration caused by heavy or excessive rainfall intensity over a small area, which presents the greatest potential danger threat to the natural environment, human life, public health and property, etc. Such flash floods have rapid runoff and debris flow that rises quickly with little or no advance warning to prevent flood damage. This study develops a flash flood index through the average of the same scale relative severity factors quantifying characteristics of hydrographs generated from a rainfall-runoff model for the long-term observed rainfall data in a small ungauged study basin, and presents regression equations between rainfall characteristics and the flash flood index. The aim of this study is to develop flash flood index-duration-frequency relation curves by combining the rainfall intensity-duration-frequency relation and the flash flood index from probability rainfall data in order to evaluate vulnerability to extreme flash floods in design storms. This study is an initial effort to quantify the flash flood severity of design storms for both existing and planned flood control facilities to cope with residual flood risks due to extreme flash floods that have ocurred frequently in recent years. PMID:21845165

Tests of the Grobner Basis Solution for Lightning Ground Flash Fraction Retrieval

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshak, William; Solakiewicz, Richard; Attele, Rohan

2011-01-01

Satellite lightning imagers such as the NASA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Lightning Imaging Sensor (TRMM/LIS) and the future GOES-R Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) are designed to detect total lightning (ground flashes + cloud flashes). However, there is a desire to discriminate ground flashes from cloud flashes from the vantage point of space since this would enhance the overall information content of the satellite lightning data and likely improve its operational and scientific applications (e.g., in severe weather warning, lightning nitrogen oxides studies, and global electric circuit analyses). A Bayesian inversion method was previously introduced for retrieving the fraction of ground flashes in a set of flashes observed from a satellite lightning imager. The method employed a constrained mixed exponential distribution model to describe the lightning optical measurements. To obtain the optimum model parameters (one of which is the ground flash fraction), a scalar function was minimized by a numerical method. In order to improve this optimization, a Grobner basis solution was introduced to obtain analytic representations of the model parameters that serve as a refined initialization scheme to the numerical optimization. In this study, we test the efficacy of the Grobner basis initialization using actual lightning imager measurements and ground flash truth derived from the national lightning network.

Assessment of vulnerability to extreme flash floods in design storms.

PubMed

Kim, Eung Seok; Choi, Hyun Il

2011-07-01

There has been an increase in the occurrence of sudden local flooding of great volume and short duration caused by heavy or excessive rainfall intensity over a small area, which presents the greatest potential danger threat to the natural environment, human life, public health and property, etc. Such flash floods have rapid runoff and debris flow that rises quickly with little or no advance warning to prevent flood damage. This study develops a flash flood index through the average of the same scale relative severity factors quantifying characteristics of hydrographs generated from a rainfall-runoff model for the long-term observed rainfall data in a small ungauged study basin, and presents regression equations between rainfall characteristics and the flash flood index. The aim of this study is to develop flash flood index-duration-frequency relation curves by combining the rainfall intensity-duration-frequency relation and the flash flood index from probability rainfall data in order to evaluate vulnerability to extreme flash floods in design storms. This study is an initial effort to quantify the flash flood severity of design storms for both existing and planned flood control facilities to cope with residual flood risks due to extreme flash floods that have ocurred frequently in recent years.

Flash (Ultra-Rapid) Spark-Plasma Sintering of Silicon Carbide

PubMed Central

Olevsky, Eugene A.; Rolfing, Stephen M.; Maximenko, Andrey L.

2016-01-01

A new ultra-rapid process of flash spark plasma sintering is developed. The idea of flash spark plasma sintering (or flash hot pressing - FHP) stems from the conducted theoretical analysis of the role of thermal runaway phenomena for material processing by flash sintering. The major purpose of the present study is to theoretically analyze the thermal runaway nature of flash sintering and to experimentally address the challenge of uncontrollable thermal conditions by the stabilization of the flash sintering process through the application of the external pressure. The effectiveness of the developed FHP technique is demonstrated by the few seconds–long consolidation of SiC powder in an industrial spark plasma sintering device. Specially designed sacrificial dies heat the pre-compacted SiC powder specimens to a critical temperature before applying any voltage to the powder volume and allowing the electrode-punches of the SPS device setup to contact the specimens and pass electric current through them under elevated temperatures. The experimental results demonstrate that flash sintering phenomena can be realized using conventional SPS devices. The usage of hybrid heating SPS devices is pointed out as the mainstream direction for the future studies and utilization of the new flash hot pressing (ultra-rapid spark plasma sintering) technique. PMID:27624641

Flash (Ultra-Rapid) Spark-Plasma Sintering of Silicon Carbide

DOE PAGES

Olevsky, Eugene A.; Rolfing, Stephen M.; Maximenko, Andrey L.

2016-09-14

A new ultra-rapid process of flash spark plasma sintering is developed. The idea of flash spark plasma sintering (or flash hot pressing - FHP) stems from the conducted theoretical analysis of the role of thermal runaway phenomena for material processing by flash sintering. The major purpose of the present study is to theoretically analyze the thermal runaway nature of flash sintering and to experimentally address the challenge of uncontrollable thermal conditions by the stabilization of the flash sintering process through the application of the external pressure. The effectiveness of the developed FHP technique is demonstrated by the few seconds–long consolidationmore » of SiC powder in an industrial spark plasma sintering device. Specially designed sacrificial dies heat the pre-compacted SiC powder specimens to a critical temperature before applying any voltage to the powder volume and allowing the electrode-punches of the SPS device setup to contact the specimens and pass electric current through them under elevated temperatures. The experimental results demonstrate that flash sintering phenomena can be realized using conventional SPS devices. The usage of hybrid heating SPS devices is pointed out as the mainstream direction for the future studies and utilization of the new flash hot pressing (ultra-rapid spark plasma sintering) technique.« less

Flash Floods Simulation using a Physical-Based Hydrological Model at Different Hydroclimatic Regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saber, Mohamed; Kamil Yilmaz, Koray

2016-04-01

Currently, flash floods are seriously increasing and affecting many regions over the world. Therefore, this study will focus on two case studies; Wadi Abu Subeira, Egypt as arid environment, and Karpuz basin, Turkey as Mediterranean environment. The main objective of this work is to simulate flash floods at both catchments considering the hydrometeorological differences between them which in turn effect their flash flood behaviors. An integrated methodology incorporating Hydrological River Basin Environmental Assessment Model (Hydro-BEAM) and remote sensing observations was devised. Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMAP) were compared with the rain gauge network at the target basins to estimate the bias in an effort to further use it effectively in simulation of flash floods. Based on the preliminary results of flash floods simulation on both basins, we found that runoff behaviors of flash floods are different due to the impacts of climatology, hydrological and topographical conditions. Also, the simulated surface runoff hydrographs are reasonably coincide with the simulated ones. Consequently, some mitigation strategies relying on this study could be introduced to help in reducing the flash floods disasters at different climate regions. This comparison of different climatic basins would be a reasonable implication for the potential impact of climate change on the flash floods frequencies and occurrences.

A place-based model for assessing the coherence of the flash floods and socio-economic vulnerability across the Contiguous United States (CONUS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khajehei, S.; Moradkhani, H.

2017-12-01

Understanding socio-economic characteristics involving natural hazards potential, vulnerability, and resilience is necessary to address the damages to economy and loss of life from extreme natural hazards. The vulnerability to flash floods is dependent on both biophysical and socio-economic factors. Although the biophysical characteristics (e.g. climate, vegetation, and land use) are informative and useful for predicting spatial and temporal extent of flash floods, they have minimal bearing on predicting when and where flash floods are likely to influence people or damage valuable assets and resources. The socio-economic factors determine spatial and temporal scales of the regions affected by flash floods. In this study, we quantify the socio-economic vulnerability to flash floods across the Contiguous United States (CONUS). A socio-economic vulnerability index was developed, employing Bayesian principal components for each state in the CONUS. For this purpose, extensive sets of social and economic variables from US Census and the Bureau of Economic Analysis were used. We developed maps presenting the coincidence of socio-economic vulnerability and the flash floods records. This product can help inform flash flood prevention, mitigation and recovery planning, as well as reducing the flash flood hazards affecting vulnerable places and population.

Poor sleep in relation to natural menopause: a population-based 14-year follow-up of midlife women.

PubMed

Freeman, Ellen W; Sammel, Mary D; Gross, Stephanie A; Pien, Grace W

2015-07-01

This study aims to estimate the prevalence and predictors of moderate/severe poor sleep in relation to the final menstrual period (FMP) in midlife women. Annual assessments were conducted in a population-based cohort of 255 women. All were premenopausal at cohort enrollment and reached natural menopause during the 16-year follow-up. The outcome measure was severity of poor sleep, as reported by participants in annual interviews for 16 years and as evaluated in relation to the FMP. The annual prevalence of moderate/severe poor sleep largely ranged from about 28% to 35%, with no significant differences in any year relative to the FMP for the sample overall. When sleep status was stratified at premenopausal baseline, premenopausal sleep status strongly predicted poor sleep around the FMP. Women with moderate/severe poor sleep in premenopause were approximately 3.5 times more likely to have moderate/severe poor sleep around menopause than those with no poor sleep at baseline in adjusted analysis (odds ratio, 3.58; 95% CI, 2.50-5.11; P < 0.0001), whereas mild poor sleepers in premenopause were approximately 1.5 times more likely to have moderate/severe poor sleep around menopause (odds ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.99-2.47; P = 0.053). There was no significant association between poor sleep and time relative to the FMP among women who had no poor sleep at premenopausal baseline. Hot flashes were significantly associated with poor sleep (odds ratio, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.44-2.21; P < 0.0001 in adjusted analysis) but had no interaction with baseline sleep severity (interaction P = 0.25), indicating that hot flashes contributed to poor sleep regardless of baseline sleep status. Findings show a high prevalence of moderate/severe poor sleep in midlife women, with only a small "at-risk" subgroup having a significant increase in poor sleep in relation to the FMP. Sleep status at premenopausal baseline and concurrent hot flashes strongly and consistently predict poor sleep in the menopausal transition. Overall, poor sleep does not increase around the FMP and frequently occurs in the absence of hot flashes, indicating that sleep difficulties in the menopausal transition in generally healthy women are not simply associated with ovarian decline.

Poor Sleep in Relation to Natural Menopause: A Population-Based 14-Year Follow-up of Mid-Life Women

PubMed Central

Freeman, Ellen W.; Sammel, Mary D.; Gross, Stephanie A.; Pien, Grace W.

2014-01-01

Objective To estimate the prevalence and predictors of moderate/severe poor sleep in relation to the final menstrual period (FMP) of mid-life women. Methods Annual assessments were conducted in a population-based cohort of 255 women. All were premenopausal at cohort enrollment and reached natural menopause during the 16-year follow-up. The outcome measure was the severity of poor sleep, as reported by the participants in annual interviews for 16 years and evaluated in relation to the FMP. Results The annual prevalence of moderate/severe poor sleep largely ranged from about 28% to 35%, with no significant differences in any year relative to the FMP for the sample overall. When sleep status was stratified at the premenopausal baseline, the premenopausal sleep status strongly predicted poor sleep around the FMP. Women with moderate/severe poor sleep when premenopausal were approximately 3 ½ times more likely to have moderate/severe poor sleep around menopause compared to those with no poor sleep at baseline in adjusted analysis (OR 3.58, 95% CI: 2.50-5.11, P<0.0001), while mild poor sleepers premenopause were approximately 1 ½ times more likely to have moderate/severe poor sleep around menopause (OR 1.57, 95% CI: 0.99-2.47, P=0.053). There was no significant association between poor sleep and time relative to the FMP among women who had no poor sleep at the premenopausal baseline. Hot flashes were significantly associated with poor sleep (OR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.44-2.21, P<0.0001 in adjusted analysis), but had no interaction with baseline sleep severity (interaction P=0.25), indicating that hot flashes contributed to poor sleep regardless of baseline sleep status. Conclusion The findings showed a high prevalence of moderate/severe poor sleep in mid-life women, with only a small “at risk” subgroup having a significant increase in poor sleep in relation to the FMP. Sleep status at the premenopausal baseline and concurrent hot flashes strongly and consistently predicted poor sleep in the menopause transition. Overall, poor sleep did not increase around the FMP and frequently occurred in the absence of hot flashes, indicating that sleep difficulties in the menopause transition in generally healthy women were not simply associated with ovarian decline. PMID:25549066

The properties of optical lightning flashes and the clouds they illuminate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peterson, Michael; Deierling, Wiebke; Liu, Chuntao; Mach, Douglas; Kalb, Christina

2017-01-01

Optical lightning sensors like the Optical Transient Detector and Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) measure total lightning across large swaths of the globe with high detection efficiency. With two upcoming missions that employ these sensors - LIS on the International Space Station and the Geostationary Lightning Mapper on the GOES-R satellite - there has been increased interest in what these measurements can reveal about lightning and thunderstorms in addition to total flash activity. Optical lightning imagers are capable of observing the characteristics of individual flashes that include their sizes, durations, and radiative energies. However, it is important to exercise caution when interpreting trends in optical flash measurements because they can be affected by the scene. This study uses coincident measurements from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite to examine the properties of LIS flashes and the surrounding cloud regions they illuminate. These combined measurements are used to assess to what extent optical flash characteristics can be used to make inferences about flash structure and energetics. Clouds illuminated by lightning over land and ocean regions that are otherwise similar based on TRMM measurements are identified. Even when LIS flashes occur in similar clouds and background radiances, oceanic flashes are still shown to be larger, brighter, longer lasting, more prone to horizontal propagation, and to contain more groups than their land-based counterparts. This suggests that the optical trends noted in literature are not entirely the result of radiative transfer effects but rather stem from physical differences in the flashes.

New stimulation pattern design to improve P300-based matrix speller performance at high flash rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polprasert, Chantri; Kukieattikool, Pratana; Demeechai, Tanee; Ritcey, James A.; Siwamogsatham, Siwaruk

2013-06-01

Objective. We propose a new stimulation pattern design for the P300-based matrix speller aimed at increasing the minimum target-to-target interval (TTI). Approach. Inspired by the simplicity and strong performance of the conventional row-column (RC) stimulation, the proposed stimulation is obtained by modifying the RC stimulation through alternating row and column flashes which are selected based on the proposed design rules. The second flash of the double-flash components is then delayed for a number of flashing instants to increase the minimum TTI. The trade-off inherited in this approach is the reduced randomness within the stimulation pattern. Main results. We test the proposed stimulation pattern and compare its performance in terms of selection accuracy, raw and practical bit rates with the conventional RC flashing paradigm over several flash rates. By increasing the minimum TTI within the stimulation sequence, the proposed stimulation has more event-related potentials that can be identified compared to that of the conventional RC stimulations, as the flash rate increases. This leads to significant performance improvement in terms of the letter selection accuracy, the raw and practical bit rates over the conventional RC stimulation. Significance. These studies demonstrate that significant performance improvement over the RC stimulation is obtained without additional testing or training samples to compensate for low P300 amplitude at high flash rate. We show that our proposed stimulation is more robust to reduced signal strength due to the increased flash rate than the RC stimulation.

Risk factors for hot flashes among women undergoing the menopausal transition: baseline results from the Midlife Women's Health Study

PubMed Central

Gallicchio, Lisa; Miller, Susan R.; Kiefer, Judith; Greene, Teresa; Zacur, Howard A.; Flaws, Jodi A.

2015-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the associations between demographic characteristics, health behaviors, hormone concentrations, and the experiencing of any, current, more severe, and more frequent midlife hot flashes. Methods Baseline data were analyzed from 732 women aged 45 to 54 years enrolled in the Midlife Women's Health Study. A clinic visit was conducted to collect blood samples for hormone assays and to measure ovarian volume using transvaginal ultrasound. A self-administered questionnaire ascertained information on demographic factors, health habits, and hot flashes history. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine the associations between potential risk factors and the hot flashes outcomes. Results Approximately 45% of participants reported experiencing midlife hot flashes. In the covariate-adjusted models, older age, peri-menopausal status, current and former cigarette smoking, and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with increased odds of all of the hot flashes outcomes. In addition, history of oral contraceptive use was associated with increased odds of any hot flashes. In contrast, higher current alcohol intake was significantly associated with decreased odds of any, current, and more severe hot flashes. Higher estradiol and progesterone concentrations were significantly associated with decreased odds of all hot flashes outcomes. Conclusions Although the temporalities of such associations are not known due to the cross-sectional nature of the data, these observed relationships can help to identify women at risk for hot flashes. PMID:25783472

Size, duration, and rate of growth of nocturnal lightning events appearing on space shuttle video tapes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breslawski, Christine

1990-01-01

An analysis of video tapes of nocturnal lightning events, taken aboard space shuttle flights STS-8, STS-9, STS-41D, and STS-51J, shows flashes with dimensions ranging from approximately 1 km by 1 km to 440 km by 110 km. Of particular interest are the flashes whose dimensions exceeded 100 km, as flashes of this size are seldom reported. In general, larger flashes were found to have longer durations, take longer to reach their maximum extent, and reach their maximum extent at a smaller percent of their total duration than smaller flashes. Sixty four percent of the flashes occurred with one to five other events appearing in the same video frame. These simultaneous events were an average of 60 km apart from each other. If a breakdown process is propagating between the simultaneous flashes, it would be travelling at a rate of 10(exp 5)m/sec. Plots of the area of an event over its duration show peaks in the area curve which may be indicative if lightning strokes. There was an average of 3.6 peaks per flash. In general, the longer the flash duration, the more peaks there were in the area curve. The area curves of the lightning events fall into one of five shape categories. It is suggested that the shape of the area curve may indicate whether an event is an intracloud or cloud to ground lightning flash. Some of the lightning events had a persistent bright spot. These events had an average duration which was greater than that of events without the bright spot. On average, the bright spot events had a maximum area which was larger than that of the flashes without the bright spot.

Kappa Agonists as a Novel Therapy for Menopausal Hot Flashes

PubMed Central

Oakley, Amy E.; Steiner, Robert A.; Chavkin, Charles; Clifton, Donald K.; Ferrara, Laura K.; Reed, Susan D.

2015-01-01

Objective Postmenopausal hot flash etiology is poorly understood, making it difficult to develop and target ideal therapies. A network of hypothalamic estrogen-sensitive neurons producing Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B, and Dynorphin (KNDy neurons), located adjacent to the thermoregulatory center, regulate pulsatile secretion of GnRH and LH. Dynorphin may inhibit this system by binding kappa opioid receptors within the vicinity of KNDy neurons. We hypothesize that hot flashes are reduced by KNDy neuron manipulation. Methods A double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled pilot study evaluated the effect of a kappa agonist (KA).Hot flash frequency was the primary outcome. Twelve healthy postmenopausal women with moderate-severe hot flashes, ages 48-60 years, were randomized. Eight women with sufficient baseline hot flashes for statistical analysis completed all 3 interventions: placebo, standard Pentazocine/Naloxone (50/0.5 mg) or low-dose Pentazocine/Naloxone (25/0.25 mg). In an inpatient research setting, each participant received the 3 interventions, in randomized order, on 3 separate days. On each day, an intravenous catheter was inserted for luteinizing hormone (LH) blood sampling, and skin conductance and Holter monitors were placed. Subjective hot flash frequency and severity were recorded. Results Mean hot flash frequency 2-7 hours following therapy initiation was lower than that for placebo (KA standard-dose: 4.75 ± 0.67; KA low-dose: 4.50 ± 0.57; and placebo: 5.94 ± 0.78 hot flashes/5 hours; p =0.025). Hot flash intensity did not vary between interventions. LH pulsatility mirrored objective hot flashes in some, but not all women. Conclusions This pilot suggests that kappa agonists may affect menopausal vasomotor symptoms. PMID:25988798

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Antiestrogen Therapy: A Pilot Study in Korean Women

PubMed Central

Jeong, Young Ju; Park, Young Sun; Kwon, Hyo Jung; Shin, Im Hee; Bong, Jin Gu

2013-01-01

Abstract Objectives Antiestrogen therapy can cause vasomotor symptoms similar to those occurring during menopause, including hot flashes. Recent studies suggest that acupuncture is effective in reducing vasomotor symptoms in patients with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of acupuncture for treatment of hot flashes in Korean patients with breast cancer receiving antiestrogen therapy. Design This was a prospective single-arm observational study using before and after measurements. Settings/location The study was located at the East–West Medical Center at Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea. Subjects The subjects were 10 patients with breast cancer who were undergoing antiestrogen therapy with tamoxifen or anastrozole and who were suffering from hot flashes. Interventions Acupuncture was administered 3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks, for 20±5 minutes at each session. Outcome measures The outcome measure was severity of hot flashes assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and total hot flash score. Results During treatment, severity of hot flashes was reduced by 70%–95% in all patients. Acupuncture significantly alleviated severity of hot flashes assessed by a visual analogue scale (F=30.261; p<0.001) as well as the total hot flash score (F=21.698; p=0.006). Four (4) weeks after the final treatment, symptoms were not aggravated. Conclusions Acupuncture appeared to provide effective relief from hot flashes among Korean women receiving antiestrogen therapy after surgery for breast cancer, and the effects lasted for at least 1 month after termination of treatment. A randomized controlled prospective study with a larger sample size is required to clarify the role of acupuncture in the management of hot flashes in Korean patients with breast cancer. PMID:23383974

Flood hazard assessment in areas prone to flash flooding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kvočka, Davor; Falconer, Roger A.; Bray, Michaela

2016-04-01

Contemporary climate projections suggest that there will be an increase in the occurrence of high-intensity rainfall events in the future. These precipitation extremes are usually the main cause for the emergence of extreme flooding, such as flash flooding. Flash floods are among the most unpredictable, violent and fatal natural hazards in the world. Furthermore, it is expected that flash flooding will occur even more frequently in the future due to more frequent development of extreme weather events, which will greatly increase the danger to people caused by flash flooding. This being the case, there will be a need for high resolution flood hazard maps in areas susceptible to flash flooding. This study investigates what type of flood hazard assessment methods should be used for assessing the flood hazard to people caused by flash flooding. Two different types of flood hazard assessment methods were tested: (i) a widely used method based on an empirical analysis, and (ii) a new, physically based and experimentally calibrated method. Two flash flood events were considered herein, namely: the 2004 Boscastle flash flood and the 2007 Železniki flash flood. The results obtained in this study suggest that in the areas susceptible to extreme flooding, the flood hazard assessment should be conducted using methods based on a mechanics-based analysis. In comparison to standard flood hazard assessment methods, these physically based methods: (i) take into account all of the physical forces, which act on a human body in floodwater, (ii) successfully adapt to abrupt changes in the flow regime, which often occur for flash flood events, and (iii) rapidly assess a flood hazard index in a relatively short period of time.

TRMM-Based Lightning Climatology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cecil, Daniel J.; Buechler, Dennis E.; Blakeslee, Richard J.

2011-01-01

Gridded climatologies of total lightning flash rates seen by the spaceborne Optical Transient Detector (OTD) and Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) have been updated. OTD collected data from May 1995 to March 2000. LIS data (equatorward of about 38 deg) has been added for 1998-2010. Flash counts from each instrument are scaled by the best available estimates of detection efficiency. The long LIS record makes the merged climatology most robust in the tropics and subtropics, while the high latitude data is entirely from OTD. The mean global flash rate from the merged climatology is 46 flashes per second. The peak annual flash rate at 0.5 deg scale is 160 fl/square km/yr in eastern Congo. The peak monthly average flash rate at 2.5 scale is 18 fl/square km/mo, from early April to early May in the Brahmaputra Valley of far eastern India. Lightning decreases in this region during the monsoon season, but increases further north and west. A monthly average peak from early August to early September in northern Pakistan also exceeds any monthly averages from Africa, despite central Africa having the greatest yearly average. Most continental regions away from the equator have an annual cycle with lightning flash rates peaking in late spring or summer. The main exceptions are India and southeast Asia, with springtime peaks in April and May. For landmasses near the equator, flash rates peak near the equinoxes. For many oceanic regions, the peak flash rates occur in autumn. This is particularly noticeable for the Mediterranean and North Atlantic. Landmasses have a strong diurnal cycle of lightning, with flash rates generally peaking between 3-5 pm local solar time. The central United States flash rates peak later, in late evening or early night. Flash rates peak after midnight in northern Argentina. These regions are known for large, intense, long-lived mesoscale convective systems.

Establishing a rainfall threshold for flash flood warnings based on the DFFG method in Yunnan province, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, M.; Wang, H.; Chen, Y.; Tang, G.; Hong, Z.; Zhang, K.; Hong, Y.

2017-12-01

Flash floods, one of the deadliest natural hazards worldwide due to their multidisciplinary nature, rank highly in terms of heavy damage and casualties. Such as in the United States, flash flood is the No.1 cause of death and the No. 2 most deadly weather-related hazard among all storm-related hazards, with approximately 100 lives lost each year. According to China Floods and Droughts Disasters Bullet in 2015 (http://www.mwr.gov.cn/zwzc/hygb/zgshzhgb), about 935 deaths per year on average were caused by flash floods from 2000 to 2015, accounting for 73 % of the fatalities due to floods. Therefore, significant efforts have been made toward understanding flash flood processes as well as modeling and forecasting them, it still remains challenging because of their short response time and limited monitoring capacity. This study advances the use of high-resolution Global Precipitation Measurement forecasts (GPMs), disaster data obtained from the government officials in 2011 and 2016, and the improved Distributed Flash Flood Guidance (DFFG) method combining the Distributed Hydrologic Model and Soil Conservation Service Curve Numbers. The objectives of this paper are (1) to examines changes in flash flood occurrence, (2) to estimate the effect of the rainfall spatial variability ,(2) to improve the lead time in flash floods warning and get the rainfall threshold, (3) to assess the DFFG method applicability in Dongchuan catchments, and (4) to yield the probabilistic information about the forecast hydrologic response that accounts for the locational uncertainties of the GPMs. Results indicate: (1) flash flood occurrence increased in the study region, (2) the occurrence of predicted flash floods show high sensitivity to total infiltration and soil water content, (3) the DFFG method is generally capable of making accurate predictions of flash flood events in terms of their locations and time of occurrence, and (4) the accumulative rainfall over a certain time span is an appropriate threshold for flash flood warnings. Finally, the article highlights the importance of accurately simulating the hydrological processes and high-resolution satellite rainfall data on the accurate forecasting of rainfall triggered flash flood events.

An Overview of the Lightning - Atmospheric Chemistry Aspects of the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pickering, K. E.; Barth, M. C.; Koshak, W.; Bucsela, E. J.; Allen, D. J.; Weinheimer, A.; Ryerson, T.; Huntrieser, H.; Bruning, E.; MacGorman, D.;

A Comparison of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Characteristics and Observations from Multiple Networks and Videos during the 31 May 2013 El Reno, OK Tornadic Supercell Storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhlman, K. M.; Coy, J.; Seimon, A.

2015-12-01

Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flashes recorded by both the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) and Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) are compared with three-dimensional lightning mapping observations from the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array (OKLMA) and storm chaser video recorded of the 31 May 2013 El Reno tornadic supercell. The El Reno Survey Project (El-Reno-Survey.net) was created to crowd-source the abundance of storm chaser video from this event and provide open-access to the scientific community of the data. An initial comparison of CG lightning flashes captured on these videos with CG data from NLDN revealed a disagreement on the total number of flashes, with NLDN recording many negative CG flashes at lower peak amplitude not apparent in any of the videos. For this study, the area of the comparison was expanded to include the entire storm and data from both the ENTLN and LMA were added to compare the observations from each network in terms of timestamp, location detection, peak current, and polarity of each flash in the period 2230-2330 UTC. An initial comparison of 557 matched NLDN and ENLTN CG flashes, indicated predominately negative polairy CG flashes (58% NLDN/77% ENI) throughout the storm during this period. However, after a 15 kA peak current filter was applied, the NLDN indicated primarily positive polarity (84% +CG) while ENTLN still indicated primarily negative polarity (77% -CG) for the 264 remaining matched flashes. Before the filter was applied, the average distance between the two networks for the same flash was more than 2 km, but improved to approximately 1 km after the 15 kA filter was applied, likely removing some misidentified cloud flashes of uncertain location. This misclassification of IC flashes as CG at low peak current amplitudes for both networks is further evident when compared to video and the OKLMA data. Additionally, the charge analysis of OKLMA flashes revealed the NLDN-determined positive-polarity as correct every time the NLDN and ENTLN disagreed. For the 2013 El Reno supercell storm, there appears to be a major flaw in the ENTLN's ability to determine the polarity of CG flashes despite having roughly similar peak current magnitudes and location for most CG flash occurrences as the NLDN.

A randomized, controlled, double-blinded clinical trial of gabapentin 300 versus 900 mg versus placebo for anxiety symptoms in breast cancer survivors.

PubMed

Lavigne, Jill E; Heckler, Charles; Mathews, Jennifer L; Palesh, Oxana; Kirshner, Jeffrey J; Lord, Raymond; Jacobs, Andrew; Amos, Eric; Morrow, Gary R; Mustian, Karen

2012-11-01

Gabapentin is used for the treatment of hot flashes and neuropathic pain in breast cancer survivors, and is commonly used off-label for the treatment of anxiety. Yet, clinical trial evidence to support the use of gabapentin for anxiety symptoms is lacking. In a randomized, double-blinded controlled trial we compared 300 mg gabapentin versus 900 mg gabapentin versus placebo. Subjects were 420 breast cancer patients who had completed all chemotherapy cycles. Anxiety traits and current (state) anxiety were measured using the Speilberger Strait-Trait Anxiety Inventory at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Pain was measured at baseline using a 10-point scale. Analyses included analysis of covariance and ordinary least squares regression. At 4 weeks, state anxiety change scores were significantly better for gabapentin 300 and 900 mg (p = 0.005) compared to placebo. The magnitude of improvement was proportional to baseline state anxiety. At 8 weeks, the anxiolytic effects of gabapentin compared to placebo persisted (p < 0.005). We found no significant interactions. The lower dose (300 mg) was associated with the best treatment outcomes for all patients except those with the highest baseline anxiety. Given its similar pharmacology, efficacy in the treatment of hot flashes, and low cost, gabapentin may provide a low cost and parsimonious alternative treatment choice for breast cancer survivors presenting in primary care practices with anxiety symptoms. Gabapentin is effective for hot flashes, and, therefore, may provide therapeutic benefit for both anxiety and hot flashes at a generic drug price. For patients reluctant to take a controlled substance, such as a benzodiazepine, gabapentin may offer an alternative therapy. Similarly, patients with a history of substance use may benefit from gabapentin without risk of addiction or abuse. For cancer survivors experiencing both hot flashes and anxiety, gabapentin may provide a single effective treatment for both and is an alternative therapy for anxiety for patients unwilling to take a benzodiazepine or those with a history of substance use.

Understanding Himalayan extreme rainfall to inform disaster governance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ek, M. B.; Kumar, A.

2017-12-01

The hydrological aspects of the Himalayan flooding events were investigated with the coupled atmospheric and Hydrological (WRF-LIS) modeling tool. The Convective storms occurring at the steep edge of broad high topography, such as the Rocky Mountains and Himalayas, are notorious for producing surprising and lethal flash floods. We investigated two recent Himalayan flood events (a) 2010 Ladakh flood: A flash flood and landslide in the Leh region of the Indus Valley in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on 5-6 August 2010 resulted in hundreds of deaths and great property damage. (b) 2013 Uttrakhand flood: Over a three-day period in June 2013, approximately 500-1000 mm of rain fell over Uttarakhand and its river valleys as well as neighboring Nepal. The extensive precipitation and runoff led to devastating floods and landslides throughout the region and resulted in much destruction and loss of life (over 4,000 villages were affected, and the death toll exceeded 5,000). The Uttarakhand flood had characteristics in common with major 2013 floods in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Alberta. Our study examines the land-atmosphere interactions & cloud structure and dynamics of these flooding events in more detail, identifying the synoptic, mesoscale, convective, orographic, and land-surface components of the storm. We include satellite observations, ground-based radar imagery, and convection-permitting model simulations down to 1 km grid resolution to show the three-dimensional character of the precipitating cloud systems in more detail than previous studies. Our Land Information System (LIS) calculations suggest that soil moisture preconditioning by prior storms in the area in a vulnerable watershed is a hydrologic ingredient that should be taken into account along with the meteorological ingredients. In this regard, our results will be seen to reinforce the position taken by Doswell et al. (1996) that local forecasting of flood situations is ideally based on identifying key meteorological and hydrologic "ingredients" for a variety of flash flood-producing storms provides lessons for understanding and predicting flash floods and leads to insights into flash flood-producing scenarios in various regions of the world.

Characteristics of the most intense lightning storm ever recorded at the CN Tower

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussein, A. M.; Kazazi, S.; Anwar, M.; Yusouf, M.; Liatos, P.

2017-02-01

Lightning strikes to the CN Tower have been optically observed since 1978. In 1990, five independent systems started to operate to simultaneously record parameters of lightning strikes to the tower, including the time derivative of the current, the associated electric and magnetic fields, and the channel optical characteristics. On August 24, 2011, during an unusually severe lightning storm, video records showed that the CN Tower was struck with 52 lightning flashes within 84 min and 6.9 s. Thus, this storm produced, on average, a flash to the tower every 99 s. However, the CN Tower lightning current derivative measurement system only recorded 32 flashes, which were perfectly time-matched with 32 of the 52 video-recorded flashes. It is found that the current derivative measurement system recorded every video-recorded flash that contained at least one return stroke. Based on the analysis of video records, it is noted that each of the storm's 52 flashes contains an initial-stage current, proving that all flashes were upward initiated. This unique CN Tower storm - the most intense ever recorded at the tower - is here thoroughly analyzed, based on video and current records. The inter-flash time within the storm is found to vary between 10.6 s and 274 s, with an overall average of 98 s. It is also found that the inter-flash time between successive non-return-stroke flashes is on average 64% longer than that for successive flashes containing return strokes. Statistical analysis of video and current data clearly reveals that the time duration of flashes containing initial-stage currents and return strokes is on average 27% longer than that of flashes that only have initial-stage currents. Furthermore, it is important to note that the time duration of the initial-stage current in flashes containing no return strokes is on average 76% longer than that in flashes containing return strokes. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that if the time duration of the initial-stage current in a flash is long enough, resulting in large charge transfer, then there is less probability of having return strokes following it. The 32 current-recorded flashes contain a total of 156 return strokes, with an average multiplicity of 4.875. It is worth mentioning that during one decade, 1992-2001, the CN Tower current derivative measurement system only recorded 478 return strokes, demonstrating that the number of return strokes recorded at the tower within about 84 min is close to one third of those recorded at the tower during one decade. This finding clearly shows the great value and rarity of the presented extensive lightning current derivative data. Only one of the 32 current-recorded flashes is proved to be positive with a single return stroke. Based on current records, out of a total of 124 inter-stroke time intervals, 94% are found to be within 200 ms, with an overall inter-stroke time average of 68.1 ms. The maximum inter-stroke time recorded during this storm is 726.3 ms, the longest ever recorded at the CN Tower.

Effect of Strontium Nitrate on Extremely Slow Strobe Compositions

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

SUBJECT TERMS Strobe Hang fire Flash Orion’s Flashing Guns 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18. NUMBER OF... Guns Formulations .......................................................................2 2. Modifications of Orion’s Flashing Guns , Resulting...Flashing Guns ” (3). These compositions used barium nitrate as the oxidizer and magnalium as the fuel. Both also contained a substantial amount of sulfur

75 FR 55604 - In the Matter of Certain Flash Memory Chips and Products Containing the Same; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-13

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Inv. No. 337-TA-735] In the Matter of Certain Flash Memory Chips... the sale within the United States after importation of certain flash memory chips and products... importation of certain flash memory chips and products containing the same that infringe one or more of claims...

Compact and reliable triggering method for near muzzle flash radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Eun S.; Hwang, Eul H.; Yim, Dong W.; Song, So Y.

1993-01-01

Precise timing for x-ray bursts is crucial in acquiring useful information from flash radiographic experiments. Triggering the flash x-ray system near the muzzle is a difficult task because of the intrinsic nature of the muzzle blast. In this work a compact and reliable triggering method for near muzzle flash radiography is introduced; a piezoelectric pin probe attached at the end of the barrel. These types of probes have not been activated by the precursor shock wave, but they have been activated by the main blast wave only. Reliability in triggering the flash x-ray system has been confirmed throughout a series of flash radiographic experiments near the muzzle for gun barrels with calibers up to 105 mm.

A microcontroller-based implantable nerve stimulator used for rats.

PubMed

Sha, Hong; Zheng, Zheng; Wang, Yan; Ren, Chaoshi

2005-01-01

A microcontroller-based stimulator that can be flexible programmed after it has been implanted into a rat was studied. Programmability enables implanted stimulators to generate customized, complex protocols for experiments. After implantation, a coded light pulse train that contains information of specific identification will unlock a certain stimulator. If a command that changing the parameters is received, the microcontroller will update its flash memory after it affirms the commands. The whole size of it is only 1.6 cubic centimeters, and it can work for a month. The devices have been successfully used in animal behavior experiments, especially on rats.

Biomass conversion processes for energy and fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sofer, S. S.; Zaborsky, O. R.

The book treats biomass sources, promising processes for the conversion of biomass into energy and fuels, and the technical and economic considerations in biomass conversion. Sources of biomass examined include crop residues and municipal, animal and industrial wastes, agricultural and forestry residues, aquatic biomass, marine biomass and silvicultural energy farms. Processes for biomass energy and fuel conversion by direct combustion (the Andco-Torrax system), thermochemical conversion (flash pyrolysis, carboxylolysis, pyrolysis, Purox process, gasification and syngas recycling) and biochemical conversion (anaerobic digestion, methanogenesis and ethanol fermentation) are discussed, and mass and energy balances are presented for each system.

Medium-dependent interactions of quinones with cytosine and cytidine: a laser flash photolysis study with magnetic field effect.

PubMed

Bose, Adity; Basu, Samita

2009-03-01

Laser flash photolysis and an external magnetic field have been used for the study of the interaction of two quinone molecules, namely, 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) and 2-methyl 1,4-naphthoquinone (or menadione, MQ) with a DNA base, cytosine (C) and its nucleoside cytidine (dC) in two media, a homogeneous one composed of acetonitrile/water (ACN/H(2)O, 9:1, v/v) and a SDS micellar heterogeneous one. We have applied an external magnetic field for the proper identification of the transients formed during the interactions in micellar media. Cytosine exhibits electron transfer (ET) followed by hydrogen abstraction (HA) while dC reveals a reduced ET compared to C, with both quinones in organic homogeneous medium (ACN/H(2)O). Due to a higher electron affinity, AQ supports more faciler ET than MQ with dC in ACN/H(2)O but observations in SDS have been just the reverse. In SDS, ET from dC is completely quenched and a dominant HA is all that could be discerned. This work reveals two main findings: first, a drop in ET on addition of a ribose unit to C, which has been attributed to a role of keto-enol tautomerism in inducing ET from electron-rich nucleus and second, the effect of medium in controlling reaction mechanism by favoring HA with AQ although it is intrinsically more prone towards ET.

Flash ionization signature in coherent cyclotron emission from brown dwarfs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vorgul, I.; Helling, Ch.

2016-05-01

Brown dwarfs (BDs) form mineral clouds in their atmospheres, where charged particles can produce large-scale discharges in the form of lightning resulting in substantial sudden increase of local ionization. BDs are observed to emit cyclotron radio emission. We show that signatures of strong transient atmospheric ionization events (flash ionization) can be imprinted on a pre-existing radiation. Detection of such flash ionization events will open investigations into the ionization state and atmospheric dynamics. Such events can also result from explosion shock waves, material outbursts or (volcanic) eruptions. We present an analytical model that describes the modulation of a pre-existing electromagnetic radiation by a time-dependent (flash) conductivity that is characteristic for flash ionization events like lightning. Our conductivity model reproduces the conductivity function derived from observations of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, and is applicable to astrophysical objects with strong temporal variations in the local ionization, as in planetary atmospheres and protoplanetary discs. We show that the field responds with a characteristic flash-shaped pulse to a conductivity flash of intermediate intensity. More powerful ionization events result in smaller variations of the initial radiation, or in its damping. We show that the characteristic damping of the response field for high-power initial radiation carries information about the ionization flash magnitude and duration. The duration of the pulse amplification or the damping is consistently shorter for larger conductivity variations and can be used to evaluate the intensity of the flash ionization. Our work suggests that cyclotron emission could be probe signals for electrification processes inside BD atmosphere.

Rabbit electroretinograms evoked by 632.8nm laser flash stimuli

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Zai-Fu; Chen, Hong-Xia; Wang, Jia-Rui; Guan, Bo-Lin; Yu, Guang-Yuan; Zhang, Xiao-Na; Zhang, Wen-Yuan; Yang, Jing-Geng

2012-12-01

The flash electroretinography is a standard electrophysiological method and widely employed in basic research and ophthalmology clinics, of which the stimulus is usually white flash from dome stimulator. However, little is known about the electroretinograms (ERGs) evoked by monochromatic laser flash stimuli. The goal of this research effort is to quantify the ERGs of dark-adapted New Zealand rabbits elicited by He-Ne laser flash with wavelength 632.8 nm. The flash field was a Maxwellian viewing disc with angular subtense of 8.5°, 13.3° or 20.2°. The stimulus duration was 12 ms, 22 ms, 70 ms or 220 ms. The laser flash power incident on the cornea varied from 2.2 nW through 22 mW. Under the condition of 20 ms stimulus duration and 20.2° flash field, the ERG of New Zealand rabbit was compared with that of Chinchilla gray rabbit. Results showed that for the ERG b-wave, with the increase of laser energy, the amplitude first increased, then met a trough and finally increased again, the implicit time decreased first and then met a platform. While for the ERG a-wave, the amplitude increased and the implicit time decreased monotonically. Longer stimulus duration led to lower b-wave amplitude under equal flash power level. The flash field size showed limited effect on the ERG, especially on the low energy end. As compared with the pigmented rabbit, the albino rabbit was more sensitive and the threshold energy for b-wave excitation was about 10 times lower.

Efficacy of a biobehavioral intervention for hot flashes: a randomized controlled pilot study.

PubMed

Barton, Debra L; Schroeder, Kelliann C Fee; Banerjee, Tanima; Wolf, Sherry; Keith, Timothy Z; Elkins, Gary

2017-07-01

The need for effective nonhormonal treatments for hot flash management without unwanted side effects continues. The primary aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of combining a nonhormonal pharmacologic agent with a behavioral treatment for hot flash reduction. Seventy-one postmenopausal women were randomized to one of four groups: venlafaxine 75 mg + hypnosis (VH) versus venlafaxine 75 mg + sham hypnosis (VSH) versus a placebo pill + hypnosis (PH) versus placebo pill + sham hypnosis (PSH). Women recorded hot flash severity and frequency in a daily diary, in real time. The intrapatient difference in hot flash score (frequency × severity) at 8 weeks was analyzed using a General Estimating Equation model, using VSH as the referent arm, controlling for baseline hot flashes. The active arms including PH or VH were not statistically significantly different than VSH (P = 0.34, P = 0.05, respectively). Women in each active arm reported hot flash reductions of about 50%, with the PSH group reporting a 25% reduction. Women receiving the PSH reported statistically significantly smaller reductions in hot flash score than women in the referent VSH arm (P = 0.001). There were no significant negative side effects during the course of the study. Hypnosis alone reduced hot flashes equal to venlafaxine alone, but the combination of hypnosis and venlafaxine did not reduce hot flashes more than either treatment alone. More research is needed to clarify whether combining hypnosis with a different antidepressant would provide synergistic benefits.

Weak positive cloud-to-ground flashes in Northeastern Colorado

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lopez, Raul E.; Maier, Michael W.; Garcia-Miguel, Juan A.; Holle, Ronald L.

1991-01-01

The frequency distributions of the peak magnetic field associated with the first detected return stroke of positive and negative cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes were studied using lightning data from northeastern Colorado. These data were obtained during 1985 with a medium-to-high gain network of three direction finders (DF's). The median signal strength of positive flashes was almost two times that of the negatives for flashes within 300 km of the DF's, which have an inherent detection-threshold bias that tends to discriminate against weak signals. This bias increases with range, and affects the detection of positive and negative flashes in different ways, because of the differing character of their distributions. Positive flashes appear to have a large percentage of signals clustered around very weak values that are lost to the medium-to-high gain Colorado Detection System very quickly with increasing range. The resulting median for positive signals could thus appear to be much larger than the median for negative signals, which are more clustered around intermediate values. When only flashes very close to the DF's are considered, however, the two distributions have almost identical medians. The large percentage of weak positive signals detected close to the DF's has not been explored previously. They have been suggested to come from intracloud discharges and thus are improperly classified as CG flashes. Evidence in hand, points to their being real positive, albeit weak CG flashes. Whether or not they are real positive ground flashes, it is important to be aware of their presence in data from magnetic DF networks.

Mitochondrial Flash: Integrative Reactive Oxygen Species and pH Signals in Cell and Organelle Biology

PubMed Central

Gong, Guohua; Wang, Xianhua; Wei-LaPierre, Lan; Cheng, Heping; Dirksen, Robert

2016-01-01

Abstract Significance: Recent breakthroughs in mitochondrial research have advanced, reshaped, and revolutionized our view of the role of mitochondria in health and disease. These discoveries include the development of novel tools to probe mitochondrial biology, the molecular identification of mitochondrial functional proteins, and the emergence of new concepts and mechanisms in mitochondrial function regulation. The discovery of “mitochondrial flash” activity has provided unique insights not only into real-time visualization of individual mitochondrial redox and pH dynamics in live cells but has also advanced understanding of the excitability, autonomy, and integration of mitochondrial function in vivo. Recent Advances: The mitochondrial flash is a transient and stochastic event confined within an individual mitochondrion and is observed in a wide range of organisms from plants to Caenorhabditis elegans to mammals. As flash events involve multiple transient concurrent changes within the mitochondrion (e.g., superoxide, pH, and membrane potential), a number of different mitochondrial targeted fluorescent indicators can detect flash activity. Accumulating evidence indicates that flash events reflect integrated snapshots of an intermittent mitochondrial process arising from mitochondrial respiration chain activity associated with the transient opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Critical Issues: We review the history of flash discovery, summarize current understanding of flash biology, highlight controversies regarding the relative roles of superoxide and pH signals during a flash event, and bring forth the integration of both signals in flash genesis. Future Directions: Investigations using flash as a biomarker and establishing its role in cell signaling pathway will move the field forward. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 25, 534–549. PMID:27245241

Remote collection and analysis of witness reports on flash floods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gourley, Jonathan; Erlingis, Jessica; Smith, Travis; Ortega, Kiel; Hong, Yang

2010-05-01

Typically, flash floods are studied ex post facto in response to a major impact event. A complement to field investigations is developing a detailed database of flash flood events, including minor events and null reports (i.e., where heavy rain occurred but there was no flash flooding), based on public survey questions conducted in near-real time. The Severe Hazards Analysis and Verification Experiment (SHAVE) has been in operation at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman, OK, USA during the summers since 2006. The experiment employs undergraduate students to analyse real-time products from weather radars, target specific regions within the conterminous US, and poll public residences and businesses regarding the occurrence and severity of hail, wind, tornadoes, and now flash floods. In addition to providing a rich learning experience for students, SHAVE has been successful in creating high-resolution datasets of severe hazards used for algorithm and model verification. This talk describes the criteria used to initiate the flash flood survey, the specific questions asked and information entered to the database, and then provides an analysis of results for flash flood data collected during the summer of 2008. It is envisioned that specific details provided by the SHAVE flash flood observation database will complement databases collected by operational agencies and thus lead to better tools to predict the likelihood of flash floods and ultimately reduce their impacts on society.

Phototoxic effects of commercial photographic flash lamp on rat eyes.

PubMed

Inoue, Makoto; Shinoda, Kei; Ohde, Hisao; Tezuka, Keiji; Hida, Tetsuo

2006-11-01

To determine whether exposure of the cornea and retina of rats to flashes from a commercial photographic flash lamp is phototoxic. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 10, 100, or 1,000 flashes of the OPTICAM 16M photographic flash lamp (Fujikoeki, Japan) placed 0.1, 1, or 3 m from the eyes. Corneal damage was assessed by a fluorescein staining score, and the retinal damage by eletroretinography (ERG) and histology before and 24 h after exposure. Exposure of the eyes to 1,000 flashes at 0.1 m increased the fluorescein staining score significantly (P = 0.009, the Mann-Whitney test). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the cornea showed a detachment of the epithelial cells from the surface after this exposure. The amplitude of the a-wave was decreased significantly by 23.0% (P = 0.026) of the amplitude before the exposure, and the b-wave by 19.7% (P = 0.0478) following 1,000 flashes at 0.1 m but not by the other exposures. TUNEL-positive cells were present in the outer nuclear layer only after the extreme exposure, but no significant decrease in retinal thickness was seen under any condition. The fluorescein staining score and ERGs recovered to control levels within 1 week. Light exposure to a photographic flash lamp does not induce damage to the cornea and retina except when they are exposed to 1,000 flashes at 0.1 m.

Long-term Stability of the Post-Flash LED Lamp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martlin, Catherine; Baggett, Sylvia

2017-02-01

We report the results of a study of the long-term stability of the LED lamp used in post-flashing WFC3/UVIS images. We analyze 644 sub-array exposures taken over the course of just over 3 years and find no significant long-term trends in the LED lamp brightness. The average percentage change per year over all FLASH level and shutter combinations is found to be 0.15% per year with an uncertainty of ± 0.24% per year. The maximum measured percentage change per year was 0.39% for the highest FLASH level of 20 e- on shutter A which would indicate a change of less than 1 e-/pixel over the roughly 3 years since post-flashing began. There are, however, occasional short-term deviations in the LED output. The average minimum and maximum outliers over all FLASH level and shutter combination subsets are 4.1% below and 3.5% above, respectively, the mean of that subset. The maximum outlier over all the sets is 5.8% above the normalized mean value, for FLASH level 3/shutter A. The minimum outlier over all sets is also for FLASH level 3/shutter A and is 8.9% below the normalized mean value. Investigation of these outliers has revealed no systematic cause for the excursions and we recommend that users continue using the post-flash as they would have previously.

Evaluation of Flash Bainite in 4130 Steel

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

Technical Report ARWSB-TR-11011 Evaluation of Flash Bainite in 4130 Steel G. Vigilante M. Hespos S. Bartolucci...4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Evaluation of Flash Bainite in 4130 Steel 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT...need to be addressed, the Flash Bainite processing of 4130 steel demonstrates promise for applications needing a combination of high strength with

FlashPhotol: Using a Flash Photolysis Apparatus Simulator to Introduce Students to the Kinetics of Transient Species and Fast Reactions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bigger, Stephen W.

2016-01-01

FlashPhotol is an educational software package that introduces students to the kinetics of transient species and fast reactions. This is achieved by means of a computer-simulated flash photolysis apparatus that comprises all major functional elements and that students can use to perform various experiments. The experimental interface presents a…

The Association between Body Mass Index and Hot Flash in Midlife Women: A Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Shobeiri, Fatemeh; Jenabi, Ensiyeh; Poorolajal, Jalal; Hazavehei, Seyyed Mohammad Mahdi

2016-04-01

The association between body mass index (BMI) and hot flash risk has not been specifically clarifies yet. This meta-analysis was, therefore, conducted to estimate the association between overweight and obesity and hot flash risk. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for observational studies addressing the association between BMI and hot flash until August 2015. Data were independently extracted and analyzed using 95% odds ratio (OR), and confidence intervals (CI) based on the random-effects models. We identified 2,244 references and conducted seven studies with 4,219 participants. The association between hot flash and overweight was estimated 1.13 (95% CI: 0.97-1.32) and that of obesity was estimated 1.79 (95% CI: 1.52-2.11). No evidence of heterogeneity and publication bias was observed. This meta-analysis demonstrated that, though not to a great extent, obesity does increase the risk of hot flash. The findings from this meta-analysis indicated that obesity is associated with an increased risk of hot flash. Further large prospective cohort studies are required to provide convincing evidence as to whether or not BMI is associated with an increased risk of hot flashes.

Digital Device Architecture and the Safe Use of Flash Devices in Munitions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katz, Richard B.; Flowers, David; Bergevin, Keith

2017-01-01

Flash technology is being utilized in fuzed munition applications and, based on the development of digital logic devices in the commercial world, usage of flash technology will increase. Digital devices of interest to designers include flash-based microcontrollers and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Almost a decade ago, a study was undertaken to determine if flash-based microcontrollers could be safely used in fuzes and, if so, how should such devices be applied. The results were documented in the Technical Manual for the Use of Logic Devices in Safety Features. This paper will first review the Technical Manual and discuss the rationale behind the suggested architectures for microcontrollers and a brief review of the concern about data retention in flash cells. An architectural feature in the microcontroller under study will be discussed and its use will show how to screen for weak or failed cells during manufacture, storage, or immediately prior to use. As was done for microcontrollers a decade ago, architectures for a flash-based FPGA will be discussed, showing how it can be safely used in fuzes. Additionally, architectures for using non-volatile (including flash-based) storage will be discussed for SRAM-based FPGAs.

Bipolar cloud-to-ground lightning flash observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saba, Marcelo M. F.; Schumann, Carina; Warner, Tom A.; Helsdon, John H.; Schulz, Wolfgang; Orville, Richard E.

2013-10-01

lightning is usually defined as a lightning flash where the current waveform exhibits a polarity reversal. There are very few reported cases of cloud-to-ground (CG) bipolar flashes using only one channel in the literature. Reports on this type of bipolar flashes are not common due to the fact that in order to confirm that currents of both polarities follow the same channel to the ground, one necessarily needs video records. This study presents five clear observations of single-channel bipolar CG flashes. High-speed video and electric field measurement observations are used and analyzed. Based on the video images obtained and based on previous observations of positive CG flashes with high-speed cameras, we suggest that positive leader branches which do not participate in the initial return stroke of a positive cloud-to-ground flash later generate recoil leaders whose negative ends, upon reaching the branch point, traverse the return stroke channel path to the ground resulting in a subsequent return stroke of opposite polarity.

Method of producing a diesel fuel blend having a pre-determined flash-point and pre-determined increase in cetane number

DOEpatents

Waller, Francis Joseph; Quinn, Robert

2004-07-06

The present invention relates to a method of producing a diesel fuel blend having a pre-determined flash-point and a pre-determined increase in cetane number over the stock diesel fuel. Upon establishing the desired flash-point and increase in cetane number, an amount of a first oxygenate with a flash-point less than the flash-point of the stock diesel fuel and a cetane number equal to or greater than the cetane number of the stock diesel fuel is added to the stock diesel fuel in an amount sufficient to achieve the pre-determined increase in cetane number. Thereafter, an amount of a second oxygenate with a flash-point equal to or greater than the flash-point of the stock diesel fuel and a cetane number greater than the cetane number of the stock diesel fuel is added to the stock diesel fuel in an amount sufficient to achieve the pre-determined increase in cetane number.

Normalized Temperature Contrast Processing in Infrared Flash Thermography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshti, Ajay M.

2016-01-01

The paper presents further development in normalized contrast processing used in flash infrared thermography method. Method of computing normalized image or pixel intensity contrast, and normalized temperature contrast are provided. Methods of converting image contrast to temperature contrast and vice versa are provided. Normalized contrast processing in flash thermography is useful in quantitative analysis of flash thermography data including flaw characterization and comparison of experimental results with simulation. Computation of normalized temperature contrast involves use of flash thermography data acquisition set-up with high reflectivity foil and high emissivity tape such that the foil, tape and test object are imaged simultaneously. Methods of assessing other quantitative parameters such as emissivity of object, afterglow heat flux, reflection temperature change and surface temperature during flash thermography are also provided. Temperature imaging and normalized temperature contrast processing provide certain advantages over normalized image contrast processing by reducing effect of reflected energy in images and measurements, therefore providing better quantitative data. Examples of incorporating afterglow heat-flux and reflection temperature evolution in flash thermography simulation are also discussed.

On Stellar Flash Echoes from Circular Rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nemiroff, Robert; Mukherjee, Oindabi

2018-01-01

A flash -- or any episode of variability -- that occurs in the vicinity of a circular ring might be seen several times later, simultaneously, as echoes on the ring. Effective images of the flash are created and annihilated in pairs, with as many as four flash images visible concurrently. Videos detailing sequences of image pair creation, tandem motion, and subsequent image annihilation are shown, given simple opacity and scattering assumptions. It is proven that, surprisingly, images from a second pair creation event always annihilate with images from the first. Caustic surfaces between flash locations yielding two and four images are computed. Although such ring echos surely occur, their practical detection might be difficult as it could require dedicated observing programs involving sensitive photometry of extended objects. Potential flash sources include planetary and interstellar gas and dust rings near and around variable stars, flare stars, novae, supernovae, and GRBs. Potentially recoverable information includes size, distance, temporal history, and angular isotropy of both the ring and flash.

Comparison of geothermal power conversion cycles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elliott, D. G.

1976-01-01

Geothermal power conversion cycles are compared with respect to recovery of the available wellhead power. The cycles compared are flash steam, in which steam turbines are driven by steam separated from one or more flash stages; binary, in which heat is transferred from the brine to an organic turbine cycle; flash binary, in which heat is transferred from flashed steam to an organic turbine cycle; and dual steam, in which two-phase expanders are driven by the flashing steam-brine mixture and steam turbines by the separated steam. Expander efficiencies assumed are 0.7 for steam turbines, 0.8 for organic turbines, and 0.6 for two-phase expanders. The fraction of available wellhead power delivered by each cycle is found to be about the same at all brine temperatures: 0.65 with one stage and 0.7 with four stages for dual stream; 0.4 with one stage and 0.6 with four stages for flash steam; 0.5 for binary; and 0.3 with one stage and 0.5 with four stages for flash binary.

Reflex-free digital fundus photography using a simple and portable camera adaptor system. A viable alternative.

PubMed

Pirie, Chris G; Pizzirani, Stefano

2011-12-01

To describe a digital single lens reflex (dSLR) camera adaptor for posterior segment photography. A total of 30 normal canine and feline animals were imaged using a dSLR adaptor which mounts between a dSLR camera body and lens. Posterior segment viewing and imaging was performed with the aid of an indirect lens ranging from 28-90D. Coaxial illumination for viewing was provided by a single white light emitting diode (LED) within the adaptor, while illumination during exposure was provided by the pop-up flash or an accessory flash. Corneal and/or lens reflections were reduced using a pair of linear polarizers, having their azimuths perpendicular to one another. Quality high-resolution, reflection-free, digital images of the retina were obtained. Subjective image evaluation demonstrated the same amount of detail, as compared to a conventional fundus camera. A wide range of magnification(s) [1.2-4X] and/or field(s) of view [31-95 degrees, horizontal] were obtained by altering the indirect lens utilized. The described adaptor may provide an alternative to existing fundus camera systems. Quality images were obtained and the adapter proved to be versatile, portable and of low cost.

Evaluation of 1.5-T Cell Flash Memory Total Ionizing Dose Response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, Lawrence T.; Holbert, Keith E.; Adams, James W.; Navale, Harshad; Anderson, Blake C.

2015-12-01

Flash memory is an essential part of systems used in harsh environments, experienced by both terrestrial and aerospace TID applications. This paper presents studies of COTS flash memory TID hardness. While there is substantial literature on flash memory TID response, this work focuses for the first time on 1.5 transistor per cell flash memory. The experimental results show hardness varying from about 100 krad(Si) to over 250 krad(Si) depending on the usage model. We explore the circuit and device aspects of the results, based on the extensive reliability literature for this flash memory type. Failure modes indicate both device damage and circuit marginalities. Sector erase failure limits, but read only operation allows TID exceeding 200 krad(Si). The failures are analyzed by type.

Storm Physics and Lightning Properties over Northern Alabama during DC3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matthee, R.; Carey, L. D.; Bain, A. L.

2013-12-01

The Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) experiment seeks to examine the relationship between deep moist convection (DMC) and the production of nitrogen oxides (NOx) via lightning (LNOx). The focus of this study will be to examine integrated storm microphysics and lightning properties of DMC across northern Alabama (NA) during the DC3 campaign through use of polarimetric radar [UAHuntsville's Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Radar (ARMOR)] and lightning mapping [National Aeronautical and Space Administration's (NASA) north Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (NA LMA)] platforms. Specifically, ARMOR and NA LMA are being used to explore the ability of radar inferred microphysical (e.g., ice mass, graupel volume) measurements to parameterize flash rates (F) and flash area for estimation of LNOX production in cloud resolving models. The flash area was calculated by using the 'convex hull' method. This method essentially draws a polygon around all the sources that comprise a flash. From this polygon, the convex hull area that describes the minimum polygon that circumscribes the flash extent is calculated. Two storms have been analyzed so far; one on 21 May 2012 (S1) and another on 11 June 2012 (S2), both of which were aircraft-penetrated during DC3. For S1 and S2, radar reflectivity (Z) estimates of precipitation ice mass (M) within the mixed-phase zone (-10°C to -40°C) were well correlated to the trend of lightning flash rate. However, a useful radar-based F parameterization must provide accurate quantification of rates in addition to proper trends. The difference reflectivity was used to estimate Z associated with ice and then a single Z-M relation was employed to calculate M in the mixed-phase zone. Using this approach it was estimated that S1 produced an order of magnitude greater M, but produced about a third of the total amount of flashes compared to S2. Expectations based on the non-inductive charging (NIC) theory suggest that the M-to-F ratio (M/F) should be stable from storm-to-storm, amongst other factors, all else being equal. Further investigation revealed that the mean mixed-phase Z was 11 dB higher in S1 compared to S2, suggesting larger diameters and lower concentrations of ice particles in S1. Reduction by an order of magnitude of the intercept parameter (N0) of an assumed exponential ice particle size distribution within the Z-M relation for S1 resulted in a proportional reduction in S1's inferred M and therefore a more comparable M/F ratio between the storms. Flash statistics between S1 and S2 revealed the following: S1 produced 1.92 flashes/minute and a total of 102 flashes, while S2 produced 3.45 flashes/minute and a total of 307 flashes. On average, S1 (S2) produced 212 (78) sources per flash and an average flash area of 89.53 km2 (53.85 km2). Thus, S1 produced fewer flashes, a lower F, but more sources per flash and larger flash areas as compared to S2. Ongoing analysis is exploring the tuning of N0 within the Z-M relation by the mean Z in the mixed-phase zone. The suitability of various M estimates and other radar properties (graupel volume, ice fluxes, anvil ice mass) for parameterizing F, flash area and LNOX will be investigated on different storm types across NA.

Effect of optical digitizer selection on the application accuracy of a surgical localization system-a quantitative comparison between the OPTOTRAK and flashpoint tracking systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Q.; Zamorano, L.; Jiang, Z.; Gong, J. X.; Pandya, A.; Perez, R.; Diaz, F.

1999-01-01

Application accuracy is a crucial factor for stereotactic surgical localization systems, in which space digitization camera systems are one of the most critical components. In this study we compared the effect of the OPTOTRAK 3020 space digitization system and the FlashPoint Model 3000 and 5000 3D digitizer systems on the application accuracy for interactive localization of intracranial lesions. A phantom was mounted with several implantable frameless markers which were randomly distributed on its surface. The target point was digitized and the coordinates were recorded and compared with reference points. The differences from the reference points represented the deviation from the "true point." The root mean square (RMS) was calculated to show the differences, and a paired t-test was used to analyze the results. The results with the phantom showed that, for 1-mm sections of CT scans, the RMS was 0.76 +/- 0. 54 mm for the OPTOTRAK system, 1.23 +/- 0.53 mm for the FlashPoint Model 3000 3D digitizer system, and 1.00 +/- 0.42 mm for the FlashPoint Model 5000 system. These preliminary results showed that there is no significant difference between the three tracking systems, and, from the quality point of view, they can all be used for image-guided surgery procedures. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effect of optical digitizer selection on the application accuracy of a surgical localization system-a quantitative comparison between the OPTOTRAK and flashpoint tracking systems.

PubMed

Li, Q; Zamorano, L; Jiang, Z; Gong, J X; Pandya, A; Perez, R; Diaz, F

1999-01-01

Application accuracy is a crucial factor for stereotactic surgical localization systems, in which space digitization camera systems are one of the most critical components. In this study we compared the effect of the OPTOTRAK 3020 space digitization system and the FlashPoint Model 3000 and 5000 3D digitizer systems on the application accuracy for interactive localization of intracranial lesions. A phantom was mounted with several implantable frameless markers which were randomly distributed on its surface. The target point was digitized and the coordinates were recorded and compared with reference points. The differences from the reference points represented the deviation from the "true point." The root mean square (RMS) was calculated to show the differences, and a paired t-test was used to analyze the results. The results with the phantom showed that, for 1-mm sections of CT scans, the RMS was 0.76 +/- 0. 54 mm for the OPTOTRAK system, 1.23 +/- 0.53 mm for the FlashPoint Model 3000 3D digitizer system, and 1.00 +/- 0.42 mm for the FlashPoint Model 5000 system. These preliminary results showed that there is no significant difference between the three tracking systems, and, from the quality point of view, they can all be used for image-guided surgery procedures. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Filling-in visual motion with sounds.

PubMed

Väljamäe, A; Soto-Faraco, S

2008-10-01

Information about the motion of objects can be extracted by multiple sensory modalities, and, as a consequence, object motion perception typically involves the integration of multi-sensory information. Often, in naturalistic settings, the flow of such information can be rather discontinuous (e.g. a cat racing through the furniture in a cluttered room is partly seen and partly heard). This study addressed audio-visual interactions in the perception of time-sampled object motion by measuring adaptation after-effects. We found significant auditory after-effects following adaptation to unisensory auditory and visual motion in depth, sampled at 12.5 Hz. The visually induced (cross-modal) auditory motion after-effect was eliminated if visual adaptors flashed at half of the rate (6.25 Hz). Remarkably, the addition of the high-rate acoustic flutter (12.5 Hz) to this ineffective, sparsely time-sampled, visual adaptor restored the auditory after-effect to a level comparable to what was seen with high-rate bimodal adaptors (flashes and beeps). Our results suggest that this auditory-induced reinstatement of the motion after-effect from the poor visual signals resulted from the occurrence of sound-induced illusory flashes. This effect was found to be dependent both on the directional congruency between modalities and on the rate of auditory flutter. The auditory filling-in of time-sampled visual motion supports the feasibility of using reduced frame rate visual content in multisensory broadcasting and virtual reality applications.

Audio-visual integration through the parallel visual pathways.

PubMed

Kaposvári, Péter; Csete, Gergő; Bognár, Anna; Csibri, Péter; Tóth, Eszter; Szabó, Nikoletta; Vécsei, László; Sáry, Gyula; Tamás Kincses, Zsigmond

2015-10-22

Audio-visual integration has been shown to be present in a wide range of different conditions, some of which are processed through the dorsal, and others through the ventral visual pathway. Whereas neuroimaging studies have revealed integration-related activity in the brain, there has been no imaging study of the possible role of segregated visual streams in audio-visual integration. We set out to determine how the different visual pathways participate in this communication. We investigated how audio-visual integration can be supported through the dorsal and ventral visual pathways during the double flash illusion. Low-contrast and chromatic isoluminant stimuli were used to drive preferably the dorsal and ventral pathways, respectively. In order to identify the anatomical substrates of the audio-visual interaction in the two conditions, the psychophysical results were correlated with the white matter integrity as measured by diffusion tensor imaging.The psychophysiological data revealed a robust double flash illusion in both conditions. A correlation between the psychophysical results and local fractional anisotropy was found in the occipito-parietal white matter in the low-contrast condition, while a similar correlation was found in the infero-temporal white matter in the chromatic isoluminant condition. Our results indicate that both of the parallel visual pathways may play a role in the audio-visual interaction. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The peculiar Type Ia supernova iPTF14atg: Chandrasekhar-mass explosion or violent merger?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kromer, M.; Fremling, C.; Pakmor, R.; Taubenberger, S.; Amanullah, R.; Cenko, S. B.; Fransson, C.; Goobar, A.; Leloudas, G.; Taddia, F.; Röpke, F. K.; Seitenzahl, I. R.; Sim, S. A.; Sollerman, J.

2016-07-01

iPTF14atg, a subluminous peculiar Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) similar to SN 2002es, is the first SN Ia for which a strong UV flash was observed in the early-time light curves. This has been interpreted as evidence for a single-degenerate (SD) progenitor system, where such a signal is expected from interactions between the SN ejecta and the non-degenerate companion star. Here, we compare synthetic observables of multidimensional state-of-the-art explosion models for different progenitor scenarios to the light curves and spectra of iPTF14atg. From our models, we have difficulties explaining the spectral evolution of iPTF14atg within the SD progenitor channel. In contrast, we find that a violent merger of two carbon-oxygen white dwarfs with 0.9 and 0.76 M⊙, respectively, provides an excellent match to the spectral evolution of iPTF14atg from 10 d before to several weeks after maximum light. Our merger model does not naturally explain the initial UV flash of iPTF14atg. We discuss several possibilities like interactions of the SN ejecta with the circumstellar medium and surface radioactivity from an He-ignited merger that may be able to account for the early UV emission in violent merger models.

Soy: a complete source of protein.

PubMed

Michelfelder, Aaron J

2009-01-01

Soybeans contain all of the essential amino acids necessary for human nutrition and have been grown and harvested for thousands of years. Populations with diets high in soy protein and low in animal protein have lower risks of prostate and breast cancers than other populations. Increasing dietary whole soy protein lowers levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides; may improve menopausal hot flashes; and may help maintain bone density and decrease fractures in postmenopausal women. There are not enough data to make recommendations concerning soy intake in women with a history of breast cancer. The refined soy isoflavone components, when given as supplements, have not yielded the same results as increasing dietary whole soy protein. Overall, soy is well tolerated, and because it is a complete source of protein shown to lower cholesterol, it is recommended as a dietary substitution for higher-fat animal products.

Place preference and vocal learning rely on distinct reinforcers in songbirds.

PubMed

Murdoch, Don; Chen, Ruidong; Goldberg, Jesse H

2018-04-30

In reinforcement learning (RL) agents are typically tasked with maximizing a single objective function such as reward. But it remains poorly understood how agents might pursue distinct objectives at once. In machines, multiobjective RL can be achieved by dividing a single agent into multiple sub-agents, each of which is shaped by agent-specific reinforcement, but it remains unknown if animals adopt this strategy. Here we use songbirds to test if navigation and singing, two behaviors with distinct objectives, can be differentially reinforced. We demonstrate that strobe flashes aversively condition place preference but not song syllables. Brief noise bursts aversively condition song syllables but positively reinforce place preference. Thus distinct behavior-generating systems, or agencies, within a single animal can be shaped by correspondingly distinct reinforcement signals. Our findings suggest that spatially segregated vocal circuits can solve a credit assignment problem associated with multiobjective learning.

An Evaluation of Lightning Flash Rate Parameterizations Based on Observations of Colorado Storms during DC3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basarab, B.; Fuchs, B.; Rutledge, S. A.

2013-12-01

Predicting lightning activity in thunderstorms is important in order to accurately quantify the production of nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) by lightning (LNOx). Lightning is an important global source of NOx, and since NOx is a chemical precursor to ozone, the climatological impacts of LNOx could be significant. Many cloud-resolving models rely on parameterizations to predict lightning and LNOx since the processes leading to charge separation and lightning discharge are not yet fully understood. This study evaluates predicted flash rates based on existing lightning parameterizations against flash rates observed for Colorado storms during the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry Experiment (DC3). Evaluating lightning parameterizations against storm observations is a useful way to possibly improve the prediction of flash rates and LNOx in models. Additionally, since convective storms that form in the eastern plains of Colorado can be different thermodynamically and electrically from storms in other regions, it is useful to test existing parameterizations against observations from these storms. We present an analysis of the dynamics, microphysics, and lightning characteristics of two case studies, severe storms that developed on 6 and 7 June 2012. This analysis includes dual-Doppler derived horizontal and vertical velocities, a hydrometeor identification based on polarimetric radar variables using the CSU-CHILL radar, and insight into the charge structure using observations from the northern Colorado Lightning Mapping Array (LMA). Flash rates were inferred from the LMA data using a flash counting algorithm. We have calculated various microphysical and dynamical parameters for these storms that have been used in empirical flash rate parameterizations. In particular, maximum vertical velocity has been used to predict flash rates in some cloud-resolving chemistry simulations. We diagnose flash rates for the 6 and 7 June storms using this parameterization and compare to observed flash rates. For the 6 June storm, a preliminary analysis of aircraft observations of storm inflow and outflow is presented in order to place flash rates (and other lightning statistics) in the context of storm chemistry. An approach to a possibly improved LNOx parameterization scheme using different lightning metrics such as flash area will be discussed.

Flash Location, Size, and Rates Relative to the Evolving Kinematics and Microphysics of the 29 May 2012 DC3 Supercell Storm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacGorman, D. R.; DiGangi, E.; Ziegler, C.; Biggerstaff, M. I.; Betten, D.; Bruning, E. C.

2014-12-01

A supercell thunderstorm was observed on 29 May 2012 during the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) experiment. This storm was part of a cluster of severe storms and produced 5" hail, an EF-1 tornado, and copious lightning over the course of a few hours. During a period in which flash rates were increasing rapidly, observations were obtained from mobile polarimetric radars and a balloon-borne electric field meter (EFM) and particle imager, while aircraft sampled the chemistry of the inflow and anvil. In addition, the storm was within the domain of the 3-dimensional Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) and the S-band KTLX WSR-88D radar. The focus of this paper is the evolution of flash rates, the location of flash initiations, and the distribution of flash size and flash extent density as they relate to the evolving kinematics and microphysics of the storm for the approximately 30-minute period in which triple-Doppler coverage was available. Besides analyzing reflectivity structure and three-dimensional winds for the entire period, we examine mixing ratios of cloud water, cloud ice, rain, and graupel/hail that have been retrieved by a Lagrangian analysis for three select times, one each at the beginning, middle, and end of the period. Flashes in an around the updraft of this storm were typically small. Flash size tended to increase, and flash rates tended to decrease as distance from the updraft increased. Although flash initiations were most frequent near the updraft, some flashes were initiated near the edge of 30 dBZ cores and propagated into the anvil. Later, some flashes were initiated in the anvil itself, in vertical cells that formed and became electrified tens of kilometers downshear of the main body of the storm. Considerable lightning structure was inferred to be in regions dominated by cloud ice in the upper part of the storm. The continual small discharges in the overshooting top of the storm tended to be near or within 15 dBZ contours, although occasional discharges appeared to extend above the storm.

Retinal cross talk in the mammalian visual system

PubMed Central

Tang, Xiaolan; Tzekov, Radouil

2016-01-01

The existence and functional relevance of efferent optic nerve fibers in mammals have long been debated. While anatomical evidence for cortico-retinal and retino-retinal projections is substantial, physiological evidence is lacking, as efferent fibers are few in number and are severed in studies of excised retinal tissue. Here we show that interocular connections contribute to retinal bioelectrical activity in adult mammals. Full-field flash electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded from one or both eyes of Brown-Norway rats under dark-adapted (n = 16) and light-adapted (n = 11) conditions. Flashes were confined to each eye by an opaque tube that blocked stray light. Monocular flashes evoked a small (5–15 μV) signal in the nonilluminated eye, which was named “crossed ERG” (xERG). The xERG began under dark-adapted conditions with a positive (xP1) wave that peaked at 70–90 ms and ended with slower negative (xN1) and positive (xP2) waves from 200 to 400 ms. xN1 was absent under light-adapted conditions. Injection of tetrodotoxin in either eye (n = 15) eliminated the xERG. Intraocular pressure elevation of the illuminated eye (n = 6) had the same effect. The treatments also altered the ERG b-wave in both eyes, and the alterations correlated with xERG disappearance. Optic nerve stimulation (n = 3) elicited a biphasic compound action potential in the nonstimulated nerve with 10- to 13-ms latency, implying that the xERG comes from slow-conducting (W type) fibers. Monocular dye application (n = 7) confirmed the presence of retino-retinal ganglion cells in adult rats. We conclude that mammalian eyes communicate directly with each other via a handful of optic nerve fibers. The cross talk alters retinal activity in rats, and perhaps other animals. PMID:26984426

Comprehensive evaluation of the role of soy and isoflavone supplementation in humans and animals over the past two decades.

PubMed

Xiao, Yunqi; Zhang, Shan; Tong, Haibing; Shi, Shourong

2018-03-01

Soy and soy-based foods are considered healthy, particularly in many Asia-Pacific countries, where soy products have long been consumed. Soy and soy-related products have been found to help prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer. These products can also have antioxidative effects that alleviate hot flashes during menopause and bone loss. These biological and therapeutic functions are primarily due to the isoflavones derived from soy, whose structure is similar to the structure of 17-β-oestradiol. Despite the many health benefits for humans and animals, the application of isoflavones remains controversial because of their anti-oestrogenic properties. We focused on general information regarding isoflavones, as well as their structure, function, and application. We summarized evidence showing that dietary or supplemental isoflavones exert protective effects on the health of humans and animals. Based on the literature, we conclude that soy foods and isoflavones may be effective and safe; however, more high-quality trials are needed to fully substantiate their potential use. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A comparative study on the effect of "black cohosh" and "evening primrose oil" on menopausal hot flashes.

PubMed

Mehrpooya, Maryam; Rabiee, Soghra; Larki-Harchegani, Amir; Fallahian, Amir-Mohammad; Moradi, Abbas; Ataei, Sara; Javad, Masoumeh Taravati

2018-01-01

Hot flashes are considered to be a common experience for menopausal women and they can compromise the quality of life. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of Cimicifuga racemosa in comparison with evening primrose oil (EPO) in postmenopausal women with menopause-related symptoms. This study was performed on 80 postmenopausal women with hot flashes. The participants were randomly divided into two groups by blocked randomization. The participants of one group received black cohosh and the other group received EPO for 8 weeks. The severity and number of hot flashes and quality of life were measured by four-point scale, and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire at pre-intervention, 1 st , 4 th , and 8 th weeks after treatment. Data were analyzed in SPSS Version 16 using independent t -test, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test. Average severity of hot flashes in both groups and number of hot flashes in black cohosh group in 8 th week were significantly lower than 1 st week ( P < 0.001), but number of hot flashes in primrose oil group in 8 th week showed no significant differences ( P = 0.32). The number of hot flashes and quality of life score in black cohosh arm compared to EPO showed a significant decrease in the 8 th week ( P < 0.05). All MENQOL scores were significantly improved in two groups ( P < 0.05), but the percentage of improvement in black cohosh arm was significantly superior to EPO group. Both herbs were effective in reduction of severity of hot flashes and improvement of the quality of life, but it seems that black cohosh is more effective than primrose oil because it was able to reduce the number of hot flashes too.

Mitochondrial flash as a novel biomarker of mitochondrial respiration in the heart.

PubMed

Gong, Guohua; Liu, Xiaoyun; Zhang, Huiliang; Sheu, Shey-Shing; Wang, Wang

2015-10-01

Mitochondrial respiration through electron transport chain (ETC) activity generates ATP and reactive oxygen species in eukaryotic cells. The modulation of mitochondrial respiration in vivo or under physiological conditions remains elusive largely due to the lack of appropriate approach to monitor ETC activity in a real-time manner. Here, we show that ETC-coupled mitochondrial flash is a novel biomarker for monitoring mitochondrial respiration under pathophysiological conditions in cultured adult cardiac myocyte and perfused beating heart. Through real-time confocal imaging, we follow the frequency of a transient bursting fluorescent signal, named mitochondrial flash, from individual mitochondria within intact cells expressing a mitochondrial matrix-targeted probe, mt-cpYFP (mitochondrial-circularly permuted yellow fluorescent protein). This mt-cpYFP recorded mitochondrial flash has been shown to be composed of a major superoxide signal with a minor alkalization signal within the mitochondrial matrix. Through manipulating physiological substrates for mitochondrial respiration, we find a close coupling between flash frequency and the ETC electron flow, as measured by oxygen consumption rate in cardiac myocyte. Stimulating electron flow under physiological conditions increases flash frequency. On the other hand, partially block or slowdown electron flow by inhibiting the F0F1 ATPase, which represents a pathological condition, transiently increases then decreases flash frequency. Limiting electron entrance at complex I by knocking out Ndufs4, an assembling subunit of complex I, suppresses mitochondrial flash activity. These results suggest that mitochondrial electron flow can be monitored by real-time imaging of mitochondrial flash. The mitochondrial flash frequency could be used as a novel biomarker for mitochondrial respiration under physiological and pathological conditions. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

The impact of red light running camera flashes on younger and older drivers' attention and oculomotor control.

PubMed

Wright, Timothy J; Vitale, Thomas; Boot, Walter R; Charness, Neil

2015-12-01

Recent empirical evidence has suggested that the flashes associated with red light running cameras (RLRCs) distract younger drivers, pulling attention away from the roadway and delaying processing of safety-relevant events. Considering the perceptual and attentional declines that occur with age, older drivers may be especially susceptible to the distracting effects of RLRC flashes, particularly in situations in which the flash is more salient (a bright flash at night compared with the day). The current study examined how age and situational factors potentially influence attention capture by RLRC flashes using covert (cuing effects) and overt (eye movement) indices of capture. We manipulated the salience of the flash by varying its luminance and contrast with respect to the background of the driving scene (either day or night scenes). Results of 2 experiments suggest that simulated RLRC flashes capture observers' attention, but, surprisingly, no age differences in capture were observed. However, an analysis examining early and late eye movements revealed that older adults may have been strategically delaying their eye movements in order to avoid capture. Additionally, older adults took longer to disengage attention following capture, suggesting at least 1 age-related disadvantage in capture situations. Findings have theoretical implications for understanding age differences in attention capture, especially with respect to capture in real-world scenes, and inform future work that should examine how the distracting effects of RLRC flashes influence driver behavior. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Remote collection and analysis of witness reports on flash floods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gourley, J. J.; Erlingis, J. M.; Smith, T. M.; Ortega, K. L.; Hong, Y.

2010-11-01

SummaryTypically, flash floods are studied ex post facto in response to a major impact event. A complement to field investigations is developing a detailed database of flash flood events, including minor events and null reports (i.e., where heavy rain occurred but there was no flash flooding), based on public survey questions conducted in near-real time. The Severe hazards analysis and verification experiment (SHAVE) has been in operation at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman, OK, USA during the summers since 2006. The experiment employs undergraduate students to analyse real-time products from weather radars, target specific regions within the conterminous US, and poll public residences and businesses regarding the occurrence and severity of hail, wind, tornadoes, and now flash floods. In addition to providing a rich learning experience for students, SHAVE has also been successful in creating high-resolution datasets of severe hazards used for algorithm and model verification. This paper describes the criteria used to initiate the flash flood survey, the specific questions asked and information entered to the database, and then provides an analysis of results for flash flood data collected during the summer of 2008. It is envisioned that specific details provided by the SHAVE flash flood observation database will complement databases collected by operational agencies (i.e., US National Weather Service Storm Data reports) and thus lead to better tools to predict the likelihood of flash floods and ultimately reduce their impacts on society.

Differentiation of debris-flow and flash-flood deposits: implications for paleoflood investigations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Waythomas, Christopher F.; Jarrett, Robert D.; ,

1993-01-01

Debris flows and flash floods are common geomorphic processes in the Colorado Rocky Mountain Front Range and foothills. Usually, debris flows and flash floods are associated with excess summer rainfall or snowmelt, in areas were unconsolidated surficial deposits are relatively thick and slopes are steep. In the Front Range and foothills, flash flooding is limited to areas below about 2300m whereas, debris flow activity is common throughout the foothill and alpine zones and is not necessarily elevation limited. Because flash floods and debris flows transport large quantities of bouldery sediment, the resulting deposits appear somewhat similar even though such deposits were produced by different processes. Discharge estimates based on debris-flow deposits interpreted as flash-flood deposits have large errors because techniques for discharge retrodiction were developed for water floods with negligible sediment concentrations. Criteria for differentiating between debris-flow and flash-flood deposits are most useful for deposits that are fresh and well-exposed. However, with the passage of time, both debris-flow and flash-flood deposits become modified by the combined effects of weathering, colluviation, changes in surface morphology, and in some instances removal of interstitial sediment. As a result, some of the physical characteristics of the deposits become more alike. Criteria especially applicable to older deposits are needed. We differentiate flash-flood from debris-flow and other deposits using clast fabric measurements and other morphologic and sedimentologic techniques (e.g., deposit morphology, clast lithology, particle size and shape, geomorphic setting).

Cloud-to-ground lightning in tropical cyclones: A study of Hurricanes Hugo (1989) and Jerry (1989)

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

Samsury, C.E.; Orville, R.E.

1994-08-01

Cloud-to-ground lightning characteristics of two Atlantic tropical cyclones of 1989, Hurricanes Hugo and Jerry, are presented. Statistics on the number of flashes, location, polarity, peak currents, and multiplicity (number of strokes per flash) are examined in an 18-h period divided into prelandfall and postlandfall categories. Land-based and aircraft lower fuselage radar data are also analyzed to determine the nature of the precipitation in which lightning is detected. Jerry is found to be more electrically active than Hugo, with 691 flashes detected compared with 33 flashes for Hugo. The majority of these flashes, regardless of the polarity, are located in themore » right front and right rear quadrants of the hurricanes, almost exclusively in outer convective rainbands. One reason for the large difference in the number of flashes between the two storms is the presence of many convective rainbands in Jerry, compared to only a few in Hugo. More than 20% of the flashes in each storm have a positive polarity. Median negative peak currents of the first return strokes are 49 kA in Hugo and 40 kA in Jerry. Median positive peak currents are 65 kA in Hugo and 52 kA in Jerry. The mean multiplicity of the negative flashes is 1.7 in Hugo and 2.6 in Jerry. Twenty percent of the negative flashes detected in Jerry have a multiplicity of 4 or higher.« less

The Impact of Red Light Running Camera Flashes on Younger and Older Drivers' Attention and Oculomotor Control

PubMed Central

Wright, Timothy J.; Vitale, Thomas; Boot, Walter R; Charness, Neil

2015-01-01

Recent empirical evidence suggests that the flashes associated with red light running cameras (RLRCs) distract younger drivers, pulling attention away from the roadway and delaying processing of safety-relevant events. Considering the perceptual and attentional declines that occur with age, older drivers may be especially susceptible to the distracting effects of RLRC flashes, particularly in situations in which the flash is more salient (a bright flash at night compared to the day). The current study examined how age and situational factors potentially influence attention capture by RLRC flashes using covert (cuing effects) and overt (eye movement) indices of capture. We manipulated the salience of the flash by varying its luminance and contrast with respect to the background of the driving scene (either day or night scenes). Results of two experiments suggest that simulated RLRC flashes capture observers' attention, but, surprisingly, no age differences in capture were observed. However, an analysis examining early and late eye movements revealed that older adults may have been strategically delaying their eye movements in order to avoid capture. Additionally, older adults took longer to disengage attention following capture, suggesting at least one age-related disadvantage in capture situations. Findings have theoretical implications for understanding age differences in attention capture, especially with respect to capture in real-world scenes, and inform future work that should examine how the distracting effects of RLRC flashes influence driver behavior. PMID:26479014

Genetic polymorphisms, hormone levels, and hot flashes in midlife women.

PubMed

Schilling, Chrissy; Gallicchio, Lisa; Miller, Susan R; Langenberg, Patricia; Zacur, Howard; Flaws, Jodi A

2007-06-20

Hot flashes disrupt the lives of millions of women each year. Although hot flashes are a public health concern, little is known about risk factors that predispose women to hot flashes. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine whether sex steroid hormone levels and genetic polymorphisms in hormone biosynthesis and degradation enzymes are associated with the risk of hot flashes. In a cross-sectional study design, midlife women aged 45-54 years (n=639) were recruited from Baltimore and its surrounding counties. Participants completed a questionnaire and donated a blood sample for steroid hormone analysis and genotyping. The associations between genetic polymorphisms and hormone levels, as well as the associations between genetic polymorphisms, hormone levels, and hot flashes were examined using statistical models. A polymorphism in CYP1B1 was associated with lower dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and progesterone levels, while a polymorphism in CYP19 (aromatase) was associated with higher testosterone and DHEA-S levels. Lower progesterone and sex hormone binding globulin levels, lower free estradiol index, and a higher ratio of total androgens to total estrogens were associated with the experiencing of hot flashes. A polymorphism in CYP1B1 and a polymorphism in 3betaHSD were both associated with hot flashes. Some genetic polymorphisms may be associated with altered levels of hormones in midlife women. Further, selected genetic polymorphisms and altered hormone levels may be associated with the risk of hot flashes in midlife women.

Long-term Stability of the WFC3 Post-Flash LED Lamp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martlin, Catherine; Baggett, Sylvia M.

2017-06-01

We report the results of a study of the long-term stability of the LED lamp used in post-flashing WFC3/UVIS images (Martlin, C and Baggett, S., 2017). Having analyzed 644 sub-array exposures taken over the course of just over 3 years we find no significant long-term trends in the LED lamp brightness. The average percentage change per year over all FLASH level and shutter combinations is found to be 0.15% per year with an uncertainty of +/- 0.24% per year. The maximum measured percentage change per year was 0.39% for the highest FLASH level of 20 e- on shutter A which would indicate a change of less than 1 e-/pixel over the roughly 3 years since post-flashing began.There are, however, occasional short-term deviations in the LED output. The average minimum and maximum outliers over all FLASH level and shutter combination subsets are 4.1% below and 3.5% above, respectively, the mean of that subset. The maximum outlier over all the sets is 5.8% above the normalized mean value, for FLASH level 3/shutter A. The minimum outlier over all sets is also for FLASH level 3/shutter A and is 8.9% below the normalized mean value. Investigation of these outliers has revealed no systematic cause for the excursions and we recommend that users continue using the post-flash as they would have previously.

Measurement of activation of rhodopsine with heavy ions irradiation in the ALTEA program: a possible mechanism responsible for light flash perceptions in space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narici, Livio; Rinaldi, Adele; Sannita, Walter, , Prof; Paci, Maurizio; Brunetti, Valentina; de Martino, Angelo; Picozza, Piergiorgio

Since late 60s astronauts in space have reported seeing flashes of light, more frequently when dark adapted. Experiments have been performed to characterize these phenomena, and to suggest possible mechanisms. High Z ions have been shown to be the most likely cause of these perceptions: when ionizing radiation hits the eye there is a high probability of a light flash perception. However the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not fully understood yet. We show that one of these mechanisms is the activation of the rhodopsin (bleaching) by heavy ions. Rhodopsin is at the start of the photo-electronic cascade in the process of vision. It is one of the best molecular transducer to convert a visible photon into an electric signal. In this work we show that rhodopsine can also be activated by irradiation with 12C nuclei. In the frame of ALTEA program, aimed at studying the effects of cosmic radiation on brain functions, an investigation on the interaction between heavy ions and rhodopsin has been performed. Intact Rod Outer Segment (ROS) containing rhodopsin were isolated from bovine retina. Suspended rods were irradiated with 12C (200 MeV/n, well below the Cherenkov threshold) at GSI (Darmstadt FRG) with doses ranging from few mrem to several rem. Spectrophotometric measurements investigated the presence of non activated and activated rhodopsin. The functionality of the purified rods were checked by previous light irradiation and subsequent regeneration by the addition of external 11-cis-retinal, to confirm the reversibility of the process in vitro. We can show effective and reversible bleaching also following irradiation, thus proving that the rhodopsin was not damaged by radiation. Works are in progress to model this interaction. Latest analysis results and considerations about the underlying mechanism will be presented.

Evaluating Non-In-Place Update Techniques for Flash-Based Transaction Processing Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yongkun; Goda, Kazuo; Kitsuregawa, Masaru

Recently, flash memory is emerging as the storage device. With price sliding fast, the cost per capacity is approaching to that of SATA disk drives. So far flash memory has been widely deployed in consumer electronics even partly in mobile computing environments. For enterprise systems, the deployment has been studied by many researchers and developers. In terms of the access performance characteristics, flash memory is quite different from disk drives. Without the mechanical components, flash memory has very high random read performance, whereas it has a limited random write performance because of the erase-before-write design. The random write performance of flash memory is comparable with or even worse than that of disk drives. Due to such a performance asymmetry, naive deployment to enterprise systems may not exploit the potential performance of flash memory at full blast. This paper studies the effectiveness of using non-in-place-update (NIPU) techniques through the IO path of flash-based transaction processing systems. Our deliberate experiments using both open-source DBMS and commercial DBMS validated the potential benefits; x3.0 to x6.6 performance improvement was confirmed by incorporating non-in-place-update techniques into file system without any modification of applications or storage devices.

FLASH LIDAR Based Relative Navigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brazzel, Jack; Clark, Fred; Milenkovic, Zoran

2014-01-01

Relative navigation remains the most challenging part of spacecraft rendezvous and docking. In recent years, flash LIDARs, have been increasingly selected as the go-to sensors for proximity operations and docking. Flash LIDARS are generally lighter and require less power that scanning Lidars. Flash LIDARs do not have moving parts, and they are capable of tracking multiple targets as well as generating a 3D map of a given target. However, there are some significant drawbacks of Flash Lidars that must be resolved if their use is to be of long-term significance. Overcoming the challenges of Flash LIDARs for navigation-namely, low technology readiness level, lack of historical performance data, target identification, existence of false positives, and performance of vision processing algorithms as intermediaries between the raw sensor data and the Kalman filter-requires a world-class testing facility, such as the Lockheed Martin Space Operations Simulation Center (SOSC). Ground-based testing is a critical step for maturing the next-generation flash LIDAR-based spacecraft relative navigation. This paper will focus on the tests of an integrated relative navigation system conducted at the SOSC in January 2014. The intent of the tests was to characterize and then improve the performance of relative navigation, while addressing many of the flash LIDAR challenges mentioned above. A section on navigation performance and future recommendation completes the discussion.

Simulated CONUS Flash Flood Climatologies from Distributed Hydrologic Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flamig, Z.; Gourley, J. J.; Vergara, H. J.; Kirstetter, P. E.; Hong, Y.

2016-12-01

This study will describe a CONUS flash flood climatology created over the period from 2002 through 2011. The MRMS reanalysis precipitation dataset was used as forcing into the Ensemble Framework For Flash Flood Forecasting (EF5). This high resolution 1-sq km 5-minute dataset is ideal for simulating flash floods with a distributed hydrologic model. EF5 features multiple water balance components including SAC-SMA, CREST, and a hydrophobic model all coupled with kinematic wave routing. The EF5/SAC-SMA and EF5/CREST water balance schemes were used for the creation of dual flash flood climatologies based on the differing water balance principles. For the period from 2002 through 2011 the daily maximum streamflow, unit streamflow, and time of peak streamflow was stored along with the minimum soil moisture. These variables are used to describe the states of the soils right before a flash flood event and the peak streamflow that was simulated during the flash flood event. The results will be shown, compared and contrasted. The resulting model simulations will be verified on basins less than 1,000-sq km with USGS gauges to ensure the distributed hydrologic models are reliable. The results will also be compared spatially to Storm Data flash flood event observations to judge the degree of agreement between the simulated climatologies and observations.

Perceived shifts of flashed stimuli by visible and invisible object motion.

PubMed

Watanabe, Katsumi; Sato, Takashi R; Shimojo, Shinsuke

2003-01-01

Perceived positions of flashed stimuli can be altered by motion signals in the visual field-position capture (Whitney and Cavanagh, 2000 Nature Neuroscience 3 954-959). We examined whether position capture of flashed stimuli depends on the spatial relationship between moving and flashed stimuli, and whether the phenomenal permanence of a moving object behind an occluding surface (tunnel effect; Michotte 1950 Acta Psychologica 7 293-322) can produce position capture. Observers saw two objects (circles) moving vertically in opposite directions, one in each visual hemifield. Two horizontal bars were simultaneously flashed at horizontally collinear positions with the fixation point at various timings. When the movement of the object was fully visible, the flashed bar appeared shifted in the motion direction of the circle. But this position-capture effect occurred only when the bar was presented ahead of or on the moving circle. Even when the motion trajectory was covered by an opaque surface and the bar was flashed after complete occlusion of the circle, the position-capture effect was still observed, though the positional asymmetry was less clear. These results show that movements of both visible and 'hidden' objects can modulate the perception of positions of flashed stimuli and suggest that a high-level representation of 'objects in motion' plays an important role in the position-capture effect.

Increasing flash droughts over China during the recent global warming hiatus

PubMed Central

Wang, Linying; Yuan, Xing; Xie, Zhenghui; Wu, Peili; Li, Yaohui

2016-01-01

The recent global warming slowdown or hiatus after the big El Niño event in 1997/98 raises the questions of whether terrestrial hydrological cycle is being decelerated and how do the hydrological extremes respond to the hiatus. However, the rapidly developing drought events that are termed as “flash droughts” accompanied by extreme heat, low soil moisture and high evapotranspiration (ET), occurred frequently around the world, and caused devastating impacts on crop yields and water supply. Here, we investigate the long-term trend and variability of flash droughts over China. Flash droughts are most likely to occur over humid and semi-humid regions, such as southern and northeastern China. Flash drought averaged over China increased by 109% from 1979 to 2010, and the increase was mainly due to a long term warming of temperature (50%), followed by the contributions from decreasing soil moisture and increasing ET. There was a slight drop in temperature after 1997, but the increasing trend of flash droughts was tripled. Further results indicate that the decreasing temperature was compensated by the accelerated drying trends of soil moisture and enhanced ET, leading to an acceleration of flash droughts during the warming hiatus. The anthropogenic warming in the next few decades may exacerbate future flash drought conditions in China. PMID:27513724

The buzz-lag effect.

PubMed

Cellini, Cristiano; Scocchia, Lisa; Drewing, Knut

2016-10-01

In the flash-lag illusion, a brief visual flash and a moving object presented at the same location appear to be offset with the flash trailing the moving object. A considerable amount of studies investigated the visual flash-lag effect, and flash-lag-like effects have also been observed in audition, and cross-modally between vision and audition. In the present study, we investigate whether a similar effect can also be observed when using only haptic stimuli. A fast vibration (or buzz, lasting less than 20 ms) was applied to the moving finger of the observers and employed as a "haptic flash." Participants performed a two-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) task where they had to judge whether the moving finger was located to the right or to the left of the stationary finger at the time of the buzz. We used two different movement velocities (Slow and Fast conditions). We found that the moving finger was systematically misperceived to be ahead of the stationary finger when the two were physically aligned. This result can be interpreted as a purely haptic analogue of the flash-lag effect, which we refer to as "buzz-lag effect." The buzz-lag effect can be well accounted for by the temporal-sampling explanation of flash-lag-like effects.

The Waterviz: The Confluence of Science, Art and Music Illuminates Pattern and Process in Water Cycle Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rustad, L.; Martin, M.; Cortada, X.; Quinn, M.; Garlick, S.; Casey, M.; Green, M. B.

2017-12-01

The WaterViz for Hubbard Brook is a new online tool for creatively communicating water cycle science to a broad audience with real time hydrologic data. Interfacing between the hydrologic sciences, visual arts, music, education, and graphic design, the WaterViz for Hubbard Brook builds on a new generation of digital environmental sensors and wireless communication devices that are revolutionizing how scientists `see' the natural world. In a nutshell, hydrologic data are captured from small first order catchments at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH using an array of environmental sensors. These data are transmitted to the internet in real time and are used to drive a computer model that calculates all components of the water cycle for the catchment in real time. These data, in turn, drive an artistic simulation (delivered as a flash animation) and musical sonification (delivered via an internet radio station) of the water cycle,accurately reflecting the hydrologic processes occurring at that moment in time. The WaterViz for Hubbard Brook provides a unique and novel approach to interactively and intuitively engage the viewer with vast amount of data and information on water cycle science. The WaterViz for Hubbard Brook is available at: https://waterviz.org.

Flashes and floaters - a practical approach to assessment and management.

PubMed

Kahawita, Shyalle; Simon, Sumu; Gilhotra, Jolly

2014-04-01

Flashes and floaters are common ophthalmic issues for which patients may initially present to their general practitioner. It may be a sign of benign, 
age-related changes of the vitreous or more serious retinal detachment. This article provides a guide to the assessment and management of a patient presenting with flashes and floaters. Although most patients presenting with flashes and floaters have benign 
age-related changes, they must be referred to an ophthalmologist to rule out sight-threatening conditions. Key examination features include the nature of the flashes and floaters, whether one or both eyes are affected and changes in visual acuity or visual field.

An Improved B+ Tree for Flash File Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Havasi, Ferenc

Nowadays mobile devices such as mobile phones, mp3 players and PDAs are becoming evermore common. Most of them use flash chips as storage. To store data efficiently on flash, it is necessary to adapt ordinary file systems because they are designed for use on hard disks. Most of the file systems use some kind of search tree to store index information, which is very important from a performance aspect. Here we improved the B+ search tree algorithm so as to make flash devices more efficient. Our implementation of this solution saves 98%-99% of the flash operations, and is now the part of the Linux kernel.

Gun muzzle blast and flash

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klingenberg, Guenter; Heimerl, Joseph M.

A repository of fundamental experimental and analytical data concerning the complex phenomena associated with gun-muzzle blast and flash effects is presented, proceeding from gun muzzle signatures to modern gun-propulsion concepts, interior and transitional ballistics, and characterizations of blast-wave research and muzzle flash. Data are presented in support of a novel hypothesis which explains the ignition of secondary flash and elucidates the means for its suppression. Both chemical and mechanical (often competing) methods of flash suppression are treated. The historical work of Kesslau and Ladenburg is noted, together with French, British, Japanese and American research efforts and current techniques of experimental characterization for gun muzzle phenomena.

Lightning rates relative to tornadic storm evolution on 22 May 1981

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macgorman, Donald R.; Burgess, Donald W.; Mazur, Vladislav; Rust, W. David; Taylor, William L.

1989-01-01

Lightning and Doppler radar data for two tornadic storms in Oklahoma on May 22, 1981 are used to analyze ground flash rates relative to the time of tornadoes. It is found that the ground flash rates had no obvious relationship with the tornado times, although the stroke rate in both storms was greatest after the tornadic stage ended. The variations in the cyclone shear and the intracloud flash rates within 10 km of the mesocyclone region are examined. The results suggest that most tornadic storms have an increase in total flash rates near the time of the tornado and that this increase is often dominated by intracloud flashes.

Simulation of flashing signal operations.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1982-01-01

Various guidelines that have been proposed for the operation of traffic signals in the flashing mode were reviewed. The use of existing traffic simulation procedures to evaluate flashing signals was examined and a study methodology for simulating and...

DefenseLink Special: Doolittle Raid, April 18, 1942

Science.gov Websites

enhanced viewing {Flash 8} Macromedia Flash Player 8 required Download free Macromedia Flash Player Download free Internet Explorer DOOLITTLE RAIDERS – Retired Lt. Col. Chase Nelson, a Doolittle Raider

Hot flashes, core body temperature, and metabolic parameters in breast cancer survivors.

PubMed

Carpenter, Janet S; Gilchrist, Janet M; Chen, Kong; Gautam, Shiva; Freedman, Robert R

2004-01-01

To examine core body temperature, energy expenditure, and respiratory quotient among breast cancer survivors experiencing hot flashes and compare these data to published studies from healthy women. In an observational study, nine breast cancer survivors with daily hot flashes who met specified criteria spent 24 hours in a temperature- and humidity-controlled whole-room indirect calorimeter (ie, metabolic room). Demographic and disease/treatment information were obtained and the following were measured: hot flashes via sternal skin conductance monitoring (sampled every second); core body temperature via an ingested radiotelemetry pill (sampled every 10 seconds); and energy expenditure and respiratory quotient via a whole-room indirect calorimeter (calculated every minute). Circadian analysis of core temperature indicated wide variability with disrupted circadian rhythm noted in all women. Core temperature began to rise 20 minutes pre-flash to 7 minutes pre-flash (0.09 degrees C increase). Increases in energy expenditure and respiratory quotient increased with each hot flash. Findings are comparable to published data from healthy women and warrant replication in larger, more diverse samples of women treated for breast cancer.

A Method to Measure and Estimate Normalized Contrast in Infrared Flash Thermography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshti, Ajay M.

2016-01-01

The paper presents further development in normalized contrast processing used in flash infrared thermography method. Method of computing normalized image or pixel intensity contrast, and normalized temperature contrast are provided. Methods of converting image contrast to temperature contrast and vice versa are provided. Normalized contrast processing in flash thermography is useful in quantitative analysis of flash thermography data including flaw characterization and comparison of experimental results with simulation. Computation of normalized temperature contrast involves use of flash thermography data acquisition set-up with high reflectivity foil and high emissivity tape such that the foil, tape and test object are imaged simultaneously. Methods of assessing other quantitative parameters such as emissivity of object, afterglow heat flux, reflection temperature change and surface temperature during flash thermography are also provided. Temperature imaging and normalized temperature contrast processing provide certain advantages over normalized image contrast processing by reducing effect of reflected energy in images and measurements, therefore providing better quantitative data. Examples of incorporating afterglow heat-flux and reflection temperature evolution in flash thermography simulation are also discussed.

Does underwater flash photography affect the behaviour, movement and site persistence of seahorses?

PubMed

Harasti, D; Gladstone, W

2013-11-01

The effect of flash photography on seahorse species has never been tested. An experiment was established to test the effect of flash photography and the handling of Hippocampus whitei, a medium-sized seahorse species endemic to Australia, on their behavioural responses, movements and site persistence. A total of 24 H. whitei were utilized in the experiment with eight in each of the three treatments (flash photography, handling and control). The effect of underwater flash photography on H. whitei movements was not significant; however, the effect of handling H. whitei to take a photograph had a significant effect on their short-term behavioural responses to the photographer. Kaplan-Meier log-rank test revealed that there was no significant difference in site persistence of H. whitei from each of the three treatments and that flash photography had no long-term effects on their site persistence. It is concluded that the use of flash photography by divers is a safe and viable technique with H. whitei, particularly if photographs can be used for individual identification purposes. © 2013 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

CCD high-speed videography system with new concepts and techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Zengrong; Zhao, Wenyi; Wu, Zhiqiang

1997-05-01

A novel CCD high speed videography system with brand-new concepts and techniques is developed by Zhejiang University recently. The system can send a series of short flash pulses to the moving object. All of the parameters, such as flash numbers, flash durations, flash intervals, flash intensities and flash colors, can be controlled according to needs by the computer. A series of moving object images frozen by flash pulses, carried information of moving object, are recorded by a CCD video camera, and result images are sent to a computer to be frozen, recognized and processed with special hardware and software. Obtained parameters can be displayed, output as remote controlling signals or written into CD. The highest videography frequency is 30,000 images per second. The shortest image freezing time is several microseconds. The system has been applied to wide fields of energy, chemistry, medicine, biological engineering, aero- dynamics, explosion, multi-phase flow, mechanics, vibration, athletic training, weapon development and national defense engineering. It can also be used in production streamline to carry out the online, real-time monitoring and controlling.

The Forensic Potential of Flash Memory

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

limit range of 10 to 100 years before data is lost [12]. 5. Flash Memory Logical Structure The logical structure of flash memory from least to...area is not standardized and is manufacturer specific. This information will be used by the wear leveling algorithms and as such will be proprietary...memory cells, the manufacturers of the flash implement a wear leveling algorithm . In contrast, a magnetic disk in an overwrite operation will reuse the

Continuous background light significantly increases flashing-light enhancement of photosynthesis and growth of microalgae.

PubMed

Abu-Ghosh, Said; Fixler, Dror; Dubinsky, Zvy; Iluz, David

2015-01-01

Under specific conditions, flashing light enhances the photosynthesis rate in comparison to continuous illumination. Here we show that a combination of flashing light and continuous background light with the same integrated photon dose as continuous or flashing light alone can be used to significantly enhance photosynthesis and increase microalgae growth. To test this hypothesis, the green microalga Dunaliella salina was exposed to three different light regimes: continuous light, flashing light, and concomitant application of both. Algal growth was compared under three different integrated light quantities; low, intermediate, and moderately high. Under the combined light regime, there was a substantial increase in all algal growth parameters, with an enhanced photosynthesis rate, within 3days. Our strategy demonstrates a hitherto undescribed significant increase in photosynthesis and algal growth rates, which is beyond the increase by flashing light alone. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of Homogeneous Relaxation Model Parameters and their Implications for Gasoline Injectors

DOE PAGES

Saha, Kaushik; Som, Sibendu; Battistoni, Michele

2017-01-01

Flash boiling is known to be a common phenomenon for gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine sprays. The Homogeneous Relaxation Model has been adopted in many recent numerical studies for predicting cavitation and flash boiling. The Homogeneous Relaxation Model is assessed in this study. Sensitivity analysis of the model parameters has been documented to infer the driving factors for the flash-boiling predictions. The model parameters have been varied over a range and the differences in predictions of the extent of flashing have been studied. Apart from flashing in the near nozzle regions, mild cavitation is also predicted inside the gasoline injectors.more » The variation in the predicted time scales through the model parameters for predicting these two different thermodynamic phenomena (cavitation, flash) have been elaborated in this study. Turbulence model effects have also been investigated by comparing predictions from the standard and Re-Normalization Group (RNG) k-ε turbulence models.« less

NELIOTA: First temperature measurement of lunar impact flashes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonanos, A. Z.; Avdellidou, C.; Liakos, A.; Xilouris, E. M.; Dapergolas, A.; Koschny, D.; Bellas-Velidis, I.; Boumis, P.; Charmandaris, V.; Fytsilis, A.; Maroussis, A.

2018-04-01

We report the first scientific results from the NELIOTA (NEO Lunar Impacts and Optical TrAnsients) project, which has recently begun lunar monitoring observations with the 1.2-m Kryoneri telescope. NELIOTA aims to detect faint impact flashes produced by near-Earth meteoroids and asteroids and thereby help constrain the size-frequency distribution of near-Earth objects in the decimeter to meter range. The NELIOTA setup, consisting of two fast-frame cameras observing simultaneously in the R and I bands, enables - for the first time - direct analytical calculation of the flash temperatures. We present the first ten flashes detected, for which we find temperatures in the range 1600 to 3100 K, in agreement with theoretical values. Two of these flashes were detected on multiple frames in both filters and therefore yield the first measurements of the temperature drop for lunar flashes. In addition, we compute the impactor masses, which range between 100 g and 50 kg.

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

Saha, Kaushik; Som, Sibendu; Battistoni, Michele

Flash boiling is known to be a common phenomenon for gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine sprays. The Homogeneous Relaxation Model has been adopted in many recent numerical studies for predicting cavitation and flash boiling. The Homogeneous Relaxation Model is assessed in this study. Sensitivity analysis of the model parameters has been documented to infer the driving factors for the flash-boiling predictions. The model parameters have been varied over a range and the differences in predictions of the extent of flashing have been studied. Apart from flashing in the near nozzle regions, mild cavitation is also predicted inside the gasoline injectors.more » The variation in the predicted time scales through the model parameters for predicting these two different thermodynamic phenomena (cavitation, flash) have been elaborated in this study. Turbulence model effects have also been investigated by comparing predictions from the standard and Re-Normalization Group (RNG) k-ε turbulence models.« less

FLASH free-electron laser single-shot temporal diagnostic: terahertz-field-driven streaking.

PubMed

Ivanov, Rosen; Liu, Jia; Brenner, Günter; Brachmanski, Maciej; Düsterer, Stefan

2018-01-01

The commissioning of a terahertz-field-driven streak camera installed at the free-electron laser (FEL) FLASH at DESY in Hamburg, being able to deliver photon pulse duration as well as arrival time information with ∼10 fs resolution for each single XUV FEL pulse, is reported. Pulse durations between 300 fs and <15 fs have been measured for different FLASH FEL settings. A comparison between the XUV pulse arrival time and the FEL electron bunch arrival time measured at the FLASH linac section exhibits a correlation width of 20 fs r.m.s., thus demonstrating the excellent operation stability of FLASH. In addition, the terahertz-streaking setup was operated simultaneously to an alternative method to determine the FEL pulse duration based on spectral analysis. FLASH pulse duration derived from simple spectral analysis is in good agreement with that from terahertz-streaking measurement.

Organic flash cycles for efficient power production

DOEpatents

Ho, Tony; Mao, Samuel S.; Greif, Ralph

2016-03-15

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an Organic Flash Cycle (OFC). In one aspect, a modified OFC system includes a pump, a heat exchanger, a flash evaporator, a high pressure turbine, a throttling valve, a mixer, a low pressure turbine, and a condenser. The heat exchanger is coupled to an outlet of the pump. The flash evaporator is coupled to an outlet of the heat exchanger. The high pressure turbine is coupled to a vapor outlet of the flash evaporator. The throttling valve is coupled to a liquid outlet of the flash evaporator. The mixer is coupled to an outlet of the throttling valve and to an outlet of the high pressure turbine. The low pressure turbine is coupled to an outlet of the mixer. The condenser is coupled to an outlet of the low pressure turbine and to an inlet of the pump.

Lunar Impact Flash Locations from NASA's Lunar Impact Monitoring Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moser, D. E.; Suggs, R. M.; Kupferschmidt, L.; Feldman, J.

2015-01-01

Meteoroids are small, natural bodies traveling through space, fragments from comets, asteroids, and impact debris from planets. Unlike the Earth, which has an atmosphere that slows, ablates, and disintegrates most meteoroids before they reach the ground, the Moon has little-to-no atmosphere to prevent meteoroids from impacting the lunar surface. Upon impact, the meteoroid's kinetic energy is partitioned into crater excavation, seismic wave production, and the generation of a debris plume. A flash of light associated with the plume is detectable by instruments on Earth. Following the initial observation of a probable Taurid impact flash on the Moon in November 2005,1 the NASA Meteoroid Environment Office (MEO) began a routine monitoring program to observe the Moon for meteoroid impact flashes in early 2006, resulting in the observation of over 330 impacts to date. The main objective of the MEO is to characterize the meteoroid environment for application to spacecraft engineering and operations. The Lunar Impact Monitoring Program provides information about the meteoroid flux in near-Earth space in a size range-tens of grams to a few kilograms-difficult to measure with statistical significance by other means. A bright impact flash detected by the program in March 2013 brought into focus the importance of determining the impact flash location. Prior to this time, the location was estimated to the nearest half-degree by visually comparing the impact imagery to maps of the Moon. Better accuracy was not needed because meteoroid flux calculations did not require high-accuracy impact locations. But such a bright event was thought to have produced a fresh crater detectable from lunar orbit by the NASA spacecraft Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). The idea of linking the observation of an impact flash with its crater was an appealing one, as it would validate NASA photometric calculations and crater scaling laws developed from hypervelocity gun testing. This idea was dependent upon LRO finding a fresh impact crater associated with one of the impact flashes recorded by Earth-based instruments, either the bright event of March 2013 or any other in the database of impact observations. To find the crater, LRO needed an accurate area to search. This Technical Memorandum (TM) describes the geolocation technique developed to accurately determine the impact flash location, and by association, the location of the crater, thought to lie directly beneath the brightest portion of the flash. The workflow and software tools used to geolocate the impact flashes are described in detail, along with sources of error and uncertainty and a case study applying the workflow to the bright impact flash in March 2013. Following the successful geolocation of the March 2013 flash, the technique was applied to all impact flashes detected by the MEO between November 7, 2005, and January 3, 2014.

Effect of Asperity Interactions on Scuffing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-01

with the conventionally com - puted flash temperature, calculated film parameter, and ellipse dimensions were then examined and evaluated for evidence...persists * despite the severe working of the surface. Figure 9 is a com - parable set of photographs taken at 500X and 1000X in the scuffed area of the...through 14 were made at magnification of 5,OOOX and thus are directly com - parable. Figure 13 confirms the difference in roughness in the polished and

A review of the neurotoxicity risk of selected hydrocarbon fuels.

PubMed

Ritchie, G D; Still, K R; Alexander, W K; Nordholm, A F; Wilson, C L; Rossi, J; Mattie, D R

2001-01-01

Over 1.3 million civilian and military personnel are occupationally exposed to hydrocarbon fuels, emphasizing gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, or kerosene. These exposures may occur acutely or chronically to raw fuel, vapor, aerosol, or fuel combustion exhaust by dermal, respiratory inhalation, or oral ingestion routes, and commonly occur concurrently with exposure to other chemicals and stressors. Hydrocarbon fuels are complex mixtures of 150-260+ aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon compounds containing varying concentrations of potential neurotoxicants including benzene, n-hexane, toluene, xylenes, naphthalene, and certain n-C9-C12 fractions (n-propylbenzene, trimethylbenzene isomers). Due to their natural petroleum base, the chemical composition of different hydrocarbon fuels is not defined, and the fuels are classified according to broad performance criteria such as flash and boiling points, complicating toxicological comparisons. While hydrocarbon fuel exposures occur typically at concentrations below permissible exposure limits for their constituent chemicals, it is unknown whether additive or synergistic interactions may result in unpredicted neurotoxicity. The inclusion of up to six performance additives in existing fuel formulations presents additional neurotoxicity challenge. Additionally, exposures to hydrocarbon fuels, typically with minimal respiratory or dermal protection, range from weekly fueling of personal automobiles to waist-deep immersion of personnel in raw fuel during maintenance of aircraft fuel tanks. Occupational exposures may occur on a near daily basis for from several months to over 20 yr. A number of published studies have reported acute or persisting neurotoxic effects from acute, subchronic, or chronic exposure of humans or animals to hydrocarbon fuels, or to certain constituent chemicals of these fuels. This review summarizes human and animal studies of hydrocarbon fuel-induced neurotoxicity and neurobehavioral consequences. It is hoped that this review will support ongoing attempts to review and possibly revise exposure standards for hydrocarbon fuels.

Significances of Multimedia Technologies Training

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Fulei

The use of multimedia technologies in education has enabled teachers to simulate final outcomes and assist s-tudents in applying knowledge learned from textbooks, thereby compensating for the deficiency of traditional teach- ing methods. It is important to examine how effective these technologies are in practical use. This study developed online learning-teaching resource platforms using Flash multimedia, providing interactive and integrated features in an easy-to-use user interface, in order to discuss Computer-Aided Drawing (CAD). The study utilized a teaching experiment with a non-equivalent pretest-posttest control group design to test and discuss students' professional cognition, operating skill cognition, and level of learning satisfaction during the learning process. No significant differences emerged between the groups in regards to professional cognition or operation skills cognition. However, a significant difference in learning satisfaction was noted, indicating that the coursework with multimedia Flash produced greater satisfaction than with traditional learning methods. Results are explained in detail and recommendations for further research provided.

Lessons Learned "Establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition" Specifically related to Racking Electrical Breakers

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

Martinez, Tommy Robert; Romero, Philbert Roland; Garcia, Samuel Anthony

During low voltage electrical equipment maintenance, a bad breaker was identified. The breaker was racked out from the substation cubicle without following the hazardous energy control process identified in the Integrated Work Document (IWD). The IWD required the substation to be in an electrically safe work condition prior to racking the breaker. Per NFPA 70E requirements, electrical equipment shall be put into an electrically safe work condition before an employee performs work on or interacts with equipment in a manner that increases the likelihood of creating an arc flash. Racking in or out a breaker on an energized bus maymore » increase the likelihood of creating an arc flash dependent on equipment conditions. A thorough risk assessment must be performed prior to performing such a task. The risk assessment determines the risk control measures to be put in place prior to performing the work. Electrical Safety Officers (ESO) can assist in performing risk assessments and incorporating risk control measures.« less

Neutrons from thunderstorms at low atmospheric altitudes and related doses at aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drozdov, A.; Grigoriev, A.

2013-02-01

We conduct a simulation of thunderstorm neutron flashes at the lowest atmospheric altitudes below 10 km. The neutron generation mechanism is based on the nowadays conventional idea of possibility for photonuclear reactions to proceed on the atmospheric components owing to TGF photons. Our modeling includes generation of neutrons from TGF and their further propagation with account of interaction with background nuclei. Using the calculation results we investigate the neutron flux properties with respect to problem of their registration, and predict the radiation environment caused by thunderstorm neutrons on altitudes of civil airflights. It is shown, that good conditions for the neutron flashes observation are provided from the 3 km altitude, and, possibly, the neutrons can be registered at ground level. We also found that thunderstorm-neutron-related effective dose can reach the value of 0.5 mSv in the region close to the TGF source if it is located at an altitude of 10 km.

Report on in-situ studies of flash sintering of uranium dioxide

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

Raftery, Alicia Marie

Flash sintering is a novel type of field assisted sintering that uses an electric field and current to provide densification of materials on very short time scales. The potential for field assisted sintering techniques to be used in producing nuclear fuel is gaining recognition due to the potential economic benefits and improvements in material properties. The flash sintering behavior has so far been linked to applied and material parameters, but the underlying mechanisms active during flash sintering have yet to be identified. This report summarizes the efforts to investigate flash sintering of uranium dioxide using dilatometer studies at Los Alamosmore » National Laboratory and two separate sets of in-situ studies at Brookhaven National Laboratory’s NSLS-II XPD-1 beamline. The purpose of the dilatometer studies was to understand individual parameter (applied and material) effects on the flash behavior and the purpose of the in-situ studies was to better understand the mechanisms active during flash sintering. As far as applied parameters, it was found that stoichiometry, or oxygen-to-metal ratio, has a significant effect on the flash behavior (time to flash and speed of flash). Composite systems were found to have degraded sintering behavior relative to pure UO 2. The critical field studies are complete for UO 2.00 and will be analyzed against an existing model for comparison. The in-situ studies showed that the strength of the field and current are directly related to the sample temperature, with temperature-driven phase changes occurring at high values. The existence of an ‘incubation time’ has been questioned, due to a continuous change in lattice parameter values from the moment that the field is applied. Some results from the in-situ experiments, which should provide evidence regarding ion migration, are still being analyzed. Some preliminary conclusions can be made from these results with regard to using field assisted sintering to fabricate nuclear fuel. First, the pure UO 2-based system shows promising behavior with flash sintering, but composite systems are likely to show better sintering behavior with spark plasma sintering. Efforts to develop these methods should therefore be tailored towards the likelihood of success. Additionally, modeling is a rapidly developing aspect of current flash sintering research and should be used in parallel with experiments. Ultimately, ongoing flash sintering studies on various materials, like those summarized in this report, are rapidly contributing to the feasibility of controlling this method for use in the future.« less

Hypnosis for hot flashes among postmenopausal women study: A study protocol of an ongoing randomized clinical trial

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Hot flashes are a highly prevalent problem associated with menopause and breast cancer treatments. The recent findings from the Women's Health Initiative have important implications for the significance of a non-hormonal, mind-body intervention for hot flashes in breast cancer survivors. Women who take hormone therapy long-term may have a 1.2 to 2.0 fold increased risk of developing breast cancer. In addition, it is now known that hormone therapy with estrogen and progestin is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Currently there are limited options to hormone replacement therapy as non-hormonal pharmacological agents are associated with only modest activity and many adverse side effects. Because of this there is a need for more alternative, non-hormonal therapies. Hypnosis is a mind-body intervention that has been shown to reduce self-reported hot flashes by up to 68% among breast cancer survivors, however, the use of hypnosis for hot flashes among post-menopausal women has not been adequately explored and the efficacy of hypnosis in reducing physiologically measured hot flashes has not yet been determined. Methods/design A sample of 180 post-menopausal women will be randomly assigned to either a 5-session Hypnosis Intervention or 5-session structured-attention control with 12 week follow-up. The present study will compare hypnosis to a structured-attention control in reducing hot flashes (perceived and physiologically monitored) in post-menopausal women in a randomized clinical trial. Outcomes will be hot flashes (self-report daily diaries; physiological monitoring; Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); anxiety visual analog scale (VAS rating); depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), sexual functioning (Sexual Activity Questionnaire), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and cortisol. Discussion This study will be the first full scale test of hypnosis for hot flashes; one of the first studies to examine both perceived impact and physiologically measured impact of a mind-body intervention for hot flashes using state-of-the-art 24 hour ambulatory physiological monitoring; the first study to examine the effect of hypnosis for hot flashes on cortisol; and the first investigation of the role of cognitive expectancies in treatment of hot flashes in comparison to a Structured-Attention Control. Trial Registration This clinical trial has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01293695. PMID:21989181

Biochemical markers for cardiovascular disease in recently postmenopausal women with or without hot flashes.

PubMed

Tuomikoski, Pauliina; Mikkola, Tomi S; Hämäläinen, Esa; Tikkanen, Matti J; Turpeinen, Ursula; Ylikorkala, Olavi

2010-01-01

Menopausal hot flashes may affect vascular function and perhaps explain conflicting data on cardiovascular disease (CVD) between observational and randomized hormone therapy (HT) studies. We prospectively assessed hot flash status in recently postmenopausal women and related it to a number of biochemical vascular surrogate markers for CVD. Healthy, nonsmoking women (n = 150) exhibiting a broad range (no, mild, moderate, severe) of hot flashes and an onset of menopause within the previous 0.5 to 3 years were studied with laboratory tests for lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and sex hormone-binding globulin. Apart from marked differences in hot flashes, the groups showed comparable levels of estrone, estradiol, or free estradiol index. The levels of total cholesterol (3.7-9.1 mmol/L) were similar between the groups (P = 0.744), and hypercholesterolemia (>6.5 mmol/L) was encountered equally often (P = 0.699). No difference was seen in high-, low-, or very low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B (or their ratio), or lipoprotein(a) between the groups. The levels of sex hormone-binding globulin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein correlated negatively with each other (r = -0.204; P = 0.013) but showed no dependence on hot flashes (P = 0.531 and P = 0.215, respectively). No baseline difference in lipid or nonlipid CVD risk factors was observed between women with hot flashes (potential HT users) and women with no or mild hot flashes (potential HT nonusers). This may imply that hot flash status per se cannot explain the difference between observational and randomized trials.

GROWING WHITE DWARFS TO THE CHANDRASEKHAR LIMIT: THE PARAMETER SPACE OF THE SINGLE DEGENERATE SN Ia CHANNEL

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

Hillman, Y.; Prialnik, D.; Kovetz, A.

Can a white dwarf (WD), accreting hydrogen-rich matter from a non-degenerate companion star, ever exceed the Chandrasekhar mass and explode as a SN Ia? We explore the range of accretion rates that allow a WD to secularly grow in mass, and derive limits on the accretion rate and on the initial mass that will allow it to reach 1.4M{sub ⊙}—the Chandrasekhar mass. We follow the evolution through a long series of hydrogen flashes, during which a thick helium shell accumulates. This determines the effective helium mass accretion rate for long-term, self-consistent evolutionary runs with helium flashes. We find that netmore » mass accumulation always occurs despite helium flashes. Although the amount of mass lost during the first few helium shell flashes is a significant fraction of that accumulated prior to the flash, that fraction decreases with repeated helium shell flashes. Eventually no mass is ejected at all during subsequent flashes. This unexpected result occurs because of continual heating of the WD interior by the helium shell flashes near its surface. The effect of heating is to lower the electron degeneracy throughout the WD, especially in the outer layers. This key result yields helium burning that is quasi-steady state, instead of explosive. We thus find a remarkably large parameter space within which long-term, self-consistent simulations show that a WD can grow in mass and reach the Chandrasekhar limit, despite its helium flashes.« less

Flash Floods Simulation Using a Physical based hydrological Model at the Eastern Nile Basin: Case studies; Wadi Assiut, Egypt and Wadi Gumara, Lake Tana, Ethiopia.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saber, M.; Sefelnasr, A.; Yilmaz, K. K.

2015-12-01

Flash flood is a natural hydrological phenomenon which affects many regions of the world. The behavior and effect of this phenomenon is different from one region to the other regions depending on several issues such as climatology and hydrological and topographical conditions at the target regions. Wadi assiut, Egypt as arid environment, and Gumara catchment, Lake Tana, Ethiopia, as humid conditions have been selected for application. The main target of this work is to simulate flash floods at both catchments considering the difference between them on the flash flood behaviors based on the variability of both of them. In order to simulate the flash floods, remote sensing data and a physical-based distributed hydrological model, Hydro-BEAM-WaS (Hydrological River Basin Environmental Assessment Model incorporating Wadi System) have been integrated used in this work. Based on the simulation results of flash floods in these regions, it was found that the time to reach the maximum peak is very short and consequently the warning time is very short as well. It was found that the flash floods starts from zero flow in arid environment, but on the contrary in humid arid, it starts from Base flow which is changeable based on the simulated events. Distribution maps of flash floods showing the vulnerable regions of these selected areas have been developed. Consequently, some mitigation strategies relying on this study have been introduced. The proposed methodology can be applied effectively for flash flood forecasting at different climate regions, however the paucity of observational data.

Lightning Evolution In Two North Central Florida Summer Multicell Storms and Three Winter/Spring Frontal Storms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caicedo, J. A.; Uman, M. A.; Pilkey, J. T.

2018-01-01

We present the first lightning evolution studies, via the Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) and radar, performed in North Central Florida. Parts of three winter/spring frontal storms (cold season) and two complete summer (warm season) multicell storms are studied. Storm parameters measured are as follows: total number of flashes, flash-type classification, first flashes, flash initiation altitude, flash initiation power, flash rate (flashes per minute), charge structure, altitude and temperature ranges of the inferred charge regions, atmospheric isotherm altitude, radar base reflectivity (dBZ), and radar echo tops (EET). Several differences were found between summer multicell and winter/spring frontal storms in North Central Florida: (1) in winter/spring storms, the range of altitudes that all charge regions occupy is up to 1 km lower in altitude than in summer storms, as are the 0°C, -10°C, and -20°C isotherms; (2) lightning activity in summer storms is highly correlated with changes in radar signatures, in particular, echo tops; and (3) the LMA average initiation power of all flash types in winter/frontal storms is about an order of magnitude larger than that for summer storms. In relation to storms in other geographical locations, North Central Florida seasonal storms were found to have similarities in most parameters studied with a few differences, examples in Florida being (1) colder initiation altitudes for intracloud flashes, (2) charge regions occupying larger ranges of atmospheric temperatures, and (3) winter/spring frontal storms not having much lightning activity in the stratiform region.

Designing Virtual Museum Using Web3D Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jianghai

VRT was born to have the potentiality of constructing an effective learning environment due to its 3I characteristics: Interaction, Immersion and Imagination. It is now applied in education in a more profound way along with the development of VRT. Virtual Museum is one of the applications. The Virtual Museum is based on the WEB3D technology and extensibility is the most important factor. Considering the advantage and disadvantage of each WEB3D technology, VRML, CULT3D AND VIEWPOINT technologies are chosen. A web chatroom based on flash and ASP technology is also been created in order to make the Virtual Museum an interactive learning environment.

ToxMystery

MedlinePlus

Accessibility - This is a link to an external javascript file that searchs for a flash browser plug-in and what version of the browser is being used. The javascript is functional ToxMystery uses Adobe Flash Player. If you cannot install Flash Player, please use ...

The Relationship between Hot Flashes and Testosterone Recovery after 12 Months of Androgen Suppression for Men with Localised Prostate Cancer in the ASCENDE-RT Trial.

PubMed

Dosani, M; Morris, W J; Tyldesley, S; Pickles, T

2017-10-01

This study describes the proportion of men who experienced hot flashes (flashes), and the testosterone level at onset, peak frequency and cessation of flashes after 12 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men undergoing curative-intent external beam radiation therapy (± brachytherapy boost). We also aimed to characterise testosterone recovery in this population. This was a pre-specified secondary analysis of the ASCENDE-RT clinical trial. Three hundred and ninety-eight men were randomised. All received 12 months of ADT. The presence and frequency of flashes were patient reported. Cessation of flashes was defined as the first date a patient reported resolution of this symptom. Testosterone recovery was defined as any single serum testosterone above the threshold of 5, 7.5 or 10 nmol/l. The median age and follow-up were 68 years and 6.1 years. Flashes were reported in 93% of men. Flashes began and reached peak frequency at a median time of 4.0 months from the first luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone injection when testosterone levels had fallen to castrate. The median time to cessation of flashes was 7.6 months after the cessation of ADT (last injection + 3 months), when the median testosterone had risen to 5.7 nmol/l. A resolution of flashes was reported in 99% of patients. Baseline testosterone was available in 338 patients (85%). The median baseline testosterone was 13.2 nmol/l. The median (95% confidence interval) time of testosterone recovery to thresholds of 5 nmol/l, 7.5 nmol/l and 10 nmol/l were 9 (9-10) months, 13 (10-15) months and 18 (17-19) months from the cessation of ADT. At the time of censor, 96, 94 and 91% of patients had recovered testosterone to thresholds of 5, 7.5 and 10 nmol/l. Flashes occur at castrate levels of testosterone, with cessation of hot flashes antedating full recovery of testosterone in most patients. Rates of testosterone recovery after 12 months of ADT exceed 90%, although it can be delayed. Copyright © 2017 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An 11-Year Climatology of Storms in Which Most Cloud-to-Ground Flashes Lower Positive Charge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacGorman, D. R.; Eddy, A.; Williams, E. R.; Calhoun, K. M.

2017-12-01

Previous studies have shown that storms which produce frequent cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning dominated by flashes lowering positive charge to ground (+CG flashes) tend to have a so called "inverted" vertical distribution of charge. Such storms have implications for our understanding of electrification processes. We have analyzed eleven years of National Lightning Detection Network data to count +CG and -CG flashes having peak currents ≥15 kA in grid cells with dimensions of 15 km x 15 km x 15 min, with overlapping grid boxes every 5 km along both x and y over the contiguous United States and grids every 5 min in time. These dimensions were chosen because 15 km corresponds roughly to the horizontal size of typical storm cells and 15 min is roughly half the typical duration of a cell. To focus on storms dominated by +CG flashes, we identified all grid cells satisfying one of four sets of thresholds: cells in which +CG flashes for 15 min constitute ≥80%, 90%, or 100% of ≥10 CG flashes or 100% of ≥20 CG flashes. These percentages are larger than those used in most previous studies of +CG flashes. Our primary goal is to investigate the environmental and storm characteristics conducive to +CG flashes and "inverted-polarity" charge distributions, but here we concentrate on the interannual and seasonal distributions of storms satisfying the above thresholds and examine also their relationship to severe weather. As in previous climatological studies of geographic variations in the +CG fraction of total CG flashes, most storms satisfying our thresholds were in a swath stretching from far eastern Colorado and western Kansas roughly northward through Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Minnesota. This region overlaps much of the region in which radar inferred that hail larger than 2.9 cm in diameter most often occurs, but is shifted westward and northward from maxima of observer reports of large-hail occurrence. Although the relationship with radar-inferred large-hail frequency suggests a common dependence on some storm characteristics, storms satisfying our thresholds for +CG flashes also occurred, although less frequently, in regions in which few storms were inferred to have produced large hail, such as east of mountain ranges in northwestern states, so relationships with severe weather will need to be examined on a storm-by-storm basis.

PS II model based analysis of transient fluorescence yield measured on whole leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana after excitation with light flashes of different energies.

PubMed

Belyaeva, N E; Schmitt, F-J; Paschenko, V Z; Riznichenko, G Yu; Rubin, A B; Renger, G

2011-02-01

Our recently presented PS II model (Belyaeva et al., 2008) was improved in order to permit a consistent simulation of Single Flash Induced Transient Fluorescence Yield (SFITFY) traces that were earlier measured by Steffen et al. (2005) on whole leaves of Arabidopsis (A.) thaliana at four different energies of the actinic flash. As the essential modification, the shape of the actinic flash was explicitly taken into account assuming that an exponentially decaying rate simulates the time dependent excitation of PS II by the 10 ns actinic flash. The maximum amplitude of this excitation exceeds that of the measuring light by 9 orders of magnitude. A very good fit of the SFITFY data was achieved in the time domain from 100 ns to 10s for all actinic flash energies (the maximum energy of 7.5 × 10¹⁶ photons/(cm²flash) is set to 100%, the relative energies of weaker actinic flashes were of ∼8%, 4%, ∼1%). Our model allows the calculation and visualization of the transient PS II redox state populations ranging from the dark adapted state, via excitation energy and electron transfer steps induced by pulse excitation, followed by final relaxation into the stationary state eventually attained under the measuring light. It turned out that the rate constants of electron transfer steps are invariant to intensity of the actinic laser flash. In marked contrast, an increase of the actinic flash energy by more than two orders of magnitude from 5.4×10¹⁴ photons/(cm²flash) to 7.5×10¹⁶ photons/(cm²flash), leads to an increase of the extent of fluorescence quenching due to carotenoid triplet (³Car) formation by a factor of 14 and of the recombination reaction between reduced primary pheophytin (Phe(-)) and P680(+) by a factor of 3 while the heat dissipation in the antenna complex remains virtually constant. The modified PS II model offers new opportunities to compare electron transfer and dissipative parameters for different species (e.g. for the green algae and the higher plant) under varying illumination conditions. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A global flash flood forecasting system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baugh, Calum; Pappenberger, Florian; Wetterhall, Fredrik; Hewson, Tim; Zsoter, Ervin

2016-04-01

The sudden and devastating nature of flash flood events means it is imperative to provide early warnings such as those derived from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) forecasts. Currently such systems exist on basin, national and continental scales in Europe, North America and Australia but rely on high resolution NWP forecasts or rainfall-radar nowcasting, neither of which have global coverage. To produce global flash flood forecasts this work investigates the possibility of using forecasts from a global NWP system. In particular we: (i) discuss how global NWP can be used for flash flood forecasting and discuss strengths and weaknesses; (ii) demonstrate how a robust evaluation can be performed given the rarity of the event; (iii) highlight the challenges and opportunities in communicating flash flood uncertainty to decision makers; and (iv) explore future developments which would significantly improve global flash flood forecasting. The proposed forecast system uses ensemble surface runoff forecasts from the ECMWF H-TESSEL land surface scheme. A flash flood index is generated using the ERIC (Enhanced Runoff Index based on Climatology) methodology [Raynaud et al., 2014]. This global methodology is applied to a series of flash floods across southern Europe. Results from the system are compared against warnings produced using the higher resolution COSMO-LEPS limited area model. The global system is evaluated by comparing forecasted warning locations against a flash flood database of media reports created in partnership with floodlist.com. To deal with the lack of objectivity in media reports we carefully assess the suitability of different skill scores and apply spatial uncertainty thresholds to the observations. To communicate the uncertainties of the flash flood system output we experiment with a dynamic region-growing algorithm. This automatically clusters regions of similar return period exceedence probabilities, thus presenting the at-risk areas at a spatial resolution appropriate to the NWP system. We then demonstrate how these warning areas could eventually complement existing global systems such as the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS), to give warnings of flash floods. This work demonstrates the possibility of creating a global flash flood forecasting system based on forecasts from existing global NWP systems. Future developments, in post-processing for example, will need to address an under-prediction bias, for extreme point rainfall, that is innate to current-generation global models.

Design and realization of flash translation layer in tiny embedded system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Xiaoping; Sui, Chaoya; Luo, Zhenghua; Cao, Wenji

2018-05-01

We design a solution of tiny embedded device NAND Flash storage system on the basis of deeply studying the characteristics of widely used NAND Flash in the embedded devices in order to adapt to the development of intelligent interconnection trend and solve the storage problem of large data volume in tiny embedded system. The hierarchical structure and function purposes of the system are introduced. The design and realization of address mapping, error correction, bad block management, wear balance, garbage collection and other algorithms in flash memory transformation layer are described in details. NAND Flash drive and management are realized on STM32 micro-controller, thereby verifying design effectiveness and feasibility.

Assessing Semantic Knowledge Using Computer-Based and Paper-Based Media

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

capitalized upon in this research. Computer-Based Assessment A computer-based game or test, FlashCards (Liggett & Federico, 1986), was adopt- ed and adapted...alterative forms did not have to be specifically or previously programmed as such. FlashCards is analogous to using real flash cards. That is, a...reflects their degree of confidence in their answer. Also, for each answer the student’s response latency is recorded and displayed. FlashCards quizzed

Sternal skin conductance: a reasonable surrogate for hot flash measurement?

PubMed

Pachman, Deirdre R; Loprinzi, Charles L; Novotny, Paul J; Satele, Daniel V; Linquist, Breanna M; Wolf, Sherry; Barton, Debra L

2013-11-01

This study aims to examine the accuracy of a new sternal skin conductance (SSC) device in measuring hot flashes and to assess the acceptability of the device by women. Three small descriptive pilot studies were performed using two sequential prototypes of the SSC device developed by an engineering device company in the Midwest. The devices were worn either in a monitored setting for 24 hours or in an ambulatory setting for 5 weeks. During the study period, women recorded hot flashes in a prospective hot flash diary and answered questions about the acceptability of wearing the SSC device. The first prototype was not able to collect any analyzable skin conductance data owing to various malfunction issues, including poor conductance and battery failure. However, 16 women wore the device for 5 weeks and reported that wearing the device was acceptable, although 31% stated that it interfered with daily activities. Hot flash data from the second prototype revealed a 24% concordance rate between self-reported and device-recorded hot flashes. Findings from these studies support discordance between device-recorded and self-reported hot flashes. In addition, the studies reveal further limitations of SSC monitoring, including difficulties with data collection and lack of consistency in interpretation. Based on these results and other recent trials identifying issues with SSC methodology, it is time to find a better physiologic surrogate measure for hot flashes.

Impact Flash Monitoring Facility on the Deep Space Gateway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Needham, D. H.; Moser, D. E.; Suggs, R. M.; Cooke, W. J.; Kring, D. A.; Neal, C. R.; Fassett, C. I.

2018-02-01

Cameras mounted to the Deep Space Gateway exterior will detect flashes caused by impacts on the lunar surface. Observed flashes will help constrain the current lunar impact flux and assess hazards faced by crews living and working in cislunar space.

Development of a precipitation-area curve for warning criteria of short-duration flash flood

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bae, Deg-Hyo; Lee, Moon-Hwan; Moon, Sung-Keun

2018-01-01

This paper presents quantitative criteria for flash flood warning that can be used to rapidly assess flash flood occurrence based on only rainfall estimates. This study was conducted for 200 small mountainous sub-catchments of the Han River basin in South Korea because South Korea has recently suffered many flash flood events. The quantitative criteria are calculated based on flash flood guidance (FFG), which is defined as the depth of rainfall of a given duration required to cause frequent flooding (1-2-year return period) at the outlet of a small stream basin and is estimated using threshold runoff (TR) and antecedent soil moisture conditions in all sub-basins. The soil moisture conditions were estimated during the flooding season, i.e., July, August and September, over 7 years (2002-2009) using the Sejong University Rainfall Runoff (SURR) model. A ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis was used to obtain optimum rainfall values and a generalized precipitation-area (P-A) curve was developed for flash flood warning thresholds. The threshold function was derived as a P-A curve because the precipitation threshold with a short duration is more closely related to basin area than any other variables. For a brief description of the P-A curve, generalized thresholds for flash flood warnings can be suggested for rainfall rates of 42, 32 and 20 mm h-1 in sub-basins with areas of 22-40, 40-100 and > 100 km2, respectively. The proposed P-A curve was validated based on observed flash flood events in different sub-basins. Flash flood occurrences were captured for 9 out of 12 events. This result can be used instead of FFG to identify brief flash flood (less than 1 h), and it can provide warning information to decision-makers or citizens that is relatively simple, clear and immediate.

Age-related change in fast adaptation mechanisms measured with the scotopic full-field ERG.

PubMed

Tillman, Megan A; Panorgias, Athanasios; Werner, John S

2016-06-01

To quantify the response dynamics of fast adaptation mechanisms of the scotopic ERG in younger and older adults using full-field m-sequence flash stimulation. Scotopic ERGs were measured for a series of flashes separated by 65 ms over a range of 260 ms in 16 younger (20-26, 22.2 ± 2.1; range mean ±1 SD) and 16 older (65-85, 71.2 ± 7) observers without retinal pathology. A short-wavelength (λ peak = 442 nm) LED was used for scotopic stimulation, and the flashes ranged from 0.0001 to 0.01 cd s m(-2). The complete binary kernel series was derived from the responses to the m-sequence flash stimulation, and the first- and second-order kernel responses were analyzed. The first-order kernel represented the response to a single, isolated flash, while the second-order kernels reflected the adapted flash responses that followed a single flash by one or more base intervals. B-wave amplitudes of the adapted flash responses were measured and plotted as a function of interstimulus interval to describe the recovery of the scotopic ERG. A linear function was fitted to the linear portion of the recovery curve, and the slope of the line was used to estimate the rate of fast adaptation recovery. The amplitudes of the isolated flash responses and rates of scotopic fast adaptation recovery were compared between the younger and older participants using a two-way ANOVA. The isolated flash responses and rates of recovery were found to be significantly lower in the older adults. However, there was no difference between the two age groups in response amplitude or recovery rate after correcting for age-related changes in the density of the ocular media. These results demonstrated that the rate of scotopic fast adaptation recovery of normal younger and older adults is similar when stimuli are equated for retinal illuminance.

Nonlinear dynamic model of a gear-rotor-bearing system considering the flash temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gou, Xiangfeng; Zhu, Lingyun; Qi, Changjun

2017-12-01

The instantaneous flash temperature is an important factor for gears in service. To investigate the effect of the flash temperature of a tooth surface on the dynamics of the spur gear system, a modified nonlinear dynamic model of a gear-rotor-bearing system is established. The factors such as the contact temperature of the tooth surface, time-varying stiffness, tooth surface friction, backlash, the comprehensive transmission error and so on are considered. The flash temperature of a tooth surface of pinion and gear is formulated according to Blok's flash temperature theory. The mathematical expression of the contact temperature of the tooth surface varied with time is derived and the tooth profile deformation caused by the change of the flash temperature of the tooth surface is calculated. The expression of the mesh stiffness varied with the flash temperature of the tooth surface is derived based on Hertz contact theory. The temperature stiffness is proposed and added to the nonlinear dynamic model of the system. The influence of load on the flash temperature of the tooth surface is analyzed in the parameters plane. The variation of the flash temperature of the tooth surface is studied. The numerical results indicate that the calculated method of the flash temperature of the gear tooth surface is effective and it can reflect the rules for the change of gear meshing temperature and sliding of the gear tooth surface. The effects of frequency, backlash, bearing clearance, comprehensive transmission error and time-varying stiffness on the nonlinear dynamics of the system are analyzed according to the bifurcation diagrams, Top Lyapunov Exponent (TLE) spectrums, phase portraits and Poincaré maps. Some nonlinear phenomena such as periodic bifurcation, grazing bifurcation, quasi-periodic bifurcation, chaos and its routes to chaos are investigated and the critical parameters are identified. The results provide an understanding of the system and serve as a useful reference in designing such systems.

Levetiracetam for the treatment of hot flashes: a phase II study.

PubMed

Thompson, Susan; Bardia, Aditya; Tan, Angelina; Barton, Debra L; Kottschade, Lisa; Sloan, Jeff A; Christensen, Brad; Smith, DeAnne; Loprinzi, Charles L

2008-01-01

The objectives of this pilot trial were to assess the potential efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for the treatment of hot flashes, a major cause of morbidity among breast cancer survivors. Women, aged 18 years or more, with a history of breast cancer or those who wished to avoid estrogen because of a perceived increased risk of breast cancer, who were experiencing bothersome hot flashes (more than or equal to 14 times per week, for more than or equal to 1 month before study entry), were included. During the baseline week, general demographic characteristics, hot flash information, and quality of life data were obtained. At the beginning of week 2, patients were started on levetiracetam for a total of 4 weeks. Information about hot flashes, quality of life, and toxicity were collected during these 4 weeks and compared with the baseline week. After treatment with levetiracetam for 4 weeks (N = 19), mean hot flash scores (frequency times mean severity) were reduced by 57%, and mean hot flash frequencies were reduced by 53%, compared to the baseline week; both these reductions were greater than what would be expected with a placebo (20-25% reduction). There were significant improvements in abnormal sweating (p = 0.004), hot flash distress (p = 0.0002), and satisfaction of hot flash control (p = 0.0001), when comparing data from the fourth week of treatment to the baseline week. Twenty-nine percent of the subjects did not complete the study because of treatment-related adverse events, with the most frequently reported side effects being somnolence, fatigue, and dizziness, usually with mild to moderate intensity. The results of this pilot trial suggest that levetiracetam might be an effective therapy for the treatment of hot flashes. Further data are needed to test this hypothesis, evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of this agent.

Some Improvements in Utilization of Flash Memory Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gender, Thomas K.; Chow, James; Ott, William E.

2009-01-01

Two developments improve the utilization of flash memory devices in the face of the following limitations: (1) a flash write element (page) differs in size from a flash erase element (block), (2) a block must be erased before its is rewritten, (3) lifetime of a flash memory is typically limited to about 1,000,000 erases, (4) as many as 2 percent of the blocks of a given device may fail before the expected end of its life, and (5) to ensure reliability of reading and writing, power must not be interrupted during minimum specified reading and writing times. The first development comprises interrelated software components that regulate reading, writing, and erasure operations to minimize migration of data and unevenness in wear; perform erasures during idle times; quickly make erased blocks available for writing; detect and report failed blocks; maintain the overall state of a flash memory to satisfy real-time performance requirements; and detect and initialize a new flash memory device. The second development is a combination of hardware and software that senses the failure of a main power supply and draws power from a capacitive storage circuit designed to hold enough energy to sustain operation until reading or writing is completed.

Meteoroids Impact the Moon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moser, D. E.

2017-01-01

Most meteoroids are broken up by Earth's atmosphere before they reach the ground. The Moon, however, has little-to-no atmosphere to prevent meteoroids from impacting the lunar surface. Upon impact they excavate a crater and generate a plume of debris. A flash of light at the moment of impact can also be seen. Meteoroids striking the Moon create an impact flash observable by telescopes here on Earth. NASA observers use telescopes at the Automated Lunar and Meteor Observatory (ALaMO) to routinely monitor the Moon for impact flashes each month when the lunar phase is right. Flashes recorded by two telescope simultaneously rule out false signals from cosmic rays and satellites. Over 400 impact flashes have been observed by NASA since 2005. This map shows the location of each flash. No observations are made near the poles or center line. On average, one impact is observed every two hours. The brightest and longest-lasting impact flash was observed in Mare Imbrium on March 17, 2013. The imaging satellite Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, in orbit around the Moon, discovered the fresh crater created by this impact. The crater is 60 across and was caused by a meteoroid 9 inches in diameter likely traveling at a speed of 57,000 mph!

Current alcohol use is associated with a reduced risk of hot flashes in midlife women.

PubMed

Schilling, Chrissy; Gallicchio, Lisa; Miller, Susan R; Babus, Janice K; Lewis, Lynn M; Zacur, Howard; Flaws, Jodi A

2005-01-01

To examine the relation between current alcohol use, estradiol, estrone, and testosterone levels, and hot flashes in midlife women using a case-control study design. Cases were midlife women (45-54 years) who reported ever experiencing hot flashes. Controls were midlife women (45-54 years) who reported never experiencing hot flashes. Each participant completed a questionnaire and provided a blood sample that was used to measure estradiol, estrone, and testosterone levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results indicate that current alcohol use (at least one day per month) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of hot flashes compared to non-use of alcohol, independent of age and smoking habits. The hot flashes experienced by current alcohol users were less severe and less frequent than those experienced by non-users of alcohol. Further, current alcohol users had similar levels of estradiol, estrone, and testosterone compared to non-users of alcohol. These data suggest that current alcohol use is associated with a reduced risk of any, severe, and frequent hot flashes in midlife women by a mechanism that may not include changes in sex steroid hormone levels.

Serum leptin levels, hormone levels, and hot flashes in midlife women.

PubMed

Alexander, Carolyn; Cochran, Chrissy J; Gallicchio, Lisa; Miller, Susan R; Flaws, Jodi A; Zacur, Howard

2010-08-01

To examine the associations between serum leptin levels, sex steroid hormone levels, and hot flashes in normal weight and obese midlife women. Cross-sectional study. University clinic. 201 Caucasian, nonsmoking women aged 45 to 54 years with a body mass index of <25 kg/m2 or >or=30 kg/m2. Questionnaire, fasting blood samples. Serum leptin and sex steroid hormone levels. Correlation and regression models were performed to examine associations between leptin levels, hormone levels, and hot flashes. Leptin levels were associated with BMI, with "ever experiencing hot flashes" (questionnaire), with hot flashes within the last 30 days, and with duration of hot flashes (>1 year, P=.03). Leptin was positively correlated with testosterone, free testosterone index, and free estrogen index and inversely associated with levels of sex hormone-binding globulin. In women with a body mass index>or=30 kg/m2, leptin levels no longer correlated with testosterone levels. Serum leptin levels are associated with the occurrence and duration of hot flashes in midlife women; however, no correlation was found between leptin and serum estradiol. Copyright (c) 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

NIR small arms muzzle flash

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montoya, Joseph; Kennerly, Stephen; Rede, Edward

2010-04-01

Utilization of Near-Infrared (NIR) spectral features in a muzzle flash will allow for small arms detection using low cost silicon (Si)-based imagers. Detection of a small arms muzzle flash in a particular wavelength region is dependent on the intensity of that emission, the efficiency of source emission transmission through the atmosphere, and the relative intensity of the background scene. The NIR muzzle flash signature exists in the relatively large Si spectral response wavelength region of 300 nm-1100 nm, which allows for use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) Si-based detectors. The alkali metal origin of the NIR spectral features in the 7.62 × 39-mm round muzzle flash is discussed, and the basis for the spectral bandwidth is examined, using a calculated Voigt profile. This report will introduce a model of the 7.62 × 39-mm NIR muzzle flash signature based on predicted source characteristics. Atmospheric limitations based on NIR spectral regions are investigated in relation to the NIR muzzle flash signature. A simple signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR) metric is used to predict sensor performance based on a model of radiance for the source and solar background and pixel registered image subtraction.

Chemical kinetics and relaxation of non-equilibrium air plasma generated by energetic photon and electron beams

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

Maulois, Melissa, E-mail: melissa.maulois@laplace.univ-tlse.fr; LAPLACE, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31 062 Toulouse Cedex; CEA/DAM, 46 500 Gramat

2016-04-15

The comprehension of electromagnetic perturbations of electronic devices, due to air plasma-induced electromagnetic field, requires a thorough study on air plasma. In the aim to understand the phenomena at the origin of the formation of non-equilibrium air plasma, we simulate, using a volume average chemical kinetics model (0D model), the time evolution of a non-equilibrium air plasma generated by an energetic X-ray flash. The simulation is undertaken in synthetic air (80% N{sub 2} and 20% O{sub 2}) at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. When the X-ray flash crosses the gas, non-relativistic Compton electrons (low energy) and a relativistic Compton electronmore » beam (high energy) are simultaneously generated and interact with the gas. The considered chemical kinetics scheme involves 26 influent species (electrons, positive ions, negative ions, and neutral atoms and molecules in their ground or metastable excited states) reacting following 164 selected reactions. The kinetics model describing the plasma chemistry was coupled to the conservation equation of the electron mean energy, in order to calculate at each time step of the non-equilibrium plasma evolution, the coefficients of reactions involving electrons while the energy of the heavy species (positive and negative ions and neutral atoms and molecules) is assumed remaining close to ambient temperature. It has been shown that it is the relativistic Compton electron beam directly created by the X-ray flash which is mainly responsible for the non-equilibrium plasma formation. Indeed, the low energy electrons (i.e., the non-relativistic ones) directly ejected from molecules by Compton collisions contribute to less than 1% on the creation of electrons in the plasma. In our simulation conditions, a non-equilibrium plasma with a low electron mean energy close to 1 eV and a concentration of charged species close to 10{sup 13 }cm{sup −3} is formed a few nanoseconds after the peak of X-ray flash intensity. 200 ns after the flash application, the electrons are thermalized and their concentration has decreased from about 10{sup 13 }cm{sup −3} down to about 10{sup 12 }cm{sup −3} leaving positive and negative ionised species and atomic radicals whose recombination characteristic times are much longer.« less

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats (PDQ®)—Patient Version

Cancer.gov

Hot flashes and night sweats can be a side effect of cancer or its treatment and can occur in both women and men. Learn more about hot flashes and night sweats and ways to treat them in this expert-reviewed summary.

Flash-Type Discrimination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshak, William J.

2010-01-01

This viewgraph presentation describes the significant progress made in the flash-type discrimination algorithm development. The contents include: 1) Highlights of Progress for GLM-R3 Flash-Type discrimination Algorithm Development; 2) Maximum Group Area (MGA) Data; 3) Retrieval Errors from Simulations; and 4) Preliminary Global-scale Retrieval.

A Bright Lunar Impact Flash Linked to the Virginid Meteor Complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moser, D. E.; Suggs, R. M.; Suggs, R. J.

2015-01-01

On 17 March 2013 at 03:50:54 UTC, NASA detected a bright impact flash on the Moon caused by a meteoroid impacting the lunar surface. There was meteor activity in Earth's atmosphere the same night from the Virginid Meteor Complex. The impact crater associated with the impact flash was found and imaged by Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). Goal: Monitor the Moon for impact flashes produced by meteoroids striking the lunar surface. Determine meteoroid flux in the 10's gram to kilogram size range.

Laser head for simultaneous optical pumping of several dye lasers. [with single flash lamp

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mumola, P. B.; Mcalexander, B. T. (Inventor)

1975-01-01

The invention is a laser head for simultaneous pumping several dye lasers with a single flash lamp. The laser head includes primarily a multi-elliptical cylinder cavity with a single flash lamp placed along the common focal axis of the cavity and with capillary tube dye cells placed along each of the other focal axes of the cavity. The inside surface of the cavity is polished. Hence, the single flash lamp supplies the energy to the several dye cells.

Is Homepathy Effective for Hot Flashes and other Estrogen-Withdrawal Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors? A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-04-01

AD__________ Award Number: DAMD17-99-1-9438 TITLE: Is Homeopathy Effective for Hot Flashes and Other Estrogen-Withdrawal Symptoms in Breast Cancer...Mar 00) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS Is Homeopathy Effective for Hot Flashes and Other Estrogen- DAMD17-99-1-9438 Withdrawal Symptoms in...there is evidence that homeopathy is an effective treatment to improve the quality of life in breast cancer survivors who are experiencing hot flashes

Automated Studies of Continuing Current in Lightning Flashes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez-Claros, Jose

Continuing current (CC) is a continuous luminosity in the lightning channel that lasts longer than 10 ms following a lightning return stroke to ground. Lightning flashes following CC are associated with direct damage to power lines and are thought to be responsible for causing lightning-induced forest fires. The development of an algorithm that automates continuing current detection by combining NLDN (National Lightning Detection Network) and LEFA (Langmuir Electric Field Array) datasets for CG flashes will be discussed. The algorithm was applied to thousands of cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes within 40 km of Langmuir Lab, New Mexico measured during the 2013 monsoon season. It counts the number of flashes in a single minute of data and the number of return strokes of an individual lightning flash; records the time and location of each return stroke; performs peak analysis on E-field data, and uses the slope of interstroke interval (ISI) E-field data fits to recognize whether continuing current (CC) exists within the interval. Following CC detection, duration and magnitude are measured. The longest observed C in 5588 flashes was 631 ms. The performance of the algorithm (vs. human judgement) was checked on 100 flashes. At best, the reported algorithm is "correct" 80% of the time, where correct means that multiple stations agree with each other and with a human on both the presence and duration of CC. Of the 100 flashes that were validated against human judgement, 62% were hybrid. Automated analysis detects the first but misses the second return stroke in many cases where the second return stroke is followed by long CC. This problem is also present in human interpretation of field change records.

Cloud-to-ground lightning activity in Colombia: A 14-year study using lightning location system data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herrera, J.; Younes, C.; Porras, L.

2018-05-01

This paper presents the analysis of 14 years of cloud-to-ground lightning activity observation in Colombia using lightning location systems (LLS) data. The first Colombian LLS operated from 1997 to 2001. After a few years, this system was upgraded and a new LLS has been operating since 2007. Data obtained from these two systems was analyzed in order to obtain lightning parameters used in designing lightning protection systems. The flash detection efficiency was estimated using average peak current maps and some theoretical results previously published. Lightning flash multiplicity was evaluated using a stroke grouping algorithm resulting in average values of about 1.0 and 1.6 for positive and negative flashes respectively and for both LLS. The time variation of this parameter changes slightly for the years considered in this study. The first stroke peak current for negative and positive flashes shows median values close to 29 kA and 17 kA respectively for both networks showing a great dependence on the flash detection efficiency. The average percentage of negative and positive flashes shows a 74.04% and 25.95% of occurrence respectively. The daily variation shows a peak between 23 and 02 h. The monthly variation of this parameter exhibits a bimodal behavior typical of the regions located near The Equator. The lightning flash density was obtained dividing the study area in 3 × 3 km cells and resulting in maximum average values of 25 and 35 flashes km- 2 year- 1 for each network respectively. A comparison of these results with global lightning activity hotspots was performed showing good correlation. Besides, the lightning flash density variation with altitude shows an inverse relation between these two variables.

Daidzein-rich isoflavone aglycones are potentially effective in reducing hot flashes in menopausal women.

PubMed

Khaodhiar, Lalita; Ricciotti, Hope A; Li, Linglin; Pan, Weijun; Schickel, Mary; Zhou, Jinrong; Blackburn, George L

2008-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of DRIs on hot flash symptoms in menopausal women. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of menopausal women, aged 38 to 60 years, who experienced 4 to 14 hot flashes per day. After a 1-week run-in period, a total of 190 menopausal women were randomized to receive a placebo or 40 or 60 mg/day of a DRI for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the mean changes from baseline to week 12 in the frequency of hot flashes recorded in the participant diary. The secondary outcomes included changes in quality of life and hormonal profiles. A total of 147 women (77%) completed the study. It was found that 40 and 60 mg of DRI improved hot flash frequency and severity equally. At 8 weeks hot flash frequency was reduced by 43% in the 40-mg DRI group and by 41% in the 60-mg DRI group, compared with 32% in the placebo group (P = not significant vs placebo). The corresponding numbers for 12 weeks were 52%, 51%, and 39%, respectively (P = 0.07 and 0.09 vs placebo). When comparing the two treatment groups with the placebo group, there were significant reductions in mean daily hot flash frequency. The supplement (either 40 or 60 mg) reduced hot flash frequency by 43% at 8 weeks (P = 0.1) and 52% at 12 weeks (P = 0.048) but did not cause any significant changes in endogenous sex hormones or thyroid hormones. Menopausal quality of life improved in all three groups, although there were no statistically significant differences between groups. DRI supplementation may be an effective and acceptable alternative to hormone treatment for menopausal hot flashes.

Diurnal rhythm and concordance between objective and subjective hot flashes: the Hilo Women's Health Study.

PubMed

Sievert, Lynnette L; Reza, Angela; Mills, Phoebe; Morrison, Lynn; Rahberg, Nichole; Goodloe, Amber; Sutherland, Michael; Brown, Daniel E

2010-01-01

The aims of this study were to test for a diurnal pattern in hot flashes in a multiethnic population living in a hot, humid environment and to examine the rates of concordance between objective and subjective measures of hot flashes using ambulatory and laboratory measures. Study participants aged 45 to 55 years were recruited from the general population of Hilo, HI. Women wore a Biolog hot flash monitor (UFI, Morro Bay, CA), kept a diary for 24 hours, and also participated in 3-hour laboratory measures (n = 199). Diurnal patterns were assessed using polynomial regression. For each woman, objectively recorded hot flashes that matched subjective experience were treated as true-positive readings. Subjective hot flashes were considered the standard for computing false-positive and false-negative readings. True-positive, false-positive, and false-negative readings were compared across ethnic groups by chi analyses. Frequencies of sternal, nuchal, and subjective hot flashes peaked at 1500 +/- 1 hours with no difference by ethnicity. Laboratory results supported the pattern seen in ambulatory monitoring. Sternal and nuchal monitoring showed the same frequency of true-positive measures, but nonsternal electrodes picked up more false-positive readings. Laboratory monitoring showed very low frequencies of false negatives. There were no ethnic differences in the frequency of true-positive or false-positive measures. Women of European descent were more likely to report hot flashes that were not objectively demonstrated (false-negative measures). The diurnal pattern and peak in hot flash occurrence in the hot humid environment of Hilo were similar to results from more temperate environments. Lack of variation in sternal versus nonsternal measures and in true-positive measures across ethnicities suggests no appreciable effect of population variation in sweating patterns.

Diurnal rhythm and concordance between objective and subjective hot flashes: The Hilo Women’s Health Study

PubMed Central

Sievert, Lynnette L.; Reza, Angela; Mills, Phoebe; Morrison, Lynn; Rahberg, Nichole; Goodloe, Amber; Sutherland, Michael; Brown, Daniel E.

2010-01-01

Objective To test for a diurnal pattern in hot flashes in a multi-ethnic population living in a hot, humid environment. To examine rates of concordance between objective and subjective measures of hot flashes using ambulatory and laboratory measures. Methods Study participants aged 45–55 were recruited from the general population of Hilo, Hawaii. Women wore a Biolog hot flash monitor, kept a diary for 24-hours, and also participated in 3-hour laboratory measures (n=199). Diurnal patterns were assessed using polynomial regression. For each woman, objectively recorded hot flashes that matched subjective experience were treated as true positive readings. Subjective hot flashes were considered the standard for computing false positive and false negative readings. True positive, false positive, and false negative readings were compared across ethnic groups by chi-square analyses. Results Frequencies of sternal, nuchal and subjective hot flashes peaked at 15:00 ± 1 hour with no difference by ethnicity. Laboratory results supported the pattern seen in ambulatory monitoring. Sternal and nuchal monitoring showed the same frequency of true positive measures, but non-sternal electrodes picked up more false positive readings. Laboratory monitoring showed very low frequencies of false negatives. There were no ethnic differences in the frequency of true positive or false positive measures. Women of European descent were more likely to report hot flashes that were not objectively demonstrated (false negative measures). Conclusions The diurnal pattern and peak in hot flash occurrence in the hot humid environment of Hilo was similar to results from more temperate environments. Lack of variation in sternal vs. non-sternal measures, and in true positive measures across ethnicities suggests no appreciable effect of population variation in sweating patterns. PMID:20220538

Active Flash: Out-of-core Data Analytics on Flash Storage

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

Boboila, Simona; Kim, Youngjae; Vazhkudai, Sudharshan S

2012-01-01

Next generation science will increasingly come to rely on the ability to perform efficient, on-the-fly analytics of data generated by high-performance computing (HPC) simulations, modeling complex physical phenomena. Scientific computing workflows are stymied by the traditional chaining of simulation and data analysis, creating multiple rounds of redundant reads and writes to the storage system, which grows in cost with the ever-increasing gap between compute and storage speeds in HPC clusters. Recent HPC acquisitions have introduced compute node-local flash storage as a means to alleviate this I/O bottleneck. We propose a novel approach, Active Flash, to expedite data analysis pipelines bymore » migrating to the location of the data, the flash device itself. We argue that Active Flash has the potential to enable true out-of-core data analytics by freeing up both the compute core and the associated main memory. By performing analysis locally, dependence on limited bandwidth to a central storage system is reduced, while allowing this analysis to proceed in parallel with the main application. In addition, offloading work from the host to the more power-efficient controller reduces peak system power usage, which is already in the megawatt range and poses a major barrier to HPC system scalability. We propose an architecture for Active Flash, explore energy and performance trade-offs in moving computation from host to storage, demonstrate the ability of appropriate embedded controllers to perform data analysis and reduction tasks at speeds sufficient for this application, and present a simulation study of Active Flash scheduling policies. These results show the viability of the Active Flash model, and its capability to potentially have a transformative impact on scientific data analysis.« less

CYP2D6 genotype in relation to hot flashes as tamoxifen side effect in a Dutch cohort of the tamoxifen exemestane adjuvant multinational (TEAM) trial.

PubMed

Dezentjé, Vincent O; Gelderblom, Hans; Van Schaik, Ron H N; Vletter-Bogaartz, Judith M; Van der Straaten, Tahar; Wessels, Judith A M; Kranenbarg, Elma Meershoek-Klein; Berns, Els M; Seynaeve, Caroline; Putter, Hein; Van de Velde, Cornelis J H; Nortier, Johan W R; Guchelaar, Henk-Jan

2014-01-01

In tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients the occurrence of hot flashes may be associated with effective estrogen receptor antagonism dependent on genetic variations of metabolic enzymes and the estrogen receptor. Early breast cancer patients who were randomized to receive tamoxifen, followed by exemestane within the tamoxifen exemestane adjuvant multinational trial were genotyped for five CYP2D6 alleles. CYP2D6 genotypes and phenotypes were related to the occurrence of hot flashes as adverse event during the first year of tamoxifen use (primary aim) and the time to the occurrence of hot flashes as AE during the complete time on tamoxifen (secondary aim). In addition, exploratory analyses on 22 genetic variants of other metabolic enzymes and two common polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor-1 were performed. No association was found between the CYP2D6 genotype/phenotype or any other genetic variant and hot flashes during the first year. Only higher age was related to a lower incidence of hot flashes in the first year (adjusted odds ratio 0.94, 95 % CI 0.92-0.96; p < 0.001). The ESR1 PvuII XbaI CG haplotype was associated with the time to the occurrence of hot flashes during the complete time on tamoxifen (CG/CG vs. CG/other + other/other: adjusted hazard ratio 0.49, 95 % CI 0.25-0.97; p = 0.04). In conclusion, the CYP2D6 genotypes and phenotypes were not associated with the occurrence of hot flashes. Common polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor-1 might predict hot flashes as common tamoxifen side effect, although this finding needs replication.

Simulating Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes due to cosmic ray shower electrons and positrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Connell, Paul

2017-04-01

The University of Valencia has developed a software simulator LEPTRACK to simulate the relativistic runaway electron avalanches, RREA, that are presumed to be the cause of Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes and their powerful accompanying Ionization/Excitation Flashes. We show here results of LEPTRACK simulations of RREA by the interaction of MeV energy electrons/positrons and photons in cosmic ray showers traversing plausible electric field geometries expected in storm clouds. The input beams of MeV shower products were created using the CORSIKA software package from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. We present images, videos and plots showing the different Ionization, Excitation and gamma-ray photon density fields produced, along with their time and spatial profile evolution, which depend critically on where the line of shower particles intercept the electric field geometry. We also show a new effect of incoming positrons in the shower, which make up a significant fraction of shower products, in particular their apparent "orbiting" within a high altitude negative induced shielding charge layer, which has been conjectured to produce a signature microwave emission, as well as a short range 511 keV annihilation line. The interesting question posed is if this conjectured positron emission can be observed and correlated with TGF orbital observations to show if a TGF originates in the macro E-fields of storm clouds or the micro E-fields of lightning leaders where this positron "orbiting" is not likely to occur.

The Distribution of Lightning Channel Lengths in Northern Alabama Thunderstorms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peterson, H. S.; Koshak, W. J.

2010-01-01

Lightning is well known to be a major source of tropospheric NOx, and in most cases is the dominant natural source (Huntreiser et al 1998, Jourdain and Hauglustaine 2001). Production of NOx by a segment of a lightning channel is a function of channel segment energy density and channel segment altitude. A first estimate of NOx production by a lightning flash can be found by multiplying production per segment [typically 104 J/m; Hill (1979)] by the total length of the flash s channel. The purpose of this study is to determine average channel length for lightning flashes near NALMA in 2008, and to compare average channel length of ground flashes to the average channel length of cloud flashes.

All-season flash flood forecasting system for real-time operations

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Flash floods can cause extensive damage to both life and property, especially because they are difficult to predict. Flash flood prediction requires high-resolution meteorologic observations and predictions, as well as calibrated hydrologic models in addition to extensive data handling. We have de...

Impacts of LED Brightness, Flash Pattern, and Location for Illuminated Pedestrian Traffic Control Device

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-05-01

Illuminated traffic control devices, such as rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB), have been shown to increase the number of drivers yielding to crossing pedestrians. There is some concern that the brightness of flashes at or contained within si...

Experimental effective intensity of steady and flashing light emitting diodes for aircraft anti-collision lighting.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-08-01

Research was conducted to determine the effective intensity of flashing lights that incorporate light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs require less power and have the ability to flash without the addition of moving parts. Compared with incandescent bulbs...

Using an extended 2D hydrodynamic model for evaluating damage risk caused by extreme rain events: Flash-Flood-Risk-Map (FFRM) Upper Austria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Humer, Günter; Reithofer, Andreas

2016-04-01

Using an extended 2D hydrodynamic model for evaluating damage risk caused by extreme rain events: Flash-Flood-Risk-Map (FFRM) Upper Austria Considering the increase in flash flood events causing massive damage during the last years in urban but also rural areas [1-4], the requirement for hydrodynamic calculation of flash flood prone areas and possible countermeasures has arisen to many municipalities and local governments. Besides the German based URBAS project [1], also the EU-funded FP7 research project "SWITCH-ON" [5] addresses the damage risk caused by flash floods in the sub-project "FFRM" (Flash Flood Risk Map Upper Austria) by calculating damage risk for buildings and vulnerable infrastructure like schools and hospitals caused by flash-flood driven inundation. While danger zones in riverine flooding are established as an integral part of spatial planning, flash floods caused by overland runoff from extreme rain events have been for long an underrated safety hazard not only for buildings and infrastructure, but man and animals as well. Based on the widespread 2D-model "hydro_as-2D", an extension was developed, which calculates the runoff formation from a spatially and temporally variable precipitation and determines two dimensionally the land surface area runoff and its concentration. The conception of the model is to preprocess the precipitation data and calculate the effective runoff-volume for a short time step of e.g. five minutes. This volume is applied to the nodes of the 2D-model and the calculation of the hydrodynamic model is started. At the end of each time step, the model run is stopped, the preprocessing step is repeated and the hydraulic model calculation is continued. In view of the later use for the whole of Upper Austria (12.000 km²) a model grid of 25x25 m² was established using digital elevation data. Model parameters could be estimated for the small catchment of river Ach, which was hit by an intense rain event with up to 109 mm per hour at 20th of June 2012, based on open data sources of geology, soil and land use. The aim of FFRM is to provide an estimation of the damage risk caused by flash-floods for the whole of Upper Austria. To address the hazard, inundation depths were calculated with the extended 2D-model using design rains with an 100-year return period provided by the Environmental Ministry [7]. The potential damage was calculated using damage functions, which were derived from our experience from damage surveys of past events in Austria and according to guidelines for determination of cost-benefit-ratios for flood protection measures [8]. The greatest difficulty was to get appropriate data for the distribution of houses and industrial plants. Zoning plans provide good information on spatial distribution of residential, commercial and industrial areas, but does not contain information on the kind of industry, which is essential for estimating absolute damage values. To get a first idea detailed information from surveyed areas was intersected with the zoning plan, which provides an average damage in the respective zones. The first results can be found on www.waterviewer.com and will be updated with the further development of the project. [1] URBAS, risk management of extreme flooding events - prediction and management of flash floods in urban areas, www.urbanesturzfluten.de, prompted on 13th of November 2014 [2] Società Meteorologica Italiana (SMI), http://www.nimbus.it/eventi/2013/130624flashfloodRimini.pdf, prompted on 13th of November 2014 [3]Newspaper "Österreich", http://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/chronik/Sturzflut-Regen-legt-Ost-Oesterreich-lahm/1509113, prompted on 13th of November 2014 [4] Newspaper "Oberösterreichische Nachrichten", http://www.nachrichten.at/oberoesterreich/Unwetter-Mure-riss-Strasse-mit-Wohnhaus-in-Gosau-gefaehrdet;art4,911288 , prompted on 13th of November 2014 [5] Sharing Water-related Information to Tackle Changes in the Hydrosphere - for Operational Needs (SWITCH-ON), http://water-switch-on.eu [6] European Commission, directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 23rd October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:288:0027:0034:en:PDF [7] http://ehyd.gv.at [8] Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management: „Kosten-Nutzen-Untersuchungen im Schutzwaserbau", July 2009

Investigation of Flash Fill{reg_sign} as a thermal backfill material

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

Ayers, P.H.; Charlton, C.B.; Frishette, C.W.

1995-09-01

Flash Fill{reg_sign} was created as a fast-setting, flowable backfill material made entirely from coal combustion by-products and water. Its quick-setting, self-leveling, self-compacting characteristics makes trench road repairs faster, easier, and more economical. Other uses include building foundations, fill around pipes, gas lines, and manholes, and replacement of weak subgrade beneath rooters. Flash Fill can be hand-excavated without the use of power assisted tools or machinery. To enhance thermal resistivity, the original Flash Fill mix was modified to include concrete sand. This resulted in a new Flash Fill, designated FSAND, with all of the aforementioned desirable characteristics of Flash Fill andmore » a thermal resistivity of approximately 50{degree} C-cm/watt. Thermal resistivity tests using conventional laboratory thermal probes, high-current thermal tests, and moisture migration tests have been performed to determine the properties of FSAND. As a result of these tests, FSAND has been approved for use as power cable thermal backfill on all AEP System distribution projects.« less

Co-design of application software and NAND flash memory in solid-state drive for relational database storage system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyaji, Kousuke; Sun, Chao; Soga, Ayumi; Takeuchi, Ken

2014-01-01

A relational database management system (RDBMS) is designed based on NAND flash solid-state drive (SSD) for storage. By vertically integrating the storage engine (SE) and the flash translation layer (FTL), system performance is maximized and the internal SSD overhead is minimized. The proposed RDBMS SE utilizes physical information about the NAND flash memory which is supplied from the FTL. The query operation is also optimized for SSD. By these treatments, page-copy-less garbage collection is achieved and data fragmentation in the NAND flash memory is suppressed. As a result, RDBMS performance increases by 3.8 times, power consumption of SSD decreases by 46% and SSD life time is increased by 61%. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme increases with larger erase block sizes, which matches the future scaling trend of three-dimensional (3D-) NAND flash memories. The preferable row data size of the proposed scheme is below 500 byte for 16 kbyte page size.

Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Ghazanfarpour, M; Sadeghi, R; Roudsari, R Latifnejad; Khorsand, I; Khadivzadeh, T; Muoio, B

2016-01-01

This study evaluated the efficacy of red clover to relieve hot flashes and menopausal symptoms in peri/postmenopausal women. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library) were searched. The mean frequency of hot flashes in red clover groups was lower compared with that in the control groups (close to statistical significance). Difference in means (MD) of hot flashes frequency was - 1.99 (- 4.12-0.139; p = 0.067; heterogeneity P > 0.01; I(2) = 94.93%; Random effect model). Subjective (vaginal dryness) and objective (maturation value) symptoms of vaginal atrophy showed a significant improvement with 80-mg dose of red clover. Red clover showed less therapeutic effect on psychology status, sexual problems and sleeping disorders. Red clover consumption may decrease frequency of hot flashes, especially in women with severe hot flashes (≥ 5 per day). Red clover may reduce other menopausal symptoms. Further trials are needed to confirm the current systematic review findings.

A Cascading Storm-Flood-Landslide Guidance System: Development and Application in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Ziyue; Tang, Guoqiang; Long, Di; Ma, Meihong; Hong, Yang

2016-04-01

Flash floods and landslides, triggered by storms, often interact and cause cascading effects on human lives and property. Satellite remote sensing data has significant potential use in analysis of these natural hazards. As one of the regions continuously affected by severe flash floods and landslides, Yunnan Province, located in Southwest China, has a complex mountainous hydrometeorology and suffers from frequent heavy rainfalls from May through to late September. Taking Yunnan as a test-bed, this study proposed a Cascading Storm-Flood-Landslide Guidance System to progressively analysis and evaluate the risk of the multi-hazards based on multisource satellite remote sensing data. First, three standardized rainfall amounts (average daily amount in flood seasons, maximum 1h and maximum 6h amount) from the products of Topical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) were used as rainfall indicators to derive the StorM Hazard Index (SMHI). In this process, an integrated approach of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Information-Entropy theory was adopted to determine the weight of each indicator. Then, land cover and vegetation cover data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products, soil type from the Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD) soil map, and slope from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data were add as semi-static geo-topographical indicators to derive the Flash Flood Hazard Index (FFHI). Furthermore, three more relevant landslide-controlling indicators, including elevation, slope angle and soil text were involved to derive the LandSlide Hazard Index (LSHI). Further inclusion of GDP, population and prevention measures as vulnerability indicators enabled to consecutively predict the risk of storm to flash flood and landslide, respectively. Consequently, the spatial patterns of the hazard indices show that the southeast of Yunnan has more possibility to encounter with storms than other parts, while the northeast of Yunnan are most susceptible to floods and landslides, which agrees with the distribution of observed flood and landslide events. Moreover, risks for the multi-hazards were classified into four categories. Results show a strong correlation between the distributions of flash flood prone and landslide-prone regions and also highlight the counties with high risk of storms (e.g., Funing and Malipo), flash floods (e.g., Gongshan and Yanjing) and landslides (e.g., Zhaotong and Luxi). Compared to other approaches, the Cascading Storm-Flood-Landslide Guidance System uses a straightforward yet useful indicator-based weighted linear combination method and could be a useful prototype in mapping characteristics of storm-triggered hazards for users at different administrative levels (e.g., catchment, town, county, province and even nation) in China.

Metal-poor stars. IV - The evolution of red giants.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rood, R. T.

1972-01-01

Detailed evolutionary calculations for six Population-II red giants are presented. The first five of these models are followed from the zero age main sequence to the onset of the helium flash. The sixth model allows the effect of direct electron-neutrino interactions to be estimated. The updated input physics and evolutionary code are described briefly. The results of the calculations are presented in a manner pertinent to later stages of evolutions and suitable for comparison with observations.

Basic Research in Electronics (JSEP).

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-30

These antennas can have a low profile or be flush-mounted, are inherently rugged, are simple to fabricate , and can be made conformal to the surface...made in. the " light flash" radiated by the plasma in front of the metal surface. D. High-Power Microwave-Atmosphere Interactions The original model...Scintillation," Ph.D. Thesis , Poly- technic Institute of New York (August 1980); also POLY-MRI Report No. 80-1410. 7. S.R. Barone, "Angular Momentum of Particles

Time-Space Position of Warm Dense Matter in Laser Plasma Interaction Process

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

Cao, L F; Uschmann, I; Forster, E

2006-09-25

Laser plasma interaction experiments have been perform performed using an fs Titanium Sapphire laser. Plasmas have been generated from planar PMMA targets using single laser pulses with 3.3 mJ pulse energy, 50 fs pulse duration at 800 nm wavelength. Electron density distributions of the plasmas in different delay times have been characterized by means of Nomarski Interferometry. Experimental data were cautiously compared with relevant 1D numerical simulation. Finally these results provide a first experience of searching for the time-space position of the so-called warm dense plasma in an ultra fast laser target interaction process. These experiments aim to prepare nearmore » solid-density plasmas for Thomson scattering experiments using the short wavelength free-electron laser FLASH, DESY Hamburg.« less

Mortality from flash floods: a review of national weather service reports, 1969-81.

PubMed Central

French, J; Ing, R; Von Allmen, S; Wood, R

1983-01-01

Of all weather-related disasters that occur in the United States, floods are the main cause of death, and most flood-related deaths are attributed to flash floods. Whenever a weather-related disaster involves 30 or more deaths or more than $100 million in property damage, the National Weather Service (NWS) forms a survey team to investigate the disaster and write a report of findings. All NWS survey reports on flash floods issued during 1969-81 were reviewed to determine the mortality resulting from such floods, the effect of warnings on mortality, and the circumstances contributing to death. A total of 1,185 deaths were associated with 32 flash floods, an average of 37 deaths per flash flood. The highest average number of deaths per event was associated with the four flash floods in which dams broke after heavy rains. Although there were 18 flash floods in 1977-81 and only 14 in 1969-76, the number of deaths was 2 1/2 times greater during the earlier period. More than twice as many deaths were associated with flash floods for which the survey team considered the warnings inadequate than with those with warnings considered adequate. Ninety-three percent of the deaths were due to drowning and 42 percent of these drownings were car related. The other drownings occurred in homes, at campsites, or when persons were crossing bridges and streams. The need for monitoring dams during periods of heavy rainfall is highlighted. PMID:6419273

Sternal Skin Conductance: A reasonable surrogate for Hot Flash Measurement?

PubMed Central

Pachman, Deirdre R.; Loprinzi, Charles L.; Novotny, Paul J; Satele, Daniel V; Linquist, Breanna M.; Wolf, Sherry; Barton, Debra L.

2013-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of a new sternal skin conductance (SSC) device for the measurement of hot flashes, and secondly, to assess the acceptability of the device by women. Methods Three small descriptive pilot studies were performed utilizing two sequential prototypes of the SSC device developed by an engineering device company in the Midwest. The devices were worn either in a monitored setting for 24 hours or in an ambulatory setting for 5 weeks. During the study period, women recorded hot flashes in a prospective hot flash diary and also answered questions about the acceptability of wearing the SSC device. Results The first prototype was not able to collect any analyzable skin conductance data due to various malfunction issues; including poor conductance and battery failure. However, 16 patients did wear the device for 5 weeks and reported that wearing the device was acceptable, although 31% stated that it did interfere with daily activities. Hot flash data from the second prototype revealed a concordance rate between patient reported and device recorded hot flashes of 24%. Conclusions Findings from these studies support the discordance between SSC recorded and patient reported hot flashes. In addition, the studies reveal further limitations of SSC monitoring, including difficulties with data collection and lack of consistency in interpretation. Based on these results and other recent trials identifying issues with SSC methodology, it is time to find a better physiologic surrogate measure for hot flashes. PMID:23571528

Vitamin Content of Breast Milk From HIV-1–Infected Mothers Before and After Flash-Heat Treatment

PubMed Central

Israel-Ballard, Kiersten A.; Abrams, Barbara F.; Coutsoudis, Anna; Sibeko, Lindiwe N.; Cheryk, Lynn A.; Chantry, Caroline J.

2010-01-01

Background World Health Organization advocates heat treatment of expressed breastmilk (EBM) as one method to reduce postnatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in developing countries. Flash-heat is a simple heat treatment method shown to inactivate cell-free HIV. Objective To determine the effect of flash-heat on vitamin content of milk. Methods Fresh EBM was collected from 50 HIV+ mothers in Durban, South Africa. Mothers washed their hands and then manually expressed 75–150 mL EBM into sterile jars. Milk was aliquoted to unheated controls or flash-heat (50 mL EBM in a glass jar heated in a 450-mL water jacket in an aluminum pan until water boiled, then EBM removed) simulating field conditions with an open flame. Samples were stored at −70°C and then analyzed for the effect of flash-heat on vitamins [A, ascorbic acid, riboflavin (B2), pyridoxal-5-phosphate (B6), folate, and B12]. Results Vitamin A was not significantly affected by flash-heat and vitamins B12 and C and folate increased significantly. Vitamins B2 and B6 were decreased to 59% (95% confidence interval 44 to 81) and 96% (95% confidence interval 92 to 99), respectively, of that found in unheated milk. Conclusions The percentage remaining after flash-heat suggests that most vitamin concentrations are retained after heating. Flash-heat may be a practical and nutritious infant feeding method for mothers in developing countries. PMID:18614920

CROSS CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF DETERMINANTS OF HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS: LATIN-AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS TO MADRID AND THEIR SPANISH NEIGHBORS

PubMed Central

Pérez-Alcalá, Irene; Sievert, Lynnette Leidy; Obermeyer, Carla Makhlouf; Reher, David Sven

2013-01-01

Objective This study applies a biocultural perspective to better understand the determinants of hot flashes and night sweats within immigrant and local populations in Madrid, Spain. Methods A combined sample of 575 women from Madrid, aged 45 to 55, was drawn from two studies. The Spanish sample (n=274) participated in the Decisions at Menopause Study (DAMES) in 2000–2002. The Latin-American sample (n=301) was drawn from immigrants to Madrid in 2010–2011. Chi square analyses and logistic regression models were carried out among the combined controlling by origin of provenance. Results Forty four percent of the women reported hot flashes, 36% reported night sweats and 26% both symptoms. Compared to Spanish women, Latin-American women were less likely to report hot flashes (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4–0.9) after controlling for demographic variables and menopausal status. The same was not found for night sweats and for both symptoms combined. Determinants of hot flashes differed from determinants of night sweats. Conclusions Because determinants differed, hot flashes and night sweats should be queried and analyzed separately. Latin-American women were less likely to report hot flashes, but not night sweats or both symptoms combined. More research is needed to clarify the differences in reported hot flashes as the lesser report among immigrants could have been a cultural rather than a biological phenomenon. PMID:23571525

Vitamin content of breast milk from HIV-1-infected mothers before and after flash-heat treatment.

PubMed

Israel-Ballard, Kiersten A; Abrams, Barbara F; Coutsoudis, Anna; Sibeko, Lindiwe N; Cheryk, Lynn A; Chantry, Caroline J

2008-08-01

World Health Organization advocates heat treatment of expressed breastmilk (EBM) as one method to reduce postnatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in developing countries. Flash-heat is a simple heat treatment method shown to inactivate cell-free HIV. To determine the effect of flash-heat on vitamin content of milk. Fresh EBM was collected from 50 HIV+ mothers in Durban, South Africa. Mothers washed their hands and then manually expressed 75-150 mL EBM into sterile jars. Milk was aliquoted to unheated controls or flash-heat (50 mL EBM in a glass jar heated in a 450-mL water jacket in an aluminum pan until water boiled, then EBM removed) simulating field conditions with an open flame. Samples were stored at -70 degrees C and then analyzed for the effect of flash-heat on vitamins [A, ascorbic acid, riboflavin (B2), pyridoxal-5-phosphate (B6), folate, and B12]. Vitamin A was not significantly affected by flash-heat and vitamins B12 and C and folate increased significantly. Vitamins B2 and B6 were decreased to 59% (95% confidence interval 44 to 81) and 96% (95% confidence interval 92 to 99), respectively, of that found in unheated milk. The percentage remaining after flash-heat suggests that most vitamin concentrations are retained after heating. Flash-heat may be a practical and nutritious infant feeding method for mothers in developing countries.

Impact of rainfall spatial variability on Flash Flood Forecasting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Douinot, Audrey; Roux, Hélène; Garambois, Pierre-André; Larnier, Kevin

2014-05-01

According to the United States National Hazard Statistics database, flooding and flash flooding have caused the largest number of deaths of any weather-related phenomenon over the last 30 years (Flash Flood Guidance Improvement Team, 2003). Like the storms that cause them, flash floods are very variable and non-linear phenomena in time and space, with the result that understanding and anticipating flash flood genesis is far from straightforward. In the U.S., the Flash Flood Guidance (FFG) estimates the average number of inches of rainfall for given durations required to produce flash flooding in the indicated county. In Europe, flash flood often occurred on small catchments (approximately 100 km2) and it has been shown that the spatial variability of rainfall has a great impact on the catchment response (Le Lay and Saulnier, 2007). Therefore, in this study, based on the Flash flood Guidance method, rainfall spatial variability information is introduced in the threshold estimation. As for FFG, the threshold is the number of millimeters of rainfall required to produce a discharge higher than the discharge corresponding to the first level (yellow) warning of the French flood warning service (SCHAPI: Service Central d'Hydrométéorologie et d'Appui à la Prévision des Inondations). The indexes δ1 and δ2 of Zoccatelli et al. (2010), based on the spatial moments of catchment rainfall, are used to characterize the rainfall spatial distribution. Rainfall spatial variability impacts on warning threshold and on hydrological processes are then studied. The spatially distributed hydrological model MARINE (Roux et al., 2011), dedicated to flash flood prediction is forced with synthetic rainfall patterns of different spatial distributions. This allows the determination of a warning threshold diagram: knowing the spatial distribution of the rainfall forecast and therefore the 2 indexes δ1 and δ2, the threshold value is read on the diagram. A warning threshold diagram is built for each studied catchment. The proposed methodology is applied on three Mediterranean catchments often submitted to flash floods. The new forecasting method as well as the Flash Flood Guidance method (uniform rainfall threshold) are tested on 25 flash floods events that had occurred on those catchments. Results show a significant impact of rainfall spatial variability. Indeed, it appears that the uniform rainfall threshold (FFG threshold) always overestimates the observed rainfall threshold. The difference between the FFG threshold and the proposed threshold ranges from 8% to 30%. The proposed methodology allows the calculation of a threshold more representative of the observed one. However, results strongly depend on the related event duration and on the catchment properties. For instance, the impact of the rainfall spatial variability seems to be correlated with the catchment size. According to these results, it seems to be interesting to introduce information on the catchment properties in the threshold calculation. Flash Flood Guidance Improvement Team, 2003. River Forecast Center (RFC) Development Management Team. Final Report. Office of Hydrologic Development (OHD), Silver Spring, Mary-land. Le Lay, M. and Saulnier, G.-M., 2007. Exploring the signature of climate and landscape spatial variabilities in flash flood events: Case of the 8-9 September 2002 Cévennes-Vivarais catastrophic event. Geophysical Research Letters, 34(L13401), doi:10.1029/2007GL029746. Roux, H., Labat, D., Garambois, P.-A., Maubourguet, M.-M., Chorda, J. and Dartus, D., 2011. A physically-based parsimonious hydrological model for flash floods in Mediterranean catchments. Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci. J1 - NHESS, 11(9), 2567-2582. Zoccatelli, D., Borga, M., Zanon, F., Antonescu, B. and Stancalie, G., 2010. Which rainfall spatial information for flash flood response modelling? A numerical investigation based on data from the Carpathian range, Romania. Journal of Hydrology, 394(1-2), 148-161.

Radiation Tests of Highly Scaled, High-Density, Commercial, Nonvolatile NAND Flash Memories - Update 2010

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Irom, Farokh; Nguyen, Duc N.

2010-01-01

High-density, commercial, nonvolatile flash memories with NAND architecture are now available from several manufacturers. This report examines SEE effects and TID response in single-level cell (SLC) and multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memories manufactured by Micron Technology.

78 FR 38996 - Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request; Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-28

... Comment Request; Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) Study (NCI) Summary: In.... Proposed Collection: Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) Study 0925--NEW, National... FLASHE study seeks to examine psychosocial, generational (parent-adolescent), and environmental...

A Photogate Flash Trigger and a Demonstration of Inertia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winters, Loren

1992-01-01

Describes a photogate electronic flash trigger that synchronizes flash discharge with high-speed events. Presents a photographic study of a high-speed collision demonstrating the passage of a BB through an elastic strip. Provides the schematic of the delay circuit utilized in the trigger. (MDH)

Two-flash thresholds as a function of comparison stimulus duration.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1970-09-01

The proposal that two-flash thresholds may be used as direct measures of the critical duration (tc) of Bloch's law was tested. Two-flash threshold was found to be an increasing function of comparison stimulus duration for durations of 3 to 22 msec. i...

Flash Study Analysis and the Music Learning Pro-Files Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cremata, Radio; Pignato, Joseph; Powell, Bryan; Smith, Gareth Dylan

2016-01-01

This paper introduces the Music Learning Profiles Project, and its methodological approach, flash study analysis. Flash study analysis is a method that draws heavily on extant qualitative approaches to education research, to develop broad understandings of music learning in diverse contexts. The Music Learning Profiles Project (MLPP) is an…